Local Internet Service Providers
for Off-Campus Use

Northfield is now part of the Twin Cities calling area. Because of this you can select a variety of provders, from nationwide services to local providers. You are encouraged to research your selection carefully and base your decision on services and price. Below, you will find some general information about using a commercial ISP. Disclaimer: This listing is for reference and convenience only. It does not constitute any kind of endorsement from St. Olaf College or IIT.

What differences are there with using a commercial ISP?

  • Another e-mail address (or two) that is provided by the ISP and is different than your St. Olaf e-mail address.
  • A different phone number to dial.
  • A different HelpDesk phone number or e-mail address to contact when having problems with your connection or software.
  • Telnet access to campus computers will be blocked.

How do I send and read my St. Olaf e-mail?

Using a web browser and an Internet connection, you can access your e-mail using the St. Olaf web-based interface at http://email.stolaf.edu/

Alternatively, you can configure your e-mail software (Eudora, Netscape Messenger, Outlook, etc.) to read your St. Olaf e-mail. Instructions and information regarding this can be found in the IIT documentation pages.

One difference, however, is that when you are connected to a commercial ISP, you will not be able to send e-mail without making some changes to the instructions given in the documentation pages. In particular, you need to change the setting for the server used for "Outgoing" or "SMTP" mail. You need to replace the setting that you currently have there (usually "mailhost.stolaf.edu" or "smtp.stolaf.edu") with the setting that your new ISP provides you with. Depending on which provider you choose, there may be other changes necessary. Your new ISP will provide that information. If you have questions about this, you need to contact the technical support people from your new ISP.

What will the commercial ISP provide for service?

Each ISP offers various levels of service to its customers. However, some basic services that all ISPs provide are:

  • Software to connect to their network (if needed)
  • Documentation on how to configure your software/hardware to connect to their network
  • The phone number to dial when using a modem dial-up connection
  • Trouble-shooting support (HelpDesk)

If you need assistance with configuring your software or hardware to connect to a commercial ISP, do not call the St. Olaf HelpDesk. We are unable to assist you with these kinds of questions. Instead, contact the technical support of the commercial ISP.

Cable & DSL vs. Dial-in Connections

One of the first decisions you need to make is to choose between a cable/dsl connection or a dial-up connection. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, and the decision should be based on your needs. Here is some basic information about the types of connections. Refer to the web sites of the ISPs above to determine what services each provides.

Cable and DSL connections

  • Always connected to the network. Perfect for someone who wants instantaneous and/or continuous network access.
  • Faster speeds (up to 50x faster than some modems)
  • Costs more. Cable ISP service can be twice as much as dial-up ISP service.
  • Needs specialized equipment to connect (which can be purchased from the cable ISP)

Dial-up connection

  • Less expensive. Some basic services available for under $10 per month.
  • Slower speeds than cable service.
  • Uses a modem to dial-up to ISP only when you want to connect. You need to dial up each time you want network access.
  • Ties up a phone line.

Selecting from Among the Dial-Up Providers

If you determine that you don't need the speed and instant access provided by a cable modem connection, or perhaps just want to keep your costs to a minimum, you will need to choose a dial-up Internet provider. You should consider the following issues when making your decision:

  1. How many hours per month do I think I will need? Providers normally set their rates based on connect time. You should consider things such as how much time will you be working online, but also things like recreational, personal, or family web surfing.
  2. How many e-mail addresses do I think I want? Some individuals want to have separate e-mail accounts for everyone in the family. If you want more than one e-mail account you need to look into the cost of having more than 1 e-mail account. Many of the ISP's charge a monthly fee for this service. Another option is to get Hotmail or Yahoo Mail addresses for each member of the family.
  3. Is there a local or toll free number to call when I need help? Since the St. Olaf HelpDesk will not be able to assist you with questions related to your personal ISP, you need to make sure that the ISP you select has a local or toll free number you can call. You should also inquire about their hours of operation for the Helpdesk. Some ISP providers have a 24 hour helpline, while others staff their phones only during prime time hours.
  4. How much do I really want to pay? Each provider charges a slightly different rate for their services, making it very difficult to directly compare services. ISP service is very much like purchasing local and long distance phone service. All of the ISP's provide very similar services and you need to determine what services you want and then select the best service for your money. Like the phone companies, you don't want to pay for a lot of extra services you will never need.

 

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