Here is some basic computer knowledge about getting started on the computer,how to connect to the internet through a ISP of your own choice.
ISP stands for internet service provider,which is telling you who is supplying you with your internet,there are many internet service providers,most commonally is supplied by a telphone service or cable company,however you can get a ISP from Walmart and other stores,what they will do is connect you to a provider for you , such as Walmart does.
A ISP has 3 different kinds of connections,dial-up,dsl,and cable connection.

1.Dial-up- Connection that provides the internet through your standard telphone line,stays on same talk line,a slower page server then cable and dsl.

Note:Some phone companys give free dial-up with your service.

2.DSL-On your basic phone line,however they will supply a new modem to get the digital connection,speeds up 10X faster then dial-up.

3.Cable-The internet trough a cable line,does not support dial-up,it is a "broadband" cable connection ie:DSL.

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service is a fast Internet connection that works with your basic home telephone wiring.DSL is a fast connection, sometimes called a "broadband" connection. The best old fashioned modem-based Internet connections have a speed of about 56 thousand bits per second. Low end DSL speeds start at nearly 300 thousand bits per second, and many users have connections with speeds as fast as 1,500 thousand bits per second. These fast speeds enable you to use features of the Internet like streaming audio, file sharing services, and multimedia web sites without annoying delays.
Note: Most DSL hook-ups now have a special adapter with the DSL that allows you to always be connected,its "always on", which means you don't have to dial an access number to connect to the Internet. The equipment you install to your DSL line stays connected to the Internet all the time, meaning that you can access your email, browse the web, or use instant messaging services without any delay.

More here from the dsl center.
DSL
Center

What is a server?
A server is simply a computer that share,s resorces with each other that lets you connect to,files, webpages or websites,without a server you cannot be served!

A server(your computer)can connect you to host servers,since they host you to all the features you need to travel your way around the world wide web,and to serve your web building needs,.example of host servers.
YAHOO.COM
MSN.COM
AMERICAN
ON LINE