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Always-On Internet For Cheapskates?
chuck writes "I like my broadband Internet access because of its always-on nature, but my usage doesn't really justify paying $40-$50 each month for hundreds of kb/s when all I really do is read and write email sporadically, light web browsing and IM. Are there any options for cheapskates like me to pay less for lower bandwidth (modem speeds would be fine) but still have an always-on connection for cheaper than cable or DSL? I have a $5/mo ISP that I use when I'm out and about, and my 2.5G wireless phone can give me internet access on a shoestring (with free evenings and weekends) but neither of those has that always-on quality. Any ideas?"
Make sure everybody calls your cell and use your land line for internet. I did that for about two years before DSL was available in my area.
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Except that a 2nd phone line+dialup costs the same as broadband, so you might as well get the broadband.
Or better yet, work out something where you split the cost/month, and piggyback with some security.
Be happy with what you have. I just moved to Lebanon, waited 6 months for a "high speed" connection. That's 30KB/s downloads and 12KB/s upload for a whopping $120USD/mo. I'd take your connection and prices anyday. Funny thing is, this is $200USD/mo. cheaper than the dialup since you pay/min. here. haha...
A computer is only as smart as the person sitting infront of it.
I dunno if it's illegal exactly ... ISPs aren't part of law enforcement (yet.) But I'm sure it's against the TOS of most providers.
The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
From having had numerous friends and family members bemoan that "I just don't use the Internet that much!" as justification for not getting DSL/cable, in 100% of the cases, they've all had worlds open up when they saw how painless things became once their access was so dramatically faster. (Waiting several seconds for a single page like Yahoo! to download gets tedious quickly.)
Their faster access meant more Internet usage (now they're paying bills online, banking, and shopping for instance), which in turn meant they "needed" the higher speed conenction.
Very quickly, they realize how much more than just faster speed, the faster speed meant.
Running 'Nix is like owning a Lightsaber. It's "a more elegant weapon for a more civilized time."
Speakeasy.net will allow you to sublet your DSL connection (not sure of any other providers that officially support this). You might look into just making back some of your cost by subleting out connections to a few neighbors over wireless. Offer a wireless connection and maybe a few other services and price according to how many subscribers you have (maybe divide the cost of the connection evenly?)
I have a friend who does this, and has had some pretty good luck. Biggest thing to watch out for if you do that is to have some sort of document outlining what exactly you offer (especially that you have no uptime garuntee, and what, if any, tech support you offer, and when).
Famous Last Words: "hmm...wikipedia says it's edible"
(IANAL)
I would presume it is prosecutable under the same laws they would use against cable signal theft.
Under those laws they only need to show that you are wired up in such a way to enable "signal theft" and then it is up to you to prove that you were not "stealing" their signal.
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Offer to secure your neighbor's wireless network for him if he'll let you piggyback, since your bandwidth needs are minimal.