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Chapter 3: Using the Internet and Faxing
20
Learning about the Internet
The
Internet
is a worldwide network of computers linked together to provide
information to people everywhere. The two most popular services on the Internet
are e-mail and the World Wide Web. You can access this network by connecting your
computer to a telephone, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), or cable television line and
signing up with an Internet service provider (ISP).
If you want to access the Internet you need:
• A modem—a device that connects your computer to other computers or servers
using a telephone, DSL, or cable television line. Your computer may have a
built-in dial-up telephone modem. Cable and DSL modems connect to your
computer through an Ethernet jack and provide a faster connection speed than
a standard telephone modem.
• An Internet service provider—a company that provides access to the Internet
through an ISP server. When you connect to an ISP, the ISP server lets you access
the Internet and your e-mail messages. Check your telephone book for a list of
Internet service providers available locally.
• A Web browser—a program that displays information from the World Wide
Web. Microsoft Internet Explorer was included with your computer. For more
information, see “Using the World Wide Web” on page 21.
• An e-mail program—a program that lets you create, send, and receive e-mail
messages over the Internet. Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express was included
with your computer. For more information, see “Using e-mail” on page 23.
Important
To determine if you have an Ethernet jack on your computer, see
your
Hardware Reference
. If you do not have an Ethernet jack on your
computer and would like to purchase an Ethernet card, visit the
Accessory Store at www.emachines.com
.
Your computer
connects to the
Internet through an
ISP.
ISP Servers
let you connect to the
Internet and access your
e-mail messages.
Internet Servers
store information so other computers
can access it from the Internet.