Software

To get onto the internet from home, all you need is an internet service provider (ISP) and a modem (either a telephone modem or a cable modem). Telephone modems have gotten a lot faster over the years, but due to FCC regulations, the fastest you can connect at over a telephone line is 56K. If you want to go faster, you need to get a cable modem (usually from your cable company).

Ethernet and LocalTalk are local networks of computers connected to eachother (like at a school or office). There will usually be direct internet service through the network. To connect to a LocalTalk network, you will need the appropriate adapter (based on the connecting cable being used) that will plug into the printer port. Ask your network administrator which adapter to get and how to configure your system. LocalTalk isn't used too much any more. Here are the cables you may need to connect to LocalTalk:

Some Macs come with a built in Ethernet port. If you have one in the back of your computer it will look like a large telephone jack and have a symbol that looks like this: . All you need to do is plug into the network and Ask your network administrator how to configure your system.

If you don't have built in Ethernet or ISDN and need to connect to one of those networks, you will need to get a card (see installation instructions)

Modems


Cards


Other Equipment