Ian & Stuart's Australian Mac: Not for Sale/Another.not.for.sale (Australia).iso/fade into you/access/NZ Internet Access

Text File | 1994-11-17 | 25KB | 598 lines

          Internet Access in New Zealand FAQ
                  ----------------------------------

        Maintained by Simon Lyall ([e-mail]).

Contents:

Section 0: Notes on this Edition.
Section 1: Changes since last edition.
Section 2: Overview of this FAQ.
Section 3: Structure of the Internet in New Zealand.
Section 4: What public access sites are there in my area?
Section 5: What's involved in actually getting on the net?
Section 6: What can I do once Im on the internet?
Section 7: How can I find out more about the internet?
Section 8: Why isn't my site included?
Section 9: Disclaimer and Credits.

----------------------------

Subject: Section 0: Notes on this Edition.

 Once again this FAQ drifts it's way off my keyboard. This month I have
added a couple of new sites and updated some others. I have also re-written
a couple of sections though I still feel they need a little work.

 As always there are 1001 things to do and Im still short of info on many
sites so please encourage your admins to contact me and get included.

Special Prize Offer!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The person who spots the most typo's and errors in this edition of the FAQ
will get hournerable mention in next months edition.
         ^^^^^^^^^^^ - Here is one to start you off :)

----------------------------

Subject: Section 1: Changes since last edition.

General  : Various typos fixed
Section 4: Added   - southern.co.nz
Section 4: Added   - ak.planet.co.nz
Section 4: Name Change - mserve.kiwi.gen.nz -> cybernet.co.nz
Section 4: Updated - equinox.gen.nz
Section 4: Updated - iconz.co.nz
Section 5: Written up.
Section 7: Re-written, needs more put in though.

----------------------------

Subject: Section 2: Overview of this FAQ.

This is a compilation of information about Internet access in New Zealand.
It contains an overview of the Internet in New Zealand, where to get more
information about the Internet and a list of organisations offering Internet
access to the public.

This FAQ will be reposted monthly, changes will be marked in "Section 1".
If you have information on sites not listed here or any corrections or
constructive comments to make, please mail me. I am very happy to accept
pieces from other people to go into this FAQ and I will endeavour to
include and answer any actual FAQ's that come to my attention.

The most recent version of the FAQ is available from:

ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/nz.comp/Internet_access_in_New_Zealand_FAQ
http://actrix.gen.nz/general/internet.faq

If you are interested in more general information New Zealand then you
may wish to consult the FAQ that is produced by Phil Stuart-Jones
<[e-mail]> or try the newsgroup soc.culture.new-zealand.

This FAQ is Copyright Simon Lyall 1994.

This FAQ may be reproduced and distributed electronicly or in hardcopy as
long as this is done for free and it kept intact. Please contact me if you
wish to distribute this FAQ in any other manner.

----------------------------

Subject: Section 3: Structure of the Internet in New Zealand

 The basic backbone of the Internet in New Zealand is TuiaNet, TuiaNet is
an organisation made up of the Universities, Crown Research Institutes
and a few other bodies that runs this backbone and the international link.

 Currently all Internet traffic enters New Zealand via a 512bps Frame-Relay
connection at Waikato University in Hamilton. This link is paid for by
TuiaNet via a per-byte charging scheme on all IP traffic generated by
each Internet site in New Zealand. Within New Zealand traffic is also
charged but at a lesser rate.

 The concept of charging for each byte of IP traffic is almost unique to
New Zealand and means that public available resources such as FTP and World
Wide Web servers are limited while most internet providers are forced to
modify software to include traffic billing in order to pass these
charges onto their users.

 Most Usenet groups are imported via the 'NewZnet' organisation based at
Victoria University. NewZnet then bills all sites that receive Usenet news
in order to recover the traffic costs involved. Some groups that NewZnet
does not choose to get are imported on an ad hoc basis.

----------------------------

Subject: Section 4: What public access sites are there in my area?

This section lists public access sites. It is organized by regions:

     - National providers.
     - Auckland & the far north.
     - Waikato and central North Island.
     - Wellington Area.
     - The South Island.

I may re-arrange these regions as needed.

Please Note: In order to prevent this FAQ from becoming to long and
unwieldy, I have decided that in regions where there are many sites offering
a range of internet access I will only list those sites that offer full
internet connections or are otherwise special.

========================== National Providers ============================

This part is intended for organisations that provided Internet access in
more than one region. This can be by various means including pacnet,0800 and
0900 numbers or co-ordination of a number of regional sites. If access is via
a series of local sites you should also see the entry for the site in you
region.

Could any National provider please contact me about getting an entry in
this area.


Actrix Networks Limited
=======================
Actrix provides nationwide access via pacnet, see Actrix's entry in the
list of Wellington providers for more information.

=======================Auckland and the Far North=========================

Organisation --> Cybernet Internet Access (CIA)
Site name -----> cybernet.co.nz (202.36.227.1)
Location ------> Auckland City, Auckland, New Zealand
Dialins -------> 3 x Zyxel 16.8 & 1x Zoom 28.8 (09-376-6400) (stepping)
Machine -------> 486DX2/66, 8meg ram, 1.2GB hdd Localbus cache controller
Link ----------> UUCP to kiwi.gen.nz, 14.4  Connects Hourly.
Services ------> Email, News, UUCP,SLIP,PPP,TERM
Usenet --------> Full Feed
Charges -------> $10 Res, $30 Bus. (per month)  $10/Meg email
Features ------> Multi-user talk, Raytracing,
Other Services-> Support for PrimeSoft NZ LTD *PC/AMIGA Accounting
Other Services-> software, CD-ROM Orders etc. Over 3Gigs of cd-roms Online
Comments ------> We will install linux for $200 includes uucp connection.
Comments ------> 48.8Kbps Leased connection comeing...
Contact Email -> [e-mail]
Contact Voice -> 09-376-5432
Contact Fax ---> 09-376-6400
Contact Modem -> 09-376-6400
Contact Postal-> Cybernet PO.BOX 90-690,
Contact Postal-> Auckland Mail Center, Auckland.
Last Update ---> 6 NOV 1994.

Organisation --> Internet Company of New Zealand (ICONZ).
Site name -----> iconz.co.nz
Location ------> Auckland, New Zealand
Dialins -------> 32 @ v.22/v34bis. 16 PACNET.
Machine(s) ----> Several Sun Sparc Stations II,IPC,IPX and many others
Link ----------> 1Mb to Waikato University
Services ------> Unix Shell, Dial-in Slip, BBS, UUCP, Lease lines, Satellite
Usenet --------> Full feed
Charges -------> Standard Iconz rates, contact [e-mail]
Features ------> File areas, CUSEEME video reflector, own national backbone
Other Services-> Hardware/software sales, Network installation, Sun VAR
Other Services-> Unix consulting, http design, training, modem sales
Comments ------> Part of the Iconz group, National Internet Provider,
Comments ------> Gopher Server, PACNET access to every city in NZL, MBONE
Comments ------> http://iconz.co.nz/, http://forchlth.army.mil.nz/
Contact Email -> Manager : Chris Thorpe <[e-mail]>,
Contact Email -> PacNet: <[e-mail]>, Misc: <[e-mail]>
Contact Voice -> Chris Thorpe or David Merritt [phone]
Contact Fax ---> [phone]
Contact Modem -> [phone] (32 lines stepping)
Contact Modem -> 1743, 1745 PACNET (additional 16 iconz lines stepping)
Contact Postal-> Internet Company of New Zealand, PO Box 6721, Auckland.
Last Update ---> 11 November 1994

Organisation --> Malleus Maleficarum
Site name -----> nacjack.gen.nz
Location ------> Auckland
Area Serviced -> Auckland
Dialins -------> 2@14.4K 1@28.8k (2 dedicated News, 1 Email)
Machine -------> 486DX50, 8Mb RAM, 320Mb HD
Link ----------> UUCP to University Of Auckland (connects 1/2 hourly)
Services ------> Email, News
Usenet --------> Full Feed, mitigated based on what people actually want
Donations -----> Personal $45/Year, Commercial $90 (Mail)-$250 (News+Mail)
Features ------> The most advanced USENET<->FIDONET Gateway in the world!
Comments ------> An FTP account is provided for sysadmins (only) on request.
Comments ------> We do not intend to get a full internet connection.
Contact Email -> [e-mail], [e-mail],
Contact Email -> Richard Vowles on 3:772/110, Richard Vowles on 199:310/1
Contact Email -> Richard Vowles on 77:100/75.0
Contact Voice -> 3737599 x 5078
Contact Fax ---> 09-3737430
Contact Postal-> Richard Vowles,MSIS Dept,University Of Auckland,POBOX 92019

Organisation --> Planet (Auckland)
Site name -----> ak.planet.co.nz
Location ------> Grey Lynn (Office)
Area Serviced -> Greater Auckland Area.
Dialins -------> 5 @ 14400 bps.
System --------> SUN Sparcs, 486s  (SunOS, Linux)
Link ----------> 128K Wide Band --> Waikato
Services ------> All services from e-mail to 48K digital feed.
Usenet --------> 2500 groups, APC (Alternative Usenet),
Usenet --------> K12, Teletext, NEWSLINE as well as Usenet
Charges -------> From $70/year, various discounts, contact us.
Features ------> Offline software (LANable) for DOS, Windows, Apple.
Features ------> Menu driven Shell interface.
Other Services-> Publish 'PlaNet NEWS' magazine: 5 per year
Comments ------> PlaNet has Local Operators in Auckland, Chch, Rotorua,
Comments ------> Manawatu, Wellington, Dunedin, Wanganui, Gisborne
Comments ------> and soon Hamilton, Dargaville, Hokianga,...
Contact Email -> [e-mail]
Contact Voice -> [phone]
Contact Fax ---> [phone]
Contact Modem -> [phone] <guest>
Contact Postal-> Planet, PO Box 6594, Auckland 1
Last Update ---> 7th Nov 1994.

=====================Waikato and Central North Island=====================

Organisation --> Midland Internet Limited.
Site name -----> midland.co.nz.
Location ------> Hamilton.
Area Serviced -> Waikato/Bop & Central North Island.
Dialins -------> 8@ v.42/v32bis. 2@ v.fc
Machine -------> 2 x Sun Sparc Station IPC's, Spider Port M250 Termserve
Link ----------> 2 MegaBit Radio to Waikato University.
Services ------> Unix Shell, Dial-in Slip, UUCP, Leased circuits
Usenet --------> Full feed.
Charges -------> Start at $11.25 per month, contact [e-mail]
Features ------> File areas, Linux Support Site.
Other Services-> Hardware/software sales, Network installation,
Other Services-> Unix consulting.
Comments ------> Experience with Novell <-> Internet integration.
Contact Email -> Bryce Farmilo - [e-mail]
Contact Voice -> Bryce Farmilo [phone]
Contact Modem -> 839-1172 (10 lines stepping)
Contact Postal-> Midland Internet Limited, PO-BOX 19255, Hamilton.
Last Update ---> 11th October 1994.

=============================== Wellington ===============================

Organisation --> Actrix Networks Limited
Site name -----> atlantis.actrix.gen.nz
Location ------> Wellington
Dialins -------> 20 dialup lines, PACnet
Machine -------> Several Sun systems and 486 PC
Link ----------> 10MB Link (Directly on VUW backbone).
Services ------> PPP, On-line Menu, UUCP, Unix Shell, Fido.
Usenet --------> Full Newsfeed, Clarinet
Charges -------> From $50 / year.  E-mail [e-mail]
Features ------> FTP, Gopher, WWW, E-mail, Telnet
Features ------> Files.
Other Services-> Unix training and consulting.  Internet demos.
Comments ------> Access available throughtout New Zealand. Call us to
Comments ------> discuss your internet requirements.
Contact Email -> [e-mail], [e-mail]
Contact Voice -> John [phone].  A/H [phone]
Contact Fax ---> [phone]
Contact Modem -> [phone] (20 lines)
Contact Postal-> P.O. Box 11-410, Wellington
Last Update ---> 5th Oct 1994.

Organisation --> Internet Company of NZ (Central Internet Services)
Site name -----> central.co.nz
Location ------> Wellington
Area Seviced---> Wellington
Dialins -------> 8 Lines, V.fast and V.32bis
System --------> Sun Sparcstations running SunOS
Link ----------> 48K MDDS circuit to VUW
Services ------> UUCP, Shell, slIP, leased line Internet access
Usenet --------> Full feed as supplied by Victoria University
Charges -------> Contact us to discuss options.
Features ------> Reciprocal arrangements for logging in to your
Features ------> account from remote sites, eg New York, Melbourne.
Other Services-> Training, support, boxed solutions for your
Other Services-> commercial Internet requirements.
Comments ------> Part of ICONZ, NZ's largest Internet Access Provider.
Contact Email -> [e-mail]
Contact Voice -> 04-495-2960
Contact Fax --->
Contact Modem -> 04-499-5248
Contact Postal-> PO Box 1309, Wellington
Last Update ---> 17 Oct 1994

Organisation --> PlaNet (Wgtn)
Site name -----> wgtn.planet.co.nz
Location ------> Wellington
Area Serviced -> Larger Wellington area
Dialins -------> 20 dial in lines, nation-wide network of dial-ins
Machine -------> Several SUN systems and 486 PC
Link ----------> 10MB Link (Directly on VUW backbone).
Services ------> APC (Sept), PPP, On-line Menu, UUCP, Unix Shell, Fido
Usenet --------> Full Newsfeed, Clarinet
Charges -------> From $75 / year.  E-mail peter@@wgtn.planet.co.nz
Features ------> FTP, Gopher, WWW, E-mail, Telnet
Features ------> Files.
Other Services-> PlaNet Public Terminals (libraries, schools, etc)
Comments ------> In Wgtn we are working with the Actrix Exchange at VUW
Comments ------> PlaNet can offer connections throughout NZ (90% population)
Contact Email -> [e-mail]
Contact Voice -> Peter [phone] (04) 3898800
Contact Postal-> P.O. Box 9943, Wellington
Last Update ---> 1 July 1994.

Organisation --> Welcom BBS
Site name -----> welcom.gen.nz
Location ------> Wellington
Dialins -------> 6 16,800 dialup lines
Machine -------> Seperate workstations on Novell 3.12 LAN
Link ----------> UUCP Link to VUW
Services ------> email, Usenet, Fido
Usenet --------> Predominantly rec, alt, but others available
Charges -------> From $40 / year.  E-mail [e-mail]
Features ------> QWK offline mail support for email, Large file archive,
Features ------> RIP graphical interface. Online entertainment.
Comments ------> Very user friendly system with lots of online help
Contact Email -> [e-mail]
Contact Voice -> Kevin [phone]
Contact Modem -> [phone] (all lines stepping)
Contact Postal-> PO Box 9559, Wellington
Last Update ---> 23th August 1994.

============================= South Island ===============================

Organisation --> Efficient Software New Zealand limited
Site name -----> dunedin.es.co.nz
Location ------> Dunedin
Area Serviced -> Dunedin, Oamaru, Invercargill and central Otago.
Dialins -------> 4 lines at 28.8Kbps V-FAST protocol.
Machine -------> Server: 486DLC 40, 420 Mb HDD, running Linux UNIX.
Link ----------> 28.8 Kbps + compression (57.6 Kbps) to University of Otago.
Services ------> SLIP access only. We are running a FTP and  WWW server.
Usenet --------> Full News feed, via University of Otago. (2300 groups)
Charges -------> Private: $120.00 / Comm. $360.00 per year, and $1.00 p Hour
Features ------> Interactive login, Telnet, FTP, Mail, SLIP, WWW
Other Services-> None
Comments ------> We supply Internet Windows software, set up and ready to go.
Comments ------> We do not charge per Megabyte or E-Mail. Hourly rate only.
Contact Email -> [e-mail]
Contact Voice -> Not available.
Contact Fax ---> 03 - 4738274
Contact Modem -> Dial-in lines: 03 - 4737990  (Users only)
Contact Postal-> P.O. Box 5677, Dunedin
Last Updated --> 5 Oct 1994.

Organisation --> Equinox Networks
Site name -----> equinox.gen.nz
Location ------> Christchurch city
Area serviced -> Entire South Island
Dialins -------> 4 * 28k8 1 * 16k8 1* 14k4 all with V.42bis
Machine -------> Sun, Amiga 030/50, ~4GB Disk
Link ----------> 28k8 Leased Circuit.
Services ------> Email UseNet FTP Telnet
Usenet --------> Full newsfeed
Charges -------> Please call for details or mail [e-mail]
Features ------> Interactive sessions, uucp connects
Other Services->
Comments ------> Entry level system with simple menu based interface.
Contact Email -> [e-mail]
Contact Voice -> (3) 3842664
Contact Fax --->
Contact Modem -> (3) 3655408
Contact Postal-> P.O. Box 22-651 Christchurch.
Last Update ---> 8th Nov 1994

Organisation --> Southern InterNet Services
Site name -----> southern.co.nz
Location ------> Christchurch city
Area serviced -> Entire South Island
Dialins -------> 4 * 28k8 1 * 16k8 1* 14k4 all with V.42bis
Machine -------> Sun SPARC, 2.2GB Disk
Link ----------> 28k8 Compressed Leased Circuit.
Services ------> Email FTP Telnet Talk Gopher WWW IRC etc
Usenet --------> Full newsfeed
Charges -------> Please call for details or mail [e-mail]
Features ------> Interactive sessions, uucp and SLIP connects
Features ------> Leased line access available
Comments ------> Some areas currently under construction/expansion
Contact Email -> [e-mail]
Contact Voice -> (3) 3842664
Contact Fax --->
Contact Modem -> (3) 3655408
Contact Postal-> P.O. Box 22-651 Christchurch.
Last Update ---> 8th Nov 1994

----------------------------

Subject: Section 5: What's involved in actually getting on the net?

Individual Users -
----------------

Hardware:    A Modem of some description. Basicly the faster you modem
        can go the better. 2400bps is okay if you just want to chat
        and read messages interactively but if you want to download
         files or use a SLIP of uucp account it is best to get
        something faster.

        A computer. Just about any sort of computer younger than
        a few years will be able to handle a Unix shell of basic
        bbs account. The only trouble you may have is with older
        computers such a C64's that cannot display 80 columns of text
        easily. If you wish to have a SLIP/PPP account you should
        check the availability of software for your machine.

Software:    A terminal Program is the minimum you need for accessing most
        providers. This is usually provided with your modem or
        operating system and cheap shareware or commercial packages
        are readily available.

        PPP/SLIP software is available for MS-Windows,Mac,Amiga and
        Unix platforms.

Companies -
---------

Introduction:    Small companies can just choose to have a account similar
        to to those for individuals with a provider. If that is
        the case then hardware/software requirements will be similar
        to those given for private users. Larger companies may
        wish to be directly connected via leased circuits which may
        require a large investment in software,hardware and training.

Hardware:     Some form of gateway machine is usually needed to provide
        a link between a companies internal network and the internet.
        This machine would usually run some form of unix and provide
        route,firewall and protocol translation while acting as a
        mail,news server etc. For small to medium size companies
        a 486 level PC running Unixware or one of the free Unixes
        would probably be sufficient.

Software:    This is very dependent on what your internal network runs
        along with what level of access you are planning to give
        to your employees. In many cases software is available free
        but there are also many commercial packages available.
        You should check with you provider to see who they recommend.

Leased Lines:     This gives your company a continuous connection (via your
        provider) with the Internet. At the cheapest level a leased
        phone line costs $2000-$3000 to set up and as little as $100
        a month to run. This can provide a throuput of 28,800 bit per
        second. Faster options such as ISDN and microwave are also
        available in some areas but the cost of these options both
        in hardware and line rental (if applicable) rises rabidly as
        bandwidth increases.

----------------------------

Subject: Section 6: What can I do once Im 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 a list of ftp
sites for whatever you're interested in. Other alternatives are "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.


----------------------------

Subject: Section 7: How can I find out more about the Internet?

Usenet:
~~~~~~~

news.announce.newusers -

            There are a series of introductory texts posted to
            this group every week. Reading these could save you
            a lot of time and flames as you are getting started.

alt.internet.access.wanted -

            If you want to find out if you can get onto
            internet in a particular area try posting here
            and asking.

news.answers -
            Current all 'official' FAQ's are posted to this
            newsgroup (including this one). Also all FAQ's in this
            group are available via ftp from 'rtfm.mit.edu'.

Other FAQ's:
~~~~~~~~~~~~

FAQ: International E-mail accessibility.
"ftp://rtfm.mit.edu:/pub/usenet/news.answers/mail/country-codes"

Summary list of Internet access providers in the UK.
"ftp://archie.au/usenet/FAQs/alt.internet.access.wanted/Summary_list_of_
Internet_access_providers_in_the_UK"

Network Access in Australia FAQ
"ftp://archie.au/usenet/FAQs/alt.internet.access.wanted/
Network_Access_in_Australia_FAQ"

Books:
~~~~~~         There are dozens of books on the internet currently available
        most of them fairly good. Usually it is best to buy a
        book that is as recent as possible since the internet rapidly
         changes and books over a year or two old are almost certainly
        out of date in places.

        I am aware of at least one book being written about the
        Internet from a New Zealand perspective, it's author tells
         me that it will hopefully be out early in 1995.

----------------------------

Subject: Section 8: Why isn't my site included?

Simple I haven't received a submission from you system administrator
asking to be included. Just get him/her to contact me and I will send
them a form to fill out in order to be included..

Please note that I am limiting this list just to sites offering fuller
connections, ie sites just offering say Email and news will only be listed
if there are few other options in their region.

----------------------------

Subject: Section 9: Disclaimer and Credits.

DISCLAIMER:

The 'Internet Access in New Zealand FAQ' is a private project done for purely
informational reasons. It has no affiliation with any commercial group or
entity.

While I endeavour to keep the FAQ as up-to-date and error free as possible
I can accept no responsibility from errors in it, I will however do my best to
correct any errors as soon as I become aware of them.

CREDITS:

I would especially like to thank Zik Saleeba([e-mail]), the keeper
of the 'Network Access in Australia FAQ' for permission to use material from
his FAQ in this one.

I would also like to thank Bryce Farmilo ([e-mail]), of Midland
Internet Services for his input and help during several stages of this FAQ's
creation.