By Gary Kirchherr
This column is devoted to updates on two topics that demand it -- the Macatawa Area Free-Net's price-plan restructuring, and America Online's agreement to issue refunds or credits to customers who haven't been able to log on the last couple of months.
The Jan. 12 "Computer Curmudgeon" column noted that the MacNet board had decided to overhaul its pricing plans to deal with its need for capital and the service's perennially clogged access lines. I noted the elimination of the totally free account; however, maintaining a "base account" will cost only the $10 a year "subscription fee" that all MacNet users now have to pay.
MacNet officials since then have released more details on the changes. But MacNet members who don't check their e-mail regularly probably still are out of the loop. This could be hazardous to the status of your MacNet account; if you haven't checked your e-mail since Wednesday, do so, and soon.
The most vital concern for MacNet members right now is the need to reregister accounts. All MacNet members must log onto the MacNet home page at http://www.macatawa.org/ and follow the reregistration link. Those accounts that haven't reregistered by midnight Feb. 28 will be deleted.
Draconian? Perhaps. But after a year and a half of handing out free accounts (many without verification), MacNet undoubtedly has a lot of dead weight in the form of inactive accounts bogging down the system. The subscription fee and reregistration will give MacNet -- and the taxpayers, who are helping foot the bills -- a better idea of how many people actually are using the system.
MacNet already has asked its paying members to reregister by last Wednesday, so the credit-card information could be processed. But those who missed that deadline needn't worry. Their accounts still are active; they've just been converted into base memberships. Reregistration is all that's needed to get back the paying-account status. As I mentioned, all MacNet users have to pony up $10 a year to access the system. You need to make out your check to MacNet and mail it to MacNet at Suite 416, 400 136th, Holland, MI 49424. MacNet can't accept credit-card payments for this fee.
Meanwhile, the MacNet board isn't wasting time spending the $10-a-year fee it's going to collect from its users -- it already plans to add 32 more phone lines to the 61 it already has. The board's ambitious plan is to have the lines in place by mid-March. When the new phone lines are up, seven will be set aside for 5-minute access -- long enough to snag your e-mail. Of the remaining modems, half will be available to those with the "unlimited plan," and the rest to the other plans.
More information is available on MacNet's home page; questions can be posted on the MacNet-only newsgroup mafn.general.
Two weeks ago I talked about America Online's much-publicized difficulties providing its members with phone lines that aren't busy. Since then, AOL announced a settlement with 37 attorneys general that includes refunds for customers with significant log-on problems in December and January. Unlimited-access customers have the choice of a cash refund or one month of online credit.
Those who want the money need to call (800) 827-6364 -- but be prepared to spend a lot of time on hold. Refund are based on how much time the user spent online December and January, and each month's refund is determined separately. Those who spent less than two hours online in one of those months will get the full $19.95 refund for that month. But if you were online 15 hours or more, your cash back for that month is zilch.
Obviously, many customers will be better off getting the free month of online credit. You can get the credit by calling the previously mentioned 800 number, or writing America Online at P.O. Box 1600, Ogden, Utah 84401.
Another part of the agreement is making it easier for members to cancel their service. In addition to calling the 800 number (definitely not recommended), you can write the Utah address or fax (801) 622-7469.
The response to the settlement on the Internet -- at least in those newsgroups devoted to AOL discussion -- has been less than enthusiastic. The most oft-heard complaint is that AOL didn't reinstate the option of canceling an account while online. Others question being ineligible for a refund for a given month by spending as little as 15 hours online. I agree, especially with the latter. If your idea of "unlimited access" is 15 hours a month, you might as well switch to MacNet and pay $10 a year instead of $20 a month.
Needless to say, my position on AOL hasn't changed -- you're better off switching to a local Internet service provider.