I really began to enjoy my Internet experience after I signed up with a local provider, but the 16K log on speed was frighteningly dismal. Those of you who live in the big city and can log on at 48K, or if you have cable or DSL don't know how lucky you are! It was not the fault of my provider, he is a fine fellow who even loaned me a computer once when my computer crashed and I could not access my business records. No, the problem was that I live 20 miles from the telephone switching network, and 20 miles of phone lines cause significant line loss.

A few months ago I heard about Starband and decided to investigate. I had previously heard about PC Direct, which allowed direct downloading from satellites, but you still needed a phone line to connect for your uploads, or even to surf the web or retrieve your mail. My little town is so small that all available telephone lines are taken, and you cannot get a separate line for computers or fax machines.

When I read the information on Starband, I was impressed! Sure, the cost for monthly service was a little higher than what I had been paying, and the investment in a satellite modem was not cheap, but if the service could deliver all it promised, I wanted it!





The technician installed my Starband system in March, and I have never been happier. Previously a 4 MB download would take me 40 minutes, so I did not download any programs that were not essential. Now I can download a 4 MB file in about 80 seconds! I could not utilize voice chat or video before because of my slow log on speed, but now a whole new world has opened up for me and I can hear and see my chums in Australia, Texas, Ohio, or anywhere else in the world!

I'm also finding more time for writing, and my first novel, DREAD! is now online for anyone to read. I'm asking for feed back that I hope will make the novel better before I submit it to an agent. I'm also writing lots of short stories for the Writers' Guild, and hope that I'm improving.

That pretty much sums up my recent experiences, at least the high points. If you have any questions about some things I've glossed over, just send me an email by clicking on the link. If you really want to get to know me, download and install Filetopia from the link on Page 2, and come chat with me some evening in Seniornet. I am usually on each night between 5 and 8 p.m. Pacific Time.


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