Toshiba GMAD00134010 125, World Wide Web, Internet Service Providers, Connecting to the Internet

Exploring Your Computer’s Features	125
An overview of using the Internet

The World Wide Web

The World Wide Web (or “Web”) is a subset of the Internet—a collection of interlinked documents (located on computers connected to the Internet) that work together using a specific Internet protocol called Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

The World Wide Web offers information as text, images, audio, or video to be referenced from anywhere in the world. Special programs called Web browsers are specifically designed to work with HTTP. They make it easier to connect to a particular network address and send and receive information.

Internet Service Providers

To connect a computer directly to the Internet, many people and businesses use an Internet Service Provider (ISP). An ISP is a company that has the equipment and the telecommunication lines necessary to maintain an Internet connection.

You can connect to the Internet by using a telephone and modem or through other higher-speed communication methods such as Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), cable, and satellite links.

Connecting to the Internet

To connect to the Internet, you need:

❖A browser or communications program

❖An Internet Service Provider (ISP) or online service if you plan to use the Internet

❖A way to connect to the ISP (for example modem/ Wi-Fi®/LAN etc.)

Once you have established an ISP account, you can connect to the Internet.

1Connect your computer’s modem (available on certain models) to a telephone line. For more information on connecting a modem, see “Connecting a modem to a telephone line” on page 121.

2Start your Web browser. Have your modem dial the ISP’s telephone number, and establish a connection with the ISP’s computer.

If you are using your computer at the office, then you probably connect to the Internet through your company’s network. See your network administrator about connecting to the Internet.