DSL is available in many
speed configurations. Spinn.Net offers ADSL service starting at 384k download and 128
upload. You can also get our ADSL service at 768/384 if you need it. The entry level SDSL
configuration is a constant 192k in both directions. For reference, your modem is at
most a 56k connection, usually less. Depending on how far you are from the CO, your
speed may vary (see the next question). The available speeds for SDSL are 192k, 384k,
768k, 1M (1000k), 1.5M (1500k). A third option is IDSL, which is available at 144k. IDSL
is usually used by people in Albuquerque who are too far away from their CO for other
types of DSL. Unfortunately, with the way the US West / Qwest placed their COs around town, being
too far away is an all-too-common occurrence.
My co-worker has faster DSL, what's up?
Because DSL service uses
copper wires that were made for voice communication, it is fickle about the length and
quality of the line to your house. The reason a new line is run to your house for the DSL
is to eliminate the trouble with old phone lines. The length of the line is still an issue
however. The speed that you can get with DSL is dependant on how far away from the CO, or
Central Office, you are. You and your friend may not be very far from each other but the
copper lines running to your respective houses may go to different COs. If you want to
know how far you are from your CO, give us a call. As long as you're not over
17000 feet away (5 miles or so),
you should be alright. Even if you're over 17000 feet, you may still be able to get IDSL
so don't lose hope! Wireless
broadband is always good too.
Why is DSL in New Mexico more expensive than in other places?
prices
There are a couple of
somewhat complicated answers to that question.
First is the obvious one, DSL is very new in NM and the infrastructure needed
hasn't been paid for completely yet. The prices you may have seen in other parts of the
country represent DSL that has been around for awhile so they are able to offer lower
prices.
Another reason you'll see lower prices for DSL in other parts of the country is
most providers just use the term DSL without specifying which type of xDSL they're selling
or what bandwidth they guarantee you. Spinn.Net offers SDSL, which is a higher quality
product offering more service guarantees such as higher guaranteed bandwidth. In addition,
Spinn.Net's ADSL is actually SDSL with the speeds locked down to ADSL levels. This allows
us to offer a better product at a lower price.
Do I have to worry about security with DSL?
Yes. There are users
out on the net with nothing better to do than scan for vulnerable computers on the net and
attack them, either to steal information from them or just to render the victim computer
inoperable. Being on a modem makes you a little less of a target because the address of
your computer changes every time you get on the net. If your address is always different,
finding you becomes a much more difficult chore. When you have a DSL connection, your
address never changes because you're online all the time. Because of this, you become a
much more attractive target to crackers/script-kiddies. If you're using Windows95/98 or
Mac OS you have what could be called an advantage over more powerful systems in the area of
network security. This is because Windows95/98 / Mac OS was never made to support users
except for people sitting in front of the computer. Most other computer operating systems
allow remote users, a user that has connected to the operating system from another
computer. Since Win95/98 and Mac OS don't have any ability to let others run programs
remotely (other programs, such as Internet Explorer have been known to let malicious users
run amok on your system but that's a different problem) really the only thing a remote
user can do to you is crash your system, they can't steal any information. That's not much
an only, but if you're running Windows95/98 or Mac OS, it's about the best you can
hope for. Your Windows computer can also be used as a "zombie" computer in what
is called a Distributed Denial of Service attack. What that means is that someone can
remotely install software on your computer that will attack other computers on the
internet. So doing what you can to protect your computer can now actually help make the
entire internet more secure. Operating systems such as Linux or
Windows/NT are made to be
much more powerful and since they allow remote users, they are also more vulnerable to
attack because it's worth it, you can get information or use the machine to attack other
computers. Fortunately, these systems are also much more secure to attack (in the case of
Linux, much, much more secure).
There are many products out there to help you defend against, and in some cases
prevent, attacks on your computer. There's even help for you if you're running
Windows95/98. :)
Are Cable Modems faster?
No way. Don't take our word for it, read on...
ZDnet: Why is my
cable modem so slow?
Why is the slower 144Kbps (IDSL) service more expensive
than 384Kbps
service?
To provide this service the DSL provider has to lease a standard ISDN
line from the telephone company to use for DSL
service. The cost of the ISDN line is what accounts for the expense of
the IDSL service.
Check out some of the personal firewall products below.
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