There are three components involved in connecting to the internet. They are:
1. A computer and browser software
2. An Internet Service Provider (ISP)
3. A modem (Telephone modem, cable modem, DSL)
We will cover each of these aspects in detail including costs (where applicable)
There is a variety of ways to connect to the internet mostly at a cost. They involve the use of a Modulator-DEModulater, or MODEM.
CONNECTING TO THE INTERNET
The first way of connecting is with the use of a telephone modem. This requires having a modem card installed in your PC. The telephone line out is plugged into the modem at the back of the computer via the line jack and the telephone itself is plugged into the phone out jack on the modem card. The cost is for the modem card itself. Modems come in various speeds known as "baud" rates. This roughly translates into how many bits a second that the modem can send and receive. The most common baud rate for a modem is 56k. There are 33.6k and 14.8 baud modems which are much slower. Of all the methods for connecting to the internet, the telephone modem is the slowest-but also the cheapest. All that is needed is an ISP, a phone line, and a modem.
The next way to connect to the internet is through a cable modem or DSL modem. DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line and it utilizes your telephone service lines. Both types of modems are provided by an ISP service. The cable modem is provided by your local cable company along with the service. A DSL hookup is usually provided by your telephone service company.
Of these three methods, cable and DSL offer the fastest means of connection. They also incur a monthly fee starting from $29 and up, depending on the type of service and connection speed you order.
THE BROWSER SOFTWARE
The most common operating system in use today is Microsoft Windows. The most common versions of this software still in use is Windows 98, Windows Millennium and 2000, and Windows XP. The browser program Windows uses is Internet Explorer. In the case of Windows XP the browser is directly integrated into the operating system.
A less used but still popular operating system used is Linux, both for IBM and MacIntosh computers. They typically have their own browser programs for connecting to the Internet.
There are a number of stand alone browsers for these operating systems that can be downloaded, like Mozilla and Opera. They have various features that may make it attractive to use them when connecting to the internet.
INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS
ISPs are the entities that provide you with the means to connect to the internet. The common ISPs are run by the cable TV and telephone companies. Other ISPs exist that provide varying degrees of services, the most common being America Online.
ISPs also provide the software, and in the case of the Cable/Telephone companies, may also provide the hardware. You may be charged individually for the monthly use of the modem or it may be part of an overall coverage plan provided by the company.
In the case of online services like AOL that provide service with the use of your existing telephone line and modem, it's just a matter of running your line in to your PC's modem and then dialing up using the software provided. Recently AOL has been doing mass mailings of their software so chances are you've already received their software.
WHAT TO DO ONCE YOU'VE GOTTEN AN INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER
You might have the company install the hardware at a nominal fee, or you may wish to do this yourself.
Setting up your PC to connect to the internet involves installing a network card and software then connecting your modem to it.
Cable Modem
1. Turn off and unplug your PC
2. Open the panel and locate an empty slot. Follow the instructions provided with your network card, then follow the instructions on hooking up your modem provided by the ISP.
From there, you install the software and follow the instructions that will walk you through a ping test. Once that is accomplished, you're pretty much online with a wealth of information and services right at your fingertips.
ISPs usually provide email addresses as a by product of the service they provide and will walk you through the process of setting those up.
