Why am I in trouble?? (What to do?)

[KimRaye]

DH was paged to work OT about an hour ago. That would be great except, he didn't hear the page, I did, over the baby monitor. By the time he listened to message and called back, he was too late to get the OT.

The problem is, the original, incoming phone call SHOULD HAVE knocked me offline. It didn't, therefore the page. Therefore.... it's my fault again for being on the computer.

I just fixed a problem I was having with auto-logon with AT&T and now, the stupid phone company (Ameritech) continues to be hit or miss with the incoming phone calls. It worked earlier tonight (knocked DS offline) but, not when it mattered.

I KNOW I could get a 2nd line, at MY cost but, why do I want to pay more to the same phone company that isn't providing the service I'm already paying for??

I REALLY don't need this problem with DH right now!!

UGH with Ameritech!!!

vent over, thanks.

 

[robinb]

Kim:

Look into a DSL line. It's probably the same price as your current internet service provider plus the cost of an extra phone line, we pay less than $40 per month. In addition, a DSL line is much faster than a regular modem .

 

[kejoda]

Thats too bad that it happened Kim. A lot of times you can get 2 or 3 free months when you sign up for high speed. You can at least check it out.

 

[catsrule]

Sorry about what happened, Kim. Maybe you could try Road Runner?

 

[Beanie]

Sorry to hear that, Kim! That is the reason we have two phone lines in our house...If DH missed an important phone call, he would be very upset! LOL...(I spend wayyyy too much time Dis'ing! LOL)`

 

[KimRaye]

Thanks ladies.

ISP is $22/mo. Too much, imo. (Old-school thinks the Internet should be free)

All the DSL/cable internet ads I get are $50/mo. or more (even with and after 2-3 mos. free), sometimes with or w/o other charges. All of which are confusing to this computer idiot.

And, in my probable MISunderstanding of these hi-speed services, I still have to pay an ISP???

Mary Jo, what exactly does Road Runner do to help this problem? Aren't they an ISP also?

I think I'm gonna call Ameritech tomorrow and first, VENT then, get a 2nd line.

 

[kejoda]

So if your paying 22 a mth. and then you add the 2nd phone what would the cost be. Sounds like you would be close to the high speed price. Call around look on the internet and check prices. You don't pay for an isp and then a seperate charge for the high speed. Also you need to check if high speed is available in your area. Confusing I know. I'll ask Tim what the online phone thingys are. Can't remember the name too tired.

Oh and road runner is just a high speed company.

 

[Serena]

Aw, you're were in trouble because he's upset and you're there. Try not to let it get to you.

 

[Cindy B]

We looked into a second line and DSL.

DSL won out... because

1) our phone company wanted some outrageous fee for the "connectioin" of the second line (just for turning on a switch like $150 connection charge)

2)We got like 3-6 months free

3) We also ordered it right before Verizon went on strike (maybe 2-3 yrs ago), and because of the delay our price froze for over a year... it was $39.95 for a long time, now its up to $42 I think. '

4) A monthly phone bill basic service was over $42 with all the charges Verizon tacks on... FCC fee, Universal Service Fee, etc... (thats without any "extras" like Call Waiting, etc. )

 

[helenabear]

Kim, I'd suggest getting cable access or something like that. As Beccy said if you are paying $22/month for ISP and you want a second phone line you will probably be looking at about $40-50/month for that. If you get cable access or some other high speed access it doesn't take up your phone line at all and you can be online and chat away w/o having to use a second phone line. That is why we have road runner because with the amount of time my DH and I are online, we'd need two extra phone lines and ISP. Now we pay just one price and we are lightening fast. You do need to check though with what is available in your area because if I remember correctly Road Runner (what I use) isn't. I'd ask around with those you know in the area to see what they use and how much it costs them and what they like. Sorry your phone line didn't kick you off (we had trouble with that too when I was on dial up many years ago)

 

[KimRaye]

please keep the ideas/prices flowing! I see/hear high-speed/DSL (whatever)-connection coming real soon to this house!

I'm still pretty ticked off about the current service NOT doing what it should though. Besides the fact that DH has missed more than one chance at OT because of this lack of service.)

 

[snowwhitemom]

Cable is the only way to go...Pretty cheap here I think, We pay $80 a month for high speed internet and digtal cable with all the good chanels (not that I get to watch them) Good Luck to you!!

 

[janette]

I'd agree with everyone else. When we moved we didn't install the 2nd phone line we used to have. We have DSL, it is networked to all our computers (you can't share a phone line) and one phone line.

I can't imagine going back to dial-up again. The cost of our DSL is comparable to a 2nd line. The DSL has there own ISP and that doesn't cost much at all.

Look into both DSL & Cable, it really depends on the area which is better. If you have neighbors with either ask them about their experience. That will help you know which has the better lines.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Kim, the cost of missing one OT for Marty would more than make of the difference for many, many months. I use AT&T Cable and am very pleased. The cost is $49.95 per month, includes modem. Savings is only $3 permonth if you own your own and not worth the purchase, IMO. You can plug in your address and see if it is available at your house. Installation is free. I have had mine for about 18 months and could not be more pleased. (I know I could not do the pictures I do without it ) You eliminate your AT&T dialup that you have and no second line needed. Email, pm or call me with questions, or let me know and I can call you.

Road Runner is not available in our area. It is another cable/DSL service, same as AT&T. I know Tricia (DG) put in DSL some months back and was also pleased. You might check with her for her thoughts and who she uses and find out if available at your house.

The additional cost of cable over your AT&T dialup is about $25 per month, and no OT problems, and a smiling Marty. I don't look forward to trying to placate him on your DIS'ing at the next meet in January. Remember, snow season is here.

 

[LynnM]

As a fellow ameritech customer, I can tell you another call would never kick me off line. We don't have much of a DSL Choice in our area, so I purchased one of those Emerson switchboards for $50. You plug the phone, wall jack and modem into it. It rings when you have an incoming call. I think you have to have call waiting, but no more missed calls.

 

[nativetxn]

KimRaye if you get a cable modem you will be amazed (or DSL for that matter) at how much faster it is compared to a dial up. You can open Dan's photo essays and actually see the pictures right away

 

[Boots]

{{{{{HUGS}}}}} I would love to get DSL or something similar, but where I live dial up is still it or nothing!