Computers Made Easy
By Raymond Gong

The Internet has been in existence for many years now, and you may have been using the Internet for many years now as well. However, even with all the new advances in streaming Internet media, computer hardware, software, and more, we haven’t seen much innovation when it comes to the payment method for access to the Internet.

Ever since the advent of AOL, we have grown accustomed to paying a monthly amount for unlimited Internet service. AOL and other ISPs even charge a lower price for limited monthly minutes and an extra fee per minute over the limit. There has even been a proliferation of free web access ISPs who make their profits by bombarding you with constant advertisements.

But what about those on and off users who hate those darn advertisements and who really don’t need a dedicated connection or even a steady monthly service such as AOL? Or how about travelers who may only need access now and then? Well, the answer is a new type of payment method that has been around for telephone users for years-Prepaid Internet services.

Prepaid Internet services are much like buying time on a phone card. You can easily purchase a card from a store or order them on-line. You can buy them for specific amounts of time, and you can use them until you run out of time or the card expires, at which point you can buy another card if you need to. The process is simple and doesn’t necessarily require a credit card or checking account, and it allows you to spend as little money for your Internet minutes as possible.

Of course this type of payment method would not be wise for anyone who uses his or her Internet connection regularly. Especially if you have a broadband connection such as DSL or Cable, you may be on-line for hundreds of hours. Buying hundreds of hours worth of Internet access time would be highly wasteful.

One provider of such access is Slingshot Communications (www.slingshot.com). Slingshot service and software can be purchased from stores that carry their product. You can send for a free trial CD with 10 minutes of toll free access, and if you like it, you can purchase more minutes on-line by credit card, or purchase a recharge card from any supporting retailer. You should be able purchase Slingshot software and Internet minutes at Staples and CompUSA.

Another prepaid Internet access provider is Interpass (www.interpasscard.com). Interpass is a lot like Slingshot, except Interpass boasts that it charges less than one cent per minute, 57 cents an hour to be exact. Interpass does not round your minutes and there are no more fees beyond the minutes you used and must pay for. Interpass also boasts that it has over 5000 access numbers throughout the country, making it virtually available everywhere. Like Slingshot, you can buy minutes on-line at the Interpass website with a credit card, or in a store. In Brooklyn, there are many locations where you can purchase Interpass software and minutes.

Prepaid Internet services are not for everyone. At the moment, most prepaid Internet providers do not provide access to DSL, Cable, or other broadband users. Also, if you are a consistent user of the Internet, like most people, it may be a hassle to have to buy more minutes constantly. So, if you are an Internet regular, stick to regular ISPs with unlimited access.

However, if you are an on and off user or a traveler who uses the Internetsparsely, look into prepaid Internet access providers.