By Alissa Arford-Leyl
Shop Site of the Month
Motor Cars International - Smyrna, Ga.
www.motorcarsintl.com
Professional design and graphics with nicely organized information.
Web Wise
Staying Up To Speed with the Internet
Does your Web surfing experience always begin with a chorus of busy signals? Do you catch yourself nodding off as you wait for a Web page to download? Chances are that even if you have a new computer with a 56K modem, you still long for a faster Internet connection. Cable modems or digital subscriber lines (DSLs) may be the answer for you.
Both options allow uninterrupted access to the Internet at speeds much faster than a normal phone-line connection. A cable modem connection speed for downloading information is 10 to 20 megabits per second (Mbps) and DSL is about 800 kilobits per second (Kbps).
To connect to the Internet via a cable modem, you use your local cable company as your Internet service provider (ISP). The cable is hooked up to a cable modem, which is connected to your computer. Cable companies currently use either coaxial and fiber-optic cable for normal television transmissions. Coaxial cables can easily send information, but for communication purposes a phone line would be needed to send back a response. Fiber-optic cable allows a two-way exchange of information, splitting the bandwidth to accommodate each purpose. Most companies offering Internet service will have fiber-optic cables. Since fiber-optic cables are shared by multiple users, connection speeds may be decreased if there are too many users online at the same time. There are also security issues surrounding the technology.
DSLs and asynchronous digital subscriber lines (ADSLs) are not as fast as cable modems, but they are much faster than connecting with an analog modem on a normal phone line. DSL uses your existing telephone wiring but different switching and signaling equipment to maximize speed. ADSL sends and receives signals at different speeds. Phone companies and DSL specialists offer various packages that guarantee a specified speed range. Due to distance limitations for the digital signals, DSLs are only available within 17,500 feet of a phone company central switching office. The benefit of this technology over cable connections is that you have a dedicated line and don't have to share resources.
If you want to stick with your current modem, research your ISP's capabilities. If you are running a 56K modem, but your ISP can only support a 36.6 Kbps connection, you won't be surfing any faster than 36.6. Additionally, most connection speeds are much lower than their potential.
See the May 1999 Net Worth article for additional information.
Net Numbers
On an average month in 1999, approximately 14,000 people visited the ASA Web Site.
Source: Automotive Service Association,
Web Trends Data
ASA Web Ways
Do you have an opening in your shop for a management, administrative or technical position? The ASA Employment Classifieds will give you exposure to hundreds of potential employees each month. The Employment Classifieds section at the ASA Web site (www.asashop.org) offers 19 categories for ASA members to post available positions. Include the past experience and certification/education required along with any additional information. Technicians looking for a job can post a free advertisement using the Positions Wanted form. There is no word limit and the ads automatically expire in 30 days after posting. If you have any questions please send e-mail to asainfo@asashop.org.
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