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Internet Boosters
What are Internet
Boosters?
Internet Boosters are programs that
increase your download speed. They fine tune your
computer's Internet settings, ensuring that the settings
are optimized for connection to your Internet Service
Provider. For example, a computer set-up for connection
to the Internet using an ordinary dial-up modem may need
settings changed when connected using a cable or DSL
modem.
Some Internet Boosters simply change
settings in your System Registry, changes which can be
relatively easily be done manually, although the program
approach is easier still, and safer.
Some, you must pay for, others are
available freely on the Internet.
Many Internet Boosters claim to double
your Internet Speed, however, if your speed is already
optimized, this will be difficult if not impossible to
achieve!
During January and February 2002, I received just
under fifty test page results from Internet Booster users
in response to a user poll.
5% reported their speed to be much slower, with 10%
reporting their speed was slightly slower. 29% didn't
notice any change in speed, and 26% reported their speed
was much faster.
The remaining 30% reported that their speed was
slightly faster.
Interestingly, 21% of the reports where from cable
modem users, all indicating a speed increase.
Some comments that I received include:
Modem Booster (Dialup: No - Speed is slightly slower:
11-20)
"Terrible, uses a download interface to "test
and optimize" your internet connection but it
actually downloads a secret file instead which monitors
internet activity."
Modem Booster (Dialup: Yes - Speed is much faster:
11-20)
"I'm very experienced user, and the autotune
feature bested my year-long efforts by 12-14%!"
Internet Turbo (Cable: Yes - Speed is much faster: 21-30)
"I've tried numerous internet speed enhancers,
but this one is truely superior. I don't know why, but it
really makes a big difference in the internet bandwidth
tests I run."
Internet Turbo (Cable: Yes - Speed is much faster: 21-30)
"I've tried numerous internet speed enhancers,
but this one is truely superior. I don't know why, but it
really makes a big difference in the internet bandwidth
tests I run."
Internet Turbo (Dialup: Yes - Speed is much faster: 11-20)
"One of the few that actually works. Believe
me,I have tried them all. Very easy interface and a very
noticable increase in speed for my miserly 56k modem.I
have recommended Internet Turbo to my friends and after
they tried it,they now agree that this works.After
testing all of the so called "modem accelerators",
I will be using this utility for as long as I use a dial
up connection."
Broadband Wizard (Cable: Yes - Speed is much faster: Free)
"After 1 time of using the Broadband Wizard , I
could easily tell a dramatic improvement of my connection
performance. Its very simple to use and works for all
types of connections."
Download accelerator Plus (Dialup: Yes - Speed is
slightly faster: Free)
"Simple to use.Well documented. Keeps log of all
d/loads. Supports resume. 3*"
Speed corp (Cable: Yes - Speed is slightly faster: Free)
"Works well how ever Receive window is set to
high. This cause re-Transmission to occur raising your
ping level. Not noticable when moving through the
internet but if your a gammer this will kill you faster
than no talent less skill will..."
Market Score (Dialup: No - Speed is slightly slower: Free)
"I think this was more of a ploy to get
marketing type info. Waste of time."
Windows Registry Guide (Dialup: Yes - Speed is much
faster: Free)
"Although not an automated program, This
software guides even the most inept person like myself to
achieve maximum performance. The best part is that it
teaches you exactly what you're doing and what you're
trying to achieve. Very easy to follow. I found it at
winguides.com"
Download Accelerator Plus (Cable: Yes - Speed is slightly
faster: Free)
"Only works for downloading files off the
internet by setting up mirrors. It works well, downsides
are it can mess up certain types of files and has an
"ad banner" built into the interface."
Accel SpeedTec (Dialup: Yes - Speed is slightly faster:
Free)
"I'm a Network Admin. and have used just about
all of the popular freeware/ shareware "Booster"
programs that are out there, with little or no success.
However, I came across this one (Accel Speedtec), which
has given me the best results. The creators of this
program seem to be well informed & knowledgeable
because they're one of the few groups that have gotten
the "true" optimized settings for Win98 right,
(which is usually a higher MTU of around 1500 & an
RWIN multiplier of 16- even for a dial up connection).
They are correct in saying that Win98's default MTU
setting is actually lower, around 576 and RWIN about 8512.
This is totally opposite of what other program creators
say Win98 does & differs from what they recommend the
optimized settings should be (they seem to be using the
Win95 settings & info)."
Conclusion
Some boosters can increase your speed, especially if
you are a cable user, and many of these are available
free of charge.
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