Rapaire,

I have a more simple setup, DSL serving two computers. I have a filter on the phone line, so there is no interference with calls, and since the filter is out on the pole, I don't need to filter each phone.

With cable I would do what I'm doing now, go wireless. If you look at the equipment available, you'll see that most of it is built for both DSL and cable. Look around in some of the computer stores (or if you don't have any nearby, visit places like CompuUSA and Fry's Electronics, where you'll find equipment that fits all sorts of configurations. Visit places like ZD Net (Ziff Davis) for a more techie review and Amazon for the average user's review.

For me, it would have been overkill to go with the faster 802.11g router and cards, because my DSL can't deliver it that fast, it never will be able to. So the 810.11b is fine and costs less. I have a combination of equipment from Netgear and Linksys. We're very happy with the outcome. I don't know what speed the cable delivers the information to your house, so the b or g option would need research. And cable needs a phoneline for outgoing data.

The companies selling net gear have good customer service folks if you're stymied in installation. It isn't too difficult, but I had to call to figure out how to get the router to find the signal (turns out there is a "wizard" that does it for you). I got the horselaugh when I called Earthlink first to ask for assistance, and they said some unhelpful things about my choices. Why? Because they want me to pay them $10 a month to use their router equipment for as long as I have DSL. With the rebates and such, I will have paid off the router and card in under a year, but when the internet providers supply the service and equipment, you keep on paying. (I've otherwise had very good service from Earthlink, but I made sure to tell them what I thought of the tactics of their tech when I asked for assistance.)

As for the question of a splitter, I think you need a line that goes to the computer alone, just as you need a line that goes to the television alone so you have a full-strength signal to both. The cable company will probably install it as if they are putting in service for two televisions, and will split or boost it at the time of installation. If you're doing it yourself, I would suggest poking around at Radio Shack and ask them about a booster, etc. It's probably a better system to pay for two rooms.

SRS