Should NTL provide free NIC?

[greencreeper]

I've having trouble typing because I'm in full riot gear. After the last time I had an idea, I'm not taking any chances.

If Ethernet is better than USB, and I think we all agree it is (?), then why do SACMs have a USB port? Most PCs these days have a NIC or Ethernet built into the motherboard. Given that a NIC can be bought for a £10, probably less if bought in bulk, maybe NTL could provide a free NIC to those who want one? The user would have to install it themselves - or get their 10 year old to do it - and there would be support issues but on the whole it's fairly safe and cheap. Ethernet is far less problematic than USB - no nasty CD needed for a start.

Right then <drops visor>

[kronas]

the thing is greencreeper usb is a plug and play device, its less likely to cause the consumer hassle, just use the broadjump cd, install the driver, plug the modem in to the usb port and away you go.

with ethernet older pc's do not have ethernet cards, although i have come across pc's which have neither.....

so in a nutshell, usb is more widely available and seen as an 'easier' option than using ethernet, but atleast the modem lets you choose....

[greencreeper]

Originally Posted by kronas

the thing is greencreeper usb is a plug and play device, its less likely to cause the consumer hassle, just use the broadjump cd, install the driver, plug the modem in to the usb port and away you go.

Plug n post more than anything, if forums are anything to go by

With Ethernet, once the card is installed, it's a simple case of connecting the PC to a modem. It's a lot less hassle than USB. In fact, if you look at this forum, you'll see that many people have trouble with it being simple - i.e. it cannot be that simple, so they try installing the drivers on the CD and end up in a right mess. There's also the VirtualTruck error, unique to USB, and the fact that the CD comes with a load of junk, including BB Medic.

Originally Posted by kronas

with ethernet older pc's do not have ethernet cards, although i have come across pc's which have neither.....

I would have thought older PCs are more likely to not have a USB port than Ethernet - the latter pre-dates the former.


Your trouble is you're Ethernetist

[kronas]

Originally Posted by greencreeper

With Ethernet, once the card is installed, it's a simple case of connecting the PC to a modem. It's a lot less hassle than USB. In fact, if you look at this forum, you'll see that many people have trouble with it being simple - i.e. it cannot be that simple, so they try installing the drivers on the CD and end up in a right mess. There's also the VirtualTruck error, unique to USB, and the fact that the CD comes with a load of junk, including BB Medic.

the problem is companies see it as 'less technical' for tehe cunsumer to plug something in, run a cd and it works the extra software is supposed to help you...

Originally Posted by greencreeper

I would have thought older PCs are more likely to not have a USB port than Ethernet - the latter pre-dates the former.

i have seen a fair few old pc's without usb, newer pc's do come with an ethernet card, bu tnot everyone has a ethernet card or usb port.

Originally Posted by greencreeper

Your trouble is you're Ethernetist

a what ? yes i support ethernet

[Dessimat0r]

It's good for NTL to give them out for free, they only cost like £3 anyway to buy. It's just the installation that can be a hassle, but even that is easy.

[greencreeper]

Originally Posted by Dessimat0r

It's good for NTL to give them out for free, they only cost like £3 anyway to buy. It's just the installation that can be a hassle, but even that is easy.

It would be good - they aren't actually. Maybe I should have put a question mark at the end of the thread title

They give away the USB and Ethernet cables, so why not a cheap NIC.

[Rone]

You can see NTLs point, if a technician goes inside someones PC, and it goes wrong, even if its not his fault, its Claims Direct with most people these days.
So having USB means you can stay out of the "box" and out of trouble.
Supplying an ethernet card could have similar consequences if the home fitter fits it, and something goes wrong, ie electrocution or something.
They just turn round and say "NTL said i had to have it". Maybe this isnt the case, but i bet its been considered.

[Derek]

I have occassionally given customers a credit for £10.00 or so to buy a NIC if they are having difficulties with USB.

As has been mentioned above this is all done at the customers own risk for installing etc.

So what is actually wrong with a USB connection?I have one and I've never had any problems with it.

However if I had to go ferreting inside my PC I suspect I'd soon have a whole heap of problems.

Incog.

[Paul K]

Originally Posted by Incognitas

So what is actually wrong with a USB connection?I have one and I've never had any problems with it.

However if I had to go ferreting inside my PC I suspect I'd soon have a whole heap of problems.

Incog.

The ease of installation, stability and speed of the USB connection can vary from PC to PC Coggy, not all PCs accept the connection without issues since no 2 computers have the same hardware/ software configurations. I've seen lock ups, crashes, bluescreen issues etc with the USB connection and I've also seen people plug it in first time and it works a dream
That's the joy of computers, you'll rarely find two totally identical setups once the owner interfaces with it

[Rone]

I think soon, it will be a thing of the past as far as add on cards go.
Most mobos are now coming with one, or even two, built in network cards. Progress at its best.

If USB is "less technical", then why when I first got my cable modem and had it connected via USB did the first three techs I spoke to had no idea why it was taking down all of my USB ports after a few minutes, whereas the fourth was able to correct my problem via the ethernet route?

The ethernet was, if anything, more plug and play than the USB connection, no cable modem drivers, just a clean install of XP, let it find the hardware and then connect the CAT-5.

[Paul K]

Originally Posted by Rone

I think soon, it will be a thing of the past as far as add on cards go.
Most mobos are now coming with one, or even two, built in network cards. Progress at its best.

Only while they are working, chipset faillure for on-board hardware can lead to problems when you want to replace them or upgrade to a better type of Network Card.

[MatTman]

the Only reason why USB isnt as good as ethernet is all down to the Extra CPU overhead required to keep the USB port running while the Computer is under stress, say running an online game.

USB componenets are directly effected by CPU availablility, whereas Motherboard components arent so much in respect.
Even better if you have a motherboard wih a built in NIC e.g nforce 2x boards.

[Rone]

Reading from what "just another noob" was saying about NTL speed, i cant see us needing cards that will handle more speeds.
Network cards have been more or less the same over the last few years, and i build a lot of pc's and have not had one with a faulty onboard yet.
I can see what your saying, but the same is true of most onboard stuff.