Freeserve is pretty expensive at �27.99. There are a number of ISPs at
around �18.99 or so for the same service � such as plusnet � and any startup
cost would be paid back pretty quickly - �9 per month difference would only
take 8 months to pay off before you�re saving �9 every month on your
connection. Or Tiscali, Virgin and Demon have a service at �24.99 per month
with no startup fee. Check out WebUser magazine
(http://www.web-user.co.uk/broadband) or ADSL Guide
(http://www.adslguide.org.uk/isps/packagelist.asp) for some comparisons.
An ethernet modem is fine and definitely better in my view than a USB modem
(no drivers to worry about), but you might also want to consider a Router,
which adds the ability to share the connection with multiple computers and a
firewall for a small amount more. From the computer end the setup would be
the same for either. The routers I most recommend are the Draytek ones, but
there are many other ones which are also pretty good.
I wouldn�t worry too much about the lack of Mac support � ADSL is
non-platform specific (except for the issues with drivers for USB Modems),
so resolving any problems should be pretty much the same whichever computer
you are using, particularly if you are using an ethernet connected device.
Most ISPs tend to say no Mac support just to cover themselves.
Nick
--
Nick Collingridge - Zapp Computer Consultancy
From: pdimage.fsnet.co.uk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: "Mac UK" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2004 17:11:57 +0000
To: "Mac UK" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: Broadband and 10.3
Having shopped around quite a bit for broadband I eventually came
back to the Freeserve offer of 15.99 per month for the first three months
with free modem (inc splitter etc) and free connection then 27.99 per
month. Most others provide no mac support and tend to have other
restrictions like no p2p etc or heavy one off connection charges (70
quid).
I don't expect the free usb modem to have mac drivers but I have
already bought a cheap (30 quid or so) ethernet modem and I think OS9 or
X will work with any ethernet modem - wireless or not. Feel free to
correct me if I'm wrong - the kit is coming later this week so I'll soon
find out.....
Pete
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