Cable vs. Satellite Internet Access

[denton]

I have cable broadband, and that's what I would recommend.

Satellite tends to be very fast on the download, but pokey on the upload... at least last time I checked.

Cable is also slower on the upload than the download, but is still 386K up, and 3M down.

My package cost $100 to install, and $65 per month, and that is the zippier commercial package. It's $50 if you want the "home" version.

Buy a $45 router, and hook the output of the cable modem to it, and you have the basics of a network, if you have more than one computer. Or, spend a little more, and get one with the G version of an RF router, and put your laptop on the network wirelessly.

Each network card has a MAC ID number, and your cable hookup is specific to that MAC ID. When you hook up the router, be sure that the only computer connected is the one that the cable guy sets you up on. When you turn on the router, one of the first things it asks is if you want to clone the MAC ID. Click yes, and the router will automatically assume that number, and assign new numbers for the rest of the computers. Presto, all your computers are can connect through the router.