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Date:	Wed, 16 Mar 2005 11:00:05 PST8
From:	"George M. Boyd" <bb385@lafn.org >
Reply-To:	scoug-help@scoug.com
To:	scoug-help@scoug.com
Subject:	SCOUG-Help: Possible DSL Change

Content Type: text/plain

J. R. Fox wrote:

>It took about 6 or 7 assorted technician visits (Data side, Voice
>side, inside the premises, & outside -- incl. 2 pole crews, each of
>which took a week's wait to schedule because they were so backed up),
>but the vexing, intermittent DSL problems I've had ever since the
>rains began last Nov. seem **at last** to have been fixed. Over that
>period, the service was down more than it was running. And I had
>thought of possibly making a change long before this, because the SBC
>DSL service has been pretty mediocre even back when it was
>semi-reliable. (Emphasis on the "semi".) The old plan I'm on is also
>much costlier than what is available now.
>
>The other options here -- because Adelphia REALLY bites, so forget
>cable -- looked to be EarthLink or DSL Extreme. I drew up a list of
>questions, but barely got into them with EarthLink, because it turns
>out that their DSL isn't even available in this area. O.K., that left
>Extreme. A rather good rep., LOCAL tech support, and they sound like
>they know what they're talking about. That's 3 points for them right
>off the bat. Most of their answers sounded pretty good, until we got
>to a couple of possible sticking points. I think there may be a
>couple of DSL Extreme users on this List, which is why I'm bringing it
>up here.
>
>Of course, they will only offer SUPPORT for certain versions of
>Windoze and Macs . . . but, hey, we're used to that, right ? The
>critical issue is OS-neutrality on a *functional* level. That is to
>say, nothing *worse* than what I had with SBC. (Note: I still have
>the *old* SBC DSL. Their new "SBC-Yahoo" DSL package has certain
>detriments that Tony has described on a couple occasions, and poses
>more problems for us non-Win iconoclasts.)
>
>Extreme tells me that they can offer what I'm looking for with a
>bridge router (Huh ?), otherwise they require the use of something
>called Win-POET. (Now there's an oxymoron for you !) And that will
>obviously be Win-centric. My strong guess here is that this is a
>mis-speak from their TS: Win-POET sounds to me like it must be
>something for PPOE. I have a fixed IP now, and would continue to have
>one if I switch to Extreme, in which case this would NOT apply to me
>(?) They say one can continue to use the prior DSL modem -- but with
>no guarantees; otherwise, they can provide either a Westel Wirespeed
>(DSL switch modem), OR a Broadmax (DSL bridge modem & router). These
>distinctions are lost on me. Steve, Steven, Tony -- anyone care to
>elucidate this ?
>
>Curiously enough, another possible option just came along. I was
>contacted by a senior tech from SBC, apologetic about this whole
>prolonged mess. Also because I was a long-term customer, and one
>thinking of leaving, he claimed that he could arrange the following: a
>big price drop, faster DSL (by means of putting in a remote terminal,
>with fiber optic cable for much of the distance), but with otherwise
>NO account changes. Anyone going in via regular Customer Service
>would be forced into the new SBC-Yahoo package -- with withdrawal of
>your fixed IP, having to change mail servers and use _their_ software
>bundle, etc. -- but he could arrange to circumvent this. I'd like to
>see that in writing, and probably won't, but it does sound attractive,
>if he can really deliver on it.
>
>
>Jordan
>
>
>
>Jordan:
>
>

Consider Speakeasy.net Phone:

>1-800-556-5829
>
>
No objection to any operating system, one fixed IP. I think they are
still offering an introductory one year discount.
Also, ask Larry Tawa about their service.

George

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