How do you get ONLINE

[serryjw]

with no credit card or checking account. My friend at work was given a computer but I have no idea how to help...any ideas?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. does she have a land line phone account?

We got online via our telephone company. Since we were established customers, no need for the things you mentioned-they knew that we always paid.

[Placebo]

2. get a wireless card

you'd be surprised how many of your neighbors are just broadcasting their signal with no password or encryption required

[Catch22Dem]

7. Just kidding, right?

Please say yes.

[Placebo]

8. i don't do it, but i know a lot of people who do!

especially since XP apparently just automatically joins whatever network is available

[Catch22Dem]

11. Yeah, people are stupid about securing their own networks

But I'd never advocate stealing bandwidth from them just because they're stupid. Actually, and this is just me, I'd go to my neighbor's house and let them know and show them how to remedy it.

[Bunny]

3. My former dial-up ISP billed me every two months.

The payments were for the two upcoming months, paying for the service before I used it (like the cable company).

I didn't have to give a credit card number.

[silverweb]

4. Some phone companies.

I don't know if it's still an option, but it used to be that some phone companies offered dialup internet service and would just add the bill to the monthly phone bill. Have your friend check with his/her phone company.

[Spider Jerusalem]

5. Prepaid credit card...

(or, I guess, it would be a debit card)...you can buy 'em at convenience stores and use them like a regular credit card, so since your friend doensn't have a credit card or chcking account, this would probwebly be the best way to pay for online service.

[tjdee]

6. They have prepaid credit cards now at CVS/Eckerds/etc.

I think they're like...10 bucks or something, don't remember, sorry--anyway, you buy them, and put some money on them. That way if she needs to give a cc # to her internet people, that's what she can use.

Good luck!

[SeaRust]

9. TV?--cable

[madeline_con]

10. Some of the free CD's in various stores for ISPs.....

give info on how to send a check or money order for payment.

[Used and Abused]

12. get with a local provider

They are much cheaper. For instance, there was a company called Joi Internet that had unlimited dialup for 6.95/month and you can pay for the year up front.

[Used and Abused]

13. Or, use AOL free trial, call to cancel every month

They are paid not to let you cancel, so technically you can continue to get free service for well over a year (I did, but I finally demanded that they cancel my service)