Direcway Internet

PineRidge · Apr 28, 2005

For me the most annoying aspect is the ocassional times it cuts out when sending an email or uploading a post on this forum. Everything disapears and I have to start over again. 

Eddie I don't think that problem is specific to DirecWay. I used DirecWay 4000 myself for a few years and it was satisfactory.

Now I'm on DSL connection and still at times when I hit the post button stuff mysteriously vanishes at times.

I think it's directly related to how long your post is. If it's really long them I find that I have more of a chance of losing it. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I learned the hard way to copy the text into Note-Pad before I hit the post button. It can save a lot of cussing if you do.

FL_Cracker · Apr 30, 2005

(
In short, 2-way satellite is to expensive, sucks, and is my only alternative for the moment.

If it's your only choice, I recommend it. Though I definately do NOT like it.

)

I could not have said it better......

AMEN To THAT

/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

MikePA · Apr 30, 2005

I learned the hard way to copy the text into Note-Pad before... 
No need to copy it into Notepad. Just select all the text, Ctl-C then post. If it gets 'lost', Shift-Insert will copy if from the Clipboard into the new Reply.

NewHollandOwner · Apr 30, 2005

Where in PA are you? I live in Cecil County, MD. We are stuck with Direct way also. Better than dial up, as everyone else has already stated. If you are in Southeastern PA, you may want to look into Bay Broadband. It's a wireless service that boasts speeds that smoke DSL. Now, I don't have it (yet) but the signal is VERY close to me. It is super reasonable in set up and subscription costs. This is supposed to be the "new" frontier in Internet Access. I'm not exactally sure how it works, but sounds like signal is similiar to a cell phone and is picked up by something like a router.
Check out the website, you may contact them about availability. (if you are out west I mayjust have wasted our time).
I would imagine that in the next few years we will ALL be wireless, it makes sense. I'm out in the sticks, we are wasting our time waiting on the local cable compay to "upgrade" the lines, we have just faced the fact that they are NOT going to. Who would, most people are using Direct TV (or insert other provider) and cell phones are taking over land lines daily, so DSL is NOT going to happen here either............
I have also heard some crazy talk about ISP's using the electric lines for Internet, some say it's how the Army used to transmit info years ago??

Westonium · May 2, 2005

NOTE TO ALL USING DIRECWAY:

Are you positive that you can't get WiFi of some sort instead of Direcway? I thought I couldn't either because the WiFi providers tend to be pretty poor at marketing, but sure enough I was in a great zone of 900Mhz WiFi signal. I went through 2 other companies first trying to figure out if there was an alternative to Direcway.

I would just make absolutely certain you've covered all your bases. A WiFi signal doesn't always need line-of-sight. I am surrounded by trees and have great signal. Different providers use different equipment, so YMMV.

I had Direcway and broke the contract on it to get the WiFi. As tech professional I could justify the added cost of breaking the contract. The new service is CHEAPER and FASTER than Direcway by a country mile.

Direcway price for me: $104/month 15 month contract for 768KBPS down/56KBPS up

Local WiFi price for me: $89/month no contract for 1500KBPS down/ 1500KBPS up (T1 equivalent) with static IP (their small business plan).

Local WiFi residential price for me would have been: $49/month no contract for 768KBPS down /768KBPS up

Also, satellite service has a serious delay effect as your conversation goes to-from space. Sure the downstream is quick, but because it has to travel so far, there is a large delay before the information starts coming back to you.

The WiFi access has been outstanding.

PS> Direcway was pretty rude when I called to tell them I wanted to cancel my service

newcountry · May 7, 2005

First, Ditto on Dway. It is OK and a necessary evil because dial-up is just unacceptable. But for $100/month I should have no problems and I do. Trouble with connecting specific sites and e-mail is down about 30% of the time I try to connect. Doesn't play well with ZoneAlarm and Norton Antivirus too. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Now, as far as WiFi, does anyone have web sites to find local companies. I've checked a couple and come up empty. I would change if I could.

Glenn9643 · May 7, 2005

Global Listing of Wireless ISP's (Kansas)

Another Kansas area list

DSL Reports Wireless Forum might be of interest too.

Another thread on this site with some wireless discussion...

newcountry · May 17, 2005

Thanks Glenn!!

Now, if only I can type this before I lose my connection /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif