DSL or Cable (ugh) Ranty

In at&t's infinite wisdom, they have decided to stop supporting SBC Yahoo DSL, and now we have to run at&t's version. After an hour and a bit of tech support this morning (guy WAS very helpful and sympathetic) I'm now running the fast-as-dial-up, it seems, "high-speed" internet connection. Which has already frozen up once, and has GOOGLE Spam (that was another surprise). So I'm stripping off all the extraneous programs and am already looking to buy more RAM.

However, much as I hate them, I've thought of switching over to Comcast's internet service. Seen it, very quick, even on the base "slow" level. So I'm thinking. What say this group. BTW, Windows 7 and, of course, the supplied Windows Internet Explorer. And, yes, I do need a pretty quick connection. Options/opinions? Thanx.

i have had comcast's "economy" internet in the past with no complaints. it was slightly slower, but not irritatingly so. only noticed when watching the youtubes. i currently have att uverse internet and am in the process of ditching them. down here comcast has a deal right now for 19.99/month for 12 months for economy internet.

I have to say that Comcrap has acyually been pretty solid the last 6 months for us internet-wise. The cable TV still flinches like a caffeine-riddled junky, but the net has been solid.

Do yourself a favor and download FireFox stat. IE sucks!

We have the full-tilt boogie version of Comcast. So far, two years in, quite happy. Minor glitches occur, but are generally taken care of. Super fast, yes I use FireFox. So far, so good. No, I don't know what it costs, as I don't pay the bills.

I have the AT&T U-verse. No spam and I've only rebooted the router 2x in the last year.

Stream multiple netflix movies, remote into work, Wii, etc all simultaneously. no issues on the 6mb pipe

I'm guessing you have a faulty modem.

Comcast here is dead nuts reliable. Only downside is price, but if you grouse at them, they'll cut your bill. Happy customer for like 8 years now.

In reply to Grtechguy: No, we actually went through multiple tests of the modem, and reset it twice to be sure. But, like a car, that was then, not hours later....Good advice on the FireFox browser.

I just don't like to bundle systems in case there's a billing/tech problem.

Streaming multiple netflix mocies and Wii at the same time...wow.

Firefox? That's so 2,000 and late. Chrome, baby.

I unfortunately am in Comcrap's grasp.. things have been rock steady for years now.. once somebody took down the pole with the faulty relay box that gave everyone in my neighborhood no internets or voice over whenever the temperature made a drastic change

Google has become SkyNet, so no Chrome for me...

Comcast has a habit of doing maintenance on their... uh, wires, or something around here at 3:00AM when I'm doing homework. Its not that big a deal, but I wish that they'd give me a day or two warning about it.

1st rule is to never install any software from your broadband provider. Buy a router and just punch in your username and password. Also use open DNS not the DNS number the ISP gives you.

I have been on ATT DSL since DirecTV stopped offering DSL probably 8 years ago. It works great, streams HD neflix and Hulu on a 3mb plan just fine as long as thats all you are doing.

Comcast here, as DSL is slower than Democrats cutting spending. I haven't had a problem.

I have Time Warner Roadrunner turbo and it flat out rips. 30 mb/sec sustained download speeds at off-traffic hours. Full 7+ gig HD rips in a few minutes.

SupraWes wrote: 1st rule is to never install any software from your broadband provider. Buy a router and just punch in your username and password. Also use open DNS not the DNS number the ISP gives you.

Actually some content delivery networks like Akamai are trying to figure out via the DNS server you use which of their machines is logically closest to you. A bunch of people have seen their download speeds drop noticeably when then moved to other public DNS servers.

It's at&t or Comcast here. That's it. You're right, as a bit of a night person, it would be nice if they gave a heads-up 24 hours before a planned disruption in service.

I deal with people who need info NOW (at least they think they do, but,,,) One computer and a couple of monitors are all I run. Although I'm thinking about running a secondary computer as an adjunct and backup unit. {The tree coming through the window last year helped in that line of thinking} All the info is much appreciated, as I've been relying on the whiz-kid nephew who designs computers, and is now off to the state of Washington and the navy....So, time to learn myself. Now if someone could tell me how often to change the oil in one of them.. I have heard and seen water-cooled processors, though. Always thought: what if there was a tiny leak....

I've got Comcast. Good service, but horrible customer support. My bill had errors 4 months in a row and they refuse to give me any sort of priceing help. I can't wait to get a dish and/or AT&T when I move.