| RFC : | rfc1290 |
| Title: | |
| Date: | December 1991 |
| Status: | INFORMATIONAL |
| Obsoleted by: | 1402 |
Network Working Group J. Martin
Request for Comments: 1290 Ohio State University
FYI: 10 December 1991
There's Gold in them thar Networks!
or
Searching for Treasure in all the Wrong Places
Status of this Memo
This RFC provides information for the Internet community. It does not
specify an Internet standard. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Abstract
This document was presented at the 1991 ACM SIGUCCS User Services
Conference. It appears here in its updated form.
There is a wealth of information on the network. In fact, so much
information, that you could spend your entire life browsing. This
paper will present some of the "gold nuggets" of information and file
repositories on the network that could be of use to end users.
The ultimate goal is to make the route to these sources of
information invisible to the user. At present, this is not easy to
do. I will explain some of the techniques that can be used to make
these nuggets easier to pick up so that we can all be richer.
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction................................................ 2
2.0 Lists and Indexes of Network Resources/Bibliographies/
Information Available over the Network...................... 2
3.0 Libraries Available over the Network........................ 6
4.0 Anonymous FTP Sites......................................... 7
5.0 Network Information Centers - NICs.......................... 8
6.0 Network Statistics.......................................... 10
7.0 Campus Wide Information Systems - CWIS...................... 11
8.0 Internet Bulleting Board System/Interactive
Databases/Freenet........................................... 19
9.0 WHOIS - E-mail white pages.................................. 22
10.0 Books....................................................... 23
11.0 Free Periodicals/Tabloids/Magazines......................... 23
12.0 Glossary.................................................... 25
Security Considerations.......................................... 26
Author's Address................................................. 27
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1.0 Introduction
This paper is a list of the essential things, in my view, that a
person who is responsible for providing network information should
have in their hands as reference material. One of the basic problems
of information is making it easily available to those who have need
of the data. Libraries have been performing a cataloging function
for many centuries. Information flow is now being provided at such a
fast rate that it is difficult to keep up with it, even partially.
Computer networks have only added to the problem by opening up even
more information.
Attempting to make this wealth of information available to those who
would find it useful poses some problems.
First, we need to know of its existence. To that end, this paper
provides an index into the vast realm of network information. Most of
the documents listed here are POINTERS to the final information.
Second, even if you know of a document's existence, you may not know
if it is important or relevant. Few of us are knowledgeable in more
than a limited area. We need to rely on others to make us aware of
the importance of databases in a specific discipline. The librarians
can be of great assistance here. They are familiar with the research
databases that individuals search in Law, Mathematics, and many
others.
Finally, once the existence and importance are known, the information
needs to be indexed so that researchers can find it. This is the
most difficult task to accomplish. Information available on the
network is hardly ever static. It is always moving, growing,
changing, and dying. Computers should be able to assist us in
managing this ever-changing environment. Right now, we have to
catalog the information as it passes through the network. In my
case, I generally save it in a file somewhere, spending far too much
time trying to retrieve it again when needed.
2.0 Lists and Indexes of Network Resources/Bibliographies/
Information Available over the Network
2.01 Internet Resource Guide (Document)
An excellent guide to major resources available on the network.
The Table of Contents includes chapters on Computational
Resources, Library Catalogs, Archives, White Pages, Networks,
Network Information Centers, and Miscellaneous
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Source:
Anonymous FTP to NNSC.NSF.NET
cd resource-guide
get resource-guide.ps.tar.Z (Postscript) or
get resource-guide.txt.tar.Z (ASCII Text)
Search:
Telnet to pac.carl.org
(Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries)
Select terminal type
Choose Item 3 (Information Databases)
Choose Item 65 Internet Resource Guide
You can then browse or do a keyword search
To quit type //EXIT
2.02 Anonymous FTP Sites (Document)
A list of all the sites on the Internet that support anonymous
FTP.
Source:
Anonymous FTP to pilot.njin.net
cd pub/ftp-list
get ftp.list
Search:
Telnet to quiche.cs.mcgill.ca
login as user archie
type help to get a list of commands
type prog topic - where topic is the keyword for the search of
a program or topic
2.03 INDEX - Index of all RFC's - (Document)
RFC-1118 - The Hitchhikers Guide to the Internet
RFC-1175 - A Bibliography of Internetworking Information
RFC-1173 - Responsibilities of Host and Network Managers
RFC-1206 - Answers to Commonly asked "New Internet User"
Questions
RFC-1207 - Answers to Commonly asked "Experienced Internet User"
Questions
RFC-1208 - Networking Glossary of Terms
Source:
Anonymous FTP to nis.nsf.net
cd rfc
get $index.rfc
get RFC1118.TXT-1
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get RFC1175.TXT-1
get RFC1173.TXT-1
get RFC1206.TXT-1
get RFC1207.TXT-1
get RFC1208.TXT-1
2.04 Interest Groups List-of-Lists (Document)
This is a document that list the mailing lists or groups that
exist. To get on the list to receive updates, send e-mail to
Interest-groups-request@nisc.sri.com.
Source:
Anonymous FTP to ftp.nisc.sri.com
cd netinfo
get interest-groups
2.05 Regional Network Policies (Documents)
Many regional networks have developed policies on responsible use
of their network. You can retrieve copies of these policies on
line by anonymous FTP.
Source:
Anonymous FTP to ftp.nsic.sri.com
cd netinfo
dir
get ???.policy
where ??? is the name of the regional network. The dir command
will give you a directory of the filenames.
2.06 Campus ethics/policy statements (Documents)
Many universities have developed more complete policies based on
the regional network policies. If you wish to look at some to use
as guidelines for your own campus, you can get them through
anonymous FTP.
Source:
Anonymous FTP to ariel.unm.edu
cd ethics
dir
get ???.policy
where ??? is the name of the university or college. The dir
command will give you a directory of the filenames.
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2.07 VAX book (Document)
Joe St Sauver of the University of Oregon has developed a very
complete guide of information on the network available via
anonymous FTP. The following is a quote from the README file:
"While it is tailored to the University of Oregon's VAX8000
system, the skills it illustrates are general enough to be of
interest to users at most other VAX sites, and even users at many
non-VAX sites connected to the national networks." There is a
major section on Network Topics that is excellent. It is a large
document, over 300 pages.
Source:
Anonymous FTP to decoy.uoregon.edu
cd pub/vaxbook
get vms.ps (for postscript format)
get vms.mem (lineprinter format)
2.08 Network Tidbits COMPUNET BIBLIO (Document)
This is a "Network Bibliography" by Elliott Parker from the
Journalism Dept. of Central Michigan University. It contains a
bibliography of network related documents that he finds helpful.
Source:
Listserv
Send e-mail to comserve@rpiecs (BITNET)
the message should contain the following one line request
SEND COMPUNET BIBLIO
You will receive the file "COMPUNET BIBLIO" via return mail as
well as a "Welcome to Comserve" message and a "Getting started
with Comserve message." If you are unfamiliar with how the
program listserv works on BITNET, these documents are a good
start.
2.09 Internet Tour Macintosh Hypercard 2.0 Stack (Program)
This is a Macintosh hypercard 2.0 stack that does a nice job of
describing some of the functions of the Internet. It has a
section that you can modify for your own institutions needs.
Source:
Anonymous FTP to nnsc.nsf.net
cd internet-tour
get Internet-Tour-README
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get Internet-Tour.sit.hqx
Note this is a stuffed and binhexed file. So you must have the
program Stuffit to convert it to an executable file on the
Macintosh.
2.10 A Survey of Educational Computer Networks (Document)
This is a document that list the mailing lists or groups that
exist. To get on the list to receive updates, send e-mail to
Interest-groups-request@nisc.sri.com.
Source:
Anonymous FTP to ariel.unm.edu
cd library
get networks survey
2.11 Network Managers's Reading List (Document)
This is a document is an annotated list of books and other
resources of use to network managers who are using TCP/IP, UNIC,
and Ethernet technologies.
Source:
Anonymous FTP to ftp.utexas.edu
cd pub/netinfo/docs
get net-read.txt
3.0 Libraries Available over the Network
There are hundreds of libraries available over the network, far too
many to list here. There are several documents available that list
Internet accessible Libraries. There are two major documents that
list many libraries. One is Internet-Accessible Library Catalogs and
Databases, coauthored by Dr. Art St. George of the University of New
Mexico (stgeorge@bootes.unm.edu [Internet] or stgeorge@unmb [BITNET])
and Dr. Ron Larsen of the University of Maryland. The other is UNT's
Accessing On-Line Bibliographic Databases by Billy Barron,
(billy@vaxb.acs.unt.edu [Internet]).
3.1 UNT's Accessing On-Line bibliographic Databases (Document)
Source:
Anonymous FTP to vaxb.acs.unt.edu
cd library
get libraries.ps (postscript format)
get libraries.txt (ASCII text version)
get libraries.wp5 (Wordperfect 5.1 source)
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3.2 Internet-Accessible Library Catalogs & Databases (Docment)
Source:
Anonymous FTP to ariel.unm.edu
cd library
get library.ps (postscript format)
get internet.library (ASCII text version)
4.0 The Mother Lode of Anonymous FTP Sites
Throughout this document, there are listed sites for specific
documents. Most of the documents listed in this paper are only
indexes to more information. A big problem is searching through all
of this information to find what you want. Listed below are some of
the major sites for specific programs.
You can also use Archie for searching for specific programs. (See
Search: category under Anonymous FTP sites above.)
4.1 Washington University (Anonymous FTP)
Washington University represents perhaps one of the most popular
sites for software on the network. The mirrors directory is where
a copy of all of the wsmr-simtel20.army.mil files are kept.
Wsmr-simtel20-army.mil is the originator and keeper of major
amounts of public domain software. Their site, however, is often
overloaded with connections and difficult to make connection to.
You will find enough software here to keep you busy for the rest
of your life. The mirrors directory MSDOS and Macintosh
directories contain files for those specific machines.
Anonymous FTP to wuarchive.wustl.edu
cd mirrors
cd msdos
for Income tax time cd taxes
for unzipping files cd zip, type binary, and get pkz110eu.exe
for education software cd education
for graphics files cd giff, tiff or graphics
cd macintosh
for the macintosh there are directories for applications, inits,
sounds, reviews and many more.
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4.2 KERMIT (Anonymous FTP)
Kermit is a public domain file transfer protocol that is available
for just about all microcomputers, minicomputers, and mainframes.
It is very popular and has been has been utilized by many computer
facilities everywhere.
Anonymous FTP to watsun.cc.columbia.edu
cd kermit
get read.me
For executable versions of kermit
cd bin
get READ.ME file and read for specifics of what file to get
For the IBM PC I get msvibm.exe after typing binary to activate
the binary transfer mode.
4.3 NCSA Software for Network Access from PC's
(Anonymous FTP)
Source:
Anonymous FTP to ftp.ncsa.uiuc.edu
cd NCSA_Telnet
cd PC/Telnet (for IBM PC Software)
get telxxbin.zip
where xx is the current version number
(in binary format, I also suggest getting readme files)
cd Mac/Telnet
get telnet.x.sithqx or
where x is the current version number
(in binary format, I also suggest getting readme files)
5.0 Network Information Centers - NICs
These are the individuals to contact if you want information on what
networking is all about, and how you can connect. They can put you
in contact with the individuals in your area that can assist you in
obtaining a network connection.
They can also provide assistance if you don't know who else to ask
about network topics.
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5.1 Defense Data Network (DDN)
Goverment Systems, Inc. (GSI)
Attn: Network Information Center
14200 Park Medow Drive
Suite 200
Chantilly, VA 22021
(800) 365-3642 or (703) 802-4535 FAX (703)-802-8373
NIC@NIC.DDN.MIL
The main NIC on the Internet. The source for network numbers,
domain names, and much more.
5.2 NSF Network Service Center (NNSC)
NSF Network Service Center
Bolt Baranek and Newman Inc.
10 Moulton St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 873-3400
NNSC@NNSC.NSF.NET
Corinne Carroll
NNSC Staff
Publishes Newsletter called NSF Network News; to subscribe,
contact them at address above.
5.3 NSFNET Information Services (NIS)
NSFNET Information Services
Merit Network, Inc.
ITI Building
2901 Hubbard, Pod G
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2016
(313) 936-3000 or 1-800-66MERIT
NSFNET-INFO@MERIT.EDU
Publishes Newsletter called Linkletter, to subscribe send e-mail
to NSFNET-linkletter-Request@merit.edu.
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5.4 SRI International Network Information Systems Center (NISC)
SRI International
Network Information Systems Center
333 Ravenswood Avenue, Room EJ291
Menlo Park, CA 94015
(415) 859-6387 or (415) 859-3695
Fax: (415) 859-6028
NISC@NISC.SRI.COM
5.5 BITNET (NIC)
BITNET Network Information Center
Corporation for Research and Educational Networking (CREN)
1112 16th Street, N.W.
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 872-4200
INFO@BITNIC
Lisa Covi, BITNET Support
6.0 Network Statistics
If you would like to publish statistics in your newsletter about your
institutions network traffic into and out of the NSFNET backbone, you
can obtain information on either the packets or bytes sent. I prefer
the bytes since that can be translated into some sort of
understandable figure.
6.1 Files containing monthly information on NSF Internet
backbone traffic by packets or bytes (Document)
Source:
Anonymous FTP to nis.nsf.net
cd stats
get nsfyy-mm.ptraffic where yy is year, 91 and mm is month, 06
get nsf91-06.ptraffic ptraffic is the packet traffic
get nsfyy-mm.btraffic where yy is year, 91 and mm is month, 06
get nsf91-06.btraffic btraffic is the byte traffic
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7.0 Campus Wide Information Systems - CWIS
The information provided in this paper is primarily intended for the
individuals who will use this information to then provide methods for
access from their own computing environment. Although standards have
been proposed, there are no "packages" that give you access to all of
the information presented here. What we at Ohio State University
have done, as have several other universities, is to provide a menu
to the user that accesses these services and databases behind the
scenes. In fact, Ur had to go into the shell scripts to look up the
network addresses of these machines, because I rely on the menu for
access as well.
As the name "Information Systems" implies, the user wants access to
the information without having to know exactly how to get to it. In
this way, the network is invisible to the end user. All they need to
know is what they want, not the command structure needed to actually
get the information.
At the present, the menu system seems to be the easiest way in which
to lead the end user to the information. A term "knowbot" has been
used to describe the ability to indicate what information you wish in
free form, and have a "knowbot" which knows what is available, go out
and retrieve it.
The following are some of the places you can connect to for a
demonstration of their capabilities.
7.1 Appalachian State University
conrad.appstate.edu (152.10.1.1)
Login as info.
Emulate a VT100.
Hardware/software: DEC/VTX
Contact: Ernest Jones (jonesel@appstate.bitnet)
7.2 Arizona State University PEGASUS and ASEDD
asuvm.inre.asu.edu
Login as helloasu.
Use tn3270.
Hardware/software: Running PNN News Network Software under
VM/CMS
(with Profs and FOCUS).
Contact: Joy Kramer (iejxk@asuvm.inre.asu.edu)
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Contains two databases: PErsonal Guide to ASU Stuff (PEGASUS)
and Arizona State Economic Development Database (ASEDD).
7.3 Clemson University
eureka.clemson.edu
Login as public.
Emulate a VT100.
Hardware/software: DEC/VTX
Contact: Amy Slankard (amy@clust1.clemson.edu)
System contains information on: Weather for SC, NC, and GA;
economics; plants; animals; engineering; food; home, health,
family and youth.
7.4 Columbia University
cal.cc.columbia.edu
Login as calendar.
Contact: David Millman (dsm@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu)
7.5 Cornell CUINFO
cuinfo.cornell.edu
Connect to port 300.
Use telnet or tn3270. Different versions of telnet or tn3270
have different syntax for defining the port. The following are
the most common:
TELNET cuinfo.cornell.edu 300
TELNET cuinfo.cornell.edu::300
or TELNET cuinfo.cornell.edu..300
Hardware/software: VM/CMS; IBM S/370 assembler; locally written
Contact: Steve Worona (slw@cornella.bitnet)
CUINFO of interest to non-Cornell community members:
Uncle Ezra The Electronic Counselor - first program of its
kind; a must see
Directories Student and Staff directories includes staff
electronic addresses
Ski Reports Up to the minute Upstate New York Ski Reports
(Seasonal)
Jobs Listings and Descriptions of jobs at Cornell
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Computing Extensive on-line information regarding computing at
Cornell
Patents Descriptions of current patents held by Cornell
Various Newsletters Newsletters from numerous campus groups
Weather Up to the minute local weather forecast
7.6 Lafayette Integrated, Networked Campus - LINC
lafibm.lafayette.edu (139.147.8.4)
Use telnet or tn3270. When you see the LINC logo, ignore the
ALT-L advice and clear the logo by pressing Enter. On next
screen, instead of logging on, type DIAL MUSIC (case does not
matter). On login screen that appears, use GUEST as ID, and
GUEST as password.
Hardware/software: IBM 9375 running MUSIC/SP
Contact: Patrick Ciriello (ciri@lafayacs.bitnet)
7.7 Lehigh
ibm1.cc.lehigh.edu
Use tn3270.
At the VM prompt, type DIAL MUSIC, and at the /ID prompt, type
LUNA.
Hardware/software: IBM 4381 running MUSIC.
Planning to move to AIX on RS/6000s.
Contact: Timothy J. Foley (tjf0@ns.cc.lehigh.edu)
7.8 Mississippi State University (MSUinfo)
isis.msstate.edu (130.18.164.2)
Login as msuinfo.
Terminal type: enter yours, most supported.
Hardware/software: UNIX/TechInfo
Contact: Bennet George (George_Bennet@admin.msstate.edu)
Contains: announcements, campus events, community events,
continuing education offerings, jobs, recent press releases,
research funding opportunities, etc.
7.9 MIT TechInfo
Accessible either via telnet, or via a native Macintosh
application that uses the MacTCP drivers to access the TechInfo
server. MacPlus with 1 Meg memory or better required, System 6.0.3
or better, and licensed MacTCP drivers.
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Source code available freely to other schools looking to get
started quickly - contact folks listed below.
For telnet access:
telnet techinfo.mit.edu (18.72.1.146)
No username/password is required.
Once you're in, you can use upper or lower case commands.
To exit the system, use the QUIT command.
For native Macintosh access:
anonymous ftp to net-dist.mit.edu, look in the /pub/techinfo
directory, fetch techinfo.hqx Binhex (public domain tool)
required to decode the binary.
Contact: Tim McGovern (tjm@mit.edu), (617) 253-0505
Bugs: bug-techinfo@mit.edu
Comments: comment-techinfo@mit.edu
Administration: admin-techinfo@mit.edu
7.10 New Mexico State University NMSU/INFO
info.nmsu.edu
Login as info.
Emulate a VT100.
Hardware/software: DEC/VTX
Contact: D. Brian Ormand (bormand@nmsuvm1.bitnet) or
(bormand@nmsu.edu)
7.11 North Carolina State University Happenings!
ccvax1.cc.ncsu.edu (128.109.153.4)
Login as info.
Emulate a VT100.
Hardware/software: DEC/VTX
Contact: Harry Nicholos (hmn@ncsuvax.bitnet) MIT TechInfo
7.12 NYU ACF INFO system
info.nyu.edu (information.nyu.edu) (128.122.138.142)
Emulating a VT100 or better enables some additional suboptions.
Contact: Stephen Tihor (tihor@ACFcluster.nyu.edu) or
(tihor@nyuacf.bitnet)
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7.13 Pima Community College
pimacc.pima.edu
Login as pimainfo.
Emulate a VT100.
Hardware/software: DEC/VTX
Contact: Terry Loftus (tloftus@pimacc.pima.edu) or Al Camberos
(acamberos@pimacc.pima.edu)
7.14 Princeton News Network PNN
pucc.princeton.edu
Use telnet or tn3270. When you see the VM 370 logo, clear it,
and instead of logging on, enter pnn (case does not matter).
Clear the information screen that appears.
Hardware/software: VM/CMS - locally written. A UNIX version and
a Mac HyperCard version are up, running, and available. All
versions (CMS, UNIX, HyperCard) are available to universities at
no cost.
Contact: Rita Saltz (rita@pucc.bitnet)
System and Development: Howard Strauss (howard@pucc.bitnet)
7.15 Rutgers University
info.rutgers.edu 98
No password required.
Can be accessed from any microcomputer or terminal.
Hardware/software: written in lush (a public domain program);
runs on any SUN workstation.
Contact: Leny Struminger (struming@zodiac.rutgers.edu)
INFO contains university wide activities, graduate courses
catalogs, Faculty/Staff phone directory, computer services,
libraries online catalog, weather, news, bus schedules, etc.
7.16 San Diego State University
wintermute.sdsu.edu
Login as sdsuinfo.
Emulate a VT100.
Hardware/software: pnn & nmm
Contact: Richard Caasi (caasi@sdsu.edu)
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7.17 University of Arkansas
uafsysb.uark.edu
Login as info.
Hardware/software: IBM 4381-14, VM/HPO 6.0, Cornell's CUINFO
module
Contact: Susan Adkins (sa06037@uafsysb.bitnet) or
(sa06037@uafsysb.uark.edu)
System contains information on: Calendar of events, campus e-mail
directory, and hours and services.
7.18 University of Colorado at Boulder
culine.colorado.edu 852 (128.138.129.2 852)
Login as CULINE.
Contact: Donna Pattee (pattee@spot.colorado.edu)
7.19 University of Denver
du.edu
Login as atdu.
Contact: Bob Stocker (bstocker@ducair.bitnet)
7.20 University of Minnesota at Duluth
ub.d.umn.edu
Login as info.
Emulate a vt100.
Contact: Frank Simmons (fsimmons@ub.d.umn.edu)
System contains over 700 documents ranging from athletic schedules
to micro-computer prices to art gallery showing schedules. All
commands are displayed at the bottom of each screen and separate
on-line help is available. Keyword searching is available,
although at this time only words in the titles of documents are
used.
7.21 University of New Brunswick, Canada, INFO
unbmvs1.csd.unb.ca (131.202.1.2)
Login with application id INFO.
There is no password required.
INFO is a full-screen CICS application running under MVS.
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tn3270 emulation.
Contact: Bonita Mockler (bgm@unb.ca)
System contains: University Calendar, class timetable, phone/fax
numbers for faculty/staff/students, faculty and staff email ids,
seminar schedules, minutes, newsletter, etc.
7.22 University of New Hampshire's VideoTex
unhvtx.unh.edu (132.177.128.58)
USERNAME: student (no password required).
Control-z to log off.
VT100/VT200 terminal emulation.
Hardware/software: DEC/VTX
Contact: Robin Tuttle (r_tuttle1@unhh.unh.edu)
System includes: phone directories, campus calendar, job listings,
off-campus housing list, undergraduate catalog, class schedules,
newsletters, services and programs, rights and rules of conduct,
athletics and recreation information, activities and workshops.
7.23 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill INFO
info.oit.unc.edu (128.109.157.1)
Login as info.
Emulate a VT100.
Hardware/software: DEC/VTX
Contact: Judy Hallman (hallman@unc.bitnet)
System contains: Campus directory; job openings; "The Independent
Study" catalog (courses people can take by correspondence);
undergraduate catalog; continuing education classes; several
campus newsletters, including "Newsbrief," the weekly campus
computing newsletter.
7.24 University of North Carolina at Greensboro MINERVA
steffi.acc.uncg.edu
Login as info or MINERVA.
Emulate a VT100.
Hardware/software: DEC/VTX
Contact: Norman Hill (hillnr@uncg.bitnet)
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7.25 University of North Carolina at Wilmington SEABOARD
vxc.uncwil.edu (128.109.221.3)
Log in as info.
Emulate a VT100.
Hardware/software: DEC/VTX
Contact: Eddy Cavenaugh (cavenaughd@uncwil.bitnet) or
(cavenaughd@vxc.uncwil.edu)
System includes: class schedule listings, institutional
statistics, library services, faculty & staff publications,
current university news releases, phone directories, facilities
schedules.
7.26 University of Northern Iowa
infosys.uni.edu
Log in as public.
Prefers a vtxxx terminal, but works with unknown terminal types.
Hardware/software: The program uses UNIX tput clear, tput mc4,
and tput mc5 (for printing).
Contact: Mike Yohe (yohe@iscsvax.uni.edu)
7.27 University of Pennsylvania - PennInfo
In final testing phase; due for release at the beginning of
November, 1991.
penninfo.upenn.edu
(no login id is needed).
Emulate a VT100.
Hardware/software: MIT's Techinfo; type HELP for directions
Human contact: Valerie Glauser (glauser@dccs.upenn.edu)
Comments: penninfo-comments@dccs.upenn.edu
Bugs: penninfo-bugs@dccs.upenn.edu
Human contact: Valerie Glauser (glauser@dccs.upenn.edu)
PennInfo can be accessed via MIT's TechInfo MAC client program as
well. We've modified the MAC client slightly because we have
different contact information at Penn than MIT does.
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8.0 Internet Bulleting Board System/Interactive
Databases/Freenet
There are several systems you can establish a connection with,
sometimes referred to as an "anonymous telnet" session, that provide
a variety of services/information. In some respects they resemble
Campus Wide Information Systems, in others they are more like
bulletin boards or interactive databases.
A file containing the most frequently asked questions about Bulletin
Board systems is available via anonymous ftp.
Source:
Anonymous FTP to polyslo.calpoly.edu
cd pub
get alt.bbs.faq
Listed below are some of these types of systems:
8.1 Cleveland Freenet - Case Western Reserve University
Telnet to freenet-in-a.cwru.edu
Follow the menu driven instructions.
8.2 Heartland Freenet
heartland.bradley.edu (136.176.10.10)
Login as fnguest
8.3 Youngstown Freenet - Youngstown State University
Telnet yfn.ysu.edu
Type visitor at userid prompt and follow menu driven
instructions.
8.4 Ocean Network Information Center
Telnet delocn.udel.edu
When the Userid: prompt appears type INFO and press Enter/Return
key.
8.5 Geographic Name Server
Telnet martini.eecs.umich.edu 3000
To use just type the name of the city and state you would like
information on, just like you would on the last line of a postal
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address. Example: Zanesville, OH
8.6 ISAAC
ISAAC, the Information System for Advanced Academic Computing,
serves as a clearinghouse for information about the use of IBM-
compatible hardware and software as aids to instruction and
research in higher education. Membership is free to all students,
faculty, and staff at institutions of higher education.
For more information call 206-543-5604.
ISAAC requires that you register before you can access the system.
To register, type register for the userid and password and fill in
the information, using the TAB key to go from field to field.
Once registered you will be assigned a userid and password; you
must connect again, this time typing your assigned userid and
password.
To access ISAAC, you need to establish a telnet connection over
the network. If you do not have network access, you also can call
over phone lines. Call 1-800-237-5551 in the U.S. or, within the
local Seattle are or outside the United States, call 1-206-543-
3761.
telnet isaac.engr.washington.edu or 128.95.32.61
8.7 FEDIX
FEDIX is an on-line information service that links the higher
education community and the federal government to facilitate
research, education, and services. The system provides accurate
and timely federal agency information to colleges, universities,
and other research organizations.
There are no registration fees and no access charges for using
FEDIX. The only cost is for the phone call.
FEDIX provides daily information updates on:
Federal education and research programs (including descriptions,
eligibility, funding, deadlines).
Scholarships, fellowships, and grants.
Available used government research equipment.
New funding for specific research and education activities from
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the Commerce Business Daily, Federal Register, and other sources.
Minority assistance research and education programs.
News and current events within participating agencies.
General information such as agency history, budget, organizaitonal
structure, mission statement. etc.
For more information, contact the HELPLINE at 301-975-0103
Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm EST, except on federal holidays.
telnet 192.111.228.1
At the login: prompt type fedix
8.8 STIS
Science and Technology Information System at the National Science
Foundation.
Information includes: the NSF Bulletin, Guide to Programs, grants
booklet - including forms, program announcements, press releases,
NSF Telephone Book, reports of the National Science Board,
descriptions of research projects funded by NSF - with abstracts,
and analytical reports and news from the International Programs
Division.
Publications may be searched by using a keyword, such as japan or
volcano; using a phrase, such as exchange of scientists and soviet
union; or by selecting a broad topic like biosciences.
For more information, contact the National Science Foundation,
Phone (202) 357-7555, FAX (202) 357-7745, TDD (202) 357-7492 or
via E-Mail stis@nsf.gov (Internet), stis@nsf (BITNET).
telnet stis.nsf.gov
At the login: prompt type public
At the terminal type prompt type vt100nkp.
Enter your terminal type [blank=vt100]: vt100nkp
You are then asked for a userid of up to 8 characters. If you are
a new user, you will be asked to supply your name and address for
record keeping. You can then search the NSF publications for
information and have the information sent to your e-mail address
if you wish. STIS provides a menu system. To get back to the
main menu, press the esc key until you have the main menu on the
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screen. Press the arrow key until Exit is highlighted, and press
enter to exit STIS.
8.9 Weather
Source:
Telnet madlab.sprl.umich.edu 3000
9.0 WHOIS - E-mail white pages
WHOIS is a program available on many workstation/mini/mainframe
computers that can connect to another computer. By supplying a
persons name, it will respond with information it has on the person.
A similar program called finger does the same type of thing, except
it only supplies information on individuals with an account on that
specific computer. Whois generally is operating on a database
containing most of the individuals at the university, not just on the
machine you connect.
The following is a list of universities that have a whois service
working. It is not, by any means exhaustive, and I would be
interested in knowing about others that may exist so I can add to
this list.
9.1 The Ohio State University
Telnet to osu.edu or
Use Whois command whois -h osu.edu
Enter firstname.lastname
Example: whois -h osu.edu jerry.smith
9.2 University of Oregon
Use Whois command whois -h oregon.uoregon.edu
Enter firstname.lastname
Example: whois -h oregon.uoregon.edu Rose.Smith
9.3 University of Virginia
Use Whois command whois -h whois.virginia.edu
Enter lastname, firstname middlename
Example: whois -h whois.virginia.edu Smith, John James
9.4 University of Pennsylvania
Use Whois command whois -h whois.upenn.edu
Enter lastname, firstname
Example: whois -h whois.upenn.edu Smith, Judy
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9.5 University of Wisconsin
Use Whois command whois -h wisc.edu
Enter firstname lastname
Example: whois -h wisc.edu Jane Smith
9.6 MIT
Use Whois command whois -h mit.edu
Enter firstname_lastname
Example: whois -h mit.edu Robert_Smith
9.7 Indiana University
Use Whois command whois -h iugate.ucs.indiana.edu
Enter firstname_lastname
Example: whois -h iugate.ucs.indiana.edu Gerald_Smith
10.0 Books
For a more complete listing, see sections 3.08 and 3.11.
Internetworking with TCP/IP Principles, Protocols, and
Architecture by Douglas Comer, Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-470154-2.
The Matrix, Computer Networks and Conferencing Systems Worldwide
by John S. Quarterman, Digital Press, ISBN 0-13-565607-9.
!%@:: A Directory of Electronic Mail Addressing and Networks, by
Donnalyn Frey and Rick Adams, O'Reilly & Associates, Inc., ISBN
0-937175-39-0.
The User's Directory of Computer Networks, Edited by Tracy L.
LaQuey, Digital Press, ISBN 0-13-950262-9.
11.0 Free Periodicals/Tabloids/Magazines
Below are just a few of the periodicals qualified subscribers can
receive free. I find the first four, PCWeek, MacWeek, Info World,
and Network World, the ones I try to glance over routinely. Others
are dedicated to specific network, LAN, or UNIX topics that are
useful if you have need for that information.
PC Week
P.O. Box 1767
Riverton, NJ 08077-9767
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MacWEEK
P.O. Box 1764
Riverton, NJ 08077-9764
Info World
P.O. Box 3013
Northbrook, IL 60065-3013
Network World
161 Worchester Road
Framingham, Mass. 01701
Computer System News
Circulation Dept.
P.O. Box 2030
Manhasset, NY 11030-7030
Network Management
Circulation Department
Box 2417
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101-2417
Unix Review
Circulation Department
P.O. Box 7439
San Francisco, CA 94120-7439
Communication News
2504 North Tamiami Trail
Nokomis, Fl 34275-9987
LAN Times
P.O. Box 652
Hightstown, NJ 08520
Communications Week
Circulations Dept.
P.O. Box 2070
Manhasset, NY 11030
LAN Computing
101 Witmer Road
O.O. Box 322
Horsham, PA 19044-0322
Midrange Systems
P.O. Box 445
Horsham, PA 19044-0445
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Unix Today!
Circulation Dept.
P.O. Box 2170
Manhasset NY 11030-4376
12.0 Glossary
I use some concepts here that may not be familiar to all. The
following is a brief explanation of some of the concepts.
12.1 BITNET:
A network of normally mini or mainframe computers. BITNET
connects many universities and colleges together. It provides
e-mail and file transfer capabilities. It does not have the
ability to do remote login (Telnet sessions).
12.2 Internet:
A very large network that connects just about any type of
computer together. It supports e-mail, file transfer (FTP), and
remote login (Telnet).
12.3 Anonymous FTP:
The ability to transfer a file from a remote computer connected
to Internet without having an account on the remote computer.
The program that performs the file transfer is normal FTP. To
connect to a remote computer offering anonymous FTP you can use
the following commands from a computer connected to Internet:
FTP Internet computer name
When prompted for a userid: type anonymous
When prompted for a password type your e-mail address
To get a listing of files type dir
To change directory type cd directory name
To get a file type get filename
To get a binary file type binary then get filename
To end session type quit
Example:
FTP pilot.njin.net
Username: anonymous
Password: yourname@computer.edu
cd pub/ftp-list
get ftp.list
quit
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12.4 Telnet:
The ability to establish a connection to a remote computer
connected to the Internet network. There are two types of
programs that are used to do this. One, normally referred to as
Telnet, normally establishes a VT100 type terminal emulation to
the remote computer. The second, TN3270, establishes a full
screen IBM 3270 type terminal connection.
12.5 Listserv:
A program available on many BITNET connected computers that can
act as a mail forward system and as a file repository. BITNET is
another network that links many colleges and universities
together. It does not normally link to military or government
institutions as does the Internet. To subscribe to a listserv,
you normally send mail to the machine which has the mailing list
with the command to subscribe. As an example, to subscribe to a
list for discussion of topics pertinent to Mechanical Engineering,
you would send e-mail to listserv@utarlvml with the content of the
message containing the one line command to subscribe:
SUB MECH-1 John Doe (Where John Doe would be your full name)
The document "Interest Groups" listed below contains the list of
the majority of these lists that you can subscribe.
Disclaimer
The information provided in the previous sections has been put
together from multiple sources acquired from the network. Much of it
came from reading newsgroups and trying things out to see how they
worked. The information is as accurate as I have been able to
determine, as of December 5, 1991.
I used a DEC5500 system running Ultrix to check most of these
sources. Most of the information is oriented toward Internet, since
it has the ability to remote login (Telnet) and File Transfer (FTP).
Security Considerations
Security issues are not discussed in this memo.
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Author's Address
Jerry Martin
Leader, Network Information Center
Ohio State Univ. ACS, 1971 Neil Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210-1210
Phone: (614) 292-4843
EMail: jmartin@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu
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