The *Need for Speed* (on the internet)

Okay .. 1st off .. sorry for the 2 week lapse instead of 1 week. Coupla reasons .. i got a bit busy performing surgery on a few computers. And 2, i wanted to make sure i had an idea for the post entry after this one. So you'd have something with which to tantalize your brain cells.

So, let's get right into it.

Modems .. hmm .. i wonder just what percentage of the population have dial-up modems anymore?

Because the majority of folks connecting to the internet today .. have some form of high-speed transmission and reception of databits.

For those of you that do have dial-up, here are a few tips:

1> Whether you have an internal or external phone modem, please make sure that your data rate is at the maximum for dial-up. That is 57,600 bps (bits per second). You could check this in either the paper manual or the CD documentation that came with the modem. You could also verify the speed by monitoring the speed of a download with a piece of program software that is designed to do such. Or, you could find a website that will test the speed online for you. http://www.speedtest.net/ is one such.

2> It is best to use a *separate* phone line for your dial-up modem. This is so that if someone tries to make a phone call on the same line, your modem's signal will not be interrupted and cut off from the internet. This is also helpful if you have a fax modem, to ensure uninterrupted fax transmissions and receptions as well.

3> Be sure to disable "call waiting" on the line that the modem is using; the "call waiting" signal will also knock the modem out of kilter. This can be done inside the modem program that you are using. Or, if you are using the same line as the one used for dialing calls, you can disable "call waiting" by entering a special *-code into the phone line using the touch tone keypad while you have the phone off the hook. You can find the correct *-codes either in your phone book, or by online search, or by contacting your local phone company.

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Now .. on to the preferred choice for data transmission and reception.

It is not only preferred by the majority of computer users on the planet for the simple speed advantage. But it is my *personal* preference due to what that higher speed gives you that may not be readily apparent.

The purpose of a computer is to do the repetitive tasks as *fast* as it possibly can .. to sort of relieve the human of those menial data labors. Computers keep getting faster just about every 3-6 months currently. So, it follows that, logically, you would want to be able to move your computer data to and from the internet (including email) as *swiftly* as possible as well.

Well then .. if your computer was given the sentient ability to choose the speed *it* preferred to use when going out and coming back .. it would chooose the *fastest* speed available. Because, the faster a task can be completed as a function of computer speed and internet communication speed .. the sooner the *human* can get up from the computer chair and get back to doing the human stuff. And doesn't that make computin' a lot nicer..?

So, what speeds are available in the high speedosphere..?

Currently, the low-end speed is 768kbps. Doesn't seem like much if we look back at that other number >>> 57,600 bps does it? But it is. Because 57,600 bps translates to 57kbps. So, that makes the 768 K bps *13 times* faster! Woohoo!

About 20 years ago, when i got off dial-up and switched to high-speed .. i was blown away by the speed difference! And vowed to *never* go back to dial-up.

Unfortunately, to get to this 768kbps plateau, the typical cost will be about $10/month more. But, if you are dedicating an extra phone line for just your dial-up modem, you can *offset* that extra cost by simply stopping the subscription for the 2nd line. Because, one type of high speed (cable) does not even use the phone line at all! And the other (dsl) uses a digital stream of communication *separate* from the analog voice transmissions on the same phone line. (it's not affected by someone talking on the same line) And .. with *both* methods of high-speed, you will *never* have to dial up and login. Because, as long as your high-speed modem and computer are on and connected properly, you will *always* be on!

Above 768Kbps, there are still faster speeds .. 1.5Mbps (megabits per second), about twice as fast as the 1st high-speed level; 26 times faster than dial-up. Then you can jump to 3Mbps, doubling speed again. And then 5 or 6Mbps, depending on which high speed company; your mileage may vary. Beyond that, 10, 12, 16 and 20Mbps. And, if you have the depth of pocketbook, you can go above 20Mbps by subscribing to the extreme premium .. fiber optic lines. That is of course if they are available in your area. Unfortunately, the further away from city hubs that you live, the more slowed down your choices will be.

And for those who live out in "the sticks" (and i *love* the sticks by the way) .. there is still a decent choice if you want to reach a bit deeper into your pocket. Do you have satellite tv? Well you can have satellite internet too if you like! Cool huh!?

And don't worry. When you sign up with a high-speed provider, either they will send a set up package in the mail. Or they will send a guy, a dsl or a 'cable guy', to your house to set it up for you. Also very cool.

And dat's dah name o' dat tune.

NEXT WEEK!!!!!!!!!!! PICTURES!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!!

The *INSIDE* Story

We peer into the *magic box* that we call a computer .. woooooo .. ' sounds scary!

Naah .. piece o' cake.

You'll see .. literally!

' til next time Computin' Pals .. this is the ol' doctor of data dissertation hisself .. saying "*STAY TUNED*" for the next

*EXCITING EPISODE* of "Computin' 101"

Ol' Doc CPU

''o))