i am finally going to convert to Broadband, can anyone recommend an ISP I either should or shouldn't use based on your own experience. I am looking for cheap/reliable as the main criteria.

Routers are better than modems because (a) most of them include a hardware firewall, (b) the ADSL processing is done outside the main computer and doesn't take up CPU, (c) if you run a home network the other computers don't have to route via the main computer and will have much faster access to ADSL, and (d) the ping will be around 5-10ms lower than with a modem, and a lot more consistent. I haven't seen a sensible explanation for this last point, although the consistency is probably due to not having to share processing with other tasks on the computer.

Routers can be more challenging to configure although I use a Netgear DG834 which was trivial to set up.

kayak,

brilliant, you are as always a mine of useful information, many thanks, and a happy New year to you!

PC World are selling a Belkin router for half price, and my neighbour wanted to share my broadbband, so I was thinking of buying it, and linking his 2 pc's to it wirelessly.

Andy

Andy,,i go along with Wansford.Telecomplus offer BB at 25 p/m NO contract..

Mark

Andy,

I think Kayak has answered most points ;0)
I also found I had terrible problems with a combination of XP, my motherboards USB and a d-link broadband modem which others also seemed to share. Upgraded to a d-link 504 (trivial setup) and never looked back.

If you can get a cable connection I use telewest 1MB broadband never had any problems with outages.
Regards.

Andy,

For what you are looking for, they best router available at the moment would be one of the Xyzel wireless routers. It has an integrated ADSL modem (most ADSL routers require you to plug an ADSL modem into them), and it also has a PCMCIA slot for any 802.11b wireless card which then turns it into a wireless access point - very good value for money. My dad bought one about 5 months ago and hasnt had any problems with it at all, he loves it.

If you are interested in these, drop me a mail (spooky@moneyam.com) and ill let you know where you can get one for a very good price.

J.

Sutre,

I have sent you an email, can you post again if you don't receive it.

Many thanks

I have no vested interest in Telewest so I am happy to recommend their cable internet which is excellent if you are in their franchise area. It seems to be extremely reliable, fast and stable. Help line and self help are good from my experience. You need a network card in your PC and they provide the cable modem and install it for you.