Alta Vista (by 1stUp)

Pros: Free ISP, Adbar, Search Engine
Cons: Adbar uses memory, Slow Connection speeds

Alta Vista provides free internet access with connection speeds up to 53k. In order to receive this free service one must simply download the software and sign up. Once this is done you can sign on and surf the web, send and receive e-mail, enter chat...

Pros: It's free
Cons: Logs on very slowly

I downloaded, I installed, and now I'm surfin' and writing this review for free!

I received my computer as a gift about a month ago, before that, I was surfing the web with my WebTV (the wave of the future, by the way) I was satisfied with...

Pros: Meets All My Needs and Works Great
Cons: None so far

First let me begin by saying that I'm that I couldn't find a category to place this review in. So, I decided to put it under AltaVista, since this product replaced my old Lucent Modem which happened to be under this category.

A few months...

Pros: free, good connection rate, nice home page
Cons: banner, initial dial up

I have been meaning to try Alta Vista for awhile now. I actually was quite bored one night so I tried it. When I get bored I try all kinds of programs on the internet!

I went to their web page and first had to join Alta Vista before I could...

Pros: Free, RIP Health Meter
Cons: Takes Longer To Connect, Banner Ad

Pros: easy setup and connectivity, small download, fast connections
Cons: portal takes of 1/4 screen, system will time out

The day will come in the not too distant future where all Internet connectivity will be free. But, why wait, when it’s here today. There are many free ISPs popping up and I think Alta Vista’s free ISP powered by 1stUP is on of the best.
...

Pros: Don't Even Get Me Started
Cons: Response Time to Major Error

This opinion is not so much an epinion on the Alta Vista Connection, but more an epinion on the management that must go on behind it.

Let me explain just a little bit here. Alta Vista also has a new reward program where you get points for...

Pros: Great while it lasted
Cons: R.I.P. 12/10/2000

So long, good friend, and all your 1stUP compadres. As of December 10th, 2000, Alta Vista free ISP will cease to be. The hosting company, 1stUP, is going out of business, and all services dependent on it will shut down.

Once upon a time, I...

Pros: None
Cons: Poor connections, poor customer service

At home I am a cable modem addict. Just suggesting that I go back to dial up could send me into dial-up flashbacks of dropped connections, slow downloads, and that terrible screeching sound that every modem makes.

Unfortunately, when I travel...

Pros: Fantastic Stock Charts, Customized Stock, Weather And Sports Reports, It's Free, And You Can Link Directly To Epinions.com
Cons: Once in a while you get booted from the web, once in a while you will have to reset all of your custom settings, Their e-mail system is hard to work

Alta Vista has eliminated the irritating Health Meter. You don't have to click anything to stay on line. The more I learn about the features of this FREE ISP, the better I like it.

The banner is easily moved. I wish it was a bit smaller. Yet,...

Pros: Free!
Cons: none so far!

Alta-Vista free internet service is my main connection! I had worldnet, and had few problems with it, except that it cost me $14 a month! Why should I pay anything? I am an internet user and customer! I do not have to pay to go to my local mall, so I...

Pros: Free, Easy, Convenient
Cons: Viewbar

I never have any trouble connecting while using Alta Vista as my internet service provider (ISP), unlike any other ISP I have tried in the past. Like other ISPs, it does require a quick download of a small viewbar that displays ads. It differs,...

Pros: Well...it's free. No surprises here...
Cons: Unstable software; Annoying and pointless "Health Meter" timeout feature

AltaVista FreeAV Internet Service
Grade: C

Products like this are a shame because if not for one HUGE flaw, they would have so much potential. I used to use FreeAV because I am currently living in an un-"wired" room in a...

Pros: free stuff for merchant visits and other AV "site activity"
Cons: unreliable site, lousy customer service, takes a long time to receive reward merchandise

This review is about Alta Vista's rewards program, NOT the free ISP! (Though I do have the ISP. And I don't use it. 'Nuff said).

Altavista rewards is intended to offer users of the site (especially its shopping channel) a way to earn points...

Pros: it's a free, quick, reliable connection
Cons: none so far

You know if I'm writing any sort of computer review it is going to be very basic and easy for anyone to understand. Mainly because I know very little about computers, but I know a lot about what I do and don't like!

I've used Altavista as my...