Telecommunications

1. Telecommunications Modems Communication Lines Internet Service Providers Agricultural Telecommunications Act

2. Connecting to the Internet?

3. Bits and Bytes � A Refresher All computer data is transmitted as a series of �0�s and �1�s. These are called Binary Digits. A Bit is one numeral, an 0 or a 1 A Byte is 8 bits 01000001 is an A 00111101 is an = A Kilobyte (K or KB) is 1000 bytes (really 1024 bytes) A Megabyte (M or MB) is 1,000,000 bytes A Gigabyte (G or GB) is 1,000,000,000 bytes

4. Modems & Communication Lines

5. Confused??

6. Modem A device that translates the analog signals that travel over voice phone lines to the digital information understood by computers. The term �modem� derives from modulate/demodulate which describes the conversion process.

7. Modems Analog Modems 14.4 Kbps (Kilobits per second) 28.8 Kbps 33.6 Kbps Analog/Digital Modems 56 Kbps X2 Technology � U.S. Robotics Flex technology � Lucent, Rockwell These two technologies compete and are not compatible (similar to beta vs. vhs) V.90 � this is superior to either X2 or Flex

8. Modems/Communication Lines ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) � A true digital modem Requires a ISDN phone line (which is digital) Transmits data on two 64 Kbps channels which can be combined into a 128 Kbps stream More expensive than traditional phone lines and modems (Internet Service Provides may charge more) More complicated to setup and use It is rapidly loosing out to newer technology; it is nearly a historical footnote now

9. Modems/Communication Lines Cable Modems Rented from your cable television company Cable TV company serves as the Internet Service Provider Can achieve speeds 10X faster than ISDN lines (1,500 Kbps) Speed is slowed as more people get on the same cable Limited availability

10. Modems/Communication Lines DSL or ADSL � Digital Subscriber Line A system developed by the phone companies to compete with cable companies Digital signals are sent over existing phone lines The further you are away from the switching station, the slower the connection 25x faster than a 56 Kbps modem

11. Communication Speeds

12. Modems/Communication Lines T1 lines A fiber optic cable that carries voice and computer data It is 60X faster than a standard modem (1.544 Megabits per second) Often used for networks Very reliable Costs $1,000 to $1,500 a month T3 lines 3X faster than a T1

13. Would You Believe? �Modems are available today that operate at speeds up to 9600 baud. As of today, speeds higher than 1200 baud are not common on most networks.� Camp, Moore, Foster & Moore �Microcomputer Applications for Students of Agriculture�, Interstate, 1988 Note: at low speeds a baud = 1 bit

14. Modem Speed Time Line 300 bits per second 1963 to 1983 1200 bps 1984 2400 bps 9600 bps 1991 19.2 Kbps 28.8 Kbps 33.6 Kbps 56 Kbps 1998 DSL (10 Mbps) 1999

15. Modems Internal Less expensive People don�t mess with the settings Doesn�t take up desk space No power cord to plug in External Easy to install if there is no existing modem

16. Modem Brands The top two rated brands are: U.S. Robotics 3Com

17. Emerging Modem Trends Wireless Modems Cellular Satellite Modems Bounce signals off satellites 38 Mbps

18. Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

19. Internet Service Provider (ISP) ISP: Short for Internet Service Provider, a company that provides access to the Internet. For a monthly fee, the service provider gives you a software package, username, password and access phone number. Equipped with a modem, you can then log on to the Internet and browse the World Wide Web and send and receive e-mail. There are about 10,000 ISPs in America

20. Selecting an ISP* Network Reliability Few busy signals Doesn�t disconnect Value for the Price Network Performance Doesn�t lose data Customer Service Responsiveness Technical Support Start up-time How easy is it for a novice to get connected

21. Selecting an ISP* Local Access Number In most medium and larger cities, there is a local access number In rural areas, this could be a problem If you must dial long distance to access an ISP, out of state is sometimes cheaper. Toll-free ISPs tend to charge by the minute, so they recoup the cost Customer Service If you need help setting up your service, will help be available

22. Selecting an ISP* *Size Sizes range from 1-2 people to giant corporations employing thousands 48% of ISPs serve only one area code 96% of ISPs serve less than 10 area codes Size doesn�t determine quality of service but does have an impact on access across the country for the traveler

23. ISPs

24. Leading ISPs (in subscribers)

25. Customer Satisfaction with ISPs Dial Up Local ISPs: A- EarthLink: B+ AT&T World Link: B+ NetZero: C Juno: C Prodigy: C- MSN: D- AOL: E Broadband Optimum Online: A+ Road Runner: A- Local ISPs: B+ Earthlink: C+ Charter Pipeline: C+ Bell South: C+ Verizon: C- AT&T: C- SBC: D- Comcast: D- AOL: D-

26. Web Hosting Many ISPs allow you to maintain a web site at no charge. There are several companies that provide free web hosting service. The bigger ones are: Tripod Yahoo Geocities

27. Agricultural Telecommunications Act

28. Agricultural Telecommunications Act Authorized in Section 1673 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 provides financial assistance through the USDA for the production and delivery of educational programs in agricultural extension, research, and academic programs. U.S. institutions of higher education are eligible to receive the grants.

29. Agricultural Telecommunications Act Objectives Assure that producers, processors, researchers, and the public have immediate access to knowledge. Improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in international markets. Respond to food safety and environmental concerns. Improve the training of students for careers in agriculture and food industries. Identify new uses for agricultural commodities and increase demand.

30. Agricultural Telecommunications Act Funds administered by the American Distance Education Consortium (ADEC) The NC State Department of Agricultural and Extension Education is the recipient of a $75,000 grant to develop LEAP (Licensure in Education for Agricultural Professionals) � a web-based alternative teacher licensure program to certify agriculture teachers.

31. Future Projections

32. Predictions Internet printing � All printers will have URLs. You can direct a job to be printed on any printer in the world provided you know the URL.

33. Predictions PNG Graphics � The jpg and gif graphics now in use on the internet will be replaced by png (portable network graphics).

34. Predictions People today walk around with their electronic tool belts (Palm Pilot, cell phone, pager); therefore we will soon have: PANs � Personal Area Networks links devices for security, entertainment, credit, medical monitoring, transportation and data communication. Wearable computers and communication devices

36. Predictions Voice User Interface most computing devices will respond to voice commands

37. Predictions Interactive Television most televisions will be internet ready there will be interactive programming

38. Predictions Moore�s Law continues technology doubles every 18 months

40. Predictions Compact FlashMemory Cards Zip drives and floppies will be replaced by compact flash memory cards

41. Predictions 120 GB hard drives will be standard by 2005