The cliché, Information Super Highway, vaguely applied to define electronic information which comes chugging through telephone lines and into computers and other machines, is not a particularly good name for this chaotic chunk of cyberspace. Rather than a superhighway, which goes efficiently from Point A to Point B, this hastily built international network looks more like an unfinished diagram of the human circulatory system, with all sorts of roads ranging from large arteries to tiny capillaries.
The super highway analogy is particularly apt in one way, however; new users often feel like they have ventured onto the LA freeway system without a roadmap during commute time.
Here is a roadmap of the Internet for new users. It will get you onto the system, explain some of the new terms you will encounter, and show you some shortcuts and interesting destinations.
This guide does not attempt to tell you everything about the Internet. Several large, expensive books do that, and, under Books, we list some of them. Because new books on the Internet appear every day due largely to the incredible speed with which the Internet is changing, we recommend that you purchase the most recent publications. (Make sure they have information on the World Wide Web - WWW - and NetScape and Mosaic.)
When we ask you to type something online, we enclose the information to be typed in quotation marks; do not include the quotation marks when you type.
Many access roads lead to the Internet, including various kinds of computers and communication software. Most of the information about logging on and uploading and downloading files assumes you are using a PC (non-Apple) with Windows, Windows-compatible communication software, and WordPerfect.
Finally, writing about the Internet is like trying to write a map of Eastern Europe; today's information will be obsolete tomorrow. Please let us know about errors and omissions, so we can improve future editions of this guide.
The Internet is filled with differently-abled typists who save time with a variety of interesting abbreviations. These include BTW ("by the way"), IMHO ("in my humble opinion"), RTFM ("Read the _____ Manual" - Why bother the civilized world with questions you could have looked up yourself?), and one we're trying to popularize, which combines arrogance and contrition - TS WHA ("Thanks. Sorry. Won't happen again.") The longest one may be ROTFLOL - "Rolling on the floor, laughing out loud," often a response to a dubious bit of humor.
A commercial online service, like CompuServe. (See the CompuServe entry for details.)
A text file. Save WordPerfect files that you wish to send as email as ASCII.
Image file. Binary files are transferred bit by bit, creating an exact image copy of the original. All files except text files are considered binary.
Every Student's Guide to the Internet, Pitter-Amato-Callahan- Kerr-Tilton, McGray Hill, 1995. (Includes information on WWW and Mosaic.)
How the Internet Works, Joshua Eddings, Ziff-Davis
How to Use the Internet, Mark Butler, Ziff-Davis
Internet Complete Reference, The, Harley Hahn and Rick Stout, McGraw-Hill.
Internet Yellow Pages, Harley Hahn and Rick Stout, Osborne, 1994. (An Internet "phone book.")
Internet for Dummies, The, John Levine and Carol Baroudi, IDG
Internet Starter Kit for MacIntosh, Adam Engst, Hayden
Internet Starter Kit for Windows, Adam Engst - Corwin Low - Michael Simon, Hayden
Navigating the Internet, Mark Gibbs and Richard Smith, Sams
The Whole Internet User's Guide and Catalog, 2nd edition, Ed Krol, O'Reilly, 1994.
Browsers move you about the Internet, allowing you to ftp and gopher almost painlessly. (Actually, they move the Internet, a tiny piece, or document, or file, at a time, into your computer.) Lynx provides no pictures (and often garbled text). Graphics browsers like Netscape and Mosaicretrieve graphics files as pictures.
Except for moderated discussion groups, the Internet is free from censorship. The law still obtains, however. You can be sued for libel if you publish libelous material about someone else. Roseanne Arnold's first ex-husband, who had agreed to keep quiet about the marriage in exchange for a huge support settlement, lost everything when he sent a private email message to a woman who asked him what it was like being married to Roseanne. She sent the message to Roseanne who sent it to her lawyer.
As a rule of thumb, avoid writing anything which you wouldn't want to see on the blackboard with your name under it the next time you come to class.
You may be invited to take part in the Internet's version of chain letters, which ask you to pass on a message by email. Resist the invitation. The pyramid nature of chain letters clogs up the Internet, which already suffers from serious hardening of the phone lines. It clogs up Viking even more.
A commercial online service (discussion groups, news, weather, travel, and volumes of other kinds of information, including a dictionary, reviews of London theatre, and everything Roger Ebert writes), with Usenet and email Internet access. You pay a fee for mail received over the Internet, so joining a mailing list which sends a hundred messages a day may not be practical, unless you receive them in digest form, as one message. Monthly fee of about $9. Provides a local connect number (as do the other commercial services), which may make it cheaper for DVC students who live some distance from the college.
The method(s) you use to retrieve files - email, Usenet articles, discussion group messages, gophered files, ftp'd files - will vary, according to your software.
If you use Windows, you will probably be able to print anything on your screen by clicking on "File" in the upper left hand corner, then on "Print." Also in Windows, if your software has an "Echo to File" button, you can transfer everything on your screen to a file which you can retrieve as a WordPerfect document, regardless of the length of the file. When you click on "Echo to File," the program will ask you for a name for the document. Then space at the bottom of each page until you have reached the end of the document. Turn off "Echo to File," go into WordPerfect, find your document by using File Manager, then import it into WordPerfect, which will convert it from ASCII text.
Another method, a little trickier, again with Windows, uses something called xmodem. From Pine, press E (for "export"). then type the name you wish to give the file. Leave Pine. At the Viking prompt, type "xmodem -sb test (or whatever you want to call it)." Then click on "Transfers," name your file, and choose "xmodem." Your file should transfer. Find your document by using File Manager, then import it into WordPerfect, which will convert it.
In the best of all possible worlds, you will have access to zmodem, which is faster than xmodem and a whole lot faster than Kermit, about to be introduced.
You may also export files using Kermit, which is easier than xmodem. Once you have exported the file, leave Pine. Type "Kermit." At the Kermit prompt, type "send" and the name of your file. Then click on your online box (or whatever passes for one), click on "receive file," name your file, and click again. When you leave Viking, you should be able to find your file and convert it into your word processor. (Most programs perform this conversion automatically.)
A nasty, intemperate response. Remember that many of the users of the Internet are either fourteen or have fourteen year old attitudes. Flames are more likely in those newsgroups that attract the young (such as rec.arts.startrek.current or rec.arts.movies). Flames also occur because it is so easy to respond. If you are answering a comment in a newsgroup, you will be given a last-minute chance to forget the whole thing, often a good idea.
File Transfer Protocol. The way you move electronic information from one place to another, usually compressed using binary mode. To avoid cyberspace overload, FTP (particularly graphic files) outside normal business hours.
Type "finger" at the Viking prompt, and you'll discover who else from DVC is on line. If you know an email address for persons on another network, "finger" works for them, too. You can also finger specific persons and discover when they were online last.
Gophers are sources of information. (They "go fer" info.) DVC connects to the gopher at the University of Minnesota, whose mascot is a gopher. For more, type "gopher" at the Viking prompt. Once you have found a site you wish to re-visit, press "a" to add a bookmark. Next time you want to visit that site, type "v" for "view," and Gopher will send you directly to the site. Note: Many sites are often unavailable, usually because of heavy usage.
All the stuff the Internet inserts at the top of your message. Don't worry about it. It's automatic.
The stuff of the World Wide Web. Electronically footnoted, so you move from one to another by clicking. You are reading a hypertext document.
A fascinating place to visit, organized by the creative writing folks at Duke University. Type "telnet duke.cs.brown.edu 8888" and see what happens. You can leave at any point by typing @quit.
Listservs are programs which control email discussion groups (not the Usenet). Here's how they work: To receive all the messages written by the members of a fictitious discussion group who are nuts about whoopie cushions, called "WHOOPIE," a lively bunch of folks, send email to the robot in charge of the list, often a listserv (LISTSERV@UMCVMB.MISSOURI.EDU, for example) saying only "subscribe whoopie-l," followed by your name. You will receive a note saying that your subscription has been accepted, followed by a couple of dozen funny airbag email messages a day on Pine. Listservs, being programs, have no sense of humor and no flexibility. So long as you are specific and precise, they are affable and helpful; when you make a mistake, they are intolerant and arrogant.
When you join a list, you should receive a welcome message. Print it ("Y") and save it.
To unsubscribe to a list, send email to the same place where you subscribed; please do not send it to everyone on the list.
At the Viking prompt, press Ctrl D.
From DVC - esc, unix (enter), tn Viking (enter), your login name (enter), your password (enter).
From anywhere else - dial 685-5454, then, when connected, type your login name (enter), your password (enter), then "Viking" when you are asked for "host". At the Viking prompt, type your login name (enter), your password (enter).
When you first dial in, both passwords are the same. We recommend strongly that you change the second password, making it 6-8 characters long, with a random combination of lower case and upper case letters and symbols such as % or # or any of the other gizmos at the top of the keyboard. Depending upon your connection software, you can probably write a script for the logon process, which will make it easier. Check the manual.
If you're using Windows, clicking on the upper right triangle should increase the size of your message screen.
The Internet is filled with Lurkers, persons who read Usenet and discussion group messages but who never send their own messages. We suggest Lurking for at least a week or two to give you a chance to develop a feeling for the way a group operates before you burst into print.
Viking's WWW reader. At the Viking prompt, type "lynx." If it's working, you'll see a confusing screenful of stuff, including a help menu. To go right to work, type "g." At the next prompt, type your http address. To play WWW roulette, type http://www.access.digex.net/~nuance/nds.html. (no final period) To see my web page, type http://ccnet.com/~bmckinne/. (again, no final period)
A graphical interface (you see pictures and, with some versions, hear music) for the WWW. Free, downloadable software if you know something about computers; essential bits of it are scattered throughout hyperspace. Or buy it. Unfortunately, Viking does not have the size or speed to cope with many NetScape users, so such programs are available only to staff for the time being. (See "Other Roads to Viking" for suggestions on ways to use NetScape.)
Although the Internet is a relatively free-form environment, its users have agreed on some basic guidelines which help make it comfortable as well as free. These guidelines include NOT WRITING IN ALL CAPITALS (WHICH HAS ALWAYS REMINDED US OF GARRETT MORRIS SHOUTING NEWS FOR THE HEARING-IMPAIRED ON "SNL"), restricting signature files to four lines or less, and including only the important part of messages to which you are replying (rather than repeating sixty lines which people have already read to say, "Right on" at the end).
You are probably a newbie, a person new to the Internet. If so, you are not alone. The Net doubled in users this year.
Several commercial outfits (ISP's - Internet Service Providers) in the Bay Area can connect you to the Internet. The best known are netcom and bestcom but checking with ba.internet on Usenet will give you names of several others, including local providers like ccnet (Walnut Creek - 988-0680) and hooked (Lafayette). Such services typically provide a shell (the same as provided by Viking), up to 5 meg of storage space, a SLIP or PPP connection (so you can run a browser like NetScape), and a place to hang a WWW homepage. A local provider, bdt.com, offers all these for $30 a month, which includes 100 hours of connect time. From netcom, you can get a shell account with unlimited connect time and a Web browser (Netcruiser) for about $20 a month. You hang up Web homepages there at your own risk, however. Ccnet provides PPP accounts to DVC staff and students for $15.
Pico is a text editor. Enter Pico by typing "pico" at the Viking prompt. Pressing Ctrl G or F1 on some software will give you a help menu.
Pine is the email system used by DVC. Type "pine" at the Viking prompt to enter Pine. Type "q" to leave. Pine has an extensive help menu. Note: "^" means press the "Ctrl" key. The Address Book stores email addresses for persons or groups, so you can print their entire address by typing their nickname. To print an entire email message, press "Y". If you use the "Reply" function, be sure you know to whom you are replying; you can send a message to a huge group of readers when you only intended it for one person.
It's a good idea to have a signature file, to identify yourself on email. Set one up by typing "pico .signature" at the Viking prompt. That takes you into a word-processing program that looks like Pine. Write your signature. Press Ctrl X, (message: "modified buffer: save before leaving, y/n") press y, ("file to write: signature") enter. As mentioned under "Netiquette," we recommend keeping your signature file under five lines.
Read it sideways. Often used to atone for harsh message or to say, "I don't really mean this" or "I'm joking." Right up there with the bumper sticker "Baby on Board" in degree of coolness. A winking smiley is an improvement ;-)
A bunch of Netters typing at each other at the same time, reading each other's messages and responding to them. Accomplished through MUD's (multi-user dungeons) and MOO's.
To flood with information. From Monty Python. The Internet is the world's biggest spam sandwich.
Two Netters typing at each other at the same time, reading each other's messages and responding to them. When you discover (through Finger) that someone else is online, type "talk his/her code name" ("talk bmckinne," for example). The other person will see your message and, if she/he wishes to talk to you, will get back to a Viking prompt, then type "talk jsmith" (for example). A message, "connection established," pops up, the screen splits in two, and you talk to each other. End your talk with Ctrl C. (This will work, more or less, for anyone on the Internet if you know the person's address.)
You troll bait past fish, right? On the Internet you do the same thing. You send your recipe for barbecued cat to rec.pets.cats in hopes of stirring the felineophiles there up. Or, as William Shatner did once, you invite Trekkers to "get a life." Not a recommended activity.
Unix is yet another operating system used by some computers at DVC. Take another look at "Downloading Files." When you type "xmodem -sb test" you're using Unix. There are books about Unix, if you wish to know more.
The easy way, if you have the right software: 1. Create a document you wish to send, removing bold facing, underlining, italics, graphics, and large fonts. 2. Block and click on "copy" - under "edit." 3. Minimize WP. 4. Log on. 5. Enter Pine. Write your address and subject. 6. (With ProComm Plus for Windows) "edit," then "paste text."
1. Type out what you want in MSWorks (you will need to make
your right margin 3.5" - under Page Setup) and save it.
2. Choose "Select all" under Edit.
3. Choose "Copy" under Edit"
4. Minimize MS Works and connect to Prodigy.
5. After connecting to mailbox, type address of person you are
sending to.
6. In body of letter choose "Paste" under Edit.
You are ready to send.
(by Julie Ann Torchia)
Otherwise, send it by Kermit or xmodem. Kermit's easier. 1. Reduce the right margin of your document at least five spaces. 2. Save the WordPerfect file, using your Courier type font, as ASCII, to your communications software directory. 3. Leave WordPerfect. 4. Go to Viking prompt. Type "Kermit," then Enter, then "Receive name-of-file." 5. Then tell your upload program the name of the file. 4a. Xmodem transfer is similar. At the Viking prompt, type "xmodem -rb name-of-file." Three or so lines will appear, telling you that Unix is willing. 5. The file transfers to the Viking server. 7. Enter Pine. 8. Compose. 9. Once you've written the name of the addressee and your title, Ctrl R allows you to attach the file. 10. Type the name of the file and hit Enter. The file will appear in your Pine letter. 11. Ctrl X to send. Take the rest of the day off.
The Usenet is the part of the Internet most users know best, next to email. It's where people with an incredible variety of interests and enthusiasms gather to exchange opinions and information, more often the former than the latter. Newsgroups range from alt.sex to alt.buddha.short.fat.guy. Travelers check current prices in London on rec.travel.europe. Dave Barry fans converse on alt.fan.dave_barry. There are news groups to deify Rush Limbaugh, admire Rumpole of the Bailey, and to impeach Clinton.
Get to the Usenet by typing "trn" (to read news) or "tin" at the Viking prompt. You will be met by a long list of new groups to which you may subscribe by typing "y" or "n". We suggest that you unsubscribe to everything first; you can always subscribe later. Here's how to unsubscribe (do this exactly, or you will be stewing uncomfortably in the vi and unix pots.):
1. At the viking prompt, type trn q (a space between "trn" and "q"), then Enter.
2. Type vi .newsrc (a space between "vi" and ".newsrc), then Enter.
3. Type :%s/:/!/, then Enter.
4. Type ZZ (those are capitals), then Enter.
Then, go the Usenet with "tin." Type g, then news.announce.new-users to start. Then go to any group you like. Typing more .newsrc will give you a list of all the current groups.
Once you're at a newsgroup, typing "r" will list the items you have not read by title, helpful if you re in rec.arts.startrek.current, facing 4,000 articles. Type the number of the article or arrow down, then press "Enter" to read an article and its followup articles. While reading an article, you may mail it to yourself ("m"), reply to the writer ("r"), or followup ("f") by adding to the series of articles on the same subject, or "thread." "CtrlX" will send the article. "Q" (quit) will take you back to the main list. "C" will tell the list you've read everything (or wish to mark everything as read).
Most newsgroups have FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions). Read this first; you might even want to make a copy, if you have the "Echo to File" feature mentioned in "Downloading," Or you could mail it to yourself.
If something happens to disconnect you from the Usenet while it is running, you may not be able to get back in without turning off the first application. At the Viking prompt, type "ps -u" to display any programs that are running; if trn is running, it will be displayed in this manner: "30305 ttyq41 0:00 trn." Turn it off with "kill -9 30305."
One other note on Usenet at DVC: It's down a lot, often on weekends. It collapses in an interesting fashion; unread messages remain (until you read them, of course), but new messages refuse to come in.
To avoid annoying others with test messages, practice sending to the Usenet by typing "Pnews." When you are asked for the name of your newsgroup, type "test." "Subject" is "test," too. "Enter" or "yes" until you get to a screen with a header and a lot of tildas (the wavy gizmos you often see above "n's" in Spanish). Enter until you are at the first row of tildas. Type "i" and continue as in "Usenet," above.
A Unix editor and an irritating one, at that. Helpful hints: Avoid using if possible. Typing "x" will delete the character your cursor is on, "dd" the line. Typing "man vi" at the Viking prompt will give you a vi manual. We recommend making a hard copy of this because vi will oblige you to shout obscenities at your machine from time to time if you don't know what you're doing.
The most exciting and most anarchistic chunk of the Internet. Get there with Lynx or Netscape. Cookbooks, cartoons, art exhibits, and lots of things for sale. The Web is named appropriately; wander about, connecting to other threads, doubling back on your own tracks, or exploring unknown territory. I've listed several worthwhile links at the bottom of my webpage.