> Here in the states, 10baset ethernet cards are going for about $10, with 8
> port hubs going for about $40.  Allowing for 10base2 (thinnet) adds cost
> to your ethernet cards and makes your cabling more expensive. Short of
> unusually successful dumpster diving, I doubt whether you can put together
> an 8 port thinnet (or ArcNet) network for less than a (brand new, "highly
> supported") 10baseT net using a hub...

I can buy new ISA combo cards locally (in Dallas, TX) for about
$13 ea. This is from a local retail store, not a mail order
house. These are plug-n-play capable, but also have jumpers so
you can "hardwire" the configuration if you want (great if you're
using Linux or anything else that the supplied drivers don't
support). And I can buy new pre-terminated 10base2 coax cables
for lower cost per foot than 10baseT cables from a local discount
electronics store. This is not unusual. Many mail order suppliers
also price 10baseT cables lower than 10base2
(http://www.computergate.com for example). The "T" connectors
come with the cards, and only two terminators are needed for an
entire network (about $1 ea., unless you buy them from someplace
like CompUSA or Best Buy, that tend to have very high markups on
very small items).

Even if combo cards end up costing 2 or 3 dollars more than
10baseT only, this is partly offset by the lower cost of the
cabling. If the net difference is $2 per computer, and your
network has 8 computers, then that's $16 in extra card expense
plus $2 in terminators vs. $40 for the 8 port hub that you don't
have to buy. So at least where I live, you definitely can build a
10base2 network for less money than 10baseT. If you have less
than 8 computers, it works out even better.

Pretty small difference though. And of course, you can't re-use
the cabling if you want to upgrade to 100baseT later. That can be
especially important if you have to install cables in walls and
ceilings, though not such a big deal for a lan that lives
entirely in a single room. On the plus side though, 10base2
cables can span longer distances.


---
                                        Peace,
                                        William Kitchen

The future is ours to create.