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Internet Tools Questions

Q1. What is gopher?
A1. Gopher is a menu-style utility that makes connection to the Internet 
very easy. By selecting from a gopher menu, it is possible to make 
connections all over the world. Some care must be taken to observe 
instructions when new connections are made. Remember that not everyone 
in the world has the same computer, and different sites have different 
rules for access.  Gopher is named after the University of Minnesota mascot, 
where the original gopher was developed.  Online gopher help is provided 
by pressing the "?" key, within gopher.  Also, from the "$ prompt," gopher 
help is provided by typing HELP GOPHER.

Q2. What is archie?
A2. Archie is an Internet file search tool. Archie is used to look at the 
archie database and return information about where a particular file can 
be found. While archie is very useful, be aware that archie searches can 
take a long time and can return vast amounts of information. 
It is best to examine the archie options and narrow the search as much 
as possible.  To use Archie, e(X)it the menu and type ARCHIE and a help 
screen will be displayed.  A typical search might look like:

	$ archie pkz

Archie will search for all files and directories that contain the
string "pkz".


Q3. What is veronica?
A3. Veronica is Archie's friend but don't believe what you hear about it 
being an acronym. Veronica is a search tool available through gopher that 
allows searches for specific subjects by either directories or specific 
files.  Veronica is available on our gopher server by accessing 
"7.  On-line Library Catalogs and Databases/" and then 
"3.  Veronica - search Gopherspace/."

Q4. What is jughead?
A4. Jughead is an acronym for: 
Jonzy's Universal Gopher Hierarchy Excavation And Display.  
Basically, it searches gopher menus for a keyword that you supply it.  
Jughead is available on our gopher server by accessing 
"7.  On-line Library Catalogs and Databases/" and then 
"4.  Jughead - search Gopherspace/."

Q5. What is FTP?
A5. FTP is File-Transfer Protocol. It allows files to be transmitted 
across the Internet quickly and easily. FTP is actually a utility that 
is used to make a connection to an FTP site where files are stored, 
generally for public access. FTP handles ASCII and binary files equally
well, but you must set the type for binary transfers.
  
Commonly used commands:
	BINARY  (switches the file transfer type to binary)
	ASCII  (switches the file transfer type to ASCII, the default)
	CD  (change directory)
	GET    (obtain a file)
	DIR  (see the contents of a directory)

NOTE:  FTP sites are typically case sensitive (the UNIX sites), so keep 
case intact when referring to files and directories.  
More information on FTP can be found under:

	-->  5.  TEN Information Resources/
	-->  4.  Information about the Internet/
	-->  6.  FYI on "How to Use Anonymous FTP"

Q6. What is telnet?
A6. It's a utility that allows you to connect to other systems.  Once 
connected, you can log into an account on that system.  For example, 
if you have an account on another system connected to the Internet, 
you can "telnet" to the TEN from that machine and log into your account. 

Q7. What is Talk and how do I use it?
A7.  It's a utility similar to phone that allows you to have a real-time
interactive chat, across the Internet. Most but not all sites support this 
utility.  To talk with someone else, they must be logged in and you must
 know their full Internet address.  To check if a user is logged on, 
from the main menu choose "System Usage Menu" and then choose "Finger" 
and type in the username@node of the user to which you wish to talk.

To begin a conversation, e(X)it the menu, to the "$ prompt" and type:

	$ TALK 

For example:

	$ TALK john_doe@gemini.tntech.edu 

Q8. What is usenet news?  Is it available?
A8. It's a gigantic, international collection of bulletin board messages,
covering a myriad of topics about which you can read and post messages.
Currently, usenet news is not available but is being worked on.

Q9. What is WAIS?
A9. WAIS, Wide-Area Information Service, is a networked information 
retrieval system.  It allows you to search large databases of resources, 
using a client to feed a server key words you provide it.  The server 
searches its database for that key word and will return a list of matches, 
found in its database. WAIS is available on the gopher server by accessing 
"7.  On-line Library Catalogs and Databases/" and then 
"5.  WAIS (Wide Area Information Servers)/"  or 
"6.  WAIS Databases by Subject Area/."

Q10. What is the World Wide Web?  What is Lynx?
A10. It is an international collection of dispersed documents, images, 
sound files, etc, that can be accessed by WWW browsers such as Lynx 
(text only), Mosaic, and Netscape.  We have Lynx available on this system, 
on the menu or by typing Lynx at the "$" prompt.  By pressing the "?" 
key in Lynx, you can access its on-line help menu.  You can enter a URL 
by pressing the "g" key, such as:

	URL to open: http://www.sura.net/index.html 

You move between items (hypertext) on the screen (that lead to more 
information) by using the up and down arrow keys to move the cursor.  
Once you have the cursor on an item you want, press ENTER or RETURN.  
To go back from where you just were, you press the left arrow key.  

Q11. How do I use bookmarks in Lynx?
11. To add a bookmark press "a" and you will be prompted with 
"Save D)ocument or L)ink to bookmark file or C)ancel? (d,l,c):".  
Saving the L)ink refers to the current link on which your cursor 
(highlighted block) is setting.  Saving the document refers to the 
current document that you are viewing on screen.  If you wish not 
to to save the L)ink or D)ocument then you can choose C)ancel. 

If you wish to view your bookmarks, press "v".  

NOTE:  Your bookmarks (by default) are stored in a file called
LYNX_BOOKMARKS.HTML, so if you delete the file, you lose your bookmarks.  

Q12. How do I remove bookmarks in Lynx?
A12. First, try the "r" command by placing the highlighted bar on the 
links you want to remove and then press "r".  

Sometimes the "r" command will not work in Lynx.  
In that case, you have to manually edit the LYNX_BOOKMARKS.HTML file 
to remove a bookmark.  To do so, go to the "$" prompt and type:

	$ edit lynx_bookmarks

Each individual line you will see represents one bookmark, 
so delete only one line at a time.  To delete a line, press the "-" key
on your keypad (on right of keyboard).  
When you're done removing bookmarks, press "Ctrl-Z" and then 
type EXIT at the "*" prompt.

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