Chapter 7 Connecting to the Internet

1. Chapter 7 Connecting to the Internet Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

2. Connecting to the Internet • In this Chapter, you will learn: • What an Internet connection is • Why you might want to connect to the Internet • What you need for the connection • How to connect to your ISP • What World Wide Wait means • About modems Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

3. An Internet Connection • The Internet is a communications network that spans the entire globe. • The Internet gives you access to services and a variety of computer data. • The World Wide Web (WWW) is one of the Internet services available. • An Internet connection is the way that your computer accesses the Internet. Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

4. An Internet Connection • When your PC is connected to the Internet, it is called a client computer. • Your client computer sends out requests for information and processes the answer when it is received back. • You can connect to the Internet through a dial-up connection or through a network (like in an office environment). Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

5. An Internet Connection • From a home computer, you connect to the Internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) which is a company who sells access time. • AOL, Comcast, and AT&T Worldnet are ISPs. • Your ISP connects to the Internet through a Network Service Provider (NSP). • An Internet server contains the information you are looking for and is normally connected full time to the Internet. Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

6. An Internet Connection An Internet connection Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

7. Why connect to the Internet? • There are a tremendous amount of information and services available. For instance, you can: • Get the latest news and weather • Read the days newspaper • Communicate in minutes with friends and business associates through email • Make travel reservations • Buy all of your Christmas presents • Run a meeting through a video conference Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

8. Why connect to the Internet? • For instance, you can (cont): • Pay your bills • Take a college course • Do the research for a homework paper and then send the paper to your professor • Play games • Join an on-line chat group Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

9. What you need to Connect • There are many ways to connect to the Internet. • The usual connection requires a computer, a modem, a phone line, an ISP, and communications software. • Any computer can be used to connect, but the computer must be connected to a device that converts computer data to be sent over a phone line to the ISP. This device is called a modem. Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

10. What you need to Connect • Your modem will connect you to your ISP which will provide you with a user-id and password for security and identification. • Your ISP will also provide you with your unique email address and various tools for managing your mail. Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

11. What you need to Connect • Things to consider when selecting an ISP: • Do they provide a local phone number for access? • Does it offer high speed connections and one that is compatible with your modem? • Does it provide software for connecting to and surfing the Internet as well as managing your email? • Can you have multiple email accounts and unlimited access time? • Do they have remote access and 24 hour technical support? Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

12. Connecting to your ISP • Steps to connect to your ISP include: • Install the communications software • Set up the software for your user-id/password and local telephone number • Use the software to dial the ISP • Some software (like a word processor) is Internet smart and will also dial your ISP when you use the send option. Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

13. Connecting to your ISP Using Network Connections to connect to your ISP Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

14. Hardware – Modems • A modem converts digital computer signals to analog signals that travel over telephone lines. • Computers and the Internet use digital signals in the form of 0s and 1s. • Data is transferred between them using analog signals in the form of sound waves. Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

15. Hardware – Modems • There are three types of modems for your computer: • Internal – installed inside the computer and hooked into the main circuit board. A phone line cable connects to the back of the computer. • External – hooks by serial cable to the computer and by phone cable to the telephone jack. • PCMCIA modem – housed on a credit card sized card, it is handy for use on notebook computers. Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

16. Hardware – Modems Three types of modems Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

17. Hardware – Modems • Modem speed is measured in thousands of bits per second (Kbps) • Modems typically operate in ranges of 14.4 (very slow) to 56 kbps • V.92 modems allow digital data transfers without converting to analog • Data/fax modems communicate with fax machines • Data/voice modems can function as answering machines Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

18. Hardware – Modems • Modems occasionally need troubleshooting – some areas to try: • Check both ends of the phone cord connection to be sure they are firmly plugged in and in the correct jack. • Make sure external modems are plugged in. • Make sure you have a dial tone on the phone line. • Dial your ISP using a regular phone to check the number. • Use Windows control panel to help troubleshoot. Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

19. Hardware – Modems Troubleshooting your modem Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

20. Using Windows Internet Connection Wizard The Internet Connection Wizard Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

21. What do you think? Do we need anonymous digital cash? • Have you ever made a purchase from the Internet using a credit card? • Do you think that most people believe that using a credit card in a restaurant is safer than using a credit card on the Internet? • 3. Do you think that anonymous digital cash is a good idea? Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7

22. Chapter Summary • You should now be able to: • Connect to the Internet. • Select an Internet Service Provider • Install communications software and connect to your ISP • Troubleshoot various causes of slow response time on the Internet • Select, install and troubleshoot a modem Practical PC, 4e Chapter 7