New to the Net

This section provides information to help those individuals who are new to the Internet. To someone who knows nothing about computers or the Internet, this can all be very confusing. We want to help you understand how it all works. Read through the information below and we believe you will come away with a much better understanding of the Wild and Wonderful World Wide Web - Also known as the Internet.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Step 1 - You need an ISP to get on the Internet

Wikipedia.com - What is an ISP? Read what Wikipedia says or below we try to explain:

If you are reading this page, you have signed on to the internet and found your way to our website. How did you do that? You signed on using an ISP (Internet Service Provider) There are many choices of an ISP. This is basically just a connection to the Internet, and your provider will also provide you with an e-mail address. This connection can be a phone line (hardly anyone uses this old method), it could be a DSL (which is through your phone company), or it could be a cable connection - through your Cable Provider. Below are listed some of the most popular ISP's:

AOL

ATT.com

Comcast High Speed Cable Internet

DSL Best Offer

EarthLink HighSpeed DSL

ISP.com - Chose your internet service provider

Premium Internet at 1/2 price! Get Juno Platinum for only $9.95! -or- Surf the web faster with Juno Speedband for only $14.95!

Net Zero

www.Onspeed.com

PeoplePC Online ISP - $10.95/month

Road Runner

What other services does an ISP Provide? Any of the above will provide you with an e-mail address and may also allow you to customize your home page to provide information such as news, sports and entertainment.

Virus Protection

Step 2 - Protect Your Computer

Ok, so now you are on the Internet and ready to surf the World Wide Web. It is very important that you protect your computer from viruses and people who may try to get access to your computer. You protect your computer with Anti-Virus Protection Software. One of the most popular products is Symantec (Norton).

You can either purchase this software at a computer store, or an Office Superstore. Or, just download the software on line by clicking on the above links and downloading the software. It is important that you make sure your virus protection is kept up to date. Most subscriptions expire yearly, so once a year, you will have to update your subscriptions. You must do this to make sure that your virus definitions are always up to day. Hackers are always creating new viruses, and you must keep your protection current. This is very Important.

Browsers

Step 3 - Chose your Browser

Ok, so you are on the Internet and your computer is protected with Anti-Virus Software. You are ready to Surf. To surf the net, you use a Browser. Browsers are Free. The big two are Explorer and Netscape. Your new computer may come with this already installed, or you may be directed to install by your ISP. This is a personal choice. We prefer Explorer, mostly because we are most familiar with it. You can use both. Feel free to download both and see which one you prefer.

The browser (Explorer or Netscape) allows you to surf the Internet. At the top of your Browser is a long thin rectangular box where you key in the web address you want to visit. It usually begins with http:// and the http:// is usually already keyed in for you. you key in the address you want to visit after http:// So if you want to visit our site, you key in: http://www.outtasitewebsites.com

Search Engines

Step 4 - Search, Surf - Same thing.

Ok, so you have selected your ISP, you signed on, you made sure your computer is protected from Viruses, and you have your browser open ready to surf the Internet. But, you don't know how to find what you are looking for. This is where the search engine comes in. There are many to chose from. You use a search engine to find the websites you want to visit. Just go to any of the below Search Engines and key in anything. You can key in a word, a specific title or anything. You can take it from here.

Recommended Search Engines:

About.com - About.com is one of the largest sources of information on the Internet.

AllSearchEngines - Search engines world wide. General Search Engines, MetaSearch, Specialized, Web Related, News/Weather, People Finders... the list goes on. Also directories where you can submit your URL/Website FREE.

Ask

Tech Web - The Technology News Site - A gold mine of information about computers and high technology. Summaries of today's top technology stories. Hyperlinks to high-tech company information including earnings and current stock quotes

US Search - Search Box

Webcrawler

Yahoo

Newbie help - For those new to the net