[Linux-users] Hughes Data-Sat service anyone?

[Michael Hipp]

Rickey Moore wrote:
> On 8/28/07, Michael Hipp <Michael at hipp.com> wrote:
>> Ric Moore wrote:
>>> Plunking along with a 56K USRobotics... I remember the time I would have
>>> killed for one. Since I'm really in the toolies, I had to throttle her
>>> down for reliable transmission. Remember init strings? We used to trade
>>> them like baseball cards. "Here's the Hank Aaron of init strings for a
>>> DC Hayes!" I would boast.
>>>
>>> So, a nicely endowed Geek Gurrl was boasting of the <ahem> "Performance"
>>> of the Hughes Data Satellite System on TV tonight. How about it? Anyone
>>> have a clue?? Price? Performance? They say they don't need a phone for
>>> uplink, which is certainly a plus. I gotta get some speed. I'm
>>> downloading at 3.1 and that really really sucks. Any advice will be
>>> appreciated!! Great Googly Moog, the mail will be pouring in like
>>> treacle on a cold day.
>>>
>>> I'm dying here, someone please just shoot me, Ric
>> I had satellite for two long years. It's certainly better than dialup.
>> But it is /the/ last choice. You haven't lived until you've experienced
>> 4-digit ping times.
>>
>> Before I'd look at Hughes, I'd look at Wildblue. I've installed a couple
>> of clients with it and it works just as well as Hughes and is cheaper.
>> Their tech support isn't quite the bad joke that Hughes' is.
>>
>> Before I looked at any kind of satellite, though, I'd look at some EVDO
>> solution. Sprint, AT&T/Cingular, Verizon, or Alltel. Near DSL speeds
>> ping times in the low 3 digits. It's what I use here at the SOHO and I
>> don't miss my DSL (much).
>>
>> Before that I'd scour the highways and byways for a WISP. They're almost
>> everywhere.
> 
> EVDO? WISP? I'll check into Wildblue and see what they claim. I'm
> hoping to get ur Non-Profit to fork it over for the bills. <evil
> cackles> Ric

EVDO = high speed cellular wireless data. You get a PCcard that plugs into a 
laptop with a little rubber duckie antenna. If you're in an area of good 
cellular coverage, it's near DSL speeds. If you're in the bottom of a barrel 
in the outer boonies, like me, you may need to put up an antenna mast. Trust 
me, it's waaay better than satellite. Who are the main cellular providers in 
your area?

WISP = Wireless ISP (you're looking for the David Bandel of your town). If 
done properly it's just as good or better than DSL/cable. WISPs are most 
everywhere these days.

Michael