Advice from the Factory
Advice from the Factory: Internet Connections
Six different flavors of Internet connections:
1. The old fashion connection (and the one used most often in rural areas) via telephone. Uses older technology that has been around for a while using sound to convey data.
2. More up to date DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connection. This connection still uses the telephone line; a special modem has to be used. There are 2 flavors of DSL modems, internal computer DSL modem card and a desktop stand-alone verity.
3. TV cable, and it uses a one-way connection. This connection only allows them to transmit data to your computer. To send out a request for a web page, you have to send it via your telephone connection. This system is some what antiqued nowadays. Requires a specialized modem that would work on a 2-way type cable modem, you just do not send any request for a web page through it.
4. TV cable, which uses a specialized modem and is, connected the Cable Company's connection. The cable company has to have Internet connection already for a person to use TV cable as an Internet connection.
5. Then there is the satellite connection. Some are where the satellite sends a signal to the satellite box. When a request for a web is transmitted it is done by telephone. In this case there is a telephone modem and satellite connection connected to the computer.
6. This a satellite transceiver, meaning a signal is received and transmitted to the satellite from the satellite box. The connection to the computer is hooked up entirely to the satellite
box.
Probably the least expensive is the telephone connection. The reason I say the least expensive is because some cable Internet connection can be had for what it would cost for a premium telephone connection. I have heard of Internet services that are twice the speed of a 52kpbs phone modem (112kpbs) for under $20.00 per month. But getting back to the telephone connections, they can be had for as low as $5.95 to a high of $30.00 per month.
Pros:
Can be accessed anywhere there is a modular phone connection.
Can be accessed in rural areas.
Cons:
Has to have a modular telephone connection.
Slowness in speed, if one had a large download; it could be a while. Even if one could get a true 52kpbs (FCC keeps the upload speed to 52kpbs) speed for uploads. Download speeds can be a full 56kpbs (again FCC regulation).
May tie up a single line telephone. If one had more then one telephone line, it could conceivably off set the cost of a DSL or Cable connection.
DSL is still a telephone connection, but a specialized telephone connection. The DSL is a special digital signal (more specifically a square wave signal) that the Internet provider sends out over a twisted pair wire of your telephone company. DSL requires a special modem the other end, the computer end to convert the signal to something useable. Costs for this service are from $26.95 + per month.
Pros:
Is a fairly high-speed connection, 350kpbs to 750kbps, with 750 (heard they are working on 1.5mbps) being kind of normal nowadays?
Uses existing telephone connection, no rewiring required.
Does not require a second telephone line if you want to use your telephone to converse on.
Cons:
Can only be a physical distance of, at tops, 3 miles away from the actual physical connection to the exchange to have DSL. This due to line IR (internal resistance) drop in the wire, it degrades the signal (remember the square wave, after 3 miles it looks more like a deformed saw tooth wave).
Requires a specialized modem. This modem can be bought at most computer stores.
You have to lease the modem from the DSL provider.
Cable I:
Most places that have cable TV now also provide high-speed Internet connections. The speeds can vary form 112kbps to 4mbps. This connection requires a couple of computer type items, a NIC (Network Interface Card) and a specialized modem. This type of cable connection though still requires the telephone umbilicus to make a request for a web page.
Pros:
High-speed download.
Can come in tiered service speed prices.
Uses existing cable TV wiring.
Cons:
Uses a specialized modem.
Requires the use of a telephone line to send out a request for a web page.
To avoid tying up a main telephone, you might have to get a second telephone line, additional cost.
Slightly slower in response.
Can come in one speed, one price fits all.
Cable II:
This by and a far is probably the most ideal of connections. With this type of 2-way connection the cable's server both receives and transmits data back and forth. The speed of communications is from 112kbps to 4mbps. At these speeds this ideal for on-line gamers that have to have a somewhat real time connection.
Pros:
High-speed download.
Can come in tiered service speed prices.
Uses existing cable TV wiring.
Cons:
Uses a specialized modem.
Can come in one speed, one price fits all.
Satellite I:
Think this is the fastest of the 6 connections? Wrong.
Albeit it is still faster then telephone or DSL for speed. Connection uses a somewhat hybrid system. In this respect, we again have to use a telephone line to accomplish our goals. The telephone is used to transmit a request for a web page and then the satellite transmits the signal down to your dish (actually all dishes, but yours is the only one that has the magic NIC number to it and therefore are the only to see the web page).
Pros:
Can be used anywhere a satellite dish can be put up.
Fairly high speed, but still slower then cable.
Not good for on-line gamers.
Can be used in a rural area.
Cons:
Must have a dish box.
Must have a telephone line to request a web page.
Can have problems during interference type weather, like rain, snow, thunder storms, overcast, drizzle, trees or large objects, planes that get between dish and satellite.
Still slower then cable (will explain in Satellite II).
Cost is fairly high for the average guy or gal.
Satellite II:
If you think this is the fastest of the 6 connections? You would be Wrong. But it is still faster then telephone or DSL for speed. Connection uses 2-way communications, this a true transceiver satellite box. A request is transmitted to the satellite for a web page and then the web page is transmitted back via the satellite. For the average business this connection is ideal, but for gamers it still is not the gamers choice. The signal has to travel 22,000 miles up, a few microseconds for the satellites on board electronics to process the signal, then back down to your dish and computer. This period of time is called latency, the time for the signal to do its thing. That is why it is not good for on-line gamers to have this kind of connection.
Pros:
Can be used anywhere a satellite dish can be put up.
Fairly high speed, but still slower then cable.
Not good for on-line gamers.
Can be used in a rural area.
If you can afford an RV, you could afford satellite Internet services. Aim the dish at the satellite and you have a 2-way communications.
Cons:
Must have a dish box.
Can have problems during interference type weather, like rain, snow, thunder storms, overcast, drizzle, trees or large objects, planes that get between dish and satellite.
Still slower then cable.
Cost is fairly high for the average guy or gal.
So now you have the 6 possible common connections for the
internet and have the information to make your choice of connection.
Rick