Gateway LT10 Gateway Notebook User Guide - Windows XP - Page 30

Chapter 1: Using the Internet www.gateway.com Learning about the Internet The Internet is a worldwide network of computers linked together to provide information to people everywhere. The two most popular services on the Internet are email and the World Wide Web. You can access this network by connecting your computer to a telephone, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), or cable television line and signing up with an Internet service provider (ISP). Internet Servers store information so other computers can access it from the Internet. Your computer connects to the Internet through an ISP. ISP Servers let you connect to the Internet and access your email If you want to access the Internet you need: ■ A modem-a device that connects your computer to other computers or servers using a telephone, DSL, or cable television line. Your computer has a built-in Ethernet jack. Cable and DSL modems connect to your computer through an Ethernet jack and provide a faster connection speed than a standard telephone modem. ■ An Internet service provider-a company that provides access to the Internet through an ISP server. When you connect to an ISP, the ISP server lets you access the Internet and your email messages. Check your telephone book for a list of Internet service providers available locally. ■ A Web browser-a program that displays information from the World Wide Web. Microsoft Internet Explorer was included with your computer. For more information, see "Using the World Wide Web" on page 25. ■ An email program-a program that lets you create, send, and receive e-mail messages over the Internet. An email program was included with your computer. For more information, see "Using email" on page 27. 24