If you ever attempt to learn to snow ski, the first time you set backside on the slope, you're a beginner. There's no avoiding it. After a painful first morning, you can advance to "Intermediate" status, where you can successfully remain for the rest of your life. I know, because that's where I have been for the last 24 years. I am considered an "Intermediate to Potentially Dangerous, but with Good Insurance" status myself.

The same applies to getting on the Internet. When you first arrive, no matter what, you're a beginner, or "Newbie" as they are "affectionately" referred to by the citizens of the Internet. But you don't have to look like one. It will take a while to get familiar with the technical part, but that's the easy half of the journey. The other half is learning the protocol, customs, and language of the locals. This is the rest-of-your-lifetime part.

To actually get on the Net is fairly straightforward. For dial-up access - not a "direct" connection like you would find in some companies, schools and the government - you need a PC or Mac with a modem, the faster the better. Many local Internet Service Provider's (ISP's or IP's) can handle dial-up lines at 28.8KB (28,800 b's per second). Believe me, you want fast. 14.4KB is adequate, and I wouldn't suggest anything slower than this, although it will work. You will just find yourself with more time on your hands, so to speak, while you wait for stuff to be brought to you over the Net. If you're thinking of using a 24KB modem, then you might want to also pick up some quilting work.

Your PC (or Mac) will require some software, notably something with a TCP/IP "stack". In plain terms, TCP/IP is the protocol by which computers communicate on the Net. Every machine gets a unique IP address, consisting of four banks of numbers, like 00.101.102.103. This is sort of like your phone number. You'll hardly ever see this number again after you plug it into your configuration profile.

A year ago, there were practically no commercial TCP/IP packages. Now, there are many available, among them "Internet Chameleon", from NetManage (a "sampler" package is available for free in many Internet books) or "Internet In a Box", from Spry/O'Reilly (about $100US). There are also shareware programs like Trumpet, which you can get over the Net.

With the TCP/IP support, you can use all of the resources of the Internet, unlike using a "shell" account. A shell account is one where you do everything from the command line, like you would in DOS or Unix. With TCP/IP, you need to get a SLIP (Serial Line Interface Protocol) or PPP (Point to Point Protocol) account from your local IP. These are more robust connections than required for normal shell access and may be a bit more expensive, but are well worth it.

Your IP will provide you with a local phone number, known as their POP, or Point Of Presence. This is just a way of indicating that the phone call is NOT long distance and covers an area defined by your local phone company. Some providers have 800 number support, usually at a fairly high cost.

This should be enough to at least get you started. Take a look around in your local publications for Internet Providers in your area and give them a call. Tell them you want to get a SLIP or PPP account and ask what the costs are and what "stack" they recommend. This will impress them, and they will likely treat you with more respect. If they start to ask too many technical questions, hang up on them. Then go pick up a book to read on the ski lift.

See you next issue.

Jon Sisk
www.jes.com

Original article for Computing News & Review, February 1995

Copyright © 1995 Jonathan E. Sisk.