This is an outline description of what I have adopted with respect to ADSL hardware and an ADSL service provider.

To find an Internet Service provider which would:

1 supply me with ADSL for under £25 (including VAT) per month and with no set-up cost other than the cost of any necessary equipment.

2 provide me with a service so that at least two computers including at least one Apple Macintosh could be connected to the Internet simultaneously whilst also providing a speech land line which would still be available for use when surfing the Internet.

Pipex provided me with a suitable ADSL facility for £19.95 + VAT per month and no set up cost. The particular option I chose is called Pipex Xreme Solo.

I bought the essential equipment separately to enable multiple computers to connect to the Internet using ADSL and Pipex.

ADSL is a technology which permits normal telephone use at the same time as Internet access.

To locate an equipment supplier which would provide basic initial advice about equipment purchase and which looked likely to provide good support in the event of problems.

Investigations lead me to Solwise where I purchased a Solwise SAR703 External Router/Modem for £99.95 + VAT. All cables to connect to this router/modem are provided.

An ADSL Router/Modem is required if the user requires to have more than one computer connected to the Internet at the same time.

If the user has only one computer other options are possible. Pipex can provide the ADSL modem to cope with that situation. I provide no further information about this type of installation here.

From Solwise I also purchased ADSL splitters (sometimes called microfilters) for each phone socket in my house at a cost of £6.99 + VAT each. Each phone socket requires a microfilter whether or not you intend to use your computer on that socket.

To be included in this set-up each computer requires to have an ethernet card.

It is important also to note that a hub is required if the Solwise SAR703 External Router is the chosen router/modem. I used the Asante FriendlyNet 5-Port Ethernet Hub but there are many other possibilities costing around £20 including VAT eg the NETGEAR EN104TP which can be purchased from suppliers like MacWarehouse..

An 'ethernet' connecting cable from each computer to the hub is also necessary (RJ45-RJ45 Cable. Costs approx £1+VAT from Solwise).

To physically set-up the hardware, to configure the router/modem and the computers and to get online.

To Solution 3