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The World Wide Web
The Internet is, essentially, a giant network connecting tens of thousands of computers around the world. Each computer on the Internet uses a special standard language to send information so that any other computer on the Internet can understand the message.
The World Wide Web (WWW) is a subset of the Internet. The "Web" consists of thousands of web servers (computers that send information) that use a special language (hypertext transport protocol or http for short) to send graphics, text and sounds that can be displayed and listened to on-screen by any computer connected to the Internet using a special software program called a web browser. These graphics and text are organized into pages and often appear on the computer screen resembling a magazine or book page. With your Net Link, of course, you will see these pages on your television screen.
Each web page on the Internet has a unique identifying address (called a Universal Resource Locator or URL for short) that you can enter into your Net Link web browser in order to access that page directly. In addition, most Web pages on the Internet have links that connect them to other Web pages. By clicking on a link, your Net Link web browser by PlanetWeb will automatically take you to the connected Web page. If you find a Web page that is particularly interesting, you can save its URL (identifying address) in the Net Link web browser's "Bookmark List".
The words, sounds and images on a web page travel from that page's Web Server over the Internet to your Internet Service Provider. They then travel from your Internet Service Provider through your phone line to your Net Link modem - and into your Sega Saturn. Your Net Link modem can process 28,800 bits of data per second, as fast or faster than nearly all personal computer modems!
Since graphic images contain more data than simple text, pictures take longer to send through the Internet. Complex and/or large images take more time to send than small pictures. Your Net Link web browser has been specifically designed to load the text on a page first so you can start reading while the graphics are still arriving.
Another thing to remember is that there are hundreds of thousands of computers on the Internet and there may be many people using it at any particular time. Just like during rush hour on a freeway, sometimes there are traffic jams on the Internet and your data comes to you more slowly. Your Net Link web browser software has been designed to work very efficiently with the Internet to ensure that your data is transferred as quickly as current traffic conditions permit. If the Internet seems extremely slow, you may want to try a different Web page or connect again later.
How Much Does It Cost To Use the Web?
Unlike your phone (which costs you different amounts to make calls depending on the distance), you can use your Net Link and the Internet to visit any Web Page in the world for the same price. For example, you can access a Web page in Paris, France for the same price as accessing a Web Page next door. You only pay for access time from your Internet Service Provider and, possibly, any additional phone charges needed to connect to your Internet Service Provider's access point.
Sega has teamed up with Mplayer Internet Service to provide a reasonably priced plan offering access to the Internet -- unlimited usage for a single monthly fee. Please check Sega's NetLink web page or call Mplayer Internet Service at 415-429-3100 for the latest rates.
MISP has a nationwide phone network with access points across the United States so there is a very good chance that a Mplayer Internet Service connection will be a local call. However, local access (i.e. a local, toll-free call) is not necessarily available in all areas.
Your Net Link modem and browser software are also compatible with most major Internet Service Providers (ISP) so you should be able to use an existing PPP Internet account, if you have one. Please see "Using an Alternate Service Provider".
Electronic Mail (e-mail) messages are letters that you send and receive over the Internet. Sending and receiving e-mail using your Net Link web browser is even easier than writing a letter and putting it in the mail box--you don't need envelopes or stamps! Your unique Internet address - like your home or office address - enables other people to send you electronic mail. If you're using Mplayer Internet Service, there are no additional charges for sending and receiving e-mail. (See the Electronic Mail section for details.) If you are using a different ISP, it may have different payment plans so check with your provider for any possible e-mail charges.
The Internet is a very large community and like any large community, there are places that are inappropriate for children. The Net Link web browser gives parents the option of "filtering" what their family accesses from the Internet. Because opinions of what is inappropriate vary from person to person, Net Link web browser's Parental Control can be customized. When you sign up with Mplayer Internet Service you will be able to automatically sign up for Parental Control for a 6 month free trial. If you use another Internet Service Provider, you can sign up through Net Link web browser's Internet site, also for a free trial. Keep checking the Net Link web browser's on-line "what's new" area for the most up-to-date Filtering information at http://www.sega.com/netlink/. (See the Parental Control section for details.)
The Future of the Net Link Web Browser
The World Wide Web is constantly improving and the content and features of what appears on the Web get better and better. In order to take advantage of these improvements, you may want to obtain upgraded revisions of your Net Link web browser.
Connect to http://www.sega.com/netlink/ to access the Net Link on-line newsletter for the latest news on browser updates. You will be able to download certain upgrades of the browser into your Sega Saturn at no cost. Direct your Web Browser to the http://www.sega.com/netlink/ location and follow the instructions to receive the latest version of the Net Link web browser. The download procedure will take several minutes to complete. For on-line upgrades, you will need to repeat this procedure every time you turn on Net Link if you wish to continue using the latest on-line revisions. You may also decide to purchase an upgraded CD to obtain new features or for convenience.
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