B: PC Magazine Feature Shows How Broadband will Change the Way the Web is Used
(COMTEX)
April 18 Feature Explains How Internet Services will Improve as Broadband
Becomes More Available
NEW YORK, Apr 3, 2000 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The slow but steady
introduction of broadband services will dramatically change how people use and
feel about the Internet, according to the cover story in the April 18 issue of
PC Magazine. "Broadband: Reshape the Way You Work Online, at Home or in the
Office," reports that faster, always-on connections will mean smoother video,
better sound, and improved services. With broadband connection speeds, people
will feel much more inclined to research, investigate and reference online
information than they do at dial-up speeds.
"Having the technology isn't just a matter of being able to surf faster," writes
PC Magazine Editor-in-Chief Michael J. Miller. "Broadband connections change the
basic way you use the Internet. Many common tasks change from being interesting
technical demonstrations to realistic ways of working. Web cameras,
videoconferencing, voice communications and virtual private networks all start
to work better.
"Speed isn't really the big attraction," added Miller, "but rather the fact that
the system is always on. That changes the Internet from a useful tool for
gathering information or shopping into a constant source of updated information.
And that's the biggest change of all."
An impressive wide range of products -- voice telephone services, security and
fire sensors, environmental controls and many others -- will use these permanent
connections.
"Within a year, competitive local exchange carriers will deliver DSL and cable
modems with four to six telephone jacks on the back," the feature projects.
"People in homes and businesses should theoretically be able to add phone lines
and change telephone services with a few clicks on a Web page."
The PC Magazine lead article points out that, on the business side, connections
secured across the Internet on a virtual private network reduce the cost of
establishing reliable and secure links to the home, making it easier to work
from home. Additionally, faster connections can even assist with administrative
chores, such as backup via online sources. Online backup not only frees up local
resources, but it also provides the added benefit of off-site storage, making it
a disaster-prevention step.
Currently, the main sources of broadband services are cable and DSL providers
but, according to the article, the players in that market will continue to
change. Specifically, the larger nationals, including AT&T and MCI, can be
expected to offer broadband Internet and even phone services in the near future.
"Right now," writes Miller, "most people have fast connections at the office but
use modem connections at home. Even among PC Magazine subscribers -- some of the
most sophisticated Internet users around -- 78 percent still use dial-up modems
at home. But an amazing 41 percent of home Web users expect to change Web access
methods in the next year -- with most of them choosing to switch to cable modems
or DSL connections."
The complete April 18th PC Magazine feature package reviews and rates today's
services, resources and tools that broadband connectivity will make possible or
improve, including: off-site data backup, virtual private networks, rich media
for video and audio, improved traditional telephone services, Web cams,
videoconferencing and fast portals.
About PC Magazine
PC Magazine (http://www.pcmag.com), the world's largest technology magazine,
delivers the most authoritative, labs-based comparative reviews of computing and
Internet products to more than 6.4 million highly engaged technology buyers. PC
Magazine defines technology for e-business and is the only magazine with
in-depth reviews and accurate, repeatable testing from PC Magazine Labs placed
in the unique context of today's business technology landscape. To meet its
readers needs for buying information that is as current as it is comprehensive,
PC Magazine publishes 22 times a year in print and continuously on the Web.
About Ziff Davis Publishing
Ziff Davis Publishing is the largest technology and Internet magazine publisher
and the sixth largest magazine publisher in the United States. With more than 80
worldwide publications serving the consumer and business-to-business markets,
Ziff Davis' publications cover everything from the Internet economy to family
computing and gaming. In the U.S., Ziff Davis publishes PC Magazine, PC Week,
Ziff Davis SMART BUSINESS for the New Economy, Yahoo! Internet Life, eShopper,
FamilyPC, Inter@ctive Week, Sm@rt Reseller, Computer Gaming World, Official U.S.
PlayStation Magazine, Expert Gamer, Electronic Gaming Monthly and Macworld
through a joint-venture with International Data Group (IDG). In December 1999
Ziff Davis Publishing announced an agreement to be acquired by Willis Stein &
Partners in partnership with James D. Dunning, Jr.
SOURCE PC Magazine
(C) 2000 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.
prnewswire.com
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CONTACT: Barry J. Zusman of Plesser Associates, 212-319-8383, or
bzusman@plesser.com, for PC Magazine
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URL: pcmag.com
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