NADO  DON’s
COMMON SENSE COMPUTER ADVICE

164 Elkwood Ave #B,Imperial Beach, CA  91932
Phone: (619) 300-8485 
Email: Don@nadodon.net

CHOOSING YOUR ISP

• ISP DECISION FACTORS

• CABLE MODEMS

• DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER LINES

One of the most challenging decisions for the computer user these days has become the choice of Internet Service Providers (ISPs). There are many to choose from at various speed levels & each has its own advantages/liabilities.  Basically you, the individual or small home business owner, have available standard Internet service using your computer's modem, cable modems & Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL).

Before going into each type of service available; you first need to understand that the speed of your connection is only 1/2 of the overall download/upload speed equation. You may have the fastest connection available; but you will only be able to download/upload to & from the web as fast as the receiving/delivering site's connection speed & servers allow. Sites with slow servers or using graphics intensive layouts are still not going to load as fast as you would expect. High Web traffic volume will also slow a server down; in some cases to the point where it will not allow you to connect to the server; resulting in a server overloaded error message.

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ISP DECISION FACTORS

The keys to which of these ISPs best suits you is driven by a variety of factors.

1. What will you be using your Internet connection for?
   If you are just using it for e-mail, home applications, a  low end broadband DSL/Cable ISP will do fine.
   
   -However, if you will be using this as a primary business/research tool or downloading large files on a regular basis, then a mid range broadband Cable or DSL is the way to go. 
   
2. How much will you be using your Internet connection?
   If you are a light to moderate Web user (2-3 hours per day), then a low end 2-4 Mbps+ cable or DSL service will suffice
   
   If you use the Web heavily; (5+ hours per day), then high end 10 Mbps+ cable or DSL service are the best alternative to allow you to efficiently utilize your time on the Web.
   
3. Is cost a major factor?
   Free ISPs are no onger an option.   The AOLs & Netzero's have gone the way of the Dodo  All the cable & DSL providers will run $20-$50 per month.
   
4. Do you travel a lot & need to hookup in several different cities for business or travel?
   - While not important to most users, this is a key factor for business people that travel often.  Check with your current or desired ISP to see if their coverage areas include those that you frequent.   While Cable is available widely in the US, accounts are NOT portable! In short, you can't hook up to a cable line in your hotel & get into your account.  DSL is just beginning to develop its access network & will not have a thorough nationwide system for a couple of years.  Most ISPs, including Cable & DSL, now offer an offline dial-in connection through which you can remotely access your e-mail from another site.   In this instance, only Aol has the complete coverage that most people need for country wide & even out of country travel.
   
5. Do you have children that you don't want having access to the "full" capability/content of the web?
   Most ISPs offer free security software  with parental controls to monitor kids web usage. With the other providers, you must use some sort of Web security program like Net Nanny, Cyber Patrol or Surf Watch in addition to their software for that purpose.
   
6. What is your computer experience level?
   -Are you familiar with the Web & how to use browsers & search engines, or do you need to be guided through the whole experience?  If so, then Aol is your choice for its ease of use & fast, courteous online help.

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CABLE MODEMS

These ISPs have been around for a few years & are an offshoot of the cable industry's attempt to grab a market share of the online video industry.  They advertise fast service (50Xs faster than a 28.8 or 10 Xs faster than a 56K modem). The two cable providers in the area are Cox Online & Time Warner (Road Runner). They usually cost around $70 to install & run from $40-$50 a month for use. A tech comes to your home/office & installs the cable modem & modem box as well as installing  & setting up the software.  They also offer self intall kits for advanced computer users to set up themselves. The connections are a lot faster than standard modems but the do have some limitations/problems.

The data download & upload sides of the system run through different equipment.  In addition, you are on a 100 hub network, as more users join your network hub the speed slows down. Another problem seems to be with their e-mail service which has an annoying habit of going down fairly often (every 2 weeks or so).   The point of major concern I have with this type of access from my dealings with cable modem clients, is the lack of computer experience demonstrated by their field techs when installing their equipment & their incredibly (back to the nightmare days of early cable)  slow response times!  Some techs seem to know little outside their own task of installing the cable modem & box which has led to equipment problems with the clients computer.   The other big down side is that since cable companies are relative monopolies, there is little chance that their rates will come down much further than they are now,  as they are THE ONLY game in town.  At least not until DSL starts making serious inroads on their client base.

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DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER LINES

These providers simply have consumerized the high speed (ISDN, T1, T2) lines that have existed in government & larger commercial organizations for many years.  The DSL line also boasts speeds equivalent to cable modems, but additionally can be tailored to meet a clients specific requirements.   The big advantage, other than the high speed continuous access, is that it requires no additional phone line for the service to function.  In fact, it allows you to use the existing phone line you talk on daily simultaneously while you are online .  The installation & setup fees can be higher than cable ($100); but most 1st time promotional deals eliminate this entirely. The monthly cost is comparable to cable as well ($39-$49).