Getting Connected

If you have recently purchased a new computer, it is already loaded with all the programs that you need to connect to the internet. There are a lots and lots of internet service providers (called ISP's). Most of the nationally known companies have put information directly on your PC or MAC. Some of the more likely national ISP’s that will be on your PC are:

1.     America On Line (AOL)

2.     Microsoft Network (MSN)

3.     MindSpring/Earthlink

4.     ATT Worldnet

5.     CompuServe.com

If you have a credit card, you can be surfing the web within a few minutes of plugging in your new computer. Just click on one of the online services and follow the instructions. If you need to speak with customer service to talk you through any steps, the numbers are provided. There is nothing these companies want more than for you to have an easy time getting connected to their services. By all means call them if you need help.

In most communities there are also local internet service providers. Look them up in the yellow pages under "Internet Services." Many local phone companies can serve as your ISP. One benefit of this is having a single bill that covers your telephone and computer expenses.

There are a few considerations in choosing an ISP. The first is cost, although this is not a huge issue. Most ISP's are competitively priced. And almost all of them offer unlimited service for less than $25/month. You might be tempted to go for some of the low fee packages that give you limited time on the internet for free. Once that's used up, you pay a fee for every additional minute that you spend on line. I would warn you against this kind of plan. Until you start using the internet regularly, you have no idea how often you will want to stay connected. One of the things that I like to do is listen to radio programs over the internet. I may be working on something completely unrelated to the internet, but I'm still connected for three or four hours at a time. It's also possible that you will forget to disconnect from the internet from time to time. If you leave your computer on, you may stay connected for a very long time.

The other consideration in choosing an ISP is the access number. Make sure that your access number is a local call. If you live in a large metropolitan area this will be no problem. But some rural locations will be extremely limited in their choices for an ISP with a local phone number. If you can’t get local access, be sure and call the national companies and find out about toll free access numbers.