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story category Going Back to 56K
One UK broadband user unimpressed
(old news - 05:35PM Monday Feb 07 2005)
tags: bandwidth
We've seen several stories where users claim that the hassle of keeping their computer updated and secure has forced them to quit the internet. Techdirt today points to this BBC story about one man who says he's going back to dial-up because "there isn't really that much I can do with broadband."

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Forums » Going Back to 56K
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rbright
Premium
join:2002-12-10
Lexington, KY
clubs:

1 edit

His Choice

However, I see plenty of reasons to stick with my broadband connection. If he was unable to see the benefits, there wouldn't be much use in trying to explain them to him.

NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX

Re: His Choice

I think a page load from CNN is now nearly a meg.. god help you if you like the news on dialup.

aztecnology
O Rly?
Premium
join:2003-02-12
Murrieta, CA
Send him back to 2800 baud...

antdude
A Ninja Ant
Premium,VIP
join:2001-03-25

Re: His Choice

said by aztecnology See Profile:

Send him back to 2800 baud...
2800? Did you mean 2400?

aztecnology
O Rly?
Premium
join:2003-02-12
Murrieta, CA

Re: His Choice

I was actually thinking 9600 at the time... doing too many things at once...:D

Dustyn
Premium
join:2003-02-26
Ontario, CAN

I can understand how he feels. He just wants to use the internet without worrying about how much time he has to invest in learning about the dangers and threats. Dial-up provides a little better security from hackers.
Not everyone wants to spend every waking moment online seeing if they are up to date on the security front, antivirus, anti-spyware....ect...ect. It can all get too tiresome.
--
"You have no idea what I am capable of. People who have tried to cross me, have lived to regret it... ~Michelle Stafford (Phyllis)

lyls

@tele.dk

Re: His Choice

uhm no that wasnt why :P didnt seem like that at all anyway... you dont think you can get worms and spyware on 56k? =)

Dustyn
Premium
join:2003-02-26
Ontario, CAN

Re: His Choice

said by lyls:

uhm no that wasnt why :P didnt seem like that at all anyway... you dont think you can get worms and spyware on 56k? =)
Of course you can...
I'm talking more about hackers.
There is LESS chance of being probed on an unsecured dial-up connection than there is on a secured DSL/Cable connection. Why? Because Dial-Up is in a completely different range than that of DSL/Cable. Hackers won't waste time trying to bring down a dial-up connection that doesn't stay connected for long.
--
"You have no idea what I am capable of. People who have tried to cross me, have lived to regret it... ~Michelle Stafford (Phyllis)

johndoe234

@starstream.net

Re: His Choice

Not really. I know plenty of people who got hit by worms like blaster who were using dial up. It may offer a slight security advantage over having a computer directly connected to the Internet over broadband, but it is by no means safer than being behind a router.
MM331
Premium
join:2005-01-22
Miami, FL
I am with Lightning bolt DSL here and My uploads are slower than Dialup at a whopping 0002 UP. Downloads are ok at 2k (+/-) 10% on 3k/384 line. I do have the use of the phone while online.

Titus Pullo
I came, I saw, I slept

join:2004-06-26
·Embarq

Did anyone read the article? Unless I need a college refund pronto, it's an essay on what some people do with their time once they have BB, not a debate on one access method versus another.

IMO, the author makes a valid point: There will always be people that spend most of their spare time on line even with a dial-up connection; the point -- I think, anyway -- is that once you obtain 'the need for speed' that BB provides, the possibility of worsening an Internet addiction, whether latent or full-blown, is certainly more likely. Sure, you can be a boozer w/dialup; what are you with T2 speeds and more?

An Internet addictive personality + BB, to some folks, would be akin to capturing a bear only to find themselves in the cage with it -- at least I believe that's what the article was driving at.
--
"The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppose." -- Frederick Douglass

Sailor Enlil

@pldt.net

Here's my take (which I submitted to the form on that website with the report but I'm not sure it will get published). Once I got hooked on ADSL I never looked back at 56k. One of the biggest problems of Dial-up internet in my locality is a Busy phone line, which happens too often, especially during peak hours, and moreso with the popularity of pre-paid dial-up internet cards, thus dial-up servers these days bite off more than they can chew. What good is a "cheap" connection if you can't get through most of the time? And what's more, I often had to resort to staying up at the ungodly off-peak hours (like 3 in the morning!) to use the internet more effectively with dial-up. And given how sophisticated webpages are now with graphics and flash animation and stuff, loading a webpage alone can take eons these days on dial-up, which also means lots of minutes of connection time, which increases the charges (in fact I found that I often ended up with much higher bills with metered 56k than I have now with flat-rate ADSL because of necessary connection time). No thanks, my "need for speed" has to be satisfied and I won't settle for anything slower than 384kbps. Oh and another thing, 56k dial-up just won't do for the 3 Networked PC's in my house that share our internet connection.
davebenham

join:2002-01-31
Round Lake, IL

1 edit

what a power user

He was probably using his broadband connection just to check his email once a day.

Redlight
Rarr

join:2001-12-01
Bridgeport, OH

Ugh no way

I could never think of going back to dial up!

fegul
Premium
join:2004-08-23
united state

Re: Ugh no way

said by Redlight See Profile:

I could never think of going back to dial up!
Life B.B (Before Broadband) was rough. Life B.C (Before Computers) would be even worse!
--
The true might of an empire.»www.fegul.blogspot.com

Dustyn
Premium
join:2003-02-26
Ontario, CAN

said by Redlight See Profile:

I could never think of going back to dial up!
Me either! 56K is okay for casual web page surfing but not when you want to download the latest service pack from Microsoft. I also don't want to go back to dial-up because I can appreciate being able to use the phone and the internet at the same time. I find being able to use the internet+phone at the same time pretty cool when you have a DSL line.... how it's done is neat.
--
"You have no idea what I am capable of. People who have tried to cross me, have lived to regret it... ~Michelle Stafford (Phyllis)

atangel
Now What??
Premium
join:2002-02-18
Bronx, NY

He' Got a Point, But Not For Me

Well, he's got something of a point actually. Unless you are downloading volumes of music or shareware or get large attachments, regular Web (not Internet) content just doesn't require it yet.

It is a lot to pay for standard e-mail and google surfing only.

Starfish
Per Ardua Ad Astra
ExMod 2002-04
join:2000-12-28
Netherlands
clubs:

Re: He' Got a Point, But Not For Me

I think it does indeed depend on ones priorities...

Another alternative is to opt for a 'light' version of a cable/dsl connection:

Then you don't pay a lot for 'unused speed' (assuming you're not downloading massive amounts of data), but you would still have the connection that's 'always on'.

In my '33K6 days' I didn't have a problem with dialing up every day or so to quickly check some mail.

Nowadays I don't even want to think about the hassle of establishing a connection every time I need to look something up. However, this is also because I'm a University student now and everything like course details, assignments, etc is published online.

So next to speed alone, I also think it depends a lot on how often one needs to look something up online.

Vamp
5c077
Premium
join:2003-01-28
MD
·Verizon FIOS

said by atangel See Profile:

regular Web (not Internet) content just doesn't require it yet.

WRONG, you know how freakin slow browsing pages with dialup is? specially stuff like ebay, etc.

lxAstrosxl
Premium
join:2000-10-13
Carol Stream, IL
clubs:

Re: He' Got a Point, But Not For Me

said by Vamp See Profile:

said by atangel See Profile:


regular Web (not Internet) content just doesn't require it yet.

WRONG, you know how freakin slow browsing pages with dialup is? specially stuff like ebay, etc.
i have 56k and ebay and other sites load just fine and within an understandable time. matter of few seconds longer then broadband.
miniponyboy

join:2005-02-07
Chelsea, QC

Re: He' Got a Point, But Not For Me

said by lxAstrosxl See Profile:

i have 56k and ebay and other sites load just fine and within an understandable time. matter of few seconds longer then broadband.
I don't know what is up with other people who noisly complains but I agree with you there lxAstro

kill the huge ad (leave them as still small jpg banners)...shun Flash back to only for games or 'online' programs....write websites better (pointing to particular webmasters) then there...its already manageable for any kind of supportable dialup modems [that is 28.8 to 56 ones]



mpb

The Flash
You don't win friends with salad
Premium
join:2002-10-17
Toronto, ON

.

at least we know he wasn't horny.

John Galt
Forward, March
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
·CenturyLink

Re: .

said by The Flash See Profile:

at least we know he wasn't horny.
He's British....!



Just kiddin', mates!
--
A is A

KeepOnRockin
Music Lover Forever
Premium
join:2002-11-08
Beaverton, OR
·Comcast

Re: ...


Well, if P2P did not exist in some form (or was outlawed) I would seriously consider going back to 56k.

Truth be told, I can check my email and surf the web just fine on a dial-up (I know, I did it for years).

I pay $65.95 a month for broadband and I make sure I get my money's worth of use out of it every month.

I hardly ever paid a monthly fee for dial-up when I used it (I bounced from free providers and services like MSN that gave me a lot free months). I would only be paying for the physical land line.

Techless
Like I care
Premium
join:2002-07-19
Hypoluxo
Guess he never got the Viagra spam

TheGiant
Next Year Is Here.

join:2001-03-28
Knoxville, TN

Why?

That would be like going back to Black and white TVs Who needs color? Might as well get the old 486 fired up and give that P4 away while he is at it.

Dominokat
"Hi"
Premium
join:2002-08-06
Boothbay, ME
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable

56k is FAST!

Before Adelphia provided cable broadband to my house, my DAIL UP was 26.4k AT BEST. 56k would have felt like broadband to me.
Now I have true broadband and I will NEVER consider going back to dial up speeds.
--
The Following Statement Is False; The Previous Statement Is True. Welcome To Our Corner of the Universe. (“Andromeda”)

Dude111
An Awesome Dude
Premium
join:2003-08-04
USA

Re: 56k is FAST!

Why would anyone wanna go back 2 56k,it doesnt make ne sense!!
Roop

join:2003-11-15
Ottawa, ON

Re: 56k is FAST!

i couldn't go back to 56k, primarily. i have dsl and cable. when those both go down (power outage) then i use 56k on my laptop. it's not fast but i can check my email and post on bbr.

BlitzenZeus
Burnt Out Cynic
Premium,MVM
join:2000-01-13
Beaverton, OR
·Verizon FIOS
·Verizon Online DSL

People who can't do without broadband need to be separated from their computer, and internet connection for a month to straighten their priorities

Dial-up is what most people need if they need a internet connection, while its not fast anymore, most of the people spoiled by broadband likely never used computer in the days when 14.4Kbit modems were the fastest connection possible unless you were just extremely rich, and when 28.8/31.2KBit modems came out, they were amazing at the time...
--
My hourly rates:
$25 per hour.
$35 per hour if you want to watch.
$45 per hour if you want to help.
$75 per hour if you tried to fix it, and failed.
The biggest error is sitting in front of your keyboard.
packetl0ss

join:2004-12-10

1 edit

Re: 56k is FAST!

Try downloading the latest Linux distributions on dial-up. Get back to me next week when you are done downloading only one distribution.
BosstonesOwn

join:2002-12-15
Everett, MA
clubs:
·Comcast
·Comcast Formerly ..

Re: 56k is FAST!

said by packetl0ss See Profile:

Try downloading the latest Linux distributions on dial-up. Get back to me next week when you are done downloading only one distribution.
haha at 20 megs a second on 56 k it takes more then a week solid to get the whole dvd lol. 5 cds at 600 megs each is 30 hours each cd in optimal speeds.
--
"It's always funny until someone gets hurt......and then it's absolutely friggin' hysterical!"
DSL Oberst

join:2001-11-29

Try downloading the latest Linux distributions on dial-up. Get back to me next week when you are done downloading only one distribution.

Again, that is for power-user or a gamer. If all you do with the internet is check and write email once, maybe twice a day, then do you require broadband?
packetl0ss

join:2004-12-10

Re: 56k is FAST!

Sure. Writing one or two emails a day might tie up the phone line long enough to miss a call coming in during that. There are people who merely use broadband to ensure they don't tie up the phone line and miss a call when reading and replying to emails once a day.

SRFireside

join:2001-01-19
Houston, TX

Re: 56k is FAST!

Only if the cost of having the phone line free is not too excessive. Some people might not see that "what if..." scenario be enough to justify a $25-$40 monthly cost.

Aggie Dan
Stop... Reverse That.
Premium
join:2001-01-30
Frisco, TX
clubs:

Oh, I *could* get away from broadband (and my computer at home) for a month... In fact I gave up using the computer for any sort of recreation for Lent a few years back. Talk about a rough 40 days.

But, for me broadband is a necessity. It actually improves my quality of life and that of my spouse. We both work in the telecommunications industry and do programming and data analysis.

Since we live 30 miles from either of our jobs, having broadband in order to remote into our jobs is a life saver. Especially since the round trip (without getting out of our cars) is an hour.

Admittedly, we are technophiles with six computers in the house (2 run Windows XP, 2 dual boot Windows XP and Gentoo Linux, and 2 run Gentoo Linux exclusively) sharing a Linksys B/G router with speedbooster.

And I admit I'm spoiled. But, I know how bad it can be. I've been around long enough to remember when 14.4 was REALLY fast. I also remember when 6 guys I knew all chipped in to buy a 1 x speed CD burner that was over $1,000. Plus, when I visit my mother, the fastest that I've ever connected on her computer is 26.4K. Working from her place was unbelievably slow.
--
Note : The statements made by myself are my own and not the opinions of my employer or of my coworkers. 15.81 GHz Crunching Power | The Ryan Foundation for MPS Children

JammerMan79
Premium,VIP
join:2004-05-13
Prince George, BC


1 edit
said by BlitzenZeus See Profile:


People who can't do without broadband need to be separated from their computer, and internet connection for a month to straighten their priorities

Dial-up is what most people need if they need a internet connection, while its not fast anymore, most of the people spoiled by broadband likely never used computer in the days when 14.4Kbit modems were the fastest connection possible unless you were just extremely rich, and when 28.8/31.2KBit modems came out, they were amazing at the time...
have you ever tried talking on the phone while a dialup connection is running?

I remember when 2400 baud was cool

PhoenixDown
-- Wants FIOS
Premium
join:2003-06-08
Fresh Meadows, NY
clubs:
LOL I had one of those 14.4's and I remember when I plugged in that 56k modem how fast it was to surf. ::memories:: lol
--
www.pulsetoday.com -- marketing forums!
SNOldak924

join:2003-06-15
Bethesda, MD

The problems aren't with the users. They are with the obnoxious web developers who love to make splash screens, full-flash sites, background music, hundreds of flashing gif advertisements, etc. Try waiting a whole minute for a popup to load, and you'll be begging for broadband in no time.

techie
Premium
join:2003-06-18
Canada
clubs:
·Cogeco Cable
·Rogers Hi-Speed

Re: 56k is FAST!

said by SNOldak924 See Profile:

The problems aren't with the users. They are with the obnoxious web developers who love to make splash screens, full-flash sites, background music, hundreds of flashing gif advertisements, etc. Try waiting a whole minute for a popup to load, and you'll be begging for broadband in no time.
»www.die-gaming.com/

Imagine loading this on dial-up.
underscore

join:2004-04-20
Fairfax, VA

said by Dude111 See Profile:

Why would anyone wanna go back 2 56k,it doesnt make ne sense!!
Read the article, he clearly states why. He reverted to 56k because he had an internet addiction. The limitations of dialup stopped him from wandering the web endlessly and wasting away on the computer.
techjunkie13

join:2005-01-18
Covington, IN


1 edit

Re: 56k is FAST!

Yea all I kept thinking as I read the article was: OK, so we are getting rid of Broadband because we have no self control? Then I read the replies to the article and added, So we are getting rid of Broadband because we have no self control and can't keep ourselves from breaking the law using P2P?

Using that logic I extended the idea to: I tend to drive over the speed limit on the interstate. I should sell my car and get a bike? Obviously I have no self control and can't abide by the law!

This is silly in my opinion. By the time I pay SBC 20.00 a month for a second line and anywhere from 10.00 to 20.00 for good dial-up service I have spent as much if not more than my Broadband connection. (Yes,in my opinion, a second line is necessary if you have to use the internet for work of any kind and use dial-up.)

Good grief have a little self control! I get sick and tired of people making excuses for simply not being responsible and having self control. So it is Broadband's fault that you are piddling away your life on the internet and breaking the law. Give me a break!

Ok my little rant is over. I wanted to say all of the above to the gentleman that wrote the article but vented on all of you instead.

My apologies but I just couldn't control myself and it is all Broadband's fault!

SRFireside

join:2001-01-19
Houston, TX

Re: 56k is FAST!

Maybe his reasons were extreme, but dialup still serves a very useful purpose for a lot of people. For one dialup can be had for around $10 or less a month. Over 50% less than the cheapest cable or DSL offering from the major players. And with some people that cost makes all the difference. All they do is check email, go to a site or two, and maybe visit a chat room. The wait time for them is worth the savings. Then you have the people who are still not in an area where they can get broadband. Sad reality in this day and age.

Of course broadband is great. It gives you much more bang for your Internet buck. Just saying not everybody wants to get the most out of their Internet link.
techjunkie13

join:2005-01-18
Covington, IN

Re: 56k is FAST!

I can't argue that for some people Dial-Up is enough. I guess I am arguing with the logic that the man in the BBC article used for going back to Dial-Up and that was basically a lack of self control.

At least that is how I viewed the entire article. Maybe I ranted somewhat but when people make decisions based on a lack of self control and then try to justify it by arguing that: Well dial-up is just about as good as Broadband and keeps me honest, I just want to scream.

Well at least I feel better for venting my frustration. And I still blame my broadband for my lack of self control.
xlimitx

join:2001-12-31
Wilkes Barre, PA
I guess you could always use one of those dial-up accelerator programs that some ISPs use. Even then, it can't be that much faster.

EFudd
Premium
join:2001-09-08
Brownsville, OH

I've been around long enough to remember the VIC20 and a 300baud modem. When we went to 1200baud it was sooo fast we had to learn how to stop the scrolling so we could read the text that just flew by.

Going back to a modem connection in my area would not be going back to 56k, but to less than 28k because the phone line quality is terrible( this in a newly built house, its the telephone lines outside the house ).

The guy in the article switched back to dialup because he couldn't control his internet use. He was reading everything and doing everything he could both at work and at home. He was a true broadband 'junkie'. He noticed the problem and is now doing the equivalent of cutting up his credit cards.

I can understand where he's coming from, but from a computer perspective before broadband was available. I quit computers completely around 12 years ago and stayed away from them for about 5 years because they consumed my life. I got back into computers and networking when a friend brought me along when he was setting up a small business network. When I saw what he was doing, and that he was really getting paid for what he was doing, I became a computer junkie again... and have loved every minute of it every since.

The guy in the article will be back... its only a matter of time.
--
Do you SetiAtHome | As you place limits and controls on me, you place them on yourselves.

Dude111
An Awesome Dude
Premium
join:2003-08-04
USA
·Time Warner VOIP


1 edit
I remember 2400 baud on my commie!!!!! (Ah the commie,a classic friend!!!!)

I remember some guy @ a computer place tell me that 2400 wouldnt work on the commie,it was too fast.....Heh,i was told on some sites (bbs's) that it would work........

I went out and got the best 2400Baud modem i ever had.....A Supramodem 2400 -- It was wonderfull on My commie!!!

I was also told that You could run 9600 on it,i didnt ever try that....I do know though the processor wouldnt be able to keep up with a file transfer @ 9600 though,CPU not fast enough.....But regular surfing via a term program would work (I have ccgms 13.3) -- My commie's right here next to my other computer

I remember doing some funny shit,i 3 wayed a voice mail box and my call to a BBS together,i recorded the data,then i logged off the site,called the voice mail back,played the message back and typed atx3d with my modem and it hopped onto the recorded data (I was watching myself on the site from before,perfectally!!! 2400 baud recorded w/no problems,etc.....1200 wasnt so good,but 2400 worked fine)
BIGHUSKER

join:2002-01-20
Minneapolis, MN

1 edit

You almost need broadband just to surf the web...

With all the images/flash/ads, many pages (cnn, cnnsi, espn) take a few seconds to load even on my 4mbps cable connection. It would be hell on 56K. He'll be back.
animepenguin

join:2001-04-29
Arecibo, PR

p2p

He probably kept getting those letters for sharing movies or music
--
Annoying people here for 3 years :-P

sbrook
Premium,Mod
join:2001-12-14
H0H 0H0

Re: p2p

Remember that in the UK, broadband can be anything from 128K up!

OreoleO
Wanna Settle This Outside??

join:2004-05-22
Feasterville Trevose, PA

And this

And this deserves a head-line, pfff.
I would never be able to go back to dial-up, i download movies and etc. once in a while, but the thing that got me most annoyed was the fact u needed a free line unless you want to not be available all the time.
digital k
Premium
join:2003-12-25

omg

"there isn't really that much I can do with broadband."

::stumbles....then faints:::
attsbcisgay

join:2003-03-18
Beverly Hills, CA

Re: omg

not impressed? lol. Me want faster connection plus lower prices too.

Amen.

DrewCapu
Giant Diehard

join:2001-12-19
California
clubs:

If it comes to it...

I can still do everything I need to do on 14.4 or 28.8.

I can still use lynx/links to do all the browsing I need to do. I can check my webmail through lynx just fine thank you very much. Whatever your connection speed is, text still transfers quite quickly.

The story changes once you have to accomplish some work uploading or downloading large image files. Everything else is mostly for play.
digital k
Premium
join:2003-12-25

Re: If it comes to it...

Even for the most basic of browsing, broadband is a must. I have been at friends' homes using their dial up and its frustrating waiting 5 minutes for a page to load. You might say you could live with 56k that its 'more than enough' , switch back right now and report back in a weeks time...lol
techjunkie13

join:2005-01-18
Covington, IN

Remembering a month ago when I did not have DSL and trying to share a 56K connection with two children. (shudder)

Maybe dial-up is ok for limited use such as e-mail and limited browsing but in a multi user environment broadband is a must and really not more expensive than a second line and good dial-up service.

I can NEVER go back, just the thought makes me dizzy!

calvoiper

join:2003-03-31
Belvedere Tiburon, CA

On rejecting technological advances....

There are people who have given up their cars, who no longer wear watches, or who don't own a television.

None of these are "news", and neither are a few folks who, for one reason or another, exercise their personal right to choose not to subscribe to broadband.

The BBC is either suffering a slow news day or looking for a misleading boost in their loosing war against Internet based news outlets....

calvoiper
--
VoIP--the death knell of remaining voice monopolies!
nozzer

join:2004-06-25
Waltham, MA

Re: On rejecting technological advances....

No dude, its about "getting a life". Going out and meeting people, that sort of thing.
A downside in the US is the lack of decent pubs. In the US the "bar" is usually a dark place sad people go to get drunk. In the UK the pub is a place you can nurse a beer for an hour or two and have an intelligent conversation with total strangers, or make new friends.

noz
piptech

join:2002-11-02
11900

Doesn't bug phone line

I've been waiting for BB for a year due to DSL distance issues. Once on it, I feel that I'm in heaven. Altho the plan is 512/256, the speeds are consistent - what can I say, I'm the 1st and probably only ones on the node.

TV episodes are legal, right? He should get a webcam.

oliphant
I Have 8 Boobies
Premium
join:2004-11-26
Corona, CA


4 edits

Not alone...

After years of being a warez whore and all that personally I've grown a bit bored with the internet. Content is stagnant. Now it's less entertainment and just at tool which is why I'm not quite ready for going back to dial up but would be interested in a dirt cheap 128/128 or something like that.

Save for online gaming there really isn't anything I do with my DSL that I couldn't do on dialup. IMO, broadband kinda killed the internet by it allowing developers to create high bandwidth crap like flash everything. To me macromedia has done more the ruin the internet experience than anything. I liked it better when it more was simpler and too the point. Like most things, commercialization has killed it to the point you have to have broadband to download all the friggin' ads. So I for one long for the days of Netcom netcruiser, 5 minutes to download a single jpg of pr0n, run through separate uue decode software just to find out the chick is haggit with a giant hairy bush. Of course that is a step up from a BBS. But that's just my rant on an internet message board about how the internet sux.
--
Don't get it, demand it! The Anime Network www.theanimenetwork.com
markopoleo

join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO
·Charter Pipeline

Dialup is almost as expensive as broadband now

You spend about $15-20 a month for a 2nd phone line like most did with dialup,then another $10-20 for ISP. Your getting close to Broadband prices. Heck lots of computers don't even come with dial up modems anymore so you have to fork over a few bucks there to get started.

I mean to each its own, I know broadband is not for everyone, but you will still be cheaper than dialup even if you get lowest DSL/cable package offered.

Why does he worry about security anyways? Everything is autoupdateing you don't even have to care about it with a router. lol
dibbb

join:2003-09-19
·Time Warner VOIP

Re: Dialup is almost as expensive as broadband now

I would cut off my TV and phone service before I quit broadband! Like the other guy, my first modem was 1200 baud, and there was nothing to "surf" to at the time, it was only local bulletin board services with not much on them.

I've got a 2 year old baby, and thankfully she'll never have to "suffer" with dial-up in her life...

Kids don't know how good they have it! She has her own PC, I didn't get mine until I was 15, and it was a 1MHz Tandy. Yes, ONE MHz.

lol

Welcome to the 21st Century guy.

Tzale
Proud Libertarian Conservative
Premium
join:2004-01-06
Sweden
·Verizon FIOS
·Optimum Online

Re: Dialup is almost as expensive as broadband now

said by dibbb See Profile:

I would cut off my TV and phone service before I quit broadband! Like the other guy, my first modem was 1200 baud, and there was nothing to "surf" to at the time, it was only local bulletin board services with not much on them.

I've got a 2 year old baby, and thankfully she'll never have to "suffer" with dial-up in her life...

Kids don't know how good they have it! She has her own PC, I didn't get mine until I was 15, and it was a 1MHz Tandy. Yes, ONE MHz.

lol

Welcome to the 21st Century guy.
They're not really that lucky. The same thing can be said about you! Something some guy in his 40's got when you got it at 15 (1MHz Tandy).

It's true for every generation, one generation receives the technology and the other is born into it.

It all balances out in the end.

-Tzale
--
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security."--Benjamin Franklinhttp://www.megaherz.com

Anonymous
Premium
join:2004-06-01
IA
·Mediacom

Read the article

"Threats of divorce stopped me playing online games a few years ago."

He calls himself "a committed early adopter and geek".

OK first of all his wife is more important to him than his 'phat pipe'. Also the fact that he has a wife means he's no geek.

"...but now I've given up on Windows and got a Mac instead."

Well no wonder he says "there isn't really that much I can do with broadband."

That's his problem. There is not much to do if you use a Mac.
--
anon43@gmail.com

broadbandjunkie

@mindspring.com

porno

until I find me a spouce internet will be my sex life.is that good enough of reason to keep broadband?I'd think so.
liquidice

join:2002-08-25
Naperville, IL

56k made me go broke

I ended up going back to 56k for one month. In the end I called and go broadband again. The reason for this was I ended up with a $400 cell phone bill. It was either get broadband again or buy a second phone line. I knew the costs and got what I wanted. Plus I run several servers so its essential that I have it.
bac522

join:2003-08-04
Manchester, NH

Re: 56k made me go broke

maybe dial-up is the only thing he can get in his outhouse...

borredo
Premium
join:2004-03-29
Allentown, PA
·Service Electric B..

going crazy

in florida.....

i'm staying in florida for the months of Jan. & Feb.

i'm stuck with dial-up. the condo were i'm staying at is supposed to have wireless, well noone has it in the whole building, the tech dude is braindead!

A long time user of DSL, it's flat out a kick in the ass to negotiate with dial-up.

I equate it to driving on the Schuylkill expressway (dial-up)during rush hour, versus a wide open three lane highway (broadband) with no other traffic.

F U C K the RIAA

@hub3.csolv

Reality Check

I recently read (within the last month or two, can't remember where now) that over 50% of ALL internet users still connect via dial-up. Many do not even get close to 56k speeds due to aged infrastructure at their local telco. For most of these people there is NO broadband available, at any price, other than satellite (hello 2500 ping). I myself fall into this unfortunate category, living in a rural area which will see high speed by April, 2045 at the latest (guaranteed, promise). This is the reality outside of metropolitan areas on most of this planet. So, if you can get broadband, count yourself lucky...but don't delude yourself that everyone has it. This is the thinking that leads to out of control web site design, where the file transfer requirements to load the page become unimportant because "every one has high speed now" - except that they don't. As a side note, with a good 56k external modem, a properly optimised PC and a good ISP, I find my connection speed is not that much noticeably slower than many friends high speed (using Mozilla, in subjective tests, many sites take only slightly longer to load; with IE not so much). I can still play games online (MoH, CoD, UTK4,CnCGenZH, WolfET etc.) though I have to restrict myself to servers with not more than about 12 players. I use nicks like "The_Lag" or "Massive_Lag" for a laugh, and will sometimes get kicked for high ping, though this does not happen too often. My average ping is 150 to 250 to servers not too far away. If there was any kind of broadband/highspeed available here, I would get it, but since my area is thinly populated, that is not likely to happen anytime soon, even WI-MAX is problematic here due to the local hilly topography. Airship?
Forums » Going Back to 56Kpage: 1 · 2


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