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kevlar557,I have Comcast Cable internet... and AT&T's CallVantage VOIP phone service. Lets see if I can answer your questions before any comments about the VOIP service by me 1st....1. Will you notice a big drop in speed when someone calls you? NO!!!! Your Cable service is probably going to be nearly 4Meg speed... of that, your VOIP phone will use about a 9K bandwidth. You will hardly even notice!!!!2. Can you use a Fax machine? They claim you can... and on the VOIP TA-Box (Telephone Adapter Box) that I have, it even has a connection for a Fax Machine. I haven't used one on my service... but for all purposes, it acts just like a normal "Land-Line" from my end... so I dont see where it should be any problem what so ever for you to use your Fax Machine.Now... onto my comments about the VOIP service.ITS SWEET!!!!!! My phone bill was like yours... upwards of $60 a month... and that didn't include even Long Distance. My better-half insisting on Caller ID... Call Waiting, and a ton of those darn "Add-Ons" was just killin me!From my understanding, both Vonage and AT&T CallVantage's service is identical. Voice quality outstanding. Service Outstanding! Vonage is $5 cheaper a month.Why, you may ask yourself, if Vonage is $5 cheaper, didn't I go with them for my service?I have 3 daughters. Doing research into the VOIP world... I find there is a discrepancy in the 911 service. Weather you dial 911, and they KNOW its you... or you get some semi-local help desk... that will require you to give them your home address... then forward you to the nearest service... IF they are even working the hours you happened to need to make that emergency call.Well... in my area... the AT&T service (I believe since they are a phone company 1st...) that problem with the 911 emergency calls isn't any problem. Goes thru to your local 911 emergency opperators, and they have listed your address. For me, the added $5 was worth it to know if my daughters ran into any problems... and picked up the phone to dial 911... they would be helped!All that ranting... just means... check into your area, and see how both services handle their emergency calls. Its best to know ahead of time.

I've seen several New Spalshes on the National TV Channels, where they are stating that the Military is using something very similar to these UAV's in assisting them in their servailance methods over in Iraq.The more technology can help save lifes, yet still walk that fine line between doing that and infringing on my privacy... the more I like it!I'd rather see a million dollars in equipment go up in smoke , than have one man or woman get killed in a mission gathering information. Money and equipment are replaceable, human beings aren't!

Okay... being a "newbie" to setting up a website.... I have a couple questions.What is a "Pagerank"??? Where do I go to try and find out what an individual page of my website is ranked? Is there a program that you run that tells you that, or is that some type of tool that you use thru Google that assignes that number?Another question:If your webpage is only as strong as those other "highly-ranked websites" that link to you... how does a person find out what those "highly ranked websites" are, to then begin going about getting them to somehow refer your website to them???I know... all very "Newbie" questions... but I warned ya at the start of this post! *grin*Thanks for your help.

I also was trying to access information from an old computer on my network, to my new computer. I went thru all the steps on that old computer to set-up those folders for sharing. The darn opperating system (windows XP home) even did the little "hand" under those folders, indicating that it was a shared folder.The new computer still was receiving the same "error message [file path name] is not accessable. You might not have permission to use this network resource. Contact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions. Access denied"I then went on that new computer, and disabled the firewall settings temporarilly. Then, I had full access to the old computer's "C:" drive... with the exception of the exception of the "Documents and Settings - Individual User" folders.Soooo... I go into those individual user folders on the old computer, and do the properties - sharing and security thangy... to set those folders to sharing.Looks good on that old computer... those folders Windows XP home is showing the little hand under again... so I'm thinking they should be shared.Yet... on the new computer, I'm still unable to access those shared folders.My best guess... because those are somehow folders keyed to an individual user account, Windows XP isn't allowing someone not signed into that computer as that user to access them????What I ended up having to do, was copy all of the information from those folders into another folder on the old computer's C: drive... that I just named "Temp Share".Then, set that "Temp Share" folder's permissions to sharing. Now, the new computer could have access to those files.From there I was able to transfer the old favorites file to the new computer... and have access to the other pictures and music that was stored on that old computer.It wasn't the best solution, but worked for me. Hopefully it will help you.

With your using a hub... I would think you would need to have your cable modem connected directly to your main computer's Ethernet connection... then have a 2nd Ethernet connection available in that computer to connect to that hub, and thus to the other computers in your home network.Then, connected like that, you could setup your main computer for "Internet Connection Sharing"... and the hub would simply route the rest of your home networked computers thru that main computer's Cable connection???At least... without a router to take care of the DCHP for you, I think this is the way you would need to accomplish this. Hope it helps some at least.

All it takes is for your participation here with these posts... and you'll have the web-space you require in no time. I've found the more "Content" your posts have, the better they get scored, which helps it all add up quickly and easily.Of course, since I'm the type of person that NEVER answers anything in a simple "yes/no" type answer, that hasn't seemed to be any problems at all for me *grinz*Enjoy! Looking forward to seeing more of your posts here.

Not being a complete computer-geek-guru myself... the only way I was able to get my home network up and running was to toss my old "hub" and invest in a Router. The router takes care of the DCHP handling for the computer's attached to it... the only thing I had to do was have the Router clone the MAC address of my cable modem... and my network was off and running.If you are hoping to save as much money as possible, the older style Routers (not wireless) are very cheap right now. However, if I was to be going out and purchasing one now myself, I would ensure that I could buy something that would last me for a few years, and would invest in the wireless "G" routers. That way, I would have at least some comfort knowing that what I just spent my money on would last me for a good 5 years at least.Hope that helps.

Having someone around that understands how the OSCommerce programing language works could be of SUPER benifit to some of us "Newbies"!!!Just wish you were around about 2 months ago when I was first trying to dig thru it, teaching myself how to setup an Online Webstore! heheheIf you don't mind, I'd like to add you to my "Contacts" listing, incase I do come across more questions... in hope that your experience would be able to help me?Thanks,Ed

Like in "Star Trek"???Then... a step further than just the Assisting Agent... would be a Transporter? Who needs the overpirced Airlines, and lack of service when you can step into a transporter, and be "beamed" where ever you wanted to go instantly???

For us to be able to give you a good oppinion, or personal experience with what you are asking, we need a way to get to what ever page that link is supposed to be taking us to.You may need to just link us to the main search page you used, then tell us what terms you used to search on, for us to receive that link. Often, a search link expires after just a few hours... and that search needs to be accomplished again.This is what I would guess is the problem with your link. See if you can give us more inofrmation please.Thanks.

Quite often, when I've had an interruption in my Router (thangy), I found a simple "Power-On-Reset" does the trick.By that I mean... turn off all computer's attached to your router. Unplug the power cord from your Router. Leave it off for about a minute. Now, plug back in your router. Wait about another minute (for the router to reboot), then start turning back on your various computers.If that doesn't work, there is normally a "RESET" button (or hole) on that router. Follow the manual directions for use of that reset button, including any initial setup required.Sometimes, something as simple as powering everything off, then restarting them does the trick. Sure costs less than randomly starting to replace things.Hopefully, one of our suggestions will help yas. Good Luck!

Another part of all of this that I just didn't understand... if this woman was complaining that it was "Messing up her astrological forcasts"... how was this effecting any Stars, Moons, or Planets???As I understand Astrology, it deals with relationships between Stars, Moons, and planets??? When did a passing "Once in a lifetime" commet have anything to do with astrology???AS for simply disbarring any Lawyer that would have the gaul to actually press this case, I don't think that punishment is near sever enough! Perhaps string 'um up by their toe's... skin them to death, and let them sittin there drip-drying for about 4 hours before you dip them in a pickle vat! *Evil Grin*Okay... perhaps I don't have ANY respect for Lawyers, especially the type that would actually accept this case.

I would try to stay with either D-Link or LinkSys, for your home system. I know both are available at about any BestBuy, Costco, or even Wally-World (WalMart). Not sure you'd be able to get both the wireless Router AND wireless network card for under $60ish... but never know if you don't check them out. Sometimes, their rebates will bring the total down to that cost... but then again you're waiting 60 days or so to receive that rebate.Best of luck!

I found this article and almost couldn't believe the "Gaul" of some people, and how SUE crazy they are in this world!!! http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/'>http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/ To take a quick quote from that article for you, so you understand just how crazy this is... I've pasted a small portion of that article here; "Marina Bai has sued the U.S. space agency, claiming the Deep Impact probe that punched a crater into the comet Tempel 1 late Sunday ruins the natural balance of forces in the universe. Bai is seeking damages totaling $300 million - the approximate equivalent of the mission's cost - for her moral sufferings." I don't care what country the Lawyer that is pressing this case is from (in this particular case, they are from somewhere in Russia), but I feel they should be dis-barred for even wasting a courts time with something as ridiculous as this!!! What do you all think???

We've had a few major jumps in technology in the past 100 or so years. Electricity being in everyone's homes... and as has been stated above, just about every home in the United States now has some form of computer... most connected to the Internet. Those things will still have yearly "Upgrades"... but in my oppinion until the SuperConductor that can run at room temp is developed, large jumps in technology will be waiting.

That was an interesting site! It appears the security of their customers does concern some of the hotel chains... and I'm sure their efforts to help make our stay in their facility will be appreciated, and word of mouth alone will help bost their business.Smart move on their part!

Personally, even though I have a wireless card for my Laptop, when I'm traveling I use a direct connection to the Hotel's High Speed Internet. I've stayed at only 2 Hotel's that have offered wireless, but they also had hard-wired connection right in the room as well.However, even with the hard-wired connection... there are people out there that snoop, using their intellegence to cause problems for people, instead of trying to be creative in any good ways. So, because of that, its always safest to do what you can to protect yourself.

I'm still a newbie, especially when it comes to more of the "Tricks of the Trade" with computers... but from the information I've been able to find out, it would be extreamly difficult for someone to find out another's MAC address. I'm also not so sure what good that information would do them. Perhaps we can get some much more ed-u-ma-cated types here to help us understand more how this all works??? Thanks in advance.

When I researched the VOIP, 2 of my concerns were what happened when/if I lost my internet connection and/or power... and what if something around the house happened and me, or most importantly my daughters needed to dial 911.Both Vonage and CallVantage have a "Safe Number". What that is, if for some reason a caller can't connect to your Telephone Adapter, then the call if automatically forwarded to that "Safe" number!The reason I finally decided on CallVantage over Vonage, even though the Vonage service was $5 a month cheaper, was the problems Vonage is having because they are NOT a phone company... with their 911 service.From the searching I did, their 911 calls are routed to a "Semi Local" 911 service, then you have to wait while that service transfers you to the 911 service center that is closest to the address you give them when you call. I didn't want my daughter's in an emergency having to go thru all fo that at all! To be fair though, I should also mention here that this 911 problem Vonage is having isn't in all parts of the country... and I don't think it has been a major problem up in Washington State where I live... but I wasn't going to take any chances when it came to an emergency, and my daughter's needing to get help as quickly as they possiblly could!

Thank you Soleq... I appreciate your help muchly!!!After some reading thru the included HELP files for Windows XP, and some experimenting, I managed to figure out how to find my MAC address.I brought up a dos window, and input the fillowing command:ipconfig /allSure enough, it shows me my "physical address" of my internal lan on my laptop, as well as the physical address of my wireless adapter!!!Good Stuff!!! Thanks for starting this thread, and once again Soleq, thank you for your input to my question!!!

Hello All,I came home from vacation, to find that my VOIP phone didn't have any dial tone. Did all the normal things, like powering off everything, then turning them back on just as I had during my initial installation of my VOIP system. Still no dial tone.So... thinking how smart I am, I decided to call my phone, and see how it did the "Safe Number" automatic forwarding. No go!!!So... I wait thru the 22minutes of advertisments until I actually get a hold of someone LIVE to talk with via their 800 number... and happily they were able to "Kick-Start" my TA (Telephone Adapter). Once again I have dial-tone, and can call and receive. Good so far.Now... I mention how my "Safe Number" didn't happen... and I'm told "I'm sorry, but I'm in the Technical Division here, and you'll need to contact the Support Division... because your TA doesn't allow you the "Safe Number" service.No where, when you read about all the wonderful features provided by the VOIP Service do they say "Only if we happen to send you out the D-Link 1120 TA"... so why aren't they sending this adapter out to everyone that signs up for their service????Needless to say, I was on the phone 1st thing Monday morning to the Service Department... and I was happy to find out they were shipping me my D-Link 1120, along with a shipping lable so I could return my Centillium TA free of charge back to them. When I asked why this "Lower Grade" TA adapter was even sent to me when I signed up for their service.... the answer was kinda disturbing. She answered me "Sir, we have several different TA adapters that will allow you to have a phone, some more expensive for us than others... and we ship what will give you your phone service". Now... doesn't this sound like "If ya don't complain, we aren't setting you up with what you need" to you??? It did to me!!!Anyways... I'm in the "5 day shipping wait period", and still happy with my VOIP service... but just thought I'd let other's know they may also wish to check into which TA they have been sent... and notice the various restrictions on the "ADVERTISED" service you may, or may not receive with that TA!Thank you for your time.

When you mention "Enabling MAC address filtering on your router"... I'm hoping this is something that is fairly straight forward in setting up? Being a newbie also to the Computer Network world, will I find out how to get my MAC address by simply going to the "Help and Support" section on my WIN XP computer, and typing in MAC address?As I understand it, the MAC address is a unique identification assigned to a card, modem, and/or the like, that have the LAN capabilities???? Not the piticular IP of a computer, but more hardware related???I know... some very basic questions. Sorry, but I'm just trying to understand more as I tag along on this thread.Thank you.

Until I upgraded to Cable Internet, I did the same thing you are trying. YES, you can go thru the "Internet Connection Sharing" help files in your version of Windows... and after much fighting, configure your network to do the sharing of your Modem.The problem I had was touched on by other responses above... VERY slow downloading anything when more than one computer was trying to access the internet at the same time. In fact, some sites would actually "time out" the download speeds were so slow.However... it beats having NO connection to the internet... so ya takes what ya gets!From what I remember when I did this, I had to make sure that my router assigned "Static IP's" to the computer's connected to it. That was probably my trickiest part to setup. Once I managed to read enough to do that, when I wanted to connect to the internet from a remote computer, I would simply bring up Internet Explorer... wait about a minute for the modem to go thru its connect... and I was off and running. I never did manage to get the Internet Connection Sharing part to disconnect when that remote computer was finished using the internet though... and had to go to the other room and do that manually.Best of luck! It a test of your patients, but being in your circumstances in my past... it was worth the hassles to figure it out and get my network able to access the internet from that single modem.

Hello All,One of my best friends has a VW Diesel. The VW Corporation has recently approved the use of 10% biodiesel in their cars. This means, if they require 10 gallons of fuel, you are allowed to put in 1 gallon of biodiesel along with 9 gallons of "normal" diesel when you fill the tank.The kicker is, it needs to be biodiesel from an "Approved" distributor. That means, that even though its fairly easy for a person to make his own biodiesel at home, at least the VW company won't authorize its usage, and you will void your warrantee.As of now... I haven't heard of there being any conflicts with the VW Company actually voiding anyone's warrantee due to the use of biodiesel... but I can well imagine that it is just a huge loophole for them to get out of many repairs in the future.A quick background... the concept of a biodiesel engine was thought of for the "Mid Western" states, so the farmer could easily produce his own fuel for his farm tractors. Those tractors ran on biodiesel... with the benefit of better lubrication from that biodiesel helping the wear-and-tear on the engine... with no problems! Along came the large "Oil" companies... and they made the petroleum diesel, at a cheaper price, which ended up pushing the use of biodiesel out of production. I wonder if the use of biodiesel now, can work against the darn "Oil Companies"... and finally stick it to them in the shorts... like they have been doing to us all these years?!?!?! *Grinz*

djatomicice, I'm sure that I'm following what you are trying to tell me there. My home computers are setup on their own network. Both are connected via a wireless router (main computer hardwired, daughter's computer wireless connection) to my home "Workgroup", as their network. My problem is... that since my work Laptop is configured to be part of my works "Domain"... I haven't found an easy way to do the file sharing between my home computers. I'm sure there is a way... I just don't know what it is... and I'm hoping someone here can help me find it. Thanks again for reading all! P.S. The above should read "I'm not sure that I'm following..." Sorry... rented finger's here. *Grinz*