How do you connect to the internet?

[Krummhorn]

Thought it would be interesting to learn how others connect to the internet, whether it be via cable, dsl, satellite or dial-up.

The poll is multiple choice - Some people may have several means of connections.

Feel free to include comments good and bad alike about your present or past ISP provider if you like.

[greatcyber]

I use DSL from Bell. It's a pretty good service with only very rare interruptions. I really feel for anyone who still has to use dial-up. I think waiting for something that slow would make me not use the internet very often.

[dll927]

I've been with my current ISP ever since buying my first computer. Generally, I'm one to stick with what I've got as long as I don't feel I'm being taken for a ride. I sometimes wonder a bit about the monthly charges, but I'm satisfied with the service.

I switched from the original dial-up to DSL to speed things up. Now, if somebody could tell me why my computer seems to get slower by the week. Maybe, just like me, it's age.

[Krummhorn]

I had Cox Cable for my internet provider up until a couple weeks ago. I was very unsatisfied with their internet service, even after many service calls, after which it would be great for a couple weeks. My only other option was dial-up due to a "city contract" which gives Cox "exclusive" rights to provide all internet service to residents of the city where I live. Without any competition, they can (and do) provide lousy service and, there isn't thing one residents can do about it, except go back to dial-up, which for me is NOT an option.

Qwest just installed new fox lines (fiber optic wires) in my area, making DSL a viable option. So we went with that .. I now have a constant 12MBps download ALL the time, and my upload speed is a constant 889 KBps. Needless to say, I am a happy camper once again,

[Krummhorn]

. . . Now, if somebody could tell me why my computer seems to get slower by the week. Maybe, just like me, it's age.

Be sure to clear out your "cache" periodically, and remove the cookies. Storing too many of those is "fattening" for the computer, as it has to look at each one, one at a time, when loading internet pages.

Also, dump any "tmp" files from your TEMP directory ... Windows is supposed to delete those automatically, but tends to forget.

[marval]

We use Wireless network, it is very good. It does mean if there are two computers on, we can both have better access and use the same printer.


Margaret

[greatcyber]

Margaret,

If your computer is getting slower each week, it sounds like your computer is getting bogged down with temporary internet files, etc. Also when you add and delete files all the time your hard drive becomes fragmented which causes the computer to respond much slower. I use a programme called Advanced System Care, but there are many others such as winutilities and a smart defrag programme and these take the junk files off of your hard drive and clean up your registry, which also becomes bogged down with superfluous entries. This is computer maintenance which really should be done on a weekly basis. It will keep your computer running like new. There is also one other freeware prog called ccleaner (used to be called crap cleaneer) which is a good one.
You may want to google computer maintenance or computer housekeeping or go to a site such as majorgeeks and read what they suggest. It's all free help.

Hope this is helpful.

[wljmrbill]

dll927 - check your registry and clean it up..many time it has many files are not needed or desired by windows.. and that will speed you up too. I use a" Wincleaner one click" all the time and it sure help clean up thje computer. I have ulta fast DSL from Bellsouth/att .very satisfied with them.

[Dorsetmike]

I used to use AO hell with a cable connection, they transferred their cable users in UK to Virgin Media (whose cable they were using) so now I'm with Virgin Media, I'm paying for 10Mb but it's very variable, now, 11pm, it's just under 1Mb but during the day it's usually 8Mb plus.

[greatcyber]

Dang, that sucks. Cable connection and only 10Mb AND it's variable? What poo! My dsl is 100Mbps. And it's constant.

[Contratrombone64]

I use electricity ...

[Dorsetmike]

Stephen, I ran speed test again this morning, 9.91Mbs, or 9.64 if I have Last.fm streaming on the other PC (networked) which is close enough for me.

I could get a higher speed connection if I pay more, but for most of what I do 10 is enough. I find more problems with some sites which have poor servers or get more traffic than they were designed for; one photography forum I subscribe to often takes up to a minute to generate a page, if it doesn't time out, it's run by a magazine which is part of a group, all the magazines use the same server for their forums, so it does get a bit overloaded.

[mariokbee]

I connect via ADSL from a local telecom provider. It's pretty constant and reliable but expensive as HELL. Well it's enough to say that I pay 2 Mb/s download and 256 Kb/s upload 20€ monthly. Speed is not as big problem as is the allowed internet traffic which is only 5 GB! I don't know if there's some kind of international authority to complain to because it's uselles to complain them them. Reason: the monopoly they hold here in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

[dll927]

This damned exclusivity of cable companies ought to be federally prohibited. Any monopoly will do what it wants and charge what it wants. I wonder how many areas there are that have more than one choice -- I'll bet not many.

I gave up on cable long ago and would never go back. I have Dish satellite. Yes, they up their fees evey once in a while, too, but they are a darned sight better than anything spelled cable.

[Krummhorn]

This damned exclusivity of cable companies ought to be federally prohibited. Any monopoly will do what it wants and charge what it wants. I wonder how many areas there are that have more than one choice -- I'll bet not many.

You got that right ... In my region we have unincorporated (county) and incorporated areas (city). If your fortunate enough to live in the county areas your choice is Comcast . If you live in the city areas, your choice is Cox , thanks to our city fathers, and their presumable kick-backs!

I gave up on cable long ago and would never go back. I have Dish satellite. Yes, they up their fees evey once in a while, too, but they are a darned sight better than anything spelled cable.

I'm not going back to cable ... ever ... Since I signed up for an initial two year contract with Qwest, my internet rate is now locked for life, which is about $22 less than what I was paying Cox for lousy cable service.