Do you want to know what Chaps my hide? [Archive]

Sharron

10-23-2005, 04:03 AM

I have tried three time today to download 15.8 megs of program (free trial version), from a reputable source c/net

I have managed twice (save to folder). The first time it finished, finally. I went to my download folder double clicked on it and got an error.

http://dev.home.att.net/error2.jpg

So I deleted that file and downloaded again. (my system meets the requirements).

Downloaded again, it finished. I went again to the download folder, double clicked, got the same error message. Went back to the download site and checked out trouble shooting, no pertinent info.

Went to the programs site again, clicked on buy now! Thinking ok 129.00 is alot of money but I want to see if a cd is available. NO ONLY ONLINE DOWNLOAD AND THE PRICE SHOWING 189.00!

Deleted it and right now at this minute it is at 20% of 15.8 megs complete with approx. 2 hours and 26 minutes left! (darn dialup connection).

I would think that if a company was offering a product for sale they would offer a cd. Heck for folks like me on dialup, that is just ludicrious.
Not that I can afford it right now, but would like the ability to buy and use if I wanted to. Even if I whipped out the bucks and purchased, how in the world does one on dialup get it!

This chaps my hide, big time and it makes me mad.

And just what does that error message mean anyway.

In complete defiance I am not even going to apologize for my rant, as I normally would, lol.

It is not only web developers who forget that the entire world does not have the same size monitors ( over 800x600 monitors), the whole world does not have fast internet connections. :roll: :twisted: :cry:

howard

10-23-2005, 04:35 AM

Sharron,

You said it exactly right! My sentiments exactly!

Slow dialup connection, small monitor, big heart.

I feel for you. I once needed a free 15meg program, went to Kinko's, rented their computer to download it and saved it on a Zip disk. Took a few minutes. I'll be darned if I'll be forced to get broadband. Although, right now, sbc is offering 14.95/mo for a year... tempting...

Howard

jonra01

10-23-2005, 04:37 AM

Once you go broadband you'll never go back. :)

Sharron

10-23-2005, 05:33 AM

30 miles from the Western White House (no cracks) 12 miles from Waco. 87 miles from Dallas. 3 miles from a tiny town right on I35, where they have cable, they have dsl, they have broadband. They have for gosh sakes, about 5 bakeries! (famous for kolaches).

No cable tv, no broadband, no dsl, no freaking nothing but dialup here. It is not like we are out in the middle of timbucktoo. The only thing available here is satellite and who can afford that.

Howard, it is at least good that I have a 1024x768 monitor, else I wouldn't give this whole shebang a minutes worth of my time! I think I need a Midol and a drink, gee look the download is 53% done and only 1 hour and 36 minutes left. Bet it won't work even when it does get done. (if I don't get knocked off line).

trackerm

10-23-2005, 05:59 AM

Once you go broadband you'll never go back. :)

I gotta agree with that!
I got my wireless broadband nearly 2 months ago. I have disconected the land line phone and I am getting a stable 120kb per sec downloads. I just downloaded the new Adobe Acrobat reader - 20 megs in 3 mins! I used to get 4.5 kb per sec average max.

I still use a tabbed browser, but wow, things load fast :)

Its a bit weird not having a home phone, but my mobile (cell phone) is on a capped rate. So all in all I am saving on the $50 per month I was paying for the land line. The Wireless braodband costs $80 per month where my old dial-up cost $25 per month. ie I get broadband for an extra $5 per month :)

Mark :)

howard

10-23-2005, 12:38 PM

Wanna get a real gripe? Google is talking about offering free wi-fi to all of San Francisco.

Of course, the trade-off is you have to live there.

Could be worse, I guess.

Charles Kenney

10-23-2005, 02:14 PM

I used to have the same problem with dialup.

My server just recently offered broadband and I jumped on it.
I was on dialup for 4 years with them before they got the message that everybody was fedup with it.

But to try to solve your problem of trying to get a cd of the program.

If the company allows it, mayby someone here that has broadband can offer to download it and burn a cd for you and mail it to you.
I would be willing to do it, but I don't have a cd burner on my computer.

Just a thought.

I hope you solve the problem.

Charles.

hiwayracer

10-23-2005, 02:25 PM

Sharon if in the end you are unable to get it I know that www.tucows.com offers a CD writing for 9.95 USD. Perhaps they have the software on their site.

Otherwise i am sure that some one on here that lives on your side of the world will download and post it to you.

If not let me know and i will.

P.S: The last time i had that win32 error, it was infact a windows system file that was corrupted and can be repaired using the windows disk and a few dos commands. I will try and find the commands for you i have them somewhere. Also just let me know what OS you have.

Sharron

10-23-2005, 03:50 PM

Craig and Charles. That is just too much trouble for anyone to go through for a program that only allows you a two page test (free trial) and just way to much money to purchase without trail and via download for anyone in my opinion.

You were very nice to offer though. I did get knocked offline last evening, so another attempt was for naught.

Maybe today! The wind is blowing from a new direction, maybe it bodes well for a new thing today! :wink:

ps Craig I have os Windows XP. I dont' get that error message on anything other then that specific program download.

OldAndInTheWay

10-23-2005, 07:53 PM

Nomad

10-23-2005, 09:15 PM

12 miles from Waco.

12miles? Why not try setting up a 'wifi Co-Operative'? i.e. you get together and set-up a high power tranciever connecting the two towns via the closest 'High Points' (Hills) and then wifi network the area via that.

'Wifi Co-Operative/s' are something I'm looking at for my own area at the moment. If you can get enough interested parties the cost of set-up can be greatly reduced.

But yeah I used to be on dial up and well *shakes head at your despair*. Currently I have satelite which although expensive for monthly connection fees was fairly cheap to get going. Certainly not the standard 1800euro+!! I sourced the equipment via e-bay which cost 160euro and then the initial connection fee was 400euro. So I managed to get set-up for just over 500euro that way.

hmm don't you have any download only satelite? This place here does high speed downloads of up to 16mb's! www.broadbandss.co.uk (I think - just search for broadbandss uk) They have various packages and operate on a basic tv satelite set-up. I know thats a uk company but surely theres something stateside similar?

couple of ideas for you anyway :)

fuzzy

10-24-2005, 02:31 PM

Howard said it, go to Kinko's (although they're owned by the evil FedEx, I'm on one of their computers right now as I wait for a new phone line and eventually SBC $14.95 DSL to get hooked up at my house -- yep, TOO tempting) and get it downloaded real quick! Or if you know somebody with a fast connection and a CD burner near you, you can ask a favor of them...

Sharron

10-24-2005, 04:07 PM

ok! here might be a dsl connection available. Might be, but they want you to order in advance then they will further check my phone number to see if it is indeed available.

Anyway I have no idea what I am looking at. Although I of course and looking at the 14.95 express package, but I think there are hidden charges. Phone companies like to do that Hide things from you.

I made screen shots of the stuff, so if anyone with any knowledge wants to take a look?

I am purosely not going to enter the link correctly as it will place the images here. so add the http:// before this line (do not add www.) dev.home.att.net/sbc-dsl.gif

and http:// dev.att.net/sbc-dsl-2.gif this one is further explanation of express package or the 14.95 one.

Now I have att dialup I pay 21.95 a month for unlimited time online. And tons of spam! (and quite a bit of free personal web space.

howard

10-24-2005, 04:19 PM

Sharron,

Thank you for doing my research for me. Time will tell.

Howard

jonra01

10-24-2005, 04:35 PM

The one requirement is that you have SBC local phone service. If you are using a different provider for your home phone then you will need to switch to SBC. If you already have SBC then it is a good deal. Keep in mind that the price will go up after 12 months. There will be taxes and there might be an equipment charge for the modem. I can't see where it waives that charge anywhere. They do talk about a equipment rebate so that might be what it is for.

The total will probably be between $20-$25 per month. I couldn't find out what the regular price will be after the 12 months are up.

SBC local service and one-year term required. $200 early termination fee. At end of term, then-current monthly rate applies. If you drop a required component of the qualifying bundle, you will revert to the applicable term price for DSL. $150-$200 additional charge will apply if technician install is required or desired. Equipment charges will appear on the first bill along with any corresponding and offsetting instant credits. Rebate forms, with rebate terms and conditions, will be included with equipment if self-installed or by mail if technician installs. Rebate must be postmarked within 90 days of SBC Yahoo! DSL service activation. Mail-in equipment rebate offer is valid in the following states: AR, CA, CT, IL, IN, KS, MI, MO, NV, OH, OK, TX, WI. Rebate may not be assigned, transferred, or sold. One equipment rebate allowed per DSL line. DSL account must be in service for a minimum of 60 days to be eligible for rebate. Customers are not eligible to receive both an instant credit and rebate that would exceed total purchase price of equipment, and account must not be in delinquent status. Rebate check will be mailed to the SBC billing address within 10-12 weeks of mailing and is void if not cashed within 90 days of issuance and cannot be reissued.

Sharron

10-24-2005, 04:45 PM

all gobble gook to me! Yes I already have SBC service costs about 70.00 per month.

All the other stuff scares me to death. Wonder If I can do it by myself?

Fine print, restrictions, penalties, gosh they are going to get a person one way or another! Guess one could call and ask direct questions, but then one must do the computer phone jig, punch in numbers, wait on hold, wait and wait only to be told to go online and get my answers.

I have a feeling it isn't available at my particular number. As per the red text at the top! If the DSL works over my existing phone line, then will I still be tying up my one phone line on the DSL. The existing line sucks too.

jonra01

10-24-2005, 05:02 PM

I'm not a dsl expert so take everything I say with a grain (or pound) of salt. :)

I have a feeling that you are probably right on the borderline for dsl service. dsl is good for up to 18000 feet from what they call the central office. If you are 3 miles from town then that is close to 18000 feet. The further you are from the central office the slower the dsl service.

Hooking it up is not impossible for the average person. It can be tricky, but as long as you get everything straight before you try to set it up you should be ok.

As far as I know, the voice line and the dsl can both work at the same time.

Where's dsl guy when you need him? :)

fuzzy

10-27-2005, 05:34 PM

I signed up for the SBC DSL deal over the weekend. They were advertising it all over TV, they even had an infomercial! I got two different phone numbers, turned out neither was "correct" for Wisconsin... :? The people on the phone were very helpful! Service was quick too, but I suppose that would depend on the time of day that you call. I had to switch phone companies too, so that made things a bit interesting. Otherwise, I am looking forward to getting DSL hooked up, (I'm still on dial-up for now, until it gets installed) I just need to get myself a router to take care of both computers.

And yes, you can be on the phone line while you are using your DSL line! I don't know about all the technical stuff, but I am sure of that. I believe there is some website space available with the DSL subscription too, though I don't know exactly what.

webado

10-27-2005, 10:17 PM

Correct. The same telephone line is used.

All your regular telephone equipment including faxes and answering machine using outlets in your house on that same circuit will have to be filtered. Filters are little devices that you plug into the outlet before you plug in a telephony appliance into it. The only item that uses an outlet outright is the data modem.

Often problems with DSL involve somebody forgetting to use a filter with any one telephony appliance. You buy a new cordless phone or answering machine or fax, you plug it into an unused telephone outlet and suddenly your internet is no longer working or is extremely slow: you forgot to have that appliance filtered. Or you plug the modem into a filtered outlet and then the modem stops working properly.

Having any faulty wiring in the house (outlets, wires in the wall, bad phones themselves) also can result in either the phones working poorly or the internet access working poorly or not at all.

A typical problem is the presence of an alarm jack (an autodialer) on the same telephone wiring as everything else. Depending how it's set up, it either requires filtering or not. In my case this is one aspect which is currently not working properly. If I keep the autodialer plugged in, my internet slows down to a crawl. The jack is different from others so there apparently are no filters available for it, nor are they supposed to be needed with that setup. But it doesn't work. I have been unsuccessful in getting the technicians from both the telephone company and the internet provider (though it's different divisions of the same company) and the ones for the alarm company to work together to figure this out. :evil: So I only can use the alarm autodialer when I'm not going to be using the internet - kind of defeats the purpose of always having that in place. Still to be resolved.

donecweb

10-27-2005, 11:17 PM

My SBC package came with the filters all I had to do was plug in the modules. mine also came with a wireless network to connect my computers. Maybe yours will also.

webado

10-27-2005, 11:45 PM

Yep, I got the filters, but they just provide 5 for starters and it's amazing how many telephony machines one finds around when one looks LOL!

I had to beg, borrow and steal a few more of those filters :lol:

donecweb

10-28-2005, 03:15 AM

Did you try and tell them you needed more? I did and got a second package.

Sharron

10-28-2005, 04:19 AM

you guys, always talking over my head! As if you know how easy it is to talk over my head which is only about 5' off the ground! lol

I bit the bullet today and called SBC! I wanted a definite cost before ordering and the website didn't seem to give details.

Got that and a appointment (sort of) for the techies to check the line to see if it will actually work on my line. Wait and see.

In the mean time I got online and went ahead and ordered the express package (14.95 offer only good to end of Oct.), didn't know which ip to choose static or dynamic. so don't know what it will be.

Ordered the wireless thingy for laptop what ever that means.

So maybe will be good, maybe will remain the same!

Guy on phone said, would be easy easy to install and setup!

You know what! I didn't have to wait on hold either! wow amazing. The only thing is the silly darn ole computer info gathering man voice could not understand my Texas accent. I kept saying yes! Yes! YES! darned ole thing must need it's ears cleaned.

webado

10-28-2005, 05:56 AM

That's why it kept saying it's easy LOL!
Who knows what it understood from your Texas acent :lol:

jonra01

10-28-2005, 03:24 PM

It's pronounced 'yeh - es' not 'yawsuh'. :)

The wireless thingy should be a pcmcia card (pc card) for your laptop. All you have to do with that is slide it into an open pcmcia slot in the side of your laptop. You may, or may not, have to install drivers for it. No big deal.

It sounds like there are enough dsl users on the forum to help you get connected without too much trouble. Of course, you should keep your dialup account active until you are sure the dsl works.

arlens

10-28-2005, 08:11 PM

Of course, you should keep your dialup account active until you are sure the dsl works.

Whenever you sign-up for SBC Yahoo DSL they also give you backup dialup numbers, both locally and nationwide.

I found the setup easy to install. The only gotcha I know about is my father-in-law ordered it but then discovered it was incompatible with his
house alarm system

Sharron

10-29-2005, 01:30 AM

Well, SBC called today to inform me that DSL isn't available here afterall!
So they so nicely cancelled my order.

Dumb comglomerates, think since they have so much business, that they don't need to offer us rural folks any services outside the normal money making services like $70 a month telephone service. :twisted:

Lol we don't get offered Cable!

webado

10-29-2005, 01:41 AM

$70/month for just phone service sounds like an awful lot to me too :shock:

robinev

10-29-2005, 04:55 PM

Dumb conglomerates, think since they have so much business, that they don't need to offer us rural folks any services outside the normal money making services like $70 a month telephone service. :twisted:
Yup. That's the flip side of the regulation issues that we were talking about in another thread. Back when the telcos were more highly regulated, they were required to provide "universal service", but that notion just barely hangs on with plain old telephone service and doesn't apply at all to internet service.

My father lives nine miles outside of a larger town in a semi-rural area. His only option for internet is a standard modem line or a satellite service. But the phone line at his house is so noisy that he's lucky if the modem will train at 30 kbps. And, even then, it's likely to disconnect itself after four or five minutes.