Service Providers for mac

Question

Level 2

165 points

Service Providers for mac

It is time for me to seek out a new service provider. The last time I did this I played **** trying fo find a company that would provide to mac.

Any suggestions on Mac friedly internet service providers?
Perhaps there is a site that reviews service providers for mac.
The only thing I could find in the past were brokers, and what do I need that for?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you.

G4, Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Posted on Oct 13, 2009 4:48 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Klaus1

Level 9

52,905 points

Oct 13, 2009 4:54 PM in response to Robt

To answer a question like that, it would be almost incredibly helpful to know what country you are in!

Also, are you really still on OS 10.2 ??

Reply

Answer 2

Robt Author

Level 2

165 points

Oct 13, 2009 5:23 PM in response to Klaus1

I am in Minneapolis, MN. So we have all the hook ups available.

I am looking for highspeed. I have speakeasy right now and I am paying too much. I don't make long distance calls and I don't watch cable t.v.

I just need a regular phone and high-speed, if that's possible.

I have 10.2 but I am fixing to install 10.4, soon. Maybe this week. I keep putting it off (is it that obvious?) I guess so.

Thank you.

Reply

Answer 3

Oct 13, 2009 6:38 PM in response to Robt

Greetings,

If you live in a Comcast-serviced area, you could consider them, or Roadrunner if you live in a Time-Warner serviced area, or Qwest, which offers up to 12Mbps in certain areas, although they offer 1.5Mbps service as a standard speed. You do have to use MSN as the service provider with Qwest, but that's just an accounting maneuver; your traffic is still being routed through Qwest's network, Qwest does the tech support, and you don't even have to get involved with MSN at all.

And if you're going to upgrade to 10.4, you need to find someone who still has a retail box copy of 10.4, since Apple isn't selling it to anyone anymore. A quick search shows it will cost you at least $200 or more, even from Amazon.com. There are currently some available on eBay you might want to bid on. Don't even think about getting some cheap copy without the black retail box; it won't work; only a retail boxed copy will upgrade your system.

Reply

Answer 4

Oct 13, 2009 7:08 PM in response to Robt

HI,

You will definitely have to upgarde to Tiger before using a high speed internet provider... a friend of mine in that area uses Qwest.

Qwest High-Speed Internet in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Make sure your G4 meets Tiger's minimum requirements

You should at least try Apple for a Tiger disk.

Tiger install DVDs are in short supply. Tiger is no longer available at the Apple Store but might still be available for $129 by calling Apple Phone Sales @ 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753).

Carolyn 🙂

Message was edited by: Carolyn Samit

Reply

Answer 5

Robt Author

Level 2

165 points

Oct 18, 2009 1:45 AM in response to Carolyn Samit

Hello,

Thank you for your help. I have tigar in the box on my desk. I am working on copying my data from my computer to cd so that I can do a clean install. But for now I am still stressing over an internet provider. I am concidering Vonage, but I am still unable to find a service provider for Minneapolis. I live in Mpls proper. I just thought that there would be a market for DSL providers. And I can not find them.

While Qwest does serve this area they DO NOT provide DSL to minneapolis. And besides Qwest requires Windows Live™ (does that get exed out on this site as a dirty word?)

Reply

Answer 6

Oct 18, 2009 7:06 AM in response to Robt

I am working on copying my data from my computer to cd so that I can do a clean install.

Why? All you need to do is an install from the Tiger disc; all your data will be intact.

While Qwest does serve this area they DO NOT provide DSL to minneapolis. And besides Qwest requires Windows Live™

Yes, they do provide service in Minneapolis. What makes you think they don't? Did you go to their website, select a service speed you want and enter your current address and zip code to see if your specific address is served? If not, you need to do that.

As I said before, the requirement of Windows Live is an accounting maneuver; it doesn't affect your service in any way.

Reply

Answer 7

Robt Author

Level 2

165 points

Oct 18, 2009 10:15 AM in response to Golden Shoes

Thank you GS for getting back to me.

Why I want to have a clean install? You can guess how long I have had this OS. Apple stopped supporting it in any way years ago. No security updates for years. I have several programs on it I have tried to de-install and several free programs and who knows what is up with them. I would like a clean slate. I think that would allow my machine to operate at it's best. And considering that I would be making a huge leap in OS (10.2-10.4) without all the steps in between, I feel like a clean imstall might be the most 'surprise free' method.

Thoughts?

Last night I entered my address and several others in Mpls and Qwest consistanly directed me to a page that indicated I could not purchase DSL service from them without buying a full package of services.

I tried it again today, and now they are willing to provide DSL service to me.

How ever I am made to sign this agreement:

"I acknowledge that my system meets the minimum system requirements for Qwest Connect® with MSN Premium or Windows Live. (Upon installation it will be determined which requirements your computer meets)."

To me that says that I must have MSN Premium or Windows Live. And if I don't then I will be S.O.L and loose what every money I have commited to the service.

thoughts?

thank you.

Reply

Answer 8

Oct 18, 2009 11:54 AM in response to Robt

I think that would allow my machine to operate at it's best. And considering that I would be making a huge leap in OS (10.2-10.4) without all the steps in between, I feel like a clean imstall might be the most 'surprise free' method.

I doubt it. The upgrade process takes care of everything in-between 10.2 and 10.4, and Software Update will also prompt you to download and install other security updates if you need them, so you're not missing out on anything that you're required to have. You do need to be wary of accepting an install of iTunes or Safari 4.x if you have no need or desire for them.

"I acknowledge that my system meets the minimum system requirements for Qwest Connect® with MSN Premium or Windows Live. (Upon installation it will be determined which requirements your computer meets)."

To me that says that I must have MSN Premium or Windows Live. And if I don't then I will be S.O.L and loose what every money I have commited to the service.

Nonsense. I'm a Qwest DSL customer and I never had to agree to any such thing, either verbally, in writing, or via the Internet and my service works quite well. I've never had to deal with the Evil Empire yet. This is just an accounting manuever as part of their partnership with Microsoft in providing services to the majority of customers, who are poor, hapless Windoze users; it doesn't affect you in any way.

If I were you, I'd call them and order the service that way and just tell them at the outset that you aren't using Windows. They should be happy to accomodate you, and there is no software to install.

Reply

Answer 9

Robt Author

Level 2

165 points

Oct 18, 2009 4:04 PM in response to Golden Shoes

{quote:title=Golden Shoes wrote:}
You do need to be wary of accepting an install of iTunes or Safari 4.x if you have no need or desire for them.

Thanks again, you have been mighty helpful GS.

Can you please explain why I would need to be wary of iTunes or Safari?
I use both right now. I don't require an upgrade to iTunes at all.
But Safari 1.0.3 is the best that OS 2.8 can handle, so I was hoping I could upgrade Safari, how would I do that with Tiger? I assumed that when I installed Tiger that it would automaticly upgrade Safari to what ever it would take?

Reply

Answer 10

Oct 18, 2009 5:47 PM in response to Robt

Can you please explain why I would need to be wary of iTunes or Safari?

Tiger installs Safari 2.x at the outset, and upgrading to 10.4.11 (using the 10.4.11 Combo Update, not the one from Software Update) would get you to at least 3.0.4, which you could then upgrade to 3.2.1 or 3.2.3, depending on your preference. Or, you could go with what Software Update will tell you about: Safari 4.0.3, which some people don't like because of some changes to the UI, and have problems with. It's your choice as to what to do, but you need to be aware of the options before you do it.

As for iTunes, the current version, 9.x has proven problematic for some people, and if they don't need it, there's no reason to upgrade from the version you already have.

Reply

Answer 11

Oct 19, 2009 10:25 AM in response to Golden Shoes

Discouraging to see that the above posts recommend only the large corporations - Comcast, TIme-Warner, Quest, AT&T- that are putting the small ISP's in this country out of business. Do a search to see what ISP's are available for Minneapolis. There were several the last time I did a search. Earthlink was one.

Reply

Answer 12

Oct 19, 2009 10:37 AM in response to Gerald Gilardi

Discouraging to see that the above posts recommend only the large corporations - Comcast, TIme-Warner, Q[w]est, AT&T- that are putting the small ISP's in this country out of business.

There is no specific recommendation being made; but they are the only companies providing DSL service in that metropolitan area at this time; neither Earthlink, nor AT&T offer DSL service there. They are not putting smaller ISPs out of business.

Reply

Answer 13

Oct 19, 2009 11:24 AM in response to Robt

HI Robert,

Make sure your G4 meets the minimum requirements for Tiger 10.4

Mac OS X 10.4: System requirements

Also, make sure there is sufficient disk space on your G4.

Right or control click the MacintoshHD icon. Click Get Info. In the Get Info window you will see Capacity and Available. *Make sure you always have a minimum of 10% to 15% free disk space at all times.*

If you have 3rd party software installed, check the vendor sites to make sure they are compatible with Tiger.

FYI: Windows Live you need 10.4.9 or later. I wouldn't count on much in the way of Mac support from them.

Check here for your area. Perhaps AT&T DSL ....

http://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=6431

Check with Earthlink also.

http://www.earthlink.net/

Carolyn 🙂

Reply

Answer 14

Oct 19, 2009 12:26 PM in response to Gerald Gilardi

Easy enough to do that search. Check out the list of internet service providers for Minneapolis here.

Reply

Answer 15

Oct 19, 2009 12:59 PM in response to Robt

I not sure what your problems have been but most service providers use standards for modem's and the rest should not matter to you what they use after the modem.
I do know DSL ISP's are more in tune with Windows customers. But you will find that anywhere because most user's are Windows user's. This is the problem of using a minority OS. However, I have a household full of Windows and Mac's and they get along just fine using Comcast. I have a third party router from Belkin and a Linksys Switch to add more Ports. I am touting Comcast because I don't support any particular provider. If you consider yourself someone who is dumbfounded by computers then I would recommend checking with the provider to see if they have Mac specialists. Good Luck!

Reply