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There are two measured elements that determine your internet connection speed. They are: The download rate, and the upload rate of data measured in bits per seconds. Usually, it is expressed in Kilobits per second.

A bit is the smallest piece of data that can be stored in a computer. The bit can be either "0" or "1". The byte is eight bits. Example of a byte and bits are the following:

bit= 0 or 1

byte=8 bits

1 byte=10011101 (eight bits)

A single charcter needs one byte or eight bits to be stored in a computer. So, when the data rate is 1 byte/sec, that means one character per second is the rate at which data is transferred through your connection.

This is very slow, and only intended for an example. In order to browse the internet, you must have at least a dial up access with a 56kb/s modem, in order to get a meaningful and practical result.

There are different types of internet connection. First they introduced the dialup connection using your phone line, then the broadband was introduced.

The broadband internet connections are dsl, Cable, or Satellite internet services. They are widely used and expanding due to the high bandwith.

When you get an internet service, your provider states that your speed will be a certain numbers. They usually give you a good idea, but not an exact one. The common asked questions among internet users is:

How do I know what is my connection speed, and if I am getting what I was promised?.

If there anyway I can test my connection, and do I need to buy expensive software to test it?.

The answer is simple. There are two ways to test your internet connection speed:

1- The manual simple calculation test that you can do yourself without any software or third party services.

2- You can find a service that lets you run a test through their servers, and get your numbers displayed at their webpage.

1-The manual method:

Since I mentioned that the connection speed consist of two numbers, the download and upload speed. So, what you do is download from the internet any free software, and watch the result box with the result that show the size of the file and how many seconds it tool to download.

When you are done recording the download speed, upload a file of a specific size (1 Mb, 2 Mb), and time your watch when you start. When the file is uploaded, check your watch and record the time it took for the task. Then divide your file size by the seconds it took.

If you file was 2 Mb. that took 5 minutes to upload, then your upload speed is 2 Mb./300 sec. or 6.826 Kbits/sec.You can run the above test couple times, and then take the average for a better result.

2-The automated test at a third party service:

This is my preferred one, where you get to a website where the test is done for you. It is done using a script installed on their server, and letting you download and upload to their server a test file (invisible to you). Then, the result is displayed on their webpage. You just have to register for free using your email. It is free. This is a website address where they offer you a free internet connection test:

http://www.visualware.com.

In summary, don't settle for numbers given to you by your services, do the tests whenever you can. You enjoy it, and feel that you are getting your money worth. This is because some servcies charges you 35 dollars or more for a high speed internet service.

Thanks,
George Chamoun

I have created an Ebook about troubleshooting procedures for dsl, or Cable connection problems. You can get it for free by right clicking the link and saving to your computer:

http://www.ebookfreestore.com/software/ComputerEbook.pdf

# posted by 78202 @ 8:55 PM 0 comments

The microsoft xbox 360 is by far one of the most talked about video gaming systems of all time. With all of its capabilities and advanced technology it has lived up to all the hype. Or has it?

It's hard to tell how great the xbox 360 is because only a limited amount of people have been able to get their hands on one due to Microsoft's limited release. In late November of 2005 Microsoft shipped its first batch of xbox 360s and then made no comment of when they would release more. The majority of people see no reason why microsoft would due this. With so many people anxious to buy one, why wouldn't microsoft keeping releasing more?

There are a couple of good reasons for the limited release. The main reason is that it creates scarcity, which then creates an enormous buzz. If consumers knew that microsoft was going to keep releasing more and more xbox 360s they would have felt no reason to buy one right away. However, since everyone knew that there would be a limited release you had people lining up outside stores days in advance just for a chance to get one. Of course this led to an incredible buzz that surrounded the xbox 360. Every news station, newspaper and online media outlet was running huge stories about the xbox 360. Due to all of the news coverage, one would have to be living in a cave to not know what the xbox 360 is.

The second reason is simple supply and demand. The low supply of the xbox 360 matched with the incredibly high demand resulted in the ability to charge higher prices. microsoft priced the xbox 360 at $399. For most people this is a large investment but since everyone was worried that they may have to wait months to buy one they acted like $399 was a bargain. For weeks after the xbox 360 was released people were buying systems off of ebay for over $1000! That is the power of low supply and high demand.

No one really knows for sure when the next batch of microsoft xbox 360s will be released. However, everyone knows that they better buy one fast when they are released because of what happened in November of 2005. It seems that Microsoft's release schedule has created just the market they were looking for.

Stay up to date on all the xbox 360 news at http://www.xbox-360-news.com

# posted by 78202 @ 1:15 AM 0 comments