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Guide to Network Resource Tools
EARN Association
_ “May 20, 1994
- Document Number: 3.0
_ Guide to Network Resource Tools ~
| ii ; | . Guide to Network Resource Tools
Notice
This document has been compiled and produced by the EARN Association. Permission to copy
all or part of this document without fee is granted provided the copies are not used for
commercial advantage, and that the EARN Association is cited as the ‘source of the document.
This document is available in electronic format from:
[email protected] (or
[email protected]) a ,
Send the command: GET filename where the filename is either:
/NETTOOLSPS. —_—_ (Postscript).
NETTOOLSTXT © (plain text)
Document version: 3.0
ISBN 2-910286-05-3
(ISBN 2-910286-03-7 Version 2.0)
(ISBN 2-910286-01-0 Version 1.0)
EARN Association, 1994.» >.
- Guide to Network Resource Tools : Preface - iii
Preface to the Third Edition
When the first version of the Guide to Network Resource Tools was released, we had no idea
how popular it would become, and how quickly it would spread beyond the EARN community.
While much had already been written on these tools, a booklet with brief explanations and
" instructions struck a responsive chord. With the second edition, we tried to make the various cor-
rections and improvements which had been suggested by many people who had seen the first
version.
In this third edition, we have tried to expand the scope, both i in terms of the number of network-
ing tools covered and the size of the audience at which it is aimed. While the Internet continues
to grow at an explosive rate, there is still a large community of users, within EARN and beyond,
with only electronic mail connectivity to the world-wide network. We have tried to show how
they too can utilize these networking tools.
The work of many people is reflected here, but we owe our greatest debt of thanks to the devel-
opers and authors of the network tools and documentation. Their work serves as the basis for this
guide.
We also wish to thank all ihose who have provided comments, criticisms and suggestions for the
guide. Many of the improvements in the third edition are the result of their feedback and encour-
. agement. In particular, we have benefitted from the cooperation of the RARE Working Group on
Information Services and User Support. We look forward to close collaboration with thent on
future editions of this guide as well as on other projects.
‘The Guide to Network Resource Tools has been produced by the staff of the EARN Associa-
tion, under the direction of the EARN Group on Information Services. Any errors or inaccuracies
in this guide are the sole responsibility of the EARN staff. We welcome and encourage your
feedback. Please send comments, criticisms, corrections, suggestions for future editions and even
praise to the electronic mail address:
[email protected] (or EARNDOC@EARNCC. BITNET)
If you have any questions or queries on the use of these tools or on other aspects of networking,
and you are in an EARN member country, you can get help and advice by sending your ques- "
tions by electronic mail to the EARN consulting service at:
[email protected] (or
[email protected]).
The EARN Staff
Preface - iv
Guide to Network Resource Tools
Guide to Network Resource Tools Contents - v
a ee ee Se
Contents
' Preface to the Third Edition ................ er ee ere ee oe ili
Introduction ........... Oe Rae Bik SG dese ecw poe Deke hy 8 aOR alg & phd eereck ;
Part 1: EXPLORING THE NETWORK ..... PRG Je ater rdrehe can aa AN ie a ee Ge 3
GOPHER? 0-05: bia RE ee wists aes talented Shes Ae wee anh an te ke a ave
WhatisGOPHER ..... ta i dione Tae ae anale tines oe ae eee oy Bhs Ghat Sage dain bese idy tees . 3
Who canuse GOPHER ............ AR Se eects he, Gon Gadi melee ee 3
Howto gettoGOPHER ............. Fy aah ae Aart Ge Re ere 3
Using GOPHER ........ Se ee eee Ap ugha ate ies a Maia He gS Sot les 4
Using: GOPHER MAUD sp 8 gcse cigiltc Woo ahd sa ete Owe OS tebe Seok eels 7
| MEERONICA 6 os peg gaa, ores eth a aN eet ya’ fev ae eo ees ee eee eee
Learning more aboutGOPHER ............... es ae eee mee AO.
- WORLD-WIDE WEB ................ Adan ig: alien de ws ita py tah yet Seas eh 11
- What is WORLD-WIDE WEB bat te Pe Ge diay Sanwa Bae ee Megan, Bo - it
_ Whocanuse WORLD-WIDE WEB.................4. Se Sepeacath ee 2
-How to getto WORLD-WIDE'WEB .............. eek ee
Using WORLD-WIDE WEB ...... Praia det dep Bice we tual eg i potas a0 a .. 14
The line mode browser .....:..... Dole aD ay ti ane ee ae OLA
Other interfaces ........ ee eee re oe eee ee ee 16
Examples = oe si serd Se erase ere aaaeek » ra a ee ee nD obs he aR oe LE
oe more about WORLD-WIDE WEB ee ee re ae Wg Oe gB grat te Pa 20
Part 2: SEARCHING DATABASES ee ee ee Patek BA deen be hotles ag . 21
« WARIS 6a uit eos seat tk A ie a ee eee ee fa Rey a ae Li ate se DL
v ~~ What is WAIS ee rae Clie ge ha Mer i BO fa ned, Sek Ala a wa ae ewe
Whocanuse WAIS ............ a) Rt a foc Pee ee ee ee ee
How to gettoWAIS ............ 002000 ee ee ae ees
MOSING WAS 3 ose ei ae hake al he eta) al Seerido arse hl th Que bar lat sees ete He
=7 E-mail access ...... Behan St eetia dy er nee te eee late ee a weeds oa coe ee
Examples'..... Mey el I go 8 aia caret R.aa8 she aias 4s Bs ae ike tari 23
‘Learning more about WAIS ssa ade Baie Wo peta eee ee i, gle Bee ea 24
Part 3: FINDING NETWORK RESOURCES . Gabaee bey dea oS nse ok 6 gat Oe.
ARCHIE: 2 esis oy ae eoe S a G Busia’ woe aa 3 Se See ER Gal tha ha eo aiose le SLO
What is ARCHIE ...... ee ear ae ee te ee ee ee ee ee Pere)
Who can use ARCHIE .............2.2000.% ee ee ee ee ee
How to getto ARCHIE... ww ee ee earn ear, Wika ate ae a Le
Using ARCHIE: ¢63 cw ia obo ee Ca Rew ba ae Sone en me ere 26
Using a local client’ ......... Sitio da: Coe ats batter a Guat a i tos taste ae gt. VO
Using Telnet ........ anid sa beara steel 9 Staged as tecod sti oe eit gn fel eve leiee ADO
7 ' .-Using electronic mail .......... ae ere ee eT eo ERaeak Sul an ge tea? OO
-Examples ............ eh ay at Dlg Ae ar a aE ge ei Tad aie eae TOS
Contents - vi Guide to Network Resource Tools
Learning more about ARCHIE ...... Lacy Gah is a Wreath i Sects es Shae 33
PAY TE UNE esha ee /8 wee? a oie Sw a SR as ee some PAE Seta DET Neola Aen gee 34
What is HYTELNET ...... a Wis eh aoe NE Sh as TAPAS WON AE Reams Cot Gite ach 34
Who can use HYTELNET ... wwe ce ee ee tw ee ees a. 34
How to gettoHYTELNET ..............0--- Sieh a ig tah cea Gets 34
Using HYTELNET ............... Seer ee ee ee eee ee
LOCa System i. cS. Gein See ht ye ee ee ee ee ee a 35
Examples: 5:4. dict.cc, 56 oa NS ON eS Be ORE. ES OS SS 6 Beas 37
Learning more about HYTELNET ..... Lg Me cae ase Lawrie celine Grants ae ON
Part 4; FINDING PEOPLE AND COMPUTERS ............ et ee ee 41
WHOIS: <5 cb Boia Soh RA OS Se KR BE we ea ale BS ii cb tals ete AL
Whatis WHOIS ....... ae ere ere ee err ee eer d eer tee a
Who canuse WHOIS) ... 2... eee ee tt ete tt te ewww eve 42
How to gettoWHOIS .. 20... . cc ew ew wees ‘eee Heieot oe. Me
Using WHOIS! ohcccid wits Ades tone Ae wee AO y gb eG er eee 6. 42
Using a local client .......... ah hg Gee oe Soe ee ee Beda Gt 42
pSINS Telmee: 5° 25%: Grech washes Bom cathe ee Bas while cota Weg 43
Using electronicmail ... 2... .... eee eee det kt ee ee AD
EXAM DIGS 105 svi WeShow ees bo ade Aw a atiea OS
Learning more about WHOIS ...........-.0 002 e eee he tireeel et 46
POD) 9 hoy chic cobs ais A cat cas cata ti op olga tare, ing Ae ee PS eh m Goeth se weakening 47
What is X.500 -...... i Bbote. Sk Ok ae hee ated wath oS, Waren eae ae AT
Who can Use A500" 2 loaeake 6'y peace a eed. ep be Re way Someta 47
How to gettoX.500 ......... ble
bo SE a Meda ae at te epee wi Is aie of ae ee
What is MAILBASE .......6.....20005 Hse eee Baca hee ie lermotts
How to get to MAILBASE .. 1... 2 oe ee ee Whe ge
Learning more about MAILBASE ... 22... ee ee ee ee
PU PMA iio 58 ws ava a A bs ecle e ee be ae A tee 5G Ae
What is FTPMAIL ............. Ca Reet al eb: Aosetdy aN ke Ne ail Oi a aa Sk
How to getto FTPMAIL .............2.% adil uae Ghee: othe gucgete Oy Me
’. Learning more about FTPMAIL ......... 0... ewe eee een nee a8
PROSPERO 8 is sa. hike Soe 8 yew Ge eget r Gb Rin ap iat pA sie maka See oa tee ieee ee wae a
What is PROSPERO go. cia cue anes aie ee aw aon a aR De
How to getto PROSPERO ................4. Pah oi des a aah cap age ND
Learning more about PROSPERO .......... a ins en ak aa ere eet
ERIC. ox gee acct ae bh oh GBP Bcd Soba AR Gate Aik wv ee a Louk Ae agseat aed nl ane
How to get to IRC
Learning more about IRC
RELAY
What is RELAY
How to get to RELAY
Learning more about RELAY
Appendix A: ‘Freely available networking software
| Gopher clients
World-Wide Web clients
Wais clients
Contents - viii Guide to Network Resource Tools
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Guide to Network Resource Tools ~. ». Introduction - 1
Introduction
As the worldwide academic computer network grows and expands far beyond its previous con-
fines, so the resources and services available on the network evolve and multiply at a dizzying
rate. The typical user is hard-pressed to keep up with this explosive growth: Fortunately, a num-
ber of tools are available to facilitate the task of locating and retrieving network resources, so
that. users anywhere can utilize texts, data, software and information. for public access. Facilities
to explore public domain software repositories, to consult mailing list archives and databases, to
retrieve directory information and to participate in global group discussions are now available to
all. 2 or
‘The key to availability of network resources is the provision of servers on computers all over the
network. A server consists of special software which accepts requests (or queries or commands)
and sends a response automatically. Requests received by the server may have originated from a
user on the same computer as the server software, or from a user on a computer on the other side
of the world. Many servers accept requests via electronic mail, in which case requests can be
received from computers which are not even on the same computer network as the server. Links
have been established between many servers, so that once you have established contact with one
server, you can easily communicate with other servers as well. ,
Software programs which ask for resources from servers are called. client programs - they are
clients of the server software. Clients send requests to a server, using a standardized format
called a protocol. The server responds by supplying information, usually in the form of files con-
taining text or data of various sorts. i Bet 4 +
New client software is being developed all the time, providing better and more convenient ways
of interacting with servers. Different versions of a particular client may be developed for differ-
ent desktop computers since these are increasingly more sophisticated, having advanced graphi-
cal, audio and storage capabilities. Thus different versions of a client will be provided for use on
. IBM PC's, Apple Macintosh, or Unix computers. There are X Window System versions of many
of the clients. ,
The tools described in this guide have been divided into six functional areas. Several of the tools
have more than one function, but they have been classified according to their main purpose. The
’ first section, Exploring the network, covers two services, Gopher and World-Wide Web, which
use the client-server model to. provide a means of moving through a wide range of network
resources in a uniform and intuitive way. WAIS (Wide Area Information Server), a tool for
searching databases located throughout the network, is documented in the second. section,
Searching databases. The problem of knowing where to find files and programs in the network
is addressed in the third section, Finding network resources, which describes archie, a client for
searching archives of filenames, and Hytelnet, a hypertext compendium of online library cata-
logues and other network resources. Section four, Finding people and computers, covers three
tools - WHOIS, X.500 and Netfind. Be:
While just about all of these network tools can be used to get files of one sort or another, some
servers are designed to obtain files easily and efficiently from various repositories in the net-
work. Two of these servers, TRICKLE and BITFTP, are covered in section five on Getting files.
The sixth section Networked Interest Groups deals with what is perhaps the most popular of all
. the network resources: discussion groups on every imaginable topic. The two tools discussed in
_ this section are LISTSERV and Usenet (Netnews).
Introduction - 2 __ Guide to Network Resource Tools
The final section gives brief descriptions and pointers for a number of other tools. Some have not
yet achieved widespread recognition (Prospero), some are relatively unknown outside a particu-
lar network (Netserv from EARN/Bitnet and Mailbase from JANET) or there is an alternative
service within EARN (ftpmail) and some are meant for chatting rather than work (Relay and
IRC). ;
The purpose of this guide is to supply the basic information that anyone on the network needs
before trying out and starting to use these tools. A basic knowledge of networking terminology.
has been assumed, as well as familiarity with the basic tools of networking: electronic mail
(often referred to as e-mail or simply mail throughout this guide) and, for those connected to the
Internet, FTP (file transfer protocol) and Telnet (remote login). It is beyond the scope of this
guide to describe these basic tools. Guides to email, FTP and Telnet are available elsewhere on
the network, and the example in the BITFTP section of this guide shows how to obtain them.
Guide to Network Resource Tools - oo. a eee | 8,
Part 1 |
EXPLORING THE NETWORK
GOPHER
What Is GOPHER
The Internet Gopher client is used to’ search for and retrieve files’ from Gopher Servers any-
where on the Internet. It is.thus a distributed document delivery service. Gopher servers store
files containing text or binary data, directory information (loosely called phone book), images or
sound. Links to other Gopher servers result in network wide cooperation to form the global |
Gopher web, often called Gopherspace.
Gopher clients also provide gateways to other information systems (World-Wide Web, WAIS,
archie, WHOIS) and to network services (Telnet, FTP). Gopher is often the most convenient way
to navigate in an FTP directory and to download files. © nae 7 :
The Gopher client presents information to the user as a series of nested menus (resembling the
organization of a directory with many subdirectories and files). However, the subdirectories and
the files may be located either on the local Gopher server or on Gopher servers situated at remote
sites. As far as the user need know, all information items presented on the menus appear to come
-from the same place.
Who can use GOPHER
In order to use an interactive Gopher client on your computer, you must be on the intemational
TCP/IP network (the Internet). Electronic mail access to'Gopher is also available, so that anyone |
on any other network who can send and receive mail with the Internet can also explore Gopher-
- space (see GopherMail in the section How to get to Gopher). _
_ How to get to GOPHER >
‘Local clients TT ah
Public domain Gopher clients are available for: MS-DOS, MS-Windows, OS/2 Macintosh, CMS,
~ VMS, NeXT, Unix, X-Windows. The clients are available by anonymous FTP from many sites
(e.g. boombox.micro.umn.edu in the directory /pub/gopher). See the list of freely available
client software in Appendix A. Pe 7 oo f a oe:
'. Remote clients —
If you do not have a Gopher client on your computer, you can use a remote Gopher client via an
interactive Telnet session, or by electronic mail to a GopherMail site. Some sites make Gopher .
clients available for anonymous public use. To access a remote Gopher client, telnet to one of
these sites: , 2
_ GOPHER - 4
Guide to Network Resource Tools: i
info.anu.edu.au
tolten.puc.cl.
ecnet.ec
gopher.chalmers.se
consultant.micro.umn.edu
gopher.uiuc.edu
panda.uiowa.edu
Columbia
Ecuador ©
Sweden
USA (° 2 -~
Australia (login: info).
USA ©
USA (login: P da) a
At the login: prompt type gopher (unless specified otherwise) and the top-level Gopher menu for
that site will be displayed.
Users aré requested to use the site closest to them.
| GopherMail
You can communicate with gophier by carrying out email conversations with a GopherMail ‘sere
_ver. A list of GopherMail servers is given below. : aie
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected] —
' [email protected]
| Using GOPHER
France
Israel
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan —
Japan
Sweden
USA
Gopher client implementations look slightly different on different platforms, because they take
advantage of the platforms' capabilities (mouse, graphic functions, X Window System). However
all implementations offer the same set of functions and commands.
After issuing the gopher command, you will be connected automatically to a default Gopher ser- -
ver which was specified when your Gopher client was installed. The format of the command is:
gopher
Guide to Network Resource Tools — . hat GOPHER -5
eS
where hostname is optional, and can refer to an alternative Gopher server you wish to use instead
of your default server. = m=
The Gopher client presents a simple menu-driven interface which doesn't require any special
training or knowledge from the user. Here is a sample menu:
ee
Internet Gopher Information Client v2 0.12
Information About Gopher
.- About Gopher. |
- Search Gopher News >
« Gopher News Archive/
. comp.infosystems.gopher .(Usenet newsgroup) /
- Gopher Software Distribution/
. Gopher Protocol Information/
. University of. Minnesota Gopher software licensing policy.
. Frequently Asked Questions about Gopher.
9. gopher93/ ., be
10. Gopher| example server/ - |
11. How to get your information into Gopher.
--> 12. New Stuff in Gopher. |.
13. Reporting Problems or Feedback.
14. big Ann Arbor gopher conference picture.gif