From...

January 11, 2000
Web posted at: 10:50 a.m. EST (1550 GMT)

by Paul Heltzel

(IDG) -- Nothing is more exciting than a real grudge match. Pepsi versus Coke. Steelers versus Cowboys. Christians versus lions. Sadly, a contest between free Internet service providers produces only similar features and performance. Yawn.

Looking for a reliable, no-cost way to connect, I installed the necessary software from AltaVista and NetZero. I wanted a clear-cut winner, a reason to tell Mindspring to take a leap (and save $20 a month). I got acceptable bandwidth, with just a few hiccups and, surprisingly, no busy signals.

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Before downloading the programs, I had to answer some personal questions (two pages for Alta Vista, nine for NetZero). In the download department, AltaVista easily trumps NetZero. At 600KB, Altavista's Free Access software is a breeze to pull down over a modem. The NetZero site claims the program is a 4.67MB download, but mine was more like 5.2MB.

Setting up both programs is easy. AltaVista takes a slight lead here also, since the sign-up screen works just like Windows Dial-Up Networking. NetZero's Java-based program works pretty well, but does not always respond like a standard Windows program. Its menus look slightly different and may respond more slowly than you might expect.

Sign on, tune in, log off

After establishing a connection, both programs automatically launch your default browser and jump to their respective start pages.

The two services look and work almost identically. A banner ad appears at the top of the screen. The banner is surrounded by links to channels the services provide, including free e-mail and stock quotes. Click the top of either banner and you can place it almost anywhere on the screen. The banner always appears above any open program, so that you can't hide it off-screen.

Like many Java-based programs, NetZero suffers from minor bugs. Menus sometimes stick, and the ad may redraw slowly or leave screen artifacts when moved. Most often, these little bugs disappeared quickly by themselves.

If you click the Close box on the top right of either program to make the banner disappear, you also lose your Net connection. NetZero pops up one last ad before letting you go, and you must tell it again whether you want to disconnect. AltaVista disappears without a peep.

Overall, AltaVista's Free Access is the smaller, friendlier program. But either program serves as a reasonable backup ISP. Those new to the Net may find the services a real steal, until they find a good ISP with strong customer service.

I think both programs are great, and their slight annoyances are a small price to pay for free Internet access. The bottom line is finding the service with an access number in your area. In the small college town where I live, NetZero's nearest access number has a toll charge. Your mileage may vary. But AltaVista offers me a local number, and the only truly free choice.