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This should answer your questions. It's all good.

By in turn using their service to provide one that they are trying to control. Then again I could always go with the worlds Greatest ISP. One the encourages sharing of their broadband.

Once you try thier VOIP service, you'll love it, too. :)

(No, I don't work for them, just a very satisfied customer).

My city, Hermosa Beach, just rolled out free hi-speed wifi to about 30% of it's residents. Holding a high gain (16db) antenna connected to my lap-top standing in the backyard I was able to get close to 1Mb up/down. I'm about a half mile from the access point but without line of sight. I will be connecting the weatherproof antenna/bridge combo to a pole and installing it on the roof this weekend, which should help a bit. If all goes well, I am looking forward to a day with no ISP bills!

<PLUG>
However, I must say...Speakeasy is far and away the best ISP I have ever encountered. They encourage you to run mp3/game servers and even will bill your neighbors for you should you choose to share your internet connection via a wireless router. So if you are looking for a new ISP, sign up here and give me a free month. Thanks! ;-).
</PLUG>

If the city really wanted to do something that benefitted more people they could just remove the tax burden that will be used to fund this mandate which would also have the secondary effect of not putting commercial WIFI busineses out on their collective ass.

And it's not like they need the help. Maybe that $50/month subscription price could have been rethought sooner...

Seriously though, if they get a few local tech oriented non-profits involved in the installation, use tried and true low cost techniques, and leave the planning in the hands of one competent engineer it could be pretty interesting. What if they partnered with Speakeasy on their NetShare program?

G

under peak hours, the lag has got to suck...

Lag is an artifact of an poorly provisioned network. If you had end-to-end, trusted QoS, lag would never be noticable. Every important packet - voice, game, etc - would be delivered on time, and all the background "junk" - web, e-mail, BitTorrents - would fill the gaps between the important stuff that can't tolerate delay.

The trouble with VoIP is the dependence on QoS, which most third parties can't provide. I've been tempted to try Speakeasy Voice, since they should be capable of setting good QoS for the VoIP service. But I still haven't checked pricing to see if it would actually save me money over traditional phone & DSL.

That's why you need to shop around for a connectivity provider that doesn't do that.

(Yes, there's a referal ID embedded in that link. A) That's why I'm posting this with No Karma Bonus, to pre-down-mod me for being a whore. B) I wouldn't suggest looking at them if I didn't think they were good eggs: Linux/Mac-friendly, servers and connection sharing explicitly allowed, POTS optional, etc.)

This means that I'm stuck with being required to have a POTS line, unless I want to dump DSL and go back to cable where the service is so bad the administrators can't manage to keep DHCP servers online (and have been having trouble with them for two years running). So much for the utility of VOIP for me.

why do cable/dsl connections have shit for upstream bandwidth?

I would have had to also pay for a land line with adsl

Not sure if you can get it where you are, but some dsl providers like Speakeasy can now provide a DSL connection without (you paying for) a landline. Speakeasy isn't the cheapest option out there, but they will give you at least 2 static IP addresses with most packages, and I think some come with 5 (I also think you can pay for more if needed). They also allow you to run servers.

and then bills the people who connect, with you acting as admin. Not free WiFi, but takes the idea of providing an open access point and make it managed. http://www.speakeasy.net/netshare/netshare.pdf/PDF for light overview http://www.speakeasy.net/netshare/learnmore/ HTML version with some additional detail http://support.speakeasy.net/cgi-bin/support.cfg/p hp/enduser/std_adp.php?&p_refno=030512-000240#admi n/ FAQ

and then bills the people who connect, with you acting as admin. Not free WiFi, but takes the idea of providing an open access point and make it managed. http://www.speakeasy.net/netshare/netshare.pdf/PDF for light overview http://www.speakeasy.net/netshare/learnmore/ HTML version with some additional detail http://support.speakeasy.net/cgi-bin/support.cfg/p hp/enduser/std_adp.php?&p_refno=030512-000240#admi n/ FAQ

and then bills the people who connect, with you acting as admin. Not free WiFi, but takes the idea of providing an open access point and make it managed. http://www.speakeasy.net/netshare/netshare.pdf/PDF for light overview http://www.speakeasy.net/netshare/learnmore/ HTML version with some additional detail http://support.speakeasy.net/cgi-bin/support.cfg/p hp/enduser/std_adp.php?&p_refno=030512-000240#admi n/ FAQ

I am not affiliated with nor am I a customer of Speakeasy...

i'm not a fan of the big corps in general. AT&T royally screwed me with a crappy DSL connection, pitiful upstream speed, non-documented port-blocking, an abysmal AUP once i started running servers, and a lock-in contract that they wouldn't let me out of even if i paid it off in full early.

But speakeasy's actually been pretty good. When the line was having some burn-in problems, they were willing to actually talk through the issues in full with me let me decide which tradeoffs i preferred to make to get things resolved. Now, if only their downstream could really provide the 6Mbps they sold it to me as instead of the 4Mbps which is what they can reliably provide... sigh. At least they explicitly let you do whatever you want with the connection you paid for.

Speakeasy offers dialup, and it comes with a shell account.

I have their Sysadmin DSL package, which includes a shell account, dialup and static IPs.

(I've never had reason to use the shell account, as I have plenty of others that I've collected through the years, so I have no idea if they have compilers available, so this may not answer the original question)

Speakeasy offers dialup, and it comes with a shell account.

I have their Sysadmin DSL package, which includes a shell account, dialup and static IPs.

(I've never had reason to use the shell account, as I have plenty of others that I've collected through the years, so I have no idea if they have compilers available, so this may not answer the original question)

Uhh, think again. Ever read the Terms of Service you agreed to? Unless you and your neighbors are all lucky enough to have one of the few providers that allows bandwidth sharing, you'll soon see huge fines or just termination of your service if you setup a wireless network.
--Quentin

Anyone know another cheap, reliable provider in the Bay Area?

I can't watch 100 movies per month, but for $13/mo, as long as it's got movies I like, I'd pay for it.

I'd like to know what they've got before I sign up, but I'm willing to try it out for $13 and see.

I've got a 6Mbps connection. I think that'll do nicely.

I already watch movies and shows on my PC (legitimate or not). One can also hook up their computer to their television, and many remote control devices can be purchased to control the PC. I see no problem there.

My only gripe with them is that you have to be on a Windows PC in order to sign up. Then again, Safari's Debug menu let's me specify my User Agent so....

Now, in my case, none of this applies, because I have a clueful ISP (Hi, Speakeasy!), but back in the Dark Ages of DSL through $TELCO, believe me, I had to. Or I didn't get mail. And believe me, I live for my mail.

Speakeasy

False, although you do have to read deeper than the front page to obtain the true terms and conditions under which sharing is allowed.

The Terms of Service say (and I quote):

Speakeasy allows residential customers to share their broadband connection through a home network that utilizes technology such as Wi-Fi. However, if a Speakeasy member is collecting access fees from any individual accessing their Wi-Fi network, the member must be subscribed to the NetShare service as a NetShare Admin, and the individual must be subscribed as a NetShare Customer. (emphasis added)

In other words, the Terms of Service state that I can share service without subscribing to the program. I have the option of collecting fees and I must give Speakeasy a cut if I do so, but it is not required.

You get to share your Internet connection with neighbors to eventually get your higher prices reduced down to what I'm paying to begin with. I'm sorry pal, but to me, that sucks.

There's a saying that you get what you pay for. Find me another ISP that gives out four static IPs, allows you to run servers in their TOS, never performs port blocking, and allows connection sharing, for less money, and I would seriously consider switching to it, because I'm not at all deeply attached to the price of my current service.

Your complaint seems to be that you can't get the good features along with the cheap price. If the only alternative was a $750/mo T1 line then I could agree, but when it comes down to a simple choice between competing ADSL providers then that's just the free market at work.

Your ADSL provider sucks. My provider not only allows WiFi sharing, but even encourages it.

That is not to say I actually do share my 1.5/384 ADSL connection, but I could if I wanted to. Moreover, speakeasy's ADSL prices are way below T1/T3 (although still above el-cheapo baby bell DSL prices).

If you're on a cable ISP who does this sort of thing (or is thinking of doing such a thing), you should check that agreement you made when you signed up for service. Not only do they not give you permission to run your own services, most of them explicitly forbid you from doing so. So despite the fact that it costs me a bit more, and my download speeds aren't as fast, I went out and got a real ISP.

My TOS explicitly allows me to resell my bandwidth, heck, my ISP even has a page explaning what it is and how you can set it up.

Of the free web accounts I've used, I have noted a couple of things. One, they don't purge the userid or whatever data they collect; but two, they do purge the data in your home directory. Crosswinds did this to me a while back on a bogus allegation of spam.

As far as ISPs, while the personal data is held, the user data is either backed up to tape and purged after a fashion (Speakeasy), summarily deleted if present (Earthlink - or more correctly, Mindspring did this for me for some reason when I moved to Speakeasy in 2000), or the user is given the opportunity to go in one last time and download (another one that slips my mind, I think it was a local one called Web World).

Speakeasy actually does let you share your WiFi connection.

It should be noted that while Speakeasy does encourage sharing of your connection (by facilitating sharing of the cost via Netshare), you are still contractually responsible for the use of that connection:

Am I responsible for the NetShare customer usage?

As a NetShare Admin, you are responsible for all traffic taking place on your circuit, whether generated by yourself or your NetShare Customers. This covers abuse, reasonable use, etc.

Speakeasy's TOS also addresses the issue:

Speakeasy believes that shared wireless networks are in keeping with our core values of disseminating knowledge, access to information and fostering community, provided this usage does not have an adverse impact on the services of other customers, does not involve any illegal activity and is not otherwise in violation of any aspect of our existing Terms Of Service. Please remember that the Speakeasy account-holder is responsible for all activity originating from their DSL line, even if it is the result of other users on a shared wireless connection.

It should be noted that while Speakeasy does encourage sharing of your connection (by facilitating sharing of the cost via Netshare), you are still contractually responsible for the use of that connection:

Am I responsible for the NetShare customer usage?

As a NetShare Admin, you are responsible for all traffic taking place on your circuit, whether generated by yourself or your NetShare Customers. This covers abuse, reasonable use, etc.

Speakeasy's TOS also addresses the issue:

Speakeasy believes that shared wireless networks are in keeping with our core values of disseminating knowledge, access to information and fostering community, provided this usage does not have an adverse impact on the services of other customers, does not involve any illegal activity and is not otherwise in violation of any aspect of our existing Terms Of Service. Please remember that the Speakeasy account-holder is responsible for all activity originating from their DSL line, even if it is the result of other users on a shared wireless connection.

It should be noted that while Speakeasy does encourage sharing of your connection (by facilitating sharing of the cost via Netshare), you are still contractually responsible for the use of that connection:

Am I responsible for the NetShare customer usage?

As a NetShare Admin, you are responsible for all traffic taking place on your circuit, whether generated by yourself or your NetShare Customers. This covers abuse, reasonable use, etc.

Speakeasy's TOS also addresses the issue:

Speakeasy believes that shared wireless networks are in keeping with our core values of disseminating knowledge, access to information and fostering community, provided this usage does not have an adverse impact on the services of other customers, does not involve any illegal activity and is not otherwise in violation of any aspect of our existing Terms Of Service. Please remember that the Speakeasy account-holder is responsible for all activity originating from their DSL line, even if it is the result of other users on a shared wireless connection.

It should be noted that while Speakeasy does encourage sharing of your connection (by facilitating sharing of the cost via Netshare), you are still contractually responsible for the use of that connection:

Am I responsible for the NetShare customer usage?

As a NetShare Admin, you are responsible for all traffic taking place on your circuit, whether generated by yourself or your NetShare Customers. This covers abuse, reasonable use, etc.

Speakeasy's TOS also addresses the issue:

Speakeasy believes that shared wireless networks are in keeping with our core values of disseminating knowledge, access to information and fostering community, provided this usage does not have an adverse impact on the services of other customers, does not involve any illegal activity and is not otherwise in violation of any aspect of our existing Terms Of Service. Please remember that the Speakeasy account-holder is responsible for all activity originating from their DSL line, even if it is the result of other users on a shared wireless connection.

It should be noted that while Speakeasy does encourage sharing of your connection (by facilitating sharing of the cost via Netshare), you are still contractually responsible for the use of that connection:

Am I responsible for the NetShare customer usage?

As a NetShare Admin, you are responsible for all traffic taking place on your circuit, whether generated by yourself or your NetShare Customers. This covers abuse, reasonable use, etc.

Speakeasy's TOS also addresses the issue:

Speakeasy believes that shared wireless networks are in keeping with our core values of disseminating knowledge, access to information and fostering community, provided this usage does not have an adverse impact on the services of other customers, does not involve any illegal activity and is not otherwise in violation of any aspect of our existing Terms Of Service. Please remember that the Speakeasy account-holder is responsible for all activity originating from their DSL line, even if it is the result of other users on a shared wireless connection.

Yeah - I did the same.

Speakeasy even allows you to sell wi-fi net access to your neighbors and gives you a 50% discount to run it and provide the support. I wonder what they'd do if I paid my neighbor $20 monthly to do this, tho - thus decreasing my net cost from $90 to $65 and giving him access for free :P

Have a look at Speakeasy. Their resedential service is excellent. No blocked ports, a TOS which allows and frankly, even encourages the running of servers, a TOS which definitely encourages sharing of your circuit via WiFi with anyone you please (in fact they will even help you bill your "customers" for this if you want), and friendly, informed, and accesible service reps.

I just got Speakeasy. It's awesome, although a little pricey. However, you can get static IP's and NO port blocking! Leaving Comcast behind and never looking back.

Or you can change your ISP to someone with more Liberating Policies .

TOS: http://speakeasy.net/tos

A coffee shop (or any business, or private party) can't just hook up a cablemodem and resell their bandwidth. Their ISP would have a fucking FIT. It's against their Terms of Service.

My ISP allows this. Heck, they're even set up to resell it.

My ISP allows this. Heck, they're even set up to resell it.

Exactly. Anyone who answers this is as dumb as people who participated in the RIAA's "Clean Slate" program. For those who don't know, this was where you would admit guilt -- to criminal charges -- to the RIAA, and they would grant you "amnesty" if you promised not to do it again and signed some sort of contract. Small problem with this is that private entities can't immunize someone against criminal charges; a prosecutor is free to bring charges if he so desires, and all you've accomplished is creating a signed admission of guilt.

If you're a Comcast customer and get threatened, I'd suggest just switching to another company and ignoring their threats. If you're going to respond to them, write them a letter explaining that one of their paying customers is cancelling their service and going with one of their competitors because of their threats. It wouldn't hurt to let them know you'll be recommending Verizon or SpeakEasy or someone else to your friends and family from now on, instead of Comcast. When they eventually connect the dots that "threatening our customers on behalf of the IP cartel = less customers = less money," maybe they'll take a stand like Verizon did and protect their customers.

This also sounds like another good reason to switch to an encrypted P2P architecture like Freenet.

I'm currently using Verizon, and though I am EXTREMELY happy with them (never had downtime yet, and they seem to be on "our side"), I still see them as "fancy suit big-business"... I'm just waiting for them to complain to me about bandwidth issues or DMCA violations till I get SpeakEasy. If you ever read "The Da Vinci Code" you'll understand what I mean when I say it feels like I'm being interrogated in France...

BitTorrent.

BitTorrent Makes it easy to host multi-GB files from a relatively small pipe. Considering 768kbps upload can be had for $99 a month with 6Mbps down, $300 can buy you a lot of bandwidth. Once your P2P downloads are seeded (you have your customers uploading from their machines), your bandwidth usage tails off dramatically as your only demand now is that you have to run the tracker (ie: the thing that coordinates clients among themselves).

Ahem. I believe SpeakEasy.net is still around.

If not, then I'm getting my ADSL from thin air!

And they are very very good. Worth every penny I pay. :)

My service is 6.0Mb down, 768Kb up (thanks Speakeasy).

4GB =~ 34359738368 bits (1024B/KB * 1024KB/MB * 1024MB/GB * 8b/B) * 4.

34359738368/6000000 =~ 5726 seconds =~ 1.6 hrs

Now, granted that is *download* speed. Upload is about 12.5 hours.

This is a FAR CRY from 96 hours. Even if the u/l speed were a paltry 384, that's still only about 25hrs.

What gives?

Take a look at Speakeasy. They offer a number of different packages for residential DSL, and they cater to the sysadmin and gamer crowd. (multiple static IPs, allow NAT, allow servers, etc)

It seems like the only thing stopping you from running your own webserver is the ISP, since the hardware could run from a rack in your basement. What I'm wondering is, is there another option? How much does Comcast charge, or any other DSL provider charge, for a 'business' connection that allows for running a webserver, not just surfing the web?

Speakeasy has $80/mo service that not only allows email, web and other servers, but you can put a wireless AP on your roof and resell your bandwidth to your neighbors with their blessing.

No flaming, just use Exim!

At least thats my opinion, and that of my ISP (Speakeasy)

Now for AT&T Broadband

One of the main reasons I've stayed with Speakeasy is that they have excellent support and uptime. Course it costs a lot more -- $80 for 4 dedicated IPs over a covad line versus the $20-30 for cable or Qwest's DSL.

I think the difference is that they can let the morons (not saying that you are) go to the cable and Qwest DSL and they can handle the more professional user. Thus they can dedicate resources to solving real problems versus answering calls about how to close the cup holder.

Plus the whole idea of broadband internet access where one person could screw up your neighborhood's connection is a little frightening.