The Internet is a global phenomenon, with the World Wide Web emerging as the unified way forward, but the actual process of gaining acces to it is very localized. This is an angle that is vitally important to prospective Internet users. This guide covers every aspect of the Internet from a UK perspective, including just how to get that link. It considers how to select an Internet provider and set up a browser to connect to their service. There are details of service providers who have a UK presence: some of them worldwide concerns, such as CompuServe and America Online; and others, such as CIX and UK Online, that are important but are never mentioned in American books. Details include tariffs for both personal and commercial users, what software is provided, additional services, such as space for personal Web pages, and the extent of UK coverage. As well as selecting a service provider, there is the question of which software to use. Details of Web browsers and add-on software are included, along with a discussion of how to get it all working together smoothly. Topics include email, Web-chat, search engines, off-line browsers and video viewers. Once on the Net, a UK user is going to want UK-specific information, and this is sometimes difficult to locate among the masses of mainly USA-oriented material. The book includes an appendix giving addresses of useful pages, with a particular emphasis on UK information, search sites and companies.