on 5/31/05 5:23 PM, Rob Lyons at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > On May 31, 2005, at 3:56 PM, James Fraser wrote: > >> Well, if nothing else...this email can serve as a subject of scorn and >> derision I suppose... >> >> Hello All, >> >> I'm in the process of trying to pick up some cheap-a55 Cat 5 >> Ethernet cable >> for home networking. >> >> [holds head in hands] >> >> The problem? The cheapskate in me is currently clashing with the >> anal-retentive. >:/ >> >> Here's what one seller has to say about his cable: >> >> >>> # 50-micron gold plated connectors to insure a clean and clear >>> transmission. >>> # Contact Gold Plating 50u"(Short Body) >>> ATTENTION : We're selling cables with 50u" module plugs while most >>> other >>> sellers are selling cables with less than 10u" one. Higher value >>> of (u") means >>> higher quality !!] >>> >> >> My questions (try not to laugh): >> >> What does the "50u" refer to? Is the "u" = "mu" as in "microns?" >> >> Is the point the seller is trying to make: that his cables >> (allegedly) have >> 50-microns of gold plate vs. his competitors, whose cabling has a >> paltry 10 >> microns? Please educate me if I've entirely missed the point here; >> I really >> am earnestly trying to understand what he's attempting to tell me. >> >> Finally: Is his point _complete BS_...or what? >> >> What I'm hoping for is this: purchasing Ethernet cable is not >> something that >> one has to fuss over unduly: it's all the same. Everyone (but me) >> knows that >> Ethernet cabling is, for the most part, a "parity product," and >> that there >> are three generic factories in China that make it. Any perceived >> "differences" are in the packaging and/or entirely in the minds of >> anal-retentives. >> >> I can just see myself getting the Ethernet equivalent of "Monster >> Cable"...and experiencing *exactly* _no difference_ in performance >> (much >> like buying Monster Cable for audio applications, or so I'm told). >> >> I would greatly appreciate guidance on this before I turn a simple, >> straightforward, quick-and-dirty, cheap-a55 fit of networking into >> the most >> needless piece of overengineering since the Air Force decided it >> was more >> important that toilets survive impacts rather than, say, passengers. >> >> >> Best, >> >> James Fraser > > More importantly than the 'u' or whatever rating of the cable is: How > are the connectors made? > > I, for one, always make sure to get patch cables that have the > plastic from the connector's strain relief injected into the > connector itself. > > I have a tendency to be rough with patch cords and manage to short > out the connectors constantly. The injection molded connectors stand > up a lot better (i.e. most Belkin cables I've seen are made this way) > than the handmade crimp connectors. Although, if it's for in wall and > won't be moved, then any connector should work fine. > > As long as the cable is UL Cat5e rated (plenum for in-wall), then go > with the best price you can find. > > -Rob I forgot! "u" is 1/1000 of a micro, like when reffering to electrical capacity 1000uF = 1mF
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