GETTING ONLINE - MODEM

However powerful your computer, it cannot make up for a slow connection to the Internet. Get the fastest modem you can afford.

Unless you are on a network, you will need a modem to act as the interface or link between your computer and the telephone line and there will be a similar device at the other end.

Modems come in three formats: internal, external and PCMCIA - each has advantages and disadvantages.
The internal modem is usually the cheapest option - except on a portable where they are more expensive. It is installed inside your computer by plugging into a slot called a bus. It’s not a difficult job but does mean you have to take the back off your computer and follow the instructions carefully. If in doubt call in an engineer - or a friend who is happy to do it for you.

They take up no desk space and do not clutter your computer with extra cables or need an extra power source - but they do generate unwanted heat inside your machine and place an extra drain on the power supply.
An external modem is easier to install - you just plug it into your computer’s serial, parallel, SCSI, USB or Firewire port and it is easily interchangeable between machines. But they do require a separate power source, which in some cases can be a battery.

The credit card-sized PCMCIA modem is a mixture of both. They slot internally into a PCMCIA slot which is common in most portables but which can be easily removed so that the slot can be used for something else like an external CD ROM drive. They don’t require a separate power source - but they are expensive and they hate being dropped or knocked about!

Speed:
Whatever you choose, the major issue is speed. Data transfer is expressed in bits per second (bps). It takes ten bits to transfer a single character - so a modem operating at 2400 bps would transfer 240 characters per second. That’s about a page of text every 8 seconds and it’s very slow.

The minimum speed recommended for the Web is 26,000 bps but if you can afford it, go for 56,000 bps. It costs more but your online charges are reduced because you spend less time connected.

Finally make sure your chosen modem works with your particular computer. PCs need a high speed serial card for reliable transfer.

A reliable and full Internet connection