older systems, such as CompuServe (which, as of this writing, does not offer full Internet access anyway). What if you don't know what kind of system you're connecting to? Try one of the settings. If you get what looks like gobbledygook when you connect, you may need the other setting. If so, you can either change the setting while connected, and then hit enter, or hang up and try again with the other setting. It's also possible your modem and the modem at the other end can't agree on the right bps rate. If changing the protocols doesn't work, try using another bps rate (but no faster than the one listed for your modem). Don't worry, remember, you can't break anything! If something looks wrong, it probably is wrong. Change your settings and try again. Nothing is learned without trial, error and effort. There are the basics. Now on to the Net! 1.2 GO! Once, only people who studied or worked at an institution directly tied to the Net could connect to the world. Today, though, an ever-growing number of "public-access" systems provide access for everybody. These systems can now be found in most metropolitan areas (at least in North America) several states, and there are several companies a couple of sites that can provide access across the country. There are two basic kinds of these host systems. One provides what is known as a dial-up account. You'll need a basic communications program (the kind that typically comes with your modem) to connect. Once on, your computer's brain essentially goes to sleep -- virtually all of your interaction with the Internet will be via programs on your host system. The other is known as a SLIP or PPP provider (SLIP and PPP are two types of communications standards for connecting to the Internet). This sort of host acts mainly as a gateway to your own computer. it passes information (e-mail, say, or graphics) to your computer, which then has to figure out what to do with it. This is where the all-in-one programs mentioned earlier come in (and we'll talk a bit more about them in chapter 9). Some sites are run by for-profit companies; others by non-profit organizations. Some of these public-access, or host, systems, are free of charge. Others charge a monthly or yearly fee for unlimited access. And a few charge by the hour. Systems that charge for access will usually let you sign up online with a credit card. Some also let you set up a billing system if you'd rather pay by check. But cost should be only one consideration in choosing a host system, especially if you live in an area with more than one provider. Most systems let you look around before you sign up. What is the range of each of their services? How easy is each to use? What kind of support or help can you get from the system administrators? The last two questions are particularly important because many systems provide no user interface at all; when you connect, you are dumped right into the Unix operating system. If you're already familiar with Unix, or you want to learn how to use it, these systems offer phenomenal power -- in addition to Net access, most also let you tap into the power of Unix to do everything from compiling your own programs to playing online games. But if you don't want to have to learn Unix, there are other public- access systems that work through menus (just like the ones in restaurants; you are shown a list of choices and then you make your selection of what you want), or which provide a "user interface" that is easier to figure out than the ever cryptic Unix (and fortunately, even on unix systems, there are ways to minimize your exposure to its commands, as we'll see in later chapters). Some systems also have their own unique local services, ranging from extensive conferences to large file libraries. 1.3 PUBLIC-ACCESS INTERNET PROVIDERS When you have your communications program dial one of these host systems, one of two things will happen when you connect. You'll either see a lot of gibberish on your screen, or you'll be asked to log in. If you see gibberish, chances are you have to change your software's parameters (to 8-1-N or 7-1-E as the case may be). Hang up (see your modem's manual for information on this), make the change and then dial in again. When you've connected, chances are you'll see something like this: Welcome to THE WORLD Public Access UNIX for the '90s Login as 'new' if you do not have an account login: That last line is a prompt asking you to do something. Since this is your first call, type new and hit enter (at least on this particular system; each system has a different log-in procedure for newcomers) Often, when you're asked to type something by a host system, you'll be told what to type in quotation marks (for example, 'new'). Don't include the quotation marks. Repeat: Don't include the quotation marks. what you see next depends on the system, but will generally consist of information about its costs and services (you might want to turn on your communication software's logging function, to save this information). You'll likely be asked if you want to establish an account now or just look around the system. You'll also likely be asked for your "user name." This is not your full name, but a one-word name you want to use while online. It can be any combination of letters or numbers, all in lower case. Many people use their first initial and last name (for example, "jdoe"); their first name and the first letter of their last name (for example, "johnd"); or their initials ("jxd"). Others use a nickname. You might want to think about this for a second, because this user name will become part of your electronic-mail address (see chapter 2 for more on that). The main exception are the various Free-Net systems, all of which assign you a user name consisting of an arbitrary sequence of letters and numbers. You are now on the Net. Look around the system. See if there are any help files for you to read. If it's a menu-based host system, choose different options just to see what happens (and if all you see is a simple prompt, try typing 'help' or read on). Remember: You can't break anything. The more you play, the more comfortable you'll be. what follows are lists of public-access Internet sites, which are computer systems that offer access to the Net. The first list is for North America; the second for the rest of the world. All offer international e-mail and Usenet (international conferences). In addition, they offer: FTP: File-transfer protocol -- access to hundreds of file libraries (everything from computer software to historical documents to song lyrics). You'll be able to transfer these files from the Net to your own computer. Telnet: Access to databases, computerized library card catalogs, weather reports and other information services, as well as live, online games that let you compete with players from around the world. Additional services that may be offered include: Lynx: An easy-to-use interface for the World-Wide Web information resource. WAIS: Wide-area Information Server; a program that can search dozens of databases in one search. Gopher: A program that gives you easy access to dozens of other online databases and services by making selections on a menu. You'll also be able to use these to copy text files and some programs to your mailbox. IRC: Internet Relay Chat, a CB simulator that lets you have live keyboard chats with people around the world. SLIP/PPP service. you'll need this if you want to interact with the internet directly on your own computer. will often cost more than standard dial-up service. However, even on systems that do not provide all these services directly, you will be able to use a number of them through telnet (see Chapter 6). In the lists that follow, systems that let you access services through menus are noted; otherwise assume that when you connect, you'll be dumped right into Unix (a.k.a. MS-DOS with a college degree). Several of these sites are available nationwide through national data networks such as the CompuServe Packet Network and SprintNet. Please note that all listed charges are subject to change. Many sites require new or prospective users to log on a particular way on their first call; this list provides the name you'll use in such cases. 1.4 NORTH AMERICAN PROVIDERS ALABAMA Huntsville. Nuance. Call voice number for modem number. $35 setup; $25 a month. Voice: (205) 533-4296. ALASKA Anchorage. University of Alaska Southeast, Tundra Services, (907) 789-1314; has local dial-in service in several other cities. $20 a month. Voice: (907) 465-6453. ALBERTA Edmonton. PUCNet Computer Connections, (403) 484-5640. Log on as: guest. $10 setup fee; $25 for 20 hours a month plus $6.25 an hour for access to ftp and telnet. Voice: (403) 448-1901. ARIZONA Tucson. Data Basics, (602) 721-5887. $25 a month or $180 a year. Voice: (602) 721-1988. Phoenix/Tucson. Internet Direct, (602) 274-9600 (Phoenix); (602) 321-9600 (Tucson). Log on as: guest. $20 a month. Voice: (602) 274-0100 (Phoenix); (602) 324-0100 (Tucson). BRITISH COLUMBIA Victoria Victoria Free-Net, (604) 595-2300. Menus. Access to all features requires completion of a written form. Users can "link" to other Free-Net systems in Canada and the United States. Free. Log on as: guest Voice: (604) 389-6026. CALIFORNIA Berkeley. Community ConneXion, (510) 549-1383. Log in as: guest. $10 a month. Voice: (510) 841-2014. Berkeley. Holonet. Menus. For free trial, modem number is (510) 704-1058. For information or local numbers, call the voice number. $60 a year for local access, $2 an hour during offpeak hours. Voice: (510) 704-0160. Concord/Walnut Creek. CCnet. Unix and menu. Modem number (510) 988-7140. $15 setup. Flat fee of $18 a month for unlimited usage with credit card billing. Voice: (510) 988-0680. Cupertino. Portal. Unix and menus. (408) 725-0561 (2400 bps); (408) 973-8091 (9600/14,400 bps). $19.95 setup fee, $19.95 a month. Voice: (408) 973-9111. Cupertino. Aimnet. (408) 366-9000 (Cupertino); (415) 610-8625 (Belmont); (510) 227-8730 (Pleasanton); (415) 288-9720 (San Francisco). $20 set-up and $20 a month; $25 set-up and $20 a month for SLIP/PPP. Voice: (408) 257-0900. Irvine. Dial N' CERF. See under San Diego. Los Angeles/Orange County. Kaiwan Public Access Internet, (714) 539-5726; (310) 527-7358. $15 signup; $11 a month (credit card). Voice: (714) 638- 2139. Los Angeles. Dial N' CERF. See under San Diego. Oakland. Dial N' CERF. See under San Diego. Pasadena. Dial N' CERF See under San Diego. Palo Alto. Institute for Global Communications., (415) 322-0284. Unix. Local conferences on environmental/peace issues. Log on as: new. $10 a month and $3 an hour after first hour. Voice: (415) 442-0220. San Diego. Dial N' CERF USA, run by the California Education and Research Federation. Provides local dial-up numbers in San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pasadena and Irvine. For more information, call voice (800) 876-CERF or (619) 534-5087. $50 setup fee; $20 a month plus $5 an hour ($3 on weekends). Voice: (800) 876-2373. San Diego. CTS Network Services, (619) 637-3660. Log on as: help. $15 set-up fee, monthly fee of $10 to $23 depending on services used. Voice: (619) 637-3637. San Diego. Cyberspace Station, (619) 634-1376. Unix. Log on as: guest. Charges: $10 sign-up fee; $15 a month or $60 for six months. San Francisco. Pathways, call voice number for number. Menus. $25 setup fee; $8 a month and $3 an hour. Voice: (415) 346-4188. San Jose. Netcom, (510) 865-9004 or 426-6610; (408) 241-9760; (415) 424- 0131, up to 9600 bps. Unix or graphical interface. Log on as: guest. $15 startup fee and then $17.50 a month for unlimited use with credit-card billing; otherwise $19.50 a month. Voice: (408) 554-UNIX. San Jose. A2i, (408) 293-9010. Log on as: guest. $20 a month; $45 for three months; $72 for six months. Sausalito. The Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link (WELL), (415) 332-6106. Uses moderately difficult Picospan software, which is sort of a cross between Unix and a menu system. New users get a PRINTED written manual. More than 200 WELL-only conferences. Log on as: newuser. $15 a month plus $2 an hour. Access through the nationwide CompuServe Packet Network available for another $4.50 an hour. Voice: (415) 332-4335. Recorded message about the system's current status: (800) 326-8354 (continental U.S. only). COLORADO Colorado Springs/Denver. CNS, (719) 570-1700 (Colorado Springs); (303) 758-2656 (Denver). Local calendar listings and ski and stock reports. Users can chose between menus or Unix. Log on as: new. $35 setup fee; $2.75 an hour (minimum fee of $10 a month). Voice: (719) 592-1240. Colorado Springs. Old Colorado City Communications, (719) 632-4111. Log on as: newuser. $25 a month. Voice: (719) 632-4848. Denver. Denver Free-Net, (303) 270-4865. Menus. Access to all services requires completion of a written form. Users can "link" to other Free-Net systems across the country. Free. Log on as: guest. Golden. Colorado SuperNet. Available only to Colorado residents. Local dial-in numbers available in several Colorado cities. For dial-in numbers, call the number below. $3 an hour ($1 an hour between midnight and 6 a.m.); one-time $20 sign-up fee. Voice: (303) 273-3471. CONNECTICTUT Middlefield. Connix, (203) 349-1176. $20 start-up fee; $2 an hour with a $10 monthly minimum or $20 a month for 20 hours a month. SLIP is $25 for 20 hours a month plus a $25 set-up fee. Voice: (203) 349-7059. DELAWARE Middletown. Systems Solutions, (302) 378-1881. $20 setup fee; $25 a month for full Internet access. Voice: (800) 331-1386. FLORIDA Broward County. SEFLIN Free-Net, (305) 357-7318. Menus. Free. Users can "link" to other Free-Net systems. Voice: (305) 357-7318. Clearwater. Intelligence Network Online. Call voice number for modem number. $29 set-up fee; $29 a month. Voice: (813) 442-0114. Deerfield Beach/Miami/Tampa/Orlando. CyberGate. $17.50 a month; $29.50 a month for 25 hours of SLIP/PPP access (plus $50 set-up fee). Voice: (305) 428-GATE or (800) NET GATE outside of 305. Southeast Florida. Satelnet, (305) 434-7340. Follow log-in prompts to set up account. $17 a month or $60 for four months. Tallahassee. Symnet, (904) 385-8177. Menus or Unix. $15 a month or six months for $75; SLIP for $30 set-up and $30 for 30 hours a month. Voice: (904) 385-1061. Talahassee. Talahassee Free-Net, (904) 488-5056. Menus. Full access requires completion of a registration form. Can "link" to other Free-Net systems around the country. Voice: (904) 488-5056. GEORGIA Atlanta. Netcom, (303) 758-0101. See under San Jose, California, for information on rates. ILLINOIS Champaign. Prarienet Free-Net, (217) 255-9000. Menus. Log on as: visitor. Free for Illinois residents; $25 a year for others. Voice: (217) 244-1962. Chicago. WorldWide Access, (312) 282-8605. Charges: $19.50 a month; $25 a month for SLIP/PPP access. Voice number: (708) 367-1870. Chicago. MCSNet, (312) 248-0900. $25/month or $65 for three months of unlimited access; $30 for three months of access at 15 hours a month. Voice: (312) 248-UNIX. Naperville/Hoffman Estates. XNet. (708) 983-6435 (Naperville); (708) 882- 1101. $45 for three months or $75 for six months. Voice: (708) 983-6064. Peoria. Peoria Free-Net, (309) 674-1100. Similar to Cleveland Free-Net (see Ohio, below). Users can "link" to the larger Cleveland system for access to Usenet and other services. There are also Peoria Free-Net public-access terminals in numerous area libraries, other government buildings and senior-citizen centers. Contact the number below for specific locations. Full access (including access to e-mail) requires completion of a written application. Free. Voice: (309) 677-2544. Vernon Hills. WorldWide Access, (708) 367-1871. Charges: $19.50 a month;$25/month for SLIP/PP access. Voice number: (708) 367-1870. MARYLAND Baltimore. Digital Express, (410) 766-1855; (301) 220-0462; (714) 377- 9784. Log on as: new. $20 setup fee; $25 a month or $250 a year. Voice: (800 969-9090. Baltimore. Clarknet, (410) 730-9786; (410) 995-0271; (301) 596-1626; (301) 854-0446. Log on as: guest. $23 a month, $126 for six months or $228 a year. Voice: (410) 730-9765. MASSACHUSETTS Bedford. The Internet Access Company, (617) 275-0331. To log on, follow on-line prompts. $20 setup fee; $19.50 a month. Voice: (617) 275-2221. Brookline. The World, (617) 739-9753. Log on as: new. $5 a month plus $2 an hour or $20 for 20 hours a month. Also has local dial-up numbers in Lowell and Westboro. Available nationwide through the CompuServe Packet Network for another $5.60 an hour. Voice: (617) 739-0202. Lynn. North Shore Access, (617) 593-4557. Log on as: new. $10 for 10 hours a month; $1 an hour after that. Voice: (617) 593-3110. Shrewsbury/Worcester. NovaLink, (508) 754-4009. Log on as: info. $12.95 sign-up (includes first two hours); $9.95 a month (includes five daytime hours), $1.80 an hour after that. Voice: (800) 274-2814. MICHIGAN Ann Arbor. MSEN. Call voice number for dial-in number. Unix. Charges: $20 setup; $20 a month. Voice: (313) 998-4562. Ann Arbor. Michnet. Has local dial-in numbers in several Michigan numbers. For local numbers, call voice number below. $35 a month plus one-time $40 sign-up fee. Additional network fees for access through non-Michnet numbers. Voice: (313) 764-9430. MISSOURI Springfield. Ozarks Regional Information Online Network, (417) 864-6100. Log on as: guest. Local conferences and information, access to many Internet resources and to other Free-Net sites in the U.S. and Canada. Complete access requires completion of written registration form. Free. Voice: (417) 837-5050, ext. 15. Las Vegas. Evergreen Internet Express. For modem number, call voice number below. $240 a year unlimited access; $360 a year for unlimited SLIP/PPP access. Voice: (702) 361-2258. Las Vegas. @wizard.com, (702) 871-3102. Menus or Unix. $14.95 set-up fee, $25 a month. Voice: (702) 871-4461. NEWFOUNDLAND St.John's. Compusult Limited. Call voice number for modem number. $24.95 a month for 25 hours access; $3 an hour for each additional hour. SLIP/PPP access: $50 set-up fee; $24.95 a month. Voice (709) 745- 7914; Fax: (709) 745-7927. NEW HAMPSHIRE Manchester. MV Communications, Inc. For local dial-up numbers call voice line below. $5 a month mininum plus variable hourly rates depending on services used. Voice: (603) 429-2223. NEW JERSEY New Brunswick. Digital Express, (908) 937-9481. Log on as: new. $20 setup fee; $25 a month or $250 a year. Voice: (800) 969-9090. Wyckoff. NIC. Call voice number for modem number. Menus or Unix. $10 set- up fee, $10 a month for 20 hours or $20 a month for 60 hours. Voice: (201) 934-1445. NEW YORK Buffalo. Buffalo Free-Net, (716) 645-3085. Log on as: visitor. Local conferences and information, access to many Internet resources and to other Free-Net sites in the U.S. and Canada. Complete access requires completion of written registration form. Free. New York. Panix, (212) 787-3100. Unix or menus. Log on as: newuser. $40 setup fee; $19 a month or $208 a year. Voice: (212) 877-4854. New York. Echo, (212) 989-8411. Unix, but with local conferencing software. Log on as: newuser. $19.95 ($13.75 students and seniors) a month. Voice: (212) 255-3839. New York. MindVox, (212) 989-4141. Local conferences. Log on as: guest. $10 setup fee for non-credit-card accounts; $15 a month. Voice: (212) 989- 2418. New York. Pipeline, (212) 267-8606 (9600 bps and higher); (212) 267-7341 (2400 bps). Offers graphical interface for Windows for $90. Log on as: guest. $20 a month and $2 an hour after first 20 hours or $35 a month unlimited hours. Voice: (212) 267-3636. New York. Maestro, (212) 240-9700. Log on as: newuser. $12 a month or $140 a year. Voice: (212) 240-9600. New York. Interport Communications, (212) 989-1258. Log on as: newuser. $25 a month for 60 hours a month. Voice: (212) 989-1128. Rockland County. TZ-Link, (914) 353-4618, Menus or Unix. Log in as guest with a password of: guest. $36 a quarter. Voice: (914) 353-5443. Rye. WestNet Internet Services, (914) 967-7802. Log in as: new. $45 a quarter; $150 a year. Voice: (914) 967-7816. White Plains. Cloud 9 Internet, (914) 682-0384. Menus or Unix. $45 a quarter or $180 a year; #90 a quarter or $360 a year for SLIP. Voice: (914)682-0626. NORTH CAROLINA Charlotte. Vnet Internet Access, (704) 347-8839; (919) 406-1544. Log on as: new. $25 a month. Voice: (704) 374-0779. Raleigh. NandO Net. Call voice number for modem number. Menus. Access to archives of the Raleigh News and Observer. $30 a month, for up to five accounts per household. Voice: (919) 836-2808. Triangle Research Park. Rock Concert Net. Call number below for local modem numbers in various North Carolina cities. $30 a month; one-time $50 sign-up fee. Voice: (919) 248-1999. OHIO Cleveland. Cleveland Free-Net, (216) 368-3888. Ohio and US Supreme Court decisions, historical documents, many local conferences. Full access (including access to e-mail) requires completion of a written application. Free. Voice: (216) 368-8737. Cleveland. Wariat, (216) 481-9436. Unix or menus. $20 setup fee; $35 a month. Voice: (216) 481-9428.