FYI- free ISP

[augidog]

some of you might be aware i've been having ISP problems, many major and minor, far too many for a paid service.

well...i just installed Net Zero, and got a better connection on the 1st try!!!

i'm not going to actually advocate Net Zero, but an interesting point is that it will work with my proxy!! i'm 'sold'.

[This message has been edited by augidog (edited 05-03-99).]

[ENVY]

did you figure out how to get rid of that banner?

[socalgal]

I heard about NetZero a few months ago. They maintain a free service by displaying lots of advertising. Looks like they are offering alot of jobs too.

I am glad it's working out for you AugiDog!

[Jin Vitas]

shhhh.. the more people that know.. the more busy signals..

[augidog]

the banner is sitting on my proxy server, but since netzero actually uses a (embedded) DUN connection, i can still use my client PC through spoonproxy. AND, they track your 'history', except my proxy's history is empty http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

the DUN requires the 'banner' which is quite small and can be placed where you want.

you get free email with a 3M attachment allowance.

drawback-a 45 min. "idle" window, kinda like AOL...anybody know how i can maybe have my browser 'refresh' every 30 min. or something like that?

anybody have a copy of "autoclick"?

[This message has been edited by augidog (edited 05-03-99).]

[socalgal]

Pick and Choose your idle buster here:

http://www.winfiles.com/apps/98/keepalive.html

I tell you, if they don't have it, I haven't found it, when it comes to shareware!

[augidog]

socalgal - too cool http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

update - Keep It Alive didn't work...i actually have to kill the timer window...any help? http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

[This message has been edited by augidog (edited 05-03-99).]

[socalgal]

Augi

did you look thru that site at winfiles? they have lots, and AutoClick too...

[augidog]

socalgal - http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bay/3109/autoclick/autoclick.html http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

[suzan]

I also have had trouble with my paid ISP(AOL) and d\l netzero. I have less disconnects with netzero than with AOhell. And I have exerienced none of the system response -stuck hourglass problems that are frequent on AOL. The best thing to do about the netzero popup is to cover it with a postit note and click on the banner ads every once and a while to make netzero advertisers think they are getting their money's worth.

[socalgal]

hmm http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

[hai]

You guys just go dejanews to search AutonetO, that one can hide banner and autoclick the inactivity prompt window and with many other functions, that's a must to use with netzero.

[augidog]

thanx, hai!

www.discorp.net/autoneto/ (http://www.discorp.net/autoneto/) it works!

[This message has been edited by augidog (edited 05-04-99).]

[suzan]

Way cool!. Im gonna try that. thanx

[augidog]

suzan - don't let it "random click" the banner...i guess Net0 got wise to that...i get disconnected.

just do the "auto dismiss inactivity warning" http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[brandon184]

I can't get it, Im not within any of the dialin locations!

[hhieu]

Waahoooo...way to go, AutoNetO http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
However, the ad banner still works in the background (: slows the connection a bit
Thanks guys,

[AuraEdge]

I read somewhere that if they catch u somehow its a 55 bucks on ur phone bill per month without u bein notifyed. Fryin stuff...ok....overclockin til sparks fly...ok...but aint gunan risk my money
i found out if u ***** enuf to ISP's for crappy service, they make it a lil better.
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[suzan]

augidog-your link for autoclick-www.discorp.net\autoneto\-I got error 404-page not found-no longer exists. :-(

[augidog]

when i use the 'random click the banner' i get disconnected...not so when i just do the timer kill.

interesting about the $55, will investigate before it's too late.

Global Net Resources (my ISP) sold me access to a 'temporary' server while a new one was being built, two months ago! It took them 3 weeks to get my FTP service set up & my homepage still doesn't display! Mail drops out periodically, news dies whenever, sometimes the server rejects my ID & password, sometimes I get a 'dead' connection, other times a speed as low as 30,666, the support line isn't manned during the hours they claim to offer support,lousy service, wouldn't you agree?
My complaints are not addressed, rather GNR support tells me i am the only one complaining, and my FTP takes 2nd priority to business FTP, the server does not reject my ID (i have modem logs to prove it, which I send them daily), and that I am a "jerk"!
Two days ago, I sent the entire thread of correspondence to the owners...no response.
Now I'm trying to get a refund, and that's a whole 'nother joke, 'cept I'm not laughing! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

email me and i will send autonet0 http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

just checked Net0's site for reference to a 'charge'...nothing.

[This message has been edited by augidog (edited 05-05-99).]

[suzan]

augidog-look again-at the netzero site I carefully read the service terms and conditions :http://www.netzero.net/home/serv_terms.html
2.0 NetZero Services
NetZero Services. NetZero will provide NetZero Services to You without charge, SUBJECT to Your compliance with these Terms and Conditions, the Guidelines and the License Agreement.

OTHER CHARGES:You are responsible for any charges related to use of Your NetZero Services account, including charges for any purchases made through use of NetZero Services and any surcharges incurred while using any supplemental services or features other than NetZero Services which apply a surcharge. You are responsible for all amounts charged by Your telephone company for all calls You make to NetZero's customer support lines and to access NetZero Services. {If You bypass, defeat or disable any portion of the NetZero software, then You will be assessed, and You agree to pay NetZero, a monthly fee of{ $59.95 }for as long as You maintain an account for NetZero Services.} Payment of this fee will not however excuse any criminal or other civil liabilities that may result from Your actions or limit NetZero's right to suspend or terminate Your account for NetZero Services

I did a dejanews search and found out that the ad can't be disabled w\o netzero knowing about it. They can tell when the ad banner isn't active and will cancel your connection.I have heard that stay connected 2.2 works for the netzero idle message. I am gonna try that. http://www.inklineglobal.org/products/sc/
Happy surfing augidog :-)

[hhieu]

Hi Suzan,
Netzero will modify their software so that AutoNetO doesn't work? Yes maybe. But, are they able to find out who uses AutoNetO? I doubt it. Remember, the ad banner is still there, downloads, and rotates ads...It's just that you don't see it. That's all http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[suzan]

Hey Hhieu- from what I understand netzero keeps some sort of TCP connection open with their server and the ad activity is sent down that server. So if the banner is disabled netzero can detect it. But you seem to be saying that autoneto doesnt actually disable the banner so the info is still sent through. If that really is the case then cool-but Im not about to get socked with a 60$ bill for a free ISP when Im also paying for AOL. So the verdict is still out.

[Roy]

I heard that the part about the billing is in the fine print of the user agreement. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

[hhieu]

Why worry? AutoNetO has two main functions that can be used with Netzero: one is to hide the ad banner, and the other is to automatically "click" Resume when the Inactivity Warning window pops up. You can let the ad banner visible if you like...and make Netzero happy http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

By the way, do you know Netgenie.com? They offer life-time Internet for $100. But the thing is that they use the same dial-up nembers with Netzero. I asked them and they said they used the same network or something. I suspect that the two companies are...one. Any ideas?

[augidog]

like i said...when i used autonet0 to disable the banner, i was dis-connected. when i use only the "resume" feature, i can stay connected for hours.

[hhieu]

augidog,
I don't know about you but I use "Hide Advertisement Banner" and "Auto Dismiss Inactivity Warning", and it works just fine...

[Sky]

What if you use a phoney name and address. Can they catch you?

[hhieu]

Hey guys,
The AutoNetO has been discontinued. Guess what may have happened : ? http://autoneto.cjb.net/

[augidog]

to:speedyresponse@netzero.net

hello, i have just initiated a free account with your service.

when my friend helped me set it up, he put something called autonet0 on my computer also, and said it would help me control my connection.( http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif)

i have since learned that you folks do not allow me to disable the banner (and i agree with your reasons), and have unchecked the disable banner feature in autonet0. i do, however, like how it helps me connect and logon and i use those features.

i want to know if this is acceptable. i'm asking because i appreciate your providing me with internet access and do not want any trouble.

augidog

to:Augi-Dog

Dear Valued Customer,

As long as the software does not interfere with our Netzero ad banner loading different advertisements after you connect then it should be OK to keep. But please review our terms of agreement for more information at: http://www.netzero.net/download/user_agreement.html

Thank you for your inquiry,
NetZero Customer Care

well, well... http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

BTW - anyone may email me a request for autonet0 http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by augidog (edited 05-07-99).]

[suzan]

Hey Augidog-Could u e-mail a copy of autoneto? It will be much appreciated. I think u covered yourself-as long as u dont disable the banner. AOL has prohibitions against idle and timer kills-but no one pays any attention. Neither AOL or Netzero can dictate what software is on your hard drive.

[augidog]

this looks pretty simple to me...the usage terms prohibits any act that would "bypass, defeat, or disable"...the only option in autonet0 that does that is the banner feature, the rest are merely automated tasks like clicking the logon and resume buttons, which do pop up as intended by netzero.

any further thoughts?

[AuraEdge]

why are we arguin so much over a FREE isp's small banner? LoL. Cant have ur cake and..well u know the rest. Sides, You know the power of lawyers...I hear every person in the US can be charged with some kind of felony by the time thier 20. Scary thought huh..and u wouldnt even know u did it til some ******* hauls u in court and tells u law #859322957 or sumthin. The governments sick..but ya gotta deal with it
BTW, Im too young to pay taxes, expect my antigov't *****ing to increase when I get a job.

[hhieu]

I don't think it is wrong using the "automated clicking". Even if it is, I won't stop using it unless I get a subpoena http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
AuraEdge,
"..every person in the US can be charged with some kind of felony by the time thier 20" Really? I'm just a bit over 20 now, and I am worried http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

[socalgal]

AugiDog ~

I urge you use caution. His answer appears to me to be somewhat veiled...in what he does not say.

Ask him right out about the TOS and how it will relate to your specific account, i.e., will you get charged for using the AutoNet0 banner feature (or whatever it is). After all, a previous post said you would NOT be notified if you get charged.

[augidog]

who's arguing? i'm not arguing.

however,i do have something to say about the twist this thread has taken.

netzero is not big brother, it is merely a company who has offered me something for free. they don't tell me i have to click the banner or buy anything from the sponsors, they simply say, as a condition of my use of netzero, i cannot disable it. i don't have a problem with that, and if i did, i would quit using netzero.

i use autonet0 to automate (not bypass, defeat, or disable) a couple of steps, and while i could use it to hide the banner ( which, in essence, disables its function), i won't.

anybody want to "argue" with that?

hey socalgal, why does that veiled answer have to be from a "he" and not a "she"? http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[socalgal]

haha Good point AugiDog. If you had responded to same with a "she" in there, I would have asked you the same question. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[suzan]

Hey Augidog-thank you for autonet.I haven't

received an idle message since. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif BTW-have

u experienced more IE and program manager

crashes with netzero?-more so than with your

other ISP? Just wondering..

[augidog]

suzan - you're welcome - i connect through a proxy, which just sits idle, so i really don't know about IE or Explorer crashes, but netzero, overall, performs much better than my pay service (see my prior post).

'gal - ...probably was a "she" http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[hhieu]

Augidog,
What connection speed do you usually have with Netzero? I here have 44kbps. If it's my lucky day (or lucky moment), I may get up to 46 kbps. I have 2 modems, and they get the same connection. Is it 'cause of my telephone line?

[augidog]

must be the lines, or the local equipment...with my pay ISP i get 44000 max, but with netzero i'm doing a consistent 48000.

[suzan]

Well,well,well it seems autoneto has lost its usefullness http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

After I use it for about 20 minutes-I get a message box-"naughty,naughty,naughty,you can use netzero but you can't hide it-1 second to disconnect"

Anyone know whats going on? I'm only using the dismiss inactivity warning. Apparently netzero can detect its use-but how???

[This message has been edited by suzan (edited 05-12-99).]

[CMonster]

Precisely why I am not using Net-big-Zero

netzero is not big brother, it is merely a company who has offered me something for free. they don't tell me i have to click the banner or buy anything from the sponsors, they simply say, as a condition of my use of netzero, i cannot disable it. i don't have a problem with that, and if i did, i would quit using netzero. augidog

I still think there is no such thing as a free lunch....

After I use it for about 20 minutes-I get a message box-"naughty,naughty,naughty,you can use netzero but you can't hide it-1 second to disconnect" suzan

Don't feel bad suzan, I know how you feel; I had a cracked program that displayed this message:

"Congratulations! You have been caught using pirated key codes. How does it feel to be caught with your hands in the cookie jar? Instead of stealing this $59 program why don't your buy it so we can continue to hire talented software engineers and improve our product. A fully functional evaluation copy that is good for 60 days is available at www.theirurl.com. Press any key to quit."

~~someone please pass the napkin so I can wipe off this egg...

[suzan]

This is in reply to the anonymous author of the post, dated 5-13-99
1:37 A.M. YOU HAVE ALOT OF NERVE ACCUSING ME OF STEALING AND
SOFTWARE PIRACY !!!!

If your bleary eyed self had taken the time to read the entire thread you would have discovered that I was using an AUTOCLICK utility to automate the clicking of an idle box for a FREE ISP---(netzero) and I did not use the auto hide feature which is violation of netzero's TOS. And furthermore, I was using this autoclick utility, purely for matters of convenience when downloading, and this in no way amounts to stealing or piracy. Nor does it violate Netzero's own Terms of Service

I am not now, nor have I ever been, nor will I ever be in the posession of pirated software and \or pirated codes, either knowingly or unknowingly. And I do not condone the use of such. I have spent hundreds of dollars on 'fully functional" programs and utilities.

AND YOU OWE ME AN APOLOGY!! And by the way, I have been in contact with Netzero regarding this matter, and they have apologized to me for the inconvenience THEIR ERROR caused me.

And the next time you roam the highways and byways of internet message boards in the wee hours of AM-why don't you take a moment to actually read a thread before you post an anonymous , unfounded and spurious allegations of theft and piracy.

Now please pass the napkin so that we can wipe the egg off your face!!!

And also please be advised that you have committed an unlawful act of libel and defamation. And unless you acknowledge your identity and post an apology within twenty four hours from the date of this post ,directed to me in this forum wherein you acknowledge that you made untruthful and damaging allegations about me that harmed my reputation--I will use and employ whatever legal remedies that are available to me in the federal and state courts!!!

[MadMax]

Suzan~Calm down, please. This board is a way to have fun and learn. That kind of vitriol is not fun or educational. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

You have no case: Cmonster did not state that you are/were doing or ever have done anything illegal, he merely said that he experienced something similar to you.

[This message has been edited by MadMax (edited 05-13-99).]

[suzan]

Correction-I now see that CMonster is the author of the post making the allegations against my reputation. I saw the bit about stealing,piracy and egg on face in BOLD PRINT and my blood started to boil.

I can now get back to work-but before I do-CMonster why did you feel it necessary to defame and libel me with allegations of stealing and software piracy?????

I am new to this forum and I value it for all the knowledgable and helpful people that are willing to offer their kind assistance.

[Maverick81]

Suzan, You really need to calm down. You blame Cmonster for not taking the time to read, yet you in your rage or whatever, fail to read that he posted his name with his message. I really don't feel that he was calling you a software pirate either, he was just telling you of an experience that he had that reminded him of your experience. But going someone's earlier argument about net zero being free and all, I don't see how you can expect them to apologize for anything that they do, seeing that it is free and you don't pay them a cent for it. They should be able to do what they want, which unfortunately includes that dumb banner and kicking you off even if you weren't using autonet0. If you don't like it you shouldn't use it.


[This message has been edited by Maverick81 (edited 05-13-99).]

[hai]

You guys spent too much energy on this topic. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Don't hide banner, hiding banner equals to kill netzero.

Use autoclick idle window function, you waste less time to redial and help minimize the internet traffic in the case of disconnected while downloading, even you ftp client might support resume function, some ftp sites don't support it yet.

AOL, netzero probably don't like you use keep-connecting softwares like autoclick and autoneto, but should you follow all things they want you to do? They will be very appreciated if you can donate them $1000 or click their banner 12 hours every day, will you do that?

[suzan]

Hai and Maverick-thanx I am sufficiently calmed down now- I lasped into my old civil litigator mode and it ain't pretty -lol http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif but I win alot of cases.

You are right, I didn't carefully read CMonster's post-but I have now-and this is how I see it -CMonster addressed me by name and then took a quote from a post of mine and combined it with a quote about piracy and stealing thereby implying that I was guilty of stealing and piracy-and then implied that I have egg on my face resulting from my actions in using an autoclick utility.

???????? I don't get it and don't appreciate it. And how is such a post HELPFUL?? http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

And Madmax- you're right there is no place in this forum for this kind of vitriol. This is a great forum and I don't want to play a part in trashing it.

[DavidX]

Suzan
In my humble opinion you are seeing implications where absolutely none exist. From my reading of CMonster's post I get the impression that he was simply comparing instances of a 'cracked program'. In his own case the example he gives relates to 'pirated' software, but that is NOT nor, I am sure, was it intended to be the basis of any similarity between your 'cracked program' and his own. They merely share the effect of generating an irritating message. That is obviously where the similarity ends. His post, therefore, cannot in any way be taken to imply that you are guilty of 'stealing and piracy'.
And again from my reading, CMonster makes it very clear that the 'egg' was on his OWN face.
I do feel that this is simply an unfortunate misunderstanding and that CMonster was merely giving a program's annoying ability to 'spy' on the user as one of the reasons he does not wish to use NetZero. His post therefore was a valid contribution to the discussion. Frankly, I don't think I'd be too crazy to use NetZero either!
DavidX

[socalgal]

Well said, DavidX.

[CMonster]

Dear Suzan,

I'm sorry if you misunderstood me or the humor in my post listed in FYI-free ISP.

I assure you that I didn't mean anything the way you took it. There is so much I guess I should have written inbetween the lines - I guess there was too much that I took for granted was implied.

1. I wanted to infer that NetZero, a so called free ISP, was intrusive and comerical and for those reasons I feel that accepting such a deal means giving up something - if not money than time or privacy.

2. I found that message you were getting to be humorous because it meant that they (NetZero)have a way of probing your computer and are aware that your perfectly legitimate program is running. Also I found their audassity in calling you "Naughty" to be presumptive and derogatory - but the situation humorous.

3. On the otherhand, the cracked program that gave me an embarassing message was sent to me by a friend (which I thought was shareware until I put the key codes in a second time - on the second time it displays the message). A program used primarily for copying "copy-protected" CDs, the company almost touts its merits as a pirating tool - they practically advertize it as such. For those reasons I find their message to be particularly ironic and twisted humor. (I suppose I should add here that I WAS ONLY INTERESTED IN COPYING CDs FOR BACKUP). But the truth be known - I had the egg all over my face.

Susan, I have enjoyed all your posts here and learned from them, but you said some pretty harsh things about this "bleary-eyed" internet surfer. It seemed to me like you brought something into that post that wasn't there before.

~~edit:
My profile and email are open to anyone on this board and I answer every email that is non comercial.

in addition you can reach me at: hngukman@trivision.net and 1hngukman@netscape.net

[This message has been edited by CMonster (edited 05-14-99).]

[800XL]

I had thought of replying to this thread in defense of CMonster, but I think I will avoid the flames it could lead to. Let me just say that so many court cases these days could be solved by both parties stopping to think before engaging in angry talk and threats of lawsuit. We're all here to voice our opinions and discuss them among people with similar interests. Fear of being dragged into a court battle shuts mouths which could otherwise have put forth great ideas.
For the record, I mean no offense to Suzan, or any other person reading this post. I also do not intend to degrade anyone's character or image in anyway. Please don't make me add a legal disclaimer to my signature. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

-800XL

[augidog]

boy...turn my back for one minute http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

remember, I use a proxy, so the history folder Net0 reads is an empty one, having only the Net0 homepage and a few files from autoclicking the banner, all my browsing is done from my client PC http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif