You can hardly turn on the TV, read the paper, or listen to the radio without hearing about "surfing the net." Even commercials are getting in on the act (have you seen the two nuns?). Are you wondering what all the commotion is about? This article will explain how you can find out firsthand by getting on the Internet yourself. Let's start with what Internet is and what it takes to "get on" the net.
Internet is a worldwide network of computers. Whatever information is publically stored on any of the five million+ computers on the network is available to the other computers on the net. Browsing through the ocean of information on Internet is called "surfing" the net. Those who prefer to liken the Internet to an "Information Superhighway" call it "cruising the net." But cruising or surfing, let's find out how to do it.
To "surf the net," you must hook up by a computer to this network of computers. If you have a computer, it needs to be equipped with a modem (equipment which talks to another computer over phone lines) and connected to a phone (your home phone will do). If you don't have a computer or yours doesn't have a modem, you will have to use someone else's computer. Don't despair, you can do this at a University, library, or computer store (they may let you try it out in hopes that you will buy one from them). Even if you have a computer, you may wish to try out Internet somewhere else before you buy extra equipment or software for your computer. In Salt Lake, you can use some features of the Internet at branches of the Salt Lake City or County Public Library, or see a full demo at Burgoyne Computers.
Before making further choices, you may want to learn more about Internet. This can be done by reading (nearly every magazine and newspaper has at least one Internet article), visiting the library (most have several books on Internet--I recommend one by Harley Hahn), or taking an Internet class. There are free classes offered at libraries and colleges (Salt Lake Community College, U of U, BYU, etc.), and classes (there may be a charge) offered by Internet providers (ArosNet, Internet Technology Systems). Call your local library or college to find out what's available.
Making the Connection
Assuming you have a computer, the best way to get on Internet is by direct hookup. But a direct link to Internet is difficult and very expensive. Most individuals and small businesses will hook to the Internet by connecting to another computer that is already directly linked into Internet. This is usually done by phone lines, either permanently wired (dedicated) or by phone call (dial-up). Since a dedicated line is also fairly expensive, most individuals will use dial-up access to Internet.
To make a dial-up connection, you must find a computer that is already directly linked to Internet and which will allow you to hook up to it. This can be done through a school or business with which you have an association. For example, if you are a student, faculty member, or employee of a college, you can call your campus computer center and find out how to get connected to Internet (BYU, for example, charges $10.95 per month). If you don't have a school or business that will let you on the net, you will need to make arrangements with an Internet service provider (ISP, a business which charges a fee for letting you hook up to their computer that is on the net).
Choosing a provider involves making a lot of small choices. The issues for you to consider are: reliability, support, software, operating speed, pricing, local access. For a fuller discussion of the issues in choosing an ISP, click here.
Software
To get on the net, you must first specify whether your software will be for Macintosh, PC-DOS, PC-Windows, OS/2, Unix, or other operating system. Then you need to select a program that will work with your computer's limitations (if any) and yet accomplish what you want to do. The cost, if any, of the software may be a consideration as well. Note that many Internet software programs are free for personal, non-profit, or educational use. A few more facts about Internet software will help you make your final choice.
Just one program to get you on Internet isn't enough. There are many different resources that you may want to use, and each resource may require a separate program to use that resource. Available resources include E-mail, FTP, Newsgroups, Gopher (Archie, Veronica, and Jughead), Internet Relay Chat, Telnet, WorldWideWeb, and more. Each resource of Internet may require a separate program to use it. You may have some excellent software, but it may only allow you to use one resource. You will need to find out which resource(s) the recommended software will access. You may also need other software (pkzip/unzip and uuencode/decode, for example). It usually takes several different programs to make up an Internet software package.
A program that allows you to use a particular resource is called a client. There are several different programs or clients for each resource. Thus, you may need to select a newsreader client, a telnet client, a web client, an e-mail client, etc. Each of these clients must be selected from a variety of choices. That is, there are many newsreaders--each with different ways of displaying, saving, printing, and grouping the newsgroups. Once you've looked at the alternatives and chosen a newsreader, you still to examine and choose a web browser. The possible combinations and choices becomes overwhelming. Because of the number of choices, you may wish to choose those clients recommended by your provider. You can always change to another client if you later find one with capabilities yours doesn't have.
A group of clients to access all of the different resources is called a client software package or Internet suite (though a suite is technically a single program that does it all or an umbrella program that launches the various client programs). Clients may be very basic (they just present the information on the screen) or very sophisticated (with sound, graphics, and video). Some Internet software is proprietary (you must buy it) and some is public domain (you can use it free of charge). Internet Explorer or Netscape, the two most widely used Internet web browsers, can be downloaded (copied off Internet) and used free of charge. Other software may be purchased from a software store or sent to you by the Internet provider as part of your signup.
Some providers charge for software separately and some include the software with your signup fee or first month's service charge. A few offer a recommended software package as an optional extra. Yet other providers assume you will find your own software. In any case, be sure to ask your provider if any of the programs are shareware. If they are shareware, you may need to pay an additional fee to the company that wrote the program (a shareware registration fee). Please note that ease of use and program sophistication are often unrelated to the price charged. Never assume that more money means a better program. Your main concern in selecting a client program is whether it meets your needs and desires. But don't worry too much, as it isn't difficult to change clients if you find another program that will do more than the one you are currently using.
Finally, you've checked your computer's capabilities, checked out the providers, and selected your initial software. Get signed up, install the software, and you're ready! One last word of caution. Keep a clock prominently by your monitor. It's far too easy to lose track of time while you're surfing the net.
send comments to Alan Mann
go to Alan Mann's home page