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Absolute Beginner's Guide to Cable Internet Connections
- By Mark Edward Soper
- Published Feb 14, 2006 by Que.
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Description
- Copyright 2002
- Pages: 384
- Edition: 1st
- eBook (Adobe DRM)
- ISBN-10: 0-7686-5473-4
- ISBN-13: 978-0-7686-5473-8
At long last, there is a better solution to the painfully slow dial-up modem connection that has been your tether to the Internet. Cable Internet connections that once were expensive luxuries of living in big cities have become commonplace. Cable Internet connections promise to change the way you use the Internet...not to mention changing the Internet itself. No longer will you have to spend hours downloading files or email, tie up your phone line every time you want to check a stock quote or grit your teeth while watching the latest movie trailer trickle in a frame or two at a time on your modem connection.
There is a dark side, however. Unless you take the proper precautions, cable Internet connections open your computer to Internet thugs who would like nothing more than to make off with your credit card numbers and personal files. Fear not...we show you how to rebuke hackers when they come calling.
We also show you what the cable company won't show you - how to hot- rod your connection so that you can squeeze more performance from your broadband Internet service. We also show you how to share a single connection between multiple computers via your home network and how to get your mail - even when you're on the road away from your cable connection. And if you're the get-your-hands-dirty type, we show you how to bypass long waiting lists for professional installation of your service and do it yourself.
We also show you to to maximize the speed afforded to you by your cable connection when playing online games, chatting with your friends and coworkers and using video conferencing.
Absolute Beginner's Guide to Cable Internet Connections is your indispensable companion to the brave new world of home broadband.
- A When hackers are busting through your measly defenses and making off with your credit cards, you don't have time for useless tech support lines or for surfing to Web sites explaining home Internet security - you need answers - and possibly an Advil or two - now!
- A Your new connection is blindingly fast. You've told your dialup ISP to take a hike. Then, it occurs to you - how do I share my cable connection with other computers in the house? We show you just how to do it!
- A Are you a do-it-yourselfer who doesn't trust that the cable installer will know a NIC from a hair dryer? Your concerns might be well-founded. Cable Internet has exploded on the consumer market and many providers know just a smidgen more than you do about installing cable Internet. That is, they did know more. Now that you have this book by your side, you can learn just how to install your own hardware and configure Windows to maximize your new cable connection.
- A Even though your new connection is faster than anything you've seen, it can be faster. We show you how to squeeze every-last-lovin' drop of performance out of your cable connection. "Fasten your seatbelts.
- Have an iMac, G3, or G4? We haven't forgotten about you. We help you discover where to find Mac-specific media players, Internet sharing programs, and other resources that will help you supercharge and troubleshoot your MacOS-flavored Cable Internet connection.
Sample Content
Table of Contents
(NOTE: Each chapter concludes with a Summary.)
Introduction.
I. UNDERSTANDING CABLE MODEMS.
1. The Internet and Your PC.From Your Desktop to the World—Connecting to the Internet. How Your PC Connects to the Internet. Fast Alternatives to Analog Modems.
2. What is a Cable Modem?Cable Modems and Your Friendly Cable Provider. How Cable Modems Connect to Your Computer. Speeds of Cable Modem Service.
II. GETTING CABLE MODEM SERVICE.
3. Making Sure You're Ready for Cable Internet Service.Prerequisites for Any Cable Modem Connection. Can Your Operating System Speak “Cable Modem”? Making Sure Your Computer Has the Correct On-Board Hardware. Connecting Your Cable Modem: I/O Slots and Ports.
4. Ordering and Installing Cable Modem Service.Service Types and Options. Troubleshooting Your Initial Installation.
III. USING YOUR CABLE MODEM SERVICE.
5. Setting Up Your Software to Use Your Cable Modem.Setting Your Browser Configuration. Configuring Your E-Mail Client. Tweaking Media Players and Other Internet Software.
6. Ten Ways Cable Modems Make the Internet Better.Better Computer Health Through Easy Access to Software Service Packs and Update. Making E-Mail More Exciting with Attachments. View Multiple Web Sites. Listen to Internet Radio. Watch Streaming Video. Use Multiple Search Engines at the Same Time. Exchange Messages, Files, and More Via Instant Messaging Services. Play Online Games. Print and Share Your Photos Online. Store Files Online.
IV. ENHANCING YOUR CABLE MODEM SERVICE.
7. Adding Multimedia Features to Your Cable Modem Service.Web Cameras. Installing NetMeeting. Video E-Mail. The Software You Need for Online Audio and Video Content. Internet Radio.
8. Using Internet Multimedia and Messaging.Windows Media Player. RealPlayer. Apple QuickTime. Internet Radio. Instant Messaging Services. NetMeeting.
9. Using a Webcam.Creating and Sending Video E-Mail. Receiving and Viewing Video E-mail. Using a Webcam with NetMeeting. Using a Webcam with IM Services.
10. Using Photo and Data-Storage Services.Selecting an Online Photo Service. Getting Your Photos Online. Ordering Photo Prints Online. Sharing Photos Online. Selecting an Online File Storage Service. Storing and Retrieving Online Files.
11. Playing Internet Games.What You Need to Play an Online Game. Tweaking Game Settings for Fast Performance. System Maintenance for Best Performance.
12. Speeding Up Your Cable Internet Service.Tweaking the Windows Registry. Tweaking MacOS-Based Systems. Alternatives to Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator/Communicator. Download Managers. Using Browser Synchronization. Tweaking Your System for Better Gaming Performance.
V. SECURING YOUR CABLE MODEM SERVICE.
13. Firewalls and Your PC.The Dangers of Always-On Internet Access. Firewalls and What They Do.
14. Stopping Computer Viruses.How Viruses Threaten Your PC and Your Data. Types of Computer Viruses. Antivirus Software. Using Online Antivirus Services. Protecting Your System from Script and Active Content Attacks. Changing Your Online Behavior.
VI. SHARING YOUR CABLE MODEM SERVICE.
15. Using Microsoft's Internet Connection Sharing.What Internet Connection Sharing Is—and Isn't. The Hardware and Software You Need for ICS. ICS Client Setup. Alternatives to ICS.
16. Using Other Computer-Based Internet Sharing Programs.How Third-Party Sharing Programs Differ from ICS. Deerfield WinGate. Ositis WinProxy. Sygate Home Network. Sharing for MacOS Users. Alternatives to ICS—Which Is the Best?
17. Router Your Way to Internet Sharing.What Routers Do. Types of Broadband Routers. Router Features to Look For. Adding a Router to an Existing Network That Did Not Share the Internet. Adding a Router to an Existing Network That Was Used for Internet Sharing. Making a Router Part of Your Network from Square One.
18. Setting Up a Home Network for Sharing Your Internet Connection.Network Types—Overview. Installing a 10/100 Ethernet Home Network. Installing a HomePNA 2.0 Phoneline Network. Installing a Wireless Ethernet (Wi-Fi) Network. Installing a Wireless HomeRF Network.
VII. TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR CABLE MODEM.
19. Troubleshooting Your Connection to the Internet.Understanding the Signal Lights on Your External Cable Modem. Troubleshooting Firewall Problems. What If It's Not Your Fault? Provider and General Internet Problems. What TCP/IP Is and How You Use It.
20. Troubleshooting Internet Sharing.Troubleshooting Computer-Based Sharing. Troubleshooting Routers. Troubleshooting Router Hardware and Cabling Problems. Troubleshooting Special Connectivity Problems.
21. Troubleshooting Internet Multimedia and Instant Messenger Software.Troubleshooting Webcams. Troubleshooting Media Players. Troubleshooting Windows Media Player. Troubleshooting IM Clients.
22. Keeping Your Cable Modem Service Up-to-Date.Switching to a New PC. Changing Network Cards. Installing Browser Upgrades. Installing Other New Software.
Index.