Which PlusNet ADSL service?

I am contemplating upgrading from HH to ADSL, and will probably go for
PlusNet since they appear to offer a managed conversion - enabling HH to be
reinstated if ADSL doesn't work.

I wish to share the connection between several computers on a network (never
more than 2 in active concurrent use). My main current activities are
text-based newsgroups, emails and general browsing - including downloading
free software and/or upgrades for existing software. I very occasionally
send or receive faxes - using a fax modem connected to the second HH voice
line. I also upload data to several websites - currently hosted on
Freeserve.

With the greater potential speed of BB, I expect to take advantage of
BB-based news and entertainment channels.

Looking at the PlusNet offerings, the cheapest is DSL Connect at £14.99 per
month. As far as I can see, this is a very basic service - with a speed of
only about 150 kbps - and almost certainly not what I want.

Next in line is ADSL Home Surf at £18.99m per month - which appears to do
most of what I want, or ADSL Home for £21.99, which has a few more bells and
whistles. These both appear to be a 512 kbps service with a contention ratio
of 50:1. The main extras of the more expensive one seem to be:
* 250MB of webspace instead of 25MB (useful)
* fax to email facility (potentially useful - since I shall lose the second
HH line)
* P2P and file sharing
* access to binary newsgroups

I am struggling to understand the significance of these last 2. Can some
kind soul please explain:

1. What is meant by the terms point2point and file sharing in this context,
and why might I want to use them?
2. I am fully familiar with text-based newsgroups, but what are binary
newsgroups for?

In order to share the connection, I plan to use a third-party ADSL router.
[I currently use an ISDN router for the same purpose]. According to the
PlusNet blurb, all the above accounts are aimed at stand-alone PCs - and
they seem to be pushing one towards the even more expensive 1 Mbps service
for home network use. I presume that this is from a performance standpoint -
and that there are no physical reasons why I can't share the 512 kbps/50:1
service with a suitable router?

Finally, I would welcome comments from current PlusNet users as to the
reliably and performance of the service.

Many thanks.



--
Cheers,
Tim
______
Please reply to newsgroup. Reply address is Black Hole!

On Sun, 4 Jan 2004 22:16:10 -0000, "Tiscali Tim" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>1. What is meant by the terms point2point and file sharing in this context,
>and why might I want to use them?

P2P = Peer to Peer, not point to point (as in PPP). It refers to the
software like Napster, Kazaa, Grokster et al, of which you might be
more familiar. Put simply, its a bandwidth hogging application that
ISPs hate, and which accounts for around 70% of an ISPs total traffic.

>2. I am fully familiar with text-based newsgroups, but what are binary
>newsgroups for?

Binary groups are used to distribute binary based files, eg, sound
files, video files and applications.
--
Andy Jenkins
UK Broadband Usergroup : http://www.uk-bug.net

P2P is used for software/media sharing, usually with software such as Kazaa,
or Bear Share (to name just 2 of many). The reason it's blocked on the
cheaper service is because users normally download hundreds of megabytes of
data, thus taking up alot of bandwidth.

Binary newsgroups, again, contain software, media, movies etc, as you're
normally talking about people downloading alot of data.

If you're not interested in P2P or Binary Newsgroups, ie: Have no intention
of downloading TV shows, movies etc, then the £18.99 offering sounds like
what you're after.

Not with Plus Net myself, but understand them to have a very good
reputation.

"Tiscali Tim" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:bta3b9$4ufjd$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I am contemplating upgrading from HH to ADSL, and will probably go for
> PlusNet since they appear to offer a managed conversion - enabling HH to
be
> reinstated if ADSL doesn't work.
>
> I wish to share the connection between several computers on a network
(never
> more than 2 in active concurrent use). My main current activities are
> text-based newsgroups, emails and general browsing - including downloading
> free software and/or upgrades for existing software. I very occasionally
> send or receive faxes - using a fax modem connected to the second HH voice
> line. I also upload data to several websites - currently hosted on
> Freeserve.
>
> With the greater potential speed of BB, I expect to take advantage of
> BB-based news and entertainment channels.
>
> Looking at the PlusNet offerings, the cheapest is DSL Connect at £14.99
per
> month. As far as I can see, this is a very basic service - with a speed of
> only about 150 kbps - and almost certainly not what I want.
>
> Next in line is ADSL Home Surf at £18.99m per month - which appears to do
> most of what I want, or ADSL Home for £21.99, which has a few more bells
and
> whistles. These both appear to be a 512 kbps service with a contention
ratio
> of 50:1. The main extras of the more expensive one seem to be:
> * 250MB of webspace instead of 25MB (useful)
> * fax to email facility (potentially useful - since I shall lose the
second
> HH line)
> * P2P and file sharing
> * access to binary newsgroups
>
> I am struggling to understand the significance of these last 2. Can some
> kind soul please explain:
>
> 1. What is meant by the terms point2point and file sharing in this
context,
> and why might I want to use them?
> 2. I am fully familiar with text-based newsgroups, but what are binary
> newsgroups for?
>
> In order to share the connection, I plan to use a third-party ADSL router.
> [I currently use an ISDN router for the same purpose]. According to the
> PlusNet blurb, all the above accounts are aimed at stand-alone PCs - and
> they seem to be pushing one towards the even more expensive 1 Mbps service
> for home network use. I presume that this is from a performance
standpoint -
> and that there are no physical reasons why I can't share the 512 kbps/50:1
> service with a suitable router?
>
> Finally, I would welcome comments from current PlusNet users as to the
> reliably and performance of the service.
>
> Many thanks.
>
>
>
> --
> Cheers,
> Tim
> ______
> Please reply to newsgroup. Reply address is Black Hole!
>
>

cutting through the mud, basically you want the £21.99 package if you plan
on downloading anything not bought i.e. warez or if you are not bothered
then the cheaper.

P2P aka peer too peer is a sharing medium for warez and other nasty things,
same for binnary newsgroups, !!!Schock horror!!! thats why you see a lot of
people complaining of slow news feeds.

One thing Buy your own equipment, PN have historically had problems with
sourcing routers and replacing them if faulty, usually cause of red tape in
triplicate that the morning CS shift fills out and the evening shift deals
with so mistakes happen.

On Sun, 4 Jan 2004 22:16:10 -0000, "Tiscali Tim" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

<snip>

>1. What is meant by the terms point2point and file sharing in this context,
>and why might I want to use them?

>2. I am fully familiar with text-based newsgroups, but what are binary
>newsgroups for?

As previously described, these are uses of internet connections that
tend to use up a deal of bandwidth for lengths of time. Often sharing
files of various sorts. Realistically, if you don't know about it,
you are unlikely to want it. This is just a clear-cut way for PlusNet
to eliminate a large number of high bandwidth users and pass on the
associated cost saving.

>In order to share the connection, I plan to use a third-party ADSL router.
>[I currently use an ISDN router for the same purpose]. According to the
>PlusNet blurb, all the above accounts are aimed at stand-alone PCs - and
>they seem to be pushing one towards the even more expensive 1 Mbps service
>for home network use. I presume that this is from a performance standpoint -
>and that there are no physical reasons why I can't share the 512 kbps/50:1
>service with a suitable router?

I see no reason for you not to share a 512kbps connection. Assuming
you have no hidden, high-bandwidth needs.

>Finally, I would welcome comments from current PlusNet users as to the
>reliably and performance of the service.

Have been with them a month and they have been good (on both
measures). But the best recommendation I can give is for you to note
how often their support staff contribute here and especially on the
forum at www.adslguide.org (direct link: http://tinyurl.com/yslty).
Worth browsing these to get a feeling. I did for 3 months before
taking the plunge (awaiting exchange activation) and was pleased with
their response and openness.

To be fair, PlusNet have their problems at times (but often it turns
out to be an infrastructure, i.e. BT, issue) but their support staff
are patient, open and seem to be technically astute and willing to
help with BT issues where possible.

You can also browse their 'internal' support forums by logging in as a
guest from the Portal page: http://tinyurl.com/ywwql

PlusNet also have a referral service (http://tinyurl.com/24ppo)
whereby, if others state that you referred them, your monthly costs
reduce (amounts depend upon the service the referee takes up, whether
they keep up payments etc...) - in extremis you could end up receiving
payment!

No doubt some PlusNet subscriber will chip in and ask you to use their
info ;o)

Hope this helps

regards

Stuart

--
The "reply to" address in this email is never checked. Please reply
to the newsgroup.

PlusNet 'DSL connect' is in fact resold Tiscali's service . That would be
enough to put me off,
and it isn't good value for the money either.
The PlusNet 512kbps is more then enough for sharing among 2 or 3 computers,
in fact unless all download large files at the same time you won't notice
any difference.
My connection hasn't missed single bit since May installation, so I warmly
recommend it.
If you go for the £21.99 service with P2P you can use my id 'jerryw' as a
referrer and save me few pence.
(no referrer discount on the £18.99 home surf ;-(
Regards,
Martin

I've found the feedback on PlusNet useful.

However, I cannot see the difference between ADSL Home Standard @ £21.99
per month and Broadband EasyStart @ £24.99. They can't be identical but
they appear to be!

Any ideas



"Martin²" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:iP3Kb.9259$(E-Mail Removed)...
> PlusNet 'DSL connect' is in fact resold Tiscali's service . That would be
> enough to put me off,
> and it isn't good value for the money either.
> The PlusNet 512kbps is more then enough for sharing among 2 or 3
computers,
> in fact unless all download large files at the same time you won't notice
> any difference.
> My connection hasn't missed single bit since May installation, so I warmly
> recommend it.
> If you go for the £21.99 service with P2P you can use my id 'jerryw' as a
> referrer and save me few pence.
> (no referrer discount on the £18.99 home surf ;-(
> Regards,
> Martin
>
>

Kathy Burke wrote:
> I've found the feedback on PlusNet useful.
>
> However, I cannot see the difference between ADSL Home Standard @ ?21.99
> per month and Broadband EasyStart @ ?24.99. They can't be identical but
> they appear to be!
>
> Any ideas

The easy start package includes a USB modem, 2 microfilters, and free
activation. Other than that it is technically the same service. It is
subject to a 12 month contract.

Seems like quite a good deal to me.... Since it will only cost you 36
quid extra over the first year, but will save you the 58+VAT activation
charge. I presume you can revert to the 21.99 offering after 12 months
anyway. You could also ebay the USB modem and get yourself a router instead!


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Kathy Burke <leavemealone> wrote:

> I've found the feedback on PlusNet useful.
>
> However, I cannot see the difference between ADSL Home Standard @
> £21.99 per month and Broadband EasyStart @ £24.99. They can't be
> identical but they appear to be!
>
> Any ideas
>

AIUI, the Easy Start options provide a "free" modem and "free" activation -
the cost of which is partially offset by the higher monthly fee. On the face
of , it sounds like a good deal - because you save setup fees of £100 but
are committed to additional payments of only £36. However, there is a
cancellation fee of £100 if you cancel in less than a year. Not sure whether
the monthly fee drops after the first year - or whether you have to pay the
extra £3 for ever.
--
Cheers,
Tim
______
Please reply to newsgroup. Reply address is Black Hole!

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
John Rumm <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> I presume you can revert to the 21.99 offering
> after 12 months anyway.


I'm not sure - it's not very clear on their website. In the worst case, you
*may* have to cancel (for free) and then pay an activation fee for the 21.99
service.
--
Cheers,
Tim
______
Please reply to newsgroup. Reply address is Black Hole!