To be "on the 'net", you need the ability to pass data packets
between your computer and another one anywhere in the world. The
cost of packet-passing ($/month) is charged by the provider who
supports the "last mile" between your computer and the
Internet.
Varying technologies are available to implement the last mile to
your computer(s) at home. There's dialup-modem or DSL via your
phone line. There's fibre optic or coaxial cable. And there are
some hybrids, like dialup-modem out together with satellite in.
To allow more than one computer, on a home network (LAN), to
have internet access, your internet address will be that of a
specialized computer you use, a 'router'. The router, 'on' both the
internet and the home LAN, passes every incoming packet through to
the computer in the home previously identified to the outside
sending 'server' computer (by the router's address plus a 'port'
used to identify that particular home computer). And it passes a
packet from that computer to the internet when the packet address
is non-local.
Some or all connections between computers (including the router)
in the home can be over a wireless
LAN (typically wi-fi). A 2-way radio in your computer and
another at a wireless
access point (a separate box or part of the router) implement
the connection.
Varying technologies (cellular, PCS, ...) are also available to
implement the last mile to your laptop whenever it's where a mobile
phone can be used. You can even browse the internet while a
passenger in an auto!
In addition to passing packets, most people like a "Portal" page
--a 'desktop' for your worldwide web browser making your favorite
'favorites' a little more easily accessible. Ideally, a portal page
makes everything on the Internet you want readily accessible. And
it stays current as new items of interest become available and as
your interests change.
The portal page service is totally separable from last-mile and
packet-passing services, but the two are often bundled.
A portal like Yahoo or AOL will try to pick up a little extra
revenue by trying to pass your packets.
Conversely, a mainly-last-mile vendor like Verizon or Comcast,
when it installs your packet-passing hardware, will try at least to
reset your browser's home page and likely even try to install their
own version of the browser you use and install other stuff. This
steers you to their portal page. There is in general no need to
install *any* of their software!! (Just bookmark the URL of the
last-mile vendor's technical support page and account management
page.)
Most well-known portal pages steer you towards things they want
you to think or buy. The portal page is free to you but earns money
for the provider (by channeling you to sites that will pay to have
that done). Here are some examples: NetZero, Earthlink, Verizon, MSN, AOL, Yahoo
These things have gotten way over the top, and even Microsoft
recognizes that there is something
better!
But you can go all the way and use your very own portal
page.
This homeplace web page can be used as-is from
chasegalleryconnect.org. (It can be used with
Windows, Macintosh, Linux, or other operating system. The following
discussion is Windows-oriented : contact webmaster aht
chasegalleryconnect.org if you can help augment the following for
those contexts.) Or it can be saved on your desktop, in 'My
Documents', or anywhere on your hard drive. You can select it as
your browser home page as follows.
For Microsoft Internet Explorer or Firefox you do: Tools
>> [Internet] Options >> General >> Use Current
Page.
For Netscape/Mozilla you do: Edit >> Preferences >>
...... >> Use Current Page.
To alter this page to your own liking (You can, for example,
edit the zip code into yours and get near-instant local weather.),
view it with Windows Explorer, right-click its name and do Send To
> Notepad.
Or open 'Notepad' and then do Notepad>>File>>Open
and chase down this very file to edit the text which describes the
web page you're viewing. It will be at a location such as:
"H:\Documents and Settings\JohnDoe\Desktop\homeplace.html"
Time Date Sun Moon Eclipse Etc,
Quick,
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