Home internet question

Shawnee123 · 11-13-2008, 03:32 PM

I went online today to look at my options for online access at home. Tim3e-Warbler (aka the antichrist) almost had me hooked in...until they made me go through the entire process then said that the first payment had to be by credit card THEN they could automatically take it from my checking account every month. WTF? I do not have a credit card, and do not plan to get one any time soon. Even if I did, why do they need that, if the first payment doesn't go through, don't hook the son o' beech up, right? So, fuck Slime-Warner. I should have known better; they've always sucked but it is the fastest internet available.

So, AT&T says that they can't provide service at my address, except for broadband satellite access? What is that? Like wireless? It sounds unreliable to me.

Any ideas or advice would be helpful. I'm clueless as to what's best. I would like to have something speedy, because I want to play ToonTown again.

Signed

Nothings Ever Easy

footfootfoot · 11-13-2008, 03:48 PM

Where do you live, in the toolies? I thought you were in Cinci or Cleveland or someplace like that.

I forgot to pay the guy when he came to hook us up and he was all like "No Problem dude, we'll add it to your bill."
And I was all like "cool."

glatt · 11-13-2008, 03:54 PM

Did you try to get FIOS?

Undertoad · 11-13-2008, 03:58 PM

Just get a pay-ahead debit card and pay with that.

Shawnee123 · 11-13-2008, 03:59 PM

I live in hicksville. Well, not really hicksville because I think there really is a town named that and it isn't where I live. But suffice to say, on the outskirts of a smallish town where apparently AT&T won't go.

@glatt: I dunno. I don't even know what that is!

Shawnee123 · 11-13-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Just get a pay-ahead debit card and pay with that.

I hadn't thought of that. I can't remember if that was ruled out by Slime-Warner, but I should probably have one anyway.

I'm really lost on simple things sometimes.

glatt · 11-13-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

@glatt: I dunno. I don't even know what that is!

FIOS is the latest greatest fiber optic connection. Very fast and about the same cost as cable, depending on how your package comes bundled. We get like 2 offers a week for Verizon to hook us up. They bundle TV/Internet, or TV/Internet/Phone all in one package. I only want internet thought, and they don't offer that as a stand alone product, so I stick with DSL. Which is much faster than dial-up, but not super fast.

But if you already have cable and phone, it's pretty tempting to switch everything over to FIOS and get all three for like $100 a month through the fiber optic cable.

I've never used satellite, but I understand there is a time lag while you wait for the signal to go up into outer space 26,000 miles away and bounce back down to the provider and then the response to shoot back up to the satellite and back down to you. Other than that lag, the speeds are pretty fast. Like streaming a movie should be fine, but surfing around clicking on stuff would be slow.

Pie · 11-13-2008, 05:01 PM

Oh, glatt, you just reminded me of the other reason I love my new house: it has FIOS! No more ComCrap!

Juniper · 11-13-2008, 05:15 PM

I need to figure that out too. We have that awful Time-Warner right now and it's a bundle, phone/internet/cable. We want to get rid of our home phone - if everyone has a cell phone anyhow, why have a home phone?

Then maybe get Direct TV or Dish. Or nothing, if I had my choice. We've got the almighty digital converter and a roof antenna, what more do we need? Oh yeah, CNN.

and The Disney Channel

I don't care, all I want is teh interwebz.

ETA: No FIOS here.

Shawnee123 · 11-14-2008, 07:13 AM

I'm betting if AT&T can't love me where I live, then FIOS is probably not available either.

I was thinking last night I'm probably being impulsive anyway. I need to get everything else in order before I go too crazy on the extras. Still, I am tired of the games I have at home and have downloaded every game (to flash drive then to home) I could possibly ever want to play.

First thing is to get a good outdoor antenna and see what kind of digital programming I can get.

Still, the 'net would be nice.

Thanks for the ideas...it gives me some options to pursue in the meantime.

SteveDallas · 11-14-2008, 08:51 AM

You might find something worthwhile (or at least some commiseration) here.
My sister's in the same boat, if not worse. No DSL, no cable TV or cable modem, and barely enough mobile phone coverage to call up and say "call be back on my landline."

Shawnee123 · 11-14-2008, 10:41 AM

Thanks for the link, SD.

I may eventually break down and get a cable modem, and bow to the gods we know as Slime-Warner. So much for personal convictions.

Cicero · 11-14-2008, 08:30 PM

I have that at home. I live in the boonies and have wi-fi. Works like a charm. Satellite is fine m'dear. Don't get all paranoid.

11-13-2008, 03:32 PM	#1
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Home internet question I went online today to look at my options for online access at home. Tim3e-Warbler (aka the antichrist) almost had me hooked in...until they made me go through the entire process then said that the first payment had to be by credit card THEN they could automatically take it from my checking account every month. WTF? I do not have a credit card, and do not plan to get one any time soon. Even if I did, why do they need that, if the first payment doesn't go through, don't hook the son o' beech up, right? So, fuck Slime-Warner. I should have known better; they've always sucked but it is the fastest internet available. So, AT&T says that they can't provide service at my address, except for broadband satellite access? What is that? Like wireless? It sounds unreliable to me. Any ideas or advice would be helpful. I'm clueless as to what's best. I would like to have something speedy, because I want to play ToonTown again. Signed Nothings Ever Easy __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

11-13-2008, 03:48 PM	#2
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	Where do you live, in the toolies? I thought you were in Cinci or Cleveland or someplace like that. I forgot to pay the guy when he came to hook us up and he was all like "No Problem dude, we'll add it to your bill." And I was all like "cool." __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

11-13-2008, 03:59 PM	#5
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	I live in hicksville. Well, not really hicksville because I think there really is a town named that and it isn't where I live. But suffice to say, on the outskirts of a smallish town where apparently AT&T won't go. @glatt: I dunno. I don't even know what that is! __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

11-13-2008, 05:01 PM	#8
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	Oh, glatt, you just reminded me of the other reason I love my new house: it has FIOS! No more ComCrap! __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

11-13-2008, 05:15 PM	#9
Juniper I know, right? Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,539	I need to figure that out too. We have that awful Time-Warner right now and it's a bundle, phone/internet/cable. We want to get rid of our home phone - if everyone has a cell phone anyhow, why have a home phone? Then maybe get Direct TV or Dish. Or nothing, if I had my choice. We've got the almighty digital converter and a roof antenna, what more do we need? Oh yeah, CNN. and The Disney Channel I don't care, all I want is teh interwebz. ETA: No FIOS here. Last edited by Juniper; 11-13-2008 at 05:21 PM.

11-13-2008, 03:54 PM	#3
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Did you try to get FIOS?

11-13-2008, 03:58 PM	#4
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Just get a pay-ahead debit card and pay with that.

11-14-2008, 07:13 AM	#10
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	I'm betting if AT&T can't love me where I live, then FIOS is probably not available either. I was thinking last night I'm probably being impulsive anyway. I need to get everything else in order before I go too crazy on the extras. Still, I am tired of the games I have at home and have downloaded every game (to flash drive then to home) I could possibly ever want to play. First thing is to get a good outdoor antenna and see what kind of digital programming I can get. Still, the 'net would be nice. Thanks for the ideas...it gives me some options to pursue in the meantime. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

11-14-2008, 08:51 AM	#11
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	You might find something worthwhile (or at least some commiseration) here. My sister's in the same boat, if not worse. No DSL, no cable TV or cable modem, and barely enough mobile phone coverage to call up and say "call be back on my landline."

11-14-2008, 10:41 AM	#12
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Thanks for the link, SD. I may eventually break down and get a cable modem, and bow to the gods we know as Slime-Warner. So much for personal convictions. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

11-14-2008, 08:30 PM	#13
Cicero Looking forward to open mic night. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 5,148	I have that at home. I live in the boonies and have wi-fi. Works like a charm. Satellite is fine m'dear. Don't get all paranoid. __________________ Show me a sane man, and I will cure him for you.- Carl Jung

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