Earthlink and DSL help....

[Fishbone†]

.... I'm know a lot of computer stuff when it comes to Excel, Word, Powerpoint and writing VMI programs, but when it comes to the internet, I'm lost.

SO!!! I need your help. The phone company called, and offered a deal on DSL.... . They are offering two months free on our current ISP to "try" their fiber-optic blah blah blah DSL..... currently we use a 56K modem..... I don't know how this other thing works..... faster?? Can someone explain some of this to me, AND does anyone have experience with Earthlink because this is the ISP we would switch to if we decided to stay on after the two month trial??

THANK YOU!!

 

[JoNo]

Hi! First off, let me tell you DSL is the way to go! I use Earthlink and everything runs smoothly. As you may or may not know, one of the benefits of having DSL is being able to have 24/7 internet acces via your phone line while you can still use it to call someone while being online. The average DSL connection runs about 50x faster than regualr 56k dial-up. I would strongly suggest you switch over if you are thinking about it! If you have more questions, feel free to ask away!

 

[4greatboys]

The big difference here is you can see Dan Murphy's pics right away with DSL and with dial up it takes a very, very ,very long time.

 

[Amy]

Fishbone, we've used Earthlink with our dialup for years and it's been great. We've got a 56K and I, too, am thinking of going to DSL. Only problem: the Earthlink DSL won't work with our current local phone company; we'd have to switch phone companies. Plus, even with all the firewall protection and all, I'm still wary of the "always connected" capability. And with a dial-up, we have every right to demand that DS13 get off the computer so we can use the phone! (I know, eventually we have to get out of the stone age.) Anyway, I figure if I can hold out another year, maybe our local phone co. WILL accept Earthlink DSL.

 

[JoNo]

The nice thing about earthlink's DSL service is the modem they send you. If you are in the least bit worried about "always being connected", all you have to do is turn the modem off and no one from the outside has access to your comp.!

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Can I jump in and ask what the difference in DSL and cable is? Our server offers the DSL or we can go with Comcast Cable. What is better/faster??

 

[jfulcer]

DSL is your own connection, and you get your speed regardless of how many people in your neighborhood have DSL. That being said DSL is restricted based on how far you are from your Central Office. That 50x times connection could be as little as 2x if you are too far away, and there's no way to fix that.

With Cable, you have a set bandwidth, but you share that bandwidth with people in your neighborhood. Of course all DSL providers are quick to point this out, but the cable providers have all upgraded their equipment and that's not as much of an issue (which they are quick to point out). We have cable and have NEVER had speed issues, and I run my own web server so I know...

Go with the service that is the cheapest - as long as you are close to your Central Office. Use www.dslreports.com to check the local provider you would use, and also to see how far you are from your CO.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Thanks for the link and the info! I will go check it out now!