Basic Needs

Last updated on June 26, 1996
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Obviously, you're going to need a personal computer (PC) with the appropriate hardware and software configuration. Consider machines produced by all the major manufacturers which are readily available in the U.S.:

Acer Compaq Hewlett-Packard Sun
Apple Dell IBM Zenith
AST Digital Packard Bell
AT&T Gateway 2000 NEC

For a comprehensive list of manufacturers of microcomputers and peripherals check the directory pages at Yahoo.

Don't overlook the major mail-order vendors Dell and Gateway 2000 in your comparison shopping. Don't rule out rebuilt or reconditioned older machines if they bear a reasonable warranty. Either could save you a lot of money.

The recommendations in the table below are designed to assist you in making decisions while you're shopping for your PC. The minimal configuration should bear a price tag in the $1,500 - $2,000 range, the optimal in the $4,000 - $5,000 range depending on the models and options you select and the vendor you choose. If you're planning on getting a color laser printer, add about $3,500 to your budget.

PC Hardware/Software Recommendations for Dial-up Internet Access
Minimal Configuration
Hardware:
 Software:
486/25 mhz processor DOS 5.x or better
120 MB hard disk drive Windows 3.x, Windows NT or Windows95
8 MB RAM SLIP/PPP dialer and TCP/IP stack

(Chameleon/Newt) - (Trumpet Winsock)
1.44 MB 3½" floppy diskette drive Internet browser - 16-bit (Netscape 1.x)
14.4K baud internal or external modem POP Email - 16-bit (Eudora)
1 MB 16-bit video RAM FTP - 16-bit(WS-FTP)
SVGA color monitor IRC Chat - 16-bit (WSIRC)
.27 dot pitch Graphics coder/viewer - 16 bit (LView Pro)
B&W graphics printer. News Reader - 16-bit (WINVN)
Pointing device (PC or serial mouse) Telnet - 16-bit (TRUMPTEL or QVTNET)
Optimal Configuration
Hardware:
 Software:
Pentium 133 mhz processor DOS 6.x
2.0 gigabyte hard disk drive Windows NT or Windows95
16 MB RAM SLIP/PPP dialer and TCP/IP stack

(provided with PC)
1.44 MB 3½" floppy diskette drive Internet browser - 32-bit (Netscape 2.x)
28.8K baud internal POP Email - 32-bit (Eudora)
data/FAX modem News Reader - 32-bit (WINVN)
16 MB 64-bit PCI video RAM FTP - 32-bit (WS-FTP)
SVGA .25 dot pitch color monitor IRC Chat - 32-bit (mIRC)
non-interlaced flat screen Graphics decoder/viewer - 32-bit (LView Pro)
Pointing device/joystick Telnet - 32-bit (provided with PC)

A minimal configuration will allow full Internet access using a dial-up connection through one of the standard protocols:

  • SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol)

  • PPP (Point to Point Protocol)

Access to the Internet is significantly enhanced through the use of a browser with a GUI (Graphical User Interface - pronounced gooey) such as Netscape. Access to the Internet requires TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) software in place on your PC. Many of the most useful Internet functions are based in electronic mail (email). Your Internet Service Provider should supply you with a personal POP (Point of Presence) email account and all the software you will need to establish a dial-up connection via modem to the Internet from your PC, including:

FTP WS_FTP 16 bit
WS_FTP 32 bit 		POP Email Eudora Lite - 16 & 32 bit
Gopher BCGOPHER News Reader WINVN - 16 & 32 bit
GUI Browser Netscape 1.2
Netscape 2.0 		SLIP/PPP dialer Chameleon 4.5 - 16 bit
IRC mIRC 32 bit
WSIRC 2.0 - 16 bit 		TCP/IP stack Trumpet WINSOCK - 16 bit
Ping WSPING Telnet QVTNET 4.0 - 16 bit

If you'll be using Windows 3.x without WIN32S you'll need the 16-bit versions. If you'll be using Windows 3.x with WIN32S, or Windows NT or Windows 95, you'll need the 32-bit versions, although the 16-bit versions may also work in 32-bit systems. You will have to let your Internet service provider know what operating system you're using in order to receive the appropriate software versions.

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