Re: Direct Internet connection

[pubpc1@library.ucla.edu]

Andrea wrote:
> Hi,
>       I'm going to college next year, and my college provides direct
> Internet access (I'm not sure exactly how, but w/no modem needed I
> think.  Although I have a PC which I currently use to get online, I
> thought it would be fun to use an Apple (especially for downloading
> games and stullf).  I have a 2e and a 2c, and I want to get a GS if I
> ever find one in my area (not that I'm in the market right now, unless
> someone wants to GIVE me one...;).  Anyway, is it possible to hook an
> Apple 2 up to a direct connection?
>
>                               -Andrea :)


The "direct Internet access" probably means that the dormatory rooms
are going to have Ethernet ports.  While the IIe and IIc will have
a hard time connecting to such a link, most colleges also provide
"dial-up shell accounts" for those who live off-campus.  The IIe/IIc
should have no trouble with the second type.  Heck, if you are living
on campus and have a good high speed (14.4kbaud) modem on your IIe,
then it does not cost anything to dial in from a dorm, being a local
call.  You will need a good terminal program for the IIe.  Intec's
ProTERM (see http://www.intrec.com/) is a good one since it can do
Zmodem and VT100.  If you go this route, it is best to get a mouse
for your computer (see the bitMouse at http://www.sequential.com/).

The GS is a much flexible in this regard because you can install a
graphical web browser called SIS (see http://www.sevenhills.com/)
that sort of runs like Netscape w/autoload graphics turned off.  Soon,
TCP/IP will also be available for it.  Sources for the GS include
Sun Remarketing (http://www.sunrem.com/) and Alltech Electronics
(http://www.allelec.com/).  To equip it for web browsing, you will
want a GS with 4MB-8MB of memory (see the Sirius memory board from
http://www.allelec.com/), 500MB hard disk (see the Focus hard drive
at http://www.allelec.com/), a fast 14.4 or greater modem, and maybe,
but not required, a faster processor (see the ZipGS accelerator from
http://www.allelec.com/) to speed up graphics screen updates.

Back to the IIe:

You should have no trouble connecting to the Internet at your school
using your Apple IIe with a fast 14.4 modem, but you may want to
pick up a hard drive for it if you will be doing much downloading.
A book/primer on UNIX is also a good starting point because IIe
to dial-up shell accounts usually involve a UNIX machine at the other
end.

-Scott G.