Part 2

"Notice that these are NOT full-text searches of data at gopher-server sites, just as Archie does not index the contents of ftp sites, but only the names of files at those sites. Veronica indexes the TITLES on all levels of the menus, for most gopher sites in the Internet. 258 gophers are indexed by Veronica on Nov. 17, 1992; we have discovered over 500 servers and will index the full set in the near future. We hope that Veronica will encourage gopher administrators to use very descriptive titles on their menus."

"To try Veronica, select it from the `Other Gophers' menu on Minnesota's gopher server (consultant.micro.umn.edu), or point your gopher at: Name=Veronica (search menu items in most of GopherSpace) Type=1 Port=70 Path=1/Veronica Host=futique.scs.unr.edu"

"Veronica is an experimental service, developed by Steve Foster and Fred Barrie at University of Nevada. As we expect that the load will soon outgrow our hardware, we will distribute the Veronica service across other sites in the near future."

"Please address comments to: [email protected]"

Is this the new world order of automated librarianship?

WAIS

Wide Area Information Servers (pronounced ways) allows users to get information from a variety of hosts by means of a "client". The user tells the client, in plain English, what to look for out in dataspace. The client then searches various WAIS servers around the globe. The user tells the client how relevant each hit is, and the client can be sent out on the same quest again and again to find new documents. Client software is available for many different types of computers.

WAIStation is an easy to use Macintosh implementation of a WAIS client. It can be downloaded from think.com as well as a self-running MediaTracks demo of WAIStation in action. Kahle also moderates a thoughtful WAIS newsletter and discussion group, often speculating about the future of libraries and librarians.

Info from: Brewster Kahle, Project Leader Wide Area Information Servers Thinking Machines Corporation 1010 El Camino Real Menlo Park, CA 94025 415/329-9300 x228 [email protected]

WorldWideWeb

Tim Berners-Lee describes the Web this way: "The WWW project merges the techniques of information retrieval and hypertext to make an easy but powerful global information system. The WWW world consists of documents, and links. Indexes are special documents which, rather than being read, may be searched. The result of such a search is another (`virtual') document containing links to the documents found. The Web contains documents in many formats. Those documents which are hypertext, (real or virtual) contain links to other documents, or places within documents. All documents, whether real, virtual or indexes, look similar to the reader and are contained within the same addressing scheme. To follow a link, a reader clicks with a mouse (or types in a number if he or she has no mouse). To search and index, a reader gives keywords (or other search criteria). These are the only operations necessary to access the entire world of data."

Info from: Tim Berners-Lee WorldWideWeb project CERN 1211 Geneva 23, Switzerland Tel: +41(22)767 3755 FAX:+41(22)767 7155 email:[email protected]

Hytelnet

Peter Scott, the creator of HYTELNET, sends this recent update: "HYTELNET version 6.3, the utility which gives an IBM-PC user instant- access to all Internetaccessible library catalogs, FREE-NETS, CWISs, BBSs, Gophers, WAIS, etc. is now available. You can get it via anonymous ftp from: access.usask.ca in the pub/hytelnet/pc subdirectory. It is listed as HYTELN63.ZIP."

"Version 6.3 is a major upgrade. Much redundant information has been deleted, and errors have been corrected. New subdirectories have been added, which has meant that many files now have a more meaningful home. Also all the new/updated files created since Version 6.2 were incorporated."

"Note: the UNZIPPED files total over 1.2 mb but remember, you can always edit out any information you do not need, in order to save space. Information from Roy Tennant follows, slightly edited, describing how to obtain HYTELNET 6.3 from the ftp site (thanks Roy)::"

"TO RETRIEVE HYTELNET: At your system prompt, enter: ftp access.usask.ca or ftp 128.233.3.1 When you receive the Name prompt, enter: anonymous When you receive the password prompt, enter: your Internet address. When you are at the ftp> prompt, enter: binary At the next ftp> prompt, enter: cd pub/hytelnet/pc Then enter: get hyteln63.zip

After the transfer has occurred, either proceed with the instructions below to retrieve the UNZIP utility (which you need unless you already have it) or enter: quit

The Hytelnet program is archived using a ZIP utility. To unarchive it, you must be able to "unzip" the file. If you have the file PKUNZIP.EXE, it will unarchive the HYTELN63.ZIP file (see below for instructions). If you do not have it, you may retrieve it by following these instructions:

TO RETRIEVE PKUNZIP: Use the above instructions for connecting to: access.usask.ca At the ftp> prompt, enter: binary Then enter: cd pub/hytelnet/pc Then enter: get pkunzip.exe After the transfer has occurred, enter: quit

TO DOWNLOAD IT TO YOUR PC: Because of the plethora of PC communications programs, I will not attempt to give step-by-step instructions here. You should check the instructions for your software for downloading a *binary* file from your Internet account to your PC.

TO UNARCHIVE HYTELN63.ZIP: Make a new directory on your hard disk (e.g., mkdir hytelnet) Copy PKUNZIP.EXE and HYTELN63.ZIP into the new directory Make sure you are in that directory, then enter: pkunzip HYTELN63 It will then unarchive HYTELN63.ZIP, which contains the following files: HYTELNET.ZIP READNOW. The file READNOW gives full instructions for un-archiving HYTELNET.ZIP. Simply put, you **MUST** unZIP the file with the -d parameter so that all the subdirectories will be recursed.

To use HYTELNET, you should refer to the instructions in the release announcement by Peter Scott, or to the README file included with the package."

"PLEASE NOTE that I offer the above instructions as a service for those who are unfamiliar with the steps required to download and use files from network sources. I cannot be responsible for any local variations in these procedures which may exist. Please contact your local computer support staff if you have difficulty performing these tasks."

"The UNIX/VMS version, created by Earl Fogel, is available for browsing by telnet to access.usask.ca login with hytelnet (lower case). For more information on this version contact Earl at: [email protected]."

How to Get Connected

Now that you're interested in what resources are available, how does one go about getting connected? Time was that you needed a standard, dedicated connection to the Internet. Then you needed a robust computer system and a couple of zany gurus to keep it all running. And once a year you could expect an invoice in the $30,000 range to keep the data flowing.

These days, anyone can connect, from small libraries and non-profits to individuals. (and of course commercial-mh) And the prices are affordable.

There is a NSFNet acceptable-use policy you must agree to adhere to if your traffic passes through NSFNet. It is available from the NSF Network Service Center.

Contact your regional network first to see what services might be available to you. A list of regional nets can be obtained from the NSF Network Service Center (address below), or check with a local college or university's academic computing center. A university may be able to give you a guest account on its system for educational purposes.

Access to electronic mail alone is roughly $20 a month at this writing. Additional capabilities, including telnet and ftp, cost more, and it will cost $2,000 or more per year if you want to operate your own host system. The good news is that the costs are spiraling downwards. Here are a few other methods of connecting to the net. Many more are listed in the "must-have" books at the end of this article.

CERFnet The California Education and Research Federation (CERFnet) has announced DIAL N' CERF USA. It allows educators, scientists, corporations, and individuals access to the Internet from anywhere in the continental US.

A toll-free number, 1-800-7CERFNET (1-800-723-7363), provides subscribers with the capability to log in to remote machines, transfer files, and send and receive electronic mail, as if they had a standard, dedicated connection. The cost of this toll-free connection is $20 a month with a $10 per hour usage fee and free installation. There is an installation charge of $50.

CERFnet California Education and Research Federation c/o San Diego Supercomputer Center P.O. Box 85608 San Diego, CA 92186-9784 800/876-CERF or 619/534-5087 [email protected]

Performance Systems International

PSI offers several permutations of network connectivity, including low-end email-only accounts, dial-up host connectivity on demand, and dedicated connections. Costs are competitive and performance is reliable. PSI has POPs (points of presence) in over forty U.S. cities.

PSILink, email and delayed ftp, is $19 a month for 2400 baud service or below, $29 per month for 9600 baud service.

GDS (Global Dialup Service) includes telnet, rlogins at $39 a month, 2400 baud, 24 hour access.

Host DCS (Dialup Connection Service), at about $2000 per year, includes a full suite of internet activities (mail, news, ftp, telnet).

Performance Systems International, Inc. 11800 Sunrise Valley Dr. Suite 1100 Reston, VA 22091 800/82PSI82 or 703/620-6651 FAX: 703/620-4586 [email protected]. [email protected] generates an automatic reply response containing summaries of various PSI products.

Software Tool & Die

Software Tool & Die offers The World, a public access Unix system: The basic rates are $2 per hour and a $5 monthly account fee. Services offered by The World include internet electronic mail, USENET news, ClariNet -UPI, AP, and satellite news services, real-time chat, Unix Software, Archie, the Online Book Initiative (a publicly accessible repository for freely redistributable collections of textual information, a net-worker's library.) AlterNet Access - Users have access to AlterNet via ftp/telnet. The World can also be accessed over the Compuserve Packet Network. You do not have to be a Compuserve subscriber to use this network, but you will be billed for its use.

The WORLD Software Tool & Die 1330 Beacon Street Brookline, MA 02146 617/39-0202

Daniel Dern also provides the following definitive information file on how to get connected: Daniel Dern's Short Answer to "How do I get a list of Internet Service/Access Providers for Individual Accounts":

For a list of Internet Service Providers contact:

NSF Network Service Center (NNSC) BBN Laboratories Inc. 10 Moulton St. Cambridge, MA 02238 617/873-3361 [email protected]

The NNSC info-server utility can also automatically e-mail you a copy of this list and other documents. Simply send an e-mail message to: [email protected]

with the following text in the body:

request: nsfnet topic: topic: request: end

You don't need to put anything in the subject line.

"referral-list" gets you the NNSC's referral list of Internet Service Providers based in the U.S. (possibly providing international service). This is generally agreed to be the most comprehensive and least-biased list. "limited-referral" gets you the NNSC's referral list of Internet providers for "limited service," which includes Dial-Up IP, Internet E-mail.

"help" (recommended) gets you the Help document for the info-server facility.

For a list of dial-up-accessible Public-Access Internet Hosts (Unix BBSs that can do telnet, ftp, etc., that can you can access by calling from your PC and modem), see the PDIAL list, maintained by Peter Kaminski. Kaminski periodically posts an updated version to the usenet groups alt.bbs.lists and alt.bbs.internet; also, the most recent edition may be obtained by sending e-mail to: [email protected] with the `Send PDIAL'

in the subject. To be placed on a list to receive future editions automatically, send e-mail to: [email protected] with `Subscribe PDIAL' in the subject.

The `nixpub' list is a frequently updated list of Public-Access unix Systems -Unix-based BBSs usually carrying usenet news, supporting e-mail connectivity to the Internet, and with some mix of local archives, multi- user games, etc. The full list is long (over 1,000 lines). To get a current copy of `nixpub' as an automatic e-mail reply, Send a message to `[email protected]' (no subject or message text needed), or to `[email protected]' with message body of one of these:

send nixpub long send nixpub short send nixpub long short index nixpub

The nixpub and nixpub.short lists are regularly reposted to the USENET comp.misc and alt.bbs groups

Info from: Daniel P. Dern Free-lance technology writer P.O. Box 309 Newton Centre, MA 02159 617/969-7947 FAX: 617/969-7949 [email protected]

Resources for Learning More

CERFnet Network Information Center (NIC)

This is a repository for many eclectic internet guides and RFC (Requests For Comments) from many sources, including the famous, if technical "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Internet." These may be obtained via anonymous ftp to nic.cerf.net (192.102.249.3). Call the CERFnet Hotline at 800-876-CERF for assistance. California Education and Research Federation c/o San Diego Supercomputer Center P. O. Box 85608 San Diego, CA 92186- 9784 800/876-CERF or 619/534-5087 [email protected]

CICNet Resource Guide

Over 200 pages of Internet resources, published June, 1992. Copies are $27.00 from CICNet, Inc. Attn Kim Schaffer 2901 Hubbard Pod A Ann Arbor, MI 48109. 313/998-6103 FAX 313/998-6105 [email protected]

"The December Lists"

"Information Sources: the Internet and Computer-Mediated Communication" Compiled by John December ([email protected]) Here is part of his information file on this excellent resource:

"This document or updates are available via anonymous ftp. Host: ftp.rpi.edu file: /pub/communications/internet-cmc

PURPOSE: to list pointers to information describing the Internet, computer networks, and issues related to computer- mediated communication (CMC). Topics of interest include the technical, social, cognitive, and psychological aspects of CMC.

AUDIENCE: this file is useful for those getting started in understanding the Internet and CMC; it compactly summarizes sources of information for those who are already exploring these issues.

ASSUMPTIONS: to access many information sources listed here you must have access to and know how to use anonymous ftp, email, or USENET newsgroups. Some files are in TeX or PostScript format.

Contents: Section -1- THE INTERNET AND SERVICES Section -2- INFORMATION SERVICES/ELECTRONIC PUBLICATIONS Section -3- SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS Section -4- NEWSGROUPS Section -5- SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY"

"Emily Postnews Answers Your Questions on Netiquette"

Brad Templeton's ([email protected]) satirical and hilarious piece on how NOT to behave on the net. Emily Postnews, foremost authority on proper net behaviour, gives her advice. There are many places to ftp this file, and it is appearing on many gophers. One place to get the file is by ftp to ra.msstate.edu (130.18.80.10) Location: /pub/docs/words- l/Funnies

The file is called emily.postnews. Here is a sample:

"Dear Miss Postnews: How long should my signature be? -- verbose@noisy

A: Dear Verbose: Please try and make your signature as long as you can. It's much more important than your article, of course, so try to have more lines of signature than actual text. Try to include a large graphic made of ASCII characters, plus lots of cute quotes and slogans. People will never tire of reading these pearls of wisdom again and again, and you will soon become personally associated with the joy each reader feels at seeing yet another delightful repeat of your signature. Be sure as well to include a complete map of USENET with each signature, to show how anybody can get mail to you from any site in the world. Be sure to include Internet gateways as well. Also tell people on your own site how to mail to you. Give independent addresses for Internet, UUCP, and BITNET, even if they're all the same."

"Incomplete Guide to the Internet"

The "Incomplete Guide" was compiled by the NCSA Education Group, dated September, 1992. It is also available for anonymous FTP at:

ftp.ncsa.uiuc.edu in the /misc directory

This excellent manual is a must. It even covers SLIP connections and use of Eudora.

Here are some comments about it from [email protected] (Chuck Farmer): "The first half of the text is devoted to the mechanics of telecommunications, how to connect, what to do once you are connected, etc. The second half of the manual is devoted to current telecommunications projects, past successful projects, and resources. The resources include FTP sites, open BBS's and networks, Free-Nets, subscription services, and where to get more information on each resource. This resource was complied by the Living Lab program (NSF funded) at NCSA as an attempt to encourage the proliferation of HPCC use in the K-12 classroom. We welcome your comments and suggestions.

For further information: National Center for Supercomputing Applications 605 E Springfield Ave. Champaign, IL 61820 217/244-6122

"Library Resources on the Internet: Strategies for Selection and Use" 1992. RASD Occasional Paper no. 12, selling for $18 to members, $20 for nonmembers. It can be ordered from: ALA Order Services 50 E. Huron Chicago, IL 60611, 800/545-2433

Electronic versions available via FTP ASCII file from: host DLA.UCOP.EDU (128.48.108.25) directory /pub/internet/Libcat-guide

host FTP.UNT.EDU (129.120.1.1) directory /pub/library/libcat-guide

WordPerfect 5.1 file from: host HYDRA.UWO.CA (129.100.2.13) directory libsoft/internet.com

Merit's Cruise of the Internet

This attractive overview looks great on a Macintosh. I have not seen the Windows version.

From the README text: "Merit's `Cruise of the Internet' is a computer- based tutorial for new as well as experienced Internet `navigators.' The Cruise will introduce you to Internet resources as diverse as supercomputing, minorities, multimedia, and even cooking. It will also provide information about the tools needed to access those resources."

ftp to NIC.MERIT.EDU /internet/resources. There are Macintosh and Windows versions, and README text files to explain installation procedures.

A Cruise of the Internet Version 2.01 for Apple Macintosh computers December 1, 1992

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS This tutorial will run on any color Macintosh which is capable of displaying 256 colors.

To run the Cruise tutorial you will need:

- A Macintosh II, LC or Quadra series computer - 8-bit color and any color monitor (12" minimum) - System 6.05 or 7.x - Approximately 3 MB of disk space - 4 MB RAM is recommended - Internet connectivity and software that does file transfers via FTP.

A Cruise of the Internet Version 2.0 for IBM-DOS and DOS compatibles running Windows October 28, 1992

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: This tutorial will run on any IBM-DOS or DOS-compatible computer which is equipped to display 256 colors at an aspect ratio of 640 x 480.

To run the Cruise tutorial you will need:

- An IBM-DOS or DOS-compatible computer - XGA- or XGA-compatible adapter set to display 256 colors at 640 x 480 - Microsoft Windows(TM) version 3.1 - Approximately 1.5 MB of disk space - 2 MB RAM minimum - Internet connectivity and software that does file transfers via FTP.

"Mining the Internet"

The Net as mine metaphor is a popular theme. Tunneling through the network matrix in search of gems and ore is not far from fact. Sometimes it is hard work, and a lot of it is working in the dark.

There is a guidebook called "Mining the Internet", available from University of California at Davis. Here is how the Gold Country Mining

Instructions begin: "Jist durn tuckered o' workin' eight t' five for a salary. ain't you? An' you wanna set out for parts unknown. You're hankerin' for an a'venture. Come'n then go `Mining the Internet' with me, father of Clementine (that's my darlin'), and I'll tell you some old timey tales and introduce you to a new resource for students, faculty, and staff called wide area networking 'Taint goin' to hurt you any, and the prospect looks good for a lucky strike."

"Mining the Internet" and "Using the Internet A&B" available from: Computing Services University of California Davis, CA 95616-8563 916/752-0233. Or electronically by anonymous ftp from ucdavis.edu (128.120.2.1) directory /ucd.netdocs/mining

NSF Network Service Center (NNSC)

NSF Internet Tour HyperCard Stack--borrow a Macintosh long enough to view this, worth the effort! Includes net history, net maps, net poetry and lore. Free.

They also publish a very complete Internet Resource Guide ($15). Many items, including the HyperCard Tour to the Internet, freely available by anonymous ftp from nnsc.nsf.net

NNSC Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc. 10 Moulton Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 617/873-3400 [email protected]

New User's Guide to Unique and Interesting Resources on the Internet 2.2.

Available from NYSERNet (New York State Education and Research Network). It is over 145 pages and lists some 50 sources. OPACS, databases, information resources, and more. The New User's Guide is available in hard copy at the cost of $25.00. (NYSERNet Members: $18.00) It is available electronically at nysernet.org (192.77.173.2) in the directory /pub/resources/guides

It is called the new.user.guide.v2.2.txt

For more information: NYSERNet, Inc. 111 College Pl. Syracuse, NY 13244-4100 315/443-4120 FAX 315/425-7518 [email protected]

NorthWestNet User Services Internet Resource Guide

NorthWestNet has released a 300-page guide to the Internet, covering electronic mail, file transfer, remote login, discussion groups, online library catalogues, and supercomputer access.

Copies may be purchased for $20.00 from NorthWestNet. It is also available via anonymous ftp: ftphost.nwnet.net in the directory /nic/nwnet/user-guide

NorthWestNet 15400 SE 30th Place, Suite 202, Bellevue, WA 98007 206/562-3000 FAX: 206/562-4822

"There's Gold in Them Thar Networks! or Searching for Gold in all the Wrong Places" written by Jerry Martin at Ohio State University. This document is available via Internet message to [email protected]. Once inside the message area, give the following commands to retrieve the document: REQUEST:NSFNET TOPIC:NETWORK-TREASURES REQUEST: END

"The Yanoff Lists"

"Special Internet Connections" Compiled by Scott Yanoff. This is an indispensable weekly list of network resources available using telnet and ftp.

It includes a few Online Public Access Catalogs, chat lines, weather servers, Campus Wide Information Systems, and reference resources. Send e-mail to the list manager (Scott Yanoff) at: [email protected] or ftp to csd4.csd.uwm.edu The filename is inet-services.

How to Find out More About Discussion Lists

Thousands of discussion groups, LISTSERVs, and mail reflectors exist on the Internet. Here are several ways to find lists of interest to you.

LISTSERVs available from NYSERNet.org Nysernet.org hosts over 20 lists, including folk_music and PUBLIB for public librarians. Send a LIST GLOBAL command in an interactive message to our host. For example:

To: [email protected] Subject: Message: LIST GLOBAL

The SRI NIC Maintained Interest-Groups List of Lists This is available by FTP from ftp.nisc.sri.com (192.33.33.22) in the directory /netinfo/interest-groups.