Modem:
Reach out & touch someone

Modems are the communicators of computer systems. They enable you to use a telephone line to connect to the Internet or another computer.

Most modems are internal - installed inside of the computer. These are called modem cards.

Another type of modem card is a PC Card Modem (PCMCIA) that is used on laptops. These cards insert into a special slot on the side of the laptop.

Some modems come in a self-contained case, complete with their own power supply and connect to the computer with a cable. They're known as external modems.

What's it all mean?

The word modem is actually a combination of two radio terms - modulate and demodulate. Modulate is to send and demodulate is to receive.

The speed of modems is expressed in kilobits per second (kps). Currently the fastest speed is 56 kps, but the actual maximum speed that can be obtained over a telephone line is 53 kps.

Happy Computing,
Lee De Bevoise, Computer Tutor