Establishing Wireless Connection (Newbie; lost at Square 1!)

Question

I began researching wireless connections before I purchased my MacBook Pro and was told by several people that I had to purchase this or that - a router, a subscription to Verizon, etc., etc. When I set up my new MacBook Pro last night, I still didn't have a clue how I was going to do it, so when I was asked to designate my Internet connection, I just skipped it.
Today, two Apple/Mac salespeople told me I need to do virtually nothing, saying my wireless connection is already established. One of them showed me the wireless icon near the top right corner of my monitor screen. When I click on it, I see that "Airpot On" is grayed out (and therefore on).
Below that is a list of networks, following "No network selected" (also grayed out). The choices are linksys, linksysSES46485, MandaNet, RC5011, ThePADD and "Other."
I clicked all of the choices, but most required a password. Are these services/companies that I have to subscribe to before I can get a password?
I'm confused by the number of combinations - Airport vs Bluetooth vs Ethernet X all the various networks that are listed.
I don't understand any of this. Can someone point me to an illustrated tutorial that can guide me through the process step by step?
Thanks.

Answer 1

David,
Man you aren't kidding about being a "newbie!"
Yes, let's start from square one.... You Macbook Pro comes equipped with the ability to connect to a wireless network using the 802.11a/b/g wireless standard (Apple calls this standard "Airport"). These "networks" are created by a wireless router. What you are seeing in the Airport menu are various wireless networks, doubtless owned by your neighbors, that are in range of your MBP. Your neighbors wisely chose to secure their networks with passwords. You, not knowing those passwords, cannot connect to the internet via their networks.
A wireless router does 2 things, normally:
1) It connects all of the computers you own in a network that allows the transfer of information between connected computers. This is called "sharing."
2) If you have a broadband connection to the internet, it acts as a gateway to the internet for all the connected computers.
There are several types of "broadband" internet connection, but the two most common to "consumers" are DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) and cable. DSL operates over your existing phone line, but it will only be available to you if your phone provider has built the infrastructure to accommodate it into the phone lines in your area. Check with your phone company.
Cable internet service is typically a bit faster than DSL. This service is provided over your existing cable TV lines. Obviously, cable must be available in your area in order to subscribe to this service.
Once you have determined which of the two infrastructures (DSL or cable) are available to you, you must choose a service provider. For example, cable is available to me, and that is what I use. It is provided to me through Brighthouse cable, but they are only the "go-between." Earthlink is my "service provider," but I could also choose to use Roadrunner or AOL. In any case, Brighthouse provides my connection, and the bill is included with my Brighthouse cable TV invoice.
Whether you go with cable or DSL, you will be provided with some type of modem. This modem will connect to your cable to provide internet access, and to the computers in your house either wirelessly, or via wired ethernet (your MBP also has an ethernet port for a "wired" connection).
If you wish to only use a dial-up internet service, you must purchase a USB dial-up modem. Since most people are connecting to the internet via wireless networks, Apple opted to do away with internal dial-up modems. The USB dial-up modem is very small, and rather inexpensive. This modem will allow you to connect to the internet via whatever existing dial-up service you currently have.
Scott