Did you know that computers at UNT like the VAX, Sol, Jove, Ponder
and the Library card catalog system can be used from home? You can.
There are a couple of things you need to have at your home. A
computer, a modem, and some software that will let your computer talk to
your modem.
This is the device that lets you connect your computer to a
telephone line. There are many brands of modems and lots of different
models. The most important feature to understand about a modem is its
speed.
The slowest modem you should consider buying today runs at 2400bps
(bits per second). This means the modem can transfer approximately 240
characters per second. That's certainly faster than most people can read
text, but when transferring files, scrolling text or using graphics over
the phone line, it's slow. The trade-off is price. 2400bps modems are
very affordable and can be purchased for as little as $50.
The fastest modems you can buy at retail stores run at 14,400bps.
Their prices can range from $175 to $300 depending on where you go and
what brand you buy.
At this time, the UNT dialups do not support anything over 2400bps unless you have a US Robotics HST type modem, in which case you can achieve 9600bps. However, all high speed modems are capable of running at the slower 2400bps speed. So when UNT does upgrade its dialups, you can take advantage of the higher speeds if you buy the faster modem now.
Sixteen 14,400bps modems are now in service and can be reached at
565-3989. Although any modem can connect to these modems, please use
the 565-3300 dialups if you own a 2400bps modem.
The Computing Center has a license to distribute Procomm Plus for
DOS free of charge. If you have a Macintosh, you can get MAC-Kermit for
free from the Computing Center. Just go to the ISB building (room 119)
to get the software. (You'll need your UNT ID.)
At the front of this newsletter is a table that gives the phone numbers and services available for those numbers.
Once you've gotten your modem to dial one of the UNT numbers, you
should get some sort of connect message. Press "b" several times until
you see a # sign. You may now type the host name of the machine you wish
to connect to or choose a host from a menu. (A table listing the
telephone numbers and the major hosts you may connect to is located on
the inside page of this newsletter.)
The only exception to this is if you call the 3461 lines. They are
connected to an older system that will be phased out within a year. You
can only reach sytek hosts from this system and must type the word CALL
before the number of the system you want to connect to.
If you have problems or questions about this server, please contact me as soon as possible. You can send mail to the following address:
WWW@unt.edu