Minitech
join:2003-07-25
Spring Hill, FL
|  Newsgroup caps at 1.5 gig + no newstest2 (Long)
Well goodbye Earthlink. While trying to connect to the Newstest2 server I made a horrible discovery. While the advertisement and descriptions for Earthlink broadband say there are no caps, a new policy has been implemented.
According to the second tech support person I contacted, the first told me that newstest2 was working (wasting an my time rechecking my settings), every earthlink customer has received an email stating the new policy. I hadn't and the usenet support groups show that the majority of customers hadn't. Also he stated that newstest2 test server (20 gig/month cap) would be shut down permanently. As an aside he confirmed that the old servers were capped at dialup speed. So technically is an "improvement".
The 1.5gig cap includes headers so the 50+ text groups I belong to will throw me to dialup speeds in a few days. Some unlimited service.
I suggest we all contact Earthlink to voice our displeasure. Also, if you're as mad as I am go to www.ftc.gov and www.fcc.gov and file a false advertising complaint. This advice from a 5+ year customer who used to recommend this service.
I know Earthlink lost money. However, corporate was harping the great strides broadband was making to their investors. It was the dialup customers they were losing. If they have to put in all advertisements that service is capped they will lose broadband customers in droves. Let's hope they decide to remove all caps rather than face financial ruin
In the meantime can anyone recommend a good broadband provider?
Please forgive the length but at 4:00 a.m it's hard to be concise 
Here's the link to the new policy (look under quota):
»support.earthlink.net/mu/1/psc/i···psc.html
Here's the e-mail "everyone" received:
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris McWilliams"
To:
Sent: Friday, July 25, 2003 1:55 AM
Subject: FW: [Daywalkers] FW: EarthLink Newsgroup Service Changes
> > Dear EarthLink Newsgroup User,
> >
> > We are pleased to announce an upgrade to our Usenet service,
> > effective
>
> > immediately.
> >
> > Our new service includes increased speeds, longer article retention,
> > more newsgroups, and a choice of servers to make your Usenet
> experience
> > better than ever. To take advantage of our new service, you will
> > need
>
> > to make a few simple changes to your Usenet software settings.
> >
> > First, you will need to change your newsgroup server name to either:
> >
> > news.west.earthlink.net or news.east.earthlink.net
> >
> > Generally, it is desirable to use the News farm that is
> > geographically
>
> > closest to you, the user. On the West coast, members should use
> > news.west.earthlink.net, and members on the East coast should use
> > news.east.earthlink.net. However, members do have access to both
> > servers, and are encouraged to select whichever server provides the
> > best experience for them. Either server will work for all EarthLink
> > users.
> >
> > For help making this change, please visit:
> > »support.earthlink.net/newspolicy
> >
> > After you make the changes, when you log in to Usenet please use
> > your
> > full EarthLink email address (for example, "johnsmith@earthlink.net")
> > and password. Remember, your password is case-sensitive, so make sure
>
> > your CAPS LOCK button is off.
> >
> > Additionally, we are changing our Usenet access policies to better
> > serve all of our users. Members will be permitted to download a
> > maximum of 1500MB (1.5GB) over a rolling 30-day period. Should your
> > account exceed this quota, you will not be cut off from accessing
> > our Usenet service. However, your download speed will be limited to
> > 64Kbps
>
> > until the account again falls below the quota. Dial-up subscribers
> > will probably not be affected by this change.
> >
> > To see a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Usenet,
> > please
>
> > visit:
> > »support.earthlink.net/newsfacts
> >
> > If you have questions or need further assistance, you can trade
> > real-time online messages with a Live Chat representative who can
> > provide all of the same support that our award-winning phone
> > representatives provide:
> > »support.earthlink.net/chat
> >
> > We hope you enjoy using EarthLink's new and improved Usenet service.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > EarthLink Customer Support
> >
> > *****************************************************
> > This is an Administrative Message from EarthLink.
> > It is not spam. From time to time, EarthLink will
> > send you such messages in order to communicate
> > important information about your subscription.
> >
> > EarthLink does not provide subscriber email
> > addresses or other personal information to third
> > parties without your permission. The complete
> > EarthLink privacy policy is available online:
> > »www.earthlink.net/about/policies···acy.html
> > *****************************************************
>
> |
|
NewOrder2k
join:2001-08-24
Rego Park, NY
| wow, this sux, NG is my life, this is it, I need to cancel my earthlink now, I might have to switch to Verizon DSL now, since they have the best NG service.
anyway, get the alternative deal
get $75 from dell sign up here
»www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/topics/se···rnet.htm
[text was edited by author 2003-07-25 09:55:55]
[text was edited by author 2003-07-25 15:02:25] |
|
Maggs
Premium
join:2002-11-29
Woodside, NY
 ·RCN CABLE
| reply to Minitech
Most of the EL newsgroups suck with all the ads in them. I really don't use them so if they got rid of them and lowered the price by $3 I would be happy. They should have an opt out policy, where the user that likes NGs can use them thus freeing up a ton of bandwidth for the NGer.
--
"Too much of a good thing, is good for nothing, except Poland Spring  " |
|
91439306
15,000 Watts of Bass Power
join:2002-10-16
New Milford, CT
| My wife read me the e-mail we got through our Charter HSI/Earthlink account. I was napping peacefully on the couch until she got to the part about the 1.5GB cap. I often download that much in just 2 hours. And to be stuck at dialup speeds for the rest of the month... well, I may as well quite paying $49.99/mo for "broadband" and go back to my trusty $10/mo dialup account.
This is very bad news, and it may make a difference the next time we make budget cuts in the family budget. Broadband will be the first thing to go.
--
Take care,
Mark & Mary Ann Weiss
Hear my Kurzweil Creations at: »www.dv-clips.com/theater.htm
Business sites at:
'»www.dv-clips.com
'»www.mwcomms.com
'»www.adventuresinanimemusic.com
|
|
pissoff
@mindspring.com
| reply to NewOrder2k
NOW you where thinking what I’m thinking! Switching to VERIZON DSL!
Hell it beats Paying for $45+ buck for a stupid glorified 56k line (60k)!
Also Verizon is cheaper! $29.95 if bundle with phone packages, if not then it’s $34.95, still better than $45 bucks!
PISSED off(EL) to HAPPY(Verizon) soon to be! |
|
91439306
15,000 Watts of Bass Power
join:2002-10-16
New Milford, CT
| Good for you!
IN our case, it's back to dialup, but no great loss... the speeds Charter HSI were giving us were not that much noticeably faster... web page loads are maybe 30% faster than dialup, compared to the backup dialup account (which we use frequently due to outages in Charter's network).
Charter didn't renew their contract for Earthlink newsgroups, as it turned out...
--
Take care,
Mark & Mary Ann Weiss
Hear my Kurzweil Creations at: »www.dv-clips.com/theater.htm
Business sites at:
'»www.dv-clips.com
'»www.mwcomms.com
'»www.adventuresinanimemusic.com
|
|
Minitech
join:2003-07-25
Spring Hill, FL
| I just posted this to the Earthlink DSL forum where there is more traffic.
Earthlink has recently capped newsgroup access to 1.5 gig/month, then it drops down to dialup speeds. This includes headers. As an example, I will be at dialup speeds just by downloading headers for the 50+ newsgroups I read (Way too many interests) in just a few days.
Earthlink advertises unlimited high speed. Its user agreement guarantees "Best effort" to provide speeds. The change came without notification. I personally received my official notification e-mail today; 2 days after the newsgroups were crippled.
The user agreement was not modified to reflect this change but the FAQ now mentions the quota. Neither the Earthlink start page nor the Earthlink announcement newsgroup mention the new draconian measure. If Earthlink wishes to make changes to its user policy it must make changes to its advertisements and web pages.
The FCC and the FTC get very concerned regarding false advertisement and deceptive practices. Since Earthlink management is not responding to our concerns please complain to the government entities; that’s what we pay them for. If enough of us do complain something will be done.
»www.fcc.gov
»www.ftc.gov
As an aside for let's not argue semantics. The term "internet" does include Usenet (newsgroups).
Just one of the many pages defining "internet"
»web.nps.navy.mil/~miller/Inet.html |
|
pissoff
@verizon.n
| Do someone knows if it state in the contract that the speed and the downloads will be capped. If it does not states that in the contract. The contract is binding to what they advertised, which is the unlimited high speed and the no cap on the download. Then I smell a class action suit coming soon.
Another thing is good to do is what minitech suggested. REPORT THEM! |
|
robie88
join:2003-04-19
New York, NY
| there should be a class action against them.
Their sales team is deliberately doing a con job in advising potential new accounts that there are no caps, not with news or any other aspect of the Earthlink service. They are clearly defrauding consumers with false statements to induce their business, then attempting to justify it all by saying you failed to read the fine print.
I have news for Earthlink; when I agreed to open an account with them NO contract was ever mentioned, nor was it suggested that I should read any contract, in fact I wasn't even informed by their sales staff that such a contract existed.
This company is asking for a problem and now they are going to get it. I'm fed up with these ISP's playing their games. Maybe if it costs them more to con people then they make off of their con games they will learn a lesson. |
|
slash
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-01
Boston
clubs:
 ·Verizon FIOS
| Just because they work for EL doesn't mean they use them as an ISP. With so many employees, I highly doubt the news of a new newsgroup cap spreads like wildfire and everyone is instantly informed. Every company has some faults, but cut them some slack - no need to jump down their throats.
--
Why not? |
|
Minitech
join:2003-07-25
Spring Hill, FL
| Earthlink has a start page that most customers log into upon connection. They find it easy enough to put other announcements there. Funny that a reduction in service is swept under the rug.
Why is it that spammers are able to use the Earthlink E-mail system to reach millions but Earthlink can't send one e-mail on time? There was no official notice on the newsgroups or the last e-link newsletter.
A change this major had to have been planned months in advance. Months that they were asking high speed customers to use a beta server. Months of asking us to put up with the bother because things would be better. Why the secrecy and lies? |
|
verizon sale
@verizon.n
| reply to robie88
Since your in NY, switch to verizon DSL, Cheaper and NO RESTRICTION on SPEED and CAP on downloads!!! only $29.95 "phone package" a month. or $34.95 just DSL.
My friend has Verizon DSL, Speed is at 1.5Mbps for newsgroups 24 hours 7 days a week. NO CAP, NO Strings! NO LIE! So switch NOW!
BTW I dont work for verizon!
I just fight fire with more fire! |
|
Bytezboy
join:2001-05-17
New York, NY | reply to Minitech
This is BS, first they were leading us on that they are going to fix the speed issue with the NG and all of a sudden, they change the quota to 1.5GB/month. People, you got to file a complaint. They are sick in the head. |
|
robie88
join:2003-04-19
New York, NY
| Well, if the folks here don't take 10 minutes of their time to call up Earthlink and complain than they deserve whatever they wind up getting. This is just the beginning of the screw job on broadband consumers. Give them these "inches" and find out in a few years where this will all really go. You really think that these people will be content with a few price increases disguised as an effort to control "bandwidth hogs"? THEY SOLD ALL OF US ON A TALL TALE OF UNLIMITED USE, AND NOW WHEN THE ECONOMY IS WEAK THEY WANT TO SAY IT WAS ALL A BIG MISUNDERSTANDING. I say stick it to them in their wallets and go open an account with whatever company currently has ZERO caps. Start using hotmail or some other non-isp email account so that they cannot hold your email addresses over your heads. LET THEM KNOW THAT THIS IS UNSATISFACTORY, OR KEEP PAYING THE PRICE DOWN THE LINE.
As for me, I will call Verizon this week and Earthlink will be the shortest ISP experience that I have ever heard of. And along with that experience I'll file a complaint with the FTC and my state atty general for fraud. |
|
NewOrder2k
join:2001-08-24
Rego Park, NY | reply to Minitech
better hurry, the promo ends this month, if you want the extra $75 in your pocket, end of the line for earthlink |
|
Julio
Bachatero y Que?
Premium
join:2003-03-19
Brooklyn, NY
clubs:
| reply to Minitech
1 - all you users going to verizon DSL are idiots, come on, your going to get less speeds
2 - "Since your in NY, switch to verizon DSL, Cheaper and NO RESTRICTION on SPEED and CAP on downloads!!! only $29.95 "phone package" a month. or $34.95 just DSL." do ur research before you speak, this cap only affects the NG server, i get my full 2Mbit whenever i download files from websites and other sources. Verizon DSL is also not available to everyone.
3 - "I really don't use them so if they got rid of them and lowered the price by $3 I would be happy" yup i agree with you 100%
--
AMD Athlon XP 2000+ Running at 1.7GHZ crunching for Team Discovery | visit the Big Apple forum |
|
Julio
Bachatero y Que?
Premium
join:2003-03-19
Brooklyn, NY
clubs: | btw, why the hell is thread a sticky??? |
|
Minitech
join:2003-07-25
Spring Hill, FL
| reply to Julio
If you are don't use the newsgroups then I agree the cap won't affect you. However, are you looking at the big picture? First Earthlink outsourced tech support to India with no notice. Now their changing the terms of service with no notice. Heck, they haven't even changed their ads and still promise unlimited high speed. A friend just called their sales department and they told him there were no caps!
For those of us that do use the newsgroups it seems ridiculous to pay for highspeed then have it taken away. Especially since our rates are staying the same. Yes, we can pay more for a premium newsgroup provider but why should we have to? Earthlink should give us what we had or modify its advertisements to reflect that it gives mostly unlimited high speed (for now). |
|
dandelion
Premium,MVM
join:2003-04-29
Germantown, TN
clubs:
·Comcast
| reply to Minitech
No,I don't use the Newsgroups,and don't plan to but I'm just as upset-what else will be changed? Major policy issues should be only for new customers-who are informed before buying and NOT existing-I wonder if that could be done? I'm glad just newsgroups THIS time but it appears to be a major indication of things to come-seems that the more customers, the smaller the service. |
|
trojan
join:2000-09-23
US
| reply to Minitech
Earthlink allows 1.5 GB per 30 days PER EMAIL ACCOUNT. If you login to »https://www.news.earthlink.net and check your newsgroup bandwidth usage, you will see that each email account is allowed to reach 1.5 GB on its own. 1.5 x 8 email accounts = 12 GB which should be plenty. I don't understand why people are tripping over this. People are just jumping the gun on this one.
[text was edited by author 2003-07-28 09:22:47] |
|
