Should NTL provide free NIC? - Page 3

greencreeper · 25-08-2004, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kits

So all those years ago NTL gave you the choice of connecting by USB or purchasing an ethernet card off them

Interesting. I wonder why they dropped the offer? Maybe something for them to revisit now that Ethernet is cheaper and networking has developed?

Florence · 25-08-2004, 11:32

Might have been dropped coz noone bought any off them

greencreeper · 25-08-2004, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kits

Might have been dropped coz noone bought any off them

Most likely, but you never know with NTL

pop80_uk · 26-08-2004, 12:52

I use ethernet, and when I brought the card it was because USB would not work with my win98! Really easy to install and I was a novice then!

Now.. Im actually building my own PCs! Installing the card was what got me started in the self build market. I would'nt say its falling, e-buyer is my guru site! If it shut down I would be very sad

ethernet all the way!

Marge · 26-08-2004, 13:01

Ohhhhh, I've gone cold reading this. Having the delight of speaking with customers all day every day who can't install BB due to a complete lack of experience with PC's, the thought of them armed with a screwdriver trying to install a card in the PC is just horrendous

My worst call ever was 37 minutes with a lady who couldn't even switch her PC on, in the end I apologised and said she would have to get someone to help her as there was nothing else I could do for her.

However if a customer has an ethernet conx I always go down that road as it's so much easier to install and get it working. So, in theory I would say brill idea, in practice thats the day I give my notice in.

Paul K · 26-08-2004, 13:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Debsy42

Ohhhhh, I've gone cold reading this. Having the delight of speaking with customers all day every day who can't install BB due to a complete lack of experience with PC's, the thought of them armed with a screwdriver trying to install a card in the PC is just horrendous

My worst call ever was 37 minutes with a lady who couldn't even switch her PC on, in the end I apologised and said she would have to get someone to help her as there was nothing else I could do for her.

However if a customer has an ethernet conx I always go down that road as it's so much easier to install and get it working. So, in theory I would say brill idea, in practice thats the day I give my notice in.

And that is a very good example of why there will always need to be a choice in hardware that is available for use. There will always be customers out there that are new to computers and the Internet who will struggle to move the mouse to the right icon or press the right key let alone open the casing, install a NIC and get the PC back in one piece again.

**Paul** · 26-08-2004, 13:33

Free NIC - yeah - great idea.

While they are at it, perhaps they could provide me with free DTV and BB as well ..

dilli-theclaw · 26-08-2004, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kits

Might have been dropped coz noone bought any off them

My dad bought a NIC from ntl when he got his broadband...

Guess who he got to fit it

orangebird · 26-08-2004, 13:37

NO way - ntl should not be offering any hardware (free or otherwise) to it's customers that needs installing onto the customers PC. It's already ntls fault in a few cutomers minds that global warming is upon us and world peace has not yet been achieved - imagine all the compensation claims that would arise when PCs bugger up and the customer thinks it's ntls fault too......

Stuart · 26-08-2004, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Debsy42

Ohhhhh, I've gone cold reading this. Having the delight of speaking with customers all day every day who can't install BB due to a complete lack of experience with PC's, the thought of them armed with a screwdriver trying to install a card in the PC is just horrendous

I agree. Although I have been building PCs since the mid 90s and have built all my own (apart from the first, an ESCOM which soon got pulled apart and upgraded) and find it easy, I do know people who think they can do it but can't.

Just imagine it, a NTL tech/CS person is talking the customer through installing the Ethernet card. Suddenly, the customer turns the PC on with the card half out the slot. The they complain there is a slight metallic smell and the PC won't switch on.. What's the poor customer going to do then. Well, some will probably just get a bit upset but accept it, and pay whatever repair bills. Some will sue though.

No. Asking NTL to actively encourage their customers to play about with the insides of their PCs would be wrong.

If the PC has a Network Card or onboard Ethernet Interface, then fine, provide cables for that, and encourage people to use it.

SMHarman · 26-08-2004, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by scastle

If the PC has a Network Card or onboard Ethernet Interface, then fine, provide cables for that, and encourage people to use it.

Which is probably where the focus needs to change, from a plug in this USB cable, to a do you have an ethernet port, use that. As Debsy mentions above.

Stuart · 26-08-2004, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMHarman

Which is probably where the focus needs to change, from a plug in this USB cable, to a do you have an ethernet port, use that. As Debsy mentions above.

I think NTL needs to consider that. After all, All Macs (e, i or whatever) already come with Onboard Ethernet (have for years actually), nearly all laptops do, as do a lot of desktop PCs nowdays.

Actually, I was at Tottenham Court Road in London on Saturday, looking for motherboards. It's hard to find a motherboard without Ethernet now. I havan't looked, but I would be suprised if most PCs didn't come with on board Ehternet now.

DrPepper · 26-08-2004, 17:47

*agrees with orangebird*

Unfortunately there's a sizeable minority of people out there who will try and blame unrelated PC problems on their ISP. Partly out of ignorance, and partly out of the desire to try and get some 'compensation'

greencreeper · 26-08-2004, 23:22

Some interesting responses.

When I raised the idea I had in mind that the NIC would be offered, but that's pretty much it apart from supporting the software side of install, which I think, from what Debsy says, is done already. NTL would make it clear that they're just providing the hardware and maybe an install manual, and have no responsibility if you wreck your PC (unlikely).

I'd agree that the focus needs to change from USB to Ethernet because (as others have said) not only is its prevalence increasing, but it's actually easier to install than USB for many people.

So it seems that it's

for providing a NIC but

for switching emphasis to Ethernet as the "connection of choice".

Welcome drpepper

andrew_wallasey · 27-08-2004, 12:12

Im sorry but what a stupid post. Agreed most modern day PCs come with a NIC built in but how could NTL provide a service to people who don't have NICs? I mean who is going to install this NIC in the customers machine because its treading on very dodgy ground ntl engineers opening up customers PCs to install a NIC. What would happen if he broke the machine, who would pay for the repair? So for the average joe bloggs who had no idea about computers and just wants faster internet he would not install a NIC in his computer and would be perfectly happy with USB.

So what NTL have done is perfectly correct providing people with the option of what they want.