posted on December 15, 2000 04:47:44 AM new
I'm thinking of switching from my present dial up connection to Roadrunner. Can anyone who is using it tell if they like it or not and why? They are running a pretty good special right now.
posted on December 15, 2000 05:24:54 AM new
We have had Road Runner through Time Warner in Ohio for about 2 years. We would never go back to a dial up ISP.
For the most part the service has been good. There are times when the connection is slow, but even then it is 3 times as fast as a modem connection. Our connection is usually around 200-300 kbps. As a comparison, a 56K modem connection for us was usually around 48k. Our connection right now is:
3164.5 kilobits / sec
387.8 kilobytes / sec
You will need some type of Firewall, especially if you network your home computers and have File and Print sharing enabled.
Down times have been few, most only lasting an hour or less at a time. We always call and complain when there are interruptions and receive credit on our bill.
posted on December 15, 2000 06:42:29 AM new
Thanks Meya. I really am tired of the dial up. I just got a new computer and decided I wanted a better connection for it. Using windows millennium on the ISP I have is a real pain. It will be the only computer in the house, I'm giving this one to the grand daughter. I think I'll install a firewall anyway.
posted on December 15, 2000 10:18:23 AM new
Thanks Meya...
A friend of mine just got it. She is in Florida...Loves it...It's only been a short time though, so she will let me know more later.
We do not have it in North Cal I wish! Can't stand to think that AT&T is my only alternative in my town!...
Mindspring/Earthlink does offer DSL, but they are more expensive, and I don't even know the difference between CABLE and DSL..Anyone? Thanks.
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posted on December 15, 2000 10:34:46 AM new
the roadrunner connection uses an external modem that does not dial through the phone line. this frees up your telephone line. when it is working right it is very fast. there can be problems however. although it is technically "always" connected, there will still be times when you will not be able to connect. i had over 50 outages. it uses a particular "thread" to connect and when you get a failure to connect message there is a way to change the tcp/ip setting so that it will randomly choose an available(not overloaded) thread. after 20+ calls to customer service failed to provide an answer to this problem they finally replaced the modem, admitting that the early modems had flaws. after still having connectivity problems(although fewer), i came upon the solution(not 100% effective) by accident. p.s.- you can "bring your own access" and get AOL for about $10/month.
[ edited by stusi on Dec 15, 2000 10:36 AM ]
posted on December 15, 2000 05:19:13 PM new
Hi Shosh, I live in Florida too, and roadrunner it is real popular here. I just wanted more opinions. All I really know about the difference in DSL and cable is that DSL uses your phone line and if you have old phone lines it might not work as well. It also seems to be more expensive than cable. I think someone like Pocono could probably explain it a whole lot better. A computer whiz I'm not.
posted on December 15, 2000 10:22:32 PM new
Shosh: the tech types I know recommend DSL over cable if you can get it. It uses your phone line but you can still receive and place calls as usual while you're online.
DSL Reports has info and users' reviews. (People also report there about cable as well I noticed.) I know people who have DSL and are very satisfied, although the installation can sometimes be a pain, depending on the phone company and/or provider.
posted on December 16, 2000 10:20:20 PM new
I have had roadrunner for over 2 years. At first the connection was very fast but lately it has gotten slow. Still faster than dial-up though.
We also have connection problems. We would go off line for a few seconds, sometimes a few minutes, at a time. Very annoying when you are downloading something or browsing the internet (ebay). I have the older (early version) modem. My son got the newer modem and got the same down-time problems. After many calls to (very unfriendly)tech support they told him he needed to disconnect/reconnect his modem (unplug the cable), and reboot the computer, to get a new IP address. This got to be very troublesome, especially since he had to do it 2-3 times every night. He canceled roadrunner after the 30 day trial and now has DSL.
Roadrunner only gets 30% of the monthly fee the cable companies charge so they have no incentive to be "friendly". Now that aol/time warner merged they will be allowing earthlink to use the cable lines (part of the merger agreement). Hopefully earthlink will pay a flat monthly fee to aol/time warner instead of the 70% fee roadrunner now pays. Maybe this way we can get a cable internet service that is abit more professional.
[ edited by MaLady on Dec 16, 2000 10:22 PM ]
I wish! Can't stand to think that AT&T is my only alternative in my town!...
