The Give: What Users Give the ISP
- Your Name and Address They�ve got to send the bills somewhere.
- Login Name or Username This is a unique name you choose that lets you login to the ISP. Some people get creative with usernames like �Ricedream,� but usually, login names are part of your name. Pat Buckman, for instance, may be pbuckman.
- Password A password is your personal key through the doors of an ISP. When you log into your ISP, you enter a login name and password. If either your password or login name does not match the ISP�s list of users, you won�t be able to connect to your ISP. To be on the safe side, keep your password a secret from other users.
- Credit Card Number If you choose to be billed by credit card, you�ll enter the number online. Some ISPs offer an alternative for people who don�t have a credit card, or who don�t want to give the number online. Ask your ISP for other payment options.
- Local Access Number Most ISPs let you choose a dial-up number to use for your modem to dial into the ISP. The number is usually different from the ISP customer service number.
Don�t be Duped�Choose a Local Number
Some Internet Services Providers give you a long list of phone numbers to choose as your dial-up number. Think smart when making a choice because some numbers on the list may be long distance phone numbers. That means that every time you dial into your ISP, you�re charged long distance charges by your phone company in addition to the ISP charges you accumulate each month.
Don�t sweat it too much, though. Just look for the one or two local numbers on the list, and choose one of those. If there�s only one local number and your ISP asks for a second choice, choose the first number again (as your second choice).