Your modem is the key link between your computer and your Internet service provider.  Many new computers come with a modem built in.  In general, you want to get the fastest modem you can afford.  The best you can do in a two-way modem, using ordinary phone lines is 33,600 bps. But a the  technology called X2 and Flex modems let you download information at 56,000 bps. from specially equipped Internet service providers.

     Modems typically connect between your computer and your phone line.  However, the cable modem is a now a new contender.  These units plug in to your cable tv. outlet and can download data up to 1.5 million bits per second, 25 times faster than the fastest telephone modems.

     Cable modems are priced about the same as phone modems, but your big expense will be the monthly service charges by the cable company.  You must get Internet service to the cable modems for the cable through your cable tv company.  On the  other hand, you probably will not need a second phone line for your computer.  Cable Internet service is not  available in our area yet and is a ways off yet.

     If you are buying a new phone modem, get a 33,600 bps modem with X2 or Flex capability.  These units cost less than $200.  If you are really tight for cash get a 28,000 bps modem.  It runs slower but is still adequate for Internet use.  Do not buy anything less.

     In theory, a 56,000 bps modem should run twice as fast as a 28,800 bps unit.  In reality, you will not often see a full 100% improvement.  Here is why:
 

* Your phone connection may not be good enough (the modem automatically adjusts to       a lower speed).

* Your service provider may not support X2 or Flex yet (Pyramid 3 supports both).

* Your service provider, not a modem, may be a bottleneck.  This is particularly true during
   peak usage periods. Pyramid 3 will always maintain a low user to modem usage, with our more than enough memory and disk space we should never have these problems. If, there is a bottleneck we will be on top of it.

* The Internet itself can get jammed at peak times.

* Your computer may not be fast enough to keep up.

     Modem Speeds are specified in two ways:
 

* Bits or kilobits per second ( bps or kbps).  Sometimes people (incorrectly) say baud instead
   of bits.  Higher is better.

* The fastest international telecommunications union (ITU-T) standard that the modem  can keep up with.  These standards are called  V-dot numbers because the standards look like V.nn where nn is a number.  Sometimes the name ends with bis, which is and a half in french.  Higher numbers are generally faster, but note that V.42 has nothing to do with speed.  The 33,600 bps and x2 modems do not have V-dot numbers yet.

     If you are buying a used modem, do not buy anything slower than 28,400 bps. Test it before you pay and insure it works ( most sales on used modems are final).
 

Modem Types:
 

     Modems come in various shapes and sizes.  Yours most likely fits in one of the following categories:
 

* External:  This modem is a box or other shape roughly the size of a book; it connects to a serial port on your computer.

* Internal:  This modem is a card that plugs into a slot inside your computer.  The disadvantage to this modem is that if the modem hangs you must turn off your computer to reset it.

* PCMCIA or PC card:  These little units look like fat credit cards; they're used mostly in laptop computers. Watch out; the cable that goes to your phone jack can be a little flimsy.

* Cable: The unit connects to your cable tv box instead of your phone line.  Not available in the area at this time.
 

What do the lights mean on my modem mean?

     I get a lot of questions about this. Here are some common modem lights and what they mean.  Your modem manual should include a complete list.
 

     Well here a few quickies .....

* If a bunch of lights are on and some are blinking or dim your can rest assured that your modem is at work and all is well.

*  If one or two lights are on steadily, you haven't logged in yet or you may have lost your connection.

*  If none are on .... The on off switch is off .... the modem is not plugged in .... the modem is not working.
 

*  If someone happens to pick on one of your extension phones while you are logged on ....
it usually will break your connection.

*  If you have call waiting, insure that you type *70, (don't forget the comma) in front of the number you are dialing.  This turns off call waiting while your modem is in use.

*  If you seem to be having problems, turn off your modem, then turn it back on to reset it.  If you have an internal modem you must turn off your computer to reset.  If you are still having problems and you have an external modem try turing off both the computer and modem and turn the modem back on first.

*  If this fails it may mean that your modem has died .... If its is bad, buy a new one.  Repairing a modem is not worth the cost.