Mailbag: Mac to Windows and ISPs

Computer Life column for January 30, 1999
by
Richard Gordon

Lately, I've received more reader questions than usual. Let's tackle a couple--questions, not readers.

A reader who has just bought a Windows 98 system to replace his Macintosh asks, "Will I be able to use my Macintosh MS Word, MS Excel, and MacInTax files on my new Windows system?"

The answer is ordinarily, "Yes," in all these cases. Since Macintosh computers can read Windows-formatted diskettes, just transfer the files to a Windows diskette, then over to the new Windows computer. Current versions of all Microsoft Office for Windows products do read Macintosh files. And, if you purchase Intuit's TurboTax software, you can transfer your 1997 MacInTax data to TurboTax.

At their Web site (www.intuit.com), Intuit recommends that you transfer a copy of your MacInTax file with the name "97Backup.tax" to make sure that TurboTax can find it and use it on your Windows system.

On consecutive days, two different people sent me questions about Internet service providers (ISPs). First, a reader used the computer she got for her birthday to write me an old-fashioned letter--the kind you put in an envelope with an "H" stamp on it. Her request was that I "print a list of all the Internet service providers and their prices in your next column." The very next day, another reader asked me for a reference for a reliable ISP for the Elkton, Maryland, area.

My editors would have a giraffe if I listed the hundreds of ISPs that serve Delaware and adjacent counties of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Instead, I'll list two very complete on-line resources. If you are not yet connected, go to a neighbor's house and use their computer and modem to visit these sites.

First, check out c|net's on-line guide to ISPs. The easiest way to get there is to go to c|net's home page (www.cnet.com), then select "ISPs" from the topic finder, click on "U.S. Local," and select your state. This site is not comprehensive, but has the advantage of listing a "grade" for each ISP based on current users' comments.

Second, if you want a more comprehensive list, go to "The List--The Definitive ISP Buyer's Guide" (thelist.internet.com). Select your area code and compare ISP prices, coverage areas, and prices to your heart's content. You t can also choose to browse their list of ISPs who offer service in all 50 states.

What about the price? The range is from $5/month to $60/month or more depending on features, speed, time limits, access limitations, and the length of your contract. Here are two typical examples:

Most ISPs offer a substantial discount if you sign on for a year or more; however, many people prefer to start out with a month-to-month contract, switching to a long-term contract after they decide they are satisfied with that ISP's service.

Tip of the week

Y2K

Have you checked your computer and software manufacturers' web sites for current Y2K information about their products? In addition to the other resources we have listed this month, don't forget to visit those vendors' Web areas. Here is a sampling of major vendors whose corporate Web sites include Y2K information:

Copyright © 1999, The News Journal Company

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Richard Gordon helps support faculty, staff and student computing at the University of Delaware. E-mail questions, comments or suggestions to richard@inet.net, or write him at The News Journal, Box 15505, Wilmington, DE 19850. Although each note cannot be answered individually, reader comments and questions will often be incorporated in future columns.