Internet access: Information from Answers.com Mobile

how to access the Internet

There are four ingredients needed to access the Internet (1) an ISP, (2) a modem, (3) a Web browser and (4) an e-mail program.

The Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Your access to the Internet is through an Internet service provider (ISP), which can be a large company such as America Online or MSN, or any of hundreds of smaller ISPs throughout the country. You are offered unlimited access for a fixed rate per month.

The Modem

Depending on the kind of service you have, you will need a unit of hardware called a "modem" for connection. Slow-speed dial-up telephone access uses an analog modem, which may already be installed in your computer. If not, one can be plugged into the USB port.

If you sign up for cable or DSL service, which is from 40 to 100 times faster than telephone dial-up, your provider may send you the appropriate modem, or you can purchase it at your local electronics store. Quite simply, opt for the high-speed service if you can. Dial-up modems are an exercise in extreme patience.

Browsing the Web

A Windows PC comes with the Internet Explorer Web browser. The Mac comes with Safari. Windows users quite often choose a different browser such as Firefox (www.mozilla.org) or Opera (www.opera.com), which offer additional features and are not as subject to attack by hackers. Likewise, Mac users may opt for Firefox.

The first time you hook up to a new ISP, you may need their assistance to configure the dial-up or networking software in your computer. After that, all you do is launch the browser, and you are "surfing the Web."

Sending E-Mail

Your computer also comes with an e-mail program to send and receive mail. Windows comes with Outlook, and the Mac comes with Mail, although many users choose Eudora or Thunderbird, other popular e-mail clients. The first time you connect to a new ISP, you may need help in configuring your e-mail program to use their mail servers. From then on, you launch the mail program as you would any other.

Switching ISPs

If you only browse the Web, there is little lost in starting with one ISP and switching to another. However, switching your e-mail address is not like switching your street address. The U.S. Postal Service will forward your letter mail for a while, but if you close your account with an ISP, they may not be as accommodating. It would be a good idea to find out, if you plan on heavily promoting your e-mail address.

Get Your Own Domain Name

There are two ways around this problem. First is to register your own domain name and use an ISP that supports third-party names. For example, had Alan Freedman, editor of this encyclopedia, wanted to secure the alanfreedman.com domain name, his e-mail address could have been alan@alanfreedman.com. If you have your own domain name and switch ISPs, you keep your e-mail address because it belongs to you.

Use an Alternate E-Mail Provider

A second way to keep your e-mail address is to establish an account with an Internet e-mail provider that you stay with no matter which ISP you use for Internet access. There are sites on and off the Web that provide free e-mail and e-mail forwarding. See Internet e-mail service and how to register a domain name.

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