Learning About The Internet - Gateway M360 User Manual

Chapter 2: Using the Internet

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).
Your computer
connects to the
Internet through
an ISP.
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.
Important
■ 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.
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Internet Servers
store information so other
computers can access it
from the Internet.
ISP Servers
let you connect to
the Internet and
access your e-mail
messages.
To determine if you have an Ethernet jack on your computer, see your
desktop or notebook user guide or setup poster. 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.
www.gateway.com