More off-topic: email & dsl
Thanks for the suggestion, Robert. I'll check with both Bellatlantic (Verizon) and Metronets, the two dsl carriers I'll have come the first of the month.
Vis Pallisard's comments about PacBell -- I've had Bellatlantic since March, and after a shaky start, it's been pretty good most of the time. It is not a lot faster for "surfing" purposes, but for downloads of large files, it's great. It averages 200-250 bps, max's out at about 450k bps -- and frees up the phone line. For $39.95 a month, (and $100 for the modem) it's worth it. I am also going to try this Metronets for $21.95 on another line. This will be the true "always on" dsl. Covad's got a "modem" (I forget the right term) in the basement of this apartment building which will come to me via a dedicated pair of phone wires to an Ethernet card in the machine. It's supposed to be 1.5m bps, but is shared like cable. I am curious to see how they compare. To play with these services like this, though, means I can't have my email held hostage by them.
Regards, lws |
