Internet Help Needed - iMac G3 DV and 56K Dial-Up Service

[STL]

GGD
"Does Juno require any of their own software, or is it just vanilla PPP using just the built-in OSX networking?"

To date all my work has been at my home using my broadband connection or dial-up connection. I've not done any checks at the lady's house. I did check Juno's site and concluded that they did require special software, although the info seemed very dated with references to OS9 not OSX. Then I talked to a friend that uses them and was told they did not require special software. However the friend is not computer affluent and had his kids set up his Windows computer.

"On some of the Mac models, I think there were a few different modem scripts that would apply to the modem that may give better reliability. I seem to recall being able to chose a modem script that would disable the v.90 protocol and use v.34."

I'll try some of the different scripts available. Thanks for the suggestion.

'When you talk about crashes, exactly what is crashing? Are you running 10.3.9 with all updates applied? Any third party software (like from Juno?)"

Safari crashes and occasionally the Panther locks up.
Panther has all updates applied and no third party software is applied. No Juno
My ISP for the dial-up is Syracuse.net whom I've used previously with satisfactory results.

[STL]

C(-)ris
"I just retired a G3 350 iMac . . worked for occasional web surfing, email, and watching DVD movies.. on broadband though. . dial-up is horrible and not good enough for most modern websites. Any site that uses an flash, or javascript, or most any other plugin is going to run horrible. That takes out 75% of most websites."

"Some have mobile versions that should work ok on dialup."

Thanks C(-)ris
That's an idea I will pursue.

[STL]

C(-)ris
"Because the iMac can handle it just fine. It is stuttering and not working right because the dial up cannot get the information to the computer fast enough. It then stutters and waits and craps out, if you were on a G5 tower it would probably do the same thing."

Thanks for the additional information.

[Forrest]

STL,

Please don't take offense - but this conversation is pointless. You can browse the internet on a 350 MHz iMac connected to a 56K modem at the same speed as an 8 Core 2930 MHz MacPro connected to a 56K modem - they're both dirt slow. Only a broadband connection will speed up web browsing - which is why I switched to broadband in 1997.

[BigGuynRusty]

Forrest wrote:
STL,

Please don't take offense - but this conversation is pointless. You can browse the internet on a 350 MHz iMac connected to a 56K modem at the same speed as an 8 Core 2930 MHz MacPro connected to a 56K modem - they're both dirt slow. Only a broadband connection will speed up web browsing - which is why I switched to broadband in 1997.

I would agree if it was all text.
With compressed video/Flash/and all that other crap, the OctoCore will RENDER pages at light speed compared to the iMac.

BGnR

[blusubaru]

Well, let's correct something first. The "DV" model iMacs came with firewire. These started with 400mhz and up. The 350 is not a DV, but it is in the revision of the family. Ram and Hard Drives are very easy to upgrade (even an additional 256MB and a 40GB, 7200rpm drive). Are there no wireless networks in the area? What's the proximity of neighbors? Any chance of piggy-backing with the use of a USB wireless device, while splitting the cost?

[STL]

Forrest
"Please don't take offense . . "

No offense taken. Thanks for the input


blusubaru
"Are there no wireless networks in the area? What's the proximity of neighbors? Any chance of piggy-backing with the use of a USB wireless device, while splitting the cost?"

I don't know about WiFi availability as I've not had any of my equipment to the lady's house. The houses are close together, so it may be a possibility to share. Cable internet is $45/mo, ATT DSL about $20/mo so splitting cost might put it in her stated price range of $10/mo so that's an idea to pursue.

USB wireless device is an excellent suggestion, however, my google and quick scan showed USB 2 required and the iMac has USB 1.
I did find the one at the link without a mention of USB 2 so maybe USB 1 will be Aok.
http://www.afterthemac.com/product.php?id=5062

I hadn't mentioned but the iMac doesn't have an airport card.

Could just be that with the constraints she's stated I will not be able to find a path to victory.

[Buzz]

you could use a wifi bridge/gaming adapter via the ethernet port if going the piggy back route, but it really boils down to the kindness and generosity of others to make it work on such a slim budget. modern web bloatpages require broadband, and appreciate gpu power. I suspect you could probably find folks to donate a couple of 256MB DIMMS and a 40GB -120GB to your cause, which will get the box running panther or tiger pretty darn well, then it'll run you $20-$30 for a "b" speed bridge/gaming adapter (cheaper than an airport card for that model), plus some canvassing of the neighbors for a piggy back source. 56K dial up is for fax and emergency email only this century. a lot of people find peppier macs than what you're starting with on their neighborhood curbs, so keep an eye open for "upgrades"... but you'll still need to get her connected at a usable rate of speed. good luck.

[STL]

Buzz
" . . I suspect you could probably find folks to donate a couple of 256MB DIMMS and a 40GB -120GB to your cause . ."

Thanks for your suggestions especially the portion above on 'donations'."

Major Breakthrough in Browser Stability
I switched browsers to Camino 1.6.6 from Safari 1.3.2 and I'm encouraged because the results constitute a major breakthrough with respect to browser stability while surfing. In her case, I prioritize stability significantly higher than speed as I know she understands and accepts that dial-up provides slow internet response. I surfed about 30 minutes using dial-up without Camino locking up. I'll need to manually "stress test" to ensure the stability holds up.

Following what I consider the breakthrough in stability your post and suggestion about RAM triggered me to compare RAM in my G4 PM, mentioned in my post of March 09, 2009 04:23PM, with that in the iMac. Bingo, System Profiler reported PC100-2225 in each.

So, assuming continuing success, my next steps are
o Bring the iMac up to 640MB RAM by swapping it's 64MB DIMM with a 512MB DIMM in my G4 PM
o Start manual stress testing to evaluate the stability of Camino on dial-up
o Reduce the 42.4MB footprint of Camino 1.6.6. It's a universal binary so there should be some freeware to slim it down to just the PPC version. Safari 1.3.2 has a 4.3MB footprint.
o Start looking for a higher capacity hard drive.