Direct PC <----- huh?!?

Well, there is a company out there that is offering 2 way satellite systems... I looked into it for my mother, as she was living at a campground (hey, it's a nice one!!!) at the time and couldn't get a regular phone line out there.. They were VERY expensive at the time, and the salesperson told me NOT to go with them right now, as they are targeting big business.. they ARE planning on reaching the regular consumer at some point though... I think the top speed was somewhere around 3Mbps (just guessing.. i really can't remember)...

But the technology IS out there


-=Alarion{FU}=-
alarion@fuclan.com
{FU} Clan - We are family
FU Clan's Official Website

OK, we have discussions on DSL, cable, etc.
What does the PUF community know about satellite internet connections like Hughes DirecPC?

$150 bucks for unit and $50 month plan for 400 kbs. Is that fast? Faster than ISDN I believe, what about cable, DSL, etc.

Anyone have this? Does it work? Can you communicate with aliens with it? Pick up the spice channel, help?
thx in advance

I've looked into Satellite internet. I have the Dish Network. You still have to be connected to a phone line for uploads. (You can't upload to the satellite.) Since your mostly downloading, this does not seem to be a bad trade off. From what I've heard, the download claims may be a bit exaggerated. I think it has possiblilities, but the technology is still in it's infancy.

do NOT , i repeat do NOT get satellite internet for gaming. its the worst possible thing. im talking pings above 500, more like 750 guaranteed.

thing is you upload via a 28.8 modem. that right there kills your ping. on top of that, the transfer to the satelite is VERY slow thus adding to your ping even more. you dont need a great ping for a measly 400kbit connection so you get shafted there bigtime.

again, dont do it. anything is better even good ol 56k. of at all possible, get DSL or cable they are whats best for the residential gamer.


·ÐзVoyd

Voyd is right. The 400KB download rate that they quote you is deceiving, especially for gaming. Sure, if you are downloading a huge file, it is pretty good, but the trip to/from the satellite introduces a lag that kills something like on-line UT. This is without even considering the need for a phone line for upstream communications.

I have DirecTV, but I would never use their internet service. I'll stick to cable.

Jammer|PuF


You are in a maze of twisty passages, all alike.

Thanks all!

You probably wouldn't get the 400kbs, and if you did there would be a long delay for you to send the request via the modem, an then for the satelite to send it... after it got started it might download near that speed.

Satellite is really only good if you live so far yout in the boonies, that you can't get good internet access any other way... I'd rather have 56K because the extra money you pay wouldn't be worth it. Bad weather could severely limit or even knock out your connection. And 2-way service would cost you an arm, a leg, and your first born child.

In the future satellite might be a major player in internet access... but you never know... who knew that your TV cable would be one of the best ways to access the net today?