Internet On-Ramp: Ready to surf the ‘Net’? Experts reveal the way

By now, you’ve heard the terms “surfing the Net,” “flaming,” “netiquette,” “gophering” and “the Web.” Maybe you’ve received business cards with e-mail addresses such as billg@microsoft.com

This is the language of the Internet – a free-wheeling collection of about five million computers linking 45,000 networks around the world.

Some of these networks are very large, such as the NSFnet (National Science Foundation Network). Others might be as small as one server at a corporation, military installation, school – such as Poudre Elementary and Colorado State University – and maybe even your own organization.

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More than 30 million people have already “plugged” into this network, with a billion netizens projected by the year 2000. And with the release of products such as Microsoft’s Windows 95 and the Microsoft Network, it’s getting easier for folks to jump aboard the Information Superhighway.

The Internet helps people accomplish tasks that enhance their personal and professional lives. For example, you can search for information on almost any topic – business, politics, hobbies, sports, jobs, health – anything. You’ll find appropriate sources and be able to view information, or download it as a file. Or, you could view all kinds of stuff graphically by using what’s called a Web browser, through which you can cruise the World Wide Web.

You can get information not only from around the world but also from your own community. Fort Collins-based FortNet carries all kinds of things relevant to Northern Colorado.

Howard Grapek, FortNet’s Webmaster, said, “Fort Collins is unique because it has more community spirit than most other places – it’s a big little town. We have local events, resources, job leads, business information, weather, local news – anything you can think of that relates to the community, as well as links to other cities and states.”

According to Trish O’Keefe Little, vice president of customer support for Denver’s SuperNet, some people have even saved their jobs by having online access.

“One woman called us, desperately trying to find one of Clinton’s speeches for her boss, who said her job was on the line if she couldn’t get it by the next morning,” Little said. “We told her how to search for it online and download it. She’s still working.”

Being in cyberspace is a boon to businesses.

“Companies use the Internet to save money, conduct online commerce, check up on competitors, and to disseminate information about their products and services,´ said Kent McBride of Denver’s Online System Services.

OSS provides The Internet Game to help bring the Internet “down to earth” for new users.

“Businesses need at least e-mail to enhance their fax capabilities,´ said R. Glenn York, president of Jym Information Systems in Fort Collins. “That way, you don’t have to worry about time zones – you can communicate within 24 hours if your customers are in Europe or even New York.”

Before jumping onto the bandwagon, whether you’re an entrepreneur or just want to have fun, however, “you should consider training” from companies such as OSS or “sit down with a knowledgeable friend,” York contends.

Although “kids fly through the learning curve by experimenting, adults have a tendency to worry about what happens whey they press a key,´ said Matt Garton, president of Loveland’s Online Marketing Network, or OMNI. “Adults have to develop a youthful attitude – the Internet is best learned by doing.”

Ken Harmon, networking consultant with Loveland-based KRH Group, suggests “reading for the lingo and to find out the hardware and software requirements for your Mac, PC and modem.” He points out that many Internet books include disks for some of the basic Internet software.

“You’ll also need a fairly robust reference book, especially when you run into roadblocks you’re like to encounter,” Harmon said, recommending “The Whole Internet” by Ed Krol (O’Reilley & Associates). One of the most popular introductory books is Peter Kent’s “10-Minute Guide to the Internet” (Que), which covers everything you need to know to get started and ramp up with all the Internet’s tools.

The basic requirements for Internet access are a dial-up connection through a modem, communications software and an Internet service provider (ISP) or full-service bulletin board. You can also hook up through a commercial online service, such as American Online or CompuServe. Although there are 25 ISPs in Colorado, only a handful offer local-access phone numbers in Northern Colorado – FortNet, OMNI, SuperNet, Jym Information Systems, KnightWeb and soon, WeldNet.

ISPs use what’s called a SLIP or PPP connection, enabling you to dial in and log on to the ISP host computers with a user name and password. For a setup see and monthly charge ranging from $6 to $50, you can get a variety of services for the time you spend online. ISPs also offer the necessary TCP/IP and other complex Internet browser and search software or their own interfaces that make setting up connections fairly easy.

However, before signing up, shop around. “There are many consultants and ISPs out there trying to make a buck, but they’re not good at customer service or support,” SuperNet’s Little said. “Get some references, look at their Web pages, talk to people you know.”

She recommends asking questions such as: What is your downtime? What are they chances of getting a busy signal when I dial in? What are the hours for your technical support and help desk – do you provide 24-hour support? How much assistance will you give me to help configure my software?

Don’t expect to get up to speed in a day. Like anything worthwhile, using the Internet productively takes time. Many people believe they can turn on their computer for the first time and download information from all over the world within minutes. Unfortunately, they’ll be disappointed. But if you take the time to practice, you’ll find the Net a useful tool and an enriching experience.