We are starting a new academic year, and perhaps you want to connect to the Internet from your home computer. The Forum staff would like to present you with basic information on your choices. A word of caution. Many services promise "blazingly" fast access. Before you set the "paint to blistering" make sure the speed is really worth the additional hardware costs and installation charges.
POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) is the most common Internet access for most of us. A telephone line is hooked to the modem in your computer. The telephone line connects you to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and, thereby, the Internet. The fastest access you can get is 56Kb (56 Kilobits) per second. Cost: after you purchase and install your modem, average monthly fees for service range from $25 to $35. Remember, this assumes that you already have a working telephone line.
If you are concerned about missing phone calls, and you don't want the expense of a second POTS line, a company called CallWave offers you some free software that will warn you when a call is coming in and record a message from the caller. You may listen to the caller's message online. If it is someone you want to speak to, sign off the Internet and call them back. This service requires that you have "Call Waiting" with your phone service and an additional feature called "Call Forward On Busy". The CallWave folks will even contact your phone provider and add the feature you need. Bell Atlantic charges $5 for initiating the "Call Forward On Busy" feature and $2 per month for that service.
An option for TJU faculty and staff is Internet service provided by the University. It is not free, your department pays TJU's Information Systems Department $15/month for access. TJU students may also open discounted Internet access accounts from AT&T.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) uses regular telephone wires. You get this service from your local phone company. They must install an adapter in your computer in place of the modem. A basic home user can get transmission rates as high as 128K. This service, from Bell Atlantic, takes a 10-20 day wait for installation, $225 to install and you are billed by usage. You can use the same line for phone and Internet access. The ISP can be someone other than the local phone provider--another cost. A cheaper alternative would be DSL Service.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is another form of access through regular telephone lines. The rates of access vary from 144Kb to 8Mb (8 Megabits) per second. A subscriber doesn't have to dial into the service, you are connected as soon as you turn on your PC. DSL also has the capability of providing phone service over the same line simultaneously as you access the Internet. Cost: a local provider (Bell Atlantic) advertises a monthly fee starting at $65, unlimited access, and reports a 15 day wait for installation. This does not cover the cost of the modem. The Modem, full-price, costs $325. Check for special promotions on installation and modems. It could save you a bundle.
Many people are opting for this service and the providers are overwhelmed. Be aware that some users have begun referring to this service as Darn Stupid Line (DSL) because of long waits for service to be initiated and less than stellar technical support.
Cable modem connection is available only to those lucky suburbanites (mostly) whose cable company has wired their area for Internet service. It requires a special modem--some companies allow you to lease a modem. A technician comes to your home to install all the needed equipment and test the system. Once it is connected, your computer is connected to the Internet every time you boot up your machine. You also have the added advantage of freeing up your telephone line for voice calls. Speed of access to information is 8 to 15 times faster than a 56K modem over telephone lines. Contact your local cable provider to see if your area has the necessary wiring. After installation the monthly fees for the @home system vary from $40-$45.
Satellite access to the Internet is a tricky thing. It has been available for at least two years, but it is a hybrid system. It only downloads information to you from the Internet. When you need to upload commands, i.e., a click on a hyperlink, type a password or a search term for a database, you must also have a separate telephone connection with a modem and an ISP. Some providers promise that the 2-way Internet satellite connection is very close to a reality.
Whatever type of access you opt for, take a look at "TheList". TheList is a Web site providing links to over 9000 ISP's, providing most of the different technologies discussed.
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