Modem Communications - Winbook N3 User Manual

N3 manual w/changes 10/2b 10/2/01 2:16 PM Page 47
Chapter 3: Basic Computing

Modem Communications

You can use the modem to connect to other computers with a modem,
or to log into networks that allow modem access. Your modem can be
set to emulate a terminal for logging into remote systems. It can also
be used with login protocols to connect to certain providers and online
services. Your modem can be set to allow your computer to function
as its own mini-BBS (bulletin board system), enabling callers to login
to your computer and exchange information.
The speed of your modem (e.g. 56K) represents the speed at which
the modem is capable of transmitting information. The FCC restricts
the actual transmission to slightly slower speeds. Your modem may
be capable of faster speeds of transmission from modem to computer.
This does not affect the rate of communication between modems, but,
if both modems are capable of such compression, a connection can have
a higher effective speed if the sending system compresses the data as
it is sent from the sending computer to the sending modem and if the
receiving system decompresses the data as it is sent from the receiving
modem to the receiving computer. Thus, it is possible to "connect" at
higher speeds. You should always try to connect at the highest rate of
connection available to you. The modems will negotiate the connection
and establish the actual rate of transmission of information (the key is
the compatibility of the modems-the standards in this industry are fairly
well-established and thus compatibility is pretty much the norm).
To connect to anything with your modem, you will usually need to sign
on with some provider (unless you have log-in rights with some network
already-e.g. at work) or dial-in to another computer already set to receive
such connections. Online service providers will allow you to connect to
an extensive computer environment. You can use such providers to send
and receive e-mail (electronic mail), chat with other computer users, look
up information in their databases, participate in electronic discussions with
multiple parties, and even download software. The major service providers
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