========================================================================= N N EEEEE TTTTT N N EEEEE W W SSSSS NN N E T NN N E W W S N N N EEE T *** N N N EEE W W W SSSSS N NN E T N NN E WW WW S N N EEEEE T N N EEEEE W W SSSSS ========================================================================= an update to libraries and information resources on the Internet sponsored by Metronet ========================================================================= Number 6 NETWORK-NEWS June 1992 ================================================ ASCII VERSION OF ZEN AND THE ART OF THE INTERNET ================================================ Brendon Kehoe asked that the ASCII versions of his guide mentioned in the last newsletter be removed from circulation. He is preparing an ASCII version. He asked me to mention that Prentice-Hall will be publishing the second edition around the end of May. =============================================== A Guide to Internet/Bitnet available on LIBSOFT =============================================== A new and greatly expanded version of my guide is now available: FTP HYDRA.UWO.CA USER ANONYMOUS PASSWORD: use your email address CD LIBSOFT GET GUIDE1.TXT GET GUIDE2.TXT QUIT The guide and related newsletters are also available on the University of North Texas Gopher server and on MetroLine (612) 224-8086. The print version of the guide is available from Metronet for $10 to cover cost of copying and mailing. Feel free to make copies of either the online or print versions. We are working on getting a braille version of the guide. If you would be interested, drop me a note (noonan@msus1.msus.edu). ================================== USING ARCHIE (from new guide1.txt) ================================== The ARCHIE servers at McGill University and other sites around the world maintain a searchable list of the contents of hundreds of FTP sites. If you are looking for specific file, ARCHIE will help you locate an FTP site that has it. TELNET archie.mcgill.ca (Canada) or archie.rutgers.edu (USA) or archie.au (Australia) or archie.doc.ic.ac.uk (UK) LOGON: login: type archie search: type prog search_terms LOGOFF: type quit If you wanted to locate a site that has copies of LIBS.COM (a VAX library gateway program), you would issue the following command: prog libs.com The last time I did this search ARCHIE found five sites that had copies of this program. Unfortunately the results of this search show one of the flaws of ARCHIE. The primary archive site for LIBS.COM is sonoma.edu and ARCHIE doesn't include this site in its database. Also none of the sites ARCHIE found had copies of the current version of LIBS.COM. One caveat about searching ARCHIE: avoid using common terms such as "print" or you will be overwhelmed by the number of "hits" that ARCHIE will report. ARCHIE also has a searchable "Software Description Database." If you want to know more about a program called "msort", you could querry ARCHIE's whatis database by issuing the following command: whatis msort ARCHIE will respond with a short description of this PERL sort program. If you search for just the term "sort", ARCHIE will list descriptions for a number of sort programs but would also list files with the words "sorta" and "consortium". Although ARCHIE was created to accomplish very specific tasks, one other possible use would be tracking the spread of ideas (in the shape of FTPable files) across cyperspace. An interesting study of the diffusion of information could be based on a time series of ARCHIE searches for selected files such as "Zen and the Art of the Internet." ================================================= HOW TO FIND EMAIL ADDRESSES (from new guide1.txt) ================================================= Although some network directories exist, it is may be necessary to ask people for their e-mail addresses. One of the easiest to use and most comprehensive network address directories is the University of Colorado's NETFIND Server. Given a bit of basic information, such as lastname and organization/institution, the server will search for information about the person. In some cases it will be able to retrieve not only the correct network address, but also mailing address and telephone numbers. Be sure to read the help file when you logon for a more complete description of how the program works. NETFIND - University of Colorado TELNET BRUNO.CS.COLORADO.EDU or TELNET 128.138.243.151 LOGON: type netfind LOGOFF: type Q A similar service called the Paradise Directory is also available. Paradise Directory TELNET HYPATIA.UMDC.UMU.SE or TELNET 130.239.16.15 LOGON: type di LOGOFF: type Q =================== RECOMMENDED READING =================== ACCIDENTAL EMPIRES by Robert X. Cringely. Addison-Wesley, 1992. The sub-title tells all: "How the boys of Silicon Valley make their millions, battle foreign competition, and still can't get a date." This is a gossip-filled, fun to read book, that contains lots of useful information about trends and prospects in the computing field. BYTE June 1992 issue devoted to "Managing Infoglut" has articles on "making knowledge pay," electronic publishing, and managing document retrieval systems. "Searching for Common Threads" is an excellent review ten text management programs including AskSam, ZyIndex, and Folio Views. THE INFORMATION BROKER'S HANDBOOK by Sue Rugge and Alfred Glossbrenner. Windcrest/McGraw-Hill, 1992. Includes diskette. A pretty good introduction to getting started as an information broker. Focuses mostly on marketing but has a few sections on searching online databases, cd-roms, and BBSs. Even though this is a 1992 title it's out-of-date in terms of network access. There's no mention of any internet resources in the index or table of contents. ============================ What a deal: cheap software! ============================ Software Etc. is selling PC SCREEN PRESENTER for the close-out price of $9.88. I couldn't resist the price, but I was surprised to find a decent little IBM program that allows you to capture text screens, edit them, and create automatic or user-controlled demos. The runtime version of the software and any screens you modify can be distributed freely. The program can capture CGA, EGA, and VGA text screens and CGA graphics. One of the things we intend to do with this software is to create a series of tutorials on searching online catalogs. We will take a topic, select a service, logon the system, and capture the results. Using the program we will be able to comment on the search strategy and evaluate the results of the search. ================= New from Metronet ================= MetroBriefs - a monthly guide to what's new on the library/information scene - is now available via the Internet. If you would like to see a copy, drop me a note (noonan@msus1.msus.edu). MetroLine databases now include: calendar, jobline, local online resource list, local library lists, and freebies list. The freebies list is now available in the LIBSOFT archive. =========================================================================== Metronet is not responsible for the content of the newsletter - just me! Send corrections and/or comments to: Dana Noonan Metronet (612) 722-9257 (612) 224-4801 (612) 224-4827 (fax) noonan@msus1.msus.edu metronet@vz.acs.umn.edu Library User Network BBS (612) 772-7635 Metroline BBS (612) 224-8086 =========================================================================== Metronet >--< linking Twin Cities area libraries and media centers