Connecting to the Internet

The Internet is a vast, worldwide network of computers that offers information, communication, online shopping, and entertainment for the whole family.

There are two ways to connect to the Internet:

• In a direct or network connection, your computer has a live network connection to the Internet all the time. This is relatively common for workplace computers on companywide networks. For home use, cable modems and DSL, which work like direct connections, are becoming quite popular.

• In a modem or dial-up connection, your computer uses its modem to dial in to a server at an Internet Service Provider (ISP), which gives it access to the Internet. Access speed is limited by the speed of your modem.

This chapter explains how to configure your system for an Internet connection, connect to the Internet, and use the Internet applications and utilities included with Mac OS X.

Tips

• An ISP is a business that provides access to the Internet for a fee.

• The World Wide Web is part of the Internet. The Web and the Web browser software you use to access it are covered later in this chapter.