[Hidden-tech] Home Internet hookup

[Chris Hoogendyk]

Daniel Belmont wrote:
> Hello All --
>  
>   I am considering getting a comcast internet hookup and I have a few 
> questions :

Check out Earthlink high speed internet options. They actually 
subcontract to Comcast, but their rates, conditions, services are better 
in my experience. Of course, I only wanted internet. I don't have a 
Television and did not want Cable TV. I later added Earthlink True Voice 
and dumped Verizon. So my telephone now hooks through the Cable by VoIP.

 
> 1) how difficult is it to install ? and what is involved ? if I 
> install it myself I save $150 ...

Depends how techy you are. I don't think it was very difficult, but some 
people have issues with this sort of thing. They should provide some 
fairly straightforward instructions.

 
> 2) can you recommend a wireless router that works well with the 
> comcast hookup ? we are using wireless in my apartment ... also, what 
> is involved in configuring that ?

Linksys WRT54G. You can get it from Best Buy, Amazon, ....

Same comments. The manual has fairly straightforward instructions and 
there is a web interface to configure it. Be aware that it is easy to 
configure it insecurely, and there are many that have been left 
insecure. You just have to drive around a neighorhood with a laptop to 
see how many you can get into.

You can always get help. But then you are eating into your $150 savings 
that you mentioned.




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Chris Hoogendyk

-
   O__  ---- Systems Administrator
  c/ /'_ --- Biology & Geology Departments
 (*) \(*) -- 140 Morrill Science Center
~~~~~~~~~~ - University of Massachusetts, Amherst 

<hoogendyk at bio.umass.edu>

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Erdös 4