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The speed of your modem (e.g. 56K) represents the speed at which
the modem is capable of transmitting information. The FCC restricts the
actual transmission to slightly slower speeds. Your modem may be capable
of faster speeds of transmission from modem to computer. This does not
affect the rate of communication between modems, but, if both modems
are capable of such compression, a connection can have a higher effective
speed if the sending system compresses the data as it is sent from the
sending computer to the sending modem and if the receiving system
decompresses the data as it is sent from the receiving modem to the receiv-
ing computer. Thus, it is possible to “connect” at higher speeds. You should
always try to connect at the highest rate of connection available to you.
The modems will negotiate the connection and establish the actual rate of
transmission of information (the key is the compatibility of the modems –
the standards in this industry are fairly well-established and thus compati-
bility is pretty much the norm).
To connect to anything with your modem, you will usually need to sign
on with some provider (unless you have log-in rights with some network
already - e.g. at work) or dial-in to another computer already set to receive
such connections. Online service providers will allow you to connect to an
extensive computer environment. You can use such providers to send and
receive e-mail (electronic mail), chat with other computer users, look up
information in their databases, participate in electronic discussions with
multiple parties, and even download software. The major service providers
usually charge a monthly fee for connection time. Some services they pro-
vide may entail an additional charge. Since such electronic connections are
an important resource for computer users, Windows comes with its own
software for making such connections, as well as with software from some
of the major service providers (in the Online Services folder). You can also
use your modem in conjunction with financial software to perform your
banking and pay your bills electronically. Such software can also be used
to track investments by logging into providers who transmit market data.
In addition, you can use commercial tax preparation programs to send your
2.10
Series
User’s Manual
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