To go online, you need a telephone, a computer, a modem (a device that's included with most computers today), and an Internet or online service provider. The modem has a wire or phone jack that allows you to connect your computer to your regular telephone line. You don't need an extra telephone line for your computer, but you can't be both online and talking on the telephone at the same time. If you want to be able to use the phone while you're on the computer, you will need either a second telephone line or DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) or cable connection. Just as it connects you to every other phone in the world, your phone line can now connect you to every other computer in the world. Welcome to cyberspace. Most people access the Internet by computer. Either a desktop version or a small laptop will do. Laptops cost more, but they are convenient because they are portable and can operate on batteries. The difference is in size, not function. Prices for computers have dropped dramatically, even as their speed and power have increased. (The more powerful the computer, the easier the connection to the Internet.) Don't rush to purchase. Acquire a little computer savvy. Read the ads. Review magazine and newspaper articles. Ask questions. Shop around. You will probably also want a printer that is connected to your computer so you can print out information you view on the screen. Simple jet printers are inexpensive and work well. Many print in color. Later on, when you are comfortable with your system, you might want to add a scanner, which allows you to copy photos and send them with your e-mail. In order to take advantage of the many things the Internet has to offer, you will need to use an online company. Online companies vary in their services. Some only connect you directly to the Internet, while others provide useful content of their own as well as connecting you to the Internet. (For simplicity, most people call all these companies "ISPs", or "Internet Service Providers".) There are scores of ISPs that want your business. Some are national, some local. Here are some questions to ask before you choose an ISP: Will your ISP let you use a local telephone access number (or toll free number) so you won't pay long distance charges every time you go online? Will it send you software or a compact disk (CD) that you can place in your computer to get started? Does it provide simple instructions in printed form and/or 24-hour phone support to answer your questions as you face them? Will you be entitled to additional e-mail accounts for others in the family? Can each family member have his or her own name to use online? Do the ISPs you're evaluating have different price plans? Consider how much time you expect to be online. You may not need unlimited service at first. You may instead want limited service as you get started, and upgrade later. Do they offer a free trial? If you pick one and don't like the service, you may be able to cancel and try another. If e-mail is your only reason for going online, consider using one of the free e-mail services now available. (Note, though, that you still need access to the Internet even with free e-mail.) Indeed, some companies offer free Internet access as well. But, if you sign up for free service, expect to see lots of advertisements on your screen as the price of admission. Check the privacy policies of the services. Call several such services to compare offers, making sure you know how long any introductory offers last, and what the regular cost will be after the introductory offer expires or you upgrade your service. When you insert the software or compact disk supplied by the ISP, the program will load automatically. As it loads, you will be asked to fill out a registration form on the screen. Among other things, you'll need to choose a "screen name" which will then become your Internet identity. You can use your full name, an abbreviation, even a nickname. Your ISP may add a few numbers to your name to distinguish you from someone else with the same name. The name of your access provider goes after "@". (To better protect your privacy, you may want to choose a pseudonym for your e-mail name.) You must also pick a "password" for yourself, which you should keep confidential. After installing your Internet service, its "icon" or symbol will appear on your computer screen whenever you turn on your computer. Point the cursor to the icon, double click the button on your computer mouse, enter your password, and lo! you are online. You can now access information and communicate around the world.   Welcome • Things To Do Online • Let's Get Started • Word Savvy Web sites of Interest • Feedback • Back to CyberSavvy.org • Privacy Statement