patriarch < wrote:
> Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
>
>>Woodchuck Bill wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>news:NWHAc.1347$p%[email protected]:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>I need a cheap backup ISP in case broadband goes down.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Does your broadband connection go down alot? ??
>>>
>>
>>haven't got it yet. they said that it doesn't, but hey,
>>that's their sales dept!! :)
>>
>>
>>dave
>>
>
>
> DSL and cable have gotten pretty reliable in the Bay Area. It's certainly
> not like it was 4 years ago, or so.
>
> Which technology just got to your area?
>
> Patriarch,
> an early adopter, fortunately.
cable modems. in a few weeks anyway.
dave
Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> writes:
>I need a cheap backup ISP in case broadband goes down. Any
>recommendations for a dial up ISP under 10 bucks/mo.?
>
>dave
>
Dialup is included already in your SBC/Yahoo broadband
package, for that very purpose.
scott
On 18 Jun 2004 20:26:22 GMT, Woodchuck Bill <[email protected]> wrote:
> Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:NWHAc.1347$p%[email protected]:
>
>> I need a cheap backup ISP in case broadband goes down.
>
> Does your broadband connection go down alot? ??
Gee, I wonder why Bay Area Dave would feel the need to have another
ISP lined up.
"Mark L." <[email protected]> writes:
>Also, if you have dsl, when the power is out, so is the broadband.
> Mark L.
>
If the power is out, so is your computer.
However, one can always put the DSL modem on a UPS.
scott
Woodchuck Bill wrote:
> Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:NWHAc.1347$p%[email protected]:
>
>
>>I need a cheap backup ISP in case broadband goes down. Any
>>recommendations for a dial up ISP under 10 bucks/mo.?
>>
>>dave
>>
>
>
> Net Zero and Juno are both the same company. They install light spyware on
> your computer...1) a forced toolbar at the top of your browser (even the
> paid version does this) and 2) they automatically change your search page
> to theirs. I would stay clear of them.
>
> Most of the other free or almost free ISPs make you run their own software,
> embedded with some sort of spyware.
>
> Try http://isp.net
>
> They give you standard dialup access with no software to download, and
> plenty of access numbers. Don't go for the "high speed" dialup option. That
> version requires a software installation, and compromises the security of
> your PC.
>
thanks, Bill. I'll check 'em out! ...a few minutes
later... I called isp.net: they are sending me a CD so I can
get on line right away in the event my broadband ever goes
down for an extended period.
dave
"Woodchuck Bill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Net Zero and Juno are both the same company. They install light spyware on
> your computer...1) a forced toolbar at the top of your browser (even the
> paid version does this) and 2) they automatically change your search page
> to theirs. I would stay clear of them.
Forcing your home page is a common practice - albeit an unethical one IMHO.
Even Microsoft does it. That does not constitute spyware though. I had not
heard any claims of Juno or NetZero installing spyware on systems, and a
quick (real quick) google search turned up nothing of the sort. While a
toolbar on your machine or an altered start page may be annoying to both of
us, it's far from spyware.
>
> Most of the other free or almost free ISPs make you run their own
software,
> embedded with some sort of spyware.
I've used *some* of this type of software and Spybot does not complain about
it. Our experiences differ.
>
> Try http://isp.net
>
> They give you standard dialup access with no software to download, and
> plenty of access numbers. Don't go for the "high speed" dialup option.
That
> version requires a software installation, and compromises the security of
> your PC.
>
Geeze Bill, ya gotta have software on your PC, or else it just sits there.
Hell, I'd be more suspicious of Microsoft than of the ISP's that are out
there.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
Woodchuck Bill <[email protected]> writes:
>[email protected] (Scott Lurndal) wrote in
>news:[email protected]:
>
>> If the power is out, so is your computer.
>
>Not necessarily. For example, battery powered laptops can be DC charged
>from a car battery.
>
Indeed, but the same UPS/battery you use to power your computer
can be used to power the DSL modem, thus invalidating the original
posters point.
scott
Scott Lurndal wrote:
> Woodchuck Bill <[email protected]> writes:
>>[email protected] (Scott Lurndal) wrote in
>>news:[email protected]:
>>
>>> If the power is out, so is your computer.
>>
>>Not necessarily. For example, battery powered laptops can be DC charged
>>from a car battery.
>>
>
> Indeed, but the same UPS/battery you use to power your computer
> can be used to power the DSL modem, thus invalidating the original
> posters point.
>
> scott
BTDT. We had internet for two hours one summer without power. Both of use
running laptops with the routers, cable modem and wireless running off the
ups.
Woodchuck Bill wrote:
> Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:NWHAc.1347$p%[email protected]:
>
>
>>I need a cheap backup ISP in case broadband goes down.
>
>
>
> Does your broadband connection go down alot? ??
>
haven't got it yet. they said that it doesn't, but hey,
that's their sales dept!! :)
dave
Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> writes:
>Scott Lurndal wrote:
>> Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> writes:
>>
>>>I need a cheap backup ISP in case broadband goes down. Any
>>>recommendations for a dial up ISP under 10 bucks/mo.?
>>>
>>>dave
>>>
>>
>>
>> Dialup is included already in your SBC/Yahoo broadband
>> package, for that very purpose.
>>
>> scott
>that's not the company I'm gonna go with, Scott.
>
>dave
>
Ok. They have a pretty good promo going in SJ $26.99/mo. The other
major choices are Comcast for cablemodem and speakeasy for DSL.
Speakeasy also offers dial backup as part of the service.
Don't know about comcast, but I'm not a fan of theirs, either.
They began rolling out broadband in SJ just a couple of months ago, so
they don't have a history in the area.
I've had pacbell DSL for 4 years with no outages yet. Knock on virtual wood.
scott
"Bay Area Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> >
> >
> not mine. I've got a UPS. in fact I've got 3 in the house...
>
> dave
UPS....Universal Port Serial? ;~) Or United Postal Service?
"Scott Lurndal" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Mark L." <[email protected]> writes:
> >Also, if you have dsl, when the power is out, so is the broadband.
> > Mark L.
> >
>
> If the power is out, so is your computer.
ROTFLMAO.....
Scott Lurndal wrote:
> Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> writes:
>
>>Scott Lurndal wrote:
>>
>>>Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> writes:
>>>
>>>
>>>>I need a cheap backup ISP in case broadband goes down. Any
>>>>recommendations for a dial up ISP under 10 bucks/mo.?
>>>>
>>>>dave
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Dialup is included already in your SBC/Yahoo broadband
>>>package, for that very purpose.
>>>
>>>scott
>>
>>that's not the company I'm gonna go with, Scott.
>>
>>dave
>>
>
>
> Ok. They have a pretty good promo going in SJ $26.99/mo. The other
> major choices are Comcast for cablemodem and speakeasy for DSL.
>
> Speakeasy also offers dial backup as part of the service.
>
> Don't know about comcast, but I'm not a fan of theirs, either.
> They began rolling out broadband in SJ just a couple of months ago, so
> they don't have a history in the area.
>
> I've had pacbell DSL for 4 years with no outages yet. Knock on virtual wood.
>
> scott
I'm in an area w/o DSL service. too far from the equipment
they need to provide reliable service.
dave
Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Woodchuck Bill wrote:
>
>> Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> wrote in
>> news:NWHAc.1347$p%[email protected]:
>>
>>
>>>I need a cheap backup ISP in case broadband goes down.
>>
>>
>>
>> Does your broadband connection go down alot? ??
>>
> haven't got it yet. they said that it doesn't, but hey,
> that's their sales dept!! :)
>
>
> dave
>
DSL and cable have gotten pretty reliable in the Bay Area. It's certainly
not like it was 4 years ago, or so.
Which technology just got to your area?
Patriarch,
an early adopter, fortunately.
Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> wrote in
news:NWHAc.1347$p%[email protected]:
> I need a cheap backup ISP in case broadband goes down. Any
> recommendations for a dial up ISP under 10 bucks/mo.?
>
> dave
>
Net Zero and Juno are both the same company. They install light spyware on
your computer...1) a forced toolbar at the top of your browser (even the
paid version does this) and 2) they automatically change your search page
to theirs. I would stay clear of them.
Most of the other free or almost free ISPs make you run their own software,
embedded with some sort of spyware.
Try http://isp.net
They give you standard dialup access with no software to download, and
plenty of access numbers. Don't go for the "high speed" dialup option. That
version requires a software installation, and compromises the security of
your PC.
--
Bill
Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> wrote in
news:NWHAc.1347$p%[email protected]:
> I need a cheap backup ISP in case broadband goes down.
Does your broadband connection go down alot? ??
--
Bill
[email protected] (Scott Lurndal) wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> If the power is out, so is your computer.
Not necessarily. For example, battery powered laptops can be DC charged
from a car battery.
--
Bill
Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> wrote in
news:%[email protected]:
> patriarch < wrote:
>
>> Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> wrote in
>> news:[email protected]:
>>
>>
>>>Woodchuck Bill wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>>news:NWHAc.1347$p%[email protected]:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>I need a cheap backup ISP in case broadband goes down.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Does your broadband connection go down alot? ??
>>>>
>>>
>>>haven't got it yet. they said that it doesn't, but hey,
>>>that's their sales dept!! :)
>>>
>>>
>>>dave
>>>
>>
>>
>> DSL and cable have gotten pretty reliable in the Bay Area. It's
>> certainly not like it was 4 years ago, or so.
>>
>> Which technology just got to your area?
>>
>> Patriarch,
>> an early adopter, fortunately.
> cable modems. in a few weeks anyway.
>
> dave
>
>
You should really have very few problems. After the first couple of weeks,
the system gets settled down, and there are really very few times when you
can't get pretty good service. The first few weeks relate to set-ups,
additions, new equipment settings, and such.
Recommendations:
* Get an inexpensive broadband router, with a firewall feature. Fry's
will have a good selection under $100. They are easy to set up for someone
with your skills.
* Buy an inexpensive UPS/Power filter. This is as useful for the small
battery as it is for the master power switch. If you pay more than $100,
you've overspent.
* Plug both the cable modem and the router into the UPS - master switch.
This makes it much easier to reboot both devices, for those times when
you'll need to do that.
My system is set up in the garage on a backboard, and the house is wired
CAT5 to there, for Fast Ethernet and voice. The -B wireless access point
runs behind the rest of it, with the best, but least intrusive encryption
possible.
The cable modem has been more than adequate for our needs.
Welcome to broadband!
Patriarch
We have cable broadband. It has proven to be much faster than our DSL at
the office, especially for uploading, but both have been very reliable.
Actually, the DSL line at the office has gone down more frequently than our
cable connection.
The only potential problem that cable has versus DSL is that too many users
on one cable can slow the data transfer, but I have not noticed that
problem in three years of service. I live in an area of large yards (~1
acre plus), with fairly low population density, and that is probably a
factor in our good experience with the cable broadband.
And boy howdy! Once you get broadband you never want to go back! One
thing I've done is to hook up a little fm transmitter so I can broadcast my
favorite radio station (KPIG in Freedom, California) around my yard in
Seattle, Washington. The broadband stream is very good, and generally
sounds as good as the local stations, except that KPIG plays good music.
--
John Snow
"If I knew what I was doing, I wouldn't be here"
Leon wrote:
> "Scott Lurndal" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>"Mark L." <[email protected]> writes:
>>
>>>Also, if you have dsl, when the power is out, so is the broadband.
>>>Mark L.
>>>
>>
>>If the power is out, so is your computer.
>
>
>
> ROTFLMAO.....
>
>
not mine. I've got a UPS. in fact I've got 3 in the house...
dave
Leon wrote:
> "Bay Area Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>>
>>not mine. I've got a UPS. in fact I've got 3 in the house...
>>
>>dave
>
>
>
> UPS....Universal Port Serial? ;~) Or United Postal Service?
>
>
Unwashed Polo Shirt
dave
Dave Hinz wrote:
> On 18 Jun 2004 20:26:22 GMT, Woodchuck Bill <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> wrote in
>>news:NWHAc.1347$p%[email protected]:
>>
>>
>>>I need a cheap backup ISP in case broadband goes down.
>>
>>Does your broadband connection go down alot? ??
>
>
> Gee, I wonder why Bay Area Dave would feel the need to have another
> ISP lined up.
>
because I'm gonna switch to broadband! it hasn't been
available in my area yet. DUH!
dave
My broad band provider offers dial up also for no extra charge. I can use
it anywhere.
"Bay Area Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:NWHAc.1347$p%[email protected]...
> I need a cheap backup ISP in case broadband goes down. Any
> recommendations for a dial up ISP under 10 bucks/mo.?
>
> dave
>
netzero is good enough for the purpose you describe.
randy
"Bay Area Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:NWHAc.1347$p%[email protected]...
> I need a cheap backup ISP in case broadband goes down. Any
> recommendations for a dial up ISP under 10 bucks/mo.?
>
> dave
>
Also, if you have dsl, when the power is out, so is the broadband.
Mark L.
Scott Lurndal wrote:
> Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> writes:
>
>>I need a cheap backup ISP in case broadband goes down. Any
>>recommendations for a dial up ISP under 10 bucks/mo.?
>>
>>dave
>>
>
>
> Dialup is included already in your SBC/Yahoo broadband
> package, for that very purpose.
>
> scott
I made the MISTAKE of trying the paid Net Zero and had one HELL OF A
TIME getting them to cancel! Arguing with the woman on the phone I
mentioned BBB and she softened.
On 18 Jun 2004 20:21:39 GMT, Woodchuck Bill <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Net Zero and Juno are both the same company. They install light spyware on
>your computer...1) a forced toolbar at the top of your browser (even the
>paid version does this) and 2) they automatically change your search page
>to theirs. I would stay clear of them.
>
>Most of the other free or almost free ISPs make you run their own software,
>embedded with some sort of spyware.
Try PeoplePC.....1 800 peoplepc
My 2 cents.
"Bay Area Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:NWHAc.1347$p%[email protected]...
> I need a cheap backup ISP in case broadband goes down. Any
> recommendations for a dial up ISP under 10 bucks/mo.?
>
> dave
>
Scott Lurndal wrote:
> Bay Area Dave <[email protected]> writes:
>
>>I need a cheap backup ISP in case broadband goes down. Any
>>recommendations for a dial up ISP under 10 bucks/mo.?
>>
>>dave
>>
>
>
> Dialup is included already in your SBC/Yahoo broadband
> package, for that very purpose.
>
> scott
that's not the company I'm gonna go with, Scott.
dave