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Module 3 Getting Started With the Internet

By Kathy Sole, Ashford University

Learning Objectives

After reading this module, you should be able to

• Summarize your options for connecting to the Internet and explain how these can help you use free time more effectively during the day.

• Explain how your browser allows you to get the most out of your Internet experience.

• Outline your options for troubleshooting computer issues.

Fancy Collection/SuperStock

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Introduction: The Internet: Get Connected and Get Going!

Now that you are set up with your computer and the software you need to do well in your classes, let’s make sure you’re connected! Having a secure and reliable connection to the Internet is another critical component in your success in Ashford University’s online pro- gram. In this module, we will help you get set up with your home network and discuss how you can take advantage of public networks. We will also look at steps you can take to trouble- shoot any technical difficulties you encounter.

You may already be familiar with some of the information in this module, but it is always a good idea to be aware of all your options in case the network you use most often is unavailable or you travel to a place with a different type of connection. More importantly, digital literacy involves developing a general understanding of how tech- nology works, all the way down to the different types of connections. As you proceed with your education and your career, you can build on this knowledge and keep up with the changing technologies you will inevi- tably encounter in the years to come.

Monkeybusinessimages/iStock/Thinkstock

Once you have a computer or laptop, the next step is to get connected to the Internet.

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©Credit Goes Here

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3.1 What Is a Network, and How Do You Join One?

A computer network is a group of computers that connects with other computer networks and individual electronic devices, so each computer can send and receive information to and from other computers and peripheral devices. The Internet is a massive global computer network of other computers and other, smaller networks.

Each time you purchase a new electronic device that connects to the Internet, you create a new link to this worldwide community. This connection becomes a window through which you can see and communicate with every other online user on the planet and contribute to the world’s vast web of knowledge (Okin, 2005).

Networks are essential in the 21st century. Businesses use their own internal networks, called intranets, to share files and information among employees, develop collaborative projects, and share computer applications. The network also enables computers to share hardware. For example, instead of having a printer connected to each computer, in a network all the comput- ers can share the same printer. You can even create your own network called a local area net- work (LAN) to connect several computers in your own home so they can communicate with one another. (See http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Local-Area-Network-%28LAN%29 and additional information later in this module on how to create a LAN.) Then, when you are off work, you can retreat to a friend’s house with your laptop and play multiplayer-networked computer games on the world’s largest network, the Internet.

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http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Local-Area-Network-%28LAN%29

3.1 What Is a Network, and How Do You Join One?

A 2014 Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. census data showed that 84% of U.S. households own a computer, and 73% of U.S. households have a computer with a broadband Internet connection. However, there is a wide variance across the country; 21% of households have no regular Internet access at all, although they may have free access at a local library or else- where (Rainie & Cohn, 2014). A Closer Look: Wait. The Internet and the World Wide Web Aren’t the Same Thing? outlines the differences between what are known, respectively, as the Inter- net and the World Wide Web.

Everywhere you go, people are connected to the Internet. This is a good indicator that getting online is pretty quick and easy to do. To use the Internet, your computer must be Internet ready. This means the computer must have hardware such as an Ethernet card that allows it to connect to the Internet. The vast majority of computers available today are Internet ready. If you have any questions about your computer, however, be sure to check with the computer sales or service person where you purchased your device. The type of connection you have depends, in part, on where you want to use the device: at home, at a library or coffee shop, or even wherever you are at any given moment. Let’s take a look at your options.

Internet Access at Home

Given the sheer amount of time you will spend working on your Ashford Uni- versity courses, it is necessary to set up a home network. To do so, you will need to contact a local Internet service provider (ISP) to set up an account. In most instances, a technician will come to your home and install a modem and a router. The modem is the device that connects with your ISP through a telephone landline; the router con- nects the computer to the modem, to other computers in the home, or to a printer and other devices to share data and information. This connection of devices provides you with a home network, or LAN. The router examines data coming into or going out of your home network to determine where it should go and the route the data will take to get there. The router also provides security for your network and contains a firewall to protect your LAN from threats.

Once you have this hardware in place, you can then connect to the Internet through a wired connection, which uses copper wires or fiber-optic cables to carry the digital signal, or through a wireless connection, which uses radio waves or microwaves to carry the signal. It is important to ask the Internet service technician to set up a secure connection that no one outside your home can access. In Module 6 we will discuss more ways to ensure your privacy, safety, and security online.

Caia Images/SuperStock

To have Internet access at home, you will need a modem and router, both of which can be installed by a technician.

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3.1 What Is a Network, and How Do You Join One?

A Closer Look: Wait. The Internet and the

World Wide Web Aren’t the Same Thing?

Many people use the terms Internet and World Wide Web interchangeably, but they are different. The Internet is a gigantic global network of networks that connects millions of computers together, so any computer can communicate with any other computer in the world. The World Wide Web, known commonly as “the web,” is one method of accessing and sharing information on the Internet and is probably the part of the Internet with which people are most familiar.

The web uses software tools called browsers to access web pages that are linked to one another via hyperlinks and web documents that contain text, graphics, video, and sound. The web also uses a special protocol, or set of rules for sending information between computers, called hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). So the web address of all sites on the World Wide Web begin with http: or https: (for secure websites).

However, you use other parts of the Internet as well. E-mail, for example, uses the Inter- net, not the web, to send and retrieve messages between computers. E-mail uses a dif- ferent protocol, called simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP), to send e-mail messages and other protocols to retrieve those messages. Instant messaging and Usenet news groups operate on still different parts of the Internet. So think of the Internet as a mas- sive universe, with the web, e-mail, instant messaging, and other galaxies within it.

The Internet and the World Wide Web are not the same thing. The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that all use the same rules, or protocols, to communicate with one another. The web is simply a part of the Internet that uses one protocol to enable you to access information on web pages.

Jumpeestudio/iStock/Thinkstock filborg/iStock/Thinkstock

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3.1 What Is a Network, and How Do You Join One?

Types of wired and wireless Internet services are summarized in Table 3.1. The primary dif- ferences among these types of services are the speed at which the data can travel and the cost of the Internet service. The choice, however, is not always up to the consumer. Not all places in the United States, and certainly not in the world, have all these options available. You may have none of them available in your specific area. Talk to your neighbors and friends to find

Table 3.1: Wired and wireless Internet connections

Description Pros and cons

Wired Internet services

Dial-up service Using a modem, the computer dials a telephone number provided by your ISP to connect to the Internet. A dial-up con- nection occupies a phone line, and you will not be able to use the phone for voice communications while on the Internet.

• Slowest • Least expensive • Offered in remote, rural areas • Not recommended for online course

work

Integrated service digital network (ISDN) service

ISDN transmits data and phone conver- sations together on a single telephone wire. ISDN offers a better quality Internet connection and faster speed than a dial- up service. Special ISDN phone lines need to be installed, and a phone number still must be dialed.

• Better quality and faster speed than dial-up

• Requires installation of an ISDN phone line

• Being replaced in some areas by other technology, but still offered in places

Digital sub- scriber line (DSL) service

DSL uses two fiber-optic telephone lines to give you telephone and Internet service, so you can send and receive telephone calls and use the Internet at the same time.

• Typically offered by telephone companies

• Generally faster and less expensive than ISDN

Cable Internet service

Cable connections use a modem to con- nect to the Internet through fiber-optic cable television lines.

• Typically offered by cable companies • The fastest of the wired services

Wireless Internet services

Wireless network service

Verizon and AT&T are the leading wire- less Internet providers; however, Sprint and T-Mobile also provide wireless Inter- net networks in some geographic areas.

• High rates of data transfer with new 4G and 5G technologies, meaning faster Internet service

• Offers greater security than earlier wireless networks

Wi-Fi network This type of wireless network is used in coffee shops, bookstores, and other hotspots.

• Multiple computers and devices con- nect simultaneously

• Limited geographic range of use

Bluetooth service Bluetooth transmits data over short distances using short-wavelength ultra- high-frequency radio waves and creates a “shared” Internet connection across devices.

• Not recommended for online course work

• Best suited for use with mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles

Internet over satellite service

Internet over satellite service allows users to access the Internet via a satellite that is orbiting the earth.

• Usually more expensive and slower than most other options

• Available only in certain areas

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3.1 What Is a Network, and How Do You Join One?

out which ISP companies they use and what their experiences have been. Your home network will likely be your primary means of accessing the Internet, so make sure the service you choose fits both your academic needs and your budget. Be sure to ask about bundling options, too, since some providers will give you a discounted Internet rate if you sign up for a package (for example, cable television, Internet, and phone service).

Internet Access Around Town

Every coffee shop in town these days seems to be full of people working on their laptops or smartphones. They are taking advantage of Wi-Fi Internet service, which is a LAN that has been established by the coffee shop. Patrons then connect to the Internet access point in the LAN, called a hotspot. You will also create a hotspot in your home if you elect to set up Wi-Fi for your home network. Wi-Fi is available in a growing number of establishments through- out cities and towns, from bookstores and hotels to laundromats, airport terminals, and the airplanes themselves. Even entire cities are starting to offer free, citywide Internet service, which is usually supported by local advertisers (Kinney, 2006). These networks are created by moving the digital signal from one access point to another, thereby overlapping coverage and expanding the network. Public Wi-Fi makes accessing cellular applications—including your Ashford apps—easy and convenient. Learn more in Strategies for Success: Getting the Most Out of Your Ashford Apps.

Some of these places offer free Internet access, but others charge a nominal fee for connec- tion. Getting online at a hotspot requires that you be in range of the hotspot access point. Click the setting on your Windows or Mac operating system to view available wireless networks in your area. If you see a network available, click its name. This action will open the hotspot network connection site and give you information about how to connect, the terms and condi- tions of use of the network, and the fees, if any, associated with network access.

If you are unable to use your own computer, another way to get online is by taking advantage of shared computers at your local public library, Internet café or other local business (usually at an hourly rate), public school computer lab, or government facility. Remember, however, that you cannot save documents on these computers (unless you use a USB memory device/ flash drive or cloud storage), and the connection is not necessarily secure or private. With that in mind, knowing what the options are in your community is a good idea in case you ever need a backup plan.

Strategies for Success: Getting the Most Out of Your Ashford Apps

Important note: Did you know you can get a free Ashford University Mobile Classroom app and a free mobile Constellation app for both Android and iPhone devices? These let you access your Ashford classroom and Constellation course materials from your mobile device and do class work from a local hotspot. See http://www.ashford.edu /student_services/ashford_mobile.htm for more information, including a list of all the tasks you can perform with the Ashford mobile app.

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http://www.ashford.edu/student_services/ashford_mobile.htm

3.1 What Is a Network, and How Do You Join One?

Internet Access on the Go

Another popular option is to have a mobile or portable hotspot, which allows you to connect digital devices such as your computer or tablet to the Internet—to create a traveling hotspot you can use whenever you are in the cell phone company’s service area. A USB Internet device, called a USB Inter- net stick, acts like a modem and plugs into your laptop computer through a USB port, giving you wireless Internet service. In some instances, even your smartphone can serve as the wireless hotspot to your computer.

These services use mobile broadband telephone services from your cellular service provider, such as Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, or U.S. Cellular, for Internet access. A USB Internet stick looks similar to a USB memory device/USB stick/flash drive, and not every USB Internet stick works with all cellular phone provider networks. Contact your cel- lular phone company to obtain more information about devices that are compatible with that company’s network.

Remember that cell company data usage fees apply, and you will use your minutes when you use a mobile hotspot. Some hotspots can be expensive if you use them for any length of time. When deciding whether to use a local hotspot or a mobile hotspot through your phone, con- sider all the options available to you. In a large city where other hotspots are readily avail- able, using your smartphone mobile hotspot may be more expensive. In a rural area, though, a mobile hotspot may be the best option when running a wired connection would be very expensive and there aren’t many other choices.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images News/Getty Images

USB Internet sticks give you wireless Internet service.

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3.2 Getting the Most From Your Browser

You now know all the various ways you can access the Internet. However, you may not be aware of the many features of the browser you use to access the World Wide Web. Your browser lets you access your online class, keep up with the latest world news, watch videos, play games, use social media, and more. Typically available for free, the browser is the gate- way to everything you might want to do online.

Like the debates about which computer is best, people often have strong opinions about which browser they like best. As we discuss later in this section, it is a good idea to have more than one browser on your computer anyway, as a backup to your favorite one.

All browsers connect to the web in a similar way; the differences between them usually boil down to whether you like the interface—the look and feel of the browser, how easy it is for you to use it to navigate the web, the special features it offers, and the reliability and speed of that browser on your computer. The article at http://articles.centennialarts .com/2012/06/08/compar ison-on-a ll-major-web-browsers-inter net-ex plorer-safar i -firefox-and-google-chrome discusses the opinions of one writer about different browsers.

The list on the next page shows some of the most common browsers used today. Note that Ashford University Technology Requirements mandate that you use one of the first four browsers on the list.

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http://articles.centennialarts.com/2012/06/08/comparison-on-all-major-web-browsers-internet-explorer-safari-firefox-and-google-chrome

3.2 Getting the Most From Your Browser

• Internet Explorer: http://support.microsoft.com/Product/internet-explorer /internet-explorer-11

• Safari: http://www.apple.com. Click on the search icon (magnifying glass) in the upper right-hand corner of the screen and type “Safari.” Click on “OS X – Safari – Apple.”

• Chrome: https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/features.html • Firefox: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/desktop • Opera: http://www.opera.com • Dolphin: http://dolphin-browser.com/about

Because browsers are free, download two or three of them and try them out to see if you like the interface and the way they work with your computer. You can always uninstall a program and install a different browser if you later decide you do not like the one you originally chose.

To experience the look and feel of the many browsers available, check out the tutorials and information at the following links.

• Internet Explorer: “Getting Started With Internet Explorer 11” (included in tutorial titled “Browsing the Web”) is available at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us /windows-8/browse-web-internet-explorer-tutorial.

• Safari: “Mac Apps Support” provides an overview of new features in Safari and help with solving common problems and learning more about the browser on the Apple website. Click on the search icon (magnifying glass) in the upper right-hand corner of the screen and type “Safari support.” Click “Support” under the search bar. Click on “Safari Support – Browse featured articles, software updates, and other helpful resources.”

• Chrome: “Google Chrome Tutorial Index” provides a comprehensive list of resources to learn more about using the Google Chrome browser at http:// googlechrometutorial.com/Google-chrome-tutorials.html.

• Firefox: “Get Started With Firefox: An Overview of the Main Features” (https:// support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/get-started-firefox-overview-main-features) lists a table of contents with links to help you get started using the Firefox browser. You can also find links to additional articles and topics from Mozilla support at https:// www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/desktop.

It is a good idea, though, to have two browser programs loaded on your computer. Because browsers all search the web a little differently, you may find information searching on one browser that you do not find as easily on another. Browsers can also crash, and you may also occasionally get a message that your browser is “down,” a phrase that means it is inactive or nonoperational. When you install a browser on your computer, you will usually receive a message asking if you want to designate it as your default, or primary, browser. Choose one browser as your default and just leave the other browser installed as a backup. That way, if a problem occurs with your default browser, you will still be able to access the Internet.

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http://support.microsoft.com/Product/internet-explorer/internet-explorer-11

http://www.apple.com

https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/features.html

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/desktop

http://www.opera.com

http://dolphin-browser.com/about

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/browse-web-internet-explorer-tutorial

http://googlechrometutorial.com/Google-chrome-tutorials.html

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/get-started-firefox-overview-main-features

https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/desktop

3.3 Troubleshooting and Getting Help

It is nearly inevitable that at some point during your degree program, you will run into some sort of technical difficulty. Whatever you do, don’t panic! You have a lot of resources at your disposal, the most important of which can be found at the Ashford University Student Portal home page. There you will find links on your home page for technical assistance with any hardware, software, or Internet issues you may encounter. However, here are some options to keep in mind and try before you contact the Ashford University Technical Support team.

Solving Computer Technical Problems

It is after midnight. You need help with a computer problem, and everyone in your family is fast asleep (or you know more about the computer than others in your household). Maybe you are in a different time zone from your instructors and fellow students. It may be 12 hours or more before you can get a response from anyone about a technical issue you face. Or per- haps you are just stumped or frustrated about a recurring problem in one of your software programs that you do not know how to fix. What do you do?

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3.3 Troubleshooting and Getting Help

You will be happy to know that you have 24-hours- a-day, 7-days-a-week technical support at Ashford University, so you are never completely on your own. However, if you try to find the answer to the problem first, you may have the satisfaction of solv- ing it and may learn more in the process. Here are some suggestions you may consider for solving technical issues that might arise during your Ash- ford courses:

1. Ask your classmates. Don’t be afraid to reach out to fellow students for assistance with technical prob- lems. Others may be having the same problem and may benefit from your questions and answers. The Ashford Café and its links to social media sites are great ways to share computer technical knowledge with others.

2. Use your software Help menu. In most software programs, you will notice a question mark enclosed in a circle at the top of the page. Click this question mark to open the software pro- gram’s Help menu. You will generally see a search box where you can type a word or phrase that describes your problem, such as “indenting a paragraph in Microsoft Word.” Press the Enter key, and the software will provide suggestions or topics that may help you solve the problem.

3. Review software tutorials. Open your browser and search the web using the name of the software program and the word “tutorial.” For example, you may type “PowerPoint tutorial” and find step-by-step guides for how to navigate through a software program with which you are unfamiliar.

4. Search the web for help. Again, open your browser and, on your home page, describe the problem you are facing. You can type words, phrases, complete sentences, or questions. For example, you might type: “Internet Explorer keeps giving me the message 404 file not found. What does this mean?” Try typing these sentences on your browser home page now, and see what happens. You should see links to websites with lists of answers and explanations from various individuals and companies for what the problem means and how to solve it. Try their suggestions to see if one works.

5. Use Windows Task Manager. Sometimes too many software programs or screens open on your computer use a lot of memory, which can cause your computer to slow down, freeze, or lock up completely, so you cannot continue to work. Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Del. A menu should appear. Click “Start Task Manager,” and the Windows Task Manager window will open and display all the software programs that are currently running on your computer. Right-click on the name of any program you recognize but are not using at this time, and a drop-down menu will appear. Then, click “End Task.” Repeat this process until you have

Pashalgnatov/iStock/Thinkstock

Become familiar with your resources for solving technical issues before a problem occurs, so you know where to go for help.

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3.3 Troubleshooting and Getting Help

closed any programs you currently don’t need. To close the Windows Task Manager, click the X button in the upper right corner of the window.

6. Force Quit on Mac OS. A function similar to End Task in Microsoft Windows is Force Quit, which is available on Mac computers. There are four ways to Force Quit a software applica- tion on the Mac OS: (a) Click the icon for any software you are not using and hold down the left mouse button, then click “Force Quit” from the pop-up menu; (b) right-click on a software icon and choose “Force Quit” from the pop-up menu; (c) select from a list of applications to quit by clicking the Apple icon in the menu bar, then clicking “Force Quit”; and (d) use the keyboard shortcut Cmd+Opt+Shift+Esc to quit a software application you are currently using.

7. Reboot your computer or modem and router. If the processes described in steps 5 or 6 do not solve your problem, try saving any files you are working on and restarting your computer. This action will close the open programs on your computer, shut it down, and then restart it. Note that when you turn off a computer, all the data that has not been saved is lost. So remem- ber to save your work regularly and save and close any open files before you shut down your computer. If your computer is working but you cannot access the Internet, try rebooting your modem and router. (You may need to contact your Internet service provider to do this, not the Ashford Help Desk.)

8. Make sure you have installed all updates. Computer manufacturers issue regular updates to correct problems with their software and to make sure it is compatible with other new technologies. You will see a number of icons at the bottom right of the menu of your Windows computer screen. One of these icons will let you know if there are available updates to your software that have not yet been installed. Make sure to install them; they may correct a prob- lem you are having. Also, run a virus and malware scan using your security protection soft- ware. (See Module 6 for more information about this type of software.) On Mac computers, we recommend you set your system preferences to automatically install app updates whenever they are available.

9. Delete cookies and temporary Internet files. In Module 6 we will discuss ways in which your activities on the Internet are tracked. This tracking results in small data files called cookies and temporary or temp files being created and stored on your computer. If you do not delete these files regularly, they can slow down your computer, cause it to freeze, or create other problems. You can purchase computer cleanup or “optimizing” software programs to improve your computer’s performance. However, research such programs and read the reviews before purchasing them. You can also easily clean up your computer yourself and improve its perfor- mance by deleting cookies and temporary files. Use the Help menu to search for instructions on how to perform these tasks on your computer.

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3.3 Troubleshooting and Getting Help

If the listed actions do not successfully resolve your problems, don’t hesitate to contact your Ashford University Technical Support team for help. The following are some contact options available to you.

Contacting Ashford Technical Support

On your Ashford University Student Portal home page, you will find the following two catego- ries on the left navigation bar where you can access technical support:

1. Technical Support This category gives you the following two options:

a) Contact Info displays the information you need to access the Ashford Live Chat Help, hyperlinks for web support and Ashford support, and technical support telephone numbers.

b) Ashford University Phone Menu displays a menu for accessing technical support by phone for various types of technical issues you may encounter.

2. Live Chat Help Live Chat Help is available during normal business hours (Pacific Time). If you click this link during these hours, you will be connected to the technical support team. If you click at a time other than normal business hours, you will receive a message to contact your advisor by e-mail. Because e-mail responses can take up to two busi- ness days, you may want to try some of the other technical support options outlined earlier.

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Summary & Resources

Module Summary A critical component in your academic success is to have a secure and reliable Internet con- nection. The Internet is the world’s largest computer network, and it allows you to connect with any other computer on the planet. Networks are essential communication channels. They allow individuals in businesses and other organizations to share information and files and to collaborate, even though they may be separated by distance and time zones.

This module described the many options you have for connecting to the Internet, whether you are at home, at a specific location in town, or on the go. We also discussed steps you can take on your own to resolve technical problems you might encounter with your computer or online class. If you are not able to resolve problems using these ideas, don’t worry. Your Ash- ford University Technical Support team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to guide you through other possible solutions. We hope the information in this module and the support available to you from your course instructors, your Ashford advisors, your classmates, and the Ashford University Technical Support team gives you confidence that assistance is always available to help you succeed at Ashford University. Don’t hesitate to ask for it!

Critical-Thinking Questions

1. What type of computer network do you use to gain access to the Internet and com- plete your course work? What are your options for connecting outside a home network?

2. Which four browsers are acceptable for completing your courses? What does your browser enable you to do?

3. What steps should you take if you have computer problems or experience difficulty connecting to the Internet?

Key Terms computer network A group of computers that connects with other computer networks and individual electronic devices, so each computer can send and receive information to and from other computers and peripheral devices.

interface The point where the user and the device interact. The interface is represented by the look, feel, and overall user experience of a device, browser, or operating system.

Internet A massive global computer net- work of other computers and other, smaller networks.

intranets Internal networks that busi- nesses and organizations use to share files and information among stakeholders, develop collaborative projects, and share computer applications.

modem In a home or office network, the device that connects with the Internet through a telephone landline.

router In a home or office computer net- work, the device that connects the computer to the modem, other computers in the home, and/or a printer or other devices to share data and information.

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Summary & Resources

USB Internet stick A small device that acts like a modem, plugs into your laptop computer through a USB port, and gives you wireless Internet service. These services use mobile broadband telephone services from cellular service providers.

Wi-Fi Internet service Wireless access to the Internet, whether in a home, business, or public space.

World Wide Web Commonly known as “the web,” a method of accessing and shar- ing information on the Internet. The web is likely the part of the Internet with which people are most familiar.

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