Gacked from someone on LiveJournal, and I couldn't resist...
1. When did you first connect ("go online"), and how?
Hmm...I guess that would be about 1985 or '86. On CompuServe, to find hints for playing Bard's Tale I or II. I got hooked then.
2. What was your first communications program?
Well, I originally went online on a Commodore 64. Some sort of terminal dial-up program. 300 baud. Whoo!
3. When did you first chat over the internet, and how?
There was a Bard's Tale chat with the designers of the game, on CIS. I remember being upset (and asking them!) that there weren't any female playable characters, and they said they'd fix that. They had had other complaints.
I also chatted regularly on Gamers. Ah, for the good old days of /sen uin message...
4. What chat type program(s) do you use now?
I use Fire at work, Trillian at home. I'm on AIM, YM, MSN, and ICQ.
5. Who was your first service provider?
CompuServe. Back in the day when everything was text, and we LIKED IT THAT WAY!
6. Did you ever use AOL?
Yes, but only for specific purposes.
7. Do you admit using AOL in public?
Yes, but only if I explain the details. :) My first encounter with AOL was when someone was doing a conference/chat. I think it was Renee O'Connor. I got a free account, went, and then left the service before the first bill.
I went back again when I had to buy AOL for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Did you know that you can't buy someone free time on AOL unless you're a member too? They have to bill your account's billing credit card. You can't just buy it as a gift. Feh. So I signed up with my AIM screen name, waited a month after charging it, and then cancelled. Whey they tried to get me to stay, I told them flat out why I had gotten the account. They didn't pressure me to stay.
8. Who is your current ISP?
Comcast, it appears. AT&T got bought out/merged, who in turn bought out the original MediaOne.
9. What was the first computer that you used to access the 'net?
See above, Commmore 64. I remember when I made MOTM (Member of the Month) and used the money saved from not being billed for the month (hourly charges!!) to buy a brand spankin' new 2400 baud modem (MAY have been a 1200, but I don't think it was). $300 or so. Ah, bliss.
10. What computer do you use to access the 'net today?
At work, I use a QuickSilver 933MHz PowerMac with 512mb of RAM and a SuperDrive. At home, I use my Toshiba 3005-S307, with WinXP Home (that's what it came with), the just-upgraded-to 512mb of memory, and digital internet, provided to me wirelessly by our AirPort Base Station.
11. What was your first 'net handle?
Dazzler.
12. Did you use any other handles for any length of time? If so, what were they?
Nothing else really. I was Dazzler pretty much until I left CIS finally, and then I became Glyneth. But people call me Dazz or Dazzler and I respond to it; if people call me Glyneth, I don't.
13. What 'net handle do you normally use now?
Glyneth for email addresses. I have another one for LJ. But I'm mostly just Julia.