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A Guide To Worldwide Internet Access
Can you imagine what it would be like to be able to stay in touch, anywhere, anytime? That is the major selling point of companies providing worldwide Internet access. Their goal is to keep the world in touch. The world has become a much smaller...
Broadband
Broadband is the name given to a high-speed Internet connection that provide large bandwidth. It is a quick connection, typically “always-on” and capable of transmitting data at a much faster rate than a standard dialup modem connection. Broadband...
How Small Companies Can Overcome the Security Risks of Broadband
More and more small and medium companies are switching from dial-up Internet connections to broadband, particularly ADSL. While the benefits of broadband are valuable, companies must ensure they understand the risks, particularly security issues....
Is A VoIP Calling Plan Right For Your Home?
If you watch TV read magazines, or drive through and cities with billboards chances are you've come across advertisements for VOIP calling plans. Many of these advertisements try to sell their services on how much less expensive their services are...
Top 5 Reasons To Go Wireless
Wireless networking is 1 of the greatest new computer technologies in terms of convenience. If you're weighing the pros and cons of wireless before taking the leap, here are 5 to put in the "pro" column.
#1: No More Wires
Of all the reasons to...
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Aboard The Broadband-Wagon
'Broadband' is the general term used to refer to high-speed
information transmission over networks, and nowadays is used
increasingly to mean a fast Internet connection.
The term has more to do with the electrical waveform ('signal')
being transmitted. The signal can come to you through a variety
of physical arrangements: a DSL line, a T1 line, a TV cable, a
wireless link and even your utility power line.
Which physical arrangement is best for you depends a great deal
on what is available in your geographical area and the price of
each arrangement. You should do a comparison of speeds and costs
and choose what is optimal for you. Just be sure you do not
choose an ISDN line (because it is getting obsolete) or power
line (because the technology is not mature, and it will be some
years before the bugs are ironed out).
Live in a large city and want free wireless broadband Internet?
Your wish is or will be granted! Almighty Google is busy fixing
antennae to lampposts in major cities so that your computer can
access the Internet much in the same way your mobile phone
accesses your cellular network: almost anywhere in any city. Not
only will you get driving directions to that restaurant you are
going to, the maitre d' will appear on a small screen and take
your order as you drive.
~ Broadband's Bag of Goodies ~
Broadband has brought a slew of valuable capabilities to the
Internet:
1. Good Video
First of all, you can download smooth, non-jerky video.
Consequently an increasing number of sites are including rich
graphics, Flash and video to enhance the appeal of their
messages. You can now download feature films from over 200,000
Web TV stations and watch them as they stream into your computer
("stream them"). No more trips to the video library and no more
renting DVDs!
You can share your screen and talk with co-workers located at
far-flung locations (or just relax and play Xbox or PS2 games
with them). You can interact with them from the convenience of
your home computer, and the need for a physical office can be
dispensed with. This implies less travel in your car, less
gasoline consumption and less pollution of the atmosphere by
engine exhaust gases.
You can search online video archives with specialized search
engines. This means you can
download video that matches your
chosen phrases. Examples would be "Nick Lachey singing 'My
Everything' to Jessica Simpson", "Oprah visiting Katrina
victims" or "how to toss a thin pizza shell". There is no longer
a need to wait for your subject to be broadcast.
2. Cheap Long Distance
Broadband has enabled miracle of low-cost long-distance Internet
telephony. This application is based on the renowned technology,
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). You can now speak to your
loved ones or business associates in most other parts of the
world for 2 cents a minute!
No more waiting for late nights or weekends to get those "free
minutes"... you can afford to call anytime. Additionally, the
sound clarity is several times better than that of a
conventional phone call... voices are loud and clear with little
or no background noise.
This means you can stay in touch more often. You can get news
faster and offer advice without delay. For instance, a timely
observation about a certain medical treatment could very well
save the life of the person at the other end!
3. Always On
With Broadband, you are always connected to the Internet. No
more dialing up and waiting to connect. The dialing time is
freed up for you to use for other things.
In most cases, you get a telephone connection with the broadband
connection, so you can simultaneously speak on the phone and
surf the Internet. Your phone line will not be busy when you
surf so that people can reach you even if you are online.
One important user of this constant connectivity is security.
You can have inexpensive webcams mounted in various locations of
your home or office and connect them to the Internet. Since your
broadband connection is always 'live', you can monitor your
house from anywhere, anytime. No more worrying when away from
your desk or living room!
~ Conclusion ~
The day is not far when dial-up connections will be a rarity. If
you have not yet upgraded to broadband, start working at doing
so NOW. You will definitely not regret it.
About the author:
John J Stockwell is an engineer with considerable experience in
Internet technologies. Get even more information on broadband
from his website at http://broadband-aa.info
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