Re: Internet Service Providers

[spec@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)]

In article jlwalter@primenet.com (Joe Walters) writes...

>In article <hintz-1101971628210001@jhintz.ultranet.com>,
>Joe Hintz <hintz@ultranet.com> wrote:
> 
>> I have a friend who is a newbie when it comes to computers and would like
>> to surf the net and use email.  He will eventually buy a PC or mac but
>> doesn't want to spend money until he has hands on experience.  I told him
>> he could use the GS but he is having trouble finding an ISP that supports
>> the GS.  Any ideas?
> 
>Almost all ISP providers have shell accounts that support VT100. I
>currently have two that do (don't ask why).

    That is true, but only if you happen to work for that ISP. While
most providers will have shell access, not all of them offer such 
accounts to the public, giving you only a choice of SLIP/PPP. Always
check with your local ISP that they do offer _shell accounts_ before
signing up. From experience, some of the providers that only offer
SLIP/PPP connects (the majority in my area) don't understand what
an "Apple II" is, or any other older computers for that matter. With
this ignorance, they may sign you up, unaware of the fact your
machines does not run DOS/Windows or MacOS.

    There is no need to mention your brand of computer, just that
you want a shell account (sometimes they'll refer to it as "Unix
shell"). On another note, often overlooked these days is that most 
universities and companies offer free (usually) Internet shell access 
to those associated with them. If your a student, teacher or work for 
a large company, look into that.

>He needs a good com program e.g., ProTerm 3.x to do the job easily.

    Agreed. And if you have an Apple IIgs, ANSITerm is nice for doing
color VT-100 connections (makes using Lynx much more pleasant). The
latest version of Spectrum should be the nicest solution, if you
happen to have a Second Sight card (one of the only productive uses
it has so far, true VT-100/ANSI emulation).

    Hopefully, in the very near future, Apple IIgs users will be
able to access SLIP/PPP accounts with the use of GS/TCP.

Mitchell Spector
spec@vax2.concordia.ca