Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Is Starband's Satellite Internet Service Palatable?

Posted by Cliff on from the dishing-out-the-satellite-packets dept.

George Thomas asks: "Since Centurytel bought out my local teleco, my internet access has been limited to about 14k compared to the 48k I previously enjoyed. I am interested in reader experiences and/or comments about internet access by satelite dish, specifically Dish Networks, because they offer 128k up and 350k down. I live in a rural area and cable is not a viable option. I am currently running Red Hat 7.2 on an old Supermicro LX series dual PII MB. I have USB ports native to the board, but don't have a clue whether they will work with the USB modem supplied with the hardware package. Also I can boot to Windows95 with LiLo, but my copy of Windows doesn't support USB. I can replace the MB if necessary, but would rather not if I can avoid doing that. Any help will be gratefully appreciated." Of course, Dish Network used to be a reseller for Starband. Now, it appears that things have flip-flopped and Starband is now offering 'upgrades' for Dish Network service. So are any of you Slashdot readers current Starband customers? If so, please share your thoughts on the service.

6 of 258 comments (clear)

  1. Proprietary Protocols? by tarsi210 · · Score: 4, Funny

    From their FAQ:

    PLEASE NOTE: Networking the StarBand service via a router or other hardware device connected directly to the StarBand satellite modem is expressly forbidden. A Windows-based PC running the StarBand software must be the interface with the StarBand satellite modem as it converts Internet requests into a protocol optimized for satellite-based Internet connectivity. Circumventing this optimization software creates excessive and unauthorized traffic on the StarBand network and may result in a measurable decrease in transmission speed or complete service outage.

    What? Windows knows how to slow down my Internet connection? Imagine. I take "converts...into a protocol optimized" to mean that the Starband software is sitting there in the background going, "A packet? What's this? He wants a download? HA! I'll just stick this in a buffer for 5 minutes and then send it on. That'll keep his pr0n addiction in check."

    I....think I'll stay with modem, thanks. (as painful as it might be, at least I get low-latency, if slow, pr0n.)

    --
    Blog,Twitter
  2. Re:get rid of the USB by TrumpetPower! · · Score: 5, Funny

    The USB daughterboard is easily identified and is clearly labeled with a "Warning: this card is not removable" marking. All you do is unscrew the screws holding the USB card to the back of the case, pry up the double-sided tape that's holding it down, and slide the USB card out the back of the satmodem case.

    *waves hand* This is not the daughterboard you're looking for.

    b&

    --
    All but God can prove this sentence true.
  3. Re:Starban -DISCONNECTED- .... d by Digital+G · · Score: 2, Funny

    you only have one friend? so sad for you...

    --

    End Transmission....
  4. Re:Not Only "Not for gaming..." by bzant · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now they just need to put some HDDs in the satellite and set up the cache up there. That would at least cut the time in half. Makes maintenance a little difficult.

  5. Re:READ THE FINE PRINT! by billcopc · · Score: 2, Funny

    Bah.. my tech support guy just hit level 60 last week. Damn Everquest caps!

    --
    -Billco, Fnarg.com
  6. Re:Arg: USB modems by GungaDan · · Score: 3, Funny
    "They're a pain in the rear arse."

    As opposed to a pain in the side or front arse? First it was new math, now it's new anatomy...

    --
    Eloi are stupid, throw morlocks at them!