This is what I did for pc hardware and bandwidth.
I bought a second computer, a compaq 233 with 32 megs and a 56k memory costs me 800$ an 17" acer 78ie monitor was $400, i got a second phone line. if you use call notes people who call you can leave messages even though you are on the net, making a fortune or loosing your shirt or most likely somewhere in the middle.
I took the less fancy route, but there are a few advantages.
Redundancy.
extra phone lines, extra isps extra computer all this comes in handy when things aren't perfect. Nothing sweeter than sliding the chair over to the other machine and firing up the trading software on it when one pooter or modem gives me trouble.
if you don't have isdn yet, i am not sure getting it now, at this late hour, is the best use of money and time.
On one machine I have Realtick III and Sort Wizard, on the other machine i have an internet browser news watcher and some IRC chat channels going. If you buy a second machine you you should be getting windoze 98 thrown in so you could have the luxury of running two monitors. If you think that is a real possibility for you than I would suggest you take care in making sure you get a machine with the proper video cards and that that machine has a very clean 56k connection at the least. There is a wide spectrum of hardware set ups that will work. And I can tell you from experience, that you CAN trade with Real Tick III on a 28.8 connection.
I know because I do it every day.
also i recommend doing business with a couple of local isps if that is possible, much better to be dealing with someone close and small enough to care. i have heard some traders were not pleased with the service of some of the "national brands".
good luck
(c:
funk |
