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| AFTER COMPLETING THIS CHAPTER, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO: | |
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Understand the purpose and function of an Internet service provider (ISP). |
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Find out who the ISPs are in your locale. |
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Compare the advantages and disadvantages of the different transport mediums, including plain old telephone lines, high-speed broadband cables, digital telephone lines, and television cables. |
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Decide the best way to connect, given your particular circumstances. |
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Understand how the TCP/IP protocol connects your computer to the Internet and sends information in packets over the Net. |
| INTERNET LITERACY
RESOURCES: |
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Internet Service Providers |
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There are many different services available for you to get Internet access in your home. Which of these national and international online services seem to offer you the best service at the best price? What special features would help you make a choice? |
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Regional and Local Networks |
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| With the larger national online services available, why would you choose a regional network? Are there features available from these vendors that make a regional provider more appealing? |
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User Satisfaction |
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| Are you satisfied with your Internet connectivity? Which factors are most important to you in selecting a provider? |
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Consumer Search: Review of Internet Service Providers |
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Transport Media |
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These days many users are thinking of upgrading their home access to the Internet by subscribing to cable or DSL access. Are either or both available in your area? Which of these seems to you to be a better alternative? Why? |
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Ethernet |
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Cable Modems |
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DSL and ADSL |
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Bandwidth Meter |
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Satelite |
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Prepaid Internet |
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Is this a service that would be valuable to you? How would you choose one over the other? |
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Copyright © 2005 by the University of Delaware. All rights reserved. Site design and development by Pat Sine. Please send all comments to Pat Sine: sine@udel.edu |
