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To: alankeister who wrote (26133)	6/11/2000 8:50:00 AM
From: erickerickson	Respond to of 54805

OT - more DirecPC stuff Alan: Couple of other things about DirecPC. I knew there was something I left out of my post... I can't get a cable modem (no two-way cable being planned out here), high-speed phone lines (switches can't handle anything over 28.8), I live too far away for the relevant nodes for a last-mile solution, etc. A satellite receiver is my only choice to get any transmissions above 28.8. If I could, I'd get a cable modem. Your firewall comment deserves to be boldfaced.... I hadn't looked for an "always on" feature. A quick glance at one of the properties pages shows that the auto-logoff is configurable, it seemed to accept 10,000 seconds so the auto-logoff appears effectively infinite.... but it does go on your bill... I have no great loyalty to DirecPC, it was simply the only solution available to me. That said, they're delivering what I expected so I'm not disappointed. I'll definitely be looking at the Gilat/Dish when it's available, but I wanted some speed NOW, impatient sort that I am... OK, enough of that. Erick

To: alankeister who wrote (26133)	6/11/2000 8:58:00 AM
From: Mike Buckley	Read Replies (5) \| Respond to of 54805

Alan, I went to blackice.com and didn't figure out what I'm supposed to download. There were a lot of gobbledygook terms, none of which conveyed "firewall" to this carpetologist. I hadn't heard about the need for a firewall, but since you and Erick make such a big deal of it I'm all ears. Is a firewall with a cable hook-up more important than with a dial-up arrangement? --Mike Buckley

To: alankeister who wrote (26133)	6/11/2000 12:55:00 PM
From: Bridge Player	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 54805

Alan, I have a DSL connection through USWest with USWest also serving as my ISP. I am running at 256 nominal kbps, with a Cisco DSL modem and a local hub with 2 computers connected to it. My wife uses DTN.IQ on her machine and I use Window on Wall Street. One of my sons has also recommended to me that in view of the DSL connection I should definitely install a firewall. Question: Do you have any idea whether the quote services will continue to run OK with a firewall installed? BP

To: alankeister who wrote (26133)	6/11/2000 1:07:00 PM
From: DownSouth	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 54805

ak, did you consider McAfee's "Personal Firewall" software? What made you choose a separate box, as opposed to software?

To: alankeister who wrote (26133)	6/11/2000 3:35:00 PM
From: FaultLine	Respond to of 54805

OT - YMF (yet more firewalls) I'm using a LinkSys router ($115 @ Frys as I recall - they have six or eight different brands and models) as a firewall with my @Home two-way service. No muss no fuss and it automatically protects all the PCs and Macs in my household - I do not need firewall software in each unit. The LinkSys router provides other goodies that allow you to broadcast one machine to the net and a few other configurable functions. -ken

To: alankeister who wrote (26133)	6/11/2000 10:01:00 PM
From: StockHawk	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 54805

OT anyone with broadband access should buy and install a firewall to prevent hacking of your PC. You're an easy target with out one. If you don't think you need one, download the demo copy of Black Ice (www.blackice.com) and run it for a while. You'll be amazed by the hacking attempts you see. That is excellent advice. Black Ice is not a firewall, but it uses pattern recognition and other means to detect and alert you to intrusions. It will let you know that a firewall in needed. While there are several software firewalls available, one pretty good one is free, by Zone Alarms: zonelabs.com The Shields Up site mentioned here recently is good to check your system and you can check again after installing Zone Alarm to see the improvement. StockHawk