CCN uses a text-based browser system called Lynx. The graphical connections provided by the commercial providers use other system such as Netscape, Mosaic, Web Explorer, etc. These graphical systems allow you to see the sights of the World Wide Web, of which, CCN is one. When you dial into CCN, you connect through this text-based system and cannot see the graphics. The reasons for using a text-based system are 2 fold: 1. It is cheaper and quicker to run and use than a graphical connection. 2. It allows for the lowest common denominator...mainly older computer systems that cannot use the newer graphical connections; thus allowing more people with older systems to connect easily with CCN. This makes CCN more community-friendly, as it were. The Public Access Terminals (PATs) you find in libraries and some schools connect via another system that allows them graphical connections without the full commercial provider hookups. The new cable modems coming onstream later this year through the cable companies will offer something similar for their customers.