By Ben McNamara
Web Wise
The Internet
Are you ready to jump on the Internet bandwagon? A Ph.D. in computer science and a working knowledge of Star Trek philosophies are not necessary. Here's what you need to get online:
- A personal computer, with sufficient random access memory (RAM); 8 megabytes (M) is the suggested minimum, but 16M or more is recommended.
- A modem. It's a telephone for your computer that operates via conventional phone lines. A 14.4 modem is standard, but pay those few extra dollars and get a 28.8 or 33.6 modem - a 33.6 modem is the fastest available for conventional phone lines, and it makes a tremendous difference in downloading time.
- Access to the Internet. You can sign up with an Internet service provider (ISP) or use commercial online services like America Online, CompuServe or Prodigy. The ISPs are numerous, and selecting one can be difficult, but the industry is so competitive that prices are extremely low and it's easy to change providers if you become unhappy with your ISP.
Selecting A Provider
The first thing you need to do for Internet access is set up an account with an ISP.
An ISP gives individuals and companies access to the Internet. You use a regular phone line to make the call, but you need to have an ISP to connect to the Internet.
Types Of ISPs
ISPs vary greatly. Commercial online services offer gateway access to the Internet, meaning you dial into their service, then "gateway" out to the Internet. For direct access to the Internet (which is usually faster and less expensive), you can get an account through the long distance companies or a local Internet provider (there are thousands nationally -check your local newspaper or Yellow Pages for the ones in your area).
Costs
Different providers have different plans. Some companies charge per hour, but most require a flat monthly fee.
Cheaper is not always better! Choose a provider based on your needs.
Tips
Make sure that the provider has an access number that is local to your home or office. National providers usually offer local access numbers in all major cities across the nation. Therefore, you could use your account almost anywhere in the United States without incurring long distance charges.
Ask what Web browser comes with your software package. The most dominant browser is Netscape's Navigator, and Microsoft's Internet Explorer is a new powerful browser as well. These two browsers support many features that other browsers cannot support.
It is recommended that you choose a provider that lets you dial in at 28.8 bps (bytes per second). A good 28.8 modem will make a huge difference when viewing pages with complex graphics. Businesses that are trying to set up Internet access at more than one terminal might want to consider having a network set up with access to a faster connection, such as an ISDN line.
It's Easy
Don't hesitate any longer! Once you select an ISP, they do most of the work for you. Tell them what type of computer you have and what type of service you want. The ISP will normally send software and will offer technical support to walk you through this fairly simple process. If you don't understand something, don't be afraid to ask questions. After all, these companies don't want to intimidate you, they want your business!
Geek Speak
14.4 - pronounced "fourteen four," this is a type of modem that transmits data at a maximum of 14,400 bytes per second. The faster modems, 28.8 and 33.6, are pronounced "twenty-eight eight" and "thirty-three six," and transmit data at 28,800 and 33,600 bytes per second, respectively.
Browser:
A computer software/program used to search the Internet for information (ex: Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer).
Hot Sites
http://www.fedworld.gov - Your link to the federal government and the vital information you need to run your business.
http://www.osha.gov - Everything you need to know about OSHA and compliance with its rules.
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