Computer and Software Support


Sharing internet 

There is two types of Internet Service providers. There is software driven internet providers and there are browser driven internet providers.

Software driven Internet Providers

  1. Provides their own software to access the internet
  2. Uses their own browser that is built into their software
  3. AOL, MSN, Earthlink are examples of software driven providers.

 

Browser Driven Internet Providers

  1. Uses Internet explorer (or Netscape) to access the internet
  2. Bellsouth, Comcast, Road Runner are examples of browser driven.

 

Advantages of Software Driven are

  1. They will try to layout their software where it will be user friendly.
  2. Good for beginners.

 

Disadvantages of Software driven are

  1. Requires you to install software to connect to the internet
  2. Adds another step in configuration and updates
  3. Makes troubleshooting more involved.
  4. Majority will not allow you to share the internet with another computer. To have more than one person on the net at one time would require two accounts which doubles the cost. See example 1 below.
  5. May prevent other software that requires an internet connection from running due to configuration.
  6. Adds to the amount of resources that is being used.

Example 1: Lets say the cost of the internet is $19 a month.  Lets also say the cost of a phone line costs $25. If Steve gets on the internet through this connection it would cost $19 for the Internet connection and $25 for the phone line.  If Mark wants to get on the internet at the same time as Steve is online, Mark will have to open a new account to get online at the same time as the Steve. The total cost so far would be $38 and this is only for the internet connection. This would also require an additional phone line. The cost of the two lines would be $50 then add the internet and the total would be $83. As more people want to get online at the same time, the cost will keep increasing.

The cost of internet and phone line in above example is only an actual cost of the services. You will need to contact the internet service provider and/or the phone company for information on the actual cost.

 

Advantages of Browser Driven Internet Provider

  1. allows more than one computer to access the internet at one time.  This will allow more than one person to be on the internet for one price. Each user doesn't have to pay for a connection.  See example 2 below.
  2. Less chance of having a software conflict.
  3. Be more compatible to games and other programs that use the internet.
  4. Uses less resources.

Example 2: Lets say the cost of the internet is $19 a month.  Lets also say the cost of a phone line costs $25. If Steve gets on the internet through this connection it would cost $19 for the internet connection and $25 for the phone service.  If Mark decides to get on the internet at the same time as Steve and has a computer networked with Steve's computer, he can get on the internet at the same time through Steve's internet connection. The cost doesn't increase as the number of users increase. The cost for only one person to be on the internet will be $19 and phone line cost would be $25. The cost to have 4 people connected to the internet at the same time would be $19 and phone line would be 25.

The cost of internet and phone line in above example is only an actual cost of the services. You will need to contact the internet service provider and/or the phone company for information on the actual cost.

Disadvantages of Browser Driven Internet Provider

  1. Not as user friendly for the beginner.

Summary

Task

Software driven

Browser driven
requires separate software Yes No
Steps to setup, configure and update More steps than Browser Less steps than Software
Troubleshooting Troubleshoot OS system as well as the software for the ISP Troubleshoot just OS
Number of users that can be online at one time  One many
Resources Uses more than Browser Uses less than software

In order for two or more people to be on the internet at one time, you will need a computer for each user.  For instructions on networking two or more computers click here.