Games are great with that extra sound. Also, if you would rather the computer environment be a quiet environment, be sure to purchase good quality headphones so the sound can only be heard by the computer user. Modems A modem is that essential piece of computer hardware that, when connected to your telephone line, lets you explore the Internet, and use your PC as a fax or answering machine. With a modem, you can subscribe to a growing number of online and bulletin board services or communicate with other computers which have modems attached to them. Telephone lines then connect the modem to your telephone service.
Some users install a separate telephone line for the computer.
Your actual transmission speed will probably be much slower, however, because of hardware incompatibilities. If you are communicating with an older modem, your 56K modem must switch down to match the speed of the older modem. Most Internet services providers and online services are still using older, slower modems. Also, the two protocols for 56K modems, x2 and K56flex, are only compatible at slower speeds. So even if you are attempting to communicate with another 56K modem, if it's not the same protocol as yours, both must switch to a slower speed in order to communicate.