SMC router rant

[ttown]

I don't know where this rant belongs.... so I picked OT.

I just flashed the firmware on my SMC7004vwbr router... and log-in to find lots of cool new features... or at least that was my first impression.

Under WAN settings, there's a new option called "BigPond: configure the built-in client for the BigPond Internet service available in Australia"
Wondering what the heck that is, I google it -- and find it's a pay-for service provider.

Under the main menu, there's a new item "DDNS" -- "cool", I think, "a setting for dynamic dns...". Go to see how to configure it and find out it TOO is a pay-for service, at $25/year.

I swear I'm never buying another SMC product.
It's bad enough that regular software these days come bundled with 'free trial offers' for things like AOL and other cr@p -- but since when does it come bundled with a firmware update??!!

Yes, I know I don't have to click on it or sign up.... But it's the principal of the thing.
Has anyone else seen this with other manufacturers?

 

[dabuddha]

I don't own a SMC router but I'll avoid them if what you say is true.

 

[Hossenfeffer]

Yes, and I'd always taken it as a way for them to keep costs down, as well as provide the avenue for certain useful services.

That being said, I've never taken them up on the "offer(s)"

 

[illustri]

well... ddns is a service... granted one you can get for free some places, but still a service companies charge for

i had the same router, never considered that a solicitation

 

[cronos]

isn't this just identical to my Linksys cable router that has a link to 'Download Zone Alarm Pro and PC-Cillin'?
i don't think it's such a big deal.

 

[ttown]

Originally posted by: saxguy
isn't this just identical to my Linksys cable router that has a link to 'Download Zone Alarm Pro and PC-Cillin'?
i don't think it's such a big deal.

It really bugs me for some reason. If they want to supplement their income by targeted advertising, I'm OK with them including a printed brochure in the box.
As it is right now, it's an ad that I can't throw away....

 

[sygyzy]

How could you possibly be upset about this? Plenty of people use these various services and it makes it more convenient to have it in the router. For instance, I use Dynamic DNS (which happens to be free btw), and my router can ping the server every once in a while to update my IP.

 

[ttown]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
How could you possibly be upset about this? Plenty of people use these various services and it makes it more convenient to have it in the router. For instance, I use Dynamic DNS (which happens to be free btw), and my router can ping the server every once in a while to update my IP.

Which router do you have? Cuz that service in this router costs $25 per year.

(You are talking about Dynamic DNS, right? Not Dynamically allocated IP's...(which is normal for routers))

 

[yukichigai]

Okay, this isn't a case of third-party solicitations. This is simply a router providing compatibility for some specific and troublesome services.

BigPond is indeed an Australian ISP, in fact one of the larger ones. Unfortunately their DSL settings are very, very, very strange, and for a while made it nigh unto impossible for users to add a router to their network. Most routers now have specific setting for Bigpond and one other ISP. (Can't remember which)

DDNS... I'm assuming this means Dynamic DNS? If so, there's always DynDNS.org. You can get up to 5 dyndns sub-domains for free, completely free, no strings.

 

[Fritzo]

You do know that DLink also does this don't you. Think Speadstream does too. It's no big deal, geeze.

 

[Ornery]

At least they have updates for yours. They don't even list the firmware for my SMC7004BR Barricade anymore.

When this thing finally dies, I'll be in the market for another one with a print server, NOT WIRELESS! Which brand and model has that these days?

 

[yukichigai]

Originally posted by: Ornery
At least they have updates for yours. They don't even list the firmware for my SMC7004BR Barricade anymore.

When this thing finally dies, I'll be in the market for another one with a print server, NOT WIRELESS! Which brand and model has that these days?

Netgear, D-Link or Linksys would be my guesses.

 

[Ornery]

Sweet, there is one available now! :thumbsup:

...and another! :Q

 

[ttown]

Originally posted by: yukichigai
DDNS... I'm assuming this means Dynamic DNS? If so, there's always DynDNS.org. You can get up to 5 dyndns sub-domains for free, completely free, no strings.

No, the settings for this router are tied to TZO.com. No free service... not even for something like "whatever.tzo.com". $25 per year.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

I refuse to by any networking gear that is not made by Linksys.

 

[ttown]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Sweet, there is one available now! :thumbsup:

...and another! :Q

I'd avoid the dlink. No personal experience, but have read generally poor reviews. (Although I'm pretty sure I was reading reviews for wireless models... so it probably doesn't apply to non-wireless) The netgear one seems cool, though.

 

[sygyzy]

Originally posted by: ttown

Originally posted by: sygyzy
How could you possibly be upset about this? Plenty of people use these various services and it makes it more convenient to have it in the router. For instance, I use Dynamic DNS (which happens to be free btw), and my router can ping the server every once in a while to update my IP.

Which router do you have? Cuz that service in this router costs $25 per year.

(You are talking about Dynamic DNS, right? Not Dynamically allocated IP's...(which is normal for routers))

Which router have have has no relevance to the service, which is free. They have a bunch of aliases, try www.dynalias.com. It's free. You just have to tell it you are still active once a month.

I have a WRT54G with a 3rd party firmware, in case you are still curious.

 

[ttown]

Originally posted by: sygyzy

Originally posted by: ttown

Originally posted by: sygyzy
How could you possibly be upset about this? Plenty of people use these various services and it makes it more convenient to have it in the router. For instance, I use Dynamic DNS (which happens to be free btw), and my router can ping the server every once in a while to update my IP.

Which router do you have? Cuz that service in this router costs $25 per year.

(You are talking about Dynamic DNS, right? Not Dynamically allocated IP's...(which is normal for routers))

Which router have have has no relevance to the service, which is free. They have a bunch of aliases, try www.dynalias.com. It's free. You just have to tell it you are still active once a month.

I have a WRT54G with a 3rd party firmware, in case you are still curious.

I guess that's what I'm really bitching about. The DDNS in the firmware is specifically tied to the company tzo.com. I'd be loving it if I had the opportunity to have my router use a FREE service, like dyndns.org or other free ones. (yes, I am aware that I can use those via a PC client... I'm solely talking about the router and the ads that I get to see everytime I make a change)

Relating it back to what everyone has probably seen:
It's kind of like having a big "CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE TRIAL OF AOL" on your screen... and you can't remove it.... Sure, there's nothing _forcing_ you to click here, but it's still anoying.... Well, essentially, that is what I now have on my router interface.

Let me be clear... this is the router interface. Not some optional software that I downloaded off a shareware site. Device interfaces shouldn't be plastered with ads.

 

[Goosemaster]

lame rant.

 

[her34]

wasn't there a router that would pop up a webpage while you're browsing every hour?

that is a problem. banner on firmware page isn't a big deal

 

[yukichigai]

If it is indeed permanently and irreversably tied to tzo.com, as you say, and if you do get ads every time you change router settings, (can you explain that a little more, or provide screenshots?) then you do indeed have a s%$#ty router.

I'm used to D-Link and Netgear routers. The only ads I ever got from those were when I ran a connection test, at which point they tested the connection by going to their website.