New column: Upgrading from Dial-Up to Broadband

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The article will be referenced in our Computer Club's newsletter. I am
curious though, the subject refers to "new Column," the link is to
"ballew_feb2005.mspx" and the caption above Juli's image says "Published
February 14, 2002" Is this somehow connected to the "Love" madness on
Valentine's day?
 
Hi Everyone,

Don't miss the Web cast on Wednesday, February 16th on upgrading to
broadband. There, I'll focus on selecting a provider, choosing an
installation method, understanding what hardware is needed, installing the
hardware, and avoiding common problems.

I'll also emphasize why purchasing and installing a router is important.
Routers can keep help keep you safe from Internet evils. The article mentions
routers briefly, mostly in the context of connecting networking PCs, but it
is certainly something you should consider, even if you have only one
computer.

Joli Ballew
Expert Zone Columnist
 
I recently gave up my telephone/DSL service simply because the combined cost
(from Verizon) was too high. I was online twice a week for half-hour at a
time, and made no more than five phone calls and the bill was always around
$95. I can do without my phone in favor of wireless.

My plan is to get cable TV and Internet service, but the service is governed
by a monopoly and their charges are excessive. Why is the cost of such vital
communications so expensive when the technology is already in place, and what
kind of service provides the best bang for the buck?

Anyone?

Scribbler
 
I didn't see mentioned how those of us in the rural areas can gain access to
a higher speed connection than dialup. Currently my connection speed is less
than 33 Kbps. How can I possibly download SP2 at that speed?
I live in between two small communities about 6 miles from each. As far as I
know, cable is not available. Suggestions are welcome. . . .
 
You can use dial-up. It's cheap.

Alternately, you can get a wireless networking card, and hope one of
your neighbors has an unsecured wireless router.

grep
 
Crispy,

You could look into Satellite broadband. There are some with pretty
decent bandwidth - the problem is the latency, due to the distance the
signals have to travel. That's only a problem, though, for real-time
applications. For general web use, it should be fine.

Alternately, you could see if you can get the phone company to run you a
T3 or something, and then sell T1 access to your neighbors by having
cables (or even, possibly, wireless) run from your house to theirs. ;)

grep
 
crispy4b said:
I didn't see mentioned how those of us in the rural areas can gain access to
a higher speed connection than dialup. Currently my connection speed is less
than 33 Kbps. How can I possibly download SP2 at that speed?
I live in between two small communities about 6 miles from each. As far as I
know, cable is not available. Suggestions are welcome. . . .


snip<
Click to expand...

Order the free CD. I got mine is just a few days.
Watch for line wrap.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx

Also some stores were giving out copies for free. I think it was
Staples, Office Max or Office Depot.

gls858
 
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