Email and the Internet

How do I set up the systems necessary to access email and the Internet?

You will need an external modem if your computer does not already have one built in. Most computers now come with a modem already installed.

There are three main options in connecting to the Internet:

• A dial-up connection - you will need a standard telephone line to plug into your external modem or directly into your PC if the modem is built in.
• An ISDN or ADSL connection - which uses a different type of modem, and requires an ISDN or ADSL telephone line.
• A cable connection (which provides a permanent, high-speed connection) - you will normally need a USB port or a network port on your computer.

Finally, you need an account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP), who will act as your 'host' on the Internet by collecting and delivering your emails and letting you browse the world wide web.