My phone company is making a compelling arguement for me to finally make the move to broadband service. The current pricing is:

Broadband Lite Broadband 1.5 Mbps Broadband 3 Mbps Broadband 6 Mbps
Download Max. Speed* 256 Kbps 1.5 Mbps 3.0 Mbps 6.0 Mbps
Upload Max. Speed* 128 Kbps 384 Kbps 384 Kbps 384 Kbps
Monthly Price** $19.95 $24.95 $29.95 $39.95

The Broad band 1.5 looks to be the best offer, but I wonder if broadband lite would be sufficient? Either would be an improvement over my dial up.

I have had DSL since 2000 and I love it. DSL in my mind ranks as one of those can't do without items. It is really nice to get rid of the modem squawk and always be hooked up to the internet, although you will need a good firewall (I have been using the free version of Zonealarm for several years without problems) to protect your computer. The nice thing about DSL is that it doesn't disable the phone line. We have three computers that all use the DSL at the same time and we can still use the phone. For some reason I only can get get 256kbps. My Dad has 1.5mbps and his old slug of a computer is way faster loading web pages than my newer computer, so I think 1.5mbps is a good choice.

3 computers on DSL??? Do you use a wireless network or do you use a 3 way splitter? My sister-in-law has DSl and would like to add another computer and I'm trying to figure out the best way.
I still have the old dial up and it still cost me $20 .

DSL is well worth the investment. More valuable than "cable" TV.

Easiest way to share is to get a wireless router/hub. Almost plug and play easy. I can have between 1 and 4 computers actually using the internet at the same time plus my printers are on the home network so I can share them between all the computers. Very cool.

Sometimes we crank up a multi-player game over the home network so I can show the kids how it is done B)

I've had DSL for years, though a few different providers. I have a wired LinkSys router for my main computer off the DSL modem and my kids are connected to a LinkSys wireless router which piggy backs off the wired router. Love it. All of us have plenty of bandwidth to go around, though occassionally it does get slow when one of us is performing some heavy duty downloading......

LinkSys has a wired and wireless router all-in-one now but when I purchased my wired router, it didn't exist yet or I had no need for wireless. Therefore I have both.

I suppose I'd need a firewall. I have a small two-port router I never used when I was going to switch to a cable broadband but didn't because their tech support was so horribly poor. Would my old router work with my newer WinXP machine? Does a DSL modem plug into a USB port or do I need to install an Ethernet card?

My telephone provider was pushing DSL, too, but I couldn't get it at my house because of hardware problems; either the distance was too great or something about the connections. I ended up leaving the telephone company and went with the cable company for telephone service and broadband internet. Either way, DSL or cable, sure beats dial up, but you need to verify with your phone company if you can actually get it at your house, your neighborhood lines may not be compatible.
Bruce

I have a 4 port router made by Linksys that I'm using for my home network which is connected with ethernet cables. Linksys has worked really well for me (unlike some products from other vendors). You do need a network interface card in each computer on the network. If given the option of getting them from your telephone co. I would recommend that you buy the cards yourself. I found that they wanted twice what I paid for the ones I picked up at Staples. I agree with Steve, DSL is more valuable than cable (although I'm biased because I don't have cable).

I changed to dsl about a year ago. I'll never go back to dial up again. I got ride of some of the phone company charges to make room for the dsl charges and my bill is still the same as before.

I have a 4 port router made by Linksys that I'm using for my home network which is connected with ethernet cables. Linksys has worked really well for me (unlike some products from other vendors). You do need a network interface card in each computer on the network. If given the option of getting them from your telephone co. I would recommend that you buy the cards yourself. I found that they wanted twice what I paid for the ones I picked up at Staples. I agree with Steve, DSL is more valuable than cable (although I'm biased because I don't have cable).
Same situation here. Three computers online here...mine, momma's, and a wireless laptop. Faster than a speeding bullet. :)
Been on DSL for over 4 yrs and would DIE if I had to go back to dial up. In fact, the only reason we have a home land line phone service is because the phone co. supplies the DSL. No cable here either (DirecTv).

I suppose I'd need a firewall. I have a small two-port router I never used when I was going to switch to a cable broadband but didn't because their tech support was so horribly poor. Would my old router work with my newer WinXP machine? Does a cable router plug into a USB port or do I need to install an Ethernet card?

These days you can get just about anything to plug into a USB port...

How new is the PC? Many of the newer PCs already have an Ethernet card in them. Shoot the most recent PC I bought (thanks to a hard drive crash) has both Ethernet *and* wireless.

My recommendations:

1) Pickup the Linksys wireless access point/router. These things are relatively cheap (less than $100) and provide 4 wired Ethernet ports plus the wireless access point. It probably is not worth bothering with your existing router.

2) Run your main computer on wired Ethernet even if it means you have to get a card. This is still more reliable and faster than wireless. Plus they use a web browser to configure the Linksys wireless settings. Might be hard to get into the wireless side if the config is not setup. The wired setup also avoids conflicts and interference with neighbors wireless networks.

3) Use the wireless for any secondary or portable computers as it avoids the wiring hassles. You should name your wireless network rather than use the default name that Linksys provides, otherwise you may start connecting to a neighbor's network.

4) Enjoy!

My telephone provider was pushing DSL, too, but I couldn't get it at my house because of hardware problems; either the distance was too great or something about the connections. I ended up leaving the telephone company and went with the cable company for telephone service and broadband internet. Either way, DSL or cable, sure beats dial up, but you need to verify with your phone company if you can actually get it at your house, your neighborhood lines may not be compatible.
Bruce

Well, you'd think since they sent me a flyer that they'd only send them to those customers who can get it and use it, but I checked anyway and I'm good to go. The phone rep tried to hook me up with the mega service ($60.00 a month!) and I just laughed. I like surfing the net, but I don't need and refuse to pay for capacity I'll never use. If my calculations are right, if the 1.5 mbps version were running at full capacity it would be running at something like 31 times the speed of my current dial up....

i had dsl for 3 years before i moved and now i'm on cable and it sucks, i had the 3 meg dsl pro thru AT&T and never had any problems, oh by the way you can run as many as 253 computers on one dsl line, if you have the right router switch etc. all at the same speed. the reason i know is because i'm a technician for AT&T.

Well, you'd think since they sent me a flyer that they'd only send them to those customers who can get it and use it, but I checked anyway and I'm good to go. ....

:thumbsup: All right!

I also have 3 computers. All three hard wired to the router, but my son claims the wireless connection is faster (he does on-line gaming). I initially had only the wireless on two of the computers but the one in my daughter's room had trouble keeping a connection so I installed wires to both. They're both happy now. So all of us can use computers at the same time and we have a freed up phone line. It is great! The two newest Dell computers have built in NICs, but I had to install one in my daughter's older Dell PII computer. I also seemed to have compatibility trouble with the home network with my daughter's Win 95 (or 98?) operating system and Win XP on the two newer ones. Ended up putting more memory and XP on the old computer so it would connect and could use the printer attached to one of the other PCs.
Bruce

Running 3pcs on 3mb DSL here, 2 wired, 1 wireless. Works very well! Just waiting for FIOS to come to my area so I can get the 15mb service.

I was against anything above my 15 dollar/month dialup for a long time. I just couldnt see paying more then that. When I moved I had a chance to get DSL for under 30 bucks. Im not sure what speed I get but I have to say its well worth the price in my opinion. It really did get old waiting for pages to load.

4.5 mb service at home. I absolutely am DIGGING it. The ability to use the phone while you're surfing at home is PRICELESS. Downloading, software updating, picture posting, everything!! All I have to say now is, what's dial up???

You shouldn't have to buy anything, except the service. When I signed on with my telco, they provided me an Actiontec 704 (http://www.actiontec.com/support/broadband/54mbpswru_software.html) 4 port DSL router AND an ethernet card for my old computer. The router can also be set up as wireless, if I choose to go that route. Plug in phone filters (provided also), router, computer and go.

Viva la Broadband!

Well I just ordered a new Dell for my sister-in-law and I'm going to use Netgears Rangemax router with thier USB adapter instead of a card. Anyone use this before?

I work for one of the phone companys that sells dsl. If you are going to get dsl, get the cheapest if you just do alot of surfing. Yes the higher bandwidth is nice but if all you do is look at chevelles.net then is probably not worth it. Then again, it comes down, how fast do you want to go in cyberspace and how much do you want to spend?

To DSL.

[QUOTE=chevelless1]3 computers on DSL??? Do you use a wireless network or do you use a 3 way splitter? QUOTE]

I have 6 computers on my DSL, and it becomes 7 whenever I start up my laptop. My DSL provider supplied the router with the modem, so I just plugged it into my 8 port switch that was already handling my inhouse network.
You can do the same thing with a router, but a router is more expensive and complicated, and having more than one router in a system causes lots of confusion trying to configure them correctly. An unmanaged switch is cheaper and has no configuration. Just plug it in and go.
I'm using this one. $18
http://www.computergate.com/products/item.cfm?prodcd=NHBA2208

My wireless is turned OFF for security.

Internet with dial up is like running your Chevelle with a couple of bad plugs. You may be able to do it, buy you won't enjoy it.

Broadband is the way to go. Gets your po*n faster too.

but you need to verify with your phone company if you can actually get it at your house, your neighborhood lines may not be compatible.
Bruce
In fact, Sprint tells me that even though my neighbor whos connected to the same phone lines as I am and within 1/2 mile of me, has dsl with wireless routers, I still cant have anything but dialup....

In fact, Sprint tells me that even though my neighbor whos connected to the same phone lines as I am and within 1/2 mile of me, has dsl with wireless routers, I still cant have anything but dialup....

DSL has distance limitations.

That said, if it's available, get it. You'll never look back.

I couldn't get DSL for a long time (still don't know if it's available in my particular part of town) but do have cable. I don't know if DSL is quick on both downloads AND uploads as ads always talk about 'download' or 'surfing' speed. I have 3 PCs online at all times with two getting heavy usage constantly and with cable, they are all very quick. My cable also has just as quick an upload time so keeping up with my 4 websites and my wife's single is not a problem either. If you maintain a website or two or send a lot of mail, check for the upload speeds.

I have a LinkSys Modem and LinkSys 4-port router that connect 3 PCs via Ethernet cards and a network printer (also have an 8-port hub I can add in if necessary to expand). Ethernet cards are pretty inexpensive now - $10-$15 plus a CAT-5 cable and you're in business. The router also acts as a firewall of sorts as only one IP address gets broadcast. I tested it with the Shields UP utility found at Gibson Research (https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2) and their indications are they can see my router IP address (supplied by my cable company) but nothing behind it - each PC connected shows up as the same IP address being probed.

I had the Cox 15Mb service for a while but never saw anything close to that in real life usage. Sure, I could hit 14.7 on some test servers but I play Unreal online and the server is in Minnesota or something. I'd see a little less than 5Mb to tests out there so I decided to save some money and go to the standard 5Mb service and I see no change in playing the game. I really don't see ANY difference at all. But, I'm only running the one computer so bandwidth isn't an issue.

Wireless is slower than a 100 mb connection, wireless is also a shared connection so the more wireless devices you have the slower it goes.

For internet access it is pretty irrelevant cause both the wireless and hardwired 100 mb are both way faster than your DSL connection.

T

Made the switch yesterday. My impression? :D