Dead Men Walking

dMw Chit Chat => The Beer Bar => It's my Birthday! => Topic started by: Gone_Away on September 30, 2002, 01:14:52 PM

Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Gone_Away on September 30, 2002, 01:14:52 PM
Hey.. I'm in the process of buying a house and found one that is in both a cabled area and ADSL.

I'm not sure which one I should go for.. Also, if I go Cable, am I stuck with NTL or are there alternative ISP's?

I'd also like to hear from yous that are using either and what service is like if things go wrong and if you experience any significant packet loss etc. etc.

THANKS! :D
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Gandalf on September 30, 2002, 01:39:21 PM
As I can only get adsl I can only comment on this.

Great! When I first got it nearly 2 years ago I was pinging at 20ms in CS (Version 1.0 had just been released)

Now, as the infamous BT backbone is getting a bit more use, I usually ping around 50 to 80ms. Depends on the server.

I used to be with iomart, they were brought by one.tel BUT they kept all iomart customers on the original iomart pipe! No more have been added since they were sold about 6 months ago, so I still get 55 - 60K downloads and consistant pings :)

I can't recommend one.tel though as a lot of new customers are having problems.

Check out www.nildram.co.uk (http://www.nildram.co.uk) for adsl (They also host the jolt servers)

and for general adsl info www.adslguide.org.uk (http://www.adslguide.org.uk)
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Doorman on September 30, 2002, 01:54:20 PM
I've got Blueyonder 1mb service. :D  Well cool! Strangely enough, when I went from 56k to 512k cable, my ping went from 180-sky's the limit, to 20-25. When I upgraded to 1mb I expected the same sort of improvement but no, it hasn't changed at all! :?  The service I get is at the moment great. :D  On the few occasions I've had cause to ring the 0800 helpline they've been very helpful. So if you get Telewest in your area I would say you cant go wrong.
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: DogMeat on September 30, 2002, 03:13:01 PM
Blueblunder are, quite honestly, a pile of cack.  Both my phone and net connection have been out since yesterday morning.

If you do use them, be prepared to put up with this sort of shit.  Oh, and forget using them for mail - they routinely lose customers email, we're talking thousands at a time here.  News has a retention of about 5 nanoseconds, so don't plan on leeching binaries via cable.

Billing is a joke - you cock up and they cut you off, if they cock up, expect a long drawn-out battle to get them to even acknowledge it, and even then be prepared for long games of telephone tag while you sit listening to happy messages about how they value your custom...

 :x  :x  :x
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Doorman on September 30, 2002, 04:04:21 PM
Funny how one man's (dog)meat is another man's poison. :)
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Stryker on September 30, 2002, 04:19:37 PM
Hey doorman, hope this info helps.

The game only needs about 2.5Kb/s in both directions.  So your blazing pipe that can handle 60Kb/s downloads is waste on CS that only needs 5Kb/s.

Its latancey that really counts!  If I were on a 64Kbit/s link sitting in the colo facility my ping times would blaze most cable users on most CS servers... why?  cos I'd be on commercial quality bandwidth while everyone on ADSL cable etc are on the rackem-and-packem and sell it 1000 times over crappy consumer bandwidth.....
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: TeaLeaf on September 30, 2002, 05:23:15 PM
When BT cruelly pretended to me that I could have ADSL I did some research and came up with Zen.  Try them.....their customers actually seem to liek them and they tend to appear well on the guide reviews.  Having said that, I voted for cable as it came out on top in a couple of surveys last month (always believe everything you read  :lol: )

Oh, and have a look here http://www.adslguide.org/ (http://www.adslguide.org/)  Lots of helpful stuff.

TL.  8)
Still suffering an ISDN line with neither Cable nor ADSL anywhere on the horizon :(
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: smite on September 30, 2002, 06:22:27 PM
At least you didnt have it and then have it wipped from under your nose by the potential of going from a 2 bed semi to a 4 bed detached.. it aint worth it.... move to a small house in an area where you can choose Cable or ADSL get rid of the missus and fit fridge next to pc..buy dark work clothes so you dont have to wash them spend all yur money on PC bits and pizza and beer and live the good life.....DONT EVER MOVE AWAY FROM BROADBAND YOU WILL MISS IT BELEIVE ME....GotdamnbleedinBtcrappyisdncrudsh*t :x  :x  :x
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Doorman on September 30, 2002, 08:17:19 PM
Don't hold back smite, if there's something troubling you, you can tell us.
I'm sure everyone will understand. Now, what's the problem? :beer:
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: TeaLeaf on September 30, 2002, 09:40:02 PM
QuoteAt least you didnt have it and then have it wipped from under your nose by the potential of going from a 2 bed semi to a 4 bed detached.. it aint worth it....
I have added ADSL compatibility to the official 'Things that must be surveyed before a house becomes acceptable' list  :lol:

TL.  8)
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Gandalf on September 30, 2002, 09:57:53 PM
Quote
QuoteAt least you didnt have it and then have it wipped from under your nose by the potential of going from a 2 bed semi to a 4 bed detached.. it aint worth it....
I have added ADSL compatibility to the official 'Things that must be surveyed before a house becomes acceptable' list  :lol:

TL.  8)[/b]

Along with close proximity to a pub, I trust  :D

(I'm within spitting distance of several!  :D  :D  :D  :D  )
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: TeaLeaf on October 01, 2002, 08:14:49 AM
Damn right G-man.  Must be a Free House though, none of this namby-pamby fizzy pop that masquerades as lager.  Give me REAL ale any day of the week - at least real ale doesn't have to be chilled to 4 degrees centigrade to make it taste nice  :lol:

So, I'm looking for a detached, hill-top home with glorious views over peaceful coutryside, within walking distance of a financially sustainable free house, with guaranteed ADSL and/or cable access, easy access to motorways and mainline railway stations, wihin a short commute of the office, within reach of major shopping facilities (for management use of course)....and did I mention that I would like it to have a basement swimming pool?  :lol:

TL.  8)
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: TeaLeaf on October 01, 2002, 08:21:02 AM
Oh yeah, I forgot.

join CAMRA now![/SIZE]

Do so here:  http://www.camra.org.uk (http://www.camra.org.uk)

Adult membership costs just £16 a year; Student or Under 26 membership is just £9 a year.  

Really, you guys have NO excuse....join now and save REAL ALE from the nitro-keg fizz-nuts at the lager breweries!  

/advert off

TL.  8)  
Card carrying member of the CAMpaign for Real Ale
In the other hand I hold my drink....get off, it's mine.
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: SecretSquirrel on October 01, 2002, 09:05:35 AM
Quote from:

So, I'm looking for a detached, hill-top home with glorious views over peaceful coutryside, within walking distance of a financially sustainable free house, with guaranteed ADSL and/or cable access, easy access to motorways and mainline railway stations, wihin a short commute of the office, within reach of major shopping facilities (for management use of course)....and did I mention that I would like it to have a basement swimming pool?  :lol:

TL.  8)[/quote
Phew - thank the Lord !!
So you wont be moving to Downham Market then :)
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: OldBloke on October 01, 2002, 10:15:20 AM
QuoteSo you wont be moving to Downham Market then :)

LOL  :D
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Gone_Away on October 01, 2002, 11:43:42 AM
Quote
Quote
QuoteAt least you didnt have it and then have it wipped from under your nose by the potential of going from a 2 bed semi to a 4 bed detached.. it aint worth it....
I have added ADSL compatibility to the official 'Things that must be surveyed before a house becomes acceptable' list  :lol:

TL.  8)[/b]

Along with close proximity to a pub, I trust  :D

(I'm within spitting distance of several!  :D  :D  :D  :D  )[/b]

That's my exact criteria.. 'cept I'm in a 3 bed semi at the moment.. The English are so slow on the uptake.. If I owned my on Estate company I'd make it standard practice to post up BB info along with the house details.. I mean who give's a crap if "Churches of all demoninations (misspelt on purpose :) )" are catered for?? I want beer and BB!!  8)  8)

I ask the estate agents and they're like uh? I'm like WHAT? Doesn't everyone want to know this stuff??
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Gone_Away on October 01, 2002, 11:47:31 AM
QuoteWhen BT cruelly pretended to me that I could have ADSL I did some research and came up with Zen. Try them.....their customers actually seem to liek them and they tend to appear well on the guide reviews. Having said that, I voted for cable as it came out on top in a couple of surveys last month (always believe everything you read :lol: )

Oh, and have a look here http://www.adslguide.org/ (http://www.adslguide.org/) Lots of helpful stuff.

TL. 8)
Still suffering an ISDN line with neither Cable nor ADSL anywhere on the horizon :(

That ADSL gude has been extremely helpfull although it's just raised more questions for me...

Do yous know if I can host my own Webserver for file-sharing (pron) and link to pics (of myself) as well as link in a PC and Wireless Laptop connection from Cable?

tkx for the help guys..
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: JB on October 01, 2002, 05:07:00 PM
I dare say you can but if your hosting something for other people to download then definately go for ADSL as it has twice the bandwidth for uploading as cable.  Although they both have the same bandwidth when downloading.  For instance someone downloading from you will only recieve approximately 15k/s if you had cable, but with DSL they can recieve approximately 30k/s.
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: TeaLeaf on October 02, 2002, 08:31:34 AM
Yeah you can, but I go with JB's comments.  Also, make sure you get a package with a static IP - some out there are still dynamic AFAIAA :lol:
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Dr Sadako on October 02, 2002, 08:50:22 AM
My DSL connection is 2.5 Mbit (down) and 0.75 Mbit (up). And I pay 400 SEK ($40 or £26) per month.

 :D
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: OldBloke on October 02, 2002, 09:04:01 AM
Blood hell  :!:

You could run a server with that.

Sounds cheap but I bet a pint of lager's about 4 quid  :cry:
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Tox's dad on October 02, 2002, 09:45:41 AM
i just been kicked from bt for over-use (isdn....i'd love bb but we're rural). my bro-in-law just moved and got bb last week, this week he gets email from bt tellin him he  only got 150 hrs a month http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/27339.html (http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/27339.html) how i laughed! :twisted:
they did that to me on isdn, 24/7 down to 16 hrs a day then down to 12 hrs whilst puttin the price up!!!1!!!11....and peeps still put up with them...thats the amazing thing
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Gone_Away on October 02, 2002, 10:00:38 AM
Quotei just been kicked from bt for over-use (isdn....i'd love bb but we're rural). my bro-in-law just moved and got bb last week, this week he gets email from bt tellin him he only got 150 hrs a month http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/27339.html (http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/6/27339.html) how i laughed! :twisted:
they did that to me on isdn, 24/7 down to 16 hrs a day then down to 12 hrs whilst puttin the price up!!!1!!!11....and peeps still put up with them...thats the amazing thing

uh.. Isn't that for their unmetered Dial-up and not BB? If ADSL is on all the time how can they possibly put a limit on it.. They'll just oversubscribe as usual.. (75:1?)
 :oops:  :oops:
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Tox's dad on October 02, 2002, 10:09:09 AM
:oops:  :oops:  er yeah ur right ...i had red mist in me eyes!! but even so...im still mad at em...bt are lying cheating cnuts....a curse on them! :evil:
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Anonymous on October 02, 2002, 04:22:56 PM
QuoteYeah you can, but I go with JB's comments. Also, make sure you get a package with a static IP - some out there are still dynamic AFAIAA :lol:
Or just visit http://www.dyndns.org/ (http://www.dyndns.org/) and get free IP updating and free clients that will monitor and change things for you (Im on BY and IP changes about once month) This nice little freebie keeps things sweet for me :-)
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Gone_Away on October 03, 2002, 10:37:29 AM
Thanks to all of you for your advice and comments...

I've decided to go with ADSL. I'm leaning toward Demon at the moment. I've been using a Demon sdu account for about three years and have had no problems with them. Even though their games servers lick ass as they're full of cheaters...

They offer the static IP which is cool. Also no port blocking so I should be able to manage. I've read that there's some problem with their POP3 server at the moment but worse case I'll use part of my other PC for mail hosting.

I also have the freedom to source my own kit which is fab.

Cheers again to you guys.. Virtual Beer For All!!

 :beer:  :beer:  :beer:  :beer:  :beer:  :beer:  :beer:  :beer:  :beer:  :beer:  :beer:  :beer:  :beer:  :beer:  :beer:  :beer:  :beer:  :beer:  :beer:  :beer:
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Stryker on October 03, 2002, 11:18:53 AM
If you want to host your own domain and ur own mail etc etc you can use me dns servers if you wish....

I'm not sure if your ADSL static ip will go through the NSI registration for hosting .com .net .org domains.... failing that just host .uk domains :-)
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Tox's dad on October 03, 2002, 11:39:38 AM
a glimmer of hope http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/story/0,3...,803023,00.html (http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/story/0,3605,803023,00.html)
although i'm not gonna hold me breath :(
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Gone_Away on October 04, 2002, 01:52:10 PM
QuoteIf you want to host your own domain and ur own mail etc etc you can use me dns servers if you wish....

I'm not sure if your ADSL static ip will go through the NSI registration for hosting .com .net .org domains.... failing that just host .uk domains :-)

Cheers Stryker.. I'll let you know.

 8)  :D
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: LardieTheOverweightYardie on October 08, 2002, 11:43:32 PM
QuoteBlueblunder are, quite honestly, a pile of cack.  Both my phone and net connection have been out since yesterday morning.

If you do use them, be prepared to put up with this sort of shit.  Oh, and forget using them for mail - they routinely lose customers email, we're talking thousands at a time here.  News has a retention of about 5 nanoseconds, so don't plan on leeching binaries via cable.

Billing is a joke - you cock up and they cut you off, if they cock up, expect a long drawn-out battle to get them to even acknowledge it, and even then be prepared for long games of telephone tag while you sit listening to happy messages about how they value your custom...

 :x  :x  :x

Well I personally rate BY 1mb service, yes you get problems with it, but that can be said for all providers, going back a few months ago I lost my Cable for 2 weeks, well was very intermitant anyway, but I did get an update by phone from them every couple of days to let me know what was happening.

As it turned out the electric company had busted one of there cables whilst digging up the road to work on there own cables, but didn't tell anyone and buried the cable again, took em 10days to find the break and then a couple days to replace the broken section of cable.

Once it was all sorted I got a phone call saying that all should be good and I would recieve 2 months credit on my bill for the inconveinience, not bad for 14 days outage  :)

As for the EMAIL, I must be lucky cause I've never lost one yet ( That I know of anyway :) ), though their NNTP servers really SUCK !!!!
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: Gone_Away on October 09, 2002, 10:01:52 AM
Are any of you guys on Nildram? I'm looking at going with them.
Title: Broadband - NTL or BT?
Post by: LardieTheOverweightYardie on October 09, 2002, 06:40:20 PM
From what I've seen in the JOLT forums regarding Nildram they offer a pretty good service.