I use a lot of bandwidth, but am tired of paying...

[megabyteme]

I pay about $75 a month for my internet. Concast is the "best" option, but they seem to be leading the ISPs against BT users. That is the vast majority of my use, ofc.

I stopped paying for movies, DVDs, etc. about a year ago because I cannot support Industries that are so strongly against internet freedoms.

So, I've been doing some reading about 2.4ghz antennas, cables, load balancing (fail safe redundancy), etc. and I believe I could find a number of open connections, unsecured connections, and not-so-secure connections. I don't intend to use large amounts from any one source, BTW. That is why I am looking into the amplification- to boost range and number of sources.

It seems to me that individuals are FAR better off being able to access open connections (lots of gadgets depend on them, honestly), and it is only a myth perpetuated by ISPs that people are STEALING bandwidth.

So, what are your thoughts? Anyone strongly against a soon-to-be "bandwidth thief"?

[mrnobody]

I stopped paying for movies, DVDs, etc. about a year ago because I cannot support Industries that are so strongly against internet freedoms.

[ca_aok]

I'm pretty strongly against this sort of thing, especially given that as a filesharer you're using a crapload of bandwidth and most people generally have bandwidth caps. As for using "only a bit from each source", unless you're lucky and living in a specific area there will only be a few Unsecured/WEP/WPA-TKIP connections that you can actually crack, discounting WPA2 and AES as rather hopeless

Basically you're forcing someone else to not only foot the bill for your downloading habits, but you're also forcing legal responsibility onto them if you ever get caught. And if they also have small bandwidth caps, you're making that even smaller for them.

[anon]

Basically you're forcing someone else to not only foot the bill for your downloading habits, but you're also forcing legal responsibility onto them if you ever get caught. And if they also have small bandwidth caps, you're making that even smaller for them.

This. I don't think it's a good idea to make your neighbors' Internet stop when you leech/seed, possibly legally implicating them if you get caught P2Ping. But then again I illegally download copyrighted stuff. I do it with my own connection, though.

Oh, and same IP, getting into problems if both are members on the same tracker, etc.

[megabyteme]

I stopped paying for movies, DVDs, etc. about a year ago because I cannot support Industries that are so strongly against internet freedoms.

Change "cannot" to "will not". Honestly, if I can't get movies/media for free, I don't care enough to worry about them.

And, if it makes anyone feel better, I plan to reduce my monthly use. Would 80-100 GB/month be more palatable? 2/3 of my current monthly 250 GB is used for uploads.

My location overlooks a large portion of the city. There are some trees in the way of a great view (vantage point), but it's a pretty good spot for this.

[backie]

One, let's all change the if you get caught p2ping to if they get caught p2ping.
Two, the open wifi is a solid good defence which is tried and tested.
Three, it's ok to steal movies and other crap but no bandwidth? (You may not have bought all of it but there sure as shit is a bunch of crap you would have bought if you weren't downloading)

Anyways, this isn't something I would do if my isp cracked down on the ole torrent traffic, I would just switch over to a different method of getting files to my computer. I don't know how US isps work but in the UK you can basically pirate all you want on the cheap package. Also seems like you're gonna spend a shitload trying to save a few bucks.

[megabyteme]

One, let's all change the if you get caught p2ping to if they get caught p2ping.
Two, the open wifi is a solid good defence which is tried and tested.
Three, it's ok to steal movies and other crap but no bandwidth? (You may not have bought all of it but there sure as shit is a bunch of crap you would have bought if you weren't downloading)

Anyways, this isn't something I would do if my isp cracked down on the ole torrent traffic, I would just switch over to a different method of getting files to my computer. I don't know how US isps work but in the UK you can basically pirate all you want on the cheap package. Also seems like you're gonna spend a shitload trying to save a few bucks.

Some good points, backie- pro and con.

One of the main reasons I posted this is the disparity between the users of file sharing who download stuff and the zealous nature of securing their connections. Certainly, open connections should be seen in the same spirit as file-sharing. To me, they practically go hand-in-hand.

The costs are less than would be expected. The ultra cheap method would be simply connecting to my 3 neighbors who I can get on the netbook I am using right now.

The next step amounts to a single, directional antenna aimed off the back deck. I have about 120 degrees to play with. Mesh antennas are small and can be had for ~$45. A dish mover (if I am feeling lazy) is another ~$70. A cable attaches to my already owned router for another $35. Total+ $150. About 2 months of current usage fees.

A step higher would include 2 dishes, 2 movers, 2 cables. They would attach to 2 routers going into 2 nic cards (one already on my MB). Windows 7 has built in support for this. However, it would only serve as a redundancy, not a speed doubler.

Concast is one of two options available (second being the phone co.). Concast is the first to impose, and enforce, a monthly cap. I am kinda opposed to this- even if I were not saving money.

Last minute edit- actually, the more 90 year olds who get cut off for "piracy" the better the defense of open-connection becomes!

[ca_aok]

And, if it makes anyone feel better, I plan to reduce my monthly use. Would 80-100 GB/month be more palatable? 2/3 of my current monthly 250 GB is used for uploads.

That's a shitload to be pawning off on someone else's connection. My monthly cap is a paltry 60GB, I'd be pretty pissed if someone else blew through that.

One, let's all change the if you get caught p2ping to if they get caught p2ping.
Two, the open wifi is a solid good defence which is tried and tested.

That depends on their country, I'm not sure what legal precedence says on that in the States to be honest.

Three, it's ok to steal movies and other crap but no bandwidth? (You may not have bought all of it but there sure as shit is a bunch of crap you would have bought if you weren't downloading)

Uhh, yeah. I've got no problem taking a digital copy I wouldn't have bought anyway from a faceless corporation. Screwing over my next door neighbour for something that has a tangible cost is another story.

One of the main reasons I posted this is the disparity between the users of file sharing who download stuff and the zealous nature of securing their connections. Certainly, open connections should be seen in the same spirit as file-sharing. To me, they practically go hand-in-hand.

While this is much less common now that most ISPs turn on WEP when installing a modem, many people with unsecured networks simply don't know how to secure them. You have no way whatsoever of knowing whether they're doing something illegal and trying to create plausible deniability, or if you're stealing money from a little old lady who doesn't know what WEP is.

Last minute edit- actually, the more 90 year olds who get cut off for "piracy" the better the defense of open-connection becomes!

So it's fine to put someone else through the legal system to support your own views...

[megabyteme]

I would not be screwing anyone over. Chances are quite good that people who cannot figure out how to set up WEP are NOT using anywhere near the monthly cap. I would be using their monthly "headroom".

Also, I never use public trackers. I have only received one notice of infringement, and that was like 2 years ago.

I am saying that the general public will get outraged against a system that turns off their grandmothers from using their email.

[Tv Controls you]

You got to watch how many ip's your using as it will look as if your sharing your account.

When I used to run my trojan backdoor loader, I would install utorrent in the background and of course have remote gui setup .

Some people would have better speeds than some of the seed boxes offered around here lol....