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CHAPTER 3: Using the Internet and Faxing
18
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 19.
• 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 21.
Important
To determine if you have an Ethernet jack on your computer, see your computer’s
hardware reference.
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.