Big Dummys Guide To The Internet | Page 4

protocols are systems
designed to ensure that line noise or static does not cause errors that
could ruin whatever information you are trying to transfer. Essentially,
when using a protocol, you are transferring a file in a series of pieces.
After each piece is sent or received, your computer and the Net system
compare it. If the two pieces don't match exactly, they transfer it again,
until they agree that the information they both have is identical. If, after
several tries, the information just doesn't make it across, you'll either
get an error message or your screen will freeze. In that case, try it again.
If, after five tries, you are still stymied, something is wrong with a) the
file; b) the telephone line; c) the system you're connected to; or d) your
own computer.
From time to time, you will likely see messages on the Net that you
want to save for later viewing -- a recipe, a particularly witty remark,
something you want to write your congressman about, whatever. This
is where screen capturing and logging come in.
When you tell your communications software to capture a screen, it
opens a file in your computer (usually in the same directory or folder
used by the software) and "dumps" an image of whatever happens to be
on your screen at the time.
Logging works a bit differently. When you issue a logging command,
you tell the software to open a file (again, usually in the same directory
or folder as used by the software) and then give it a name. Then, until
you turn off the logging command, everything that scrolls on your
screen is copied into that file, sort of like recording on videotape. This
is useful for capturing long documents that scroll for several pages --
using screen capture, you would have to repeat the same command for
each new screen.
Terminal emulation is a way for your computer to mimic, or emulate,

the way other computers put information on the screen and accept
commands from a keyboard. In general, most systems on the Net use a
system called VT100. Fortunately, almost all communications
programs now on the market support this system as well -- make sure
yours does.
You'll also have to know about protocols. There are several different
ways for computers to transmit characters. Fortunately, there are only
two protocols that you're likely to run across: 8-1-N (which stands for
"8 bits, 1 stop bit, no parity" -- yikes!) and 7-1-E (7 bits, 1 stop bit,
even parity).
In general, Unix-based systems use 7-1-E, while MS-DOS-based
systems use 8-1-N. What if you don't know what kind of system you're
connecting to? Try one of the settings. If you get what looks like
gobbledygook when you connect, you may need the other setting. If so,
you can either change the setting while connected, and then hit enter, or
hang up and try again with the other setting. It's also possible your
modem and the modem at the other end can't agree on the right bps rate.
If changing the protocols doesn't work, try using another bps rate (but
no faster than the one listed for your modem). Don't worry, remember,
you can't break anything! If something looks wrong, it probably is
wrong. Change your settings and try again. Nothing is learned without
trial, error and effort.
There are the basics. Now on to the Net!
1.2 GO!

Once, only people who studied or worked at an institution directly tied
to the Net could connect to the world. Today, though, an ever-growing
number of "public-access" systems provide access for everybody.
These systems can now be found in several states, and there are a
couple of sites that can provide access across the country.
There are two basic kinds of these host systems. The more common

one is known as a UUCP site (UUCP being a common way to transfer
information among computers using the Unix operating system) and
offers access to international electronic mail and conferences.
However, recent years have seen the growth of more powerful sites that
let you tap into the full power of the Net. These Internet sites not only
give you access to electronic mail and conferences but to such services
as databases, libraries and huge file and program collections around the
world. They are also fast -- as soon as you finish writing a message, it
gets zapped out to its destination.
Some sites are run by for-profit companies; others by non-profit
organizations. Some of these public-access, or host, systems, are free of
charge. Others charge a monthly or yearly fee for unlimited access.
And a few charge by the hour. Systems that charge for access will
usually let you sign up online with a credit card. Some also let you set
up