Registering Domain Names and Finding an ISP
Unlike online services, which are centrally controlled, the Internet is decentralized by design. Each Internet computer, called a host, is independent. Its operators can choose which Internet services to use and which local services to make available to the global Internet community. It sounds confusing at first, because it is. The Internet just IS, the online service providers are who connect you to the internet. The major ones are MSN, and America Online.The internet is not synonymous with World Wide Web. The Internet is a networking infrastructure. It connects millions of computers together globally, forming a network in which any computer can communicate with any other computer as long as they are both connected to the internet, while the web is a way of accessing information over the medium of the Internet.
In the last article we talked about choosing a domain name. If you've done your research as to whether your chosen name is available, you are now ready to move on and register that domain name, and find an ISP. ISP stands for Internet Service Provider (you already have one if you're online right now) as an individual, now you have to find one for your website. You've gone through your checklist and know if you want to manage your own site or have someone else do it for you. There are two basic levels of service: Virtual Web Hosting and Virtual Domain Hosting.
L. Robyn O'Hara
