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Evidence-based Medicine Resource Center
Fact Sheet

Connecting to the Internet

Basics

In order to connect to the Internet, you will need: A Computer Anti-Viral Software A Modem A Web Browser* An Email Software Package* An Internet Service Provider

YOUR COMPUTER

In order to connect to the Internet (really, to run Netscape or Microsoft Internet Explorer) you will need a PC with a minimum of Windows 95 or 98. The New York Academy of Medicine's Information Systems staff (IS) recommends:

• Pentium II 200, with 64 Megs of Ram
• 4 Gig Hard Disk
• 15" Monitor
• Mouse
• Keyboard
• Floppy Drive
• DVD/CD ROM player
• Sound Blaster sound card with speakers
• USRobotics 56K internal modem.

When purchasing the PC, have the vendor pre-install all desired software and hardware, including any additional memory or software.

Also, be sure to purchase a recent Anti-Virus Software. IS recommends:

• McAfee Anti-Virus
  

Your Modem

If you already have a computer, and just need to install a modem, our IS staff recommends:

• USRobotics 56K internal modem

IS suggests an internal modem over the external modem because of workspace constraints (the external takes up more space on your already cramped workspace), and an internal modem does not reqire an additional power cord.

If you are not comfortable installing your new modem, speak to your vendor about getting help in the installation.

Email Software*

Most Internet Service Providers will have a facility to read email. However, you might like to purchase an additional email software program. There are a number of programs that will help you manage email. IS recommends:

• MS Outlook 98
• Eudora 4.X

Outlook has the advantage of being bundled with Microsoft Professional Office, and being a personal information manager as well as an email manager.

Your Browser*

Some Internet Service Providers provide you with a package that comes with their own Web Browser. However, you might want to use one of the standard browsers:

• Netscape
• Microsoft Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer has the advantage of coming as part of the Microsoft package in Windows95, however Netscape has become a web standard for many pages (and therefore might provide a cleaner connection).

Internet Providers

Below is a VERY selected list of Internet Service Providers. We have provided prices for their basic packages (as determined by phone or via their web page). Please do NOT consider their inclusion on this list as an endorsement.

Basic packages may include a number of things, including:

Email, some with multiple mailboxes World Wide Web Access Newservers Browsers	Chat Rooms Telnet Access FTP Access Personal Web Pages

Please CALL individual Internet Service Providers before you buy. Determine what services they offer and for what prices. Search engines like Yahoo can help you to find other Internet Service Providers.

National:

AOL - Prices: 100 free hours or one free month at startup; $21.95 per month thereafter
1-800-827-6364

AT&T Worldnet - Prices: Standard Price Plan (150 hours of AT&T WorldNet Service usage for $14.95/month, with additional hours billed at $.99 per hour).
1-800-WORLDNET

CompuServe - Prices: 100 hours or one month free for first month; unlimited access: $19.95 per month thereafter.
1-888-292-3900

Earthlink - Prices: $19.95 per month for unlimited access.
1-888-EARTHLINK

Mindspring - Prices: $19.95 per month for unlimited access.
1-888-MSPRING

Prodigy - Prices: 250 hours free for first month; $189 per year for unlimited access.
1-800-PRODIGY

RCN - Prices: $19.95 per month for unlimited access.
1-800-RING-RCN

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Updated: 8/27/99
Patricia E. Gallagher