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Using the Internet
This chapter provides information about the Internet and 
the World Wide Web. Read this chapter to learn how to:

Set up and access an Internet account using 
America Online®


Connect to a Web site using a browser

Download files from the Internet

Send and receive e-mail using America Online 

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Learning about the Internet
The Internet is a worldwide network of computers linked together to provide 
information to people everywhere. The two most popular services on the 
Internet are e-mail and the World Wide Web. You can access this network by 
connecting your computer to a telephone, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), or 
cable line and signing up with an Internet service provider (ISP).
Cable and DSL modems, a connection known as broadband, use your...

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Setting up an Internet account
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If you want to access the Internet you need:

A modem – a device that connects your computer to other computers or 
servers using a telephone, DSL, or cable line.

An Internet service provider – a company that provides access to the 
Internet through an ISP server. When you connect to an ISP, the ISP server 
lets you access the Internet and your e-mail messages.

A Web browser – a program that displays information from the World Wide 
We b .

An e-mail...

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Accessing your Internet account
To connect to your America Online Internet account:
1Click Start, All Programs, then click America Online.
2Complete the member name and password information, then click 
Connect. Your computer dials the Internet account telephone number. After 
connecting, the We l c o m e window opens.
If you are using a service other than America Online, check with your ISP for 
the correct procedure for connecting.
To disconnect from...

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Using the World Wide Web
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Using the World Wide Web
The World Wide Web is a multimedia window to the Internet that gives you 
access to millions of information sources.
Information on the Web comes to you on We b  p a g e s, which are electronic 
documents that you view using a Web page display program called a browser. 
You can use any of the commercially available Web browsers, like Microsoft 
Internet Explorer (which comes installed on your new computer), Netscape 
Navigator, or the...

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Connecting to a Web site
After you set up an account with an Internet service provider (ISP) such as 
America Online, you can access the many information sources on the World 
Wide Web.
To connect to a Web site:
1Connect to your Internet account. After your computer connects, a default 
opening page or welcome screen opens.
2To go to a different Web site, type the address (called a URL for “Universal 
Resource Locator”) in the browser address bar (for...

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Using the World Wide Web
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Downloading files
Downloading is the process of transferring files from a computer on the Internet 
to your computer.
To protect your computer against viruses, make sure that you scan the files you 
download. For more information, see “Protecting your computer from viruses” 
on page 214.
To download files or programs from a Web site:
1Connect to your Internet account.
2In the address bar, type the address of the Web site that contains the file 
or program you...

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Using e-mail
E-mail (electronic mail) lets you send messages to anyone who has an Internet 
connection and e-mail address. E-mail is usually a free service of your Internet 
account.
The Internet never closes, so you can send e-mail messages at any time. Your 
e-mail messages arrive at most e-mail addresses in minutes.
An e-mail address consists of a user name, the @ symbol, and the Internet domain 
name of the Internet service provider (ISP) or company...

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Using e-mail
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Checking your e-mail
To check your e-mail using America Online:
1Connect to your America Online account.
2Click Read.
3Double-click the message you want to read.
For more information about managing and organizing your e-mail messages, 
see the online help in your e-mail program.
Help and 
SupportFor general information about using e-mail in Windows XP, 
click Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword e-mail in the HelpSpot Search box 
, then click the arrow.