Internet Surfer 2.0/Internet Surfer 2.0 (Wayzata Technology) (1996).iso/pc/text/mac/faqs.086

Text File | 1996-02-12 | 28.3 KB | 787 lines

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS);faqs.086



Subject headers below are formatted so this list may be read as a
digest by USENET newsreaders that support digests.

Example commands: rn, "control-G" skips to next section; nn, "G%"
presents as a digest.  Sections may also be located by searching for
the desired section number string (e.g. "-1-") from the list above.

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

From: PDIAL -1-
Subject: Summary: Providers With Wide Area Access

       PDN holonet, michnet, portal, psi-gds, psilink, well, world
       800 class, dial-n-cerf-usa, jvnc, OARnet

"PDN" means the provider is accessible through a public data network
(check the listings below for which network); note that many PDNs
listed offer access outside North America as well as within North
America.  Check with the provider or the PDN for more details.

"800" means the provider is accessible via a "toll-free" US phone
number.  The phone company will not charge for the call, but the
service provider will add a relatively large surcharge to cover the
high cost of the 800 service.  Other long-distance options are
generally cheaper.

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

From: PDIAL -2-
Subject: Summary: Area Codes for US Dialins

If you are not local to any of these providers, it's still likely you
are able to access those providers available through a public data
network (PDN).  Check the section above for providers with wide area
access.

       201 jvnc-tiger
       202 express
       203 jvnc-tiger
       206 halcyon
       212 mindvox, panix
       213 dial-n-cerf, netcom
       215 jvnc-tiger
       216 OARnet
       301 express
       303 csn
       310 dial-n-cerf, netcom
       313 michnet, msen
       401 anomaly, ids, jvnc-tiger
       408 a2i, netcom, portal
       410 express
       415 netcom, portal, well
       419 OARnet
       508 nearnet
       510 dial-n-cerf, holonet, netcom
       513 OARnet
       516 jvnc-tiger
       517 michnet
       603 nearnet
       609 jvnc-tiger
       614 OARnet
       616 michnet
       617 nearnet, world
       619 cyber, dial-n-cerf, netcom
       703 express
       704 rock-concert
       713 sugar
       714 dial-n-cerf
       718 mindvox, panix
       719 cns, csn
       818 dial-n-cerf, netcom
       906 michnet
       908 jvnc-tiger
       919 rock-concert

These are area codes local to the dialups, although some prefixes in
the area codes listed may not be local to the dialups.  Check your
phone book or with your phone company.

Most providers listed here are also accessible by packet-switched data
services such as PC Pursuit ($30/month for 30 hours off-peak 2400 bps
access -- call 800-736-1130 for more information), traditional long
distance services, and of course telnet.

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

From: PDIAL -3-
Subject: Summary: Phone Prefixes for International Dialins

     +61 2 connect.com.au
     +61 3 connect.com.au
 +44 (0)81 ibmpcug

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

From: PDIAL -4-
Subject: What *Is* The Internet?

The Internet is a global cooperative network of university, corporate,
government, and private computers, all communicating with each other by
means of something called TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol).  Computers directly on the Internet can exchange data quickly
and easily with any other computer on the Internet to download files, send
email, provide remote logins, etc.

Users can download files from publicly accessible archive sites ("anonymous
FTP"); login into remote computers (telnet or rlogin); chat in real-time
with other users around the world (Internet Relay Chat); or use the newest
information retrieval tools to find a staggering variety of information
(Wide Area Information Servers, Gopher, World Wide Web).

Computers directly on the Internet also exchange email directly and very
quickly; email is usually delivered in seconds between Internet sites.

Sometimes the Internet is confused with other related networks or types of
networking.

First, there are other ways to be "connected to the Internet" without being
directly connected as a TCP/IP node.  Some computers connect via UUCP or
other means at regular intervals to an Internet site to exchange email and
USENET newsgroups, for instance.  Such a site can provide email (though not
as quickly as a directly connected systems) and USENET access, but not
Internet downloads, remote logins, etc.

"email" (or "Internet email", "netmail") can be exchanged with a wide
variety of systems connected directly and indirectly to the Internet.  The
email may travel solely over the Internet, or it may traverse other
networks and systems.

"USENET" is the collection of computers all over the world that exchange
USENET news -- thousands of "newsgroups" (like forums, or echos) on a wide
range of topics.  The newsgroup articles are distributed all over the world
to USENET sites that wish to carry them (sometimes over the Internet,
sometimes not), where people read and respond to them.

The "NSFNET" is one of the backbones of the Internet in the US.  It is
funded by the NSF, which restricts traffic over the NSFNET to "open
research and education in and among US research and instructional
institutions, plus research arms of for-profit firms when engaged in
open scholarly communication and research."  Your Internet provider
can give you more details about acceptable use, and alternatives
should you need to use the Internet in other ways.

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

From: PDIAL -5-
Subject: What The PDIAL Is

This is a list of Internet service providers offering public access
dialins and outgoing Internet access (ftp, telnet, etc.).  Most of
them provide email and USENET news and other services as well.

If one of these systems is not accessible to you and you need email or
USENET access, but *don't* need ftp or telnet, you have many more
public access systems from which to choose.  Public access systems
without ftp or telnet are *not* listed in this list, however.  See the
nixpub (alt.bbs, comp.misc) list and other BBS lists.

Some of these providers offer time-shared access to a shell or BBS
program on a computer connected directly to the Internet, through
which you can FTP or telnet to other systems on the Internet.  Usually
other services are provided as well.  Generally, you need only a modem
and terminal or terminal emulator to access these systems.  Check for
"shell", "bbs", or "menu" on the "services" line.

Other providers connect you directly to the Internet via SLIP or PPP
when you dial in.  For these you need a computer system capable of
running the software to interface with the Internet, e.g., a Unix
machine, PC, or Mac.  Check for "SLIP", or "PPP" on the services
line.

While I have included all sites for which I have complete information,
this list is surely incomplete.  Please send any additions or
corrections to "[e-mail]".

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

From: PDIAL -6-
Subject: List of Providers

Fees are for personal dialup accounts with outgoing Internet access;
most sites have other classes of service with other rate structures as
well.  Most support email and netnews along with the listed services.

"Long distance: provided by user" means you need to use services such
as PC Pursuit or other long distance services.

<< a2i >>
name ----------> a2i communications
dialup --------> 408-293-9010 (v.32, v.32 bis) or 408-293-9020 (PEP) 'guest'
area codes ----> 408
local access --> CA: Campbell, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Moutain View, San Jose,
                 Santa Clara, Saratoga, Sunnyvale
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> shell, ftp, telnet, feeds
fees ----------> $20/month or $45/3 months or $72/6 months
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> n/a
ftp more info -> ftp.rahul.net:/pub/BLURB

<< anomaly >>
name ----------> Anomaly - Rhode Island's Gateway To The Internet
dialup --------> 401-331-3706 (v.32) or 401-455-0347 (PEP)
area codes ----> 401
local access --> RI: Providence/Seekonk Zone
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> shell, ftp, telnet, SLIP
fees ----------> $125/6 months or $200/year
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 401-273-4669
ftp more info -> n/a

<< class >>
name ----------> Cooperative Library Agency for Systems and Services
dialup --------> contact for number; NOTE: CLASS serves libraries/information
                 distributors only
area codes ----> 800
local access --> anywhere (800) service is available
long distance -> included
services ------> ftp, telnet, gopher, wais, archie, hytelnet
fees ----------> $10.50/hour + $150/year for first account + $50/year each
                 additional account + $135/year CLASS membership
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 800-488-4559
fax -----------> 408-453-5379
ftp more info -> n/a

<< cns >>
name ----------> Community News Service
dialup --------> 719-520-1700 'new'
area codes ----> 719
local access --> CO: Colorado Springs
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> UNIX shell, email, ftp, telnet, irc, USENET, Clarinet, gopher
fees ----------> $1/hour; $10/month minimum + $35 signup
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 719-579-9120
ftp more info -> n/a

<< connect.com.au >>
name ----------> connect.com.au pty ltd
dialup --------> contact for number
area codes ----> +61 3, +61 2
local access --> Australia: Melbourne, Sydney
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> SLIP, PPP, ISDN, UUCP, ftp, telnet, NTP, FTPmail
fees ----------> AUS$2000/year (1 hour/day), 10% discount for AUUG members;
                 other billing negotiable
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> [phone]
fax -----------> [phone]
ftp more info -> ftp.connect.com.au

<< csn >>
name ----------> Colorado SuperNet
dialup --------> contact for number
area codes ----> 303, 719
local access --> CO: Ft. Collins, Boulder/Denver, Colorado Springs
long distance -> provided by user; NOTE: CSN serves Colorado only
services ------> shell, ftp, telnet, irc, wais, gopher, email-to-fax, feeds,
                 SLIP
fees ----------> $1/hour off-peak, $2/hour peak ($250 max/month) + $20 signup
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 303-273-3471
ftp more info -> csn.org:/CSN/reports/DialinInfo
off-peak ------> midnight to 6am

<< cyber >>
name ----------> The Cyberspace Station
dialup --------> [phone] 'guest'
area codes ----> 619
local access --> CA: San Diego
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> shell, ftp, telnet, irc
fees ----------> $15/month + $10 startup or $60 for six months
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice --------->
ftp more info -> n/a

<< dial-n-cerf >>
name ----------> DIAL n' CERF or DIAL n' CERF AYC
dialup --------> contact for number
area codes ----> 213, 310, 510, 619, 714, 818
local access --> CA: Los Angeles, Oakland, San Diego, Irvine, Pasadena
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> shell, menu, irc, ftp, hytelnet, gopher, WAIS, WWW, terminal
                 service, SLIP
fees ----------> $5/hour ($3/hour on weekend) + $20/month + $50 startup OR
                 $250/month flat for AYC
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 800-876-2373 or 619-455-3900
ftp more info -> nic.cerf.net:/cerfnet/dial-n-cerf/
off-peak ------> Weekend: 5pm Friday to 5pm Sunday

<< dial-n-cerf-usa >>
name ----------> DIAL n' CERF USA
dialup --------> contact for number
area codes ----> 800
local access --> anywhere (800) service is available
long distance -> included
services ------> shell, menu, irc, ftp, hytelnet, gopher, WAIS, WWW, terminal
                 service, SLIP
fees ----------> $10/hour ($8/hour on weekend) + $20/month
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 800-876-2373 or 619-455-3900
ftp more info -> nic.cerf.net:/cerfnet/dial-n-cerf/
off-peak ------> Weekend: 5pm Friday to 5pm Sunday

<< express >>
name ----------> Express Access - Online Communications Service
dialup --------> 301-220-0462, 410-766-1855 'new'
area codes ----> 202, 301, 410, 703
local access --> Northern VA, Baltimore MD, Washington DC
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> shell, ftp, telnet, irc
fees ----------> $25/month or $250/year
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 301-220-2020
ftp more info -> n/a

<< halcyon >>
name ----------> Halcyon
dialup --------> [phone] 'bbs', 8N1
area codes ----> 206
local access --> Seattle, WA
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> shell, telnet, ftp, bbs, irc, gopher, hytelnet, archie
fees ----------> $15/month or $150/year + $10 startup
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 206-426-9298
ftp more info -> halcyon.com:~/pub/waffle/info

<< holonet >>
name ----------> HoloNet
dialup --------> [phone]
area codes ----> 510, PDN
local access --> Berkeley, CA
long distance -> [per hour, off-peak/peak] Bay Area: $0.50/$0.95; PSINet A:
                 $0.95/$1.95; PSINet B: $2.50/$6.00; Tymnet: $3.75/$7.50
services ------> ftp, telnet, irc, games
fees ----------> $2/hour off-peak, $4/hour peak; $6/month or $60/year minimum
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 510-704-0160
ftp more info -> holonet.net:/info/
off-peak ------> 5pm to 8am + weekends and holidays

<< ibmpcug >>
name ----------> UK PC User Group
dialup --------> [phone]
area codes ----> +44 (0)81
local access --> London, England
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> ftp, telnet, bbs, irc, feeds
fees ----------> GBPounds 15.50/month or 160/year + 10 startup (no time
                 charges)
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> [phone]
ftp more info -> n/a

<< ids >>
name ----------> The IDS World Network
dialup --------> [phone], [phone]
area codes ----> 401
local access --> East Greenwich, RI; northern RI
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> ftp, telnet, SLIP, feeds, bbs
fees ----------> $10/month or $50/half year or $100/year
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 401-884-7856
ftp more info -> ids.net:/ids.net

<< jvnc-tiger >>
name ----------> The John von Neumann Computer Network - Dialin' Tiger
dialup --------> contact for number
area codes ----> 201, 203, 215, 401, 516, 609, 908
local access --> Princeton & Newark, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Garden City, NY;
                 Bridgeport, New Haven, & Storrs, CT; Providence, RI
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> ftp, telnet, SLIP, feeds, optional shell
fees ----------> $99/month + $99 startup (PC or Mac SLIP software included --
                 shell is additional $21/month)
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> (800) 35-TIGER, [phone]
ftp more info -> n/a

<< jvnc >>
name ----------> The John von Neumann Computer Network - Tiger Mail & Dialin'
                 Terminal
dialup --------> contact for number
area codes ----> 800
local access --> anywhere (800) service is available
long distance -> included
services ------> email and newsfeed or terminal access only
fees ----------> $19/month + $10/hour + $36 startup (PC or Mac SLIP software
                 included)
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> (800) 35-TIGER, [phone]
ftp more info -> n/a

<< michnet >>
name ----------> Merit Network, Inc. -- MichNet project
dialup --------> contact for number or telnet hermes.merit.edu or ftp
                 nic.merit.edu:/michnet/how.to.get.connected/*.nos
area codes ----> 313, 517, 616, 906, PDN
local access --> Michigan; Boston, MA; Wash. DC
long distance -> SprintNet, Autonet, Michigan Bell packet-switch network
services ------> shell, gopher, telnet, ftp, SLIP, outbound SprintNet,
                 Autonet and Ann Arbor dialout
fees ----------> $35/month + $40 signup
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 313-764-9430
ftp more info -> nic.merit.edu:/

<< mindvox >>
name ----------> MindVOX
dialup --------> [phone] 'mindvox' 'guest'
area codes ----> 212, 718
local access --> NY: New York City
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> conferencing system, shell, ftp, telnet, irc, gopher,
                 archie, hytelnet, UUCP feeds, Archives, BBS
fees ----------> Between $10 - $15 per month.  No startup.
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 212-988-5987
ftp more info -> n/a

<< msen >>
name ----------> MSen
dialup --------> contact for number
area codes ----> 313
local access --> All of SE Michigan (313)
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> shell, WAIS, gopher, telnet, ftp, SLIP
fees ----------> $5/month + $2/hr or $20/mo for 20 hr
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 313-998-4562
fax -----------> 313-998-4563
ftp more info -> ftp.msen.com:/pub/vendor/msen

<< nearnet >>
name ----------> NEARnet
dialup --------> contact for numbers
area codes ----> 508, 603, 617
local access --> Boston, MA; Nashua, NH
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> SLIP, email, feeds, dns
fees ----------> $250/month
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 617-873-8730
ftp more info -> nic.near.net:/docs

<< netcom >>
name ----------> Netcom Online Communication Services
dialup --------> [phone], [phone], [phone], (415)
                 328-9940, [phone], [phone], [phone]
                 'guest'
area codes ----> 213, 310, 408, 415, 510, 818
local access --> CA: San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, San
                 Diego
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> shell, ftp, telnet, irc, WAIS, gopher, SLIP, feeds
fees ----------> $19.50/month + $15.00 signup
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 408-554-UNIX
ftp more info -> n/a

<< OARnet >>
name ----------> OARnet
dialup --------> send e-mail to [e-mail]
area codes ----> 614, 513, 419, 216, 800
local access --> OH: Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton
long distance -> 800 service
services ------> email, ftp, telnet, newsfeed
fees ----------> $4.00/hr to $330.00/month; call for code or send email
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 614-292-8100
fax -----------> 614-292-7168
ftp more info -> n/a

<< panix >>
name ----------> PANIX Public Accss Unix
dialup --------> [phone] 'newuser'
area codes ----> 212, 718
local access --> New York City, NY
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> shell, ftp, telnet, feeds
fees ----------> $19/month or $208/year + $40 signup
email ---------> [e-mail], [e-mail]
voice ---------> 212-877-4854 [Alexis Rosen], 718-965-3768 [Jim Baumbach]
ftp more info -> n/a

<< portal >>
name ----------> The Portal System
dialup --------> [phone] 'new', 'info', 'help'
area codes ----> 408, 415, PDN
local access --> CA: Cupertino, Mountain View
long distance -> SprintNet: $2.50/hour off-peak, $7-$10/hour peak; Tymnet:
                 similar
services ------> shell, ftp, telnet, IRC, UUCP, feeds, bbs
fees ----------> $18.95/month + $19.95 signup
email ---------> [e-mail], [e-mail]
voice ---------> 408-973-9111
ftp more info -> n/a
off-peak ------> 6pm to 7am + weekends and holidays

<< psi-gds >>
name ----------> PSI's Global Dialup Service (GDS)
dialup --------> send email to [e-mail]
area codes ----> PDN
local access -->
long distance -> included
services ------> telnet, rlogin
fees ----------> $39/month + $39 startup
email ---------> [e-mail], [e-mail]
voice ---------> 703-620-6651
fax -----------> 703-620-4586
ftp more info -> ftp.psi.com:/

<< psilink >>
name ----------> PSILink -  Personal Internet Access
dialup --------> send email to [e-mail]
area codes ----> PDN
local access -->
long distance -> included
services ------> email and newsfeed, ftp
fees ----------> $29/month + $19 startup (PSILink software included)
email ---------> [e-mail], [e-mail]
voice ---------> 703-620-6651
fax -----------> 703-620-4586
ftp more info -> ftp.psi.com:/

<< rock-concert >>
name ----------> Rock CONCERT Net
dialup --------> contact for number
area codes ----> 704, 919
local access --> NC: Asheville, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Durham, Greensboro,
                 Greenville, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Research Triangle Park
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> shell, ftp, telnet, irc, gopher, wais, feeds, SLIP
fees ----------> $30/month + $50 signup
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 919-248-1999
ftp more info -> ftp.concert.net

<< sugar >>
name ----------> NeoSoft's Sugar Land Unix
dialup --------> 713-684-5900
area codes ----> 713
local access --> TX: Houston metro area
long distance -> provided by user
services ------> bbs, shell, ftp, telnet, irc, feeds, UUCP
fees ----------> $29.95/month
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 713-438-4964
ftp more info -> n/a

<< well >>
name ----------> The Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link
dialup --------> [phone] 'newuser'
area codes ----> 415, PDN
local access --> Sausalito, CA
long distance -> Compuserve Packet Network: $4/hour
services ------> shell, ftp, telnet, bbs
fees ----------> $15.00/month + $2.00/hr
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 415-332-4335
ftp more info -> n/a

<< world >>
name ----------> The World
dialup --------> [phone] 'new'
area codes ----> 617, PDN
local access --> Boston, MA
long distance -> Compuserve Packet Network: $5.60/hour
services ------> shell, ftp, telnet, irc
fees ----------> $5.00/month + $2.00/hr or $20/month for 20 hours
email ---------> [e-mail]
voice ---------> 617-739-0202
ftp more info -> world.std.com:/world-info/basic.info

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

From: PDIAL -7-
Subject: How People Can Get The PDIAL (This List)


USENET: The PDIAL list is posted regularly to alt.internet.access.wanted,
alt.bbs.lists, ba.internet, and news.answers.

EMAIL:

  From the Information Deli archive server (most up-to-date):
    To receive the current edition of the PDIAL, send email with the subject
    "Send PDIAL" to "[e-mail]".  To subscribe to a list
    which receives future editions as they are published, send email with
    the subject "Subscribe PDIAL" to "[e-mail]".  To
    receive both the most recent and future editions, send both messages.

  From the news.answers FAQ archive:
    Send email with the message "send usenet/news.answers/pdial" to
    "[e-mail]".  For help, send the message "help"
    to "[e-mail]".

FTP ARCHIVE SITES (PDIAL and *lots* of other useful information):

  As part of a collection of public access lists:
    GVL.Unisys.COM:/pub/pubnet/pdial [128.126.220.104]

  As part of the ba.internet FAQ:
    wiretap.spies.com:/ba.internet/Services/%LISTS/PDIAL/ [130.43.3.3]

  As part of an Internet access compilation file:
    liberty.uc.wlu.edu:/pub/lawlib/internet.access [137.113.10.35]

  As part of the news.answers FAQ archive:
    pit-manager.mit.edu:/pub/usenet/news.answers/pdial [18.172.1.27]

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

From: PDIAL -8-
Subject: Appendix A: Finding Public Data Network (PDN) Access Numbers

Here's how to get local access numbers or information for the various
PDNs.  Generally, you can contact the site you're calling for help, too.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Unless noted otherwise, set your modem to 7E1 (7 data
bits, even parity, 1 stop bit) when dialing to look up access numbers
by modem as instructed below.


BT Tymnet
---------

For information and local access numbers, call 800-937-2862 (voice) or
215-666-1770 (voice).

To look up access numbers by modem, dial a local access number, hit
<cr> and 'a', and enter "information" at the "please log in:" prompt.


Compuserve Packet Network
-------------------------

You do NOT have to be a Compuserve member to use the CPN to dial other
services.

For information and local access numbers, call 800-848-8199 (voice).

To look up access numbers by modem, dial a local access number, hit
<cr> and enter "PHONES" at the "Host Name:" prompt.


PC Pursuit (SprintNet)
----------------------

PC Pursuit may be used to call a modem in any of 44 major metro areas
in the US from local access numbers around the country.  As such, it
can be used to access most of the providers listed in the PDIAL (those
with no other PDN access or even those which are accessible by other PDNs).

For information and registration, call 800-736-1130 (voice) or
800-877-2006 (data).  More information is also available on the PC
Pursuit support BBS (see below).

To look up access numbers by modem, dial 800-546-1000, hit
<cr><cr><cr> at 1200 baud or '@'<cr><cr> at 2400 baud.  Enter "MAIL"
at the "@" prompt, then "PHONES" at the "USER NAME:" prompt, and
"PHONES" at the "PASSWORD:" prompt.

The PC Pursuit support BBS provides a great deal of information about
PC Pursuit, including rates, terms and conditions, outdial numbers, etc.

To access the PC Pursuit support BBS, dial a local access number and
hit <cr><cr><cr> at 1200 baud or '@'<cr><cr> at 2400 baud.  Change
modem parameters to 8N1, and enter "C PURSUIT" at the "@" prompt.


PSINet
------

For information, call 800-82PSI82 (voice) or 703-620-6651 (voice), or
send email to "[e-mail]".  For a list of local access numbers
send email to "[e-mail]".

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

From: PDIAL -9-
Subject: Copyright and Distribution Of The PDIAL; Other Notices

Copyright 1992 Peter Kaminski.

This document may be distributed in its entirety by any means, and a
fee may be charged for its distribution, but it may not be sold
without prior permission.

I make no representations about the suitability or accuracy of this
document for any purpose.  It is provided "as is" without express or
implied warranty.

UPDATES AND CORRECTIONS: Send new or updated entries in the format
used here to "[e-mail]".  Also include an email address to
which I can send requests for more information.

--
Peter Kaminski       | Internet: [e-mail]
The Information Deli | CIS: 71053,2155
"connecting people"  | AMIX: PKAMINSKI

To get the Public Dialup Internet Access List, send email with the
subject "Send PDIAL" to "[e-mail]".

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

End of PDIAL
************



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From: [e-mail] (Taki Kogoma)
Subject: Welcome to alt.fan.pern (Semi-monthly posting)
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 92 01:10:43 GMT
Expires: Mon, 04 Jan 93 07:00:00 GMT
Organization: Nit-Pickers for a Better Tomorow Afternoon
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Taki Kogoma)
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Summary: Introductory material for the alt.fan.pern newsgroup
Keywords: Pern FAQ Intro
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Posted-By: auto-faq 2.4
Archive-name: pern-intro
Last-Modified: 09 Dec 92

WELCOME TO ALT.FAN.PERN!

This newsgroup is dedicated to discussion of the fictional world of
Pern as described in the various novels and short stories by Anne
McCaffrey.  Related topics include Ms. McCaffrey's other works, and
several of the on-line 'virtual realities' depicting Pern (see below).

Note: Starting 1 November 1992, this article is being cross-posted to
the news.answers newsgroup for extended expire times and archival on
rtfm.mit.edu.

Questions addressed:
1) What is Pern?
2) Can you list the books?
   a) What is the chrnological order of events?
   b) In what order should I read them?
3) What else is there?
4) Reference books?
5) Pern on-line?
6) Access to Pern-type MU*s?
7) Why is this group always being innundated with this MU* stuff?
8) Any Fan clubs?
9) What's the deal wrt fan fiction on this group?


1) "Ok.  So what is this Pern place anyway?"

   Pern is the third planet of the Rukbat system in the Sagittarius
sector.  It is a Colony world which has lost contact with 'Mother
Earth' due to periodic attacks from an organism called 'thread' which
devours all organic material it comes into contact with.  To counter
Thread, the Pernese - back when they still had the skills - modified
an indigenous life-form to create Dragons - so named for the mythical
beasts they resemble.
   'Modern day' Pern has lost many of the skills originally brought
with the colonists and can probably be best described as a 'pre-
industrial' society.
   Alternatively, Pern is the home of Dragons, their riders, and
various other people as depicted in Anne McCaffrey's _Dragonriders of
Pern_ series and related books.