The latest in communications technology, VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), uses the internet instead of the traditional telephone for voice communications. Businesses that use this technology are seeing an increase in productivity and lower costs through the improvement in communications that this technology affords them. The bottom line is an increase in profits.
Residential users are finding that they can cut their phone bills both nationally and internationally by using their existing internet connection and taking advantage of offers by VOIP service providers of free software downloads, which enable connection to their network, and then they can talk to their friends and family with similarly enabled computers for free.
Levels of Service
You need to decide if you want:
* Residential VOIP - LINK
* VOIP Business Phone System - LINK
* Business to Business VOIP Service
Available Services
A VOIP service provider will provide your business with any or all of the following services:
* Wired Service
* Wireless Service called a mobility service
* Multimedia
* Voice Application
* Messaging
Of utmost importance is finding a VOIP service provider that will provide you with an excellent service, combining reliability, high quality equipment and connection, good customer service, multiple user features e.g. caller-ID, voice mail and 3-way calling, and reduced cost phone bills.
You should also be aware that your VOIP service provider has to adhere to certain regulations both national and international and conform to customer protection laws.
VOIP service providers are keen to get your business and some of the major players such as Earthlink and Skype are offering free VOIP services, allowing users to talk to their friends and family using the internet at no cost, plus other benefits so it is worth shopping around and getting the best value deal.
Harry Cornwall operates the website VoipSystemGuide.com. If you need to find out more about the purchasing, usage and enjoyment of a VOIP system and how to save money then please click here.
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/126577.html
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Save Money With Hi-Tech Bundled Services
How Hi-Tech Bundling Can Save You Money
Forget about the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, or even the Computer Age - we are now living in the Age of the Bundle!
We are entering the Age of hi-tech bundled services that cater to all our modern communication needs. We are gradually seeing all our services like high-speed Internet, Phone, Fax, Gaming, Radio and TV bundled into one package and one source. All-in-one basic rate for all your communication services.
Your Internet or ISP service has long been bundled or combined with your cable TV service. With the proliferation of so many wireless devices into our daily lives; expect much more bundling in the future and also expect that bundling to go wireless.
Why? Because consumers want it.
According to an Ipsos Study, Americans are ready for bundled communications services with 16% saying they would switch to a bundle service if it included wireless phone service. With just the combination of telephone, television and high-speed Internet around 7% said they would switch. You can read more here:
http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/pressrelease.cfm?id=2632
Welcome to the Battle of the Bundle.
Major Internet providers and major telecom giants are raging a fierce head-on battle for your patronage of their bundled services. Billions are being poured into this battle from big players such as Verizon, Comcast Corp., Bell South, SBC, DirecTV and many more.
The battle is being fought by three major fractions:
Cable TV providers, ISP providers and Telephone providers. And the battle is heating up and consumers are reaping the benefits. For some time now, we have seen the steady increase of Broadband or Internet Phone services, offering lower rates and better discounts. This is a new use of Internet technology that is increasing in popularity as more and more customers get Broadband Internet services in their homes.
As our world goes wireless, the use of cell phones and notebook computers are increasing every day. So too are hand-held devices like the Blackberry, further fueling the demand for all forms of communication, Phone, TV, Radio, Gaming, Fax and Internet to be delivered to these wireless devices.
We all have a basic need to be connected at all times with our loved ones, businesses and colleagues. The wireless age has set the stage for an all-in-one Communication/Internet/TV/Phone/Fax/Gaming/Radio solution that has a definite appeal to consumers. A bundled package which will take care of all your communication needs in one monthly bill.
All this competition for your monthly bundled communication services can only spell good news for the consumer. Shop around and you will save money on your monthly bill. Whether it’s $10, $20, $30 or more OFF your monthly charges - this will quickly add up over time - saving you big bucks in the long run. It is definitely worth your while to check out the different bundled service providers in your area to find the best deal. You should even check with your current Cable TV or Telecom provider to see if they offer bundled services. You may be pleasantly surprised at the savings each month.
It makes economic sense. It makes practical sense. Have all your telecommunication services bundled into one package and save money.
It also makes sense to present or offer all these services in one small hand-held wireless device. Whether it is a full featured cell phone that also offers Internet/Fax/TV/Gaming/Radio or a small portable laptop/hand-held. Expect this system to evolve into a totally wireless satellite service, available anywhere in the world or universe. Cables are old school.
If we have learned anything from history, we should realize or know by now where there is a need, technology will supply the solution. Economic forces will connect the two. Prepare yourself for the Bundle Age. Wireless satellite TV, Phone, Fax, Gaming and Radio at your fingertips.
It's just around the corner, or as close as your nearest cell phone or your bundled services provider (BSP).
For a whole list of Free Marketing Tools for your business, including eFax! Click here: Free Marketing Tools
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/1-29-2006-87659.asp
Forget about the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, or even the Computer Age - we are now living in the Age of the Bundle!
We are entering the Age of hi-tech bundled services that cater to all our modern communication needs. We are gradually seeing all our services like high-speed Internet, Phone, Fax, Gaming, Radio and TV bundled into one package and one source. All-in-one basic rate for all your communication services.
Your Internet or ISP service has long been bundled or combined with your cable TV service. With the proliferation of so many wireless devices into our daily lives; expect much more bundling in the future and also expect that bundling to go wireless.
Why? Because consumers want it.
According to an Ipsos Study, Americans are ready for bundled communications services with 16% saying they would switch to a bundle service if it included wireless phone service. With just the combination of telephone, television and high-speed Internet around 7% said they would switch. You can read more here:
http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/pressrelease.cfm?id=2632
Welcome to the Battle of the Bundle.
Major Internet providers and major telecom giants are raging a fierce head-on battle for your patronage of their bundled services. Billions are being poured into this battle from big players such as Verizon, Comcast Corp., Bell South, SBC, DirecTV and many more.
The battle is being fought by three major fractions:
Cable TV providers, ISP providers and Telephone providers. And the battle is heating up and consumers are reaping the benefits. For some time now, we have seen the steady increase of Broadband or Internet Phone services, offering lower rates and better discounts. This is a new use of Internet technology that is increasing in popularity as more and more customers get Broadband Internet services in their homes.
As our world goes wireless, the use of cell phones and notebook computers are increasing every day. So too are hand-held devices like the Blackberry, further fueling the demand for all forms of communication, Phone, TV, Radio, Gaming, Fax and Internet to be delivered to these wireless devices.
We all have a basic need to be connected at all times with our loved ones, businesses and colleagues. The wireless age has set the stage for an all-in-one Communication/Internet/TV/Phone/Fax/Gaming/Radio solution that has a definite appeal to consumers. A bundled package which will take care of all your communication needs in one monthly bill.
All this competition for your monthly bundled communication services can only spell good news for the consumer. Shop around and you will save money on your monthly bill. Whether it’s $10, $20, $30 or more OFF your monthly charges - this will quickly add up over time - saving you big bucks in the long run. It is definitely worth your while to check out the different bundled service providers in your area to find the best deal. You should even check with your current Cable TV or Telecom provider to see if they offer bundled services. You may be pleasantly surprised at the savings each month.
It makes economic sense. It makes practical sense. Have all your telecommunication services bundled into one package and save money.
It also makes sense to present or offer all these services in one small hand-held wireless device. Whether it is a full featured cell phone that also offers Internet/Fax/TV/Gaming/Radio or a small portable laptop/hand-held. Expect this system to evolve into a totally wireless satellite service, available anywhere in the world or universe. Cables are old school.
If we have learned anything from history, we should realize or know by now where there is a need, technology will supply the solution. Economic forces will connect the two. Prepare yourself for the Bundle Age. Wireless satellite TV, Phone, Fax, Gaming and Radio at your fingertips.
It's just around the corner, or as close as your nearest cell phone or your bundled services provider (BSP).
For a whole list of Free Marketing Tools for your business, including eFax! Click here: Free Marketing Tools
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/1-29-2006-87659.asp
Make Money With Real Estate Articles
Writing real estate investing or home buying articles, or any articles related to real estate is a great way to invest a little or nothing and make a lot of money. You have to know how to write decently, or be willing to learn. But you do not need to sell your articles.
You don't have to be a marketer to write about real estate and make money. I make well over $1,000 per month with one of my real estate sites - without having to sell any real estate books or courses of my own. All I do is write, put up pages and promote the site.
It costs $8.50 per year for the domain name, or about 75 cents per month. The server has 20 of my web sites on it and costs me $25 per month, or about $1.25 per month per site. I would have my internet provider in any case, but if I divide the 30 dollar cost among the sites, it runs about $1.50 per month per site.I spend nothing at all on advertising. If you just did the math, you can see that my total expenses for the web site run $3.50 per month (yes you read that correctly).
I don't have to sell anything of my own (although I do that on other web sites) because there are so many good programs that pay per click for ads on my site, or pay a commission for referred sales. I put the links up and let them do the selling. I just have to get visitors to the web site and keep them interested.
Getting traffic to a website is a subject of its own, but I use one primary strategy. I write articles and distribute them through article directories. They are read there, and taken for free by other web site owners who wish to use them. In all cases, the "about the author" box at the end has an active link to my web site for readers who want more. This is a powerful way to bring in the traffic. There are now thousands of links out there that point to my web site.
What Kind Of Real Estate Articles Should You Write?
The more important issue is probably how you make that writing generate income for you, but it does matter what you have to say. Look for a new angle on some aspect of real estate. The site I refer to above is HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com, and it arose from our experience exploring the country for cheap towns, and eventually buying a nice home for $17,500 a few years ago.
You might have real estate stories to tell if you are a real estate agent. People love stories - especially true stories. If you have a lot of experience investing in real estate, you can write about your own investments - both the good and the bad. A good story with a lesson will always be a hit with those who are interested in real estate investing.
You could concentrate on a niche, like fixer-uppers, if that is where your experience is. If you have invested in a few such projects, you should have enough to say to fill a couple dozen articles or pages on a web site. If you specialize in buying and selling land, write about that.
What if you have no real estate investing experience, but you love to read about real estate? You can write reviews of real estate investing books. You'll have links to the books on your site, of course, and get a commission when they sell.
What if you have an interest in real estate, but mostly just like to write? You can interview real estate investors, real estate sales agents, appraisers and others, and put those interviews on your web site. You can also write short biographies and stories about investors and others that are involved in real estate in some way.
Bottom line? If you already have a computer and internet access, you can even start with one of those free web sites. That means you can invest nothing but your time and still make money writing real estate articles.
Copyright Steve Gillman. This article was an excerpt from "69 Ways To Make Money In Real Estate". Want to know the other 68 ways? Visit http://www.99reports.com/make-money-in-real-estate.html
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/make-money-with-real-estate-articles.html
You don't have to be a marketer to write about real estate and make money. I make well over $1,000 per month with one of my real estate sites - without having to sell any real estate books or courses of my own. All I do is write, put up pages and promote the site.
It costs $8.50 per year for the domain name, or about 75 cents per month. The server has 20 of my web sites on it and costs me $25 per month, or about $1.25 per month per site. I would have my internet provider in any case, but if I divide the 30 dollar cost among the sites, it runs about $1.50 per month per site.I spend nothing at all on advertising. If you just did the math, you can see that my total expenses for the web site run $3.50 per month (yes you read that correctly).
I don't have to sell anything of my own (although I do that on other web sites) because there are so many good programs that pay per click for ads on my site, or pay a commission for referred sales. I put the links up and let them do the selling. I just have to get visitors to the web site and keep them interested.
Getting traffic to a website is a subject of its own, but I use one primary strategy. I write articles and distribute them through article directories. They are read there, and taken for free by other web site owners who wish to use them. In all cases, the "about the author" box at the end has an active link to my web site for readers who want more. This is a powerful way to bring in the traffic. There are now thousands of links out there that point to my web site.
What Kind Of Real Estate Articles Should You Write?
The more important issue is probably how you make that writing generate income for you, but it does matter what you have to say. Look for a new angle on some aspect of real estate. The site I refer to above is HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com, and it arose from our experience exploring the country for cheap towns, and eventually buying a nice home for $17,500 a few years ago.
You might have real estate stories to tell if you are a real estate agent. People love stories - especially true stories. If you have a lot of experience investing in real estate, you can write about your own investments - both the good and the bad. A good story with a lesson will always be a hit with those who are interested in real estate investing.
You could concentrate on a niche, like fixer-uppers, if that is where your experience is. If you have invested in a few such projects, you should have enough to say to fill a couple dozen articles or pages on a web site. If you specialize in buying and selling land, write about that.
What if you have no real estate investing experience, but you love to read about real estate? You can write reviews of real estate investing books. You'll have links to the books on your site, of course, and get a commission when they sell.
What if you have an interest in real estate, but mostly just like to write? You can interview real estate investors, real estate sales agents, appraisers and others, and put those interviews on your web site. You can also write short biographies and stories about investors and others that are involved in real estate in some way.
Bottom line? If you already have a computer and internet access, you can even start with one of those free web sites. That means you can invest nothing but your time and still make money writing real estate articles.
Copyright Steve Gillman. This article was an excerpt from "69 Ways To Make Money In Real Estate". Want to know the other 68 ways? Visit http://www.99reports.com/make-money-in-real-estate.html
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/make-money-with-real-estate-articles.html
Choosing an ISP Plan
When deciding on which ISP plan is right for you, there are two main factors to consider: your needs and your budget. You want to purchase the most affordable plan that can handle everything you want to accomplish on the internet.
There are three main types of plans to choose from: Dial-Up, DSL and Cable. Each of these three plan types download internet pages and files at different speeds. The fastest is a Cable (around 1000 kilobits per second) connection followed by DSL (around 300 kilobits per second) and Dial-Up (around 30 kilobits per second), respectively. If you are planning on only using the internet for email and surfing web pages, a Dial-Up plan would be perfect for you. Dial-Up is also the cheapest of the three followed by DSL and Cable, respectively. However, if you are planning on purchasing a membership at a movie or music download website that lets you download unlimited movies or music per month, you will want a DSL or Cable connection so you can take advantage of the offer.
In summary, when choosing an ISP plan first decide on what you want to accomplish and second how much you are willing to spend.
Brian Shoemaker is the owner of internet service provider directory ISPShakedown.com.
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/12-20-2005-84445.asp
There are three main types of plans to choose from: Dial-Up, DSL and Cable. Each of these three plan types download internet pages and files at different speeds. The fastest is a Cable (around 1000 kilobits per second) connection followed by DSL (around 300 kilobits per second) and Dial-Up (around 30 kilobits per second), respectively. If you are planning on only using the internet for email and surfing web pages, a Dial-Up plan would be perfect for you. Dial-Up is also the cheapest of the three followed by DSL and Cable, respectively. However, if you are planning on purchasing a membership at a movie or music download website that lets you download unlimited movies or music per month, you will want a DSL or Cable connection so you can take advantage of the offer.
In summary, when choosing an ISP plan first decide on what you want to accomplish and second how much you are willing to spend.
Brian Shoemaker is the owner of internet service provider directory ISPShakedown.com.
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/12-20-2005-84445.asp
Disgusted With Dialup? - Compare DSL Providers, Cable and Satellite Internet To See If One Is Right For You
Do you find yourself waiting around for your Internet pages to load or digital photo files and other attachments to transfer? Do your friends and family complain that they can never get through on the phone line because you or your kids are always online. Chances are you are still using dial up Internet service. Perhaps it’s time to consider an alternative method.
The main three types of high speed access include DSL, cable and satellite Internet. At the current time, DSL and cable services are not available in all areas. Some parts of the country do not have access to either option. Good satellite Internet reception is dependant on an unobstructed line of sight to the south. So where you live can make a big difference in which high speed Internet service you choose. Here are some overviews of each service and comparisons for those fortunate to have more than one option available.
DSL
DSL, which stands for Digital Subscriber Line, describes a technology that taps into unused frequencies on copper telephone lines to transmit information at much higher speeds. There is no dialup and accessing services. So access is immediate. With DSL, you can send both voice and high speed data over the same line. The bandwith, or data transfer capacity, or DSL ranges from 128 Kbps to 1.544 Mbps downstream to your computer. Upstream transfer from your computer is usually limited to 128 Kbps. Bandwith is dedicated so you don’t have to share with other users, but DSL is also more effective the closer you are to service provider's facilities. If your local area has plenty of cable bandwith available it may be a better option for those located greater distances from a DSL provider. Average monthly charges for DSL services are around $55-$65.
Verizon is one of the leading providers of high speed DSL service, with a large coverage area. With Verizon DSL you get a monthly package for $34.95 that includes unlimited access with a personalized home page, 9 e-mail accounts, and 10 megabytes of web space. For those customers with multiple computers in the home, there is a home networking option available. You can connect multiple home computers and laptops to a single high-speed DSL Internet connection at no additional monthly cost.
Earthlink DSL is another option. Their basic package, which includes the same features as Verizon’s offer also includes a free dial-up service which allows you to enjoy 20 hours of Internet access per month when you're away from home. This package typically costs $39.99 per month. Earthlink also offers cable and satellite Internet.
As noted, DSL uses copper telephone wires. Rural areas and some cities do not have these wires available for large volume use, which means that DSL is not yet an option in those areas, even if Verizon, Earthlink or another provider offers services there.
Cable
If you have cable TV available in your area, chances are that you have access to Internet through your cable provider. This service uses the same wires as your cable TV programming and depending on the provider and the area, there may be a good deal of broadwith available or a more limited amount. Because users share broadwith, this could be an issue for those living in areas with limited amounts available for Internet use. It is a good question to ask your cable provider before signing up. Your choice for cable Internet is typically limited to only those providers who offer cable TV in your area. On average, cable Internet does tend to be a bit faster than DSL. Service is often slightly less expensive than DSL, averaging around $45 per month.
Satellite
If you do not have DSL or cable Internet available in your area, satellite Internet may provide a viable option. Its speed is comparable to other high speed Internet services, its always on, and you have the option of adding satellite TV service. However, it requires that you have a clear view of the southern sky from your home anywhere in the continental United States in order to receive good reception from the satellites. The service is typically a good deal more expensive than the other two high speed options discussed, averaging around $100 per month with installation fees of up to $400.
Some people confuse satellite Internet with what’s known as WiFi. WiFi Internet services are actually provided by access nodes located in high traffic areas such as airports and hotel or through Internet cafes. If you have a laptop equipped with WiFi receiver, you can access services from within about 1000 feet of the node. There is typically a fee to use this service. It is a good idea for travelers but does not meet the need for home Internet use because it required the access node.
Although there are several satellite Internet providers, they all use similar technology. DirecTV is a popular provider because they are also a top satellite TV company. DirecTV satellite Internet service is delivered through a wholly owned subsidiary, DIRECWAY. DirecTV satellite Internet costs $99.99 per month and requires customers to purchase a satellite dish and modem. Installation is typically available from the distributor.
Comparisons
This comparison chart taken from the High Speed Internet Guide should give you a fair idea of the speed and costs involved. However, it is important to note that the data transfer rates you can get from either DSL or Cable will depend entirely on whatever local providers are in your area.
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/1-27-2006-87484.asp
The main three types of high speed access include DSL, cable and satellite Internet. At the current time, DSL and cable services are not available in all areas. Some parts of the country do not have access to either option. Good satellite Internet reception is dependant on an unobstructed line of sight to the south. So where you live can make a big difference in which high speed Internet service you choose. Here are some overviews of each service and comparisons for those fortunate to have more than one option available.
DSL
DSL, which stands for Digital Subscriber Line, describes a technology that taps into unused frequencies on copper telephone lines to transmit information at much higher speeds. There is no dialup and accessing services. So access is immediate. With DSL, you can send both voice and high speed data over the same line. The bandwith, or data transfer capacity, or DSL ranges from 128 Kbps to 1.544 Mbps downstream to your computer. Upstream transfer from your computer is usually limited to 128 Kbps. Bandwith is dedicated so you don’t have to share with other users, but DSL is also more effective the closer you are to service provider's facilities. If your local area has plenty of cable bandwith available it may be a better option for those located greater distances from a DSL provider. Average monthly charges for DSL services are around $55-$65.
Verizon is one of the leading providers of high speed DSL service, with a large coverage area. With Verizon DSL you get a monthly package for $34.95 that includes unlimited access with a personalized home page, 9 e-mail accounts, and 10 megabytes of web space. For those customers with multiple computers in the home, there is a home networking option available. You can connect multiple home computers and laptops to a single high-speed DSL Internet connection at no additional monthly cost.
Earthlink DSL is another option. Their basic package, which includes the same features as Verizon’s offer also includes a free dial-up service which allows you to enjoy 20 hours of Internet access per month when you're away from home. This package typically costs $39.99 per month. Earthlink also offers cable and satellite Internet.
As noted, DSL uses copper telephone wires. Rural areas and some cities do not have these wires available for large volume use, which means that DSL is not yet an option in those areas, even if Verizon, Earthlink or another provider offers services there.
Cable
If you have cable TV available in your area, chances are that you have access to Internet through your cable provider. This service uses the same wires as your cable TV programming and depending on the provider and the area, there may be a good deal of broadwith available or a more limited amount. Because users share broadwith, this could be an issue for those living in areas with limited amounts available for Internet use. It is a good question to ask your cable provider before signing up. Your choice for cable Internet is typically limited to only those providers who offer cable TV in your area. On average, cable Internet does tend to be a bit faster than DSL. Service is often slightly less expensive than DSL, averaging around $45 per month.
Satellite
If you do not have DSL or cable Internet available in your area, satellite Internet may provide a viable option. Its speed is comparable to other high speed Internet services, its always on, and you have the option of adding satellite TV service. However, it requires that you have a clear view of the southern sky from your home anywhere in the continental United States in order to receive good reception from the satellites. The service is typically a good deal more expensive than the other two high speed options discussed, averaging around $100 per month with installation fees of up to $400.
Some people confuse satellite Internet with what’s known as WiFi. WiFi Internet services are actually provided by access nodes located in high traffic areas such as airports and hotel or through Internet cafes. If you have a laptop equipped with WiFi receiver, you can access services from within about 1000 feet of the node. There is typically a fee to use this service. It is a good idea for travelers but does not meet the need for home Internet use because it required the access node.
Although there are several satellite Internet providers, they all use similar technology. DirecTV is a popular provider because they are also a top satellite TV company. DirecTV satellite Internet service is delivered through a wholly owned subsidiary, DIRECWAY. DirecTV satellite Internet costs $99.99 per month and requires customers to purchase a satellite dish and modem. Installation is typically available from the distributor.
Comparisons
This comparison chart taken from the High Speed Internet Guide should give you a fair idea of the speed and costs involved. However, it is important to note that the data transfer rates you can get from either DSL or Cable will depend entirely on whatever local providers are in your area.
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/1-27-2006-87484.asp
Internet Services - Tips for Choosing Internet Service Provider
For those who are relocating or moving from dialup to broadband internet access, choosing a broadband ISP can cause some headaches. Should you go with DSL or cable internet access? Which ISP is better? You may need to spend hours or days visiting individual ISP sites, reading detailed service plans, checking for service availability in your area. Here are some simple tips to help you choose a good ISP.
The first thing you need to find out is service availability. In the past, you might have to go to the websites of different ISPs and scan for service availability for your geographical area. This is no longer necessary as some broadband service resellers have installed sophisticated software technology. This technology allows you to compare and choose from dozens of national ISPs simply by entering your phone number or home address.
What about price? Should you pick the one with the lowest price? Before you can make an objective comparison, ask yourself: what do you do most over the internet?
If you like to play real time online games or you need to download video clips, music files, games and software frequently, connection speed should be your primary concern. In general, ISP and service plans offering higher connection speed also cost more.
For a family with more than one PC at home, the ability to set up home networking is important. If you have a large family, you may want to choose a plan offering multiple email accounts. However, this is less important these days as free email accounts can be obtained from other sources such as Yahoo and Google.
For family with children, parental control is a useful feature. You can also compare the entertainment pack which comes with high speed internet access.
Almost all broadband ISPs provide free virus protection, pop-up blockers and anti-spam software. However, high speed internet access is often connected via a static IP address which makes your computer vulnerable to hacker attacks. You should also install a good personal firewall program yourself.
Read the terms and conditions of service carefully. Do you need to sign a one-year contract? Does the ISP provide money back guarantee? You may be charged a penalty fee if you cancel the service before the contract ends. It is also important to check if the ISP provides good customer service and 24/7 technical support.
You can ask your friends which ISP they currently use. However, please bear in mind that internet connection speed is affected by many factors. For examples, DSL internet speed is affected by the distance from ISP service center and the speed of cable internet is affected by the number of people sharing the bandwidth in your neighborhood. Therefore, people from different locations may experience different connection speeds using the same ISP. Usually, you will get a better idea of actual performance by getting feedback from your neighbors than friends living in other areas.
To sum things up, although price is an important factor in choosing an ISP, you should also consider your personal need, family structure, features and terms of the service plan, and the reputation of the internet service provider. Using comparison tools provided by some broadband service resellers can also save you time and money in the selection process.
Kwan H Lo is the owner of an online site providing information on internet access technologies and best ISP.
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/9-4-2006-107552.asp
The first thing you need to find out is service availability. In the past, you might have to go to the websites of different ISPs and scan for service availability for your geographical area. This is no longer necessary as some broadband service resellers have installed sophisticated software technology. This technology allows you to compare and choose from dozens of national ISPs simply by entering your phone number or home address.
What about price? Should you pick the one with the lowest price? Before you can make an objective comparison, ask yourself: what do you do most over the internet?
If you like to play real time online games or you need to download video clips, music files, games and software frequently, connection speed should be your primary concern. In general, ISP and service plans offering higher connection speed also cost more.
For a family with more than one PC at home, the ability to set up home networking is important. If you have a large family, you may want to choose a plan offering multiple email accounts. However, this is less important these days as free email accounts can be obtained from other sources such as Yahoo and Google.
For family with children, parental control is a useful feature. You can also compare the entertainment pack which comes with high speed internet access.
Almost all broadband ISPs provide free virus protection, pop-up blockers and anti-spam software. However, high speed internet access is often connected via a static IP address which makes your computer vulnerable to hacker attacks. You should also install a good personal firewall program yourself.
Read the terms and conditions of service carefully. Do you need to sign a one-year contract? Does the ISP provide money back guarantee? You may be charged a penalty fee if you cancel the service before the contract ends. It is also important to check if the ISP provides good customer service and 24/7 technical support.
You can ask your friends which ISP they currently use. However, please bear in mind that internet connection speed is affected by many factors. For examples, DSL internet speed is affected by the distance from ISP service center and the speed of cable internet is affected by the number of people sharing the bandwidth in your neighborhood. Therefore, people from different locations may experience different connection speeds using the same ISP. Usually, you will get a better idea of actual performance by getting feedback from your neighbors than friends living in other areas.
To sum things up, although price is an important factor in choosing an ISP, you should also consider your personal need, family structure, features and terms of the service plan, and the reputation of the internet service provider. Using comparison tools provided by some broadband service resellers can also save you time and money in the selection process.
Kwan H Lo is the owner of an online site providing information on internet access technologies and best ISP.
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/9-4-2006-107552.asp
Consumers, Legislators, and Internet Service and Hosting Providers Wage War On Spam
Nobody likes it. It’s a wonder anybody still does it. It’s what makes some people so leery of ever embracing email and it’s what has lead to so many others opening up secondary, "junk" email accounts. As such, it’s also the bane of ISPs and hosting providers everywhere. As of the writing of this article, spam has constituted almost 50% of the content of people’s email inboxes and internet users, ISPs, and hosting providers have just about had enough.
By 2007 it is expected that, if no further action is taken against spammers, it will make up closer to 70% of the content of our inboxes. With arrests made, fines paid, and (in some cases) jail time pending, you’d think incidents of spam would finally be on the decline, but we have no such luck.
The first piece of spam was distributed in 1978 (back when the internet was called the ARPAnet and long before the days of competing consumer hosting providers). The first piece of anti-spam legislation was passed in 1997, in Nevada. Other states, like Arizona, have since followed suit. Most anti-spam laws today dictate that:
1. Any unsolicited email must indicate with the letters "ADV" in the Subject line that it is an advertisement.
2. The sender and recipient not in any way be obfuscated. In other words, it must be perfectly clear who sent the email and to whom.
3. A working "Unsubscribe" link must exist somewhere in the body of the email.
California, however, seems to be taking the war on spam a step further, designing a bill that permits consumers, internet service and hosting providers and the state to sue spammers for $500 per piece of spam.
Virginia currently boasts the harshest anti-spam law, banning automated spam tools and forged headers/footers entirely, and punishing offenders who either send 10,000 messages in a 24 span of time or earn $1,000 from unsolicited ads with up to 5 years in prison.
Internet service and hosting providers aren’t waiting for laws to curb the insidious threat to their livelihoods, taking charge of the spam pandemic in their own ways. Consider Earthlink, who matches all incoming emails against the email addresses in the recipients’ address books. If a message is sent from an email address not included, the recipient is notified of the attempted delivery and given several options for how they’d like the message to be dealt with, both in the moment and in the future.
By this method, Earthlink and other internet service providers and hosting providers with similar "challenge-response" systems in place obtain that very approval from their clients for delivering each email message that spammers, by definition, lack. Though some consumers may be irritated by having to actively participate in the unending process of eliminating spam from their inboxes, the method itself is extremely successful in reducing incidents of spam, in some cases, to almost zero.
Other hosting providers are taking the issue to court. In response to 8 million customer complaints, America Online (AOL) - which reported that in a single 24-hour period in March of last year its email filters had rid users’ inboxes of 1 billion pieces of spam - has filed at least 5 separate lawsuits against spammers.
Hopefully spammers are less invulnerable than the cockroaches you might say they emulate. In the meantime, it’ll be up to legislators, email clients, internet service and web hosting providers, and consumers like us to stand vigilant against them. While waiting for the courts and the government to do what they can to take care of the problem, you should take it upon yourself, at the very least, to make sure that both your internet service provider and, if you run one or more websites, your hosting providers include free spam prevention technology for their customers.
Hosting-Review.com is the premier resource on web hosting. Visit http://www.hosting-review.com for comprehensive reviews and rankings of over 50 web hosting providers, as well as informative articles about everything to do with hosting and the top-rated picks for different types of hosting packages.
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/3-13-2006-91058.asp
By 2007 it is expected that, if no further action is taken against spammers, it will make up closer to 70% of the content of our inboxes. With arrests made, fines paid, and (in some cases) jail time pending, you’d think incidents of spam would finally be on the decline, but we have no such luck.
The first piece of spam was distributed in 1978 (back when the internet was called the ARPAnet and long before the days of competing consumer hosting providers). The first piece of anti-spam legislation was passed in 1997, in Nevada. Other states, like Arizona, have since followed suit. Most anti-spam laws today dictate that:
1. Any unsolicited email must indicate with the letters "ADV" in the Subject line that it is an advertisement.
2. The sender and recipient not in any way be obfuscated. In other words, it must be perfectly clear who sent the email and to whom.
3. A working "Unsubscribe" link must exist somewhere in the body of the email.
California, however, seems to be taking the war on spam a step further, designing a bill that permits consumers, internet service and hosting providers and the state to sue spammers for $500 per piece of spam.
Virginia currently boasts the harshest anti-spam law, banning automated spam tools and forged headers/footers entirely, and punishing offenders who either send 10,000 messages in a 24 span of time or earn $1,000 from unsolicited ads with up to 5 years in prison.
Internet service and hosting providers aren’t waiting for laws to curb the insidious threat to their livelihoods, taking charge of the spam pandemic in their own ways. Consider Earthlink, who matches all incoming emails against the email addresses in the recipients’ address books. If a message is sent from an email address not included, the recipient is notified of the attempted delivery and given several options for how they’d like the message to be dealt with, both in the moment and in the future.
By this method, Earthlink and other internet service providers and hosting providers with similar "challenge-response" systems in place obtain that very approval from their clients for delivering each email message that spammers, by definition, lack. Though some consumers may be irritated by having to actively participate in the unending process of eliminating spam from their inboxes, the method itself is extremely successful in reducing incidents of spam, in some cases, to almost zero.
Other hosting providers are taking the issue to court. In response to 8 million customer complaints, America Online (AOL) - which reported that in a single 24-hour period in March of last year its email filters had rid users’ inboxes of 1 billion pieces of spam - has filed at least 5 separate lawsuits against spammers.
Hopefully spammers are less invulnerable than the cockroaches you might say they emulate. In the meantime, it’ll be up to legislators, email clients, internet service and web hosting providers, and consumers like us to stand vigilant against them. While waiting for the courts and the government to do what they can to take care of the problem, you should take it upon yourself, at the very least, to make sure that both your internet service provider and, if you run one or more websites, your hosting providers include free spam prevention technology for their customers.
Hosting-Review.com is the premier resource on web hosting. Visit http://www.hosting-review.com for comprehensive reviews and rankings of over 50 web hosting providers, as well as informative articles about everything to do with hosting and the top-rated picks for different types of hosting packages.
http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/3-13-2006-91058.asp
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