The Online World resources handbook

Getting started http://home.eunet.no/~presno/bok/v2.html
radio and television reception.
At this point, some discover that there is no place on the PC to attach the cable.
Look for a serial port at the rear of your machine, labeled MODEM,
COMMUNICATIONS, SERIAL, or with a phone symbol.
If you find no suitable connector, you may have to install an asynchronous
communication port in the box.
Connecting your equipment to earth
Secure your computer and modem against thunderstorms and other electrical problems.
Securing the electric outlet in the wall is not enough. Problems can also enter through
the telephone line.
Thunderstorms have sent electrical pulses through the telephone line destroying
four modems, three PC fax cards, one mother board, and at least one asynchronous
communication port.
To prevent this from happening to you, disconnect electrical and telephone cables
from your equipment during thunderstorms.
The communications program
A powerful communications program is half the job. In my case it's the whole job. Most
of my work is done automatically.
The communications program will help you with the mechanical transportation of
data in both directions. It lets you store incoming information for later use and reduces
the risks of errors.
There are several basically different types of communications programs:
1.
2.
3.
Programs that connect you to an Internet access provider using the TCP/IP
protocol. Example: Trumpet Winsock. In some cases, this is all they do. Sending
email, looking up the World Wide Web, and transferring files are done using
various client programs, like Netscape or Mosaic. Other programs, like SlipKnot,
can connect and perform client functions.
General purpose asynchronous communications programs, like Windows
Terminal. These let you call a large range of BBSes, commercial online services,
and Internet hosts. Your dialog with the host can be manual, or governed by
automatic scripts. Connecting to the Internet using TCP/IP is rarely included.
Special purpose communications programs. These are canned programs designed
to do specific tasks on defined services. They are rarely useful on other services,
and for other applications.
Some items to consider when shopping general purpose programs:
Seriously consider buying automatic programs ('robots') for access to individual
online services, even if that means having to use several programs for different
applications. (Read Chapter 16 for more.)
Menus and help texts are important for novices, and in environments with "less
motivated personnel." Advanced users may find it boring.
Ability to transfer data without errors. The program should have transfer protocols
like XMODEM, Kermit, XMODEM/CRC, YMODEM and ZMODEM. The
XMODEM protocol is the most commonly used. You need these protocols if you
want to transfer compiled computer programs (for example, .COM and .EXE
files). They are also used when transferring compressed files, graphics and music
files. ZMODEM is considered the best protocol by many.
Does it let you tailor it to your taste/needs? Some programs let you attach batches
of commands to function keys and keystroke combinations. For example, by
having your computer call your favorite online service by pressing the F1 key.
Does it let you "scroll back" information having disappeared out of your screen?
This may be useful when you want to respond while online to an electronic mail
message. The sender's address and name, which you need to respond, have
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