OTP—Radio on PC?? Geeky question

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Question:

> There’s apparently another wrinkle here, too, and it may apply in my > situation. I read recently there is a type of signal booster that some > telcos install to give stronger voice signals at the far end of their > wires, but unfortunately it suppresses data speeds. I don’t know the > name of the gadget (it has something do with a coil, IIRC), but even > before I got my 56K modem I did some line tests (there are URLs where > they can test your connections remotely) that said I couldn’t expect > high speed from one. > — > Don Kirkman

I also tried one of those line tests before I purchased a 56k modem, and got the same answer that my phone line would only handle 28.8k. But I went ahead and purchased a 3Comm Robotics modem. From the PC magazine reviews that I read, that brand is more apt to establish a better connection because it filters out more noise than others. Now I regularly connect at 45.3k. My wife’s computer, which is 50 ft down the hall and closer to where the telephone line comes in, does even better. — My mind is like a steel trap — well rusted and illegal in 38 states. – Ed Wright

Response:

It seems to me I heard somewhere that John1walkr wrote in article ><< Hi John, Where do you live that they are putting speed limits on the >internet?? >> >I live outside Harrisburg, PA. However, I was told by a telephone installer it >was being placed on business lines. However, I have had no difficulties yet. >I doubt they’ll get away with this for long if they even get it off the ground. > One of the larger long distance companie’s (not sure, but perhaps AT&T) >charges an extra fee if you connect at faster than 33.3!

There’s apparently another wrinkle here, too, and it may apply in my situation. I read recently there is a type of signal booster that some telcos install to give stronger voice signals at the far end of their wires, but unfortunately it suppresses data speeds. I don’t know the name of the gadget (it has something do with a coil, IIRC), but even before I got my 56K modem I did some line tests (there are URLs where they can test your connections remotely) that said I couldn’t expect high speed from one. — Don Kirkman "Fool someone once . . . and they’ll feel foolish for a day . .. . . . but teach them to fool themselves and they’ll be foolish for a lifetime." M. Fry & T. Lewis, ‘Over the Hedge’

Response:

> << Hi John, Where do you live that they are putting speed limits on the > internet?? >> > I live outside Harrisburg, PA. However, I was told by a telephone installer it > was being placed on business lines. However, I have had no difficulties yet. > I doubt they’ll get away with this for long if they even get it off the ground. > One of the larger long distance companie’s (not sure, but perhaps AT&T) > charges an extra fee if you connect at faster than 33.3! > God bless, > John W

Grrrrr. They just cant wait to tax and control the internet and this is how it starts. I pay a couple of bucks extra a month to ATT to have unlimited service. All of the dial in numbers in Houston have been upgraded to 56K-v90. I dont think there is a fee for the speed of your modem unless its isdn or dsl with ATT. AOL may be a whole different ballgame and I cant speak about them. harv

Response:

> Hi John, Where do you live that they are putting speed limits on the > internet?? > Harv

And do they let you off easy with a warning if you cry???? >> Last time I got pulled over for speeding (second time in my life–not second time speeding, second time pulled over I decided to be nice to the guy since it was obvious I was guilty. I smiled and "yes sir’ed the guy and he was flustered! He wasn’t used to being treated well. In fact, he lowered my ticket to only 10 miles over (I was going a weeeee bit faster than that) and saved me a bundle. I told my congregation about it the following Sunday. They got a good chuckle out of it–the pastor dude getting a ticket for speeding on the way to the Bible shop:-0 God bless, John W PS–so far, I have not been caught speeding on the internet. Probably ’cause I surf a lot of German sites. Gotta’ have special keys on so ya’ don’t roll the computer in the tight turns but no limits

Response:

<< Hi John, Where do you live that they are putting speed limits on the internet?? >> I live outside Harrisburg, PA. However, I was told by a telephone installer it was being placed on business lines. However, I have had no difficulties yet. I doubt they’ll get away with this for long if they even get it off the ground. One of the larger long distance companie’s (not sure, but perhaps AT&T) charges an extra fee if you connect at faster than 33.3! God bless, John W

Response:

<< I understand in actual practice the high 30s and the low 40s are the best anyone can hope for. I have a 56K, and a bad phone line; the highest I’ve ever gotten was around 36K, and I consider it a good day when I get 28.8 or better (right now most connections are 21.6 or 26.4–my old 28.8 modem gave me 26.4 tops). >> Before I moved out here to PA, I had one of the software upgradable modems which came with a kind of "boost" program. I could push over the limit and get an actual metered transfer rate of 57,600 when connected with the high speed port at AOL. However, when I upgraded my AOL software it dropped. This was, however about the same time I heard this story about limiters being placed on the lines–perhaps to enforce the govt. limits? I’ve had incredibly good luck recently and regularly get online at 46.6. Interestingly, I get the best connections from Freeinet–a free internet provider! God bless, John W

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi John, Where do you live that they are putting speed limits on the > internet?? > Harv > And do they let you off easy with a warning if you cry???? > Last time I got pulled over for speeding (second time in my life–not second > time speeding, second time pulled over I decided to be nice to the guy > since it was obvious I was guilty. I smiled and "yes sir’ed the guy and he was > flustered! He wasn’t used to being treated well. In fact, he lowered my > ticket to only 10 miles over (I was going a weeeee bit faster than that) and > saved me a bundle. I told my congregation about it the following Sunday. They > got a good chuckle out of it–the pastor dude getting a ticket for speeding on > the way to the Bible shop:-0 > God bless, > John W > PS–so far, I have not been caught speeding on the internet. Probably ’cause I > surf a lot of German sites. Gotta’ have special keys on so ya’ don’t roll the > computer in the tight turns but no limits

LOLOL Always pushing for Autobahn speed limits on Internet data transfer, which of course equals none!!!! — "There are some people that if they don’t know, you can’t tell ‘em." — Louis Armstrong http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Nook/9300

Response:

> > Hi John, Where do you live that they are putting speed limits on the > internet?? > Harv > And do they let you off easy with a warning if you cry???? > http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Nook/9300

LOLOL Or look helpless and bewildered as you ask if this is really necessary. LOL I will have to work on that. Harv

Response:

> LOLOL Or look helpless and bewildered as you ask if this is really > necessary. LOL I will have to work on that. > Harv

Hee hee hee!!! — "There are some people that if they don’t know, you can’t tell ‘em." — Louis Armstrong http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Nook/9300

Response:

> Hi John, Where do you live that they are putting speed limits on the > internet?? > Harv

And do they let you off easy with a warning if you cry???? — "There are some people that if they don’t know, you can’t tell ‘em." — Louis Armstrong http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Nook/9300

Response:

<< Basic, but Realplayer is telling me I don’t have enough bandwidth. It keeps buffering the stupid radio stations instead of streaming them. I use a 48.8K modem. Do I need to get a 56K modem, or upgrade to Realplayer Plus (shell out the 40 bucks), or what?????? >> You have plenty of speed in your modem to listen to music/radio via Real Player. Likely the problem is one of three things: A) your connection speed (not necessarily the same as your modem capability as it depends on what your internet provider has provided you with); B) the available bandwith your service provider or C) the general slowdown on the web which occurs when too many people try to access the same site at the same time. Just try getting on the ananova.com site or the Tolkein "Lord of the Rings" trailer for the new movie in production and you’ll see what "buffering" is all about. Another problem which I only encountered recently, is that some "local" phone companies have installed devices that limit the speed at which you can communicate, regardless of your modem. To connect at a higher fee you must pay a monthly fee. It’s like a local tax on the internet and it really stinks. Our local company has tried it but I don’t think they’ll get away with it for long. Other companies are getting on the ball and installing fiberoptic networks to increase speed. Interestingly, if you have a 56K modem, you can’t actually go that speed unless you have a dedicated line or cable modem. The law says that information is only allowed to move at less than that speed. Go figure:-) I hope you get your problem solved as radio on the net is a blast. I can even get the CBC in Harrisburg, PA! Now isn’t that something to fire up the ol’ chicken gun for? (If’n you ain’t seen it on Air Farce, you won’t understand). God bless, John W

Response:

Another problem which I only encountered recently, is that some "local" phone > companies have installed devices that limit the speed at which you can > communicate, regardless of your modem. To connect at a higher fee you must pay > a monthly fee. It’s like a local tax on the internet and it really stinks. > Our local company has tried it but I don’t think they’ll get away with it for > long. > God bless, > John W

Hi John, Where do you live that they are putting speed limits on the internet?? Harv

Response:

It seems to me I heard somewhere that Rox wrote in article >Ok. Just looked at all those neat links in Ruth’s post (A List to >Keep..)…I would like to listen to radio on PC (there is not ONE jazz >station where I live…..ugh!) The links in Yahoo! open Realplayer >Basic, but Realplayer is telling me I don’t have enough bandwidth. It >keeps buffering the stupid radio stations instead of streaming them. I >use a 48.8K modem. Do I need to get a 56K modem, or upgrade to >Realplayer Plus (shell out the 40 bucks), or what??????

Looks like you got help on the Realplayer part of the problem, Roz, so I’ll pass on that. For the modem, most brands jump from 28.8K to 56K, but the speed doesn’t double. The highest usable speed under current US government standards is 53K; I understand in actual practice the high 30s and the low 40s are the best anyone can hope for. I have a 56K, and a bad phone line; the highest I’ve ever gotten was around 36K, and I consider it a good day when I get 28.8 or better (right now most connections are 21.6 or 26.4–my old 28.8 modem gave me 26.4 tops). — Don Kirkman "Fool someone once . . . and they’ll feel foolish for a day . .. . . . but teach them to fool themselves and they’ll be foolish for a lifetime." M. Fry & T. Lewis, ‘Over the Hedge’

Response:

> Ok. Just looked at all those neat links in Ruth’s post (A List to > Keep..)…I would like to listen to radio on PC (there is not ONE jazz > station where I live…..ugh!) The links in Yahoo! open Realplayer > Basic, but Realplayer is telling me I don’t have enough bandwidth. It > keeps buffering the stupid radio stations instead of streaming them. I > use a 48.8K modem. Do I need to get a 56K modem, or upgrade to > Realplayer Plus (shell out the 40 bucks), or what??????

Hi, Rox. I see from your later post that all is working fine now. Thought I would throw out the URL of a web site that claims to have the largest index of radio stations on the web: <www.radio-directory.com/> Funny thing, though. I just tried it out after a long absence, and find it is under construction for update at the moment. They do post a link to another site for use in the meantime. Actually, I don’t use my PC for radio listening anymore, although it used to be the only way I could access radio in my den. After some not so subtle hints, my wife bought me a BOSE "Wave" radio, and I’d never go back to the inferior quality of my PC’s sound system. You have probably seen the BOSE ads for this radio. (If your newspaper includes a Parade magazine section on Sundays, there’s always an ad there.) It’s everything they say it is. Costs around $500, but the sound is well worth it. (I have no connection to the company, so this is not spam, just a well-satisfied customer talking.) — My mind is like a steel trap — well rusted and illegal in 38 states. – Ed Wright

Response:

Hi Rox, If it works and you are happy with it, leave it alone. Andy and I both had to have our computers worked on because we tried to down load the latest Real version. Windows media audio and Real do not get along together well and will try to control your ability to use what and if you use Win98 and maybe Win95 the problem maybe setting there waiting to happen. I use mine everyday because an AM station in my area does not come in well but through the computer it comes in perfect. There are stations that are setup for dsl or isdn like Maestro Classical and I get the same message you do and my modem gets 50,666 which is about as fast as a regular modem goes. Enjoy. Harv – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Ok. Just looked at all those neat links in Ruth’s post (A List to > > Keep..)…I would like to listen to radio on PC (there is not ONE jazz > > station where I live…..ugh!) The links in Yahoo! open Realplayer > > Basic, but Realplayer is telling me I don’t have enough bandwidth. It > > keeps buffering the stupid radio stations instead of streaming them. I > > use a 48.8K modem. Do I need to get a 56K modem, or upgrade to > > Realplayer Plus (shell out the 40 bucks), or what?????? > There’s a setting somewhere where you can tell it what kind of modem > you have. I think there’s a 28.8 possibility to check. > Got it!!! Works great now. Thanks!!!! > — > "There are some people that if they > don’t know, you can’t tell ‘em." > — Louis Armstrong > http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Nook/9300

Response:

> > Ok. Just looked at all those neat links in Ruth’s post (A List to > Keep..)…I would like to listen to radio on PC (there is not ONE jazz > station where I live…..ugh!) The links in Yahoo! open Realplayer > Basic, but Realplayer is telling me I don’t have enough bandwidth. It > keeps buffering the stupid radio stations instead of streaming them. I > use a 48.8K modem. Do I need to get a 56K modem, or upgrade to > Realplayer Plus (shell out the 40 bucks), or what?????? > There’s a setting somewhere where you can tell it what kind of modem > you have. I think there’s a 28.8 possibility to check.

Got it!!! Works great now. Thanks!!!! — "There are some people that if they don’t know, you can’t tell ‘em." — Louis Armstrong http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Nook/9300

Response:

There’s a setting somewhere where you can tell it what kind of modem you have. I think there’s a 28.8 possibility to check. There’s also a preference panel (that I found that sixth time or so I looked for it) where you can tell it to sacrifice audio quality. I can’t tell you where exactly now; when I opened RealAudio to check, I got a message that my Beta version (which they hadn’t said was beta when I downloaded it!) has expired. Then when I started to dowload the upgrade, it was taking forever. Another time. — AF "I suggest prayer, fasting, and a good killfile." Ellen’s rule for usenet survival

Response:

Ok. Just looked at all those neat links in Ruth’s post (A List to Keep..)…I would like to listen to radio on PC (there is not ONE jazz station where I live…..ugh!) The links in Yahoo! open Realplayer Basic, but Realplayer is telling me I don’t have enough bandwidth. It keeps buffering the stupid radio stations instead of streaming them. I use a 48.8K modem. Do I need to get a 56K modem, or upgrade to Realplayer Plus (shell out the 40 bucks), or what?????? — "There are some people that if they don’t know, you can’t tell ‘em." — Louis Armstrong http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Nook/9300

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