Introduction to the Internet: Getting Started Step 2

What Do I Need to Connect to the Internet?

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

An Internet Service Provider is a company that provides a dial-up connection to the Internet using your telephone line. An exception to this is a cable television company such as Comcast; they provide connection to the Internet using their cable wiring. An ISP charges a monthly fee for the Internet connection, ranging from $10 to $50 per month, which usually covers access to the World Wide Web and an email account. Most ISPs include the software you'll need to connect. Space for a personal Web page sometimes involves an extra charge. An Online Service is similar to an ISP except that it provides Internet access plus additional resources, such as children's areas, financial management services, and chat rooms. These extra resources are available only to members. Examples are America Online (AOL), CompuServe, and Prodigy.

When you select a commercial online service provider, remember to check on the following: How much free time will they give you to "check out" the service? (Most services do this, and it is probably the best way to sample the online world and see which service is a good match for you.) What is the cost of the service? How much time is included for that fee? How much does additional time cost? What are the features, especially for families and your particular interests? What features might not be appropriate for children? What devices are offered for parents or teachers to protect children online? What help is provided to new subscribers? Is there ongoing technical support? At what, if any cost? How long are the waiting periods?   The Parents' Guide to the Information Superhighway, 2d ed. The Children's Partnership with The National PTA and The National Urban League, 1998.

Click here for a list of Internet Service Providers and Commercial Services.

Hardware

Computer (with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse) If you have older equipment, the absolute minimum for World Wide Web access is, as stated by Maryland NetVision : PC: 386, Windows 3.1, 8 mb of RAM Mac: 68020 processor System 7.1, 8 mb of RAM   However, for best performance and less frustration a more practical choice would be a Pentium processor, a PowerMac, or a Mactintosh G3.

Telephone line or cable Internet connection or ISDN line (available through phone company; very fast but extremely expensive)

Modem or other telecommunications link. A 28.8 modem is acceptable (although slow for downloading multimedia) and a 56 K modem (currently the fastest on the market) is most desirable. (Since there are currently two 56K models available, check with your ISP to see which model they support.)

Alternative to a computer: WebTV such as Philip Magnavox's Internet WebTV Terminal and Sony's Web TV Internet Terminal; these systems use an existing phone line and a television to provide access to the Internet with a remote control

Software

Internet browsers. This software allows you to access the resources on the Internet: text, graphics, photographs, video, animation, etc. The two most popular browsers are: Netscape Navigator or Netscape Communicator Internet Explorer

Connecting software. This software is necessary for connecting your computer to the your ISP. (For example, with a telephone line connection, this software dials to your ISP's computer.) Sometimes it comes already installed on your computer. It may also be purchased separately or supplied by your Internet Service Provider. Check with your ISP for specific requirements.

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