Re:

[Joanie]

Hey Neon,



Your just an uptown guy now with all that speed. I should have my DSL in, in a couple of weeks. They told me I would receive a service agreement through e-mail but so far I have not heard a word.  



Keep your fingers crossed I will be able to figure it all out on my own, especially the e-mail stuff.



Have fun speeding on the highway.



Joanie



http://www.poasters.com/images/rahrahsm.gif  " border=0>

[n/a]

Hey, Neon, congratulations! I'd settle for your old 40 Kbps.



Don't know if this page will help or not since I don't know your zip code.



Oops, found a better link -- try this one instead.



At least you won't waste much time checking it out.



http://www.poasters.com/images/bear.gif" border=0>

[Neon]

That's right, Joanie, I be stylin' and profilin' now!



I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for your DSL install. That sounds just like the phone company to not follow up (I presume it's the phone company, since the only CLEC left is Covad, and they aren't doing so well). Are you still considering a wireless home network? It would be awesomely cool.



Bear, thanks, that second link is exactly what I was looking for. That solution  will get tried later today. As for my 4 year old Lucent chipset Winmodem, you can have it if you think it will do any good. I just can't guarantee you'll get 40 Kbps



Or, you're in southern OK, right? So, if you'll spring for a couple hundred miles of coaxial cable, I'd put a splitter on my cable, and we could share bandwidth. Except I get 7-9 PM, that's only fair.



http://neon.home.texas.net/neonsm.gif" border=0>

[n/a]

Glad that helped, Neon. I wish my connection problem was the modem, but I have two good ones. I live seven miles from the central station and half a mile from new phone line along the highway, and that last half mile is what's killing my connection -- twenty years old, many splices from county road crew boo-boos. Unfortunately, the phone company isn't required to replace it unless we can't get a voice-quality connection. Believe me, I've tried everything.



I'll just have to wait until the price of satellite service comes down.







http://www.poasters.com/images/bear.gif" border=0>

[pat]

Neon,

Glad to see you are up and running. Perhaps there is hope for those of us who are broadband challenged.



Bear,

It is starting to look like satellite is my only option also, even though you only have to go 20 minutes east, west, north or south to get AT&T broadband. We also get ATT cable but no Internet. Believe it or not I have been going back and forth with those folks for going on 2 years and have yet to receive an answer as to why they can?t service our area. I am including a copy of the whole email string for your entertainment. I did print out a copy and drop it off at one of the local area newspapers if they won?t do an article I?ll take it to the other. I probably will anyway maybe between the two of them one will print it.

I don?t know maybe I?m just a big cry-baby.  

Anyway start at the bottom and go up, watch the dates.

I did edit out my real email address and address, call me parinoid.

Pat





----- Original Message -----

From: "pat

To: "AT&T @Home Customer Care"

Sent: Monday, October 08, 2001 10:19 AM

Subject: Re: Potential Customer (KMM601306C0KM) <<#41325-52696#>>





> Paul B

> Thank you for responding to my email, unfortunately I have yet to hear back

> with any comments as to why our area is unable to receive your broadband

> internet service.

> I don't think my request for an explanation as to why you are unable to

> supply our area with this is unreasonable. Since I am only one person I have

> no way to tell what the total demand for our area is, but I am sure I am not

> the only one. I think I will forward a copy of this correspondence to our

> local area newspapers to print, perhaps this will tell me if I am the only

> one in my area that wants broadband. I do find it somewhat comical, perhaps

> ironic that when I receive your billing statement in the mail, I write my

> check out to AT&T Broadband. I'm not saying that you don't want to treat all

> your customers equally, perhaps your customers in larger areas are more equal

> than ours.

> Again thank you for your consideration in this matter.

> Pat

>

>

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: "AT&T @Home Customer Care"

> To:

> Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 1:02 PM

> Subject: Re: Potential Customer (KMM601306C0KM) <<#41325-52696#>>

>

>

> > Dear AT&T Broadband customer,

> >

> > Thank you for writing to AT&T@Home.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > I sincerely apologize for the unpleasant experience you had recently with

> our AT&T @Home < staff/service > and I thank you for writing to us.  We need

> to hear about any unsatisfactory situations in order to correct them and to

> enhance our level of customer service.

> >

> > I have forwarded your comments to the appropriate members of our

> development and management teams for further review and action.  We

> sincerely appreciate that you took time from your busy schedule to help us

> keep our commitment to quality customer care. You are a valued customer and

> we appreciate your business.

> >

> > Thank you again for contacting AT&T@Home.

> >

> > Paul B

> > AT&T@Home Online Customer Support Center

> >

> > --- Original Message ---

> > From: pat

> > Received: 09/30/2001 08:44am Mountain Standard Time (GMT - 6:00 )

> > To: "TCI @Home Customer Care"

> > Subject: Re: Potential Customer        (KMM601306C0KM)

> >

> > To: Whomever cares enough to respond,

> > As you can see by the date on this email two weeks have came and went

> > several times. It looks as if we are no closer to getting AT&T internet

> > cable services than we were when I last emailed you. I can come to no

> other

> > conclusion that you must feel our area isn't profitable enough for you to

> > make the investment in infrastructure to provide us with internet cable,

> > even though you already our only choice for cable TV. That said I am faced

> > with my only alternative, which would be satellite. Since I guess that is

> my

> > only option at this time. That said, I suppose I would no longer need your

> > cable TV service either and since I feel you company really has no desire

> to

> > support our area, I really don't need to have your long distance service

> > either. It looks like I will no longer be a customer of AT&T at all.

> > Thank You,

> > Pat

> >

> > ----- Original Message -----

> > From: "TCI @Home Customer Care"

> > To: "pat

> > Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2000 8:55 PM

> > Subject: Re: Potential Customer (KMM601306C0KM)

> >

> >

> > > Pat,

> > >

> > > Thank you for writing AT&T@Home.

> > >

> > > I have submitted a servicability request form for you.  When the results

> > > are received it should tell me when your area is scheduled to be

> > > launched.  I will receive these results in about 2 weeks, and will email

> > > you at that time.

> > >

> > > If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to

> > > write back.  You may also contact our Customer Satisfaction Center at

> > > 1-888-262-6300.  Satisfaction Specialists are available 24 hours a day,

> > > 7 days a week for your convenience.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Sincerely,

> > >

> > > Adam M

> > > AT&T@Home Electronic Communications Support

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Original message follows:

> > > -------------------------

> > >

> > > ToddG

> > > Here is my information.

> >xxxxxxxxxx

> > > Email contact is just fine.

> > > Thank You,

> > > Pat

> > >

> > > ----- Original Message -----

> > > From: "TCI @Home Customer Care"

> > > To: "pat

> > > Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2000 1:47 AM

> > > Subject: Re: Potential Customer (KMM598818C0KM)

> > >

> > >

> > > > Pat,

> > > >

> > > > Thank you for writing AT&T@Home.

> > > >

> > > >       Please reply to this email with your area code and phone number,

> > >

> > > > full address, and first and last name. We will submit a serviceability

> > >

> > > > request form with the information you provide and we can have someone

> > > > contact you by the means you wish regarding serviceability in your

> > > area.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate

> > > to

> > > > write back.  You may also contact our Customer Satisfaction Center at

> > > > 1-888-262-6300.  Satisfaction Specialists are available 24 hours a

> > > day,

> > > > 7 days a week for your convenience.

> > > >

> > > > Thank you again for contacting AT&T@Home.

> > > >

> > > > ToddG

> > > > AT&T@Home Electronic Communications Support

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Original message follows:

> > > > -------------------------

> > > >

> > > > CeciliaW

> > > > Thank you for the quick response. We do have cable TV in our area in

> > > > fact

> > > > you ATT is our cable carrier. At Home service is available in your

> > > > service

> > > > areas just across the border in Michigan City,IN. & Laporte, IN.

> > > > I assume these Lines are all interconnected (?) Maybe it would not be

> > > so

> > > > hard to bring your service to us here. Your service area in this

> > > corner

> > > > of

> > > > southwest MI has lots of potential customers.

> > > > Thanks again,

> > > > Pat

> > > >

> > > > ----- Original Message -----

> > > > From: "TCI @Home Customer Care"

> > > > To: "pat

> > > > Sent: Monday, January 17, 2000 7:50 AM

> > > > Subject: Re: Potential Customer (KMM596490C0KM)

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > > Hi Pat,

> > > > >

> > > > > Thank you for writing AT&T@Home again.  I have found that two leads

> > > > have

> > > > > been established for in our records so that when the service does

> > > > become

> > > > > available all that will be left to do is to schedule your

> > > appointment,

> > > > > get your payment info and an explanation of the service.

> > > > >

> > > > > Checking the resources available to us, I found that your address is

> > >

> > > > not

> > > > > in a serviceable area, nor is it listed as being in a future market.

> > > > >

> > > > > I don't want to discourage you, but there is a bright side.  If you

> > > > > receive cable television in your area it may be possible that we can

> > > > > provide the service through someone we have a partnership with.

> > > > >

> > > > > Please do not hesitate to write back.  You may also contact our

> > > > Customer

> > > > > Satisfaction Center at 1-888-262-6300.  Satisfaction Specialists are

> > > > > available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your convenience.

> > > > >

> > > > > Thank you again for contacting AT&T@Home.

> > > > >

> > > > > CeciliaW

> > > > > AT&T@Home Electronic Communications Support

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Original message follows:

> > > > > -------------------------

> > > > >

> > > > > Sarah,

> > > > > Thank you for your response but I don't live in Woodstock, IL. My

> > > > > address

> > > > > is:

> > > > >                

> > > > > Ever since your Co. said they were going to bring cable access to

> > > town

> > > > > my

> > > > > friends and I have been anxiously awaiting your arrival. This is a

> > > > small

> > > > > town and our options for internet service are few.

> > >

> > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Thank you,

> > > > > Pat

> > > > >

> > > > > ----- Original Message -----

> > > > > From: "TCI @Home Customer Care"

> > > > > To: "Pat

> > > > > Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2000 3:37 PM

> > > > > Subject: Re: Potential Customer (KMM593256C0KM)

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > > Pat,

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Thank you for writing AT&T@Home.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Currently, Woodstock, IL is not listed on our future markets list.

> > > > > > Because it is not on there, we are unable to provide an estimated

> > > > time

> > > > > > frame for when you should expect your address to become

> > > serviceable.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > If you would like to be included on the waiting/contact list for

> > > > > @Home,

> > > > > > please forward us your full home address and home phone number.

> > > We

> > > > > will

> > > > > > then contact you as soon as your address becomes serviceable.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not

> > > > hesitate

> > > > > to

> > > > > > write back.  You may also contact our Customer Satisfaction Center

> > >

> > > > at

> > > > > > 1-888-262-6300.  Satisfaction Specialists are available 24 hours a

> > > > > day,

> > > > > > 7 days a week for your convenience.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Sincerely,

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Sarah F

> > > > > > AT&T@Home Electronic Communications Support

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Original message follows:

> > > > > > -------------------------

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Below is the result of your feedback form.  It was submitted by

> > > > > > Pat on Friday, January 14, 2000 at

> > > > > > 05:21:00

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > > > > > ---

> > > > > >

> > > > > > FormName: tcinetcomments

> > > > > >

> > > > > > FirstName: Pat

> > > > > >

> > > > > > LastName:

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Email:

> > > > > >

> > > > > > comments: Can you please tell me when you expect to have cable

> > > > access

> > > > > in

> > > > > > our area. When you bought our cable co. 2 years ago you promised

> > > to

> > > > > > bring it in. we are still waiting.

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > > > > > ---

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

> > ------ Please do not remove your unique tracking number! ------

> > <<#41325-52696#>>

> >

> >

> >

>







Edited by - patman on Oct 08 2001  1:04:14 PM

[n/a]

Well, Pat, that's just ducky. Sounds a lot like the runaround I get when I try to push for better service in rural areas here. The bottom line is profitability. Rural or semi-rural areas don't have the immediate payback on their investment that densely populated areas do, so they'll drag their feet until they're forced to provide service. In the meantime they'll spend millions promoting the service in areas that are already saturated.



This is nothing new. When I was a kid living on a farm, my dad took turns being a volunteer lineman with the local rural co-op he helped start because AT&T refused to provide rural service. Ironically, that same rural co-op now provides DSL, and here I am on SWBell and can't even get decent dial-up.



All this reminds me that it's about time for my annual letter to the Corporation Commission to gripe about the inequity in service in rural areas. Maybe they'll reply with a new form letter this year.





http://www.poasters.com/images/bear.gif" border=0>

[pat]

What the heck. I like livin in the country. Belive it or not the last time I downloaded a program it came in at a screaming 5.63KB/sec. and that was sustained.

Pat



 

[Neon]

In case anyone is interested, it turns out that "mail" and "news" are actually just prefixes in the @home system. For a domain suffix such as roalok1.mi.home.com, "mail" == mail.roalok1.mi.home.com and "news" == news.roalok1.mi.home.com. That was easy enough, now the individual apps can be configured without needing to install all of the @Home software, MSIE, MSOE, etc. Yay!



http://neon.home.texas.net/neonsm.gif" border=0>

[Karen]

Hi Neon,

 

Welcome to the world of broadband!  I've had cable for a little over a year and can't imagine connecting to the internet without a broadband connection ever again.  I feel the need...the need for speed!  

 

The typical off the shelf consumer version of Windows is configured for dial-up connections.  To fully take advantage of your new connection, there are several registry settings within Windows you might want to adjust.  Two excellent sites to help walk you through are http://www.dslreports.com/ and http://www.speedguide.net/index.shtml.  Tons of info, links, tools, tests, tweaks and excellent tweak/broadband forums on both sites.  (Guaranteed to keep you busy for hours reading and tweaking.)

 

Go to http://www.dslreports.com/tools and run the "Tweak Test" under "Java Based Tools" and also http://www.speedguide.net/index.shtml and run the "TCP/IP Analyzer" under "New on SG" near top of page.  Both on-line tests analyze your current registry settings and make suggestions for broadband optimization.  Below are my after tweaking results using both tests:



http://www.livegem.net/gizmo/imagesP/tweaktestpoast.jpg" border=0>





http://www.livegem.net/gizmo/imagesP/TCPIP.jpg" border=0>





I noticed a dramatic increase in my broadband speed after applying some of the tweaks suggested by both sites.  Of course tweaking your registry can be done manually, but both sites make it easier by offering free software utilities.  As always, back up your registry before making any changes.  On my PIII 500, Win98SE, I found my best settings using a combination of the following:

 

DRTCP

 

http://www.dslreports.com/front/drtcp.html

(Might have to play around with this one a bit. The settings don't always "stick" on the utility's control panel.)

 

 

SpeedGuide Web Patch (approx 1/2 down the page)

 

http://www.speedguide.net/Cable_modems/cable_patches.shtml

 

 

CableNut

 

http://www.broadbandnuts.com/software.shtml

 

 

After applying the tweaks, go back and run "Tweak Test" and "TCP/IP Analyzer" until your settings are satisfactory.  Both tests recommend clearing your temporary internet files between tests for accurate results.



My tested download speed at http://www.bandwidthplace.com/index.html is 265.2 kilobytes per second.

 

 

Have fun and enjoy your new found speed!

 

Karen









Edited by - Karen on Oct 08 2001  10:39:17 PM

[Ace]

Well, that was all illuminating. I was thinking I was doing pretty high-techy what with having the additional phone jack installed upstairs just so I could plug this dang thing in, dangit.



I used to have ATT for long distance... called them regarding internet service and got the biggest brush off/indifference ever met. Went with Sprint and Earthlink just because.  And dial up... I'm surprised this thing doesn't have a crank on the side; or at least a rotary dial.



Actually, it generally always always works, and I'm used to humming to myself waiting for anything really spastic to load. Downloads can take awhile, like the last Diablo update, but I just leave the thing on and leave the room and come back in 50 minutes or so.



Thing I hate is "streaming" video stuff; shoot, trying to watch the Cradle of Filth video cut just gets so jerky.  Never know when the net congestion is going to catch up with it. Having my own congestion doesn't help.  Although the sampling offa CDNow goes ok; particularly with Windows Media instead of Real Player. Go figure.



Heck, you can hear parts of the whole Bitter Suites album there. Now that's entertainment.



Mostly, though, as slow as thing is, I think it's a good match with me.  If you guys would ever get that poastal trade thingy going maybe I could buy a cable splicer from one of you and run it to my house, or even some good string. I've got a lot of cans in the garage. Then I'd be somebody.  Shoot.



Ace: whenever he runs into a computer person he says, "Hi, Tech."



 

[scuzzy]

Neon,



Hooray! Congrats on finally getting broadband. As Karen mentioned, once you have broadband you'll never want to go back to dial up.



http://www.poasters.com/images/scuzzy.gif" border=0>

Alex Garcia

[Neon]

Karen,

Wow! Thanks for all the info and links. I visited dslreports.com a lot recently, when I thought DSL was available here, but I see that it also has a whole section on @Home cable. Some of those Windows settings like RWIN and Max MTU are vaguely familiar from the old-time long ago dialup modem tweaking days. The Java tools ought to be especially cool. It looks like I have some tweaking and testing to do.



Ace - I'd offer to share my cable with you, but considering we're 5 or 6 states apart, you may not get much of an improvement due to distance losses.



However, I just might contribute to the Acemodem Fund. The Acemodem Fund purchases coal for needy internet users whose only connection option is an old-style coal-fired modem. Netizens from the northren climes in particular have been known to drop off the net suddenly when the first cold snap of autumn arrives. So, everyone please support the Acemodem Fund at this time of year, or the prophesies and proclamations of Netizens such as our friend Ace might be lost forever.



http://neon.home.texas.net/neonsm.gif" border=0>

[Ace]

Well, thanks Neon, I mean, you know, well.. thanks.



Firstly, any mention of "Lost" and "Ace" in the same sentence sort of strikes fear in the heart of, well, me.  I mean, I sort of have (sort'v've) a reputation for getting lost periodically, around these parts. Usually not in them; although in the days of the 73 rooms and the lounge/bath combo actually even here.



Disregarding the recent occurence of my locking myself in the humor room, accidentally. I did, at all times, know where I was, though.



But whenever this place moves, which is like every 13 months or less, I do tend to wander the wilderness until somebody comes and gets me.



Also, Point B; excuse me, but it's a Quantex. A noteworthy, previously highly thought of state of their art machine. Especially back in 97 or whenever I bothered to get the dang thing. So it ain't coal fired. Criminy.



I believe its natural gas, or maybe gasoline.  I sure hope it's a four-cycle. Geez, I hate 2 cycle ones.  The day I buy a LawnBoy is the day I want to mow with a blue cloud surrounding my head...



I do know it has a battery, because in the original Q room we did have quite a discussion on the merits of duct taping them in, if you couldn't find solder or epoxy handy especially.



So; as far as the cable thing... It might help, that's for sure. If you don't mind, though, if you do string the thing over here please bury it in the yard, because honestly I've got enough lines coming to the house now as it is. Also, watch out you don't disturb any squirrel nuts buried in the vicinity. They do work hard at it.. although, I gotta tell ya, they do not have a clue where they are.  I mean, I've watched them wander, probe; wander, probe; comes from usually carefully placing a leaf over the dig.. Yeah; that'll be right there 3 months from now; you betcha.



Thanks for the I think they were kind words about the fund, and other poastal stuff. Cash would be ok by me, if anyone wants to contribute. And shoot, I'll find a good use for it.  My wife won't think so, but I know I always spend wisely.  What does she know... criminy. She owns stock in Avon..



Ace: he doesn't buy that much jewelry, and just half of the earrings.



 

[Neon]

The New Cable is Here! The New Cable is Here! I'm somebody now!



ATT Broadband @Home service is up and running, woo hoo and Yee Haw! It's an RCA model DCM235 cable modem, and it just got 1240 Kbps (151.5 Kbytes/s) at www.bandwidthplace.com/speedtest Obviously, that beats the H-E-double hockey sticks out of the 40 Kbps dialup modem.



The self-install method has been mostly OK, but there are still some things I have not figured out, and are thus not quite configured properly. For example, ATT BB/@Home doesn't seem to tell you the identity of your mail and newsgroup servers, instead preferring to have you install the @home software, and then entering "mail" and "news" respectively into the email and newsreader apps. What the heck is that? I figured out what the mail server is by tracing an email over the network (thank you, SamSpade), but how do I find my news server I really, really hope that installation of the @home software, MSIE, and MSOE are not mandatory.



http://neon.home.texas.net/neonsm.gif" border=0>