- Dial-up
- DSL
- Cable
There are different “ISP’s” for each way to connect to the Internet. If you’ve been searching for a way to get on the Internet, and you keep seeing the acronym ISP everywhere, it simply means Internet Service Provider.
Dial-Up
Using dial-up to get on the Internet is usually the least expensive way to go. That’s the good news. The bad news is that dial-up is usually the slowest connection to the Internet. But, hey, if you’re on a budget, and you don’t need to be on the Internet a lot, why not?
Over the years, the dial-up Internet Service Providers that have been the largest, most popular, and most reliable (In our humble opinion…) are AOL (America Online), Earthlink, and NetZero. We’ve used all three over the years, and they all have positives and negatives. You’ll find that these particular providers average at least between $10 – $15 per month for their service. However, beware of this key thing: The cheaper the monthly fee, the more ads you have to deal with while you’re trying to get online, and the slower your connection will be.
To get started, you only need 3 things:
- A compact disc (CD) from the Internet Service Provider
- A phone cord to connect your computer to a phone jack
- Your computer
You often will find compact discs (CD) packaged with a new computer, or in your local computer store, that are free or close to it. If you’re at work or can access the Internet from someone else’s computer, you can visit the Internet Service Provider’s Web site, sign-up, and they will mail you the compact disc. You’ll need this compact disc in order to install the dial-up software on your computer. The disc will usually walk you through all you need to know about setting up your computer and getting connected.
Once you receive the CD, simply pop it into your computer and follow the instructions. Most likely, all you’ll need to do is watch the CD install the software, plug one end of the phone cord (usually clear or black in color) into your computer (the CD will show you where), and plug the other end of the phone cord into a live phone jack. Once the software is installed, all you need to do when you come back later is plug your computer in, make sure the phone cord is connected on both ends, and click the icon on your computer screen to start the dial-up connection.
DSL
If you have an existing phone connection at home, you can also get what is called a DSL connection. DSL simply means Digital Subscriber Line. On average, a DSL connection is much faster than a dial-up connection. When it comes to how much faster a DSL connection is than a dial-up connection, here’s the simple explanation: DSL connections move more data back and forth from your computer to the Internet at speeds that are at least double what you’d get through dial-up.
The easiest way to get DSL access is simply through your local phone company. As you can imagine, the dial-up Internet Service Providers offer it, too, and the competition between them and your phone company is fierce. Our advice? Shop around! Find out what your phone company charges for DSL service, check out the other providers, etc. And, don’t hesitate to ask around either. People seem to either love their Internet connection or hate it.
Regardless, prices for DSL service can cost you at least $25 per month, and in some cases, up and over $75 per month. As you’ve probably already guessed, the more expensive a monthly plan costs you, the faster the Internet connection should be.
To get started, you only need 4 things:
- A compact disc from the DSL Internet Service Provider you choose
- A DSL modem
- Ethernet cable
- Your computer
Usually, whomever you purchase DSL service from will send you a CD, a DSL modem, and some cable, in one simple package.
When you receive the package, put the CD in your computer and follow the instructions. Thankfully, the CD’s these companies send are usually idiot-proof, but, hey, we all have our days! Most likely, once the CD installs the software on your computer, you will have to connect the DSL modem to a phone jack in your home with the cord/cable they provide. (They will also probably send you an adapter to put on your phone jack. Put the cord/cable that they sent you into the adapter .) The DSL modem is the device that receives the signal from the phone jack and sends it to your computer. An Ethernet cable, which looks like a fatter version of a phone cord, will have to be connected to the DSL modem and to your computer.
After your initial set up, all you’ll need to do is click on the icon on your computer screen to fire up your Internet connection.
Cable
If you have cable television at home, you can also get on the Internet through your cable company. Usually, a cable connection to the Internet is much faster than a dial-up connection and as quick, if not quicker, than a DSL connection.
If you have cable TV, you’ve probably been barraged with ads about how you can have your phone and Internet connection through your local cable company, etc., etc. Regardless of the what the ads promise, read everything you’re signing and make sure the cost of your cable connection, in whatever style you choose, doesn’t cause you to lose your car or house. The phone companies and cable companies can really take you to the cleaners when it comes to connections, quality of connections, cost, etc. Shop around! Here, too, ask around! Every local market is different.
Regardless, prices for cable Internet service can cost you at least $50 per month, and in some cases, up and over $100 per month. As you’ve probably already guessed, the more expensive a monthly plan costs you, the faster the Internet connection should be.
To get started, you only need 4 things:
- A compact disc from the cable company to help walk you through the set up
- A cable modem, which you may already have from your cable company if you have cable TV
- A cable to connect the cable modem to the cable jack in your home
- Ethernet cable
- Your computer
Usually, when you purchase Internet cable service from your cable TV company, they will send you all of the above. If it doesn’t cost you much, your cable company will usually be happy to come to your home and set this up for you. If not, and/or you already have your cable TV connection set up, you can try to set up your cable Internet connection by doing the following below.
When you receive the package of goodies described above from your cable company, put the CD in your computer and follow the instructions. Most likely, once the CD installs the software on your computer, you will have to connect the cable modem to the cable jack in your home with the cable they provide. The cable modem is the device that receives the signal from the cable jack and sends it to your computer. The Ethernet cable, which looks like a fatter version of a phone cord, will have to be connected to the cable modem and to your computer.
After your initial set up, all you’ll need to do is click on the icon on your computer screen to fire up your Internet connection!
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