Getting On The Internet

An Internet Service Provider (ISP) is a type of company that provides access to the Internet. Every community has at least one company that provides this service. The monthly fees range $10-20 per month and higher. They will give you a local phone number that your computer will use to dial into their service. That way, you should not have any telephone charges. The service provided is access to the Internet through a POP (point of presence). This access point is where you “get on”. Some ISPs connect through a cable line similar to your television, and do not require a telephone. The connection may be faster, yet more expensive.

At the time service is arranged with an ISP, you will be asked to make up an account name and password. An account name is also called a “logon ID.” No one else can use your account without your password. A company should also provide a way for you to get help in setting up your computer and connection to the ISP's "POP". Often email service is provided with Internet service and the ISP can help you set that up too.

Public Access Computers

Almost every library in Maine has at least one computer with internet access. To use these computers you don’t need to have your own account name and password. You do need to have your own email account in order to send or receive emails from other computers.

What is Email?

Email is short for “electronic mail.” An email address looks like this: janedoe@cybertours.com. The first part of this email address is the person’s name, Jane Doe. The @ sign directs the computer to go to the Internet location after it. In this case, the company where Jane has her account is called Cybertours.com. Email allows a user of one computer system to send a message to a user of another computer system. Some sources say that there are more email messages sent these days than letters through the post office. People find that it is quick and cheap (free if you already have internet access). It has become a way for parents and family members to keep in touch with college students and for people to write to friends or family in other countries. Many businesses and agencies can be contacted by email. Their email addresses are usually posted on their web sites.

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