
5  Telnet



    Telnet is the main Internet protocol for creating a connection with a
remote machine.  It gives the user the opportunity to be on one computer
system and do work on another, which may be across the street or thousands
of miles away. Where modems are limited, in the majority, by the quality of
telephone lines and a single connection, telnet provides a connection that's
error-free and nearly always faster than the latest conventional modems.



5.1  Using Telnet


    As with FTP (see Section 3.2.2 [Anonymous FTP], page 21), the actual
command for negotiating a telnet connection varies from system to system.
The most common is telnet itself, though. It takes the form of:

     telnet somewhere.domain

To be safe, we'll use your local system as a working example. By now, you
hopefully know your site's domain name. If not, ask or try to figure it out.
You'll not get by without it.

    To open the connection, type

     telnet your.system.name

If  the  system  were  wubba.cs.widener.edu,  for  example,  the  command
would look like

     telnet wubba.cs.widener.edu

The system will respond with something similar to

     Trying 147.31.254.999...
     Connected to wubba.cs.widener.edu.
     Escape character is '^]'.

The escape character, in this example ^] (Control-]), is the character that
will let you go back to the local system to close the connection, suspend it,
etc.  To close this connection, the user would type ^], and respond to the
telnet> prompt with the command close.  Local documentation should
be checked for information on specific commands,  functions,  and escape
character that can be used.



5.1.1  Telnet Ports


    Many telnet clients also include a third option, the port on which the
connection should take place.  Normally, port 23 is the default telnet port;
the user never has to think about it. But sometimes it's desirable to telnet
to a different port on a system, where there may be a service available, or
to aid in debugging a problem. Using

     telnet somewhere.domain port

will connect the user to the given port on the system somewhere.domain.
Many libraries use this port method to offer their facilities to the general
Internet community;  other services are also available.  For instance,  one
would type

     telnet martini.eecs.umich.edu 3000

to connect to the geographic server at the University of Michigan (see Sec-
tion 5.5.6 [Geographic Server], page 50). Other such port connections follow
the same usage.



5.2  Publicly Accessible Libraries


    Over the last several years, most university libraries have switched from
a manual (card) catalog system to computerized library catalogs.  The au-
tomated systems provide users with easily accessible and up-to-date infor-
mation about the books available in these libraries.  This has been further
improved upon with the advent of local area networks, dialup modems, and
wide area networks. Now many of us can check on our local library's holdings
or that of a library halfway around the world!

    Many, many institutions of higher learning have made their library cata-
logs available for searching by anyone on the Internet. They include Boston
University, the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries (CARL), and London
University King's College.

    To include a listing of some of the existing sites would not only be far
too long for this document, it would soon be out of date.  Instead, several
lists are being maintained and are available either by mail or via FTP. Also,
the Internet Resource Guide (IRG) also describes a few libraries that are
accessible_see Section 9.1 [IRG], page 71 for further information.

    Art  St. George   and  Ron  Larsen  are  maintaining  a  list  of  Internet-
accessible libraries and databases often referred to as "the St. George   di-
rectory."   It  began  with  only  library  catalogs  but  has expanded to in-
clude  sections  on  campus-wide  information  systems,  and  even  bulletin
board  systems  that  are  not  on  the  Internet.   The  library  catalog  sec-
tions are divided into those that are free,  those that charge,  and inter-
national (i.e. non-U.S. ) catalogs; they are arranged by state, province, or
country  within  each  section.   There  is  also  a  section  giving dialup in-
formation  for  some  of  the  library  catalogs.   It's  available for FTP (see
Section  3.2.2  [Anonymous  FTP],  page  21)  on  nic.cerf.net  in  the  di-
rectory `cerfnet/cerfnet_info/library_catalog'.  The file `internet-
catalogs' has a date suffix; check for the most current date. The informa-
tion is updated periodically.

    Billy Barron, Systems Manager at the University of North Texas, pro-
duces a directory as an aid to his user community.  It complements the St.
George guide by providing a standard format for all systems which lists the
Internet address, login instructions, the system vendor, and logoff informa-
tion.  The arrangement is alphabetic by organization name.  It's available
for FTP on vaxb.acs.unt.edu in the subdirectory `library' as the file
`libraries.txt'.

    For announcements of new libraries being available and discussion on
related topics, consult the Usenet newsgroup comp.internet.library (see
Chapter 4 [Usenet News], page 29 to learn how to read news).



5.3  The Cleveland Freenet


    Freenets are open-access, free, community computer systems.  One such
system is the Cleveland Freenet, sponsored by CWRU (Case Western Re-
serve University).  Anyone and everyone is welcome to join and take part
in the exciting project_that of a National Telecomputing Public Network,
where everyone benefits. There's no charge for the registration process and
no charge to use the system.

    To register, telnet to any one of

     freenet-in-a.cwru.edu
     freenet-in-b.cwru.edu
     freenet-in-c.cwru.edu

After you're connected, choose the entry on the menu that signifies you're
a guest user. Another menu will follow; select `Apply for an account', and
you'll be well on your way to being a FreeNet member.

    You will need to fill out a form and send it to them through the Postal
Service_your login id and password will be created in a few days. At that
point you're free to use the system as you wish.  They provide multi-user
chat, email, Usenet news, and a variety of other things to keep you occupied
for hours on end.



5.4  Directories


    There are a few systems that are maintained to provide the Internet com-
munity with access to lists of information_users, organizations, etc.  They
range from fully dedicated computers with access to papers and research
results, to a system to find out about the faculty members of a university.



5.4.1  Knowbot


    Knowbot is a "master directory" that contains email address information
from the NIC WHOIS database (see Section 6.4.1 [Whois], page 57), the
PSI White Pages Pilot Project, the NYSERNET X.500 database and MCI
Mail.  Most of these services are email registries themselves, but Knowbot
provides a very comfortable way to access all of them in one place.  Telnet
to nri.reston.va.us on port 185.



5.4.2  White Pages


    PSI maintains a directory of information on individuals.  It will list the
person's name,  organization,  and email address if it is given.  Telnet to
wp.psi.net and log in as `fred'. The White Pages Project also includes an
interface to use Xwindows remotely.



5.5  Databases


    For  information  on  database  services,  see  Section  7.2  [Commercial
Databases], page 60.  Not all databases on the Internet require payment
for use, though.  There do exist some, largely research-driven databases,
which are publicly accessible. New ones spring up regularly.

    To find out more about the databases in this section, contact the people
directly responsible for them. Their areas of concentration and the software
used to implement them are widely disparate, and are probably beyond the
author's expertise.  Also, don't forget to check with your local library_the
reference librarian there can provide information on conventional resources,
and possibly even those available over the Internet (they are becoming more
common).



5.5.1  Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries (CARL)


    The Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries (CARL), in association with
CARL Systems Inc., operates a public access catalog of services. Offered are
a number of library databases, including searches for government periodi-
cals, book reviews, indices for current articles, and access to to other library
databases around the country. Other services are available to CARL mem-
bers including an online encyclopedia. Telnet to pac.carl.org, or write to
`help@carl.org' for more details.



5.5.2  PENpages


    PENpages is an agriculturally-oriented database administered by Penn-
sylvania State University. Information entered into PENpages is provided by
numerous sources including the Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture, Rutgers
University, and Penn State.  Easy-to-use menus guide users to information
ranging from cattle and agricultural prices to current weather information,
from health information to agricultural news from around the nation.  A
keyword search option also allows users to search the database for related
information and articles.  The database is updated daily, and a listing of
most recent additions is displayed after login.  Telnet to psupen.psu.edu
and log in as the user `PNOTPA'.



5.5.3  Clemson Univ. Forestry & Agricultural Network


    Clemson maintains a database similar to PENpages in content, but the
information provided tends to be localized to the Southeastern United States.
A menu-driven database offers queries involving the weather, food, family,
and human resources. Telnet to eureka.clemson.edu and log in as `PUBLIC'.
You need to be on a good VT100 emulator (or a real VT terminal).



5.5.4  University of Maryland Info Database


    The Computer Science department of the University of Maryland main-
tains a repository of information on a wide variety of topics.  They wish to
give a working example of how network technology can (and should) provide
as much information as possible to those who use it. Telnet to info.umd.edu
and log in as `info'. The information contained in the database is accessible
through a screen-oriented interface, and everything therein is available via
anonymous FTP.

    There is a mailing list used to discuss the UMD Info Database, welcom-
ing suggestions for new information, comments on the interface the system
provides, and other related topics.  Send mail to listserv@umdd.umd.edu
with a body of

     subscribe INFO-L Your Full Name

See Section 2.2.1 [Listservs],  page 16 for more information on using the
Listserv system.

5.5.5  University of Michigan Weather Underground


    The University of Michigan's Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, &
Space Sciences maintains a database of weather and related information for
the United States and Canada. Available are current weather conditions and
forecasts for cities in the U.S., a national weather summary, ski conditions,
earthquake and hurricane updates, and a listing of severe weather conditions.
Telnet to madlab.sprl.umich.edu on port 3000 to use the system.



5.5.6  Geographic Name Server


    A geographic database listing information for cities in the United States
and some international locations is maintained by Merit, Inc. The database
is searchable by city name,  zip code,  etc.  It will respond with a lot of
information: the area code, elevation, time zone, and longitude and latitude
are included. For example, a query of `19013' yields

     0 Chester
     1 42045 Delaware
     2 PA Pennsylvania
     3 US United States
     F 45 Populated place
     L 39 50 58 N  75 21 22 W
     P 45794
     E 22
     Z 19013
     Z 19014
     Z 19015
     Z 19016
     .

To use the server, telnet to martini.eecs.umich.edu on port 3000.  The
command `help' will yield further instructions, along with an explanation
for each of the fields in a reponse.



5.5.7  FEDIX_Minority Scholarship Information


    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 informa-
tion to colleges, universities, and other research organizations. There are no
registration fees and no access charges for FEDIX whatsoever.

    FEDIX  offers  the  Minority  On-Line  Information  Service  (MOLIS),  a
database listing current information about Black and Hispanic colleges and
universities.

    Daily information updates are made on federal education and research
programs,  scholarships,  fellowships,  and  grants,  available  used  research
equipment,  and general information about FEDIX itself.   To access the
database, telnet to fedix.fie.com and log in as `fedix'.



5.5.8  Science & Technology Information System


    The STIS is maintained by the National Science Foundation (NSF), and
provides access to many NSF publications. The full text of publications can
be searched online and copied from the system, which can accommodate up
to ten users at one time.  Telnet to stis.nsf.gov and log in as `public'.
Everything on the system is also available via anonymous FTP. For further
information, contact:

     STIS, Office of Information Systems, Room 401
     National Science Foundation
     1800 G. Street, N.W.
     Washington, D.C.  20550
     stis-request@nsf.gov
     (202) 357-7492
     (202) 357-7663 (Fax)



5.5.9  Ocean Network Information Center


    The University of Delaware College of Marine Studies offers access to an
interactive database of research information covering all aspects of marine
studies, nicknamed OCEANIC. This includes the World Oceanic Circulation
Experiment (WOCE) information and program information, research ship
schedules and information, and a Who's Who of email and mailing addresses
for oceanic studies.  Data from a variety of academic institutions based on
research studies is also available. Telnet to delocn.udel.edu and log in as
`INFO'.



5.5.10  NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database (NED)


    The NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database (NED) is an ongoing project,
funded by NASA, to make data and literature on extragalactic objects avail-
able over computer networks.  NED is an object-oriented database which
contains extensive information for nearly 132,000 extragalactic objects taken
from about major catalogs of galaxies, quasars, infrared and radio sources.
NED  provides  positions,  names,  and  other  basic  data  (e.g.   magnitude
types, sizes and redshifts as well as bibliographic references and abstracts).
Searches can be done by name, around a name, and on an astronomical po-
sition. NED contains a tutorial which guides the user through the retrieval
process. Telnet to ipac.caltech.edu and log in as `ned'.



5.5.11  U.S. Naval Observatory Automated Data Service


    Operated by the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., this au-
tomated data service provides database access to information ranging from
current navigational satellite positioning, astronomical data, and software
utilities.  A wide variety of databases can be searched and instructions for
file transfer are given. Telnet to tycho.usno.navy.mil and log in as `ads'.



        "My consciousness suddenly switched locations, for the first time in
            my life, from the vicinity of my head and body to a point about
                     twenty feet away from where I normally see the world."
                                           Howard Rheingold, Virtual Reality
