I would like to know what brand of modems you guys are using for your internet connections and how good are they? And how much did they cost you?

I have a Netgear DM111P and it is HORRIBLE, it drops out every couple of hours. Do not recommend.

I've been experiencing about 20 dropouts within the last 48 hours.

At first I thought it was a line problem with Bigpond and after calling them they had assured me that the connection was fine and suggested that I should buy new Telstra phone splitters of the same brand with ADSL 2+ support because they think that is why the connection is dropping out.

I go to a Telstra shop, they don't sell it. So I go to a Dick Smith, a store in which Bigpond themselves recommended. The so called 'expert' behind the counter tells me that the Telstra brand splitters are crap and should get other brands other than theirs so I do, I get 2 D-link splitters and guess what happens after I plug those in? I experience about a dozen dropouts - meaning that it's this piece of crap modem that's causing these dropouts (and my warranty, not surprisingly does not allow refunds only a replacement of the exact same dud modem). And guess who sold me my modem after Telstra wouldn't replace mine because I was no longer entitled? DICK SMITH.

Another Dick Smith experience, I go in there in hoping of buying cheap video games on a Sunday. THere's 8 workers in on a sunday and I grab a copy of Age of Empires 3 and Warhammer Dawn of War. The seal on the Age of Empires 3 game has been ripped open so I go to the counter asking the girl what has happened with the discs and she says they've been stolen. STOLEN. When you have 8 people working on a Sunday at Dick Smiths how can you not see someone tearing up a game and taking out the discs? Oh maybe because they're trying to tend to the 20 customers that all looked pissed-off that they've been sold by products by a bunch of airheads. So the girl apologises and goes into the back to get the discs for Dawn of War - and guess what? She's gone for about 15 minutes to which I said to my friend - 'F*CK THIS. F*CK DICK SMITH. THEY ARE WORSE THAN A DOG'S PILE OF SH*T' and leave.

I'm usually forgiving when it comes to retail shops but this is it - Dick Smith can rot. I'm going JB Hi-Fi. And f*ck Netgear too for making crap modems. And f*ck Bigpond too, after my contract is over with them I'm going Adam.