The Internet; The World Wide Web; Internet Service Providers; Connecting To The Internet - Toshiba M4 User Manual

154
Exploring Your Computer's Features
An overview of using the Internet

The Internet

The Internet is an association of thousands of networks and
millions of computers around the world connected by
communications lines. They all work together to share
information.

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 and telephone line, or a LAN connection
A Web browser
An Internet Service Provider (ISP) account