Enjoying speedy link to the Internet, after a slow start
Article Abstract:
Home installation of ISDN can involve numerous hassles and expenses for the average user. An example is Bell Atlantic's Internet service, which operates at 128Kbps. Customer-friendly salespeople and technicians could not overcome some glitches, such as telephone lines that cannot handle regular phone and modem service during ISDN equipment setup. Certain ISDN modems may not allow setup, and owners may have to spend extra money to add serial ports and sound cards to make modems work with PCs. Bell Atlantic's monthly ISDN line service costs $74, excluding charges for more than 150 hours of full-speed ISDN time or 300 hours at half-speed. Users save about $20 per month for dropping a second regular phone line, but Bell Atlantic also charges $21.95 a month for special ISDN connection to the Internet. Benefits include reliable and fast ISDN service, and Bell Atlantic is not solely responsible for the hassles. Problems also can occur with Dell PCs, Windows and other software.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1998
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To be a mass medium, the Web must be freed from the PC
Article Abstract:
Several things must change before the World Wide Web can raise its current presence of around 27% in US households. The most important step consists of replacing PCs as the principal means of accessing the Web. These overpriced and overcomplicated devices have penetrated only 45% of the domestic US market after entering the market in the late 1970s. Television, which nearly doubles the presence of PCs, needed only two decades to attain widespread popularity. Simpler and less complex information appliances, such as Microsoft's WebTV set-top box or the new Jupiter-class mini-laptops, are viable alternatives to PCs. Increased bandwidth also would help the Web establish itself as a mass broadcast force. Other listed solutions are faster, less expensive and reliable home connections; attractive Web programming; and business models that will help companies draw profits as well as publicity.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1998
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Cybergiant AOL adds welcome features to revamped service
Article Abstract:
America Online's (AOL) new software, version 4.0, represents an overhaul of the service's look and feel, including significant improvements. For example, all AOL screens now incorporate navigation features that resemble those of a Web browser, with top-of-the-screen controls for specifying AOL key words or Web addresses, as well as home-page buttons and back-and-forth arrows. Version 4.0 is also easier to customize. For example, "marketing preferences" controls allow a user to turn off pop-up advertising banners. However, AOL's personalization capabilities are not as sophisticated as those offered by services such as Yahoo and Excite. For example, AOL lacks an arrangement for personalizing an opening screen. AOL says its researches indicate that users are not very interested in personalization.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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