one thing i find anoying is

[Eric Dunbar]

On 03/05/06, Derek Broughton <news at pointerstop.ca> wrote:
> Andrew Zajac wrote:

> > An ISP will have to be able to help you get your router connected to the
> > net, and the routers' user interfaces are all different.  Why is it
> > different for an operating system?
>
> Which ISP would that be?  I have never used an ISP that supported routers -
> unless they supplied it themselves.  You have to have a single Windows
> computer (sometimes Mac) connected directly to their equipment.  Any time
> I'm talking to a service-type person, I lie through my teeth and tell them
> I'm using Windows.

Most ISPs nowadays (at least in Toronto, Canada) support routers. They
seem to prefer routers since routers are quite predictable and can
self-configure once the user does what it is they need to do
(especially if you're on ADSL... enter username and password into
modem and you're good to go). Many ADSL modems (presumably same for
cable) now are hybrid modem-router combos.

Once you've got the modem/router up and running the ISP can wash their
hands of you since after that it's _your_ computer's fault that you're
not connecting to the web

Eric.