142 Exploring Your OptionsAn overview of using the InternetThe World Wide WebThe World Wide Web (or ‘Web’) is a subset of the Internet —a collection of interlinked documents (located on computersconnected to the Internet) that work together using a specificInternet protocol called Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).The World Wide Web offers information as text, images,audio, or video to be referenced from anywhere in the world.Special programs called Web browsers are specificallydesigned to work with HTTP. They make it easier to connectto a particular network address and send and receiveinformation.Internet Service ProvidersTo connect a computer directly to the Internet, many peopleand businesses use an Internet Service Provider (ISP). An ISPis a company that has the equipment and thetelecommunication lines necessary to maintain an Internetconnection.You can connect to the Internet by using a telephone andmodem or through other higher-speed communicationmethods such as Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), cable, andsatellite links.Signing up with an Internet Service ProviderMicrosoft’s Web browser, Internet Explorer, which ispreinstalled on your system, is automatically configured sothat when you first start it, it guides you through signing upfor a new ISP account, or assists you in setting up yourcomputer to work with your existing ISP.Once you have established an ISP account, you can access theInternet.
