CHAPTER 4: Using the Internet
www.gateway.com
38
Learning about the Internet
The
Internet
is a worldwide network of computers linked together to provide
information to people everywhere. The two most popular services on the
Internet are e-mail and the World Wide Web. You can access this network by
connecting your computer to a telephone, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), or cable
television line and signing up with an Internet service provider (ISP).
If you want to access the Internet you need:
■
A
modem
—a device that connects your computer to other computers or
servers using a telephone, DSL, or cable television line. Your computer may
have a built-in dial-up telephone modem. Cable and DSL modems connect
to your computer through an Ethernet jack and provide a faster
connection speed than a standard, dial-up telephone modem.
Important
To determine if you have an Ethernet jack
on your computer, see the Hardware
Reference Guide or the setup poster.
■
An
Internet service provider—
a company that provides access to the
Internet through an ISP server. When you connect to an ISP, the ISP server lets
you access the Internet and your e-mail messages. Check your telephone
book for a list of Internet service providers available locally.
■
A
Web browser
—a program that displays information from the World
Wide Web. Microsoft Internet Explorer was included with your computer.
For more information, see
“Using the World Wide Web” on page 39
.
■
An
e-mail program
—a program that lets you create, send, and receive
e-mail messages over the Internet. Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express
was included with your computer. For more information, see
Your computer
connects to the
Internet through an
ISP.
ISP Servers
let you connect to the
Internet and access your
e-mail messages.
Internet Servers
store information so other
computers can access it from the
Internet.
8511629.book Page 38 Wednesday, July 19, 2006 9:38 AM
Summary of Contents for Desktops
Page 1: ...USER GUIDE Gateway Computer 8511629 book Page a Wednesday July 19 2006 9 38 AM...
Page 2: ...8511629 book Page b Wednesday July 19 2006 9 38 AM...
Page 14: ...CHAPTER 1 Getting Help www gateway com 6 8511629 book Page 6 Wednesday July 19 2006 9 38 AM...
Page 196: ...Index www gateway com 188 8511629 book Page 188 Wednesday July 19 2006 9 38 AM...
Page 197: ...8511629 book Page 189 Wednesday July 19 2006 9 38 AM...
Page 198: ...MAN 6BAY MBTX PRO USR GDE R1 7 06 8511629 book Page 190 Wednesday July 19 2006 9 38 AM...