Computer Resource Guide, Internet Page

Making the Connection.

Selecting an Internet Service Provider

Selecting a Free ISP.

What is an ISP?

ISP (Internet Service Provider), provides access to the internet.  You must have a modem installed in your computer whether internal or external. In order to connect to the internet someone must allow you to use there server to connect to the internet.  An ISP does just that, your computers modem dials into the ISP using a regular phone number, the ISP will accept the connection and then checks to insure you have an account with them. Once the connecting account is approved the ISP allows the connection and you may use any browser (if you use AOL you must use its browser, AOL is not a direct connection to the internet), you desire to peruse the internet.

MPL1 Intranet

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Making the connection to your ISP.

If you are not sure what an ISP is please read What’s a ISP first.  We know that we must have an Internet Service Provider in order to access the internet. Now we must make the connection to the ISP.  The easiest way to do this is to use the providers installation software. All reputable ISP’s will have an installation program that you use to install there software and walk you through the internet setup process. Make sure you have there Technical Support phone number handy, you may have to call them if something goes wrong. 

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Selecting a Reputable Internet Service Provider.

There are thousand of ISP’s out there, selecting one that’s right for you can be tricky.  As with all products, you get what you pay for. Be leery of the free internet sites. I have been a long time believer in free internet access, after all, you don’t send NBC, ABC or CBS twenty bucks a month to watch there services. The internet works the same way, when you go to an internet site or your ISPs home page you will see advertisements all over the screen.  Click (Free Internet Access), for additional information on free access. Here is what you should look for when searching for an internet service provider.

    LOCAL ACCESS:  Make sure they have a local access phone number for your area, you never want to pay long distance phone charges to connect to your ISP.

    CHARGES: Only select the connection that you will need. Most ISP’s will allow you several different plans for connections. If you know that you will not be using the internet over one-hundred hours a month why pay for it. Make sure you find out what the ISP will charge for each additional hour over your limit. The limited hours programs should not cost you more than ten-dollars a month. If you plan to be on the internet all the time you should opt for the unlimited access plans.

    E-MAIL ACCOUNTS: Your ISP should provide at least one E-mail account, most will offer two and allow you more at an additional charge, normally a couple bucks a month.

    WEB SPACE: How much space will the ISP allow you on there sever for your personal WEB page.  This may not sound important now because you really don’t want to attempt to create your own WEB page.  But once you get use to the internet you may want to create a personal or professional page of your own. Most ISP’s will allow from two to five Megabytes of WEB space for your use.

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