almarps
Newbie
Posts: 11
Registered: 12-20-2004
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Internet access off the grid
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.
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CasaManzana
Nomad
Posts: 398
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Was Mulege:Posada Beach/now Zihuatanejo
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Mood: Naykid
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DirecWay or the highway if you don't have a phone line
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.
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bufeo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 793
Registered: 11-16-2003
Location: Santa Fe New Mexico
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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/
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bahiamia
Nomad
Posts: 143
Registered: 12-16-2004
Location: Bahia de los Angeles
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Starband is another satellite internet service many people use. Works pretty good.
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almarps
Newbie
Posts: 11
Registered: 12-20-2004
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Online access off the grid
Thanks for the input, Happy Holidays to all. almarps
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losfrailes
Senior Nomad
Posts: 577
Registered: 11-16-2004
Location: Ejido San Lucas near Santa Rosalia
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Mood: Good!
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Direcway
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.
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bahiamia
Nomad
Posts: 143
Registered: 12-16-2004
Location: Bahia de los Angeles
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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.
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
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Mood: Sling time!
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do any of these combine to give you
sat TV as well? even at added monthly subscription?
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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bahiamia
Nomad
Posts: 143
Registered: 12-16-2004
Location: Bahia de los Angeles
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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.
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bufeo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 793
Registered: 11-16-2003
Location: Santa Fe New Mexico
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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.
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Corky1
Nomad
Posts: 416
Registered: 11-22-2003
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Bufeo, You probably have this info but here it is anyway.
http://www.blaisracing.com/
Keep track of him in Dakar!!
Corky
 
\"Keep The Rubberside Down\" |
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bufeo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 793
Registered: 11-16-2003
Location: Santa Fe New Mexico
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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]
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