CHAPTER 4: Using the Internet

www.gateway.com

Learning about the Internet

The Internet is a worldwide network of computers linked together to provide information to people everywhere. The two most popular services on the Internet are e-mail and the World Wide Web. You can access this network by connecting your computer to a telephone, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), or cable television line and signing up with an Internet service provider (ISP).

Internet Servers

store information so other computers can access it from the Internet.

Your computer connects to the Internet through an ISP.

ISP Servers

let you connect to the Internet and access your e-mail messages.

Important

To determine if you have an Ethernet jack on your computer, see your computer’s hardware reference. If you do not have an Ethernet jack on your computer and would like to purchase an Ethernet card, visit the Accessory Store at accessories.gateway.com.

If you want to access the Internet you need:

■A modem—a device that connects your computer to other computers or servers using a telephone, DSL, or cable television line. Your computer may have a built-in dial-up telephone modem. Cable and DSL modems connect to your computer through an Ethernet jack and provide a faster connection speed than a standard telephone modem.

■An Internet service provider—a company that provides access to the Internet through an ISP server. When you connect to an ISP, the ISP server lets you access the Internet and your e-mail messages. Check your telephone book for a list of Internet service providers available locally.

■A Web browser—a program that displays information from the World Wide Web. Microsoft Internet Explorer was included with your computer. For more information, see “Using the World Wide Web” on page 31.

■An e-mailprogram—a program that lets you create, send, and receive e-mail messages over the Internet. Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express was included with your computer. For more information, see “Using e-mail” on page 33.

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