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Exploring Your Options
An overview of using the Internet
5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.4.0
Internet Service Providers
To connect a computer directly to the Internet, many people
and businesses use an Internet Service Provider (ISP). An ISP
is a company that has the equipment and the
telecommunication lines necessary to maintain an Internet
connection.
You can connect to the Internet by using a telephone line and
modem or through other higher-speed communication
methods such as Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), cable, and
satellite links.
Connecting to the Internet
To connect to the Internet, you need:
❖
A modem
❖
A Web browser
❖
A telephone line
❖
An Internet Service Provider (ISP) account
Once you have established an ISP account, you can access the
Internet.
1
Connect your computer’s modem to a telephone line.
For more information on connecting a modem, see
“Connecting the modem” on page 106
2
Start your Web browser. Have your modem dial the ISP’s
telephone number, and establish a connection with the
ISP’s computer.
Surfing the Internet
Once connected to the Internet, the Web browser displays a
home page, for example, your ISP’s home page on the
Internet or your company’s Web site home page.