Sometimes the cost for connect time will vary depending on the speed of the
modem you are using. For example, you will be charged less for a 1200-baud
modem than you would for a 9600-baud modem.  They might also charge more
or less depending on the time you are calling.You might be required to
pay a fee for special access to some of the files, doors, or conferences.
However it is worked, the charges are most easily billed to your credit
card.

Choosing A Service

When you are choosing an online service, you will need to do a little
research. You should make a note of the things you are looking for in an
online information service. When you have decided what you are looking
for, you will need to “shop” around and look at several of the services and
find one that best fits your needs.

Many online services offer starter kits for new users. The starter kits
offer a variety of things to you. It will include registration information,
tutorials, users guide and several other useful items available.

If you can’t decide on a service, then just sign up for one that sounds
interesting to you. Try it for a few weeks/months and see if it is what
you want. If it isn’t, then quit that one and try another one. It won’t
take long until you find the one that suits you best. If a service only
charges you when you log on to it, then it won’t hurt you to use it when
you want to, and don’t if you don’t want to use it.

Keeping Costs Down

You probably have noticed that the major disadvantage of online services is
the cost. You can run up quite a bill if you aren’t careful. Rates very
from $2.50 per hour all the way up to as much as a hundred dollars or more
if you are accessing a special database. The best way to keep the cost down
is to limit access time, and don’t waste time while online.

You will want to look over the user’s manual for a few hours before you use
the OIS (Online Information Service). This will give you an understanding
of the system and how it works, and will save you some money by saving
time online. You should find out if you can skip the menu screens so you
don’t waste time searching for things.

You can also save on costs by taking advantage of the OIS’s billing
information. You might be able to access the OIS cheaper after 11 pm, or
on weekends. You might find it cheaper to operate at a slower modem speed.

When chatting only, you should have the modem speed at 300-baud; it will
not seem any different, but you will be able to notice the difference in
price.

If you are going to access a database, you need to set your modem at its
fastest rate. Sending information at a fast speed will save a lot of money.
You should also use the highest speed when up and downloading files. Most
online services will give you a better rate when you operate faster.

Tips and Techniques

A lot of the services have a variety of commands that are similar. This
makes it easier to explore additional services. Each OIS will have its
own unique functions, but most will generally operate the service and follow
the commands. Most of the OISes use either BTNA, SprintNet, or other packet
switching networks to route calls from users around the country. You can
get local access numbers by calling the customer service number.

Before you sign up, call the support line and ask them whether or not there
is a demo account that you can log onto so that you can get information and
try the service out. You should also find out if there are activities for
you online that do not cost anything, such as online help, checking and
billing information, and filling out questionnaires.

When you log on for the first time, you should make it a quick visit. You
should log on and look at some of the menus, and get a feel for the service.
Make sure that you capture a command list so that you can read them later
offline. After you do that you should log off. It will do you some good
to print out a list of the commands and post them near your computer for
future access.

Most of the OISes are set up in pages. A page is a menu or a screen. Find
where the page identifier appears on the menu. This may be a number or a
header. This will allow you to jump from anywhere in the service to any
other place. Areas that are frequently used will have special commands,
such as: GO MAIL will take you to the mail menu. You can press T and you
will be taken to the main menu.

Log-off commands will vary from one to the other. Most of the time it will
either be BYE, EXIT, or QUIT. But, if you enter these commands at a submenu,
you might just be taken back to the previous menu. You will need to test
it out and find out what works.

If you remember one thing I say, it should be this: NEVER TELL ANYONE WHAT
YOUR PASSWORD IS! This is a no-no. Remember this: No authorized
representative will EVER ask you for your password. If someone does, then
tell them that if they needed to know it, then they already would know it.
If someone gets your password, they might log on and spend a lot of your
money, and you WILL have to pay for it. One way to make sure that you
don’t give it to the wrong person is to make sure that anytime you type
the password it shouldn’t appear on the screen. Most services will just
show something like “********************” as you are typing in your
password. As you type, the screen will show a new asterisk. If you give
out your password, then change it immediately.

-A good hosting company should have a record of online security. Most of the companies provide SSL encryption protection. Along with that you will get a security certificate. If you are choosing hosting companies then do look for it as a good hosting company would maintain their security always.

-A good hosting company will always provide traffic stats provider which you can know by going into the cPanel of your hosting account. And it helps a lot as it becomes very easy to know about the traffic of your site without any much problem.

-You may notice that some hosting companies provide free domains or provide at a low rate. But be sure to take the domains registered on you name not on the name of the hosting company.

-You should go for that type of hosting company which provides support all the time. If a hosting company provides helpdesk for 24 hours a day and all 7 days a week then it would be good for you can consult them anytime you face any kind of problem. Most of them have toll free numbers to consult with them.

-You must also check the back up system of that hosting company. You can ask about it from their helpdesk. So, that if you need to change your hosting in future there won’t be much problem for you. Along with that you should also check the uptime of the hosting company. Most of the companies say that they have more than 95% of uptime. So, that would be good for you as your site will work most of the time.

-If you need to host one domain or even more then select a package in which you can add unlimited domains and which have unlimited bandwidth along with unlimited storage capacity. You also need to check the price of each and every package. You will notice that if you take hosting for three years that would be the best for you as you will save a lot of money. Also you can use some promotional codes to reduce the price more.

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