Un-Wired

I am starting this thread called Un-wired to bring up issues revolving around wireless internet issues.

Examples:

1. How much does your wireless device cost to operate, really?

2. What do the big 5 give you for your cash?

3. Software shortcuts to saving cash on your bill?

Ya'll get the idea. No doubt there are other threads/posts that will answer these sorts of questions. But they aren't all together. So I'll shoot one off here and we'll give it a go, all right?

Varmit

 

Have you wondered how much data it takes to send an email? Or, what about downloading a picture? I have. And let me tell you, its been quite a search to get anything like hard figures. But, like a wise pastor told me,
"if you rake, you get leaves;
but if you dig, you might find gold." Pastor John Piper

Heres the gold.

The examples below will provide you an idea of data usage.
Attachment sizes will vary dramatically.

DATA SIZE EXAMPLES

1K Sending or receiving a basic 1 to 4-sentence email without attachments.

2K Forwarding that simple 1 to 4 sentence email to another person.

12K Sending or receiving a very simple 11 cell by 9 cell spreadsheet.

40K Sending or receiving the latest cartoon copy.

80K Sending or receiving an email with a couple page text document.

85K Sending or receiving a screen image of a webpage.

130K Viewing a web page in condensed format

185K Sending or receiving a 5 Page PDF Document

280K Viewing a typical Webpage in standard version format

500K Sending or receiving an email with 10 Joke Pictures included.

3,000K Sending or Receiving the funny joke video. (3Meg)

9,000K Complex Power Point Presentation with 34 slides & complex graphics. (9Meg)

Thank you Kansas wireless company for the straight forward explanation.

Now, breaking down what the numbers mean is another story. I'll give it a shot in another post.

Varmit

 

Every one wants to know how to avoid paying extra fines and fees. IN the case of cell phone companies, their over use charges are huge, and here is a break down.

All of them charge at least $0.01/kb. Some charge $0.02/kb. What does that mean exactly? Well here it is.

An email, with no extra pictures or attachments.
1k X .01 = $0.01 Yes, it'll cost you a penny to write and send 4 lines of text.

But lets take something meatier.

How about 280K Viewing a typical Webpage in standard version format?

280K X .01 = $2.80! Yes, you bring up the trucker's forum, mind that you haven't even started searching the threads and posts, and your paying $2.80.

Okay, what about downloading a mp3 or music file? Lets say the average is around 4000k.

4000k X .01 = $40. YES, FORTY DOLLARS!! Don't believe it? I have read more posts than I care of people who are in the thousands of dollars of over use charges.

Now take into consideration that we are using the companies who only charge a penny a Kilobyte. Re do the numbers by multiplication of 2.
That web page you had to peak at real quick just cost you about 6 bucks.

So, what can you do to stop the insanity? I have a couple suggestions based on my limited research. But I'll leave you for now to contemplate and compute some of your numbers for fun. (Tongue in cheek)

Varmit

 

Hey there. Here are two ways to win at the internet game with your cellphone provider.

ONE. Use a piece of software like MINI OPERA. Mini Opera is designed to download web pages at reduced data.

BBC NEWS Website
Normal 270K
Mini Opera 40K

NY TIMES (I'd never read it, but...)
Normal 660K
Mini Opera 85K

It basically reinterprets all the website data and then downloads only the pieces it needs to use with its own web software.

Check it out. Google it.

TWO. I am a fresh hire for CRETE CARRIER CORP. Now we all know how lousy the wi-fi has been at TA's and Flying J's. But Pilot/Loves/Petro are rolling out their own data plan. As it stands now, you can get a monthly plan at $30 a month. They are boasting of a local wi-fi network at 48meg bits/sec. That's really fast. That's fast enough to handle the five or six rigs that will actually fit on most of their lots. (Sorry, had to take a stab at them.) But when you consider that all the cell/internet plans run you at least that much or double, you're better off with their plan. NO LIMIT. That means, movies, games, ect. Why is working for Crete relevant? As someone has pointed out, Crete only stops at Pilots and Loves. They've got 475 locations. So it may be the way to go for my purposes.

"SiriCOMM Wi-Fi Hot Spots are installed at over 475 locations nationwide. Look for us at Pilot Travel Centers, Love's Travel Stops, and Petro Stopping Centers as well as other independently operated travel centers, and truck fleet terminals."

• Messaging
  • Two-way company intranet messaging
  • Company intranet broadcast
  • E-mail
• Information
  Drivers want the tools to better plan their trips and improve the quality of their lives on the road. These links will provide real-time information necessary to achieve these ends.
  • Updated road conditions
  • News
  • Weather
  • Local and national vendors and services
• Miscellaneous
  SiriCOMM recognizes that many drivers may not be computer literate. To acclimate new computer users, DRIVER CONNECT will feature fun, easy to use training tools.
  • Training Instructions
  • Entertainment
  • Games

I have not given them a run yet, but I might be real soon. If anyone has tried them out, let us know. They are making some nice claims.

Not here to advertise, just advise.

Varmit

 

Hey there.

Thanks for the response.

Yeah, 5 bucks a day, can add up. But if you hit the hot-spot at the flying J once in a week you're only out twenty bucks.

And that's great that you can play your game!

I appreciate your review of the various hot-spots.

TA No Good. Kicked off alot.
Fly J Good, 200 meg limit.
Pilot No Good. Kicked off alot

I'll do some poking around and see if I can quote you some people who are bumping up against their monthly limits and paying the over charges at a penny a Kilobyte.

The point to my post is to create discussion around the cell/data plans that are out there so as to educate us all on the potential and unexpected costs associated with them. Sounds like you're not bumping that limit. Great.

Varmit

 

Hey there.

Thanks again for your post. A lot of people in the other threads are wrestling with what data plan to go with. Sprint is the clear winner. Thank you for the testimony.

I am going with them. Getting their new smartphone/pda the HTC Mogul. Going to add co-pilot GPS for truckers (PC Miler software). Going to add a Jawbone bluetooth headset (check that one out).

I saw a lot of very angry verizon customer comments out there. Same with AT&T.

The dark horse is Altell.

Varmit

 

I am going to watch them too. 5 Gig's a month isn't bad if you hit a hotspot 2 times a week. But Sprint is still selling me on their truly unlimited data plan. I am watching them too.

Varmit