Re: [MLUG] ISPs

[Nathan Odle <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

Phillip Kelchen wrote:

> 1. Has anybody had either of the DSL ISPs? What kind of service did 
> you get from them, both in customer service and line speeds?


Have dealt with Socket's DSL, and wasn't impressed at all.  They put 
everyone behind a 10.x.x.x IP address, so any applications where you 
might want to run small server-type apps accessible from the internet 
are pretty much out.

> 2. I know that the CO sits near Rock Bridge 16,500 feet away, so I am 
> limited to 1.5Mbps downstream speeds. Will I see much of a difference 
> between 3Mbps cable service in real-life use and 1.5Mbps DSL?

In practice, most downloads you'll experience on the internet these days 
aren't able to saturate a 3Mb connection.  At work, I sit on a T1 with 
1.5/1.5 and really don't see much difference in practice between that 
and downloading on my Mediacom cable modem at home.

> 3. Does the modem work well with a router or with a Linux computer? My 
> parents have BellSouth as a DSL ISP and their modems require being 
> dialed directly via Ethernet via an ActiveX script in IE. I plan on 
> sharing the connection, so that would be unacceptable to me on two counts.

DSL modems with Socket don't require anything fancy.  In most cases, if 
an ISP requires authentication they're using PPPoE which is supported by 
most routers and Linux.

> 4. Are there any other ISPs that serve cable or DSL besides the ones I 
> mentioned?


I would highly, highly recommend Tranquility (www.tranquility.net).  
Their customer service is top-notch and they're a local outfit with a 
vested interest in keeping customers happy.  I've used them for 5+ years 
with no problems whatsoever.  In the past, it was DSL and these days 
it's the aforementioned T1.  In both cases, service has been reliable 
and consistent.

-N



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