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Path: bloom-beacon.mit.edu!hookup!yeshua.marcam.com!MathWorks.Com!mvb.saic.com!news.cerf.net!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!munnari.oz.au!newshost.anu.edu.au!sserve!yarrina.connect.com.au!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!aurora.cc.monash.edu.au!zik
From: zik@aurora.cc.monash.edu.au (Zik Saleeba)
Newsgroups: aus.net.access,alt.internet.access.wanted,aus.net.mail,aus.net.aarnet,aus.comms,soc.culture.australian,aus.computers,alt.answers,soc.answers,news.answers
Subject: Network Access in Australia FAQ
Supersedes: <2m1b4m$iul@harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au>
Followup-To: poster
Date: 15 Apr 1994 03:41:17 GMT
Organization: Monash University
Lines: 1409
Approved: news-answers-request@mit.edu
Expires: 18 May 1994 08:00:00 GMT
Message-ID: <2ol2ct$68f@harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au>
Reply-To: zik@cs.monash.edu.au
NNTP-Posting-Host: aurora.cc.monash.edu.au
Summary: This post contains answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs)
about obtaining internet and usenet access in Australia.
Keywords: internet, usenet, network, access, australia
Xref: bloom-beacon.mit.edu alt.internet.access.wanted:8313 aus.net.mail:39 aus.net.aarnet:631 aus.comms:1171 soc.culture.australian:10624 aus.computers:567 alt.answers:2433 soc.answers:1066 news.answers:18065
Archive-name: australia/oz-net-faq
Last-modified: 1994/04/15
Version: 2.3
Network Access in Australia FAQ
-------------------------------
Contents:
Section 1: About this FAQ
Section 2: How do I get an internet account?
Section 3: What public access machines are in my area?
Section 4: What can I do once I'm on the internet?
Section 5: How can I find out more about the internet?
Section 6: How do I connect my own machine to the net?
Section 7: What network organisations are there in Australia?
Section 8: Why do these public networking people do it?
Section 9: How do I send mail between the various networks?
Section 10: Changes this month
Section 11: Disclaimer
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: OzNetFAQ Section 1
Subject: Section 1: About this FAQ
This is my compilation of information on public networking in
Australia. It contains information on the various organisations
providing network access, how to get an account with network access,
and how to attach your own machine to the network.
If you want to skip quickly to a particular section, say "Section 7:
What networks are there in Australia?" as easy way to get there is by
using your text viewer to search for the words "Section 7".
New versions of the FAQ are posted monthly, incorporating any updates
which have been received in the meantime. It'll probably never be
quite complete but I'm trying to keep it as accurate and up-to-date
as possible. If you have any information which is not included here,
or if you have corrections or constructive comments to make, please
mail me.
The most recent version of the FAQ is always available on the many
FTP sites which archive FAQs. An example location is:
archie.au:/usenet/FAQs/alt.internet.access.wanted/Network_Access_in_Australia_FAQ
From: OzNetFAQ Section 2
Subject: Section 2: How do I get an internet account?
There are basically three ways to get a network-connected account:
a) Enrol in a university course which involves having an account
(this costs lots of money so consider c) instead)
b) Get a job somewhere with a net connection (this may be considered a
repugnant option by some as it involves work)
c) Get an account on a public access machine
Universities offer the fastest network connections and the best
facilities in general, but often restrict network access to those who
actually need it. Public access machines are becoming more and more
common, and offer many of the same features that the universities
do. They're also much less restrictive about what programs you are
allowed to run.
Generally you'll need to access public access sites from home using a
modem and a terminal program on your own computer. The next section
details the public access machines in each area.
------------------------------
From: OzNetFAQ Section 3
Subject: Section 3: What public access machines are in my area?
This section lists public access sites. It's organised into areas by
state:
- ACT
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
There are four possible link types:
- UUCP Machine calls another on a regular basis to
transfer news and email. This is the slowest
option. It also doesn't offer access to most
internet services, and is more correctly
referred to as a "Usenet" network host.
- IP Machine is permanently connected to the
internet. Very quick responses are possible
and all network services are available.
- firewalled IP Machine is separated from the internet by a
"firewall machine". This means that it can't
be accessed from outside and services such as
"talk" and "archie" are usually unavailable.
- MHSnet Machine calls another on demand and/or
regularly. This is usually better than UUCP,
but doesn't offer full IP connectivity.
Modem standards are complicated things. In general a site with modems
that support high speeds will also support all the lower speeds. The
main modem standards are:
- V.FastClass 28,800 bps raw speed, not standardised yet
- V.32bis 14,400 bps raw speed
- PEP 14,000 bps raw speed, not very common
- V.32 9,600 bps raw speed
- V.22bis 2,400 bps raw speed
- V.22 1,200 bps raw speed
- V.23 1,200 bps receive / 75 baud send
Also some modems support compression and packetising on top of the raw
communications they provide. Packetising reduces the amount of line
noise you'll have problems with, and compression increases the
throughput available:
- V.42bis ~4 times compression (usually includes V.42)
- V.42 packetisation
- MNP5 ~2 times compression (usually includes MNP4)
- MNP4 packetisation
After you've selected a shortlist of possible sites you may also want
to check out "Section 7: What networks are there in Australia?" to get
a brief idea of what facilities each network offers.
================================== ACT =================================
Site Name -----> interconnect.com.au
Organisation --> InterConnect Australia Pty. Ltd.
Location ------> Canberra.
Dialins -------> 4 * V.32bis/V.42bis
Charges -------> $95.00 (1 off) + $20/month + 15c/minute online.
Also FTP @ $1 per 1 MByte, contact for full details.
Machine -------> i486 EISA, SCSI disk, BSDI UNIX.
Link ----------> IP - 20 milliseconds to AARNet
Features ------> Interactive login, Telnet, FTP, News, Mail, Talk...
How -----------> Ring sales on 008 818 262 or 03 528 2239.
Contact -------> <info@interconnect.com.au>
============================ New South Wales ===========================
Site Name -----> interconnect.com.au
Organisation --> InterConnect Australia Pty. Ltd.
Location ------> Sydney
Dialins -------> 8 * V.32bis/V.42bis
Charges -------> $95.00 (1 off) + $20/month + 15c/minute online.
Also FTP @ $1 per 1 MByte, contact for full details.
Machine -------> i486 EISA, SCSI disk, BSDI UNIX.
Link ----------> IP - 20 milliseconds to AARNet
Features ------> Interactive login, Telnet, FTP, News, Mail, Talk...
How -----------> Ring sales on 008 818 262 or 03 528 2239.
Contact -------> <info@interconnect.com.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> jolt.mpx.com.au
Organisation --> Microplex
Location ------> Sydney
Dialins -------> 18 * V.32bis/V.42bis
Charges -------> $25 setup fee + $23.50/month or $234/year
Machine -------> Sun SPARC 10, UNIX
Link ----------> IP
Features ------> E-mail, FTP file transfer, Usenet news, Talk, Internet Relay
Chat, Gopher and World Wide Web
How -----------> By email, snail or phone
Contact -------> <info@jolt.mpx.com.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> kralizec.zeta.org.au / godzilla.zeta.org.au
Organisation --> Zeta Microcomputer Software
Location ------> Sydney
Dialins -------> 5 * V.32bis/V.42bis
Charges -------> $10/month for 10 hours, $1/hr thereafter
Machine -------> Sun 3 (SunOS 4.0) / 386DX/40 (Linux)
Link ----------> ? - time to internet: 3 hours
Features ------> > 1 Gb disk, 6 CD-ROMs, huge amount of Linux S/W & News
How -----------> dial (02) 837-1868, login as "guest"
Contact -------> Nick Andrew <nick@kralizec.zeta.org.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> kumear.apana.org.au
Organisation --> APANA
Location ------> Lake Macquarie
Dialins -------> 1 * V32/V.42bis, 1 * 1 * V.22bis/V.42bis
Charges -------> $15 pa
Machine -------> Amiga 3000T, AmigaDOS 2.05
Link ----------> UUCP - time to internet: 18 hours
Features ------> DLGPro BBS software, Lots of Amiga software, FidoNET,
AdultLink.
How -----------> dial (049) 48-5408
Contact -------> Phillip Eastham <phillip_eastham@kumear.apana.org.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> lsupoz.apana.org.au
Organisation --> APANA
Location ------> Sydney
Dialins -------> 5 * V.32bis/V.42bis
Charges -------> $10 joining fee, $5 an month or 15c/hour whichever is higher
Machine -------> 486DX running Linux
Link ----------> IP
Features ------> offering UUCP/News/E-Mail + files, APANA Sydney Main UUCP hub
How -----------> dial (02) 418-8750, login as "guest"
Contact -------> Anthony Rumble <root@lsupoz.apana.org.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> scorch.hna.com.au
Organisation --> Hunter Networking Association
Location ------> Newcastle
Dialins -------> 1 * 2400bps, 2 * V32/V.42bis (3rd soon)
Charges -------> $40 pa (interactive), $60 (private systems), $100 (public sys)
Machine -------> 386DX40, 8Meg core, total 2G HD, Linux 0.99pl14+
Link ----------> UUCP - time to internet: 4 hours
Features ------> BBS-ish interface or UNIX shell. Local news spool. POPmail.
Visitors may browse the system for a ~month without charge.
How -----------> dial (049) 61-1695, login as "guest"
Contact -------> Michael Brown <mbrown@hna.com.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> sydney.dialix.oz.au
Organisation --> DIALix Services
Location ------> Sydney
Dialins -------> 6 * V.32bis/V.42bis, 1 * V.FAST
Charges -------> 1c/minute connection, 1c/1000 bytes Internet traffic.
Minimum annual usage payable in advance of:
$10 student / $80 individual / $250 corporate
Machine -------> 2 PCs, Unix; e-mail, usenet, ftp, telnet, talk, finger, irc
Link ----------> IP
Features ------> Interactive login or UUCP
How -----------> dial (02) 948-6918, login as "guest"
Contact -------> Justin Sullivan <justin@sydney.DIALix.oz.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> ilb.com.au
Organisation --> ILB Computing Pty. Ltd.
Location ------> Wollongong
Dialins -------> 2
Charges -------> ?
Machine -------> ?
Link ----------> MHSnet
Features ------> 1.2G of news online
How -----------> ?
Contact -------> Kevin Withnall
============================== Queensland ==============================
Site Name -----> interconnect.com.au
Organisation --> InterConnect Australia Pty. Ltd.
Location ------> Brisbane.
Dialins -------> 4 * V.32bis/V.42bis
Charges -------> $95.00 (1 off) + $20/month + 15c/minute online.
Also FTP @ $1 per 1 MByte, contact for full details.
Machine -------> i486 EISA, SCSI disk, BSDI UNIX.
Link ----------> IP - 20 milliseconds to AARNet
Features ------> Interactive login, Telnet, FTP, News, Mail, Talk...
How -----------> Ring sales on 008 818 262 or 03 528 2239.
Contact -------> <info@interconnect.com.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> ozspace.brisnet.org.au
Organisation --> BrisNet
Location ------> Brisbane
Dialins -------> ?
Charges -------> from $60 pa (hey guys, can you be more explicit here?)
Machine -------> 386 PC compatible; Linux
Link ----------> IP - time to AARNet: 10 minutes
Features ------> providing UUCP and IP feeds
How -----------> ?
Contact -------> BrisNet committee
* * * * *
Site Name -----> peg.apc.org
Organisation --> Pegasus Networks Communications Pty Ltd
Location ------> Brisbane
Dialins -------> ? * V.32bis/V.42bis, AUSTPAC
Charges -------> $95 mailbox purchase, $20 per month, time charges extra,
enquire for full details
Machine -------> ? running UNIX
Link ----------> demand IP?
Features ------> E-mail and conferencing, gateways to APC, FIDOnet and
Internet. telnet access, gopher, WAIS. Support hotline.
How -----------> By email, mail or phone
Contact -------> <support@peg.pegasus.oz.au>
=========================== South Australia ============================
Site Name -----> apanix.apana.org.au
Organisation --> APANA
Location ------> Adelaide
Dialins -------> 2 * V32.bis/V42.bis, 1 * V32/MNP5, 2 * V22.bis
Charges -------> $65/year or $40/6 months or $10/month.
Machine -------> Sparcstation ELC, 3gb disk
Link ----------> IP
Features ------> Internet news, mail, ftp, telnet, IRC. Unix shell, SL/IP.
How -----------> dial (08) 373-5485, login as "guest" or
email adrian@apanix.apana.org.au
Contact -------> Adrian Corston <adrian@apanix.apana.org.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> byron.apana.org.au
Organisation --> APANA
Location ------> Adelaide
Dialins -------> 1 * 2400 baud, 1 * V.32bis
Charges -------> $10 join + $10/m
Machine -------> 386DX33 5mb ram, 0.8gb disk, CDROM
Link ----------> IP
Features ------> Programmer's hangout, news, mail, UNIX shell and menu
How -----------> dial (08) 364-2017
Contact -------> John Lindsay <root@byron.apana.org.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> cleese.apana.org.au
Organisation --> APANA
Location ------> Adelaide
Dialins -------> 2 * V.32bis/V.42bis, 1 * 2400
Charges -------> $65 per annum, or $10 per month
Machine -------> i486DX/33, 16Mb RAM, 1.1Gb disk, FreeBSD UNIX
Link ----------> IP
Features ------> SA APANA hub site, interactive shells, UNIX tech support
How -----------> dial (08) 373-6006, login as "guest"
Contact -------> Mark Newton <newton@cleese.apana.org.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> cswamp.apana.org.au
Organisation --> APANA
Location ------> Adelaide
Dialins -------> 1 * V.32bis
Charges -------> none
Machine -------> 80386/16, 2MB RAM, 321MB disk; MS-DOS 4.01
Link ----------> UUCP - time to internet: 24 hours
Features ------> Maximus 2.01wb bbs software, Bluewave offline reader
How -----------> dial (08) 370-2133
Contact -------> Arthur Marsh <arthur@cswamp.apana.org.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> interconnect.com.au
Organisation --> InterConnect Australia Pty. Ltd.
Location ------> Adelaide.
Dialins -------> 4 * V.32bis/V.42bis
Charges -------> $95.00 (1 off) + $20/month + 15c/minute online.
Also FTP @ $1 per 1 MByte, contact for full details.
Machine -------> i486 EISA, SCSI disk, BSDI UNIX.
Link ----------> IP - 20 milliseconds to AARNet
Features ------> Interactive login, Telnet, FTP, News, Mail, Talk...
How -----------> Ring sales on 008 818 262 or 03 528 2239.
Contact -------> <info@interconnect.com.au>
=============================== Tasmania ===============================
Site Name -----> calvados.apana.org.au
Organisation --> APANA
Location ------> Hobart
Dialins -------> 1 * V.42bis
Charges -------> $25pa
Machine -------> 386sx, MS-DOS, Waffle
Link ----------> UUCP - time to internet: 18 hours
Features ------> Clarion mailing list (clarion-l@calvados.apana.org.au)
How -----------> dial (002) 34-8530, login as "new"
Contact -------> John Lamp <system@calvados.apana.org.au>
=============================== Victoria ===============================
Site Name -----> cloud.apana.org.au
Organisation --> APANA
Location ------> Melbourne
Dialins -------> 1 * V.32bis
Charges -------> none
Machine -------> IBM 386 Clone, MS-DOS
Link ----------> UUCP - time to internet: 12 hours
Features ------> Waffle/RemoteAccess software
How -----------> dial (03) 803-6954
Contact -------> Hamish Moffatt <hamish@cloud.apana.org.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> csource.oz.au
Organisation --> Unique Computing Pty Ltd
Location ------> Melbourne
Dialins -------> ?
Charges -------> ?
Machine -------> PC based, Waffle v1.65
Link ----------> ?
Features ------> Fidonet gateway for a lot of Usenet messages
How -----------> ?
Contact -------> David Nugent
* * * * *
Site Name -----> guru.apana.org.au
Organisation --> APANA
Location ------> Melbourne
Dialins -------> 2
Charges -------> $15 (once only)
Machine -------> Amiga 2000, AmigaDOS 2.04, 350Mb HD, CDROM
Link ----------> UUCP - time to internet: 12 hours
Features ------> Amiga Only BBS. 550Mb files online - Fish disks, AmiNet
Online games & multi-user chat
How -----------> dial (03) 326-0440
Contact -------> ?
* * * * *
Site Name -----> insane.apana.org.au
Organisation --> APANA
Location ------> Melbourne
Dialins -------> 3 * V.32bis/V.42bis
Charges -------> $35 pa
Machine -------> i486/33, 8MB RAM, 1GB disk; NetBSD UNIX
Link ----------> IP
Features ------> Macintosh supported, easy-to-use Menus, member of FIDOnet
How -----------> dial (03) 886-1230, login as "guest"
Contact -------> Stuart Marburg or Richard Preen <admin@insane.apana.org.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> interconnect.com.au
Organisation --> InterConnect Australia Pty. Ltd.
Location ------> Melbourne.
Dialins -------> 8 * V.32bis/V.42bis
Charges -------> $95.00 (1 off) + $20/month + 15c/minute online.
Also FTP @ $1 per 1 MByte, contact for full details.
Machine -------> i486 EISA, SCSI disk, BSDI UNIX.
Link ----------> IP - 20 milliseconds to AARNet
Features ------> Interactive login, Telnet, FTP, News, Mail, Talk...
How -----------> Ring sales on 008 818 262 or 03 528 2239.
Contact -------> <info@interconnect.com.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> suburbia.apana.org.au
Organisation --> APANA
Location ------> Melbourne
Dialins -------> 5 * 2400 baud
Charges -------> $55 pa
Machine -------> PC running Linux
Link ----------> IP
Features ------> Full news feed, part of the APANA IP network
How -----------> dial (03) 596-8366
Contact -------> Mark Dorset <zerohour@suburbia.apana.org.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> werple.apana.org.au
Organisation --> APANA
Location ------> Melbourne
Dialins -------> 9 * V.32bis, 4 * V.22bis
Charges -------> $78 pa
Machine -------> i486/33; NetBSD UNIX
Link ----------> IP
Features ------> standard unix shells, nn/tin/rn, elm/pine/mail
How -----------> dial (03) 888-1726, login as "register"
Contact -------> Andrew Herbert <andrew@werple.apana.org.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> zikzak.apana.org.au
Organisation --> APANA
Location ------> Melbourne
Dialins -------> 8 * V.32bis/V.42bis, 2 * V.FastClass, 1 * PEP, 1*V.22bis/MNP5
Charges -------> $30 per half year
Machine -------> Amiga 3000, 18Mb RAM, 2.4Gb disk; NetBSD UNIX
Link ----------> IP
Features ------> unix shells, easy-to-use menu, all popular UNIX software
How -----------> dial (03) 562-8814, login as "register"
Contact -------> Zik Saleeba <zik@zikzak.apana.org.au>
=========================== Western Australia ==========================
Site Name -----> classic.iinet.com.au
Organisation --> iiNet Technologies
Location ------> Perth
Dialins -------> 6 * V.32bis/V.42bis, 2 * 2400 bps
Charges -------> $25/month or $1/hour
Machine -------> PC running Linux
Link ----------> IP - Time to internet 300ms
Features ------> Local ftp site, ClariNet News, round the clock support
How -----------> Voice call or email to have account created
Contact -------> Michael Malone <iinet@iinet.com.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> interconnect.com.au
Organisation --> InterConnect Australia Pty. Ltd.
Location ------> Perth.
Dialins -------> 4 * V.32bis/V.42bis
Charges -------> $95.00 (1 off) + $20/month + 15c/minute online.
Also FTP @ $1 per 1 MByte, contact for full details.
Machine -------> i486 EISA, SCSI disk, BSDI UNIX.
Link ----------> IP - 20 milliseconds to AARNet
Features ------> Interactive login, Telnet, FTP, News, Mail, Talk...
How -----------> Ring sales on 008 818 262 or 03 528 2239.
Contact -------> info@interconnect.com.au
* * * * *
Site Name -----> it.com.au
Organisation --> Informed Technology
Location ------> Perth
Dialins -------> 8 * V.32/V.42/PEP
Charges -------> R/O news access at $45 a year, net write access $120 a year
Machine -------> PCs running ESIX SVR4, Linux and FreeBSD
Link ----------> MHSnet
Features ------> We do not charge for time and impose no daily limits
How -----------> dial (09) 245-2511, login as "visitor", password "visitor"
Contact -------> info@it.com.au
* * * * *
Site Name -----> multiline.com.au
Organisation --> Independent
Location ------> Perth
Dialins -------> ?
Charges -------> $50 pa
Machine -------> 486 / Linux
Link ----------> ?
Features ------> ?
How -----------> ?
Contact -------> <root@multiline.com.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> perth.dialix.oz.au
Organisation --> DIALix Services
Location ------> Perth
Dialins -------> 11 * V.32bis/V.42bis
Charges -------> 1c/minute connection, 1c/1000 bytes Internet traffic.
Minimum annual usage payable in advance of:
$10 student / $80 individual / $250 corporate
Machine -------> ?
Link ----------> IP
Features ------> Interactive login or UUCP. Live internet link.
How -----------> dial (09) 244-3233, login as "guest"
Contact -------> Jeff Johnson <jeff@dialix.oz.au>
* * * * *
Site Name -----> yarrow.wt.uwa.edu.au
Organisation --> Winthrop Technology
Location ------> Perth
Dialins -------> 8 * V.32
Charges -------> $50 per month flat fee or $2.50 per connect hour
Machine -------> DECsystem 5200, Ultrix V4.3 UNIX
Link ----------> IP
Features ------> Various contract services, FTP, TELNET, GOPHER, ARNS, WWW
How -----------> Email or phone
Contact -------> <wthelp@yarrow.wt.uwa.edu.au>
------------------------------
From: OzNetFAQ Section 4
Subject: Section 4: What can I do once I'm on the internet?
The internet is the result of connecting together a large number of
university, research, and commercial networks. It's history's first
major global computer network.
Originally it evolved out of a desire for researchers to communicate
with each other and exchange data more conveniently. Electronic mail
remains one of the major uses of the internet today - anyone on the
network can send electronic mail to anyone else quickly and
conveniently.
A logical extension of this idea is "Usenet news", which allows people
to publically discuss topics of interest with people all over the
world who have similar interests. There are over three thousand such
discussion groups now, with something to interest everyone.
Both these services are "offline" services - in other words you send a
message and other people read it later. The alternative is programs
that type directly to other peoples' screens. The "online" equivalent
of mail is "talk" which allows you to chat with a friend, typing
directly to each others' screens. News' equivalent is "irc" or
Internet Relay Chat which allows people to enter discussion groups on
various topics and send messages to each others.
People looking for software or information have various ways of
accessing it. "ftp" and "fsp" are ways of getting files from computers
anywhere in the world, with many places providing huge areas with
gigabytes of files. The problem with these is finding what you're
looking for amongst the millions of computers around the world. One
solution is "archie", which can be used to search an index of ftp
sites for whatever you're interested. Another alternative is "gopher"
and "world wide web" (or "www") which provide a user-friendly way to
browse through the plethora of databases and ftp sites on the net.
Many games and bulletin boards are also accessible via the internet,
including the very popular MUDs, or "Multi-User Dimension"s. These
allow people to wander around a simulated world, interacting as if
they were physically in the same place.
There are plenty of other things to do on the internet - just finding
out about them could easily become a career in itself! There's so many
interesting things out there that it's impossible to list them all but
exploring the possibilities is half the fun.
------------------------------
From: OzNetFAQ Section 5
Subject: Section 5: How can I find out more about the internet?
There are many excellent books and online resource guides to the
internet. Check your local bookshop. If you've got a favorite book,
please send me details so I can include them here!
AARNet has some resource guides available on the archie.au ftp site in
the directory /aarnet. If you have full details for any other online
internet guides please let me know so I can list them here.
Books: (most of these entries thanks to the PDIAL list)
The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Internet; Peter Kent; Alpha Books;
ISBN 1-56761-414-0.
Connecting To The Internet; Susan Estrada; O'Reilly & Associates; ISBN
1-56592-061-9 (A how-to on selecting the right IP provider, from dialup
to dedicated.)
A DOS User's Guide to the Internet -- E-mail, Netnews and File Transfer
with UUCP; James Gardner; MKS; ISBN 0-13-106873-3 ("Internet" in the
title is misleading -- covers UUCP connections only.)
The Electronic Traveller -- Exploring Alternative Online Systems;
Elizabeth Powell Crowe; Windcrest/McGraw-Hill; ISBN 0-8306-4498-9. (A
good tour of various personal IP and other types of providers, but some
data is seriously out of date.)
Internet Basics; Steve Lambert, Walt How; Random House; ISBN
0-679-75023-1
The Internet Companion; Tracy LaQuey, Jeanne C. Ryer; Addison-Wesley;
ISBN 0-201-62224-6
The Internet Companion Plus; Tracy LaQuey, Jeanne C. Ryer;
Addison-Wesley; ISBN 0-201-62719-1
The Internet Complete Reference; Harley Hahn, Rick Stout; Osborne;
ISBN 0-07-881980-6
The Internet Directory; Eric Brawn; Fawcett Columbine; ISBN
0-449-90898-4 (Phone book style listing of resources.)
The Internet for Dummies; John R. Levine, Carol Baroudi; IDG Books
Worldwide; ISBN 1-56884-024-1 (Lots of useful information, but much
of it is intermediate level, not "dummy".)
Internet: Getting Started; April Marine, Susan Kirkpatrick, Vivian
Neou, Carol Ward; PTR Prentice Hall; ISBN 0-13-289596-X
The Internet Guide for New Users; Daniel P. Dern; McGraw-Hill; ISBN
0-07-016511-4 (Good, very thorough guide for new users.)
The Internet Navigator; Paul Glister; John Wiley & Sons; ISBN
0-471-59782-1 (Good, comprehensive guide for new users.)
The Internet Roadmap; Bennet Falk; Sybex; ISBN 0-7821-1365-6
The Mac Internet Tour Guide; Michael Fraase; Ventana Press; ISBN
1-56604-062-0
Navigating the Internet; Richard J. Smith, Mark Gibbs; SAMS
Publishing; ISBN 0-672-30362-0
Welcome to... Internet -- From Mystery to Mastery; Tom Badgett, Corey
Sandler; MIS:Press; ISBN 1-55828-308-0
The Whole Internet User's Guide & Catalog; Ed Krol; O'Reilly & Associates;
ISBN 1-56592-025-2 (Good all around guide.)
Zen & the Art of the Internet: A Beginner's Guide; Brendan P. Kehoe;
PTR Prentice Hall; ISBN 0-13-010778-6
Other BBS/Internet Provider Lists
FSLIST -- The Forgotten Site List. USENET: alt.internet.access.wanted;
ftp: freedom.nmsu.edu:/pub/docs/fslist/ or login.qc.ca:/pub/fslist/
nixpub -- public access Unixes. USENET: comp.bbs.mis, alt.bbs;
email: to <mail-server@bts.com>, body containing "get PUB nixpub.long";
ftp: VFL.Paramax.COM:/pub/pubnetc/nixpub.long
PDIAL -- Public Dialup Internet Access List. USENET:
alt.internet.access.wanted;
ftp: rtfm.mit.edu:/pub/usenet/news.answers/pdial
------------------------------
From: OzNetFAQ Section 6
Subject: Section 6: How do I connect my own machine to the net?
Most people just want to get access to the internet, and all that's
required for that is to get an internet account on someone else's
machine. The alternative is to attach your own machine to the network.
This is usually more expensive and much more complex, but businesses
often like to do things this way. Also many hobbyists do it just for
the fun of it.
There are several types of organisations which provide network
feeds. The amateur networks are generally willing to provide feeds for
a low cost, but also require that you be a financial member of their
organisation so that your portion of the AARNet fees are paid for. The
commercial organisations offer greater reliability but tend to charge
more. Generally they charge by connect time or bandwidth used, plus
some sort of yearly fee.
You'll have to decide if you want to work on a dialup basis or if you
need a permanent connection. Dialup connections are usually handled
using the UUCP protocol or possibly ACSnet/MHSnet software. All you
need is a modem and someone will to feed you. Permanent connections
require a phone line and modem at each end at the very least, so they
really start at around $1500 equipment cost alone. In terms of
bandwidth these systems go to around 30kbaud. You will need a
permanent connection if you want a full news feed. The next step is
ISDN at 64kbaud and several thousand dollars, and from there is the
dreamland of Megalink and other such wonders...
There is a small but rapidly-increasing group of organisations
offering network connectivity to the public. The following section
describes each of these in more detail.
------------------------------
From: OzNetFAQ Section 7
Subject: Section 7: What network organisations are there in Australia?
. AARNet
. Australian Computer Society
. APANA
. AUUG
. biznet.com.au
. Brisnet
. Commercial Software Training
. Compuserve Pacific
. connect.com.au
. Dialcom
. DIALix
. Fidonet
. Hedland College
. Hunter Network Association
. iiNET Technologies
. ILB Computing
. Informed Technology
. Interconnect Australia
. Keylink
. Kralizec
. Message Handling Systems (TMX)
. Microplex
. Pegasus
. Pro-Net
. Winthrop Technology
(Paragraphs in quotes come from the organisations themselves, unquoted
paragraphs are my own guesses)
------------------------------ AARNet --------------------------------
AARNet is the Australian Academic and Research Network. It's currently
the major Australian Internet-connected computer network, and all the
other organisations mentioned in this FAQ get their network
connections from it. You must have a "compatible interest with" the
education, academic or research interests to be an affiliate member of
AARNet. It does not provide public access or commercial networking
services except through the other organisations mentioned here.
"AARNet is the Australian Academic and Research Network. AARNet is a
private telecommunications network service operated by the Australian
Vice Chancellors' Committee (AVCC) as a service to the participating
member institutions of the AVCC and the Commonwealth Scientific and
Industrial Organisation (CSIRO). Its objective is the provision of
dedicated telecommunications services in support of members' research,
academic and service activities. In addition, AARNet provides
telecommunications services to other organisations under this general
brief."
Organisations interested in a connection to AARNet should contact the
Customer Services Manager for the latest information or fetch a copy
of the document "Connecting to AARNet" available from:
ftp: aarnet.edu.au: /pub/doc/affiliate.*
Contact ---> Brenda Aynsley, Customer Services Manager
Email -----> Brenda.Aynsley@aarnet.edu.au or admin@aarnet.edu.au
Fax -------> (06) 249-1369
Voice -----> (06) 249-4968
Snail -----> GPO Box 1142, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
------------------- Australian Computer Society ----------------------
The Australian Computer Society is providing Internet access for
members of the society only. Mail and news are free, but full IP
access costs $200 per year.
------------------------------ Apana ---------------------------------
The Australian Public Access Networking Association (APANA) is a
non-profit organisation aimed at bringing the global network to its
members.
APANA is an Australia-wide network with around one hundred and fifty
machines connected to it. Of these, over ten supply accounts for public
access. A small group of machines uses permanent links, providing fast
mail to the Internet and allowing ftp, telnet, talk and IRC within
this sub-network. Other machines are connected via slower UUCP links.
Email info@apana.org.au for more information.
Area ------> Adelaide
Contact ---> Mark Newton
Email -----> m.newton@apana.org.au
Voice -----> (08) 375-5575 (h)
Area ------> Sydney
Contact ---> Matt Perkins
Email -----> sydney@apana.org.au
Voice -----> (02) 689 3469
Area ------> Brisbane
Contact ---> Rhys Weatherley
Email -----> rhys@fit.qut.edu.au
Voice -----> (07) 279-2338 (h), (07) 864-1290 (w)
Area ------> Canberra
Contact ---> Jeff Coleman
Email -----> j.coleman@apana.org.au
Area ------> Geelong
Contact ---> Mark Gregson
Email -----> m.gregson@apana.org.au
Area ------> Melbourne
Contact ---> Warwick Hockley
Email -----> w.hockley@apana.org.au
Voice -----> (03) 571-0484
------------------------------ AUUG -----------------------------------
The Australian Unix User Group has long been a popular club for UNIX
gurus. The Canberra chapter of the group offers a volunteer-supported
dialin system for its members. A dial-on-demand UUCP system is used to
connect to the net.
"The Canberra Chapter of AUUG Inc. (UNIX and Open Systems Users in
Australia - see group aus.auug) runs a dialup service for members.
The services is based around a Sun 3/160 workstation and provides
logins to UNIX for e-mail and news connectivity and for general UNIX
shell access. We also provide UUCP feeds for news and mail. News and
mail user agents for MSDOS and Windows are also available. The
service is available free to all AUUG Canberra chapter members. AUUG
membership is around $90 per year for an individual and includes
journals and access to other national and local chapter services."
Area ------> Canberra
Contact ---> John Barlow
Email -----> john.barlow@anu.edu.au
Voice -----> (06) 249-2930 (w)
Area ------> Canberra
Contact ---> Peter Wishart
Email -----> pjw@canb.auug.org.au
-------------------------- biznet.com.au ------------------------------
biznet.com.au is a commercial network provider which started
operations in June. They plan to offer UUCP and SLIP feeds to the
general public but are currently not really operational.
Contact ---> Ric Ruggiero
Email -----> ric@uninet.com.au
Voice -----> (03) 305-5649
Snail -----> GPO Box 4000MM Melbourne 3001
----------------------------- Brisnet ---------------------------------
Brisnet is another non-profit networking organisation. They operate in
the Brisbane area currerntly. They are loosely affiliated with APANA and
replace APANA's function in Brisbane.
"BrisNet is a non-profit association which aims to provide cheap(ish)
access to electronic mail and USENET news in the Brisbane and
South-East Queensland area. We provide a dial-in USENET environment,
UUCP feeds, dial-in IP, and permanent IP connections. Locally
developed software is available to help improve access."
Area ------> Brisbane
Contact ---> Rhys Weatherley
Email -----> rhys@fit.qut.edu.au
Voice -----> (07) 279-2338 (h), (07) 864-1290 (w)
Area ------> Brisbane
Contact ---> John Lemon
Email -----> john@ozspace.brisnet.org.au
Voice -----> (07) 372-5296 (h)
------------------- Commercial Software Training ----------------------
Commerical Software Training Pty Ltd is an international networking
setup which offers feeds of mail and a partial newsfeed. Their primary
area of interest is in providing network feeds to developing countries
on a nonprofit basis. They also provide special support for Coherent
OS users. They don't offer interactive logins.
"CSTPL is primarily interested in communications research. We attempt
to establish useable communications links between developing countries
and developed countries. This communications is based almost
exclusively on the uucp suite of programs, available under both Unix
and xxDOS. We try to keep the technical aspects to the bare minimum,
and the costs also as low as can be expected.
"Subscriptions can be taken out to use cstpl as a gateway to the
internet for email. It is never intended that cstpl will act as a
serious netnews gateway. News feeds drive up bandwidth and costs. In
this context, the user pays. We are primarily research, and we aim to
cover costs only."
Area ------> Mackay
Contact ---> Robert Chalmers
Email -----> robert@cstpl.com.au
Data ------> (079) 524-527 UUCP login: nuucp word: uupublic (Anon uucp)
Snail -----> 22 Minster Street, Mackay 4740
------------------------- Compuserve Pacific -------------------------
Compuserve provide a pay-by-volume commercial email service.
Compuserve were one of the original email systems in the USA and are
still one of the largest. Compuserve Pacific is linked to the US
Compuserve, and from there to the internet through a gateway. They
have dialins in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and some other
cities. People on Compuserve can be contacted using an address of the
form: nnnn.nnnn@compuserve.com, where nnnn.nnnn is the person's
Compuserve user id.
Voice -----> (008) 023-158
--------------------------- connect.com.au ---------------------------
Connect.com.au now operate in most capitals. They offer feeds to other
and support all the major protocols. Interactive accounts are not
available. Charging for ninety minutes of connect time per day would
total around $2000 per year.
"Connect.com.au now has hubs in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Perth,
Adelaide, and Brisbane. All access to connect.com.au is protocol
based; we do not offer interactive access. We currently support the
protocols: uucp, SL/IP, and PPP. Access is via intermittent or
permanent modem or ISDN connections. We are happy to carry interstate
traffic over our network as alternative to installing point-to-point
links around the country. We also offer full access to the Internet
and are willing to act as a mail and news gateway."
Email -----> connect@connect.com.au
Fax -------> (03) 528 5887
Voice -----> (1 800) 818-262, (03) 528 2239
Snail -----> 29 Fitzgibbon Crescent, Caulfield Victoria 3161
------------------------------- Dialcom ------------------------------
Dialcom is a computer network service provided by OTC. I have no
details on it apart from the name.
------------------------------- DIALix -------------------------------
"DIALix Services provides Internet access to the public. DIALix
presently runs Unix hosts in Perth and Sydney with other sites opening
in the near future.
"Dial-up and permanent line connections are available for traffic on
our internal DIALix network and for Internet usage (within AARNet
guidelines).
"All hours phone and e-mail support is provided free of charge. In
addition to an interactive direct login, a connection via UUCP can be
requested. Public domain UUPC software for DOS is available
pre-configured or for download for your own configuration. UUCP
emulators for Mac, Amiga and Atari are also avail- able for download.
Area ------> Sydney
Contact ---> Justin Sullivan
Email -----> justin@sydney.DIALix.oz.au
Voice -----> (02) 948-6995, (018) 491-642
Snail -----> Box 7, 145 Sydney Rd, Fairlight NSW 2094
Area ------> Perth
Contact ---> Jeff Johnson
Email -----> jeff@perth.dialix.oz.au
Voice -----> (09) 244-2433
Snail -----> Box 153, Doubleview WA 6018
------------------------------- Fidonet ------------------------------
Fidonet is a world-wide network of bulletin-boards (BBSes). Network
topology is highly variable due to the hobbyist nature of the nodes.
It runs on a different network protocol from Usenet, but provides a
similar style of electronic mail and news service. While FIDOnet <->
Usenet gateways do exist crossover between Usenet and FIDOnet is not
particularly high. In general FIDOnet is somewhat less reliable and
slower, although this is not universally the case. FIDONet BBSes also
offer many other services like large file areas, online games, and
chat. There are hundreds of FIDOnet sites around the country so I
won't attempt to cover them all here. For more information check the
state hub contacts that are listed every month in Australian Personal
Computer magazine.
---------------------------- Headland College ------------------------
Headland College are offering on-line mail and news access, with a
local ftp area.
"This service will be free until mid-January 1994 during stabilisation
of the service. Currently a single modem is on line, but more are
being added soon. One line will provide a slip connection and a
mail/news Pop server is being added in December for off-line reading
and replying. A full Internet service (telnet, ftp etc) is planned for
1994.
"Once the service has been stabilised, there will be a charge for this
service. Details of probable charges are not yet available but will be
made available in late December or early January."
Area ------> Western Australia
Contact ---> Robert Hart
Email -----> hartr@hedland.edu.au
Voice -----> (091) 721-681
Snail -----> South Hedland WA 6722
-------------------- Hunter Networking Association ------------------
The Hunter Network Association is a cost-recovering, cooperative
operation of Amateur computer networking enthusiasts, who are
interested in realising a non-profit Internetwork in the Newcastle/
Lake Macquarie/Hunter Valley region. A sizeable portion of the
membership are also in APANA.
Area ------> Newcastle
Contact ---> Michael Brown
Email -----> mbrown@scorch.hna.com.au
Voice -----> (049) 62 1783
Snail -----> PO Box 49, Broadmeadow NSW 2292
---------------------------iiNET Technologies -----------------------
"iiNet Technologies is a small, Perth based firm which can strives
to provide any form of Network Access. We provide all TCP based
services, including telnet, ftp, gopher, irc, and many other
services, as well as email and a full news feed. We can also supply
SL/IP, PPP, and UUCP to our network on request."
iiNet are apparently offering accounts for a flat fee of $25 per
month. They provide news, mail, telnet, ftp, and irc, but have no UDP
support at the moment.
Area ------> Western Australia
Contact ---> Michael Malone
Email -----> iinet@iinet.com.au
Fax -------> (09) 307-8414
Voice -----> (09) 307-1183
Snail -----> PO Box 811 Hillarys 6025, WA
----------------------------- ILB Computing --------------------------
"ILB Computing has a dialup site in Wollongong. Phone Numbers are
(042) 25-8099 2 lines. Using MHSnet software running news/mail. 1.2G
of news online ( i think its about 3 weeks )."
Area ------> Wollongong
Contact ---> Kevin Withnall
Email -----> kevin@ilb.com.au
Fax -------> (042) 26-4986
Voice Msg -> (016) 28-5942
Voice -----> (042) 26-1305
-------------------------- Informed Technology -----------------------
"We are a mail affiliate to AARNet and maintain a constant MHSnet
connection to uniwa.uwa.edu.au. We take the full newsfeed and offer
interactive UNIX logins as well as SLIP, PPP, UUCP and MHSnet
connections. We have full time SLIP connections to Perth BBSes
including Omen and CD-ROM Support."
For more information email info@it.com.au
Area ------> Perth
Contact ---> Stephen Darragh
Email -----> srd@it.com.au
Voice -----> (09) 245-2279
Snail -----> P.O. Box 688, Claremont, WA 6010
-------------------------- InterConnect Australia -----------------------
InterConnect provides public access dialin machines in most major
cities and is closely linked to the network service provider
connect.com.au. Their charging system includes $95 registration, $20
per month, and $9 per hour on-line, with two hours per month and 1Mb
of storage supplied from the monthly fee. They also have a rather
surprising $1 per megabyte FTP charge. Possibly this presages the
coming AARNet charges.
"InterConnect Australia is now providing dialup interactive access to
the Internet as a local call in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra,
Adelaide and Perth. We are the first service provider to deliver
national access to the Internet at local call telecom rates. A 1-900
number will be available soon to provide economical access from
anywhere in Australia outside of the major cities."
Email -----> info@interconnect.com.au
Voice -----> (1-800) 818 262 (toll free), (03) 528-2239.
Snail -----> 29 Fitzgibbon Crescent, Caulfield, Victoria.
------------------------------- Keylink ------------------------------
Keylink is Telecom's answer to public computer network access. One
happy user reports that Keylink are very helpful. Their dialin is a
008 number.
Email -----> /G=CUSTOMER/S=SERVICE/O=CUST.SERVICE/@telememo.au
Voice -----> (008) 807-324
------------------------------ Kralizec ------------------------------
Kralizec is a commercial public access site which is interested mainly
in providing a service to end users, rather than feeding other sites.
The operator places a high importance on high quality service and
personal response. It features a large software library, including a
lot of Linux software and a 6-platter CD-ROM changer. Each new member
receives a 26-page Kralizec Users Guide.
"Kralizec is expanding and expects to obtain a direct Internet link
soon"
Area ------> Sydney
Contact ---> Nick Andrew
Email -----> nick@kralizec.zeta.org.au
------------------- Message Handling Systems (TMX) -------------------
The Message Exchange is the name under which the better-known Message
Handling Systems is providing networking services to the public.
Message Handling Systems is one of the original network providers in
Australia. They have taken over maintainence of the SUN-III software
which was the fundamental basis for Australian networking (good ol'
ACSnet and the .oz domain!) until AARNet came along.
TMX now market the descendant of this software as MHSnet. They also
provide network feeds for the ACSnet network under the TMX name. TMX
provides MHSnet and UUCP connections and imports "Clarinet" news.
Charging is based on connect time only. Gateways are available for ftp
and internet access as well as full or partial newsfeeds and email.
TMX don't offer interactive accounts but do offer cheap single user
accounts using offline readers.
For further information mail enquiry@mhs.oz.au.
Contact ---> Elaine Pensabene
Email -----> elaine@mhs.oz.au
Voice -----> (008) 806-962, (02) 550-4448
----------------------------- Microplex ------------------------------
Microplex offers interactive login accounts and UUCP network feeds to
the public. Shell accounts have access to all Internet services at a
cost of $25 setup fee plus $23.50 per month. There is also a discount
rate of $234 per year. They have a high bandwidth link to AARNet, and
their prices compare quite favourably to other commercial services
with comparable features. Their dialin capacity is very impressive -
meaning there should be less problem with getting engaged signals.
UUCP feeds cost $45 for setup plus $25 to $90 a month depending on
connect time, and do a special deal for a UUCP feed plus a shell
account. Contact them for further details.
Area ------> Sydney
Email -----> info@jolt.mpx.com.au
Fax -------> (02) 888-2328
Voice -----> (02) 888-3685
Snail -----> P.O. Box 627 Marsfield NSW 2122
------------------------------ Pegasus -------------------------------
Pegasus is a "subscriber supported" setup. Pegasus sell public access
to their own networks, as well as UUCP access to the Internet. They
are members of the Association for Progressive Communications, and
hence have a bent towards environmental and other issues. They have
full Internet access. Cheaper access is available through the use of
their "Messenger" offline reader. The charging system starts at around
$20 per month, with business-hours time charging at 38 cents per
minute. A 1-800 support hotline and user manuals are available.
A unique form of access they provide is through AUSTPAC, allowing
subscribers to connect via 2400 baud modem from anywhere in the
country.
One ex-subscriber comments: "Pegasus has a live Internet link, and
you can ftp to other systems. However, you can't access the underlying
UNIX system, and have to work through their primitive, cumbersome and
brain-damaged "user-friendly" menu system. In addition, Pegasus
charges $18-$36 per hour, so you can't have long sessions unless you're
rich. I was on Pegasus for 5 years, but left because I couldn't
afford it, and didn't like its isolation from the larger net world."
On the other hand they seem a very committed bunch and say: "Pegasus
Networks provides an online communication and information service to
subscribers across Australia. The network was established in 1989,
offering services specifically to those with interests in the
environment, development, education, media, healh, and human rights.
It has a rapidly growing user base of individuals and organizations
(non-government, government, and private) involved in community,
development, education, aid, research, media, management and policy.
Pegasus is a founding member of the international Association for
Progressive Communications (APC)."
Email -----> support@peg.pegasus.oz.au
Voice -----> 1 800 812-812, (07) 257-1111
Snail -----> PO Box 284, Broadway Q 4006
------------------------------ Pro-Net -------------------------------
Pro-Net are a commercial setup with a slightly unusual approach. They,
like Pegasus, are using a toll-free dialin number to allow calls from
anywhere in Australia to be charged at the local rate. They have an
interesting menu interface to their system and claim to have
extensive, up-to-date archives. An on-line chat system with conference
areas is also provided, as well as storage for databases. They are
also importing the "Newsbytes" independent computer industry news
service; possibly the only network in Australia to do so.
"Charges are now on application. Various tarriffing policies. Now
offering X.400 mail and Novell Network interconnection. People owning
Novell Network Fileservers can now interconnect their local LAN to
Pro-Net. Now offering EDI services Nationally. Educational tarriffs
now available. Beta Testing Multimedia mail services with customised
Front-End software for DOS and WINDOWS."
Fax -------> (03) 349-1257
Voice -----> (03) 349-2266
Snail -----> P.O Box 186, North Carlton, Vic, 3054
------------------------ Winthrop Technology -------------------------
"Winthrop Technology offer general bureau services on an Ultrix
system. Since we are on AARNet, accounts on this system include full
AARNet access.
"Accounts are available on one of two charging systems:
a) You can pay a flat fee of $50 per month
b) Casual, pre-paid access. This is charged at $2.50 per connect hour.
"In addition to accounts on our bureau system, Winthrop Technology
also offer Mail Affiliate links to AARNet. Users with their own Unix
system can get mail and news feeds. The connection can use UUCP,
MHSnet, or local SLIP. This does not offer full SLIP to AARNet. Mail
Affiliates are charges $150 per month for their connection and
mail/news feed; in addition, AARNet charge $1000 per annum for the
service."
Area ------> Perth
Email -----> kaye@uniwa.uwa.edu.au
Fax -------> (09) 382-1688
Voice -----> (09) 380-3698
Snail -----> University of W.A., Nedlands W.A. 6009
------------------------------
From: OzNetFAQ Section 8
Subject: Section 8: Why do these public networking people do it?
Some people seem to be in it for the money - or so they say. Others
make no bones about the fact that they just do it for the fun. My
personal opinion is that we're all a bunch of net-addicted wierdos who
can't resist the temptation of infecting as many people as possible
with the same disease, even if it costs us our personal fortunes...
------------------------------
From: OzNetFAQ Section 9
Subject: Section 9: How do I send mail between the various networks?
(This section is currently under revision)
There are various different types of networks around the world.
Gradually everything is moving towards the Usenet and Internet
standards, but there are still plenty of separate networks that don't
talk directly to the rest of the world.
Email between FidoNet and Internet
==================================
It's possible to mail back and forth between Fido nodes and internet
addresses. The main thing to keep in mind is to keep the volume of
mail small.
Internet -> Fidonet
-------------------
First you need the FidoNet address, which is of the form 3:711/919 or
3:711/919.3, where 3 is the zone, 711 is the net, and 919 is the
individual node on that net. Sometimes there is the .3 thing, which
is a point off the node. You then need to change this into an
internet version of this, which is:
f919.n711.z3 or p3.f919.n711.z3
Add the user name on the front, with spaces changed to full stops, eg.
matthew.arnison@f919.n711.z3.fidonet.org
where "fidonet.org" is the standard gateway address.
matthew.arnison@f919.n711.z3.fidonet.org
would be one way to mail me. I've tested this, and it works!
If someone from Fido mails you using the techniques below, you may get
away with just replying as usual for internet mail, and it will
hopefully make it's way back to Fido land. However, that doesn't
always work, see below for alternatives.
Fidonet -> Internet
-------------------
Well, if you're on a Fido system, and someone from internet has sent
you email, try just replying as normal, and that may work.
But here's two ways to do it from scratch, in an excerpt from a
document on IXGate, from Nick Andrew at Kralizec
(nick@kralizec.fido.zeta.org.au).
Nick>>>>>>
When sending mail into the Internet, your sending address is converted
by the IXgate and appears automagically on the From: line in messages.
To send a message into the Internet from Fidonet, you send the message
to 713/602 and in the To part of the message you put the full Internet
address of the required destination. For example:
Command? s send mail
Matrix Address: 713/602
To: oracle@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu
Subject: askme
Start typing your message now...
This ability of the IXgate software to put the Internet address of the
sender into the Fidonet From field of messages is what sets it apart
from other so-called gateways and it makes replying to Netmail &
Echomail messages an easy, intuitive and transparent task.
But sometimes Internet people have names which are too long for the
Fidonet standards - 36 characters or more. In this case, you can use
the kludge which other "gateways" consider the normal mode of
operation. What you do is send the message to "uucp" at 713/602 and
type in the Internet address of the recipient into the first line of
the message. It goes like this:
Command? s send mail
Matrix Address: 713/602
To: uucp
Subject: askme
Enter your message now...
To: someuser@verylongname.verylongdomains.com <-- this must be first line!
Start typing what you want to say ...
This style of message input is accepted at all times to retain upward
compatibility with kludgy gateways.
<<<<<<Nick
Other collected gateways, as collected from various posts:
3:632/348, 3:632/400, 3:635/552.2, 3:712/400
Not all of these gateways may support the first method above.
However, the uucp method seems to be supported everywhere, but may
make it diffuicult to just automatically reply at the other end. The
best way to find out is to either try it, or mail "sysop" at the
respective Fido node, and ask.
------------------------------
From: OzNetFAQ Section 10
Subject: Section 10: Changes this month
Public access listing (section 3):
* Updated: kralizec.zeta.org.au
* Updated: APANA sites are now full IP, not firewalled
* Updated: ozspace.brisnet.org.au
* Updated: peg.apc.org
* Updated: cleese.apana.org.au
* Updated: werple.apana.org.au
* Updated: zikzak.apana.org.au
* Updated: yarrow.wt.uwa.edu.au
Book listing (section 5):
* Added: "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Internet"
Network organisation listing (section 7):
* Updated: APANA
* Updated: BrisNet
* Updated: connect.com.au
* Updated: DIALix
* Updated: Informed Technology
* Updated: Pegasus
------------------------------
From: OzNetFAQ Section 11
Subject: Section 11: Disclaimer
DISCLAIMER:
The Network Access in Australia FAQ provides information on publically
accessible networking in Australia. It is compiled by myself and has
no affiliation with any commerical entity or group. It is _not_
advertising or promotional material. It does not speak for any
organisation.
Neither is it error free. In a compilation of this size where much of
the material has necessarily to be gathered by hearsay it is
inevitable that errors creep in. I collect error reports and endeavour
to correct the errors in the next issue. I do not post updates for
every single error, particularly considering there are usually several
a month.
The form and content of the FAQ are my choice, and no organisation
will be given special treatment.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed information to the FAQ!
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| | "Sometimes I get the feeling |
| zik@cs.monash.edu.au | that Schrodinger wasn't |
| Zik Saleeba | really a cat lover." |
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