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Cable Modems You know that thick round cable that brings the TV signal into your home? Well, the cable companies have developed ways to use that very same cable to give you Internet connectivity. To connect to the Net in this way, you need an Ethernet card in your computer along with a small box called a cable modem. But don't sweat the details, the cable company will do it all for you. The service is not available everywhere, but if it's in your area, you should definitely consider it. The speed will be very fast: not as fast as the cable company promises -- after all, everyone in the connectivity business lies about speed -- but a lot faster than regular modem access or even ISDN. And once it's all set up, you will have a permanent, 24-hour-a-day Internet connection without having to use (or pay for) a second telephone line. Web:
DSL DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a system that provides high-speed Internet connections over a regular phone line without interfering with the voice service. DSL is much faster than a dialup connection (using a regular modem) or ISDN. I can't tell you an exact speed because phone companies offer various services, but, at a minimum, you should be able to get several hundred bps (bits per second) and perhaps much faster. Unlike a dialup connection, a DSL connection is always turned on. Thus, once you install DSL, you are connected permanently to the Net until you either stop the service or die (whichever comes first). Web:
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Frame Relay Frame relay is a multiplexed interface to a packet-switched network. With frame relay you have a leased line that supports a high-speed connection to the Net, from 56 K bits per second to T1 (1.536 M bps) and beyond. I have a frame relay line to my house, and let me tell you, if you can live through getting the thing up and running, it's great. During the many times I was put on hold by various engineers, receptionists and technical support people, I found it helpful to do a little reading about the technology. By the time everything's going, you'll probably end up learning more about frame relay than you ever wanted to know, but then, life's funny that way. Web:
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Internet Cafes An Internet cafe is a combination store/restaurant where you can enjoy food while using the Net. Some cafes offer free Internet access; others charge for the service. Some also offer extra computer services, like being able to use word processing or graphics programs. There are Internet cafes all around the world, which means that when you travel, you don't need to be cut off from your daily Internet experience or your email. More importantly, by visiting an Internet cafe, you can combine the three fundamental human activities: eating, drinking and using the Net. Web:
Internet Service Providers An Internet service provider (ISP) is a company or organization that provides access to the Internet. For example, if you have a computer at home, you access the Net by having your computer connect to an ISP. Here are some resources to help you find an ISP that serves your area. (If you do not already have access, ask a friend who does to help you out by checking the lists for you.) For discussion about Internet access, you can read the Usenet groups. Web:
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ISDN ISDN is a type of telephone service that is an alternative to a regular phone line. (The name stands for "Integrated Services Digital Network".) The advantage of ISDN is it allows you to connect to another computer at a speed that is much faster than even the fastest modem. If ISDN is available in your area, you should consider it as an alternative to using a modem with a regular phone line. (On the Internet, there is no such thing as too much speed.) To learn more about ISDN, start with these Net resources. Then call your local telephone company and see if ISDN is available. Getting ISDN working can be a lot more hassle than using a modem, but it's worth it. ISDN is fast and, once it's all set up, you'll love it. Web:
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Modems One of the most common ways to connect to the Net is by using a computer with a modem to access an Internet service provider over a regular telephone line. The modem provides the interface between your computer and the phone line. Modem technology has improved tremendously over the years. I remember when the "standard" was 300 bps (bits per second). The current standard, referred to as V.90, is now 56K bps (56,000 bps). Hint: Although the 56K modems are fast compared to the older modems, they are still much too slow. You are better off with DSL, cable modems or ISDN (in that order), if they are available in your area. Web:
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WebTV WebTV is a system that lets you access the Internet without a PC. All you need is a WebTV Internet terminal (which you must buy) and a television set. The WebTV Internet terminal is a special box that connects to your TV and to a phone line. All you need to buy is the box, but you do need to pay a subscription fee, just like you do with a regular Internet service provider. These Web sites will help you understand WebTV and, if you are already a subscriber, provide you with ongoing information and news. The advantage of WebTV is that the box is cheaper than a PC, and the system is easy to install and use. However, the box does not run regular software: all it can do is access the Internet. For example, you can't use Windows or any programs that use Windows. Still, I will tell you that when I first saw WebTV I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked. Web:
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