Well, I did it.

[thermodynamic]

Called up Qwest and got my line changed back to them.

Unlike the dude who I talked to yesterday, the lady I talked to today was able to offer a more basic phone line without the $10 feature package! :loveya:

Now I need to call and remove the freeze on my #, but otherwise I'll have DSL (256k up/down) by Feb 3! :bounce: :party:

So, total cost is $15 for unlimited line + $9 in fcc fees + $26 DSL. (better than $25 for featured line + $9 in fees...) Especially when I'm on the internet 40+ hours a week!

Am leasing the modem for a month ($3) but then pay $60 if I want to keep it.

Have to pay for 1 month in advance too, no big deal.

Hope it works, but Linux is supported! :thumbsup:

I can't wait!

Now I'll be able to play Unreal Tournament over the net! :9 :freak:

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. YAY!!

Congratulations! You'll be amazed at how much more you will love surfing the internet, and how much you'll never think to yourself "If I click this link, will it take me to a slow loading page?"


And get yourself a router because you'll likely, at some point, want a home network.

But also because it adds a wonderful and essential layer of firewall protection.

Also, the router will do all the connecting with the modem, so you don't have to run any stupid extra software on your computer.

I'd never give up my router, even if I didn't need it for the network.

[thermodynamic]

2. I have a home network already, with software-based firewalls...

But I have heard the advantages of routers so I will be buying one.

Besides, I'm up for Net+ certification, wouldn't want to miss that question! :evilgrin:

Nice to know I won't need any software...

So the router will take the phone line, but have LAN jacks? Wouldn't that make the ADSL modem pointless? :shrug: My Linux box has 2 NICs (though SuSE 9 can't see the integrated Abit NIC yet...)

Thx!

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. No, the router sits between the computers and the modem

So the router talks with the modem.

that way also, you don't have to have any other computer turned on to use another one, since the router will take care of all the networking stuff.

Of course, if you really need a home server, then you're in a different situation. But it's just fine for my rather generic home network, which is basically everyone having their own internet connection but no need for computers to communicate directly (except for a couple computers I have talking only to back up files on each other so I don't lose my valuable data).

I love it! And when friends come visit, they can just plug their laptops into the network with no extra software needed (assuming they have ethernet on their laptop already, which they all do). Plug and play simplicity.

And the router offers excellent firewalling becuase the computers behind it can't be seen by anyone on the net unless they're really bound and determined. But you'll never suffer from random FTP and Telnet hacking , etc.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. RE: Router

Google up "freesco" and "smoothwall".

If you have an old 486 laying around, that works, you just can't beat the price. Any old x86 computer, actually.

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. belay that order, commander

Only that, as I look at the issue, you can get a $40 router, that has almost negligable power drain and a lot less need for precious space.

Not that I don't think an old 486 is a good choice, but they do draw a hell of a lot more power and have mechanical parts prone to failure (hard drive, CPU fan). A router draws little power, is a very small package, and has no mechanical parts to go bad. But that's me, coming from a small apartment perspective. ;-)