Netzero without the advertisements ~ a secret hack :-)
Written: Sep 15 '00 (Updated Oct 25 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Free internet connection and free email account
Cons: Can't really play online games without hacking the Zeroport
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| Gr8ful's Full Review: NetZero |
Benefits of Netzero
I have been using Netzero for about 13 months now and I have been completely satisfied with their service. After paying as much as $24.95 per month for other unlimited internet services, it's a relief to know you can get the same quality service for free. The latest version makes the commercial viewer a little smaller which is nice because it doesn't get in your way as much as it used to.
Netzero gives you free internet email and free unlimited access to the internet. Connection is quick and logging in is just as easy as any commercial ISP. I get connected at 44.6 or higher every time as long as my phone line is clear and clean. I have never got better service by paying.
The only drawback to free internet is the advertisements, but I don't mind them because they are paying for me to browse the web free. The truth is that every once in a while you see and advertisement that strikes you as something you need or may want to check out.
If you play games online you may have some trouble with Netzero. The advertisement bar does not disappear when you launch a game. The bar is always on top and becomes a hassle when playing games. With some games it actually locks up the computer because it tries to 'bleed' through the game to be on top. You can move the bar but you can not move it off the screen.
I mainly use Netzero for my laptop when I am away from my local commercial ISP. It is a great way to keep in touch and receive your email when away from home. The Netzero email is regular internet email and works with Microsoft Outlook, and Outlook Express as well as a host of many other email programs.
I recommend Netzero for everyone as a backup ISP and ISP away from home. They have many dial up numbers in most major cities across the United States and, since it's free access, paying for a short long distance call to download email is no big deal.
What about the Secret Hack?
Recently I learned a secret hack that is simple to apply and does not require any download or programming knowledge. This hack works on the recent version 2.2.2 build E. I have not tried this with older versions and my guess is Netzero will probably fix this hack in the next version. For now this is a way to use Netzero without having to have the Zeroport open on your desktop getting in your way while you use the Internet.
First download the latest version (2.2.2 build E) of Netzero's Zeroport. After installing the software, click on the Start menu and choose Find. Run a search on drive C: for a file named JPEG.DLL, this file is only used for the Zeroport so if you haven't installed the software you won't find it.
Once you locate the file, right click on it and choose Open With from the drop down menu. Open the file with Word Pad and delete all the code on the page except the actual words. There is a part on the first line of code that has actual words in it, do not erase the actual words but remove all the rest of the code from the page.
Now save the file in it's original place and exit Word Pad. Now double click on the Netzero icon on your desktop and start the Zeroport program. You will notice the program starts and runs exactly the same as it did, except after updating user preferences the Zeroport closes and you stay online without the hassle of advertisements and banners.
This is a simple hack I learned from a few techie buddies at work. It is simple to apply and makes using Netzero a much more pleasurable experience. I am not sure if this is ethical or even if it is legal, but I never read anything in the license agreement against it. I am giving this as information only and do not guarantee anything other than this procedure will get rid of the advertisement bar in Netzero.
If you have a moral issue against this procedure, then by all means do not do it. Again, this is simply information that I am sharing with the Epinions community.
Recommended:
Yes
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