I remember e-mail providers having low storage, maybe 1MB max and getting e-mails frequently deleted by said providers after not logging in after a certain time.
Using MSN and yahoo chat rooms were a fun way to meet people. I remember there being rooms on Yahoo (were they called conferences?) just for people to have singing sessions.
Locally, almost everyone with a computer and dialup had MSN messenger installed, so plenty chatting with classmates after school on there.
I vaguely remember being subscribed to yahoo groups for fan and local interests. They were a good way to be kept informed.
Surfing the web was fun. I never knew what I would find next.