The Internet at home is quickly becoming commonplace.

Jupiter Communications estimates 36 million U.S. households will be online by the year 2000-up from 14.7 million in 1996. Additionally, many of those households, like my own, have multiple computers connected to the Internet simultaneously.

Many people who haven't made the jump to get online stay unconnected because they don't know what kind of computer system they need.

Even if you have a computer, before you run out and get an account with an Internet service provider (ISP), call them up and ask what their minimum computer specifications are to be able to use their service. You may have what it takes to get online or you may need to upgrade.

If you don't have all the necessary computer hardware, consider upgrading your computer before ditching it all and buying a new one (unless you are trying to justify to yourself or your spouse that you need a bigger and faster system). You may be able to pay $200 to upgrade your current computer and avoid the $1500 - $2500 for a new one.

If you don't know what you need to upgrade, contact the place that originally sold you the computer (have the make and model number handy) or take your computer to a local computer repair shop. Give them the minimum specifications you got from the local ISP.

If you haven't used this computer shop before, get references of people that they have upgraded before so you can see if what the store original quotes a customer doesn't start creeping up in price (like disreputable auto repair shops).

If you decide that it is not worth it to try and upgrade, consider a used system.

Many power-hungry computer users upgrade annually to get the "latest-and-greatest" and get rid of perfectly acceptable systems.

If you want an IBM-compatible PC, try to get one with a 486 or better "processor." The processor speed determines how well your computer runs programs. A 586, 686 or Pentium-based computer can make all your programs faster and many new programs require these faster processors.

If you are a Macintosh fan, consider any Mac that supports System 7.1 or later, but try to get a PowerMac or compatible.

With any computer you get, you will need at least 16 megabytes (MB) of random access memory (RAM).

If there is less than 16 MB, you will probably want to upgrade. At current memory prices, and including computer repair shop labor, it shouldn't cost more than $150 to get 16 MB or $220 for 32 MB (well worth the extra money).

If you are buying a new computer, get at least a 1 Gigabyte (GB) hard drive. A replacement hard drive can be bought and installed for less than $350 dollars.

Surfing on the Internet isn't possible without a modem to connect to the phone line, so you need to have a 28.8 kbps or faster modem. If your Internet service provider supports it, 33.6 and "56K" modems can bring you the text, pictures and sounds of the Internet more quickly.

Be sure to ask your ISP what types and speeds of modems they support or you may end up buying a modem that can't use all of its capabilities.

Optionally, a sound card can make the difference between looking at and actually hearing the Internet. More and more Web sites now include sound and you can also use the sound card  with the free games you get off the Internet. A decent sound card with installation is less than $120.

The sound card is useless without speakers. A pair of $20 "self-power" PC speakers from you local department store will do fine.

Finally, while not part of your computer, you may also want to get a separate phone line installed to save you and everyone that calls you some frustration. Additionally, using Internet technical support with only one phone line, means that you have to hang-up on your conversation to test your computer connection.

Getting a computer online at home can provide tremendous learning opportunities as well as a means for communicating with the office or distant friends. Be a part of the 36 million Internet-surfers who keep in touch and keep informed.