GETTING STARTED
If you like the ideas in this book but don't have internet
access,don't fret -
it's really very easy to set up.We take it slowly...
If you're not on the internet yet, don't worry it's much simpler than you think to get online. All you need is a modem - a small device that connects your computer to a phone line - and an account with an Internet service provider, or ISP. If your computer is a new one, chances are it has a modem already - and even if it doesn't, then you can pick one up for less than £50.
Cost concerns?
Getting on the internet won't cost you a penny, aside from the phone calls.
For most people, there's no need to pay a monthly subscription; you simply
dial a local number, and the ISP takes a cut from the phone company. There
are some ISPs that do charge a monthly fee - usually around £12 -£15
- but many will give you a free trial. If you find you like the added features
that some offer, it may be worth paying for them, but everything we've looked
at in this booklet can be done using a free internet provider. You can pick
up CDs with internet software in lots of stores, including supermarkets,
hi-fi shops, and even some motorway service stations. You can try more than
one - but remember that each account you set up will give you a different
email address, so don't install every CD you find, otherwise you'll never
remember whom you told to write to you where.
Installation
So, you've picked up a CD from the shops, what next? It's actually pretty
straightforward, fortunately - though some of thc details will differ depending
on which ISP you've chosen to use. On most computers, putting the CD into
the CD-ROM drive
will start the installation process. If it doesn't, double-click on My
Computer, then on thc
icon for the CD.
If you've never used an internet connection, or any other type of network,
on your computer before, you'll probably be asked to restart
Windows. When
that happens, you may have to enter a name and password. Use a simple name
- like your first name - and a password that you won't forget. Don't just
click the Cancel button - you might think it saves filling in useless
information, but if you don't give a name and password now, the computer
won't remember your internet password later on, and you'll have to type it
each time vou want to connect.
Address the issue
One thing to look for when you pick up different internet CDs is how
many email addresses you can have. Some ISPs let you have as many as you
like, while others are more limiting. For example, if you pick up a Freeserve
CD, you can pick a 'hostname' and have as many email addresses as you like.
But with AOL (which requires a subscription after the free trial) you can
have a maximum of seven. Hostname? What's that then? Some ISPs give you an
email address on their own
server, like
'fred@myisp.com'. Typically, that means there's a limit to the number of
addresses that can be had - and only one address available for someone called
Fred. If you are offered a hostname, such as 'myhost', then your email address
will follow the formula name@myhost.myisp.com - with the hostname coming
after the @ symbol. That means that you could be called fred@myhost.myisp.com,
even if there's already fred@hishost.myisp.com. As well as choosing an email
address and possibly a hostname, you'll also usually be asked for other personal
information. Enter it all, and then wait while the set-up program configures
your email and web
browser programs.
And then it's all done.
Logging on
When you want to get on the internet, just double-click on the Internet icon
on your computer's
desktop, or click
the Start button, choose Run and type a website
address into
the box, then press Enter. If you're not already connected to the
net, a box like the one shown below will appear, and you need to type in
your password. If you remembered to create a password for Windows earlier
on, you can click the box to make the computer remember your internet password.
- To make your connection to the internet start without the web browser,
click the Start button, choose Programs, then
Accessories, Dial Up Networking, and double-click on the name
of your internet connection. You can disconnect by clicking twice on the
network icon in the bottom right of the screen - it's the one with two computer
screens that flash green - and then click the Disconnect button when
the dialogue box appears. And that's all there is to it. Pop out, pick up
a CD, and get online!
