Author Topic: New house in Dallas - ISP / utilitieschoices? (Read 252 times)

eagl · « **on:** April 29, 2006, 05:56:52 PM »

Dallas residents...

So my wife just bought the house in Farmers Branch, Dallas. She's working on electricity, gas, and water, but does anyone have any suggestions on internet and phone service? My own personal experience points towards just getting regular phone service, cable tv, and whatever cable modem special they offer bundled with the cable tv...

I figure there is probably a better deal than that, but I've been out of the country for 2.5 years so I don't know what's available.. What are our options? We already have earthlink dialup service so the ability to use our existing mail accounts is a must (ie. no mail port filtering).

Thanks in advance!

Mark Luper · « **Reply #1 on:** April 29, 2006, 06:01:12 PM »

Eagl

In the southwest side of Fort Worth I use DSL pro. Like it a lot! Much better than my previous cable service. AT&T/SBC has a deal for sattelite, phone, cellular and DSL all rolled into one. I really like my Cingular (AT&T/SBC) service a lot too.

Good luck

Gunslinger · « **Reply #2 on:** April 29, 2006, 06:08:50 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Mark Luper
Eagl

In the southwest side of Fort Worth I use DSL pro. Like it a lot! Much better than my previous cable service. AT&T/SBC has a deal for sattelite, phone, cellular and DSL all rolled into one. I really like my Cingular (AT&T/SBC) service a lot too.

Good luck

While not in Dallas I can attest to SBC being decent. I don't like their call centers (sometimes there is a distint language gap) but as mark said they do offer TV phone internet and even cell service all rolled into one package. might be a good way to save money if that's what you are looking for.

PS Air Force drill teaching format sucks big time.

eagl · « **Reply #3 on:** April 29, 2006, 06:13:32 PM »

I wouldn't know about real AF drill format 'cause I only drilled for 4 years at the academy

Haven't marched since, except for an occasional "walk forward 10 steps and stop" at change of command ceremonies if the organizer really wants to get fancy.

I'll have Betty look into SBC, thx! Saving money is good and she needs reliability much more than advanced features and overall speed. Having a phone that works, getting a couple tv channels, having full pop3 access to our mindspring mail servers, and a reliable "broadband" connection of almost any type is all she really needs.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #4 on:** April 29, 2006, 06:57:18 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by eagl
I wouldn't know about real AF drill format 'cause I only drilled for 4 years at the academy Haven't marched since, except for an occasional "walk forward 10 steps and stop" at change of command ceremonies if the organizer really wants to get fancy.

I'll have Betty look into SBC, thx! Saving money is good and she needs reliability much more than advanced features and overall speed. Having a phone that works, getting a couple tv channels, having full pop3 access to our mindspring mail servers, and a reliable "broadband" connection of almost any type is all she really needs.

sir it's not the drill that's the hard part. I'm a frmr Marine, drill is in my blood. It's the teaching format that sucks. Either way SBC would get my recommendation. I used them at edwards and I usem here in San Antonio and have had very few problems with them.

Krusher · « **Reply #5 on:** April 29, 2006, 08:22:55 PM »

The two choices for internet are SBC(att) DSL or ComCast cable

SBC has a package for phone/DSL and sat TV but I don't know much about it.

eagl · « **Reply #6 on:** April 30, 2006, 07:21:09 AM »

Looks like SBC has 2 votes... I heard stuff about fiber in Dallas...?

Skuzzy · « **Reply #7 on:** April 30, 2006, 08:26:09 AM »

You are thinking about Verizon's FIOS service (fiber to the curb). Not available to those in SBC territory, yet.

If your choice is Comcast or SBC, then SBC is a better bet.

bsdaddict · « **Reply #8 on:** April 30, 2006, 10:19:01 AM »

in general, my opinion is that if you have both DSL and Cable available, go with DSL. IF only one is available then your decision has been made for you. I say DSL is better mainly due to not sharing bandwidth, but also the possibliity of having a fixed ip address (not some dhcp crap that'll change every couple of months) is nice.

Dago · « **Reply #9 on:** April 30, 2006, 10:41:39 AM »

Dallas?? You're moving to Dallas?

Better start filing down your toes now so they fit in them pointy boots! Throw away all belt buckles that are not at least 3" in height.

Are you going to be based there, or getting out of the AF?

Stay away from the HiTech offices, I hear they drink alcohol to excess there. And rumor has it that that skuzzy character is even more crabby than Pyro on a bad day.

Hope you got a chance to give beetle that swift kick in the nads while still in England, as I requested.

Welcome home,

dago

eagl · « **Reply #10 on:** April 30, 2006, 05:57:46 PM »

Hehe Dago...

Beetle somehow escaped intact as I ended up with a 1 year curtailment on my UK tour. I'm in Korea now but I'll be heading back to TX in a year. My wife is in Dallas.

Skuzzy, I don't know what services are available exactly. My wife "moved in" Sat but has no furniture, no nothing so she's trying to figure out how to buy some stuff and move it in. The neighbors aren't too helpful so I hope she doesn't hurt herself dragging furniture into the house.

The house is in Farmers Branch but again I'm not sure what services are available. But it sounds like SBC is something to check for.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #11 on:** April 30, 2006, 09:04:08 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by eagl
Hehe Dago...

Beetle somehow escaped intact as I ended up with a 1 year curtailment on my UK tour. I'm in Korea now but I'll be heading back to TX in a year. My wife is in Dallas.

Skuzzy, I don't know what services are available exactly. My wife "moved in" Sat but has no furniture, no nothing so she's trying to figure out how to buy some stuff and move it in. The neighbors aren't too helpful so I hope she doesn't hurt herself dragging furniture into the house.

The house is in Farmers Branch but again I'm not sure what services are available. But it sounds like SBC is something to check for.

Sir,

Maybe this will help. Uhaul now has a contract service for moving "help" These guys are contractors that work the weekends as helpers for moving boxes and such. I've never used them and cannot vouch for them but I do remember seeing the add for them when I was working on my DITY move. I don't think you have to rent anything from them to use this service.

another thing I learned tonite is that mixing fabreeze with Staflo (liquid starch) makes a very pleasant smelling starch that still makes BDUs stand up in the corner. OK back to studying I go.

beet1e · « **Reply #12 on:** May 01, 2006, 07:16:07 AM »

Damn, I missed out on a kick in the nads!

Eagl, if you find a good broadband service, tell jackall - he's in TX and still using dialup!!!

Krusher · « **Reply #13 on:** May 01, 2006, 07:30:46 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by eagl
The neighbors aren't too helpful so I hope she doesn't hurt herself dragging furniture into the house.

I can't move anything in my windup car (civic) but I could help lug some stuff if you need a back. Farmersbranch is only a mile or two from my part of the world.