How is the MSN ISP? :o

Ok, my Father wanted an ISP, so he wanted to choose between AOL and MSN. With MSN he can get $400, but I was wondering how easy it is to use, and how stable the connection is. Please keep AOL and Microsoft flames to a minimum, I just want to know what kind of a service MSN is. 1. Is it a portal like AOL, or a simple ISP? 2. Estimated uptime percentage for Southern California area. 3. Login problems? 4. Other annoyances I should be aware of? Thank you for your help, Roger P.S.: I want it easy to use because I am a 2 hour drive from him and he is a total newbie to computers.... [Edited by rogeryang on 09-08-2000 at 12:59 AM] __________________ I've been using msn for a while. They're just for internet connection, no crappy software like aohell. I think it's all right. I live in so. cal and it's pretty rare to get disconnected. For the last three years overall it's not too bad. __________________ as the Bill says you deserve ;0) __________________ ----- Start Quote ----- Please keep AOL and Microsoft flames to a minimum, I just want to know what kind of a service MSN is. ----- End Quote ----- - Roger __________________ Quote: Originally posted by rogeryang ----- Start Quote ----- Please keep AOL and Microsoft flames to a minimum, I just want to know what kind of a service MSN is. ----- End Quote ----- - Roger ...but great in others YMMV :0) __________________ i use msn, and it's fine. it has teh portal service and the isp. but doesn't have special software like aol. otherwise you can try dotplanet. the $400 is nice, the main thing is that you're stuck with them for 3 years. i want to switch to dotplanet now, but can't. __________________ 3 years is a long time to be committed to anything - except a wife of course __________________ You don't require to install any software such as AOL's application. Overall it's good ISP. (yeah, I know it's hard to believe something's good under the name Microsoft) Like coleslaw mentioned, 3 years are a bit too long, specially you HAVE to use their internet (You have to pay for early cancellation) and you never know what will happen with DSL and cable. Hey, maybe they will lower the price to 20 dollars and expand the distance limit from CO. Anyway. To answer your question, I haven't experienced any login problem w/MSN. I do experience busy signal but not too often. The speed is decent. __________________ I had msn for about 5 min. but when i found out that they have no local numbers for me i called em up and cancelled. Better check for access numbers first. __________________ That bites when you already sign up for 3 years and find out no local number is available. __________________ Thanx for all the help people, I will probably advise him to sign up for 1 year service. - Roger