Cable Modem going in tomorrow, what to do first?

[Techie Dude]

Woooooo Hoooooooooo!

Yep, the cable modem is finally going in tomorrow!

So, give me some ideas of what to do/browse/download first to put a real smug look on my face with all this raw speed I`m gonna have!

Other than downloading and browsing, and of course game ping times. What else is there to do with all this speed which you can`t really do with a modem. Webcasts and things, are they pretty good?

Slobber, slobber..........man, I`m drooling at that thought again!

TD.

[canit]

Man if I had that speed the first thing I'd download is some free Linux OS's. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[randy48]

First thing to do is make a list of all the huge files you've always wanted to download and then go out and look for some more http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif After it's installed, start d/l 2-3 at a time http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif Then go to http://www.joescartoon.com and get all of those sick cartoons that make us laugh! What flavor of Linux have you been wanting to play with? If you've got a burner, get them all http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.linuxiso.org
This should keep you busy for a day or two http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Biff]

I'm with randy, the first thing I did was download the 50meg or so UT demo - got it up to 312kb/sec tehehe.

I then perused through some of the rich media sites. Hope you enjoy it http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Techie Dude]

Ahhhhhhhh........great suggeastions so far. I like the idea of Linux!

I`ve never been sure which version to gte hold of, and on a 56k modem, downloading an ISO would take forever, not to mention that there are plentiful versions of Linux available.

Never used Linux before, but I got a spare 3gb hd lying around, and I guess this is the perfect excuse!

Thanks everyone! Keep em comin!

TD.

[johnpaul]

Since I got my cable modem, Napster is a frequent stop. It's amazing to see the songs download in a matter of seconds.

JP

[3beanlimit]

Err...first things first......If it's @home, stay close to the installer......don't, and I repeat, don't let them install the @home software. You don't need it!!!

The second thing to do, is to go to www.speedguide.net (http://www.speedguide.net)

and optimize your connection. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Third is to go to...
www.dslreports.com (http://www.dslreports.com)

and test your new connection! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[Gutter Ball]

Don't forget the all important Firewall http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[King_Kooba_Fantastique]

The second thing to do, is to go to www.speedguide.net (http://www.speedguide.net)

Hi there, I have xDSL connection here, are the patches available here reliable ?..will it make a noticeable difference ?...

..I am asking this because I am running a very old comp, and would like to know if I should bother with them..my specs:

P133
64megs
45gig hdd
win98se

Thanks http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif.
KKF.

[OuTpaTienT]

I'm with 3beanlimit, you don't need or want the @home software.

However, they might insist on installing it to get everything running...it's NOT needed the often the installer only knows exactly what he's been trained to do. If so, just let'em have their fun and install their software, that's what I did. It's easy enough to get rid of all the **** they install.

*__TIP__*

The very first thing I recommend that you do is go to your Network Settings and get screenshots of everything. Or just record your settings, I found screenshots the easiest way. Make sure you get all the info from the TCP/IP settings.

This way if anything happens you can just set yourself back up without the cable company's assistance. TRUST ME, you DO NOT want to rely on them when you have a setup issue.

---------end of tip------------

After that, go straight for the porn...no! I'm kidding, but do head for the Newsgroups. This is where you're gonna see ULTRA SPEEDS. Very likely up to a MByte/second or more.

Have fun.

[CMonster]

http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/ftp.php3

[HfdWolfPack]

I third that (outpatient and 3bean) That @home browser is ****. However you may like it. but you really dont need anything but the settings. My @home connection is the easiest part of reinstalling windows. Also if you are into movie trailers and other movie related items (legal, that is) check out www.bigstar.com (http://www.bigstar.com) 's broadband section

[This message has been edited by HfdWolfPack (edited 01-25-2001).]

[rh71]

SoopaStar, any chance that link http://www.speedcorp.net/index.shtml#newsitem979868797,86798, containing the WIN98 patch also will help WIN9x users too ? Have you tried speedguide.net patches? Comparison?

[NDC]

Install a personal firewall! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[Ironforge]

DOWNLOAD THE FALLOUT TACTICS DEMO!! hehe http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif

it's excellent..
http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10035-100-4388146.html?tag=st.dl.10001-103-1.lst-7-1.4388146

[SoopaStar]

rh71:
nto sure if it will help. Windows 2000 handles TCP/IP quite differently than Win98/ME. Thats why 9x OS' suck http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

Paul

[SoopaStar]

if yer running windows's 2000 then you will WANT this patch:
www.speedcorp.net (http://www.speedcorp.net)

I get amazing download speeds from my web browser (yes, i have hit 1.5 mbit/sec!!!) http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Paul C.

[jim.t]

since you will have 24/7 internet access, I'd d/l a free copy of Zone Alarm and install it pronto. You don't want all those boogey-men gettin' thru to your machine, do ya?

[This message has been edited by jim.t (edited 01-26-2001).]

[Techie Dude]

Hey everyone!

It`s been a few days since I been back here. The Cable modem is great!

**** fast!

Anyway, in answer to those that suggested a firewall, I already have one, and used it with my old 56k connection. I use Norton Internet Security, and it works great.....

With the cable modem, the true potential of Real Player has been unlocked! There`s loads of channels you can view, with excellent content!

Files download fast! No more waiting forever to get mp3`s! Games are superb! I even hosted a couple games with some 6 people in the game, and no lagging at all!

Thanks to everyone that replied!

TD.

[This message has been edited by Techie Dude (edited 01-26-2001).]

[spuck]

whats a firewall, and a cable modem?ive only been on this thing a year. jim

[NDC]

Definition for: firewalls

A firewall is a hardware and/or software boundary that prevents unauthorized users from accessing restricted files on a network.The part of the network that is not behind the firewall is available to whoever logs on.There are three standard firewall architectures: the dual-host gateway, the screened-host firewall system, and the demilitarized zone firewall.

[socalgal]

Techie Dude, another great proggie to monitor your upload/download speed is NetStatLive from AnalogX (http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/network.htm) . Enjoy the speed, Techie Dude! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif


spuck,

There are many good firewalls to choose from, both software and hardware.

ZoneAlarm is very popular and great if you need something right away - it blocks incoming and outgoing attempts, it's free, and it's easy to set up and configure. Use it with a password due to possible security issues (however, they are not remote issues). www.zonelabs.com (http://www.zonelabs.com)

You might want to do a Search for "firewall" in these forums and on the 'net and start reading and asking questions. The subject is complex yet it's very necessary for broadband users and important for dial-ups, as well.

One of many informative sites: https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2


[This message has been edited by socalgal (edited 01-26-2001).]

[PassnThru]

An always on connection requires a firewall. ZoneAlarm is great - I still use it to monitor outgoing traffic - adware, spyware, windows media player, real player, etc. If you have more than one computer to hook up to that fat pipe though I would definitely recommend a router. Even with only one computer, a router provides a pretty secure effortless hardware firewall.