WebWise:

The World Wide Web can be great to visit and an even better place to live! Find out how you can obtain an Internet Presence for yourself or business with the following information about these topics. There are many terms that are specific to the Internet. You will have to use them, and even answer questions about them, so try to pick up on their meaning here.

Internet Access and Web Sites

Internet Access - Internet access is how you to get onto the Internet. Using a computer with a modem, you access it by calling a phone number, (make sure it's a local phone number) given to you by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). You pay for either limited access time or unlimited access time to their phone lines.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

What is an ISP?

Simplified, an Internet Service Provider (ISP), owns one or more computers that are called Servers. They in turn are connected to phone lines that allows local calls to and from the computer's modem using special software. The Server can do several things; it can store information, like your e-mail or personal Web site (termed to Host your site) so you can call in and pick them up, or it can allow the caller to pass the call on through an extensive system of phone lines to other active computer Servers. This is how the World Wide Web works.

Your local telephone company can provide you with Internet access through their Server, also there are companies like America On-line (AOL) and CompuServe that include additional services on their Servers beyond Internet access, e-mail and Web Hosting.

What do they sell?

• Internet Access
  
• E-mail: 1 to 5 boxes
  
• Web Hosting: Personal or Business.
  • Personal Web Site - Most ISP now give you a free personal site (1-5 MB) and most personal sites may be used for business...but some ISP's may not, and you will have to buy a business level account.
  • Business Web Site - Many ISP's offer business level sites that give you all the tools and support you will need to have forsm, secure credit card exchanges, and alot of space for information (10-100 MB) and 10-20 email boxes.

How do I find one?

There are hundreds of ISP waiting for your business. Again, your local phone company can get you started or ask a friend who has access to recommend one or click here for a list of Internet Service Providers. Try using the service for a while before getting an e-mail address or web site that is permanate. Make sure you can get access to the Server during the hours you like.

There is a lot of traffic on these phone lines currently, and at times you can not get on easily or you are bumped off after being on a short time. Make sure you are happy with them before getting involved with several e-mail address and a business Web site. An e-mail address is similar to your personal address, and it is not convenient to contact everyone when you change, nor reprint all of your stationary to tell you business clients you have a new Web site address. If you plan to have a business Web site and e-mail for yourself or employees, and allow them Internet access as well, I recommend you get an experienced ISP.

Web Sites

Oddly enough you can have a Web site and not have Internet access. Some people have Web Masters put up sites and they never visit them themselves, saving them the cost of access. Others have personal access at home and use that to monitor their site.

Personal or Business, Web sites can give you hours of pleasure, provide on-line information to millions of viewers, be your on-line advertisement, or be your platform for e-commerce. Building your own personal site can be fun and educational. Currently, most basic services offer all the tools to build your own site, or if not there a many places that will on the World Wide Web, just do a search on free web authoring.

If you are not experienced at writing in HTML but feel comfortable directing you Web Site needs, you will need to speak to a Web Master. A design firm can build your site and maintain all of the changes you my require in the future and let you get back to running your business.

How do I decide?

Research what level you can afford to buy from your ISP.

Many ISP's will provide you with enough space for a small business. But, if you will want to have forms for your customers to fill out and submit electroniclly, your ISP must support CGI and better yet, custom CGI. You may have to enroll at a higher level in order to get this service (costing more money).