Free DSL, warm at best

[GlowxBacon]

I am sure most of you know about this website, but for thoughs of you that don't:

www.freedsl.com

they claim to offer free DSL in certain cities and are growing fast. Only catch you have to buy a modem and put up with what is called a "small ad bar". but like I said warm at best. Please don't crucify me, its my first attemt at a deal.

 

[perry]

Small ad bar = cheap 98 machine w/ no monitor with NAT and firewall software installed. Need to see the screen? That's what VNC is for.

 

[Wedesdo]

or you pay $19/month and get 384KB downloads and no ads - like I am doing right now

 

[Dhendra]

384kbps downloads for only $19/month? Wow...wished it was available here, although it's not the best bang for your buck (Sprint ION 1.5mbps down for $44.95), it's still a hot deal for $19/month. You really don't need more than 50kb/s, realistically (for an average user)...

 

[stiltner]

You really don't need more than 50kb/s, realistically (for an average user).

Hrrrm, kinda reminds me of the 640K is enough for anyone statement.

I got 1mbit downline cable modem, I can max it out in about 10 seconds worth of downloading. It'll peak around 1.5mb/sec and I could always use more bandwidth. There's no such thing as too much

 

[abracadabra1]

i disagree...i think 10MB connections are needed my many of us, needed.
but i actually wrote to warn of freedsl, lots of concerns there.
check out DSLReports

 

[unhuman]

It takes them Forever to set up the connection. I'm still waiting for mine.... Been 2 months so far.

-Howie

 

[jacobnero6918]

I waited for 4 months and then got the stupid notice that they couldn't activate me. They say they will work with my local phone company (AmeriCrap) til they get it setup but I figure that may take a year and I'll be using cable long before than.

 

[joecool222111]

i wish i could get dsl but ill stick with my 7 buck a month local isp

 

[cheapherk]

I thought I wanted DSL until I got a cable modem. A friend of mine has Bell Atlatic DSL. FCompared to the cable, it sucks. I have Comcast@home- it flies...$39.95 a month (w/ modem) lease; $29.99 (w/ out modem). I was paying for an extra phone line + my internet service (earthlink- not some crappy free or cheap service> tried those, but weren't good for gaming. I pay about the same as my extra phone line + internet service.

 

[Ender510]

Here is my situation.. I would appreciate any advice that you guys can offer.

I got an email saying that I was 'approved' for the promotion going on.. what I want DSL for is to run a web server. I have registered 3-4 domain names and plan on running IIS, Exchange Server and have those 3-4 domains going on the server machine. I wanted to also have at most 20 or so email accounts per domain, so not too many there.. maybe 1-2 listserves as well. Mostly, the purpose of the sites were to share w/ my friends and not worry about the message length or inbox limits (like yahoo's 6mb) and have a central spot to have files stored.

Now, as for winfire.. I would probably go for the 34.95/mo deal. Here are the details: 13 month committment, first month free.. free modem (internal for win98 and external for all others). The kit they send out I would install myself (how hard is it to install? ) No charge for modem or installation.

Now, I know I need a static IP, but they said they would be providing this in a few months.. they don't offer it now. Will they ever? Also, in the case that they do offer it later, how much more would it be? The customer service rep had no details on this at all. Also, in the case that I break the 13 month contract, they will charge me the 34.95 for the remaining months left or $200 - whichever is less. I would also get to keep the modem.

I also found out that I am about 5600 ft from the CO. I hope this is accurate, I found this out from another company. Anyhow, the rep said that if I am that close, I should be able to get the 1.5 downstream and 384k upstream pretty consistently. They also provide a free dialup when I am not at home and also 5 email accounts.. but email of course isn't really practical since i plan on running my own mail server.

Now for questions I have...

Questions

1) What would be the min. system requirements for the server, ram, cpu, etc? How about what would be decent requirements for the server?

2) How could I go about circumventing the necessary static IP? Are there rerouting/forwarding services or would I just never reboot to maintain the IP?

3) Anyone hear if winfire is good/bad, comments?

4) How realistic is the static IP thing in the future?

5) For those that have winfire, how big is this 'minimal ad bar' ? Also, how reliable has the service been?

I look forward to all comments and help.. thanks in advance!

Ender

 

[helpme]

Ender510, here's the deal...

If you don't have a static IP address, you'll have nothing but problems running your own dns, mail, and web servers. Here are the reasons why..

1) If you host your own dns, and your ip address changes, it will take about 48 hours from when you change the primary dns entry with your company (domain reg). This will knock your whole operation out unless you tell people the new IP address.

2) If your IP changes, not only will you lose your dns server, your mail and web will not be accessable through the host.domain.toplevel that they usually use. Also, your MX record will be incorrect until you correct it. Thus your mail will be lost because the servers who try to send you mail CANNOT find a dns entry for your server, and as such may trash the mail (some will queue it, but only if it finds a valid dns entry, and then finds the mail server down. If there is no dns server for the domain, it may think that the domain does not exist).

If your provider uses PPPoE, then you may be screwed and not beable to host at all. PPPoE may cause your IP to change everytime you reboot, or the connection get dropped or the PPPoE program get's messed. However, you may have some luck with the provider if their idea of a dynamic IP is one that is given automatically and changes once in a long time.....so you're takeing a gamble. What's the name of the provider that you are using? the terms of the plan?

 

[Ender510]

The name of the provider/service is winfire. I found this to be the cheapest deal and actually followed up on them today to find out what the service plans available are. So from your message, I assume that I would need to get DSL service where they will provide me with at least one static IP for sure - otherwise it's not worth it considering the plans I have...

 

[helpme]

no, it's not worth your time fighting with a dynamic IP....

 

[urbantechie]

I am capped at 3mbps (@hme cable) us ISO scene people need all the bandwith we can get!

 

[Cheapest]

For FreeDSL, No you don't have to buy their moderm for the free. All you need to is pay about $25 dollars for the kits! Any body know how much the ADSL modem cost?
Also is the external better than the internal in term of speed and reliability?

 

[SchizoNerd]

$25 for the kit???

Note: I already have everything I need to get dsl going, except for the service itself.

I talked to FreeDSL recently, and they are charging that much to send you the actual software for the service.
When asked if I can download the software, they replied NO. Everything else can be downloaded but that. I don't understand.

 

[Jgtdragon]

hmmm talking about the activiation kit..... They told me they are out of stock and my kit is on back order. They told me my activiation Date was Nov. 7... lets see its Nov. 30 already! They send me an email every Tuesday stating the same think... "Your kit is on back order...We will get another stock very soon...blah blah blah" They suck.

 

[Frglss]

Cheapest I believe from what I remember the issue with the intenal is heat. Correct me if i am wrong. I have cable and have never used xDSL.

 

[ManSnake]

Acutally, like I have posted a week or so ago, my experience with Winfire.com is extremely good, they sent me the modem etc. within a month, now my parents are enjoying the 19.95/month dsl service with no problems

BTW I know how sucky cap limit can be, that is why I opt to use a T1 line at 100Mbps, in case u r wondering how can I afford a T1 line, well, I am actually paying $20 a month for the service u see I live in a high rise, and my building signed a contract with the T1 provider, so all the residents in the building pay $20 each/month for this T1 line, pretty cool, isn't it?

 

[Ponyboy25]

Where the hell do you live ManSnake?

Anyways, they only offer ISDN in my neighborhood. Is that even worth it, or do I wait for cable/dsl to arrive??

 

[Askalon]

same here Ponyboy. The thing is, my isp provides DSL service, just my local telco doen't. To boot , my town is a central hub for the isp (they have like three or four towns connect in mine.) I need to ask them what it would take to become a DSL provider hub for them.

 

[Coki]

ISDN is a waste of money it's only double 56k while paying a hefty price for it.

Don't waste your money on it.

 

[beatinitup]

im sure some one will release a crack...errr i mean "patch" to take care of the add bar. muahahahaaa

 

[NuTsAq]

blah.. i get 670K downloads at 30/month (dsl)