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fifty nine
join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ

fifty nine to jupiter837

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to jupiter837

Re: Lame to say the least...

Comcast plans to offer low cost computers ($150) to low income households.
jupiter837
join:2010-11-26
Golden, MS

jupiter837

Member

That is a good deal. Never mind the $10 broadband thing. They can get free wifi at a lot of places. So that would help them a lot.

Really
@comcast.net

Really to fifty nine

Anon

to fifty nine
If Comcast is planning on offering low cost computers....then they didn't mention that to the service techs that will be dealing with those. Rumors are based on speculation and hearsay you know.
Each tech site will do their own community involvement for potential new customers.
Even if there is a low cost option for internet access, 1MB service is still better than the 756k for DSL that ATT already offers, which is also having union issues, yet again.
With the recent merger, some of us service techs can't keep the service working correctly since everything went digital and Motorola is having a hard time keeping up with the demand for new DVR's, so now service is lacking and a lot of fringe benefits for the holidays are now gone, because of merger.
I am beginning to question the direction of the cable part of the company and how we can't advance within the company to strict performance standards to keep those in their current positions or bring in a big wave of new hires to perform like they want them to be. just saying......

fifty nine
join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ

fifty nine to jupiter837

Member

to jupiter837
They also got pretty specific as to what it would be:


Under this Comcast Broadband Opportunity Program (“CBOP”), each eligible
participating family will:

1. Receive the Economy version of our High-Speed Internet Service for $9.95 a month –
a rate for which the household will qualify so long as it meets the “eligibility
criteria” below;
2. Pay no installation or modem charges or fees (although we may use our self-install
program);
3. Be eligible for one piece of pre-configured, quality computer equipment (which may
include rebuilt PCs, netbooks, or other devices
) for less than $150 (the equipment
will be sold to the customer by a third-party vendor-partner of Comcast’s, with
Comcast providing any subsidy required to bring the equipment cost below $150).
4. Have access to web-based, print, and classroom-based training programs, provided
in partnership with One Economy and other current and future Comcast community
partners in our digital literacy efforts, including Boys and Girls Clubs, and Urban
League and National Council of La Raza affiliate organizations. Comcast will create
and fund these programs (although we may seek Foundation and other funds to
defray these costs).


So I'm guessing that they may partner with some recycling firm and offer older PCs or maybe get low cost netbooks for low income households. It really isn't hard to get a basic $150 computer even if it is a couple of years old. A pentium 4 or older core 2 duo running Linux is plenty for basic websurfing and email.

skuv
@rr.com

skuv to Really

Anon

to Really
said by Really :

If Comcast is planning on offering low cost computers....then they didn't mention that to the service techs that will be dealing with those. Rumors are based on speculation and hearsay you know.

It's not speculation or hearsay, it's from Comcast's own proposal to the FCC.

Do you really think they would have told the service techs their plan before releasing it to the FCC?

fifty nine
join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ

fifty nine to Really

Member

to Really
said by Really :

If Comcast is planning on offering low cost computers....then they didn't mention that to the service techs that will be dealing with those. Rumors are based on speculation and hearsay you know.

They are going to do the computer part of it with a third party partner, not Comcast techs. They are also going to use charity orgs and community groups to provide training:

Be eligible for one piece of pre-configured, quality computer equipment (which may
include rebuilt PCs, netbooks, or other devices) for less than $150 (the equipment
will be sold to the customer by a third-party vendor-partner of Comcast’s, with
Comcast providing any subsidy required to bring the equipment cost below $150
).
4. Have access to web-based, print, and classroom-based training programs, provided
in partnership with One Economy and other current and future Comcast community
partners in our digital literacy efforts, including Boys and Girls Clubs, and Urban
League and National Council of La Raza affiliate organizations.
Comcast will create
and fund these programs (although we may seek Foundation and other funds to
defray these costs).

...

Several computer training and support options will be offered. At the time of installation,
each participating household will received basic instructional materials and a phone number for
a dedicated support desk. The computer equipment will be pre-configured with a “wizard” to
facilitate e-mail set-ups and the setting of parental controls. Shortcuts to “getting started”
tutorials will appear on the desktop. Each piece of equipment will ship with Norton security preinstalled. Comcast and its partner organizations will offer “training days” at NSLPparticipating schools in Comcast’s service areas, as well as at instruction facilities operated by
our community partners.

SimbaSeven
I Void Warranties
join:2003-03-24
Billings, MT
·StarLink

SimbaSeven to fifty nine

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to fifty nine
said by fifty nine:

A pentium 4 or older core 2 duo running Linux is plenty for basic websurfing and email.

Actually, a P4 is rather decent on the 'net and even an older C2D is rather impressive. You can do it with a P3, but you're really pushing it (Flash Content, Java, etc).

Not everyone needs an i3 or newer. A C2D (and even my Pentium E5200) can handle the 'net with ease. My wife's Athlon64 2GHz (single core) doesn't have a problem, either.

I would suggest at least 512MB of Memory and Windows XP, though. That should be easy enough to come up with.

fifty nine
join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ

fifty nine

Member

I think they will be using a Microsoft OS since they are bundling it with Norton.

SimbaSeven
I Void Warranties
join:2003-03-24
Billings, MT

SimbaSeven

Member

Norton? Ewww..

I dumped Norton 4 years ago (ever since it allowed a worm to nail my workstation without stopping it). I switched to ESET IS and haven't had issues since.

Eagles1221
join:2009-04-29
Vincentown, NJ

Eagles1221 to SimbaSeven

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10 bucks for 384K up and 1.5Mbit down isn't bad either.

IowaMan
Premium Member
join:2008-08-21
Grinnell, IA

IowaMan

Premium Member

Comcast should copy what Medicom has which is 3mb/256 and have it be for $10 well it can be...

Eagles1221
join:2009-04-29
Vincentown, NJ

Eagles1221

Member

Time Warner's 128/768 is 34.99 a month.....Suddenly Comcast doesn't look so bad.

JCB2001
@rr.com

JCB2001 to fifty nine

Anon

to fifty nine
Yeah, cuz everyone is willing to utilize Linux RIGHT?, although i think its become d even more user friendly than windows has.