Technical support is not necessarily a Feature, but it is an absolute necessity. Make sure that your ISP has competent, accessible customer service. When you are checking into ISPs, call and talk with someone in customer service. Tell them how experienced you are with computers, and let them know what you hope to accomplish (such as set up a website, transfer files, etc.) Time how long they keep you on hold when you are waiting to speak with customer service. Local ISPs may not have a large staff, but they also have fewer subscribers. National ISPs have so much volume that they may keep you on hold for an unacceptable length of time.



Additional e-mail Addresses

All access accounts come with at least one e-mail address, called a Post office protocol 3(POP3) account. If you are part of a group, you may want an account that has more than one mailbox so that each person receives his or her own e-mail.

Personal versus Commercial Accounts

Personal ISP accounts generally are less expensive than a business account. You have less disk space, fewer features, and a more complex URL, .Once you buy a domain name, your ISP usually upgrades you to a commercial account. Commercial accounts pay more for their services, so make sure you receive more, such as some of the features listed below.

SQL Database support

If you are planning on any type of electronic commerce or customized data presentation, you need database support. Databases that understand structured Query Language (SQL) are the most common and most powerful type of database.

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Support

The Secure Socket Layer (SSL) IS AN Internet communications protocol that allows encrypted transmission of data between the user and the serve. SSL is necessary if you are planning on setting up an electronic commerce site or transmitting other sensitive data. Encrypting the data ensures the information cannot be read if the transmission is intercepted.

Multimedia Capabilities

Multimedia Capabilities include support for Real Networks technology which is the Current standard for streaming multimedia on the If you have ever used the Real Player plug-in on the Web to view real-time audio or video, you have used this technology. Streaming is a server-based technology that transmits audio or video continuous stream to the user, allowing the content to be played while it is downloading, rather than waiting to download a complete file. The success of these technologies depends on the speed and quality of the user's connection to the Internet. The user needs the correct streaming media player to view the content.

CGI Script Capabilities

The Common Gateway Interface (CGI) is the communications bridge between the Internet and the server. Using programs called scripts, CGI can collect data sent by a user via the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and transfer it to a variety of data processing

Programs including spreadsheets databases, or other software running on

the server.