XX TECHNO QUESTION OF THE WEEK

for May 26, 1996

with Joanne Pickel

 

Help! What do I need to get on the Internet?

You'll need:

  • a computer

- a fairly new Mac with enough memory to make it worthwhile (anything from a Mac Classic with at least 4 MB & up)

or

- an IBM that can run Windows

- colour monitor is preferable but not necessary

  • a modem

- 9600 bps or higher (14,400 is the standard now)

  • a SLIP/PPP account

- lets your computer pretend it is part of the Internet using only modem and phone line

- provided by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or through a university account (see)

  • ISP or university account

- ISPs are worth shopping around for best prices and perks

- university acc'ts are free, although Concordia offers no SLIP support as of right now (alcor will soon). McGill offers SLIP or PPP with a minimal monthly charge (1¢a minute!)

  • installation kit

- should be provided by your ISP or university computing centre

- contains PPP (Mac) or Winsock (IBM) software that let you dial in and connect with the server

- should also include a web browser like Netscape and an e-mail program like Eudora