Connecting to the internet
To connect to the internet the following are needed:
- a computer
- telephone line (cable being the exception)
- modemA piece of hardware that connects a computer to the internet. and/or routerA device for connecting computers and other network capable devices together to form a network.
- an ISP (Internet Service Provider)
- web browserAn application that displays web pages., eg Internet ExplorerA web browser developed by Microsoft., FirefoxA web browser developed by Mozilla., ChromeA web browser developed by Google., SafariA web browser developed by Apple., OperaA web browser developed by Opera Software. etc.
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
ISPs provide access to the internet. Commonly used ISPs include Sky, Virgin and BT but there are many more. Most offer the same basic package of internet access, emailElectronic mail. A method for sending messages and files to other people. addresses and web spaceThe amount of storage given to a website..
You need a web browser to view web pageAlso known as webpage. A page designed for, and viewed in, a web browser.. The most widely used are Internet Explorer and Firefox. All browsers will have a number of similar features to help you use the web such as:
- forward and back buttons to move between pages
- a history folder which stores details of recently visited web pages
- a stop button if a page is taking too long to load
- favourites and bookmark options to store often visited pages
- options to cut, copy, paste, save and print elements of web pages
A connection made to the internet will be either analogueContinuous data which can have a range of values. or digitalInformation stored as discrete values usually represented as numbers. This contrasts with analogue data which is represented by continuous data, usually in waves.. It is important to know the difference between the two and the technologies they use.