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Canterbury Online, December 1997

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Craig Shore

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Dec 1, 1997, 3:00:00 AM12/1/97
to

To dial one of these from outside New Zealand,
Country Code for NZ = 64, area code for Canterbury = 3
So dial +64 3 <number>


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| | |__| <> | | | | | | __/ | | <> | U | | \ | |
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| | | | | '_ \| | _ | '_ \/ _ \ |
| | |_| | | | || || || | | | __/ |
| \___/|_| |_||_||_||_| |_|\___| |
| |
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| (((((((((((((((((((())))))))))))))))))))) |
| ((( D E C E M B E R 1 9 9 7 ))) |
| ((( ))) |
| ((( Expires 31st January 1998 ))) |
| (((((((((((((((((((())))))))))))))))))))) |
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===================
C O N T E N T S
===================


1. Introduction
2. Copyright
3. Changes in this issue.
4. Where to get a new copy.
5. Where to send updates to.

BBS Section
-----------
7. Short version of the list.
8. Long (detailed) version of the list
9. Beginners information.

Internet Section
----------------
10. Internet Service Providers List
11. The internet explained.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===========================
I N T R O D U C T I O N
===========================

Welcome to Canterbury Online. This is a list of public BBSs & ISPs in
Canterbury. The majority of these BBSs are run by it's operator as a hobby
from home, and therefore are free or cheap to access. This list is maintained
by Craig Shore in spare time. There is no charge for a BBS to be listed here,
and the list is free. It is updated every month and released by the first of
every month. Because of the rapidly changing situation in the online world,
this list is only valid for one month, and MUST NOT be used in any way
whatsoever after that time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=====================
C O P Y R I G H T
=====================

Canterbury Online is copyright Craig Shore 1997.

It may only be copied under the following conditions:-

* It has not been modified in any way.
* No charge is being made for it or the media it is stored on.
('charge' includes file ratios on BBSs, it must be a free download).
* It has not passed its expiry date.

You may print out a portion of this list for Personal Use only. This
must never be passed on to anyone else.

This list may not be printed within another publication, you're welcome
to print a reference where to get a copy though.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=============================================
C H A N G E S I N T H I S I S S U E
=============================================

Please Note, there will be no Jan 1998 issue. This issue is valid until
the end of Jan. The Web site will be updated during most of this time though.

ADDED:- Papa Smurf's Peace Pipe, Euphoria, Immortal Realms

REMOVED:- Penny's Play Pen, Ego Zone

UPDATED:- Empire, Ponys Stall, Freedom Seekers, Southern Lights, Extreme
Reality renamed to Acid Lake


ISP'S UPDATED:


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=========================================
W H E R E T O G E T A C O P Y
O F T H I S L I S T
=========================================

*** PLEASE NOTE, THERE WILL BE NO JAN 1998 ISSUE, THIS ISSUE ***
*** IS VALID UNTIL THE END OF JANURARY 1998 ***
*** The Web site will be updated during most of this time though ***

This list is updated monthly, and released by the 1st of every month.
It is available on the 1st on the Web site, and on usenet. It goes
online within a few days of the start of the month elsewhere.

Canterbury Online is available from these BBS's (and many others) free
of file charges...

BBS Directory

Southern Lights BBS-LIST
The Last Byte FREE
Valkyrie Free Downloads in Main Menu (All users)
Valkyrie AFREE in Files Area (Validated users)

Or Log into Valkyrie as CO-LIST

The file is called CO-mmmyy.TXT
(Where mmm=Month and yy=year, e.g. CO-FEB97.TXT)

World Wide Web (WWW) / FTP
==========================
WWW: http://www.southern.co.nz/co/
FTP: ftp.southern.co.nz dir /pub/text/ or /pub/uploads/text


Usenet
======
It's posted to alt.bbs.lists on it's release day.

Email
=====
Canterbury Online is mailed out on the Internet each month. If you wish
to have your name added to this list please email cr...@southern.co.nz
and ask.

AUCKLAND BBS LIST
=================
The Auckland BBS List is done by MICK of the GIGLine BBS. Data (09) 2385167.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=============================================
W H E R E T O S E N D U P D A T E S
=============================================

If there's any incorrect or missing information in this list that you know
about, please contact me and let me know by one of the following means...

Preferred:-

EMail: Internet to cr...@southern.co.nz
Fido: Craig Shore@3:770/125
Log onto Southern Lights and send email to Craig Shore
or netmail it to me at Southern Lights on any other network
they carry.
Fax: 365-6456 (during daylight hours)

Not preferred, but there if you are unable to use the above:-

Snail Mail:
Craig Shore
PO Box 35-018
Shirley
Christchurch 8030.

Phone Craig on (Voice): 365-6501 (before 9pm)

Updates are accepted from anyone, not just the sysop, but please send
substantial information. Only send information on BBSs that you KNOW are
available for public access.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

==============================================================================
==============================================================================

B B S S e c t i o n

==============================================================================
==============================================================================


The format of the listing is as follows...

Name of the BBS (Sysops name, and helpers [alias])
Phone number [stepping] (speed of the modem)
Hours: the hours the BBS operates (only present if not 24 hour)
Fees: what it costs to access (only present if there is a charge)
Files: O/Ss that they have programs available to download for
Software: The software the BBS is running on.
Nets: Networks they carry [see below for more information].
Notes: General notes about the BBS and offline readers available
Address: where to send normal mail to.
Voice: The operators home number (please remember s/he sleeps!)
Fax: The BBSs Fax number
CD's: CD-Roms that are online for you to download files from.
Email: The sysops internet email address
Advert: An advert from the BBS about itself.
Tested: The date when it was last tested to see if it was still online.
Where stepping is mentioned, that's Telecoms stepping, which means that
if you call a number and it's busy, Telecoms computer diverts your call
to another number.
If all the numbers in the stepping are busy, you'll get the usual busy tone.

=============
Network Key
=============
There are many networks around that carry public messages, private
email (although it may be read by any sysop it passes through), and
files (usually only able to be done by the sysop). These are local,
national, and international. You can send email to a user on another
BBS through these networks. The first part of the network number is
listed here for Christchurch BBSs, and the last number significiant
for each BBS is listed in each BBSs entry in the long list.

NAME CHCH NODE NUMBER CHCH HUB BBS, NAME FIDO
Fido Net - 3:770/<number> Remote Access, Graeme Kerr 116
SouthLink - 99:100/<number>
RA-Net - 179:615/<number>
Amiganet - 41:643/<number>
JA-Net - 22:100/<number>
Familynet - 8:9000/<number> Lightspeed, Glen Hodgman 350
X-Files - 66:770/<number>
Resistance Net - 222:2222/<number>
Sig Net - 28:1600/<number>
Local Net - 85:200/<number>
A-J Net - 110:1/<number>
TF Net - 170:1704/<number>
CityLink - 80:200/<number>
SearchLight Net - 250:700/<number> Southern Lights, Chris Pheloung 2001
AD-Net - 124:643/<number>
NZF Net - 120:6151/<number> Midi Maze, Dennis Collins 355
SBL Net - 150:300/<number>
RGSNet - 50:150/<number>
BC Net - 800:564/<number>
FunNet - 690:100/<number> Midi Maze, Dennis Collins 355
STN - 111:8643/<number> Acid Lake, Ben Aitchison 255.666

e.g. If a BBS has Nets: Fido 000, then it's address is 3:770/000
With some BBS software, e.g. SearchLight, it's then as easy as
selecting to send email, then address it to user name@address
e.g. Joe Bloggs@3:770/000


==============================================
C A N T E R B U R Y O N L I N E
( Short BBS List )
==============================================
>> December 1997 <<
Expires: 31st January 1998


BBS PHONE SPEED NOTES
Acid Lake 3371733 (28.8k)
Area 51 3432365 (33.6k) [10:30pm - 8:00am]
Beatles BBS 3820834 (33.6k) [10:30pm to 6am]
Body Count 3829564 (14.4k)
The Breakfast Club 3593035 (28.8k)
Canterbury Library 3746510 (14.4k) [Use VT100 emulation, Login: OPACDU]
The Choice 03-3085201 (14.4k) [Ashburton]
03-3082611 (14.4k)
CTS 3390250 (33.6k)
Cyber Space 3523146 (14.4k) [9.30pm-6am]
DevilS StudiO 3888502 (14.4k) [9:30pm - 5:00pm]
Digital City 03-6846394 (28.8k) [Timaru]
03-6846742 (28.8k)
The Empire 3821130 (28.8k)
EUPHORiA BBS 3526045 (?) [Fri&Sat 8pm-8am]
The Farm 3854750 (14.4k)
Fire Fox 3497123 (33.6k)
FREEDOM Seekers 3238620 (28.8k)
Global Village 3412057 (33.6k)
Image 3829217 (28.8k)
Immortal Realms 3829797 (?) [Mon-Fri 10am-10pm
I N S A N i T Y 03-3139355 (14.4k) [Mon-Fri 9pm-4pm, Sat-Sun 9pm-8am]
The Jungle 3882203 (14.4k)
Last Byte 3434308 (33.6k) [Free users]
3434302 (33.6k) [Subscribers]
Learning Curve 3324847 (14.4k)
Light Speed 3390232 (28.8k)
3388455 (14.4k)
Mactropolis 3777460 (28.8k) [steps - 7 lines]
Midi-Maze 3855391 (14.4k)
Murphy's 3519020 (28.8k)
Night Runners 3383529 (14.4k)
On Line Support 3667324 (14.4k)
3667325 (28.8k) [Subscribers only]
Papa Smurfs 3376539 (?)
Phoenix Amiga BBS 3228208 (14.4k)
3228259 (33.6k)
Planet Melmac 3486522 (14.4k)
Pointless Network 3896178 (28.8k) [steps - 2 lines]
Polyvox IV 3649027 (14.4k)
3798567 (14.4k) [Subscribers only]
Pony's Stall 3746025 (33.6k)
Project Amiga 3385185 (28.8k)
Realm of Insanity 3386461 (14.4k)
3386042 (14.4k) [Subscribers only]
Remote Access 3493236 (19.2k)
3495274 (14.4k)
Southern Lights 3886655 (33.6k)
3821000 (33.6k) [Subscribers only,3 lines]
St Albans Infolink 3790983 (33.6k) [Access by PPP]
3rd Rock 3522750 (33.6k) [8pm-8am]
Thunder Bolt 3845454 (14.4k)
Tony's 3831155 (33.6k) [Subscribers only]
The Toxic Dump 3662292 (33.6k) [Mon-Fri 24, Sat 9:20am-3pm]
The Trashcan 3425440 (33.6k)
Trekwars 3772238 (28.8k)
The UnderGround 3390322 (28.8k)
Valkyrie 3856211 (28.8k) [2 nodes, steps]


COPYRIGHT Craig Shore 1997. Please see full list for Copyright Information.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
==============================================
C A N T E R B U R Y O N L I N E
( Long BBS List )
==============================================
>> December 1997 <<
Expires: 31st January 1998

Acid Lake (Ben Aitchison)
3371733 (28.8k V.34)
Software: ANTiX
Files: BBS utilities, especially for ProBoard and RemoteAccess.
Nets: Fido 255.666,Resistance Net, AD-Net, LocalNet 165, STN 100
Notes: Member of NCSSA, the National Coalition of SysOps and
System Administrators.
CDs : 2 drives;Games 1, Games 2, Super Oz Volume 3, Gamers Companion,
Windows Companion
Email: ben.ai...@valkyrie.co.nz
Tested: 30-11-97


Area 51 (Cam McKay, Matthew Lamb)
3432365 (33.6k V.34+)
Hours: 10:30pm - 8:00am
Files: Dos, Windows, games, utils, & "other" areas.
Software: Remote Access 2.02
Notes: Crash land at Area 51 tonight - no file ratios. User friendly SysOp.
Tested: 30-10-97


Beatles BBS (Tim Beaman, Daniel Neil)
3820834 (33.6k V.34+)
Hours: 10:30pm to 6am
Fees: $20 p/a for 75 mins per day, No file ratio,
Access to R18 pics/games
Files: DOS, Windows 95, OS/2
Software: Remote Access 2.02+
Nets: FidoNet
Voice: 382-0987 10am to 10pm
PO-Box: 18-693, New Brighton, Christchurch
CDs: 1 drive; Cream of the Crop 11
Tested: 1-9-97


Body Count (Zodiac)
3829564 (14.4k V.32bis)
Files: DOS, Win 3.1, Win 95, Games
Software: Remote Access 2.50
Nets: BC Net 2, Fido 320.4, AD Net 125
CDs: 1 Drive; Cream of the Crop
Tested: 1-9-97


The Breakfast Club BBS (Tom Allen)
3593035 (28.8k V.34)
Files: Dos Games, Win Games, Dos Utilities, Win Utilities
Graphics, Entertainment, BBSs with Utils, Animation's,
Business, Home/Personal
Nets: Fido, RGS, FUNnet.
Software: Renegade version 10.05
Tested: 27-2-97


Canterbury Public Library OPAC (Paul Sutherland)
3746510 (14.4k V.32bis)
Notes: Login as OPACDU
You NEED to use a communications program that FULLY supports
VT100 (not ANSI!). This is under the Terminal Emulation settings
of your comms program.
Internet Access- telnet to library.ccc.govt.nz, login as OPAC
WWW http://www.ccc.govt.nz/Library/
PO Box: 1466, Christchurch.
Tested: 1-9-97


The Choice BBS (Ian Segers)
(03) 3085201 (14.4k V.32bis) [Ashburton]
(03) 3082611 (14.4k V.32bis) [Ashburton]
Fees: Free, Fido $35 p/a, Internet $35 p/a, both $60 p/a
Files: DOS,Windows
Software: Searchlight 4.0a
Notes: LH-Blue & Valance QWK Offline readers.
CDs: 1 Drive;[18 cds] Night Owl 11,13,14,15,16, Giga Games 2,
all 4 Simtel
Voice: (03) 308-8274
Fax: (03) 3085201
Tested:


CTS BBS (Michael Webster)
3390250 (33.6k V.34+)
Fees: DEMO Free 30 Mins a Day With 10 mins per call With 3 calls Per Day +
Teleconference
NORMAL REG..$5 For a Year With 60mins a Day No Up/dl'd Ratios,
Teleconference
CHAT ACCOUNT REG $10 For a Year With 90mins A DAY Moderator Access
No Up/Dld Ratios,Teleconference
SUPER USER REG $ 20 Unlimited Time... Co-op/Moderator Access No
Up/Dld Access,Teleconference
Files: Dos,Win95 Applications+ Adult File
Software: Proboard 2.00
CDs: 1 Drive;Win95, Adult
Notes: Door Games (Lord etc). All Registration Money Goes To The Running
Cost Of The BBS!
Tested:


Cyber Space (Dwayne Duffield)
3523146 (14.4k V.32bis)
Hours: 9:30pm - 6am
Files: Win 95, DOS, Graphics, Sound, Games
Software: Excalibur 1.52
Notes: You need the Excalibur Terminal to use this BBS. Excalibur
runs in Microsoft Windows. Call with a normal comms program
and download the software with X, Y, or ZModem.
Voice: 352-3146 outside BBS hours.
Tested: 1-9-97


DevilS StudiO (CraiG MolloY [ShaggY],ZeaL OF imAge, RoY KindelL [SloB])
Data: 3888502 (14.4k V.32bis)
Hours: 9:30pm - 5:00pm
Fees: $15.00 Reg Fee for Better Access
Notes: After Shelling out $15.00 there is no 3:1KB file ratio
Files: Mainly Dos,Windows & Hacks Cracks ,JPGS of That Sort
Software: Remote Access 2.02+
Nets: Resistance 111.1, Fido 320.3
CD's: Night Owl 13, Super OZ,Cream of The Crop 2
Advert: A SySoP WitH NothinG BetteR TO DO ThaN DO ThiS CausE
ThE NeT IS TO SloW.
Tested: 30-9-97


Digital City (Dean Gray, Neil Hitchcox)
(03) 6846439 (28.8k V.34) [Timaru - steps]
(03) 6846742 (28.8k V.34) [Timaru]
Fees: Free - Limited Access
$30 - Unlimited Files, Node 3 access
$50 - Unlimited Files, Node 3 access, flat-rate internet email
Files: Dos, Windows, OS/2, Mac, Amiga
Software: Searchlight 4.5b
Notes: 2 QWK offline readers and point nodes available.
Online internet email and usenet
K12 Educational distributor
Online credit card registration and callback verifier
Public access component of PlaNet(NZ) Timaru
Internet: .timaru.chch.planet.org.nz
CDs: 3 drives - Night Owl 20, 21 Cream of the Crop 12
Voice: Dean (03) 688 0737
Helpline: (025) 837 521
Tested:


EMPiRE BBS (Stewart Ellis [CRAZZiE])
3821130 (28.8k V.34)
Software: Remote Access 2.02+, FD2.12, WGO.93b, AllFix
Nets: TFNet 170:1704/0 Scifi Network [CHCH HUB]
ADNet 124:643/2 Gaming Network[WELL HUB]
SBLnet 150:300/1 Welly Network [CHCH HUB]
RESiSTANCE 222:2222/111
LocalNet 85:200/120
KhaosNet 201:2001/10 DoomsDays Network [WHQ]
Notes: Registered - LORD2.LORDNET
BRE.FE.TAL.AB2.GlobalWar.Clans. BlueWave Offline Reader
and Points Availble
Voice: Stewart 388-4258
CDs: 4 Drives; Giga Games,Shareware Heaven 3
Email: Stewart stewar...@empire.pl.net
Tested: 30-11-97


EUPHORiA BBS (Scott Roberts)
3526045 (?)
Hours Fri & Sat 8pm-8am
Files Games, Cheats, Adult, Hacks
Software Proboard 2.16
Voice 352-6045 outside BBS Hours
Notes Door Games
Tested 30-11-97


The Farm (Daniel Williams)
3854750 (33.6k V.34+)
Files: DOS, Windows 95, Some OS/2
Software: Maximus 3.01
CDs: 8 Drives;15 Cdroms
Nets: Fido 255, Southlink 170, Ad-net 5
Voice : 385-8704 (Problem Reporting Only)
Advert: A General Purpose BBS.
Validated Users Get 45 mins / call , 60 mins / day , no file ratios.
Doors : LORD BRE (Both reg'd) FE , TAL , Global War
Unique Feature Of Auto-logons Available(No Name + Password required)
No Call-Back Validation - Validation Via Caller Display.
Tested: 1-9-97


Fire Fox (Michael Cook, Paul Thornton)
3497123 (33.6k V.34+)
Files: Games of dos, windows, sounds, try them youself.
Software: Searchlight
Voice: 3496236
Address: 5 Oakley Crescent
Email: Mike...@Valkyrie.co.nz
Advert: Good door games, LORD and TEOS etc, Conference areas, files, etc.
Tested: 1-9-97


FREEDOM Seekers BBS (David Watkins)
3238620 (28.8k V.34)
Software: Remote Access 2.02+
Notes: Have a good collection of doors and the filebase will
be ever expanding.
Nets: ADnet 11, Fido 285, Kaos Net
Email: david....@freedom.pl.net
Tested: 1-9-97


Global Village BBS (Simon Young)
3412057 (33.6k V.34+)
Files: DOS, WIN95 with large music and video files section
Software: Searchlight ver5.01
Nets: FIDO 160, SLNET 4661
Notes: We carry registered versions of LORD, TEOS, BRE, FE and Global War -
The BBS is engaged in a number of interBBS door game competitions
also. Alias' welcome (first time callers log on with realname please).
QWK offline reader support.
Voice: 021 677 075 (24hours)
CDs: 4 Drives;Cream of the Crop and Monster Media CD's
Email: sa...@student.canterbury.ac.nz
Advert: Global Village is aimed at a huge range of users - predominantly
featuring areas of interest for students (and students at heart).
We offer a fun environment which is flexible to users requirements.
Tested: 1-9-97 Busy


Image (Ceal)
3829217 (28.8k V.34)
Files: Win 3.1, Win 95, DOS, DOS Games
Software: Remote Access 2.50
Nets: BC Net 7, Resistance 125.1
Tested: 1-9-97


Immortal Realms (Shannon Dillan)
3829797 (?)
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-10pm
Files: Games, Hacks, Adult
Software: Remote Access 2.02
Tested: 30-11-97


I N S A N i T Y (EoF)
03-3139355 (14.4k V.32bis) [Rangiora]
Hours: 9pm-4pm Mon-Fri, 9pm-8am Sat-Sun
Files: DOS, Windows, Amiga.
Software: Renegade
Nets : Fido 215.3, RGSNet 145, INNet 1
Notes: HEAPS of guitar TABlature, Bass TAblature, ChoRDs and LYRics.
Voice: 03-3135153 before 8am-9:30pm.
CDs: 1 Drive; Too much Shareware, Sharewareheaven.
Advert: I N S A N i T Y is dedicated to Fun! No fees, just do what you
want. Only charge is telecoms toll to Rangiora.
Tested:


The Jungle BBS (Diane Lunsky [Shedevil])
3882203 (14.4k V.32bis)
Software: Remote Access
CD: 1 drive; Night Owl
Tested: 1-9-97


The Last Byte BBS (Roger Nesbitt)
3434308 (33.6k V.34+) [Free users call this line]
3434933 (33.6k V.34+)
3434595 (33.6k V.34+)
3434419 (33.6k V.34+)
3434302 (33.6k V.34+) [Donating users call this line]
3434137 (33.6k V.34+) [Contributing users call this line]
Fees: $15/year for no file ratio, extra time, internet access, fax service.
For an extra $10 p/a unlimited access to teleconference 12am- 6am.
More than $10 per month gives access to node 6
Files: DOS, Windows, many programming related.
Software: Searchlight 4.5b reg#4398
PO-Box: 31-247
Voice: 021-636-709
Notes: Helpful sysops with friendly BBS setup. We offer QWK, Fido Points,
Internet Email, Usenet, Fax Service, Programming Support, multi-user
teleconference. Registered versions of GW, BRE, LORD and VGA
Planets with regular inter-BBS BRE challenges.
The Last Byte has just moved and is under re-construction. Some
areas will remain un-accessable for about another month until
this is completed.
Tested: 1-9-97


Learning Curve BBS (Jonathan Scott)
3324847 (14.4k V.32bis)
Files: -windows & windows games
-graphics (lots of pics and utils)
-sound (lots of song files and utils)
-some educational files
Software: Searchlight 4.5b
Nets: Fido 240
Tested: 1-9-97 No Answer


LightSpeed BBS (Glen Hodgman, Lynne Pattison, Scott Campbell, Mike Hutchinson)
3390232 (28.8k V.FC)
Fees: Free, 30 mins/day. $10 for extra privileges
Files: Amiga, IBM, Music Modules
Software: Xenolink
Notes: QWK/Bluewave Offline Reader. Offline Points welcome.
Uses a unique system of running two BBS's off the same phone lines;
LSD's DoorWay BBS and LightSpeed BBS. Both systems give a total of
over 60 games online including a registered LORD, and Hack'n'Slash.
Great atmosphere. Over 60,000 archives available for download to
registered callers, a fifth of which is available to free callers.
Nets: Fido 350, Amiganet 120, Localnet 105, Southlink 165, Familynet 700
CDs: 3 Drives, Aminet's, 17Bit's, GoldFish2 CD's. 16 in total
Tested: 1-9-97


Mactropolis (Anthony Jose,Aaron Green,Chris White)
3777460 (28.8k V.34) [steps - 7 lines] + 10 internet connections
Fees: Fee for files access etc - varies.
Files: Mac
Software: First Class
Notes: There is CLI access to this BBS, but you are best to use
the graphical client software to access it. This is available for
the Mac & Microsoft Windows on a PC.
Mainly of interest to Mac users. Networked with other First Class
BBSs in NZ. Internet Email & Usenet Available to subscribers.
Mactropolis is live on the internet and accepts up to 10 users
logged in over the internet either by Telnet or with the First
Class client software. The address is 202.37.120.7
CDs: 6 Drives; Ian & Stuarts CD, Mac World Complete CD,
AMUG x1 April 1994 MACnificent 7-1 CD, Mac Games, 94, IMG June,
Fotobank CD, Hyperstacks, Mac Format August, Sept, 1994-5 NFS CD,
IM6 Sept95 Nautilus CD Vol 4-11, Vol 5-1, Vol 5-2, Vol 5-10,
Vol 5-11, Info Mac III Jan 1994, 4 Aug 94, 5 1&2, AMUG 15 vol1,
vol2 AMUG 1996 3 CD set (16,16.2, 16.3), Infomac volume 6,
MacSense March 1996, AMUG 17 (3 cd set), MacSense May 1996,
IMG-Vol 5 - Issue 2, AMUG CD collection (April 97 4 cd set)
MacSense Mar/Apr 97, IMG Gaming CD Vol 5 - Issue 3
Tested: 1-9-97 No Answer

Midi-Maze BBS (Dennis Collins, Kelly Stevenson)
3855391 (14.4k V.32bis)
Fees: Full files access $5 p/a
Files: Midi music, S/Blaster, GUS, PAS, Covox, Adlib. AWE32,
Multimedia support. Adult areas (access with ID)
Software: Remote access 2.02
Nets: Fido 355, Catnet 169:1105/3
NZFnet (NC) 120:6151/40, FUNnet (NC) 690:100/3
CD's 1 Drive; Sound, Midi & Music Vol-1
Email Dennis....@xtra.co.nz
Notes: Interbbs Timebank, Interbbs Lord
Tested: 27-10-97


Murphy's BBS (Norm & Coleen Bowden)
3519020 (28.8k V.34)
Files: DOS, Windows, G-RATED JPGs, Genealogy
Nets: Fido 10, RGSNET (RENEGADE N/W) 125, CITYLINK 10,
FUNNET 1 LORDNET 15 X-FILES 14
Software: Renegade Ver 5-11 (11-5-96)
Notes: Registered Version of RENEWAVE - BLUEWAVE/QWK offline Mail Door
Catering for the More Mature user, Genealogist & Message
readers / posters
Tested: 1-9-97 Busy


Night Runners BBS (Philip Clark)
3383529 (14.4k V.32bis)
Files: Dos/Windows Utils & Games, Cracks ,Graphics
Software: Remote Access 2.01
Nets: Fido 320, BcNet ZC 1
CDs: 2 drives; Night Owl, Monster Media
Advert: All New Users Welcome
Sysop's wanting to join BcNet Freq
Tested: 1-9-97


On Line Support (John Clarke, Donald Campbell)
3667324 (14.4k V.32bis)
3667325 (28.8k V.FC)
Fees: Node 1 Free,Node 2 $35 p/a, Node 6 Offline Games Packets only.
Login and check the Bulletins Menu for latest charges.
Files: DOS, Windows, Win 95, OS/2
Software: Searchlight 4.5a
Nets: Fido 120
Notes: Internet Email, QWK offline readers, Searchlight Support BBS.
CD-Rom: 10 drives ;
Fax: 377-2324
Faxback Service: 03-377-2325
Voice: 365-6226 or 025 377-315
Email: jo...@syntech.co.nz
donald....@ols.gen.nz
PO Box: On Line Support BBS,FreePost 1228
P.O.Box 3153, Christchurch 8001.
Address: 439 Barbadoes Street,Christchurch 8001.
Tested: 1-9-97


Papa Smurf's Peace Pipe (Ben Marsh)
3376539
Fees 40 mins free
Files Most requests, fast growing file base
CD's 4CD changer (empty!)
Software Proboard 2.16
Email b_w...@goplay.com
Notes Will get allmost anything on demand One of the citys
few totlly clean BBS Come try it out
Tested 03-11-97


Phoenix Amiga BBS (Kenji Irie, James Willmott)
3228208 (14.4k V.32bis)
3228259 (33.6k V.34+)
Files: Amiga
Software: IceBBS v56.5i
Voice: Kenji 322-9240, James 389-4541
Notes: Amiga dedicated BBS using custom IceBBS multitasking system.
The IceTerm client software can be downloaded from the ANSI
side of the BBS and will work on any Amiga.
Files and SIGs can be accessed with a normal comms program.
Free World Wide Web to all IceTerm user's
CDs: 1 Drive; Aminet CD's
Advert: Sponsored by PC's Unlimited
Tested: 1-9-97


Planet Melmac (Murray Cameron)
3486522 (14.4k V.32bis)
Fees: for no file limits, & extra time
Files: DOS,Windows, Weather Satellite Pictures
Software: Searchlight 4.0
Nets: Fido 130
Notes: Ham radio & Satellite Communications files and discussion areas
(both local and international). Megaread & SLQWK offline readers
PO Box: 8694,ChCh
CDs: 2 Drives;?
Tested: 1-9-97


Pointless Network (Rick Nolan, Bill Allan)
3896178 (28.8k V.FC) [steps - 3 nodes]
Fees: $45 p/a for usenet & email access, CDs etc.
Files: Atari,?
Software: Maximus 2.01wb
Notes: Usenet and Internet email available.
QWK Offline reader.
Fax: 389-6178
CDs: 3 Drives; Atari, ???
Tested: 1-9-97 Busy


Polyvox IV (Peter Ellens -ChCh Polytech)
3649027 (14.4k V.32bis)
3798567 (14.4k V.32bis) [subscribers only]
Files: IBM, Heaps of STMs + GIF's, OS2 and Linux files.
Software: Searchlight 4.5b
Nets: Fido 150
Notes: SLQWK offline reader, Networked with ChCh Polytechs LAN
Fax: 3649027
Tested: 1-9-97 No Answer


Pony's Stall (David & Deirdre Scott, Lynne Pattison, Matthew Lamb)
3746025 (33.6k V.34+)
Files: DOS Games,cheats,text, Windows,Gifs, Adult
Software: Renegade
Notes: Online Games & general Dos & Windows files
Adult files available on proof of age
Generous ratios to Adult or donating users
Email service available to donating users only.
Nuisance callers deleted immediately!
Tested: 30-11-97


PROJECT AMIGA BBS (James Sleeman)
3385185 (28.8k V.34)
Files: Amiga, 1000s of MODS on CD.
Fees: For CD access, no DL ratios , larger private directory etc, details
online.
Software: DLG Version 1
Voice: 338-5857
Nets: Fido 380, Southlink 120, JA-Net 140, Amiganet 180, A-J NET 1,
NZFNET 70
Notes: QWK offline reader, online shop, many networks, NASA mailing
list as well as others, Doors.
CDs: 1 drive; Aminet Set 1, Set 2, Professional Utilities, UPD Gold
Set, 17 Bit collection, Ultimate Mod CD. 16 CDs in all !!
Tested: 1-9-97


Realm of Insanity (Seth Wagoner)
3386461 (14.4k V.32bis)
3386042 (14.4k V.32bis)
Fees: For node 2
Software: Searchlight 4.5b
Notes: Aliases mandatory. High volume local message traffic. Role playing
games. Hand moderated games of Diplomacy using e-mail.
Tested: 1-9-97


Remote Access (Graeme Kerr)
3493236 (19.2k V.32bis)
3495274 (14.4k V.32bis)
Files: DOS/Windows Utils & Games, Graphics
Software: Remote Access 2.02
Nets: Fido 116,Adnet 14, Renegade 110, Southlink 145, BcNet 3
Address: 28 Bicknor Street Christchurch NZ
Fax: 3496008
Notes: All New Users Welcome. K12 Educational Network ( School
Access Only ). Node Co-Ordinator FidoNet NZ, Main
FidoNet Mail Hub. Full Support For FidoNet Boards &
Points. Off-Line Readers - Blue Wave & QWK. Full Range
of FidoNet EchoMail Conferences. Full Range of Gated
Internet Newsgroups. Delivered Board & Point Mail by
arrangement. FidoNet Zone Mail Hour 6-7am NZST. Great
Selection of Latest Software.
CD-Rom: 8 Drives; The Latest CD's on line
Tested: 1-9-97


Southern Lights (Chris Pheloung, Per Vilsbaek)
3886655 (X+) [Free access users call this line]
3882323 (X+) [Donating users only - non-stepping. Please Call Node 3]
3821000 (X+) [Donating users call this line - steps to Nodes 2 & 1]
Fees: Free - Limited Access - Node 1 Only.
$15 - Unlimited Files, Node 3 & 2 & 1 access.
$20 - Unlimited Files, Node 3 & 2 & 1 access, Free Internet E-Mail.
$30 - Family Membership. For Two Members of the same Household.
Files: General Selection of over 18500 files.
Nets: Fido 125, SLNet 2001, Southlink 140, Local-Net 145.
Software: Searchlight 5.02 with RIP. ViaMail! 1.30 Front End Mailer.
CDs: 2 x 4 Changer CDROM Units with the following currently Online..
NightOwl 23, 24, & 25. - Monster Media 16 & 19.
Cream of the Crop 25. - The Pier Shareware 10. - Game Box 1.
Notes: Caller Display is used on this site. Please make sure you display
your number to our system to avoid disconnection during login.
SLQWK & Valence Offline reader, Internet E-Mail Send & Receive.
Internet Newsgroups Send & Receive.
Searchlight Network NZ Hub.
Many of the Latest Door Games to Play.
Voice: Chris 025 368-755 or Per 025 226-3556
Fax: 388-7600
Email: ch...@southlights.gen.nz
p...@southlights.gen.nz
Advert: Searchlight Network is available from this site for
Registered Searchlight BBS's. It is imported from the States
on a daily basis via the Internet.
Reliable Internet E-Mail service for fast & efficient communication
with friends, relatives, and business associates around the world.
We have a dedicated phone line and modem online 24 hours a day for
maximum performance in Internet E-Mail turnaround times. It is in
your Mailbox the second it enters our site.
With the Five different Message Networks we are involved in,
we are sure there is something here for everybody.
Tested: 30-11-97


St Albans Infolink (Steve Carr)
3790983 (33.6k V.34+)
Software: PPP
Notes: This system is running as a stand-alone internet.
Access is by PPP.
Name Server: 10.1.1.10
WWW: www.prompt2.co.nz
Be careful... if you are changing the address of the name
server in software you already have set up to call an ISP then
make a note of your normal one down so you can re-enter it later!!!
Tested: 1-9-97


3rd Rock (Azza Morgan)
3522750 (33.6k V.34+)
Hours: 8pm-8am
Software: Remote Access 2.50+
Files: DOS, Win 3.1, Win 95, Doom
Nets: BC Net 6, Resistance 125.2
CD: 1 drive; Games Companion, Super Shareware
Voice: BBS number outside BBS hours
Tested: 1-9-97


ThunderBolt BBS (Brett Taylor)
3845454 (14.4k V.32bis)
Files: Win 3.1, Win95, DOS
Software: Proboard 2.15
CDs 1 Drive; Cheats, Hints & Tips.
Tested: 1-9-97


TONY'S BBS (Tony Hall)
3831155 (33.6k V.34+)
Fees: Guests - Limited access. 15 mins/day
Subscription users - Full access - Total support - $5 per month
Files: DOS, Windows, Win95, WinNT, OS/2, Amiga
Software: Maximus 2.01 & BinkleyTerm on OS/2
Nets: Fido 101, 57/0
Regional CoOrdinator FidoNet NZ, Main FidoNet Mail Hub
Notes: Full Support For FidoNet Boards & Points
Off-Line Readers - Blue Wave & QWK
Full Range of FidoNet EchoMail Conferences
Full Range of Gated Internet Newsgroups
Delivered Board & Point Mail by arrangement
FidoNet Zone Mail Hour 6-7am NZST
Great Selection of Latest Software
Address: TONY'S BBS - OPUS Technology
P.O.Box 5104, Christchurch
Email: tony...@voyager.co.nz
Voice: 383-1146 or Mobile 025-324-581
Fax: 383-1149
Tested: 30-11-97


tHE tOXIC dUMP (ZEUS, fIREL0RD)
3662292 (33.6k V.34+, 14.4 V.32bis) [2 nodes]
Hours M-F 24, Sat 9:20am - 3pm
Files Adult, Supermodels, Game Reviews, latest
reviews/cheats from TRG
Software PCBoard 15.3
Email thetox...@hotmail.com
Notes ID needed for Adult access
Tested 27-10-97


The Trashcan (Nicholas MacKechnie)
3425440 (X+)
Fees: Free - Limited Access, read Only Newsgroups
$15 - 60 Minutes a Day, No Ratios, read Only Newsgroups
$20 - 60 Minutes a Day, No Ratios, Email & Internet Newsgroups
Adult Access available to Donating users with Proof of Age.
Files: General Selection of over 25,000 files.
Nets: Fido 180, SLNet 1266, Southlink 107, Local-Net 185, Resistance 121
Software: Searchlight 5.02, Frontdoor 2.20c.mL, Squish/386 1.11
CDs: 6 Drives; Various CDROM's
Notes: Caller Display is used on this site. Please make sure you display
your number to our system to avoid disconnection during login.
SLQWK Offline reader, Internet E-Mail Send & Receive.
Internet Newsgroups Send & Receive. Windows NT/95 Support.
Non-Donating users are able to Read News for Free. We also
Import Searchlight net into New Zealand via the Internet (Hourly).
Users can Send/Recieve Faxes via the BBS, they also have the ability
to force BBS to send/check email/news at their convience.
GSM/Internet Gateway Coming soon......
Voice: 021-380-569
Fax: 342-5440
PO Box: The Trashcan BBS
P.O.Box 3153
Christchurch 8001.
Email: ni...@trashcan.gen.nz (home)
ni...@syntech.co.nz (work)
nick...@syntech.co.nz (send a message direct to my Cellphone).
(upto 150 characters)
Tested: 1-9-97


Trekwars (Jason Fuller, Alex Hose)
3772238 (28.8k V.34)
Fees: $10 1/2 year, $20 p/a. for more time, no file ratio etc.
Files: Adult, DOS & Win95 Games
Software: Excalibur 1.52
Notes: You need the Excalibur Terminal for Windows to connect to this BBS.
Ring with normal comms software to download the terminal.
Voice: 377-5515
Tested: 1-9-97 Busy


The UnderGround BBS (Steve West, Shane Morgan, Craig Crew)
3390322 (28.8k V.34)
Fees: Free, 30mins/day, 5:1 File Ratio
$10 for 1hr/day,No file ratio,All file areas,Timebank
$15 for above registered access plus an email address
Files: DOS,Windows,OS/2,Pictures and Sound files
Software: Searchlight 4.5 #2003
Nets: Fido 165, Southlink 135, SLnet 2003, Local Net 100 (Hub)
Ad-Net 18, X-Files Net 15, Resistance 103, Usenet
Notes: Valance QWK offline reader, Door Games. Friendly people, good
atmosphere, Points available for any of the above networks
2.5 Gig of files (Specialising in picture files)
Email: sy...@underground.pl.net
Tested: 1-9-97


Valkyrie BBS (Adrian Stacey)
3856211 (28.8k V.34) [2 nodes, steps]
Fees: Free - Limited Access.
$ 15 - Unlimited Files.
$ 20 - Unlimited Files, Internet e-mail OR Internet Newsgroups.
$ 25 - Unlimited Files, Internet E-Mail AND Internet Newsgroups.
Files: General Selection of over 14000 files.
Nets: Fido 260, SLNet 4297, Local-Net 155, Resistance Net 116.
Software: Searchlight 5.0n with RIP
CDs: 6 Disc Changer CDROM Unit with the following currently online
NightOwl 17, CICA for Windows, Chestnut Trio Overload 1, 2 and 3.
Notes: Valence Offline reader, Internet e-mail send & receive. Door
Games. Friendly people, good atmosphere. Points available for
any of the above networks (FrontDoor APX for Windows recommended).
User selectable Menu and Area options.
A/H Ph: 025-365-997
Fax: 385-7125
Email: valk...@valkyrie.gen.nz
Advert: The Sysops of this BBS are very much committed to providing
a system FOR our users. Any special interest groups catered
for. If you don't see it, ask for it, if it doesn't cost us
a fortune or require more hardware, it's yours.
Tested: 1-9-97

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
============================================================
I N F O R M A T I O N F O R T H E B E G I N N E R
============================================================

Welcome to the electronic world! Like everything, it will take time to
learn the jargon of the industry, and even longer to know what you're
doing. Be patient, it's well worth it! I'm going to have a go at
explaining a few things here.

The first thing you need is a computer with a serial port. Since you're
reading this, it's highly likely you've already got that. To connect with
a BBS, you need a device called a Modem. A modem goes between your computer
and your phone line. It converts the digital data a computer uses to normal
sound that can be carried on your phone line. Most modems plug into the
serial port on your computer, and this usually uses an industry standard
plug called RS-232C.

Modems are not all the same, but up until recently, they've all been
compatible in New Zealand. Nearly everyone uses modems supporting
International Telecommunication Union - Telecommunications (ITU-T, formally
CCITT) standards. This is the protocol of how a modem talks to another
modem. The way your computer talks to your modem will most likely be a
Hayes compatible standard. Then there's the next problem - The speed of
the modem. I'm not going to cram more technical stuff on you by trying to
explain it all, but the basic entry level for a modem nowadays is one that
does 28800bps. One of these ones should be available very cheap new, or
even cheaper second hand. The next speed up in common use these days is
33600bps. Most (if not all) new modems do fax.
There are currently two standards of 28800bps modems on the market, V.FC,
a standard made by Rockwell, who's chips are used by a lot of modem
manufacturers, and V.34, which is an official ITU-T standard. At the
moment there is a mixture of V.FC and V.34 modems being used by BBS's in
Christchurch. The two standards are NOT compatible.
All V.FC modems do support ITU-T standards up to V.32bis (14400bps) though.
There are a lot of modems on the market that do both standards, if buying,
I suggest you get one of these, or a V.34 only. Don't get one that only
does V.FC, you're buying old technology if you do. V.34 is a better
designed protocol, V.FC was bought out by Rockwell to fill in the gap
while people waited for ITU-T to sort out it's V.34 protocol and get it
released.

Also note that our phone lines are only supplied to talk over, and the
bandwidth required to do 28800bps is more than what is required to carry
voice conversations. In most circumstances, there is spare bandwidth on
your line, but if your modem won't go that fast, that could be why. That
extra bandwidth is needed along all the lines from you to the other end.
If it's not available, your modem will just step down in speed until it
gets to a level that the phone line can handle. This is usually still over
20000bps.


Okay, so now you've got your modem, plugged it all in as the manual
instructs you, and you're wondering what to do next.... while facing a
million different settings for the modem from it's manual. Don't worry
about doing anything to the modem apart from turning it on. Hopefully
you'll be able to get your software to do most of the work for you.

To send and receive data from your modem, you need some communications
software. If you haven't got any, try asking the shop you got the modem
from. They may try to sell you some expensive package. There are many
free (PD), or cheap shareware packages available for most computer systems.
If you can't locate any, give me a ring, my numbers in the Update section
of this list, and I will see what I can do you get some for you, or arrange
for someone to get some to you.

Once you've run your software, you'll probably have a menu named RS232,
Modem, or Communications somewhere. This will have some settings that
you'll only need to set once, if at all in them as all Christchurch BBSs
use the same, and they are usually put into software as the defaults.
(Don't forget to save any changes you make - it will have a
"Save Settings" option there somewhere).

These are...

Baud - set this to the highest BPS your modem can do, of if it's a
14400bps or faster modem go to 38400bps or 57600 if it works.

Stop Bits - set to 1
Parity - set to none
Flow - set this to RTS/CTS or Hardware
Data Bits - set to 8
Mode - set to Full

Terminal Emulation should be set to either ANSI, or if that's not available
VT100 or higher. If it's not available don't panic, but do try and find
another communications program as soon as possible! It makes life a lot
easier and the screen looks nicer!

Now you're ready to go!
In your software, there will be a dialing directory to store your favourite
BBS names and numbers. Enter some of the names and numbers from this list
into it, and select to dial it. Your modem should dial the BBS you tell it
to.
Upon connection, on most BBSs, it will say Press ESCAPE twice. If it
does, do it! Then it will want to know if you support ANSI. If you have
ANSI or VT100 selected, you can tell it yes. Some BBSs automatically
detect that you have it, but they don't know if you've got a colour screen
or not, so they just ask you if you want colour or mono. Again, tell it
what it wants to know. Next thing it will want to know if your user name.
On some systems it will say type NEW if you're new, on others it won't.
If it doesn't, just enter your first and last names. If it says enter your
alias (or name), you can enter your nickname instead. If it does get you to
type NEW, the next thing it will do is ask for your name.
You'll then have to fill in a few details about yourself for the Operators
records. Your phone number is always kept confidential, sometimes your
computer system is made public, your name and location (i.e. City) almost
always are.

After filling in all the details, some BBSs will have what's called a
"call back verifier", which will then disconnect you from the BBS and ring
you back to make sure you gave a genuine phone number. If it does, all you
have to do is wait for your phone to ring, then type ATA [RETURN] which
tells your modem (AT)tention (A)nswer. You'll be then reconnected with the
BBS. If a BBS doesn't have this verifier, you'll probably need to send a
mail message to the SYStem OPerator, usually by going to mail and sending
a message to SYSOP. This isn't necessary from the BBS software's point of
view, it's just that most people running BBS's like you to ask for access,
so they set it it up so that you don't get full access until you do ask
them - it's just a bad (in my opinion) habit from past years that's still
with us.
The BBS should tell you how to ask for validation if it's required. Read
the instructions on your screen and you can't go wrong.
On most BBS's, until you're validated, you will have a very limited amount
that you can actually see (and do) on the BBS. Once you are validated you
will have much better access.

So now that you know how to connect to a BBS, and you have an account
there, you'll want to know what you can do there. Most likely like
everyone else, you've got a distorted view of it all from the main media.
A BBS consists of 3 main things, Email - which is private mail between
users (warning: The Sysop can read your mail, and some probably do.),
Public Messages - these will be in the message area, which will be divided
up into different discussion areas named areas,subboards,echos, or
newsgroups, and finally the Files section, where you can get from or send
files to. The software you're using, is just showing the text you're
receiving from the modem to your screen, sometimes obeying codes in the
text that tell it to change colour or position on the screen. Whatever
you type goes straight to the BBS and it acts on it. This is suitable for
reading or writing both email and public messages.

To transfer a file, you need another program to be run on your computer
that's compatible with one at the BBS's end. This program is quite often
built into your communications program, or comes with it. The main ones
used are Kermit, XModem, Ymodem or Zmodem. If you have it (you should!),
ZModem is the best one to use. You'll need to either make a setting on the
BBS (if it has it) to ZModem for you, or tell it each time you want to
transfer a file what to use. Most do it the former way in the form of a
permanent setting for each user, which the user can change at any time.
To transfer a file to the BBS, it's called Uploading, and transferring a
file from the BBS to you is called Downloading. A lot of BBS's impose what
is called a file ratio, which means you have to upload a certain amount for
everything you download. Most BBS's will remove this limit if you subscribe.

Most BBS's also give you a daily time limit. This is very small until
you are validated, then ranges from 30mins to 1 hour on the BBS's in
Christchurch usually. If you subscribe to a BBS, it's highly likely
that your time limit will be increased, or removed altogether.

Graphical BBS's
===============
Something relatively new to BBS's is the use of a graphical interface.
There are several systems in use. The main one is a system called
RIP (Remote Imaging Protocol). This is a graphical interface for normal
text based BBS's. Instead of pressing a key for the command from the list
of options on the screen, you just click on it with a mouse. To use
this system, the BBS must support it, and you have to use communications
software at your end that does it too.
There are other BBS systems that you need to have their terminal software
at your end to access it. Usually you can obtain this software by calling
with a normal terminal program and downloading their software by Zmodem etc.
The advantage of making you use their software is that they use a system
where you can transfer files in both directions, and do other things all at
the same time. Normally you can only do one thing at a time on a BBS.

Files
=====
Most files you download from BBS's are in a compressed format. This is
done mainly to save on storage space on the BBS, and in the past was
done to speed up transferring files to you. The speed factor doesn't
really matter any more because most modems of 14400bps or faster have
V.42bis, which is a standard of error correction and data compression -
i.e. your modem compresses the data before it sends it, and the modem
at the other end de-compresses it.
The most common forms of compression are ZIP,ARC,LZH(also called LHA),
ARJ. To use these files after you download them, you need to decompress
them first. You need the specific software for whatever type of archive
it is to do this. If you don't have it, you should be able to download
it from a BBS in an un-compressed state, or it might be in a self
extracting archive which will uncompress when you run it.

Conduct
=======
You should conduct yourself on a BBS in the public messages areas, and
in private mail just as you should in a normal public place. This
means you should be pleasant and courteous to others using the system,
don't go around making a nuisance of yourself and abusing others.

Good Luck!, if you get stuck, give me a ring.


==============================================================================
==============================================================================

I n t e r n e t S e c t i o n

==============================================================================
==============================================================================


=======================================================
I N T E R N E T S E R V I C E P R O V I D E R S
=======================================================

This section lists information for the home user on Internet Service Providers
(ISP's). The prices available from different suppliers vary greatly, and so
does what you get for your money. Consider the availability of access, speed
of their system once you're online, helpdesk support, extra features, how you pay
their bill, and price when choosing an ISP.
Pricing etc shown in this section is for private customers only, for
commercial prices and conditions please contact the ISP's.
The entries in this section are either as i've entered them, or as the ISP has
supplied them to me.

If you are unfamiliar with some of the terms used in this ISP list, go and
have a read of the 'The Internet Explained' section in this list.

PLEASE NOTE:
The sending of unsolicited commercial email, and posting commercials to any
newsgroup other than nz.biz.* (and a few others that explicitly allow it) is
a breach of the terms of service of most ISP's and will most definetly give
your company a bad reputation in the internet community.

=========================================
P u b l i c T e r m i n a l s
=========================================

These places in Christchurch have computer terminals available
to the public to access the internet

E-Mail Centre (NZ) Ltd
150 Manchester Street
Email rem...@usa.net

Ground Zero
219 High Street
email groun...@xtra.co.nz

=====================================================
T h i n k i n g o f c h a n g i n g I S P s ?
=====================================================

As well as reading through this section, you might like to have a look
at each ISPs WWW pages. The easiest way to do this is to go to the
Canterbury Online web site, there is a page of links to all the ISPs
there.

http://www.southern.co.nz/co/

=========================================
F u l l a c c e s s p r o v i d e r s
=========================================

Listed here are details for...

Cave Rock The Internet Company of NZ Voyager
Clear Net The Internet Group Xtra
Compuserve Netaccess
Cyberxpress Southern Internet Services
IBM Internet Connection Synapse

********************************************************************

Cave Rock
Data (V.34 28.8k)
Fees Standard account:
$25/month
$0.75/Meg int'l traffic (8pm-9am)
$1.75/Meg int'l traffic (9am-8pm)
$0.25/Meg national traffic at all times.
Night-owl account:
$25/month
1 hour a day free, then
$3.00/hour after that.
$1.75/Meg int'l traffic (9am-8pm)
Free int'l traffic (8pm-9am)
National traffic free at all times.
Home account:
$10/month
1 hour a day free, then
$3.00/hour after that.
$0.75/Meg int'l traffic (8pm-9am)
$1.75/Meg int'l traffic (9am-8pm)
$0.25/Meg national traffic at all times.
-------------------------------------
The standard account is expected to be of interest
to the average user.
The night-owl account is intended for people who
use the internet heavily
during off-peak hours.
The home account is an attractive option for those
who are just interested
in seeing what it's all about, or want a cheap base
account for mail use
or web page hosting. In particular it may be of
interest to university
students who cannot host web pages on their
accounts there.

* World Wide Web home pages are available
Standard Account 10Mb of traffic free. National
Traffic $0.25/Meg, International $0.75/Meg
* Shell access is not available for the Night Owl
charging option.
* The first two months Access Fee is payable in
advance, and is non-refundable.
* Extra email accounts are available for $1.50 each
per month.
Payment Methods
Accounts SLIP, PPP and shell
Voice 366-4242
Fax 366-5478
Address/Box Cave Rock Software, P.O. Box 22-488, Christchurch
Email in...@caverock.co.nz
WWW http://www.caverock.co.nz/
FTP
DNS
SMTP Mail
Server
POP3 Mail
Server
News Server
HTTP Proxy
FTP Proxy
Notes

********************************************************************

Clear Net
Data ChCh 961 6050, 0800 550 050
Fees The CLEAR Net price structure has been designed to
be easy
for you to use. All prices include GST.

There is a one time only connection charge and then
you
are only billed for the time that you spend online.

Connection Fee $34.95 once only charge

CLEAR Net provides up to five free User IDs per
account.
Each additional block of five User IDs costs just
$10 per
month.

Prices are dependant on the area you are calling
from, the
time of day you use CLEAR Net, and the duration of
your
connection.

Monday to Friday Metro0800
7am - 4pm $2.95$5.95
4pm - Midnight $2.50$5.95
Midnight - 7am $2.25$5.95

Saturday and Sunday Metro0800
7am - Midnight $2.50$5.95
Midnight - 7am $2.25$5.95

* Price per hour. Charged to nearest second.

Key features of pricing structure

* We have local calling numbers in 15 cities and
towns.
* We round to the second. After the first minute of
usage you will be billed to the nearest second.
Charged on your Clear bill, or can be billed
Payment Methods seperatly.
Direct Debit, Post Shops, Cheque, Telebank.
Accounts PPP
New Accounts 0800 888 800 (Clear's normal
Voice operators)
Helpdesk 0800 777-765
Fax 0800 777-432
Address/Box
Email he...@clear.net.nz
WWW http://www.clear.net.nz/
FTP ftp.clear.net.nz
DNS Primary 203.97.33.1, Secondary 203.97.37.1
SMTP Mail Server smtp.clear.net.nz
POP3 Mail Server pop.clear.net.nz
News Server news.clear.net.nz
HTTP Proxy httpproxy.clear.net.nz, port 8080
FTP Proxy ftpproxy.clear.net.nz, port 8080
Notes Pricing for dedicated access to CLEAR Net for
business
customers is available upon application and is
dependant
upon your requirements. Please contact CLEAR
Business
Customer Service on 0800 555 500 for further
information.

********************************************************************

Compuserve
Data 338 9387 (28.8k V.34)
Fees
Payment Methods
Accounts PPP

Voice Sales: 0800 442-374
Support: 0800 446-113 M-F 9am - 9pm Sat 10am - 3pm
Fax
Address/Box CompuServe Pacific
Fujitsu Australia Ltd.
475 Victoria Avenue
Chatswood, NSW 2067 Australia
Email
WWW http://world.compuserve.com/
FTP
DNS
SMTP Mail Server
POP3 Mail Server
News Server
HTTP Proxy
FTP Proxy
Notes

********************************************************************

Cyberxpress
Data (V.34 28.8k)
Fees GST EXCLUSIVE

IQ Personal Account
$30.00 connection fee

$10.00 for a manual
$15 per month
$1.00/hr for the first 15 hours/month
$2.50/hr for each additional hour

Account balances must stay in credit
Electronic invoicing will be provided
Each additional mailbox is $3.00/month

VT Private account
$30.00 connection fee
$10.00 for a manual

$8.00 monthly fee
Volume charges, peak times 7am-11pm
$2.40/meg international, $1.20/meg national
Volume charges, off-peak times 11pm-7am
$1.20/meg international, $0.64/meg national

Time charges $0.005/minute

Each additional mailbox is $3.00/month

x2 account
This allows access to connect at 56k using US
Robotics x2 standard

$30.00 connection fee
$20.00 per month
$1.00 per hour for the first 15 hours
$2.50 for each additional hour

Payment Methods
Accounts

Voice 364-5888
0800 4CYBER
Fax 364-5828

Address/Box 10th Floor, Clear Centre, 155 Worcester St
PO Box 7578, Christchurch
Email enqu...@cyberxpress.co.nz
WWW http://www.cyberxpress.co.nz/
FTP
DNS
SMTP Mail Server
POP3 Mail Server
News Server
HTTP Proxy
FTP Proxy
Notes

********************************************************************

IBM Internet Connection
(PPP/SLIP) 372-8969 (28.8k V.34)
Data (SLIP) 372-8954 (14.4k V.32bis)
Registration 0800 10-5765
Fees One-time Registration Charge (waived until
01-01-1998)
70.00 per subscription.
This charge is not proratable.

New Zealand Classic (Default registration)

Monthly Subscription Charge $11.99
This charge applies in whole for any month or part
thereof.

Local Dial Access $2.50 per hour, for hours in excess
of 5 per month.

You can change to one of the following plans from the
IBM Internet Connection support pages on the World
Wide Web. Changes take effect in the next billing
period.

New Zealand Convenience

Monthly Subscription Charge $45.00
This charge applies in whole for any month or part
thereof.

Local Dial Access $2.25 per hour, for hours in excess
of 20 per month.

New Zealand Mega

Monthly Subscription Charge $90.00
This charge applies in whole for any month or part
thereof.

Local Dial Access $1.50 per hour, for hours in excess
of 50 per month.
Payment
Methods Credit Card
Accounts PPP/SLIP
0800 733-222
Voice account/admin support 08:00-17:30, 24hr/7day support
for the network
Fax 09 358-8632

Address/Box Steve Withers, IBM New Zealand, PO Box 38-993,
Wellington
Email bow...@vnet.ibm.com
WWW http://www.ibm.net/
FTP
DNS
SMTP Mail
Server
POP3 Mail
Server
News Server
HTTP Proxy
FTP Proxy
Notes Allows you to check your current and past
charges/usage.
Allows you to re-driect mail to another e-mail
address.
Allows you to create an email alias of up to 32
characters - with an IBM.NET domain name.
Software updates to the IBM's Internet Connection for
Windows v4.0 and OS/2 Warp Internet Access Kit are
available online. They down and install themselves -
easy for new users.
Local access points in over 500 cities world-wide.
You use your ID and password and pay the same New
Zelaand rate - no matter which country you access the
service from.
Online registration is possible with the IBM software
for Windows and OS/2, or NetManage Chameleon for
Windows (v4.3 or later) plus several others.

********************************************************************

The Internet Company of New Zealand Ltd
Data 338-3008
Fees GST Exclusive
BUDGET CRUISER FREEDOM
Setup $50 $100 $100
Monthly $10 $30 $55
Free Mb/Mth 1Mb 6Mb Free
Free Time/Mth 5Hours 15Hours 50Hours
$/Hour (Peak) $2.40 $1.20 $2.40
$/Hour (Early Bird)Free Free Free
$/Mb (Peak) $1.99 $1.99 Free
$/Mb (Early Bird) $0.99 $0.50 Free
Note - National and local data (except email) is
free!!

Peak time is from 7am until 12am
Early bird is from 12am until 7am
Advertised prices for data and time apply after any
free allocations have been exhausted.
Free data and free time are calculated and operate
independently of one another. Unused Free allocations
are lost each month.

National and local data (except e-mail) is free
except where service is defined by ICONZ as a
"Virtual Private Network".

"Free" (in respect to the Freedom Account) should be
read in conjunction with the terms and conditions of
this account.

Additional Email accounts are $10 setup fee, then
$5/month.
Payment
Methods
Accounts PPP, UUCP, Shell
Voice 0800 THE NET (0800 843-638), 09 358-1186
Fax 09 300 3122
Address/Box P.O. Box 6721, Auckland
Email he...@iconz.co.nz
WWW http://www.iconz.co.nz/
FTP
DNS
SMTP Mail
Server
POP3 Mail
Server
News Server
HTTP Proxy
FTP Proxy
Notes

********************************************************************

The Internet Group
Data 338-2488, 364-5360, 374-9820, 374-9465.
Fees GST Exclusive
All dial-in accounts incur a one off setup fee of
$69.00. The setup fee and the first months rental is
required in advance.

BRONZE ACCOUNT
$10.00 per month.
10 Hours FREE per month. Additional Charges are
$2.00 per Hour
no free space for homepages
GOLD ACCOUNT
$20.00 per month.
20 Hours FREE per month. Additional Charges are
$2.00 per Hour
no free space for homepages
SAPPHIRE ACCOUNT
$30.00 per month. 30 hours FREE per month then $0.
99 per hour
2.5Mb free for homepages

DIAMOND ACCOUNT
$40.00 per month
No Additional Time or Data Charges
5Mb free for homepages

There is a "3 hours in a row online" limit at Peak
Usage Period.
Payment Methods
Accounts
Voice 0800-22-22-25, 366 9926
Fax 366 3226

Address/Box CNR Hereford St & 160 Manchester St, Christchurch.
PO BOX 2785, Christchurch.
Email he...@ihug.co.nz
WWW http://www.ihug.co.nz/
FTP ftp.ihug.co.nz
DNS
SMTP Mail
Server
POP3 Mail
Server
News Server
HTTP Proxy
FTP Proxy
Notes

********************************************************************

NetAccess Services LTD
Data 3433096
Fees One time setup fee $50

FLAT RATE $43 Per mth ($440p.a.)
for 100 hours per month, hours over 100 are charged
at $1.13/hr

TIME CHARGE
8am-6pm $1.69/hr, 6pm-12am $2.81/hr, 12am-8am
$1.13/hr

Session times may be limited during peak times

The setup fee and first month's access charges must
be paid in advance.
A 10% discount is available if 12 months' access
fees are paid in advance.

3 email addresses per account are allowed
Payment Methods
Accounts

Voice General Information 03-348-8747
Technical Information 03-343-2087
Fax
Address/Box

Email General Information: in...@netaccess.co.nz
Technical Information sup...@netaccess.co.nz
WWW http://www.netaccess.co.nz/
FTP
DNS
SMTP Mail Server
POP3 Mail Server
News Server
HTTP Proxy
FTP Proxy
Notes Free WWW page for non-commercial Users ( 1MB )
E-Mail forwarding on accounts
WWW design and hosting
FTP site free for users
Kali Games Server (NEW)
Quake Server
Free Demonstration evenings
Online Traffic and Charging Statistics for volume &
time users
Proxy Server

********************************************************************

Southern Internet Services Ltd.
Data 3655408 (28k8 V.34/V.FC)
Fees Southern Internet has two pricing schemes from which
customers can choose that which best suits their
Internet usage pattern.

OPTION ONE - TIME CHARGING

1. Connection Fee $49.95
2. Monthly Charges
$15.00 for 5 free hours, thereafter $2.50 per hour
Hours between midnight and 8 am are $1.95 per hour.

OR:

$55.00 for 50 free hours, thereafter $2.50 per hour
Hours between midnight and 8 am are $1.95 per hour.

The monthly subscription must be paid in advance either
monthly via direct debit/credit bank authority, or
upfront on a three, six or twelve monthly basis.

These accounts are not to be used for high bandwidth
video and/or audio applications - each account has a
traffic limit of 100Mb per month, and thereafter normal
traffic rates will apply.

OPTION TWO - VOLUME CHARGING

1. Connection Fee $49.95
2. Monthly Subscription
15 hours online time $15.00
30 hours online time $25.00
60 hours online time $45.00
90 hours online time $60.00

Online time between midnight and 8 am is free

A customer's monthly subscription is calculated
automatically according to
the number of online hours used each month.

Online time in excess of 90 hours per month is charged
at $1.07 per hour (or part thereof)

3. Traffic Charges

PEAK RATE (9 am to 8 pm)
National (Mb) $2.00
International (Mb) $4.50
OFF-PEAK RATE (8 pm to 9 am)
National (Mb) $1.50
International (Mb) $3.00

Cache Hits receive a 90% discount on traffic rates, and
Cache Misses are charged at a 10% discount.

Local traffic (ie. traffic between sites that are local
to our network, ie. all Southern Internet users and the
Waikato and Canterbury Universities) is free of charge.

Off-Peak rates do not apply to email

All users who maintain their account in sufficient
credit to cover their monthly invoice will receive a
10% discount on traffic charges.

NOTE: A transfer fee will be payable by customers who
subsequently wish to change account types.

INSTALLATION AND TRAINING
Software installation in your home $45.00
Basic Internet training $50.00 per hour
Home installation and basic training (1 hour) $84.00

WWW HOME PAGE
Free storage of World Wide Web Home Pages (up to 100
Kb) is offered to all individual users. Home Pages over
100 Kb will be charged at $20 per Mb per month (minimum
$20 per month), but will incur no traffic charges for
hits to the site.

CREDIT TERMS
Our credit policy is that payment by the 20th of the
month following invoice is required. Failure to pay
within 7 days of receipt of a second invoice will
result in your account being suspended.
Payment
Methods Cheque, Visa, Master Card, Telebank or Direct Credit
Shell, UUCP and PPP accounts are all included in the
Accounts one customer account.
Leased line and ISDN access is also available.
Voice 365-7059 for all enquiries and helpdesk support
Fax 365-7060
Address/Box P.O.Box 22-651, Christchurch
Email he...@southern.co.nz
WWW http://www.southern.co.nz
FTP ftp.southern.co.nz
DNS 202.37.188.2
SMTP Mail
Server mail.southern.co.nz
POP3 Mail
Server mail.southern.co.nz
News Server news.southern.co.nz
HTTP Proxy
FTP Proxy
Notes Being the first ISP in the South Island, and having
been operating for six years, Southern Internet is a
professional organisation that offers excellent service
and support to its customers. Unlike other ISP's
clients, our customers find that they rarely obtain a
busy signal when trying to connect to us, and we do not
disconnect customers during busy periods. We feature a
responsive phone and email helpdesk operated by
qualified staff.
We may not be offering the cheapest deal around but we
do offer the best service in the business, and hence,
the best value for money.
Southern Internet supports many types of computers,
including PCs, Macs, Amiga, Acorn and PC networks.
For the commercial customer a wide range of services
are available, including Training Courses, WWW
Development and Storage, Domain Name Registration,
Firewalling, Intranets, Internet/LAN Connectivity,
Facilities Management/Telehousing, and Router Software.

********************************************************************

Synapse
Data (28.8k V.34)
Fees Gold Account
Setup Fee $56.25
Monthly Fee $45.00
Hourly Fee $2.00

Silver Account
Access Fee $56.25
Domestic Data Charges $1.50/Megabyte
International Data Charges $4.00/Megabyte

Bronze Account
Setup Fee $56.25
Hourly Fee $2.50

Homepages: All private users may also have a
non-commercial homepage hosted at Synapse free of
charge. These pages may be up to one megabyte in
size.
Payment
Methods
Accounts PPP
Voice 377-8462 (helpdesk hours 8am - 5pm weekdays)
Fax 366-2723

Address/Box 234 Armagh St, P.O. Box 13717
Christchurch
Email
WWW http://www.synapse.net.nz/
FTP
DNS
HTTP Proxy
FTP Proxy

Notes Modem:User Ratio 1:8 or better for all accounts
Quake Server Online

********************************************************************

Voyager
Data (V.34 28.8)
Fees REGISTRATION FEE $30.00 This includes five free hours
usage
NODE CENTRE (LOCAL CALL) ACCESS - CASUAL RATES
$3.34 per hour
NODE CENTRE (LOCAL CALL) ACCESS - FREQUENT USER RATES
Pre-pay $56.25 for 30 hours of access in a month with
additional hours charged at $2.80
NON-NODE CENTRES (0800) ACCESS - CASUAL RATES
$6.74 per hour at all times
NON-NODE CENTRES (0800) ACCESS - FREQUENT USER RATES
Pre-pay $56.25 for 12 hours of access in a month with
additional hours charged at $5.50

You start on the Frequent User Plan on the first day
of the month following your application and you must
give one month's notice to terminate your membership.
Payment
Methods Credit Card, Farmers Card
Accounts SLIP/PPP with their software.
Customer Service: 09 443 9447 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday
Voice to Friday
Technical Support: 09 443-9440 8am-12am 7 days
Fax 09 444-6430

Address/Box Level 5, 205 Wairau Rd, Takapuna, Auckland.
PO Box 101-371, NSMC, Auckland
Email sup...@voyager.co.nz
WWW http://www.voyager.co.nz
FTP
DNS
SMTP Mail
Server
POP3 Mail
Server
News Server
HTTP Proxy
FTP Proxy
Notes

********************************************************************

Xtra
Data 3702020
Fees Pricing for dial-up access to XTRA is based on
connection time, with different hourly rates for 0800
number and direct dial number access.

Connection Fee $39.95
0800 number connection time charge (hourly rate)
$4.95
or Direct dial number connection time charge (hourly
rate) $2.50

Please note:
Part hours of connection time will be charged per
minute
There is no minimum monthly charge
You can use either the 0800 dial-up number or a
direct dial number to connect to XTRA.
Direct dial numbers are currently available for the
Auckland, Wellington and the Christchurch toll free
calling area. These numbers are provided with your
XTRA connection pack.
If you use a direct dial number you will incur the
normal toll charges if you are dialling from outside
that number's toll free calling area.
In this case, any toll charges will be in addition to
the connection time charge stated above.
Payment Charged on your Telecom phone account
Methods Direct Credit, Telebank, Cheque, Post Shop
Accounts PPP
Voice 0800 Call-Xtra (0800 225598) 7am-11pm 7days
Fax
Address/Box
Email
WWW http://www.xtra.co.nz
FTP
DNS Primary 202.27.184.3, Secondary 202.27.184.5
SMTP Mail
Server smtp.xtra.co.nz
POP3 Mail
Server pop3.xtra.co.nz
News Server
HTTP Proxy
FTP Proxy
Notes

=====================================
E m a i l a n d N e w s o n l y
=====================================

Email and news is available from these BBS's in Christchurch.
Check the Main BBS List above for their numbers etc. It is
somewhat cheaper to use these for email, but it is slower, and you
may be restricted as to how big the messages are you send / receive.

The Last Byte - Email
Pointless Networks - Email and News
Mactropolis - Email and News
Online Support - Email
Southern Lights - Email and News
Just Another BBS - Email
Valkyrie BBS - Email and News
The Underground - Email and News
Tony's - News
Empire - Email and News
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
===============================================
T H E I N T E R N E T E X P L A I N E D
===============================================

What is it?
~~~~~~~~~~~

The Internet is a network of computer networks. Most of these computers are
linked up 24hours a day 365 days a year onto the network, making them
available to be accessed by any other computer on the network. They are
linked up by communications cables (including fibre cables under the ocean)
and satellites.
Under most circumstances a certain amount of bandwidth (the amount of data
that can be put through the link within a time frame) is purchased off a
supplier, the supplier decides which transport mechanism is used to get the
data there.
All of NZ used to be connected through to Waikato University who had a link
to Hawaii, but with the massive growth in popularity in the Internet within
the last few years now there are several other international links.

How do I use it
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The first thing to discuss is the different methods of getting connected to
the internet.
You're either going to be using a modem to dialup an ISP (Internet Service
Provider) on your telephone line, or have a leased line to an ISP. Most
home users will be using the former method.
To connect to an ISP you need some software on your computer to tell your
modem to dial the phone number of your ISP and transfer the data to and
from your ISP. What software you use depends on what type of access you
are using.

You can use...

PPP/SLIP Point to Point Protocol or Serial Line Internet Protocol. Both of
these do a very similar job, PPP being the newer and better method.
From the users point of view they do the same thing. Both put your
computer live on the internet while you remain connected to your ISP
over your Telephone Line. You run one program that does the PPP/SLIP
thing, and then run other programs to access various things over the
internet which do it by talking to the PPP program.

UUCP Unix to Unix Copy. This allows the offline use of Email and usenet
news only. Your computer calls up the ISP, sends out any mail or
news that your are sending to anyone, and receives new email and
news for you, then it hangs up. You can then read and reply to your
mail and usenet news offline, your replies will be send next time
you call. This used to be used extensively but with the growth of
services that require you to be connected to use them, such as the
WWW, it is hardly used nowdays. Only a handful of the better ISP's
provide it.

SHELL Account - This is access to a unix shell. This is great for someone
with a slow modem or slow computer, but not necessarily confined to
being used by just that group. All you need to use a Shell account
is a communications program on your computer - the sort of thing that
you use to call a BBS etc. Don't know what a unix shell is? It's
something similar to DOS. Once connected and you've entered your
username and password you'll be presented with a > prompt or
something similar waiting for you to type in a command. The commands
you type are the names of the program on your ISP to access news,
email, ftp, www, etc. Access is all text based, there are no pretty
pictures, but it is quite easy and quick to use. Once you type the
name of a program at that prompt, the program is usually menu based
with you pressing numbers,letters or using the cursor keys to do
different things.

Now a breif Explanation of how it all works.


TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)

The internet is a giant network of connected computers running a protocol
called TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Intetnet Protocol) to talk to
each other. Each machine is referenced by a series of numbers seperated by
.'s called an IP address.

DNS (Domain Name Server)

But luckly for us, someone invented the Domain Name system where each number
can have a name associated with it. To find out a computer's number from
it's Domain Name you need to look it up on a Domain Name Server (DNS). Your
software will do this for you without you seeing it if you try to access
somewhere by typing in it's name rather than it's number. When you first set
up your PPP or SLIP software you had to tell it the IP address of the Domain
Name server you will be using. Usually your ISP will be running a DNS and
will provide you with it's address.

An IP Address for your computer.

Your own computer will have an IP address while you are conntected to the
internet. You need to have an IP address so the site you are requesting
information from knows where to return it to. This is assigned to you by your
ISP. It will either be a fixed address given to you to enter into your PPP
software, or in most cases, it will be dynamically allocated to you each time
you log in - i.e. your ISP will assign you one of the numbers it has
available for it's dialup lines when you log in - it automatically gives the
number to your PPP software, you don't need to enter it (if necessary, enter
0.0.0.0 into your PPP software when using an ISP that dynamically allocates
IP addresses). This means that your ISP only needs enough numbers for the
lines it has, rather than one number for every user. Once your PPP software
knows your address it will take care of everything for you.

Email Addressing

You will also be assigned an email address by your ISP. This will usually be
your...@your.isp.co.nz where you choose your name. It doesn't have to be
@your.isp though, you can get yourself one of those domain names. If you do
you should make it as short as possible and try to make it something that
people will be able to guess if they forget it. Abreviate it only if your
name is also known in it's abreviated state.
A domain name is not free. It costs $20 to set up, a $15 invoice processing
fee, and $50 per year maintainence, plus whatever your ISP charges to set it
up at their end to host it for you. Domain Names can be obtained from
The Internet Society of New Zealand (ISOCNZ) or you can get your ISP to apply
on your behalf.
Any email sent to you will be held on you ISP's computer until next time you
run a mail program that will get it from there.


Services available on the Internet are...

Email - this is sent directly from the provider you use to the provider
the person you are sending it to uses. If both providers are live on
the Internet, it will probably arrive in their mailbox within a few
minutes.

Usenet News - this is a public messaging system divided into different
areas for different subjects called newsgroups. There's an area there
for just about every interest / hobby there is. People post messages
to these newsgroups and others all around the world can read them.
The system works by each Internet provider passing on all the
messages to each other.

FTP - FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, and as it's name suggests,
it's for transferring files. This is most commonly used to get files
from big public archives.

Archie - Archie search's for files in FTP sites for you and tells
you which ones have them if any.

WWW - WWW stands for World Wide Web. Probably one of the most talked about
parts of the Internet, it is a nice graphical interface to allow you
to look up and search for information. You go from 'page' to page by
clicking on highlighted words, or on pictures on your screen with a
mouse. The words and pictures on the pages can take you off to
another page on a different machine in some other part of the world
when you click on them.

Gopher - Probably where the WWW all started from. This is a basic text
interface where you just keep selecting areas to go to. E.g. it might
have the word libraries, and if you select that then a list of all
libraries available, then you could select a library to go to. Gopher
has basically died now, it's been replaced completly by the WWW. If
you do have a Gopher client, it can be quite amusing accessing sites
in it's index (if it has one). Most are now down but the ones that
are going contain data from around 1993/4. It allows you to look
back in time to see what things used to be like!

Telnet - Telnet allows you to log into any machine on the internet as if you
were calling it directly with your modem. So if you have an account
on a machine on the other side of the world, this is probably the
cheapest way of logging in to it! What you are loggin in to is a unix
shell on the other machine, the same as the shell account mentioned
at the start of this document.

IRC - Internet Relay Chat. A chatting system on the internet where you'll
find people from all corners of the world. It is divided into
different areas for chatting on different subjects called channels.
It works by the user running an IRC client which connects to an IRC
server. You can privately message one person, or chat to a whole
group in a channel. There are a lot of networks on IRC, Effnet and
Undernet being the biggest with the most users.
There tend to be more NZers on Undernet than Effnet (because there
are two undernet servers in New Zealand). You chose the network
you want by choosing what server you connect to.


SUGGESTED SOFTWARE

Most ISPs provide you with software. You don't have to stick with what
they give you, and in most cases would be far better off not to!
CLEAR Net and Xtra's method of providing you with MS Internet Explorer and
Netscape Navagator for browsing, email, and news are two good examples.
These programs are great for WWW browsing, but there are many very good
programs dedicated to Email or News that do a much better job and are
easier to use.

These are my favourites, your taste may vary.

The best place to get these is the NZ mirror of TUCOWS at Sinesurf
(http://tucows.sinesurf.co.nz) which has versions for Windows 95, Windows 3.1,
and the MAC. Also look at Windows95.Com (http://www.windows95.com)

PPP Trumpet Winsock (not needed for Win95)
Email Pegasus Mail
Eudora
Usenet News NewsXpress
Anawave Gravity
Free Agent
IRC mIRC
vIRC
WWW Browser Netscape Navagator or Communicator
Microsoft Internet Explorer
if you want a WWW browser that isn't so bloated in size,
Opera
FTP Cute FTP
WS FTP
FTP Explorer (Win95 only - very good).
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***** END OF CANTERBURY ONLINE. COPYRIGHT CRAIG SHORE 1997 *****


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