OOO /SS III /SS Ocean O O SS I SS State O O SS I SS Internet OOO SS/ III SS/ Society FAQ about OSFN _________________________________________________________________ OCEAN STATE INTERNET SOCIETY'S FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) about the Ocean State Free-Net Table of contents 1. What is your e-mail address? 2. Can I use SLIP on the Free-Net? 3. Where's the Internet at? 4. Is Chet's editor saving my e-mail when I send it? 5. Why am I some times logged on twice? 6. When mail is returned to me, what does it mean? 7. What are the meaning of memory fault errors when using gopher? 8. Emulation problems 9. How do I run irc using the -d switch? 10. I received a summons request; how do I 'respond with irc'? 11. I need to get to a particular gopher; I have the address, but how do I get there? 12. How can I exit gopher when it takes too long to connect? 13. How do I delete files in my work directory? 14. Why doesn't the gopher get certain types of documents? I always get this message that I should be using Xgopher or UTGopher. 15. How can I do '----" if all I have is e-mail on the Free-Net? 16. Why doesn't the system remember my aliases? 17. I can exit Chet's editor. Why? 18. Where is US Today on the Free-Net? 19. I want Usenet newsgroup '----.' How do I access it on the Free-Net? 20. What Internet services are available on the Free-Net? 21. To whom should I report the problems I'm having getting on CLAN? OSIS would like to make available FAQs for othe local systems. If you are interested in assisting OSIS in its efforts send e- mail to osis@osfn.rhilinet.gov or leave voice mail at (401) 435-8083. The answers below are correct to the best of our knowledge. They are in no way meant to be construed or interpreted to be generated by the Free-Net's Steering Committee or any of its representatives. This collection of the data in this document is solely the product of OSIS members. 1. I want to give a friend in another state my e-mail address; what is it? Anyone who can send e-mail to the Internet would address the mail to an OSFN user by sending it to: userid@osfn.rhilinet.gov The user ID is what the OSFN assigns to you when you registered; it corresponds to what you type in to identify your self as a registered user from the OSFN log on screen. If your user ID is az001, your Internet e-mail address is: az001@osfn.rhilinet.gov 2. How I can access a slip connection once I've logged on to OSFN? How can I use Trumpet Winsock or NetManage Chameleon to run any of the graphical Web browsers? The simple answer is that you cannot use any of the "slick" Internet applications such as Mosaic, Netscape, or WinGopher via a OSFN account because you don't have a direct connection to the Internet. All that OSFN really gives you is an Internet mail box; when you connect to OSFN you PC becomes a dumb terminal connected to a the OSFN computer which has an Internet address. To use SLIP your PC must be directly connected to the Internet. This is accomplished by purchasing a SLIP account from a local vendor (e.g., IDS, Log on America) & using software such as Trumpet Winsock or NetChameleon to facilitate your PC being directly connected with a high speed modem (greater than or equal to 9600 baud) and a standard phone line. The advantages of SLIP are many -- including being able to run World Wide Web browsers. With SLIP access your PC has an Internet address, and you can download to your hard drive directly. 3. Is there anyplace on the Free-Net that you can access the Internet in general? The answer to your question is moderately complicated by the fact that many people mean different things when saying "Internet." The simple answer is that the Internet is available all over the Free-Net. When the connections are operating correctly, the information accessed via gopher is coming to you via the Internet. If you go into the Library Center (off the main menu) & choose RI Libraries and then CLAN, you see the catalog because of Internet connections. Now, if what you are really asking is why can't I FTP, telnet, or get any binary files via gopher, then the answer is that none of those services are offered on this Free- Net. A Free-Net does not compete with a real Internet access provider. This Free-Net is a mostly menu-driven system that allows you to access textual types of information. To get an understanding of Free-Nets and why they do NOT offer the full range of Internet access, I would suggest you look at the file currently available under OSIS' Selected FAQs on Internet Topics (& choose #4). To get to that menu follow either of the following paths. To see all the menu layers, make these choices from the Main Menu 11 Science, Technology & Computing Center 2 Ocean State Internet Society (OSIS) 5 The Internet "Proper" >> 5 Selected FAQs on Internet Topics .. If just wanna get to the proper menu quickly, type: ==>go netfaqs then choose #5 (Selected FAQs on Internet Topics) Another means of trying to understand the Free-Net movement is to review files related to the Nat'l Public Telecomputing Network (of which OSFN is an affiliate). NPTN info is available by choosing the Communications Center off the main menu and selecting #6 (NPTN Info & Special Events) followed by #2 (About National Public Telecomputing Network). 4. Chet's Editor says it is saving files whenever I send e- mail? Is it really saving copies of my e-mail &, if so where and how can I access them? How do I keep a copy of the e-mail I send to others? Your e-mail is not actually being saved in any manner that is retrievable to you. If you want to keep a copy of your e-mail you have to include your user ID in the CC: field. Unix is the operating system of the computer that runs the Free-Net, and Chet's Editor is based on a powerful Unix text editor call Emacs. When you compose an e-mail message, a temporary storage area is where you are actually composing your message; as you edit your message you are making changes to that buffer and not any file. 5. I hang up the phone & log back on but it still has me on-- now twice. Why? If you have been forced to make a hasty exit from the Free- Net for any reason and do not make a "clean" disconnect (i.e., hangup properly), the FreePort software may not register your having left. The system may still think your account is busy used. 6. In bounced mail, what does all that stuff mean at the beginning of the message? If there is a problem delivering your Internet e-mail to an address, it will be returned to you (presuming all the links between are functioning). Reasons for mailing returning can be incorrect addressing on your part or an overflowing mailbox at the destination. Another problem is an inability to connect to a receiving system (e.g., a message being 'timed out'). If you scrutinize the header (the uppermost portion of returned mail), you may be able to discern the nature of the problem. In general if mail returns, you should try and re-send it. However, you want to consult with other Free-Net users to see if they have had similar problems. If you have e-mail to a certain address returned several times, it is preferable to ask and wait for notification that things are operational before re-sending; a problem on the network will not be solved by your continuously re-sending a message. 7. When choosing an item from the gopher menu, I receive a memory fault error and am immediately dumped back to the OSFN main menu. What's happening? Connecting... Getting directory....sh: 25524 Memory fault We believe this has to do with the type of gopher client the Free-Net is running and the type of item you are attempting to retrieve. The error is not due to anything over which you have control. 8. Every time I log onto the Free-Net, the system does not recognize my terminal type. Why is this? I have set and saved my environment parameters on the Free-Net. This may be a function of your communications software. If you have changed the term typed AND saved it but still enter the term type unknown at log in, then your communications software emulation is probably either not set to vt100 or its mapping may not be true vt100. At any rate, you can type in vt100 at the term type unknown prompt, and the system will be happy believing that is what you are. The system keeps telling me I can't do certain things because I'm a dumb terminal. I don't understand since I have my PC is emulating a vt-100 (or vt52)? It is not enough to have your PC emulating a vt100; you also have to tell the Free-Net what you are. When your account is first validated, your default is a "dumb terminal." You can see what your settings are currently, by entering ==> printenv To make changes to those various settings, you must change your user settings. This is accomplished by selecting "User Services" from a number of possible sub-menus including one in the Administration Center. You may also get there via ==> go user Then choose, ==> 3 (Set your Environment Parameters) ==> 3 (Set your Terminal type) ==> 2 (vt100) ==> p (previous menu) ==> 6 (Save your Environment Parameters) 9. When I attempt to join a conversation under the Multi-User Chat, I get the following message: This terminal does not have the necessary capabilities to run IRCII in full screen mode. You may still run irc by using the -d switch How do use the -d switch? After your account is validated, the default terminal type is a dumb terminal. This prevents you from doing certain things on the system. To alleviate the problem once and for all, you simply have to change your terminal type. We recommend you use vt100 (although vt52, vt102, or ANSI may work fine). See question #8 about changing your terminal type on the Free-Net, and remember it is best to have your PC communications software set to the matching emulation. 10. I received a summons request; how do I 'respond with irc'? The message in question appears in a fashion similar to this: ircd: You are being summoned to Internet Relay Chat by ircd: Channel 1: zz000@osfn.rhilinet.gov (zz000) J. Syzygy ircd: Respond with irc If you wish to respond in the affirmative and join a conversation on the local IRC, then type 'go irc' at any ==> prompt. Choose #5 to join a conversation. 11. I have been trying to download a document from una.hh.lib.umich.edu for a week or so but can't figure out how to get there. I have documentation that says I should be able to type "gopher una.hh.lib.umich.edu" at my prompt and get there but I can't figure out how to get "my prompt". Your instructions are correct for a system on which you have shell (or shell-like) access. This Free-Net is a menu driven system which does not permit you to enter "gopher
" or "ftp
" or "telnet
." The OSFN solution to your situation is to navigate the gopher menus. If you travel around you will inevitably encounter: Other Gopher and Information Servers Selecting this will bring up country-based series of menus that can eventually bring you to gopher servers available in the state of Michigan: North America USA Michigan Then it is just a matter of locating the correct gopher server at the University of Michigan. 12. When I got "locked up", I had tried to gopher to another site. It just locked up on the "connecting" dialogue thing before getting to "getting directory" or whatever it says. also, on a couple of occasions, it got as far as getting directory and then just plain stopped. Use Control-C (or whatever is you have designated as your command interrupt key) usually solves the problem. 13. When I use zmodem to download files, it downloads everything I have there. How do I delete files in my working directory? You have to use DIRED -- a DIRectory EDitor. See the help files for more info: ==> go help ==> 10 (Help with File Transfer) ==> 4 (The FreePort Directory Editor (dired)) 14. Why can't I choose certain items from gopher menus? Usually, I get an error message whenever I pick something that has "[?]" next to it. The problem is not that you don't have a gopher client but rather that the Free-Net uses a very plain gopher client. To clarify further, the simple gopher client (sgopher) being used on this Free-Net does not permit certain activities such as telnet or starting up Lynx. This is why when certain items are selected from a gopher menu the following message is seen: The format of the Gopher item that you have selected cannot be retrieved or displayed by this gopher client. It is probably a binary file that contains a picture, music, or program executables. To retrieve these types of files you will have to run a different gopher client. Examples of other clients that can retrieve these types of data are Xgopher which runs on UNIX machines and UTGopher which runs on PCs with PC/TCP. There are administrative reasons as to why the particular gopher client is use is being utilized. sgopher is not loaded with features like other gopher clients. It was written with simplicity in mind, but it does display a nice menu that indicates the item type. In addition it marks visited items with an asterisk. If you pop up from a menu and then go back down to it these marks will be reset. Received text can also be sent via e-mail. sgopher only supports three types text, directory, and index. 15. I want to do "----" which isn't offered on the Free_net; is there a way to do things via e-mail if that's your only access? There is a relevant document available via gopher. Presuming all the connections are operational between the Free-Net and Indiana, you choose Gopher Guts from OSIS' main menu (==> go gopher), then follow this path: 7) Miscellaneous Internet/ 5) Internet for the Beginner (via Indiana U) 20) Accessing The Internet By E-Mail 16. I'm wondering if there is some way to get the Freeport software to retain my alias file so that I don't have to re-type the whole thing every time I want to add an address. Currently, when I call up "Edit your personal aliases file" to add an address, the original file is not displayed for editing -- I have to start over. The FreePort software is configured to do such, but you have to have chosen an editor (either Chet's or Dave's) in order for it to work. If u have already chosen Dave's Editor, then the lack of the aliases appearing is a function of the way that editor works. Previously defined aliases do not appear when you go in to add or edit UNLESS you choose L(ist) to see what you entered previously first. 17. I seem to be unable to exit CE when finished writing my message. I am using a vt-100 terminal emulation and most other commands work well. I have the help files printed and tried to follow step-by-step the instructions provided. Is it me, or the editor? I tried ^c (that is, control-x and control c). They didn't seem to work at all. Any suggestions? Perhaps the problem is in your placement on the keys. Both of these sets of commands work fine for me: z Save the document and exit ce xc Exit ce, with prompt to save I say timing because in Chet's control key commands require you to hold down the control key while you press the appropriate second key. So in the case of the latter, X (release both keys) followed by C (release both). On the other or M(eta) commands require you to hold down the (or M) key, release it then follow it with the second key. Personally of the 2 choices above, I prefer the first since it's fewer strokes & in mail & sigs the functionality is the same. In the OSIS IUG gopher, you will find a useful tip sheet that collects the commands for many functions on this Free- Net. 18. I'm looking US TODAY, where is it? The available PR materials are incorrect in noting the availability of US Today. You may find that publication along with others if you are a registered user on other Free-Nets. US Today is additional cybercasting service that some Free-Nets choose to purchase. 19. I'm looking to get to the Usenet group , but cannot locate it. How do I access it on the Free- Net. As of January 1995, the Free-Net only has available local newsgroups and those coming from the National Public Telecomputing Network (NPTN). We suggest you either get an account from a local BBS or Internet access provider OR join one of the othe Free-Nets that makes Usenet available. (See other Free-Nets under the Teleport menu.) Questions about the availability of Usenet on this Free-Net can be posted in the Steering Committee discussion area in the Administration Center. 20. What are the available Internet-related services on the Free-Net? As far as we can tell they are as follows: e-mail telnet to pre-selected sites no FTP gopher access to text files only Usenet restricted to local and NPTN newsgroups 21. I'm having trouble gaining access to CLAN? To whom should I report the problem? Peter Bennet is the CLAN System Administrator. His e-mail is ab046 on the Free-Net or peterbt@dsl.rhilinet.gov. 22. How can I change my userid zz001 to josiahc? 'josiahc' is what is sometimes called a vanity id which is generally not allowed on the Free-Net. Presently, Free-net userids are generated by the computer system, and users cannot change them. Thanks you to all the users who asked questions that allowed OSIS to learn about problem situation for users. This document will be updated as needed. Please send any suggestions or updates to osis. _________________________________________________________________ To contact OSIS, email osis@osfn.rhilinet.gov or call our voice mailbox at (401) 435-8083. Or, enter "go osis" on the Free-Net!  .