What do you need to get on
to the net?
By Deborah Schweitzer
Some of you are already on-line, and some of you are just now deciding
to hook up to the Internet. Here is a list of things you might want to
know about the Internet before you hook-up.
1. Do you have the right equipment? To get on the net, you need the
following things:
-
A 486 or better computer with Windows 3.1 or better
-
A modem
-
A telephone line or a cable line to hook to the modem.
If you are on the Internet, your telephone will be busy. For this
reason many people are installing a second line. If your computer dials
a long distant number, you will have a long-distant phone call on your
bill.
You must disable call waiting before dialing into your Internet provider,
or the connection will not work properly. Your telephone company or provider
will tell you what you must do to disable the call waiting.
2. Who will be your provider? When you have the equipment, now you need
a provider. A provider is a company that gives you access to the Internet.
It has a host computer. A host is a large computer that stays connected
to the web all of the time and allows other client machines an entrance
ramp to the Internet.
There are usually two types of providers:
-
Commercial on-line services - Examples of these are AOL or CompuServe.
These companies offer special services of interest to their customers,
and they also offer access to the World Wide Web.
-
Internet providers - These are companies like The Point and AT&T that
offer their customer an email address, web space for a web page, and access
to the net. They do not offer any other special services.
-
Recently in Louisville the cable companies are starting to offer Internet
hook-ups. These are fiber optic lines and are very fast. Another advantage
is it frees your telephone line.
Questions you might ask these provider:
-
Do you offer limited or unlimited service? (This is how much time you are
allowed on the web.)
-
If they offer limited service, what happens if I go over my time limit?
-
How many email accounts come with this account?
-
Do I have to sign a contract and if so for how long? (Can you go month
by month?)
-
Do you offer a discount if I pay ahead several months? How much? If I have
to break the contract, what happens?
-
Who do I call if there is a problem? Is there a support line with a person
who will help me step by step if I am having problems? Is that support
line 24 hours day? If not, what are the hours?
3. The last thing you will need is a browser. A browser is a program that
will allow you to surf the web. Two popular browsers are Netscape Communicator
and Internet Explore. Both have their good and bad points. Most providers
offer you a choice of browsers.