Robyn told us:
One bit of advice, if it says USB, run as fast as you can to something else.
hear, hear! I agree emphatically... I told my initial DSL provider (here in Austria) to come and take back their Alcatel Speed Touch USB... I then signed on with the internet division of Austria's Postal System (surprisingly one of the best package deals on offer over here, though that was not always the case) and they supplied an Alcatel Speed Touch Home (Ethernet) and it was a relative joy to set-up. We've been a happily broadbanding family ever since - about 8 or 9 months now.
FWIW: our Alcatel is configured via PPPoE and our ISP unceremoniously disconnects us after 8 hours of connection time, regardless of whether or not we're downloading, surfing or sending emails!... this is manageable however by way of keeping an eye on the menu bar (OS X only, of course) where connection time is prominently displayed next to the modem status (telephone symbol). Hence, if you do not opt to display the modem connection in the menu bar (System Preferences/Network/Modem) you will not see this handy gauge.... also, a quick disconnect-reconnect routine at any time resets the "counter" at zero for another 8 hours of uptime, so it's really not much of a problem. BTW: I do not currently use a router, though I plan to get one eventually. A broadband dianostic service (forget which one) reported that only my "port 53" was vulnerable to any type of intrusion and this port (apparently) connects to zilch... so kudos and so forth to Apple and OSX for such a great product - essentially firewalled right out of the box - tr�s cool! ...though perhaps someone on this list can add some info to this thread, as I am woefully under-educated on the subject.
GET AN ETHERNET BASED MODEM!!!!!! Trust me on this one. If I told you this and then had to come and set up a $#^^$!!^& USB modem, I'd have to slightly maim you ;) No offense personally of course, it would just be my professional duty.
ha! ...good stuff Robyn. Thanks for all the insight. db (aka:) Richard Bright Herzogenburg, Austria ------------------- "It's better to leave your mouth closed and seem a fool, than open it and remove all doubt." -Will Rogers -- MacNetwork is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... XRouter Pro | Share your DSL or cable modem between multiple computers! Dr. Bott | Only $199 <http://www.drbott.com/prod/MIH130.html> Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> MacNetwork list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/macnet.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; end list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/macnetwork%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
