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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?"
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.
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."
(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.
Coding Blog
Offer to secure your neighbor's wireless network for him if he'll let you piggyback, since your bandwidth needs are minimal.