A Cheap Alternative To Broadband?
Are you a dial-up user looking for a faster connection,
but don't like Broadband prices? If so, you should take a look at a new service called OnSpeed, which has received rave reviews in Internet technology publications. What OnSpeed does is to re-route web pages and email via
its own servers, compressing the data on the fly prior to sending it onwards to your PC. A small program then decompresses the data, so that you can view it in the normal way via your browser or email client. In my own dial-up tests, with a modem running at a nominal
49kb/s I appeared to get speeds close to that of my normal
broadband connection of 598 kb/s - very impressive. Image quality is often reduced but the compression for this can be improved, though with an adverse effect on the speed of course. Some file types like MP3 also cannot yet be compressed. The
company is working on these issues however and expects to
find solutions soon. Unfortunately I was unable to use email in my tests, due
to a 'port' conflict with a spam filter that I was using. The
standard advice on the OnSpeed site for such cases is to disable the offending program. Not a constructive approach - to say
the least - so I hope that the relevant instructions will be changed soon. More significantly, the problem persisted even when I
switched off the OnSpeed application on my PC; in the end I had to remove the program to get the spam filter working again. I expect that this fault can be resolved, but clearly there are issues in this area that need to be addressed. The software is easy to install, and is available for Mac
as well as Windows PCs. On the whole the service is surprisingly
good, and a lot cheaper than broadband. Unlike other 'speed-up'
techniques that tweak your computer's settings but result in
little noticeable improvement, OnSpeed really works. I can recommend OnSpeed for dial-up users who can't justify the
expense of broadband, or who are not located close enough to a
suitable exchange. OnSpeed is also stated to be great for mobile
or PDA users, as GPRS (wireless) speeds can be boosted by as much
as 8 times. It even helps with broadband if you can only get a
reduced service in your area. My overall rating is 4/5 - very good, but the email support needs
to be improved. If you want further details of OnSpeed, please visit http://www.On-Speed.net. There is a 14 day money-back
guarantee, so you can try the service without any risk. Copyright © Richard Prosser 2004 Richard is a software developer and entrepreneur, and may be
contacted via the 'Article Tips' site given below. This
article may be published without permission, but only in its
entirety. Free email course: "Drive 'Hot' Prospects To Your Site For
Free!"
http://www.ArticleTips.com
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Broadband is State-of-the-Art Internet Access: How Can a Broadband Cable Benefit You?
We are now well ensconced in a time when the Web is riddled with graphics, animations, sounds, and videos, bringing about a necessity for superior internet access such as that which broadband can provide. The fact is that anything less than the speed supplied by a broadband cable has become inadequate for today's Web users.
Internet Service Providers
Internet Service Provider or ISP is a company that provides access to the Internet.
Mind Machine Interfacing
SQUID:
Compare Cable vs. DSL
Okay, so you are finally tired of those slow dial-up internet connections, and you want to go broadband. Good deal. But first, you may be wondering which type of broadband connection is best- DSL or Cable? Or, at least, which of the two gives you more speed for the price? Here we take a look at these two popular broadband connections and try to determine which one is better: DSL vs. Cable.
ICMP Protocol - Internet Control Message Protocol
The Internet Control Message Protocol communicates errors messages between systems that require attention. This error is not usually at the user level, the error is handled by the application layer. In the OSI Reference model, ICMPs are generally considered part of the IP layer.
How to Troubleshoot Your Internet Connection for DSL or Cable Service
One of the common problems among internet users is testing their
internet connection to pinpoint the exact problem. There is a big number of internet users who use DSL, and cable modem service.
Long Arm of the Law Reaches New Internet (RIAA, Internet-2, i2hub Lawsuit)
Have you heard of the new Internet? It's called Internet 2 and this time they're not fooling around. The Abilene Network , begun in 1999 provides the main backbone and they're a pure optical network wired for speed.
Wi-Fi Hotspot Security
You've set up your Boingo account, you're hanging out at the Home Turf sports bar in LAX and you figure you'll do a little business or check your e-mail while sipping a Chardonnay. Well, that's the point of Wi-Fi hotspots; being able to take care of a few things while in a relaxing atmosphere.
How to Get Broadband
Getting broadband services getting easy, but research still required.
What are Your Internet Connection Solutions?
Of primary concern to all internet users is their actual connection to the internet.
Whois Protocol - TCP/IP Suite
The Whois protocol is an information service not unlike the finger service. The Whois protocol provides the client or user with information about the owner of a domain or specific IP address. Information provided by the Whois protocol contains contact information such as address, company, telephone number, and e-mail address.
Wireless Technologies in Mass Transit for Convenience and Safety
Modern Mass Transit is making it easier for commuters, especially with the latest inter connecting wireless technologies. Many buses, commuter trains, shuttles and even trolley cars now have WiFi wireless computer access so no one is out of touch during the travel time. This is being done now in Baltimore to NY trains and in Sacramento to San Francisco Trains thanks to Amtrak. After all we now have WiFi hotspots at McDonalds, Kinko's, Book Stores, Starbucks, Airports and hotel lobbies already.
Unlimited Bandwidth and Overselling
One of the most controversial topics surrounding web hosting is the practice of overselling bandwidth, and rightfully so. The practice of overselling has enormous potential for disaster ? ask any webmaster who has ever woken up to a cold, unforgiving "Bandwidth Exceeded" message where his or her site should be. The risk of such outages is all too real, and the cleanup effort for network bandwidth outages is a long and arduous process.
Google Brings Millions of Hard-to-Find Library Books to Your Fingertips
Millions of hard-to-find books from five major libraries will soon be a lot easier to access: Google has made plans to scan and digitize them, making the books available on their widely used Internet search engine.
Bleeding Edge or Expensive Enterprise Satellite Internet?
The State of Satellite Internet in 2005
Why You Should Switch To A Fast Internet Connection
With high-speed Internet access becoming available in more and more areas, perhaps it is now available in your neck of the woods. If it is, you might be wondering if it makes sense to upgrade from dialup. For most people, the answer is probably yes! Here are a few reasons why:
Beta Testing First Mobile Internet Satellite Broadband, Part III
Back in 1999 when we beta tested the first wireless mobile office with satellite broadband Internet we had something that no one lese had. Today you can buy these systems for $5,500 fully installed on any RV. We probably had $10,000 in the first system and we had mobile satellite number 34. Today there are thousands of systems out there. Continuing the beta testing story of the first broadband satellite internet system.
BT Broadband
Approximately 4 million people in the UK use ADSL with an extra 2 million using a cable connection, meaning 6 million people in the UK have an always-on internet connection. Of these over 1.7 million are subscribed to BT's broadband package, making them the UK's main broadband provider.
How to Test Your DSL and Cable Internet Connection Speed
There are two measured elements that determine your internet connection speed. They are: The download rate, and the upload rate of data measured in bits per seconds. Usually, it is expressed in Kilobits per second.
DSL Internet is a Simple and Easy Way to Get Fast Internet Service
DSL ? which stands for Digital Subscriber Line ? is a great way to get high-speed internet service, without having to get a cable modem, or live in an area that has cable lines. DSL providers have very fast and comparatively cheap internet connectivity.
|
