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Demon Internet Ltd ================== Gateway House 322 Regents Park Road Finchley, London, N3 2QQ 0181-371 1234 (Sales - London) 0131-552 0344 (Sales - Edinburgh) 0181-371 1010 (HelpLine) 0181-371 1150 (Fax) 0181-371 1000 (Switchboard) support email internet@demon.net sales email sales@demon.net WELCOME.TXT - USEFUL INFO ABOUT DEMON INTERNET LTD. Last updated 9th May 1995 Latest version is available from ftp.demon.co.uk:/pub/doc/Welcome.txt We hope that you are connected successfully by now - if you have any problems, please contact us using the details in section 3 below. Contents ======== 1. New Users and Frequently Asked Questions 2. Demon Usenet Newsgroups 3. Support 4. Problem Reporting 5. FTP: Information Please! 6. Usenet News 7. Internet Relay Chat 8. Archive Servers 9. Gophers 10. World Wide Web 11. Request For Comments (RFCs) 12. Changing Your Password 13. Seeing Incoming Mail 14. Resolving Domain Names and Mail Records 15. X.400 to Internet and Vice Versa 16. InterNIC Registration Services Center 17. Knowbot 18. Jargon and Abbreviations 19. Mail for Postmaster 20. The Message of the Day (MOTD) 21. Demon Staff 22. Acceptable Use Policies 1. New Users and Frequently Asked Questions =========================================== There is no shortage of information on the Internet for new and old users alike. This document contains pointers to various handy information sources as well as vital information about Demon Internet's service. There is a good set of information on our ftp server (ftp.demon.co.uk) in the /pub/doc/newuser directory. Instructions on how to use ftp (File Transfer Protocol) are contained in this document and with the documentation included with your software. There are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) which are answered in the support.faq document which may have been included in your installation. The latest version is available from ftp.demon.co.uk:/pub/doc/Support.faq. See the list below regarding other documents. If you are on a PC running our DIS software and wish to run Microsoft Windows software then join the demon.ip.winsock* newsgroups and also get the documents ftp.demon.co.uk:/pub/doc/os/win*.txt - details of how to use ftp are included with your software and later on in this document. 2. Demon Usenet Newsgroups ========================== We suggest that you take a selection of the demon.* Usenet newsgroups. You are strongly advised to read demon.announce as this is the newsgroup we use to tell you what's happening. You may want to be advised of messages appearing in demon.announce by mail and you should email announce-request@demon.net giving the mail address to which you want the messages sent. The demon.ip.support.* newsgroups are the places to get support for your Internet connection. Choose the appropriate place for your operating system. For example, if you are using a PC runnning MS-DOS then choose demon.ip.support.pc. Only post to demon.ip.support if you have a general query which is not specific to your computer or it's software. Users who want to try out their news software should use demon.test. New users who are unsure of what they should post where, are advised to post to demon.ip.support.newusers. If you have a non-Internet related query or comment, please use the appropriate demon.tech.* newsgroup. If you wish to receive or place adverts for anything, please use demon.adverts. Discussion about advertisements takes place in demon.adverts.d. The .d is a standard way of abbreviating the word discussion in newsgroup names. For discussions about new newsgroups in the demon.* hierarchy, please take the demon.news newsgroup. There are several other demon newsgroups from which to choose. Here is a list of all demon newsgroups at the time of writing: demon.announce Demon Internet announcements (Moderated) (Recommended) demon.answers Helpful info files get posted here every week. (Moderated) (Recommended for new users) demon.archives.announce Notices of files placed on our FTP server. demon.archives.d Discussion area about our FTP server. demon.ip.cppnews For users of the Cppnews DOS news & mail package. demon.ip.developers Developers of software for use with Demon. demon.ip.discoveries Discoveries on the Net. demon.ip.support.* General Internet related issues for which you require support. demon.ip.support If your question is non computer specific, then you may use this topic. demon.ip.support.amiga Amiga support issues. demon.ip.support.archimedes Archimedes support issues. demon.ip.support.atari Atari support issues. demon.ip.support.mac Mac support issues. demon.ip.support.os2 OS/2 support issues. demon.ip.support.other Support issues not specific to the other platforms. demon.ip.support.pc PC DOS specific support issues. demon.ip.support.pc.announce PC related announcements. (Moderated) (Recommended for DOS users) demon.ip.support.unix Unix support issues. demon.ip.support.winsock Support group for those running Windows software on the PC. demon.ip.support.win95 Windows95 related support issues. demon.ip.support.newuser For the hesitant new user to make postings demon.ip.winsock Microsoft Windows software (use of this is deprecated for support issues) demon.ip.winsock.dics Specifically for the DICS software demon.ip.www World Wide Web issues on any platform demon.local Local chatter about any subject demon.news Discussion/proposals for Demon newsgroups demon.adverts Personal and commercial adverts by Demon members - just post a single advert here and no discussion is allowed demon.adverts.d Discussion area for demon.adverts demon.sales Demon sales announcements (Moderated) demon.sales.d Discussion area for demon.sales demon.pops For discussion of Points of Presence (Note this is not a support group and so we don't give support in it) demon.security Security/encryption related issues demon.security.keys For posting public keys (e.g. PGP) demon.service Group for posting service faults and discussing all aspects of the Demon Service (Note this is not a support group and so we don't give support in it) demon.test For you to post test messages to test your setup demon.tech.* Non Internet technical questions, commments, discussion. demon.tech.amiga Amiga demon.tech.atari Atari demon.tech.archimedes Archimedes demon.tech.pc IBMPCs demon.tech.mac Apple Macintoshes demon.tech.modems Modems demon.tech.unix Unix demon.tickets A public repository for all trouble tickets Demon receives from peer networks. (moderated) Groups with (moderated) in the comments mean that you may not make postings to them. You may make a posting to a group and find someone replies that you should have used a different group. Do not be upset by this as it is in everybody's interest that information is as focused as is reasonable. It is a little more difficult to define exactly what is reasonable but you will soon get the hang of things after a week or so of reading groups. See section 6, Usenet News, for more advice on usage. 3. Support ========== If you require more personal attention, please mail internet@demon.net or phone the support line 0181-371 1010. Details: Monday - Thursday 9:00 to 21:00 Friday 9:00 to 18:30 Saturday 10:00 to 17:00 Support is not available on Bank holidays. Outside of normal support hours, dialing 0181-371 1010 will connect you to an answering system giving details of how to reach our paging service - the paging service is for Emergency situations ONLY. Please note that we cannot accept support queries by other methods (fax, posted mail etc.). If you want to contact us by email then please email internet@demon.net and use the problem template available from /pub/doc/problem.txt or included in your installation. Note that our networks are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and there are always at least two network engineers on standby. 4. Problem Reporting ==================== If you are reporting a problem via mail it would help us if you would use the problem template which is available from ftp.demon.co.uk:/pub/doc/problem.txt. This will help us to track down your problem more quickly. 5. FTP: Information Please! =========================== There is a host of information available to you on our ftp server which is available via anonymous ftp. To do anonymous ftp to Demon's FTP server (these instructions are the same for anonymous ftp in general), connect in your normal way and then: ftp ftp.demon.co.uk <Login:> ftp <Password> you@yourmc.demon.co.uk type ? for help. Note that some older ftp servers don't allow you to type ftp at the login prompt but insist you type anonymous. Also most will allow you to abbreviate your password to you@. For the more technically minded, this is because they can do a reverse name lookup and work out the yourmc.demon.co.uk part for themselves. You may not see Login: - it might say Username or similar. This depends on the software you are using. You may find that your login is rejected because of a Reverse DNS lookup problem. Don't worry about this if you have recently joined the service as an update that is run daily by us will fix this for you. Change directory using cd (remember to use forward slashes /// as you are connected to a unix box [ftp.demon.co.uk] although not all ftp servers run on unix computers). Use dir for directory listing etc. Please bear in mind that filenames on unix are case sensitive and that the cd command, like all others, must have a space after it to be recognised. Use get and mget (multiple get) for retrieving files. Type hash to get hash marks so that you get some screen feedback whilst fetching files. You are welcome to download any of the files in /pub and its sub-directories. Note that files with the extension .zip require unzip or pkunzip to uncompress. .Z requires uncompress. .tar requires tar. .z requires gzip (the new GNU compression tool). Utililities for uncompressing are available on ftp,demon.co.uk. For the PC look in /pub/ibmpc/zip. When using ftp on binary files (such as .zip) you should ensure that you are in binary mode. You are normally told what mode you are in when your ftp session. If in any doubt you can always reset it - bin for binary and ascii for ascii. The following files are of particular interest: Directory Filename(s) Description ---------------- ----------------- --------------------------------- /pub FTPVIEW.TXT Overview of the layout of our ftp server /pub/doc *.txt, DISDOC.ZIP Useful Demon docs, modems etc. Demon.txt Background on Demon and logging on instructions Modem.txt Advice on configuring your modem Welcome.txt This document Services.txt List of services and prices Pop.faq FAQ for PoPs (Points of Presence) (FAQ Frequently asked questions) Pop3.faq POP (Post Office Protocol) server FAQ WWW.faq FAQ on our Web services. support.faq FAQ for general support /pub/doc/modems modem.prices.txt Modem prices and stock situation /pub/doc/books *.txt Book prices and catalogues /pub/doc/general netinfo.txt Provides an organised list of the most pertinent RFCs (Request For Comments). big-dummys-guide.txt A non technical discussion of the Internet /pub/doc/irc irctut.zip Internet relay chat tutorial /pub/doc/mailgate gateways.txt Mail gateways to other networks mailingl.txt List of mail list servers /pub/doc/rfc RFC's Request For Comments (see below) rfc1462.txt & rfc1463.txt beginners info /pub/doc/uksites uksites.zip List of UK sites on the internet /pub/doc/usenet.lists usenet.lists Info regarding usenet groups etc /pub/doc/ftpsites ftpsites.lst Long list of sites offering ftp access yanoff.txt Scott Yanoff's list of Internet sites (also available from alt.bbs.internet) /pub/doc/zen various Zen and the Art of the Internet book (recommended) /pub/simtel20 various SIMTEL20 mirror. A vast DOS software repository There is a Batch FTP service you can use (see ftp.demon.co.uk:/pub/doc/Batchftp.txt for full details). This works by you sending a mail message to our Batch FTP server containing the site name(s) and file details of files you wish to retrieve. We go and get the file(s) and put them in a private directory for you to download at your leisure. We send you mail when the file has arrived. 6. Usenet News ============== There is a certain amount of "netiquette" that you should follow when posting to Usenet newsgroups. Read Zen and the Art of the Internet available from ftp.demon.co.uk:/pub/doc/zen (see 5.) for some guidance. Subscribing to news.newusers.answers is strongly recommended for anyone unfamiliar with Usenet news. News.newusers.questions can be helpful but a lot of messages get posted there. The jargon for this is that there is a lot of traffic in that newsgroup. In particular avoid =================== - USING ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. This makes your messages difficult to read and it appears as if you are shouting. - Do not post a mail shot to users without their permission. Junk email is hated as much as junk snail mail. - Posting methods of getting rich quick. We all know they don't work. They are also illegal in many parts of the world. We reserve the right to close without notice the account of anyone posting such messages (examples often go under the subject headings of 'MAKE.MONEY.FAST', 'FASTCASH' and such like). - Quoting large amounts of people's messages. Try to use enough of the person's message to which you are commenting so that your message makes sense. Do not quote all the headers of the message or all of the text. - Using very long signatures. The recommended maximum length ignoring any signature start line ("-- ") is 4 lines. - Asking Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Although there are many helpful people on the Net, occasionally somebody may get irritated if they find themselves answering the same question repeatedly, especially if that question is covered by some documentation. Many Usenet newsgroups have a prepared list of answers that is often posted to the group. You are advised to get a copy of this list before you post to a group. You can do this either by waiting for it to be posted to the group or by using FTP (see elsewhere in this document) from rtfm.mit.edu which contains the majority of FAQ's for most newsgroups. - Posting confidential information. Its easily done - most commonly you are having trouble with a dial in script and you post it to a newsgroup in the hope that someone can debug it. However, you must remember to change your password or delete it else everybody will be able to see it. The same is true if you use Mercury and a PIN number - you are advised to remove your PIN number. If you see someone accidentally post their password or PIN number, the helpful thing to do is to immediately mail them and advise them so they can take the appropriate action. DO NOT post a follow up in the newsgroup otherwise you are only drawing attention to the mistake to others. 7. Internet Relay Chat ====================== Known as IRC - enables you to hold online discussions with people from all over the world. There are a number of these around and they connect up to each other. We have one in our Network Operating Centre in Finchley. telnet irc.demon.co.uk Another can be found here: telnet ircclient.itc.univie.ac.at 6668 Can be useful for cheap rate conversations with friends and business colleagues as well as general chat. Details can be found in /pub/doc/irc and /pub/doc/rfc/rfc1459.txt on ftp.demon.co.uk. 8. Archive Servers ================== Also known as archie servers (pronounced R Chee). These servers hold information about large numbers of files and can tell you where the programs can be found on the net. Date and time information will help you determine where the latest version of a file is. example: telnet archie.doc.ic.ac.uk login as archie [you can use help and follow the instructions - an example:] prog cars [etc] You can use these by mail. Send a mail message to one containing just the word help for more info. NOTE: We have excellent connectivity to the Department of Computing, Imperial College which is the leading ftp and archie site in Europe. Thus you should get a faster response from the above archie server. Their ftp site is ftp.doc.ic.ac.uk More information on archie can be found on ftp.demon.co.uk:/pub/doc/DDG/archtxt.zip 9. Gophers ========== Go for this - go for that. Menu driven searching servers. You may have a graphical or dedicated gopher client on your system but if not, try telnetting to: gopher.msu.edu gopher.sunet.se and at the login: prompt type gopher. This requires a VT100/102 screen emulation as it sends special control characters intended to make your screen work in a particular way. Please see your software documentation on how to implement this. 10. World Wide Web ================== Our World Wide Web server is on www.demon.co.uk. This provides a convenient way of viewing our documentation and accessing some of our services. You can take space on this server, possibly for free. Details are in ftp.demon.co.uk:/pub/doc/WWW.txt or email www@demon.net 11. Request For Comments (RFCs) ================================ The RFCs are the documents which define the various protocols used on the Internet. These are world-wide standards - not Demon specific ones. They are available in /pub/doc/rfc on ftp.demon.co.uk together with an index of them. /pub/doc/general/netinfo.txt provides an organised contents listing for the most pertinent ones. 12. Changing Your Password ========================== It is a good policy to change your password every now and again. To do so, log in to Demon as normal and then: telnet password.demon.co.uk login using your nodename (without the .demon.co.uk) and your current password. A password change program will automatically start. Don't forget to change your dial in script or configuration program afterwards! For advice on selecting a sensible password please see /pub/doc/password/password.txt 13. Seeing Incoming Mail ======================== To find out details about mail that is waiting to be delivered to your site, held in a queue on our mail machine type: finger <nodename>@post.demon.co.uk where <nodename> is your 4-8 character nodename. 14. Resolving Domain Names and Mail Records =========================================== A domain name may have an associated Internet (I.P.) address. Some older software, notably NetMAC for the Apple Macintosh, does not run a nameserver client. To convert FQDNs (fully qualified domain names) into IP (Internet) addresses type: finger <fqdn>@gate.demon.co.uk e.g. for ftp.uu.net finger ftp.uu.net@gate.demon.co.uk to get the following output ftp.uu.net has address 192.48.96.9 ftp.uu.net mail is handled by ftp.UU.NET ftp.uu.net mail is handled by relay1.UU.NET ftp.uu.net mail is handled by relay2.UU.NET You would then add ftp.uu.net 192.48.96.9 into your hosts.net (or similar) file. 15. X.400 to Internet and Vice Versa ==================================== A handy server for info on X.400/Internet addresses and utilities for converting between the two is: telnet funet.fi 2719 16. InterNIC Registration Services Center ========================================= Gopher, WAIS, WHOIS servers etc. including information of Internet domains, IP network numbers, Autonomous System Numbers (ASN) and points of contact. telnet rs.internic.net Try whois demon 17. Knowbot =========== KNOWBOT is an automated username database search tool that is related to WHOIS. The Knowbot Information Service (KIS) provides a simple WHOIS-like interface that allows users to query a number of Internet user databases (White Pages services) all at one time. A single KIS query will automatically search the InterNIC, MILNET, MCImail, and PSI White Pages Pilot Project; other databases may also be included. KNOWBOT may be accessed by TELNETing to port 185 on hosts INFO.CNRI.RESTON.VA.US or SOL.BUCKNELL.EDU. The "help" command will supply sufficient information to get started 18. Jargon and Abbreviations ============================ Internet messages are often informal and some writers enjoy using jargon and abbreviations. You may come across various symbols and words which you find confusing. Here are some you are likely to see: :-) Smiley face - don't take the message seriously :) Same :( Miserable face - the writer is none too pleased <g> Grin N.B. a document containing lots of "smilies", as the above are referred to, can be found on ftp.demon.co.uk in /pub/ibmpc/misc called netsmile.zip. TLA's Three Letter Acronyms (see TLA's :-)) AIUI As I understand it AFAIK As far as I know BTW By the way FAQ Frequently asked question RTFM Read the (Flaming) Manual. I know its 4 letters but you get the idea :-) IMHO In my humble opinion IYSWIM If you see what I mean AIUI As I understand it ROFL Rolls on the floor laughing YHM You have mail YMMV Your mileage may vary PoP Point of Presence You will now understand the following conversation: A: What's an FAQ? B: Its a TLA. A: What's a TLA? B: If you don't know what a TLA is you should RTFM! C: ROFL Some jargon: Ringing out The phones are ringing at the telephone exchange but not at the Demon PoP. That means we don't know that you are calling us and you think we are ignoring you. Busied out We have forced the modem(s) to appear as if they are in use and thus they will give the busy signal. Newbie A person who is new to something. More jargon is available from ftp.demon.co.uk:/pub/doc/general/tootka.txt 19. Mail for Postmaster ======================= Please note that it is a requirement of having a node on the Internet that you accept mail to a user named postmaster at your site e.g. postmaster@yourmc.demon.co.uk. If we wish to send you a mail message, it is most likely that we will send it to postmaster. 20. The Message of the Day (MOTD) ================================= When you log in to the system, part of the welcoming sequence includes a Message of the Day (MOTD). Your software may not show you this, to see the current MOTD use finger motd@gate.demon.co.uk. This may contain information on special offers on modems etc. or important information about the availability of services. The MOTD is restricted (for technical reasons) to only containing a few lines of information. Performing a `finger status@gate' will provide a more detailed explanation of any important information regarding Demon's services. If you find yourself having a problem with a part of the service, please make sure you have checked the MOTD and status@gate first before calling for support. 21. Demon Staff =============== In the demon.* newsgroups you will see lots of people commenting. It may not always be obvious as to which ones are Demon staff and which are not. The following Demon staff are likely to make comments in the newsgroups. Please note that they may make postings from a variety of computers so you cannot always go by their email address. The following are in alphabetic order: Staff Names =========== Paul Bruff Ade Lovett John Precedo Neil Styles Matthew Collins Fearghas McKay Mike Rogers Giles Todd Dominic Hulewicz Neil McRae Oliver Smith Dave Williams Tony Lacatena Malcolm Muir Cliff Stanford 22. Acceptable Use Policies =========================== Some networks over which you may be connecting have Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs) and it your duty to be aware of these and respect them. The JANET AUP is available from gopher://osiris.jnt.ac.uk/00/documents/documents/use.doc ----------------------------- end of document ----------------------------