>I'd check first if the cable modem has a backup dial-up service. Charter Pipeline does.
>
>Michelle

Good call. The cable ISP offers dial-in service for a one-time startup fee of CAN$14.95 plus $0.25 per dial-in session. I'll have to check further to see if this is reasonable for her usage pattern.
>
>
>>I have a friend who is thinking of switching from a dial-up ISP to cable modem. This would be perfect for her home office, but she still needs occasional dial-up access from another office. This really is very occasional, and will be primarily for checking e-mail on the cable modem ISP's account(s).
>>
>>I was thinking of setting up one of the "free" ISPs (AltaVista, Yahoo! etc.) at the secondary office, and giving it a test. If anyone has had any experience with these ISPs could you please comment:
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>>1. Do you need special access software, and does that interfere with any other preconfigured dial-up access with other ISPs?
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>>2. Can you access e-mail accounts other than those of the free ISP?
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>>3. Realistically, can you get a connection at the local access number(s)?
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>>4. Any other limitations/restrictions/gotchas/comments?
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>>TIA.