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Exploring Your Computer’s Features
An overview of using the Internet
Internet Service Providers
To connect a computer directly to the Internet, many people and
businesses use an Internet Service Provider (ISP). An ISP is a
company that has the equipment and the telecommunication lines
necessary to maintain an Internet connection.
You can connect to the Internet by using a telephone and modem or
through other higher-speed communication methods such as Digital
Subscriber Lines (DSL), cable, and satellite links.
Connecting to the Internet
To connect to the Internet, you need:
❖ A modem and telephone line, or a LAN connection
❖ A Web browser
❖ An Internet Service Provider (ISP) account
Once you have established an ISP account, you can connect to the
Internet. Depending on your situation, see your network
administrator about connecting to the Internet.
Surfing the Internet
Once connected to the Internet, the Web browser displays a home
page, for example, your ISP’s home page on the Internet or your
company’s Web site home page.
To visit a desired Web site, type in the Web address. The Web
address, or Uniform Resource Locator (URL), is a unique identifier
for that computer system linked to the Internet. Web addresses can
also appear within a Web page’s text, and are known as links.
Clicking a link automatically transfers your Web browser to that
site.
You can also use a Search Engine, a Web site specifically designed
to help you look for information.
Internet features
The Internet offers many types of communication tools to help you
perform many tasks.
❖ Internet email
To send and receive email of your own, you need a mailbox on
the Web or an email address.
If you have an account with an ISP, you can probably set up an
email address at the same time you sign up for the service.