I've been through several computers since my first attempts to get involved with PT. Seldom, if at all, was I able to establish a decent connection from my location, using the free access to that site. I remember spending more time asking for help than actually getting the help that I needed to get connected and stay connected. Even then, I couldn't be certain whether my mic time was able to be heard clearly by others in the various rooms I played.

Please tell me it's gotten better since then. I'd enjoy having the chance to share my stuff via PT again but I don't think that I want to deal with the glitchiness. It seemed that some, perhaps they were users that paid for access, had super fine clarity and others, like me, did not have an easy time of even staying connected to the site. Can anyone confirm whether they've worked out the kinks?

I'm guessing that part of the issue was my own gear. Apart from subscribing to the site, paying for better access, is there an optimal computer, operating system, sound card or perhaps a specific online access speed that one needs. What about the kind of microphone that one uses? Does that make a difference? Should I plug my guitar through a mixer and then into my sound card? Some of those who played sounded as though they were plugged into a PA system. I need suggestions about what might be the best gear to use. Any help out there in PT land?

Many thanks!