SpeedChoice broadband

> -----Original Message-----
> From: plug-discuss-admin@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
> [mailto:plug-discuss-admin@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us]On Behalf Of The
> Wolf
> Sent: Friday, May 12, 2000 7:16 PM
> To: plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
> Subject: Re: SpeedChoice broadband
>
>
> Yeah, They always have a cow for nothing.
>
> I have called them and told them I have linux
> and they (sales people) told me that they will
> not be able to convert me. Just let them know
> you are going to connect the stuff yourself as
> long as it works to your network card. If they
> insist to pick an OS opt for Mac. They do not have
> software to put it on the Mac so they will bring
> the laptop to set up the actual connection.
> After they have done that you just tell them
> about you setting up the connection and that the
> sales people must have made a mistake.
> Happens every time.
>
> Have fun.
>
> The Wolf
>
----
I disagree - tell them you have a PC and they will bring you a NIC
(Realtek) - hey, you're paying for it either way.

The salespeople are entirely clueless about the product that they are
selling.
Rules of thumb in dealing with Speedchoice/Sprint Broadband

1. Tell them 1 computer - 1 ip address
As soon as you mention 2 computers, they will double the charge for
their lan service. At least cox allows multiple computers/ip at a
reasonable cost, but Sprint doesn't.

2. You will not get DNS support from them - use www.mydns.com or other if
you intend on running your own mail server (acceptable to them) www or
ftp server or other server (unacceptable to them)

3. They don't do port checks to see if you're running servers.

4. Their installers much prefer macs - they change the settings
on the fly and it works - no reboot necessary. Actually, they
really don't care and they always setup and test with their
own laptop. They are perfectly comfortable with walking out
the door without it being hooked to any computer as long as
you are willing to sign the work order as being complete.
Take the NIC - kick them out the door.

5. Be very thoughtful about implementing a firewall. They will
put you on a common subnet with 120 other users which permits
some cover for unsavory port scanning. Not nearly as bad as
@home but definitely not policed by Sprint.

6. They now use Earthlink's mail system so you don't have to
run your own mail server - you even get a couple of mailboxes.

I know this because I have about 8 customers using Sprint Broadband on my
suggestion.

Craig