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- From: s2845543@t2.technion.ac.il (Raz Uri )
- Newsgroups: alt.winsock,comp.os.ms-windows.apps.winsock.misc,alt.answers,comp.answers,news.answers
- Subject: alt.winsock FAQ
- Followup-To: alt.winsock
- Date: 3 May 2000 08:00:49 GMT
- Organization: Technion, Israel Institute of Technology
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-
- Posting-Frequency: Monthly
- Maintainer: Uri Raz <s2845543@t2.technion.ac.il>
- Archive-name: windows/winsock-faq
- Posting-Frequency: Once a month
- Last-modified: 9/Nov/1999
- URL: http://www.private.org.il/alt.winsock-faq.html
-
- ================================================
- The alt.winsock FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- ================================================
-
-
- Updated November 9, 1999
- ------------------------
-
- Table of Contents
-
- I. The alt.winsock Newsgroup
- 1) What Is This Newsgroup For?
- 2) What Can I Post Here?
- 3) What Should I Not Post Here?
-
- II. What is a WinSock?
- 1) Where Did WinSock Come From?
- A) Berkeley Sockets
- 2) How does it work?
- 3) What do I need to run WinSock applications?
-
- III. What Are SLIP and PPP?
-
- IV. What WinSocks Are Available and Where Can I Get Them?
- 1) Trumpet Winsock
- A) Which MTU, TCP RWIN, and TCP MSS settings are best?
- B) Registration Problems
- 2) Chameleon Sampler
- 3) Microsoft TCP/IP-32
- 4) NetCruiser
- 5) Do I Need This Stuff Now That Windows 95 Is Out?
- 6) IBM OS/2 Warp
-
- V. Common WinSock Problems
- 1) "Call to Undefined Dynalink"
- 2) COMM Overrun
- 3) Can't Find C:\TEMP Directory" (Netscape)
- 4) Netscape 1.1's Window Doesn't Open Properly
- 5) How Do I Cure Various Errors in WinTalk?
- 6) How Do I Cure Various Errors in News Xpress?
- 7) "More Original Lines than New Lines" Error in a Newsreader?
- 8) GPF Errors in WSIRC
- 9) I have SLIP Emulation and DCC won't work in IRC.
- 10) "________ Did Not Call WSCLEANUP"
-
- VI. Can I Run Cool Stuff Like Netscape From My Unix Shell Account?
- 1) The Internet Adapter (tm)
- A) I Use Netcom and TIA -- Why Won't My Newsreader Work?
- 2) Twinsock (Troy's Winsock)
- 3) SLiRP
- 4) Remsock
-
- VII. What's the Best __________ Application?
- 1) Lists, Lists, Lists
- 2) Windows 95 Software
- 3) Shareware is Not Freeware
-
- VIII. Even More Information
- 1) Application FAQs
- A) Free Agent
- B) Netscape
- C) News Xpress
- D) WinVN
- 2) Other WinSock Resources
- A) #Winsock on IRC (EFFNet)
- B) #Winsock FAQ
- 3) TCP/IP
- 4) Windows Data Communication
- 5) TIA and Trumpet Winsock
- 6) SLIP Emulation
- 7) WinSock Developer Information
- A) Winsock Programming FAQ by John Thomas Willis
- B) WinSock 1.1 Standard
- C) WinSock 2.0 Standard
- D) Microsoft's WinSock Developer Info
- E) Usenet
- F) Stardust Technologies WinSock Resource Page
- 8) Other alt.winsock.* newsgroups
- 9) Winsock Newsgroups in the comp.os.ms-windows Hierarchy
- 10) UUEncoding and MIME Encoding Binary Files
-
- IX. Where to Find the FAQ
-
- X. Administrivia
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- I. The alt.winsock Newsgroup
- ============================
-
- 1) What Is This Newsgroup For?
- ------------------------------
-
- alt.winsock is an unmoderated newsgroup for general discussion of the
- WinSock (Windows Sockets) API and the myriad applications that run
- under it. Postings range from questions on how to setup a WinSock
- application to more advanced topics concerning Internet protocols and
- programming. This group is also open to both newcomers and advanced
- programmers alike. Unfortunately, this openness has made alt.winsock a
- very high volume newsgroup. That is why this FAQ was created. If you
- have a question or suggestion, please do not be afraid to post it.
- Flames have never been a problem and people will usually answer what
- seem like the dumbest questions. But, in order to reduce the volume on
- this newsgroup, we ask that people consult this FAQ prior to posting a
- question. We've put together an abundance of information which we'll
- try to keep as up to date as possible.
-
- 2) What Can I Post Here?
- ------------------------
-
- Due to the general nature of alt.winsock, there really aren't any
- restrictions on what can or cannot be posted. However, some important
- points should be kept in mind.
-
- * Be very specific in your questions.
- People will always be willing to help out. But they can't help you
- if they don't know what you're talking about. If the problem
- concerns your computer rather than a remote site, remember to
- state which WinSock you are using (e.g., Trumpet), what type of
- computer you have, and whether or not you are using TIA.
-
- * If you are replying to a post, decide whether or not the whole
- group needs to see your reply. Sometimes, many people could use
- your information or answer your question. Other times, it may be
- better to simply e-mail your reply to a specific person or persons.
-
- * When announcing a new program or new version, please announce what
- site it's available at and provide details about the program.
-
- Also, it is common courtesy to not only ask questions, but to answer
- some as well. That is what keeps this group functioning. So, if
- someone has a question that you know the answer to, please take a
- little time to reply.
-
- 3) What Should I Not Post Here?
- -------------------------------
-
- Most importantly do not ask off-topic questions. The most frequent
- off-topic questions are those concerning helper applications for
- WWW browsers. Posts regarding graphics or sound viewers should be
- posted to alt.binaries.multimedia.d, alt.binaries.pictures.utilities,
- alt.binaries.sounds.utilities, or another more appropriate newsgroup.
-
- Never post binaries to alt.winsock. In general, binaries should only
- be posted to alt.binaries.* groups. Even if you believe that you have
- found or written a great program that you think everyone in alt.winsock
- will want, please do not post a binary to the newsgroup. Simply post a
- message that gives a description of the program and tell people where
- it can be found.
-
- Advertisers should be very careful when considering whether they
- should post on alt.winsock. alt.winsock is NOT a forum for
- advertising. But, if your product is a WinSock application, or
- might be of interest to WinSock users, please announce yourself as an
- advertiser and give an accurate description of your product.
-
- Before you post any generic questions, please check the FAQ.
- Please do not post any questions that can be answered in the FAQ. Many
- of the routine questions include "What Telnet programs are out there?"
- "Where can I find xxxx?" or other such questions. Checking the FAQ
- first will reduce traffic and get you a quicker answer as well.
-
-
- II. What is a WinSock?
- =======================
-
- WinSock is short for Windows Sockets. Today's most popular Internet
- applications for Microsoft Windows and IBM OS/2 are developed according
- to the WinSock standard.
-
- 1) Where Did WinSock Come From?
- -------------------------------
-
- WinSock is short for Windows Sockets, and is used as the interface
- between TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), and
- Windows. TCP/IP has been called "the language of the Internet" and
- rightly so--most of the Internet is comprised of systems that use TCP/IP
- to talk to one another.
-
- The WinSock specification was born at one of the "Birds of a Feather"
- sessions at the Interop conference in Fall of 1991. The current
- version of the specification is 1.1, but work continues on the WinSock
- 2.0 specification, which is scheduled for completion mid-1995.
-
- A) Berkeley Sockets
- -------------------
-
- Berkeley Sockets is the standard programming model for TCP/IP
- networking under Unix. Windows Sockets was designed to be very
- similar to Berkeley Sockets so that those experienced in programming
- with sockets in Unix will be able to easily make the transition to
- Windows Sockets. However, there are a few deviations in the WinSock
- standard that take advantage of Windows-specific features not
- supported in Unix. For more information, see the following:
-
- ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/winsock/spec11/winsock.txt
-
- 2) How does it work?
- --------------------
-
- WinSock is a .DLL (Dynamic Link Library) and runs under Windows 3.x,
- Windows for Workgroups, Windows NT, and Windows 95. The WINSOCK.DLL is
- the interface to TCP/IP and, from there, on out to the Internet.
- (TCP/IP stands for "Transmission Control Protocol / Internet
- Protocol," the "language" that computers on the Internet use to
- communicate with each other.)
-
- The easiest way to show how it works is with a diagram:
-
- WinSock-compliant Application (e.g., Netscape, WinVN)
- |
- WINSOCK.DLL
- |
- TCP/IP
- |
- Modem or Network card
- |
- Network and beyond
-
- WINSOCK.DLL actually acts as a "layer" between your WinSock
- applications and your TCP/IP stack. Your WinSock applications tell
- WINSOCK.DLL what to do, WINSOCK.DLL translates these commands to your
- TCP/IP stack, and your TCP/IP stack passes them on to the Internet!
-
- But the most important thing for you to remember about WINSOCK.DLL is
- that the WINSOCK.DLL you're using must match the version of TCP/IP
- that you're running. Don't assume that because all WinSocks are called
- WINSOCK.DLL that they're all the same--they're not. So, for example,
- if I'm using Microsoft's TCP/IP, I can't use Trumpet Winsock.
-
- Similarly, if I'm running on a SLIP connection, and I want to switch
- from Chameleon Sampler's Winsock to Trumpet Winsock, I first need to
- remove Chameleon's version of WINSOCK.DLL before installing the new
- one.
-
- If you end up with multiple versions of WINSOCK.DLL floating around
- your hard disk, you're asking for trouble. Before you come screaming
- at alt.winsock, take a couple of minutes to check your hard disk for
- multiple WINSOCK.DLLs.
-
- For more information, see NCSA's winsock.dll page on the Web at:
-
- http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/SDG/Software/WinMosaic/winsocks.htm
-
- 3) What do I need to run WinSock applications?
- ----------------------------------------------
-
- Using WinSock applications to access the Internet requires:
-
- - A suitable connection to the Internet.
- - A TCP/IP stack (which includes it's own WINSOCK.DLL).
-
- Your connection to the Internet may take the form of a direct
- connection via a network card or a dialup account using a modem. Most
- users reading this FAQ will be using the latter. You'll probably need
- to acquire an account with an Internet service provider (or else
- get an account through work or school, if available) -- either a
- SLIP or PPP account (these are protocols for communicating with the
- Internet via modem; either is fine, though PPP is generally preferred),
- or a shell account which allows you to run a SLIP emulator (covered in
- Section VI.)
-
- The TCP/IP stack you use depends upon your needs. Some operating
- systems include stacks, such as Microsoft Windows 95 and IBM OS/2. For
- other operating systems, like Microsoft Windows 3.1/3.11 or Microsoft
- Windows for Workgroups 3.11, you'll need to add a stack. Section IV.
- of this FAQ covers some of the most popular. Some are free, some are
- shareware (if you continue to use them after an evaluation period, you
- must pay a small fee), and others are commercial. Some include no
- WinSock applications, while others include all the basic apps you'll
- need.
-
- A fast computer, 8MB or more of memory, and a high speed modem for
- dialup connections (at least 14.4k) are also recommended.
-
- And, of course, you'll need some WinSock applications. Section VII.
- points to lists of WinSock applications available.
-
-
- III. What Are SLIP and PPP?
- ============================
-
- There are several different ways individual PC users can get access to
- the Internet. Of all the access methods available, SLIP (Serial Line
- Interface Protocol) and PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) accounts give
- you the most options, as far as applications are concerned.
-
- SLIP has been around since the mid-1980s. It was originally designed
- to allow Unix machines to connect to one another over the phone. It
- essentially "tricks" your computer into thinking that its modem
- connection is a dedicated network connection (the kind you would
- usually need a network card for).
-
- PPP is based on SLIP, but it is a more sophisticated protocol. It
- contains additional error checking and authentication, which makes it
- more reliable than SLIP. For most PC users, there really isn't much
- difference between the two. Because PPP is more reliable and is
- generally accepted to be the standard of the future, you should get
- PPP if you're offered a choice between the two.
-
- WinSock works great with SLIP and PPP. Most WinSock versions come with
- dialer programs to do the actual connection over your modem.
-
-
- IV. What WinSocks Are Available and Where Can I Get Them?
- =========================================================
-
- 1) Trumpet Winsock
- ------------------
-
- Peter Tattam's Trumpet Winsock is one of the most popular WINSOCK.DLLs
- available. It includes both WINSOCK.DLL and a dialer program to get
- you connected if you're using SLIP or PPP. Versions 2.0b and 2.0e have
- been replaced by version 2.1. Version 2.0b is still available from:
-
- ftp://ftp.cica.indiana.edu/pub/pc/win3/winsock/twsk20b.zip
- ftp://ftp.coast.net/SimTel/win3/winsock/twsk20b.zip
-
- Version 2.1 is still in development. Recent developments have improved
- PPP performance and fixed scripting errors. Like version 2.0, version
- 2.1 supports both SLIP and PPP. A fairly powerful scripting language
- is also included for login, logout, and other actions. Trumpet Winsock
- is shareware. After 30 days, you must register (international: US$25,
- Australia: AU$25).
-
- ftp://b-box.trumpet.com.au/pub/winsock/twsk21f.zip
-
- Mirrors:
- ftp://ftp.synapse.net/contrib/trumpet/winsock/twsk21f.zip
- ftp://ftp.coast.net/SimTel/vendors/trumpet/winsock/twsk21f.zip
-
- Make sure you read the README.1ST file if you're upgrading from Trumpet
- Winsock 2.0x.
-
- There is a 32 bit version of Trumpet Winsock for Windows 95/98/NT.
- For more iformation, see:
-
- http://www.trumpet.com.au/winsock/winsoc5.html
-
- More Information:
- http://www.trumpet.com.au/wsk/winsock.htm
-
- A) Which MTU, TCP RWIN, and TCP MSS settings are best?
- ------------------------------------------------------
-
- Unfortunately, there isn't a simple answer to this question.
- It really depends on what kind of connection you have. Ethernet,
- SLIP, PPP, and CSLIP all require different settings. Also, your
- Internet provider may require that you use certain values. But there
- are a few rules that may help you find the best values.
-
- First check which values your Internet provider recommends. These
- values will generally be the best. However, not all providers have
- experience with Trumpet Winsock, or the values they give you may
- still need additional adjustment for optimal speed and reliability.
-
- The INSTALL.DOC that comes with Trumpet Winsock also lists a few
- general rules for setting these values. MTU should be TCP MSS+40.
- TCP RWIN should be 3 or 4 times TCP MSS. It suggests starting with
- the following values: MTU=256, TCP RWIN=848, TCP MSS=212. However,
- these are only general rules and there may be better values for
- your particular situation.
-
- Peter Tattam also believes that MTU should be pushed up to 1500 if
- supported by your provider, although many providers recommend
- setting the MTU at 1006.
-
- He also recommends that you set the values for SLIP/PPP as follows:
- TCP MSS=512, TCP RWIN=2048. CSLIP/CPPP values should be: TCP
- MSS=212, TCP RWIN=848.
-
- Ethernet and TIA users should use the following values: MTU=1500,
- TCP RWIN=4096, TCP MSS=1460.
-
- B) Registration Problems
- ------------------------
-
- One of the biggest problems Trumpet has been having is responding
- to user registrations. Be patient because they are busy. But if you
- find that they never respond, send e-mail to
- registrations@trumpet.com.au. Give your full name and Trumpet
- should respond promptly with your registration number.
-
- More Information:
-
- Trumpet Software International Home Page:
- http://www.trumpet.com.au/
-
-
- 2) Chameleon Sampler
- ---------------------
-
- Chameleon Sampler is was a popular WinSock. It has reached end-of-life.
-
- 3) Microsoft TCP/IP-32
- ----------------------
-
- This is Microsoft's stack for use with Windows NT or Windows for
- Workgroups 3.11. Unfortunately, this stack does NOT support dialup
- connections. Free for owners of Windows NT or Windows for Workgroups.
- Available from:
-
- ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/peropsys/windows/Public/tcpip/
-
- 4) NetCruiser
- -------------
-
- NetCruiser probably doesn't belong on this list, as it's not 100%
- WinSock compatible. NetCruiser includes a proprietary stack and
- suite of applications included with SLIP accounts from Netcom (a
- large Internet service provider), the latest version has added
- *some* WinSock compatibility. NetCruiser itself works only with Netcom.
-
- Compatibility Notes: WinSock applications known to have difficulty with
- NetCruiser include WinTalk and mIRC.
-
- More Information:
- http://www.netcom.com/faq/
- http://www.netcom.com/
-
- 5) Do I Need This Stuff Now That Windows 95 Is Out?
- ----------------------------------------------------
-
- Nope. Windows 95 includes all the 32-bit TCP/IP and WinSock drivers
- that you'll need. And, it includes its own "Dial-Up Networking" that
- lets you use SLIP or PPP.
-
- A lot of Windows 95 beta users have installed Trumpet Winsock and are
- using it quite happily.
-
- More Information:
- http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/
- http://www.calamistrum.com/Win95Soft/barry/wn95slip.html
- http://www.trumpet.com.au/wsk/faq/win95.htm
- http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~llurch/win95netbugs/faq.html
-
- 6) IBM OS/2 Warp
- ----------------
-
- IBM's OS/2 Warp operating system includes a stack and a suite of
- applications that have been well-received. Aside from the included
- applications, native WinSock software for OS/2 is sparse. Most
- Windows WinSock applications run well. Included with the operating
- system (street price approx. US$70-140 depending upon
- configuration)
-
- More Information:
- http://www.austin.ibm.com/pspinfo/warp.html
- http://pclt.cis.yale.edu/pclt/winworld/os2.htm
-
-
- V. Common WinSock Problems
- ==========================
-
- 1) "Call to Undefined Dynalink"
- ---------------------------------------------------
-
- Although this error message can be caused by a number of different
- problems, as far as WinSock users are concerned, it probably has to do
- with having multiple versions of WINSOCK.DLL hanging around your hard
- disk. To solve this problem, make sure that you do not have multiple
- versions of WINSOCK.DLL in your PATH. If so, remove or rename the
- versions you're not using. If you only have a single version of
- WINSOCK.DLL, it may not be in the path. Simply put it in
- \WINDOWS\SYSTEM or add your WinSock's directory to the PATH statement
- in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
-
- 2) COMM Overrun
- ---------------
-
- This error occurs when the modem goes too fast for the COM port and
- Windows. There are a couple of things you have to check. First, if
- you've got an external modem running at 14.4kbps or above, make sure
- you're connecting it to a COM port that uses the UART 16550a (or some
- 1655xx variant) chip. You can check this using the MSD.EXE program that
- comes with Windows.
-
- Now, once you've got that verified, you need to replace the old
- COMM.DRV driver that came with Windows 3.x, because it was designed to
- work with the older UART 8550 chip. (Windows for Workgroups 3.11
- users don't need to worry about this.) The two most popular
- replacement COMM drivers are CyberCom and WFXComm. Documentation is
- included and they can be found at the following sites:
-
- ftp://ftp.coast.net/simtel/win3/commprog/cybercom.zip
- ftp://ftp.winsite.com/pub/pc/win3/misc/wfxcomm.zip
-
- Also, you need to edit your SYSTEM.INI file to include the following
- statements in your [386Enh] section:
-
- com1FIFO=1
- com1buffer=1024
- comboosttime=8
-
- (If you're using a COM port other than 1, change the com1 to com2,
- etc.)
-
- Although it is quite out of date, There is a FAQ that provides a more
- in-depth discussion of this subject:
-
- http://www.inetassist.com/faqs/tcpibmpc.htm
-
- 3) Can't Find C:\TEMP Directory" (Netscape)
- -------------------------------------------
-
- Most Windows users have their temporary directory set to
- C:\WINDOWS\TEMP -- but Netscape assumes that you use C:\TEMP unless
- you tell it otherwise.
-
- To correct this problem, do the following:
-
- 1. In Netscape, go to the "Options" menu. Choose "Preferences."
- 2. At the very top of the dialog there will be a drop-down listbox.
- Click it, and choose "Directories, Applications, and News."
- 3. Change C:\TEMP to C:\WINDOWS\TEMP (or whatever your actual
- temporary directory is) and click "OK."
-
- Users of Windows or Windows for Workgroups can determine their
- temporary directory by examining their AUTOEXEC.BAT file. The line
- will look similar to this:
-
- SET TEMP=c:\windows\temp\
-
- If no such line exists, you'll want to add one. Make sure that the
- indicated directory exists.
-
- 4) Netscape 1.1's Window Doesn't Open Properly
- ----------------------------------------------
-
- Although this bug has been fixed in the beta releases of Netscate 1.2,
- users of Netscape 1.1 may experience problems with window sizing.
-
- In Netscape 1.1, there is a bug that may cause the Netscape window to
- open off-center and partially off the screen. Unfortunately, this was
- not fixed in the official release of Netscape 1.1N.
-
- There are two methods to improve this:
-
- 1. Resize the window with the mouse (do not maximize). Then save the
- window size by clicking "Save Options" under the "Options" menu.
- 2. Directly edit the NETSCAPE.INI file. This method generally works
- best. It also enables you to see what the problem is. Using an
- example of a 640x480 monitor, Netscape 1.1 gave the NETSCAPE.INI
- file the following default values:
-
- [Main Window]
- x=-4
- y=-4
- width=648
- height=488
-
- Change the settings to:
-
- [Main Window]
- x=0
- y=0
- width=640
- height=480
-
- 5) How Do I Cure Various Errors In WinTalk?
- -------------------------------------------
-
- Depending upon the version of WinTalk you use, you may either:
-
- 1) have trouble running the program, with frequent "gethostname()"
- or similar error messages, or
- 2) the program may appear to work properly until you attempt to talk
- with someone, and you receive a "They don't recognize us!" error.
-
- The solution depends upon the way you're accessing the Internet. If
- you're not sure which the of the below you're using, ask your provider
- for help.
-
- If you're on a SLIP or PPP connection with a permanent IP Address:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Your machine may not be listed in your provider's DNS. Ask your
- provider to add it. If your account is new, keep in mind that it
- may take several days before your machine name is in the DNS, at
- which point WinTalk should work properly.
-
- If you're on a SLIP or PPP connection with Dynamic IP Addressing:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
-
- It's very likely that some, if not all, of the IP addresses in the
- dynamic IP pool are not registered in the DNS. Ask your provider to
- please do this, if possible.
-
- Emulated SLIP (TIA, etc.):
- --------------------------
-
- WinTalk is incompatible with emulated SLIP. Sorry, there are no
- workarounds at this time.
-
- 6) How Do I Cure Various Errors in News Xpress?
- -----------------------------------------------
-
- If you receive a "No Authorization" or similar error in News Xpress,
- do the following:
-
- 1. Choose "Setup" from the "Config" menu.
- 2. Delete any information you typed into the "Username" and "Password"
- fields. Click "OK."
-
- 7) "More Original Lines than New Lines" Error in a Newsreader?
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
-
- If you receive a "More Original Lines than New Lines" or "More Quoted
- Text than Original Text," or another similar error when trying to
- follow-up to a Usenet news article, your newsreader program is not
- to blame.
-
- This is an option set by your system administrator to prevent users
- from sending articles which contain, for example, 100 lines of quoted
- text with "I agree" added to the bottom. Such articles are considered
- a nuisance. Consider editing the quoted text for clarity.
-
- Some users adjust their newsreader to use an unusual quote character.
- In some cases, this can fool the news server software and thwart your
- provider's options. Please be aware that this is a blatant
- circumvention of your provider's policies, and may result in loss of
- your Internet access. This type of action is inadvisable.
-
- If the quoted text limitation really bothers you, try *politely*
- asking your provider to change this option in their news server
- software.
-
- 8) GPF Errors in WSIRC
- ----------------------
-
- While WSIRC does have some stability problems, some releases also have
- a bug which allows other IRC users to easily cause WSIRC to crash
- (GPF, General Protection Fault). In Version 1.4e and before, a simple
- null CTCP command is all it takes.
-
- However, Versions 1.4f and later, including the recently released
- Version 2.0 have apparently fixed this problem.
-
- If you're receiving frequent GPF errors with WSIRC, you may wish to
- update or switch to another IRC client.
-
- 9) I have SLIP Emulation and DCC won't work in IRC
- --------------------------------------------------
-
- Like Talk, DCC will not completely work with SLIP emulation. Although
- it is a feature of IRC, DCC connects directly between two computers.
- Therefore, it requires both computers to have an IP address for full
- functionality.
-
- Fortunately, some features of DCC will work. You will be able to
- receive a DCC Chat request and DCC Get will also work. But you will be
- unable to initiate a DCC Chat or use DCC Send.
-
- 10) "________ Did Not Call WSCLEANUP"
-
- Fill in the blank -- it can be any WinSock app. Not a problem,
- really. All it means is that the app in question did not tell WinSock
- that is was finished with the socket it was using.
-
-
- VI. Can I Run Cool Stuff Like Netscape From My Unix Shell Account?
- ==================================================================
-
- If you're limited to a Unix shell account, you may still be able to take
- advantage of Winsock applications. Several SLIP Emulators are available
- which "convert" standard shell accounts into makeshift SLIP accounts.
-
- Note: Many providers do not allow you to run a SLIP emulator. Some are
- concerned about system resources; others want you to buy a real
- SLIP or PPP account (which are almost universally more expensive).
- If your provider bans use of SLIP emulators, using one may result
- in loss of your Internet access. (Yes, system administrators can
- tell if you're using a SLIP emulator even if you change the
- executable's file name or size.)
-
- 1) The Internet Adapter (tm)
- ----------------------------
-
- The Internet Adapter (TIA) is an innovative product by Cyberspace
- Development, Inc. that allows Unix shell users to simulate a SLIP
- connection over a Unix shell account. PPP is not yet supported, but it
- is expected to be included when v2.0 is released. TIA is installed on
- the Unix host (either in your home directory, if you're a single user,
- or with the other Unix executables on the system if it's a site-
- licensed copy provided by your provider). When you run TIA on your
- Unix host, you can then run WinSock applications on your own machine.
- (Note that you still need to install WinSock on your PC.)
-
- For most applications, there is no difference between a true SLIP
- account and TIA. But there are a few drawbacks. Because TIA users do
- not have a real, unique IP address, applications that require this
- (some DCC Chat, Talk, CuSeeMe, Ping, etc.) will not work. Also,
- servers, in general, will not work. The latest beta version does have
- a port redirection feature, but TIA is not meant for server use. TIA
- requires that you have an "8-bit clean" connection to the Internet.
- Check the TIA FAQs for more information.
-
- TIA currently costs U.S. $25.00 for a single-site license. They also
- have 14-day temporary licenses available. Version 1.04 has recently
- been moved from beta to official release in preperation for the
- release of Version 2.0, which is currently in closed beta testing.
- All future upgrades will be free to registered users.
-
- More information:
- http://marketplace.com:80/tia/tiahome.html
- e-mail: tia-info@marketplace.com
-
- A) I use Netcom and TIA -- Why Won't My Newsreader Work?
- --------------------------------------------------------
-
- So far, Netcom is the only large provider that has had this
- problem. Netcom does not allow its users to access the NNTP server.
- But there is a way around this. A free product also found at:
-
- ftp://marketplace.com/tia
-
- allows the newsreader to access news off the disk. This program is
- installed, just like TIA, in your Unix shell. It is executed at the
- same time as TIA by executing "tia -p:119 nntpd." There is also
- good documentation in the tiabeta directory.
-
- More Information:
- ftp://marketplace.com/tia/readme.nntpd
-
- 2) Twinsock (Troy's Winsock)
- ----------------------------
-
- Troy Rollo's Twinsock is a freeware alternative to TIA. Unlike TIA,
- Twinsock includes both a host program to be placed on your shell
- account and its own special stack. Setup can be easier than TIA,
- since the stack requires no special configuration. Note that Twinsock
- will work even without an 8-bit clean connection, though the 6-bit
- mode is slower.
-
- See the FAQ (under More Information, below) for information about
- FTPing the latest compiled versions for various hosts. You must FTP
- the complete package (see below) to obtain the required stack, which
- is compiled. Source code for the host program and the stack is
- included.
-
- More Information:
- http://www_ug.eecg.utoronto.ca/~luk/tsfaq.html
-
- FTP Sites:
- ftp://ftp.coast.net/simtel/win3/winsock/twnsck14.zip
- ftp://archive.orst.edu/pub/mirrors/simtel/win3/winsock/twnsck14.zip
- ftp://micros.hensa.ac.uk/mirrors/simtel/win3/winsock/twnsck14.zip
-
- 3) SLiRP
- --------
-
- A recent addition to the SLIP emulation scene, Danny Gasparovski's
- SLiRP is quickly gaining momentum. It's similar to TIA, but doesn't
- include a stack, although it is free. No compiled versions are
- available yet; you'll have to compile it yourself. Available from:
-
- ftp://peace.wit.com/danjo/slirp/slirp-0.9o.tar.gz
- ftp://blitzen.canberra.edu.au/pub/slirp/slirp-0.95d.tar.gz
-
- More Information:
- http://blitzen.canberra.edu.au/slirp
-
- 4) Remsock
- ----------
-
- Oslonett's Remsock is a little-used SLIP emulator similar to Twinsock
- in that it includes its own stack. Much of the documentation is in
- Norwegian. Aside from compatibility problems, Remsock's biggest
- failing is that it's "crippleware." It stops working 15 minutes into
- each connection until you pay the registration fee ($15). Available
- from:
-
- ftp://kids.kotel.co.kr/pub/network/remsock.zip
-
- VII. What's the Best ________ Application?
- ==========================================
-
- There are currently over a hundred WinSock applications out there. We
- won't try to tell you which one is the best one for your needs. To a
- certain extent, you're going to have to figure that out for yourself.
-
- 1) Lists, Lists, Lists
- ----------------------
-
- Fortunately, there are several excellent resources out there that can
- provide you with pointers to (and evaluations of) most of the Internet
- programs available on the Internet for Windows users.
-
- There are several regularly updated lists of WinSock applications. If
- you're looking for something, try these lists first. You can FTP the
- files directly through either of the Web-based lists. Here are the most
- popular and useful:
-
- - Stroud's Consummate Winsock Apps List (updated regularly)
- http://cws.wilmington.net/cwsa.html
-
- - The Ultimate Collection of Winsock Compliant Software
- http://www.tucows.com/
-
- - Ed Sinkovits' Winter List (updated weekly)
- http://www.mbnet.mb.ca/winter/index.html
- or
- ftp://ftp.coast.net/SimTel/win3/winsock/winter15.zip
-
- - Craig Larsen's Winsock Application FAQ (complete list of all
- Winsock applications)
- http://www.primenet.com/~larsenc/faqhtml.html
-
- - Stardust Technologies, Inc. WinSock Page
- http://www.winsock.com
-
- 2) Windows 95 Software
- ----------------------
-
- Finding WinSock applications for Windows 95 is much more difficult
- than finding software for Windows 3.x. Fortunately, there is a
- new software archive that exclusively lists Windows 95 applications:
-
- - Net Ex Unofficial Windows 95 Software Archive
- http://www.netex.net/w95/index.html
-
- - Windows95.com
- http://www.windows95.com
-
- 3) Shareware is Not Freeware
- ----------------------------
-
- The WinSock community has been very fortunate to have many freeware
- applications available. For this, everyone should be grateful to the
- many authors who have put many countless hours writing these programs.
-
- However, not all winsock applications are freeware. Many are
- shareware, and shareware is NOT the same as freeware. Please use your
- conscience. If you try out a shareware program and find it to be
- useful, send in the registration fee. The prices are usually quite
- reasonable. Moreover, it encourages and enables further development of
- many great applications.
-
-
- VIII. Even More Information
- ============================
-
- 1) Application FAQs
- -------------------
-
- There are a growing number of FAQs and an abundance of README files
- available for many individual WinSock applications. Several FAQs are
- listed below. The following site also provides a fairly descent
- selection of README files and other text documents covering a variety
- of WinSock applications.
-
- ftp://ftp.best.com/pub/schaft/Internet_Apps/TXT_FILES
-
- A) Free Agent
- -------------
-
- Free Agent Frequently Asked Questions:
- http://www.forteinc.com/agent/csfaq.htm
-
- B) Netscape
- -----------
-
- Netscape Navigator - Frequently Asked Questions:
- http://home.netscape.com/eng/mozilla/1.1/faq.html
-
- C) News Xpress
- --------------
-
- Brian H. Smither has recently written the News Xpress FAQ. The
- author of News Xpress has also indicated that he plans to include
- the FAQ with releases of News Xpress as well.
-
- NewsXpress FAQ
- http://www.malch.com/nxfaq.html
-
- D) WinVN
- --------
-
- The WinVN FAQ is available both from the sites below and
- is also included with recent versions of WinVN.
-
- HTML Version:
- Frequently Asked Questions about the WinVN Newsreader:
- http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/software/winvn/faq/WINVNFAQ-Contents.html
-
- ASCII Version:
- Frequently Asked Questions about the WinVN Newsreader:
- ftp://ftp.ksc.nasa.gov/pub/winvn/docs/winvnfaq.txt
-
-
- 2) Other WinSock Resources
- --------------------------
-
- A) #Winsock on IRC (EFFNet)
- ---------------------------
-
- The IRC channel #Winsock was created by Keith Veseleny (IRC nick:
- VC). Participants discuss the latest WinSock applications, assist
- new users, and are a friendly bunch.
-
- For those unfamiliar with IRC bots, bots are special computer
- programs which look like other IRC users and can respond to requests.
- Two bots on #Winsock provide help and files, 24 hours a day.
-
- Mookbot is #Winsock's help bot (portions of this FAQ are based on the
- help file first created for Mookbot). Type "/msg mookbot help" for
- answers to common questions.
-
- IgBot is #Winsock's file bot. Many of the latest WinSock
- applications can be downloaded from the bot using DCC file
- transfer. Type "/msg igbot files" to see a list of available files
- and "/msg igbot help filetransfer" for file transfer instructions.
-
- B) #Winsock FAQ
- ---------------
-
- This is the faq that grew out of the IRC channel #Winsock. Much of
- the information in this FAQ has been incorporated here, although it
- does cover a few issues that this FAQ does not address.
-
- http://mars.superlink.net/user/mook/winfaq.html
-
- 3) TCP/IP
- ---------
-
- Although similar to alt.winsock, the
- comp.os.ms-windows.networking.tcp-ip newsgroup is less crowded and
- tends to discuss issues concerning TCP/IP with MS Windows itself
- rather than the usually application-based discussion on alt.winsock.
-
- The comp.os.ms-windows.networking.tcp-ip FAQ can be found at:
- <I cant find a copy of the FAQ - it's no longer under www.faqs.org>
-
- 4) Windows Data Communication
- -----------------------------
-
- The most important part of your SLIP or PPP Internet connection is, of
- course, your telephone link. Malcolm Hoar has written a modem guide
- that includes information to help you troubleshoot an unstable
- connection. It also has several links to other sites with more
- information on modems.
-
- http://www.best.com/~malch/comfaq.html
-
- 5) SLiRP/TIA and Trumpet Winsock
- --------------------------------
-
- Lynn Larrow has written an excellent troubleshooting guide for TIA and
- Trumpet Winsock. This FAQ also address several related issues as well.
-
- http://www.webcom.com/~llarrow/tiarefg.html
-
- 6) SLIP Emulation
- -----------------
-
- For general discussion about SLIP Emulation, check out the
- alt.dcom.slip-emulators newsgroup.
-
- 7) WinSock Developer Information
- --------------------------------
-
- Here are several resources available to WinSock Developers on the
- Internet.
-
- A) Winsock Programming FAQ by John Thomas Willis
- ------------------------------------------------
-
- Offers links to source code for C/C++, Visual Basic, and Pascal.
-
- http://www.LCS.com/program.html
-
- B) WinSock 1.1 Standard
- -----------------------
-
- ftp://SunSite.UNC.EDU/pub/micro/pc-stuff/ms-windows/winsock/FAQ
-
- C) WinSock 2.0 Standard
- -----------------------
-
- ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/micro/pc-stuff/ms-windows/winsock/
- winsock-2.0
-
- D) Microsoft's WinSock Developer Info
- -------------------------------------
-
- http://www.microsoft.com/products/developer/winsock/default.htm
-
- E) Usenet
- ---------
-
- alt.winsock.programming
-
- F) Stardust Technologies WinSock Resource Page
- ----------------------------------------------
-
- http://www.stardust.com/wsresource/wsresrce.html
-
- 8) Other alt.winsock.* Newsgroups
- ---------------------------------
-
- alt.winsock.ivc
- alt.winsock.programming
- alt.winsock.trumpet
- alt.winsock.voice
-
- The traffic on alt.winsock.ivc and alt.winsock.voice is often sparse
- and overlapping. Although not as active as alt.winsock, both
- alt.winsock.programming and alt.winsock.trumpet are active groups.
-
- Also, when posting, please do not post the same message to multiple
- groups in the alt.winsock hierarchy.
-
- 9) Winsock Newsgroups in the comp.os.ms-windows Hierarchy
- ---------------------------------------------------------
-
- comp.os.ms-windows.apps.winsock.mail
- comp.os.ms-windows.apps.winsock.misc
- comp.os.ms-windows.apps.winsock.news
-
- 10) UUEncoding and MIME Encoding Binary Files
- ---------------------------------------------
- Jim Howard has written an excellent FAQ on the subject. You can
- usually find the latest copy in many of the alt.binaries.pictures.*
- newsgroups, or at:
-
- ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/pictures-faq
-
-
- IX. Where to Find the FAQ
- =========================
-
- The alt.winsock FAQ will be posted to alt.winsock every month.
-
- It can also be found in HTML format at:
-
- http://t2.technion.ac.il/~s2845543/alt.winsock-faq.html
-
- The FAQ will be archived monthly through news.answers as of this posting.
- It can be found at:
-
- ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/windows/winsock-faq
-
- Or send e-mail to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with the following message:
-
- send usenet/news.answers/windows/winsock-faq
-
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- X. Administrivia
- ================
-
- This FAQ was instigated by Darran Edmundson, and compiled by Kevin Osborn
- (Kevin.Osborn@bc.edu) and Nancy Cedeno (nac@sirius.com), and includes
- information from the #Winsock FAQ by Mike J.M. (mook@mars.superlink.net).
-
- Thanks also to Bob Ennis, Lynn Larrow, Craig Larsen, Ed Sinkovits, Perry
- Grieb, and Aaron Weintraub.
-
- Comments and suggestions are welcome--this is a document in progress!
-
-