Online Services - Toshiba Portégé 650CT User Manual

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Connecting with the World
The Internet and Other Fascinating Places

Online Services

Online services, such as America Online (AOL) and Com-
puServe, provide easy access to home shopping, travel arrange-
ments, stock quotes, and forums on a wide variety of topics. You
can send electronic mail (e-mail) to other subscribers, ask ques-
tions on almost any subject, and access a variety of reference
materials. Information on most of these services is available
through an easy-to-use interface. Most online services also provide
full access to the Internet. Information about the Internet is con-
tained in the following section.
Other online services are aimed at a much more specific audience.
For example, the Dow Jones Personal Journal delivers an elec-
tronic version of the Wall Street Journal, containing only articles
that match conditions you set up to suit your interests.
Exploring the World of the Internet
This section contains only a brief overview of the Internet. For
more information, look through the books on the Internet that
are available at your local book or computer store.
The Internet is a network of computer networks located all around
the world. Information available on the Internet is actually con-
tained on one or more of the member networks. The Internet's ori-
gins trace back to the ARPANET, a system created by the U.S.
Defense Department. The National Science Foundation (NSF)
greatly expanded the system, providing researchers at various
sites, such as universities, access to one large body of information.
Since then, the Internet has grown like a mutant being in a science
fiction film. Its users range from individuals in their homes to large
multinational corporations.
Part I: Getting To Know Your Computer