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Internet Connection Woes - On the MacAug 24 '00 Write an essay on this topic.First and foremost: This article is for internet connections on the Mac. None of this (although it may) is meant to apply to Windows, *N*X or any other system. There are many ways of connecting to an ISP with the Mac. Most use the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) to connect to their service provider. Usually the ISP offers their own "special" PPP connection program. However, what most forget to reveal is that Apple has its own PPP connection software installed on every Macintosh. Namely, the Remote Access control panel. Different people prefer different ways of connecting. I prefer using Apple's Remote Access. It's easy, fast and simple - no hassles, no worries. Another option that used to be quite popular (and still may be) is a program called FreePPP. Back in the days of System 7, FreePPP was much prefered over the then clumsy version of Remote Access. Now, on to the topic. Improving internet speed. 1. Modem The biggest way to improve the connection speed. Buy a faster modem. It is the simplest and most reliable way of increasing bandwidth. However, before you go out and purchase a new modem, make sure that your ISP supports its connection speed and protocols. 2. Connection Type The second, albeit expensive, best way to increase your speed is to purchase alternative internet connection types. This includes ISDN, DSL, broadband, Cable and T#. However, unless you are part of a business, all of these (except for Cable, some versions of DSL and some versions of ISDN) will be beyond your money limits. 3. PPP Options The third best way to increase speed. Change the configuration options of your PPP connection. Note: All of these options are only promised to apply to Apple's Remote Access. They may apply to others, I don't know. In the options window of Remote Access, there is a tab called "Protocol". Click on that. The new window should have two check boxes entitled "Error Compression" and "TCP header compression". Do increase speed for some programs, uncheck "Error Compression". DO NOT UNCHECK TCP HEADER COMPRESSION. By doing this, you are limiting the "error checking" abilities of your modem. What this means is that before you do a download from the internet, you should (I would advise it) enable "Error Compression". 4. Application specific changes There are many ways to simulate a quicker internet connection. One popular way is to turn of image loading in Netscape or Internet Explorer. Check the respective help files for more details. 5. Phone line Lastly, there may be problems with your phone line. Some older and/or badly installed phone lines may have unwanted "static". This means that your modem must send more "checks" to the other side to make sure that the "static" did not interfere with the data being transferred. What this means in real life is that the static eats up your speed. There is also a problem with some phone lines in that a modem may not get up to speed with it. That is a problem in my house. In one room, a 33.6 modem can only get as high as 24000bps. However, in another room, with the same modem, it can get a stable 28.8 and a frequent 31200bps. There are many ways to increase internet speed. I have only listed some of them.  |
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