Hi Mary,
        I too am new to modems as well but have picked up a little on how
they work. They convert electrical impulses into sound so they can be
transmitted across phone lines and then are converted back into electrical
impulses at the other end. Modem stands for MODulator DEModulator. A 28.8k
modem sells for about $190 upwards depending on if you want an internal or
external modem. Anyway hope this has helped a little
        Cya l8r   George

P.S. hope the weather has been better in Sydney, as it has been horrible in
     Adelaide 
... Live! Via modem... It's Saturday Night Taglines.
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