The Net is a collection of around 50,000 computer networks in 90 countries linking about 50 million people, and their number is growing at a rapid 5 per cent a month. Websites are stopovers on the network of info-highways; for instance, if you are interested in stamp collections, search software on the Net will guide you to websites where other stamp collectors gather. So too for, say, Bob Dylan or fibre optics, or anything under the sun.
To go on the Net, you need a PC (preferably at least 486-based), a phone and a modem to connect the two. If you are an individual, VSNL charges Rs 6,000 (including Rs 1,000 registration fees) for text access to the Net. If you want to look at the pictures too, you just have to pay Rs 16,000 as an individual, and Rs 26,000 as a corporate. These charges are for a year or 250 hours of Net access, whichever finishes earlier. After 250 hours, you pay local telephone charges for the time you spend surfing.