Ricochet Wireless...
 

Looks like my last post about Ricochet got removed somehow or I can't find it... Anyway here are my findings about Ricochet...

Don't go through Juno or you will be using the Juno software to connect and their tech people are stupid -- don't go through Earthlink because you will be on hold for hours and hours and you'll never get the modem in the time that they promise -- also their tech people are total idiots.

If you want Ricochet, go through Wiress WebConnect. If you want the service, I'd recommend calling Daniel Currier at 818-729-9201 9-6pm M-F -- he's the LA Accounts Manager -- pretty cool guy -- you get a free month if you refer someone so tell him that user "brunet" referred you and I get a free month!

I chose Wireless WebConnect for Ricochet because after all the SHIT I went through w/ Earthlink and Juno -- I decided to call the Ricochet people at the top and they recommended this company. I called Daniel, drove to their office, picked up the modem and I was online that same day at 128k+ -- this is the fastest way to get the modem. I'm not sure about this but they may even HAND DELIVER the modem if you are within a certain area. If you go through Juno or Earthlink trust me you could be waiting weeks to get the modem. I'm pretty sure there is an option where you can get the modem next day air if you go through WWC. The modem was $100 and comes w/ USB and Serial connections -- it has a 6 hours battery and an AC adapter.

Anyway about the service -- I get 22kB/s downloads consistently... Downloading large movies is no problem and I don't get any wierd errors. Not sure about upload speed but from what I read it's the same speed both ways -- I don't have any problems w/ FTP or ICQ uploads. I stay connected all day but sometimes maybe once a day at the most I get disconnected. Not sure if they are working on the system or the modem just loses the signal -- but in any case it's no big deal -- you just click "reconnect" there's a beep sound and you're back online very quickly.

Speed seems consistent. Unfortunately I've only tested it in my apartment. The book that comes with it recommends the best places to use the modem... An upstairs room in an apartment w/ windows is a great place to use it (I've been lucky to live in such a place ;) My cell phone barely works in this apartment but this Ricochet modem works! Go figure. The modem comes w/ a little piece of paper w/ all the mail server info, dns shit (which is server assigned anyway), etc...

Anyway I'm very happy with it. Depending on where you live they have a special where you get the first 3 months at $50... Can't wait until I can afford a laptop and then I go on trips and stay connected to my site!

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-- TheFLY.net/pete.jpg