What do I need to get connected to the Internet?

Read the conversation Internet Network of Communication and Information

Hi Chrsitine. How are you?
Hello, Mike. I’m fine and you?
Yes, things are okay. But look! I’m calling to ask you for a favour. Well, to ask you for good advice really.
OK. What do you want to know?
Well, Christine, I know about the information super highway. I hear a lot about it these days but I’m completely lost. I think I should get connected but I don’t know how to set about it. Can you explain clearly and slowly what exactly the Internet is?
Yes, of course. Basically, it’s a network of communication and information. It operates globally. It can access information easily and immediately on different systems. It can send messages instantly on email, that’s electronic mail. You can send and read messages with it. You can access other computers. The list is very long and new things are happening all the time.
Who uses the Internet mostly?
Anyone who wants information, anyone who needs to communicate, professionals and individuals who want to do any kind of reserach.
What do I need to do to get connected?
Well, first you need some equipment. You need four things: a computer (a Mac or a PC or any computer with a hard disk) and then you need a modem. The speed of the modem is important. You want one that works fast and you want one that can compress files and get a fax modem if you want to send faxes by your computer.
Right, a modem. You said four things. What else do I need?
Software and the service provider. You usually get the software from the service provider. There is often a difference in the price of service providers so check them carefully before you get connected. Find a service provider near you. If the service provider is not near, your phone bill for long distance calling will be very high.
What do I need to know about software?
The basic Internet software kit should consist of a dialer.
A dialer? What’s that?
It is a program to get you logged in or connected with your provider.
I see. And then I suppose any of the email?
Yes, email is absolutely essential. And you probably also need gopher.
What is that?
It is a program which searches out information on the net. You can get gopher or one of the other programs for searching. Then there’s FTP. You can download software from other computers with FTP.
It’s too complicated for me.
Aah, you soon get the idea.
So, all I have to do now is to find a service provider.

Answer the questions

What is the Internet?
how does it operate?
Who uses the Internet?
What equipment do you need to get connected?
You need to find a service provider to get connected to the Internet, don’t you?
What is a dialer?
What is gopher?

The Internet is:

a network of computers, a cyberspace or virtual space created by computer systems

an information resource

a collection of services

a communication system

a broadcasting medium (radio and TV provide Internet versions of their programmes)

a community of users