Getting the Right Equipment

To access the Internet, you need certain hardware components. You also need some additional items such as an Internet provider and a way to get connected. Basically, you need the following:

• A modem

• An Internet service provider (often abbreviated to ISP)

• A connection

• A program for browsing the Internet

• A program for handling mail

This section describes each of these items.

Describing Modems

A modem is a device used with a telephone line or cable wire and your computer. The modem enables your computer to connect to and communicate with other computers via the phone line or a cable line. Regular phone-connection modems are often referred to as dial-up modems. Faster connections, including cable modems, are often called broadband connections.

Most new computers come with a modem, which is most often stored inside the computer. You can also purchase external modems that connect to your computer with a cable and sit on your desk. One of the newer ways to get connected is through a cable connection (usually provided by your cable TV company). To use a cable connection, you need a cable modem; you can purchase one, or sometimes the cable company provides one when you subscribe to its service. You can also connect through a special phone line called a DSL connection. This type of connection is similar to a cable connection; it provides fast access and its pricing is somewhat similar. (More on connection types later.)

You plug in the phone line or cable line to the modem. Then you can connect to your Internet service provider, which allows you to access email and browse the Web.

Finding an Internet Service Provider

An Internet service provider (ISP) has one or more high-powered networks that your computer calls to get connected. Your connection type (which is covered next) determines how you get connected and also which provider you use. For instance, if you decide to use a cable modem, you need to select a cable provider. If you decide to get a DSL hookup, you need a provider for DSL.

In addition to providing online browsing, your ISP also serves as your mailbox. When someone sends you an email message, it is sent to your provider's network and stored there. When you get connected, you can then download or transfer any messages from your ISP to your computer.

You pay a monthly fee for this service; the fees and services vary from company to company. Usually, you can shop around for an ISP that meets your needs.

Windows XP provides links and even free trials for popular Internet providers such as America Online (AOL) and Microsoft Network (MSN). Some providers are nationwide; some are local. Picking a local provider does not limit your connection to local sites; it just means that the company that provides the service is local.

If you do not have a provider, or if you are thinking of upgrading or changing your provider, do some research first by asking the following questions:

• Does the company provide service for your type of connection? That is, if you want to use a cable connection, does that company have cable hookups? If you want DSL, do they provide DSL? Some areas may not have cable, for instance.

• What is the cost? Expect a monthly fee around $20 for basic service and up to $50 or more for high-speed access. Fees also vary from one area of the country to another. Furthermore, fees vary depending on the type of connection. You may, for instance, choose a DSL connection because the pricing is better than it is for a cable connection.

  tip

  

  You can search for a provider using the New Connection Wizard. See "Getting Connected" later in this chapter for information on this wizard. Another great site for finding an ISP is a site called The List at www.thelist.com.

  
  

• What other services are provided? As you become more proficient, you might want to expand your Internet skills. If you think that down the road you might want to create your own Web site, see whether your provider has Web hosting services. If so, what is the fee? Also, if more than one person uses your computer, consider multiple email addresses, one for each person. Check to see whether your ISP provides (and what they charge) for multiple addresses.

• What is the top connection speed? Speed is measured in bits per second (bps) or kilobytes per second (Kbps). Regular modems max out at about a speed of 56,000 bps or 56K. Cable and DSL lines are much, much faster. DSL lines and cable connections include speeds ranging from 128K to 768K on up to 1500K. Check out the various speeds for providers in your area. A great Web site for reviewing broadband speeds is BroadbandReports.com.

Selecting a Connection Type

Most users connect to the Internet through a phone line, but it is becoming more popular to hook up through your cable provider or through a special phone line such as DSL. (Again, these connections are called broadband connections.) These methods often cost more, but provide faster connections. Common connection types include

• Cable You can connect to the Internet through the same company that provides your cable television. Usually, the cable company provides the modem and runs the cable line for you for a setup fee. You then pay a monthly fee for the service. (Prices vary. Comparison shop among the various high-speed or broadband connections to get the best speed and price.)

• Phone line You can get connected through a high-speed phone line such as a DSL line. Again, this provides a faster connection but may require a special phone line and a higher service fee. You may also be able to get connected through your regular phone line as long as you use the filters set up by the DSL company. Check with your local phone company for information about this connection option.

  caution

  

  Cable and DSL modems are usually connected 24/7 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). To protect your computer, you need to turn on a safety device called a firewall. You can find more on this topic in Chapter 8.

  
  

• Network connection Businesses often use a network connection as their access to the Internet. The network is often directly connected to the Internet through a networking line.

• Wireless connection One of the newer popular methods of getting connected is through a wireless network. Chapter 6 covers this method of hooking up to the Internet.

note

Many DSL providers (for instance, Verizon) can now use your regular phone line rather than a special phone line. You have to put filters on the jacks you don't want to use for DSL, but the filters are easy to install. They plug into the jacks, and you plug your phone into the filters. If you are looking into DSL as your connection type, check into all your options.

Selecting Browser and Email Programs

In addition to the service provider and hardware equipment, you need programs for browsing the Internet and for sending and receiving mail.

Windows XP includes a mail program called Outlook Express. This program suits the needs of most users. (Sending and receiving email is the topic of Chapter 7.) Figure 5.2 shows the Outlook Express window.

Figure 5.2. You can access your email with Outlook Express.

Some users may prefer another mail program. For instance, your company may use a different mail program for interoffice email, or you may prefer a full-featured mail program. For instance, if you use Microsoft Office, you can use Outlook, a personal information manager program that includes mail, calendar, and contact features.

Windows XP also includes a browser program called Internet Explorer. Browsing the Internet is covered in Chapter 8 and in Chapter 9, "Searching the Internet." Figure 5.3 shows Internet Explorer. Again, different users may prefer to use different programs. Initially, Netscape Navigator was the most commonly used browser program. Some users still use this program. You can get more information and download this browser from www.netscape.com. Picking a browser is simply a matter of preference (and sometimes price, given that Internet Explorer is included with Windows XP and that you might have to pay for software for other browser programs).

Figure 5.3. The most popular Internet browser program is Internet Explorer, which is included with Windows XP.