Post by: MrsLop on June 20, 2003, 01:13:59 PM
First, let me congratulate and thank all who have done so much for me. I have been a real piece of "work".
Due to the arrival of the new computer, I will begin posting topics specific to the questions/ problems at hand. Besides, we have been heading for almost 900 views on one topic and 800 on another and I wouldn't want the system to crash! (and thus become "The Notorious MrsLop.) LOL
I hope that I will be up and running on the Internet via Cable soon.
WebTV / MSN is giving me a gigantic pain in the ..
If I weren't a lady, I would tell you where, and I would tell MSN precisely where to go.
As it is, I am grateful for having their "service", if only because it helped me to find you (TS)!
It is just time for me to move on and hopefully, Cox Cable will not give me any grief.
The 4400 / 200 system is mind boggling.
You can be sure that I will keep you all apprised of my journey using the OS 8.6
Right now though, I have to figure out some Printer problems.
Ahhh, Mac Land..."and I say to myself, it's a wonderful world."
Post by: kelly on June 20, 2003, 01:26:26 PM
But.
"All will be well, and all will be well, and all manner of things are well."
Post by: Paddy on June 20, 2003, 01:38:22 PM
BTW - don't worry about how many times people view a topic! We've all been following your progress - so we keep checking up every time we're online and there's a new posting.
Post by: MrsLop on June 20, 2003, 02:23:36 PM
As you have obviously read, I have had quite the journey already.
It was difficult for me to find an ISP who could allow me to use sevices based on the "old" Mac's OS.
I will have to tell you the story of my trip to Andover - one day...
I really must try to reach the Cable Copany today, and find out how much more expensive it is.
Thanks for the encouraging words!
Post by: iGuy on June 20, 2003, 11:18:30 PM
Ryan
Post by: Bernie on June 20, 2003, 11:35:50 PM
Mrs Lop. Try to find a reliable Broadband ISP provider That Doesn't charge for the Cable or DSL modem and free setup. I don't know about your neck of the woods but I'm sure they have them. Try asking People from your local area Macintosh Users Group "MUG" That's the way to go!
Thanks Paddy
Post by: MrsLop on June 21, 2003, 11:13:11 AM
I on't know if I am doing the right thing or not but here goes:
Costs of Cox High Speed Internet Service:
$ 39.95 a month (I have telephone and cable tv with them so I get a discount of $ 10.00 a month for the cable tv only.
$ 79.00 Installation Fee
(payable in 3 installments)
$ 60.00 Modem/connection
(payable in 3 installents)
I've been having some problems connecting with my curent carrier WebTV / MSN TV.
I really needed to get online ASAP not just to do downloads to view on my screen, but to do printing on my illness.
I posted to this as a separate topic before, but the replies didn't make much sense to me at the time.
I don't know much about the abbreviations used as indicators for the types of services or even what some of the words mean. ie, DSL, Broadband, High speed internet. Please remember that I am a novice.
I called the cable company to schedule installation for Tuesday.
If I want to cancel, I need to do it by today or Monday morning.
****Please let me know what you think *****
Post by: Bruce_F on June 21, 2003, 11:32:37 AM
I have been paying for a cable connection for over a year. I live alone and I spend much of my time online instead of watching TV when I'm at home. Does that justify my spending all that money? Most of the time, I think so.
Most people I know still use a phone modem to connect to the Internet. Some of those people spend as much time as I do online, but the slower connection doesn't stop them from getting things done. Some areas of the world do not allow for more than a phone connection.
If you're basically going to do research and then save and print articles, you really do not need a fast connection.
You need to look at the total cost over a year. Then decide if you want to dedicate that much to being online.
You're set up to get online with a phone modem and the cost will be minimal. Try it that way for awhile before you take the leap into the high speed world.
Just my opinion...
Post by: MrsLop on June 21, 2003, 12:06:56 PM
I was just telling my husband that I hadn't heard from you in awhile
and here you are - like magic!
You had posted to my earlier topic "Should I Connect.."
At the time, we were talking about a 6110/60AV with an OS 7.6.
Now, we are talking about the 4400 / 200 with the OS 8.6 and that has changed things somewhat.
There is no doubt that the services by my cablce company are high.
I think I was just in such a bad frame of mind with WebTV / MSN TV, about not being able to get into the TS Forum, that I threw caution to the wind, and ordered the
cable company service. I only know two or three people in the area who have the service. Cox Cable is getting too greedy though, in my opinion. Kind of reminds me of someone with the initials BG (whose name I will not mention). The people I know who have the service have nothing but praise for it. They of course are better able to afford it.
I value TS members experience and opinions concerning same, or I wouldn't ask for them.
Thank you for participating in my little "adventures" and
posting your opinions. It means a lot to me!
Post by: kelly on June 21, 2003, 12:13:08 PM
Cost of Dialup Modem probably $60 or less. Or someone might have a spare.
Cost of Dialup ISP $15-$20 a month.
The advantage of a Bradband connection, Cable or DSL is speed.
A 1 MB File Download might take 5 minutes on Dialup just seconds on Cable/DSL.
Is that worth hundreds of dollars to you?
Post by: Bernie on June 21, 2003, 11:42:33 PM
$ 79.00 Installation Fee = Very bad!
(payable in 3 installments)
$ 60.00 Modem/connection Outrageous!
(payable in 3 installents)
Shop around More.
Post by: krissel on June 22, 2003, 01:45:36 AM
If you think that an average of 5 hours online per day is enough for you, then ATT has a plan for $ 16.95 per month. You get several email addresses and space online to store pictures or set up your own website. They also have an unlimited plan for $21.95 (which I use). Even though the speed for me is rather slow compared to what they call Broadband (cable, DSL, satellite) it has been very reliable with almost 99% connection on the first try and good solid connections. I've used that service for 6 years now. My folks are on the same plan and it suits them just fine. I may be going to cable soon mainly because I spend so much time online and download large files but I doubt that you will be doing that. In any case you can always go to cable in the future if you think you need it.
Look HERE to read about their plans.
Check Access numbers in RI to see if there is a local number for you.
If ATT doesn't have a local number there are other ISPs (Internet Service Providers) that offer similar plans.
Post by: Mrious_be on June 22, 2003, 09:19:23 AM
Not much people are doing what you have gone through in the past few weeks.
Still, it seems you are really enjoying it (although frustration might be there at some points) but... you will have lots of fun with your mac(s).
Not to forget with your cable connection
Post by: SnowWitch on June 22, 2003, 10:25:00 AM
Post by: gmann on June 22, 2003, 11:49:52 AM
Post by: Dreambird on June 22, 2003, 02:04:40 PM
Boy, sounds like you're doing great! I fire up my computer and look to see what's new with you and just about have trouble keeping up with you! You are such an inspiration for me as I have some "issues" I deal with too... reading you is encouraging to me...
So... as for ISP, I'm on cable myself, the prices you mention aren't so bad for me, but I'm in Canada and prices are higher here... but I'm so spoiled now on cable that I find even when I take one of the PowerBooks to visit someone like my sister where I have to use her 56k dialup I generally manage to connect at around 46k to 48k which is very good but it's soooo slllloooowwww to me...
I'm with Shaw cable here which is the only cable option in town and it costs $42.95/month but if I buy the modem which I only rent right now they'll take off $5/month and give me a five year warranty on the modem... I may do that. The modem would be $60, from them or I suppose I could try and find one elsewhere if it'll work and the warranty is as good.
My installation... are you sitting down?
was $100 at the time, but they supplied the ethernet card (NIC).For me it's an expense I probably shouldn't have... but that and an excellent phone calling plan I've found are the two things I "allow" myself. Also my cable company gives me a better rate on the cable TV with the internet included.
A lot of people here choose DSL through our phone company Telus... but there is more competition for DSL so there are more choices. This might just be "my" experience but others have said they find the DSL not to be as consistant as the cable... I dunno just going on heresay...
Oh... one more thing to consider... I might write a book here... sorry! But tech service... I will say I feel I have the best... it's 24/7, call anytime and no charge for that. My cable company about 3 years back even helped me set up Windows 3.11 for workgroups on my PC even though they didn't support below Windows 95... the techies on the night shift tended to get a little bored on slow nights and were great...
I had trouble because on that OS everything pretty much had to be manually configured, I only did it because I wanted to... learning experience. My Mom was down here at the time for surgery and had to stay for over a month... this gave me something to do where I could keep busy and be just around the corner and she could still hear me and talk to me.*LOL** The techies at the cable company thought I'd flipped though, couldn't understand why someone wanted to backup so much in OS's... I had fun with it!
Post by: jepinto on June 22, 2003, 06:42:45 PM
AND I live in a town of 700 people with no competition! Our cable company offers 11 channels as basic, to give you perspective.
I'd check around, give the competition a call....
Check out http://www.dslreports.com/prequal to see who offers DSL in your area, and what prices, and particularly the modem and installation fees.
Post by: MrsLop on June 22, 2003, 10:43:19 PM
So far, the reports about various services have indicated that
1- there are quite a few services out there (that I haven't investigated)
2-Cable subscribers have a very high rate of satisfaction- despite the higher cost of service
3-promotions from services can = $$$ savings
Oh, I learned something new today. Can you say Firewall, boys and girls? It seems that when using Cable service, nosey neighbors can get into your computer, if they live in the same area and are also cable internet subscribers. Mac Bible suggests a Firewall, turning off the computer and turning off the modem ( if possible) There was one other thing too ( sorry, I don't remember what.)
The problem seemed to revolve around having the one line, always on. Oh, and something about DSL having the same problem because it's easier for hackers to get into because of the one line.
With dial up services the number dialed to connect you to the internet may be more random and so lessen the possiblity of someone getting into your computer to "nose around". My husband pointed out though, that the number of people capable of perpetrating those acts are a very small percentage of those subscribers. Now people,
I didn't think of this earlier, but consider what we are likely to do with our computers: prepare taxes, pay our bills online, the amount of personal information we would have in our online files can be gotten by people who don't have our best interests at heart. Heaven knows what they could and would do with it! Anyway, it was food for thought for me.
Post by: kbeartx on June 22, 2003, 11:08:34 PM
you really do not need to be concerned about this kind of 'intrusion' because you are using a Mac, and the dastardly hackers who are trolling the internet, looking for 'unprotected' DSL / Cable users, are, in virtually every instance, seeking peaseas upon which to practice their craft.
The Mac OS is not riddled with security flaws (as is Windoze) and there are so many fewer of them around, that the hackers simply go where the pickins are easy (and numerous) and leave the Macs alone.
If this is not enough reassurance, the simple installation of a $30-40 Router will provide a very effective Firewall and also allow you to hook-up additional computers to your single internet connection in the future, or if a visiting friend or relative wants to connect a portable computer temporarily.
- kbeartx
Post by: Paddy on June 22, 2003, 11:22:11 PM
You would install the router between the cable modem and the computer. You can hook up multiple computers to share a cable connection with a router too, which is another major advantage of a router in a multiple-computer household.
http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=111617...t=540&scat=1574
My router is a D-Link (though the wireless version) and with the rebate, this wired version is $39.
Or same thing, refurbished:
http://www.comready.com/dlindi7mul5g.html for $19.95!
There are other software solutions, most of which are listed here:
http://seaotter.berkeley.edu/cab/mac-firew...s-macos-classic
Other than IPNetSentry, they're all more expensive than a router however - and even IPNetSentry is more than the refurbed D-Link router.
Post by: Bernie on June 22, 2003, 11:37:43 PM
First things first. Get used to the Os. Then get a nice Video card for the PCI slot in the 4400 This will increase the speed or should I say Load website Pages faster then your onboard VRam,http://eshop.macsales.com/Catalog_Item.cfm...em=ATI100430237
Time to hit the sack Have good one
Post by: Dreambird on June 23, 2003, 03:03:23 AM
I believe sometime in about a year when I dare to get into OS X, it might be a different story.
Post by: MrsLop on June 23, 2003, 07:07:41 AM
Good Morning All,It's nice to know that Macs aren't being targeted. Whew! I wonder
why it was mentioned in the Mac Bible, though?
Hi, Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to Rad I go!
I'll try to check in later.
Post by: MrsLop on June 23, 2003, 06:35:50 PM
To all of you who took the time to answer my questions about ISP's.
I called today to cancel the Cable Company Installation that I had scheduled for tomorrow.
After reading your replies, I have decided to do a little more research about providers
and costs before I make a decision.
In my heart of hearts, I would really like to go with Cox Communications, but for now I am thinking Dial up. Cox is the only Cable Company in RI and they don't do too many special offers. My plan is to wait until I can get a reprieve from having so many doctors visits and co-pays, and prescriptions.It may take me until August or even September, before I can afford it. I remain ever hopeful that everything will work out in time.