Types of Internet access

DSL
Over-the-phone-line (sometimes called PSTN or Telco), the "digital subscriber line" is piggybacked data over regular copper phone wires, doesn't interfere with normal phone calls, but data noise (hissing sound) must be filtered or most telephone equipment will not function correctly. Special customer equipment, service and ISP are required. With DSL service, you're getting a special data connection between you and the phone company, but not to the internet. You will also have to enter into an agreement with an ISP (Internet Service Provider), who then makes the fnal connection between the phone company and the Internet. In many cases, DSL and ISP are bundled, simplifying your installation.

Cable
Through your cable-TV provider (sometimes called CATV), the data is passed on the same coax cable as your cable television signals. A special cable modem is required, as well as a special high-speed cable internet service, also through your cable company. No additional ISP is needed; the cable company handles the ISP duties as well.

Satellite internet
If you use Hughes/DirecTV satellite television service, you may have heard about their HughesNet internet services, in which an installer replaces your receiving dish with a special Internet dish, which is oval-shaped. As with satellite television, you must have a clear view of the southern sky in order for this to work. The service is ordered through Hughes/DirecTV.

WLAN
Wireless Lan (WLAN) is an extension of your ISP's network that covers the last mile using towers (often rented cell towers, water towers, grain elevators or other tall structures, to beam an 802.11 wifi radio signal across a wide area (often several miles). While traditional wifi gear works on this type of network, you'll probably need an antenna mounted on the side of your house and pointed in the general direction of the nearest WLAN tower, as well as a cable that plugs into a special network bridge inside your home, then into your computer/network.

WiMax
Similar to the above, but doesn't use tradition 802.11 (wifi) protocols, but a proprietary network protocol and special equipment at your home.

Cellular
Your cell phone company probably has a data plan, through which you can access the internet. In some cases, if your phone and computer are both equipped with Bluetooth, you may be able to setup an arrangement between your phone and computer in which your computer goes through your phone to access the internet, a sort of wireless Internet connection. This may be a slow, clunky and difficult option, but with a little guidance from your cell phone provider, it may be your only reliable option if you travel a lot or live in an area where DSL or cable Internet are not available.

Internet Over Powerline
Not available in our area, but would pass a data stream over powerlines to your home. You would need a special receiver that connects to the household power and your computer or home network.

Nurturing the festering

Howard Fineman appears to be reasonably intelligent and is good for political insight if you pull his chain -- and NBC does quite a bit of chain pulling when he's in the room. But the more I see him on the various talk shows and read his op-eds, the more I believe his function is to feed the discomfort level of enthusiasts.

Kill troop morale
A favorite tactic in any battle is to try to add to the discontent of the groundpounders on the other side. The purpose is, of course, is to weaken the position of the other side. But the battle's won, so what's Fineman trying to accomplish? To pour salt in wounds and watch them fester. To cause a reaction that will be heard around the world.

Being one of NBC's go-to guys for punditry is probably a pretty good way to get paying customers, but none of this advances political discourse. Fact-based analysis isn't supposed to inject emotion of itself, but to reflect the facts.

This adolescent tendency to want to be seen as the insider is sophomoric. Children like to say words that produce a "wow" from their audience. Makes them feel relevant, purposeful.

I wish Fineman and the rest of the beltway insiders would mature.

Immigration officials charge a Postville illegal

In this story, the DM Register says the Chief of Police of Postville claims his department doesn't routinely act as an immigration-enforcement arm because it can't afford the training, and that he wants immigrants to feel comfortable reporting crimes to his officers without fearing that they will be deported.

Well, actually, the police chief is referring to illegal immigrants, foreign nationals in this country without a visa or other authorization -- referred to as "illegal aliens". Let's be honest.

What if the chief had said his department doesn't go after shoplifters? And that he didn't want drug users to feel uncomfortable reporting other crimes for fear of arrest? That's an equivalent argument.

In the military, I believe we refer to this as "dereliction of duty", punishable by death in times of war.

Food for thought.

As I've always said, if the laws are wrong, then let's change them. If we can fairly increase the number of immigrants and successfully integrate them into our country, then let's up the numbers. But if we're being over-run by foreign nationals who have no intentions of assimilating, then we're being invaded and our pocketbooks are being raided -- and sworn officers of the law are accessories.