Internet - ISP Help
What is the Internet - How do I get connected?
What is the Internet?The Internet is a huge global interconnected network that evolved from the U.S. Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPANET)in the early 1970's. The Internet logically links computers together so they can share information and data. The Internet consists of millions of worldwide computers that are each independently connected to the Internet. The U.S. Department of Defense designed the Internet to be decentralized. Each individual computer and sub-network are interconnected so that the system can continue to function even if many of the subnets or host computers became inactive or were destroyed. Each computer (Host) directly connected to the Internet uses a globally unique Internet Protocol (IP) address. The Hosts communicate using the internationally recognized, multi-platform Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The Internet supports many various applications such as WWW, email, Usenet news, chat, instant messaging, online conferencing, and FTP file transfers. Enter the World Wide WebBefore 1990 the Internet was primarily only used by universities and research departments using tedious text based command line interfaces. Then came the WWW and the wave of cheaper, more powerful computers, modems and software. I should note that the WWW is just a part of the Internet, WWW is an information-sharing model that uses the HTTP protocol to transfer information over the Internet. People flocked to the new multimedia online experience and the Internet experienced phenomenonal growth during the decade. As of this writing (2004), the Internet/ARPANET celebrated it's 35th birthday and has become an almost indispensable necessity of modern life. What is Netscape and Internet Explorer?To view web pages on the World Wide Web you need to use Internet browser software. You can use the freely available Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape or other browser software. Microsoft's and Netscape's newest web browsers are available for download free of charge. A large majority of web sites are written in a standardized programming language called Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). The browser translates the HTML code imbedded into the web documents into the formatted text, links, images, animation, sounds, and other features that are displayed on your computer. What is a Hyperlink?Most web pages have imbedded Hyperlinks. A Hyperlink is mouse clickable area on the page that enables you to "link" or retrieve another document into your browser. Every single file that can be found on the World Wide Web is identified by a unique Uniform Resource Locator (URL). When you click a button, graphic image, or text link that has a Hyperlink enabled your browser requests the URL of the file and it is delivered (served) to your Internet browser. All of the elements of a web page such as the content, graphic banners, embedded sound, etc. are retrieved in the same manner using globally unique URL's. How do I get Connected to the Internet?There are many ways you can connect your computer to the Internet, including dial-up, DSL, cable, wireless, ISDN, Satellite, T1,etc. No matter which method you choose you will need a Internet Service Provider (ISP). An ISP is a company that specializes in providing access to the Internet. There are over 6,000 ISPs in the US alone ranging from the mega ISPs such as AOL, MSN, and Earthlink to small local ISP's often run by one person out of a garage or basement. The Internet service provider provides you with a username, password and the hardware to connect or for dial up a telephone number for a Point Of Presence (PoP). A PoP is a location where the telecommunications equipment and computer hardware exists that enables your connection to the Internet. The more PoPs a ISP provides the greater your chances of connecting to one with a local telephone call. If choosing a dial-up provider be sure that the ISP has a local access number PoP so you won't incur long distance telephone charges. I suggest you compare your available options by choosing the links and information we provide on our Internet access comparison charts. |
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