Domination 05 In The Net

• In the net *

The second part in a multi-part series, teaching the Super Highway. Regular editor, Mason of Motiv8 appears to be lost in the net and never completed his chapter on time. Instead comes a nice article from Jim Brain from Softdisk Publishing, covering some basic tips on the net and the necessary prerequisites…

Incidentally a nice amount of internet email addresses of other sceners is located in 'Advertisements'.

By next issue, this chapter will return to its normal, remember this is only for beginners and to the many experienced net phreakers out there, please forgive the lower level of details in this chapter.

Let's ride along the super highway.. .

Internet 101 by Jim Brain of Softdisk Publishing

The internet is a subject that was totally obscure until a few years ago, it now seems everyone and their brother is writing about the Internet. Alias "I-net"

Internet Definition:

The internet is a multitude of computer systems of all types and sizes that are connected together with high speed modems and dedicated phone lines. The computers talk to each other using a standard language, called a protocol. The internet protocol name, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet protocol. However the techno-dorks of the world, like me, prefer it by its acronym, TCP/IP.

Special programs running on each of these machines provide a valuable number of functions, like message transmission and reception (internet email) and file exchange and retrieval (FTP). Each of these programs, called services, adheres to standard languages just like TCP/IP. Although each of these service languages uses the TCP/IP language to communicate with each other.

Users access different services on the internet together disseminate information of varied content. Because of the way the TCP/IP protocol works, if a machine is accessible by at least one other machine on the Internet, is accessible by all the machines on the Internet.

Internet History:

For all the bad things you can say about the government and it's method of spending money, you can thank them for the initial Internet, called 'ARPAnet', which was born in 1969.

It grew up under the nurturing care of researchers, while the government, unaware that it was growing and becoming useful, ignored it. Thus, it was allowed the freedom to help people get work done faster.

In 1992, the government decided to not fund it anymore and the private sector took the adolescent Internet under its wing. This signalled the end of the Internet as an unnoticed research project and the beginning of Internet as a commercial entity.

Internet Size:

The superhighway is immeasurable in size. In 1969 a total of 3 machines comprised the entire net for a time. Now, the best thing people can do is estimate the size of the network. This immeasurable network spans the entire globe.

There are fewer than 10 countries that do not have any kind of Internet access. Obviously the developed nations comprise the bulk of the total, but technology permits machines to be located anywhere in the world. So, not only is the Internet uncountable, it doesn't have a beginning or end.

Internet Uses:

At the most basic level, the net is a way to keep tabs on old friends, acquaintances and relatives. Of course they must also be on the Internet for this to work. Some people use the Internet to gather information for personal or corporate reasons, and others use the great wealth of programs available on the 'Net to automate computer-related tasks". Because the Internet is not a single user service, but rather a collection of user services, the Internet can be used for a wide variety of tasks, some we haven't even thought about yet. At the same time, the net does not provide all possible services at present. 500 channel cable and video-conferencing for the masses are just two things that people just can't get on the net of today. Nonetheless, the Internet continues to grow, and it may someday be able to handle all the tasks we wish to accomplish.

Internet Prerequisites:

Before you can attempt to explore this entity, you must have a few basic essentials. The following items are required:

• A computer system which can support a modem. (All Commodore computers except C-16 and C-116.)

• A modem of some speed.

• A telephone line

• A provider of Internet connectivity (ISP)

Plus some suitable software to drive the modem and display the information. (For most people, this software is a simple telecommunications program, while for others it’s a more complex piece of software called a protocol translator or "protocol stack").

Internet Providers:

Enter the Internet Service Provider (ISP). The link that bridges your machine and net together. An ISP is a machine that allows a home computer to dial into it and then relays all of the information from the Internet back to the computer. The problem: there is so many, each offers its own slant on this basic definition. However, the providers all fall into some major categories.

Regional Internet Providers:

Examples: MSEN, CRIS, WELL, NETCOM, PSI etc. Not as well advertised as the commercial providers. Professional: reliable and supported, usually is local call, many dial in phone numbers, and lots of flexibility. Con: Flexibility can translate into difficulty of use not as reliable as bigger services, and support varies.

Summary:

Once finding a suitable provider, make sure your money budget can afford the $10-$40 a month Internet fee for an account. In a sense, the Internet has become the meeting place for the Commodore User Group and you can be a member just by accessing the net, the file library is huge and the speed of keeping up to date is immense...

Jim Brain.

Domination: The regular editor returns next issue, also, should we consider that the Internet is killing C64 boards? Making them inactive because of the net-addiction? The C64 scene should take advantage of the net and its great capabilities, but not let it take control of how the current scene is structured. If you have any queries, internet advice, tips, articles. Send to the regular address, or by Internet email to Shades/Onslaught which is located in the 'Addies' section.

General Editor

Jazzcat/Onslaught.