Verizon DSL just went to $29.00 a month if you sign up for a one year contract by 3/31.
I would much prefer to have several machines for the redundancy in case one tossed it's cookies rather than combine them all into one. That's one reason I'm trying to set up this Linux machine although I'm think of going to Mac. Would a Mac run on the network and talk to my windows machines?
And I can't imagine wanting to haul around a laptop with me unless I were going away someplace overnight.
We've thought about doing VOIP here. Not sure where the verdict on that is at the moment.
But that $29.99 is for DSL added to an existing POTS line, not "dry" DSL, right? ('Cause if I'm still paying for the POTS line, then the total cost per month is closer to $60.)
The redundancy issues is a very good point. I've already had two Macs, a Windows machine, and a couple of Linux boxes die. Having spare hardware meant I could transplant the drives (or in the case of the Win95 machine, just do without for now, since I've also got WinNT and Win2K in the house). Putting all my eggs in one basket means having to be able to really trust that basket.
I already carry too much stuff in my purse and an SLR or two, so I shouldn't be thinking about adding a laptop to the weight on my left shoulder, but I think I can imagine doing so. It would be a noticeable change though, and make my "everyday everywhere stuff" a bulkier bundle. So even though I didn't dwell on that above, it's a serious effect-on-lifestyle consideration. Small, but significant.
I'll add that I know you are larger and stronger than I am but even with me carrying a very small backpack and wearing both straps to distribute the weight, when my fibro is acting up like it has been lately, adding the extra weight of even a very lightweight laptop would be out of the question.
And yes, I do believe that the DSL is on top of the landline but don't you have that already?
When I first got a cell phone, it was because with my existing pattern of use it was cheaper than getting a second landline and racking up long distance charges. Now I've gotten used to the mobile aspect of having a cell phone. If I give up the mobility and can use VOIP to avoid long-distance charges, then I can use the cell phone money to pay for DSL (assuming I can reliably come up with that money -- right now I just do without my (prepaid) cell when I can't afford more airtime). I've got some thinking to do.
*nod* Like I said, I shouldn't be thinking about adding more weight ...
And yes, I already have a landline, but despite the daydream involving unrealistic one-time hardware costs, the notion that spurred me on that flight of fancy was the idea of a connection-speed upgrade that didn't increase my monthly bill. If I could replace the POTS line with DSL for $30-$40 per month, then DSL would make economic sense. If I could replace the combination of cell phone and POTS with a broadband connection that cost about the same as those two together, that would also be an economically neutral change. (The hitch there is that the connection would have to travel with me if it were to replace the cell phone functionality, which led to the expensive thought experiment.)
But now that you've got me thinking about it ... if I'm willing to give up the cell phone, putting DSL on top of my POTS line would mean I could use the landline for voice calls, so I'd still have voice connectivity. I'd just have to give up the ability to do be connected via voice and SMS when I'm out of the house. The mobile aspect wasn't the reason I got a cell phone in the first place, but I've gotten rather accustomed to having that. I need to sit down and seriously consider just how important having a cell phone is to me, and whether it would make more sense to spend that money on DSL instead.
(There's another aspect, since my cell phone is one of the prepaid plans. Right now, if I'm short on cash one month and run out of airtime, I just do without my phone until I can afford to buy more minutes. With a conventional cell plan (which would be cheaper per minute), or with DSL, spending that money wouldn't be flexible -- if I don't have the money to pay the monthly fee, I get late charges, nastygrams, and eventually termination of service that's more of a pain to re-establish than just buying a phone card at 7-11. If I had a steady income, then the idea of increasing my monthly phone bill by $30 probably wouldn't be a problem -- that's actually pretty cheap for just about everybody but me.)
If I had a steady income, then the idea of increasing my monthly phone bill by $30 probably wouldn't be a problem -- that's actually pretty cheap for just about everybody but me.)
My SSD and SSI total less than $600 a month so, trust me, I understand that one!
(no subject)
I would much prefer to have several machines for the redundancy in case one tossed it's cookies rather than combine them all into one. That's one reason I'm trying to set up this Linux machine although I'm think of going to Mac. Would a Mac run on the network and talk to my windows machines?
And I can't imagine wanting to haul around a laptop with me unless I were going away someplace overnight.
We've thought about doing VOIP here. Not sure where the verdict on that is at the moment.
(no subject)
The redundancy issues is a very good point. I've already had two Macs, a Windows machine, and a couple of Linux boxes die. Having spare hardware meant I could transplant the drives (or in the case of the Win95 machine, just do without for now, since I've also got WinNT and Win2K in the house). Putting all my eggs in one basket means having to be able to really trust that basket.
I already carry too much stuff in my purse and an SLR or two, so I shouldn't be thinking about adding a laptop to the weight on my left shoulder, but I think I can imagine doing so. It would be a noticeable change though, and make my "everyday everywhere stuff" a bulkier bundle. So even though I didn't dwell on that above, it's a serious effect-on-lifestyle consideration. Small, but significant.
(no subject)
And yes, I do believe that the DSL is on top of the landline but don't you have that already?
DSL & POTS
Don't forget: If you get Verizon DSL added to an existing Verizon landline, you can use it for both Net access and voice calls at the same time.
Re: DSL & POTS
Re: DSL & POTS
(no subject)
And yes, I already have a landline, but despite the daydream involving unrealistic one-time hardware costs, the notion that spurred me on that flight of fancy was the idea of a connection-speed upgrade that didn't increase my monthly bill. If I could replace the POTS line with DSL for $30-$40 per month, then DSL would make economic sense. If I could replace the combination of cell phone and POTS with a broadband connection that cost about the same as those two together, that would also be an economically neutral change. (The hitch there is that the connection would have to travel with me if it were to replace the cell phone functionality, which led to the expensive thought experiment.)
But now that you've got me thinking about it ... if I'm willing to give up the cell phone, putting DSL on top of my POTS line would mean I could use the landline for voice calls, so I'd still have voice connectivity. I'd just have to give up the ability to do be connected via voice and SMS when I'm out of the house. The mobile aspect wasn't the reason I got a cell phone in the first place, but I've gotten rather accustomed to having that. I need to sit down and seriously consider just how important having a cell phone is to me, and whether it would make more sense to spend that money on DSL instead.
(There's another aspect, since my cell phone is one of the prepaid plans. Right now, if I'm short on cash one month and run out of airtime, I just do without my phone until I can afford to buy more minutes. With a conventional cell plan (which would be cheaper per minute), or with DSL, spending that money wouldn't be flexible -- if I don't have the money to pay the monthly fee, I get late charges, nastygrams, and eventually termination of service that's more of a pain to re-establish than just buying a phone card at 7-11. If I had a steady income, then the idea of increasing my monthly phone bill by $30 probably wouldn't be a problem -- that's actually pretty cheap for just about everybody but me.)
(no subject)
My SSD and SSI total less than $600 a month so, trust me, I understand that one!
(no subject)