Just as you need the AdobeReader to read PDF files, you need a similiar viewer to read PowerPoint Shows. Its PPVIEW97 for Windows based PCs. It is downloadable for free at the site that I linked to below. So download and then try and see the file that I uploaded. Once the viewer is installed on your PC, simply click on my file and it should open automatically. You will not find a Viewer Link on your start menu like AdobeReader. Good luck, W Here is a link that might be useful: Download PowerPoint Viewer Here

I would think that any name brand wireless router will work fine. I have a DSL modem supplied by the phone company, and a 4-port Belkin Pre-N wireless router I bought separately a couple of years ago. The incoming signal goes to the modem, and then an Ethernet cable goes to the router. Hard wired devices plug into the ports in the back of the modem via Ethernet cable. My router can handle 4 hard-wired devices, and 32 wireless devices. I have 4 PCs hooked up to it (1 wired, 3 wireless), a Roku box (wireless), and a printer (wireless). The only thing to keep in mind about cable is that speeds can vary depending on how many people in the neighborhood are online at any given time. DSL is a constant speed, and since mine is 3 Mbps, that's enough for me. Have you checked to see whether your DSL supplier can provide a higher speed? Last year, my speed was 1.5 Mbps and I asked if they had anything higher in my area. They said they had 3.0 available for the same price. When I asked why they hadn't just bumped up my speed, they said they were only allowed to change my account if I called to request and authorize it first! I said: Who wouldn't want twice the speed for the same price? They said they just wanted to be sure this was something I wanted! At any rate, 10 seconds later I had twice the speed. Lastly, since you're mixing PCs and Macs on your system, I don't know if that would cause any problems. I have have friends with Macs who visit and they can get on my system (when I give them my security code) with no problem. However, if you are switching providers, you should ask first if there could be any problems.

You would receive better and more accurate answers from someone who lives in that area. Rates differ from place to place, so what might be the best for someone in one area might not work so well for a person in a different place. I have Dish TV and wouldn't change to cable even if it were available where I live. We did use Direct for one year, but went back to Dish because we liked the programming packages better. Both are good and you get digital reception without paying extra as I think you much with cable. I cannot speak to the DSL or cable Internet, as neither is available in the rural area where I live. I rely on satellite for that, also.

I had DSL briefly back in Fall '08 and upgraded to cable when a great deal from our local cable company (Allentown, Pa. area) came along. Oddly, ever since I moved the DSL to my relative's house across the street, she started having occasional issues with a temperamental modem. My cable service, though, has been working fine. 5 meg download vs. 1 meg for DSL. And the total price (TV, phone, internet) of the Triple Bundle we now have with our cable co. is about $1 more per month than we were paying previously for TV (cable company), Verizon phone and dial-up internet ! Not sure how it would compare to the Verizon TV/Phone/DSL bundle, but I imagine the prices are fairly identical. (The only draw-back for us is that the phone goes out when the cable does, so it's good we have cell phones for those situations -- which haven't happened yet.)