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If your business
is now ready to make connection, or you would you just like to
know a little more about your ISP, then section covered a number
of basic, but important issues surrounding making
connection.
What equipment do
I need?
Most newly acquired computers
will already have the hardware, and sometimes the software to
allow you to connect to an ISP. However, if you are not sure you
will need to check to see if your system has these components
installed.
You should ensure
you have:
- A modem
- Access to a
telephone line (preferably an independent line if possible)
- Internet software
and ISP dial-in details (see below)
How do I get my
machine to connect?
If you have checked
that a modem is installed and have plugged this into your vacant
telephone port, you are now ready to make connection. However,
before you do, you need to ensure you have the Internet Software
and ISP dial-up details. If your machine is relatively
new, then the likelihood is that you will already have Internet
software already installed, plus the means to connect to an ISP
already assigned to your machine. If this is the case, you
need to:
- If and where this
software is to activate it
- Who the ISP is
you have been assigned to
- Whether you would
like to sign up to this ISP or choose and alternative ISP
It is important at
this stage that you make the correct decisions regarding your
chosen ISP, as there are several ISP's to choose from and you need
to make the right decision for your business. Before you sign up
ensure you read all the sections in the ISP series as you need to
make some serious choices.
If there is no
sign-up software on your machine then you can obtain ISP access
for a number of sources:
CD-ROM
Often these are posted on a regular bases to you, you can get them
from local shops or attached to a number of computer or Internet
related magazines. If you require a more business orientated service
you may need to contact the company direct and ask for their
connection disk direct. What is obvious here, is the level of
choice you do have and the importance for you to make the right
choice.
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Dial-up
Networking
You can also sign up to an
ISP by configuring your computer's setting. This requires quite a
lot more effort to set up, but a you will probably find out later in this
section, it can help you to control who you sign up to a little more.
If you decide to set the ISP
account up yourself, you will need to acquire the telephone number, user
identification and password to connect successfully to your chosen ISP.
This can only be done by either ringing your chosen ISP or using the
Internet to sign-up to an account.
< More info available soon ... >
How do I find an ISP to
sign up to?
Any search engine will offer
a list of ISP's, unfortunately, you will need to judge for yourself which
is the best for you and your business, and not all ISP are listed.
Please ensure you read all the pages in the ISP series to help you
to make an informed choice, and makes lots of enquiries before you sign
up.
I've signed up, what do I do
now?
Once you have signed up and
have a Internet account with an ISP, you are now ready to connect.
If you have used a CD-ROM you should be able to see an ICON of you chosen
ISP on your desktop. All you need to do now is ensure your modem is switched
on and your phone line plugged in. Once checked, just double click
on the icon and it should take you through to connection.
I'm connected, what happens
now?
You will probably hear a lot
of noise coming from your modem once you have activated the connection,
this is know as a computer "handshake". When all calms down, this indicates that the connection
is complete and you are ready to use the Internet.
You know have a number of
decisions to make once you have made the vital connection to your ISP - Do
I want to send email? Do I want to use the web? How do I look for
Information on the Internet? How can I start my own business now I'm
online?
< More details ... >
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