[SATLUG] RoadRunner Rubbish

[R. Tyler Ballance]

On Nov 2, 2006, at 4:56 PM, JJordan wrote:

> ----- Original Message ----- From: "NetrixTardis"  
> <netrixtardis at stealth3.com>
> To: "The San Antonio Linux User's Group Mailing List"  
> <satlug at satlug.org>
> Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2006 11:12 AM
> Subject: Re: [SATLUG] RoadRunner Rubbish
>
>
>> my only choice of broadband is TimeWorthless. AT&T will only give  
>> me the 1.5mbits/128kbps DSL.  which i really don't want.
>>
>> NetrixTardis
>>
>> David Kowis wrote:
>>>
>>> I'm so glad I can get ATT now. They're doing much better than TWC  
>>> ever did. Of
>>> course, I've got FTTH, not the plain ol' twisted pair. Probably  
>>> makes a difference...
>>>
>>> David
>>
>
> I have used TW for over a year now and, since replacing a line- 
> filter early-on, I have had few complaints.  When I have  
> experienced dial-up speeds, it was because the server on the other  
> end of the net was using a dial-up ISP.  When I get 90 to 300 KBPS,  
> I do a speed test with Dallas or Houston and verify that I am still  
> clicking at 6.9 MBPS (I use http://www.speedtest.net).  When  
> downloading CD and DVD images, if the download is slow, I often  
> Cancel and restart, sometimes two to three times, and usually get  
> several hundred K increase in DL speed.   Bottom line for me:  most  
> issues appear to be associated with the internet backbone, net- 
> farms, or the terminal server.

I disagree, when engaging in long transfers (several hundred MB) i  
notice that the speed will degrade as the transfer goes on, and this  
is most certainly not something due to the end server, as I never  
encountered issues of this nature with Charter Communications in  
south texas.

I understand some of the telco's arguments that only so much capacity  
can go into a neighborhood, blah blah blah, if the market is  
saturated, don't sell me shit you can't provide, period. I'm glad  
verizon and other companies are starting to put the hurt on cable  
ISPs that are entrenched in artificially created monopolies. In a  
certainly saturated market like San Antonio, there is absolutely no  
reason why I think there shouldn't be cut throat competition for ISPs.

Yet, somehow when I moved into my apartment (northwest san antonio,  
around Churchill HS), my options were AT&T DSL (1.5/128 up) or Time  
Warner cable. Some effin' competition that is eh?

I'm sick and tired of government subsidized infrastructure being  
raped and pillaged by corrupt politicians and even more corrupt  
corporations, which I think the Texas, and to a larger extent, most  
of the US ISP market, has become.


Wasn't the whole free market thing supposed to give us options?  
*grumble*

Cheers.


p.s. can't you tell my day has gotten _so_ much better since my first  
email in the thread? :)

R. Tyler Ballance: Lead Mac Developer at bleep. software
contact: tyler at bleepsoft.com | jabber: tyler at jabber.geekisp.com