SIUC students choose dial-ups according to their own needs

The Internet plays a major role in the lives of SIUC student on and off campus, and it is difficult to find someone who does not use it on a regular basis.

Whether it is to research for a paper or to check e-mail messages, the connections students choose to access the Internet may differ for numerous reasons.

According to Andrew White, president of Neon Internet, there are two main kinds of connections the standard dial-up connection, which ranges from $15 to $20 a month, and the Digital Subscriber Line, which ranges from $65 to $100 a month. There is also a wireless connection similar to DSL.

The dial-up is considered regular Internet access, and DSL is considered high, which most people find to be more convenient, White said.

White said that dial-up is the most common because it has been around for 10 years, and it is also less expensive. But because DSL has a faster connection and can connect without interfering with the phone line, it is the most reliable choice for the computer. Students must qualify for DSL, meaning if they live off campus they have to be within a three-mile radius of the nearest Internet station.

Terry Koshy, a senior who lives off campus, uses the DSL connection because it is much faster and more convenient and because he would get frustrated with the dial-up. He said even though DSL costs more, it is well worth the extra money.

It all depends on what you want to do, Koshy said. If you just like to check your e-mail, you should choose dial-up, but I like to do other things.

David McKillip, a freshman who lives in Schneider Hall, prefers to use the standard dial-up connection.

As a student just getting accustomed to the campus and everything that comes along with it, he says he has more to worry about than the type of connection he uses.

I just use regular dial-up because as a student, money is hard to come by, and it is just more economical for me, McKillip said. DSL might be a lot faster, but I don’t think I really need it right now.

Most students just try to get by with whatever gets the job done.

When I finally get a job and some real money, then maybe I will consider getting DSL. But for now I think I’ll stick to what I have, McKillip said.