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Re: [Wlug] OT: Looking for ISP

by Richard Klein

Speaking of caps, here's a useful page (Charter doesn't fare well): http://gigaom.com/2012/10/01/data-caps-chart/ -- Rich

May 6, 2014

Re: [Wlug] OT: Looking for ISP

by Richard Klein

Verizon is offering service as fast as 3Mbps in my new neighborhood, also, so it looks like I'll go with Charter. I have an unreasoning dislike of cable companies (not that Verizon is wonderful), but I think I'll suck it up and choose Charter. I left Comcast in Clinton years ago because they had...was it 250GB/month?...data caps that I regularly ran over. I hadn't yet gotten into trouble for that, but their TOS allows them to ban you for running over their caps, and I didn't want to have to deal with that, or financially support such a company. Verizon DSL service in Clinton has been slower, and sometimes unreliable, but they have no caps (last I checked). The service in the new neighborhood promises to be even slower than what I have in Clinton, though, and that's insufferable. Thanks for the advice, everyone! And I'll have to check for buffer bloat. -- Rich On Mon, May 5, 2014 at 5:38 PM, JeffA Maillists <jeffa.maillists(a)gmail.com>wrote: > When I recently moved back to Worc, the options were: DSL or Cable > internet. > > DSL wasn't an option for me (IMHO), because the speed was predicted to > be "as high as" 3Mbps on my street, so I reluctantly went with cable > internet. The only cable provider in the city is Charter. > > It's no match for the FiOS internet I had in Marlborough, but it's > better than DSL. > > Charter's advertised speed is 30Mbps, but I occasionally see upwards of > 40Mbps. Upload is capped at 4.2Mbps. > > Jeff > On May 5, 2014 4:46 PM, "Richard Klein" <rich(a)richardklein.org> wrote: > >> I'm moving back to Worcester after 5-ish years. I used speakeasy for DSL >> when I lived near Indian Lake, but they aren't the same company anymore, >> and the new place is just off Hope Ave, by the cemeteries, Hadwen Park, and >> the Auburn line. Can anyone recommend a good ISP out that way, or a good >> website to find an ISP? >> >> -- >> Thanks! >> Rich >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Wlug mailing list >> Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org >> http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug >> >> > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > >

May 6, 2014

Re: [Wlug] OT: Looking for ISP

by Brett Russ

Yes, this is why I pay them ~$13 for "basic" TV service, which currently brings in local channels in HD accessible via a QAM tuner equipped TV. However, they've told us that soon they'll encrypt even local channels such that everyone will need to use a cable box (or possibly cable card will also work?) to watch. The extra $3 is worth it for something vs paying $10 for "nothing". Bottom line, it's a monopoly. DSL is not a real competitive threat, FiOS rollout is dead, AT&T offers home broadband via an LTE mobile access point but requires you to pay through the nose for a capped data plan (just like with a smartphone). I hear Verizon is focusing now on home broadband via LTE as well. I'm sure these won't be cheap but perhaps over time it will be competitive to Charter and push prices lower. -BR On Mon, May 5, 2014 at 11:06 PM, Michael Voorhis <mvoorhis(a)cs.wpi.edu>wrote: > Oops; "net-without-cable-TV." Or telephone. i.e., Internet ONLY. > > On 05/05/2014 11:02 PM, Michael Voorhis wrote: > > FYI; This is what your net-without-cable bill[...] > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug >

May 6, 2014

Re: [Wlug] OT: Looking for ISP

by Michael Voorhis

Oops; "net-without-cable-TV." Or telephone. i.e., Internet ONLY. On 05/05/2014 11:02 PM, Michael Voorhis wrote: > FYI; This is what your net-without-cable bill[...]

May 6, 2014

Re: [Wlug] OT: Looking for ISP

by Michael Voorhis

FYI; This is what your net-without-cable bill will eventually look like assuming you've got your own cable-modem. http://imladris.wpi.edu/~mvoorhis/20140505-2259-CharterBill.jpg If anyone can successfully delete the "Internet Plus Upgrade" please do let us all know. I've tried. You will be subject to endless junkmail and robo-calls telling you how wonderful your life will be if you upgrade to the Charter "Triple Play." Sign up for the triple play and you will be young, again. -MCV. On 05/05/2014 08:05 PM, E Johnson wrote: > Bottom Line: $54.99 reduced now to 39.99 puts $15 in my pocket here, > which is enough for one large Tech Pizza with 2 toppings per month, > delivered here still hot, plus an extravagent tip for the delivery > guy.

May 6, 2014

Re: [Wlug] OT: Looking for ISP

by E Johnson

Update: after visiting the Charter website, I find that their current deal is 39.99 for internet only. Internet only is the service I use. "They say" this is for New Customers Only but I am here to say It Ain't Necessarily So. I was a little tweaked when I discovered this rate, because I am a light internet user (don't download movies, don't stream, don't fileshare, etc), and I was required to pay 54.99 after the last promo deal of 44.99 (they offered ME this) expired recently. I did pay their new price for 2 months this year (for April/May service). However, after finding out that NEW customers for 30/4 internet pay only 39.99, I called to ask for a better deal. I asked for their latest Promo (which is a code word for "I know you can do better than this"). After over 1 hour of phone calls, several non-silent holds (hearing ads & the kooky Charter theme song), one billing rep, one sales rep and another billing rep because Charter dropped my (internet) call, my rate is now 39.99 for 30 down, 4 up, for 12 months after which they tell me it will revert to 54.99. This discount happened because I was quiet, respectful, peaceful, able to clearly and calmly explain my position and customer history, and expressed appreciation for each of these these reps for doing their jobs, without being effusive. Being on Musical and Advertisement Hold several times during these calls was rather annoying, but the phone reps were attentive and nice, and did what need doen. Bottom Line: $54.99 reduced now to 39.99 puts $15 in my pocket here, which is enough for one large Tech Pizza with 2 toppings per month, delivered here still hot, plus an extravagent tip for the delivery guy. So Rich, if you get a nice promo for a year for whatever you need & then the bill goes up, Do Call Back Negotiate. This is not the first time I have obtained a promo from Charter after my last promo expired. A final note: I haven't been able to contact Charter by their usual number for around a year or more, but the corporate office number also works and the menu will direct you to whatever department is needed, including Billing, which is where I started on my latest & greatest journey with them this eve. 314 965 0555. Anchovies & Black Olives, & Good Luck to Rich. 88s over & out, Liz J On 5 May 2014 17:48, E Johnson <iris.gates(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Charter is probably the only viable option. > > Depending on what you need (TV or not? Phone or not? Or just internet), > you can probably get a promotion with a price that will remain fixed for > 1-2 years. Whether or not you need a "package" or only internet, ask the > customer service (sales) Rep to find you a promotion. > > I'm paying 54 now for only internet, which can run 30 mb down and I think > 5 up. This is up from a one-year promo for which I was paying 44. When I > check the download speeds, it usually comes down at around 35 mb. > > Internet analysis test (the Netalyzer at USC Berkley I think) is very > comprehensive and has been giving good reports. Once Charter got some line > issues fixed in the neighborhood about 2 years ago, the Netalyzer tests > come out very good. The only complaint that Netalyzer notices is that the > buffer is somewhat too big, but usually things work okay, even in > packet-sensitive applications such as Skype. But maybe that is my router or > something. Maybe the modem (which I own). > > Welcome back to Woo. > > Liz J > > > On 5 May 2014 16:44, Richard Klein <rich(a)richardklein.org> wrote: > >> I'm moving back to Worcester after 5-ish years. I used speakeasy for DSL >> when I lived near Indian Lake, but they aren't the same company anymore, >> and the new place is just off Hope Ave, by the cemeteries, Hadwen Park, and >> the Auburn line. Can anyone recommend a good ISP out that way, or a good >> website to find an ISP? >> >> -- >> Thanks! >> Rich >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Wlug mailing list >> Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org >> http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug >> >> >

May 6, 2014

Re: [Wlug] Wlug Digest, Vol 127, Issue 4

by David Hardy

Agreed on Charter being the only choice for Woostuh, where I lived and worked through the glorious 1980s and again briefly 2006-06 and 2010. That wottuh problem under Southbridge Street is due primarily to runoff from the hills above it PLUS the Blackstone River tributary which they built the street and 290 over back when. Regards from Saint Albans Bay, VT Dave On Mon, May 5, 2014 at 5:49 PM, <wlug-request(a)mail.wlug.org> wrote: > Send Wlug mailing list submissions to > wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > wlug-request(a)mail.wlug.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > wlug-owner(a)mail.wlug.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Wlug digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. OT: Looking for ISP (Richard Klein) > 2. Re: OT: Looking for ISP (dglaser(a)glaserresearch.net) > 3. Re: OT: Looking for ISP (Richard Klein) > 4. Re: OT: Looking for ISP (Chuck Anderson) > 5. Re: OT: Looking for ISP (JeffA Maillists) > 6. Re: OT: Looking for ISP (E Johnson) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 5 May 2014 16:44:23 -0400 > From: Richard Klein <rich(a)richardklein.org> > Subject: [Wlug] OT: Looking for ISP > To: Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug(a)mail.wlug.org> > Message-ID: > <CA+_Advnq5hzRLj=Hc9Mmn6cm+yPuK= > upsUxGNk5uJMwZCAcrWQ(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > I'm moving back to Worcester after 5-ish years. I used speakeasy for DSL > when I lived near Indian Lake, but they aren't the same company anymore, > and the new place is just off Hope Ave, by the cemeteries, Hadwen Park, and > the Auburn line. Can anyone recommend a good ISP out that way, or a good > website to find an ISP? > > -- > Thanks! > Rich > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > http://mail.wlug.org/pipermail/wlug/attachments/20140505/b35e6d01/attachmen… > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Mon, 5 May 2014 17:16:34 -0400 (EDT) > From: "dglaser(a)glaserresearch.net" <dglaser(a)glaserresearch.net> > Subject: Re: [Wlug] OT: Looking for ISP > To: Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug(a)mail.wlug.org> > Message-ID: > < > 518168341.88775.1399324600492.JavaMail.vpopmail(a)webmail1.networksolutionsemail.com > > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > I live in the same general area (Malvern Rd) and your choice is either > Verizon > DSL or Charter Cable. I used Verizon DSL and found it to be really > SLOOWWWW. > The switching office is too far away for fast speeds. I use charter and > I get > 30 mb download. It is more reliable than Verizon. The phone trunk lines > run > under southbridge street and there is a severe water problem along that > route. > One time my phone and dsl was out for three days. > -David > > On May 5, 2014 at 4:44 PM Richard Klein <rich(a)richardklein.org> wrote: > > > I'm moving back to Worcester after 5-ish years. I used speakeasy for > DSL > > when I lived near Indian Lake, but they aren't the same company anymore, > and > > the new place is just off Hope Ave, by the cemeteries, Hadwen Park, and > the > > Auburn line. Can anyone recommend a good ISP out that way, or a good > website > > to find an ISP? > > > > -- > > Thanks! > > Rich > > _______________________________________________ > > Wlug mailing list > > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > http://mail.wlug.org/pipermail/wlug/attachments/20140505/7a6d922a/attachmen… > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Mon, 5 May 2014 17:18:44 -0400 > From: Richard Klein <rich(a)richardklein.org> > Subject: Re: [Wlug] OT: Looking for ISP > To: "dglaser(a)glaserresearch.net" <dglaser(a)glaserresearch.net>, > Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug(a)mail.wlug.org> > Message-ID: > <CA+_AdvmAh-+k7C+9ktUhr=f2BeHtVf1_ioHyKgameafZ= > SOVOw(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Thanks David! Do you know anything about data caps for Charter? > > > On Mon, May 5, 2014 at 5:16 PM, dglaser(a)glaserresearch.net < > dglaser(a)glaserresearch.net> wrote: > > > I live in the same general area (Malvern Rd) and your choice is either > > Verizon DSL or Charter Cable. I used Verizon DSL and found it to be > really > > SLOOWWWW. The switching office is too far away for fast speeds. I use > > charter and I get 30 mb download. It is more reliable than Verizon. The > > phone trunk lines run under southbridge street and there is a severe > water > > problem along that route. One time my phone and dsl was out for three > > days. > > -David > > > > On May 5, 2014 at 4:44 PM Richard Klein <rich(a)richardklein.org> wrote: > > > > I'm moving back to Worcester after 5-ish years. I used speakeasy for > DSL > > when I lived near Indian Lake, but they aren't the same company anymore, > > and the new place is just off Hope Ave, by the cemeteries, Hadwen Park, > and > > the Auburn line. Can anyone recommend a good ISP out that way, or a good > > website to find an ISP? > > > > -- > > Thanks! > > Rich > > _______________________________________________ > > Wlug mailing list > > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Wlug mailing list > > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > http://mail.wlug.org/pipermail/wlug/attachments/20140505/093d8c96/attachmen… > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Mon, 5 May 2014 17:23:42 -0400 > From: Chuck Anderson <cra(a)WPI.EDU> > Subject: Re: [Wlug] OT: Looking for ISP > To: Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug(a)mail.wlug.org> > Message-ID: <20140505212341.GR16992(a)angus.ind.WPI.EDU> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > Don't forget to fix bufferbloat. A lot of complaints people have with > ISPs is probably due to high latencies under load caused by > bufferbloat. You can fix bufferbloat by running either CeroWrt or a > "Barrier Breaker" development release of OpenWrt. Check here to see > if you have bufferbloat and how to fix it: > > http://www.bufferbloat.net/projects/cerowrt/wiki/Quick_Test_for_Bufferbloat > > On Mon, May 05, 2014 at 05:16:34PM -0400, dglaser(a)glaserresearch.netwrote: > > I live in the same general area (Malvern Rd) and your choice is either > Verizon > > DSL or Charter Cable. I used Verizon DSL and found it to be really > SLOOWWWW. > > The switching office is too far away for fast speeds. I use charter > and I get > > 30 mb download. It is more reliable than Verizon. The phone trunk > lines run > > under southbridge street and there is a severe water problem along that > route. > > One time my phone and dsl was out for three days. > > -David > > > > On May 5, 2014 at 4:44 PM Richard Klein <rich(a)richardklein.org> wrote: > > > > > I'm moving back to Worcester after 5-ish years. I used speakeasy for > DSL > > > when I lived near Indian Lake, but they aren't the same company > anymore, and > > > the new place is just off Hope Ave, by the cemeteries, Hadwen Park, > and the > > > Auburn line. Can anyone recommend a good ISP out that way, or a good > website > > > to find an ISP? > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Mon, 5 May 2014 17:38:37 -0400 > From: JeffA Maillists <jeffa.maillists(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [Wlug] OT: Looking for ISP > To: Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug(a)mail.wlug.org> > Message-ID: > <CALHtm4g2uf0YpWXnHgR3Zj46T= > 8jVR_9Ek4jOu7TwB7XAOVMCw(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > When I recently moved back to Worc, the options were: DSL or Cable > internet. > > DSL wasn't an option for me (IMHO), because the speed was predicted to be > "as high as" 3Mbps on my street, so I reluctantly went with cable > internet. The only cable provider in the city is Charter. > > It's no match for the FiOS internet I had in Marlborough, but it's better > than DSL. > > Charter's advertised speed is 30Mbps, but I occasionally see upwards of > 40Mbps. Upload is capped at 4.2Mbps. > > Jeff > On May 5, 2014 4:46 PM, "Richard Klein" <rich(a)richardklein.org> wrote: > > > I'm moving back to Worcester after 5-ish years. I used speakeasy for DSL > > when I lived near Indian Lake, but they aren't the same company anymore, > > and the new place is just off Hope Ave, by the cemeteries, Hadwen Park, > and > > the Auburn line. Can anyone recommend a good ISP out that way, or a good > > website to find an ISP? > > > > -- > > Thanks! > > Rich > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Wlug mailing list > > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > http://mail.wlug.org/pipermail/wlug/attachments/20140505/3ca5fbba/attachmen… > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Mon, 5 May 2014 17:48:51 -0400 > From: E Johnson <iris.gates(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [Wlug] OT: Looking for ISP > To: Worcester Linux Users Group <wlug(a)mail.wlug.org> > Message-ID: > < > CABmZTj1T7fQyZbPvfLD0-qhwdRtuNSoaw68kjfXgEnx73Wj35A(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Charter is probably the only viable option. > > Depending on what you need (TV or not? Phone or not? Or just internet), you > can probably get a promotion with a price that will remain fixed for 1-2 > years. Whether or not you need a "package" or only internet, ask the > customer service (sales) Rep to find you a promotion. > > I'm paying 54 now for only internet, which can run 30 mb down and I think 5 > up. This is up from a one-year promo for which I was paying 44. When I > check the download speeds, it usually comes down at around 35 mb. > > Internet analysis test (the Netalyzer at USC Berkley I think) is very > comprehensive and has been giving good reports. Once Charter got some line > issues fixed in the neighborhood about 2 years ago, the Netalyzer tests > come out very good. The only complaint that Netalyzer notices is that the > buffer is somewhat too big, but usually things work okay, even in > packet-sensitive applications such as Skype. But maybe that is my router or > something. Maybe the modem (which I own). > > Welcome back to Woo. > > Liz J > > > On 5 May 2014 16:44, Richard Klein <rich(a)richardklein.org> wrote: > > > I'm moving back to Worcester after 5-ish years. I used speakeasy for DSL > > when I lived near Indian Lake, but they aren't the same company anymore, > > and the new place is just off Hope Ave, by the cemeteries, Hadwen Park, > and > > the Auburn line. Can anyone recommend a good ISP out that way, or a good > > website to find an ISP? > > > > -- > > Thanks! > > Rich > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Wlug mailing list > > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > > > > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > http://mail.wlug.org/pipermail/wlug/attachments/20140505/acd3debf/attachmen… > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > > > End of Wlug Digest, Vol 127, Issue 4 > ************************************ > -- Sent from whatever machine I might be on right now.

May 5, 2014

Re: [Wlug] OT: Looking for ISP

by E Johnson

Charter is probably the only viable option. Depending on what you need (TV or not? Phone or not? Or just internet), you can probably get a promotion with a price that will remain fixed for 1-2 years. Whether or not you need a "package" or only internet, ask the customer service (sales) Rep to find you a promotion. I'm paying 54 now for only internet, which can run 30 mb down and I think 5 up. This is up from a one-year promo for which I was paying 44. When I check the download speeds, it usually comes down at around 35 mb. Internet analysis test (the Netalyzer at USC Berkley I think) is very comprehensive and has been giving good reports. Once Charter got some line issues fixed in the neighborhood about 2 years ago, the Netalyzer tests come out very good. The only complaint that Netalyzer notices is that the buffer is somewhat too big, but usually things work okay, even in packet-sensitive applications such as Skype. But maybe that is my router or something. Maybe the modem (which I own). Welcome back to Woo. Liz J On 5 May 2014 16:44, Richard Klein <rich(a)richardklein.org> wrote: > I'm moving back to Worcester after 5-ish years. I used speakeasy for DSL > when I lived near Indian Lake, but they aren't the same company anymore, > and the new place is just off Hope Ave, by the cemeteries, Hadwen Park, and > the Auburn line. Can anyone recommend a good ISP out that way, or a good > website to find an ISP? > > -- > Thanks! > Rich > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > >

May 5, 2014

Re: [Wlug] OT: Looking for ISP

by JeffA Maillists

When I recently moved back to Worc, the options were: DSL or Cable internet. DSL wasn't an option for me (IMHO), because the speed was predicted to be "as high as" 3Mbps on my street, so I reluctantly went with cable internet. The only cable provider in the city is Charter. It's no match for the FiOS internet I had in Marlborough, but it's better than DSL. Charter's advertised speed is 30Mbps, but I occasionally see upwards of 40Mbps. Upload is capped at 4.2Mbps. Jeff On May 5, 2014 4:46 PM, "Richard Klein" <rich(a)richardklein.org> wrote: > I'm moving back to Worcester after 5-ish years. I used speakeasy for DSL > when I lived near Indian Lake, but they aren't the same company anymore, > and the new place is just off Hope Ave, by the cemeteries, Hadwen Park, and > the Auburn line. Can anyone recommend a good ISP out that way, or a good > website to find an ISP? > > -- > Thanks! > Rich > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > >

May 5, 2014

Re: [Wlug] OT: Looking for ISP

by Chuck Anderson

Don't forget to fix bufferbloat. A lot of complaints people have with ISPs is probably due to high latencies under load caused by bufferbloat. You can fix bufferbloat by running either CeroWrt or a "Barrier Breaker" development release of OpenWrt. Check here to see if you have bufferbloat and how to fix it: http://www.bufferbloat.net/projects/cerowrt/wiki/Quick_Test_for_Bufferbloat On Mon, May 05, 2014 at 05:16:34PM -0400, dglaser(a)glaserresearch.net wrote: > I live in the same general area (Malvern Rd) and your choice is either Verizon > DSL or Charter Cable. I used Verizon DSL and found it to be really SLOOWWWW. > The switching office is too far away for fast speeds. I use charter and I get > 30 mb download. It is more reliable than Verizon. The phone trunk lines run > under southbridge street and there is a severe water problem along that route. > One time my phone and dsl was out for three days. > -David > > On May 5, 2014 at 4:44 PM Richard Klein <rich(a)richardklein.org> wrote: > > > I'm moving back to Worcester after 5-ish years. I used speakeasy for DSL > > when I lived near Indian Lake, but they aren't the same company anymore, and > > the new place is just off Hope Ave, by the cemeteries, Hadwen Park, and the > > Auburn line. Can anyone recommend a good ISP out that way, or a good website > > to find an ISP?

May 5, 2014