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The Internet: The Need For Speed! Written by: Dan Daily
Hi Gang! This week we'll talk about Internet speed. Do you have it? How do you get it? I know there is a lot of jargon out there, so to clear it all up, I'll give you a quick primer on most of the consumer types of connections. Their pro's and con's. .
The Modem; (dial up) This is by far the most popular method of accessing the Internet and your particular ISP. This is also the slowest. And like most of you, this is what I used to use, (not anymore) I have a 56k Rockwell modem. This style modem is very temperamental. However, when properly set up, they are also one of the fastest around. You'd be surprised how well a modem can work for you. Next week we'll discuss how to set up your AOL for the fastest speeds. But first, lets explore the differences with the other's.
.ISDN Integrated Services Digital networks: (Always wondered what that meant eh?) ISDN has an advantage over a regular dial up connection. You can use the phone to talk to someone when your computer connection is on the Internet. It has two channels. The advantage is that is always connected at high speed. It runs roughly at twice the speed as a regular 56K modem. But; The disadvantage is that when the technology finally was perfected, it was already old news. Availability is extremely limited as a result. And, if you have a good modem, good phone lines, a clean phone signal, and your settings are optimized, your regular 56k modem can pretty much run at the higher ISDN speed. (My modem does, but I do have to have a separate phone line.)
.DSL Digital Subscriber Line: (So that's what it means?) DSL is the technology that came after ISDN. It has really fast connection speeds. How fast? Try perhaps 50 times faster than a 56K connection? It's always on, you don't have to dial a phone line. It also offers a two way connection, you can talk on the phone, and be on the net at the same time. Kewl huh? But; You need a special modem, and have to subscribe for it. This is so new, very few areas offer it. And, you have to live close to your phone system. The farther you are away, the slower it runs. (Really.) But it is cost effective, more so than the others; so far. If you are on AOL, they have a DSL program, it explains itself. (I've been there/ done that.) They claimed I would have a 50 times faster connection, (advertised speed; actual speed in my area was around 500k) Be advised: Although AOL advertises it's DSL for 39.95, you still have to pay for full unlimited dial up services. So, it adds up to around 55 dollars a month. You can do better with another service and switch your AOL account to "Bring Your Own Access" and just pay 9.95/month for AOL. . Satellites Next is the DSS mini dish system: Yes, just like your TV, a mini dish system is also offered for your computer. It is always on, almost never goes out. And has very fast downloads. Aol presently has their own in beta as of this writing. BUT; You would still need a second phone line for uploads. The download speeds are very fast, but the upload speeds are only modem driven. (33.6k with a 56k modem, at best). That's what the phone line is for. They'd have to figure out; how to make the mini dish a transmitter before I would ever consider it. Several vendors are working on this now. But still, this is a good system for people in outlying areas that have very limited access to anything else.
.Cable Modems Cable modems, so far are the best of the lot and what I personally use. They have very fast, (the fastest) download speeds and upload speeds. The cable company's are coming back real strong with this system. My speeds, in my area, average almost 3000k! It just smokes! BUT; They are very expensive, and, service offering areas are very limited. And the worst to last. Cable modems are a one way pipeline, so to speak. It's like the old fashioned "party line." Every one is on the same line. The more people on your line? The slower it goes. So, if you're the first on you block? Faster than hell. But it's all downhill from there the more people that subscribe to it. It is a fact, in very busy times of the day, to have your cable modem crawl at the speed of a dial up modem. Talk about a major 49.95 a month bummer! LOL This Proves that there is no "Free Lunch." There are pro's and con's to each system. Which is the best for you depends on your needs, and your available choices. If you have a separate phone line just for your computer. Invest in DSL or Cable today! In the end, it's cheaper after you cancel your second phone line.
So, How Fast Is Your Actual Internet Connection? Want To Test It? I'll show you a way, but first: Understand, your speed is determined my many things. Is your computer set up properly? Are all your Internet settings set to burn? And probably the most important thing; what time of day do you go on? This is very important; during peak times the Internet can actually come to a halt. I think it's great that more and more people are going online, but it's a pain in my ass! Now, when I'm doing net research, I only do it late at night, or early in the mornings. OK, so how fast are ya? Click on the Link. For Broadband: Internet Speed Check For Modems: Modem Speed Check . Remember, your speed will be effected by all of the above. And usually no two tests will have the same results because of it. .. Almost forgot today's joke.
At 3:37 a.m. on a Sunday, I received a frantic phone call from a new user of a Macintosh Plus. She had gotten her entire family out of the house and was calling from her neighbor's. She had just received her first system error and interpreted the picture of the bomb on the screen as a warning that the computer was going to blow up. (Yes, she's blonde. LOL)
I hope this helps you on your road. Your Road? Yes, Your Road To Computer Sanity Danny
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