110 112 and 114 and their connection to internet 100 the internet 100 facilitates the exchange of information data and files between the computers and networks which are connected to it users connected to the internet have access to the vast amounts of information on these computers and networks a typical way of gaining access to the internet is through an online service server networks 110 112 and 114 are connected to internet 100 via online service servers 120 122 and 124 respectively another way of gaining access to the internet is through a dial in internet provider personal computer 34 p c 34 116 for example is connected to internet 100 via modem 128 and internet provider 126 routers which connect computers and networks are provided to direct traffic in a network and across the internet routers 160 162 164 and 166 examine packets of data that travel in a network and across the internet to determine where the data is headed the networks 110 112 and 114 comprise users who are connected to one another in for example a token ring network network 114 or through an ethernet network networks 110 and 112 each network further comprises a server 120 122 and 124 a server is a host computer that allows users to communicate with each other on the network or with outside users through the internet users on p c 39 s 116 117 and 118 may communicate with each other and other users on the internet 100 by subscribing to host internet provider 126 as discussed above users can currently share ideas by subscribing to a mailing list for example.