3,
I seem to be waiting for everything these days (WIN98, faster internet access that is reasonably priced, etc. etc.!!). Anyway, I wanted to add a couple thoughts to what Rudedog has said about XDSL. My understanding is that as with 56k modems up until v.90, there is not yet a 'universal' standard for ADSL. Some time ago, Microsoft, Intel, and Compaq put together a working group on this. Also, there are some distance limitations with xDSL, so many folks will never be able to get it. Last I read, if you are more than 3 miles or so from the phone company's equipment, ADSL will not work. From what I know, ADSL is kind of a 'lite' version of XDSL, in that you will get around a 1.5 megabits per second download rate, whereas in theory XDSL can give you up to 8 mps. In addition, ADSL will be a 'splitterless' technology, where the modem hardware will take care of both the data and voice pieces, (you will be able to use the same line for both voice and data simultaneously). Without this, some type of splitter hardware is required to accomplish the job. I'm pretty sure that both CPQ and Dell will be shipping this splitterless ADSL technology later this year and early next year.
John |
