Biggirl…(how 'bout those Jets?)…you’ll never get a true 56K download speed. About 49 is the best you can hope for. You’re also at the mercy of your phone co. If you have a lot of analog switches between you and them (like if you’re out in the sticks), you’ll be stuck at 28. You can call and ask what you should expect your connect rate to be. Make sure you’re using a 56k number for AOL if it’s available. Also, when downloading, it doesn’t matter how fast your connection is if the other end is pushing at a slow rate. You can only go as fast as the other side will let you.
So, in something like Napster, you should always download from someone who has a faster connection than you. If you’re at 28, only download from 56 or higher. That’s because your rates are download only. You upload at a slower rate. A 56k connection will upload at around 28, so that’s why you should download from 56k, ISDN, or better. Also, go with the shortest ping time you can find in Napster. BTW, for those who don’t have it, get Napigator (www.napigator.com) so you can continue to use Napster after they shut down (by going to other Nap servers).
I wouldn’t touch MP3s when I was at 49k. I was lucky enough to get cable 6 months ago, and it takes me all of 2 minutes to get a song. I’m up to around 1500 MP3s. Count me in as an addict. And like Stranger sez, back your stuff up to cd-r if you have one. Sucks to lose all those files.
techchick, I know how you feel about your baby. I had to stand by helplessly while the cable dude slapped in my NIC. They wouldn’t allow me to install it myself. Of course, the guy didn’t mind me configuring everything when he couldn’t get it to work.
