Introduction
Millions of consumers and businesses use the Internet daily to communicate and/or operate their business. By definition the Internet is an interconnected system of networks that connects computers around the world via the TCP/IP protocol (dictionary.com). A TCP/IP is the abbreviation for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol suite. Basically a server, which is the main machine, transmits files and services to the end user at a single machine. Unlike software or hardware packages, there is no one entity that governs the Internet. There are, however, many private companies that own Internet traffic flow.
Residential Internet Accessibility
There are four basic types of access to the Internet each with their pros and cons. They are as follows:
?X Dial-Up ¡V this is the most basic of the types of access. In order to access the Internet, the computer must be able to ¡§dial-in¡¨ to the network using a phone line. This, in turn, prohibits the user from using the actual phone line at the same time as accessing the Internet.
?X DSL ¡V DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. This technology, much like dial-up, requires a phone line, however, the user is able to still use the phone while connected to the Internet. Additionally it allows for high-speed access that is considerably faster than dial-up because it is always on. A drawback is that you must be within 1500 meters of the provider of the connection. The further the location, the slower the connection.
?X Cable Modem ¡V this type of access uses a cable modem and a cable wire to access the Internet much like a wire to access local cable television. The cable modem is typically faster than DSL and is also always on. The drawback to this type of service is that it can ...