Can my computer connect to other computers or receive data not on its harddrive not via TCP/IP? If not, then my initial understanding of "the Internet" was correct?
It's entirely possible to be connected with another computer, and in fact entire networks, without using TCP/IP, in which case you're not technically on the Internet. However, connections *entirely* without a TCP/IP segment are increasingly rare in both corporate and non-corporate settings. However, it's still not correct to say that simply being able to connect to another computer puts you on the Internet. You need, for instance, an IP address. That said, it's safe to assume at this stage that, when you connect a personal computer to a remote resource such as an information store, you are probably on the Internet. That's how widespread it's become. Neil