CST.net FAQs Basics

Frequently Asked Questions - The Basics

The Basics

What is the World Wide Web?
The world wide web, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol, is a connectionless client/server protocol that was invented in 1993 by Tim Berners Lee at CERN. Web servers can deliver a wide variety of media files using MIME. Web clients, like Netscape and Microsoft Internet Explorer make requests (i.e. they send URL's to servers) of Web Servers, to which the web server responds by delivering the requested file, running the requested script, or generating an appropriate error message (like "Error 404 file not found"). Standards for the World Wide Web (HTTP) protocol are kept by the IETF in what are known as RFC's.
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What is the Internet? Why would I want to access it?
The internet is the world's largest network of computers, and is the fastest growing segment of both the computing and telecommunications industries. A network of networks, the internet offers anyone with a computer direct access to information in hospitals, libraries, colleges, the ability to communicate with others over long distances for very inexpensive rates, a source of entertainment and a way to enjoy multi-player games with people from around the world, and an inexpensive way to publish multimedia materials on a large scale, before a prospective audience of millions. An internet account turns your computer into a communications and data access device that can bring you information from almost all the world's great computing centers. The internet is a network that operates primarily using TCP/IP; the standards and engineering progress of the internet technology are maintained by the Internet Engineering Task Force and reposited in what are known as RFC's.
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How much does it cost to access Cyberstation and the Internet?
For our most current prices please visit our pricing page.
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How can I join Cyberstation and access the Internet?
To sign up with Cyberstation you have two options:
1. Come in to our office and sign up for one of our services.
2. Use our online signup form here.
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What kind of computer knowledge do I need to get on the Internet?
You don't have to be a computer expert to use the Internet!! However, you will find the Internet much more enjoyable and much less frustrating if you already possess a few very simple and basic computer skills before you set out to learn the Internet. Here are what we consider to be the basic computer skills necessary to enjoy the Internet fully:

You should know how to browse and navigate your computer's file system.
You should know how to find files on your hard drive.
You should know how to create, name, rename, copy and move files and directories on your machine.
You should know how to navigate among and between different windows and applications.
You should know how to use the clipboard to copy, cut, and paste.
You should know how to add and remove icons to your desktop.
You should know how to add and remove programs on your computer.
You should be able to type, at least enough to get by.
You should be able to organize and keep track of things like passwords, files, url's and directories.
You should know how to start and shutdown your computer.

Note that none of these things has anything to do with the internet. This is basic "how to use a computer" skills 101, and your operating system vendor is the party responsible for supporting users in performing these type of activities. Cyberstation cannot afford to support all of our users in the basics of using their computer and operating system, and because these issues are not at all internet related we do not offer free technical support in these areas. Learning basic usage of your own computer is your responsibility, and supporting you in that task is the responsibility of the operating system vendor. Technical problems involving proper routing and deliver of TCP/IP to your site or problems with our servers are always answered with free technical support.
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What kind of computer do I need to get on the Internet?
That depends on what you want to do. If you are comfortable with the strictly text based world of the UNIX command line then almost any computer will get you a terminal session on our office servers, and you will have full internet access. However, if you are going to use graphical browsers, and multimedia (audio, video) applications on the internet, you must have a machine that is capable of doing what you really want to do with a computer.
The following are guidelines for those that want to get the most from their internet experience, and those that want to use computers as a part of their business. Those on a smaller budget or those who are more casual users of computer services can ignore these recommendations, expecially if they are satisfied with the current performance of their internet account. However, for those that want a machine that will make internet fast and fun, here is what we currently recommend for a high-quality internet workstation:

Processor: Pentium III 500MHz or AMD Athlon 500MHz
Memory: at least 32 megabytes, preferably 64 or more
Audio: 32bit Sound Blaster compatible audio card or better. Powered speakers, high quality microphone.
Video: minimum 8mb video memory, 17" multi-sync (high refresh) monitor.
Hard Disk: 10gig or better (Depending on how much you will likely download to your computer)
CDROM: min 16x speed, 40x preferred
OS: Windows 98SE, Windows Me, or Windows 2000
Modem: 56k US Robotics modem, We DO NOT recommend WinModems, however

Purchasing a machine with these specifications will provide the professional, business, or power user with a tool that is reliable, fast, and gives a high quality video and audio experience. This is exactly the type of machine that we use for workstations here at Cyberstation. If you want to really use the internet to accomplish something we highly recommend you obtain a machine of this caliber.
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Where can I find an Internet dictionary or a glossary of terms?
There are several glossaries of Net-terms available online:

Where can I find help for new Internet users?
There are a variety of sources for new user help. Here is a list of CyberStation's favorites:

What is Dial-Up access?
Dial-up access to Cyberstation requires three things: a computer, modem, and phone line.
After signing up with our service you dial a phone number every time that you want to connect to Cyberstation. Your modem communicates with our modems and transmits data over the phone lines at speeds up to 56000 bytes/ second.
Modems have been the standard for many years, but now are being eclipsed by other options like ISDN and DSL. Still, the majority of Cyberstation users use modems to access our network.
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What is DSL?
Digital Subscriber Line, or DSL, is a technology for bringing high-bandwidth connectivity to homes and small businesses over ordinary copper telephone lines. Connection speeds for DSL typically range from 1.544 Mbps to 512 Kbps downstream and around 128 Kbps upstream. In addition, a DSL line allows for one line to carry both voice and data signals, and for the data part of the line to be continuously connected. DSL achieves higher data transfer rates by utilizing more of the available bandwidth spectrum. Ordinary telephone service only makes use of the 0 - 3400 Hz frequency range, which accounts for the 56 Kbps speed limit on standard analog modems. DSL eludes the 3400 Hz frequency boundary by outmoding the digital-to-analog conversion that modems perform and connecting both ends digitally. Hence, larger bandwidth is available, allowing higher transfer rates.

DSL's use of the existing twisted pair infrastructure makes it cheaper to install than other services which require additional cable to be laid. And unlike cable modems, DSL is not a bus technology, so the bandwidth available to the end user is more consistent.

DSL allows users to receive information from the internet at speeds up to 1.54Mbps and transmit data up to 128kbps. This speed is 50 to 100 times faster than conventional analog modems.
Click here for more in-depth information about DSL
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What is ISDN?
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is a high-quality, switched digital communications service that gives your standard phone line the ability to transmit voice, data, and packet data simultaneously at a relatively low-cost.

With ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), you can have multiple digital channels over your phone jack. You don't need separate lines for phoning, faxing, running your computer, or even for live videoconferences. ISDN provides:

Integrated access: One connection combines multiple services, multiple devices, and multiple destinations.
End-to-end digital connections: ISDN gives you digital speed from start to finish.
Standard interfaces: Standard interfaces ensure easy installation.
Message-oriented signaling: ISDN won't distort or lose your information like analog data transmission.

Often ISDN is an excellent choice for the consumer that wants a quicker internet experience and are outside the range of DSL service.
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What is wireless?
Now busy signals, slow connections and long conversations with your phone company can be a thing of the past. Let Cyberstation, Inc. connect you to the fastest internet access in Wichita Falls. Using a small antenna on your building and a radio bridge setup for connection, this new wireless service has many advantages.

200 Times Faster Than A 56k Modem
No Telephone Charges
Dedicated "Always On" Connection To The Internet
Best Solution For Connecting Branch Offices
Less Expensive And Faster Than Current ISDN Connections

A wireless connection also offers options such as video conferencing, running a web server or simply enjoying lightning fast internet access.

Speeds range from 2.0MB/sec burstable to 11MB/sec downstream.
Click here to find out more about wireless internet access
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What is an ISP?
ISP stands for internet service provider. An internet service provider is what someone in our business is called. Basically an ISP like Cyberstation provides access to the internet (usually purchased in bulk from a larger provider) for home and business users, provides consulting of various kinds related to the internet, and produces programming and services for the internet. Our primary job function is to correctly deliver TCP/IP packets to our subscribers, to produce and maintain services on our internet servers, and to provide custom consulting and programming related to internetworking, databases, the web, UNIX, and TCP/IP.
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CST.net FAQs Basics

Frequently Asked Questions - The Basics

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