Apple Power Macintosh 4400 - Manual (Page 74)

About the Internet and its language
The Internet, or “Net” as it’s sometimes called, is a loosely knit federation of
computer networks that “speak” the same language. The language in this case,
is a communications standard known as the Internet protocol, or IP.
No one individual or company owns the Internet, and the individual
computers and the networks of computers knitted into it are located all over
the world. Originally created for military purposes, the Internet developed
dramatically as universities began using it to share information and data. It
has now become an expansive resource for millions of users around the
world, catering to virtually every imaginable interest.
You may have come upon the term TCP/IP, or Transmission Control Protocol.
TCP/IP is the series of protocols used for sending data across the Internet.
Sending a message across the Internet involves a three-step process. First, a
network computer breaks up the data that make up the message into several
smaller data packages, each of which conforms to a strict set of guidelines.
These guidelines are called TCP. Once the computer has properly prepared the
packages, it sends them out for delivery. The packets’ addresses, directions on
how to deliver them, and other routing specifications are dictated by the other
set of guidelines mentioned earlier, Internet Protocol (IP). Because of the
Internet’s complexity, the packages may not travel together, even though they
are bound for the same address, and may even arrive at different times. Using
TCP, the computer at the receiving end unscrambles the packets and sorts the
data to re-create the original message.
Using your modem to connect to an Internet service provider or an online service
Once you have physically connected your modem to a phone line, you have
several choices to make before you can get to the Internet. First, you must
connect to and open an account with an electronic service provider. Providers
fall generally into two categories: Internet service providers (ISPs) and online
services. Each has its distinct qualities; both charge a fee for your account.
Your Macintosh comes with two software packages that give you the choice of
connecting with an ISP or an online service. The software items are the Apple
Internet Connection Kit (AICK) and America Online (AOL), respectively.
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