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        New Message Board Archives >> 2007 General Board Posts >> Need a computer whiz got a question
        
(Message started by: BarbaraD on Dec 16th, 2007, 6:14pm)
Title: Need a computer whiz got a question
Post by BarbaraD on Dec 16th, 2007, 6:14pm
What is the deal with DSL?

I've got Hughes.net - a satelite dish (as long as you have a view of the Southern sky), but it's slow as the devil (I think).

I've been on cable hookups before (about the last 5 years or so and it was faster). I can get DSL out here in the boondocks, but don't know if I'd be improving any over the satelite or not. It's with Windstream (an offshoot of Verizon) and Dish-Network and comes with the whole package - phone TV and internet.

Would someone tell me if this would be faster or a big mistake. I don't know bunkins about this stuff.

Hugs BD
Title: Re: Need a computer whiz got a question
Post by fubar on Dec 16th, 2007, 6:32pm
There are some advantages to either one (DSL or Sat).  With Sat, the latency (lag time) for each packet of data is very high, so it looks like there is a lag time between when you ask for something and when it actually starts flowing.  Some protocols work well with this, some do not.  Sat tries to fake out these protocols by spoofing acknowledgement packets (it's complicated) but the end result is less responsive experiences when doing things like gaming.

DSL might be slower speed of data, but less latency (round trip time between you and a server).  For gaming, this is good. For streaming video, slow speed might be an issue.

Sat has the advantage of being available nearly anywhere, and when data starts flowing, it can come fast.

-Shawn
Title: Re: Need a computer whiz got a question
Post by chewy on Dec 16th, 2007, 6:33pm
I can tell you this.

I have DSL at work and its just as fast as my cable at home.

Not sure about the sattelite stuff.
Title: Re: Need a computer whiz got a question
Post by MvT on Dec 16th, 2007, 7:26pm
I have no experience with sat but I would try it on a pc with vista and service pack 1

try downloading a small program called dr tcp

or try a different isp non satelite dsl

if your talking about Bit torrent downloads or skype or joost make sure your isp is not adjusting your p2p settings
Title: Re: Need a computer whiz got a question
Post by Ray on Dec 16th, 2007, 9:43pm
Ok, I'll chime in on this one...

With DSL, higher speeds are possible, depending on how far you are from the local phone office (the phone wires, not as the crow flies).  There are other pieces of equipment that can increase the distance from the phone office, but the phone company must have them in place, not you.

Satellite must send the packets up into space and back down, so the round trip takes longer and the delay is quite noticeable.  Bandwidth is more limited on satellite, so in short, if DSL is available to you, AND you are not too far from the phone companies equipment, you should have BETTER speed from DSL.

I'd look into it if I were you and the costs were similar.

Ray
Title: Re: Need a computer whiz got a question
Post by MvT on Dec 16th, 2007, 9:54pm

on 12/16/07 at 21:43:29, Ray wrote:
Ok, I'll chime in on this one...

With DSL, higher speeds are possible, depending on how far you are from the local phone office (the phone wires, not as the crow flies).  There are other pieces of equipment that can increase the distance from the phone office, but the phone company must have them in place, not you.

Satellite must send the packets up into space and back down, so the round trip takes longer and the delay is quite noticeable.  Bandwidth is more limited on satellite, so in short, if DSL is available to you, AND you are not too far from the phone companies equipment, you should have BETTER speed from DSL.

I'd look into it if I were you and the costs were similar.

Ray


that is true to an extent you can get much more bandwidth and speed on satelite tho but the amount of bandwidth you get is determined by your ISP and your computer may be set to accept a certain amount of packets at a time

thats why vista gets faster and with service pack 1 even faster

in xp you can use a free download called dr tcp or dr tcpi/ip to increase the number

http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;504222574;fp;2;fpid;1277378924

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071027085255AAiFg7m
Title: Re: Need a computer whiz got a question
Post by Maffumatt on Dec 16th, 2007, 9:54pm
Hughes net at work. They suck. If you want to call and complain be ready for a several hour ordeal. It'll be some guy in Bangladesh that speaks broken English.
Title: Re: Need a computer whiz got a question
Post by MvT on Dec 16th, 2007, 10:01pm
new cat6 ethernet cable and pci ethernet card may help and will not cost you alot

you can download a new driver for your current ethernet (free easy)

you can even go fibre optic between your modem and your pc (not that cheap but getting there)

if your modem supports usb you can try usb it may be faster for you....

but if your really not happy after trying some of the above then switch isp's.....(internet service providers) the company you get internet from

http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~cscie1/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Subscriber_Line
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandwidth
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandwidth_cap
Title: Re: Need a computer whiz got a question
Post by Kirk on Dec 16th, 2007, 10:23pm
  It all depends on what you want to do. From what little I've known of you over the years. DSL will probably do all you want.
  PM me if you need the gory details.

  [smiley=smokin.gif]
Title: Re: Need a computer whiz got a question
Post by Ray on Dec 16th, 2007, 11:24pm
Mvt and I are not in agreement here.  As 10 Megabit DSL is becoming more available and 1.5 Megabit satellite is common...

The speed from the PC to the modem is not going to overcome the slowest link in the chain, that being the bandwidth supplied from the ISP.

I don't want to get into a pissing contest here.  I've been Tier 3 technical support for DSL from a leading provider, been an installer for a major cable ISP provider, and worked for the largest Telecommunications provider in the US at the time -- I do know what I'm talking about.  

In the end, the speed for a given cost should be the deciding factor.

With best regards,

Ray
Title: Re: Need a computer whiz got a question
Post by MvT on Dec 17th, 2007, 6:21am

on 12/16/07 at 23:24:05, Ray wrote:
Mvt and I are not in agreement here.  As 10 Megabit DSL is becoming more available and 1.5 Megabit satellite is common...

The speed from the PC to the modem is not going to overcome the slowest link in the chain, that being the bandwidth supplied from the ISP.

In the end, the speed for a given cost should be the deciding factor.

With best regards,

Ray


I did not say all satelite conections were fast most are fairly slow......you really do get what you pay for....

your second point was correct but it may help a little

speed and service is usually the deciding factor for me.....


Quote:
Visitors to the satellite earth station, which attracts more than 80,000 people a year, will be able to use the superfast facilities of the internet café free of charge.

Adrian Hosford, director of Corporate Responsibility for BT, who will host the launch, said: "Connected to the network of the future, what we believe is the world's fastest internet cafe will allow people to experience for themselves online speeds, which are part of a future enabling us to do all things differently.

"For example, it would be possible to use the cafe's computers to download in less than 15 minutes a file the equivalent size of the DVD version of the Encyclopaedia Britannica - with its 19,000 illustrations, 629 audio and video clips and 100,000 articles. A standard broadband connection would typically take in excess of five hours.
Title: Re: Need a computer whiz got a question
Post by BarbaraD on Dec 17th, 2007, 6:25am
Ok, nuther question -- Can I have both of them and decide which one works best and then get rid of the one I don't like?

I've had this satelite for a year and haven't really had any trouble with it (even during storms) but it's just slow. It was all I could get when I moved out here cause I didn't have any telephone lines and I had to have Internet cause of buisness.

I don't have a clue where the phone lines are (have to call the phone company and they probably won't know - most of the people I've talked to don't know anything). I know they had to run some new lines to get me a phone (I'm WAAAY out in the country).  Most people I've talked to out here are on DIAL-UP and AOL... and think it's wonderful.... ;;D  told ya we're a "little" behind the real world out here...

Guess I just got spoiled with the cable thing - you point, click and you're on... Right now, it's point, click, go get a cup of coffee and maybe it'll be there when you get back. Slower than dial up. I think it said it's on 1.5 something or other.

Hugs BD
Title: Re: Need a computer whiz got a question
Post by MvT on Dec 17th, 2007, 6:32am

on 12/17/07 at 06:25:05, BarbaraD wrote:
Ok, nuther question -- Can I have both of them and decide which one works best and then get rid of the one I don't like?

I've had this satelite for a year and haven't really had any trouble with it (even during storms) but it's just slow. It was all I could get when I moved out here cause I didn't have any telephone lines and I had to have Internet cause of buisness.

I don't have a clue where the phone lines are (have to call the phone company and they probably won't know - most of the people I've talked to don't know anything). I know they had to run some new lines to get me a phone (I'm WAAAY out in the country).  Most people I've talked to out here are on DIAL-UP and AOL... and think it's wonderful.... ;;D  told ya we're a "little" behind the real world out here...

Guess I just got spoiled with the cable thing - you point, click and you're on... Right now, it's point, click, go get a cup of coffee and maybe it'll be there when you get back. Slower than dial up. I think it said it's on 1.5 something or other.

Hugs BD


yes you can but you would be paying 2 monthly bills untill you pick one....... as long as both are not on the same telephone line you can do dsl or dialup and cable or wimax or wireless if its an option

dsl(satelite) and dialup
Dsl (rj11) and cable
Cable and dialup
Wireless and cable
Wimax and Satelite

7 Ways to Work Faster on Slow Connections
http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/stayconnected/connections.mspx


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