ARCHIVED: What is a modem?

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A modem allows you to send and receive information over the phone line with your computer. You could send a picture of your dog to a friend, or receive (download) a document sent to you via email.

"Modem" is an acronym that stands for "MOdulator/DEModulator". These are the technical terms for the way your modem converts information you send from your computer into sounds (the MOdulator part) which a modem on the other end of the phone line can translate back into information (the DEModulator part).