QUOTE:
Another issue to think about is the upload speed. When they quote speed numbers, they are talking about download speed (which makes sense, that''s what you use 99% of the time). However, if you are running a game, you also need to think about the upload speed. On DSL, it is usually much slower to upload than to download (unless you get the *really expensive* connection, heh), which could end up being a limiting factor (depending on what sort of game you are talking about). Not sure about cable. Also, on shared connections, they *usually* prohibit running servers of any type.

The general opinion seems to be that DSL is better, but can anyone verify the above? Does DSL''s upload speed on games compare to cable''s? I dont think I have that many cable users in my area so I''m not too worried about speed caps or line sharing.

Comparing upload speed between cable and DSL is a moot point, because all ISP's cap it (unless you pay a lot extra). The physical limits would point to cable having faster transfer rates, but you are never allowed to reach them (or even come close). So, it comes down to which ISP has the higher cap, and there's no way to know that without looking at ISP's one by one.

Case in point. Cable @ 400 Kbps download / 16 Kbps upload, or DSL @ 200 Kbps download / 40 Kbps upload. I've had both. The choice depends on what your needs are...

Overall, both options are good broadband and there isn't much to choose between them, given competent service.

[edited by - foofightr on September 30, 2003 8:02:38 PM]

If it''s available in your area, you might want to check out wireless internet. They advertise 1500 up/down. In reality, I get more like 800-1000 each way. Even so, I can''t complain The price is comperable to cable/dsl ($55 per month with static IP). On the downside, it''s a shared connection, and it''s pretty limited in availability ATM. But if you are lucky enough to live close to a transmitter/receiver (I think they have about a 2 mile radius), its a good option.

I guess that is a good point: upload speeds are capped, but I would assume cable has more available bandwidth and that the cap would be higher for them. DSL has most of the advantages, but cable sounds like its simply faster. Who cares if the tech support and stability are a little under par? I''m hoping that Comcast has at least average tech support and stability. I know that my TV cable from them doesnt go out that often. If I can be downloading twice as fast as DSL, I''d rather go with cable.

I live in south texas. I get roadrunner on time warner and the two friends with DSL get it from SWB.

RonHiler: You're experience is the rare one. I've had a few friends with wireless as well, and they ended up changing as soon as another broadband was available to them because they had constant downtime. Their streaming speeds were ok when it was up, but the latency was very high (300+ ms in games like counterstrike) so it was completely unsuitable for gaming which is what they wanted it for.

[edited by - extrarius on September 30, 2003 10:01:14 PM]

KalvinB: You host your website on your DSL line? or did? Was it against the TOS? I really want to host some servers on my line but the TOS specifically forbids "installing servers". Specifically, a web server and a CS server would be nice.

---

Brian J
DL Vacuum - A media file organizer I made | MM

It is against the TOS if you're silly enough to attempt to run a business on a residential line.

I got a business line. It's the same as residential minus all restrictions. It was $70 all together for the line (640/256) and ISP (who I'm now colocationing with). If it wasn't forbidden by law, I could do it, and even then law enforcment would have to make the call. The ISP wasn't monitoring anything. A residential connection with restrictions would total around $40. At least with Getnet.net

Other ISPs are rediculously more expensive.

The business vs residential is typically an ISP thing. The Telco doesn't usually define the restrictions. So talk to your ISP about the cost of getting a business line with no restrictions.

My 640/256Kbit line handled over a million page views a month with bandwidth to spare back when I was just getting started and wasn't serving up many large files. It's just slow. Since going to the All Access Pass I've been doing several hundred thousand page views a month on the 256Kbit line.

For just getting started, 256Kbit upstream is plenty. You just have to watch what you're serving up. All the pages are very minimalist in the amount of HTML and graphics they use.

Ben


[ IcarusIndie.com | recycledrussianbrides.com | Got Linux? ]




[edited by - KalvinB on October 1, 2003 3:01:31 AM]

You don''t think commercial would be a problem on T1, do you? Also, your site isn''t up...I''d like to see it. Haven''t lately.

The PSU decided to die at 7:46Pm MST according to my logs which meant I was screwed until wednesday morning when I could go in and figure out what was wrong and correct it. It''s now running ghetto style with a 350Watt ATX PSU replacing the 250Watt 1U PSU.

www.icarusindie.com may work (DNS change is still propogating)otherwise you can use 216.19.203.38

NewEgg.com may beable to just RMA the PSU (they better considering it broke after all of 3 weeks of use) otherwise I''ll have to figure something else out to have a more permanent fix.

Ben