Re SIS what will it do for me

["Tim in Town" <timf@rmi.net>]

I've only used SIS a few times (ironic, since that's why I bought Spectrum,
instead of some other telecomm program), but I can answer a few of your
questions, and voice some opinions.
 
> itsme <quantum@telis.org> wrote in article
> <5r1g5s$hof$4@mentor.telis.org>...
> Can I view pictures on the internet?
> 
Not online; SIS/Spectrum can't display graphics and isn't written to call
up a graphics program to handle them.  I think you may be able to save them
to disk for offline viewing, but I haven't tried to yet.

> How long will this work with the whole internet system?  Will updates be 
> made as HTML is improved/changed?  

If you mean as to Internet/WWW structure, I suppose as long as ISPs provide
SLIP accounts.  If every ISP offers only TCP/IP and we don't have TCP/IP
for GS, then we're SOL.  For HTML, Seven Hills has indicated that they will
provide updates if the program(s) prove popular/successful.

> What does the program do with the pages that have "frames"  (is it a 
> frames capable browser?)

I remember reading that SIS supports frames, but I don't recall to what
extent, and I haven't gone to any pages that use frames.

> Will I be able to access newsgroups, post on newsgroups?
> 
> Does it have a mailing program to handle Email?
> 

Not through SIS/Spectrum (unless there are some scripts archived somewhere
-- anyone know?).  SIS does have an email function, but its for sending
only (I think, again I haven't used it yet).  

> How has SIS worked for you?  Do you recommend it?
> 

I encountered a bug -- Spectrum wouldn't download files from my ISP
account; other users suggested I delete the Spectrum preferences file so
that the next time the program started it would create a new file; this
worked, but when I changed the name of the HD partition that I save
downloads to, I had to delete the prefs file again.  Now that it is
working, I think Spectrum is great!


Basically, if you are used to MS Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator
you will be disappointed, as SIS  is _not_ a GS version of those [types of]
programs; SIS is a glorified (gooey-fied?) text browser.  For instance, in
Internet Explorer if you change your mind about going to another site, you
can click the 'stop' button to cancel the action; not so with SIS, as the
script doesn't allow any user input while its attempting to connect.  (This
may be a limitation of the GS, perhaps something to do with multitasking,
I'm not sure.)

If, however, you want to browse completely from your GS in its native mode,
then SIS is a good (and the only) package.  You still have to use whatever
email and news programs you currently use, but it can all be done through
your GS.

> What programs do I have to buy?  Spectrum ******, and then SIS, right?  
> Fill me in on **, and what will the whole package cost me?
> 

First, you need Spectrum v2.1.  I strongly recommend at least 4MB memory, a
hard drive, and accelerator.  SIS, especially, is s-l-o-w, taking approx. 2
minutes to find/connect to a webpage.
As to price, I paid US$95 + $3.50 s/h for Spectrumv2.1/SIS.
 
> There's probably a FAQ somewhere.  Direct me to it Nathan.
> 

If so, somebody let us know, since the manuals and Seven Hills tech service
leave a lot to be desired.

-- 
in Town,
Tim

BTW, my setup is:
GS ROM01
ZipGSX 16k/7MHz
AE GSRam+  6Mb
RamFast v3.0.1f(?)
105Mb HD

PS In case anyone is wondering why I haven't used SIS very much:  well, I
still have access to a PC w/MS Internet Explorer/Mail/News and my online
experience is so much more enjoyable on that platform (sorry, the truth
hurts me, too).