Very interesting. So, in practical terms, the modem speed listed on the
dialer is meaningless?
David Grossman


> On 2 Apr 2004 at 0:00, David Grossman  wrote:
>
> > I'm confused about modem speed.
> >
> > I have a dial-up connection that ranges from about 34 to 46 Kbps. That
> > speed seems to have no bearing on the actual speed that I can surf the
> > Web, or the speed that I can upload or download e-mail.
> >
> > On some days when the connection is supposedly slow, I can work very
> > quickly. On some days when the connection is supposedly fast, the
computer
> > seems sluggish.
> >
> > Is there another factor that governs the speed of Internet activity? If
> > so, what is the meaning of the modem speed?
>
> Hi David,
>
> I've found the same situation....fast connection, sluggish response
> and vice versa.
> The best I can tell you is that the modem speed you see in the task
> bar is what you *connected* at, for example 44000 kbs. This is not a
> "static" connection, in that it remains the same speed at all times.
> With others dialing in, sharing the bandwidth your ISP has, it
> changes, sometimes dramatically.
> Another factor of course, is internet traffic in general, which may
> produce sluggish results on a highly visited site.
> There are shareware applications to check your internet speed, but
> I've always found them a little useless. Best thing is to note the
> times when speeds slow down (like after work, lunchtime, after
> supper hour), and try not to dial in at that time.
>
> Sue Clark
> Bristol ME

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