| There are several common misconceptions about | | | | programs), you have to do a little math to |
| dial-up connection speeds. For example, even if you | | | | understand how quickly dial-up (measured in bits per |
| are using a 56K modem, you are unfortunately not | | | | second) can download it. Remember, a byte is 8 bits, |
| really connecting at 56 kbps. Because of physical | | | | and one KB is 8 kb! First, multiply the file size in |
| limitations and FCC regulations, the highest connection | | | | kilobytes by 8 to convert the file to kilobits. Then, |
| speed possible on dial-up is 51-53 kbps. Most people | | | | divide it by the number of kilobits per second your |
| connect at about 24-48 kbps (kilobits per second). | | | | connection will transfer. |
| When you first get connected on dial-up, you should | | | | For example, if you want to know how quickly a 500 |
| get a pop-up in the lower right corner of the screen | | | | kilobyte (KB) file (perhaps a picture that was emailed |
| telling you your connection speed, e.g., "You are now | | | | to you) will download on a 40 kbps connection, first |
| connected at 32.4 kbps." | | | | convert the file to size in bits. 500 kilobytes (KB) = |
| If you don't see a pop-up, you can also check your | | | | 4,000 kilobits (kb). Then divide the bits by 40 kbps. |
| connection speed while you are connected. From | | | | 4,000 kilobits / 40 bits per second = 100 seconds, or |
| your control panel, open your Network Connections | | | | almost two minutes. |
| window and double-click the icon for your dial-up | | | | Larger downloads are often measured in MB's, which |
| connection. Your connection statistics should show in | | | | means you have to convert them to KB's before |
| that window and the speed will be listed first. | | | | you can convert them to kb's. 1 MB = 1,024 KB = |
| Once you determine your speed, you can determine | | | | 8192 kb. 1 MB on a 40 kbps connection would |
| download times. However, you must first understand | | | | download in 204.8 seconds, or just over three |
| units of measurement and conversion rates. When | | | | minutes. |
| measuring transfer rate (ie., how many bits can be | | | | A song is usually about 3 MB, so it would take about |
| downloaded per second) of Internet connections, the | | | | 10 minutes. If you downloaded a large program like |
| size increments are 1000. Therefore, a kilobit is 1,000 | | | | Adobe Reader, which is 35.7 MB, the download time |
| bits, and an megabit is 1,000 kilobits, etc. | | | | would be about 2 hours on a 40 kbps connection. |
| Storage capacity on hard drives and cell phones, etc., | | | | The actual download time will be close to your |
| and sizes of files or software programs, etc., are | | | | calculation, however, your connection speed can |
| measured in bytes. This is not to be confused with | | | | change while you are connected if your modem has |
| bits. A byte is 8 bits strung together. Bytes are | | | | to adjust its speed to accommodate line noise. Your |
| notated with a capital B, and bits with a small b. | | | | download times may also be longer if other |
| Therefore, a "kb" is a kilobit and a "KB" is a kilobyte. | | | | processes on your computer are using your Internet |
| Bytes are always in size increments of 1,024 since | | | | connection, such as automatic updates or |
| they use the binary counting system used to store | | | | web-surfing while you wait. Minimize your online |
| information on computers. Therefore, a kilobyte is | | | | activity during a download and check with your local |
| 1,024 bytes, and a megabyte is 1,024 kilobytes, etc. | | | | computer technician for ways to eliminate |
| Since everything you download from the Internet is | | | | bandwidth-consuming processes faster downloads. |
| measured in bytes (webpages, files, pictures, and | | | | |