[MaryBrown]

Some people do not understand how internet works at all if you look under your sharing mode there are FREE Internets around you,so where do you get it is stealing? Free=Free you just click it then click connect.

[wimstock]

A lot of different thoughts on this subject. My sister had an open network, I told her I could secure it for her, she said it was ok for others to use it. My laptop running a Linux program seeks out the strongest signal. In the house it connects to the house wireless, out side it connects to a neighbors wireless. Its not that hard to secure a wireless system. Its up to the owner of the system to do what he wants.

[nfldanchor]

I cut the Rogers cord recently. Get locals with OTA antenna and use Netflix and Nhl Centre Ice on apple tv . There are also a number of free podcasts to watch as well as youtube all on your big screen tv. I also cut phone serviceand use Magic Jack Plus and pay 30.00 a year and the service is great.

[nfldanchor]

These companies are competing for your business ,they are competing for your internet service as well. I cut cable and landline but Rogers offered 30 % off just to keep my internet service rather than go with their competition Bell. They also upped my speed and bandwidth.

[nfldanchor]

I cut the cord on Rogers here in NL Canada and I use ota and indoor antennas to get hd locals. I use an apple tv 3 and Netflix,Nhl Centre Ice ,and the interenet to view wnatever I want when I want it.Also replaced home phone with Majic Jack Plus . Cut the cord , free yourself from high fees and gouging by big companies.

[KillCableBill]

Around a year and a half ago I decided to cancel cable due to a financial set back, and found myself overwhelmed by the amount of information on the topic.The problem is that most of the sites, services, and products out there only offer partial solutions, or no solution at all. Hence the birth of KilltheCableBill. I am now saving around $100 a month and have more shows and movies than i have time to watch.

[AntK]

These are all great options. Since the economy has tanked there are lots of families seeking out low income cable TV packages. These are becoming much more popular. Basic package options without all the pressure of upgrades.

This post has been edited by coastie65: 06 August 2012 - 04:44 AM

[AndyCordell]

I cut the cord at my house over a year ago. There were changes to get used to, but we won't go back. We found a site cablecutterguys that took us through the process step by step. It was easy and free.

[AlimD]

Quote

zackstern said


mikeserfin said

"Or if a neighbor's signal is locked, ask around, and offer to pay part of the fee to join the network and share service."
WTF, did this guy just advise me to try and steal my neighbor's signal, and only if it's locked go over and try to pay some of the bill???? NICE. Typical loser mentality, this whole article. Let other people pay for service, while I sponge off them until I can't anymore.


@dg27
@rem736
We're here to offer tech tips... ethics are up to you individually.
I've actually run open networks deliberately for this neighborly gesture. It's offering a digital cup of sugar. But sure, if you get something out of a free, open network, why not offer to contribute? I didn't think that we had to spell it out so specifically, but maybe you're right that we should have.


Sorry Zach, lame excuse as far as I'm concerned. What you do with your network is your business, but where you blew it was in the first line of that section, the heading "Look for a network without a lock icon to try to gain access." This is like telling people to look for gas caps without locks so they can offset high fuel costs by siphoning: It is STEALING .
This was a totally irresponsible remark and my only hope is that whoever vetts your column will realize that you are in the wrong line of work and correct the situation before you write anything else.
DG

OMG, get over it. This is possibly the silliest arguement I have ever heard. People use open internet signals ALL THE TIME! I do it if I'm out at a store or shop, I go "Oh, here is an open connection" use it for a little bit and bam...over with. If you don't want people using your connection, then lock it and password protect it. If you don't mind, then keep your network open and let others use it.

I have never understood the mentality of "It's Mine and Only Mine"..I mean, you pay the same amount each month if 8 people use your connection or no one does, so it's not costing you anymore. Plus, who is being cheated? Comcast? AT&T? Sorry...but many peopl feel like these companies are bleeding them dry so they have no problem with a little stealing. I know to some this may sound morally wrong, stealing is stealing, etc. But for me, this isn't the Red Cross or a school or even an individual. It's over priced internet service...In fact this whole article is based in the idea that these services cost WAY TOO MUCH.

So if you find an open network, use it. If you have a network that you don't want people to use, lock it. Common sense, right? If you have $20 you don't want, leave it on the ground. If you do want it, put it in your pocket or in a bank, don't expect people not to take it just because it is the moral thing..we are humans, not angels.

[hjc4604]

Quote

mikeserfin said
"Or if a neighbor's signal is locked, ask around, and offer to pay part of the fee to join the network and share service." WTF, did this guy just advise me to try and steal my neighbor's signal, and only if it's locked go over and try to pay some of the bill???? NICE. Typical loser mentality, this whole article. Let other people pay for service, while I sponge off them until I can't anymore. @dg27 @rem736 We're here to offer tech tips... ethics are up to you individually. I've actually run open networks deliberately for this neighborly gesture. It's offering a digital cup of sugar. But sure, if you get something out of a free, open network, why not offer to contribute? I didn't think that we had to spell it out so specifically, but maybe you're right that we should have.

That's all fine and dandy until somebody surfs child pornography and you get blamed for it. Even if they eventually find you innocent it's going to cost you a lot in time, money, reputation and equipment because they will seize and dismantle everything you own. I like to be helpful but not at the risk of my freedom.