Getting on the Net!!

The internet can give you access to an amazing amount of information. You can look at pictures direct from weather satellites, find your long lost relatives, do your weekly supermarket shop without even stepping outside or just surf around  until you find something of interest.

Once you're connected, using the internet really is as easy as picking up a phone and dialling a number. You can just type in a website address (such as www.seniorsnetwork.co.uk ) using your keyboard and then just wait for the information to appear on your screen. Just like the telephone system, you don't need to know how it's done to be able to benefit from it.

How much does it cost? 
Regardless of where you are in the UK, you can find someone who can connect you to the internet for the cost of a local telephone call.. This can be as low as a penny a minute at weekends, even before you take into account an special discount schemes such as Friends and Family.

When you use your ISP to dial up you will be making a local call - it will now cost the same to connect to your next door neighbour as it will to connect to  someone in California!! 

How can I get on the NET?

As long as your PC has a modem it's literally a case of plugging a connecting cable into a telephone wall socket, popping in a CD Rom and following the instructions. (You can obtain a CD Rom from any one of around 200 companies that now offer free internet access).

Once online you can send emails to people all over the world! 

Don't worry if you don't have the very latest PC  - modern computers are better and easier to get connected but any PC with Windows and at least 16Mb of memory has the potential to get you on to the net.

If you haven't already got one fitted you will need to buy a modem.  These cost from around £20, and are very easy to attach (you can have them fitted internally if you're short of desk space).  If buying a new modem it is most likely to have speeds of 56K.

What next?

Once you have your computer and a modem you need to choose and subscribe to an internet service provider. These are companies that do all the hard work of making your computer talk to others, and you cannot get on to the internet without one.

An ISP runs a network that connects to all parts of the internet. It also stores electronic messages e-mails sent to you so that you can collect them the next time you connect to the internet. 
Your ISP will usually allocate you some web space, to publish your own web site or a Home Page. 

Some ISPs may have dedicated areas that only their subscribers can view, with online magazines, news reports, chat areas and facilities to send or receive faxes or voice messages. Some will also let you have extra email addresses so that others in your household can receive their own messages.

Getting Started

Once you've chosen a service provider you can start the ball rolling!   Most providers will provide you with a free CDROM. Put it in your CDROM drive and the installation program should run automatically.

Make sure your modem is turned on so that the internet software can find it, and plug it into the phone line. If you have a 'call waiting' facility on your phone line, it should be turned off when accessing the internet, as it can sometimes disconnect you unexpectedly.

When prompted - enter the required information. You'll usually be required to enter your name and address details and perhaps your credit card details if you're signing up with an ISP that charges a monthly subscription.

Once the software is installed, all you need to do is double click on the icon for 
Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator - the two most common web browsers - and wait a moment. You will have to type in the username and password that you were allocated by your provider, and then the modem will dial. In a few moments you'll be connected to the net.

The first thing you'll see will be a start page appearing in a window on your computer desktop. You're now online, and ready to explore. 

Avoiding Heavy Traffic
Heavy traffic can slow down the Internet - just like the main roads!  To avoid traffic jams on the internet try and choose a time that will be less busy! Traffic is often lighter on the internet earlier in the day, when most of America is asleep - but equally, that's also the time when your phone charges are dearer during the week. You'll need to weigh up the pros and cons before deciding if you want to go online at a certain time of day. Also remember to keep an eye on the clock. It can be very easy to become engrossed and not realise that while you're reading things or chatting online, you are running up the bills. So check your usage regularly, and bear in mind that each minute spent online costs money,

Whenever you can - just dial up, collect your messages, and disconnect, then read them at leisure - you can send any responses the next time. 

More to Follow .....