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[txdon]

Eddie, I know the work is just starting. I have shown Karen the pictures you have posted of Steff on the rafters and I think I will be doing the high work. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Harvey I have been asking a lot of people I about high speed internet in Lee County and spent the evening on line and I still can't find anything. I do not think I can go back to dial-up. I have a few more leads to follow tomorrow. I am trying to just use cell phones and satellite internet and not have a land line. Until then all the tractorbynet will have to be done in Houston. Some of the guys from work, or should I say from my last place of employment, will be at the farm to inspect your bridge this weekend. It will be fun to watch their expressions when they see that magnificent bridge hidden in the middle of nowhere. I must get pictures. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Red Rocker, when will you be entering the unrestricted life of uncontaminated days?

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Don I'm learning about dial up. And the more I learn the more I dislike.

I'm at my dad's in Peoria. We've been here since Monday. He's on AOL with a metered account. His computer is less than two years old and was the greatest latest at that time. But it's like pulling teeth to get an image up or change screens.

So I look at a couple of threads on TBN and get off before I lose it and commit mayhem on inanimate objects.

But it would be almost unbearable for us, your fans, for you to disappear for long periods (two days or more) without updating your adventures.

Maybe we can get a group together and run a couple of miles of fiber so you can be available. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[EddieWalker]

Don,

I'm on Direcway satellite internet. Browsing is pretty fast with pictures, vidio and music uploading almost instantly. It only goes out during the most extreme storms, and is generallly realiable.

The downside is sending pictures through email. Takes a very, very long time. It cost me $500 for equipment and a one year contract of $60 a month.

The original installer didn't know what he was doing, and getting his superviser out took almost two weeks. He got it up and running, but I continued to have trouble.

Tech support is in India and they are very helpful and answer the phone right away.

After moving to this house, I had to pay $200 for them to reinstall it. This guy also didn't do a very good job and I was back on the phone with tech support.

They sent a different company out and he tried a few things, but again I had trouble. The same guy came out again and said he' stay until he solved the problem. He changed what satellite I was on, put in a new thingy in the dish, did that again, replaced all my cable and gave me a new modem.

He said everything I had was all part of the problem, but just a small enough to not be obvious. The original installer used substandard cable and connections.

If you go the satellite route, be very warry of the job they do. Then call customer support and start complaining if it's not working properly. I'm running strong now and it's all good. No way I'd consider dial up.

Eddie

 

[MF1455v]

Don, we have been running dial-up at home for the last 2 years. There is fiber 2 miles from the house and still cannot get DSL from SBC. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Two weeks ago we got wireless internet with a local guy who has 3 towers. We are pulling off of a tower about 9 miles away. Had to have clear line of sight to the tower. The tower with the longest distance is the one we can see. It was a $300 lifetime lease on the radio with free install and $55 a month ($39 plus the tax). It seems faster than the LAN lines at work. Or maybe my home puter is just better.

Anyway, it's good by SBC and good by land line phone /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif with a $20 a month savings.

Hopefully you will be able to get wireless or directway like Eddie so you and Karen can keep in touch.

James

 

[DannyD]

you guys are making me feel bad. I will be 48 come February, if I live that long. 10 years to out of debt, 15 and I am history

 

[DannyD]

I had fiber in front of my house for years.........but do you think that makes a diff, NO. The cheap phone company would not do the dsl. I have cable and it is plenty. I also dont have a home phone.........that'll teach them!

 

[txdon]

Eddie, Danny and James, looks like cable is no where around, microwave is too far away so I am down to getting a phone line and slow dial-up or satellite like Eddie. I was hoping I would have more options when it was time to cut Houston loose, oh well.

This weekend I invited a few co-workers to the farm to say good-by, some I have been working closely with for 13 years. I also invited the family to a Texas BBQ.

Little Lucy (our modified golf cart) and the Farmall provided transportation just like the TBN bridge party.

 

[txdon]

The bridge is definitely a conversation piece. Everyone has heard me tell the story of how a bunch of internet tractor guys met for the first time and built the wonderful bridge. This was the first time for many of them to see it. They were amazed as they explored the bridge. Yep Harvey, the WOW factor is still there!
Of course this also made the perfect setting for the group picture!
And yes I can still run fast enough in 10 seconds to get in the picture. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[txdon]

My first "retired" Monday morning. Sitting on the porch watching the wife as she walks to the garden.

Do I miss work? I think not!

 

[riptides]

That's really nice. Monday will have a new meaning in your life now, eh?

I look forward to the day I can retire, some thirty years out.
I had planned on early out, circumstances at work and a large farm purchase changed that.

But you have to stick your neck out to grab life while you can.

ENJOY.
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif