If you get a free online email account, such as Yahoo, you can always have the same addy no matter if you move, change Ips, or whatever. So, instead of using the one your IP gives you, keep the Yahoo one for most email. I only share the IP one with a few folks whom I trust to not send spam, etc.

Have you checked to see if there are any local IPs in your area? We have several here, one of which my husband's company uses. That way you at least get a real person to talk with if you have any problems, etc. If you can afford cable I would highly recommend it; the difference in speed, etc. is phenomenal.

My brother has been fairly happy with www.peoplepc and their dialup, though it is slow.

Hope this helps.

kat