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You can connect to the Internet in several
ways --
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dial-up (through ordinary phone lines),
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broadband (through cable), or
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DSL (through digital phone lines).
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T1 lines (which are only
available in certain office buildings).
The type of connection determines the speed that you are
able to download and upload files. The higher the download speed, the
faster the files will
display. This is most obvious when you download files that contain
graphics or photos. A DSL connection, for example, will download a
file 14 to 16 times faster than a dial-up connection, while a cable
connection will download a file 50 times faster than a dial-up connection.
Upload speeds determine how fast you are able to send pictures and files
to people via email. Upload speeds are always slower than the
download speeds.
T1 lines have different
speeds available. However, unlike DSL or cable, their speed is
guaranteed by their Internet Service Providers (ISP).
Subscriptions to an Internet
Service Provider are necessary in order to access the Internet, no
matter what type of connection you want. ISPs
include companies such as AOL, MSN, and Earthlink, among others.
In the New York City area, dial-up is
available everywhere and there are a number of ISPs that provide it.
However, you need to check with your Internet Service Provider to find
out whether DSL and/or cable are available in your neighborhood.
Dial-up: Max speed is ~56 kbps.
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AOL
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MSN
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Earthlink
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Compuserve
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Bway
DSL: Max speed is ~768 kbps.
Cable Modem: Max speed is ~3,000 kbps.
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Time-Warner (RoadRunner)
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AOL
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Comcast
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CableVision
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RCN
T1: Speeds range
from 384 kbps to 4,096 kbps
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