I run a similar sized WISP. All I do is use NFSEN to see who is using the bandwidth, and then give them a call. Almost all the time the customer's kids are doing the downloading, or they have a virus.
This level of service really makes the customer appreciate doing business with you.
I'm glad you wrote this Cmdr. I have loved this site since '00. I don't give a damn what anyone says, Slashdot is still one of the best tech aggregation sites on the net.
I use the barter system. For example, I have a friend who is a dentist. I setup his DSL, he fills my cavities. I have a friend who owns a restaurant, I fix his laptop, and he gives me a free meal. You get the idea.
I think this is the best way to go about it. I have a hard time asking for money to fix simple problems. Plus all of the free stuff adds up...
Netscape 6 Sucks. I'm no Microsoft fan, but I.E. is a damn good browser. On older machines (less CPU speed, less memory) Netscape 6 cannot touch the performance of I.E. 5+.
Since they were bought out by AOL, they have totally sold out.
First off, I am not an expert on anything.
I have been using Windows since 3.1. I have used 95, 98, and now I use XP. I also run Redhat 7.2 and Freesco as my home router.
Having crashed my Windows computers many, many times, I have learned a few things, the main one being don't install crap software. My Windows 98 SE box stays up for weeks at the time, which of course doesn't compare to my Linux machines. That is because I have the Windows machine just like I want it, and I LEAVE IT ALONE!
I think that the main problem with Windows is people buy piece-of-shit hardware and expect it to run flawlessly. I have found that 7 out of 10 times (your milage may vary) that friends ask me to "fix" their machines, it is not windows that causes the crash, it is crap hardware: cheap memory, error riddled hard drives, crappy mobos, etc.
I'm no disciple of Redmond, but for 90% of the population, Windows is the only alternative. This is simply because linux has a mystique to it that scares "computer illiterate" types away, and Windows is SO simple to use (not configure). Most people are scared out of their minds by a command prompt, and even though Linux is now "pretty" (X), there are some things that cannot be done from a graphical environment. I know this list is getting shorter, but come on.
Anyway, I know this is a little long, but I think that Windows and Linux are both great OSes, but they both have their strong points, and their weaknesses. Just don't hate one because you use the other.
I'm 22 years old, and I have 7 years Experience. Granted, when I started working for a networking firm at 15, I was just pulling CAT-5 cable. But it is possible to be young and have experience. I'm now the Operations Manager for a ISP technical support call center. So just because the guy is young, don't think he is lying just because you are old/don't have as much experience.
Slashdot Mirror
Verizon.
I run a similar sized WISP. All I do is use NFSEN to see who is using the bandwidth, and then give them a call. Almost all the time the customer's kids are doing the downloading, or they have a virus. This level of service really makes the customer appreciate doing business with you.
I'm glad you wrote this Cmdr. I have loved this site since '00. I don't give a damn what anyone says, Slashdot is still one of the best tech aggregation sites on the net.
I use the barter system. For example, I have a friend who is a dentist. I setup his DSL, he fills my cavities. I have a friend who owns a restaurant, I fix his laptop, and he gives me a free meal. You get the idea. I think this is the best way to go about it. I have a hard time asking for money to fix simple problems. Plus all of the free stuff adds up...
What are you talking about?
Netscape loads so s...l...o...w.
Netscape 6 Sucks. I'm no Microsoft fan, but I.E. is a damn good browser. On older machines (less CPU speed, less memory) Netscape 6 cannot touch the performance of I.E. 5+.
Since they were bought out by AOL, they have totally sold out.
First off, I am not an expert on anything. I have been using Windows since 3.1. I have used 95, 98, and now I use XP. I also run Redhat 7.2 and Freesco as my home router. Having crashed my Windows computers many, many times, I have learned a few things, the main one being don't install crap software. My Windows 98 SE box stays up for weeks at the time, which of course doesn't compare to my Linux machines. That is because I have the Windows machine just like I want it, and I LEAVE IT ALONE! I think that the main problem with Windows is people buy piece-of-shit hardware and expect it to run flawlessly. I have found that 7 out of 10 times (your milage may vary) that friends ask me to "fix" their machines, it is not windows that causes the crash, it is crap hardware: cheap memory, error riddled hard drives, crappy mobos, etc. I'm no disciple of Redmond, but for 90% of the population, Windows is the only alternative. This is simply because linux has a mystique to it that scares "computer illiterate" types away, and Windows is SO simple to use (not configure). Most people are scared out of their minds by a command prompt, and even though Linux is now "pretty" (X), there are some things that cannot be done from a graphical environment. I know this list is getting shorter, but come on. Anyway, I know this is a little long, but I think that Windows and Linux are both great OSes, but they both have their strong points, and their weaknesses. Just don't hate one because you use the other.
I'm 22 years old, and I have 7 years Experience. Granted, when I started working for a networking firm at 15, I was just pulling CAT-5 cable. But it is possible to be young and have experience. I'm now the Operations Manager for a ISP technical support call center. So just because the guy is young, don't think he is lying just because you are old/don't have as much experience.