Going Cable Modem

A forum for discussing topics relating to MacGregor Powersailor Sailboats

What kind of connection do you use

regular dial-up
7
9%
dial-up with accelator
2
3%
cable
49
64%
other
18
24%
 
Total votes: 76

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Jesse Days Pacific Star 2
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Post by Jesse Days Pacific Star 2 »

We're DSL also, the only wat to go.

Jesse
Frank C

Post by Frank C »

Dial-up, is to cable, is to aDSL;

AS

Diesel, is to 2-stroke, is to 4-stroke;

AS

Ford, is to Dodge, is to Chevy ???

:D
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Dimitri-2000X-Tampa
Admiral
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Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 5:36 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Tampa, Florida 2000 Mercury BigFoot 50HP 4-Stroke on 26X hull# 3575.B000

Post by Dimitri-2000X-Tampa »

I know you are just joking around...and I certainly wouldn't touch the auto one... :D but, with the engines, you need to qualify them as outboards...since its pretty well established that diesel inboards are better (more durable, more fuel efficient, much safer, etc.) than gas engines IMO.

And as far as aDSL being better than cable, that is also yet to be seen. If I download something from my cable provider's local cache, I can achieve speeds around 7Mb/s which is screaming compared to DSL. Also, I expect the cable companies will have integrated video service long before the RBOC's ever do...if they ever do. The raw capacity of a cable modem is pretty high so I don't buy this argument that people make of competing for bandwidth with their neighbors. It is far more common for the bottlenecks to be much further down the line and that would affect DSL users just the same IMO. (and no, I don't work for a cable company)
Frank C

Post by Frank C »

DSL at my office is up to 6 Mb, and usually delivers 4.5 Mb hour by hour each day. The equipment is no different from the DSL at home, but my office just happens to be very close to the central office, making the higher speed program available. (Of course cable is not available at all in commercial areas.) Cost is $79 per month w/ a gaggle of static IP numbers. It's a great service - quadspeed over a T1, yet only a fraction of the cost. I specifically chose the office rental based upon proximity to the phone co and the police department.

Why the police? Because when CA was subject to electrical brown-out, the whole block surrounding the police dept was exempt. :o
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Duane Dunn, Allegro
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Post by Duane Dunn, Allegro »

Certainly in raw speeds cable wins, and as we all get fiber to our homes, which most likely will come from the cable company there will be no contest. Caching doesn't count, any ISP can do this, even a DSL connected one and many do.

Where cable is very poor is upstream. They may give you 7 Mb down but you still get typically 272 Kb up stream. Not a big deal for the typical surfer, but it is a problem if you routinly email large attachments, want to do streaming things such as video conferencing, etc. And it is next to impossible if you want to host a server. Most cable companies prohibit doing so. Even their commercial flavors of their service have many unreasonable restrictions. They have to wake up to providing a full service before they will get my business.
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Idle Time
First Officer
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Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2004 4:28 am

Post by Idle Time »

Dialup at home...sprint datacard for on the road or water. I love the Flying J. wireless card. Used it all the time in the big truck and will hang onto it for the motorhome.
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Sloop John B
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Location: Florida 'Big Bend'. 02x Yamaha T50

Post by Sloop John B »

My name is Jose Martinez. I turn my computer on and my mate can no longer talk to her pals on the telephone. I send earthlink $18 a month and I am able to down load speeches and videos such that I have time to brew coffee and go to the bathroom and wander around outside while they do this. I dont want to pay another $50 to crimp into my good brewing time and necessary time for there is really no need for this.
Frank C

Post by Frank C »

Sloop John B wrote:My . . . . I turn my computer on and my mate can no longer talk to her pals on the telephone. I send earthlink $18 a month and I am able to down load speeches and videos such that I have time to brew coffee and go to the bathroom . . .
OTOH, aDSL in San Francisco is now $27 per month and it comes with Yahoo portal, so you don't need Earthlink. Net $9 extra per month for enough down-speed to capture Britannica while you peruse the Chronicle in the bathroom!
:)
Frank C

Post by Frank C »

BTW I note at this date/time that cable connection is more than 50%. I answered "Other" since I have DSL, and it's now reading ~ 30%. I'm surprised by those percentages ... expected that DSL would be the majority.

Wonder if DSL users voted "cable" (rather than "other") as a close approximation ...
:?: :?: :?:
Mark Prouty
Admiral
Posts: 1723
Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2004 8:52 am
Location: Madison, WI Former MacGregor 26X Owner

Post by Mark Prouty »

I'm cablized now. This is great and Ma aint getin' mad at me for tying up the phone line no more.
Image
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TampaMac
Engineer
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Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 9:03 am
Location: Port Richey FL 2002-26X Merc 60 4stroke

Post by TampaMac »

I had DSL. Then I got cable. No contest. Cable wins by a landslide. Much much faster in normal use.
Mark Prouty
Admiral
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Post by Mark Prouty »

I'm having trouble staying connected with one computer. Any ideas on how to get a better signal with a wireless network.
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DLT
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Location: Kansas City 2005M 40hp ETEC

Post by DLT »

They make external antennas...
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Catigale
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Post by Catigale »

BEst use for networking stuff IVe found was the Verizon Wireless internet card (CDMA network) and then jumping to

www.wunderground.com

for a cheap radar solution while under way.
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baldbaby2000
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Post by baldbaby2000 »

I was willing to stick with my MSN dial up account until my neighbor suggested we go in halves on the cable connection bill. He has a wireless router. This may not work well for most people but since we share a duplex the wireless pretty much covers our half too although the signal does get weak in our bedroom.

BB
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