h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Network Interface cards, are used to connect your computer to a cabled network, for internet access.
This is far superior to using telephone lines to connect. The upload/download times are blazing fast.

I personally have switched from telephone lines, to cable for internet access 3yrs ago with no looking back.
I'm trying to remember all the silly stuff that I did to allow for more internet time, as it was purchased by the minute then.

Nic cards range from $10.00 to $50.00 CDN, but it is not best to purchase the cheaper one, you seem to get what you pay for???




pedboy

Depends upon whether your local exchange will support these speeds. I have an ADSL connection and I'd recommend anyone who use the internet a lot to get one as (a) it's cheaper in the long run and (b) it's a hell of a lot faster and (c) you aren't restricted at all as to when you can access the net.
However....not all exchanges in the UK are ADSL-enabled. Even if they are, if you live more than a few Km away from them you're stuffed. But I agree with the point you're making: a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link, and often that tends to be the internet connection, so upgrade that first.
A word of warning: some providers claim to supply 'broadband' internet but their download speed is only 128 Kbps. Go for a 512Kbps download speed if you can.