Surfing is connecting to the Worldwide Web and following links on the pages you read to other pages, either in a focused way (research) or in a random way (following a link from one page to another that appeals to you or stimulates your curiosity).

Is Web TV a good alternative?

If you can't afford to purchase a computer for home right now, but want to get your feet wet with the Internet, Web TV may be a good option.  For about $150 plus a $20 per month (apprx.)  fee, you will get the Web TV box, a keyboard and an e-mail account that will typically accommodate up to five users.  If all you want to do is browse and do research, this may be a good choice.

What is the minimum I need to surf the Web with a computer?

• Computer   (Any kind. You'll enjoy it more with a fast processor and 16+ megabytes of memory.)
• Modem    (The higher the baud rate the faster it is.  Faster is better.  28.8 baud is standard.)
• Telephone line   (Disable call waiting temporarily to avoid breaking your Internet connection if a call comes in.)
• Browser software   (Big names like Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator are the ones to use. Use version 4.0 or higher and upgrade often--it's usually free.)
• Account with an Internet Service Provider   (AOL, Compuserve, MCI, ATT, Netcom, FlashNet, Sprint to name a few large ones.  Set up an account with one that has a local dial-up number to avoid long distance charges.)

What are ``links" and how do I use them?

Link is short for ``hyperlink".  A hyperlink usually appears on a web page as blue or colored text, typically underlined, or, it may be an image.  When you put the cursor on it, the cursor changes shape.  When you click on the hyperlinked word(s) or image, the browser calls up a different page from the Internet, and displays it on your screen.  The effect is as if you had seen a reference to a chart in a book, and temporarily left the place you were reading to go look up the chart. Links can go anywhere--to people's resumes, pop-up e-mail windows, press releases, scholarly treatises, beautiful graphic images, online games, famous person fan sites, or bizarre and whacky cult groups, to name a few.     

Once I connect with my Internet provider and my browser opens, what do I do?

Your browser may be set up to open on a certain company's home page (usually either your employer or your browser company's home page).  On the typing line, type in a URL or web address (usually in the form http://www.companyname.com) that you want to visit.  Once there, click on any hyperlink that looks interesting to you.

What are some good opening good places for a novice to visit and know about?

It's definitely a matter of personal taste and interest.  Here are a couple of good, general sites you can try as a jumping off  point. Don't be afraid to point and click and see where you end up! And if you find something you want to come back to, be sure to save it as a ``Favorite" or ``Bookmark".  There is no limit to the number of  Favorites or Bookmarks you can have.