CHAPTER 1: SETTING UP AND JACKING IN

1.1 READY, SET ...

The world is just a phone call away. With a computer and modem, you'll
be able to connect to the Internet, the world's largest computer network
(and if you're lucky, you won't even need the modem; many colleges and
companies now give their students or employees direct access to the
Internet).

The phone line can be your existing voice line -- just remember that if
you have any extensions, you (and everybody else in the house or office)
won't be able to use them for voice calls while you are connected to the
Net.

A modem is a sort of translator between computers and the phone system.
It's needed because computers and the phone system process and transmit
data, or information, in two different, and incompatible ways. Computers
"talk" digitally; that is, they store and process information as a series
of discrete numbers. The phone network relies on analog signals, which
on an oscilloscope would look like a series of waves. When your computer
is ready to transmit data to another computer over a phone line, your
modem converts the computer numbers into these waves (which sound like a
lot of screeching) -- it "modulates" them. In turn, when information
waves come into your modem, it converts them into numbers your computer
can process, by "demodulating" them.

Increasingly, computers come with modems already installed. If yours
didn't, you'll have to decide what speed modem to get. Modem speeds are
judged in bits per second or "bps." One bps means the modem can
transfer roughly one bit per second; the greater the bps rate, the more
quickly a modem can send and receive information. A letter or character
is made up of eight bits. You can now buy a 14,400-bps modem for under
$100 -- and most now come with the ability to handle fax messages as
well. For under $300, you can buy a modem that can transfer data at
28,800 bps (and often even faster, using special compression techniques).
If you think you might be using the Net to transfer large numbers of
files, a faster modem is always worth the price. It will dramatically
reduce the amount of time your modem or computer is tied up transferring
files and, if you are paying for Net access by the hour, will save you
quite a bit in online charges.

Like the computer to which it attaches, a modem is useless without
software to tell it how to work. Most modems today come with easy-to-
install software that will let you connect not only to the Internet but
other services, such as bulletin-board systems and many commercial online
networks, such as CompuServe. Try the program out. If you find it
difficult to use or understand, consider a trip to the local software
store to find a better program. You can spend several hundred dollars on
a communications program, but unless you have very specialized needs,
this will be a waste of money, as there are a host of excellent programs
available for around $100 or less. Among the basic features you want to
look for are a choice of different "protocols" (more on them in a bit)
for transferring files to and from the Net and the ability to write
"script" or "command" files that let you automate such steps as logging
into a host system.

When you buy a modem and the software, ask the dealer how to install
and use them. Try out the software if you can. If the dealer can't help
you, find another dealer. You'll not only save yourself a lot of
frustration, you'll also have practiced the prime Internet directive:
"Ask. People Know."

In addition to the software that comes with your modem, you can now also
buy special software kits for getting onto the internet -- at least, if
you use Windows or a Macintosh. Some of these work only with a particular
Internet provider; others let you connect to the provider of your choice.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to these packages; we'll
look at these programs in a little more detail in Chapter 9. This guide
is geared more toward folks using older style software, such as Procomm,
Crosstalk and Zterm, but even if you use one of the newer all-in-one
internet access kits, many of the things described in coming chapters
will generally be good to know (you never know when you'll find yourself
stuck in a room with only an MS-DOS computer).

To take full Take advantage of the Net, you must spend a few minutes
going over the manuals or documentation that comes with your software.
There are a few things you should pay special attention to: uploading and
downloading; screen capturing (sometimes called "screen dumping");
logging; how to change protocols; and terminal emulation. It is also
essential to know how to convert a file created with your word processing
program into "ASCII" or "text" format, which will let you share your
thoughts with others across the Net.

Uploading is the process of sending a file from your computer to a
system on the Net. Downloading is retrieving a file from somewhere on the
Net to your computer. In general, things in cyberspace go "up" to the Net
and come "down" to you.

Chances are your software will come with a choice of several METHODS
to use for these transfers. These different methods are systems designed
to ensure that line noise or static does not cause errors that could ruin
whatever information you are trying to transfer. Essentially, when using
a protocol, you are transferring a file in a series of pieces. After
each piece is sent or received, your computer and the Net system compare
it. If the two pieces don't match exactly, they transfer it again, until
they agree that the information they both have is identical. If, after
several tries, the information just doesn't make it across, you'll either
get an error message or your screen will freeze (at which point you get
out the computer manual to see how to re-boot). In that case, try it
again. If, after five tries, you are still stymied, something is wrong
with a) the file; b) the telephone line; c) the system you're connected
to; or d) your own computer.

From time to time, you will likely see messages on the Net that you want
to save for later viewing -- a recipe, a particularly witty remark,
something you want to write your congressman about, whatever. This is
where screen capturing and logging come in.

When you tell your communications software to capture a screen, it opens
a file in your computer (usually in the same directory or folder used by
the software) and "dumps" an image of whatever happens to be on your
screen at the time.

Logging works a bit differently. When you issue a logging command, you
tell the software to open a file (again, usually in the same directory or
folder as used by the software) and then give it a name. Then, until you
turn off the logging command, everything that scrolls on your screen is
copied into that file, sort of like recording on videotape. This is
useful for capturing long documents that scroll for several pages --
using screen capture, you would have to repeat the same command for each
new screen.

Terminal emulation is a way for your computer to mimic, or emulate, the
way other computers put information on the screen and accept commands
from a keyboard. In general, most systems on the Net use a system called
VT100. Fortunately, almost all communications programs now on the market
support this system as well -- make sure yours does.

You'll also have to know about protocols. There are several different
ways for computers to transmit characters. Fortunately, there are only
two protocols that you're likely to run across: 8-1-N (which stands for
"8 bits, 1 stop bit, no parity" -- yikes!) and 7-1-E (7 bits, 1 stop bit,
even parity). The latter is fairly rare these days, except on some
older systems, such as CompuServe (which, as of this writing, does not
offer full Internet access anyway). What if you don't know what kind of
system you're connecting to? Try one of the settings. If you get what
looks like gobbledygook when you connect, you may need the other setting.
If so, you can either change the setting while connected, and then hit
enter, or hang up and try again with the other setting. It's also
possible your modem and the modem at the other end can't agree on the
right bps rate. If changing the protocols doesn't work, try using
another bps rate (but no faster than the one listed for your modem).
Don't worry, remember, you can't break anything! If something looks
wrong, it probably is wrong. Change your settings and try again.
Nothing is learned without trial, error and effort.

There are the basics. Now on to the Net!

1.2 GO!

Once, only people who studied or worked at an institution directly tied
to the Net could connect to the world. Today, though, an ever-growing
number of "public-access" systems provide access for everybody. These
systems can now be found in most metropolitan areas (at least in North
America) several states, and there are several companies a couple of
sites that can provide access across the country.
There are two basic kinds of these host systems. One provides what
is known as a dial-up account. You'll need a basic communications
program (the kind that typically comes with your modem) to connect. Once
on, your computer's brain essentially goes to sleep -- virtually all of
your interaction with the Internet will be via programs on your host
system.

The other is known as a SLIP or PPP provider (SLIP and PPP are two types
of communications standards for connecting to the Internet). This sort
of host acts mainly as a gateway to your own computer. it passes
information (e-mail, say, or graphics) to your computer, which then has
to figure out what to do with it. This is where the all-in-one programs
mentioned earlier come in (and we'll talk a bit more about them in
chapter 9).

Some sites are run by for-profit companies; others by non-profit
organizations. Some of these public-access, or host, systems, are free
of charge. Others charge a monthly or yearly fee for unlimited access.
And a few charge by the hour. Systems that charge for access will usually
let you sign up online with a credit card. Some also let you set up a
billing system if you'd rather pay by check.

But cost should be only one consideration in choosing a host system,
especially if you live in an area with more than one provider. Most
systems let you look around before you sign up. What is the range of
each of their services? How easy is each to use? What kind of support or
help can you get from the system administrators?

The last two questions are particularly important because many
systems provide no user interface at all; when you connect, you are
dumped right into the Unix operating system. If you're already familiar
with Unix, or you want to learn how to use it, these systems offer
phenomenal power -- in addition to Net access, most also let you tap into
the power of Unix to do everything from compiling your own programs to
playing online games.

But if you don't want to have to learn Unix, there are other public-
access systems that work through menus (just like the ones in
restaurants; you are shown a list of choices and then you make your
selection of what you want), or which provide a "user interface" that is
easier to figure out than the ever cryptic Unix (and fortunately, even on
Unix systems, there are ways to minimize your exposure to its commands,
as we'll see in later chapters). Some systems also have their own unique
local services, ranging from extensive conferences to large file
libraries.

1.3 PUBLIC-ACCESS INTERNET PROVIDERS

When you have your communications program dial one of these host systems,
one of two things will happen when you connect. You'll either see a lot
of gibberish on your screen, or you'll be asked to log in. If you see
gibberish, chances are you have to change your software's parameters (to
8-1-N or 7-1-E as the case may be). Hang up (see your modem's manual for
information on this), make the change and then dial in again.

When you've connected, chances are you'll see something like this:

Welcome to THE WORLD
Public Access UNIX for the '90s
Login as 'new' if you do not have an account

login:

That last line is a prompt asking you to do something. Since this is
your first call, type

new

and hit enter (at least on this particular system; each system has a
different log-in procedure for newcomers) Often, when you're asked to type
something by a host system, you'll be told what to type in quotation
marks (for example, 'new'). Don't include the quotation marks. Repeat:
Don't include the quotation marks.

what you see next depends on the system, but will generally consist
of information about its costs and services (you might want to turn on
your communication software's logging function, to save this
information). You'll likely be asked if you want to establish an account
now or just look around the system.

You'll also likely be asked for your "user name." This is not your
full name, but a one-word name you want to use while online. It can be
any combination of letters or numbers, all in lower case. Many people
use their first initial and last name (for example, "jdoe"); their first
name and the first letter of their last name (for example, "johnd"); or
their initials ("jxd"). Others use a nickname. You might want to think
about this for a second, because this user name will become part of your
electronic-mail address (see chapter 2 for more on that). The main
exception are the various Free-Net systems, all of which assign you a
user name consisting of an arbitrary sequence of letters and numbers.

You are now on the Net. Look around the system. See if there are
any help files for you to read. If it's a menu-based host system, choose
different options just to see what happens (and if all you see is a
simple prompt, try typing 'help' or read on). Remember: You can't break
anything. The more you play, the more comfortable you'll be.

what follows are lists of public-access Internet sites, which are
computer systems that offer access to the Net. The first list is for
North America; the second for the rest of the world. All offer
international e-mail and Usenet (international conferences). In
addition, they offer:

FTP: File-transfer protocol -- access to hundreds of file
libraries (everything from computer software to historical
documents to song lyrics). You'll be able to transfer
these files from the Net to your own computer.

Telnet: Access to databases, computerized library card
catalogs, weather reports and other information services,
as well as live, online games that let you compete with
players from around the world.

Additional services that may be offered include:

Lynx: An easy-to-use interface for the World-Wide Web
information resource.

WAIS: Wide-area Information Server; a program that
can search dozens of databases in one search.

Gopher: A program that gives you easy access to dozens
of other online databases and services by making
selections on a menu. You'll also be able to use these
to copy text files and some programs to your mailbox.

IRC: Internet Relay Chat, a CB simulator that lets
you have live keyboard chats with people around the
world.

SLIP/PPP service. you'll need this if you want to interact with
the internet directly on your own computer. will often cost more
than standard dial-up service.

However, even on systems that do not provide all these services directly,
you will be able to use a number of them through telnet (see Chapter 6).

In the lists that follow, systems that let you access services through
menus are noted; otherwise assume that when you connect, you'll be dumped
right into Unix (a.k.a. MS-DOS with a college degree). Several of these
sites are available nationwide through national data networks such as the
CompuServe Packet Network and SprintNet.

Please note that all listed charges are subject to change. Many sites
require new or prospective users to log on a particular way on their
first call; this list provides the name you'll use in such cases.

1.4 NORTH AMERICAN PROVIDERS

ALABAMA

Huntsville. Nuance. Call voice number for modem number. $35 setup; $25 a
month. Voice: (205) 533-4296.

ALASKA

Anchorage. University of Alaska Southeast, Tundra Services, (907)
789-1314; has local dial-in service in several other cities. $20 a month.
Voice: (907) 465-6453.

ALBERTA

Edmonton. PUCNet Computer Connections, (403) 484-5640. Log on as: guest.
$10 setup fee; $25 for 20 hours a month plus $6.25 an hour for access to
ftp and telnet. Voice: (403) 448-1901.

ARIZONA

Tucson. Data Basics, (602) 721-5887. $25 a month or $180 a year. Voice:
(602) 721-1988.

Phoenix/Tucson. Internet Direct, (602) 274-9600 (Phoenix); (602) 321-9600
(Tucson). Log on as: guest. $20 a month. Voice: (602) 274-0100
(Phoenix); (602) 324-0100 (Tucson).

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Victoria Victoria Free-Net, (604) 595-2300. Menus. Access to all
features requires completion of a written form. Users can "link" to other
Free-Net systems in Canada and the United States. Free. Log on as: guest
Voice: (604) 389-6026.

CALIFORNIA

Berkeley. Community ConneXion, (510) 549-1383. Log in as: guest. $10 a
month. Voice: (510) 841-2014.

Berkeley. Holonet. Menus. For free trial, modem number is (510) 704-1058.
For information or local numbers, call the voice number. $60 a year for
local access, $2 an hour during offpeak hours. Voice: (510) 704-0160.

Concord/Walnut Creek. CCnet. Unix and menu. Modem number (510) 988-7140.
$15 setup. Flat fee of $18 a month for unlimited usage with credit card
billing. Voice: (510) 988-0680.

Cupertino. Portal. Unix and menus. (408) 725-0561 (2400 bps); (408)
973-8091 (9600/14,400 bps). $19.95 setup fee, $19.95 a month. Voice: (408)
973-9111.

Cupertino. Aimnet. (408) 366-9000 (Cupertino); (415) 610-8625
(Belmont); (510) 227-8730 (Pleasanton); (415) 288-9720 (San Francisco).
$20 set-up and $20 a month; $25 set-up and $20 a month for SLIP/PPP.
Voice: (408) 257-0900.

Irvine. Dial N' CERF. See under San Diego.

Los Angeles/Orange County. Kaiwan Public Access Internet, (714) 539-5726;
(310) 527-7358. $15 signup; $11 a month (credit card). Voice: (714) 638-
2139.

Los Angeles. Dial N' CERF. See under San Diego.

Oakland. Dial N' CERF. See under San Diego.

Pasadena. Dial N' CERF See under San Diego.

Palo Alto. Institute for Global Communications., (415) 322-0284. Unix.
Local conferences on environmental/peace issues. Log on as: new. $10 a
month and $3 an hour after first hour. Voice: (415) 442-0220.

San Diego. Dial N' CERF USA, run by the California Education and Research
Federation. Provides local dial-up numbers in San Diego, Los Angeles,
Oakland, Pasadena and Irvine. For more information, call voice (800)
876-CERF or (619) 534-5087. $50 setup fee; $20 a month plus $5 an hour
($3 on weekends). Voice: (800) 876-2373.

San Diego. CTS Network Services, (619) 637-3660. Log on as: help. $15
set-up fee, monthly fee of $10 to $23 depending on services used. Voice:
(619) 637-3637.

San Diego. Cyberspace Station, (619) 634-1376. Unix. Log on as: guest.
Charges: $10 sign-up fee; $15 a month or $60 for six months.

San Francisco. Pathways, call voice number for number. Menus. $25 setup
fee; $8 a month and $3 an hour. Voice: (415) 346-4188.

San Jose. Netcom, (510) 865-9004 or 426-6610; (408) 241-9760; (415) 424-
0131, up to 9600 bps. Unix or graphical interface. Log on as: guest. $15
startup fee and then $17.50 a month for unlimited use with credit-card
billing; otherwise $19.50 a month. Voice: (408) 554-UNIX.

San Jose. A2i, (408) 293-9010. Log on as: guest. $20 a month; $45 for
three months; $72 for six months.

Sausalito. The Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link (WELL), (415) 332-6106. Uses
moderately difficult Picospan software, which is sort of a cross between
Unix and a menu system. New users get a PRINTED written manual. More than 200
WELL-only conferences. Log on as: newuser. $15 a month plus $2 an hour.
Access through the nationwide CompuServe Packet Network available for
another $4.50 an hour. Voice: (415) 332-4335. Recorded message about the
system's current status: (800) 326-8354 (continental U.S. only).

COLORADO

Colorado Springs/Denver. CNS, (719) 570-1700 (Colorado Springs); (303)
758-2656 (Denver). Local calendar listings and ski and stock reports.
Users can chose between menus or Unix. Log on as: new. $35 setup fee;
$2.75 an hour (minimum fee of $10 a month). Voice: (719) 592-1240.

Colorado Springs. Old Colorado City Communications, (719) 632-4111. Log
on as: newuser. $25 a month. Voice: (719) 632-4848.

Denver. Denver Free-Net, (303) 270-4865. Menus. Access to all services
requires completion of a written form. Users can "link" to other Free-Net
systems across the country. Free. Log on as: guest.

Golden. Colorado SuperNet. Available only to Colorado residents. Local
dial-in numbers available in several Colorado cities. For dial-in numbers,
call the number below. $3 an hour ($1 an hour between midnight and 6
a.m.); one-time $20 sign-up fee. Voice: (303) 273-3471.

CONNECTICTUT

Middlefield. Connix, (203) 349-1176. $20 start-up fee; $2 an hour with a
$10 monthly minimum or $20 a month for 20 hours a month. SLIP is $25 for
20 hours a month plus a $25 set-up fee. Voice: (203) 349-7059.

DELAWARE

Middletown. Systems Solutions, (302) 378-1881. $20 setup fee; $25 a month
for full Internet access. Voice: (800) 331-1386.

FLORIDA

Broward County. SEFLIN Free-Net, (305) 357-7318. Menus. Free. Users can
"link" to other Free-Net systems. Voice: (305) 357-7318.

Clearwater. Intelligence Network Online. Call voice number for modem
number. $29 set-up fee; $29 a month. Voice: (813) 442-0114.

Deerfield Beach/Miami/Tampa/Orlando. CyberGate. $17.50 a month; $29.50 a
month for 25 hours of SLIP/PPP access (plus $50 set-up fee). Voice: (305)
428-GATE or (800) NET GATE outside of 305.

Southeast Florida. Satelnet, (305) 434-7340. Follow log-in prompts to set
up account. $17 a month or $60 for four months.

Tallahassee. Symnet, (904) 385-8177. Menus or Unix. $15 a month or six
months for $75; SLIP for $30 set-up and $30 for 30 hours a month. Voice:
(904) 385-1061.

Talahassee. Talahassee Free-Net, (904) 488-5056. Menus. Full access
requires completion of a registration form. Can "link" to other Free-Net
systems around the country. Voice: (904) 488-5056.

GEORGIA

Atlanta. Netcom, (303) 758-0101. See under San Jose, California, for
information on rates.

ILLINOIS

Champaign. Prarienet Free-Net, (217) 255-9000. Menus. Log on as:
visitor. Free for Illinois residents; $25 a year for others. Voice: (217)
244-1962.

Chicago. WorldWide Access, (312) 282-8605. Charges: $19.50 a month; $25 a
month for SLIP/PPP access. Voice number: (708) 367-1870.

Chicago. MCSNet, (312) 248-0900. $25/month or $65 for three months of
unlimited access; $30 for three months of access at 15 hours a month.
Voice: (312) 248-UNIX.

Naperville/Hoffman Estates. XNet. (708) 983-6435 (Naperville); (708) 882-
1101. $45 for three months or $75 for six months. Voice: (708) 983-6064.

Peoria. Peoria Free-Net, (309) 674-1100. Similar to Cleveland Free-Net
(see Ohio, below). Users can "link" to the larger Cleveland system for
access to Usenet and other services. There are also Peoria Free-Net
public-access terminals in numerous area libraries, other government
buildings and senior-citizen centers. Contact the number below for
specific locations. Full access (including access to e-mail) requires
completion of a written application. Free. Voice: (309) 677-2544.

Vernon Hills. WorldWide Access, (708) 367-1871. Charges: $19.50 a
month;$25/month for SLIP/PP access. Voice number: (708) 367-1870.

MARYLAND

Baltimore. Digital Express, (410) 766-1855; (301) 220-0462; (714) 377-
9784. Log on as: new. $20 setup fee; $25 a month or $250 a year. Voice:
(800 969-9090.

Baltimore. Clarknet, (410) 730-9786; (410) 995-0271; (301) 596-1626;
(301) 854-0446. Log on as: guest. $23 a month, $126 for six months or
$228 a year. Voice: (410) 730-9765.

MASSACHUSETTS

Bedford. The Internet Access Company, (617) 275-0331. To log on, follow
on-line prompts. $20 setup fee; $19.50 a month. Voice: (617) 275-2221.

Brookline. The World, (617) 739-9753. Log on as: new. $5 a month plus $2
an hour or $20 for 20 hours a month. Also has local dial-up numbers in
Lowell and Westboro. Available nationwide through the CompuServe Packet
Network for another $5.60 an hour. Voice: (617) 739-0202.

Lynn. North Shore Access, (617) 593-4557. Log on as: new. $10 for 10
hours a month; $1 an hour after that. Voice: (617) 593-3110.

Shrewsbury/Worcester. NovaLink, (508) 754-4009. Log on as: info. $12.95
sign-up (includes first two hours); $9.95 a month (includes five daytime
hours), $1.80 an hour after that. Voice: (800) 274-2814.

MICHIGAN

Ann Arbor. MSEN. Call voice number for dial-in number. Unix. Charges:
$20 setup; $20 a month. Voice: (313) 998-4562.

Ann Arbor. Michnet. Has local dial-in numbers in several Michigan numbers.
For local numbers, call voice number below. $35 a month plus one-time $40
sign-up fee. Additional network fees for access through non-Michnet
numbers. Voice: (313) 764-9430.

MISSOURI

Springfield. Ozarks Regional Information Online Network, (417) 864-6100.
Log on as: guest. Local conferences and information, access to many
Internet resources and to other Free-Net sites in the U.S. and Canada.
Complete access requires completion of written registration form. Free.
Voice: (417) 837-5050, ext. 15.

Las Vegas. Evergreen Internet Express. For modem number, call voice number
below. $240 a year unlimited access; $360 a year for unlimited SLIP/PPP
access. Voice: (702) 361-2258.

Las Vegas. @wizard.com, (702) 871-3102. Menus or Unix. $14.95 set-up
fee, $25 a month. Voice: (702) 871-4461.

NEWFOUNDLAND

St.John's. Compusult Limited. Call voice number for modem number.
$24.95 a month for 25 hours access; $3 an hour for each additional hour.
SLIP/PPP access: $50 set-up fee; $24.95 a month. Voice (709) 745-
7914; Fax: (709) 745-7927.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Manchester. MV Communications, Inc. For local dial-up numbers call voice
line below. $5 a month mininum plus variable hourly rates depending on
services used. Voice: (603) 429-2223.

NEW JERSEY

New Brunswick. Digital Express, (908) 937-9481. Log on as: new. $20
setup fee; $25 a month or $250 a year. Voice: (800) 969-9090.

Wyckoff. NIC. Call voice number for modem number. Menus or Unix. $10 set-
up fee, $10 a month for 20 hours or $20 a month for 60 hours. Voice: (201)
934-1445.

NEW YORK

Buffalo. Buffalo Free-Net, (716) 645-3085. Log on as: visitor. Local
conferences and information, access to many Internet resources and to
other Free-Net sites in the U.S. and Canada. Complete access requires
completion of written registration form. Free.

New York. Panix, (212) 787-3100. Unix or menus. Log on as: newuser. $40
setup fee; $19 a month or $208 a year. Voice: (212) 877-4854.

New York. Echo, (212) 989-8411. Unix, but with local conferencing
software. Log on as: newuser. $19.95 ($13.75 students and seniors) a
month. Voice: (212) 255-3839.

New York. MindVox, (212) 989-4141. Local conferences. Log on as: guest.
$10 setup fee for non-credit-card accounts; $15 a month. Voice: (212) 989-
2418.

New York. Pipeline, (212) 267-8606 (9600 bps and higher); (212) 267-7341
(2400 bps). Offers graphical interface for Windows for $90. Log on as:
guest. $20 a month and $2 an hour after first 20 hours or $35 a month
unlimited hours. Voice: (212) 267-3636.

New York. Maestro, (212) 240-9700. Log on as: newuser. $12 a month or
$140 a year. Voice: (212) 240-9600.

New York. Interport Communications, (212) 989-1258. Log on as: newuser.
$25 a month for 60 hours a month. Voice: (212) 989-1128.

Rockland County. TZ-Link, (914) 353-4618, Menus or Unix. Log in as guest
with a password of: guest. $36 a quarter. Voice: (914) 353-5443.

Rye. WestNet Internet Services, (914) 967-7802. Log in as: new. $45 a
quarter; $150 a year. Voice: (914) 967-7816.

White Plains. Cloud 9 Internet, (914) 682-0384. Menus or Unix. $45 a
quarter or $180 a year; #90 a quarter or $360 a year for SLIP. Voice:
(914)682-0626.

NORTH CAROLINA

Charlotte. Vnet Internet Access, (704) 347-8839; (919) 406-1544. Log on
as: new. $25 a month. Voice: (704) 374-0779.

Raleigh. NandO Net. Call voice number for modem number. Menus. Access
to archives of the Raleigh News and Observer. $30 a month, for up to five
accounts per household. Voice: (919) 836-2808.

Triangle Research Park. Rock Concert Net. Call number below for local
modem numbers in various North Carolina cities. $30 a month; one-time $50
sign-up fee. Voice: (919) 248-1999.

OHIO

Cleveland. Cleveland Free-Net, (216) 368-3888. Ohio and US Supreme Court
decisions, historical documents, many local conferences. Full access
(including access to e-mail) requires completion of a written application.
Free. Voice: (216) 368-8737.

Cleveland. Wariat, (216) 481-9436. Unix or menus. $20 setup fee; $35 a
month. Voice: (216) 481-9428.

Dayton. Freelance Systems Programming, (513) 258-7745. $20 setup fee; $1
an hour. Voice: (513) 254-7246.

Lorain. Lorain County Free-Net, (216) 233-5929. Users can "link" to the
larger Cleveland Free-Net for additional services. Full access
(including access to e-mail) requires completion of a written
application. Free. Voice: (216) 366-4200.

Medina. Medina Free-Net, (216) 723-6732, 225-6732 or 335-6732. Users can
"link" to the larger Cleveland Free-Net for additional services. Full
access (including access to e-mail) requires completion of a written
application. Free.

Youngstown. Youngstown Free-Net, (216) 742-3072. Users can "link" to the
Cleveland system for services not found locally. Full access (including
access to e-mail) requires completion of a written application. Free.

ONTARIO

Ottawa. National Capital Freenet, (613) 564-3600. Menus. Free, but
requires completion of a written form for access to all services. Voice:
(613) 788-3947.

Toronto. Internex Online, (416) 363-3783. Both Unix and menus. $40 a
year for one hour a day. Voice: (416) 363-8676.

Toronto. The Wire. Graphical interface. Call (416) 214-WIRE for rates
and dial-in number.

OREGON

Portland. Agora, (503) 293-1772 (2400 bps), (503) 293-2059 (9600 bps or
higher). Log on as: apply. $6 a month for one hour per day.

Portland. Teleport, (503) 220-0636 (2400 bps); (503) 220-1016 (9600 and
higher). Log on as: new. $10 a month for one hour per day. Voice: (503)
223-4245.

PENNSYLVANIA

Pittsburgh. Telerama, (412) 481-5302. $6 for 10 hours a month, 60 cents
for each additional hour. Voice: (412) 481-3505.

QUEBEC

Montreal. Communications Accessibles Montreal. To start account,
call voice number. $25 month plus tax for 10 hours a week. Voice:
(514) 288-2581.

RHODE ISLAND

East Greenwich. IDS World Network, (401) 884-9002. In addition to
Usenet, has conferences from the Fidonet and RIME networks. $10 a month;
$50 for six months; $100 for a year.

Providence/Seekonk. Anomaly, (401) 331-3706. $125 for six months or
$200 a year. Educational rate of $75 for six months or $125 a year. Voice:
(401) 273-4669.

TEXAS

Austin. RealTime Communications, (512) 459-4391. Log on as: new. $80 for
six months. Voice: (512) 206-3800.

Dallas. Texas Metronet, (214) 705-2901; (817) 261-1127. Log on as: info
or signup. $10 to $35 setup fee, depending on service; $10 to $45 a month,
depending on service. Voice: (214) 705-2900 or (817) 543-8756.

Houston. The Black Box, (713) 480-2686. $21.65 a month. Voice: (713)
480-2684.

UTAH

Salt Lake City. XMission, (801) 539-0900 Voice: (801) 539-0852. Menu and
Unix. CSLIP/PPP usage no extra charge. $5 for the first month; $19 a
month after that; $102 for six months.

VIRGINIA

Norfolk/Peninsula. Wyvern Technologies, (804) 627-1828 (Norfolk); (804)
886-0662 (Peninsula). $10 startup fee; $15 a month or $144 a year. Voice:
(804) 622-4289.

Williamsburg. Global Connect. For modem number, call voice number below.
Menus or Unix. $15 a month or $150 a year for 40 hours per month; $40 a
month or $400 a year for 70 hours of SLIP/PPP access a month. Voice: (804)
229-4484.

WASHINGTON, DC

The Meta Network. Call voice number below for local dial-in numbers.
Caucus conferencing, menus. $15 setup fee; $20 a month. Voice: (703) 243-
6622.

CapAccess, (202), 785-1523. Log on as guest with a password of visitor.
A Free-Net system (see under Cleveland, Ohio, for information). Free.
Voice: (202) 994-4245.

See also: listing under Baltimore, MD for Digital Express and Clarknet,
both of which have Washington, DC numbers.

WASHINGTON STATE

Seattle. Halcyon, (206) 382-6245. Users can choose between menus and
Unix. Log on as: new. $10 setup fee; $60 a quarter or $200 a year.
Voice: (206) 955-1050.

Seattle. Eskimo North, (206) 367-3837 (all speeds), (206) 362-6731
(9600/14.4K bps). $10 a month or $96 a year. Voice: (206) 367-7457.

Seattle. Seattle Community Network, (206) 386-4140. Log on as: visitor.
Local conferences and information, access to many Internet resources and
to other Free-Net sites in the U.S. and Canada. Complete access requires
completion of written registration form. Free.

1.5 EUROPEAN AND OTHER PROVIDERS

AUSTRALIA

Canberra. InterConnect Australia. $95 set-up fee; $20 a month
plus 15 cents a minute, $1 per megabyte of FTP'ed files. For dial-in
numbers call one of their voice numbers: 008 818 262 or 03 528 2239.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Sydney. InterConnect Australia. See under Canberra.

Sydney. DIALix Services, (02) 948-6918, log in as: guest. $80 a year
minimum; 1 cent a minute plus 1 cent per every 1,000 bytes of Internet
traffic.

QUEENSLAND

Brisbane. InterConnect Australia. See under Canberra.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Adelaide. InterConnect Australia. See under Canberra.

Adelaide. APANA, (08) 373-5485, log in as: guest. $65 a year.

VICTORIA

Melbourne. InterConnect Australia. See under Canberra.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Perth. InterConnect Australia. See under Canberra.

Perth. DIALix Services, (09) 244-3233, log in as: guest. $80 annual
minimum fee; 1 cent per minute and 1 cent per 1,000 bytes Internet
traffic.

GERMANY

Erlangen-Nuernburg. Free-Net Erlangen-Nuernburg, 09131-85-8111. Log on
as: guest. Local conferences and information, access to many Internet
resources and to other Free-Net sites in the U.S. and Canada. German and
English menus. Complete access requires completion of written registration
form, 2DM registration fee. Voice: 09131-85-2693.

ITALY

Milan. Galactica, 02/29.00.60.58 (up to 2400 bps); 02/29.00.60.91 (up to
14.4 Kbps). 24.000 lire/month; 71.400/three months; 178.500/year,
including IVA. Voice: 02/29.00.61.50

Milan. Agora, (02) 48403680 (see under Rome).

Pavia. Telnet, 0382 529121. Voice: 0382 529751.

Rome. Agora, (06) 69920412, (06) 6990532 and (06) 69200112. Also
available via ITAPAC: NUA 26430303, 26420265 (1200 bps). Voice: 06
6991742/3

Rome. MC-link Technimedia Srl, (06) 4180440 and (06) 4513900.
ITAPAC: NUA 26410420. 216.000 lire per year or 72.000 lire per
quarter. Voice: 06 418921.

UNITED KINGDOM

London. Demon Internet Systems, 44 (0)81 343 4848. 12.50 pounds setup
fee; 10 a month or 132.50 a year. Voice: 44 (0)81 349 0063.

1.6 IF YOUR TOWN HAS NO DIRECT ACCESS

If you don't live in an area with a public-access site, you'll still be
able to connect to the Net. Several services offer access through
national data networks such as the CompuServe Packet Network and
SprintNet, which have dozens, even hundreds of local dial-in numbers
across the country. These include Holonet in Berkeley, Calf., Portal in
Cupertino, Calf., the WELL in Sausalito, Calf., Dial 'N CERF in San
Diego, Calf., the World in Brookline, Mass., and Michnet in Ann Arbor,
Mich. Dial 'N CERF offers access through an 800 number. Expect to pay
from $2 to $12 an hour to use these networks, above each provider's basic
charges. The exact amount depends on the network, time of day and type
of modem you use. For more information, contact the above services.

Four other providers deliver Net access to users across the country:

Delphi, based in Cambridge, Mass., is a consumer-oriented network much
like CompuServe or America Online -- only it now offers subscribers
access to Internet services. Delphi charges $3 a month for Internet
access, in addition to standard charges. These are $10 a month for four
hours of off-peak (non-working hours) access a month and $4 an hour for
each additional hour or $20 for 20 hours of access a month and $1.80 an
hour for each additional hour. For more information, call (800) 695-
4005.

BIX (the Byte Information Exchange) offers FTP, Telnet and e-mail access
to the Internet as part of their basic service. Owned by the same company
as Delphi, it also offers 20 hours of access a month for $20. For more
information, call (800) 695-4775.

PSI, based in Reston, Va., provides nationwide access to Internet
services through scores of local dial-in numbers to owners of IBM and
compatible computers. PSILink. which includes access to e-mail, Usenet
and ftp, costs $29 a month, plus a one-time $19 registration fee.
Special software is required, but is available free from PSI. PSI's
Global Dialup Service provides access to telnet for $39 a month plus a
one-time $39 set-up fee. For more information, call (800) 82PSI82 or
(703) 620-6651.

NovX Systems Integration, based in Seattle, Washington, offers full
Internet access through an 800 number reachable across the United States.
There is a $24. setup fee, in addition to a monthly fee of $19.95 and a
$10.5 hourly charge. For more information, call (206) 447-0800.

1.7 NET ORIGINS

In the 1960s, researchers began experimenting with linking computers to
each other and to people through telephone hook-ups, using funds from the
U.S Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA).

ARPA wanted to see if computers in different locations could be linked
using a new technology known as packet switching. This technology, in
which data meant for another location is broken up into little pieces,
each with its own "forwarding address" had the promise of letting several
users share just one communications line. Just as important, from ARPA's
viewpoint, was that this allowed for creation of networks that could
automatically route data around downed circuits or computers. ARPA's
goal was not the creation of today's international computer-using
community, but development of a data network that could survive a nuclear
attack.

Previous computer networking efforts had required a line between each
computer on the network, sort of like a one-track train route. The packet
system allowed for creation of a data highway, in which large numbers of
vehicles could essentially share the same lane. Each packet was given
the computer equivalent of a map and a time stamp, so that it could be
sent to the right destination, where it would then be reassembled into a
message the computer or a human could use.

This system allowed computers to share data and the researchers to
exchange electronic mail, or e-mail. In itself, e-mail was something of
a revolution, offering the ability to send detailed letters at the speed
of a phone call.

As this system, known as ARPANet, grew, some enterprising college
students (and one in high school) developed a way to use it to conduct
online conferences. These started as science-oriented discussions, but
they soon branched out into virtually every other field, as people
recognized the power of being able to "talk" to hundreds, or even
thousands, of people around the country.

In the 1970s, ARPA helped support the development of rules, or protocols,
for transferring data between different types of computer networks.
These "internet" (from "internetworking") protocols made it possible to
develop the worldwide Net we have today that links all sorts of computers
across national boundaries. By the close of the 1970s, links developed
between ARPANet and counterparts in other countries. The world was now
tied together in a computer web.

In the 1980s, this network of networks, which became known collectively
as the Internet, expanded at a phenomenal rate. Hundreds, then
thousands, of colleges, research companies and government agencies began
to connect their computers to this worldwide Net. Some enterprising
hobbyists and companies unwilling to pay the high costs of Internet
access (or unable to meet stringent government regulations for access)
learned how to link their own systems to the Internet, even if "only" for
e-mail and conferences. Some of these systems began offering access to
the public. Now anybody with a computer and modem, persistance and a
small amount of money -- and persistence -- could tap into the world.

In the 1990s, the Net continues to grow at exponential rates. Some
estimates are that the volume of messages transferred through the Net
grows 20 percent a month. In response, government and other users have
tried in recent years to expand the Net itself. Once, the main Net
"backbone" in the U.S. moved data at 56,000 bits per second. That proved
too slow for the ever increasing amounts of data being sent over it, and
in recent years the maximum speed was increased to 1.5 million and then
45 million bits per second. Even before the Net was able to reach that
latter speed, however, Net experts were already figuring out ways to pump
data at speeds of up to 2 billion bits per second -- fast enough to send
the entire Encyclopedia Britannica across the country in just one or two
seconds. Another major change has been the development of commercial
services that provide internetworking services at speeds comparable to
those of the government system. In fact, what started as a government
experiment is now largely a private enterprise.

1.8 HOW IT WORKS

The worldwide Net is actually a complex web of smaller regional networks.
To understand it, picture a modern road network of trans-continental
superhighways connecting large cities. From these large cities come
smaller freeways and parkways to link together small towns, whose
residents travel on slower, narrow residential ways.

The Net superhighway is the high-speed Internet. Connected to this are
computers that use a particular system of transferring data at high
speeds. In the U.S., the major Internet "backbones" theoretically can
move data at rates of 45 million bits per second (compare this to the
average home modem, which has a top speed of roughly 9,600 to 14,400 bits
per second). Connected to the backbone computers are smaller networks
serving particular geographic regions, which generally move data at
speeds around 1.5 million bits per second. Feeding off these in turn are
even smaller networks or individual computers.

Unlike with commercial networks such as CompuServe or Prodigy, there is
no one central computer or computers running the Internet -- its
resources are to be found among thousands of individual computers. This
is both its greatest strength and its greatest weakness. The approach
means it is virtually impossible for the entire Net to crash at once --
even if one computer shuts down, the rest of the network stays up. The
design also reduces the costs for an individual or organization to get
onto the network. However, thousands of connected computers can also
make it difficult to navigate the Net and find what you want --
especially as different computers may have different commands for
plumbing their resources. It is only recently that Net users have begun
to develop the sorts of navigational tools and "maps" that will let
neophytes get around without getting lost.

Nobody really knows how many computers and networks actually make up this
Net. Some estimates say there are now as many as 12,000 networks
connecting nearly 4 million computers and more than 20 million
people around the world. Whatever the actual numbers, however, it is
clear they are only increasing.

The Net is more than just a technological marvel. It is human
communication at its most fundamental level. The pace may be a little
quicker when the messages race around the world in a few seconds, but
it's not much different from a large and interesting party. You'll see
things in cyberspace that will make you laugh; you'll see things that
will anger you. You'll read silly little snippets and new ideas that
WILL make you think. You'll make new friends and meet people you wish
would just go away. And you'll do it all in a community that transcends
state lines and national borders.

major network providers continue to work on ways to make it
easier for users of one network to communicate with those of another.
Work is underway on a system for providing a universal "white pages"
in which you could look up somebody's electronic-mail address, for
example. This connectivity trend will likely speed up in coming years
as users begin to demand seamless network access, much as telephone
users can now dial almost anywhere in the world without worrying about
how many phone companies actually have to connect their calls.

Today, the links grow ever closer between the Internet and such
commercial networks as CompuServe and Prodigy, whose users can now
exchange electroni‰c mail with their Internet friends. All of the major
commercial networks, such as CompuServe and America Online are gradually
bringing internet access to their users (one network, Delphi, already
offers complete access).

And as it becomes easier to use, more and more people will join this
worldwide community we call the Net.

Being connected to the Net takes more than just reading conferences and
logging messages to your computer; it takes asking and answering
questions, exchanging opinions -- getting involved.

If you chose to go forward, to use and contribute, you will become a
citizen of Cyberspace. If you're reading these words for the first time,
this may seem like an amusing but unlikely notion -- that one could
"inhabit" a place without physical space. But put a mark beside these
words. Join the Net and actively participate for a year. Then re-read
this passage. It will no longer seem so strange to be a "citizen of
Cyberspace." It will seem like the most natural thing in the world.

And that leads to another fundamental thing to remember:

You can't break the Net!

As you travel the Net, your computer may freeze, your screen may erupt
into a mass of gibberish. You may think you've just disabled a million-
dollar computer somewhere -- or even your own personal computer. Sooner
or later, this feeling happens to everyone -- and likely more than once.
But the Net and your computer are hardier than you think, so relax. You
can no more break the Net than you can the phone system. If something
goes wrong, try again. If nothing at all happens, you can always
disconnect. If worse comes to worse, you can turn off your computer.
Then take a deep breath. And dial right back in. Leave a note for the
person who runs the computer to which you've connected to ask for advice.
Try it again. Persistence pays.

Stay and contribute. The Net will be richer for it -- and so will you.

1.9 WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

* Your computer connects with a public-access site and get gibberish
on your screen.

If you are using parameters of 8-1-N, try 7-1-E (or vice-versa).
If that doesn't work, try another modem speed.

* You have your computer dial a public-access site, but nothing
happens.

Check the phone number you typed in. If correct, turn on your modem's
speaker (on Hayes-compatible modems, you can usually do this by typing
ATM1 in your communications software's "terminal mode"). If the phone
just rings and rings, the public-access site could be down for
maintenance or due to a crash or some other problem. If you get a
"connect" message, but nothing else, try hitting enter or escape a couple
of times.

* You try to log in, but after you type your password, nothing happens,
or you get a "timed out" message followed by a disconnect.

Re-dial the number and try it again.

* Always remember, if you have a problem that just doesn't go away, ask!
Ask your system administrator, ask a friend, but ask. Somebody will know
what to do.

1.10 FYI

The Net grows so fast that even the best guide to its resources would be
somewhat outdated the day it was printed. At the end of each chapter,
however, you'll find FYI pointers to places on the Net where you can go
for more information or to keep updated on new resources and services.

One of those resources is Everybdy's Internet Update. Every month, this
free electronic newsletter will update you on new Net services and
resources. Look for it in Usenet's alt.internet.services and
comp.org.eff.talk conferences (see chapter 3) and on the Electronic
Frontier Foundation's archive site (see chapter 7).

InterNIC, the Internet Network Information Center, maintains lists of
systems that provide public access to Internet services. They're
available on the network itself, which obviously does you little good if
you currently have no access, but which can prove invaluable should you
move or want to find a new system. To access the lists, use gopher (see
Chapter 8) to connect to ds.internic.net. From the main menu, select
"InterNIC Information Services" and then "Getting Connected to the
Internet."

Benoit Carl Lips maintains a list of Internet access providers in
Europe. It's available via the World-Wide Web at
http://www.earth.org/~lips/ (see Chapter 9 to decipher this) or via FTP
at sumex-aim.stanford.edu in the /info-mac/comm/information directory
(see Chapter 7 for details on this).

The Society for Electronic Access in New York maintains a
comprehensive list of Internet providers in the New York/Tri-State area.
You can get a copy by using Gopher to connect to gopher.panix.com. At the
main menu, select SEA.

Zik Saleeba maintains a list of Australian sites. You can get the most
current version of the list (which also includes information on sites
that provide e-mail and Usenet access) via ftp/ncftp and World-Wide Web.
For the former, connect to archie.au (again, look in Chapter 6 to
decipher this). Look in the usenet/FAQs/alt.internet.access.wanted
directory for Network_Access_in_Australia_FAQ file. For the former,
point your Web client at http://www.cs.monash.edu.au/~zik/netfaq.html

Steven Levy's book, "Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution,"
(Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1984). describes the early culture and ethos
that ultimately resulted in the Internet and Usenet.

You'll find numerous documents about the Internet, its history and its
resources in the pub/Net_info directory on the Electronic Frontier
Foundation's ftp server (see chapter 7 to decipher this).