What are my options?

cypher543 · #1 19th February 2006, 12:47 AM

Here's the story...

I live 7 miles out of the nearest town. However, I am stuck with 31.2kbps internet. Why? Becuase my phone company's DSL area "circle" ends about 2 miles to the east of my property. If i lived 2 miles closer, I would be surfing the net in style... but noooo. Instead, I've got lag and a ton of huge files to download that will take days instead of just hours or even minutes.

I could get satellite internet. But the only kind I can afford is "one-way" package. Meaning, a modem sends a request, and then the satellite sends the content. I haven't heard very goods thing about this type of setup. So that's also not going to happen.

So what are my options??? I desperately need high-speed internet. But for now, I have to drive 20 miles to the nearest wireless coffee shop. I hate that very much...

What should I do?

Johnny Fist · #2 19th February 2006, 12:50 AM

Wait for WiMax.

cypher543 · #3 19th February 2006, 01:06 AM

well... never even heard of that. I'll look into it, though.

I doubt wireless internet is good for a server, though.

Mutt · #4 19th February 2006, 06:20 AM

G'day,

Where do you live? If ya happen to be in Australia (unlikely I know but ya never know) the government will subsidize the cost of getting satellite if you live in a country area with no DSL service. Up to $300 I think. If you're not in Australia maybe it would be worth investigating if your government has a similar scheme.

John

***Firewing1*** · #5 19th February 2006, 06:23 AM

Move 2 miles closer

lol jk... I guess your only option at this point is either wait or get the satalite -- After all, if you don't like it after a month you can always cancel the package.
Firewing1

cypher543 · #6 19th February 2006, 03:00 PM

Thanks for the replies. I found a local ISP that offers state-wide (i'm in the US) wireless internet. Up to 512kbps upload and download. I signed up for a free site survey to see what kind of signal I get here. Hopefully it all works out.

grndplane · #7 19th February 2006, 03:25 PM

Which ISP? Thanks

cypher543 · #8 19th February 2006, 04:04 PM

It's only avaliable in Central Missouri. Sorry.

w5set · #9 19th February 2006, 04:19 PM

That's going to be a good trick to pull off in some of those hills and valleys around parts of Central Mo...

cypher543 · #10 19th February 2006, 05:03 PM

There's a wireless service tower only 10 miles from me and no hills in between. So it should work out ok. That free site evaluation should confirm it, though... *impatiently waits until tuesday*

Zigzagcom · #11 19th February 2006, 05:21 PM

Time to get that Pringles Cantenna ready...

w5set · #12 19th February 2006, 05:36 PM

cantenna??
leftovers from war driving?
hi--hi
cypher543--you must be up on the "Ozark Plateau"
Rolla area?

cypher543 · #13 19th February 2006, 06:05 PM

Warrensburg area, actually. Never even heard of Rolla, Missouri. :P

w5set · #14 19th February 2006, 06:27 PM

Sure you have heard of it--remember the old Smokey & the Bandit movies?
He pronounced it as "roll-ah"--hi--hi
Actually I was born and raised around Houston, Mo.
I have ran all over Mo--so to speak. Warrensburg is far away enough from K.C. area to actually be livable in. Nice place.
WiFi access getting to be the "thing" around here too--every coffee house/and a lot of places offereing it--one local company is even going to put widespread usage up about 12 miles from me, but I think for now I'll stick to DSL..
I would have to put up that 60 ft. tower laying in my backyard and I have enough trouble/worry with lightening with the antennas I have up now (Amateur Radio).

cypher543 · #15 19th February 2006, 07:52 PM

Besides the crappy phone lines, the awful storms, and the absence of good internet service... it is a nice place. :P