[Wilfrid1]

Logic suggests that a service through my cable provider (Road Runner) is the way to go, rather than upgrading Verizon connection.

Correct?

[Orik]

Correct. Whatever you use, make sure to place a wireless thingie in front of your computer (or some other firewall), people seem to be very keen on scanning for every known vulnerability these days.

[Wilfrid1]

Is there a link to find out how to do that?

[Peter Creasey]

Wilfrid, on May 9 2007, 09:26 AM, said:

Logic suggests that a service through my cable provider (Road Runner) is the way to go, rather than upgrading Verizon connection. Correct?

Wilfrid, I am not a fan of the cable provider service, especially the customer relations.

I recommend that ATT DSL service using a wireless portal with a hardware firewall. The service, especially the technical support, has been superb.

[Orik]

Wilfrid, on May 9 2007, 10:30 AM, said:

Is there a link to find out how to do that?

If you get a little wireless router (or, if you don't care about the wireless stuff, just a router such as this one that does firewall/NAT, although I think they cost about the same) from your neighborhood Circuit City, it will contain simple to follow instructions on how to set it up.

Peter -- the local telco here is not fun to deal with and the cable modem works.

[Carolyn Tillie]

Orik, on May 9 2007, 08:20 AM, said:

Peter -- the local telco here is not fun to deal with and the cable modem works.

I'd be really curious as to the difference in baud rates - here in San Francisco, I am forced to have Comcast as a cable provider yet I recently discovered I am paying for 4 Mbps but when tested, I am receiving less than one mbps. This has been the crux of much consternation as I believe it is the reason my Vonage account has so many problems but getting anyone to deal with the issue is useless (multiple complaints go nowhere except into Customer Service Hell).

I am wondering if there is a telco company I can look into that might provide me better service.

[Wilfrid1]

I see I am going to have to let the butler go, and engage an IT expert instead.

[mongo_jones]

wilfrid, don't worry so much about it. most wireless routers come with firewall software that is very easy to set up--i don't know much about these kinds of things either and i was able to do it. and if your cable provider is like mine they'll offer a full suite of anti-virus and additional firewall protection software for free download as well.

cable is definitely way better than dsl when you're in a single family house--not sure what it is like these days in apartment buildings, where there are potentially more people sharing the pipe.

[Wilfrid1]

A small, not to say exclusive apartment building is primary among my many residences, so I think I'll go for the "meep meep" service.

Thank you all.

[ngatti]

My FIOS internet service is mad fast and after working out some major glitches, the FIOS TV service is also superior.

eta: I do agree that Verizon Customer Service is surreal in a SF/Fantasy kind of way. No way to describe it. I had to get bumped up two to three levels of supervisor to get even the most minor stuff squared away. I was compensated well for my trouble, though

[Orik]

I don't think they're offering it in our area yet. If they are, it's a very good solution, but you need to plan for a few hours of screaming over the phone.

[Carolyn Tillie]

ngatti, on May 9 2007, 11:06 AM, said:

My FIOS internet service is mad fast and after working out some major glitches, the FIOS TV service is also superior.

eta: I do agree that Verizon Customer Service is surreal in a SF/Fantasy kind of way. No way to describe it. I had to get bumped up two to three levels of supervisor to get even the most minor stuff squared away. I was compensated well for my trouble, though

Can't figure out if they are in my area - their website is glitching on me!

[StephanieL]

I've had Road Runner cable service for over 4 years and have had almost no outages, slowdowns, etc. Most of the problems I've had have been due to my computer and not the online service. But if you go that route, make sure you have a firewall and Internet security & antivirus software installed before the upgrade, as the attacks will start as soon as you get hooked up.

[cstuart]

Carolyn Tillie, on May 9 2007, 07:32 AM, said:

Orik, on May 9 2007, 08:20 AM, said:

Peter -- the local telco here is not fun to deal with and the cable modem works.

I'd be really curious as to the difference in baud rates - here in San Francisco, I am forced to have Comcast as a cable provider yet I recently discovered I am paying for 4 Mbps but when tested, I am receiving less than one mbps. This has been the crux of much consternation as I believe it is the reason my Vonage account has so many problems but getting anyone to deal with the issue is useless (multiple complaints go nowhere except into Customer Service Hell).

I am wondering if there is a telco company I can look into that might provide me better service.

are you able to get att? we have their 'elite' package and see 5.5Mbps.

[Peter Creasey]

cstuart, on May 9 2007, 07:49 PM, said:

are you able to get att? we have their 'elite' package and see 5.5Mbps.

C, I have the ATT enhanced ADSL and get close to 3Mb which is plenty fast for my basic purposes.