Although I admit having relatively limited knowledge in networking, the "star vs loop" topology argument doesn't have that huge impact on me. All users have to go through the router at some point, and the router is shared, so the star topology gives a dedicated line up to the router. At that point, it's all the same to me - if the router is maxed out, it doesn't matter if your line is dedicated or not; you'll wait! But I may be wrong on this, so feel free to correct me here! :)

But I do agree that Videotron's network isn't the best. Right now I don't have any problems but cable modem has only been available in my area since June this year, so the installation is recent.

Anyway I'm not trying to say that DSL isn't good - but right now I have no reason to switch.

BTW, I think we're getting far from VFP here, so if you want, we can continue the discussion in private: blackphoenix@videotron.ca

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>Actually, I have a client who wants to leave Videotron because of download restrictions (6 GB/month) and also because of speed. The inconvenience of cable (in Montreal at least, I'm sure it's like this elsewhere) is that it's in a loop, not a star topology. So the more people on your loop who use it, or the digital service, the slower you'll go. Right now, he's down to about 20K/sec on average, sometimes dropping below 10. With DSL, that problem shouldn't arise, unless you're accessing a site on a slow connection or there's traffic-a-plenty on the route your packets are taking.
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>Hugo