Winbook SI User Manual page 47

Chapter 2: Basic Computing
Windows comes with its own software for making such connections, as
well as with software from some of the major service providers (in the
Online folder).
You can also use your modem in conjunction with financial software to
perform your banking and pay your bills electronically. Such software can
also be used to track investments by logging into providers who transmit
market data. In addition, you can use commercial tax preparation programs
to send your tax forms to the IRS electronically. Your state and local tax
offices might also offer such services.
Keep in mind that your modem is a phone, but unlike other phones, it is
very sensitive to noise. While you might be able to listen through static and
line noise and make out what your caller is saying, modems, which commu-
nicate in high-speed tones, are more finicky. If you find that your modem has
a lot of disconnect problems, you might see if you can reduce the line noise
in your phone lines (sometimes the noise is in the lines from your telephone
service provider and there is little that you can do). Also, if someone picks
up a phone connected to the line and then hangs it back up, this might be
interpreted by your communications software to be a disconnect signal.
Internet and the World Wide Web
If your WinBook notebook came with a modem, or if you have a network
connection, you can use your computer to connect to the Internet and
World Wide Web. Windows is designed to help provide quick access
to the Internet, so you will want to familiarize yourself with the Internet
functions of Windows. To enter the Internet, you will need to log
your computer into a network connected to other networks as part of
the Internet. If you have a modem, there are providers who just provide
access to the Internet. Major commercial providers also have connections
to the Internet. You might also have access to the Internet by dialing into a
network at home or school. Some communities have local "freenets" which
can be used to provide a connection to the Internet. If you have a direct
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