1. What restrictions do Internet service providers (ISPs) have when accessing the Internet? There are four limitations when using an ISP the speed of the connection he reliability of the connection the volume of information you can download, measured in megabytes(MB) per month he time you can be connected to the Internet (hours per month) Each ISP will have a selection of plans and prices from which you can choose the best value for money to suit your needs 2. The difference between isPs Some ISPs will have added advantages, including access to more information, more accessible(user-friendly) information, or parental controls that can shield you from unsavour Some ISPs can be set up immediately with a credit card; others may require visiting a of', Some ISPs expect you to commit for a 12-month period, some three months, but most are Some ISPs have good customer service, others have none or expect you to wait on the telephone for a long time Some ISPs have only a limited number of phone lines, you may try to connect to the Internet and get an engaged tone Some ISPs have only a small connection to the outside world, which restricts the speed at which you can download information Some ISPs have local numbers allowing you to connect from different locations around Australia. Look for 13, 1300 or 1800 numbers. This is useful if you own a portable computer and Some ISPs allow you to check your email online(from any computer) 3. How can you access the internet? inoe Iome-users access through a"modem"(an electronic box that converts your computer signal into a voice signal) down their telephone line. This is known as a"dial-up connection". This is the easiest and cheapest option to connect to the Internet. Consider this option first When you know more about the Internet, you can also use DS L or IsDN, cable or satellite. These are more costly to implement but have faster speeds and do not tie up your phone line. This is only recommended for the more advanced users 4. Which plan should you choose? How regularly do you intend to use the Internet? You can estimate the time you are likely to spend on the Internet, and the volume of information from the following guide Low use: eg, checking bank balances, the weather or specific items every few days Medium use: eg, daily reading of the newspapers, daily checking of email or news groups Heavy use: eg, chatting to friends, downloading a few songs, downloading a few pieces of software, playing online games Very heavy use: eg, downloading videos, video chatting, downloading lots of songs or large pieces of software Low users should consider a plan of 10 or 20 hours per month, 300MB download per month (but be careful of additional charges mentioned below) Medium users should allow more time on the Internet, around 50 hours per month. A 300 MB download limit should still suffice Heavy users who wish to chat online(by typing, not by voice or video), or who are heavily into research should consider a plan where you can stay on the Internet for an unl imited time. A 300 MB download limit should sufficesoftware . 1．What restrictions do Internet service providers (ISPs) have when accessing the Internet? There are four limitations when using an ISP: ▪ the speed of the connection. ▪ the reliability of the connection. ▪ the volume of information you can download, measured in megabytes (MB) per month. ▪ the time you can be connected to the Internet (hours per month). ▪ Each ISP will have a selection of plans and prices from which you can choose the best value for money to suit your needs. 2．The difference between ISPs ▪ Some ISPs will have added advantages, including access to more information, more accessible (user-friendly) information, or parental controls that can shield you from unsavoury information. ▪ Some ISPs can be set up immediately with a credit card; others may require visiting a shop. ▪ Some ISPs expect you to commit for a 12-month period, some three months, but most are monthly. ▪ Some ISPs have good customer service; others have none or expect you to wait on the telephone for a long time. ▪ Some ISPs have only a limited number of phone lines, you may try to connect to the Internet and get an engaged tone. ▪ Some ISPs have only a small connection to the outside world, which restricts the speed at which you can download information. ▪ Some ISPs have local numbers allowing you to connect from different locations around Australia. Look for 13, 1300 or 1800 numbers. This is useful if you own a portable computer and travel. ▪ Some ISPs allow you to check your email online (from any computer). 3．How can you access the Internet? Home-users access through a “modem” (an electronic box that converts your computer signal into a voice signal) down their telephone line. This is known as a “dial-up connection”. This is the easiest and cheapest option to connect to the Internet. Consider this option first. When you know more about the Internet, you can also use DSL or ISDN, cable or satellite. These are more costly to implement but have faster speeds and do not tie up your phone line. This is only recommended for the more advanced users. 4．Which plan should you choose? How regularly do you intend to use the Internet? You can estimate the time you are likely to spend on the Internet, and the volume of information from the following guide: ▪ Low use: eg, checking bank balances, the weather or specific items every few days. ▪ Medium use: eg, daily reading of the newspapers, daily checking of email or news groups. ▪ Heavy use: eg, chatting to friends, downloading a few songs, downloading a few pieces of software, playing online games ▪ Very heavy use: eg, downloading videos, video chatting, downloading lots of songs or large pieces of software. Low users should consider a plan of 10 or 20 hours per month, 300MB download per month (but be careful of additional charges mentioned below). Medium users should allow more time on the Internet, around 50 hours per month. A 300 MB download limit should still suffice. Heavy users who wish to chat online (by typing, not by voice or video), or who are heavily into research should consider a plan where you can stay on the Internet for an unlimited time. A 300 MB download limit should suffice