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More About Getting Online |
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From "VS & Beyond", Access to Wang, August 1998 |
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This month I'll continue on the subject of getting connected to the Internet and a little about how such informational sources are changing the world of technical support. Last month's issue addressed considerations in selecting an Internet provider; now we'll find out how you can use such a connection.
The Internet and similar networks use a network protocol - known as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) - to connect between devices. In this scheme, every device on the network has a unique address and can reach any other device using these addresses. This address is known as an IP address, and it is usually expressed as four groups of numbers, each separated by a period. For example, the address of the Wang Global World Wide Web server is 150.124.4.7.
There are a finite number of possible IP addresses, so they are issued in groups to larger organizations by worldwide standards organizations. Since most of use do not have need for a full-time connection to the Internet, most dial-in connections are assigned the next available IP address from a block of numbers held by our Internet service provider (ISP). Dial-up network software accommodates this need, accepting the address dynamically from the ISP and retaining that number during the session.
With a unique address on the network, IP-based software can issue commands and receive responses from other IP-based devices on the network. However, most of us prefer to work with names, not numbers, so an addition layer - Domain Name Services (DNS) - is provided to translate named addresses into IP addresses. DNS services are provided by large Internet bodies (typically ISPs and academic systems), accepting an entered name and returning its address. For example, when you enter http://www.wang.com on the command line of a browser, DNS services returns 150.124.4.7 the IP address of their web server, and then connects to that address. If you already knew that address, you could get the same results by typing http://150.124.4.7 on the command line.
Once a connection has been established with the Internet, your system is part of the worldwide network with its own address. What next? In order to use this connection, you must have compatible network applications ("clients") that can send and receive information using this connection. Examples of such tools include World Wide Web browsers, electronic mail applications, and others. Any IP-based client application can be selected, and most can be run simultaneously using the same network connection.
Most popular and versatile of all of these client applications are Web browsers, which allow you to locate and read text and graphics using the protocol of the World Wide Web protocol, Hypertext Transmission Protocol (HTTP). Web browser software requests pages from IP-based servers and displays this information. The pages are usually formatted using the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), but other content is supported, such as graphics, plain text, file directories, etc. Web browsers are also able to work with other network protocols, including File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Gopher, a number of script languages, and a long list of proprietary multimedia formats through the use of additional software ("add-ins" or "plug-ins").
Next most popular in network client software are electronic mail clients. E-mail applications send and receive messages using a combination of industry-wide conventions for electronic mail formats and a mail protocol known as Post Office Protocol (POP). The Netscape and Microsoft browser products both provide optional e-mail clients, but there are a wealth of other applications available; the primary differences between these products are their features, use, and cost. Electronic mail messages can also contain attachments - files that are sent along with the message.
If you plan on sending and receiving a large number of files, a FTP client program might be a good addition to your network library as well. FTP is a system of standard file transfer and management that works across many types of systems. FTP clients allow you to connect with remote systems, examine the files contained on them (within the allowances of file permissions), and transfer copies to your system. This is especially helpful for internal or client situations where you wish to transfer files between users. The better FTP products provide a graphical interface that allows you to copy files between systems by merely dragging their file names from one side of a directory listing to another.
Beyond these basic tools, there is a myriad of other IP- based network tools you can find, including:
Chat programs: Allow interactive "discussions"; information you type appears simultaneously on all other screens as you send it.
Internet telephone programs: Save long distance charges by using the Internet to send and receive conversations.
Pagers: Checks to see whether specific users are connected and sends messages to them.
As you can see, there is a tremendous number of choice in network software to choose from. Since the technical differences between these products is generally less important, the choice can be made on your preferences. In most cases, there is no lasting requirement to remain with a given product and you are free to change products when you wish. (Electronic mail clients are an exception, since you will wish to refer back to old mail that may be unavailable to a different client program.)
The real benefit in using standard IP-based network software is that it all communicates through the same connection. Once you have a connection to the Internet or other IP-based network, any or all of these products can be used. For example, I routinely have my electronic mail and Web browser programs open simultaneously, and I may also use my FTP client to transfer files as I review mail or read a Web page. When I'm developing Web pages, I often have two or more Web browsers open so I can check how the page looks in a number of products.
A partial list of sources for network client software is shown below (see Figure 1), along with the addresses on the World Wide Web to locate information and copies of each product. If you do not yet have a working network connection and Web browser, you can purchase boxed copies of the major Web browsers at retail software outlets for a modest charge.
The availability of world-wide communications and electronic distribution has changed much of the technical world, particularly for computer vendors and their customers. It is now possible to provide a large source of information that can be accessed anywhere in the world at any time of the day. Besides product sales presentations, this allows vendors and users to exchange questions and responses on product use, problems, and even distribute fixes.
This change is commonplace in most areas of the computer room but still slow in coming to the Wang world. Other than a few good locations for Wang-related information (including Thomas Junker's Unofficial Wang Information page and the International Society of Wang Users pages), the VS world is still in need of work in this area.
The advent of the online version of Access to Wang will help change that. In the weeks to come, you will find out more about informational sources for Wang users that are relevant to your needs. There has never been a better time to get connected.
Figure 1: Sources of Products
Most products are free of charge or have free trial versions, as noted.
Download.com
http://www.download.comShareware.com
http://www.shareware.com
Microsoft Internet Explorer
http://www.microsoft.com/ie
Available for all versions of Windows, the Macintosh, and a few Unix systems (Solaris, HP). May include an e- mail client, if desired. Free of charge.Netscape Communicator
http://www.netscape.com
Available for all versions of Windows, the Macintosh, and a number of Unix systems. Browser and e-mail systems incorporated together; other systems (chat, news reader) can be installed as desired. Formerly a commercial product; now free of charge.
Eudora
http://www.eudora.com/
Available for Macintosh and Windows systems. Free version available (Eudora Light); commercial product adds more features. Many add-ins, enhancements available.Pegasus Mail
http://www.pegasus.usa.com/
Available for Windows, Macintosh, and most Unix systems. Free of charge. Many add-ins, enhancements available.
WS_FTP
http://www.ipswitch.com
The standard for Windows-based FTP tools. Free version available (WS_FTP Limited Edition); commercial version adds features, including direct integration with the Windows Explorer (the file manager).Fetch
http://www.dartmouth.edu/pages/softdev/fetch.html
The classic Macintosh FTP tool. Free of charge to educators, students, or members of non-profit groups; $25 to others.
Access to Wang
http://www.accesstowang.com
The new generation of ATW, in online format.Wang Global
http://www.wang.com
See the VS Info Center within this master page.The Unofficial Wang VS Information Center
http://www.phoenix.net/~tjunker/wang.html
Thomas Junker's extensive source of Wang information.The International Wang Users Group
http://www.wanguser.co.uk/iwug/
Members of this group can receive information and download software from the VSAIDS collection.The Wang VS Corner
http://www.dsbarnes.com/wangvs/
My own Wang information page, including downloads and the full text of my book on VS user-supported software, USERAIDS: A Guide to Low-Cost Software for Wang VS Users (in Web format).
Copyright © 1998 Dennis S. Barnes
Reprints of this article are permitted without notification
if the source of the information is clearly identified