Section 5 - How do I get connected?

Nearly anyone can connect their computer to the Internet and immediately communicate with other computers on the Net. With the advent of high-speed modems for digital communication over common phone lines and now cable lines, many people and organizations take advantage of the network's advanced and global communications. For instance, when the marketers realized that they could cheaply produce and deliver eye-catching and whizbang commercials and product catalogs to those millions of web surfers around the world, there was no stopping the stampede of businesses on the Internet.

To get connected you need the following Two Resources:

1. Connection to the Internet via a modem or network connection

In order to connect using a modem, you first need to access a server that is part of the Internet. You can do this by contacting an Internet Service Provider (ISP). An ISP is a company that provides individuals and other companies access to the Internet and other related services. Some examples of ISP’s are AOL, SBC, Verizon, and Earth Link.

Today you have a choice of either getting connected through a phone line, which has been the traditional way, or you can now get connected through your cable line as well.

The computers in the labs on campus are connected to a network, which provides a constant connection to the Internet without needing dial-up service or a modem.

2. A web browser such as Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox

Web browsers are software applications that provide access to and allow viewing of Internet resources. Using a web browser you can view information in either a text-only format, using a browser such as Lynx, or in a graphical text format using a browser such as Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox. Graphics can refer to images, animations, or movies. Other well-known web browsers include America Online (AOL), Safari and Opera. Web browsers are primarily used to view web pages, although most can also be used to access newsgroups and email as well.