What is 'streaming' video and why does it keep stopping?
I tried to watch a video clip on a news website and it kept stopping every few seconds to 'buffer.' What does buffering mean? Is my internet too slow for video? The video was pretty small on the screen too. Will video on the internet ever be smooth, or do you need a really fast connection?
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4 Answers
It depends a lot on your connection speed. If you're still on dial-up, some of this just isn't going to work well no matter what. Broadband makes a night-and-day difference. Is DSL or cable available in your area yet?
I dealt with this same issue last year. The key thing is to make sure you're using the latest version of your software and check forums like Slashdot or Ars Technica for specific fixes. Technology changes so fast that advice from even 6 months ago can be outdated.
Be REALLY careful what you download to fix this. Half the 'free fix-it' programs you find are spyware in disguise. Stick to known-good stuff like the tools from major sites, and always scan downloads with your antivirus before running them.
I learned the hard way to always back up before messing with this kind of thing. Burn a CD-R of anything important first. It takes 10 minutes and could save you from losing everything if something goes sideways.
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