Dial-Up Connections
A dial-up connection using a modem is normally the slowest form of Internet connection,
but it works almost anywhere you can find a phone line and is usually reliable.
On the downside, a dial-up connection is not only slow at transferring data but also
slow to connect, typically taking 10??“30 seconds to establish a connection.
Figure 2-2
The Bandwidth Meter
results page shows you
an estimate of your
current connection
speed, together with
faster options and
providers.
18 Part I: Easy
These days, a dial-up connection is practical for e-mail or text-only instant messaging,
but for most other Internet activities you will find its limitations difficult. See the
sidebar ???Get the Most Out of a Dial-up Connection??? for suggestions on maximizing the
use of a dial-up connection while minimizing the irritation its slowness can cause.
The fastest dial-up connection you can get is 53.6 Kbps using a 56 Kbps modem.
However, even this speed requires a good-quality telephone line and suitable equipment
at the exchange. In practice, speeds of 33.6 to 48 Kbps are normal. The longer the
distance from your modem to the ISP, and the greater the number of devices between
the two, the slower the connection is likely to be.
Get the Most Out of a Dial-Up Connection
If you??™re stuck with a dial-up connection, first make sure that your connection
is working as well as possible.
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