Want to do one thing to make your computing life easier this coming year? Get a high-speed internet connection (we’ll call it broadband, just to save a few words). It’ll change your life, for $30 a month. Guaranteed.

There are three kinds of home broadband connections available: DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), cable modem, and satellite. DSL uses the residual bandwidth in your existing phone lines (if they were installed sometime AFTER the Popham Colony was settled – sorry, Georgetown residents). Cable modems use the residual bandwidth in your TV cable. Satellite can piggyback on a DirectTV-type dish. They’re all routed through a high-speed modem, and for most users, require “professional” installation. You can opt for a variety of speeds, but even the slowest 184Kbps connection is easily five-to-ten times faster than dial-up. For example, on a 56K modem dial-up connection, a one megabyte file will take at least four minutes to download (if you’re getting a good connection). With broadband, you’re done in one minute.

People resisting broadband offer these reasons: “It’s too expensive”; “I’ll just spend more time on my computer”; “I’m concerned about my digital security”; or “I just can’t get broadband where I live”. Let’s address each concern.

Cost. Most people pay around $15 per month for dial-up. For $30 per month, you can get broadband. What is your time worth? Do you have to send off for CDs containing software updates that broadband users download and install while refilling their morning coffee? There are installation fees to deal with, but providers often offer incentives – shop around.

Time. Yes, you may end up spending more time on your computer, but it’ll be quality time. You’ll be zipping through cyberspace, not waiting for web pages to load. Plus, broadband is always on. No more waiting (and hoping) for the dial-up connection and disconnection. No tying up the phone line.

Security. No problem, if you make sure that your system’s firewall is on. A firewall basically prevents unwanted entry into your computer. Definitely a must for broadband connections.

Can you get broadband where you live? Depends. More or less, if you can get cable TV, you can get cable modem. DSL is a different animal. DSL availability and performance is dependent upon your proximity to major phone “stations”. The only way to know for sure is to contact a provider.

© 2003 Peter F. Zimowski