Chapter 1: Setting Up (2 of 4) -- JACKING IN

Chapter 1: Setting Up (2 of 4) -- JACKING IN


JACKING IN

     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.
     But cost should be only one consideration in choosing a host system.
Most systems let you look around before you sign up.  What is the range
of their services?  How easy is it to use? What kind of support or help
can you get from the system administrators?
     The last two questions are particularly important because some
systems provide no user interface at all; when you connect, you are dumped
right into the Unix operating system.  If you're already familiar with
Unix, or you want to learn how to use it, these systems offer phenomenal
power -- in addition to Net access, most also let you tap into the power
of Unix to do everything from compiling your own programs to playing
 online  games.
     But if you don't want to have to learn Unix, there are other
public-access systems that work through menus (just like the ones in
restaurants; you are shown a list of choices and then you make your
selection of what you want), or which provide a "user interface" that is
easier to figure out than the ever cryptic Unix.
     If you don't want or need access to the full range of Internet
services, a  UUCP  site makes good financial sense.  They tend to charge
less than commercial Internet providers, although their messages may not
go out as quickly.
     Some systems also have their own unique local services, which can
range from extensive conferences to large file libraries.
     Fortunately, almost all public-access systems let you look around
for awhile before you have to decide whether to sign up.  Systems that
charge for access will usually let you sign up  online  with a credit
card. Some also let you set up a billing system.

In Appendix B, you'll find a  list of public-access Internet sites .