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Latest reviews
| Name: |
Msn Internet Access |
| Web Address: |
www.msn.com |
| Cost: |
$21.95/month, for dialup (the first 2 months are free) $39.95-$49.95/month for Broadband. |
| Setup Fee: |
None for dialup, $49.95 for Broadband |
| Hours included: |
Unlimited |
| Toll-free phone: |
1-866-900-6768 |
| Reviewed on: |
Tue Jun 3 2003 |
| Reviewed by: |
Jeni Rae |
| Rating: |
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JR here, rockin' and rollin' to Adam Ant's "Goody Two Shoes." Love those 80's hits! Feelin' so good, I gotta share this: Toddler Property Laws:
- If I like it, it's mine.
- If it's in my hand, it's mine.
- If I can take it from you, it's mine.
- If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
- If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
- If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
- If it looks just like mine, it's mine.
- If I think it's mine, it's mine.
- If I. . . Oops! I'm sorry; I goofed! Instead of typing in the Toddler Property Laws, I've been typing in Bill Gates' primary Business Plan.
Oi! I know...but it had to be said. While Microsoft is booming, there are some of us (no names, please) who prefer to only open a window when we want to let in a cool breeze.
That said, we need to be fair and give you an unbiased review of a popular Microsoft ISP (did I pull that off without smiling?).
Ok┘.here we go. MSN.
It's better with the butterfly. How much do they pay that guy to dress up in tights and butterfly wings and jump around my TV during commercial breaks?
In the past few years, MSN has tried to catch up with AOL's fame. With everything they offer, it's impossible to make an adequate review in this short venue. But since I'm a determined lil' thing, I'll give it a try.
Pricing: MSN has so many promotions right now it'll make your head spin. From bribing you with "MSN bucks" to applying for and using a Citi card, you can find a package that's right for you. A bit of advise though: read EVERYTHING before you sign up. Some of these promotions require you to make commitments, some up to 4 years. I can't commit to living in the same house for that long, let alone an ISP.
I should add that for those weird people who actually have a life, MSN offers a cheaper package. For $9.95/month, you can get 20 hours. Pretty good deal if it's right for you. Personally, I can use up those 20 hours in a day.
MSN also has a fun, visually and audibly appealing start page. It's great for morale to see your own icon and hear your own name when you sign on. Software---the bribe of all bribes. This is what MSN offers:
- Dashboard --- a customizable navigation bar
- Shared browsing
- "My MSN"
- Download Manager
- MSN calendar
- Tools for the home
- MSN Photos Plus (with Microsoft Picture It! Photo Editing Software)
- MSN Money Plus
MSN also brags about their enhanced parental controls. Hence the man-butterfly in all of their commercials. In them you see a mom and kids walking down a street with the butterfly two steps ahead of them, covering up anything that may be offensive to the kiddies. Highly entertaining. Instead of just having a broad shield, you're able to fine-tune your settings to better fit your needs. You can set separate settings for browsers, email, dictionary, calendars, downloading files, etc. You can also have a report printed out each time a session is done, so you know exactly what was done. This is pushing it a bit in my book. Can we say, "controlling?"
Another big plus: MSN offers help with switching from other ISP's. I don't know about you, but my ISP holds my life. Addresses, favorite places, personal settings, buddy lists, etc. To switch would be a huge pain, and a risk of losing important stuff. The fact that MSN understands and addresses this earns them another gold star.
On the downside: the dreaded customer service. Recently I underwent a research project where I was required to call 150 big named companies and try to get some info from them. The operative word here being, "try." I started believing that these people were told in their weekly training meetings to be as uncooperative as they could when people call. 45 minute hold times, transferred to everyone in the office, and even an "accidental" disconnect.
Such is the case with MSN. Word is they have too many customers to handle (next question: so why are they promoting it so strong right now?). Users complain of long hold times, rude operators, and billing fiascoes. I personally took my 2 month free trial last year, but when I asked to cancel it, they made it so hard and confusing I wasn't sure if I cancelled, or ordered a rubber duckie. Sure enough, our next bank statement showed that they charged us for the next 2 months. Yet another Bill Gates joke, I guess. Time for the Pros/Cons nutshell:
PROS:
- 24/7 customer support
- Up to 9 email accounts
- Lots of useful software
- Email management options
- First 2 months are free
- The software is on most computers
CONS:
- Complaints about customer service┘forever on hold
- Frustrating and confusing billing department
- Long 3 and 4 year contracts
Bottom line, True to Microsoft protocol, MSN offers lots of frills, but their ability to follow through is arguable. If they just spend more time and money on customer service, they'd be perfect. At any rate, if you are looking to be pampered and have your ego lifted every time you sign on, MSN does the job! |
