ISP is the short hand definition for a company that provides internet access to a home, business, or laptop computer. Internet Service Providers typically charge a fee, authorize you with a user name and password, and will automatically debit your credit card, debit card, or checking account. Once you’re all set up with an ISP are free to log on and access the internet, browse the Web, and send and receive email.

Often times, ISP’s definition in an office setting or across many areas will have a network to the internet as well as the companies only intranet. A network is a place where intra office message boards can exist without the prying eyes of the rest of the world able to view them. A network is also where authorized users can view information which is sensitive to company function and for workers to view only.

Some of America’s leading ISP’s include a host of names that we’re all familiar with like AT&T, WorlNet, IBM, Global Network, Netcom, UUNet and PSINet. Internet Service is also offered by online service providers like AOL or Compuserve. It’s with this definition that we select our ISP’s as we want to be sure of not only quality and service, but also name reputation.

Another name for ISP is IAP (Internet Access Provider) ISP also sometimes stands for the more defiant “independent service provider.” This definition exists so that an ISP is able to distinguish itself from a parent company who may also provide phone service or some other such service.

ISP’s have grown both in volume, number, and responsibility with the popularity of the internet. It used to be frustrating but understood if you couldn’t access the internet in the age of dial up; big business gets there first. But today, with everyone having unlimited access, all the time; whether it be through DSL, cable, with a wireless card, or at a mobile ‘hot spot’ location; people are a lot less tolerant of ISP’s that don’t work or don’t stand by their definition of “always on.”

As we all search for definition for the online world in the online world, it’s important to step back and remember where this all came from. All the 1’s and 0’s; all the constant streaming of information and communication; all the success and all the failures; all this came from people. So as people we should look towards one another in our search for definition, rather than letting what some computer screen says, define us.