almarps - 12-23-2004 at 09:22 AM
What are some of the best internet srvs for those off the grid laptops/computers, with no hard phone-line? Currently shopping for the best bang for
the peso when working on-line during construction this winter.
DirecWay or the highway if you don't have a phone line
CasaManzana - 12-23-2004 at 02:03 PM
We are at La Playa Posada Concepcion and have used satellite internet now for almost four years. OK...maybe a bit pricy at $60/month, but with no
other options, and it works quite well, what the hay. We have seven solar panels to do the trick. A laptop will consume about one third the power of
a desktop unit. If you get rid of the monitor and get a LCD flat screen, there is really not too much difference in power demands.
bufeo - 12-23-2004 at 07:28 PM
After over 12 mos. of research I now have Motosat DataStorm which is the mobile version. I'm User #1791 in case you want to visit at:
http://www.datastormusers.com/
bahiamia - 12-24-2004 at 11:20 AM
Starband is another satellite internet service many people use. Works pretty good.
Online access off the grid
almarps - 12-24-2004 at 11:49 AM
Thanks for the input, Happy Holidays to all. almarps
Direcway
losfrailes - 1-5-2005 at 10:53 AM
Direcway is definitely the way to go down here. No phone line required, just a clear view of the southern sky. I am a certified contract installer
for a retailer in San Diego and I have installed several systems in the Santa Rosalia to Mulege area and have had nothing but good reports. It also
allows you to hook up to VOIP at 2.9 cents per minute for long distance phone calls.
bahiamia - 1-5-2005 at 06:51 PM
VOIP is great, but any internet connection will allow you to use this protocol. It is not unique to Direcway. As with any satellite internet
service, there will be a slight delay as the packets are delivered and received.
You can also call for FREE from machine to machine. All it takes is the same software installed on your machine as whoever you wish to converse with.
If you and a friend are online at the same time, you can talk back and forth. There are a variety of programs that you can use for this purpose.
You can even do this with MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, AOL IM...instead of typing back and forth to your contacts, you can talk to them, using
let's say a headset. (you can pick them up for $10-$20).
Other programs offer this as well. Crystal Voice lets you call from machine to machine for free; I use SKYPE. Their software is free, and if you
want to use their service to call regular phones, you simply purchase minutes to do so. But from machine to machine it's free.
I just talked to a friend in Germany this morning over SKYPE...pretty amazing way out here in nowhere, and being able to do so.
do any of these combine to give you
capt. mike - 1-6-2005 at 06:33 AM
sat TV as well? even at added monthly subscription?
bahiamia - 1-6-2005 at 07:42 AM
Yes, Captn. Mike, it is possible to do that. Starband offers that, I don't know about the other providers, but they probably do as well.
bufeo - 1-6-2005 at 04:10 PM
Mike,
Yes, w/DataStorm we have DirecTv as well. There is an extra charge, and I don't think we'll use it much, so probably won't re-up.
A.
Corky1 - 1-6-2005 at 05:10 PM
Bufeo, You probably have this info but here it is anyway.
http://www.blaisracing.com/
Keep track of him in Dakar!!
Corky
bufeo - 1-6-2005 at 09:34 PM
Many thanks Cork.
Yes, I'm keeping up with Chris, Kellon, and Scott via the http://www.dakar.com/2005/us/index.html web site.
At this stage they're giving a good showing for themselves, but this is a bit off the point of this thread.
Cheers.
P.S. At this point, Andy, being the "alternate" team member will keep in shape by riding in the BITD race in Parker this week end.
[Edited on 1-7-2005 by bufeo]