Re: Shared Internet [ was Revisiting single metering | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Norman Gauss (normangauss![]() |
|
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2016 10:44:18 -0800 (PST) |
We at Oak Creek Commons in Paso Robles, CA formerly had a bulk service contract with Charter.com, in which we managed the number of people in the community wanting cable TV, email, and Internet. (We are wired for cable service to each unit). This unit-by-unit management scheme under the bulk contract was difficult to handle, and a proposal to simplify the system was considered. The question came up whether the community wanted bulk service (TV, email, Internet) to all units or wanted individuals to handle their own service. The cost difference was substantial, so to not burden people with the cost of unwanted TV and email, the community agreed to a bulk contract for Internet only. TV and email are handled privately for each unit. Because each unit is wired for cable, only cable-modems are needed. Adding a router provides wi-fi service. We have a router in the common house for people wanting wi-fi, but it is short-range, and people need to be in the building to access it. Norman Gauss Oak Creek Commons Paso Robles, CA -----Original Message----- From: Cohousing-L [mailto:cohousing-l-bounces+normangauss=charter.net [at] cohousing.org] On Behalf Of Sharon Villines Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 6:49 AM To: cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org Subject: [C-L]_ Shared Internet [ was Revisiting single metering > On Jan 10, 2016, at 5:32 PM, Linda Haas <lindahaas88 [at] gmail.com> wrote: > > We are also trying find a way to share costs of internet. We had internet geeks in 1999 when we designed the system. We installed wall plugs with connections for cable, telephone, and ethernet in almost every room — meaning 4-5 outlets per unit. It’s a building wide system. This means we also have an intranet which people use to share computers, the printer in the office, music, and back up drives. That has worked very well except the configuration in the basement that tied all the internet connections to a modem. I don’t understand that configuration but it took years to get it working in a trustworthy manner. This has finally been accomplished in the last 2-3 years. It still goes out periodically, but we have software that the geeks use on their own computers to restart the system. And we have started stocking spare routers so when one blows, we have one on hand. I also recommend routers replaced automatically after an expected life span. It is a huge disruption for those who work on the internet not to have service until a router arrives in the mail or someone drives out to MicroCity to get one. I’ve actually driven out myself and read the labels to someone on an iPhone to be told which one to buy. A person who works on internet stuff professionally says the best practice is to buy the basic reliable workhorse and replace it every year. Next year the basic reliable workhorse will have all the bells and whistles the high end router had last year, and the bugs will be worked out, and it will be even cheaper. So the caution is that universal wiring is good, but attention needs to be paid to the design in the basement. We have increased capacity over the years. At first we had an account with a small local company in a way I don’t know how to describe. They didn’t have great service and blamed it on the telephone wires. We went to one RCN residential service modem serving all units. Some who wanted more speed had their own modems. Only a few used the internet for anything except email. Over time people were gaming, watching movies, and everyone was on the web at some point almost every day. Friday nights service was very slooooooooow because modems theoretically share equally. The big leap forward was to business class service. It was much faster and we got more attention when we needed service. The business service department hires better trained people and provides almost instant attention. When streaming became all the rage and we had many residents working at home, we upped the speed and capacity with two business class modems from different companies. Connections roll over from one to the other as demand requires. Both companies have never been down at the same time and one modem is enough to keep everyone functioning until the first is fixed. Then we added wireless connections so everyone can use all their devices anywhere in the community. We have a universal password. So we have 4-5 connections for each of 43 units and community-wide wireless for $3,400 a year. That is $79 dollars a year for fast business class service in each unit. It is part of the condo fee which is partially based on unit size so larger units pay more and smaller units less. As you know, that is what it would cost each of us for one month for the same service as individuals. So community wide wiring is totally worth the time and effort. With wireless it is even easier. Sharon ---- Sharon Villines Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC http://www.takomavillage.org _________________________________________________________________ Cohousing-L mailing list -- Unsubscribe, archives and other info at: http://www.cohousing.org/cohousing-L/
- Shared Internet [ was Revisiting single metering, (continued)
-
Shared Internet [ was Revisiting single metering Sharon Villines, January 11 2016
-
Re: Shared Internet [ was Revisiting single metering Chris Poch, January 11 2016
- Re: Shared Internet [ was Revisiting single metering R Philip Dowds, January 12 2016
- Re: [CSR] Shared Internet [ was Revisiting single metering Michael Arnott, January 12 2016
-
Re: Shared Internet [ was Revisiting single metering Chris Poch, January 11 2016
- Re: Shared Internet [ was Revisiting single metering Norman Gauss, January 11 2016
-
Shared Internet [ was Revisiting single metering Sharon Villines, January 11 2016
Results generated by Tiger Technologies Web hosting using MHonArc.