Hey gang, I'm looking at getting a DSL service at my home. I've been looking around at ISP's and they all have different options and pricing structures.

The best/most affordable I've found is IINET ( WWW>IINET>COM>AU ). They have a wind down to 56k if you go over their download limits and have gaming servers and have pretty good peak/off peak packages.

I'm looking at the 256+ package which is 4gig peak 4gig off peak with a 256/64 connection at $70 bucks a month. They don't charge for upload/downloads to their own gaming servers and ftp sites.

Netspace looks o.k. too.

Any other suggestions for isp's to look into??

My other question relates to modems/routers/firewalls:

What is the best "general" home use modem?? What is reccomended?

I'm looking at the netcomm NB1300 modem, which has port blocking, ethernet and the modem in one.

I think most ISP's offer a Dlink product with their connections, but Dlink are a pretty average brand now, aren't they???

Would a better solution be a software firewall??

Any advice would be great!!!!!

Thanks guys,

Timmy

Am I asking the right questions????

i have no problems with iinets services. i never download over 1 gig in any 30 day window anyway. so its 256k all the way baby!

iinet package dlink. once again, i've never had a problem with it, and mine has been on 24/7 all year. networked 3 computers to the hubb too.

Have a look around at http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/ if you have not already..

Especially under Comindico resellers and Other broadband ISPs
. There are plenty of isps around that are offering unlimited downloads and pretty resonable prices, just depends on what you want from your connection...

Also try http://www.broadbandchoice.com.au/plan.cfm if you havnt as well. Gives you a list of isps that able to meet your requirements (ie: downloads limits, price limits..ect)

Hopefully that will help ya out.

In regards to the other questions, i wounld have a clue at this point in time

Yeah cool!

It craps me off the isp's that have excess charges - shaping is the way to go coz it's still better than dialup!

So the Dlink modems are o.k.???

Those whirlpool links are great!!!!!

I've got the missus convinced that it'll save us $$$ coz no more busy phone line/mobile diversion costs!!!!

Looks like IINET is the go!

I opted against iiNET because of their rolling 30 quotas, means that you have to have smooth d/l patterns to avoid shaping which isnt something i wanna think about.

Netspace's 512/128 plan for $69.95 would be better value IMO, especially with all the free content you can get through P2P programs and through VIX servers. Extra speed is always a bonus as well

I currently use bigpond, the 3 gig limit is heaps to me
sure its expensive but the quality is great never had a service interruption or issue of any kind

I use the Alcatel Speed Touch
gives great speed and reliability, also looks really nice