Cheap, very cheap is not so cheap! False Advertising! I'm getting really P'd off hearing that ADSL-ad on CapeTalk all the time!

It says: "Cheap,cheap, very cheap ADSL access" or something as irritatingly similar on Cape Talk for the past few weeks or so....

Why is it irritating? Well, because I consider it to be misleading to the general non-techie public.... in fact, it's false advertising... because if you look at the deal, it isn't the "UnBeatable" ADSL deal they claim it to be!

Granted the ad works as it got me to check out their web site (when I eventually found it) and see what they're on about. On the surface it seems that it's a good deal.

They try and undercut NashuaMobile's deal (http://www.internet-lessness.co.za) by R1 per month! but when you compare the deal you will see that the SAOL deal comes up short... very short!

In the text below, I try and highlight the "What They Don't Tell You" or WTDTY.... beware there are probably more WTDTYs on their web site!

UNBEATABLE OFFER: WTDTY: it IS beatable.. try NashuaMobile... but beware, there are WTDTYs on that offer too, but not as many!

ADSL 384k 1Gig All-in-1 with 20 Gig Local, R138p/m..... sounds good, very good! but......

Terms and conditions apply.... yup, they most certainly do.. and those that don't read and understand them will get caught!

1Gig Cap + 20Gig Local bandwidth after cap is reached; ADSL 384K Line... still sounds good, very good!
Free ADSL router.... WTDTY: it's a router only, not a wireless router (pay R599 more for one of those)

WTDTY: the R138 per month is only for the first 12 months, thereafter R189 for the next 12 months... oh, yes, you need to sign a 24 month contract!

WTDTY: there's a setup fee R275!

WTDTY: Topup after R69 per gig.. .can't see whether it's a "use it or lose it" policy?

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=120183&page=6

I've opted for the NashuaMobile deal. See here for pricing: http://www.internet-lessness.co.za/info.aspx?ID=178&Page=1&Product=178

Here's what's included:
Up to 384kbps ADSL Subscription (that's the Telkom line charges)
1GB ADSL Data
4 x 4GB POP Mailbox
Billion Wi-fi ADSL Router; WTDTY: the wireless router is network locked, so if you run out of the 1GB per month, then you either have to purchase topups from them @ R95 per GB (on a use it or lose it plan! :( ] - or perhaps consider purchasing a "plain old" ADSL router for about R350, then when you use up the 1GB then you can switch to that modem and connect to WebAfrica's R69 per GB (carry over plan). See here for more details: http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/2008/01/if-youre-not-using-webafricas-adsl-isp.html

Free fax to e-mail: WTDTY: it's free for you as the receiver of the fax, but the sender pays almost cell phone rates (even for a "local" fax call). See here for more details: http://handytechtips.blogspot.com/2008/04/im-amazed-by-number-of-people-who-dont.html

Find out (online) what those Government departments are talking about when they refer to Section xyz of Act no. nnnn of 1972

Have you ever needed to refer to a South African Act and tried to find that document on the Internet or from a Government departments?

I have recently been involved in trying to deal with a legal issue and the other party continuously refers to Section xyz of Act no. nnnn of 1972...

then, later, to Section xyzabc of Act no. nnnn+1...

So, instead of wading through law libraries or asking the Department to copy the relevant sections for you, why not connect to Acts Online (http://www.acts.co.za)

You can browse and even search online, and if you prefer, you can purchase your own CD containing all the info (currently costs R450).

It is really cool to read what the law says exactly, as one can see the loopholes laid out a mile away.

Try reading a few.

There's even the "Constitution of South Africa": http://www.acts.co.za/constitution_of_the_republic_of_south_africa_1996.htm

and the "Electronic Communications Act": http://www.acts.co.za/electronic_communications_act_2005.htm

and the "SARS South African Revenue Services Act": http://www.acts.co.za/south_african_revenue_service_act_1997.htm

and the "Basic Conditions of Employment Act": http://www.acts.co.za/basic_conditions_of_employment_act_1997.htm

and the "Firearms Control Act": http://www.acts.co.za/firearms_control_act_2000.htm

and the "Close Corporations Act": http://www.acts.co.za/close_corporations_act_1984.htm

Scary ones like the "Lease and Rent Agreements Act" for residential leasing etc.: http://www.acts.co.za/rental_housing/index.htm

Also the new "Credit Act" (http://www.acts.co.za/nat_credit_act/index.htm). Very interesting. See how much protection has been built in to this Act.

and many more of course!

From their FAQ (http://www.acts.co.za/frequently_asked_questions.htm) page:

If the Act isn’t on Acts Online: If the Act was gazetted after 1993 you can normally find it on the web site of the government department that administers it – start start at www.gov.za and work your way around from there.

Other resources are:

www.polity.org.za

www.pmg.org.za – Parliamentary Monitoring Group (Bills and legislation in Parliament)

www.parliament.gov.za – Parliament web site

www.sabinet.co.za – Sabinet’s subscription service