RFC1290

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.

2.0 Lists and Indexes of Network Resources/Bibliographies/

8.0 Internet Bulleting Board System/Interactive

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.

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

  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

  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
  [email protected].

  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.

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

  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
  [email protected].

  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

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 ([email protected] [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, ([email protected] [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)

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)

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.

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)

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.

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

  [email protected]

  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

  [email protected]

  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

  [email protected]

  Publishes Newsletter called Linkletter, to subscribe send e-mail
  to [email protected].

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

  [email protected]

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

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

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 ([email protected])

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 ([email protected])

  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 ([email protected])

  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 ([email protected])

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 ([email protected])

  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

  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  ([email protected])

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 ([email protected])

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 ([email protected])

  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.

  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 ([email protected]), (617) 253-0505
  Bugs:  [email protected]
  Comments:  [email protected]
  Administration:  [email protected]

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 ([email protected]) or
  ([email protected])

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 ([email protected]) 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 ([email protected]) or
  ([email protected])

7.13 Pima Community College

  pimacc.pima.edu
  Login as pimainfo.
  Emulate a VT100.

  Hardware/software:  DEC/VTX
  Contact:  Terry Loftus ([email protected]) or Al Camberos
  ([email protected])

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 ([email protected])
  System and Development:  Howard Strauss ([email protected])

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 ([email protected])

  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 ([email protected])

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 ([email protected]) or
  ([email protected])

  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 ([email protected])

7.19 University of Denver

  du.edu
  Login as atdu.

  Contact:  Bob Stocker ([email protected])

7.20 University of Minnesota at Duluth

  ub.d.umn.edu
  Login as info.
  Emulate a vt100.

  Contact:  Frank Simmons ([email protected])

  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.

  tn3270 emulation.

  Contact:  Bonita Mockler ([email protected])

  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 ([email protected])

  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 ([email protected])

  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 ([email protected])

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 ([email protected]) or
  ([email protected])

  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 ([email protected])

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 ([email protected])
  Comments:  [email protected]
  Bugs:  [email protected]
  Human contact:  Valerie Glauser ([email protected])

  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.

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

  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

  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 [email protected] (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

  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

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

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

  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

  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:  [email protected]
  cd pub/ftp-list
  get ftp.list
  quit

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.

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: [email protected]