Lesson 16 - The Internet
How-To would not be complete without a word about the Internet. This subject has too many variables for us
to tell you everything you need to know but here are a few ideas. In order to get on the internet you need to have three
things....a modem, an ISP (Internet Service Provider), and a browser. (Obviously if you are reading this, you have
a browser.)
Of course a modem won't work without a telephone line so I'm assuming you have a working telephone.
The subject of how to choose an ISP would fill several books. There are national ISP's and local ISP's and probably everything in between. A subset of ISP's are the online service providers such as Microsoft Network or America On-Line. An ISP provides Internet connections. An on-line service provides Internet connections and other services such as E-mail and chat-rooms. So you need to consider availability, cost, and your own needs. Look in Windows Help at some of the listings such as Microsoft Network or Internet Service Providers or Internet Explorer for more information on what Microsoft offers.
Before you sign up for Internet service, ask questions such as:
- How many people per server do you have? If an ISP has 1000 customers and only 10 servers, you can bet you'll get lots of busy signals when you try to log on.
- What is the speed of your modems? It does you no good to have the best and fastest modem in the world if your ISP's modems only transfer information at a reduced speed.
- If you plan to build your own Homepage, what services does your ISP provide to help you?
- If you plan to conduct e-business, what restrictions are there from your ISP?
- If you don't like the service and decide to use a different one, what files will you need to delete? All ISP's put files on your computer so that you can access the internet, receive mail, etc. If you decide to change ISP's, sometimes the original files will be "hidden" and, for example, your E-mail will still be routed through the original company or its name will appear in your address.
Talk to folks in your area about their ISP and what they like and don't like. Ask at the local computer store or the
person you bought your computer from. Once you get a recommendation and satisfactory answers to your
questions, your ISP should provide you with a CD or disk with the information you need to get started.
I hope this has given you some information about the issues you need to consider when choosing an ISP.
If you live in a rural area like I do, you really don't have a lot of choices. Not all ISP's are available everywhere. For a
listing of ISP's available in your area, you need to have Internet Explorer installed on your computer.
In Windows 98* select Connection Wizard from Windows Explorer/Tools/Internet Options/
Connections/Setup.
In Windows 95* use the Internet Explorer Starter Kit CD or disk which came with your computer and click "Connect to the Web Now" and "Internet Connection Wizard".
The Internet Connection Wizard will dial a 1-800 number and display a list of Internet service providers (ISPs) available based on your location and information about their services. You can sign up for a new account by clicking an ISP in the list.
If you already have an account with an ISP and want to create an Internet connection to your account, the Internet Connection wizard collects all the necessary information from you and then creates the connection.
End of Lesson #16
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*Windows* refers to Microsoft Windows 95® or
Microsoft Windows 98®.