I thought some of you might find this interesting.

God speed!

Pa Mambuna


Q: I have a 56K modem. Why isn't my download speed even close to 56K?

There could be several reasons--and most of them aren't your ISP's
fault.

First of all, static electricity caused by radio signals, power lines,
and
other sources interfere with most 56K modem signals, forcing them to
fall
back to 42-50Kbps.

56K modems also require a clean, straight through telephone connection
to
the telephone company's central office switching center. Phone company
line
amplifiers that boost a telephone signal over a long distance, PBX
switchboard systems, and other phone equipment alter the phone signal
and
force 56K modems to fall back to speeds of 33.6Kbps and lower.

Finally, the FCC doesn't allow 56K modems to use the full range of
signals
that phone company equipment can generate. They're concerned that it'll
cause static interference to other phone lines.

So no 56K modem in the United States ever connects at 56K. Most 56K
modem
users seem to connect at speeds of 44-48Kbps.



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I dread success. To have succeeded is to have finished one's business on
earth, like the male spider, who is killed by the female the moment he
has succeeded in his courtship. I like a state of continual becoming,
with a goal in front and not behind...   George Bernard Shaw,
Playwright, 1856-1950