Getting Connected to the Internet Everything you need from picking a great Internet provider to getting a computer.

Finding an Internet Provider - The place to visit is Broadbandreports.com  - Here you can  learn all about the providers in your local area.

1. Practicallynetworked.com - A great site for helping you build/configure your own home network, and share a modem connection to the Internet. He also talks about security issues.
2. homenethelp - another comprehensive site that walks you through all aspects of home networking. 
3. CERT provides some general security advice: Home Computer Security, and  Home Network Security.
4. NEVAS Cable / DSL Modem Tuning Guide -Includes lots of advice and security tips as well.

Wireless is becoming a popular choice.  Be sure to learn everything you can about wireless before you implement it. Read this article about wireless security from PC Magazine.  People are actually out prowling for your wireless network; see  Warchalking.org and Pittsburgh Wireless Community (Pittsburg WIFI Survey) Wireless security articles., A war-driving set-up, netstumbler (national map) (example screen shots).

Network Address  translation (NAT) is the translation of an IP number from one network segment into an IP Number that is used within another network segment.   These translations occur for each packet of traffic as it flows across the NAT device. NAT is often used where a private network touches a public network, such as: the ISP towards your house; or within your own Network (Your modem  towards your Internal LAN)  There are certain IP numbers allocated for use on Private networks. (reference: RFC’s 1918, 1631) . Additional details about NAT are located here: HowStuffworks , homenethelp , The NAT Page .

A simple NAT Diagram:

To see your computer’s actual IP Address:     
   - Windows 95, 98: Start -> run -> winipcfg
   - Windows NT,2000, XP:  DOS Prompt -> ipconfig /all
       (the DOS Prompt is under : start --> programs (--> accessories) --> Command Prompt)

1. CPU Speed - The slowest speed on the market is PLENTY fast enough for standard websurfing, word processing etc. I would not spend  premium $$ to get the "fastest CPU" until my money has first been spent on the other items below.  (Unless of course you want to do 3-d gaming, video editing,   voice recognition, etc.)
2. Reliable Name brand such as Gateway, Dell, Hewlett-Packard.  
3. RAM - The more the better.  No less than 256  MB for windows XP.
4. Display - This is what you look at all day.  17"  is a good size.   Most manufacturers offer two models at 17" - pay the extra ~$100 for the better display (smaller dot pitch, higher refresh rates, etc.)  LCD Screens are also becoming quite affordable, and they take up much less space. 
5. Modem - Pay the small extra amount to get a better brand modem, unless you know you will be using a broadband connection
6. Ethernet - This is often used when getting a broadband connection (cable or DSL).
7. Hard Disk - For a small fee ($30-$50) you can often upgrade to a much large size.
8. CD-ROM - consider upgrading to CD-RW - Then you can easily make backups of your own files.  Your will need CD-RW if you get into digital music or digital photography.
9. Sound Card, Video Card - Not much need to pay premium $$ here, unless your computer will also be used for "3-D Virtual Reality Games", or video processing.  Video cards are  also important if you use a very large monitor (19"+)

Once you are connected, try testing your connection using one of these speed test pages: Toast.net , speedtest , DSLReports, Speedometer from Mcafee, Bandwidthplace_speeedtest.

Note for my Alumni: Your referrals are always appreciated