I often have problems with my Internet connection. Often my dial-up connection slows down to a standstill. Sometimes it cuts out. Then when I browse the Web or log on to download my e-mail, I have to wait a long time before the programs connect to the relevant Web and mail servers at my Internet service provider. I use Hong Kong Star and have tried to get its customer support people to help me on many occasions. I am usually told my problems are not their fault but rather my own or a generic problem with the Internet. Is this true? Or am I being taken for a ride? NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED It could be a bit of both. The dropped connection can be caused by a bad phone line at your end, or faulty equipment on the service provider's side. Slow downloads off the Web can be caused by heavy traffic on the service provider's leased line connection to the Internet, or it could be caused by similar traffic jams anywhere en route to the data you want.
I certainly don't condone customer support people who don't make that extra effort to make your life easier. After all, your connection fees help pay their salaries, but few of them stop to think about this.
However, the problems you face are obviously very common. That's why a number of companies have come up with programs that help Internet users analyse the problems they may face on-line. One such tool is Net.Medic from Vital Signs Software. Still in Version 1.0, this program acts as a companion to your Web browser and will help you work out and solve problems you will face with your connection.
You can set Net.Medic up to start when you fire up your PC. You can view it as a separate application or part of your browser itself. The program has an easy-to-use interface and can give you up-to-the minute reports on the performance and activity of the various Internet programs you're using - like your Web browser, e-mail program, FTP client, etc.
Net.Medic's ability to offer solutions to problems you face and then fix them is another good reason to check this program out. In your case, if you request a page and the server is unresponsive and hangs, Net.Medic will resend the request. You can check Net.Medic's Health Log to see what the problem was and this way you can give your service provider hell if you discover the problem is at their end.