Which Broadband Provider?

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Adrian Kelland

Should have asked them to email it

Sorry about that, don't know what's wrong, I could just about hear you even worse than on dial up, must be the speed of my laptop, bit *issed off right now.

[Odin]

You need two tin cans a a LONG bit of sting!!!! worked across the bedroom to my bruvver when I was a kid...
Modern technology??? Bah!

[FOX]

Right then, here's the latest theory, and i'd like your honest opinions as to whether it's a good choice and whether an apple mac numpty like myself can achieve such a mission!

Firstly, buy and connect (is this as easy a just connecting to a usb port or whatever?) a router, this
seems a good option! Is it worth going for a more expensive one that's bundled with a USB adapter (presumably this is so i can connect a laptop/pc at a later date, if so, bearing in mind the main 'pooter is a Mac could a windows laptop be connected at a later date?)

Secondly, pay the appropriate connection fee set up a DD to pay a broad band ISP for their connection, i've found these
these guys and the deal seems really good @£14.99/mnth for 2Mbs for 1Gb/month (am i likely to need more, if so it's only £1.75/Gb).

And finally,

So, has anyone any opinions as to this course of action? The BB deal seems really good and appears to be well rated, my main concern is buying the router and paying for connection etc... only to find none of it works either cos of my ignorance or cos of the Mac!


Cheers

Ian

[Fathoms Down]

You usually connect to a router via an ethernet connection rather than a USB port so you will need to make sure you have a network card and an ethernet cable if you are going that way. I would also make sure you set up the router properly as the cheaper ones (Linksys and Netgear) have a lot of the security turned off by default. Going with a router is probably easier with the Mac as you won't have to worry about drivers. If you're worried then let me know and I'm happy to give you a hand (I think you're just down the A13 from me).

Eclipse are a very good broadband provider from what I hear. Sounds like you've picked a good one there.

[Bantam]

I have a DG834G and it is brilliant. I also use it with a Mac, so if you have trouble, just PM me and I'll endeavour to help you the best I can.

Mark.

[Bantam]

Originally Posted by Fathoms Down

I would also make sure you set up the router properly as the cheaper ones (Linksys and Netgear) have a lot of the security turned off by default.

Sounds awful, but that's more by design. Mainly because of their target audience (i.e. people who buy them from PC world). If they had security turned on full tilt by default, they would get them returned as faulty by people who just don't want to read manuals / ring support or read leaflets which say 'READ ME FIRST' like the netgear actually does (and it says 'You need to enable security on this router'). Seems to be for the techno-arrogant (little knowledge etc)

The firewall comes pre-locked down which is pretty cool. The only thing needed to be done is to enable MAC authentication and WEP. Oh, and if you're truly savvy to turn off DHCP.

Example of Techno-Arrogance - Someone (55 year old know it all), who even when told 'If you install the Blackberry desktop software it will wipe your encryption key and it will stop working', carries on and does so. It wipes the encryption key and he rings up to complain that the said blackberry isn't working. I tell him that it's because he installed the software and wiped the encryption key. He tells me 'poppycock' and obviously thinks he knows better. I ask him to do 'Enterprise Activation' (BES4 / BB4) and strangely it comes back to life. Bloke still doesn't get the idea that he broke it in the first place.

AAARGGGHHH

[Dominic]

*sigh* My router came with all WAN connections allowed, a login name & password that's the same across the whole range, and NO MENTION of either in the manual supplied with the product. I had to get online with it to find the password before I could log in to change the password or switch off WAN connections.

That's about as bad as it gets!

[Jeremy H]

I second what Bantam has said - I'm no techie expert but it's pretty much what I use with my Macs. I've had a few different ones before but I do find my Netgear (non wireless But with an airport plugged in) the best yet. Works a treat - also I plug a PC in (Using Maclan) and it all seems to work!

Couple of points:

1. I know this sounds obvious but I'll say it anyway - if you want to use the wireless bit you'll need an airport card in your Mac.

2. Keep the bit of paper (apparently an instruction manual) that comes with it with the address of the router on it after you've installed it or bookmark the address. (Don't bung it in the box and then chuck it in the loft - you will need it again!)

Regards

Jeremy

[Bantam]

Originally Posted by Jeremy H

I second what Bantam has said - I'm no techie expert but it's pretty much what I use with my Macs. I've had a few different ones before but I do find my Netgear (non wireless But with an airport plugged in) the best yet. Works a treat - also I plug a PC in (Using Maclan) and it all seems to work!

Couple of points:

1. I know this sounds obvious but I'll say it anyway - if you want to use the wireless bit you'll need an airport card in your Mac.

2. Keep the bit of paper (apparently an instruction manual) that comes with it with the address of the router on it after you've installed it or bookmark the address. (Don't bung it in the box and then chuck it in the loft - you will need it again!)

Regards

Jeremy

Or turn the Netgear unit upside down - they print it on the reverse now.

If you're going to go wireless, best tip is to configure it using Ethernet. Then configure WEP and MAC Address stuff. Then finally connect your Airport up to it. It should then allow you to disconnect the Ethernet cable and work solely on Airport.

Like I said - if you get stuck drop me a PM and I'll send you my mobile number.

Mark.

[FOX]

Cheers guys!

Looks like i'll be handing over some readies to someone today!

Thanks for all your help, hopefully i won't have to truoble you again with this...
...but don't hold your breath!!

I'll let you know how i get on!

Cheers again!

Ian