From: Judasg@cris.com (Damien Thorn) Subject: PageSat vs Planet Connect Date: 1995/11/29 Message-ID: <49gvh0$ar5@spectator.cris.com> organization: Concentric Internet Services newsgroups: comp.bbs.majorbbs There's been a bit of discussion between the relative merits of the Planet Connect and PageSat satellite data delivery systems. Thought I'd toos my opinion into the hat as a Planet Connect user who is moving to PageSat. Planet Connect ______________ The good point in regard to Planet Connect's system for some sysops is that they offer a number of networks over their feed. Everything from Fido to Fishnet. Filebone is a big plus for those who might like satellite delivered files. They do provide a NNTP type newsfeed, however it is what I would call "skeletal." With a full newsfeed TODAY comprising somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 Meg of news each day, it is absolutely impossible for Planet Connect to deliver close to that at their current data rate. Additionally, I can't recall receiving an updated "active" file from them since early summer...meaning if they've picked up any new groups, they haven't said so (I guess.) Moral issues aside, they also do not carry much of anything in the alt.binaries department. Whne you are battling full-fledged ISPs in the online arena, those binary groups can be important...depending upon your clients. Bandwidth aside, since Planet Connect is based in Tennessee, there may be some connection between this and the AA BBS sysop from California who was prosecuted in that state based on conservative community standards. Anyway... The last time I renewed my Planet Connect service (Dongle-based software), I asked about Unix support. None forthcoming. Their software is DOS-based and contains whatever security and encryption routines are required to decode the satellite feed. Without Unix support, my gut feeling is that Planet Connect will eventually be knocked right out of the market when it comes to Usenet. PAGE SAT -------- Since I haven't used Pagesat yet (backordered), I can't comment on it personally, except to say thet they essentially provide a FULL newsfeed, including binary groups (which one of the principals of the firm, Lydia, doesn't really like - but they conduct themselves as common carriers and do not pick and choose data...) PageSat has just upgraded their system to transmit data at 38.4Kbps which will allow them to transmit a pretty much full newsfeed. I believe they carry Fido and some other stuff, but I envision this fading away as Internet groups make Fido obsolete for 'net connected systems. A note about the new HS PageSat 38.4 Kbps system: Watch out for the glut of older PageSat receivers that will be flooding the market. You may be able to trade it in for an upgraded receiver, but no use buying an obsolete system, especially if the slower speed feed is discontinued. As for software, PageSat carries both Unix, DOS and who knows what kind of software. And - it's free from their FTP site! You can go check it out right now if you want - we did - prior to purchase. I think the Planet Connect and Page Sat systems cost about the same. PageSat sells the new system (receiver, dish, LNB) for $795 - Ku Band. Can't remember what we paid for Planet Connect's hardware, but it was close to that. Well, that's my humble opinion. Obviously I'm biased toward PageSat, but the product is intended for Usenet news, unlike Planet Connect. Of course, PageSat is / was part of a company that also delivers paging data transmissions to remote paging transmitters all over the place (how do you think nationwide paging works <g>!). Their uplink is co-located on the property of a large MCI facility in the Bay Area, and they have been providing internet backbone services for quite some time (now this is handled by an affiliated company, NCIT, which bought into or bought out that part of PageSat's business...it's confusing to me, 'cause they've been growing and changing in the last few months...) On the contrary, Planet Connect evolved from a home shopping network of some sort (faxes from them still have the company name "Shop at Home" on them as programmed into their fax machine). Whether this means anything or not, I dunno. Just food for thought. For more info on PageSat, check their web site: http://www.pagesat.net If you want to talk to a human, call Lydia or Norman Gillespie at (510) 782-9301. They are both really nice people, and I have no qualms about referring anyone to them. If you want Planet Connect's number, you're on your own (actually if you e-mail me, I'll find it)...the area code changed there and I can't find the current number... My e-mail address is: damien@prcomm.com Damien Thorn Phoenix Rising Communications