The difference a day makes. Or my computer stuff update.

[Faustus]

Just remember last night while being bored because the page being down that newegg.com keeps up with all your previous transactions.

If you remember my recent thread were we decided I was underpowered, I have an update. Its not true, I thought I had a Enermax 300 or 350 at most. Stupid me, turns out I got an Enermax 430 and just forgot about it. DUH.

BROADBAND! If you remember my off topic thread not long ago where I talked about the huge LACK of broadband options living outside of Dallas, TX I have an update there also. I small wireless ISP (WISP) just opened in the area. The startup cost is high ($300), but for $60/mo I can geet 512k down which is tons better then a freaking modem right? In order to share it with the other PCs around me however I'd need some wireless equipment cause I can't just run wires into the living room (long story) then I remembered not to long ago I was given a bag full of various computer parts that were in a Diesel truck that was repoed (my dads a mechanic) and inside was a DLINK 802.11b wireless rounter. I LOVE it when I plan comes together!

[Solarjetman]

Sweet! Looks like flaystus is coming into the next millennium!

And I have to respect a guy who quotes the A-team

[Faustus]

The only sad point here is that if my computer isn't under powered then that means I'm either having a video or motherboard issue. I'm gonna swap my video cards around this weekend to find out. I hope its the mobo, cause thats the cheaper to replace then my Geforce 4

[Faustus]

The wireless ISP will be here later to check if the signal is strong enough here. yay!

BUT if its strong enough there is a 2 week wait on installion. BOOooOooo!

[The village idiot]

I don't know if they told you this, but you had better pick some mounting options. You will have a small dish or flat panel antenna attached to your house. Think about how you want it attached. Also where you want it. Mostly that will be determined by the signal, but you might have some choices. Roof, corner or flat wall would be 3 common mounts. Possible chimney or a pole mount in the yard. It will need to be attached to something solid, that will not move much in the wind. For a better signal you might want to think about cutting any tree branches that might get in the way of the final antenna site. It is still line of sight, though not as direct as satellite needs to be.

If it was me, I would attach to the side of the house, or a pole mount of some kind. You can put a tall pole mount in by attaching a support to the house. That will get the antenna up off the ground, and give you fewer holes in the siding of the house. If the signal is very strong, they may be able to just put a card with a small antenna on it in your computer. Looks just like a wireless network card (in truth it is just a "special" 802.11b card).

[Faustus]

Sadly the point became moot. It seems I do not meet line of sight requirements to get it. But they hope to put another antenna up on our towns water tower in the next 6 months if they down will let them. Still sad to have broadband so close, yet still so far.

[The village idiot]

There ia allways satellite, if you want to call it broadband. Starband and Directway are the 2 services. Directway offer 2 types. One that uses a phone line to send data from your machine to the hub, with satellite to return info. The other with satellite both ways. Starband is satellite both ways. Hughes Network Services http://www.hns.com has recently announced their first wifi type of satellite, to begin operation in 2004.

Yes, everything you have heard about satellite is true. It sucks! But it is way better than dial-up!!!!! This from personal experience with Starband. Directway has daily download limits. Not good for some people. Starband took a different route and limited speed to things like the binary newsgroups. Text on the newsgroups is fine, the messages are small. You must be running win2000 or XP unless you go the extra expense of a business account. Then you get better upload speed, and a box that can be connected to a router. The home units must connect directly to a PC, they have software that MUST run on the PC. I would have upgraded to a business account except for some personal problems. PM me for the ENTIRE Starband saga.

I would suggest checking Starband, see what kind of deal you can find. It will be better than dial-up. As long as it is installed properly!!!!!