...Getting Connected (4 of 4) -- Communication protocols

    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 baud rate.  If changing
the protocols doesn't work, try using another baud rate (but no faster
than the one listed for your modem). Again, 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.
     Those are the basics. Now onto the Net!