Aboard The Broadband-Wagon 'Broadband' is the general term used to refer to high-speedinformation transmission over networks, and nowadays is usedincreasingly to mean a fast Internet connection.
The term has more to do with the electrical waveform ('signal')being transmitted. The signal can come to you through a varietyof physical arrangements: a DSL line, a T1 line, a TV cable, awireless link and even your utility power line.
Which physical arrangement is best for you depends a great dealon what is available in your geographical area and the price ofeach arrangement. You should do a comparison of speeds and costsand choose what is optimal for you. Just be sure you do notchoose an ISDN line (because it is getting obsolete) or powerline (because the technology is not mature, and it will be someyears before the bugs are ironed out).
Live in a large city and want free wireless broadband Internet?Your wish is or will be granted! Almighty Google is busy fixingantennae to lampposts in major cities so that your computer canaccess the Internet much in the same way your mobile phoneaccesses your cellular network: almost anywhere in any city. Notonly will you get driving directions to that restaurant you aregoing to, the maitre d' will appear on a small screen and takeyour order as you drive.
~ Broadband's Bag of Goodies ~
Broadband has brought a slew of valuable capabilities to theInternet:
1. Good Video
First of all, you can download smooth, non-jerky video.Consequently an increasing number of sites are including richgraphics, Flash and video to enhance the appeal of theirmessages. You can now download feature films from over 200,000Web TV stations and watch them as they stream into your computer("stream them"). No more trips to the video library and no morerenting DVDs!
You can share your screen and talk with co-workers located atfar-flung locations (or just relax and play Xbox or PS2 gameswith them). You can interact with them from the convenience ofyour home computer, and the need for a physical office can bedispensed with. This implies less travel in your car, lessgasoline consumption and less pollution of the atmosphere byengine exhaust gases.
You can search online video archives with specialized searchengines. This means you can
download video that matches yourchosen phrases. Examples would be "Nick Lachey singing 'MyEverything' to Jessica Simpson", "Oprah visiting Katrinavictims" or "how to toss a thin pizza shell". There is no longera need to wait for your subject to be broadcast.
2. Cheap Long Distance
Broadband has enabled miracle of low-cost long-distance Internettelephony. This application is based on the renowned technology,VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). You can now speak to yourloved ones or business associates in most other parts of theworld for 2 cents a minute!
No more waiting for late nights or weekends to get those "freeminutes"... you can afford to call anytime. Additionally, thesound clarity is several times better than that of aconventional phone call... voices are loud and clear with littleor no background noise.
This means you can stay in touch more often. You can get newsfaster and offer advice without delay. For instance, a timelyobservation about a certain medical treatment could very wellsave the life of the person at the other end!
3. Always On
With Broadband, you are always connected to the Internet. Nomore dialing up and waiting to connect. The dialing time isfreed up for you to use for other things.
In most cases, you get a telephone connection with the broadbandconnection, so you can simultaneously speak on the phone andsurf the Internet. Your phone line will not be busy when yousurf so that people can reach you even if you are online.
One important user of this constant connectivity is security.You can have inexpensive webcams mounted in various locations ofyour home or office and connect them to the Internet. Since yourbroadband connection is always 'live', you can monitor yourhouse from anywhere, anytime. No more worrying when away fromyour desk or living room!
~ Conclusion ~
The day is not far when dial-up connections will be a rarity. Ifyou have not yet upgraded to broadband, start working at doingso NOW. You will definitely not regret it.
About the author:
John J Stockwell is an engineer with considerable experience inInternet technologies. Get even more information on broadbandfrom his website at
http://broadband-aa.info
