Internet access refers to the ability of your computer to access the Internet, which allows you to
browse web sites, check e-mail, and much more. The method by which you access the Internet
from your home or office will vary from one location to the next, but will generally fall into
one of the following categories:
Dial-up: This type of Internet access is less common today and tends to be very slow;
however, it is usually very inexpensive.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) This is a high-speed Internet connection usually provided
by your phone company and utilizes your existing telephone line. It is generally more
expensive than dial-up but is much faster.
Cable This is a high-speed Internet connection usually provided by your cable company
and uses your existing TV cable. This is also more expensive than dial-up and usually more
expensive than DSL, but it can have higher speeds than both.
Satellite Fairly new in comparison to the other Internet access methods, satellite provides
Internet access through a satellite connection via a satellite dish mounted on the exterior of
your home or office. Satellite Internet access is faster than dial-up and has comparable access
speeds to cable and DSL. This connection method is often attractive to consumers who live
in remote areas where cable and DSL access are unavailable.
Of the Internet access types described here, all except for dial-up fall under the category
of broadband Internet access. The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, defines
broadband as Internet access that exceeds 200 kilobits per second (Kbps). As a reference point,
the maximum potential speed using dial-up Internet access is 56. Kbps. So when comparisonshopping,
use this number as a reference point to determine what Internet speed you’d like to
purchase. Most broadband connections can exceed 1. Megabit per second (Mbps), or 1024. Kbps.
See the sidebar Kilo what? on the next page for more information.
Don’t get caught up in the confusing numbers that are released by ISPs to lure you into
buying their product. Internet transmission speeds are rated using bits per second (bps). Due
to the overall increase in transmission speeds over the years, the ratings are simplified by using
other units to make it easier to understand. Below is a table that explains commonly used
measurements when describing Internet transmission speeds.
- 1. Kilobit = 1024. bits
- 1. Megabit = 1024. Kilobits
- 1. Gigabit = 1024. Megabits
Don’t confuse these with the Megabytes and Kilobytes that are typically used to refer to the
amount of memory or the amount of hard drive space on your computer. Bytes are much larger
units of measurement and are not used to describe Internet transmission speeds.
Internet service providers
In order to obtain Internet access, your first step is to contact an Internet Service Provider, or
ISP. An ISP sells you a package that provides Internet access to your home or office using one of
the connection methods listed earlier. You need to do some investigating by contacting ISPs in
your area to find out what Internet options are available to you and their respective prices. ISPs
often off er first-time customer promotions that include discounted rates for an initial period
of time. Make sure you understand the plan you are purchasing before you agree to buy. Price,
speed, and connection type vary, depending on where you live.
Setting up your Internet connection
Once you’ve contacted an ISP and have purchased a package, you are sent instructions from
your ISP on how to connect your computer to the Internet. These instructions usually include
a username and password required to complete the setup process. Make sure you keep this
information in a safe place, as you need it to set up your Internet connection. Also, once you’ve
completed the setup process, you’ll need it if you ever purchase a new computer or have to
reconfigure your computer for some reason.
Due to the various processes required by each ISP, this book cannot cover all potential variables
involved in the setup process, but the information provided here should work in most cases. If
you encounter problems during the setup process, call your ISP for assistance.
Setting up a dial-up connection
Although dial-up is not as common as it once was, it is often the best choice for people who
require limited access to the Internet and don’t require high connection speeds. Dial-up uses
a standard telephone line to connect to the Internet and therefore renders the telephone line
unusable while you are connected to the Internet. In the following exercise, you’ll learn how to
configure a dial-up connection to the Internet.
You need a dial-up modem (internal or external) connected to your computer to perform this
exercise. As of this writing, none of the currently shipping Mac computers contain an internal
modem, and so this article assumes that you are using an external modem.
1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
2. Click the Network button under the Internet & Wireless category to open the Network
preference pane.
3. Click the External Modem icon along the left side of the window to select it.
The current status at the top of the screen indicates that the modem is currently
not configured.
4. From the Configuration drop-down menu, choose Add Configuration. In the resulting
dialog box, type Snow Leopard operating system dialup. Press Create. This saves this configuration for
future use and is helpful if you connect to multiple ISPs.
5. In the Telephone Number text field, type the phone number provided by your ISP.
6. In the Account Name text field, type the name provided by your ISP.
7. In the Password text field, type the password provided by your ISP.
8. Press the Apply button to save these settings.
9. The Show modem status in menu bar check box displays an icon in the menu bar that
allows you to easily establish a connection from that icon. For now, leave this check box
unchecked.
10. Press the Connect button. You should hear a dial tone followed by the dialing of the
telephone number that you entered in step 5. You should also hear a connecting sound,
and if the connection is successful, the Status at the top of the Network preference pane
indicates that you are connected and can now browse the Internet.
After you click the Connect button, the Status indicates
that you are now connected to the Internet.
The Advanced button at the bottom of the Network preference pane provides advanced
settings that your ISP may require you to configure in order to connect to their service.
If you experience problems connecting to the Internet after following these steps,
contact your ISP for further assistance.
11. To disconnect the connection, simply press the Disconnect button in the Network
preference pane.
12. Choose System Preferences > Quit System Preferences.
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