Internet Service Providers

Before you can take an Oakton Online Course, you need to have Internet / WWW access. If you’re working on campus or from a networked office computer, such a connection is set and probably beyond your control. If you’re working at home, you do have a choice and there are a number of factors to consider. Before you read this section, it is recommended that you first see the section on “How the Internet works” for an overview on how Internet service providers fit into the technical scheme. 

ISPs vs. OSPs

Not too many years ago when people would buy a computer they would subscribe to an Online Service Provider (OSP) such as Prodigy, Compuserve, or AOL/America Online. These services were essentially self-contained worlds, collections of information, message boards/chat rooms, and services like travel reservations that were produced in conjunction with aligned businesses. A subscriber would set up his computer to directly dial in to one of these services for access to these individual and exclusive “worlds ...” and stay there. 

Though ISPs (Internet Service Providers, such as Mindspring or Earthlink or AT&T) and OSPs are similar in that a subscriber typically uses a modem and phone lines to connect to them, many ISPs tended to offer users little beyond an initial home page and a connection to the Internet. On the other hand, ISPs have always tended to offer the user a more seamless access to the Internet and the Web, providing less proprietary browsers and other tools as well as following stricter adherence to widely accepted Internet protocols.

AOL, though it provides a viable connection to the Internet, is often problematic for online course students. Its default web browser has been unfriendly toward installing plug-ins and certain scripting languages that may be necessary for taking an online class. AOL’s proprietary email service can also cause confusion.

AOL users will need to make some simple changes to their setups to insure best access to online course materials. Read the special instructions for AOL users. These instructions basically explain how to connect with AOL while using another browser like Netscape or Internet Explorer. Users should also read the section on browsers and minimum specs.

In the market for a service provider?

While Oakton cannot recommend a particular ISP, we can point learners to a couple of informational sources where they can possibly evaluate services and make a choice:

The List

The Online Connection

Also, you can find information about locally-based ISPs in the Yellow Pages under “Internet” and frequently in the business sections of local papers. 

Free & Low-cost ISPs

While again we can’t recommend any particular company, FreedomList offers a comprehensive listing as well as descriptions and reviews of low-cost and sometimes free. Be aware that companies change policies, go out of business, or offer different levels of service (free & for a fee) on an ever-changing basis. One of the main considerations with ISPs, free or otherwise, is where you must call in order to access service. Look for a service with a local phone exchange—multiple nearby numbers is even better as this can impact your chances of connecting during high-demand times.

Wireless (“Wi-Fi,” “802.11”)

A number of public institutions and private shops (particularly coffee shops and bookstores) have begun to offer wireless Internet access to users of notebook computers equipped with wireless modems. Costs vary and may even be free. Be aware that while the laptop owner is still responsible for correct configuration of his browser, the wireless provider, like any ISP, may block/ restrict browsing or cause other issues beyond Oakton’s control. Correctly set up, wireless connections shouldn't’t cause any problems for Oakton’s online courses. More information on wireless is available here; see also the Wikipedia entry on Wi-fi.

Oakton has begun offering wireless Internet access on campus to students and public with their own laptops. More information may be found in the Oakton IT Knowledge Bank.

Cable and DSL

Apart from any hardware/software needs that your cable provider should explain to you, this more recent addition to the provider mix should operate similarly to other ISPs as far as accessing online classes is concerned. The main functional difference is the significant increase in connection speed. A now-standard phone/modem connection will max out at something a little under 56Kbps, depending on the quality of any connection between your computer and your ISP. A cable Internet connection should be many, many times faster though it can depend heavily on how many people share a connection.

A good deal of care has been taken to make Oakton online classes run over standard phone/modem connections at an acceptable speed. 

WebTV and Small Mobile Devices

Oakton Online courses have not been tested on small mobile web accessing devices like smartphones, WebTV or similar products. The technology at the time of this writing would not seem to be appropriate for Oakton Online needs.