RE: [Nolug] Linux-friendly DSL providers

Hi Joey.

Thanks for the mention. :-)

Actually, my personal rate for a PVC (bridged) connection is $55 now. That
doesn't count the NOLUG and pay-ahead discounts.

The personal PPPoE connections are $50, for regular 1.5M, $60 for 3M, and $40
for 256K. Although I see no advantage to going PPPoE, it does make for easier
routing on BS's ATM backbone, hence they are pushing to use it instead of PVC.

There are about 8 other configurations (higher speeds and symmetrical speeds)
but they are priced much higher, so they aren't sold all that much.

BellSouth is gradually upgrading their DSLAMS from ADSL to ADSL2+. This will
allow for much greater speeds for those within a mile or two of the DSLAM. I
think that in the long run (years...) they plan to have DSLAMs in every
neighborhood. This would allow access in the 20M range.

They haven't committed yet, but I'm hoping that they will also upgrade to
"Reach Extended" ADSL. This would add about 3,000 feet to the current 18,000
limit for the standard 1.5M ADSL. I would improve coverage from about 85% to
95%, overall.

Side Note: Verizon's new high speed (about 500K) wireless service is now
available in New Orleans. David Portwood stopped by today and upgraded me.
Initial cost is $150 for the new card, but there is a $150 rebate for your old
card if you convert before the end of the year (or sometime in late Dec). The
monthly rate stays the same. So if need access while you are on the move,
it's pretty handy. $80 a month for unlimited service. I wish they offered
static IP's!

John

    John Souvestre - Southern Star - (504) 888-3348 - www.sstar.com

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-nolug@nolug.org [mailto:owner-nolug@nolug.org] On Behalf Of Joey
Kelly
Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2004 5:28 PM
To: nolug@nolug.org
Subject: [Nolug] Linux-friendly DSL providers

We all know about Southern Star (http://www.sstar.com), and John the owner is
a frequent poster on this list. He charges $60 per month, plus as setup fee,
with a small discount for nolug members. He blocks no ports (Cox and
BellSouth and others block outgoing ports 25 and 80, or mail and web), and
quite frankly Knows His Stuff.

I work as a part-time tech for Gulf South Internet (http://www.gs.net),
another Metairie-based ISP. Gulf South charges $50 per month with a setup
fee, and does not block ports. Jesse Palmer and his dad run HP, BSD and OSX
in their NOC, so he is also a geek like us, though he doesn't run Linux, to
my knowledge. The downside to his service is that the cheaper DSL offerings
(the ones you guys are most likely to choose) are PPPoE, which isn't fatal,
but it's an extra hassle.

John has been kind to us and his service is quite good. As I said, I work for
Gulf South and theoretically stand to profit by recommending them, but I do
want it known that they exist and are friendly toward clued users. If you're
looking to get DSL and choose either of their services, please tell them that
you heard about them at NOLUG.

Thanks.

-- 
Joey Kelly
< Minister of the Gospel | Linux Consultant >
http://joeykelly.net
"I may have invented it, but Bill made it famous."
 --- David Bradley, the IBM employee that invented CTRL-ALT-DEL
___________________
Nolug mailing list
nolug@nolug.org
___________________
Nolug mailing list
nolug@nolug.org