My daughter really had me thinking my computer was ready to crash. I was using Firefox as primary browser, which she deleted. She forgot to change the setting of primary browser. She says Explorer is faster.
I'm sick of paying $40/mo for net service if she can't bring home decent grades. I went without any net service at all because of this. I expect my cheap, $10mo 56k Netscape service to be slow. She is used to high speed cable net.
I don't think that I am wrong for getting rid of computer service completely or only paying for cheap 56k net service over my daughter's grades at school. Am I wrong about browser and speed?
Is there a difference in speed with different browsers? *********************************************************** 09-07-06, 08:37 PM JWooden271 Explorer faster? ROTFLMAO.... XD
Broadband can definitely be a distraction to students and as the parent, it's your call.
Different browsers use different methods of translating html code to what you see on screen. The fastest I've seen is Opera, however, it doesn't have the depth of compatibility that Firefox has. Opera also has some features that can make life on dialup easier. (Like being able to disable downloading of images which take a while to load) Firefox is a good combination of speed and compatibility. Internet Explorer is a relic of an older generation, it hasn't seen much improvement since the 'ol Netscape battle days. *********************************************************** 09-07-06, 09:21 PM Wildflower63 Thank you for this info! I will pass it on to my daughter. I get off work and am fixing something to eat while playing on the computer and thought my computer crashed!
Any good recommend of browser welcome! Please post your opinion!! *********************************************************** 09-07-06, 09:34 PM bedstor I agree with the last answer a lot of dial-up users have gone to Firefox which has good support Broadband only comes into it own when you have to download a file or view a clip For pages like this it still runs at dial-up speeds with a near 100% connection (no drop outs) Only other things I suggest you do is A) Make sure your phone connection is good and B)Shop around the ISP see if one of the Big names can do a deal for the same money or less(they do have a better chance of dropped connections PS Broadband services are about the same prices as dialup now For light users they do some good deals and.. if you did make the change. your phone line will be freed up ...Also don't worry about buying a New modem they do quite often supply one with the installation kit All your computer needs to have is an USB socket free and possibly an ethernet card which are cheap. At one time in the UK they sent engineers out to install these and pay an hours Labour charge But now they always include a big poster in the box showing clearly where everything goes and how to troubleshoot (took me a whole day at first...found I had a failed Filter Frown) Now I can connect everything up in less than 2 minutes and get a first time connection... Am upgrading to a router modem in a few weeks so I'll have to relearn how to do it albeit a different way Frown
PS Firefox can work with Broadband Smile *********************************************************** 09-07-06, 10:35 PM Wildflower63 I am paying for 56k Netscape at $10/mo. It does tie up my telephone line. I'm not willing to pay high prices for any service that isn't rock bottom dollar for net service, if my daughter can't bring home better grades in school.
Anyone know of competitive rates of DSL or cable net that doesn't tie up my phone line? I was paying $35/mo for this as a discount price with combo of cable TV.
If my daughter was making the grade at school, I would continue paying for this service. She hasn't, so far. She is lucky to have 56k net service, in my view. I will not pay for net service and keep her from doing her homework, which is why her grades are poor.
Net service that doesn't tie up my phone line that is cheap, I welcome any suggestion. My daughter and I are going at it over tying up the phone line over phone calls and 56k net use.
I cut her cell phone over grades and outrages charges that she knows the rules, but doesn't care. I cut the net also, since talking to her friends takes up so much time that she can't seem to bring home passing grades, but qualifies every year for a 'gifted program'.
I don't like my phone line tied up. I would like to have my cell phones back, just to find my daughter. I am doing cheap 56k net for what she earned. She brought her grades up, which got her back on slow net. Her cell phone is gone. She didn't earn it.
What services are available at $10/mo that are DSL or cable? *********************************************************** 09-07-06, 11:51 PM bedstor Try this link to get a rough idea of what is in your area as regards costs and speeds Smile *********************************************************** 09-08-06, 12:29 AM Wildflower63 I looked at the link. The best price I can get is from my cable TV provider at $30/mo, which is three times what I am paying for Netscape at $10/mo.
Until the day my daughter earns it, I refuse to pay 3+times what I am paying Netscape. Any better price out there? *********************************************************** 09-08-06, 01:22 AM Dwight If you're going to use a dial-up and don't want to pay for a second phone line, you may be interested in this hardware device called "Catch-A-Call" which will allow you to be online and take an incoming call. It is very simple to plug in and use.
Note: this link is intended to show you a page explaining this product, not to recommend the company.
In my area a customer can get Basic Internet Cable as part of a package deal. Local, Long Distance and the basic cable is included free of charge. This isn't the high speed cable Internet service, but it is somewhat faster than dial-up and it does not tie up your telephone line. You might want to check with your telephone service provider and see if they offer some kind of package deal.
For what it is worth, I agree with you about the grades. We had the same deal at my house with my son (who graduated high school this year). If he kept his grades up, then we had the high speed cable to his computer. If the grades dropped, the Internet connection was going to be shut off until the grades improved. He came close a time or two but he did keep his grades up, so the Internet service remained connected.
Dwight *********************************************************** 09-08-06, 02:09 AM Wildflower63 This sounds interesting! My daughter is used to having the house to herself. On my day off, I can't use the computer or have a phone call. This has to come to a stop!!
This service cost quite a lot of cash, like quoted $85 I will get rid of the net before I pay this much money! *********************************************************** 09-08-06, 10:25 PM JWooden271 Back when I used dialup, I used a service called CallWave to take messages while I was online. People would call, leave a message, and the callwave app would download the voicemail. Once upon a time it was free, now they charge for it.
Basic voicemail ("Callwave Messenger") service from them is $3.95/mo plus the cost of "Busy Call Forwarding" from your telco (may be included in your package).
Another option is voicemail service from your telephone company. It'll take messages while you're online or just using the phone. If you have one of those fancy "bundled" phone plans, you may be able to actiavte voicemail at low or no additional cost.
Hope this was helpful. *********************************************************** 09-09-06, 06:43 PM Wildflower63 Yes, all of member suggestions are helpful and I do thank you for helping me out with this Mom vs. teen daughter issue.
I really don't like 56k, but it's cheap. I don't like my daughter's grades either. Get this, every school year after these tests, I get a letter. My daughter was able to take the SAT since 7th grade as a (hate this arrogant term that makes kids lazy) 'Gifted Student'.
I really would pay for cable or DSL only if my daughter would bring home something above an entire semester of failing every single class she took, while I keep getting letters that she scores so high, to the point of 'Gifted'.
I got rid of the net completely over her grades. She only brought most of her grades us to barely passing, like a D, but still had an F in there. I will only pay for $10/mo cheap 56k net, since she cannot bring home all C grades, but every year I get the fact that she is eligible for college, while she was in Jr. High.
On my day off, I want to be able to get a phone call! I want her off the net, if I feel like using it. The net is more of a necessity to her than me. I don't want to reward her with cable or DSL unless she brings home the grades.
I thank all member suggestions using slow 56k net service and how to catch phone calls. Any suggestions I welcome! Keep posting on this topic!!
Thank you to all!! *********************************************************** 09-13-06, 04:57 PM emkayess Hi, I have dial-up and am using the catch-a-call. I bought mine at Best Buy for "$ 27.-". You need call waiting to use it and it WILL knock you off the net to answer the phone. At the moment it suits me to stay with dial-up eventhough "at the moment" DSL through my provider SBC/ATT Yahoo costs $ 3.- less than my dial-up($12.99 to my $15.99). MKS *********************************************************** 09-14-06, 04:56 PM Wildflower63 I did have that Call Waiting, Caller ID type of bundle service. It cost too much and got everyone I know angry with me. It's easy for people to figure out that you are ignoring their call or it wouldn't have gone to voice mail. If no one is using the phone, calls go to my answering machine.
I had to get rid of this service while friends and family were still on speaking terms with me! Personally speaking, I don't like my phone calls interrupted. I heard who called. I will call back.
Anyone that knows us will leave a message on our answering machine and we will pick up. Anyone can leave us a message through separate mail boxes on the answering machine. We all know what calls are important vs. a friend calling to talk.
I cut all of our cell phones over my daughter's grades, so that isn't an option either.
Emkayess, is this a one time cost or monthly expense? I really don't want Caller ID or anything like this on my phone line. It really is a problem at my home.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Karrow, 09-26-06 06:43 PM *********************************************************** 09-23-06, 10:00 AM emkayess Hi Wildflower63, sorry took a while to get back here. What you need for catch-a-call is "call waiting", you push "flash" to answer a second call when you are talking on the phone. It costs about $2.- per month. Like I said, it WILL knock you off the net and you can talk on the phone and reconnect later.
Edited to remove reference to a deleted post.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Karrow, 09-26-06 06:36 PM *********************************************************** 09-25-06, 06:20 PM Wildflower63 I still need help with service! My daughter and I are in a battle over the phone line! What is available to me?
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Karrow, 09-26-06 06:54 PM *********************************************************** 09-30-06, 07:57 AM soaringhorse The service that emkayess is referring to is called Call Manager, try googling for a free download of it. I used to use it when I had dial-up, it notifies you when someone is calling. You have to make sure you have call waiting activated on your setup, I think. It was pretty neat, you can see whose number is calling, and avoid telemarketers. *********************************************************** 09-30-06, 11:00 PM Wildflower63 Ok, may I rephrase the question?
I already stated the problem between my daughter and me over 'battle for the phone line'. It's not fun. I'm sick of paying for top notch service and their high bills. Is there any compromise?
I mean, like can we get DSL at a competitive cost. I'm paying $10/mo now. I do not want caller ID, call waiting, or anything but basic phone service. I find it annoying.
The only way to solve the problem is start paying for her cell phone. Get expensive net. I refuse to do this until I see performance at school.
Just to keep me sane, does anyone know of inexpensive DSL service? I'm talking no more than $20/mo, but prefer less.
If she really does bring up her grades, as I think she will, what's the best family plan for parents of a teen? I want that Disney phone on her. She hates that idea! Better than no phone at all, right? *********************************************************** 10-23-06, 09:59 PM JWooden271 As far as cell phones go, I suggest prepaid. ( Virgin Mobile has decent pricing, and might score some cool points.) That way you can give her an allowance of calling cards. If she hits the limit, poof, end of service, and no surprise bills. If she wants more minutes, she's more than welcome to get a job to buy her own cards. Razz
I've heard of At&T offering cut-rate DSL at around $15 a month. BellSouth's cheapest is $25/mo.
If you really want to go cheap, theres Netzero's free internet service . In exchange for a banner on-screen, you get 10 free dialup hours per month. So, you could save $10/mo, and cause your daughter more suffering at the same time! Big Grin
...and also, remind her that colleges DO look at the high school GPA. You can't just get in with a SAT score, except for the schools you don't want to attend. Most need-based financial aid awards are linked to GPA. *********************************************************** 10-24-06, 05:10 AM vansrme Wildflower63, The answer could be what my wife and I did with her daughter, which is cut off her net access altogether (except for supervised homework), until her grades are at an acceptable level. If her grades are not acceptable at this time, remove her extracurricular net AND phone use, and activites, until they are! Remove all the phones from the house when you are not there if need be, to keep her from using the phone. I realize this limits her if an emergency should come up, if you dont have a neighbor who would let her use the phone, then start taking away all her privledges other than the phone. Be stern! There shouldnt be a "battle" lol, I'm not trying to sound like the perfect parent, because I am far from it, but this does work as long as you dont make small "exceptions" for this and that. All it takes is one exception, and she'll think you'll do it every time. Good luck, and sorry for the soapbox ranting! lol
As far as the DSL or cable, I seriously doubt you'll find any worth having for the same price as your current dialup, so you may have to live with it, or get YOUR cell phone back, and make sure she doesnt get it, or get hers back. Remember "Tough love" ? Again, good luck!
chris
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
