Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The Internet Revolution: ADSL Broadband Internet Access

Today is the age of the information and the Internet has become the one stop shop for all kinds of information. Consumers are finicky and they want information fast. ADSL broadband connections can provide consumers with high-speed, secure and reliable Internet access.

What is ADSL?
ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. These serve to provide connections between the home or office telephone and computers to the local telephone exchange. In ADSL type of connection, the upstream bandwidth is different from the downstream bandwidth, because of which it gets its name Asymmetric. ADSL services are great because they allow a person to use the telephone at the same time while also being connected to the Internet - something usually not possible with Dial-up connections. Also ADSL connections are always available, unlike Dial-up connections where you need to dial to get connected. However, one drawback is that ADSL services are usually costlier than their Dial-up counterparts.

How to connect?
All you need is an ADSL modem which can come with either a USB or an Ethernet connection. For a USB ADSL modem, your PC needs to have a USB port for this and for an ADSL modem with Ethernet connection, your PC needs to have an Ethernet card.

You need the following equipment to be connected via ADSL:
* An ADSL telephone line
* ADSL Internet access package (provided by all ISPs)
* ADSL modem (available from any local shop that deals with such parts)

What's the bandwidth I get?
The bandwidth will depend on 3 things:
* Speed of the ADSL telephone line (usually the maximum upstream speed is 256 Kbps and 512 Kbps downstream)
* Crosstalks between the local telephone exchange and home or office phone can affect the speed
* Any blockages on the path to the server from where you're downloading will also affect speed

ADSL services in Africa
ADSL broadband internet access in Africa has had humble beginnings. While the rest of the developed world has been steadily enjoying the benefits of ADSL connectivity, in Africa it's still fairly nascent. For example, in 2001, there was far more IP bandwidth of 1.3 Gbit/s available to 450000 people of Luxembourg as compared to almost 820 million people of Africa (just around 1.2 Gbit/s). In fact, from an overall perspective, less than 6% of Africans get to have access to any kind of telecommunications, thereby making it harder for the Internet to reach the people of Africa.

However, the last couple of years have seen a surge in the number of ISPs, especially with more developments in infrastructure related issues. These ISPs provide capped and uncapped ADSL services, free email addresses, anti virus software for emails, webspace for one's website etc. among many other services.

How to choose an Internet connection?
The choice between Dial-up, ADSL and wireless connectivity is purely personal. It depends on the cost, the bandwidth, the speed offered as well as security, downtime issues and latency as well. However ADSL broadband internet access remains the firm favorite today because of the high speed, always-on connectivity and the ability to use the telephone even with the Internet connected.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Router: Broadband Internet Connections

r>If you have a cable modem and wish to share the internet access with the whole family then a broadband router is what you will need first. These routers are designed specifically for any one with cable modem or DSL internet so they can easily set up home networks. With a broadband router you can easily share files, internet connections and also if you want to hold a home LAN gaming date. Normal routers may not allow you to use all your potential speed as it may have a speed limit. All broadband router did was combine network switch, firewall, and a DHCP server together to become what it is currently.

The way these broadband routers provide internet to the multiple computers is through the Ethernet standard. Which is first the cable modem will must be connected to the broadband router which allows internet access to as many computers as there is ports to support it. Most routers will hold up to 8 ports, but if you wish to be able to hold more than that you can look around and easily find ones that contain double digits amount of ports. Then through the router you will then connect the cables to the other computers. Before you are able to connect the cables to the computer for it to have internet access you must first have modem cards for each computer. Most motherboard is now advanced enough to include a modem card as a standard feature.

Broadband routers are now going wireless as well. These wireless broadband routers are typically just the same as the wired broadband routers accept for the fact that it allows computers that have wireless cards to connect to the router as well. This does not mean that wireless routers are only made for wireless computers, but they also come with ports so you can either connect your computers that use cable to connect to the router or even printers. Usually the available ports are 5 or 6 depending on the model and of course it could be more if you just look around. But with the wireless router you can actually hold more computers that as long as the other computers' wireless card can detect the signal.

Security for most broadband routers is usually not much of a problem, but with the newer wireless routers it holds a lot of potential danger. One of the clear dangers is the fact that anyone can steal your signal and use you internet if he or she wanted to as long as he or she can detect it. You can actually suffer since you neighbor could steal your internet while you the one paying for it monthly at a rate of possibly as high as $60 a month. That is not fair, but there is a way to protect yourself from not allowing people to take your signal. First you can easily setup a router key. It will be randomly generated on your router and as long as you enable it, all the computer will be asked to insert the key before internet access will be granted to them.

Before you go out and buy any broadband router make sure you clear a few things up first. There are many manufacturers for broadband routers with the more popular ones being LinkSys and DLink. But there are different features on every single model as it may not seem as important to you right now but once you look into it, you will realize that an additional port or whatever may help you in the long run. So the first question would be how many ports you need. The second question is are there wireless computers in the house or do have a computer on different floors or rooms. Because if computers are separated with great distances cabling the computer to the router would be a great deal of hassle, so a wireless router would be the best option.

With the computers being more and more affordable, more household are beginning to have more than just one computer now. Computers are now useless unless they are not connected to the internet. With the routers now you can now easily share internet access with one or more computer as long as it is able to support all of them. They are generally not that expensive as you can outweigh the pros and cons of it all. It will not hinder the speed much for any of the computers that may be hooked up on to the router. The speed will generally be the same like if you were the only one using it.

Author : JAson
http://www.articleclick.com/Article/Router-Broadband-Internet-Connections/936734

Reading on the Move Without a PDA, All You Need is Your Mobile Phone

Displaying texts: books, news, mass media messages, helps or documents is among the most used functions of any PDA. Articles are no exception. Just download a couple of dozen of articles on whatever the subject - from a site like this one into your PDA - and read away anyplace. Before you know, you become quite familiar with the subject you read on.

Yet what can one do when there is no PDA? None at all or none available at a time. However, at a time like this, there is something you never leave behind, which is... your cellular phone. Expensive modern telephones display texts, even though making reading not quite as comfortable as palmtops do. However, most cheap or outdated telephones can do the same with just about as much convenience as when using a PDA. This capability is based on a seemingly very simple idea. A text is converted into a Java application which can be loaded into a mobile phone the same way one downloads games or other applications like, for instance, a calculator. You do that and that is it. Read all you want anyplace where you have nothing but you cellular phone. For the modern person, having a mobile phone along has become more commonplace than having home keys or a wallet. And as long as you have your phone along, you can read anything you want to or must.

We know several desktop PC programs that will make such Java applications for you. Different in small details, they all work alike. Install one of these programs on your desktop, start it and load in the text you need. After that, you will have to set several parameters like the type of your mobile phone, font color and size, background color, scrolling and navigation methods, etc. This done, the Java application is compiled and loaded into the mobile phone according to its manual. Read and enjoy.

The functionality and capabilities of such applications are close to those of modern PDA reading programs. Normally, there is automatic scrolling, bookmark capability, navigation, text search and such. You can read comfortably even when all you have is a totally outdated cellular telephone. When you do that, just do not forget that your phone may also be used for making calls.

Author : Konstantin
http://www.articleclick.com/Article/Reading-on-the-Move-Without-a-PDA-All-You-Need-is-Your-Mobile-Phone/183

Enjoy Low Flat Rate Phone Bills With Comcast Phone Service

Cable TVs are no longer restricted to the elite class - it's available for every man on the street. Cable TVs are getting a major boost these days-thanks to technologies like the HDTV Cable TV. Comcast is the name that comes to one's mind when one talks about Cable TVs, since they are providing quality services for a very long time. For the benefit of the customer they apply the latest technology, therefore the services are always reliable. They make sure that problems related to satellite TV are kept at bay. But Comcast isn't merely focusing on digital cable, but offers services like VoIP and Internet as well.

Comcast's Broadband Service Is Far And Away Past Every Other Provider

Together with Cable TVs, internet is very much required for entertainment purposes. Comcast presents you broadband internet that does not make you limit your visit to the net in a given time frame, which is usually the case with dial-up services. Even though all the members of your family are online simultaneously, Comcast broadband internet won't slow down anyone. Apart from high speed, Comcast offers the internet users many other exciting features as well, which makes using the net even simpler and safer. For instance, besides a cable modem for connection to the internet, you will be provided with a router as well. It is a fast, reliable and affordable service that you get. Comcast offers great connection speeds at a great price. You will find that there is no comparison.

Both The Audio And Video Levels Of Comcast's Digital TV Service Are Excellent

Digital technology has made a huge impact into our lives. You will be able to interact with your TV better with digital. Moreover, by using a digital signal, there is an unsurpassed image clarity and lack of interference. Comcast Digital TV offers the regular channels, excellent movies on demand and television programs, all at an inexpensive cost that can not be matched by satellite TV. Besides digital sound, music channels, and digital receivers Comcast Digital TV has certain features which you would want with a programming package, which includes an electronic program guide. You will be guaranteed the best digital TV at a cheap rate.

You Will Save When You Order Online

Comcast provides awesome phone services as well as big savings with its current plans. You can get an infinite number of calls from Comcast's digital phone service. It contains all these great features such as, voicemail, caller ID, call waiting and forwarding, and more. A mere monthly fee is charged for the services. You get nearly anything you could possibly want from the novel technology. Some services that you get are digital voice, unlimited long distance and other features that you get with basic phone service.

Comcast has ventured into internet and digital phone of late, and it has been offering cable services for many years. For any of the aforementioned services, Comcast is the best because its the biggest cable company in America.

Author : Suzanne
http://www.articleclick.com/Article/Enjoy-Low-Flat-Rate-Phone-Bills-With-Comcast-Phone-Service/1066784

Comcast Triple Play Deals Give You The Peace Of Mind

Who else offers great features, great price and convenience in one bundle! Get all three services at one low price. Comcast, which is one of the few providers to offer all three services, is a market leader. When you try the services they provide, you will be amazed at the quality of the digital television, the speed of the internet, and the clear sound of the telephone service.

Comcast provides high definition (HD) television for your home with the services that you will appreciate. One of these services is On Demand. As long as your television is cable ready, you can receive the convenience of standard cable and have unlimited access to the channels you enjoy, without a cable box.

The stations you receive are based on the bundle you opt for. Although this is called the basic package, the Digital Starter package actually has far more than the "bare bones", since it includes all the channels you're already enjoying including Discovery,Nickelodeon,ESPN, and CNN. This package also includes the On Demand channel as mentioned above. In addition, your local stations are still offered so you won't have to miss a minute of your local news broadcast or weather report. Different packages offer a variety of channels to choose from. You get to decide the amount of stations or the price of the bundle that you desire. One thing that has everyone concerned is the big change the FCC tells us will occur just after the start of this new year. Comcast already has fiber optics in preparation for the moment that broadcasters are required to begin digital transmission.

The Internet service from Comcast is another plus in the package if you so choose. The service is available with many exclusive features, which as long as you subscribe to this service are included at no cost. A few of them are MacAfee antivirus, Rhapsody, as well as Photo Show, to mention a couple. One of the many benefits of having Comcast as your Internet Service Provider is your free access to our other services in this package with a value of over $300. Using the latest technology, Comcast's Internet Service is much more better than you old internet connection. Downloading movies, music, games or videos are much faster than ever before.

The telephone is the third service that Comcast provides for it's subscribers if they so choose the Triple Play package. The unlimited phone service is their best deal. Paying only one low price allows you the freedom to speak to anyone whenever you like. Besides the United States it also includes each of these locations: Canada, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, Saipan Islands and American Samoa. The highlight of this service provider is that, it does not have anything like per minute charges and whereever you call the sound quality is wonderful. Who else can offer you great options like checking your voice mail online or using the same number you already have?

Comcast Triple Play gives you the peace of mind with all of your bills combined into one. Integrate this along with the choice of good services that you will be given, and it forms one awsome entertainment package! Order Comcast Triple Play today and get web-only exclusive deals.

Author : Suzanne
http://www.articleclick.com/Article/Comcast-Triple-Play-Deals-Give-You-The-Peace-Of-Mind/1180549