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Exploring Your Options
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 modem
A Web browser
A telephone line
An Internet Service Provider (ISP) account
The Microsoft
configured on your system so that when you first start it, it guides
you through signing up for a new ISP account, or assists you in
setting up your computer to work with your existing ISP.
®
Web browser Internet Explorer is automatically
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