NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #19

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Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU Path: sparky!uunet!paladin.american.edu!auvm!TAUNIVM!B10 Message-ID: <NOTABENE%92082719562578@TAUNIVM> Date: Thu, 27 Aug 92 19:47:45 IST Sender: Nota Bene List <NOTABENE@TAUNIVM> From: "Itamar Even-Zohar, Porter Chair of Semiotics" <B10@TAUNIVM> Subject: Re: NB to Mac; also, the Future of NB -- a question Newsgroups: bit.listserv.notabene In-Reply-To: Message of Thu, 27 Aug 92 09:20:02 -0400 from <wturpin1@CC.SWARTHMORE.EDU> Lines: 373 Please read GUIDE for instructions. -- Itamar E-Z A NOVICE'S GUIDE TO THE NOTA BENE USER'S GROUP ON BITNET (June 1991) (updated June 6, 1992 by I.E-Z) By Michael Shalev (Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel) (SHALEV@HUJIVMS.Bitnet) INTRODUCTION ============ The Nota Bene User's Group operates via Bitnet from the TAUNIVM mainframe at Tel-Aviv University. It is administered jointly by Professor Itamar Even-Zohar of the TAU Porter Institute <B10@TAUNIVM>, and by David Sitman <A79@TAUNIVM> at the TAU Computing Center. The Group offers the following services: (1) Access to a variety of Nota Bene programs (written by Even-Zohar and others), (2) Various documents discussing Nota Bene issues, and (3) The possibility to exchange information with other Nota Bene users. These facilities are provided by means of a List Server (hereafter "the server") located at Tel-Aviv University. Like other such servers, it is a mainframe computer program which manages mailing lists and gives Bitnet users access to a pool of publicly available program or documentation files. Since March 1992, all NOTABENE documentation and program *archives* (that is, NOT the backlog files of the NOTABENE "electronic journal") are also stored in the newly created <MSDOS.NOTABENE> subdirectory of the electronic library of SIMTEL20, located in the U.S.A (and on its various "mirrors", located in both the U.S.A and Europe). NOTA VERY BENE!!! ================= Please try to bear in mind the distinction between the server (which processes instructions) and the Group's private address (to which you may send mail intended for circulation to all Group members). Once subscribed, the user automatically receives any items mailed by other members of the Group to its *PRIVATE* address, NOTABENE@TAUNIVM. You too can disseminate information to the entire Group by sending it as mail to this address. Anything else-- including beginning or ending subscriptions, ordering programs, and requesting help files--involves a request to LISTSERV@TAUNIVM, which is *THE SERVER'S* address. SENDING INSTRUCTIONS TO THE SERVER ================================== There are two methods for sending instructions to the server. For those who work from mainframes which are capable of sending "interactive" mail, you may use a TELL command (or if necessary, a series of TELL commands) containing a single instruction. (TELL is the IBM/VM command which prefaces interactive "one-liners"; the equivalent VAX/VMS command is SEND/MESSAGE.) Those who do not have this facility must mail their commands. TELL is a little quicker, although using mail enables you to send more than one command in a single message (providing each is written on a separate line). In the rest of this guide we will assume that mail is used. But first, here is how each method of sending commands to the server is used (the square brackets should not be typed!): Method 1, Interactive: --------------------- On IBM/VM: TELL LISTSERV AT TAUNIVM [instruction] On VAX/VMS: SEND/MESSAGE LISTSERV@TAUNIVM [instruction] Method 2, Mail: --------------- First invoke your mail utility. When asked for the address, type LISTSERV@TAUNIVM (or an alias/nickname you have set up), and when asked for the text, write: [first instruction] [second instruction--if any] .. [final instruction--if any] SENDING MAIL TO THE USER GROUP ============================= Just send ordinary Bitnet mail to NOTABENE@TAUNIVM, and a copy will automatically be forwarded to all of the Nota Bene User Group's subscribers. Note that if you use the "Reply" function to respond to incoming mail from the Group, it will automatically be addressed back *TO THE GROUP* (i.e. to NOTABENE@TAUNIVM, and thence to all the Group's subscribers). If what you have to say is not of general interest, then make a note of the original sender's address and reply "manually" to him or her, not to the Group. JOINING THE USER GROUP ====================== You can order Nota Bene User Group files from the server without being a member. But if you would like to receive copies of the Group's correspondence, it is necessary to sign up. To do so, send the server the following instruction: SUB NOTABENE [Your *full* name] To cancel your subscription, send this instruction to the server: SIGNOFF NOTABENE OTHER USEFUL INSTRUCTIONS ========================= Users who would like to know more about the server and how to use it can start by sending it the HELP instruction. If you would like to find out who the other members of the User Group are and their addresses, you may do so by sending the server the instruction REVIEW NOTABENE. If you want the address of a specific user (e.g. Joe Bloe), send the instruction /WHOIS Bloe. IDENTIFYING AND ORDERING FILES ============================== In order to get a list of the Nota Bene User Group files currently available on the server, send it the instruction INDEX NOTABENE. The server will send you a catalog of all available files. To request a copy of a file from this catalog, send the server the following instruction: GET [filename] [filetype] For example, to order IBID.ZIP, send: GET IBID ZIP Note that a few of the listed files are "packages" (their filetype is $PACKAGE). If you order a "package", the server will immediately send you a list of the files included in the package. Only later (after a delay which can be a week or longer) will you receive the files themselves. Once an ordered file has been saved on your mainframe account, it may be downloaded to your PC. To download the file successfully, you must be aware of whether it consists of binary characters (as all of the Nota Bene *program* files do), or just plain ASCII characters (like the Log files). In the former case, at the time of the file transfer you *must* indicate that the file is binary. (For instance, after a Kermit user has activated Kermit on the host computer, s/he must issue an instruction such as "Set File Type Binary" and only then invoke the Kermit Server). If the downloaded file has a ZIP extension, make sure that it ends up listed on your PC's disk directory as [name].ZIP--if not, rename the file appropriately. OBTAINING FILES DIRECTLY FROM THE SERVER via FTP ================================================ FTP is a system which allows users to "import" files from another mainframe computer to their own mainframe account. It is one of the services generally provided at installations linked to the Internet. To receive log files or program files of the Nota Bene group in this way, perform the following commands: FTP TAUNIVM.TAU.AC.IL [or FTP 132.66.32.4] [When asked for User Name, reply] ANONYMOUS [No password is required or requested] CD LISTSERV.193 You are now inside the directory on the server which contains our User Group's files. The usual FTP commands are now available. For a directory listing (short or long, respectively) type LS or DIR. If you wish to "import" one or more ZIP files, issue the command BINARY first (the default file type is ASCII). The "import" command is GET, followed by the file name. (The file names are the same as when you request them from LISTSERV using mail or Tell, but with FTP you *must* put a dot between the parts of the name.) For example, to receive the file IBID.ZIP type: GET IBID.ZIP To end your FTP session simply type QUIT. The imported file(s) is/are now stored on your mainframe account, and can be downloaded from there to your PC. For further details, order FTP.GUIDE from our server. ORDERING FILES FROM SIMTEL20 or ITS "MIRRORS" by MAIL or via FTP ================================================================ Since March 1992, all NOTABENE documentation and program *archives* (that is, NOT the backlog files of the NOTABENE "electronic journal") are also stored in the newly created <MSDOS.NOTABENE> subdirectory of the electronic library of SIMTEL20, located in the U.S.A (and on its various "mirrors", located in both the U.S.A and Europe). SIMTEL20 files can be either ordered through one of the "TRICKLE" stations (if you are on BITNET), or downloaded directly via FTP. (1) ORDERING FROM a "TRICKLE" ------------------------ For information on the TRICKLE stations send message to LISTSERV@RPIECS.BITNET with command HELP. You will then get a document with all the necessary information for ordering files. (2) DOWNLOADING DIRECTLY with FTP ----------------------------- (a) Directly from SIMTEL20 major site: ---------------------------------- The electronic address of SIMTEL20 for FTP operations is: WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL (or 192.88.110.20) Note: Before you continue reading this, I would advise using SIMTEL20's central site only when no other possibility is available. Normally, it would be best to go to one of SIMTEL20's "mirror" sites, as described below. When you get connected, you will be asked for your USERID, to which you type ANONYMOUS. For PASSWORD you can type your own electronic code, optionally with a preceding dash (for instance, -B10). When you are logged in, you can reach the notabene files by switching to the NOTABENE subdirectory. This is implemented by typing the command CD PD1:<MSDOS.NOTABENE> You can then use the DIR command to see which files are stored. Remember that the ZIP compressed files are BINARY, so you must first type the command BINARY before you type the FTP command 'GET filename' (or MGET, for multiple files). Note: the PD1:<...> command is unique for SIMTEL20. All other mainframe stations use the regular CD command with a regular slash (/). More about SIMTEL20's subdirectories in <MSDOS.FILEDOCS>. (b) From one of SIMTEL20's "mirror" sites ------------------------------------- Since SIMTEL20 is a very busy location, it may turn out to be very difficult to get connected to it. There are therefore various alternative locations, called "mirrors", which store all, or most, of SIMTEL20 files. The best seems to be WUARCHIVE.WUSTL.EDU (or 128.252.135.4) When you get connected, you will be asked for your USERID, to which you type ANONYMOUS. For PASSWORD you can type your own electronic code, optionally with a preceding dash (for instance, -B10). When you are logged in into WUARCHIVE, to switch to all <MSDOS...> subdirectories you must first switch to the MIRRORS subdirectory: CD /mirrors Or, to switch to the MSDOS subdirectory directly, you type: CD /mirrors/msdos To go directly to <MSDOS.NOTABENE> you type: CD /mirrors/msdos/notabene Note that regular SLASH rather than BACKSLASH is used for specifying a subdirectory. Other "mirror" sites -------------------- OAK.Oakland.Edu 141.210.10.117 grind.isca.uiowa.edu 128.255.19.233 nic.funet.fi 128.214.6.100 sol.deakin.edu.au 128.184.1.1 ZIP FILES ========= In order to group related files together and to save on transmission time, most of the files maintained on the server have been compressed and "zipped" into archives (identified by their ZIP filename extension). They can easily be "unzipped" by invoking the PKUNZIP utility (See Appendix 1 for information about how to obtain needed utility programs if you don't already have them.) To unzip a file received from the server and now resident on your PC's disk, perform: PKUNZIP [name].ZIP At sites where binary files received by e-mail cannot be properly processed by the mainframe, it will be necessary to request a version of the file which has been "encoded" into plain ASCII characters (see Appendix 2 for details). DISCUSSION DIGESTS ================== It is a common practice of electronic discussion forums like our own to make available digests of past correspondence. This is a useful way for new members to find out what has been going on in the group. It can also help both new and seasoned participants to locate past references to their current problems. At the present time "raw" compilations of all the correspondence in our group over the last two years are maintained on the server in the form of monthly logbooks or "notebooks". They appear in the list of files received when the instruction INDEX NOTABENE is sent to the server. Obviously, a user who is searching for references to a specific topic would prefer not to order all of the logbooks and then have to wade through them on his/her mainframe or PC. This can be avoided by using the server's LDBASE utility to search the logbooks for the particular topic you are interested in and receive a copy of any "hits". LDBASE is a highly sophisticated tool, but users can begin exploiting it with very little initial investment. For an introductory guide, order Ran Chermesh's document NOTABENE.SEARCH (which is also included in GENERAL.ZIP). Appendix 1: How To Obtain Utility Programs ------------------------------------------ By far the easiest way is to copy the programs from a friend or your computer adviser! Otherwise, PKUNZIP and related utilities can be ordered either from our own server, or one of the SIMTEL20 stations. To order PKUNZIP from our server send it this command: GET PKZIP110 EXE For an "encoded" version (see Appendix 2 for an explanation), do: GET PKZIP110 EXE F=UUE [or F=XXE] NOTE: PKZIP110.EXE is a *SELF-EXTRACTING* zip archive. Follow the usual procedures for downloading (i.e. if you order the file as-is, download it binary; if you order it in UUE/XXE format, download it ASCII and then uudecode it). Once the file is on your PC, when you type PKZIP110 all the files in the archive will uncompress themselves. This makes it possible for people who do not have PKUNZIP to receive a copy. PKZIP and thousands of other utilities can also be ordered from SIMTEL20. This is a gigantic U.S. Army facility specializing in shareware and public-domain software for the PC. From the U.S., use the address LISTSERV@RPIECS; from Europe, use one of the TRICKLE sites (e.g. in Israel, the address is TRICKLE@TAUNIVM). Begin by sending the following instruction: /PDDIR PD1:<MSDOS.STARTER> (Note! In Europe, leave out the "PD1:") This will yield a list of the latest versions of the ZIP and other startup utilities included in the SIMTEL collection. To order a specific file, send this instruction: /PDGET PD1:<MSDOS.STARTER>[NAME.EXT] For an "encoded" version, the syntax is: /PDGET PD1:<MSDOS.STARTER>[NAME.EXT] (UUE NOTE: By using FTP you can obtain directory listings and "import" files by directly accessing a SIMTEL20 site (or one of its clones). For further details, order FTP.GUIDE from our server. Appendix 2: How To Obtain and Decode "Encoded" Files ---------------------------------------------------- Binary files (programs, or any files which have been "archived") contain special characters which sometimes get corrupted during transmission via electronic mail. Most servers are able to "translate" (encode) such a file into "plain ASCII" characters. It is then up to the user to perform the reverse procedure (decoding) once the file has been transferred to his/her P.C. Our server allows two types of encoding to be optionally specified at the time of ordering files. They are "regular" UUE or "super-reliable" XXE. For example, to order the file INTRO.ZIP in encoded form, you would send *one* of these instructions: GET INTRO ZIP F=UUE GET INTRO ZIP F=XXE Because it has been converted to plain ASCII, an encoded file can be correctly downloaded to the PC only by using regular ASCII transfer, *not* binary transfer (ASCII is normally the default). Once the file is on your disk, first add the extension UUE or XXE to the filename (if it's not already there), and then "decode" it into binary format using one of the utilities available for this purpose. The best of these utilities (which is fast and handles both UUE and XXE encoding) is Richard Marks' UUDECODE.EXE. If you can't get a copy of a Uudecoding program from a friend or adviser, order the file UUDECODE.BAS from our server. This is a plain ASCII file which, when downloaded to your PC, can be turned into a "bare bones" version of UUDECODE.EXE by issuing the following command: BASICA UUDECODE.BAS (Note that BASICA is the standard Basic compiler traditionally provided with PC-DOS. Use whatever variant of Basic you have available, such as GWBASIC, BASIC, etc.) Once equipped with the decoding utility, you will be able to order encoded binary files from our server and the SIMTEL20 archives. That includes Marks' UUE/XXE program, which currently lists on SIMTEL20 as <MSDOS.FILUTL>UUEXE413.ZIP. *** Good Luck! ***