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johanson / Moderator

Jan 29, 2005, 12:26 PM

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NEW ISPs

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Subject: Internet Service Providers in Chapala-Ajijic

First came Lagunanet some 7.5 years ago then came Prodigy, about 4 or 5 years ago, now there is a new wireless company adding new clients, soon Telecable will be offering internet connectivity, and I read today in the Guad Reporter that the power company will be offering access to the internet in the not to distant future as well.

I volunteer at one of the ISPs, Lagunanet, a couple hours a day. I am by no means a computer expert, but I am a pretty good intermediate. Most of the folks I help are really great folks. But as we get older, some of us get more grumpy loose some of our ability to think logically and go ballistic when something goes wrong with a internet connection.

The most often reason one cannot connect is because the client has forgotten to pay. You should hear that two or three per cent who get angry and blame the ISP because they forgot to pay the ISP. I could go on. If it weren't so sad it would be comical. It's almost always a problem at the users end. Sadly there aren't enough 14 year old grandchildren around to keep things properly configured and or running. Oh don't get me wrong. Sometimes the problem is at the ISP. And I know that too often I have to be told twice that the problem is ours, because I alway assume that it's the client's.

What I think is cute is how a small percentage each month, quit one ISP or the other, swearing that the first ISP is terrible and promising never to go back when they switch to the second. I've done speed tests with both ISP's. Each is a reasonable alternative. But you would never know this listening to that small group of "EXPERTS" who had decided to hate one ISP or the other.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS, what about the new kid in town? Has anyone had any positive or negative experiences with him? Apparently the ISP only offers high speed wireless. It appears to be a quite small operation but is apparently growing.

(This post was edited by johanson on Jan 29, 2005, 12:27 PM)

Texwheel

Jan 29, 2005, 3:42 PM

Post #2 of 3 (448 views)

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Re: [johanson] NEW ISPs

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Pete, this does not directly relate to your post, but you cause me to "tell one on myself".

A couple of nights ago there was a weird echo on the audio of CSI, Las Vegas version, my favorite TV show after JAG, along with a narrative of what was happening in a clean clear voice...all audio. I had just tuned in the channel, and I thought this to be strange, but was patient, and thought maybe this was a new program twist, and waited it out. When the audio on commercials also echoed, and I noticed the problems were only on this channel, I knew I had a mess, was PO'd and called Cox Cable for a repair setup...I don't have a "box" so a service call not a special signal is required. No problemo. Set up for yesterday morning. Then I got to thinking (a rarity, but it does occasionally happen!)

I had messed with my TV programming mode to try to get an English subtitle set up to help my hard-of-hearing Mom understand what's happening on screen...my yelling and repeating everything for my Mom does get tiring after a while, especially when I often don't know what she's missed until long after it's happened.

Of course, the SAP does this only for Spanish, I think, and I had just screwed with the audio system without reading my TV's instruction booklet...well, after all it's a huge 51" Pioneer and I've only had it for about 12 years...I'll get around to it some day!

I then changed the settings on MY TV and everything was hunky dorrie. Mea Culpa to the cable company...I was as always very polite to them before and after...but I felt very stupid.

Have you ever heard the joke about people who should be required to take a course before getting married or having kids? For me, add to that, before buying a computer or any (new) electronics product.

I guess I need to rent someone's 14 year old!

BTW, if you aren't a computer expert, I don't know who is! I appreciate all your posts.

Take care. Tom.
Tom Williams
Georgetown, Texas
Texwheel@aol.com

johanson / Moderator

Jan 29, 2005, 5:39 PM

Post #3 of 3 (443 views)

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Re: [Texwheel] NEW ISPs

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Thanks for the complement, Tom. But the more I learn, the less I realize I know. It's kind of scary.