Getting DSL connection... Adivce?...

[CLTEK]

Hey All!

Any of you folks have any experience witht he faster internet connections? I just found out that DSL is now available through Verizon in my area. And I have to admit, I'm quite excited about this after experiencing a DSL connection this last week while fixing a couple of software problems that a friend's computer was having. I was amazed with how fast some of the somples/loops were downloading. Usually around 100KB/second! That's a MASSIVE increase in speed over my previous dail up connection with AOL. It usually DL'd at about 3-5KB/sec. Sometimes, the dial up connection would be so bad, I wouldn't even be able to DL a 1MB file!

Anyway...

The packages available are:

Basic:
768Mbps Download
128Mbps Upload
Always on
$34.50 for three months
$49.95 thereafter
The provide the modem free of charge
I have to provide the Ethernet Card

Faster package:

1.5 Download
128 Upload
$39.95 for three months
$59.95 therafter
The rest of the specs are the same as the basic deal

Does this sound like a fair deal? Any advice for Ethernet cards? I see them for between $10.00 and $80.00. All of which are 10/100. Should I be concerned with anything other than compatability issues with the OSes?

The plan to offset the expense of the DSL connection is to DL some 'net to phone' software so my family can make all of our long distance calls via the net. That might not sound justifiable to most. However, my wife's family lives on the other said of the US and our phone bills are ATLEAST $100 a month. This may actually SAVE us money! LOL Atleast for the first three months, anyway. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Any comments question or criticims for the good of the cause would be greatly appreciated.

Respectfully, Cory

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Age and Treachery will forever triumph over Youth and Skill.

[iisbob]

take a look at this post, it might answer some of your questions.

http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000500.html

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iisbob
"Soap and education are not as sudden as a massacre, but they are more deadly in the long run."

[This message has been edited by iisbob (edited 07-11-2001).]

[This message has been edited by iisbob (edited 07-11-2001).]

[This message has been edited by iisbob (edited 07-11-2001).]

[CLTEK]

Thanks iisbob...

I read that thread. All contoversy aside, if I'm able to DL at 100KB per second that would be 20x faster than the speed at which I'm able to DL at now. And compared to what I'm usually able to DL at now, 5 KB per second is GREAT! Know what I mean? It's usually around 3KB per sec. That would put my up speed at around 20KB/second. That's great for what my wife and I want to do.

At work, we're on a T-3. So I'm aware at how fast things 'could be'. But the fast remains, I live in a town in the middle of nowhere. AOL only has one server and it's completely bogged down. I got tired of the problems associated with AOL and I switched the other day to Earthlink. Oddly enough, the connection is only 40K, but I'm able to DL at faster rates than I was able to with AOL.

So, the question of 'value' is relative. Even after what I read on the other thread, I still think it's worth it. That's is until someone can change my mind. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

The question is still unanswered with regard to the Ethernet cards. All I need is a cheapy. Netgear? 3COM? Linkskey? and such. Any recomendations?

Respectfully, Cory



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Age and Treachery will forever triumph over Youth and Skill.

[iisbob]

i bought a linksys from the local wal-mart, been just fine. I'm on cable, didn't like the restrictions on DSL, and i'm only paying $33 a month because i bought my own modem. I've had downloads of up to 1.2megabytes per second, and sometimes no beter than 12 kb's per sec-but i'll never go back to dial up unles i'm forced too. So go for it if you think it's a good deal, just make sure they'll be able to connect you-there is a distance limitation on DSL, make sure you check into that.

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iisbob
"Soap and education are not as sudden as a massacre, but they are more deadly in the long run."

[sea69]

ok then......

for one thing, it seems they are offering your area some type of special deal??

on the East Coast- Verizon offers it's basic plan : 640 /90 free modem, installation and a quickcam .



Verizon Online DSL Enhanced brings you the power of the Internet as never before. For only $49.95 per month, you'll get super-fast speeds, along with these features: Internet access provided by Verizon Online 4 email accounts Up to 10 MB of personal Web space Online help 24/7 live technical support 30-day money-back guarantee Free Activation For an even faster connection, with all of the features above, choose from: <buying.html> <buying.html>
Package Maximum Connection Speed Monthly Rates
Advanced Up to 1.5M / 128K $59.95/month
Premium Up to 384K / 384K $69.95/month
Professional Up to 1.5M / 384K $79.95/month

All of the above Verizon Online DSL packages include a 30-day money-back guarantee. Should you choose to discontinue the service, we'll refund the first month's charge and the cost of any equipment you purchased from Verizon Online (if you've been billed for it).
One-time Installation Charges
DSL Modem $50
Self-Installation (available for most households) FREE
Activation FREE
Shipping and Handling FREE
Applicable Taxes VARY
Sign up online and get a free PC Camera.**
Offer by Verizon Online DSL. Only available to Verizon local telephone customers. Annual contract required. Cancellation of service prior to registration or during the first 30 days requires return of modem and promotional equipment or additional $125 modem fee will apply. Offer valid through 8/31/01. Service not available to all areas. Modem savings based on annual contract. Laptop users and some desktop users may need to purchase an Ethernet card. Actual speeds will vary. Throughput speeds will be lower than connection speeds. Due to the sophisticated nature of DSL, Verizon Online cannot guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service. Verizon reserves the right to revoke or amend this offer without notice. Modem provided is a new or fully inspected, tested and warranted return unit. Offer for residential customers only. Installation charges may apply. Early cancellation of contract requires return of PC camera and DSL modem, or additional charges may apply.

now- what you are supposed to get, and what you actually get tend to vary wildly.

for example, on mine: 640/90- I my usual dwn speed is 711kbps (83 to 84 KB). This is NOT to 'norm' however. Most people that I personally know (in the area with the same service) get only an average of 384kbps dwn.. and forget about the up speed being anything more than 90. (kbps)

Verizon has been excellent for me. I am a minority though if you look at their forums.. especially in the NYC area.

One thing that is extremely important when you first sign up is that you actually have a choice of two (2) different servers / backbone providers- PICK (GTEI) it has been shown to have less problems than the other one (I can't remember right this minute)... but the FACT remains.
I would go with the second package @ $10.00 more a month.

Verizon has a list of NIC's that they say will work trouble free with their WinPoET software, mine is NOT on this list (accton) but works very well!

I would not necessarily count too much on the net2phone thing. I couldn't get it to work well enough on my system to worth the effort.

However, there are other software apps that actually do work. Yahoo voice chat for one has worked very well with multiple pc to pc calls/converstaions with several of my online friends from Austrailia, England, Belguim, and right here in the usa. (georgia) and we all could have decent (understandable) conversations.

I don't like net2phone. It is NOT free, and it does not work very well.

edit: msn instant mess- has pc 2 phone for free.. (or did) but that didn't work well either.. even for local calls. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

one thing I can gaurantee, once you have broadband (of any type) you will NEVER consider going back to dial up.

iisbob- what restrictions??


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sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)




[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 07-11-2001).]

[iisbob]

distance from provider; it's not an issue with cable.

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iisbob
"Soap and education are not as sudden as a massacre, but they are more deadly in the long run."

[Ghost_Hacker]

one thing I can gaurantee, once you have broadband (of any type) you will NEVER consider going back to dial up...Yep, even the worst DSL/cable connection is better than any dial-up. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Going with a telcom can be better than going with a reseller. ( They'll offer packages based on speed and resellers for the most part don't).I agree with SEA go with the faster connection for $10.00 more.

The limitation iisbob is talking about is the distance between you and the CO (Central Office). The closer you are the faster connection you can get. So in other words you have to be a correct distance from the CO to get that 1.5Mbs speed. ( they should tell you if your in range or not)

As for the NIC, they should all work. The list is just the ones that have been tested or proven to work with thier software package. Still it can be best to stay away from the cheapo. ( something in the $20 to $40 dollar range should do fine.)


Hope this helps http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Comment heard from a Klingon programmer.

"Our users will know fear and cower before our software! Ship it! Ship it and let them flee like the dogs they are!"

[sea69]

hehe http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

ok.. granted that (distance factor) can be an issue.

but not as much of one as the fact that what your nieghboors are doing online (at any given time) can effect your connection speed. (cable)

and at least you know about this prior to getting it, and it doesn't change with DSL.

funny situation to report: When I first wanted to upgrade from dial-up to broadband Verizon didn't even exist http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif

it was all Bell Atlantic here. So when looking for DSL or cable service I found that I was in the City so I couldn't get cable. I looked for DSL service and hooked up with psn.net (pluto, or planet or something)....

it was ($99.00 monthly) a fixed/static IP and was 128 up and dwn, always on (now out of buseness). When they wanted to install it Bell AT- was NOT helpfull AT ALL- they were actually dead set against me getting anything at all not through them.

Now we have verizon.......... all hail........lol

EDIT: please keep in mind regarding my speeds that I get from them is due to me (through trial and error trying EVERY possible combination of tweaks, and some other things that Verizon swears that by doing I shouldn't even be able to connect at ALL...it is so funny when I talk to their "techs" about my set up.. they are (even the best of them) surprised. hehe



http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif


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sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)




[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 07-11-2001).]