[plug] broadband with linux

[Fred Janon]

--- "Senectus ." <senectus at gmail.com> wrote:

> On Fri, May 16, 2008 at 3:04 AM, Dem N <dn.whatever at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> > plug question:
> >
> > Hi, I'm researching broadband, because I'm getting a little tired
> of
> > dialup, and I'd like to know what people would recommend.
> >
> > Basically I want about 1G at any broadband speed (I'd prefer
> cheaper to
> > faster) with shaping (I want to ensure there are no excess fees),
> and I'd
> > like to keep it to under $30 a month. I could get a Vista laptop,
> but I'd
> > rather use Linux, so compatibility with Linux is virtually a must,
> and
> > support, if possible, would be good, though it looks like no one
> offers
> > this.
> >
> > So far, the best deal seems to be iinet's package of 2Gb (peak)
> naked DSL
> > with bundled VOIP ($50 combined with phone; my usual phone bill is
> $35 so
> > that's just $15 for good broadband). I've checked with them, and my
> line is
> > compatible with naked DSL, so there's no problem there. The only
> thing
> > holding me back is really that (1) Is it definitely Linux
> compatible? I'm
> > using Fedora Core 4, but could upgrade to Fed 7 if needed. (2) They
> have an
> > irritating way of doing phone messages (it sends a .wav file to
> your email
> > address). Has anyone had any experience with iinet's VOIP, using
> their own
> > (non-iinet) VOIP phone with an answering machine, and does it work?
> >
> > Also, can anyone tell me of any decent rival offers?
> >
> > Also, no one seems to provide an installation CD for Linux. Is it
> > technically difficult to install broadband, and roughly what does
> it
> > involve? Are there any websites that give good general guides to
> this?
> >
> > regards,
> > Dem Nisbet.
> 
> 
> The other suggestions are also good ones.
> The virgin Broadband deal is pretty decent (especially if your a
> student) if
> your covered in your area
>
http://www.virginbroadband.com.au/wirelessbroadband/broadband-at-home.aspx
> The little unit they give you is OS independent once you set it up.
> 
> *warning*
> I just noticed this in the fine print:
> Peer 2 Peer speed limited to 32kbps
> I guess they don't want n00bs flooding their 3G network :-P
> 
> -- 
> Ubuntu Hardy 8.04
> The less you know, the more you believe. - Bono
> The more you know the less you need to say. - Jim Rohn
> http://outcampaign.org/
> > _______________________________________________
> PLUG discussion list: plug at plug.org.au
> http://www.plug.org.au/mailman/listinfo/plug
> Committee e-mail: committee at plug.linux.org.au
> 

It would be useful to also list the required commitment with these
ISPs. Most of the cheap ones require a 24 months contract, and some
require paying to the term if the contract is terminated. I looked at a
couple of 3G ones for about $20/mo and they all require a 24mo
contract, with absolutely no guarantee regarding the speed you'll get,
since it depends on where you are. I wish I could get my customer to
sign up for contracts like that: just sign at the bottom and give me
your $$$! :)

Fred