Internet Access Options for Physicians

Strategic Insights -

Physicians seeking a reliable and cost-effective internet access provider have several options at their disposal. The Internet Society's comprehensive listing, The List, boasts over 1,119 providers in the United States, organized by area codes. Additionally, resources such as The Physician's Guide to the Internet, HealthLink, and specialized mailing lists like OpenHeart-L and Musculoskeletal-L offer valuable support. With a plethora of choices, physicians can find the ideal internet service provider to meet their needs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Internet Society's The List provides a comprehensive listing of over 1,119 internet service providers in the United States, organized by area codes.
  • Physicians can also access The Physician's Guide to the Internet, HealthLink, and specialized mailing lists such as OpenHeart-L and Musculoskeletal-L for support.
  • The Public Dialup Internet Access List (PDIAL) offers a less comprehensive list but still provides useful information; a new edition is expected to be released in the near future.
  • Dial-up access providers often charge a flat monthly rate for unlimited usage and full internet access, with phone charges being a significant cost factor for distant local calls.
  • Nearby dial-up access providers can offer cost savings by eliminating per-minute charges.
  • Alternatives to dial-up access include bulletin-board systems (BBS), which can provide e-mail and Usenet connections, and online services like America Online and Compuserve.

Statistics:

  • Over 1,119 internet service providers are listed in The Internet Society's The List in the United States alone.
  • The Public Dialup Internet Access List (PDIAL) is expected to release a new edition in the near future.
  • Dial-up access providers often charge a flat monthly rate for unlimited usage and full internet access.
  • Phone charges can account for a significant portion of the cost for distant local calls.

Sources:

  • The Internet Society's the List (no date mentioned)
  • The Physician's Guide to the Internet by Lee Hancock (no date mentioned)
  • HealthLink (no date mentioned)
  • OpenHeart-L (no date mentioned)
  • Musculoskeletal-L (no date mentioned)
  • The Public Dialup Internet Access List (PDIAL) (no date mentioned)
  • http://www.icos.org (no date mentioned)
  • http://www.pdial.com/ (no date mentioned)
  • ftp.best.com:/pub/kaminski/ (no date mentioned)