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:: HOME :: CREDIT CARDS :: LONG DISTANCE :: INTERNET SERVICE · Main Page · Search by State · Dial-Up Service · High-Speed Dial-Up · High-Speed DSL/Cable · ISPs for Business · Antivirus & Security · Satellite Broadband · T1 Service Providers · Tips & Advice - New! · Internet Service FAQ · ISP Glossary · Web Hosting · Info & Resources :: LOANS :: CELL PHONES :: INSURANCE :: ONLINE BANKING :: KNOWLEDGE :: MORE |
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Internet Access Tips and Advice Center Topic: Internet Access Explained See the subtopics menu for explanations about the basics of Internet access. For additional information about Internet service providers, see the topic list directly below.
 Brief History of the InternetHow did the Internet begin? The history of the modern day Internet dates back to the middle of the 20th century. The Internet originated as a way for the United States government to share information from computer to computer with the use of a computer network. The technology quickly spread to the educational field, with an early network established at UCLA in 1969. Soon after, the same network had an established email system in place. It was in 1976 that a member of the royal family sent her first email. The Queen of England sent a message from the British Army base to demonstrate networking technology. As the Internet was being developed over several decades, many people contributed to the jargon that we all know today. World Wide Web, cyberspace and HTML were all created by different researchers. While a lot of the technology that is used today was first introduced in the mid-1980s, it wasn't until the 1990s that the Internet really started to boom. It is estimated that the number of Internet users doubled each year in the 1990s. Today, there are over one billion users from virtually every country in the world using different types of Internet service. ^ Back to top Benefits of Internet AccessWhy should I get home Internet access? Though the Internet has been around for many years, some people still do not use Internet service very often. If you are asking yourself if you should get home Internet service, consider these benefits of Internet access. Communication You can communicate with friends, family members and businesses through email. Email is obviously much quicker than actually writing a letter and sending it through the mail. You can instantly send letters, notes, photos, videos and audio through email. Research If you are furthering your education, researching for work or just curious about new ideas and information, you will find an endless supply of information on nearly every subject on the Internet. Networking You can join message boards, social networks and business groups where you can interact online with people who have your same interests from around the world. Online Shopping One of the big conveniences of using the Internet is online shopping. You no longer have to go to the store to shop. From groceries to cars, you can shop in the comfort of your own home without the pressure or influence of salesmen. You can research completely before you make major purchases and make small purchases almost instantly. Much More You can use the Internet for a multitude of other things from promoting your own business to playing online games. If you currently do not have Internet access at home, you can try it out at a very low cost and decide if it's worth your while. ^ Back to top IP Addresses ExplainedWhat is an IP address? When talking about Internet access, people often refer to their IP address. However, many people don't really know exactly know what an IP address is or fully understand its purpose. An IP address is similar to a street address in that it is used for identification purposes. Just as a street address is a unique address that can be used to identify a house, an IP address is a unique address used to identify a computer on a network. While personal information isn't publicly available for each IP address, it is definitely a means of identification on the Internet. When you are on the Internet, you'll have a unique IP address. That IP address can be either a static or dynamic address. If it's a static IP address, that means that the number is always the same when you are on the Internet. A dynamic IP address is the opposite in that the number changes each time you are online. ^ Back to top About Dial-Up Internet ServiceWhat is dial-up Internet? Dial-up Internet access is the most affordable form of Internet service. Dial-up uses a telephone line to connect to the Internet. Though it is the slowest type of Internet access, it is still popular because of the cheap price. With most dial-up Internet providers, you download a program on to your computer to connect to the service. Then you follow the simple instructions to create an account. Your computer will dial an access telephone number provided by the Internet service company to connect you to the Internet. The advantages of dial-up service are the low pricing and the fact that you can use your account from any computer, even when you are traveling. The disadvantage is the time that it takes to connect and the slow speed when browsing websites and downloading and uploading information. ^ Back to top About BroadbandWhat is broadband? Broadband refers to a type of transmission that uses broad bandwidth channels wide enough to send and receive large amounts of data. Unlike phone lines, which are narrow-band and can only transmit voice, broad bandwith can carry voice, data and video simultaneously. In relation to Internet service, the term broadband is normally used to discuss high speed Internet options such as DSL, cable, satellite or wireless. Basically, in everyday usage, it means all of the types of Internet service except for dial-up. ^ Back to top About Cable Internet ServiceWhat is cable Internet service? Cable Internet service runs through a cable line. The speed of surfing the web, as well as downloading and uploading files, is fast with cable Internet. Just like DSL, cable Internet is always on. Charges for basic cable service are similar to DSL and begin at around $20/month. However, many Internet providers also offer premium cable service at higher speeds, which can cost more. You can oftentimes get package deals with your cable television company. The deals might provide a discount if you sign up for multiple services, such as cable T.V., cable telephone and cable Internet. ^ Back to top About DSL Internet ServiceWhat is DSL? DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) uses a telephone line to create a data delivery system to provide you with access to the Internet. It is faster than dial-up, but sometimes slightly slower than cable Internet service. DSL is always on, so you don't have to wait for it to connect like you do with dial-up service. Charges for basic DSL service begin at around $20/month for an average ISP. Some DSL companies can send you the modem and instructions for installation, while others require professional installation. DSL is extremely sensitive to distance. Therefore, if you live more than three miles from a phone company's central office, you may have problems with slowness, poor connectivity or DSL may not be available at all. ^ Back to top About Satellite Internet ServiceWhat is Satellite Internet? If you live in a rural area, your only option for high speed Internet service may be satellite. Because you will not be close enough to a DSL office and cable may not be available in your area, satellite Internet could be the answer for you. Satellite Internet service utilizes satellite space stations to connect you to the Internet. Satellite service is more expensive than other ISPs and requires professional installation. Satellite dishes often have major problems during bad weather. However, your connectivity will generally be a lot faster than dial-up service. ^ Back to top About Wireless Internet ServiceWhat is wireless Internet? Wireless Internet service uses radio waves rather than wires to transmit data information between computers. If you have cable or DSL service at home, you can purchase a wireless router to connect other computers in your house to the Internet without wired connections. Most wireless routers are very affordable and easy to use. You just need to plug in the router to a power supply and then connect it to your modem. Follow the instructions provided for any other configurations for your router. Popular brands of wireless routers include Linksys, D-Link and NetGear. ^ Back to top About Wi-FiWhat is Wi-Fi? Wi-Fi generically means a wireless network that enables you to connect to the Internet with your computer, cell phone or PDA if you are in close proximity to an Internet access point. Places where you can utilize these access points are referred to as Wi-Fi hotspots. If you have a wireless adapter or access card on your laptop or other device, you can connect to the Internet whenever you are in a hotspot. Airports, restaurants, bookstores and other locations are oftentimes free hotspots. Therefore, you can connect and browse the Internet for free when you are in those areas. With online Wi-Fi directories, you can search for hotspots in your local area and throughout the world. ^ Back to top
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