How do I connect to the Internet at home?Not sure about getting on the Internet, huh? Well, there are a couple of things that you need. First, you need a computer.
Next, you will need a modem, which might be a little box that you connect to the back of computer. If it is outside of your computer (an external modem), it will have a name and some numbers on it, like 28.8, 33.6 or 56K. If you can plug a phone line into the back of your computer, you have an internal modem.
Which takes us to the next thing you need, which is a telephone line. It can be a telephone line where you unplug the telephone and plug in the computer line, or it can be a telephone line that you use only for your computer or a fax machine.
Lastly, you need an Internet service provider (ISP). This is how you actually connect to the Internet. For a monthly fee, your computer can call their computer, which will let you surf the web, send and receive e-mail and have an all-around good time. Some examples of service providers are America On-Line (AOL), Earthlink, Mindspring and Prodigy. There are probably more in your area.
If you are not sure if you have an internal modem or not, try to find the information that came with your computer when you bought it. It will tell you if there is an internal modem.
If you need an external modem, you might want to look at MacMall or PCMall.
Once you have all of the physical parts (computer, modem and phone line), it should be set up something like this:
Once you have done that, call an Internet service provider and sign up. They will give you software to install on your computer. Follow the step-by-step instructions. If you have any problems, call the technical support number that comes with your software.
After you have signed on to the Internet, you are ready to start sending and receiving e-mail and surfing the web. Congratulations! To learn more about e-mail, click here. To learn more about the World Wide Web, click here.
If you still have questions about connecting to the Internet, take a look at this informational article at Learn the Net. After you are done reading, click on the Back button to return to this page.
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