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Thread ID: 58706 2005-06-09 10:49:00 Xtra or not?? Myth (110) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
362417 2005-06-09 10:49:00 Hi all,
Once again Xtra has offfered that lil tidbit called a special if you join (free connection, and free modem (ok so its no Linksys but free is free)).
Usually I would throw the offer in the rubbish (so as not to be one of the 250,00 Telecom needs to hold its monopoly (and the fact that we can't usually afford it).
However, financial situation is changing for the better.... aDSL is looking like an eventuality in the very near future.

I am seeking advice... what is the modem that Xtra offers? Is it just a modem, or a modem/firewall? If its a modem/firewall, is the firewall in it any good? (no I am not ditching my software firewall, just want to make my system that lil bit extra secure).
Is the firewall/modem compatible with FC3? [on a side note, Ive played with Mandrake 10.1, Xandros, and FC3 KDE lately, still prefer FC3 Gnome].

What of Xtras service? Is it any good? Any problems with Xtra as far as connectivity (for this reply I would be most interested to hear from anyone with adsl in the New Plymouth region, as I have heard from an unreliable source that recently Xtra was down for the entire weekend).

Thanx in advance for any opinions/advice :D
Myth (110)
362418 2005-06-09 11:13:00 I am seeking advice... what is the modem that Xtra offers? Is it just a modem, or a modem/firewall? If its a modem/firewall, is the firewall in it any good? (no I am not ditching my software firewall, just want to make my system that lil bit extra secure).
Is the firewall/modem compatible with FC3? [on a side note, Ive played with Mandrake 10.1, Xandros, and FC3 KDE lately, still prefer FC3 Gnome]It appears the modem is the D-Link DSL 302G (jetstream.xtra.co.nz) from looking at their site. Basically any ADSL modem that connects to your computer via ethernet is 100% compatible with Linux. That modem has both ethernet and USB options. You will need to get a ethernet network card for your computer if you don't already have one. You can get them for less than $20 at DSE and the Realtek ones work fine in Linux.
Jen (38)
362419 2005-06-09 11:36:00 Slingshot or Paradise (i forget which one) are offering unlimited ADSL at 256k with a Billion Router (1 or 4 port) at a ruduced rate.

Think its about 50 odd bucks which is less then half of the retail value.

Has got to be good.
Metla (12)
362420 2005-06-10 03:47:00 Nah, don't join xtra....

With UBS, it's like the most expensive ISP out there...

You can go with iHug Bliink, and they still give you a free connection, and a free modem (or a discount off a adsl router). Plans are cheaper as well....
jesseycy (1046)
362421 2005-06-10 06:44:00 Well to be honest I pay more and go with xtra.

I have not had an outage for I dont know how long.

I ping 60 - 80 on local CSS servers.

I get my full 2 meg speed.

I dont give a rats ass about monopolys.

YMMV
Sam I Am (1679)
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