Modem

A Modem converts digital information into sound so that it may be transmitted over telephone lines. When the modem hears this sound on the other end it converts the sound back into digital information.

The Internet is countless computers including the one you are using to read this, all linked together via the many world wide telephone lines, and various Internet Service Providers (ISP for short).

It's the process of linking one (or more) computers together via a telephone line to exchange files of information and programs or carry on a live conversation. Your computer will need to have a device called a MODEM which allows data to be converted into a special signal which can be transmitted over the telephone lines to another computer which awaits the information.

There are two types of modems: INTERNAL and EXTERNALExternal modems are slightly more expensive than internal modems and are housed in an external box or enclosure. External modems require a socket on the computer or port (usually the serial port on the back of your computer.) The serial port is also called a COM port, com for communications.

Most PC's come with a serial port, if you are already using the serial port for something else (e.g., a mouse) you may need an additional port installed or temporarily unplug the device using that serial port.

The "host computer" refers to the computer your PC is calling. Sometimes this is a commercial service other times the host may be another PC your friend is using on the other side of town. Or your ISP provider or perhaps a BBS (bulletin board system) which is a computer operated for public access, by a private individual or company with files and messages of general public interest and access.

Another important term is the baud rate associated with the modem transmission process. Essentially baud is a reference to the speed at which your modem and the host modem exchange information.

Curiously the software which controls the modems and computers linking during this exchange will "synchronise" the two modems, determine which modem is using the slower speed and adjust the faster modem downward to a that speed.

The Internet is an ever growing source of information and has an mass of interest lying within it's mighty depth, for just about any person at all.