Net Surf
RTFM - Or At Least a FAQ
A good teacher will tell you that there's no such thing as a dumb question. But even the most angelic, tolerant educator gets tired of hearing the same question over and over and over and over....However, there is a workaround.
The collective Net has solved this problem by organically evolving documents called FAQs, or Frequently Asked Questions. One way to retrieve these is to read the relevant Usenet newsgroups. For instance, FAQ lists corresponding to such Internet services as telnet, gopher, and IRC can be found at alt.internet.services. Similarly, the four-part FAQ on tattooing is posted to rec.arts.bodyart. A scholarly compendium of good electronic resources for weather-heads is posted to sci.geo.meteorology. Also, for ease and greater accessibility, most FAQs are cross-posted to the general purpose group, news.answers.
If you don't want to wade through the somewhat murky waters of Usenet but are on the Internet, you can also visit the FAQ repository (ftp to rtfm.mit.edu , login as anonymous, enter your e-mail address as the password, then cd [change directory] to /pub/usenet/news.answers). Alternately, you can utilize a gopher site that points to the repository: gopher to gopher.well.sf.ca.us , and select The Matrix, then Usenet.
Once there, you'll find over 300 entries for FAQs or multi-part FAQ subdirectories. Allow yourself enough time to look and learn. In addition to those mentioned above, you'll find a hilarious urban myth debunker (folklore-faq), guides for animal care (cats-faq, fleas-ticks), religions (from alt-buddha-short-fat-guy to shamanism), or anything from autos to woodworking. Of course, there's a FAQ for every computer you've ever heard of (plus many you haven't).
Visiting the rtfm.mit.edu FAQ repository is like going to a quilt exhibition. Each FAQ is a unique response from a community to its own perceived needs. You learn as much about the people who have sewn the stitches as you do about the ostensible subject.
And if there's no FAQ for the subject you're interested in, start one. Scratch together an outline, post it to the relevant newsgroups, and see what kind of feedback you get. At best, you'll have the first draft of a useful document. At worst, someone will tell you to read an already existing FAQ. - Eric Theise verve@well.sf.ca.us
4,000 MUDmen of the Apocalypse
If druidic isles and caves of fire strike your cyber-fancy, Apocalypse IV should prove a favored site. Apocalypse is a fantasy theme dikuMUD (type of Multi-User Dungeon), with emphasis on game play, rather than strict role play. Discuss everything from quantum physics to movie trivia while battling the forces of evil alongside an international group of players (regulars number about 4,000). Apocalypse has undergone four major code iterations, and now contains 53 fantasy zones - 26 of which have been written and created by the players themselves. Characters can be humans, halflings, elves, giants, paladins, bards, druids, or thieves, to name only a few options. Explore the Isle of Tuatha de Danaan, the Hive of Handrea, the Temple of Mars, or Aurvuron by telnetting peabrain.humgen. upenn.edu 4000; or mail apoc@peabrain.humgen.upenn.edu for more information on the Apocalypse.
Sanctuary of "your name here" /\ / . \ /\ Temple //\\ /\ / . . \ //\\ of |~~~~~~| \\// / . \ / \ \\// Mars /\ | Hades | \/ / . / Nexus \ \/ / . \ |~~~ | []/ \ [] / . . \ | Aurvuron | ||=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=|| / \ |~ | / || Explore the Realms of || \ / Forbidden \ | Dreamworld | || || / Empire |~~~~ | || A P O C A L Y P S E IV ||/ | Black Market | || ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ || Druid's |~~~~~ | || Running at: || Isle | Caves of Fire | || 128.91.3.204 4000 || |~~~~~ _____ | || ~~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~~~~ || | Tombs of Tarin (_____) | ||=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=|| |~~~~~ (_Hive__) | || | | || | Keep of Mahn-Tor (___of____) | || |~~~~~ (__Handrea__)| || | Read NEWS! | || Pirate's Stronghold (_________) | || `````````````` |UNDERWORLD
Samurai Surfing USA
Truly making waves, TWICS, Japan's very first public access Internet system, is now up and running! Based in Tokyo, and a pioneer on Japan's electronic frontier for nine years, TWICS is now accessible to individuals and companies all over Japan. TWICS (which stands for Two Way Information Communication System - a racy moniker nine years ago) offers standard Net capability, including e-mail, conferencing, and Usenet via modems, packet networks, and now, a simple telnet command. The system is English-based and hosts members from Japan and many other countries. To join TWICS, dial + (03) 3351 8244 via modem, login as guest, and follow the prompts. Monthly subscription is US$28; e-mail services are free. Or simply hang ten across the Pacific to 192.135.222.3. For more information, e-mail info@twics.co.jp.
Rockin' Your World
California resident surfers might want to investigate this informative site for the low-down on seismic activity (or at least a surf report on the next tsunami). In fact, surfers everywhere should have a look, as this server lists current facts and figures about temblors around the globe. Though it may not help you plan for The Big One, every recent earthquake is listed here, including its date and time, latitude and longitude, geographic area, depth (in kilometers), and magnitude. You'll also be able to ascertain the source credibility and accuracy level, thanks to an A-to-Z rating system. If you're shakin' for more, investigate geophys.washington.edu , via anonymous ftp, and cd to /pub/seis-net for an extensive list of tectonic disquiet. Rockin' good news!
Roll 'Em!
Perhaps you're prepared for the perfect evening out with a friend but don't quite know if that classic film is really one you'll like. Or perhaps you're losing at Trivial Pursuit and have a wired laptop handy. Regardless, floating on the cyber-seas of the United Kingdom is an unnamed database of approximately 6,500 films, offering complete cast lists, synopses, and even a list of film nominations and awards received. Peruse very detailed plot descriptions, character abstracts, information on actors and directors, deconstructions, and analyses. If this seems a bit daunting, send a note to the server with help in the subject line. Once connected, the server will prompt you for a keyword. While the search capability isn't particularly sophisticated, partial boolean searches are possible. For instance, to search for films featuring Pee Wee Herman, enter herman; to find films featuring Pee Wee and Chairry, enter herman and chairry, and so on. Burrow your gopher to info.mcc.ac.uk , then choose Miscellaneous Items, and Film Database to unearth this gem. And don't talk during the movie.
This Ain't No Tie
Armchair generals: Mobilize your forces in the direction of Bolo - a multiplayer tank battle arcade/ strategy game. Bolo is unfortunately not available on all platforms, but nonetheless has created a rapidly expanding cult following on the Internet. This particular game appeals to a slightly different audience than Netrek, as part of Bolo's focus is the exploration of new territory (there are many "maps" available on which players can do battle), as well as the construction of defensive structures, roads for mass transit, barricades to slow down enemy travel, and other such missions. For more info, check out Usenet newsgroup alt.netgames.bolo . You can also find Bolo via anonymous ftp at bolo.stanford.edu . (The site is frequently inaccessible, so be patient. Or try briefing your troops at sumex-aim.stanford.edu cd /info-mac/game/ bolo instead.)
Apples for Bookworms
Eager for instant notification of the newest publications in computer science and engineering? Subscribe to the Computer Science Technical Reports SDI Service mailing list at Stanford University - part of DARPA's electronic library project. The service maintains an accurate profile of each user. Each new computer science publication is then scanned against the profile database. If the article matches your profile, you'll receive the reference. More important, you decide whether and how often you should be notified by the service - daily, weekly, quarterly, and so on. The abstracts are written in English and utilize a relevance feedback system, allowing you to request of the server more articles "like this one" or less "like this one." Send mail to elib@eclipse.stanford.edu with the word help in the subject line for complete instructions. A second, similar service filters all netnews: For it, surf to netnews@eclipse.stanford.edu. Then wax up your slide rules.
Post Haste
Online post-a-holics who don't already know about Citadel should peek into this no-cost, forum-oriented BBS run by the Iowa Student Computing Association (ISCA) at the University of Iowa. This site is updated, continually nurtured, and gardened by a Policy Board of nine members. (At any given time, you'll find at least one sysop, programmer, and forum moderator present online.) There are over 178 forums covering such familiar topics as art, literature, politics, Eastern studies, photography, and of course, Deep Space Nine. Putting the traffic of any forum to shame, however, is the nonstop post frenzy of the Babble forum - an unmoderated chat room of hundreds of conversationalists. Citadel can handle up to 500 users at a time and boasts a rapidly growing user base of over 18,000 posters. Telnet to 128.255.40.203 , login as new and follow the prompts. Citadel's lines are queued, so, if you're connecting at rush hour, just be patient.
Newton's Other Good Idea...
For the latest news, software, or shareware for your Newton (or its Sharp counterpart, the Expert Pad), paddle over to bnnrc-srv.med.jhu.edu via anonymous ftp, then cd to /pub/newton to witness the site that claims to be the very first of its topic. Among the multitude of articles, you'll find many Newton digests from various Newton groups, such as the Newton-Lists of Dartmouth and MIT. All the latest updates and shareware/freeware programs are uploaded here first, so don't miss this wave. Also available are various FAQ lists and files on everything from software titles, user interface notes, gripe and bug lists, to sheets on fabricating Newton-ROM cards.
Eye of the Beholder
Once again gracing the pages of Net Surf is a Crosswire Project visual collaboration (see facing page, left). Crosswire, brainchild of Ed Stastny of the OTIS Project, is the second in a continuing series of Net-based visual galleries, with more than 40 artists participating. Image d2c5a7 is the work of collaborators Alx Ladygo, Simon Gibbs, and Mike Tressler. This and other Crosswire images can be found via anonymous ftp at sunsite.unc.edu cd /pub/multimedia/pictures/OTIS/collabs/CROSSWIRE.
A glut of album artwork from record label 4AD can be found via anonymous ftp at jhuvm.hcf.jhu.edu ; login as 4ad-pics and use your e-mail address as the password. The image shown below is titled bellypc 1.
Online Life-Ring
Getting e-mail through even to easy targets like BIX or CompuServe has sent some surfers to the bottom. Though the Nicolas system has been taken offline, an alternate front-end solution is now available. Point your gopher to gopher.gsfc.nasa.gov , choose networking, then e-mail from-to information to learn about communicating to and from a total of 22 service providers. (For closing info on Nicolas, telnet dftnic.gsfc.nasa.gov and login as dftnic.)
More MUD Slinging
So you've heard about MUDs and are now ready to experience one? Drop by Usenet newsgroup rec.games.mud.announce - the surf shop of virtual worlds - for all your MUDing needs. Here, you'll find the MUD FAQ (listing answers to frequently asked questions), which is regularly posted and updated. You'll also uncover the MUD List - net-surfer Scott Goehring's up-to-date masterpiece of addresses for over 400 publicly available MUDs. Best of all, you'll uncover announcements of new MUDs as they're starting up, so you'll be able to catch the latest wave while it's still only a ripple!
Thanks to the WIRED 2.02 Surf Team
Jonathan Bell jmbell@darmok.win.net
Amy Bruckman asb@purple-crayon.media.mit.edu
Tim Burress burress@tanuki.twics.co.jp
Mike Ellsworth mellswor@firewall.nielsen.com
Simson Garfinkel simsong@next.cambridge.ma.us
Heath Hunnicutt t-heath@microsoft.com
John Reul johnreul@aol.com
John Sweeney jds@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu
Eric Theise verve@well.sf.ca.us
Scott Yoshinaga syoshinaga@summer.mail.hawaii.edu
