- Bulletin Board System - BBS - A bulletin board system is usually a small computer system managed by one person or a local interest group. Most BBS's let you use their services free of charge, but some charge a yearly fee.
- BBS's can provide games and let you chat with other people connected to the BBS.
- Some BBS's give you limited use of the services on the Internet, such as the ability to exchange electronic mail (e-mail).
- Programs - You need a communications program to connect with a BBS. Popular communications programs include Telix and Telemate.
- MODEM - You use a MODEM to connect to the BBS through telephone lines.
- Once connected to a BBS, you will see simple lines of text and no pictures (graphics).
- Freenet - A freenet is a bulletin board system (BBS) that provides free community information, such as current events and school calendars. Most freenets offer basic access to the Internet, such as the ability to exchange electronic mail. Freenets are supported by volunteers and local donations.
- Direct Connection - Universities, government agencies and large companies usually connect their computers directly to the Internet. This direct connection allows for very fast transmission of information and provides access to the Internet 24 hours a day.
- Commercial Online Services - A commercial online service can give you access to the Internet for a fee.
- Well-known commercial online services include America Online (AOL), CompuServe (CS), The MicroSoft Network (MSN) and Prodigy.
- A commercial online service also offers its own information, such as daily news, weather reports and encyclopedias. The information is well-organized and easy to find, unlike information on the Internet.
- Setting up your account - Commercial online services are easy to set up and usually provide good customer support for questions you may have.
- Cost - When you join a commercial online service, you are given a certain number of hours for a monthly fee. Commercial online services also have many additional charges. For example, if you exceed the number of hours given for the month you use a feature that is not part of the basic service, you will have to pay extra.
- Programs - Commercial online services provide the programs you will need to use the service and access the Internet.
- Internet Service Providers (ISP) - An Internet Service provider is a company that gives you access to the Internet for a fee.
- Setting up your account - Connecting to the Internet through a service provider can be difficult to set up. Most providers offer assistance over the telephone to help you get connected.
- Most providers charge a fee for setting up your account. This fee is usually between $10.00 and $40.00.
- MODEM - You use a MODEM to connect to a service provider through telephone lines. Chose a provider with a local telephone number to avoid long distance charges. A 56,000 bps MODEM is recommended.
- Ways to connect - There are three main ways you can connect to an Internet service provider. Some providers let you choose the type of connection you can use.
- SLIP - Serial Line Internet Protocol - The oldest and most popular method of connecting to an Internet service provider. SLIP does not check to make sure that information arrives error free.
- CSLIP - Compressed SLIP - The same as SLIP except the information is squeezed together to speed th transfer of data.
- PPP - Point-to-Point Protocol - A newer method that is more reliable than SLIP since it checks that information arrives error free. PPP is also faster and provides better security.
- Interestingly, all of the above services will also work with either Internet Explorer (IE) or Netscape once you've signed on and made connection to your service provider..
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