|
|
Post by Go Plainedge! on Feb 22, 2006 15:05:33 GMT -5
For those searching for a choice in broadband internet connection, Verizon has a service called FIOS (fiber optic). It is faster and just as reliable as Optimum Online. However, its not available in our area yet. Massapequa Park and Massapequa both have it available. If you have Optimum Online and are interested in faster service for the same price, you can submit your name by clicking on the link below www22.verizon.com/ForHomeDSL/channels/orderdsl/olo_fios_fn_popup.asp?NextPageName=FN&Type=FS&Window=POPUPYou can then add this to your Verizon phone bill (if thats the service you have) and receive $5.00 off per month. I don't work for Verizon, nor get commission from them. I just want the service available in this area and the more people that submit their name, the quicker they will set our area up. You will then have a choice for broadband connection instead of just one. |
|
|
|
Post by techie on Feb 22, 2006 21:31:22 GMT -5
Verizon has been telling me that FIOS is coming real soon to our area, but, they have been telling me that for the past year and a half.
Still, I am enjoying DSL service from them now and wouldn't trade back to cable for anything!
FIOS is also supposed to include movies and TV, so I guess I'll be able to take down my satellites too.
If anyone signs up for DSL service in the meantime, I have one little bit of advice. Don't use the modem/router from Verizon. They use Westell equipment and they are known to be poor. Hop over to MICROCENTER and pick up a better one for about$50.-$75. bucks. Wireless is definitely the way to go. (IMHO)
The prospects of LIPA giving access to the Net over the power lines is going to be looked at by them in the coming months. The more competition, the cheaper the rates. ( I hope!)
Also the "dream" in Suffolk Co. to be the first county in the country to be all wireless is being talked about. I wonder if Nassau would consider such a project in the future? For now there would be too many hurdles.
|
|
|
|
Post by Say What Again on Jun 14, 2006 12:02:53 GMT -5
Id be careful about the prospect of having your internet being provided through your house wiring - LIPA is connected to your house, your house is powering your router (or your modem if dont have a router) and PC...
Meaning you'll want to move that router/modem onto a surge-protected strip....remember all the power outages and lightning storms? Even if your PC is on a power-strip, if your router/modem is not, your PC's mainboard can still fry by the current being sent through the network cable connected to it from an unprotected router/modem.
As with all new technologies, there will be a period of groing pains and working kinks out of the system - I hope LIPA is prepared to deal with that. I however, prefer to go cable and wireless at present
|
|
|
|
Post by justfacts on Jun 14, 2006 13:13:28 GMT -5
INTERNET connectivity
The LIPA plan mentioned by Techie is a wet dream of somebody.
The bandwidth restrictions of even a "clean" set of local power lines is further reduced by the linking of local lines to a main power distribution transformer. There are hundreds of these transformers in one limited local area. Service could not be provided even to just a restricted District, let alone a Town or a County.
In the Forties, much ado was also made of using power lines for a 100 KHz based Carrier Communication system for people to use. Operational tests showed failures of the system to perform due to the transformer bandwidth limitations.
Also, the radiation losses and pollution of the airwaves by the "open loop" High voltage distribution system of LILCO power would cause a disruption of all other paired-wire connection systems. LILCO uses a single wire high above ground for one side of the power (signal) distribution and an undefined Ground return path for the other side. Sorry, Charlie, that system won't fly! Don't buy into the pipe-dream!
As to the county wide wireless system proposed by Suffolk pseudo-tech politicians. Again, a simple engineering review would reveal the limitations of such a service. The only ones that would get involved with that pipe-dream are those willing to take a load of money from the County for a "Study" or "Evaluation" of such a system. You know those type of people - anything for a buck.
Local area distributions of Internet services are a practical and viable methodology. But try to imagine one county wide setup of a single wireless distribution point for signals of a million or more PCs in that single node on one side of a Gateway!
A recent visit to Queens College's wireless network revealed three separate floors of about 50 PCs per floor all in the network at one time. Just those 150 points inside of 3 nodes was tough to deal with on the one PC exploring the system. Try try imagine addressing beyond the FF limits (256 points), or even the FFFF (64 K points) of a million node single wireless system!
The addressing problem is severe. Even if the system is broken down into FF limits (256 PCs per node) there would need to be about 5,000 distribution points in the County - all in need of support and maintenance. How many IT personnel would that take? Can you imagine the IT staff and cost to a Company with a million or more PCs in their network?
Paging thru the sites of: "Second Floor, Science Department, PC Number 523" to reach a particular location would eat up screenfuls of the PC monitor's display!
And Techie is absolutely correct. That modem/router from Verizon - by Westell - is a totally inadequate product. Go get a useful modem/router if you are going with the Verizon system!
Also, on any of the systems that use copper wires coming into your house, be very sure to have surge protection devices on the power connections! And don't blindly trust them - many, once hit by a surge, fail in a way that leaves them "open". If you've had strong local lightning hits - look to replace the surge protector.
Ed.
|
|
|
|
Post by Say What Again on Jun 14, 2006 13:31:55 GMT -5
Another threat that would have to assessed is security. Theoretically, through the existing wiring in your house, any plugged in PC (for those of us with multiple ones) is essentially "connected" to a home or "Local" network...with the proper modifications, any PC can share files/folders/drives/printers with any other PC in the house.
Not everyone employs a firewall either - so does hooking in the local power grid essentially open you up to a theoretical "Global" network? Its unlikely, but imagine LIPA being an internet service provider to virtually every home on its grid - does anyone trust that board enough to NOT wonder if they are thinking of this as well? or what steps they would hopefully take to prevent it?
There's only one good thing that would possibly come out of a mutli-noded network like that - I wouldnt have to go to your house anymore to fix your computer problems - I could do it from mine.
|
|
|
|
Post by justfacts on Jun 14, 2006 16:38:54 GMT -5
Say What again
You seem to have background skills in computers. There are several directions the District has recently moved in with regard to "Technology" (translate that as buying PCs and related equipment) that seem to not have a cogent plan for development of student skills in this area.
An example of this is the purchase of a PC "Whiteboard" for "Show & Tell" purposes without a plan for materially aiding students use and understanding of this technology. The recent purchases of laptops and MACs, as you noted, is another example of misdirected "technology" expansions and expenses.
I have been involved in the many areas of computer technology: Flight and other Simulators, Robotics and Automated Control Devices and Systems, Aircraft Control and Communication Systems, Personal Computers and Networks, etc.
I would appreciate conferring, over a period of time, with some others about the ways that computer technology could be applied into the School system by people who know what technology is about, rather than limit this activity to the present method of having administrators and educators, with their limited practical skills and knowledge, decide how to do it.
Ed.
e-mail: edowdell@hoflink.com
phone: 516-249-9308 516-694-6440
|
|
|
|
Post by Say What Again on Jun 15, 2006 8:52:15 GMT -5
12 years worth and networked my home of 4 PCs with a mix of wired and wireless and manage to keep people from "parking" off my wireless access
|
|
|
|
Post by Go Plainedge! on Jun 21, 2006 12:51:19 GMT -5
FYI:
I spoke with Verizon today. Our area is scheduled for FIOS (Firber Optic) by the end of August.
FIOS TV will follow after that.
|
|
|
|
Post by Go Plainedge! on Nov 25, 2006 16:13:34 GMT -5
UPDATE:
For those interested in breaking your Cablevision ties, FIOS is now live in our area.
Speed are faster and slightly cheaper.
|
|
|
|
Post by techie on Nov 25, 2006 21:27:02 GMT -5
GO!,
FIOS has been in for a few weeks, and they also have HDTV as well as 200+ channels. I'm ditchin' my DSL and Satellites to switch to full Verizon.
The TV part is $35. a month, for 200 ch. Lot LESS than my Sat.s, far less than cable. More ESPN, jus' have to see about my Yankees!
I'm opting towards DLP instead of LCD, (tossed the idea of PLASMA) any ideas anyone? Pros/ Cons?
Just trying to keep busy......
|
|
|
|
Post by Go Plainedge! on Nov 25, 2006 21:55:01 GMT -5
I'm not a DLP fan. The picture just doen't look right to me (IMO).
The newer plasmas help avoid the burn-in although still don't have a long life span (10 Years + -). Some of the LCD's are really nice and come close to the quality of a plasma.
|
|
