The Internet is an astonishing entity, allowing us to be connected to every corner of the world in order to communicate, seek out information, do business, and even have fun. Years ago, our connections to the Internet were limited to dial-up access, which hogged our home telephone lines and uploaded and downloaded information at a snail's pace. Today, though, we have the fortune of being able to connect at what seems like breakneck speed in comparison with our old 28.8 Kbps modem, with the arrival of broadband Internet access.
Basically, broadband Internet access provides the user with a high data-transmission rate Internet connection. Any connection of 256 Kbps (kilobits per second) is considered broadband Internet. Because of the high rate of data transference, it is also commonly known as high-speed Internet. This is ideal for uploading large files including pictures and music, as well as downloading larger files in a fraction of the time it used to take with dial-up.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) identifies broadband Internet access as 200 kbps in one direction, and advanced broadband Internet as 200 kbps in both directions (uploading and downloading). There is not a single standard rate of transmission that has been set industry wide, however. Therefore the term broadband can mean much lower transmission speeds, depending on the ISP (Internet Service Provider). Some ISP's take advantage of this, unfortunately, and promote slower transmission rates as broadband, unbeknownst to the customer oftentimes. In addition, because ISP's often allow more customers to subscribe to their high-speed Internet service that they can usually handle, the bandwidth that they promote is rarely available.
Right now, there are three basic types of broadband Internet access available to the general public. The first one, known as DSL, is the standard broadband technology available. DSL (digital subscriber line) originated in 1988, when the Internet as a public entity was still in its infancy. It is still widely available today, mostly through telephone companies, as that is the technology that is required for DSL.
On the coattails of DSL in broadband Internet popularity is the cable modem. Cable modems provide comparable data transmission rates to DSL, though uploading data is usually a bit quicker still with DSL. However, the advantage of cable modems is that is does not tie up your home telephone line. Cable modems can also be used to provide telephone service (VOIP), and more cable companies are jumping on that bandwagon all the time. Often, though, cable modem service comes at a price. Cable companies are frequently hesitant to offer broadband Internet access without the customer subscribing to a certain level of cable television programming as well. For most people, this isn't usually a big issue.
One major obstacle of broadband Internet access is that it is often difficult to provide the service to rural areas, due to technological constraints. The costs to connect outlying areas is high, therefore the technology is often slow to reach the regions outside of more densely populated urban areas. There is a solution, and technology has looked to the sky to provide yet another means of providing broadband Internet access to the masses.
Satellite Internet is a newer type of broadband Internet access, and is ideal for areas where land-based Internet access is not an option (such as on boats). It is more expensive, but is often the only way of getting Internet access of any kind in rural areas. The drawback of Satellite Internet is often the delay problem, due to the signal having to travel through space to the satellite and back to Earth again. This problem can be exacerbated because of any number of atmospheric conditions, from rain to sunspots. Fortunately, it really only affects those who participate in Internet gaming or use streaming video feeds. The delay is not really noticeable when using the Internet for email of other basic Internet services.
Broadband Internet access provides the computer user with a quicker way to enjoy the Internet. You don't have to tie up your home phone line anymore to check your email, and you don't have to be cut off from cyberspace if you have an incoming call. The speed of data transmission is vastly improved over dial-up Internet, which is a lot less frustrating when uploading or downloading large files. The best thing about broadband Internet access is that the cost for service is going down all the time, thanks to the competition of the various ISP's. By doing research, you can find the right type of broadband Internet access to fit your individual needs.
About The Author
Mark Woodcock is a director of 3 Internet Companies, is a published author and has written many articles on a widespread number of topics. All his articles may be reproduced provided that an active link is included to http://www.dsl-services-provider.com/.
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
One Of Many Broadband Options
Aol broadband is the only provider that gives you the choice of connecting to a high speed broadband package. The broadband connection is also available via cable modem. Home computers are connected to internet by a cable modem and in the process NTL´s cable network is used. Often one wonders if Aol broadband will affect the telephone service or not. The best thing about the connection is that one can be online and you can use the phone at the same time.
If you choose the Aol ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) product the Aol broadband in a Box Package will contain special filters that plugs in the normal phone socket to allow one to use the phone and be online at the same time. If you choose the broadband cable product there is no need of using filter on the telephone line since the broadband connection is delivered via cable modem and not the telephone line.
To get Aol Broadband Gold one needs to have either a BT phone line or be the inhabitant of NTL broadband enabled area. The Aol broadband access is subjected to local availability and capacity levels and the landlord´s permission.
However there are certain requirements needed for the PC. Windows 98 Second Edition Windows, Windows 2000, at least a Pentium 233MHz processor, at least 64MB system memory, a spare USB port for Aol broadband Gold or a spare Ethernet port for Aol broadband Platinum. If there are certain services like ISDN home highway it is not possible to get this broadband service. For the Aol broadband cable product none of these restrictions are present.
If you install this broadband via an existing BT phone line there is no need of permission as long as phone line is in your name. NTL engineers installs the cable modem if you choose the broadband cable product. Then Aol broadband software is installed and one can start to enjoy the broadband features and benefits. No connection fee is needed for the modem or router.
Payment is a monthly subscription fee due to access to Aol and internet via your broadband connection.
The Aol broadband Silver and Aol broadband Gold Box will contain a single broadband modem, three filters, CD that contains modem driver software plus your software, all cables that you need and certain easy step by step guide of how to install. Aol Platinum needs wireless contains router, three filters, a CD containing software, all cables that one needs and a guide of how to install.
About The Author Keith George always writes about valuable news & reviews. A related resource is http://more-aol-broadband.info/ Further information can be found at http://more-on-health.info.
If you choose the Aol ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) product the Aol broadband in a Box Package will contain special filters that plugs in the normal phone socket to allow one to use the phone and be online at the same time. If you choose the broadband cable product there is no need of using filter on the telephone line since the broadband connection is delivered via cable modem and not the telephone line.
To get Aol Broadband Gold one needs to have either a BT phone line or be the inhabitant of NTL broadband enabled area. The Aol broadband access is subjected to local availability and capacity levels and the landlord´s permission.
However there are certain requirements needed for the PC. Windows 98 Second Edition Windows, Windows 2000, at least a Pentium 233MHz processor, at least 64MB system memory, a spare USB port for Aol broadband Gold or a spare Ethernet port for Aol broadband Platinum. If there are certain services like ISDN home highway it is not possible to get this broadband service. For the Aol broadband cable product none of these restrictions are present.
If you install this broadband via an existing BT phone line there is no need of permission as long as phone line is in your name. NTL engineers installs the cable modem if you choose the broadband cable product. Then Aol broadband software is installed and one can start to enjoy the broadband features and benefits. No connection fee is needed for the modem or router.
Payment is a monthly subscription fee due to access to Aol and internet via your broadband connection.
The Aol broadband Silver and Aol broadband Gold Box will contain a single broadband modem, three filters, CD that contains modem driver software plus your software, all cables that you need and certain easy step by step guide of how to install. Aol Platinum needs wireless contains router, three filters, a CD containing software, all cables that one needs and a guide of how to install.
About The Author Keith George always writes about valuable news & reviews. A related resource is http://more-aol-broadband.info/ Further information can be found at http://more-on-health.info.
Monday, 28 April 2008
Broadband Satellite Tv
Quite a few satellites orbit above the earths surface, over 50. These are spaced out two to three degrees apart. The satellites orbit at exactly the same speed and direction as the earth itself so that they remain in a fixed position above a particular area, which helps to make it easy for you to receive a signal.
Each satellite only covers around 1/3 of the world's surface, this is because it is the only area that is visible from the satellite's position. For certain broadband satellite tv to receive signals, what are known as "spot beams", are pointed directly down at certain times.
Massive multi national companies own the satellites used for brodband satellite tv. Newskies, Eutelsat, and Intelsat are three of these companies. Some national companies and regional operators are also available for you to subscribe to.
There are many features of a Broadband Satellite TV.
Internet service providers offer broadband satellite tv, these ISPs sell their services to consumers. Many of them provide free equipment to get you started and offer monthly subscriptions, each of which depends on the capacity you require (what channels).
When you subscribe to a broadband satellite TV provider, you will get a small satellite dish, which could be 60cm all the way through to 3.7m in diameter, and you'll get a receiver module, and a suitable transmit module. This equipment is vital to you being able to receive signals from the satellite broadband, and extracting data from your computer or network. If you have this equipment inside your home it can prepare your system for data transmission, whenever you click the mouse over the internet.
When you subscribe for broadband satellite tv, you will be paying for an amount of data, or a specific bit rate, such as 512k down. This means that when you download a file, the highest speed will be 512k bits. Most broadband satellite tv providers offer "shared bit rates", these will be limited or lower bit rates that offer a specified capacity that you will be sharing.
Its good to be aware that if you choose to use the sharing arrangements, you will be given a monthly upload and download limit. This is done to ensure that other users can block you from receiving broadcasts. The policies surrounding the 'fairness' can be complicated and will vary from one broadband satellite tv provider to the next.
If having limits puts you off, then you can subscribe with a CIR (continuous information rate) service that lets you upload and download unlimited data to your hearts content. Just expect a more expensive subscruption rate if you decide to go down this route, as they are generally used for commercial purposes, like internet cafes and other businesses that require large bit rates.
About The Author Andy Manifield is te owner of http://www.on-satellite-tv.com, THE best source for all the information you might require on the subject.
Each satellite only covers around 1/3 of the world's surface, this is because it is the only area that is visible from the satellite's position. For certain broadband satellite tv to receive signals, what are known as "spot beams", are pointed directly down at certain times.
Massive multi national companies own the satellites used for brodband satellite tv. Newskies, Eutelsat, and Intelsat are three of these companies. Some national companies and regional operators are also available for you to subscribe to.
There are many features of a Broadband Satellite TV.
Internet service providers offer broadband satellite tv, these ISPs sell their services to consumers. Many of them provide free equipment to get you started and offer monthly subscriptions, each of which depends on the capacity you require (what channels).
When you subscribe to a broadband satellite TV provider, you will get a small satellite dish, which could be 60cm all the way through to 3.7m in diameter, and you'll get a receiver module, and a suitable transmit module. This equipment is vital to you being able to receive signals from the satellite broadband, and extracting data from your computer or network. If you have this equipment inside your home it can prepare your system for data transmission, whenever you click the mouse over the internet.
When you subscribe for broadband satellite tv, you will be paying for an amount of data, or a specific bit rate, such as 512k down. This means that when you download a file, the highest speed will be 512k bits. Most broadband satellite tv providers offer "shared bit rates", these will be limited or lower bit rates that offer a specified capacity that you will be sharing.
Its good to be aware that if you choose to use the sharing arrangements, you will be given a monthly upload and download limit. This is done to ensure that other users can block you from receiving broadcasts. The policies surrounding the 'fairness' can be complicated and will vary from one broadband satellite tv provider to the next.
If having limits puts you off, then you can subscribe with a CIR (continuous information rate) service that lets you upload and download unlimited data to your hearts content. Just expect a more expensive subscruption rate if you decide to go down this route, as they are generally used for commercial purposes, like internet cafes and other businesses that require large bit rates.
About The Author Andy Manifield is te owner of http://www.on-satellite-tv.com, THE best source for all the information you might require on the subject.
Friday, 25 April 2008
The XBox 360, Not Just for Video Games
On November 22, 2005, Microsoft released the long awaited XBox 360, the next generation of its popular XBox gaming console. The XBox 360, however, goes farther than any game system that users are currently accustomed to. The XBox 360 is more like a fully functional, broadband connected entertainment gadget that appeals to gamers but is equipped to entertain the whole family.
Although smaller than the original XBox (The 360 weighs in at a mere 7.7 lbs), this version packs so many nifty features in a small package. If you also happen to own a HDTV, you will truly be able to appreciate the advanced graphics features and support for windscreen (16:9) format. Of course, the console will work on regular television as well, but the depth of the graphics will be particularly stunning on more advanced televisions. The XBOx 360 carries a ATI graphics processor and 10MB of embedded DRAM. This setup allows the XBox 360 to draw up to 500 million triangles per second for the ultimate in realistic graphics.The XBox 360 unit also has a 12x dual layer DVD Rom drive that serves the dual purpose of playing XBox games as well as ordinary DVDs. There is also additional support for surround sound audio for the ultimate home theater experience and realistic gaming.
For game save and other media storage, you can optionally purchase a 20GB external harddrive which also serves to make the XBox 360 backwards compatible with original XBox games.The XBox 360 goes well beyond the range of gaming and video with its built-in Ethernet port that allows users to connect via their broadband connection to XBox live (available in various flavors). XBox live will allow you to play live over the Internet, use voice and even video chat and, of course, purchase additional goodies for your XBOx. In addition to ethernet connectivity, you can optionally purchase wireless adapters that comply with the standard wireless 802.11 protocol for integration into your existing wireless network. For other data transfer tasks, such as uploading of your digital photos, digital home movies, and music, you can use the integrated USB 2.0 port.
With all of these features, it is a piece of cake to stream all of your digital files.As you can see, the XBox 360 offers a little something for everyone. Kids can enjoy the futuristic gaming capabilities (check game ratings for age appropriateness), and Mom and Dad can enjoy the file sharing, music and video streaming, and home theater features.
To find the best deals on the Xbox360, check out the XBox page at http://www.iwebshopping.org/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amber_Lowery
Although smaller than the original XBox (The 360 weighs in at a mere 7.7 lbs), this version packs so many nifty features in a small package. If you also happen to own a HDTV, you will truly be able to appreciate the advanced graphics features and support for windscreen (16:9) format. Of course, the console will work on regular television as well, but the depth of the graphics will be particularly stunning on more advanced televisions. The XBOx 360 carries a ATI graphics processor and 10MB of embedded DRAM. This setup allows the XBox 360 to draw up to 500 million triangles per second for the ultimate in realistic graphics.The XBox 360 unit also has a 12x dual layer DVD Rom drive that serves the dual purpose of playing XBox games as well as ordinary DVDs. There is also additional support for surround sound audio for the ultimate home theater experience and realistic gaming.
For game save and other media storage, you can optionally purchase a 20GB external harddrive which also serves to make the XBox 360 backwards compatible with original XBox games.The XBox 360 goes well beyond the range of gaming and video with its built-in Ethernet port that allows users to connect via their broadband connection to XBox live (available in various flavors). XBox live will allow you to play live over the Internet, use voice and even video chat and, of course, purchase additional goodies for your XBOx. In addition to ethernet connectivity, you can optionally purchase wireless adapters that comply with the standard wireless 802.11 protocol for integration into your existing wireless network. For other data transfer tasks, such as uploading of your digital photos, digital home movies, and music, you can use the integrated USB 2.0 port.
With all of these features, it is a piece of cake to stream all of your digital files.As you can see, the XBox 360 offers a little something for everyone. Kids can enjoy the futuristic gaming capabilities (check game ratings for age appropriateness), and Mom and Dad can enjoy the file sharing, music and video streaming, and home theater features.
To find the best deals on the Xbox360, check out the XBox page at http://www.iwebshopping.org/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amber_Lowery
Thursday, 24 April 2008
Strategy For Broadband Video on Demand
This paper was created for a venture capital company and subsequently used to target cable accessible markets in Germany. The paper has been parsed in this forum to separately cover Digital TV, Broadband Data, Video on Demand, Telephony, Interactive TV, Gaming and Collocation.VIDEO ON DEMANDVideo on demand viability depends upon two things,
1. Costs entailed
2. Compelling content
Offering VOD in the German market will take a different execution strategy and cost structure than is commonly used today. In the German market, much of the content which would be offered on Pay per View, is available for free over the airwaves. Also, infrastructure would need to be financed and built to allow VOD, which is not a common service currently in most cable systems. The two VOD dependencies go hand in hand. One cannot exist without the other, and each is the solution to the other.
1. Costs – The VOD architecture uses the existing upgraded (800MHZ) system and some parts of the Broadband Data network. Hence some costs can be amortized toward those services. VOD is in use already in some cable systems, although not in Germany. Through the use of COTS cable equipment architected to provide the capabilities planned for, the use of existing VOD equipment and architectures can be acquired and implemented comparatively economically. This means the R&D costs are non-existent, design costs are minimal and equipment manufacturing costs are spread across multiple cable operators. Individual equipment or systems costs can be shared by content partners, which is covered in point 2 below.
2. Compelling content – Compelling content must be identified. Easily content should solve a demand. The non-fluent German speaking population is poorly serviced currently by cable companies. VOD presents a strong opportunity to market to these communities in their own language, offering content wanted by these communities. An example would be offering German language and citizenship video, movies from their native countries, popular shows from their cultures, etc.. The individual cost should be kept as low as possible in order to compete with video and dvd rental outlets. My suggestion for acquiring content is to partner with the German firms which want access to the millions of cable customers. Non-German firms (ethnic) content should be sourced the same way current German content is sourced.German content providers should be sourced for content by signing short term multiyear contracts. The Content providers would market this service, and bid for the opportunity to provide content to our millions of customers. The money from the bids can be used to allay costs.
Sean DAniell is a internationally seasoned I.T. executive with highly effective technology and organizational management experience that increases profitability. Mr. DAniell has extensive experience in creating, managing and guiding thriving, successful startup and Fortune 500 technology departments. http://www.abilenegroup.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_DAniell
1. Costs entailed
2. Compelling content
Offering VOD in the German market will take a different execution strategy and cost structure than is commonly used today. In the German market, much of the content which would be offered on Pay per View, is available for free over the airwaves. Also, infrastructure would need to be financed and built to allow VOD, which is not a common service currently in most cable systems. The two VOD dependencies go hand in hand. One cannot exist without the other, and each is the solution to the other.
1. Costs – The VOD architecture uses the existing upgraded (800MHZ) system and some parts of the Broadband Data network. Hence some costs can be amortized toward those services. VOD is in use already in some cable systems, although not in Germany. Through the use of COTS cable equipment architected to provide the capabilities planned for, the use of existing VOD equipment and architectures can be acquired and implemented comparatively economically. This means the R&D costs are non-existent, design costs are minimal and equipment manufacturing costs are spread across multiple cable operators. Individual equipment or systems costs can be shared by content partners, which is covered in point 2 below.
2. Compelling content – Compelling content must be identified. Easily content should solve a demand. The non-fluent German speaking population is poorly serviced currently by cable companies. VOD presents a strong opportunity to market to these communities in their own language, offering content wanted by these communities. An example would be offering German language and citizenship video, movies from their native countries, popular shows from their cultures, etc.. The individual cost should be kept as low as possible in order to compete with video and dvd rental outlets. My suggestion for acquiring content is to partner with the German firms which want access to the millions of cable customers. Non-German firms (ethnic) content should be sourced the same way current German content is sourced.German content providers should be sourced for content by signing short term multiyear contracts. The Content providers would market this service, and bid for the opportunity to provide content to our millions of customers. The money from the bids can be used to allay costs.
Sean DAniell is a internationally seasoned I.T. executive with highly effective technology and organizational management experience that increases profitability. Mr. DAniell has extensive experience in creating, managing and guiding thriving, successful startup and Fortune 500 technology departments. http://www.abilenegroup.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_DAniell
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
High Speed VoIP - Facilitating Easy Phone Conversations
Have you ever felt like tearing your hair down while you are waiting for a file or a document to download? In such instances, the chances that you are using a dial-up connection having a low bandwidth is very high. Dial-up connections can be used to access the internet - albeit at low speeds. However, using the IP telephony solutions through a dial-up connection also comes with certain disadvantages.
The transfer of voice data through the low bandwidths of the dial-up networks is very slow. It can be said that the bandwidths of these connections are not optimum to support efficient data transmission. Consequently, a slowing down in the speed of data transfer is quite evident. A lot of congestion while making calls and a low standard in the quality of the calls is very much evident.High speed VoIP changes all that and for the better. There is no congestion while people are making long distance calls and that too at very affordable rates. The quality of the calls is quite impressive and users do not have to wait till eternity to hear the voices of their friends or colleagues at the other end. It can be said with a lot of conviction that high speed VoIP ensures easy and affordable phone conversations between people to and from different parts of the world. And the best part is that quite a few VoIP providers exist in the market that offer these solutions at industry leading costs.
As is somewhat evident from the name, in high-speed VoIP, voice and data are routed over high-speed broadband connections. It is not that voice data is traveling at very high speeds. What actually happens is that there is hassle-free transmission of the same, thanks to the "broad" bandwidths in the broadband connections. The flow of data is not impeded by congestion of any kind. The congestion, present with dial-up connections, becomes a thing of the past. This ensures very less time for the transmission of a particular among of data.
High speed VoIP can also be used for making pc-to-pc phone calls. The voice lag in such calls, which was present even a couple of years ago, is now unheard of. With high speed DSL or cable lines having replaced the dial-up connections of yesteryears, the end users of these high speed internet telephony solutions have every reason to enjoy. In such pc-to-pc phone calls, the person at the other end of the line could be using a traditional telephone. However, this would not in any way adversely affect the conversation.
To know more about this high speed technology, visit: VoIP offering enhanced quality VoIP Services.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristen_Kiya
The transfer of voice data through the low bandwidths of the dial-up networks is very slow. It can be said that the bandwidths of these connections are not optimum to support efficient data transmission. Consequently, a slowing down in the speed of data transfer is quite evident. A lot of congestion while making calls and a low standard in the quality of the calls is very much evident.High speed VoIP changes all that and for the better. There is no congestion while people are making long distance calls and that too at very affordable rates. The quality of the calls is quite impressive and users do not have to wait till eternity to hear the voices of their friends or colleagues at the other end. It can be said with a lot of conviction that high speed VoIP ensures easy and affordable phone conversations between people to and from different parts of the world. And the best part is that quite a few VoIP providers exist in the market that offer these solutions at industry leading costs.
As is somewhat evident from the name, in high-speed VoIP, voice and data are routed over high-speed broadband connections. It is not that voice data is traveling at very high speeds. What actually happens is that there is hassle-free transmission of the same, thanks to the "broad" bandwidths in the broadband connections. The flow of data is not impeded by congestion of any kind. The congestion, present with dial-up connections, becomes a thing of the past. This ensures very less time for the transmission of a particular among of data.
High speed VoIP can also be used for making pc-to-pc phone calls. The voice lag in such calls, which was present even a couple of years ago, is now unheard of. With high speed DSL or cable lines having replaced the dial-up connections of yesteryears, the end users of these high speed internet telephony solutions have every reason to enjoy. In such pc-to-pc phone calls, the person at the other end of the line could be using a traditional telephone. However, this would not in any way adversely affect the conversation.
To know more about this high speed technology, visit: VoIP offering enhanced quality VoIP Services.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristen_Kiya
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
The High Speed Saviour Of Rural Internet Reigns
If you live out in the country and you hate being stuck with plain old dial-up internet service, but cannot get DSL or cable service in your area because it is so far from town, the best solution available to you at the moment is satellite internet service.
This is classified as a type of broadband service and is kin to DSL and cable internet service, but the difference is that is requires no ground wiring to work. The satellite dish is mounted on the side or roof of the house and allows you to receive your internet almost the same way you would receive a satellite TV signal.
There are a few bad things about the old dial-up system that used to be the only way you could get online. The first is the fact that it used your phone line to connect to the internet. Not only is this inefficient, but you can neither place nor receive calls while the internet is connected.
If you try to dial a number with your phone while it is connected, it will typically disconnect itself because the signal was interrupted. Most people who have had dial-up have been in the middle of downloading something, whether it is a business-related file or a piece of music, and a relative in another part of the house disconnecting you by trying to use the phone.
No matter how many hours you had been downloading that single file, it was all lost the second your family member tried to make a phone call. After that, all you could do was start over from the beginning and hope no one else tried to dial a number.
For those of us who have a broadband internet service, those days are long gone. DSL uses the phone line, but separates the signals so that the phone and internet do not interfere with each other anymore.
Cable internet service is a whole other thing and you can typically subscribe to it through your cable TV provider. DSL is alright and cable internet is faster, but if you live too far outside of town to get either one, satellite internet service is the answer.It might be a little expensive to install unless you decide to opt for the payment plan by paying a higher monthly fee for a while, but if you require internet service for your business or just for leisure, this is the way for you to go.
DSL service will eventually be run through all phone lines, but this is quite some time away, depending on how far from populated areas you live.
Dror Klar is a writer and promoter of news, movie reviews and celebrity information. If you are in the market for DIRECTV or Dish Network
High Speed satellite Internet and TV He offers the Best Deals including New York High Speed Satellite Internet.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dror_Klar
This is classified as a type of broadband service and is kin to DSL and cable internet service, but the difference is that is requires no ground wiring to work. The satellite dish is mounted on the side or roof of the house and allows you to receive your internet almost the same way you would receive a satellite TV signal.
There are a few bad things about the old dial-up system that used to be the only way you could get online. The first is the fact that it used your phone line to connect to the internet. Not only is this inefficient, but you can neither place nor receive calls while the internet is connected.
If you try to dial a number with your phone while it is connected, it will typically disconnect itself because the signal was interrupted. Most people who have had dial-up have been in the middle of downloading something, whether it is a business-related file or a piece of music, and a relative in another part of the house disconnecting you by trying to use the phone.
No matter how many hours you had been downloading that single file, it was all lost the second your family member tried to make a phone call. After that, all you could do was start over from the beginning and hope no one else tried to dial a number.
For those of us who have a broadband internet service, those days are long gone. DSL uses the phone line, but separates the signals so that the phone and internet do not interfere with each other anymore.
Cable internet service is a whole other thing and you can typically subscribe to it through your cable TV provider. DSL is alright and cable internet is faster, but if you live too far outside of town to get either one, satellite internet service is the answer.It might be a little expensive to install unless you decide to opt for the payment plan by paying a higher monthly fee for a while, but if you require internet service for your business or just for leisure, this is the way for you to go.
DSL service will eventually be run through all phone lines, but this is quite some time away, depending on how far from populated areas you live.
Dror Klar is a writer and promoter of news, movie reviews and celebrity information. If you are in the market for DIRECTV or Dish Network
High Speed satellite Internet and TV He offers the Best Deals including New York High Speed Satellite Internet.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dror_Klar
Monday, 21 April 2008
Strategy For Cable Broadband Data
This paper was created for a venture capital company and subsequently used to target cable accessible markets in Germany. The paper has been parsed in this forum to separately cover Digital TV, Broadband Data, Video on Demand, Telephony, Interactive TV, Gaming and Colocation.
BROADBAND DATA
Broadband Data, otherwise known as ISP, is currently dominated by DSL offered by DTAG. Substantial penetration and marketing hurdles are inherent in offering this service. Another consideration is that this service is offered "across the board" by DTAG, i.e. to residential and business consumers.We suggest pursuing Broadband Data consumers because of the competitive nature of the enterprise, and the constraints inherent in DTAG's position. DTAG's upside – Customer recognition, excellent DSL operations reputation, tie-in capabilities for telephone, mobile phones, etc. DTAG's downside – Size i.e. DTAG cannot make quick decisions or quickly respond to challenges, governmental constraints, high overhead, slow installation, price. DTAG's downsides make them a very vulnerable target, while their upsides can be overcome by establishing a great reputation by performance, offering Broadband Data as a package within the group of products the enterprise offers, and partnering with stellar companies which offer Broadband Data services as their core competency.The consumer ISP portion of this enterprise should be outsourced. Sourcing partners should be done by establishing x considerations.
1. Market reputation – Rather than taking the time to establish a reputation for excellence, quality and service, it would be much more economical to use existing companies which have already established brand recognition. This offsets DTAG's advantage in this area.
2. Quality of Service – Working with a company with a stellar "Quality of Service" lowers the probability of alienating potential customers, garnering adverse publicity, lowers the cost of doing business through the low percentage of rework and high percentage of successful implementation.
3. Scalability of Infrastructure – The company the enterprise partners with will need to be able to transparently (to the consumer and the enterprise) add millions of customers while offering an excellent experience. This will take an infrastructure design built to scale well when additional resources, forecasted and unforeseen, are needed.
4. Staying power – The companies selected must be financially sound and able to operate under increased workloads throughout the period of our contract. Having to convert customers from one ISP to another is guaranteed to adversely affect the reputation of the enterprise even though the enterprise is not operating the ISP. The ISP and the enterprise are considered one and the same in the customers eyes. In addition to this, the enterprise would face a financial hit, in some scenarios quite extreme. Sourcing financially sound companies has no downside.
5. Competitive bidding - The enterprise has a potential customer base of millions to offer ISPs. This is an extremely strong negotiating position for awarding bids. Competitive bids should be accepted for contracts of fixed length extendable for fixed lengths indefinitely. Through bidding the enterprise can realize some of the value of it's customer base, be "pre-financed" for some upgrades and help lower uncovered CAPEX expenditures.
6. Amount of control the enterprise will have with this partner – Control of the quality of customer experience, and technology interfaces is imperative to make this strategy succeed. Hence, responsiveness to the concerns and fiats of the enterprise is imperative. The customers serviced by the ISPs are owned by the enterprise, as such, the enterprise must be extremely proactive in projecting the image it wants the world to see, and extremely protective of it's reputation.
7. Geographic location – The ISPs selected must be easily accessible physically and datawise to the enterprise and it's customers, on a "best in market" level. This means that latency must be the lowest in market, bandwidth must not be a contraint, downtime cannot be allowed, the enterprise must be able to easily connect into the ISP infrastructure without occurring extraordinary costs. Performance provided must be better than anyone else in the applicable geographic area for the customer.
8. Amount of funds the partners are willing to invest in ISP infrastructure within the enterprise – As this is a partnership, the ISPs will be expected to assume some, if not all, of the cost of "plugging into" the enterprise. Also part of the costs entailed in making (upgrading) the enterprise infrastructure to carry data should be amotized and charged to the ISP partners.
9. SLA's and guarantees – This should be outlined in the RFP or RFB (Request for Proposal or Request for Bid). The ISPs must go into bidding knowing that the enterprise will allow 0 maintenance downtime, expects 99.999% uptime, latency from consumer computer to ISP external router of no more than 15 ms, will be mandated to work with gaming networks using common ldap, certain protocols (e.g. tcp/ip, mpls, QOS, etc.) are a necessity. Quarantees entail strong penalties for not meeting standards. Penalties run the gamut from financial up to and through summary termination of contract.
10. Technology (ability to interface with enterprise) – Technologies used by the ISPs must "play nice" with the systems deployed in the enterprise. Interfaces should be common and non-proprietary. In short, the ISP needs to be able to "plug-in" to the enterprise, and in the unfortunate event of ISP insolvency, contract breach, etc, must be able to "unplug" from the enterprise. This should be transparent if possible.With the proliferation of ISPs, the enterprise has no need to invest in systems, manpower, training, skills, infrastructure, marketing, installation, etc. to offer Broadband Data services. Email addresses must be of the enterprise domain, as opposed to the domain of the ISP. The ISPs would individually market this service.
Sean DAniell is a internationally seasoned I.T. executive with highly effective technology and organizational management experience that increases profitability. Mr. DAniell has extensive experience in creating, managing and guiding thriving, successful startup and Fortune 500 technology departments. http://www.abilenegroup.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_DAniell
BROADBAND DATA
Broadband Data, otherwise known as ISP, is currently dominated by DSL offered by DTAG. Substantial penetration and marketing hurdles are inherent in offering this service. Another consideration is that this service is offered "across the board" by DTAG, i.e. to residential and business consumers.We suggest pursuing Broadband Data consumers because of the competitive nature of the enterprise, and the constraints inherent in DTAG's position. DTAG's upside – Customer recognition, excellent DSL operations reputation, tie-in capabilities for telephone, mobile phones, etc. DTAG's downside – Size i.e. DTAG cannot make quick decisions or quickly respond to challenges, governmental constraints, high overhead, slow installation, price. DTAG's downsides make them a very vulnerable target, while their upsides can be overcome by establishing a great reputation by performance, offering Broadband Data as a package within the group of products the enterprise offers, and partnering with stellar companies which offer Broadband Data services as their core competency.The consumer ISP portion of this enterprise should be outsourced. Sourcing partners should be done by establishing x considerations.
1. Market reputation – Rather than taking the time to establish a reputation for excellence, quality and service, it would be much more economical to use existing companies which have already established brand recognition. This offsets DTAG's advantage in this area.
2. Quality of Service – Working with a company with a stellar "Quality of Service" lowers the probability of alienating potential customers, garnering adverse publicity, lowers the cost of doing business through the low percentage of rework and high percentage of successful implementation.
3. Scalability of Infrastructure – The company the enterprise partners with will need to be able to transparently (to the consumer and the enterprise) add millions of customers while offering an excellent experience. This will take an infrastructure design built to scale well when additional resources, forecasted and unforeseen, are needed.
4. Staying power – The companies selected must be financially sound and able to operate under increased workloads throughout the period of our contract. Having to convert customers from one ISP to another is guaranteed to adversely affect the reputation of the enterprise even though the enterprise is not operating the ISP. The ISP and the enterprise are considered one and the same in the customers eyes. In addition to this, the enterprise would face a financial hit, in some scenarios quite extreme. Sourcing financially sound companies has no downside.
5. Competitive bidding - The enterprise has a potential customer base of millions to offer ISPs. This is an extremely strong negotiating position for awarding bids. Competitive bids should be accepted for contracts of fixed length extendable for fixed lengths indefinitely. Through bidding the enterprise can realize some of the value of it's customer base, be "pre-financed" for some upgrades and help lower uncovered CAPEX expenditures.
6. Amount of control the enterprise will have with this partner – Control of the quality of customer experience, and technology interfaces is imperative to make this strategy succeed. Hence, responsiveness to the concerns and fiats of the enterprise is imperative. The customers serviced by the ISPs are owned by the enterprise, as such, the enterprise must be extremely proactive in projecting the image it wants the world to see, and extremely protective of it's reputation.
7. Geographic location – The ISPs selected must be easily accessible physically and datawise to the enterprise and it's customers, on a "best in market" level. This means that latency must be the lowest in market, bandwidth must not be a contraint, downtime cannot be allowed, the enterprise must be able to easily connect into the ISP infrastructure without occurring extraordinary costs. Performance provided must be better than anyone else in the applicable geographic area for the customer.
8. Amount of funds the partners are willing to invest in ISP infrastructure within the enterprise – As this is a partnership, the ISPs will be expected to assume some, if not all, of the cost of "plugging into" the enterprise. Also part of the costs entailed in making (upgrading) the enterprise infrastructure to carry data should be amotized and charged to the ISP partners.
9. SLA's and guarantees – This should be outlined in the RFP or RFB (Request for Proposal or Request for Bid). The ISPs must go into bidding knowing that the enterprise will allow 0 maintenance downtime, expects 99.999% uptime, latency from consumer computer to ISP external router of no more than 15 ms, will be mandated to work with gaming networks using common ldap, certain protocols (e.g. tcp/ip, mpls, QOS, etc.) are a necessity. Quarantees entail strong penalties for not meeting standards. Penalties run the gamut from financial up to and through summary termination of contract.
10. Technology (ability to interface with enterprise) – Technologies used by the ISPs must "play nice" with the systems deployed in the enterprise. Interfaces should be common and non-proprietary. In short, the ISP needs to be able to "plug-in" to the enterprise, and in the unfortunate event of ISP insolvency, contract breach, etc, must be able to "unplug" from the enterprise. This should be transparent if possible.With the proliferation of ISPs, the enterprise has no need to invest in systems, manpower, training, skills, infrastructure, marketing, installation, etc. to offer Broadband Data services. Email addresses must be of the enterprise domain, as opposed to the domain of the ISP. The ISPs would individually market this service.
Sean DAniell is a internationally seasoned I.T. executive with highly effective technology and organizational management experience that increases profitability. Mr. DAniell has extensive experience in creating, managing and guiding thriving, successful startup and Fortune 500 technology departments. http://www.abilenegroup.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_DAniell
Friday, 18 April 2008
Cable Vs. DSL - Which is Better?
As broadband Internet becomes more mainstream, one of the most common questions we get is: which is better, cable or dsl?
The answer to that question is not so definite. Many factors come into play when deciding which high-speed connection to choose. Regardless of which you choose (DSL, Cable, or even Satellite) it’s going to be a ton better (and faster) than that ancient dialup modem you’ve been using. Not to mention, your Internet experience will be much more enjoyable.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
Just like your existing dialup modem, DSL uses your existing copper wire phone line to deliver data at high speed. To qualify for DSL, you need the following:
- a phone line
- a DSL modem (which normally comes with the service)
- an Ethernet card or an available USB port ( most DSL modems allow both connections, but Ethernet is recommended).
- a phone company (ISP) that is offering DSL service (e.g., Verizon)
One important factor that will influence your DSL connection is the distance between your home or office and the phone company’s central office. The farther away you are from the central office, the signal becomes weaker, thus a slower connection. With that said, DSL is not as available widespread compared to cable. You’ll need to contact your local phone provider to check availability.
Speed wise, depending on the package you choose, DSL can range from 128 kbps to 3 Mbps. Generally, the faster your connection the more expensive your service will be. You can expect to pay around $25-$30 a month for a 768 kbps connection, which is roughly 13 times faster than a 56k dialup modem.
::Pros::- Relatively cheaper than cable- Dedicated line, so speeds are almost guaranteed- You can talk on the phone at the same time while surfing the net
::Cons::- Slower speeds compared to cable- Speeds drop the farther away your home/office is from the central office- Not available in all areas
Cable Internet
Cable Internet gets our recommendation. Cable, which you can probably already tell, uses the coaxial cable that your television uses. To qualify for cable internet, you need the following:
- a cable modem ( which normally comes with the service)
- an Ethernet card or an available USB port (most cable modems allow both connections, but Ethernet is recommended)
- a cable company offering cable Internet (e.g., Adelphia)
Unlike DSL, cable Internet does not depend on the distance between your home or office and the central office. However, unlike DSL, cable connections are typically shared among your neighbors. Although, most cable companies provide pipelines with huge bandwidth that this rarely becomes an issue.
Speed wise, cable Internet typically ranges from 3 Mbps to 10 Mbps, up to 3-4 times faster than DSL. However, expect to pay more for the service - $40-$50 per month.
::Pros::- Faster speeds than DSL- More widespread than DSL- Distance does not affect speed
::Cons::- More expensive than DSL- Line is shared with other users
With all that said, you need to think about what type of user you are. If you are a heavy Internet user and downloader, you would highly benefit from a broadband connection. For the light users who use the Internet just to check emails, are probably better off with a dialup. However, if you are willing to splurge some cash on a broadband connection, then by all means, upgrade!
Mark Pascua is the webmaster of PersonalConfuser.net, a computer how-to and tips website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Pascua
The answer to that question is not so definite. Many factors come into play when deciding which high-speed connection to choose. Regardless of which you choose (DSL, Cable, or even Satellite) it’s going to be a ton better (and faster) than that ancient dialup modem you’ve been using. Not to mention, your Internet experience will be much more enjoyable.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
Just like your existing dialup modem, DSL uses your existing copper wire phone line to deliver data at high speed. To qualify for DSL, you need the following:
- a phone line
- a DSL modem (which normally comes with the service)
- an Ethernet card or an available USB port ( most DSL modems allow both connections, but Ethernet is recommended).
- a phone company (ISP) that is offering DSL service (e.g., Verizon)
One important factor that will influence your DSL connection is the distance between your home or office and the phone company’s central office. The farther away you are from the central office, the signal becomes weaker, thus a slower connection. With that said, DSL is not as available widespread compared to cable. You’ll need to contact your local phone provider to check availability.
Speed wise, depending on the package you choose, DSL can range from 128 kbps to 3 Mbps. Generally, the faster your connection the more expensive your service will be. You can expect to pay around $25-$30 a month for a 768 kbps connection, which is roughly 13 times faster than a 56k dialup modem.
::Pros::- Relatively cheaper than cable- Dedicated line, so speeds are almost guaranteed- You can talk on the phone at the same time while surfing the net
::Cons::- Slower speeds compared to cable- Speeds drop the farther away your home/office is from the central office- Not available in all areas
Cable Internet
Cable Internet gets our recommendation. Cable, which you can probably already tell, uses the coaxial cable that your television uses. To qualify for cable internet, you need the following:
- a cable modem ( which normally comes with the service)
- an Ethernet card or an available USB port (most cable modems allow both connections, but Ethernet is recommended)
- a cable company offering cable Internet (e.g., Adelphia)
Unlike DSL, cable Internet does not depend on the distance between your home or office and the central office. However, unlike DSL, cable connections are typically shared among your neighbors. Although, most cable companies provide pipelines with huge bandwidth that this rarely becomes an issue.
Speed wise, cable Internet typically ranges from 3 Mbps to 10 Mbps, up to 3-4 times faster than DSL. However, expect to pay more for the service - $40-$50 per month.
::Pros::- Faster speeds than DSL- More widespread than DSL- Distance does not affect speed
::Cons::- More expensive than DSL- Line is shared with other users
With all that said, you need to think about what type of user you are. If you are a heavy Internet user and downloader, you would highly benefit from a broadband connection. For the light users who use the Internet just to check emails, are probably better off with a dialup. However, if you are willing to splurge some cash on a broadband connection, then by all means, upgrade!
Mark Pascua is the webmaster of PersonalConfuser.net, a computer how-to and tips website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Pascua
Thursday, 17 April 2008
Broadband Internet Connection Over Existing Power Line!
This is the most exciting concept in broadband computer access since the onset of online computerization. Just think….to be able to plug in your computer in any existing electrical outlet in your home, office or even campground and have immediate connection to the net!
As in any new concept there are going to be pros and cons but in this case the pros far outweigh the cons which you will see as we discuss what is going on in this exciting field of communication.
• #1 You can plug your computer into any existing outlet anywhere you go as each outlet becomes a broadband outlet and you can access the net quickly and efficiently.
• #2 The power grid is already in place all over the world…no new satellite connections nor dial up procedures. No more waiting to have cable installed in your area.
• #3 BPL (Broadband over Power Lines) will be cost effective – running approximately $29.00 -$39.00 per month in comparison to the $49.00-$69.00 per month to access the internet with other provider methods.
This exciting new breakthrough technology is presently being tested in several cities across the US….in fact the Trump Place in New York City has hired Telkonet, a company that provides internet access via electrical wiring to provide its residents with internet access that’s as easy as plugging in their a toaster! This technology can enable an entire building to access the net by way of existing electrical outlets without having to install new wiring. BPL feeds a low-power radio signal over power lines. A BPL modem plugs into a regular low electric outlet, receives the radio signals from power lines and converts them into a digital internet connection.
There are several cities in the US now with complete citywide deployment of BPL, one of which is Manassas, VA. Currently, there are no fewer than 40 BPL deployments across the country in various stages of development in various stages of trials and commercial service. There are 50 utilities across the country looking into it. Google stated that this would help promote better access to the internet.
The biggest drawback to this technology has been an interference problem with ham/amateur radio operations. Ham radio operators fear this interference can threaten communication service in times of emergencies such as Katrina where they are providing information from their vehicles. Technology is working hard to overcome these difficulties.
As a matter of fact, NewsMax reports that now, with the second generation of hardware and software, the interference problem has been greatly mitigated. Furthermore, the FCC requires BPL providers to employ devices that can switch frequencies if they cause interference and that they can be shut down remotely. FCC commissioners also will be requiring a national database of BP installations for public safety agencies, amateur radio operators and others.
I personally find this exciting and am looking forward to the convenience of taking advantage of this technology! As we live in an age where we have this information available to us at our fingertips, following the progress of BPL and learning when they will make this available in our respective areas will be a fun challenge.
Patricia Felts.is a registered nurse who finds other technologies interesting as well as the medical field. I have an online business (bargains2you.net). Also (bargains2you.com) specializing in providing eclectic products to people with various interests.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patricia_Felts
As in any new concept there are going to be pros and cons but in this case the pros far outweigh the cons which you will see as we discuss what is going on in this exciting field of communication.
• #1 You can plug your computer into any existing outlet anywhere you go as each outlet becomes a broadband outlet and you can access the net quickly and efficiently.
• #2 The power grid is already in place all over the world…no new satellite connections nor dial up procedures. No more waiting to have cable installed in your area.
• #3 BPL (Broadband over Power Lines) will be cost effective – running approximately $29.00 -$39.00 per month in comparison to the $49.00-$69.00 per month to access the internet with other provider methods.
This exciting new breakthrough technology is presently being tested in several cities across the US….in fact the Trump Place in New York City has hired Telkonet, a company that provides internet access via electrical wiring to provide its residents with internet access that’s as easy as plugging in their a toaster! This technology can enable an entire building to access the net by way of existing electrical outlets without having to install new wiring. BPL feeds a low-power radio signal over power lines. A BPL modem plugs into a regular low electric outlet, receives the radio signals from power lines and converts them into a digital internet connection.
There are several cities in the US now with complete citywide deployment of BPL, one of which is Manassas, VA. Currently, there are no fewer than 40 BPL deployments across the country in various stages of development in various stages of trials and commercial service. There are 50 utilities across the country looking into it. Google stated that this would help promote better access to the internet.
The biggest drawback to this technology has been an interference problem with ham/amateur radio operations. Ham radio operators fear this interference can threaten communication service in times of emergencies such as Katrina where they are providing information from their vehicles. Technology is working hard to overcome these difficulties.
As a matter of fact, NewsMax reports that now, with the second generation of hardware and software, the interference problem has been greatly mitigated. Furthermore, the FCC requires BPL providers to employ devices that can switch frequencies if they cause interference and that they can be shut down remotely. FCC commissioners also will be requiring a national database of BP installations for public safety agencies, amateur radio operators and others.
I personally find this exciting and am looking forward to the convenience of taking advantage of this technology! As we live in an age where we have this information available to us at our fingertips, following the progress of BPL and learning when they will make this available in our respective areas will be a fun challenge.
Patricia Felts.is a registered nurse who finds other technologies interesting as well as the medical field. I have an online business (bargains2you.net). Also (bargains2you.com) specializing in providing eclectic products to people with various interests.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patricia_Felts
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
Is Cheap Broadband Really Worth It?
When it comes to choosing a new broadband package, price is not the only thing that should be considered. You also need to take into account exactly what you could be sacrificing in the name of cheap internet, or the extra benefits you could get for just a few pounds more. Here is a list of the most important things to think about.
Download limits
In a recent ICM survey, 71 per cent of you thought that there were no download limits on your broadband package, but because fair usage policies are often applied, 75 per cent of packages actually do have restrictions on how much data you can download.
Over the years, as the amount we all download has increased, ISPs have had to fork out more cash on new hardware to support our increasing habit. As this cost has trickled down to the customer, ISPs have begun to charge for downloading. Even if your broadband package claims to allow unlimited downloads, its fair usage policy means that you could still end up going over your “limit”.
There is no right answer to avoid paying for heavy downloads, but you should be realistic about how much you really do this and get an appropriate package that could save you lots of aggravation in the long run.
Protection and security
Buying packages from certain ISPs can also save money on essential PC security. It’s not just fact that you’re getting free Internet security that makes these packages so attractive; the software is automatically installed when your connection is set up, so if you’re less than confident with your PC, it’s one less thing to worry about.
Customer service
In light of the problems faced by Talk Talk, who according to Charles Dunstone, CEO of Carphone Warehouse, were “overwhelmed by demand”, it has become clear just how important broadband customer service is.
Whether you are experiencing service problems, have an old computer, or are just a technophobe, there are two things you should be taking into account here; the cost of calls, and the quality of the advice you receive.
In a poll by MORI, almost 80 per cent of British people said that they didn’t like getting through to foreign call centres. If you are one of these people, it might be worth checking out where your provider’s customer service centre is located. For example, BT and Tiscali have call centres in India, Toucan has theirs in Northern Ireland, AOL is UK based, and unfortunately, Talk Talk is just short of them.
While being understood is very important, especially with regard to broadband and the technicalities involved, don’t just assume that because a call centre is abroad, the service will be bad. Do your research; Madasafish has call centres in South Africa, but has won awards for service, and while AOL might appear expensive, they have a very good customer service reputation.
More importantly than where though, is how much. Make sure you know exactly how much you will be paying for your customer service calls and don’t forget to take into consideration how long you’re likely to be on hold for. If you’re having consistent problems with your ISP, keep your bills to record how much it has cost you to get the problem sorted. At one end of the scale, Orange charge 50p a minute for support, while AOL only charges 1.5p a minute.
Breaking up is hard to do
Many providers charge for breaking your contract early, even if you’re not satisfied with the service you’re receiving.
Always make sure that you do your research before making a commitment as some providers offer shorter contract terms, and some even claim to offer “no contract” broadband. But always make sure that you read the small print.
If it’s too late and you’ve already signed but are having problems with your service, you can always contact us to see if we can help. Or if you want cheap, reliable legal advice you could try the Which? Legal Service who provide a telephone service for £12.75 a quarter.
Hidden costs
While most ISPs will provide a free modem when you take up a contract, you might find yourself having to pay out for other costs, such as buying a wireless router or end up paying for the postage of your goods. For example, Pipex charges £7.50 to send you your modem.
Finally
Remember, it is not just about the price. Bear in mind exactly what you could be sacrificing for the sake of a few pounds a month – unlimited downloads, high connection speeds, PC protection, quality customer service and peace of mind.
While it can also be tempting to go for a bundle because you get cheap calls, or digital television, always be realistic and keep your needs in mind. If you are unlikely to use the extra services then it will just be a waste of money.
If you’re sure that you have accurately assessed your broadband needs – both in terms of usage and support, then you are more likely to get a package that’s right for you – but that isn’t necessarily the cheapest one.
For further information read our articles on cheap broadband, hidden costs of broadband and fair usage broadband.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Bergin
Download limits
In a recent ICM survey, 71 per cent of you thought that there were no download limits on your broadband package, but because fair usage policies are often applied, 75 per cent of packages actually do have restrictions on how much data you can download.
Over the years, as the amount we all download has increased, ISPs have had to fork out more cash on new hardware to support our increasing habit. As this cost has trickled down to the customer, ISPs have begun to charge for downloading. Even if your broadband package claims to allow unlimited downloads, its fair usage policy means that you could still end up going over your “limit”.
There is no right answer to avoid paying for heavy downloads, but you should be realistic about how much you really do this and get an appropriate package that could save you lots of aggravation in the long run.
Protection and security
Buying packages from certain ISPs can also save money on essential PC security. It’s not just fact that you’re getting free Internet security that makes these packages so attractive; the software is automatically installed when your connection is set up, so if you’re less than confident with your PC, it’s one less thing to worry about.
Customer service
In light of the problems faced by Talk Talk, who according to Charles Dunstone, CEO of Carphone Warehouse, were “overwhelmed by demand”, it has become clear just how important broadband customer service is.
Whether you are experiencing service problems, have an old computer, or are just a technophobe, there are two things you should be taking into account here; the cost of calls, and the quality of the advice you receive.
In a poll by MORI, almost 80 per cent of British people said that they didn’t like getting through to foreign call centres. If you are one of these people, it might be worth checking out where your provider’s customer service centre is located. For example, BT and Tiscali have call centres in India, Toucan has theirs in Northern Ireland, AOL is UK based, and unfortunately, Talk Talk is just short of them.
While being understood is very important, especially with regard to broadband and the technicalities involved, don’t just assume that because a call centre is abroad, the service will be bad. Do your research; Madasafish has call centres in South Africa, but has won awards for service, and while AOL might appear expensive, they have a very good customer service reputation.
More importantly than where though, is how much. Make sure you know exactly how much you will be paying for your customer service calls and don’t forget to take into consideration how long you’re likely to be on hold for. If you’re having consistent problems with your ISP, keep your bills to record how much it has cost you to get the problem sorted. At one end of the scale, Orange charge 50p a minute for support, while AOL only charges 1.5p a minute.
Breaking up is hard to do
Many providers charge for breaking your contract early, even if you’re not satisfied with the service you’re receiving.
Always make sure that you do your research before making a commitment as some providers offer shorter contract terms, and some even claim to offer “no contract” broadband. But always make sure that you read the small print.
If it’s too late and you’ve already signed but are having problems with your service, you can always contact us to see if we can help. Or if you want cheap, reliable legal advice you could try the Which? Legal Service who provide a telephone service for £12.75 a quarter.
Hidden costs
While most ISPs will provide a free modem when you take up a contract, you might find yourself having to pay out for other costs, such as buying a wireless router or end up paying for the postage of your goods. For example, Pipex charges £7.50 to send you your modem.
Finally
Remember, it is not just about the price. Bear in mind exactly what you could be sacrificing for the sake of a few pounds a month – unlimited downloads, high connection speeds, PC protection, quality customer service and peace of mind.
While it can also be tempting to go for a bundle because you get cheap calls, or digital television, always be realistic and keep your needs in mind. If you are unlikely to use the extra services then it will just be a waste of money.
If you’re sure that you have accurately assessed your broadband needs – both in terms of usage and support, then you are more likely to get a package that’s right for you – but that isn’t necessarily the cheapest one.
For further information read our articles on cheap broadband, hidden costs of broadband and fair usage broadband.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Bergin
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
VoIP Internet Phone Service Allows Snowbirds to Have Local Phone Service Wherever they Go
If you’re a snowbird, internet phone service could be the perfect thing for you. Because VoIP (voice over internet protocol, aka..Internet Phone Service) relies on a broadband internet connection and requires only a small device known as a VoIP adapter – internet phone service is extremely portable.
Many people live in cooler climates in the summer, and migrate to their warm southern winter homes when the weather turns cold. Having local telephone service in both winter and summer homes can be costly, as well as confusing for those who try to keep in touch with you. A cell phone is a great remedy for this, except for “out of state-ers” who have to make a long distance call to talk with you.
If you’re using broadband internet service anyway (which is easily turned “off” when you’ve moved away for the season), it makes good sense to subscribe to internet phone service and always have a local phone number no matter which home you are living in. To do this, all you need to do is choose a VoIP provider and subscribe to internet phone service. Get a local phone number (you can usually keep your existing number if you want) and enjoy unlimited local and long distance calling for between $17 - $25 per month – depending on which provider you choose.
When you’re ready to move to your seasonal home, add a second number to your plan. Because location doesn’t matter with internet phone service, you can ask for a number that is local to your second home. You will now have two separate phone numbers – one that is local to your summer home, and the other one local to your winter home. Both will ring on the same telephone, so you can answer both lines with the same equipment. Each will have separate voice mail boxes, which can be very handy.When you move to your seasonal home, take the VoIP adapter with you. Calls will go to voicemail while you are traveling, and you can call and check messages from any telephone. You can also set up call forwarding on both numbers while you are between homes, and forward all calls to your cell phone. This is very easy to do with online account management – a service that is free with all the best VoIP providers.
As soon as you have your broadband internet connection turned on in your second home, connect the VoIP adapter and your telephone and start making and receiving calls. Internet phone service gives you the unique ability to have multiple phone numbers (any area codes you need) as well as the ability to take your local phone service with you wherever you go. The only requirement is a broadband high-speed internet connection, which most people have anyway. When it’s time to move back to your first home, simply take the VoIP adapter and repeat the installation steps – it’s as simple as that!
One thing to remember with internet phone service is to keep your current address on file with the VoIP provider. This is necessary for 911 services. Because internet phone service is portable and uses the internet to transmit calls, the only way emergency services people can find you is through E-911 (enhanced 911). With E911, when you make a 911 emergency call, the address that you have on file with the VoIP provider is transmitted to the dispatcher. This address is also used to ensure that your 911 calls are routed to the closest dispatcher to your home. For snowbirds who live in more than one place depending on the season, it’s important to log on to the VoIP online account management and update your current address each time you move.
All VoIP service providers allow you to purchase an additional phone number for a small fee (usually around $6 a month). If you’re fortunate enough to live in an area where Sunrocket VoIP is available (they are expanding rapidly, so check back often if Sunrocket service is not yet available in your area), you can get a second number for only $3 a month with their unlimited annual calling plan. Just about every internet phone service provider includes the US and Canada in their unlimited local and long distance calling plans, so you Canadian snow birds can participate in this too!
With VoIP internet phone service, there is no need to have land line telephone service again. The quality of internet phone service is now just as good as traditional phone service as long as you have good, reliable broadband internet service. If you’re planning to use VoIP internet phone service as your one-and-only home phone service (millions do), be sure to choose a well-known, reputable VoIP provider to ensure you have quality service. Some internet phone service providers to consider are Sunrocket, Packet8, Vonage and AT&T CallVantage.
If you are interested in learning more about VoIP service, please visit: The Best VoIP Providers for the Money or or Internet Phone Service - The Future is Here!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Jacobsen
Many people live in cooler climates in the summer, and migrate to their warm southern winter homes when the weather turns cold. Having local telephone service in both winter and summer homes can be costly, as well as confusing for those who try to keep in touch with you. A cell phone is a great remedy for this, except for “out of state-ers” who have to make a long distance call to talk with you.
If you’re using broadband internet service anyway (which is easily turned “off” when you’ve moved away for the season), it makes good sense to subscribe to internet phone service and always have a local phone number no matter which home you are living in. To do this, all you need to do is choose a VoIP provider and subscribe to internet phone service. Get a local phone number (you can usually keep your existing number if you want) and enjoy unlimited local and long distance calling for between $17 - $25 per month – depending on which provider you choose.
When you’re ready to move to your seasonal home, add a second number to your plan. Because location doesn’t matter with internet phone service, you can ask for a number that is local to your second home. You will now have two separate phone numbers – one that is local to your summer home, and the other one local to your winter home. Both will ring on the same telephone, so you can answer both lines with the same equipment. Each will have separate voice mail boxes, which can be very handy.When you move to your seasonal home, take the VoIP adapter with you. Calls will go to voicemail while you are traveling, and you can call and check messages from any telephone. You can also set up call forwarding on both numbers while you are between homes, and forward all calls to your cell phone. This is very easy to do with online account management – a service that is free with all the best VoIP providers.
As soon as you have your broadband internet connection turned on in your second home, connect the VoIP adapter and your telephone and start making and receiving calls. Internet phone service gives you the unique ability to have multiple phone numbers (any area codes you need) as well as the ability to take your local phone service with you wherever you go. The only requirement is a broadband high-speed internet connection, which most people have anyway. When it’s time to move back to your first home, simply take the VoIP adapter and repeat the installation steps – it’s as simple as that!
One thing to remember with internet phone service is to keep your current address on file with the VoIP provider. This is necessary for 911 services. Because internet phone service is portable and uses the internet to transmit calls, the only way emergency services people can find you is through E-911 (enhanced 911). With E911, when you make a 911 emergency call, the address that you have on file with the VoIP provider is transmitted to the dispatcher. This address is also used to ensure that your 911 calls are routed to the closest dispatcher to your home. For snowbirds who live in more than one place depending on the season, it’s important to log on to the VoIP online account management and update your current address each time you move.
All VoIP service providers allow you to purchase an additional phone number for a small fee (usually around $6 a month). If you’re fortunate enough to live in an area where Sunrocket VoIP is available (they are expanding rapidly, so check back often if Sunrocket service is not yet available in your area), you can get a second number for only $3 a month with their unlimited annual calling plan. Just about every internet phone service provider includes the US and Canada in their unlimited local and long distance calling plans, so you Canadian snow birds can participate in this too!
With VoIP internet phone service, there is no need to have land line telephone service again. The quality of internet phone service is now just as good as traditional phone service as long as you have good, reliable broadband internet service. If you’re planning to use VoIP internet phone service as your one-and-only home phone service (millions do), be sure to choose a well-known, reputable VoIP provider to ensure you have quality service. Some internet phone service providers to consider are Sunrocket, Packet8, Vonage and AT&T CallVantage.
If you are interested in learning more about VoIP service, please visit: The Best VoIP Providers for the Money or or Internet Phone Service - The Future is Here!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Jacobsen
Monday, 14 April 2008
Getting Started With VoIP
VoIP is otherwise called as Voice over Internet Protocol. This is a way in which a technology to make phone calls over the internet is used, to give inexpensive and better sounding options, while in calls. This is possible with the help of a fast internet connection, like a broadband connection. It is possible to call anyone in the world, with the help of a VoIP, whether they have a VoIP or even an internet connection. It is just that making a call between VoIP means the call is almost always free.
For setting up a VoIP connection, there are few hardware essentials that are required to make calls. One of the main things required is such a phone. This is usually provided by the provider and has to be connected to the broadband router or the network. Also the service providers' configuration has to be done as well, on the phone.
The next thing required is the Adaptor. This is useful if the phone used is a simple analogue one. The phone has to be connected to the adaptor, and the configurations have to be done in this adaptor. The third thing required is a router. This is used to give access to the internet for a range of devices. Routers could be both wired and wireless as well, as per the needs and necessities. A router that is compatible can also be used as an adapter, and a separate adapter is not required. A soft phone is the next thing required. This is nothing but a software-based phone that works through the PC and makes use of the internet connection to make a call. This is compatible to be used with a PC headset or a USB phone.
Setting up the VoIP phone is the next thing to be considered. There are a few steps involved in doing this. The first thing is to connect the USB phone or the phone to the PC or the network. This is done by registering for a connection. Upon registration, an Id and password is provided. Then the set up instructions that are provided by the specific providers are to be read and done accordingly.
VoIP has been a very useful and a simple way to make calls, even to other countries, in a cost effective way. Providers also give away free calls to the subscribers which make it a very useful and effective way to communicate, thus making the world a small place to communicate!
You can know more about VOIP Terminologies, technical parts of voip at VOIP Provider website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victor_Thomas
For setting up a VoIP connection, there are few hardware essentials that are required to make calls. One of the main things required is such a phone. This is usually provided by the provider and has to be connected to the broadband router or the network. Also the service providers' configuration has to be done as well, on the phone.
The next thing required is the Adaptor. This is useful if the phone used is a simple analogue one. The phone has to be connected to the adaptor, and the configurations have to be done in this adaptor. The third thing required is a router. This is used to give access to the internet for a range of devices. Routers could be both wired and wireless as well, as per the needs and necessities. A router that is compatible can also be used as an adapter, and a separate adapter is not required. A soft phone is the next thing required. This is nothing but a software-based phone that works through the PC and makes use of the internet connection to make a call. This is compatible to be used with a PC headset or a USB phone.
Setting up the VoIP phone is the next thing to be considered. There are a few steps involved in doing this. The first thing is to connect the USB phone or the phone to the PC or the network. This is done by registering for a connection. Upon registration, an Id and password is provided. Then the set up instructions that are provided by the specific providers are to be read and done accordingly.
VoIP has been a very useful and a simple way to make calls, even to other countries, in a cost effective way. Providers also give away free calls to the subscribers which make it a very useful and effective way to communicate, thus making the world a small place to communicate!
You can know more about VOIP Terminologies, technical parts of voip at VOIP Provider website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victor_Thomas
Friday, 11 April 2008
What Does The Future Hold For VoIP?
It seems that nothing can stop the rise and rise of Internet telephony. Driven by ever cheaper and faster broadband, VoIP has become one of the fastest-growing applications on the Internet. But apart from cheap calls, there are other factors which have contributed to this success story.
There is clearly a trend toward more innovative and more mobile services and this looks likely to ensure that demand for VoIP continues to grow. It is estimated that there are already around four million VoIP users in the UK, excluding business subscriptions.
Industry insiders point to the emergence of ADSL broadband connections that do not require line rental for a conventional phone line (naked ADSL), and number portability between conventional and IP phone services as the two key developments that will bring raise the profile of VoIP to new heights.
In fact such has been the impact of VoIP that some have suggested that it may not be long before users can dispense with their traditional landline telephones completely.Taking a more pragmatic view, there are issues that will need to be addressed before that can happen. In the UK, VoIP providers like Vonage or VoIPTalk will have to look closely at both security and ease of use, as well as continue to deliver a convenient and financially attractive service. They certainly offer cheap calls now but, what else do they need to do to ensure a bright future for VoIP?
As the Internet is a vast public network the VoIP traffic is no more immune from attack than any other data. Security is a concern for many users, particularly in the business community and the means to increase protection for users would be a welcome step in securing the long-term future of VoIP.
The ease of use issue may not remain an obstacle to progress now that handsets that work on mobile networks and, via WiFi or Bluetooth links, over VoIP are now appearing in the shops. This raises the prospect of using low-cost VoIP services at home, in the office or at a WiFi hotspot, but still retaining the flexibility of mobile coverage when out and about.Some VoIP providers are now selling these handsets, and have set up joint arrangements with wireless hotspots so that their subscribers can make and receive calls in public places, without the need for a computer.
Expect to see some of the restrictions of such handsets i.e. difficulties in hotspots that use web pages for authentication to be addressed very soon.
The advance of newer networking technologies will further reduce the gap between fixed, mobile and VoIP services. Wireless broadband services, in particular WiMax, could create city-wide wireless hotspots, making it possible to make mobile VoIP calls in much wider areas.
All this bodes well for Internet telephony and it seems that there are some exciting times ahead for the users of VoIP as the market and the technology matures.Patrick Finnemore is a specialist in telecommunications and VoIP. He has helped many companies and business to set up VoIP based telephony. He is also the man behind http://www.voipmadeeasy.co.uk/ a site dedicated to promote the use of VoIP services in the UK
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patrick_Finnemore
There is clearly a trend toward more innovative and more mobile services and this looks likely to ensure that demand for VoIP continues to grow. It is estimated that there are already around four million VoIP users in the UK, excluding business subscriptions.
Industry insiders point to the emergence of ADSL broadband connections that do not require line rental for a conventional phone line (naked ADSL), and number portability between conventional and IP phone services as the two key developments that will bring raise the profile of VoIP to new heights.
In fact such has been the impact of VoIP that some have suggested that it may not be long before users can dispense with their traditional landline telephones completely.Taking a more pragmatic view, there are issues that will need to be addressed before that can happen. In the UK, VoIP providers like Vonage or VoIPTalk will have to look closely at both security and ease of use, as well as continue to deliver a convenient and financially attractive service. They certainly offer cheap calls now but, what else do they need to do to ensure a bright future for VoIP?
As the Internet is a vast public network the VoIP traffic is no more immune from attack than any other data. Security is a concern for many users, particularly in the business community and the means to increase protection for users would be a welcome step in securing the long-term future of VoIP.
The ease of use issue may not remain an obstacle to progress now that handsets that work on mobile networks and, via WiFi or Bluetooth links, over VoIP are now appearing in the shops. This raises the prospect of using low-cost VoIP services at home, in the office or at a WiFi hotspot, but still retaining the flexibility of mobile coverage when out and about.Some VoIP providers are now selling these handsets, and have set up joint arrangements with wireless hotspots so that their subscribers can make and receive calls in public places, without the need for a computer.
Expect to see some of the restrictions of such handsets i.e. difficulties in hotspots that use web pages for authentication to be addressed very soon.
The advance of newer networking technologies will further reduce the gap between fixed, mobile and VoIP services. Wireless broadband services, in particular WiMax, could create city-wide wireless hotspots, making it possible to make mobile VoIP calls in much wider areas.
All this bodes well for Internet telephony and it seems that there are some exciting times ahead for the users of VoIP as the market and the technology matures.Patrick Finnemore is a specialist in telecommunications and VoIP. He has helped many companies and business to set up VoIP based telephony. He is also the man behind http://www.voipmadeeasy.co.uk/ a site dedicated to promote the use of VoIP services in the UK
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patrick_Finnemore
Thursday, 10 April 2008
How to Protect your Wireless Network
Having a home wireless network means that you can say goodbye to ethernet cables forever and turn every room into your office. But if you don’t have the right security half your neighbours could end up poaching your broadband.
Protecting your network is essential if you want to keep your broadband fast, private and hacker-free.
There are a few ways to protect yourself and there are also different levels of security, from basic to the more advanced. But once these settings have been saved you will be safe and secure and ready to log on wherever you are.
Wireless encryption
To protect yourself from hackers you need to set up a WEP or WPA Personal (WPA-PSK) key.
WEP is a simple 64 or 128Bit encryption but offers limited security and is relatively easy to break
WPA-PSK, in the forms of WPA-TKIP which offers better security and is backwards compatible with older routers and USB keys, and WPA2-AES which offers the best security and better wireless performance but which is not compatible with all older hardware
You can set up your encryption key when setting up your wireless router, and there should be an explanation of how to do so in your instruction manual.
Internet security
In addition to having an encryption key, you also need to install a few other things:
A firewall
Anti-virus software
Anti-spyware software
Anti-phishing software
You also need to ensure that any software that you have installed is always up-to-date. Hackers are continually updating their methods and developing new viruses so make sure that you regularly run live updates on the internet to make sure that your version of windows and your anti-virus software is also up-to-date.
Name your wireless
Giving your wireless signal a name, or a service set identifier (SSID), is an easy way of identifying it and can be set at the time of installation. Doing this will also allow you to enhance your security settings using wireless isolation.
Wireless isolation
This is a way of hiding your wireless network so that other people cannot “see you”, making your network more private. Once you have set your SSID then you can change the settings on your router to isolate your wireless, making you “invisible”.
Access lists
Access lists give an added level of security to your network. As well as having to have the password for your network, any user’s computers would also have to be on the access list. They would be identified by the computer’s MAC code (like a fixed address) via the router.
Now that you have set your security, you can rest assured that no one else is using your broadband or hacking into your files.
To find out more about wireless broadband visit BroadbandChoices.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Bergin
Protecting your network is essential if you want to keep your broadband fast, private and hacker-free.
There are a few ways to protect yourself and there are also different levels of security, from basic to the more advanced. But once these settings have been saved you will be safe and secure and ready to log on wherever you are.
Wireless encryption
To protect yourself from hackers you need to set up a WEP or WPA Personal (WPA-PSK) key.
WEP is a simple 64 or 128Bit encryption but offers limited security and is relatively easy to break
WPA-PSK, in the forms of WPA-TKIP which offers better security and is backwards compatible with older routers and USB keys, and WPA2-AES which offers the best security and better wireless performance but which is not compatible with all older hardware
You can set up your encryption key when setting up your wireless router, and there should be an explanation of how to do so in your instruction manual.
Internet security
In addition to having an encryption key, you also need to install a few other things:
A firewall
Anti-virus software
Anti-spyware software
Anti-phishing software
You also need to ensure that any software that you have installed is always up-to-date. Hackers are continually updating their methods and developing new viruses so make sure that you regularly run live updates on the internet to make sure that your version of windows and your anti-virus software is also up-to-date.
Name your wireless
Giving your wireless signal a name, or a service set identifier (SSID), is an easy way of identifying it and can be set at the time of installation. Doing this will also allow you to enhance your security settings using wireless isolation.
Wireless isolation
This is a way of hiding your wireless network so that other people cannot “see you”, making your network more private. Once you have set your SSID then you can change the settings on your router to isolate your wireless, making you “invisible”.
Access lists
Access lists give an added level of security to your network. As well as having to have the password for your network, any user’s computers would also have to be on the access list. They would be identified by the computer’s MAC code (like a fixed address) via the router.
Now that you have set your security, you can rest assured that no one else is using your broadband or hacking into your files.
To find out more about wireless broadband visit BroadbandChoices.co.uk
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Bergin
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Why is my Residential Broadband Slow?
This is an often-asked question that can have many answers. I'll try to touch on a few more common things to check when your broadband slows down. (Keep in mind it could be your 'computer' that is slowing down and 'not' your broadband connection)
The first thing would be to run an online speed test. This helps to get a general idea of the current speed of your internet connection. It's only an approximate, but certainly ok for a starting point. To find a broadband speed test utility, you can perform a google search with a search string of 'broadband speed test'. This should pull back a number of options for you.
Another way is to visit our web site and check the utilities section. We've gathered up a few different links to a few different speed tests. This way you can run a few different tests and compare your results. When you execute these tests, your browser should be the only thing running on your computer. Close down any games, email clients, etc. you may have running.
Ok, the next thing to keep in mind is the type of broadband access you're using. If your using DSL, then the further away you are from the telephone company central office, the weaker your signal will be. If you're using cable internet access you're sharing your connection with others in your neighborhood using the same cable internet access. These are a couple of things that, unfortunately for residential users you have no control over. But let's get to some things you do have control over.
First up spyware. These are the nasty little ('almost' invisible) programs that find their way onto your computer. Some malicious, some not, but in either case they take resources away from your computer. Resources are things like your CPU (processor), memory, hard disk space, etc. You can be proactive here. We recommend using Spybot. This is a free utility you can install and execute on your computer. Its job is to hunt down and destroy these resource hogs. Again, do you google search using 'Spybot' as your search term.
Viruses are another problem. You should 'always' keep your virus protection software running and up to date. These are usually configurable for auto-update capabilities. It is imperative you keep this running so it can protect you from malicious computer virus attacks. A slow computer is one thing; a computer that crashes is completely different.
If you tend to install and uninstall many programs, there is the chance that your computers hard drive is fragmented. Simply, the hard drive needs to search more when trying to piece together a file, etc. Hard drives do not store information sequentially. A file can be stored at many different locations throughout your hard drive and your computer works harder to find and put together the file you're accessing. For windows users, you can click the start button (lower left corner) then select Accessories, then select System Tools. In this program grouping, you will find a utility called Disk Defragmenter. Running this utility will tell you whether or not you even need to de-fragment your hard drive or not and if you do, there is a button to click to begin the process.
Before you get to worried or geek out to much, check your current broadband speed, clean up any spyware, protect yourself from viruses, clean any viruses found and check your disk space and fragmentation level to determine whether or not you need to de-fragment your hard drive.
These are just a few things that you can check. We've left out things like memory capacity, firewalls, proxies and modems.Our intent was not to discuss each possibility, as there are many. Our intent was to point out a few basic things you could do yourself today.
If you see that your broadband connection itself is the culprit due to bad speed tests, contact your internet service provider (ISP).If your broadband connection speed is fine, chances are the problem is with your computer. Follow the steps outlined above and test again.
If the problem persists you may need to upgrade your computer. However, before I would upgrade anything, I would first attempt to get more information from the internet, friends, family or someone knowledgeable to diagnosis the issue further. Running out and buying new equipment is fine if you can afford that. I think it's better to identify the problem first. After all, it may be something easily fixed. Better yet, once you understand what it was and how it happened, it may be something you can guard against the next time.
This article provided by Try Right Technology, Inc. Visit us at http://www.trightrates.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Weaver
The first thing would be to run an online speed test. This helps to get a general idea of the current speed of your internet connection. It's only an approximate, but certainly ok for a starting point. To find a broadband speed test utility, you can perform a google search with a search string of 'broadband speed test'. This should pull back a number of options for you.
Another way is to visit our web site and check the utilities section. We've gathered up a few different links to a few different speed tests. This way you can run a few different tests and compare your results. When you execute these tests, your browser should be the only thing running on your computer. Close down any games, email clients, etc. you may have running.
Ok, the next thing to keep in mind is the type of broadband access you're using. If your using DSL, then the further away you are from the telephone company central office, the weaker your signal will be. If you're using cable internet access you're sharing your connection with others in your neighborhood using the same cable internet access. These are a couple of things that, unfortunately for residential users you have no control over. But let's get to some things you do have control over.
First up spyware. These are the nasty little ('almost' invisible) programs that find their way onto your computer. Some malicious, some not, but in either case they take resources away from your computer. Resources are things like your CPU (processor), memory, hard disk space, etc. You can be proactive here. We recommend using Spybot. This is a free utility you can install and execute on your computer. Its job is to hunt down and destroy these resource hogs. Again, do you google search using 'Spybot' as your search term.
Viruses are another problem. You should 'always' keep your virus protection software running and up to date. These are usually configurable for auto-update capabilities. It is imperative you keep this running so it can protect you from malicious computer virus attacks. A slow computer is one thing; a computer that crashes is completely different.
If you tend to install and uninstall many programs, there is the chance that your computers hard drive is fragmented. Simply, the hard drive needs to search more when trying to piece together a file, etc. Hard drives do not store information sequentially. A file can be stored at many different locations throughout your hard drive and your computer works harder to find and put together the file you're accessing. For windows users, you can click the start button (lower left corner) then select Accessories, then select System Tools. In this program grouping, you will find a utility called Disk Defragmenter. Running this utility will tell you whether or not you even need to de-fragment your hard drive or not and if you do, there is a button to click to begin the process.
Before you get to worried or geek out to much, check your current broadband speed, clean up any spyware, protect yourself from viruses, clean any viruses found and check your disk space and fragmentation level to determine whether or not you need to de-fragment your hard drive.
These are just a few things that you can check. We've left out things like memory capacity, firewalls, proxies and modems.Our intent was not to discuss each possibility, as there are many. Our intent was to point out a few basic things you could do yourself today.
If you see that your broadband connection itself is the culprit due to bad speed tests, contact your internet service provider (ISP).If your broadband connection speed is fine, chances are the problem is with your computer. Follow the steps outlined above and test again.
If the problem persists you may need to upgrade your computer. However, before I would upgrade anything, I would first attempt to get more information from the internet, friends, family or someone knowledgeable to diagnosis the issue further. Running out and buying new equipment is fine if you can afford that. I think it's better to identify the problem first. After all, it may be something easily fixed. Better yet, once you understand what it was and how it happened, it may be something you can guard against the next time.
This article provided by Try Right Technology, Inc. Visit us at http://www.trightrates.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Weaver
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
Making the Right Broadband Switch
Don't slip up on your new contract:
• If you're choosing a cheap or "free" broadband deal, take into account the quality of service you will be getting. Best value doesn't always mean cheapest. So, when you are trying to find cheap broadband provider, look beyond the price and get a package that really suits you. Consider the customer service level, cost and opening hours of the call centre before making your choice.
• Check to see if the ISP has won any awards from the ISPA or PC magazines.
• Your new contract may also have a download limit, which may mean you end up paying more than your monthly rate for big downloads. Remember unlimited is not a reality; it's better to pick a package with a clearly stated limit or be sure of what your "fair usage" policy allows.
• Make sure your ISP can connect in your area and find out what speed your line will actually hold. Connections get degraded the further they get from the BT exchange so you won't get the advertised speed. Our speed tests show that, on average, customers only get 35 per cent of their promised speed.
Wise up:
• Don't be afraid to ask for a better deal, in a competitive market ISP's should be working harder to keep you as a customer; providers offer special promotions for new customers, so if you are at the end of your contract you can ask for the same.
• If you're not sure how much you actually download, why not use a download monitor to track your Internet use? It's quick to install and is easy to use, and you can even set alarms to stop you going over your limit. And if you're not downloading much you may find you're actually on the wrong package and could opt for a cheaper alternative. If you are experiencing problems and want to switch your broadband provider but are having trouble doing so, make sure that you keep a log of all communications you have with your ISP and write to Otelo (the telecommunications ombudsman) once you have exhausted the complaints procedure offered by your provider.
• Many ISPs also offer free add-ons such as anti virus software, parental controls and spam guards which can be worth more than £40.
Making the Broadband Switch:
• If you're choosing a cheap broadband deal, take into account the quality of service you will be getting. Best value doesn't always mean cheapest. Look beyond the price and get a package that really suits you. Consider the customer service level, cost and opening hours of the call centre before making your choice.
• Check to see if the ISP has won any awards from the ISPA or PC magazines.
• Your new contract may also have a download limit, which may mean you end up paying more than your monthly rate for big downloads. Remember unlimited is not a reality; it's better to pick a package with a clearly stated limit or be sure of what your "fair usage" policy allows.
• Make sure your ISP can connect in your area and find out what speed your line will actually hold. Connections get degraded the further they get from the BT exchange so you won't get the advertised speed. Our speed tests show that, on average, customers only get 35 per cent of their promised speed.
| About the author: Lucy Stacey is associated with http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk that offers the best Switch Broadband Provider and wireless broadband deals comparison options to its users for Broadband and ADSL prices, along with an option where users can choose download speeds and contract lengths offered by different UK wireless broadband. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lucy_Stacey |
Monday, 7 April 2008
Broadband in South Africa
Wi-Fi along the Garden Route
Last year, the Mail & Guardian reported that the Knysna municipality was working with UniNet to set up a Wi-Fl network that would blanket the entire municipal area in an attempt to provide cheap broadband and voice services to residents, businesses and local government offices.
UniNets David Jarvis says the company has delivered the broadband services to Knysna residents, but the voice services have been stalled by the failure to secure an interconnection agreement with Telkom, which would allow residents to make and receive calls outside Knysna. Knysna’s residents can purchase uncapped broadband packages from UniNet that range between R255 and R800, depending on the download speeds required.
Jarvis says the services have only been on offer for a few months and already they have just fewer than 200 customers. A massive marketing campaign is planned for next year to attract more customers.
UniNet also provides wireless hot spots throughout Knysna where residents get free access to the internet. Jarvis says this is set to change: residents will get 45 free minutes a day and pay for usage over and above this. Once the interconnection agreement with Telkom is ironed out, Knysnas residents can expect their first 100 minutes of local calls to be free, a 50% reduction in rates for calls to cellphones and a 10% to 15% reduction in long-distance call rates to Telkom landlines.
Jarvis says the recent deal UniNet signed with ITel to provide the same services they offer Knysna to the entire OR Tambo district in the Eastern Cape will speed up the interconnection agreement. He hopes voice services will be offered by February next year.
Broadband in the City of Gold
The City of Johannesburg is also planning to offer broadband services using its backbone network, but services are unlikely to reach the first customers before 2008. The city's economic development, tourism and marketing department is heading up the project, says project consultant Douglas Cohen. It has taken a huge leap in terms of political buy-in, with the mayoral committee approving the project in October and agreeing to set up a mayoral subcommittee with a project office.
Cohen says that early next year a request for a proposal will be issued and, once an implementation plan has been drawn up, a tender will be issued. We are on the path now, he says. However, some analysts and stakeholders argue that bureaucratic red tape and a lack of political will are stifling the attempts of municipalities to bring services to residents and businesses.
Dave Gale, who is head of business development for telecoms operator Storm, says conflict between municipal departments, which have to work together on projects such as this, has been a major headache. The wheels just turn so damn slowly, he says. You have to get people to move at an lTl Telecoms real world speed. These guys have assets and a great opportunity to use those assets, but they don't see the urgency with which they have to run. Or if they do, they are thwarted by a lack of political will. I don't think they've missed the boat, but I don't think they're the great hope of telecoms either, says Gale.
Cohen says there will always be a role for municipalities to play because there will always be under-serviced areas.
Robert Lipschitz from Genesis Analytics says as long as broadband prices remain high there will be room for services of a similar quality at a lower price, but that it is up to the municipalities to prove they have the capacity to make it work.
Storm Telecommunications provide businesses with Internet connectivity that is fast, cost effective and reliable. We prioritise taking the time to analyse your business' Internet requirements in detail. We're serious about Customer Service. That's why we offer comprehensive Service Level Agreements, 24 hour technical support and a full online customer portal.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Manners
Last year, the Mail & Guardian reported that the Knysna municipality was working with UniNet to set up a Wi-Fl network that would blanket the entire municipal area in an attempt to provide cheap broadband and voice services to residents, businesses and local government offices.
UniNets David Jarvis says the company has delivered the broadband services to Knysna residents, but the voice services have been stalled by the failure to secure an interconnection agreement with Telkom, which would allow residents to make and receive calls outside Knysna. Knysna’s residents can purchase uncapped broadband packages from UniNet that range between R255 and R800, depending on the download speeds required.
Jarvis says the services have only been on offer for a few months and already they have just fewer than 200 customers. A massive marketing campaign is planned for next year to attract more customers.
UniNet also provides wireless hot spots throughout Knysna where residents get free access to the internet. Jarvis says this is set to change: residents will get 45 free minutes a day and pay for usage over and above this. Once the interconnection agreement with Telkom is ironed out, Knysnas residents can expect their first 100 minutes of local calls to be free, a 50% reduction in rates for calls to cellphones and a 10% to 15% reduction in long-distance call rates to Telkom landlines.
Jarvis says the recent deal UniNet signed with ITel to provide the same services they offer Knysna to the entire OR Tambo district in the Eastern Cape will speed up the interconnection agreement. He hopes voice services will be offered by February next year.
Broadband in the City of Gold
The City of Johannesburg is also planning to offer broadband services using its backbone network, but services are unlikely to reach the first customers before 2008. The city's economic development, tourism and marketing department is heading up the project, says project consultant Douglas Cohen. It has taken a huge leap in terms of political buy-in, with the mayoral committee approving the project in October and agreeing to set up a mayoral subcommittee with a project office.
Cohen says that early next year a request for a proposal will be issued and, once an implementation plan has been drawn up, a tender will be issued. We are on the path now, he says. However, some analysts and stakeholders argue that bureaucratic red tape and a lack of political will are stifling the attempts of municipalities to bring services to residents and businesses.
Dave Gale, who is head of business development for telecoms operator Storm, says conflict between municipal departments, which have to work together on projects such as this, has been a major headache. The wheels just turn so damn slowly, he says. You have to get people to move at an lTl Telecoms real world speed. These guys have assets and a great opportunity to use those assets, but they don't see the urgency with which they have to run. Or if they do, they are thwarted by a lack of political will. I don't think they've missed the boat, but I don't think they're the great hope of telecoms either, says Gale.
Cohen says there will always be a role for municipalities to play because there will always be under-serviced areas.
Robert Lipschitz from Genesis Analytics says as long as broadband prices remain high there will be room for services of a similar quality at a lower price, but that it is up to the municipalities to prove they have the capacity to make it work.
Storm Telecommunications provide businesses with Internet connectivity that is fast, cost effective and reliable. We prioritise taking the time to analyse your business' Internet requirements in detail. We're serious about Customer Service. That's why we offer comprehensive Service Level Agreements, 24 hour technical support and a full online customer portal.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Manners
Friday, 4 April 2008
Free Broadband Internet Access? It's out There
Most people don't know anyone who is currently getting "HiSpeed" internet access for nothing. In fact, most of us don't think free broadband internet access exists. So does it?
The answer is yes. Internet service providers (ISPs) don't want it to be known, and for good reason. They know that folks don't pay for anything they can get for free.
"People need to know all their options before they decide to pay for Hi-Speed internet access," says Allan Christopher, Public Affairs Director for BB Communications. "They need to know what their choices are before they decide to buy it and most people don't know that free broadband internet access is widely available today."
In fact, according to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Commerce, About 32% of United States households have never had an internet connection of any kind. When asked, a large number of people in these households indicated that the key reason they've never been online is that it is "too expensive".
Many people that are already online believe that the only way to get fast internet access for free is to illegally "hack" into a cable modem, DSL modem, or other piece of electronic equipment to somehow defeat its security measures. "That couldn't be further from the truth", Allan explains, acknowledging that this is a common misconception.
"it's about time the truth gets out there. Everyone should know about the availability of fast free internet access so they can make an informed decision about it."
For additional information on the availability of free broadband internet access visit http://www.freebroadbandkit.com/eza
Allan Christopher is Director of Public Affairs for BB Communications, based in Wenatchee, WA USA
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allan_Christopher
The answer is yes. Internet service providers (ISPs) don't want it to be known, and for good reason. They know that folks don't pay for anything they can get for free.
"People need to know all their options before they decide to pay for Hi-Speed internet access," says Allan Christopher, Public Affairs Director for BB Communications. "They need to know what their choices are before they decide to buy it and most people don't know that free broadband internet access is widely available today."
In fact, according to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Commerce, About 32% of United States households have never had an internet connection of any kind. When asked, a large number of people in these households indicated that the key reason they've never been online is that it is "too expensive".
Many people that are already online believe that the only way to get fast internet access for free is to illegally "hack" into a cable modem, DSL modem, or other piece of electronic equipment to somehow defeat its security measures. "That couldn't be further from the truth", Allan explains, acknowledging that this is a common misconception.
"it's about time the truth gets out there. Everyone should know about the availability of fast free internet access so they can make an informed decision about it."
For additional information on the availability of free broadband internet access visit http://www.freebroadbandkit.com/eza
Allan Christopher is Director of Public Affairs for BB Communications, based in Wenatchee, WA USA
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allan_Christopher
Thursday, 3 April 2008
So What Broadband Options are Available to You?
Broadband is the name given to high speed Internet connection, which is becoming the preferred way to surf the Web. Dial-Up is quickly becoming a thing of the past, but as more and more people look towards broadband technology to improve their Internet experiences, the question of what service to get pops of often. For that reason, it’s important to know just what your broadband options are, so that you can make an informed decision on how to assimilate high-speed Internet access into your home and your life. There are three major broadband options currently available: Cable, DSL, and Satellite. In addition to these, there are some future broadband options that are soon to emerge, and they’re worth keeping your eye on.
Let’s start by talking about cable, which is used by more people than any of the other broadband options that are currently available. This is because, for the most part, cable is cheaper, faster, and more reliable than the other services that are available. After all, it is much cheaper to hook up a cable to your computer than to rely on expensive satellite networks or any wireless equipment. There are some problems with Cable, though. Since you have to share a bandwidth with your neighbors, if the company you choose fails to keep up the bandwidth in your area, the speed of your Internet is likely to fall.
Earthlink is one of the most popular providers of cable broadband. For only $41.95 a month, you’ll have fast Internet access throughout your home, and Earthlink does not have any set up or equipment fees. You only have to play for the service you receive. Another major cable Broadband competitor is Cablevision. While it has a slightly cheaper monthly rate, you are responsible for paying for the modem, which costs about $129.95. This service claims to be faster than Earthlink, but that all depends on the bandwidth available, as Earthlink tends to have more.
DSL is quickly growing in popularity and is the closest rival to cable connections these days. By choosing a company that offers DSL, you won’t have to share bandwidth with your neighbors. That means that your Internet speed will remain constant. If you are a business owner, DSL companies tend to have more options for you, whereas other services cater more towards the home. Many DSL companies have gone out of business, however, so make sure you find a reputable one that will preferably offer free installation, since installing DSL on your own is difficult.
Earthlink, the same company that offers cable broadband, also offers DSL in over 90 markets nationwide. It costs $49.95 a month, and once again offers no extra fees for setup or equipment. With a decent download and upload speed, it stands up to its competitors in price and quality. Another major DSL competitor is MSN Broadband, which is cheaper per month by ten dollars. However, there is a one-time fee of $99 for activation. A “Gold” plan is also offered that costs the same as Earthlink and offers an even faster connection. The activation fee still applies.
Finally, we reach the third option that’s widely available: Satellite. This doesn’t have nearly as many subscribers as cable or DSL, though it hasn’t been available as long. The great thing about getting a satellite connection is that it is offered everywhere, so if you live in an area that cable or DSL isn’t offered in, you can still have fast Internet access with a satellite provider. Also, if you already have satellite television, you should check with your provider to see if they offer Internet access as well. More often than not, you can get a great offer by purchasing both services from the same company. The satellite option offers excellent service, but it the most expensive option of the major three. Your service can also be affected by the weather, just like your satellite television.
As usual, Earthlink offers satellite broadband service for only $69.95 per month. The hardware to get everything going is very pricey, costing $399. You’re also going to have to pay for installation and a modem. After all these costs are added together, the whole system starts to get pretty expensive. However, if you’re willing to shell out the cash for it, you’ll get some of the fastest speeds available from any broadband option today.
Now that you’ve gotten a taste for the three major broadband options, let’s goes over the emerging options that are slowly becoming available, just so you can get a taste of the future of broadband. The first is power line broadband, which uses electric utility lines to transfer data. This technology is still in the testing phases, but companies in Cincinnati and Manassas, Va are offering broadband services such as this, while North Carolina and Washington, D.C. are testing the technology. This broadband option brings Internet access straight into people’s home through their wall sockets. All you’ll have to do is plug in and start surfing. Some companies can’t get past power transformers, though, and offer the service through a wireless modem.Many phone companies have started offering their own broadband wireless service only a couple years ago. They’re now starting to become very popular, though they tend to cost more than DSL or cable options. While this may not appeal to homes, people on the go will be the most likely to take advantage of the service.
So there you have it, all the broadband options available to you today. If you’re looking for faster Internet service and quicker downloads, look into getting set up with one of the options discussed here. This is especially true if you’re still dealing with dial-up. Cable and DSL are most certainly the way most people will want to go today, though satellite coverage has an appeal to many people, especially to those households and businesses that operate outside of DSL or cable company’s areas. So choose the option that’s right for you, and start enjoying faster Internet access.
This article on broadband options has been brought to you by your consumer electronics.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jawahn_Thompson
Let’s start by talking about cable, which is used by more people than any of the other broadband options that are currently available. This is because, for the most part, cable is cheaper, faster, and more reliable than the other services that are available. After all, it is much cheaper to hook up a cable to your computer than to rely on expensive satellite networks or any wireless equipment. There are some problems with Cable, though. Since you have to share a bandwidth with your neighbors, if the company you choose fails to keep up the bandwidth in your area, the speed of your Internet is likely to fall.
Earthlink is one of the most popular providers of cable broadband. For only $41.95 a month, you’ll have fast Internet access throughout your home, and Earthlink does not have any set up or equipment fees. You only have to play for the service you receive. Another major cable Broadband competitor is Cablevision. While it has a slightly cheaper monthly rate, you are responsible for paying for the modem, which costs about $129.95. This service claims to be faster than Earthlink, but that all depends on the bandwidth available, as Earthlink tends to have more.
DSL is quickly growing in popularity and is the closest rival to cable connections these days. By choosing a company that offers DSL, you won’t have to share bandwidth with your neighbors. That means that your Internet speed will remain constant. If you are a business owner, DSL companies tend to have more options for you, whereas other services cater more towards the home. Many DSL companies have gone out of business, however, so make sure you find a reputable one that will preferably offer free installation, since installing DSL on your own is difficult.
Earthlink, the same company that offers cable broadband, also offers DSL in over 90 markets nationwide. It costs $49.95 a month, and once again offers no extra fees for setup or equipment. With a decent download and upload speed, it stands up to its competitors in price and quality. Another major DSL competitor is MSN Broadband, which is cheaper per month by ten dollars. However, there is a one-time fee of $99 for activation. A “Gold” plan is also offered that costs the same as Earthlink and offers an even faster connection. The activation fee still applies.
Finally, we reach the third option that’s widely available: Satellite. This doesn’t have nearly as many subscribers as cable or DSL, though it hasn’t been available as long. The great thing about getting a satellite connection is that it is offered everywhere, so if you live in an area that cable or DSL isn’t offered in, you can still have fast Internet access with a satellite provider. Also, if you already have satellite television, you should check with your provider to see if they offer Internet access as well. More often than not, you can get a great offer by purchasing both services from the same company. The satellite option offers excellent service, but it the most expensive option of the major three. Your service can also be affected by the weather, just like your satellite television.
As usual, Earthlink offers satellite broadband service for only $69.95 per month. The hardware to get everything going is very pricey, costing $399. You’re also going to have to pay for installation and a modem. After all these costs are added together, the whole system starts to get pretty expensive. However, if you’re willing to shell out the cash for it, you’ll get some of the fastest speeds available from any broadband option today.
Now that you’ve gotten a taste for the three major broadband options, let’s goes over the emerging options that are slowly becoming available, just so you can get a taste of the future of broadband. The first is power line broadband, which uses electric utility lines to transfer data. This technology is still in the testing phases, but companies in Cincinnati and Manassas, Va are offering broadband services such as this, while North Carolina and Washington, D.C. are testing the technology. This broadband option brings Internet access straight into people’s home through their wall sockets. All you’ll have to do is plug in and start surfing. Some companies can’t get past power transformers, though, and offer the service through a wireless modem.Many phone companies have started offering their own broadband wireless service only a couple years ago. They’re now starting to become very popular, though they tend to cost more than DSL or cable options. While this may not appeal to homes, people on the go will be the most likely to take advantage of the service.
So there you have it, all the broadband options available to you today. If you’re looking for faster Internet service and quicker downloads, look into getting set up with one of the options discussed here. This is especially true if you’re still dealing with dial-up. Cable and DSL are most certainly the way most people will want to go today, though satellite coverage has an appeal to many people, especially to those households and businesses that operate outside of DSL or cable company’s areas. So choose the option that’s right for you, and start enjoying faster Internet access.
This article on broadband options has been brought to you by your consumer electronics.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jawahn_Thompson
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
Home Broadband Use Now Over 75%
According to a recent Nielsen-Netratings.com release, over 3/4 of all U.S. home Internet users connected at broadband speeds during November, 2006.That figure increased 13%, up from 65%, just one year ago.This increasingly widespread adoption of broadband access means that American's with internet access spend more time online than ever before, especially compared to dial-up users.So, what do people do with all this extra connection horsepower?Though the following represent a seemingly diverse range of activities, they all contain a common thread: they allow people to connect with other people.Online Gaming - According to the Nielsen report, users spend the most time with online gaming in connection with sites like Pogo.com or EA.com.Pogo.com allows users to play games directly on their site through a web browser, while EA.com's services allow users to find, sort, and connect through 3rd party servers for games like "Battlefield 2142."Online gaming blew away all other online broadband activities for total time spent per user and the percentage of people playing who operate with high-speed connections.Instant Messaging - Ok, AOL's Instant Messaging service rated one of the most popular even before widespread broadband.However, broadband enabled additional services like audio (voice over IP) and video to jump on the instant messaging bandwagon - as seen with the explosion of Skype.com.I guess the power of broadband and video chat came home to me during the birth of my grandson.I sat in the hospital waiting room with my laptop, logged on to the wireless network in the hospital, and had a business meeting via Skype's video chat.When I finished it hit me that we really do live in an age where the things we saw on the "Jetsons" might come to pass.Social Networking - If you connect to the Internet, you know the words "My Space!"Well, apparently a lot of people use the site too since it ranks #4 on the list of broadband activities.Again, the theme of "connecting with others" basically serves as the entire purpose for MySpace.com's existence.I've witnessed firsthand the power of My Space to allow people to connect with others by watching my business partner's teenage son use the site to actually meet girls.I expect to see even more specialized versions of social networking sites to continue emerging in the coming months.Email - Yahoo! mail and Gmail rated the highest among online email services. Both offer a huge 2 GB storage capacity, though Yahoo charges $20 a year.These services make it possible not only to connect in the most basic online way (email), but make it easy to pass huge files (viral videos, mp3's, etc.) back and forth with ease.I've also found Gmail.com's built-in chat feature extremely convenient when I need to get in a quick word with friend's and business associates.Music and Video: The philosophy of "I want my MTV" spilled over into the online world.MP3 download site iTunes rates one of the most popular sites in the world and my mom even knows about "viral videos!"Of all the online activities, this one still needs to define itself more fully, but based on the amount of time spent by surfers, there's no lack of interest.
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co-author of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how to use free articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted visitors to your website, affiliate links, or blogs... Need MORE TRAFFIC to your website or affiliate links? "Turn Words Into Traffic" reveals the secrets for driving Thousands of NEW visitors to your website or affiliate links... without spending a dime on advertising! Click Here> http://www.turnwordsintotraffic.com Copyright (c) 2007 Jim Edwards
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Edwards
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co-author of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how to use free articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted visitors to your website, affiliate links, or blogs... Need MORE TRAFFIC to your website or affiliate links? "Turn Words Into Traffic" reveals the secrets for driving Thousands of NEW visitors to your website or affiliate links... without spending a dime on advertising! Click Here> http://www.turnwordsintotraffic.com Copyright (c) 2007 Jim Edwards
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Edwards
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
Attitudes to Wireless Broadband in the UK
A recent survey has shown that many broadband users are missing out on the full potential of their internet because of common misconceptions according to a recent survey (BroadbandChoices.co.uk, 2007).
Unaware of the ease in getting a wireless broadband (WiFi) router, more than a quarter of UK subscribers think that they cannot go wireless because their provider doesn’t offer this kind of package. In actual fact, there is no such thing as a “wireless package” where a different kind of broadband is piped into someone’s home – all that’s needed is a WiFi router. Once it is plugged into the modem, the wireless signal will be emitted and users can surf the internet cable-free.
This relatively common misconception shows that customers are overly reliant on their internet providers for both information and hardware, not knowing that it is relatively cheap and easy to buy and set up their own wireless routers and home networks.
It is misapprehensions such as this that are stopping broadband users from getting the most out of their internet packages – or from becoming less dependent on their providers.
A further 44 per cent of respondents blamed their fear of the technicalities involved in setting up a WiFi connection, but again, this is unjustified since ISPs can send out pre-configured routers that users just plug in and connect. Again, this dependency leaves consumers less likely to switch provider – a move that can save them a lot of money and even get them a free wireless router.
31 per cent said that they were worried about their personal details – such as bank account numbers – being at risk.
On a positive note however, 88 per cent of those currently without a wireless connection were planning on getting it in the coming year, proving that they had not been scared off by groundless reports in the media that WiFi poses a health risk – cited by only four per cent as the reason that they did not have it.
Asked what they thought of their wireless connections, some reported connection problems but the majority of users said that they loved the ease of use, flexibility and lack of wires. One respondent said: “It’s great to sit in the garden and enjoy the sun and surf,” while another added: “I can sit downstairs watching the horse racing on the TV, and while sitting on the sofa, having a cup of tea, effortlessly place a bet using my laptop.”
James Bergin is a journalist that writes for BroadbandChoices.co.uk on issues such as wireless broadband.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Bergin
Unaware of the ease in getting a wireless broadband (WiFi) router, more than a quarter of UK subscribers think that they cannot go wireless because their provider doesn’t offer this kind of package. In actual fact, there is no such thing as a “wireless package” where a different kind of broadband is piped into someone’s home – all that’s needed is a WiFi router. Once it is plugged into the modem, the wireless signal will be emitted and users can surf the internet cable-free.
This relatively common misconception shows that customers are overly reliant on their internet providers for both information and hardware, not knowing that it is relatively cheap and easy to buy and set up their own wireless routers and home networks.
It is misapprehensions such as this that are stopping broadband users from getting the most out of their internet packages – or from becoming less dependent on their providers.
A further 44 per cent of respondents blamed their fear of the technicalities involved in setting up a WiFi connection, but again, this is unjustified since ISPs can send out pre-configured routers that users just plug in and connect. Again, this dependency leaves consumers less likely to switch provider – a move that can save them a lot of money and even get them a free wireless router.
31 per cent said that they were worried about their personal details – such as bank account numbers – being at risk.
On a positive note however, 88 per cent of those currently without a wireless connection were planning on getting it in the coming year, proving that they had not been scared off by groundless reports in the media that WiFi poses a health risk – cited by only four per cent as the reason that they did not have it.
Asked what they thought of their wireless connections, some reported connection problems but the majority of users said that they loved the ease of use, flexibility and lack of wires. One respondent said: “It’s great to sit in the garden and enjoy the sun and surf,” while another added: “I can sit downstairs watching the horse racing on the TV, and while sitting on the sofa, having a cup of tea, effortlessly place a bet using my laptop.”
James Bergin is a journalist that writes for BroadbandChoices.co.uk on issues such as wireless broadband.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Bergin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)