| Author |
Message |
    
Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 421
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 1:18 pm: |     |
Which is better? Pros-cons on both. I have a PC laptop (will later purchase a MAC) and I want faster access to the internet than dial-up I have now.
Thanks!
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composerjohn
Citizen
Username: Composerjohn
Post Number: 154
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 2:31 pm: | |
I use DSL on a 2GHZ Mac G5 and it is perfectly fine. I think I pay something like $29 a month. I believe cable is over $40. I would go with DSL. |
Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 423
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 2:41 pm: | |
composerjohn,
I have a trial usage of Optimum online for $29. After the trial ends its $44. Just debating which is best, $44 adds up. |
composerjohn
Citizen
Username: Composerjohn
Post Number: 155
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 2:50 pm: | |
Obviously cable is faster, but not by much. And I don't think most people can tell the difference. If you don't care that your cable bill will jump up $15 or more after the trial period, go for cable. If you want to save some money and still have good service, go for DSL. |
growler
Citizen
Username: Growler
Post Number: 424
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 3:43 pm: | |
Go with Speakeasy DSL. We've had them for 5 years and have been very happy with the service. There are different pricing options for the speed and service that you require. We've only had one outage that was Verizons fault however it was fixed in 24 hours. My "on hold" wait time has never exceeded 2 minutes and the CS is very helpful. This sounds strange but the hold music is awesome.
Use this referral code if you decide to go with them, you won't be disappointed: http://www.speakeasy.net/refer/49968
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Earlster
Supporter
Username: Earlster
Post Number: 1001
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 3:47 pm: | |
Cable is faster, but more expensive. Especially if you don't use cable for your TV, but satellite.
DSL is a little cheaper, but not as fast. It also seems to me that depending on the provider reliability is hit or miss.
speakeasy seems to be one of the best DSL providers out there.
Check out http://www.dslreports.com/
You will find lots of good info on both. |
woodstock
Citizen
Username: Woodstock
Post Number: 913
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 4:26 pm: | |
Agreed about Speakeasy. I use their service to run mail, web and FTP servers from my home. Their prices are pretty good, whether you want basic service or the whole shebang. Customer service has been great as well. First line support has decent technical knowledge, but I've never had them make assumptions about my technical expertise.
Over the past 5 years (five? four?) with them, I've had only one significant outage, and that was a problem with Verizon's lines, not Speakeasy (Covad).
In fact, I was on the phone with support once, and the guy said "Why are you using the service you have?" I explained, and he said "But we have a promo going now. I can reduce your monthly cost by around $20, and give you 50% faster service." Note, this was tech support, not sales. They took care of all the technical details, even though they don't host anything for me (primary and secondary DNS, for the geeks).
DSLReports is a great site to check out, too. We're moving soon, and if Speakeasy doesn't serve the ares we move to, I'll be disappointed.
(Disclaimer) I'm also a reseller through their consultant's program, though I did that because I like their service so much. But use growler's link if you go that way. They're reasonably generous about giving them new customers because their retntion rate is pretty high.
The speed difference between DSL and cable is decreasing all the time. And for many sites, the limiting factor is the serving site itself, not your download speed. But I've never used cable internet service for any length of time, so all my knowledge of it is second hand. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 5633
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 4:26 pm: | |
An advantage of DSL is that you can use any phone jack on your line, so you can move your computer and modem anywhere easily. Not that you would do that often. If you set up a wireless network in your home, this advantage goes away, since you can move your laptop anywhere without moving your modem.
An advantage of cable modem is that setup is a little easier, since you don't need to set your computer or router to dial up and authenticate.
I agree with the others who say that cable is faster but not necessarily worth the extra money. Both cable and DSL are good.
Whichever you get, be sure to use a router which also acts as a firewall. |
woodstock
Citizen
Username: Woodstock
Post Number: 914
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 4:29 pm: | |
oh, last thing. If you're a gamer or into music, Speakeasy has some decent programs. They have gamer packages (high speeds, low latency) and deals with at least one of the big music services. Check out their site. I don't remember all the details. |
argon_smythe
Citizen
Username: Argon_smythe
Post Number: 536
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 9:28 pm: | |
If it is important to you to have 2-way communications speed, cable will give you a BIG performance difference over DSL. For instance if you work from home and need to upload large files as email attachments or work with chatty client/server programs, DSL will be markedly inferior.
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Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 424
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 10:33 am: | |
Thanks to all who have replied! 
Growler & Earlster,
Thanks for the websites. I will definately check them out.
woodstock,
I've notice lately, that DSL is improving their service. Thats why I was curious between the two.
Tom,
Our laptop is configure to use for a wireless connection. I was also, interested in the setup. Reason being… so my kids can use the laptop in their separate rooms. Can you elaborate? Thanks
argon_smythe
You bring up a good point when uploading & sending out big files. Spouse wants to eventually work from home, so unless DSL comes up with something tin the near future, I may have to go with Optimum Online. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 5636
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 12:31 pm: | |
I saw in the Maplewood library a book on PC setup published by PC magazine. I think they tell you how to set up a wireless network securely, to prevent passersby and neighbors from jumping on your home network. If you can't find it or want help, give me a call or email me at noglider@pobox.com. I recommend buying the Linksys WRT54G wireless router. |
Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 429
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 1:52 pm: | |
Thanks Tom!
I was a skeptical on the wireless because the "passersby and neighbors jumping into the home network." However, I will look into the "Linksys WRT54G wireless router". |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 5659
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 8:59 pm: | |
Competition is heating up! I have a $25/month deal with comcast for 12 months. I just received a promotion from Earthlink for DSL for $20/month for six months. Free equipment, installation kit, and activation. This looks like a deal worth getting, even though it's DSL and not cable modem. It includes up to 20 months of dialup access for when you're traveling.
Call 866-863-7976 and mention code 1022504. Or visit http://www.earthlink.net
I don't know how good their DSL service is, but I suspect it's good. |
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