Question about DSL/cable

[Lefta Dissenter]

OK, so I'm finally going to make the big move into the modern world, and give up my slodem in favor of DSL or cable. Now, we're very limited as to companies that will provide DSL for us, because we're in a bit of a rural area.

My phone company (TDS), is offering a free modem and free activation (or whatever they call it) fee with a year's commitment.

Also, they offer three different speeds of DSL (128K for $29.95/mo, 384K for $39.95/mo, 1.5M for $49.95/mo). I'd need to buy another modem for my husband's computer.

OR, we could get cable internet 3Mbps for $39.95/mo with free activation, but no free modem, so I'd have to buy two modems.

Which would I be happier with???????? I am so clueless about all of this, because I've been living in a slodem world for so long...

Thanks so much for any advice!

[Liberal Veteran]

1. In that case I would go with the cable....

I have DSL, but from the sound of things, the cable sounds like a better deal than the other.

Plus the cable modem is not really expensive.

[flyingfysh]

2. why not a router with your cable modem?

You don't need a second modem. A router (such as those made by Linksys) works fine. (assuming your ISP doesn't object; few do)

[Lefta Dissenter]

3. Is that a big deal

to set up? Does that mean that there needs to be some sort of card or something installed in each computer anyway? And can everyone be online at the same time?

[Liberal Veteran]

7. It's not hard to set up.

It essentially works like this.

All computers use a network card to communicate with the router. The router "routes" traffic between all its computers and the internet.

[LTR]

19. Go router

I have Road Runner cable internet at home (I'm also in Wisconsin). I hooked up two computers to a router, in order to share the cable connection. Cable company has no problems with it. They know I have one.

I bought a Netgear cable/DSL router for about $50 or so. I also hear Linksys is good. Stay away from the Microsoft brand - it's pure shit. You can also get a wireless hookup, for a little more money and a few more parts. I bought mine at CompUSA in Brookfield.

[NMDemDist2]

22. yup that's the ticket n/t

[Kellanved]

4. Two Modems?

A Router would allow you to use one modem with several computers. However not all providers do allow the use of a router.

[Jon8503]

5. I prefer Cable o/DSL, have had Comcast since it started the cable

service and it has been great so far. My sister however prefers SWB DSL service, thinks it is faster. In other words same as other things, personal preference. Cable or DSL is going to be a good improvement for you.

[Nite Owl]

6. I've had both

DSL and Cable and we are much happier with the cable. It is faster and more stable. We have one modem and use a router for four computers one uses wifi the others are hard wired. We have Time Warner for the cable but also had it with Cablevision and they were both good. The DSL was with Verizon and it was a few years ago so maybe they are better now but they didn't really seem to know what they were doing. With DSL the closer you are to the station the better and we were on the fringe so that's a consideration too.

[Jon8503]

8. Good point on the DSL, you are right if you get too far away

from the station, you can really get a slowdown. Time Warner is good on both, the high speed internet & the cablevision.

[RazzleCat]

10. Depends on where you live

Cable is one big pipe, if tons of people get on the pipe it will be slow. DSL is an "individual" line, if your next to a repeater, it will kick cable, if not next to the equipment cable will kick DSL's but. Also you may want to go to broadband reports (http://www.dslreports.com/) to see which is a better provider for your area, and also take note on the times advertised, it that for download only or up and down, and even more important are the speeds given the honest speeds provided, or the "in theory" speeds? I have had both, use DSL but then I am up against the station (300 feet) so my DSL blows cable away, I also use a router, you can install it easily, have 3 putters and a lap top on a wireless router, one connection.

[reprehensor]

9. I'm using DSL.

It's a 128k connection, and has been very reliable. (knock on wood)

I have had Cable as well, it's generally faster but if there are a bunch of people on your block that are downloading MP3s like mad, playing intense online games, etc, you will find your download speeds suffering.

Yes, you need a router. I use a wireless router that you can secure with an ID number (MAC address) on the wireless card that you need to buy with the router. Then you can hook up around 5 computers. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to set this stuff up. All the instructions are in the box.

[DemWitch]

11. I use Roadrunner...

and I love, love, love it. Usually a cable modem has two ways to hook a 'puter into it. One is a USB cable and the other is like a oversized phone jack thingie (sorry about the lack of technical verbage... 'puter blonde here) I had both of my 'puters hooked up at one time using the two different hookups.

Go with cable... quicker, more reliable, and speaking only for Time Warner, support is beyond excellent if there is a problem.

[Lefta Dissenter]

14. I'm currently on hold with my cable company

to ask about using a router.

Both of our computers have available USB ports, but not the 'big phone-line-thingy-plugin' spots (hey, just figured out that that's an 'ethernet' cable jack)...

Is Time Warner available through ANY cable, or do they only run through certain cable owners? We have ONE cable company out here, and I don't know if it's like the phone companies, where you don't get access to all service providers from all areas.

In the meantime, thanks to everyone for the great and quick feedback. I knew I could count on DU! :D

edited to add that I just checked, and Road Runner/Time Warner is not available in my area :eyes: of course...

[SotarrTheWizard]

18. Putting in an Ethernet card. . . .

. . .isn't rocket science, even a chimpanzee or a Freeper could handle it, especially the slightly more expensive ones with the big illustrated install manuals and everything on the accompanying CD-ROM. . .

[LTR]

20. I second that

TW/RR has great customer support. And you're talking to a tech in the U.S. Meaning their jobs aren't outsourced.

They know their stuff.

[alc]

12. check with neighbors

I'd recommend checking with neighbors to see how service is in your area. Both the Internet service and customer service are important. I work out of my home and have 384K cable with a VPN running to the office in another state and rarely notice the difference between being here or in the office (6 machines on 2 subnets).

Over the last 10+ years I've had everything from 33kb modem to T1s into my house and the most important thing to me is that it is up most of the time. The second most important is that your provider will fix it when it goes down. You really need to check with others in your area to find out, since neither cable nor DSL is automatically better.

Instead of another modem, you can use a router, but depending on where the computers are and your technical abilities that may or may not make sense. I have a linksys 54G wireless router and my upstairs machines connect to the internet through a wireless connection to the router.

[madmom]

13. We had DSL and got rid of it...

as soon as the contract expired.We have adelphia cable now and are totally satisfied

[madmom]

15. Also if you have cordless phone...

some work on 2.4 ghz, and so does a router.Check for compatibility,could interfere with each other.Also for a router (networking)the host computer(the one with the modem)has to have the better operating system(os).As in if you have the modem on your 'puter and you have windows 98 and your hubby has XP it won't fly.

[Lefta Dissenter]

16. Ok, so MAKE it more complicated...

Yes, we live on 2.4 ghz cordless phones here. I talked with the cable company, and they said that I have to use a router to put more than one computer on it. I can't use two modems.

Before madmom just ruined my plans, I was thinking of putting the modem/router on my desktop that has windows 98. Then wireless whatever for my hubby's laptop which has Windows Me (whatever that is). That way we could cruise around the house with the laptop. Is that not going to work??? :(

[madmom]

23. Not certain here...

but we don't think 98 will host ME(millennium edition)we had to upgrade our windows 98 to XP to host our daughters newer 'puter.A $100.00 upgrade about a year ago.AS far as the router goes get the 800 number off the box and call a tech(no need to buy it the number is on the box.)GOOD LUCK

[SotarrTheWizard]

17. Actually, you only need one modem, whether Cable or DSL. . .

. . .Then get a firewall/router, and plug as many machines in on the inside of the firewall as you want: just use the default Network Address Translation (NAT)/IP Masquerading any home firewall/router includes as a basic feature. . .

I had cable, the problem with it is when your local loop gets saturated, your 3MBPS max speed often drops to as low as dialup speed.

I've had DSL for nearly 4 years now. . .zero problems.

But then again I use Speakeasy, the most clueful of the DSL providers. . .

[liontamer]

21. i vote cable

It's just better and more reliable

[Lydia Leftcoast]

24. Cable

I started with DSL here in Minneapolis (I'd had cable in Portland), because the TV cable in my apartment was not near the office, but I didn't like it, especially since MSN kept losing my e-mails, a fatal flaw for someone who is self-employed and counts on e-mail to communicate with customers.

Finally, I bit the bullet and 1) switched to cable Internet service (I already had cable TV), 2) installed Airport wireless cards in both my Macs, and 3) bought an Airport hub.

This was an excellent move. Now I can not only use broadband Internet in my office, about 50 feet away from the cable outlet, but also use my iBook in wireless hot spots and use my home wireless network to transfer files between the iBook and the iMac. And, if I need to work but have some must-see TV (like the documentaries on Sundance right now), I can work on the iBook in the living room.

In fact, when I retire the iMac in a few months (I bought it early in 2000), I'm going to replace it with a Powerbook, because I've become really attached to mobility.

[burythehatchet]

26. Lydia, we have been on parallel technology tracks. I went in for the

powerbook and now I've got my eye on a G5.

The airport thing is just unbelievable. Hot spot service is so convenient. I wish I had more opportunity to use it. My next purchase for sure is gonna be a tiny powerbook that I would use like a PDA. Totally wireless, bluetooth enabled, onion, pickles, relish, the works.

I wish they would build a phone chip into the macs.

[wyldwolf]

25. I vote cable as well

In my area, you don't have to sign a contract - and my speed is insane!