Connect to the Internet
Published: August 15, 2006
The Internet can turn your computer into a powerful tool for research, communications, and sharing. If you have kids, the Internet is a great place for them to find homework help and chat with friends.
Connecting to the Internet is easy, and your service provider will do most of the technical work for you.
To connect to the Internet
Find an Internet service provider
The first step in connecting to the Internet is to find an Internet service provider (ISP). The most important services an ISP offers are:
| • | Internet access. Access any Web site, send instant messages to your friends, play online games, or use any other Internet service. |
| • | E-mail. You can access your e-mail with Microsoft Outlook Express or your Web browser. Most ISPs offer multiple e-mail addresses, so everyone in your family can have an account. ISPs typically provide spam filtering that reduces, but does not eliminate, unwanted messages. |
Depending on your location, you might have several different choices for Internet access. Starting with the most attractive technologies for home Internet access, common Internet connection types are:
| • | Cable modems. The best performing and most affordable option available to customers, most cable TV providers offer broadband Internet access. |
| • | DSL. An excellent choice for businesses, DSL typically offers better reliability than cable modems. However, DSL tends to be more expensive than cable modems for similar levels of service. |
| • | Dial-up. The slowest method of connecting to the Internet, dial-up enables you to connect to the Internet using your existing phone lines. Dial-up is convenient because it is available to any location with a phone. However, slow performance makes using the Internet frustrating. |
| • | Satellite. Satellite broadband services provide high-speed Internet access to any location with a clear view of the sky (currently available in North America and certain other locations). Satellite services may be the only broadband option for people living in rural areas. The cost of satellite services is significantly higher than other services. While you can transfer large files quickly with satellite, browsing the Web or playing online games can seem slower than with dial-up because of the delay caused by sending signals to and from satellites. |
Additionally, ISPs are beginning to offer wireless or fiber broadband Internet access in limited areas.
To find an ISP, you should contact your cable television provider for cable modem service or your telephone company for DSL. Almost all cable and telephone companies offer broadband Internet access, and they typically offer a discount if you purchase multiple services from them.
Bandwidth
Internet bandwidth (the speed at which your computer can send and receive information) is measured in either Kbps (kilobits per second) or Mbps (megabits per second). If you are lucky enough to have multiple broadband options in your area, compare these factors:
| • | Downstream bandwidth. This is the speed with which your computer can receive information from the Internet. The higher the downstream bandwidth, the faster your computer can display Web pages, transfer music, and download files. For most people, downstream bandwidth is more important than upstream bandwidth, so the speeds tend to be much higher. For example, a cable modem service might offer 6,000 Kbps downstream and only 768 Kbps upstream. |
| • | Upstream bandwidth. This is the amount of data your computer can send to the Internet. This isn't important if you just plan to read e-mail and surf the Web, because your computer only needs to send a small request in order to receive a large Web page or e-mail. However, if you're into online gaming or you want to send large files to people, then higher upstream bandwidth is important, and you should choose the highest upstream bandwidth available. |
| • | Reliability and customer service. ISP reliability has increased significantly in recent years; however, it is still not as reliable as your phone or television service. There is no objective way to measure reliability and customer service, so you should talk to your neighbors about their experiences and search the Web for reviews of ISPs in your area. |
Transfer an existing account
No matter which ISP you use, you'll connect to the same Internet. You'll be able to reach the same Web sites and send instant messages to all of your friends. However, if you use the e-mail account provided by your current ISP, you will lose that when you switch ISPs.
If possible, activate your new ISP account a week before you close your old ISP account. Notify everyone you want to exchange e-mail with that you have a new e-mail address, and ask them to update your address in their contact list. Then, if anyone sends an e-mail to your old account before you close it, reply from your new address.
Tip: Your new ISP will provide you with an e-mail address. However, you do not have to use it. Consider using a free Hotmail account instead. If you use Hotmail, you can keep the same e-mail address no matter which ISP you use.
If you've registered your e-mail account with Web sites that you want to receive e-mail from, you'll need to let those Web sites know that your address has changed. Examples might include online stores, forums, communities, financial services, and Microsoft Passport. It's important to change your account while your old e-mail address is still available, because Web sites often send a confirmation e-mail to your existing address before allowing you to make a change.
Set up your home network
Your ISP brings the Internet to your home, but it's your home network that connects your computer to the Internet. If you have a single desktop computer and it's in the same room as your Internet connection, your home network will simply consist of a single cable (provided by your ISP) that runs from your modem or router to your computer. Your ISP will either set it up for you or provide you with instructions for connecting your computer.
If you have more than one computer, a portable computer, or devices such as an Xbox 360 or Media Center Extender that you want to connect to the network, you can connect all the devices to the Internet simultaneously. For stationary devices, such as desktop computers and Xbox 360, you can connect them to a wired network. For mobile devices, such as a portable computer, you will need to install a wireless network. To help determine which type of network to choose, read Choosing the type of network to install.
