This installment of Macspiration is less on instruction and more on explaining. You see, recently, I have had to troubleshoot the internet for several family members. During the process the topic I am about to discuss came up over and over again. Based on those discussions, I figure there are others out there who could benefit from this Macspiration.
Most people use the internet for visiting websites and/or email. What some people don’t realize is that an internet connection is required for both visiting websites and checking email. You need the internet to check your email (through an email program like mail or through a website like www.gmail.com). The internet is not using Safari for visiting webpages with email being a totally separate entity. The internet is both of these things.
If you lose your internet connection due to faulty hardware or connection issues you will not be able to check your email and you will not be able to visit any websites. If you can do one of these and not the other then your internet connection is working and there is a software issue (probably a setting is off).
In order to connect to the internet you need a modem. If you use dial-up internet it is possible that the modem is built into your computer. If you use cable or DSL your modem will be a box outside of the computer. Think of the modem as a special phone for dialing the internet. Without a modem you won’t have the internet.
So, what do you do if you think you are having connection issues? Well, if you have a family member or friend who is knowledgeable you can call him/her first. If that does not help it is probably time to call your internet provider. If the family member/friend is nice you might be able to convince him/her to make the call for you. The providers on the other end of the phone always try to talk in simplest terms, but it is always better to have someone talk to them who knows what they are talking about.
That phone call might result in a quick fix, if you are lucky. If not, you might need a new modem, or you might need a service call. Either way, don’t panic.
So, I hope my explanation above makes things clearer instead of making them more complicated.
Leave your comments below.
***For you hardcore/advance readers- I know the internet and email is a lot more complicated than the way I described it. I am trying to make things basic and simple for your grandmother to understand.
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