Sybil, JW and Ford - Thanks for the replies. I'm a bit slow with my replies after switching to the digest mode....
Here is the additional rundown after making a call to nTelos (after talking to Verizon.) Some of the terms I'm using is layman's so please bear with me. nTelos started offering DSL in our area last year by accessing the Verizon lines by paying a fee and then passing that on to the customer. Verizon was nowhere near ready to offer the service. I forget the jargon but now they have full access (common carrier ?) and no longer charge a connection fee. They have a $34.95/month deal for 384/384 speed if you sign up for two years. Free modem, activation, and the modem includes a noise filter - evidently DSL can cause fone line noise ? I would spend around $50 for a hub/router. Verizon is $39.95 with first month free with 1-year sign up for (up to) 768/128 speed. It is possible, with their other pricing, that after the first year it could be jacked up to $49.95. They are "offering" the LinkSys 4-port hub/router for around $80 but can be had for $50 elsewhere. For those in other areas, it seems many of the DSL providers now have full agreements with fone companies and are able to connect you in far less time then a year ago. nTelos told me Verizon has 10 days to respond before being able to enter the facility to do whatever it is they have to do. I was holding off until the local telco (Verizon) was ready to offer the service but the climate has changed and providers are able to function on close to equal (and more competetive) grounds while needing to access the fone lines. I was concerned about technical disadvantages if I didn't deal with the fone co. Anyhoo....I mention all this in case many of you are also considering DSL. nTelos seems like a good alternative if they are operating in your area and two year commitment is feasible. They do charge $50 if you have to move to another area. If there is no service available, it costs $100 to get out of the contract. I don't expect that to be an issue but one never knows. regards, Alan stomach growling for gluttony. -- SuperMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | Service & Replacement Parts [EMAIL PROTECTED] | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> SuperMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/supermacs/list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; 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/supermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- >The Think Different Store http://www.ThinkDifferentStore.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
