The Hacker's Encyclopedia 1998

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GALAXY STARLINK USERS GUIDE r08-01-89 ======================================= A SERVICE OF GALAXY TELECOMM CORPORATION 6303 INDIAN SCHOOL RD NE SUITE 105 ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO 87110 INFORMATION AND SIGNUPS 505-881-6964 (MODEM) 800-321-0156 (VOICE) ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES 505-881-6988 (VOICE) I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION GALAXY STARLINK is an asynchronous outdial service that permits members to make long distance modem-to-modem calls from various points around the United States and Canada to computers in remote cities at a low hourly cost. There are, as of this date, over 1000 local access numbers in the United States and Canada and 178 outdial cities in the United States. A complete list of both local access numbers and outdial cities are included with this guide. GALAXY STARLINK uses the facilities of TYMNET, one of the world's largest and most powerful networks, a division of British Telecomm. II. SIGNING UP FOR SERVICE GTC maintains a multiline signup and information bulletin board system with up-to-date local access and outdial port city lists which may be accessed by calling your local TYMNET access number (available by contacting TYMNET at 1-800-336-0149 or calling directory assistance in your city and asking for TYMNET). Enter an "a" (with no return) at the connect and at the PLEASE LOG IN prompt type "starlinkinfo" when you receive HOST IS ONLINE hit your return. You are now on the information and registration system. New members may sign up while on line using MasterCard or VISA credit cards and receive their contract by First Class Mail. Checkfree and information request are sent via Bulk Rate. Those who sign up are sent a GALAXY STARLINK member's contract to sign and return with 10 days. Only when we have receieved the contract, can a username be assigned. If you signup with Checkfree, you are required to send back one voided check, another check for your registration and your completed CheckFree form. III. COST FROM WITHIN THE UNITED STATES ----------------------------- For members within the contiguous 48 states, there is a one-time NON-Refundable registration fee ($35 for credit card and $50 for Checkfree), a $10 monthly account maintenance fee and a $1.50 per hour charge for use of the network between 7PM and 6AM (your local access area time), all day Saturdays and Sundays, and the six major U.S. holidays. The cost for daytime use is $14 per hour. Starting 09-01-89, StarLink will have a two tier structure as follows: The monthly account fee will remain $10.00. Two different accounts will be offered either singularly or in combination. The service fee will be applied per account. $1.50/hr with a 200kchar/hr limit. Any account with an adverage monthly usage over 200 will be charge $.01/kchar for each session. <Example> Multiply hours used by 200. If less than total kchars used then no charge. If usage is greater than hours x 200 then it is $.01/kchar on the difference. $4.00/hr with no Kchar charge. Rates are higher from Alaska, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada and are available upon request. In addition to these rates, some cities are subject to local telephone company "Zone" or "ZUM" rates. These are the so-called "meter rates" that apply when calling to an out-lying area from the outdial modem. These charges can range from ten cents per call upwards and Starlink has no choice but to pass those charges on to the member. The worst areas affected by these rates are Chicago, Los Angeles and the entire states of New Jersey, New York and California. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, there is a twenty cents per call charge to reach Exec-PC. STARLINK provides the ability to make long distance calls to BBSes outside the outdial local area and neither promotes the use of nor restricts your ability to make these calls. Just be aware that in some cases intrastate calls can be more expensive than calls across the country. You should also be aware that it is possible to dial out of a local area without putting a "1" in front of the number. The best source of information about whether a call is long distance to a BBS is the Sysop of that BBS. Every sysop is well aware of what exchanges can reach his BBS with a local call. Ask him when you make your first call to his BBS. Please don't ask STARLINK! We don't know! There are thousands of exchanges in the United States, we couldn't possibly be aware of the rates in every city in the U.S. PLEASE NOTE THAT TYMNET SUBSCRIBES TO THE MOST ECONOMICAL BUSINESS RATE FOR THE OUTDIAL. FROM SELECTED FOREIGN COUNTRIES ------------------------------- For members residing in foreign countries whose postal and telegraph services (PTT) permit gateway connections to TYMNET (International access number 31069), STARLINK service is also available. Foreign members must establish an account with STARLINK via telephone or mail before receiving a STARLINK Username and Password. The only payment method that STARLINK will accept from foreign members is MasterCard or VISA (Interbank Cards). The registration fee for foreign members is $50.00, monthly service fee is $20.00, off-peak hourly fees are $3.00 per hour and day-time usage is $35.00 per hour. This is in addition to the fees charged by your local PTT to reach the TYMNET gateway. Local Telephone company charges, as described above, apply to callers from foreign countrys. FOR ALL MEMBERS --------------- Members who request reprints of bills are charged $5 and there is a $20 dishonored check or credit card charge. Any monies owed (usage and fees) must be paid before an account can be reactivated once it is suspended. Passwords and handles may be changed at the members request for a $20 charge. IV. GALAXY INFORMATION NETWORK GTC maintains the GALAXY INFORMATION NETWORK Bulletin Board System for the use of it's members and others. GIN contains a file library, special interest groups, on-line games, electronic messaging, and other services. STARLINK members receive unlimited usage of GIN each month. There is no charge to the member for time spent in the Special Interest Groups on GIN whether the member is using the teleconference feature or the message bases. Some areas of GIN may have a surcharge implimented by the sysop for special function. A complete GIN User's Guide is included with this file. V. SIGNUP PROCEDURE LOCAL PHONE LINE ---------------- A potential member calls the STARLINK registration system by modem at 2400 bps with the settings of 8 data bits, No parity, and 1 stop bit and signs up as a new user selecting a "handle" and password of his choosing. After determining that the service meets his/her needs, the user enters credit card or checking account information which invokes an automatic process wherein GTC causes a STARLINK username and STARLINK password to be created. ALL REGISTRATION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE VIA STARLINK ------------ A potential member calls STARLINK via his TYMNET access number which may be obtained by calling TYMNET at 1-800-336-0149. Dial the access number and wait for a connect, enter an "a" with no carrige return and at the "log in" prompt type "Starlinkinfo". When you see the prompt " HOST ON LINE" hit your <enter> key and proceed as you would with a local call. * NOTE: The Galaxy User-ID or "handle" should not be confused with the STARLINK Username. These are two altogether different and distinct identification measures. The GALAXY User-ID or "handle" is used to access GIN. The STARLINK Username is used to gain access to the STARLINK service on TYMNET. The password initially selected on GIN will be the same for your StarLink account. Changing your password on GIN WILL NOT change your StarLink password. After a member has signed up for STARLINK service, the users account information is transferred to the GALAXY system, and a contract is sent out. Once the contract is received in our office, an e-mail message is written to the member containing his/her STARLINK Username and a list of Outdial port numbers. The member calls the GALAXY system at 505-881-6964 logs on using the "handle" and password he/she chose when signing up and retrieves the STARLINK information. INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS MUST CALL 505-881-6988 BY VOICE TO REGISTER. VI. USING STARLINK As of August 1, 1989 there are 178 outdial "cities". A complete list of those outdial nodes is included with this file. A "node" is a port on the TYMNET network that may be reached through the network from a local access number. As of April 1, 1989 there are over 1,000 local access numbers throughout the United States and Canada. The member first determines, from the access number list, the local access or "in-dial" number to the TYMNET network. These are 1200 and 2400 bps modems in the members home town reachable by a local telephone call. << SEE FOOTNOTE BELOW>> The member, using a computer and communications program or terminal, dials the local access number and is connected to the network. The first indication of connection is either a string of garbage or the phrase "enter your terminal identifier". Members using a personal computer should type the "a" key with no carraige return at which point a "Please log in:" prompt will be displayed. The member then enters his/her STARLINK username and password seperated by a semi-colon. EXAMPLE: STA000000;password. This procedure will result in the STARLINK menu being displayed. Note: In most cases, a communications setting of 8 data bits, No parity and 1 stop bit will work perfectly. If it doesn't work on your local access number, use 7 data bits, Even parity and 1 stop bit. VII. THE STARLINK MENU The STARLINK menu consists of a list of popular Bulletin Board Systems that may be easily accessed by simply typing a number corresponding with the selection the member wishes to connect to. EXAMPLE: WELCOME TO STARLINK 1. Galaxy Information Network Home of STARLINK 2. EXEC-PC 3. MEDCOM BBS 4. AMUSERS 5. American LINK-LINE 6. MULTICOMM BBS 7. The Mansion m manual logon (OUTDIAL) i tymnet information q exit menu Selecting a number corresponding with a BBS will initiate a process connecting you to that BBS. No further keystrokes are necessary until the BBS prompts you for log-in information. Selecting the number corresponding to the "Information" selection will display information regarding the BBSes on the menu. if you should at anytime get "hung" hit the <ESC> 3 times and it will abort back to the menu. VIII. OUTDIAL SERVICES Selecting the number corresponding to "Manual Logon" will result in you being prompted to re-enter your logon again. with. For example, if you wish to connect with the outdial port in Norfolk, Virginia, you would enter Username:6896;password. The following information would then be displayed: TYMNET ASYNC OUTDIAL 6986 (804) 857 NORFOLK , VA > At the ">" prompt, you may type "help" and receive the following screen: >help Set [Half] [Rxon] [Xon] [Even|Space] [Crdelay] Half - sets half-duplex communications. Default is full-duplex. Xon - sets flow control for data you send. Default is no xon. Rxon - sets flow control for data you receive. Default is no rxon. Even - sets even parity for data sent. Default is no parity. Space - sets space parity for data sent. Default is no parity. Crdelay - set printer carriage return delay. Default is no delay. Bps [300|1200|2400] Sets one of the baud rates indicated above. Default is 2400 bps. Dial [Tone] [Pulse] {phone number} Dials the requested phone number. Parameters are: Tone - activates touch-tone dialing. Default is tone. Pulse - activates pulse dialing. Optional commas - provide a one second pause. Default is no pause. Retry - Redials last phone number. Logout - Exits Outdial. Help or ? - Prints this screen. NOTES: * Dialed number need not be preceded by "9". * In some locations, long-distance numbers must be preceded by "1". If, at this point, you wish to connect with a BBS whose phone number is, for example, 555-1212, you would enter at the ">" prompt, the string "d 5551212". This causes the outdial modem to dial the number and connect you at 2400 bps. If the host BBS only has 1200 bps modems, you would need to first enter "bps 1200" at the ">" prompt. This sets the outdial modem to call the host at 1200 bps rather than 2400 bsp. If the BBS is busy you will usually receive a "BUSY" indicator, at which point you can type "r" to redial the number or "logout" to disconnect and return to the "please log in" prompt. At the "please log in" prompt, you may simply disconnect. What does the connect string mean? TYMNET ASYNC OUTDIAL 6986 (804) 857 NORFOLK , VA ^ ^ ^ : : : Outdial Port # Area Code Local exchange STARLINK permits you to make long distance calls from the outdial port. You can determine if a BBS can be reached with a local call from an outdial port by calling the operator in the destination city and asking if it is a local call from the exchange. For example: Virginia Beach exchange 495 is a local call from Norfolk exchange 857. If the BBS is outside the local dialing area, you can still reach it by putting a "1" in front of the number at the ">" prompt. Example: "d 15551212". ALL LONG DISTANCE TOLL CHARGES WILL BE CHARGED TO YOU! IX. ERROR MESSAGES AND PROBABLE CAUSES The following are common error messages and some causes: HOST OUT OF PORTS All available outdial modems at the outdial city are in use. BUSY The host BBS's phone lines are all busy. CALL FAILED FOR UNKNOWN REASON Usually indicates that a voice answered the phone call. Call the number by voice to determine if it is still a viable number. Can also be caused by low quality modem on the BBS or the BBS only operating at 1200 bps. Try the "bps 1200" cure mentioned above. Can also mean the BBS has all lines in use and the modem did not detect the busy signal. MODEM TIMED ITSELF OUT - CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE Modem malfunction or all BBS lines are busy. Please report this to TYMNET at 800-336-0149 immediately. X. SUGGESTIONS There are some methods you can use to improve the STARLINK service from your end. The two most common complaints and the easiest to cure are file transfer speedups and interactive response speedups. To improve file transfers: Enter a control-V before typing in your STARLINK username. Example: "^VSTA000000;password". This means hold down your control key and tap the "V" key before entering your Username. This opens up the band width and imporves transfer time. To improve interactive response time: Enter a control-I before your STARLINK username. Example: "^ISTA000000;password". Enter this the same way as the example above and the response time through the network will be faster. Perfect for chatting or e-mail, etc. Members calling a 2400 Baud BBS using a 1200 Baud modem can improve file transfers and reduce error messages by putting control-X control-R before the Username when logging on to the network. This enables X-on, X-off flow control and prevents the BBS from sending data to you faster than you can accept it. Never use Control-X, Control-R together with Control-V. It will really make a mess of things. FILE TRANSFERS Almost all BBS software requires that you transfer files at 8 data bits, No parity and 1 stop bit. If you are having trouble with file transfers this will usually be the problem. If you cannot access the network from your local number at 8-N-1 and must log on at 7-E-1, have your software switch to 8-N-1 after you have entered the ">d #######" command and before the BBS connects. Some BBS software doesn't care what settings you use until you try to transfer a file. To prevent wasting valuable network time, it's best to assume that you need 8-N-1 and change to that setting prior to attempting a transfer. Please be sure that if you have striped your high bits, you now turn them back on before transfers! XI. REPORTING STARLINK PROBLEMS We value your business and will attempt to resolve any problem with the network as quickly as possible. The fastest way to let us know that a problem exists is to post a message to "Galaxy" on GALAXY INFORMATION NETWORK. You will receive a reply to your message within 24 hours. If you are having trouble logging on, you may call 505-881-6988 by voice between 9AM and 10 PM Eastern time. Someone will usually be available to answer your calls on weekends but this is not guaranteed. E-Mail is faster and not time dependent. If you are having a problem after 10 PM and cannot wait until the next day, you may call TYMNET customer service at 800-336-0149. TYMNET will help you with network problems only, they will not get involved with billing questions, help with your communications program, or anything other than network communications. Please don't ask them to. XII. BILLING QUESTIONS Bills for network time are sent to you via US Mail and contain the total of the bill and will be researched for a period of 30days. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you have problems, please read this complete file again before calling customer service. We have found that 99% of all problems are caused by improperly entering the Username, outdial port number and password. Please also note that we are not versed in "orphan" communications programs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- TYMNET ASYNCHRONOUS OUTDIAL SERVICE 07-27-89 State/ Use Outdial Outdial call made City Host # from --------------- ----------- --------------- Alabama Birmingham 4101 205-942 Huntsville 1258 205-880 Mobile 8829 205-460 Opelika 1751 205-742 Arkansas Little Rock 9858 501-666 Arizona Flagstaff 6112 602-774 Mesa 9532 602-258 Phoenix 9532 602-258 Tucson 4751 602-575 Yuma 3530 602-343 California *** Alhambra 9204 818-576 Anaheim 9184 714-852 Cathedral City 7859 619-324 Colton 6294 714-422 El Segundo 9203 213-643 Lancaster 5991 805-945 Long Beach 9205 213-432 Moorpark 5134 805-378 Newport Beach 9184 714-852 Oakland 8963 415-852 Pasadena 9204 818-576 Pleasanton 9202 415-935 Redwood City 9182 415-361 Sacramento 9179 916-447 San Clemente 4447 714-661 San Diego 9183 619-296 San Francisco 9533 415-543 San Jose 6450 408-432 San Raphael 8094 415-453 Santa Barbara 6295 805-965 Santa Maria 6116 805-922 Sherman Oaks 9206 818-789 Vernon 3173 213-587 Walnut Creek 9202 415-935 Colorado *** Aurora 2584 303-832 Boulder 2584 303-832 Denver 2584 303-832 Ft Collins 8737 303-224 Grand Junction 6115 303-241 Connecticut Bloomfield 9128 203-242 Bridgeport 6472 203-332 Hartford 9128 203-242 Stamford 9129 203-327 Delaware Wilmington 1784 302-652 District of Columbia *** Washinton 2262 703-352 Florida Clearwater 4637 813-441 Fort Lauderdale 7123 305-467 Jacksonville 5797 904-721 Longwood 7096 305-841 Miami 6582 305-477 Naples 116 813-434 Orlando 7096 305-841 Port St Lucie 9902 407-337 Tampa 5518 813-933 Georgia Atlanta 8795 404-451 Doraville 8795 404-451 Marietta 8795 404-451 Martinez 433 404-855 Norcross 8795 404-451 Idaho Boise 200 208-395 Illinois *** Chicago 8257 312-922 Glen Ellyn 8944 312-790 Lake Bluff 780 312-295 Springfield 5403 217- Indiana Indianapolis 9349 317-632 South Bend 5129 219-234 Iowa Ames 1745 515-232 Des Moines 9854 515-277 Kansas Mission 8615 913-384 Wichita 8013 316-681 Kentucky Lexington 9987 606-266 Louisville 8678 502-499 Louisiana Baton Rouge 6999 504-291 New Orleans 3654 504-525 Maryland *** Baltimore 4600 301-528 Bethesda 2262 703-352 Rockville 552 301-869 Massachusetts *** Boston 8796 617-439 Cambridge 8796 617-439 Gorton 10148 testing Kingston 5936 617-585 Lowell 531 508-452 Marlborough 432 508-481 Springfield 3948 413-785 Michigan *** Ann Arbor 209 313-973 Detroit 8794 313-963 Grand Rapids 9872 616-458 Lansing 9992 517-484 Southfield 9855 313-557 Minnesota Minneapolis 3494 612-332 St. Paul 3494 612-332 Mississippi Hattiesburg 1164 601-582 Tupelo 9901 601-841 Missouri Bridgeton 8978 314-731 Hazelwood 8978 314-731 Independence 8615 913-384 Kansas City 8615 913-384 St. Louis 8978 314-731 Nebraska Omaha 2521 402-393 Nevada Boulder City 342 702-294 New Jersey *** Camden 8693 609-665 Englewood Cliffs 6319 201-567 Newark 7618 201-824 Pennsauken 8693 609-665 Piscataway 3319 201-562 Princeton 8920 609-452 South Brunswick 8920 609-452 Union City 2359 201-824 New Mexico Albuquerque 661 505-242 Las Cruces 6630 505-525 New York *** Albany 9192 518-458 Buffalo 9194 716-893 Hempstead 9193 516-481 Lake Grove 582 516-471 Melville 8811 516-420 New York 1059 212-809 Pittsford 6019 716-385 Rochester 6019 716-385 Syracuse 4710 315-433 White Plains 8571 914-761 North Carolina Ashville 271 704-253 Charlotte 6793 704-374 Durham 9986 919-549 Winston-Salem 7068 919-768 Ohio *** Akron 8740 216-376 Cincinnati 1785 513-530 Cleveland 4222 216-861 Columbus 9347 614-221 Dayton 9511 513-898 Toledo 1190 419-255 Oklahoma Oklahoma City 9165 405-495 Tulsa 6605 918-585 Oregon Eugene 9857 503-343 Portland 9164 503-222 Pennsylvania *** Lemoyne 1707 717-975 Philadelphia 9581 215-592 Pittsburgh 7408 412-642 Rhode Island Providence 9130 401-724 South Carolina Columbia 9993 803-252 Greenville 9074 803-233 Tennessee Knoxville 9985 615-693 Memphis 1551 901-527 Nashville 9141 615-889 Texas Amarillo 8736 806-355 Arlington 9337 817-998 Austin 1306 512-448 Corpus Christi 424 512-887 Dallas 2948 214-986 Denton 5990 817-? El Paso 210 915-532 Fort Worth 9337 817-998 Houston 4562 713-496 Killeen 9861 817-447 San Antonio 9169 512-222 Waco 9859 817-776 Utah Salt Lake City 534 801-533 Virginia Alexandria 2262 703-352 Arlington 2262 703-352 Fairfax 2262 703-352 Harrisonburg 10149 703-433 Midlothian 7339 804-330 Norfolk 6986 804-857 Portsmouth 6986 804-857 Richmond 7339 804-330 Virginia Beach 6986 804-857 Washington Bellevue 9170 206-281 Bremerton 773 206-377 Port Angeles 6113 206-452 Seattle 9170 206-281 Spokane 159 206-747 Tacoma 907 206-572 Vancouver 5447 206-574 Yakima 8931 509-248 Wisconsin Brookfield 9167 414-785 Milwaukee 9167 414-785 Wyoming 1752 307-742 *** WE HAVE FOUND THAT THESE STATES HAVE TELCO CHARGES. As we find them we will update this list.