[Tfug] Dilemma: Qwest or Comcast?

[Matt Jacob]

Jon wrote:

[snip]

> DSL w/o an ISP?  That's like hooking up a  voice line up to a dead pair 
> of copper wires.
> 
> Qwest is the carrier but you'll need a host (AKA ISP) to host all your 
> IP needs across that carrier. Qwest powered by MSN is one option. The 
> other is to throw your money back in to the local community for your ISP 
> needs. In no particular order those would be:
> 
> 1) TheRiver
> 2) DakotaCom
> 3) SimplyBits
> 4) Login
> 
> I would call all of them and get their pricing or take a peak at their 
> web page. I have had DSL since '98 - first with AzStarnet (bought by 
> DakotaCom) and now with DakotaCom. Service is rock solid and support has 
> always been above what is expected.
> 
> There was a short stint where I had Comcast back in '01 when it first 
> rolled out. It worked flawlessly. My needs required me to get DSL once 
> it was available in my new neighborhood.

Thanks Jon.

OK, so I need an ISP if I want DSL. That's non-negotiable. My question, 
then, is what differentiates an ISP in my situation? I run my own web 
and mail servers, so I don't need their email, spam blocking, or web 
hosting services. I run Linux and am not an idiot with my Windows boxes, 
so I don't need the free AV software they provide. I have no kids, and I 
trust myself online, so I don't need parental controls. I subscribe to 
Usenet separately through a different provider.

I literally need nothing an ISP can offer me. All I want is a 7 Mb / 896 
Kb pipe with unrestricted access and no blocked ports, and I'll be a 
happy camper. I called DakotaCom earlier this morning, but the sales guy 
didn't seem to understand my requirements:

"Wait, you said you *don't* need email? We offer spam protection, though!"

and

"I don't understand what you mean when you ask if we block outgoing port 
25. We offer email spam protection."

So what's the best ISP for 1337 geeks and Linux users? I'm willing to 
bet it's not MSN, but what if they can offer me the best deal for the money?

M