Internet Access
Does trying to get internet access frustrate you? Does terms like "broadband," "dial-up," or "DSL", get you confused with the ads by MSN, Verizon, Comcast Cable, or AOL? If so, then this article is for you. We will give you a description of the most common and affordable services available and show you how to get free internet access. Basic internet access start with dialup. That's basically plugging/connecting your phone line to your computer's modem and dialing an Internet Service Provider (ISP) like MSN or AOL. If this is the route you choose, be aware that you should at least have a 56k modem. Dialup is the slowest way to experience the internet but if all you do is research or browse for shopping deals, it's perfect. Prices for dial-up service range from $9.99 for Juno/Netzero to $23.99 from the over priced AOL.
With dial-up you can't use the telephone at the same time without purchasing some new and recent technology called a phone switch. If you need a faster way to surf the internet then you can move up to the broader DSL (Digital Service line), ISDN, or Cable internet service. Hence the term "broad." Moving up from dial-up can be likened to the following scenario. Imagine driving on a two lane highway with 500 other cars, all crammed within a half mile radius. Things would move very slow. Then imagine the same amount of cars on a 30 lane highway. This would be a much broader flow of traffic. This is where the term "broadband" comes from. DSL and Cable are classified as broadband. DSL is dozens times faster than regular dial-up and you can talk on the phone at the same time. This service is provided by companies like Verizon for $39-$49 a month. As of November 2002, internet access from Comcast Cable is not available to Baltimore City users, so most city internet people who want Broadband service usually go this route. You will need to have a Network Interface Card(NIC) inside your pc. The main advantage of DSL over regular dial-up is speed and the ability to talk on the phone at the same time.
A huge step up from DSL is access through a cable service provider like Comcast Cable if it's available in your area. This is like 500 cars on a 45 lane highway. You will need a NIC inside your pc and a cable modem from the cable service provider. You could also buy one at places like Best Buy or CompUSA. Comcast offer specials periodically and after initial setup you'll be able to watch cable TV and surf the internet at the same time for $39.99 +$5 if you rent their cable modem. You can also talk on the telephone because your internet connection does not run through you telephone line, but the same line as your cable TV. Because cable internet access is so fast you can connect more than one computer in your home to the internet at the same time. With cable internet you will always be connected to the internet as long as your pc stays on.
We would also like to mention Wireless internet access services. This type of broadband access is mostly for devices like PDA's and laptops with wireless technology built in. This is cool because if your at an airport waiting for a flight or the park you can get access to the internet. The only drawback for this type of service is that the service is in addition to any internet access service you have in your house and costly with the few companies that provide this service. Also, wireless security is not that good and does not do a perfect job in protecting your privacy. But these days nothing is perfectly secure.
Free Internet
If all you do is basic internet research for just a few hours a week you could just use free internet access from Juno or Netzero. These two companies have merged a couple of years ago. The only drawback is the advertising banner in your browser. But this is what allows you to get free internet. Companies pay these ISP's to advertise their products and in return the company allows you to get free internet access for the chance to expose company products. If you get tired of the banner you can just sign up with Juno/Netzero for as little as $9.99. You may be asking yourself "How do I download the installation program if I don't already have internet access?" Well, just install one of those harassing AOL free 1000 hrs cd's left in your mailbox and download the Juno or Netzero software. Don't forget to contact AOL and tell them you won't be needing their services when the free hours run out. (By the time it took this website to complete Juno and Netzero was trying to move away from its free internet service, but $9.99 is still cheaper than anything we've found out there.)
When choosing an internet access service make sure your select a service that reflects what you do on the internet. If you download a lot of music then Cable internet access is best. If you do research or basic internet browsing the dial-up may be for you and we think over $20 for basic dial-up is almost too much when Juno offers service for $9.99-$14.99. Happy surfing.