I would suggest that it would depend on how you use your connection. If you frequent the binaries or mp3 newsgroups, or if you expect to frequent the binaries or mp3 newsgroups now that you'll have faster access, you'll need to find out what sort of retention and completion rates each option offers you. For example, one may be ten dollars a month cheaper but if you can never get a complete file 48 hours after it's been posted, you'll find yourself signing up for a premium news server that will now add that same ten dollars back. Also consider if either option allows you to post without adding X-Trace headers to outgoing mail or to outgoing news postings. If you're concerned about security you may find yourself buying a router or firewall to protect yourself, again cutting into whatever savings you initially believe you'll be getting.
Also ask each company what their upload and download caps are set at for each customer. If you're wanting to host your website on their servers, what does that entail ? I was more than surprised to find that my 'isp' offers 10 MB of webspace per account; however I have to put the files on floppy disk (not zip, not emailed) formatted to PC, and then physically take the files into their office 45 miles away for them to add the files to the server. If you're going with cable, talk to your neighbours to see if any are already online. What are their experiences with speed during peak hours? When you mention Macintosh to either entity, what is their reaction? Also if you're going with cable, are you going to be receiving two different billings? That's what my 'isp' does so everytime I have a problem I get to do the bouncies between departments as each one says it's the other department's responsibilites. My 'isp' doesn't even host its own mail server. In a traceroute I found that the mail server takes 14 hops before I can download mail. That's why I use mac.com which is much faster to download. My 'isp' is rurally based and moved the mail server to its isp's isp's server so that when the routers go down, which they do several times a month, few customers are aware of the lack of service. Mail bounces really indicate when an isp is falling down on the job. I have no choice on highspeed connectivity but when I do, I'm jumping ship at the earliest chance. Just my two cents of experience tossing into the fray. >Hi, >I have a Pismo PB 400 and am thinking of getting >cable internet. Does anyone have Optimum (Cablevision) >Online Service? I can also get DSL but Cable is cheaper >since they give discounted rate with your tv subscription. >Anyone have any thoughts regarding which is better >and also any personal experience with Optimum? >Thanks. >Lynn -- PowerBooks is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PowerBooks list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.shtml> Send 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/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Macintosh? Get free email and more at Applelinks! <http://www.applelinks.com>
