I searched past forums and couldn't find this topic.
What ISP do you use at home or your squadron? I have used AOL in the past but they have gotten too pricey. I am using People PC, but some times their main window does not open. I must use dial up as DSL and cable are not option.
I would like to be able to plug into any phone jack. I don't have a laptop so wireless is also out.
Thanks for your help.
I think that CAP was issued some sort of Earthlink account but I don't really know much about all of that. We currently have Clearwire for the internet at our squadron (donated of course). AOL and PeoplePC are junk. I don't know a whole lot about any of the other internet service providers.
NHQ provides a free Earthlink dial-up account to every unit (or at least they did, WiFi and cellular broadband is getting so ubiquitous I haven't needed dial up in several years).
I have a unit using cable broadband (not free), one getting wireless broadband (roof antenna) donated from the provider, and some who ride someone else's service at their meeting site.
I can't imagine why anyone would still be using AOL in this enlightened age, but regardless, you should be able to get bare-bones iNet from a local ISP for less than $10 a month. I was in the same boat for years with no broadband in my town.
The "answer" was a proxy server that did the dialing and kept the connection alive so the other devices on my home network could get to the internet without having to do the dialing. This requires a seperate phone line.
You should be able to plug into any phone jack now, but of course that will knock off voice calls on that line.
Rob,
Quote from: Rob Goodman on December 03, 2008, 02:02:28 PM
I would like to be able to plug into any phone jack. I don't have a laptop so wireless is also out.
You can get PCI Wireless Network Cards. All the desktop PCs in my home use them, and they work pretty good. So if there is public Wi-Fi, or one around you're allowed to piggy-back off of, wireless is still an option.
But to answer your questions:
1) At work we are our own ISP.
2) At home I use Comcast for Cable Internet.
3) At the Squadron we use a Verizon mobile broadband card.
I haven't used dial-up since 1998, and boy am I glad...
Our use of wireless service is poor to say the lest. The only option is dial up. I feel like I am still in the early 20th century (1908), then 21st century (2008). But at lest I can connect to the internet.
:(
The Squadrons in my Group range from base internet access to cable to municipal wireless to none at all.
A lot depends on the host facility; some Squadrons meet in locations where they don't have the ability to store a PC or have cable or a phone line run.
I have cable internet at home, a broadband access card for the road (Verizon) and my iPhone.
You have plenty of options. don't limit yourself to dialup
Cable (yes from the TV company)
DSL (phone company)
Speednet (formerly DTN @home)
Hughes net (satellite internet)
OR,
you can stick an external wireless antenna on the roof and pick up public network, or talk to one of your neighbors about piggybacking and maybe splitting the cost or something
If you still think that dial-up is your best bet. You will typically get the best service through a local provider. Netzero is also a decent provider
Best of luck
Quote from: IceNine on December 03, 2008, 07:09:39 PM
you can stick an external wireless antenna on the roof and pick up public network,
Public internet?
What you don't have that in the urban world?
There are 3 towns around me with city provided internet
Quote from: IceNine on December 04, 2008, 02:55:12 AM
What you don't have that in the urban world?
There are 3 towns around me with city provided internet
Heh - setting up 3 tents, 4 cardboards boxes, and old Ford van around the library and stealing their internet isn't exactly the textbook definition of "town". (http://forums.cadetstuff.org/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
You guys are lucky you even have options.
My unit meets at a USMC Reserve Communications Battalion building and we're not allowed to use their phone jacks or lead our own. The building has its communications secured. We can't even find Wi-Fi around because we're in a very remote area.
I'll be buying a USB wireless card for my laptop eventually, but that costs $60/month and that's steep.