Quote Originally Posted by JPnyc
But then we'd all be stuck in the same hell as AOL users, and juno users, etc. Forced to use whatever software the ISP shoves at ya.

I'm not sure that if I had been FORCED to use a browser like netscape navigator early on, that I would've developed the same interest I have now.
Only if you choose to. I *NEVER* used AOL or other mass ISPs. I used a local one. And, as a Mac user, was able to start off with the basic protocols -- telnet and FTP -- and go from there. Additionally, there were a lot of magazines and books that came with free internet utilities. You were only forced if you choose to stay with an ISP that required it.

I was with Internex (small Toronto ISP that charged decent rates -- I stayed with them until they were bought out and high-speed came into the area). To this day, I have never used what the ISP "required" me to use.