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 your last mile.
To your home computer(s) 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.
(Within your home, there may be a 'router' to multiplex several
computers and/or a radio link for the last 'shouting distance' to a given computer.)
Then there's wi-fi, cellular, PCS, or other to your mobile laptop.
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.
Last mile and portal services are totally separable, but they 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, 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!!
Most well-known portal pages steer you towards things they want you to think or buy.
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"
VIX (CBOE's S&P500 volatility index),
