ok, cable modems..... ?

[GambitX]

Whats a cable modem? Doesn't that require a digital line? And therefore that would be far too expensive for me...

[Slime]

From what i understand (and hopefully someone more knowledgable will correct me) but you need cable into your house first (i.e. Telewest, C+W etc etc).

As the cable is really a very high bandwidth digital connection (enough to stick TV and telephone down it), a natural progression is for the cable companies to use some of the available bandwidth to get on the net.

I'm not sure what form the modems take (bit weird calling them modems when that's not really what they do). The only downside i've heard is that you effectively connect to a sort of LAN. That is to say everyone in your street (who's connected) will share the same total amount of bandwidth. So, if you live in a street with 100 pensioners, you'll probably have most the bandwith to yourself and everything will be great. However, if you live in "Wireplay Avenue" and everybody else uses the internet access, you might not find your connection is so great. But it's probably a small price to pay for a wicked fast access method.

But....what do i care - i havn't even got mains drainage, let alone bloody cable !!

Cheers
Slime

[AcidicFish]

That makes two of us, but I bet u've got mains water I haven't yet mine comes free off this big hill opposite my house http://www.wireplay.co.uk/ubb/smile.gif

[Vertigo]

All the above is true, but usually, you can "rent" more bandwidth off of the supplier.

i.e. 40 quid gets you 1/2MBps
50 quid gets you 1MBps

etc.

The real beauty is that these prices are fixed..you will not have to pay for anything more than this..no calls costing.

The pc connects to the cable via a 10MBps network card into an adapter which goes between the wall and your box of lurve.

The adapter will typically be cable company specific, and cost anywhere betwee 50 to 200 spondulicks..depends on company again.

But - leave yer pc on all the time and hey presto!! server city, warez ville, and Never-Leave-House-Again Vegas.

sorry about that.

any more info? go to www.firingsquad.com and root around for their little tutorial on connection types and performance for the internet.

hope that helps..any more queries? icq me :
39356189

Verty.