• Creating a secure password
  
  
• How to protect yourself against identity theft
  
  
• Wireless networking basics
  
  
• How to create mp3s and burn CDs using media players
  
  
• How to protect your computer from power surges
  
  
• Know when to upgrade your video card
  
  
• Know when to upgrade your memory or hard drive
  
  
• How to choose your next computer
  
  
• What is broadband and do I need it
  
  
• What is VoIP and should I choose it

What is broadband and do I need it

While many of us still use Dial-Up connections using a standard modem it's becoming a high-speed world out there. More and more the content on the internet requires a high-speed connection in order to fully experience and appreciate what the Web has to offer. E-mail downloads faster, VoIP communication becomes possible, and groundbreaking events are broadcast to the world in a matter of seconds. People who use the Internet downloading songs or watching videos are counting on a high-speed connection for the ultimate in convenience and ease without being kicked offline for periods of time.

So you wanna know why you should shell out the extra cash for broadband Internet access? Your dial-up is working so well, why should you have to pay the extra 20 bucks a month for broadband? Well here are the facts. Decide for yourself.

Dial-up users connect at 56 kbps (kilobits per second). Broadband users connect at speeds starting at 512 kpbs and up for DSL, to up to 6 Mbps on some cable connections. If you're any good at math you will see that's at least a 10 times speed increase than your trusty old modem.

This means that Web pages will download a lot faster than you're used to. When you first get connected with a High Speed connection you will understand why many people call Dial-up living in the dark ages. Pages will appear as if by magic, mail will be in your inbox faster than you can read it and your favourite Itunes song will be downloaded in minutes rather than hours. You will not want to go back!!

Not only will you be able to surf at high speed, your telephone line is no longer tied up allowing you to make and receive telephone calls at the same time. So is my house going to need new wires for this? The answer is no. DSL is fed through your regular telephone line but at such a high frequency you will never know, if you have cable you just hook your new modem into a cable outlet on your wall. Simple !!

When you sign up for a high-speed Internet connection, you put an end to:

• Waiting minutes for simple downloads.
• being kicked offline due to server overload or timeouts.

• Fast downloads
• A smoother running office or business
• An "always on" connection
• Quick access to the information you need and want

A high-speed connection will enable you to be online all the time, as soon as your computer starts you can open a browser window and your homepage will be displayed, no more annoying dial-up wait time. The term broadband refers to three separate types of connections; DSL, cable, and satellite. What they have in common is that they are all high-speed connections and they provide the customer with "always online" service.

DSL vs. Cable Internet

Broadband DSL and cable are similar in the fact that both of these connections use existing lines already running into your home. Both provide High speed connections without affecting your current telephone or cable service.

DSL and cable modems work through a wire that holds information in its bandwidth. This is the same wire or line that allows phone calls to go through and programming to appear on your TV screen. Uploads and downloads share that space without affecting the performance of your phone or TV.

Typically Cable connections are listed as being faster (in some areas as high as 6MB Download speed but you may notice a large difference in what you can actually achieve as you share the cable line with all other subscribers. For example, in the evening when everyone logs on and everyone is trying to share that same bandwidth you will notice a speed decrease). DSL however does not have this restriction, but their speeds are listed typically in the 1-2 MB range. This speed is dedicated to your line so you should achieve speeds near the speed you are paying for.

ComputerGeeks2Go have partnered with each of the major cable providers for you covering the whole country. We have also negotiated special introductory offers for you from the major companies to get you started.

• Time Warner Cable/Road Runner -
• Quest Communications -
• Comcast Cable -

Satellite Internet

Broadband satellite connections are ideal for people who don't have cable and live too far away from a telephone exchange as satellite can be set up anywhere, providing you have line of sight to the orbiting satellite.

Satellite transmits from the satellite company via a satellite to your home and you send data back via the satellite to the satellite company. The transmission is two way.

Due to accuracy required to obtain the satellite link, satellite requires professional installation and the initial set-up costs tend to be higher. However if you are a rural user this may be your only option. ComputerGeeks2Go have teamed with RapidSatelite to get you a special DirectWay offers.

The Broadband That's Right for You

When figuring out which kind of broadband connection is the best for you, take into account where you live in regards to the local office of your phone company as DSL has a limit on distance, the further away you are the less speed you have. If DSL is not available and cable is, cable would be your best bet. If you have DSL or cable then it's really up to you. Be sure to check out non-promotional pricing, some companies provide special offers but then go up after 6 months. DSL is a smart choice because the customer will have their own subscriber line, instead of sharing bandwidth like cable subscribers. However a broadband cable connection is a reliable and efficient choice in almost all situations and they have a slight performance advantage over DSL connections. For rural customers, satellite is the best bet, the only limiting factors on satellite is if your dish can see and access the satellite and the weather, in a heavy downpour with a lot of cloud cover you will loose the signal from the satellite.