Internet Imbecile Needs Help Please

Discussion in 'Designing, building, making and powering your life' started by helenlee, Jul 9, 2010.

  1. helenlee

    helenlee Junior Member

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    OK ... responses without too many condescending, overly patronizing or just plain rude words only please!!!

    Since moving away from my young adult children I have been having a very difficult time using ANY of the household technology ...
    My latest disaster is to discover tonight that I've been using TWICE my internet download allowance & paying TWICE the amount I thought I was each month. (It's direct debited on my credit card ... I know ... don't say it ...) I'm with Westnet & have the bundled satellite starter deal which says I have (512k/256k - 3gb) with no shaping. I really hate to confess this, but they might as well be the directions for building a space ship for all it means to me. I get so embarrassed about my total ignorance of this stuff that I don't ring the companies & ask what I need to because I can't bear the total disbelief of the lollipop sucking geeks on the end of the line!!!
    I'm no longer on a contract with Westnet ... does anyone know of a better satellite deal ... or can anyone explain to me what the hell it is I do that takes me so far over my monthly allowance??? I don't download music, don't watch videos (except the occasional youtube clip) & only watch a bit of porn ;) I have been just "surfing" the net a lot lately due to the short daylight hours & perpetually crappy weather however.
    Help please!
     
  2. pebble

    pebble Junior Member

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    Anyone else got access to your computer? Should be able to look up your daily usage online, that might help you figure out what's going on.

    It looks like Westnet have two different pricings - one set of plans has peak and off-peak browsing. If that's your plan, it will be easy to go over your limit as it's only 500MB during peak (half a gig, which is nothing these days as many websites are bandwidth hogs). Off peak is 11pm - 9am.

    https://www.westnet.com.au/internet/satellite/

    If you're browsing during the day you need a shaped plan by the looks of it. This is a plan that drops your speed once you reach your data limit. That way you won't pay any extra per month. They should be emailing you just before you reach your limit anyway - ask them if they do that with the shaped plan.

    Sorry, can't help with recommending companies.
     
  3. pebble

    pebble Junior Member

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    Sorry, got that wrong. All the Westnet plans have the peak/off peak thing, but you need a shaped plan so that you don't end up paying for extra data over your limit.

    You probably need to increase your peak data limit anyway, otherwise you'll just spend a chunk of the month on slow speeds. Look up how much you are actually using - you should be able to login on https://www.mywestnet.com.au/ and check data usage.
     
  4. pebble

    pebble Junior Member

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    Also:

    - you should be able to get a good deal by putting your phone, tolls and internet in a package.

    - if you already have the hardware, see if there is any advantage to going on a term plan (eg 12 mths). If not, then don't.
     
  5. helenlee

    helenlee Junior Member

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    The next plan up is double speed ... $99.95 for 5 gb .. which is about what I'm paying now for my plan plus the extra. But I really need to cut down my usage so Im only paying the $49.95 per month, not go up to the next plan.
    What is it that I'm doing on the internet thats adding all the extra $$$?
    The kids are here sometimes & yeah ... they download lots of music. That's cool ... I don't mind indulging them when they're here ... but it looks like I'm using way too much $ wise on my own. If I could afford it I would upgrade, but I can't, so I'll have to cut my cloth according to my measure, as my mother would say.
     
  6. helenlee

    helenlee Junior Member

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    I have the home phone & satellite bundled.
    I've just complete a 12 month contract ... I've spoken to Westnet twice tonight & they haven't suggested any other deals/contracts.
    However ... one of those lollipop suckers :) did just suggest to me I download a monitor to track my usage to see if there are any problems anywhere ... although he did say that with a Mac it's unlikely to be a virus or anything. Any suggestions as to which monitor I should download?
     
  7. helenlee

    helenlee Junior Member

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    Just downloaded the Videotron Internet Usage Monitor widget from the Mac website & now I can't figure out how to use it!!!
     
  8. eco4560

    eco4560 New Member

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    Is it a wireless system and if so do you have a password? I regularly find "open" wireless systems when I'm travelling and just hop right on in and help myself. I know it's VERY naughty.... Someone who lives close by could be using up your internet without you knowing it.
     
  9. frosty

    frosty Junior Member

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    I am no help with the technical stuff but I can say that Westnet are definately one of the better if not the best company to deal with IMHO

    I made the mistake of going to activ8 when I got satellite bcause at the time Westnet did not have a shaped plan and as soon as my12 month contract is up I will be going back to Westnet

    frosty
     
  10. pebble

    pebble Junior Member

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    Did Westnet tell you they don't have a running record of your usage? If not, have you tried logging into the link I gave and checking your account?
     
  11. pebble

    pebble Junior Member

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    Hmm, if you're paying $49.95 mth, you're right, you should be getting 3GB peak before paying extra. In that case, the best way is to look at your actual usage*. I don't know the software you downloaded but will have a look later if I get the change (am on a mac too).

    *that's pretty bad if Westnet can't tell you. If a company is selling broadband per MB, they should provide the tools for keeping track of that. My ISP provides a daily accounting that I can look at online.
     
  12. pebble

    pebble Junior Member

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    And what Eco said about the wireless.

    (I use wifi too Eco, but only for emails and small browsing, not big downloads).
     
  13. Michaelangelica

    Michaelangelica Junior Member

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    Always assume that your ISP is overcharging and under servicing you, and the account is wrong.
    You will be right 99.99% of the time. They prey on people's lack of confidence with new technology.

    Never give an ISP your credit card details.That is inviting disaster.

    For $50 a month you should be able to get an adequate service ("Adequate" is all most services are; esp. in the country)
    Where are you?

    You need someone under the age of 15 to advise you. I have found that most 10 year olds are helpful and cheap.:)

    There is an ombudsman who can help you with ISP overcharging etc, who actually is helpful.

    512k/256k is a bit low and slow for video. You may need to buy a $100 RAM chip or so. Kids avoid this by just upgrading all the time and leaving us oldies with the junk. You probably need 2M RAM for video etc,. although 1M might be OK.
    You may/will? need someone to buy and fit the chip for you (There are geeks out there that love doing this)
     
  14. Don Hansford

    Don Hansford Junior Member

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    This is (sadly) quite true

    Many ISPs will only accept credit card payment - no other options, unless they offer a pre-paid service (which could be an option, although they are usually dearer per MB)

    You must try to solve the issue with the ISP before going to the Ombudsman

    A RAM chip will NOT help this - this is the download speed plan you have purchased. Stepping up to a faster speed will cost you more and use your allocation even quicker :( Many computer shops will have you beleive that you need a new PC if the 'net is slow. The connection between your PC and the modem that connects you to the 'net will handle the data far faster than wire / wireless / satellite can deliver it.

    That would be 2G (Gigabytes), not 2M (Megabytes) :D Again, if it is streaming video, the holdup is the speed that the connection delivers it, not the speed of playback by the PC

    If you are running any Microsoft software (Office for Mac, etc) the first thing to do is to go into the options / preferences area for that software, and turn OFF any automatic updates. You can set them to notify you if there are any updates - my advice is to only install those labelled "Critical", and onlt then after checking the notes that come with them to see if they apply to your system. Auto update can use anything up to 1 Gb per month of downloads, if M$ is having a bad time :(
     
  15. sun burn

    sun burn Junior Member

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    If its any consolation I don't understand much about what you are saying either. I thought that 3GB is practically nothing but since no one else seems to have picked up on that i must misunderstand id. And since you've reckon you get only 5GB for nearly $100. I must be wrong. But i thought we get about 25GB for about $50 on broadband. I wouldn't htink that satellite should be that much more but i just don't know.

    Certainly i think you should put your qualms about what those lollipop suckers think of you and pick up the phone.
     
  16. Tropical food forest

    Tropical food forest Junior Member

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    i pay about $15/ GB via vodafone mobile net (pre-paid)
    i wont acll it broadband, its slower than im old iprimus dialup
    and more expensive
    follow up service is non existent for V fone

    i physically have no phone line despite bing in suburbia, so its all ive got...

    i get no phone with this. that i do extra with prepid mobile
    is sat phone better?

    good deals anyone?
    i instantly distrust any "Plan"
    rather Pilot my own destiny thanks
     
  17. pebble

    pebble Junior Member

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    Sun burn, 3G is enough for browsing, email, watching a few vids, a few big downloads. If you watch vids every day, play online games, download lots (music, games, software), then it won't be enough. I use about 3-5G per month but I watch quite a bit of youtube length video.

    Vodafone in NZ let you see how much data your using each day. Do companies in Oz not do that?
     
  18. helenlee

    helenlee Junior Member

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    Hi Pebble ... I've been to my westnet page & can see how much I'm using, but I want to know exactly what it is I'm using that's taking up so much so I can stop doing it, hence the monitor (which I found in iphoto this morning! ... not sure how to get it onto the dashboard).
    Hi Eco ... It's satellite ... I don't use the router because it didn't work in this house ... don't use a password ... I live up a gully that is a dead end. My nearest neighbour is about 1km away as the crow flies I suppose, maybe not that far ... but it's not like anyone can be randomly driving past. The other 3 people up this gully all have satellite internet too. We're literally in the middle of nowhere.
    Thanks for the suggestions guys ... I appreciate it :)
     
  19. pebble

    pebble Junior Member

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    What's your average daily use?
     
  20. foggyforge

    foggyforge Junior Member

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    Have found searching on google and other search engines usually get answer to technical questions.
    Most technical- computer related questions are answered on line.Try to practice asking the questions the right way.
    (to suit the search engines)
    I to had to stop asking my adult children computer related stuff.
    Here is a link to whirlpool forums.(The Australian internet and technology discussion forums)
    https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/
    Remember computers are just stupid calculating machines comparing numbers.
    The better your question , the better is the answer.Shit in shit out :)
     

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