Re: Which is better, DSL or Broad Band
Speed is just a question of current technology. We all know how fast technology moves on and they leapfrog eachother. Do you really care as long as the speed is fast enough? We have DSL at home and frankly the download speed is usually limited by the websites and routing - not the DSL connection. If I have several things to do, I open several IE windows and start them all at once. My testing has shown that rarely is the DSL connection causing the bottleneck - they all run just as fast individually at the same time as they do on their own. The problem with some services is that they want to bundle you with their other products. That can get expensive and restrict your choices. We have Verizon phone at home with ATT long distance. While verizon provides the actual DSL connection, our ISP is independent (Infinity Internet). I like this much better than having to use the phone company's ISP service. The quality of provider's customer service is another high priority.
BTW: We have a laptop and desktop with wireless home network using a single DLS connection through the network. Again no actual speed difference noticeable when both computers are on the internet at the same time. The same would probably go for any broadband connection. On the road we use the laptop with WiFi - most places have it now or will be getting it soon - it's by far the best solution for campgrounds, just the low maintenance alone makes it best., regardless of the low initial cost We could use DSL or anyother hard wire when available, but never have yet. You can also get mobile direct satelite internet (bidirectional now) for motorhomes and of course you could use it when at home too. Look here:
Ground Control
www.groundcontrol.com
1-800-773-7168
MobilSat
www.mobilsat.com
1-757-312-8300
MotoSAT
www.motosat.com
Last thing - always remember to have a good security, firewall and virus protection software. Pay the annual maintnenance fee and have it constantly updated (both software updates and virus definitions). I recommend don't be cheap here. Freeware and shareware is fine for some things, but these folks just do not have the resources to be current with all virus deifinitions and protection within hours of a new one hitting the street like the big well funded companies. It is not worth the small savings. Also if you use wireless make sure you name your network with a unique name and encrypt for maximum protection. Never leave it with defualt name and/or unconnected. Campground and other WiFi internet hotspots may be unprotected, but that is for other reasons and is generally OK.