Getting Started
At minimum, you'll need the following to access the Internet:
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A computer with a mouse (a small, hand-controlled device for pointing and clicking to select choices on the screen) |
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A modem with communications software |
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A subscription to an Internet service provider or an online service. |
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Software for browsing the Internet and sending electronic messages. |
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If you don't own a computer, you may be able to use one at a public library, community center, college, or shopping mall.
If your computer doesn't have a built-in modem, or if you want a faster one, you can buy a modem. The important thing to know about modems is that faster is better. You can access the Internet with a 9600 bps modem (that's bits per second, the speed at which information is sent between machines), but you'll have much less waiting time if your modem is 28.8 Kbps or 56.6 Kbps (kilobits, or thousands of bits, per second). Having a faster modem is especially important if you want to view pictures or hear sounds on the Internet.
Communications software is any program that resides on your machine, tells the modem what to do, and enables you to send and receive ("download") information. If your computer has a built-in modem, it already has communications software. If you're buying a modem, communications software is usually included in the price.
 Getting Online
 Gaining Access to the Internet
This page was updated on Fri Nov 2 19:13:52 GMT 2001 
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