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From: Steven G Huter <sghuter@darkwing.uoregon.edu> To: randy bush <randy@psg.com> Date: Sun, 19 Mar 1995 20:23:11 -0800 (PST) /* Written 10:43 PM Mar 19, 1995 by zik@zikzak.net in igc:alt.internet.a */ /* ---------- "Network Access in Australia FAQ" ---------- */ Summary: This post contains answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about obtaining internet and usenet access in Australia. Network Access in Australia FAQ ------------------------------- Archive-name: internet-access/australia Last-modified: 1995/03/19 Version: 2.13 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contents: * Section 1: About this FAQ * Section 2: How do I get an internet account? * Section 3: What public access machines are in my area? * Section 4: What can I do once I'm on the internet? * Section 5: How can I find out more about the internet? * Section 6: How do I connect my own machine to the net? * Section 7: What network organisations are there in Australia? * Section 8: How do I send mail between the various networks? * Section 9: Changes this month * Section 10: Disclaimer ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- About this FAQ -------------- This is a compilation of information on public networking in Australia. It contains information on the various organisations providing network access, how to get an account with network access, and how to attach your own machine to the network. New versions of the FAQ are posted monthly, incorporating any updates which have been received in the meantime. It'll probably never be quite complete but I'm trying to keep it as accurate and up-to-date as possible. If you have any information which is not included here, or if you have corrections or constructive comments to make, please mail me. Also, if you're going to republish the FAQ elsewhere, please make sure it's the latest version and check the copyright notice at the end. Any version more than a month old will already have been superceded. The most recent version of the FAQ is always available on the many FTP sites which archive FAQs. An example location is: URL: ftp://archie.au/usenet/FAQs/alt.internet.access.wanted/Network_Access_in_Australia_FAQ The FAQ is also available on the World Wide Web at: URL: http://www.cs.monash.edu.au/~zik/netfaq.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- How do I get an internet account? --------------------------------- There are basically three ways to get a network-connected account: 1. Enrol in a university course which involves having an account (this costs lots of money so consider 3. instead) 2. Get a job somewhere with a net connection (this may be considered a repugnant option by some as it involves work) 3. Get an account on a public access machine Universities offer the fastest network connections and the best facilities in general, but often restrict network access to those who actually need it. Public access machines are becoming more and more common, and offer many of the same features that the universities do. They're also much less restrictive about what programs you are allowed to run. Generally you'll need to access public access sites from home using a modem and a terminal program on your own computer. The next section details the public access machines in each area. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- What public access machines are in my area? ------------------------------------------- This section lists public access sites. It's organised into areas by state: * ACT * New South Wales * Northern Territory * Queensland * South Australia * Tasmania * Victoria * Western Australia There are (generally speaking) three types of people who operate these systems: * Commercial - The system is run as a full-time commercial operation. Commercial use is allowed. * Non-profit - The system is operated for the pleasure of the operator, not for profit. Commercial use is allowed. * Hobbyist - The system is operated for the pleasure of the operator, not for profit. Users are restricted to non-commercial activities - no business or advertising is allowed. There are three possible types of link: * UUCP - Machine calls another on a regular basis to transfer news and email. This is the slowest option. It also doesn't offer access to most internet services, and is more correctly referred to as a "Usenet" network host. * IP - Machine is permanently connected to the internet. Very quick responses are possible and all network services are available. * MHSnet - Machine calls another on demand and/or regularly. This is usually better than UUCP, but doesn't offer full IP connectivity. Modem standards are complicated things. In general a site with modems that support high speeds will also support all the lower speeds. The main modem standards are: * V.34 - 28,800 bps raw speed * V.FastClass - 28,800 bps raw speed, Rockwell proprietary standard * V.32bis - 14,400 bps raw speed * PEP - 14,000 bps raw speed, Telebit proprietary standard * V.32 - 9,600 bps raw speed * V.22bis - 2,400 bps raw speed * V.22 - 1,200 bps raw speed * V.23 - 1,200 bps receive / 75 baud send Also some modems support compression and packetising on top of the raw communications they provide. Packetising reduces the amount of line noise you'll have problems with, and compression increases the throughput available: * V.42bis - ~4 times compression (usually includes V.42) * V.42 - packetisation * MNP5 - ~2 times compression (usually includes MNP4) * MNP4 - packetisation After you've selected a shortlist of possible sites you may also want to check out "Section 7: What networks are there in Australia?" to get a brief idea of what facilities each network offers. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACT Site name -----> dialix.oz.au <canberra.dialix.oz.au> Organisation --> DIALix Services Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Canberra Dialins -------> 7 * V.32bis/V.42bis, ??? * V.FastClass, ??? * ISDN Charges -------> 1c/minute, 1c/1000 bytes non-DIALix (Internet/AARNet) traffic Machine -------> SVR4 Unix Link ----------> IP Features ------> Menu access, Unix shell or UUCP. e-mail, usenet, ftp, telnet, talk, finger, irc, dcc, gopher, rlogin, lynx, ISDN, web pages How -----------> dial (06) 251-3811 Contact -------> Justin Sullivan <justin@dialix.com> Web -----------> http://www.dialix.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> interconnect.com.au <can.interconnect.com.au> Organisation --> InterConnect Australia Pty. Ltd. Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Canberra Dialins -------> 4 * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $95.00 (1 off) + $20/month + 15c/minute online. Also FTP @ $1 per 1 MByte, contact for full details. Machine -------> i486 EISA, SCSI disk, BSDI UNIX. Link ----------> IP - 20 milliseconds to AARNet Features ------> Interactive login, Telnet, FTP, News, Mail, Talk... How -----------> Ring sales on 008 818 262 or 03 528 2239. Contact -------> <info@interconnect.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.interconnect.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> netinfo.com.au Organisation --> Netinfo Pty Ltd Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Canberra Dialins -------> 25 * V.FastClass Charges -------> Varies, mail <sales@netinfo.com.au> for details Machine -------> Sun SPARC 20, Solaris 2.4 Link ----------> IP Features ------> No time charges at all, no daily limits, SLIP/PPP, dial-up and dedicated,ISDN also available. How -----------> Dial in on (06) 292 6200, select registration option Contact -------> <sales@netinfo.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.netinfo.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> ozemail.com.au Organisation --> OzEmail Pty. Ltd. Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Canberra Dialins -------> ? * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $25 to join, $10 per hour until 9pm, $5 afterwards Machine -------> i486, UNIX. Link ----------> IP Features ------> Easy to use Windows software, PPP, SL/IP, UNIX shell How -----------> dial 06 257 2662 and select "register" Contact -------> Phone sales on (008) 805 874 or email <support@ozemail.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.ozemail.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> peg.apc.org Organisation --> Pegasus Networks Communications Pty Ltd Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Canberra Dialins -------> ? * V.FastClass, AUSTPAC Charges -------> $95 mailbox purchase, $25 per month, from 10 to 19 cents per minute, enquire for full details Machine -------> Sun running UNIX Link ----------> IP - ISDN@64kbps Features ------> E-mail and conferencing, SL/IP, gateways to APC, FIDOnet and Internet. telnet access, gopher, WAIS. Support hotline. How -----------> By email, mail or phone Contact -------> <support@peg.pegasus.oz.au> Web -----------> http://www.peg.apc.org/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> posgate.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Canberra Dialins -------> 1 * V32/V.42bis Charges -------> APANA membership + $10/month (mail for details) Machine -------> 486DX33 Linux 1.2 Link ----------> IP Features ------> offering dialup/permanant SLIP/PPP/UUCP only (no shell) How -----------> dial (06) 285 1701 login as guest, http://posgate.apana.org.au Contact -------> Mark Purcell <m.purcell@posgate.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- New South Wales Site name -----> geko.com.au Organisation --> Geko Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Sydney Dialins -------> 8 * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> UNIX shell: $20 setup + $15 per month, SL/IP: $20 setup + $30 per month Machine -------> SPARC 1000, Solaris UNIX Link ----------> IP Features ------> UNIX shell, Telnet, FTP, News, Mail, also SL/IP and PPP How -----------> Ring sales on (02) 968-4333 Contact -------> Dez Blanchfield <geko@geko.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.geko.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> interconnect.com.au <syd.interconnect.com.au> Organisation --> InterConnect Australia Pty. Ltd. Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Sydney Dialins -------> 8 * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $95.00 (1 off) + $20/month + 15c/minute online. Also FTP @ $1 per 1 MByte, contact for full details. Machine -------> i486 EISA, SCSI disk, BSDI UNIX. Link ----------> IP - 20 milliseconds to AARNet Features ------> Interactive login, Telnet, FTP, News, Mail, Talk... How -----------> Ring sales on 008 818 262 or 03 528 2239. Contact -------> <info@interconnect.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.interconnect.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> dwarf.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Wollongong Dialins -------> 1 * V32/V.42bis Charges -------> Nil Machine -------> LINUX, (386DX40) Link ----------> UUCP - time to internet: 18 hours How -----------> dial (042) 973837 Contact -------> Russell Noble <russ@dwarf.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> ilb.com.au Organisation --> ILB Computing Pty. Ltd. Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Wollongong Dialins -------> 2 Charges -------> ? Machine -------> ? Link ----------> MHSnet Features ------> 1.2G of news online How -----------> ? Contact -------> Kevin Withnall ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> kralizec.zeta.org.au / godzilla.zeta.org.au Organisation --> Zeta Microcomputer Software Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Sydney Dialins -------> 17 * V.FastClass Charges -------> $15/month for 10 hours, $1/hr thereafter Machine -------> Sun 3 (SunOS 4.0) / 486DX2/66 (Linux) Link ----------> IP Features ------> > 3 Gb disk, 6 CD-ROMs, huge amount of Linux S/W; full Internet capabilities How -----------> dial (02) 837-1868, login as "guest" Contact -------> Nick Andrew <nick@kralizec.zeta.org.au> Web -----------> http://www.zeta.org.au/Guest/main.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> kumear.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Lake Macquarie Dialins -------> 1 * V32/V.42bis, 1 * 1 * V.22bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $15 pa Machine -------> Amiga 3000T, AmigaDOS 2.05 Link ----------> UUCP - time to internet: 18 hours Features ------> DLGPro BBS software, Lots of Amiga software, FidoNET, AdultLink. How -----------> dial (049) 48-5408 Contact -------> Phillip Eastham <phillip_eastham@kumear.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> lismore.edex.edu.au Organisation --> Digital Mail Service Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Lismore Dialins -------> 1 * V.FastClass Charges -------> $50 / yr + $25 setup Machine -------> PC, Linux Link ----------> UUCP - time to AARNet ? Features ------> Mail and News delivery via uucp, specialising in economical feeds to schools. How -----------> email or voice (066) 220224 Contact -------> Mark Constable <markc@lismore.edex.edu.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> magna.com.au Organisation --> Magnadata Public Access Internet Services Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Sydney Dialins -------> 35 * V.FastClass Charges -------> Shell $32 per month, SLIP/PPP $40 per month Machine -------> 486dx50 PCs / SYSV 3.2 Link ----------> IP Features ------> No time charges at all, shell and SLIP/PPP, dial-up and dedicated, free email support How -----------> dial (02) 267 7711, login as "guest" Contact -------> info@magna.com.au, voice <info@magna.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.magna.com.au/magna/magna1.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> mpx.com.au <jolt.mpx.com.au> Organisation --> Microplex Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Sydney Dialins -------> 25 * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $25 setup fee + $23.50/month or $234/year Machine -------> Sun SPARC 10, UNIX Link ----------> IP Features ------> E-mail, FTP file transfer, Usenet news, Talk, Internet Relay Chat, Gopher and World Wide Web How -----------> By email, snail or phone Contact -------> <info@jolt.mpx.com.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> next.com.au <drjones.next.COM.AU> Organisation --> Next Online Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Sydney Dialins -------> 12 * V.FastClass Charges -------> $30 connection fee, $25/month (5 hours; $6 per hour after) or $50/month (20 hours; $3 pha), mail for full details Machine -------> SGIs running UNIX (Irix 5.2) Link ----------> IP Features ------> Price includes software kit for Windows or Mac. email address, email support, 3 hours free phone support How -----------> dial (02) 310-2911, login as guest, no password Contact -------> <info@next.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.next.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> peg.apc.org Organisation --> Pegasus Networks Communications Pty Ltd Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Sydney Dialins -------> ? * V.FastClass, AUSTPAC Charges -------> $95 mailbox purchase, $25 per month, from 10 to 19 cents per minute, enquire for full details Machine -------> Sun running UNIX Link ----------> IP - ISDN@64kbps Features ------> E-mail and conferencing, SL/IP, gateways to APC, FIDOnet and Internet. telnet access, gopher, WAIS. Support hotline. How -----------> By email, mail or phone Contact -------> <support@peg.pegasus.oz.au> Web -----------> http://www.peg.apc.org/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> sb.dialix.oz.au Organisation --> Private Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Lakemba Dialins -------> 1 * V.FastClass Charges -------> none Machine -------> 486sx, Linux Link ----------> UUCP - time to AARNet: 12 hours Features ------> Internet News, E-mail and DOS/Windows archives How -----------> dial (002) 758-2272, login as "guest" Contact -------> Van Mai <sysop@sb.dialix.oz.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> scorch.hna.com.au Organisation --> Hunter Networking Association Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Newcastle Dialins -------> 4 * V32/V.42bis Charges -------> $40 pa (interactive), $60 (private systems), $100 (public sys) Machine -------> Network of Linux/386 machines Link ----------> UUCP - time to internet: 4 hours Features ------> BBS-ish interface or UNIX shell. Local news spool. POPmail, SLIP. Visitors may browse the system for a month w/o charge. How -----------> dial (049) 61-1695, login as "guest" Contact -------> Michael Brown <mbrown@hna.com.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> sydney.dialix.oz.au Organisation --> DIALix Services Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Sydney Dialins -------> 42 * V.32bis/V.42bis, ??? * V.FastClass, ??? * ISDN Charges -------> 1c/minute, 1c/1000 bytes non-DIALix (Internet/AARNet) traffic Machine -------> SVR4 Unix Link ----------> IP Features ------> Menu access, Unix shell or UUCP. e-mail, usenet, ftp, telnet, talk, finger, irc, dcc, gopher, rlogin, lynx, ISDN, web pages How -----------> dial (02) 948-6918, login as "visitor" Contact -------> Justin Sullivan <justin@dialix.com> Web -----------> http://www.dialix.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> sysx.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Darlinghurst, Sydney Dialins -------> 1 * V.32 Charges -------> $25.00 pa Machine -------> 386/33 running Waffle 1.65 & various Link ----------> UUCP - 6 hr max delay to AARNET. Features ------> Geared towards electronic musicians and artists. How -----------> Email <admin@sysx.apana.org.au> Contact -------> <scot@sysx.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> toaster.hna.com.au Organisation --> Hunter Networking Association Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Newcastle Dialins -------> 1 * 2400 Charges -------> none Machine -------> 486sx33, 8 meg core, 200M drive, CD-ROM Link ----------> UUCP - time to internet: 6 hours Features ------> CICA and Hobbes CD-ROMs online. How -----------> Email Contact -------> Matt McLeod <matt@toaster.hna.com.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> triode.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Sydney Dialins -------> 7 * ? Charges -------> APANA Sydney Membership: $115 per year + $50 joining fee Machine -------> 486DX/33 running Linux Link ----------> IP Features ------> No time or volume charges. lots of Linux sources and 6 online CDROMS. How -----------> dial 02-389-8022, login as "guest", d/l Apana Info kit Contact -------> <sydney@apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> ozemail.com.au Organisation --> OzEmail Pty. Ltd. Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Sydney Dialins -------> ? * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $25 to join, $10 per hour until 9pm, $5 afterwards Machine -------> i486, UNIX. Link ----------> IP Features ------> Easy to use Windows software, PPP, SL/IP, UNIX shell How -----------> dial 02 906 6677 and select "register" Contact -------> Phone sales on (008) 805 874 or email <support@ozemail.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.ozemail.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> tmx.com.au <online.tmx.com.au> Organisation --> TMX Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Sydney Dialins -------> ??? Charges -------> shell: $50 reg, $2 per meg, $1 per hour, min $20/month; slip/ppp: $95 reg, $2 per meg, $1 per hour, min $20/month Machine -------> PC / BSDi Link ----------> IP Features ------> ??? How -----------> Voice - (02) 550-5014 Contact -------> ??? Web -----------> http://www.tmx.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Northern Territory Site name -----> turtle.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Darwin Dialins -------> 6 * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $25 to join, $20 per month Machine -------> ? Link ----------> IP - 19kbps to APANA Features ------> ? How -----------> dial (089) 723 499, login as "info" Contact -------> Robert Nagy <robert@turtle.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Queensland Site name -----> brisbane.dialix.oz.au Organisation --> DIALix Services Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Brisbane Dialins -------> 14 * V.32bis/V.42bis, ??? * V.FastClass, ??? * ISDN Charges -------> 1c/minute, 1c/1000 bytes non-DIALix (Internet/AARNet) traffic Machine -------> SVR4 Unix Link ----------> IP Features ------> Menu access, Unix shell or UUCP. e-mail, usenet, ftp, telnet, talk, finger, irc, dcc, gopher, rlogin, lynx, ISDN, web pages How -----------> dial (07) 889-0799, login as "visitor" Contact -------> Justin Sullivan <justin@dialix.com> Web -----------> http://www.dialix.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> broadbch.edex.edu.au Organisation --> Digital Mail Service Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Gold Coast Dialins -------> 1 * V.fastclass Charges -------> $50 / yr + $25 setup Machine -------> PC, Linux Link ----------> UUCP - time to AARNet ? Features ------> Mail and News delivery via uucp, specialising in economical feeds to schools. How -----------> email or voice (075) 275724 Contact -------> Mark Constable <markc@broadbch.edex.edu.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> cstpl.com.au <silver.cstpl.com.au> Organisation --> CSTPL Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Brisbane Dialins -------> 3 * V32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> Up to $2.94Mb Machine -------> Unix. 486 Link ----------> IP Features ------> SLIP, Shell How -----------> email Robert Chalmers Contact -------> Robert Chalmers <robert@cstpl.com.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> desire.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Brisbane Dialins -------> 2 * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $100/year, $12/month Machine -------> i486 Linux Link ----------> IP Features ------> Unix shell, dialup-slip, uucp, e-mail, usenet, ftp, telnet, talk, finger, irc, gopher, rlogin, menu. How -----------> Voice - (07) 371 3237 Contact -------> Reagan Blundell <noddy@desire.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> icecave.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Cairns Dialins -------> 1 * V.fastclass, 1 * v.32bis/v.42bis Charges -------> APANA Membership + Cost Sharing for STD Costs Machine -------> Amiga 3000 Link ----------> UUCP - time to AARNet 6 hours Features ------> BBS Interface plus UUCP available, 2 CD-ROMs online' How -----------> dial (070) 31-4186 Contact -------> Dave Freeman <dfreeman@icecave.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> ipswitchcity.qld.gov.au Organisation --> Ipswitch City Council Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Ipswitch Dialins -------> ??? Charges -------> $10 per month for 5 hrs/week to $25 for 25 Machine -------> ??? Link ----------> IP Features ------> email, ftp, news, web How -----------> Voice (07) 810-6789 Contact -------> ??? Web -----------> http://iccu6.ipsichcity.qld.gov.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> interconnect.com.au <bri.interconnect.com.au> Organisation --> InterConnect Australia Pty. Ltd. Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Brisbane Dialins -------> 4 * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $95.00 (1 off) + $20/month + 15c/minute online. Also FTP @ $1 per 1 MByte, contact for full details. Machine -------> i486 EISA, SCSI disk, BSDI UNIX. Link ----------> IP - 20 milliseconds to AARNet Features ------> Interactive login, Telnet, FTP, News, Mail, Talk... How -----------> Ring sales on 008 818 262 or 03 528 2239. Contact -------> <info@interconnect.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.interconnect.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> OntheNet.com.au <diablo.OntheNet.com.au> Organisation --> On the Net Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Gold Coast Dialins -------> 5 * V.FastClass Charges -------> SLIP/PPP $60 startup - $60/month for 7 hrs/week, or $40/month for 4 hrs/week. Extra hours, $5/hr. Machine -------> Sun SPARC UNIX Link ----------> IP - ISDN @ 64kbps Features ------> Shell, SLIP/PPP, ISDN. Dialup and permanent connections. How -----------> Phone (075) 933535, Fax (075) 933557 Contact -------> <info@OntheNet.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.OntheNet.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> ozemail.com.au Organisation --> OzEmail Pty. Ltd. Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Brisbane Dialins -------> ? * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $25 to join, $10 per hour until 9pm, $5 afterwards Machine -------> i486, UNIX. Link ----------> IP Features ------> Easy to use Windows software, PPP, SL/IP, UNIX shell How -----------> dial 07 279 3914 and select "register" Contact -------> Phone sales on (008) 805 874 or email <support@ozemail.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.ozemail.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> ozspace.brisnet.org.au Organisation --> BrisNet Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Brisbane Dialins -------> ? * v.32bis and v.fast Charges -------> dial-in mail/news: $80 p.a., IP $20 extra Machine -------> 386 PC compatible; Linux Link ----------> IP Features ------> providing UUCP and IP feeds How -----------> For info pack e-mail <info@brisnet.org.au> Contact -------> Rhys Weatherley <rhys@fit.qut.edu.au>, voice (015) 576-698 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> peg.apc.org Organisation --> Pegasus Networks Communications Pty Ltd Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Brisbane Dialins -------> ? * V.FastClass, AUSTPAC Charges -------> $95 mailbox purchase, $25 per month, from 10 to 19 cents per minute, enquire for full details Machine -------> Sun running UNIX Link ----------> IP - ISDN@64kbps Features ------> E-mail and conferencing, SL/IP, gateways to APC, FIDOnet and Internet. telnet access, gopher, WAIS. Support hotline. How -----------> By email, mail or phone Contact -------> <support@peg.pegasus.oz.au> Web -----------> http://www.peg.apc.org/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> powerup.com.au Organisation --> Power Up Operator type -> Commerical Location ------> Brisbane Dialins -------> 32 * V.FastClass Charges -------> $250/year 2hrs/day Machine -------> Unixware/Linux Link ----------> IP Features ------> Menu access, e-mail, usenet, ftp, telnet, finger, irc, gopher, www, lynx, ppp, slip, cslip, local MUD How -----------> dial (07) 399-1322, login as ??? Contact -------> Joe Altoff <jaltoff@powerup.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.powerup.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> premier.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Brisbane Dialins -------> 1 * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $100/year, $12/month Machine -------> i486PC Link ----------> IP Features ------> Unix shell, e-mail, usenet, ftp, telnet, talk, finger, irc, gopher, rlogin etc. How -----------> dial (07) 841-5435, login as "visitor" Contact -------> Brent Paddon <brentp@premier.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> pro-vision.pronet.com Organisation --> Independent Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Townsville Dialins -------> 1 * V.32bis Charges -------> from $40/year for 20 hours/month, $60/year for 30 hours/month Machine -------> Apple IIgs, running proline v3.0 Link ----------> UUCP - time to internet 24hr Features ------> menu or like shell offering users file area. Apple II software, graphics, sound. How -----------> By email, mail or phone Contact -------> Christopher Griggs <cgriggs@pro-vision.pronet.com> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> starvision.brisnet.org.au Organisation --> BRISNet Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Brisbane Dialins -------> 3 * V32bis/V.42bis, 1 * V.22bis Charges -------> $85 (1 hour/day) to $265 (4 hours/day) per year Machine -------> IBM i486DX2/66, Linux v1.1 Link ----------> SLIP @ 28.8kbps Features ------> Unix shell, Interactive Menu System, E-mail, Usenet News Ftp, Fsp, Telnet, Lynx (WWW), Talk, Finger, Irc, Gopher,Rlogin How -----------> dial (07) 806-7881, login as visitor, read access charges menu Contact -------> Matthew Trim <matt@starvision.brisnet.org.au> (07) 362-6787 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> wonderland.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Brisbane Dialins -------> 1 * V.FastClass/V.42bis Charges -------> $100/year, $12/month Machine -------> i486 Linux Link ----------> IP Features ------> Full IP services (telnet, ftp, talk, irc etc) How -----------> Voice - (07) 300 2230, dial (07) 300 6164 - login as 'bbs' Contact -------> Michael Watkin <wombat@wonderland.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Australia Site name -----> adam.com.au Organisation --> ADAM Pty Ltd Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Adelaide Dialins -------> 60 * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $50 + optional internet access ($25) Machine -------> 2 x Pentium, 4 x 486DX2-66, 60GB of files Link ----------> IP Features ------> Menu access, 2000 new files per week, Unix shell, Email, News, Telnet, FTP, IRC, Gopher, WWW, etc. How -----------> dial (08) 370-5775, log in with your name Contact -------> Greg Hicks (phone (018) 824 648), email <steve@adam.com.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> adelaide.dialix.oz.au Organisation --> DIALix Services Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Adelaide Dialins -------> 14 * V.32bis/V.42bis, ??? * ISDN Charges -------> 1c/minute, 1c/1000 bytes non-DIALix (Internet/AARNet) traffic Machine -------> SVR4 Unix Link ----------> IP Features ------> Menu access, Unix shell or UUCP. e-mail, usenet, ftp, telnet, talk, finger, irc, dcc, gopher, rlogin, lynx, ISDN, web pages How -----------> dial (08) 231-6822, login as "visitor" Contact -------> Jo Brock <jbrock@adelaide.dialix.oz.au> Web -----------> http://www.dialix.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> apanix.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Adelaide Dialins -------> 10 * V32.bis/V42.bis, 3 * V32/MNP5 Charges -------> $85/year or $10/month for 2 hrs/day dialup. Machine -------> 2 x Sparcstation ELC, uVax 3600, 386dx40 FreeBSD Link ----------> IP Features ------> Internet news, mail, ftp, telnet, IRC, muds, gopher, WWW. Unix shell or menu (SL/IP to APANA members) How -----------> Dial (08) 373-5485 or telnet, login: apanix, password: apanix Contact -------> Adrian Corston <adrian@apanix.apana.org.au> Web -----------> http://www.apanix.apana.org.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> byron.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Adelaide Dialins -------> 2 * 2400 baud, 3 * V.32bis Charges -------> $55 per year Machine -------> 486DX50 16mb ram, 0.8gb disk, Simtel CDROM Link ----------> IP Features ------> Programmer's hangout, news, mail, UNIX shell How -----------> dial (08) 364-2017, login as "guest" Contact -------> John Lindsay <admin@byron.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> camtech.com.au <goliath.camtech.com.au> Organisation --> Camtech Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Adelaide Dialins -------> 20 * V.FastClass/V.34 Charges -------> (Personal PPP) $200 Setup, $400/Year, $2/MByte Machine -------> Sparc Server 1000 Link ----------> IP - 10MBit/s to AARNet Features ------> Premium high speed connections to the Internet. How -----------> Voice - (08) 303 3300, Fax - (08) 303 4403 Contact -------> Matthew Moyle-Croft <info@camtech.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.camtech.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> cleese.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Adelaide Dialins -------> 2 * V.32bis/V.42bis, 1 * 2400 Charges -------> $85 per annum, or $10 per month Machine -------> i486DX/33, 16Mb RAM, 1.1Gb disk, FreeBSD UNIX Link ----------> IP Features ------> SA APANA hub site, interactive shells, UNIX tech support How -----------> dial (08) 373-6006, login as "guest" Contact -------> Mark Newton <newton@cleese.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> cswamp.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Adelaide Dialins -------> 1 * V.32bis Charges -------> none Machine -------> 80386/16, 2MB RAM, 730MB disk; MS-DOS 4.01 Link ----------> UUCP - time to internet: 24 hours Features ------> Maximus 2.01wb bbs software, Bluewave offline reader How -----------> dial (08) 370-2133 Contact -------> Arthur Marsh <arthur@cswamp.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> damp.apana.org.au <frisbee.damp.apana.org.au> Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Adelaide Dialins -------> 2 * V.32bis/V.42bis, 1 * 2400/MNP5 Charges -------> $85 p.a. for 2 hrs/day dialup Machine -------> i486DX2/66 (FreeBSD), 16Mb ram, 1.7Gb disk, CD-ROM Link ----------> IP Features ------> MIDI & E-music specialists. Menu & Unix shell, E-mail, News, Telnet, FTP, IRC, Gopher, WWW etc. (UUCP/SLIP/PPP available) How -----------> dial (08) 370-9632, login as "guest" Contact -------> <info@damp.apana.org.au> Web -----------> http://www.damp.apana.org.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> hal9000.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Adelaide. Dialins -------> 3 * V32bis/V42.bis Charges -------> 10 day trial. No online costs. Currently $60 p.a. Machine -------> DEC 3600 microvax(ultrix) / I486dx2-66(FreeBSD) Link ----------> IP Features ------> Fast hookup to full internet services: news, irc, telnet, ftp How -----------> dial (08) 371-2343 and login as "guest" Contact -------> Mike Bruins <bruins@hal9000.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> interconnect.com.au <ade.interconnect.com.au> Organisation --> InterConnect Australia Pty. Ltd. Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Adelaide. Dialins -------> 4 * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $95.00 (1 off) + $20/month + 15c/minute online. Also FTP @ $1 per 1 MByte, contact for full details. Machine -------> i486 EISA, SCSI disk, BSDI UNIX. Link ----------> IP - 20 milliseconds to AARNet Features ------> Interactive login, Telnet, FTP, News, Mail, Talk... How -----------> Ring sales on 008 818 262 or 03 528 2239. Contact -------> <info@interconnect.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.interconnect.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> ozemail.com.au Organisation --> OzEmail Pty. Ltd. Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Adelaide Dialins -------> ? * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $25 to join, $10 per hour until 9pm, $5 afterwards Machine -------> i486, UNIX. Link ----------> IP Features ------> Easy to use Windows software, PPP, SL/IP, UNIX shell How -----------> dial 08 364 1451 and select "register" Contact -------> Phone sales on (008) 805 874 or email <support@ozemail.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.ozemail.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> peg.apc.org Organisation --> Pegasus Networks Communications Pty Ltd Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Adelaide Dialins -------> ? * V.FastClass, AUSTPAC Charges -------> $95 mailbox purchase, $25 per month, from 10 to 19 cents per minute, enquire for full details Machine -------> Sun running UNIX Link ----------> IP - ISDN@64kbps Features ------> E-mail and conferencing, SL/IP, gateways to APC, FIDOnet and Internet. telnet access, gopher, WAIS. Support hotline. How -----------> By email, mail or phone Contact -------> <support@peg.pegasus.oz.au> Web -----------> http://www.peg.apc.org/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tasmania Site name -----> calvados.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Hobart Dialins -------> 1 * V.42bis Charges -------> $30pa Machine -------> 386sx, MS-DOS, Waffle Link ----------> UUCP - time to internet: 18 hours Features ------> ? How -----------> dial (002) 34-8530, login as "new" Contact -------> John Lamp <system@calvados.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Victoria Site name -----> aardvark.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> ? * V.32bis/V42.bis Charges -------> $55/year Machine -------> ? Link ----------> IP Features ------> ? How -----------> dial (03) 562-0599, then ? Contact -------> Scott Neville <scott@aardvark.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> accserv.ppit.com.au Organisation --> PPIT Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> 5 * V.32bis/V42.bis Charges -------> $9/month for mail/news account. $13 for mail/news/netftp $26/month for full internet access. Mail for other charges. Machine -------> Intel 486 DX/66 running BSDI 1.1 Link ----------> MHSnet - permanent link Features ------> Mail/news access, netftp How -----------> Phone Paul Pavlinovich (03) 747 9823 Contact -------> Paul Pavlinovich <sales@accserv.ppit.com.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> netconnect.com.au Organisation --> Ballarat NetConnect Pty Ltd Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Ballarat Dialins -------> 5 * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $85 once off setup fee + $5/Hr Machine -------> i486/66 Linux Link ----------> IP Features ------> Terminal mode eMail/News/WWW, (C)SLIP, PPP and FTP mirrors How -----------> Call support on (053) 322140 Contact -------> <info@netconnect.com.au> Web -----------> http://ren.bnc.com.au/entree/contact.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> cloud.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> 1 * V.FastClass Charges -------> $10 pa Machine -------> IBM 386 Clone, MS-DOS Link ----------> UUCP - time to internet: 12 hours Features ------> Mail/news access, fidonet, files; public BBS How -----------> dial (03) 886-5195 Contact -------> Hamish Moffatt <hamish@cloud.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> connexus.apana.org.au Organisatioon -> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> 10 * V.FastClass Charges -------> $130 pa (40 hours/month) Machine -------> i486, 32MB RAM, 2.3GB disk; Linux Link ----------> IP Features ------> Full Internet access. Terminal, SLIP/PPP supported. Windows PPP Connection Kit available to members. How -----------> dial (03) 894-0394, login as "guest" Contact -------> Greg Holloway <greg@connexus.apana.org.au> ph. (018) 10-6632 Web -----------> http://connexus.apana.org.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> csource.oz.au Organisation --> Unique Computing Pty Ltd Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> ? Charges -------> ? Machine -------> PC based, Waffle v1.65 Link ----------> ? Features ------> Fidonet gateway for a lot of Usenet messages How -----------> ? Contact -------> David Nugent ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> daemon.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> 2 * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $40 pa (90min/day), $60 pa (120min/day), $80pa (180min/day) Machine -------> i386, 850mb disk, Linux UNIX. Link ----------> IP Features ------> Shell or menu, Telnet, FTP, News, Mail, Talk, IRC, Linux,Amiga & GFX supported, large FTP base. How -----------> dial (03) 563-8438, login as "guest" or "register" Contact -------> James Ray <jbray@daemon.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> guru.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> 2 * ? Charges -------> $15 pa Machine -------> Amiga 2000, AmigaDOS 2.04, 350Mb HD, CDROM Link ----------> UUCP - time to internet: 12 hours Features ------> Mail, news, ftpmail. CDROM incl. Fred Fish, AmiNet, more soon. Online games. No file ratios. How -----------> dial (03) 331-5092 Contact -------> George Seremetidis <sysop@guru.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> hilink.com.au Organisation --> HiLink Communications Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> ? * V.32bis/MNP/V42.bis/V.FastClass Charges -------> $75 one-off + $5/hour peak or $2/hour offpeak + $1.60/MB volume charge. - mail <info@hilink.com.au> for details Machine -------> Intel 486 DX/66 running FreeBSD 1.1 Link ----------> IP Features ------> SLIP/CSLIP/PPP, WWW caching proxy server How -----------> Phone (03) 528-2018 Contact -------> Daniel OCallaghan <danny@hilink.com.au>' Web -----------> http://www.hilink.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> pyromania.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> 26 * V.34 Charges -------> $85 PA + $1 per hour for Toll Free Callers (1-800). Machine -------> Intel Pentium 90, 64MB, 2 GB SCSI. FreeBSD 2.0 Link ----------> IP Features ------> elm, tin, telnet, ftp, gopher, talk, irc etc. How -----------> dial (03) 794-0250, login as "info" Contact -------> Jim Maramis <info@pyromania.apana.org.au> or ring 03-650-4776 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> insane.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> 30 * V.FastClass/V.34 Charges -------> $140 pa for 40hrs/month, $190 for 50, no volume charges Machine -------> Pentium 90, 32MB RAM, 3GB disk; NetBSD UNIX Link ----------> IP Features ------> Macintosh supported, easy-to-use Menus (SL/IP to APANA members) How -----------> dial (03) 886-1230, login as "guest" Contact -------> Stuart Marburg or Richard Preen <admin@insane.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> interconnect.com.au <mel.interconnect.com.au> Organisation --> InterConnect Australia Pty. Ltd. Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> 8 * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $95.00 (1 off) + $20/month + 15c/minute online. Also FTP @ $1 per 1 MByte, contact for full details. Machine -------> i486 EISA, SCSI disk, BSDI UNIX. Link ----------> IP - 20 milliseconds to AARNet Features ------> Interactive login, Telnet, FTP, News, Mail, Talk... How -----------> Ring sales on 008 818 262 or 03 528 2239. Contact -------> <info@interconnect.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.interconnect.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> iaccess.com.au Organisation --> Internet Access Australia Pty. Ltd. Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> ? * V.FastClass Charges -------> $99.00 registration + $7.50 per hour online (six hours free) + volume charges Machine -------> i486, UNIX. Link ----------> IP Features ------> SL/IP and PPP access How -----------> Ring sales on (03) 576 4222 Contact -------> Anthony Bodin <anthony@iaccess.com.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> jeack.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> 2 * V.32bis Charges -------> $40 pa Machine -------> PC running Linux Link ----------> IP Features ------> standard shells, news, mail, irc, mud How -----------> dial (03) 879-5538, login as "register" Contact -------> John Auckett <john@jeack.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> melbourne.dialix.oz.au Organisation --> DIALix Services Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> 20 * V.32bis/V.42bis, ??? * ISDN Charges -------> 1c/minute, 1c/1000 bytes non-DIALix (Internet/AARNet) traffic Machine -------> SVR4 Unix Link ----------> IP Features ------> Menu access, Unix shell or UUCP. e-mail, usenet, ftp, telnet, talk, finger, irc, dcc, gopher, rlogin, lynx, ISDN, web pages How -----------> dial (03) 562-2399, login as "visitor" Contact -------> Justin Sullivan <justin@dialix.com> Web -----------> http://www.dialix.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> melbpc.org.au Organisation --> Melbourne PC User Group Operator type -> Non-profit Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> 16 x V.34/V.FastClass Charges -------> Flat $90/year (90 mins/day, free extn if lines are free) Melb PC membership $40/year + $10 joining fee Machine -------> i486/66 x 2 (NetBSD) + 1 x Sun (Solaris), 15 GB disk Link ----------> IP - exclusive 64 kbps ISDN to connect.com.au Features ------> SLIP/CSLIP/PPP, Shell or UUCP. Free, configured Windows software and support via separate 18-line BBS. How -----------> By email, mail or phone Contact -------> <secretary@melbpc.org.au> Voice (03) 699-6222 (BH) Web -----------> http://www.melbpc.org.au ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> ozemail.com.au Organisation --> OzEmail Pty. Ltd. Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> ? * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $25 to join, $10 per hour until 9pm, $5 afterwards Machine -------> i486, UNIX. Link ----------> IP Features ------> Easy to use Windows software, PPP, SL/IP, UNIX shell How -----------> dial 03 525 4904 and select "register" Contact -------> Phone sales on (008) 805 874 or email <support@ozemail.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.ozemail.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> ozonline.com.au Organisation --> Australia OnLine Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> 24 * V.FastClass and V.34 Charges -------> $25.00 once-off for SL/IP $7.80 per hour till 7pm and $5 after Machine -------> Sun Microsystems SPARC Link ----------> IP - ISDN to Melbourne AARNet hub Features ------> Handles SL/IP. Full support. How -----------> Ring sales on (03) 888-2622 Contact -------> Michael Bethune <info@ozonline.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.ozonline.com.au/about.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> peg.apc.org Organisation --> Pegasus Networks Communications Pty Ltd Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> ? * V.FastClass, AUSTPAC Charges -------> $95 mailbox purchase, $25 per month, from 10 to 19 cents per minute, enquire for full details Machine -------> Sun running UNIX Link ----------> IP - ISDN@64kbps Features ------> E-mail and conferencing, SL/IP, gateways to APC, FIDOnet and Internet. telnet access, gopher, WAIS. Support hotline. How -----------> By email, mail or phone Contact -------> <support@peg.pegasus.oz.au> Web -----------> http://www.peg.apc.org/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> suburbia.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> 2 * V.32bis, 3 * 2400 baud Charges -------> $50 pa, $30 pa (students) Machine -------> PC running Linux Link ----------> IP Features ------> catering for internet beginners. free e-mail. How -----------> dial (03) 596-8366 Contact -------> Mark Dorset <zerohour@suburbia.apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> werple.mira.net.au Organisation --> Mira Networking Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Melbourne Dialins -------> 50 * V.FastClass Charges -------> $35pa plus $2.50 per hour. No volume charges Machine -------> Pentium/PCI NetBSD & Solaris UNIX Link ----------> IP - ISDN @ 64kbps Features ------> standard shells, news, email, web, ftp, telnet, irc, personal Web page, offline readers, trial accounts available How -----------> dial (03) 888-1726, press return and choose "register" Contact -------> <info@mira.net.au> Web -----------> http://www.mira.net.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Western Australia Site name -----> classic.iinet.com.au Organisation --> iiNet Technologies Operator type -> Commercial (non-for-profit services to schools) Location ------> Perth Dialins -------> 10 * V.32, 4 * V.FastClass, 2 * 2400 bps Charges -------> $25/month plus volume charges for heavy usage Machine -------> PCs running Linux Link ----------> IP Features ------> Local ftp site, ClariNet News, round the clock support, uncensored news, SL/IP and PPP, mac & pc GUI software How -----------> Voice call or email to have account created Contact -------> Michael Malone <iinet@iinet.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.iinet.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> interconnect.com.au <per.interconnect.com.au> Organisation --> InterConnect Australia Pty. Ltd. Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Perth Dialins -------> 4 * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $95.00 (1 off) + $20/month + 15c/minute online. Also FTP @ $1 per 1 MByte, contact for full details. Machine -------> i486 EISA, SCSI disk, BSDI UNIX. Link ----------> IP - 20 milliseconds to AARNet Features ------> Interactive login, Telnet, FTP, News, Mail, Talk... How -----------> Ring sales on 008 818 262 or 03 528 2239. Contact -------> <info@interconnect.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.interconnect.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> it.com.au Organisation --> Informed Technology Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Perth Dialins -------> 8 * V.32/V.42/PEP Charges -------> R/O news access at $45 a year, net write access $120 a year Machine -------> PCs running ESIX SVR4, Linux and FreeBSD Link ----------> MHSnet Features ------> We do not charge for time and impose no daily limits How -----------> dial (09) 245-2511, login as "visitor", password "visitor" Contact -------> <info@it.com.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> multiline.com.au Organisation --> Independent Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Perth Dialins -------> 28 * V.FAST, 25 * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $50 pa for BBS + $50 pa for Mail/News/Ftpmail + $200 pa for full internet access. No volume or time charges.' Machine -------> Pentium, 2 * 486DX2-66 / Linux, 40Gb Link ----------> 2 IP Links (V.FAST = Interactive, V42bis = Mail/News) Features ------> Main BBS has 50 CD-Roms, online games, multi-user chat etc Internet has E-Mail, News, WWW, FTP, Telnet, Gopher, IRC etc How -----------> dial (09) 370-3333 or support (04) 1990-1612 Contact -------> <Gloria.Platt@multiline.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.multiline.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> odyssey.apana.org.au Organisation --> APANA Operator type -> Hobbyist Location ------> Perth Dialins -------> 4 * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $120 per year, $65 for 6 months or $35 for 3 months Machine -------> 486DX2-66 running Linux Link ----------> IP Features ------> No volume charges, Unix shell, e-mail, news, IRC, ftp, telnet, mud, gopher, etc. How -----------> dial (09) 307-9601, or telnet, login as "guest" Contact -------> Andrew Smith <perth@apana.org.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> ozemail.com.au Organisation --> OzEmail Pty. Ltd. Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Perth Dialins -------> ? * V.32bis/V.42bis Charges -------> $25 to join, $10 per hour until 9pm, $5 afterwards Machine -------> i486, UNIX. Link ----------> IP Features ------> Easy to use Windows software, PPP, SL/IP, UNIX shell How -----------> dial 09 472 1021 and select "register" Contact -------> Phone sales on (008) 805 874 or email <support@ozemail.com.au> Web -----------> http://www.ozemail.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> peg.apc.org Organisation --> Pegasus Networks Communications Pty Ltd Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Perth Dialins -------> ? * V.32bis/V.42bis, AUSTPAC Charges -------> $95 mailbox purchase, $25 per month, from 10 to 19 cents per minute, enquire for full details Machine -------> Sun running UNIX Link ----------> IP - ISDN@64kbps Features ------> E-mail and conferencing, SL/IP, gateways to APC, FIDOnet and Internet. telnet access, gopher, WAIS. Support hotline. How -----------> By email, mail or phone Contact -------> <support@peg.pegasus.oz.au> Web -----------> http://www.peg.apc.org/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> perth.dialix.oz.au Organisation --> DIALix Services Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Perth Dialins -------> 33 * V.32bis/V.42bis, ??? * V.FastClass, ??? * ISDN Charges -------> 1c/minute, 1c/1000 bytes non-DIALix (Internet/AARNet) traffic Machine -------> SVR4 Unix Link ----------> IP Features ------> Menu access, Unix shell or UUCP. e-mail, usenet, ftp, telnet, talk, finger, irc, dcc, gopher, rlogin, lynx, ISDN, web pages How -----------> dial (09) 244-3233, login as "visitor" Contact -------> Jeff Johnson <jeff@dialix.com> Web -----------> http://www.dialix.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> tower.com.au Organisation --> Tower Internet Services Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Perth Dialins -------> 6 * V.32bis/MNP/V.42bis, 1 * V.22bis Charges -------> $50pa, $2 per week for chargable IP + volume charging Machine -------> Pcs running Linux' Link ----------> IP Features ------> There are no daily time limits or time charges. How -----------> dial (09) 316-3892, login as "visitor", no password Contact -------> <root@tower.it.com.au> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> wt.uwa.edu.au <yarrow.wt.uwa.edu.au> Organisation --> Winthrop Technology Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Perth Dialins -------> 8 * V.FastClass, 16 * V.32bis, 2 * V.22bis Charges -------> $60 per month flat fee or $3 per connect hour Machine -------> DECsystem 5200, Ultrix V4.3 UNIX Link ----------> IP Features ------> No volume charges, full internet access, slip/ppp available How -----------> Email or phone Contact -------> <wthelp@yarrow.wt.uwa.edu.au> Web -----------> http://yarrow.wt.uwa.edu.au ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> eepo.com.au <prime.eepo.com.au> Organisation --> EEPO Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Perth Dialins -------> ??? Charges -------> ??? Machine -------> ??? Link ----------> IP Features ------> ??? How -----------> ??? Contact -------> ??? Web -----------> http://www.eepo.com.au/eepo.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> highway1.com.au <perth.highway1.com.au> Organisation --> Highway 1 Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Perth Dialins -------> ??? Charges -------> ??? Machine -------> Sun / SunOS Link ----------> IP Features ------> ??? How -----------> ??? Contact -------> ??? Web -----------> http://perth.highway1.com.au ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site name -----> omen.com.au Organisation --> Perth Omen Operator type -> Commercial Location ------> Perth Dialins -------> ??? Charges -------> ??? Machine -------> ??? Link ----------> IP Features ------> ??? How -----------> ??? Contact -------> ??? Web -----------> http://hades.omen.com.au ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- What can I do once I'm on the internet? --------------------------------------- The internet is the result of connecting together a large number of university, research, and commercial networks. It's history's first major global computer network. Originally it evolved out of a desire for researchers to communicate with each other and exchange data more conveniently. Electronic mail remains one of the major uses of the internet today - anyone on the network can send electronic mail to anyone else quickly and conveniently. A logical extension of this idea is "Usenet news", which allows people to publically discuss topics of interest with people all over the world who have similar interests. There are over three thousand such discussion groups now, with something to interest everyone. Both these services are "offline" services - in other words you send a message and other people read it later. The alternative is programs that type directly to other peoples' screens. The "online" equivalent of mail is "talk" which allows you to chat with a friend, typing directly to each others' screens. News' equivalent is "irc" or Internet Relay Chat which allows people to enter discussion groups on various topics and send messages to each others. People looking for software or information have various ways of accessing it. "ftp" and "fsp" are ways of getting files from computers anywhere in the world, with many places providing huge areas with gigabytes of files. The problem with these is finding what you're looking for amongst the millions of computers around the world. One solution is "archie", which can be used to search a list of ftp sites for whatever you're interested in. Another alternative is "gopher" and "world wide web" (or "www") which provide a fun way to wander through the myriad of information services on the net. Many games and bulletin boards are also accessible via the internet, including the very popular MUDs, or "Multi-User Dimension"s. These allow people to wander around a simulated world, interacting as if they were physically in the same place. There are plenty of other things to do on the internet - just finding out about them could easily become a career in itself! There's so many interesting things out there that it's impossible to list them all but exploring the possibilities is half the fun. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- How can I find out more about the internet? ------------------------------------------- There are many excellent books and online resource guides to the internet. Check your local bookshop. If you've got a favorite book, please send me details so I can add them here! AARNet has some resource guides available on the archie.au ftp site in the directory /aarnet. If you have full details for any other online internet guides please let me know so I can list them here. Books: (most of these entries thanks to the PDIAL list) * The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Internet; Peter Kent; Alpha Books; ISBN 1-56761-414-0. * Connecting To The Internet; Susan Estrada; O'Reilly ISBN 1-56592-061-9 (A how-to on selecting the right IP provider, from dialup to dedicated.) * A DOS User's Guide to the Internet -- E-mail, Netnews and File Transfer with UUCP; James Gardner; MKS; ISBN 0-13-106873-3 ("Internet" in the title is misleading -- covers UUCP connections only.) * The Electronic Traveller -- Exploring Alternative Online Systems; Elizabeth Powell Crowe; Windcrest/McGraw-Hill; ISBN 0-8306-4498-9. (A good tour of various personal IP and other types of providers, but some data is seriously out of date.) * Internet Basics; Steve Lambert, Walt How; Random House; ISBN 0-679-75023-1 * The Internet Companion; Tracy LaQuey, Jeanne C. Ryer; Addison-Wesley; ISBN 0-201-62224-6 * The Internet Companion Plus; Tracy LaQuey, Jeanne C. Ryer; Addison-Wesley; ISBN 0-201-62719-1 * The Internet Complete Reference; Harley Hahn, Rick Stout; Osborne; ISBN 0-07-881980-6 * The Internet Directory; Eric Brawn; Fawcett Columbine; ISBN 0-449-90898-4 (Phone book style listing of resources.) * Internet Explorer Kit (for Macintosh) 2nd Ed"; Adam C Engst & William Dickson; Hayden Books (a division of Prentice-Hall); ISBN 1-56830-089-1; $59.95. Comes with Anarchie 1.1.3, MacWAIS 1.2.8, TurboGopher 1.0.8b4, Finger 1.3.7, and MacWeather 1.1.1. * The Internet for Dummies; John R. Levine, Carol Baroudi; IDG Books Worldwide; ISBN 1-56884-024-1 (Lots of useful information, but much of it is intermediate level, not "dummy".) * Internet: Getting Started; April Marine, Susan Kirkpatrick, Vivian Neou, Carol Ward; PTR Prentice Hall; ISBN 0-13-289596-X * The Internet Guide for New Users; Daniel P. Dern; McGraw-Hill; ISBN 0-07-016511-4 (Good, very thorough guide for new users.) * The Internet Navigator; Paul Glister; John Wiley ISBN 0-471-59782-1 (Good, comprehensive guide for new users.) * The Internet Roadmap; Bennet Falk; Sybex; ISBN 0-7821-1365-6 * Internet Starter Kit (for Macintosh)"; Adam C Engst; Hayden Books (a division of Prentice-Hall); ISBN 1-56830-064-6; $49.95. Comes with MacTCP, Eudora, InterSLIP, Fetch 2.1.1, TurboGopher, and Stuffit Expander. All of these are free (MacTCP is licenced for this book) except for Fetch which is free for non-profit and educational organizations and $25 US otherwise. Excellent value since MacTCP costs more on its own, and a great package of software. It still gets into the jargon rather quickly and is far too long for anybody who hasnt got much time. Might be superceded by 2nd Ed.' * Internet Starter Kit (for Macintosh) 2nd Ed"; Adam C Engst; Hayden Books (a division of Prentice-Hall); ISBN 1-56830-111-1; $49.95. Comes with MacTCP 2.0.4, MacPPP 2.0.1, Eudora 1.4.3, InterSLIP 1.0.1, Anarchie 1.2.0, MacWAIS 1.29, TurboGopher 1.0.8b4, and MacWeb 0.98a. * Internet Starter Kit (for Windows)"; (probably the same people). Comes with Chameleon Sampler, WinVN NewsReader, Eudora 1.4, and WS Gopher. * The Mac Internet Tour Guide; Michael Fraase; Ventana Press; ISBN 1-56604-062-0 * Navigating the Internet; Richard J. Smith, Mark Gibbs; SAMS Publishing; ISBN 0-672-30362-0 * The PC Internet Tour Guide; Michael Fraase; Ventana Press; ISBN 1-56604-084-1; $49.95. Comes with UMSLIP and Minuet. Minuet has to be registred after 30 days for $50 (US?) but claims to do email, news, ftp, gopher, and directory services. * Riding the Internet Highway Deluxe Ed; Sharon Fisher New Riders Publishing; $43.95. Comes with WinNet 2.11 which is Windows based and not only do you have to pay to register the program but it seems that it connects you to the authors machine and you have to pay for the connection as well ??(I have only skimmed the book).' * Welcome to... Internet -- From Mystery to Mastery; Tom Badgett, Corey Sandler; MIS:Press; ISBN 1-55828-308-0 * The Whole Internet User's Guide Ed Krol; O'Reilly ISBN 1-56592-025-2 (Good all around guide.) * The Windows Internet Tour Guide; Michael Fraase; Ventana Press; ISBN 1-56604-081-7; $49.95. Comes with Chameleon Sampler and Windows Sockets for Interface. Chameleon claims to do email, ftp, telnet, tn3270, and ping. * Zen Brendan P. Kehoe; PTR Prentice Hall; ISBN 0-13-010778-6 Other Internet Provider Lists * aaabook -- The aaabook, a list of links to Australian network providers; http://yarrow.wt.uwa.edu.au/~rudra/aaabook/aaabook.htm * FSLIST -- The Forgotten Site List. USENET: alt.internet.access.wanted; ftp://freedom.nmsu.edu/pub/docs/fslist/ or ftp://login.qc.ca:/pub/fslist/ * nixpub -- public access Unixes. USENET: comp.bbs.mis, alt.bbs; email: to , body containing "get PUB nixpub.long"; ftp://VFL.Paramax.COM/pub/pubnetc/nixpub.long * PDIAL -- Public Dialup Internet Access List. USENET: alt.internet.access.wanted; ftp://rtfm.mit.edu:/pub/usenet/news.answers/pdial * Internet access in New Zealand FAQ. USENET: alt.internet.access.wanted; ftp://archie.au/usenet/FAQs/alt.internet.access.wanted/Internet_access_in_New_Zealand_FAQ * Summary list of Internet access providers in the UK. USENET: alt.internet.access.wanted; ftp://archie.au/usenet/FAQs/alt.internet.access.wanted/Summary_list_of_Internet_access_providers_in_the_UK ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- How do I connect my own machine to the net? ------------------------------------------- Most people just want to get access to the internet, and all that's required for that is to get an internet account on someone else's machine. The alternative is to attach your own machine to the network. This is usually more expensive and much more complex, but businesses often like to do things this way. Also many hobbyists do it just for the fun of it. There are several types of organisations which provide network feeds. The amateur networks are generally willing to provide feeds for a low cost, but also require that you be a financial member of their organisation so that your portion of the AARNet fees are paid for. The commercial organisations offer greater reliability but tend to charge more. Generally they charge by connect time or bandwidth used, plus some sort of yearly fee. You'll have to decide if you want to work on a dialup basis or if you need a permanent connection. Dialup connections are usually handled using the UUCP protocol or possibly ACSnet/MHSnet software. All you need is a modem and someone will to feed you. Permanent connections require a phone line and modem at each end at the very least, so they really start at around $1500 equipment cost alone. In terms of bandwidth these systems go to around 30kbaud. You will need a permanent connection if you want a full news feed. The next step is ISDN at 64kbaud and several thousand dollars, and from there is the dreamland of Megalink and other such wonders... There is a small but rapidly-increasing group of organisations offering network connectivity to the public. The following section describes each of these in more detail. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- What network organisations are there in Australia? -------------------------------------------------- Here's a list: * AARNet * Access NT * Australian Computing and Communications Institute * ADAM Pty Ltd * AusNet * Australia OnLine * Australian Computer Society * APANA * AUUG * Brisnet * Camtech * Com Tech * Compuserve Pacific * connect.com.au * Corinthian Engineering * CSTPL * Dialcom * DIALix * Drasnian Technologies * Fidonet * Geko * Healey Communications * Hedland College * Highway 1 Pty Ltd * Hilink Communications * Hunter Network Association * Icaris Services * iiNET Technologies * ILB Computing * Informed Technology * Interconnect Australia * Internet Access Australia Pty Ltd * Keylink * Kralizec * Labtam Australia Pty Ltd * TMX * Magnadata Public Access Internet Services * Melbourne PC User Group * Microplex * Mira Networking * NetInfo * Next Online * On the Net * OzEmail * Pegasus * PPIT Pty Ltd * Pro-Net * schoolsNET * Spirit Networks * Tower Internet Services * Trumpet Software International Pty Ltd * Winthrop Technology You may also want to check out AARNet's official list of "Value Added Resellers" at http://info.aarnet.edu.au/aarnet/serprovs.html (Paragraphs in quotes come from the organisations themselves, unquoted paragraphs are my own guesses) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- AARNet AARNet is the Australian Academic and Research Network. It's currently the major Australian Internet-connected computer network, and all the other organisations mentioned in this FAQ get their network connections from it. You must have a "compatible interest with" the education, academic or research interests to be an affiliate member of AARNet. It does not provide public access or commercial networking services except through the other organisations mentioned here. "AARNet is the Australian Academic and Research Network. AARNet is a private telecommunications network service operated by the Australian Vice Chancellors' Committee (AVCC) as a service to the participating member institutions of the AVCC and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Organisation (CSIRO). Its objective is the provision of dedicated telecommunications services in support of members' research, academic and service activities. In addition, AARNet provides telecommunications services to other organisations under this general brief." Organisations interested in a connection to AARNet should contact the Customer Services Manager for the latest information or fetch a copy of the document "Connecting to AARNet" available from: ftp://aarnet.edu.au/pub/doc/affiliate.* Contact ---> Brenda Aynsley, Customer Services Manager Email -----> <Brenda.Aynsley@aarnet.edu.au> or <admin@aarnet.edu.au>' Fax -------> (06) 249-1369 Voice -----> (06) 249-4968 Snail -----> GPO Box 1142, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Access NT I'd love more information on Access NT if anyone has any. Area ------> Northern Territory Contact ---> Trevor Hopps Email -----> <admin@access.com.au> Fax -------> (089) 810-878 Voice -----> (089) 815-663 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADAM "ADAM has steadily built up in size over the years to become the largest BBS in Australia. It has the infrastructure required to cope with the increasing demand for dial-up information services. ADAM imports 2000 new files per week, not counting duplicates, and creates its own CD-ROMs. It also sells V32bis/V42bis modems at cost price. ADAM has two IP links - a 28.8k link for Mail and News, and a 14.4k link for live IP. These links are full bandwidth, not shared, as is common on other systems. The speed is further increased by the majority of files already being on the system." Area ------> Adelaide Contact ---> Greg Hicks Email -----> Stephen White <steve@adam.com.au> Voice -----> (018) 824 648 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- AusNet Contact ---> Tom Koltai Email -----> <tom@kakadu.com.au> Fax -------> (089) 480-232 Voice -----> (089) 483-555 Web -------> http://www.ausnet.net.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Australian Computing and Communications Institute Contact ---> Barry Bradshaw Email -----> <barryb@acci.com.au> Fax -------> (03) 282-2501 Voice -----> (03) 282-2543 Web -------> http://www.acci.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Australian Computer Society The Australian Computer Society is providing Internet access for members of the society only. They charge a $50 once off joining fee. This gives you 10 free off peak connect hours per month (more are charged). There are no other monthly/yearly fees. They send you bundled software and a detailed manual, and full Internet access is provided with no volume charging. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Apana APANA is the Australian Public Access Network Association, a non-profit organisation dedicated to bringing affordable, non-commercial Internet access to the general public. It operates an Australia-wide network of several hundred machines belonging to individual members of APANA. Members of APANA are able to connect to the network via UUCP, dialup or permanent IP. At present, the regions of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth and the Northern Territory have full IP connectivity to the Internet. Smaller regions typically connect to the APANA IP network using a dialup protocol such as UUCP. E-mail <info@apana.org.au> for an automatic response giving further details about APANA. Area ------> National Contact Contact ---> Warwick Hockley Email -----> <propaganda@apana.org.au> Voice -----> (03) 571-0484 Area ------> Adelaide Contact ---> Mark Newton Email -----> <adelaide@apana.org.au> Voice -----> (08) 373-5575 (h) Area ------> Albury/Wodonga Contact ---> Richard Lindner Email -----> <wodonga@apana.org.au> Voice -----> (060) 20-8813 (h), (060) 56-2072 (w) Area ------> Brisbane Contact ---> Phil Homewood Email -----> <brisbane@apana.org.au> Voice -----> (015) 945-422 Area ------> Cairns Contact ---> Dave Freeman Email -----> <cairns@apana.org.au> Voice -----> (070) 51-4110 (h), (015) 161-164 (mobile) Area ------> Canberra Contact ---> Trevor Lucas Email -----> <canberra@apana.org.au> Voice -----> (06) 254-8525 Area ------> Geelong Contact ---> Mark Gregson Email -----> <geelong@apana.org.au> Voice -----> (052) 24-2191 Area ------> Hobart Contact ---> John Lamp Email -----> <hobart@apana.org.au> Voice -----> (002) 23-1366 (w), (002) 34-3913 (h) Area ------> Melbourne Contact ---> Warwick Hockley Email -----> <melbourne@apana.org.au> Voice -----> (03) 571-0484 Area ------> Northern Territory Contact ---> Robert Nagy Email -----> <nt@apana.org.au> Voice -----> (089) 72-3030 Area ------> Perth Contact ---> Andrew Smith Email -----> <perth@apana.org.au> Voice -----> (09) 483-3934 Area ------> Sydney Contact ---> Roland Turner Email -----> <sydney@apana.org.au> Voice -----> (02) 552-2324 Area ------> Wollongong Contact ---> Russell Noble Email -----> <wollongong@apana.org.au> Voice -----> (042) 96-5015 (h) Web -------> http://www.apana.org.au/apana/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Australia OnLine Australia online provide both interactive SL/IP access to the internet and UUCP feeds. They also provide access to CompuServe U.S. (though CompuServe in itself is quite expensive). They provide full support to customers, which may be very useful to less experienced network users. Pricing is $7.80 per hour on-line, with an extra $1.80 per Mb of data transferred. One megabyte per hour is covered by the on-line costs. The minimum on-line charge per month is $15.60. Registration is $95 for SL/IP and $10 for CompuServe only. "We are committed to ensuring that our modem pool always has sufficient spare capacity to ensure that our customers can successfully connect whenever they choose. "ISDN bandwidth is dedicated to *interactive* users so as to ensure that our interactive users aren't suffocated by heavy corporate batch transfers." Area ------> Melbourne Contact ---> Michael Bethune Email -----> info@ozonline.com.au Fax -------> (03) 888-2633 Voice -----> (03) 888-2622 Web -------> http://www.ozonline.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- AUUG The Australian Unix User Group has long been a popular club for UNIX gurus. The Canberra chapter of the group offers a volunteer-supported dialin system for its members. A dial-on-demand UUCP system is used to connect to the net. "The Canberra Chapter of AUUG Inc. (UNIX and Open Systems Users in Australia - see group aus.auug) runs a dialup service for members. The services is based around a Sun 3/160 workstation and provides logins to UNIX for e-mail and news connectivity and for general UNIX shell access. We also provide UUCP feeds for news and mail. News and mail user agents for MSDOS and Windows are also available. The service is available free to all AUUG Canberra chapter members. AUUG membership is around $90 per year for an individual and includes journals and access to other national and local chapter services." Area ------> Canberra Contact ---> John Barlow Email -----> <john.barlow@anu.edu.au> Voice -----> (06) 249-2930 (w) Area ------> Canberra Contact ---> Peter Wishart Email -----> <pjw@canb.auug.org.au> Voice -----> (06) 261-2900 (w), (06) 247-2996 (h) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brisnet Brisnet is another non-profit networking organisation. They operate in the Brisbane area currently, and claim to have a large and mature network. As with most hobbyist organisations commercial use is not allowed. "BrisNet is a non-profit association which aims to provide cheap(ish) access to electronic mail and USENET news in the Brisbane and South-East Queensland area. We provide a dial-in USENET environment, UUCP feeds, dial-in IP, and permanent IP connections. Locally developed software is available to help improve access." Area ------> Brisbane Contact ---> Rhys Weatherley Email -----> <rhys@brisnet.org.au> Voice -----> (015) 576-698 (w) Area ------> Brisbane Contact ---> John Lemon Email -----> <john@ozspace.brisnet.org.au> Voice -----> (07) 372-5296 (h) Web -------> http://www.brisnet.org.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Camtech "Camtech (SA) Pty Ltd. is an AARNet VAR. Camtech is connected to AARNet via an optical fibre link running at 10MBits/sec. Camtech offers Internet services to clients who require premium, high bandwidth connections. Camtech offers every type of connection from personal dialup to our high speed modem pool (V.Fast / V.34 modems) to aggregated ISDN connections. We also offer a internet publishing (WWW) site for individuals and companies who require high speed access to their information." Area ------> Adelaide Contact ---> Matthew Moyle-Croft Email -----> <Matthew.Moyle-Croft@camtech.com.au> Fax -------> (08) 303-4403 Voice -----> (08) 303-4779 Web -------> http://www.camtech.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Com Tech Area ------> Sydney Contact ---> Chris Martin Email -----> <chris@comtech.com.au> Fax -------> (02) 667-2039 Voice -----> (02) 317-3088 Web -------> http://www.comtech.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Compuserve Pacific Compuserve provide a pay-by-volume commercial email service. Compuserve were one of the original email systems in the USA and are still one of the largest. Compuserve Pacific is linked to the US Compuserve, and from there to the internet through a gateway. They have dialins in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and some other cities. People on Compuserve can be contacted using an address of the form: nnnn.nnnn@compuserve.com, where nnnn.nnnn is the person's Compuserve user id. Voice -----> (008) 025-240 Web -------> http://www.compuserve.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- connect.com.au Connect.com.au now operate in most capitals. They offer feeds to other and support all the major protocols. Interactive accounts are not available. Charging for ninety minutes of connect time per day would total around $2000 per year. While they are affected by AARNet volume charging, they offer special deals which are not volume charged, for a higher regular cost. They also have their own 64kbps international link, which should ease the cost of overseas communication. "Connect.com.au now has hubs in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane. All access to connect.com.au is protocol based; we do not offer interactive access. We currently support the protocols: uucp, SL/IP, and PPP. Access is via intermittent or permanent modem or ISDN connections. We are happy to carry interstate traffic over our network as alternative to installing point-to-point links around the country. We also offer full access to the Internet and are willing to act as a mail and news gateway." Email -----> <connect@connect.com.au> Fax -------> (03) 528 5887 Voice -----> (1 800) 818-262, (03) 528 2239 Snail -----> 29 Fitzgibbon Crescent, Caulfield Victoria 3161 Web -------> http://www.connect.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corinthian Engineering Corinthian Engineering P/L offers a network hub service Australiawide. Like connect.com.au they do not offer login accounts, instead they are aimed at providing permanent network feeds. While not forthcoming with pricing information they are "primarily aimed at the commercial or higher volume user requiring a premium service, full technical support, 24 hour 7 day availability with known costs". They offer a number of extra services including name server management and packet filtering at no extra cost. Contact ---> Richard Perini or Dave Dodd Email -----> <rpp@ci.com.au> or <dave@ci.com.au> Fax -------> (02) 906 1556 Voice -----> (02) 906 4333 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- CSTPL Commerical Software Training Pty Ltd is an international networking setup which offers IP feeds and UUCP feeds on a commercial basis. One area of interest is in providing network feeds to developing countries and outback areas. "CST Pty Ltd is now a fully commercial operation, and an AARNet Value Added Reseller, and is thus able to connect others to the network. This includes full domain registration assistance and MX record handling. cstpl.com.au is extending its operations and research into Queensland as well as seeking to provide network feeds to developing countries. The special area of interest is Asia, with on going research in China, and connections to Pakistan. The Queensland project is enabling Cairns, Mt Isa, Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton to be connected to the Brisbane server via ISDN, providing internet access for users, with servers in all cities. All options will be available to users as a local call. The time frame for completion of all links is early 1995." Contact ---> Robert Chalmers Email -----> <robert@cstpl.com.au> Fax -------> (079) 524-032 Voice -----> (079) 524-395 Snail -----> 22 Minster Street, 4740 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dialcom Dialcom is a computer network service provided by OTC. I have no details on it apart from the name. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- DIALix "DIALix Services is a privately owned, public access network with direct links to the Internet. Internet access is available for both business and personal users from $10 pre-paid usage. DIALix now has multiple 64K Internet connections and ISDN connections between the capital cities around Australia offering much improved response times. "Users connect to DIALix through multiple dial up lines to use e-mail, usenet news, ftp, telnet, talk, finger, irc, gopher, rlogin and so on. Log in on any DIALix system as visitor for further information or on-line registration." Areas -----> Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney Email -----> <info@DIALix.com> Fax -------> (02) 948-8449 Voice -----> (02) 948-6995, (02) 244-2433, (0411) 114-388 (018) 491-642, (0414) 747-574 Snail -----> P.O. Box 7, Fairlight N.S.W. 2094 or P.O. Box 153, Doubleview W.A. 6018 Web -------> http://www.dialix.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Drasnian Technologies Drasnian Technologies are the only commercial network provider I'm aware of which only provides support after-hours... "Drasnian Technologies provides private accounts and SLIP/PPP, with public dialups in the future. Drasnian Technologies also provide commercial links to companies and business that want to use the Internet to their business's advantage, with reasonable prices and full support. "Corporate SLIP links start at $800 for 14k4, which includes a private line modem and account. Please contact us for more details." Area ------> Western Australia Contact ---> Jean-Paul Chia Email -----> <admin@drasnia.it.com.au> Voice -----> (09) 447-6261 (a/h) Snail -----> 12 Guinevere Way, Carine 6020 WA Web -------> http://drasnia.it.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fidonet Fidonet is a world-wide network of bulletin-boards (BBSes). Network topology is highly variable due to the hobbyist nature of the nodes. It runs on a different network protocol from Usenet, but provides a similar style of electronic mail and news service. While FIDOnet Usenet gateways do exist crossover between Usenet and FIDOnet is not particularly high. In general FIDOnet is somewhat less reliable and slower, although this is not universally the case. FIDONet BBSes also offer many other services like large file areas, online games, and chat. There are hundreds of FIDOnet sites around the country so I won't attempt to cover them all here. For more information check the state hub contacts that are listed every month in Australian Personal Computer magazine. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Geko Geko provides network access in the Sydney area, both UNIX shell-style accounts and SL/IP access. Their prices are very low for a commercial service with a shell account costing only $15 per month after the setup cost of $20. Dialin SL/IP is a little more expensive at $30 per month. Geko are the only service provider I'm aware of to reduce their prices! Permanent SL/IP and high-speed connections are also available. A very good ratio of five users per modem is maintained. Area ------> Sydney Contact ---> Dez Blanchfield Email -----> <info@geko.com.au>, <sales@geko.com.au> Fax -------> (02) 968 4334 Voice -----> (02) 968 4333, (018) 412 666 Web -------> http://www.geko.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Healey Communications Area ------> Sydney Contact ---> Antony Healey Email -----> <antony@healey.com.au> Fax -------> (047) 313-634 Voice -----> (02) 670-1642 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hedland College Hedland College are offering on-line mail and news access, with a local ftp area. "This service will be free until mid-January 1994 during stabilisation of the service. Currently a single modem is on line, but more are being added soon. One line will provide a slip connection and a mail/news Pop server is being added in December for off-line reading and replying. A full Internet service (telnet, ftp etc) is planned for 1994. "Once the service has been stabilised, there will be a charge for this service. Details of probable charges are not yet available but will be made available in late December or early January." Area ------> Western Australia Contact ---> Robert Hart Email -----> <hartr@hedland.edu.au> Voice -----> (091) 721-681 Snail -----> South Hedland WA 6722 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Highway 1 Pty Ltd Area ------> Perth Contact ---> Stephen Hancock Email -----> <hancock@cleo.murdoch.edu.au> Fax -------> (09) 272-2599 Voice -----> (09) 370-4575 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hilink Communications "HiLink Communications is a full Internet access provider operating in Melbourne. We provide full internet access via SLIP/CSLIP/PPP connections for individuals and businesses, using high speed modems or ISDN. Online charges are kept to a minimum, to allow users to browse the Internet at leisure, rather than always being mindful of the clock ticking up dollars. A WWW caching proxy server on our site reduces the cost of WWW usage to our customers, by keeping local copies of recently requested documents. "HiLink Communications does not provide Unix shell access, but does provide an installation kit of software to run on Mac or MS-Windows computers. The kit contains all that is needed to use E-mail, Usenet News, World Wide Web, Archie, IRC, FTP and Telnet." Area ------> Melbourne Contact ---> Daniel O'Callaghan Web -------> http://www.hilink.com.au/ Email -----> <info@hilink.com.au> Voice -----> (03) 528-2018, (015) 854-852 Snail -----> 6/1 Maysbury Ave, Elsternwick, Victoria, 3185 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hunter Networking Association The Hunter Network Association is a cost-recovering, cooperative operation of Amateur computer networking enthusiasts, who are interested in realising a non-profit Internetwork in the Newcastle/ Lake Macquarie/Hunter Valley region. Area ------> Newcastle Contact ---> Michael Brown Email -----> <mbrown@scorch.hna.com.au> Voice -----> (049) 62 1783 Snail -----> PO Box 49, Broadmeadow NSW 2292 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ICARIS Services Area ------> Melbourne Contact ---> Ken Steel Email -----> <ksteel@cs.mu.oz.au> Fax -------> (03) 348-1184 Voice -----> (03) 287-9101 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- iiNET Technologies iiNet provides commercial accounts, but also not-for-profit services to schools. It also provides many feeds to hobbyists. "iiNet Technologies is a small, Perth based firm whose goal is to network companies, individuals, schools and organisations in Western Australia. We operate as an Internet Service Provider, offering dial up shell, SL/IP and PPP accounts, and we also operate as a carrier, offering permanent live connections or UUCP at affordable prices." iiNet are apparently offering accounts for a fee of $25 per month, plus volume at $2.00 per megabyte internationally and $1.50 for domestic traffic. Area ------> Western Australia Contact ---> Michael Malone Email -----> <iinet@iinet.com.au> Fax -------> (09) 307-8414 Voice -----> (09) 307-1183 Snail -----> PO Box 811 Hillarys 6025, WA Web -------> http://www.iinet.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ILB Computing "ILB Computing has a dialup site in Wollongong. Phone Numbers are (042) 25-8099 2 lines. Using MHSnet software running news/mail. 1.2G of news online ( i think its about 3 weeks )." Area ------> Wollongong Contact ---> Kevin Withnall Email -----> <kevin@ilb.com.au> Fax -------> (042) 26-4986 Voice Msg -> (016) 28-5942 Voice -----> (042) 26-1305 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Informed Technology "We are a mail affiliate to AARNet and maintain a constant MHSnet connection to uniwa.uwa.edu.au. We take the full newsfeed and offer interactive UNIX logins as well as SLIP, PPP, UUCP and MHSnet connections. We have full time SLIP connections to Perth BBSes including Omen and CD-ROM Support." For more information email info@it.com.au Area ------> Perth Contact ---> Stephen Darragh Email -----> <srd@it.com.au> Voice -----> (09) 245-2279 Snail -----> P.O. Box 688, Claremont, WA 6010 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Internet Access Australia Pty Ltd Internet Access Australia was seen to be doing a good trade at the Victorian PC show. They offer mainly dialin SL/IP anbd PPP access, and sell a basic internet pack for $99 including Trumpet/Winsock and 6 hours connect time. After that the charge is $7.50 per hour. They have a never full modem policy. Contact ---> Anthony Bodin Email -----> <iaccess@iaccess.com.au> Fax -------> (03) 563 7854 Voice -----> (03) 576 4222 Snail -----> 1st Floor 769 Centre Road, Benleigh East, Victoria 3165 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- InterConnect Australia InterConnect provides public access dialin machines in most major cities and is closely linked to the network service provider connect.com.au. Their charging system includes $95 registration, $20 per month, and $9 per hour on-line, with two hours per month and 1Mb of storage supplied from the monthly fee. "Interactive access to the Internet - suited to individual users Available in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. A Unix based system with menu driven interfaces, offering e-mail, news, ftp, gopher and telnet. "Our `Personal IP' service which brings IP connectivity to your PC or Mac is also available. "Personal IP" supports SL/IP or PPP connections over dial-up modems. This service provides e-mail (including batch transfers), Mosaic, ftp, telnet, gopher etc. Suitable commercial products include Internet in a Box, Internet Chamelion, TCP/Connect, SuperTCP, PC/TCP, etc.." Email -----> <info@interconnect.com.au> Voice -----> (1-800) 818 262 (toll free), (03) 528-2239. Snail -----> 129 Hawthorne Road, Caulfield, Victoria 3161. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keylink Keylink is Telecom's answer to public computer network access. One happy user reports that Keylink are very helpful, another comments "They seem to want money for *everything* they do". Their dialin is a 008 number, and they are accessible through Austpac. You can get to them via the internet by using one of the gateways, eg. "telnet austpac.aarnet.edu.au", nui 131400. Charges are apparently around the $20 per hour mark. Since keylink is x.400 based, it does not provide telnet, ftp, rlogin etc. Email -----> </G=CUSTOMER/S=SERVICE/O=CUST.SERVICE/@telememo.au> Voice -----> (008) 807-324 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kralizec Kralizec is a commercial public access site which is interested mainly in providing a service to end users, rather than feeding other sites. The operator places a high importance on high quality service and personal response. It features a large software library, including a lot of Linux software and a 6-platter CD-ROM changer. Each new member receives a 26-page Kralizec Users Guide. "Kralizec is expanding and expects to obtain a direct Internet link soon" Area ------> Sydney Contact ---> Nick Andrew Email -----> <nick@kralizec.zeta.org.au> Web -------> http://www.zeta.org.au/Guest/main.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Labtam Australia Pty Ltd Area ------> Melbourne Contact ---> Michael Podhorodecki Email -----> <sales@labtam.net.au> Fax -------> (03) 587-5581 Voice -----> (03) 587-1444 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Magnadata Public Access Internet Services Magnadata provides a commercial internet service based around SLIP/PPP. They claim that flexibility is their prime aim, and offer various networking services in addition to standard user services. "Our charging is radically different from most of the large service providers, in that we don't have any charge for time spent on-line. It is because of these sort of charges that networks like Compuserve are a sort of electronic wasteland, where everyone works offline, and then uploads - there are no _people_ around, and people is one of the most important things about the Internet. At Magnadata, there are no charges for time spent on-line. "We service a large base of clients who aren't strictly access now also, mainly people we're developing Web sites for. We do a lot of "Information server" design, largely Web servers, also - I think we're probably the only ISP who has on staff graphic designers, copywriters and programmers whose specific job is building information servers." Area ------> Sydney Email -----> <info@magna.com.au> URL - http://magna.com.au Fax -------> (02) 264 7308 Voice -----> (02) 264 7326 Snail -----> P.O. Box A770, Sydney, 2000 Web -------> http://www.magna.com.au/magna/magna1.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Melbourne PC User Group "Melb PC is the world's fourth largest PC user group, with 8000 members. It provides Internet access for its members only, including a small amount of commercial traffic. Membership costs $40 pa plus $10 joining fee, which gets you a commercial-quality, colour magazine 11 times a year, monthly meetings featuring top speakers, SIGs, an 18-line BBS, First-Aid and Dial Help -- all at no extra charge. Internet access costs $90 pa for 90 minutes a day. Choose one of SLIP/PPP, Shell or UUCP access. Free, preconfigured software from the BBS makes access easy." Area ------> Melbourne Contact ---> Tricia Swan Email -----> <secretary@melbpc.org.au> Voice -----> (03) 699-6222 (w) Fax -------> (03) 699-6499 Web -------> http://www.melbpc.org.au Snail -----> PO Box 283, South Melbourne 3205 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TMX The Message eXchange is the name under which the better-known Message Handling Systems is providing networking services to the public. Message Handling Systems is one of the original network providers in Australia. They have taken over maintainence of the SUN-III software which was the fundamental basis for Australian networking (good ol' ACSnet and the .oz domain!) until AARNet came along. TMX now market the descendant of this software as MHSnet. They also provide network feeds for the ACSnet network under the TMX name. TMX provides MHSnet, UUCP and IP connections and imports "Clarinet" news. Charging is based on connect time only. Gateways are available for ftp and internet access as well as full or partial newsfeeds and email. TMX don't offer interactive accounts but do offer cheap single user accounts using offline readers. For further information mail enquiry@mhs.oz.au. Area ------> Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney Contact ---> Elaine Pensabene Email -----> <elaine@mhs.oz.au> Voice -----> (008) 624-591, (02) 550-5014 Fax -------> (02) 519-2551 Snail -----> 1st Floor, 2 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042 Web -------> http://www.tmx.com.au ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Microplex Microplex offers interactive login accounts and UUCP network feeds to the public. Shell accounts have access to all Internet services at a cost of $25 setup fee plus $23.50 per month. There is also a discount rate of $234 per year. They have a high bandwidth link to AARNet, and their prices compare quite favourably to other commercial services with comparable features. Their dialin capacity is very impressive - meaning there should be less problem with getting engaged signals. UUCP feeds cost $45 for setup plus $25 to $90 a month depending on connect time, and do a special deal for a UUCP feed plus a shell account. Contact them for further details. Area ------> Sydney Email -----> <info@jolt.mpx.com.au> Fax -------> (02) 888-2328 Voice -----> (02) 888-3685 Snail -----> P.O. Box 627 Marsfield NSW 2122 Web -------> http://jolt.mpx.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mira Networking Mira Networking have evolved out of being APANA hobbyist site to now being a full-blown commercial setup. They provide internet connectivity and login accounts in the Melbourne area. "Mira Networking provides full Internet access in Melbourne for individual access and commercial connections. This includes protocol-only connections such as uucp, SLIP and PPP as well as news and mail gateway capabilities. Interactive access is available through our werple service. "Connections range from on-demand dialup IP to high-speed modem and ISDN links. We now support individual domain names and Web services are also available. Detailed information is available through our modem number." Area ------> Melbourne Email -----> <info@mira.net.au> Fax -------> (03) 888-1826 Voice -----> (03) 882-8100 Snail -----> P.O. Box 782, Mount Waverley 3149 Web -------> http://www.mira.net.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NetInfo "Netinfo is Canberra's own Internet Service Provider. We have plenty of V.FC class modems for dialup users and are connected to AARNET via a 126K aggregated ISDN link. A full range of Internet services is available to individual and commercial/government organisations. "We support SLIP/PPP connections, both dialup and permanent modem, through to ISDN connectivity for larger organisations. We do not offer interactive access. "With Netinfo there are no online hourly charges or daily time limits. Netinfo is also an authorised reseller for the commercial versions of PC Eudora for Windows or Macintosh." Area ------> Canberra Email -----> <netinfo@netinfo.com.au> Fax -------> (06) 285-4288 Voice -----> (06) 285-4277 Snail -----> GPO Box 811, Canberra City ACT 2601 Web -------> http://www.netinfo.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next Online Next Online provide an integrated package for connecting machines to the Internet. This can be achieved using either the provided client software for dialup personal links, or you can obtain permanent feeds for businesses. They're offering cheap 28kbps dialup SL/IP connections at $450 for 6 months. "We currently have 12 lines using Banksia 28.8K VFast modems, we will be expanding this rapidly. Our base access is SLIP, we do not support shell accounts, our slip access is provided via "The Internet Adaptor", a slip emulator running on our servers. This allows full usage of any gui clients on PC's, Mac or Unix like Netscape, Eudora, Trumpet Newsreader, Telnet etc. However people cannot initiate connections back to your host so you can't run your own web server, ftp server etc. We will be supporting ppp and cslip as soon as TIA does, the next release is due out within a month or so. Genuine SLIP/PPP access is available if we get the demand for it, enquire for pricing. We use Silicon Graphics Indys running irix 5.2 as our servers." Area ------> Sydney Email -----> <info@next.com.au> Fax -------> (02) 310-1315 Voice -----> (02) 310-1433 Web -------> http://www.next.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- On the Net "`On the Net' is the first Internet service provider on the Gold Coast offering full interactive access to the Internet. Both SLIP/PPP and Shell accounts are offered at the following rates: "SLIP/PPP - $60 startup, $60/month for 7 hrs/week, or $40/month for 4 hrs/week Shell - $45 startup, $45/month for 7 hrs/week, or $30/month for 4 hrs/week Extra hours, $5/hr. Permanent connections, ISDN, mail and news feeds are also available. No volume charges. "A 64 Kbps ISDN connection to the Internet is maintained through connect.com.au, who have their own international link in addition to an AARNet conection. "On the Net" have a goal that subscribers never experience a busy signal when dialing it's service." Area ------> Gold Coast Email -----> <info@OntheNet.com.au> Fax -------> (075) 933557 Voice -----> (075) 933535 Snail -----> P.O. Box 151 Bond University 4229 Web -------> http://www.OntheNet.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OzEmail OzEmail is a company offering a complete client interface to the internet via their easy-to-use Windows client software which they sell for $80. They provide internet mail access, Usenet news, access to AAP, "Newsbytes", and their own message base. Online charges are to be $2 an hour for mail and $10 an hour for interactive use. Local access is available in most capitals. They also offer ISDN network feeds to companies. Area ------> Sydney Contact ---> Gerard Kohne Email -----> <support@ozemail.com.au> Fax -------> (02) 437-5888 Voice -----> (02) 437-5500, (1800) 805-874 Web -------> http://www.ozemail.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pegasus Pegasus is a "subscriber supported" setup. Pegasus sell public access to their own networks, as well as SLIP/PPP access to the Internet. They are members of the Association for Progressive Communications, and hence have a bent towards environmental and other issues. They have full Internet access. Cheaper access is available through the use of their "Messenger" offline reader. The charging system starts at around $25 per month, time charging at 10 cents per minute. AUSTPAC access is time-charged at 19 cents per minute. A 1-800 support hotline and user manuals are available. A unique form of access they provide is through AUSTPAC, allowing subscribers to connect via 2400 baud modem from anywhere in the country for the cost of a local call plus timecharges. "Pegasus Networks provides an online communication and information service to subscribers across Australia. The network was established in 1989, offering services specifically to those with interests in the environment, development, education, media, health, and human rights. It has a rapidly growing user base of individuals and organizations (non-government, government, and private) involved in community, development, education, aid, research, media, management and policy. Pegasus is a founding member of the international Association for Progressive Communications (APC)." Email -----> <support@peg.apc.org> Voice -----> (07) 257-1111 Snail -----> PO Box 284, Broadway Q 4006 Web -------> http://www.peg.apc.org/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PPIT Pty Ltd "AccServ is a commercial operation of PPIT Pty. Ltd. which aims to provide affordable access to the InterNet for individuals who may not have the expertise, desire, or funding to maintain their own InterNet connection. AccServ is connected to the InterNet through TMX (The Message eXchange) and ultimately the AARNet (Australian Academic and Research Network). "AccServ provides a simple menu-based interface to: Electronic Mail (e-mail) allowing you to send to (or receive from) almost anywhere in the world; Usenet News; "Archie" file searches; and NetFTP (anonymous file fetches from public access InterNet file servers). No knowledge of Unix or network complexities is required." Area ------> Melbourne Contact ---> Paul Pavlinovich Email -----> <sales@accserv.ppit.com.au> Voice -----> (03) 747 9823 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pro-Net Pro-Net are a commercial setup with a slightly unusual approach. They, like Pegasus, are using a toll-free dialin number to allow calls from anywhere in Australia to be charged at the local rate. They have an interesting menu interface to their system and claim to have extensive, up-to-date archives. An on-line chat system with conference areas is also provided, as well as storage for databases. They are also importing the "Newsbytes" independent computer industry news service; possibly the only network in Australia to do so. "Charges are now on application. Various tarriffing policies. Now offering X.400 mail and Novell Network interconnection. People owning Novell Network Fileservers can now interconnect their local LAN to Pro-Net. Now offering EDI services Nationally. Educational tarriffs now available. Beta Testing Multimedia mail services with customised Front-End software for DOS and WINDOWS." Fax -------> (03) 349-1257 Voice -----> (03) 349-2266 Snail -----> P.O Box 186, North Carlton, Vic, 3054 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- schoolsNET schoolsNET provides turnkey networking solutions for schools. They aim to minimise the complexity involved in getting a school on to the Internet. "schoolsNET provides by Dial-up SLIP and permanent connections, with the value added service for schools. This means we support the use and implementation of a connection, not merely provide a place to connect. The dial up service comes with back up disks, manuals and access to the schools Network Information centre." Area ------> Melbourne Contact ---> Daniel Ingvarson Email -----> <dan@schnet.edu.au> Fax -------> (03) 696-6757 Voice -----> (03) 696-7097 Web -------> http://www.schnet.edu.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spirit Networks Area ------> Canberra Contact ---> Richard Siggs Email -----> <info@spirit.com.au> Fax -------> (06) 281-3552 Voice -----> (06) 281-3552 Web -------> http://www.spirit.com.au/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tower Internet Services "Tower Internet Services offers high speed dialup and connection to the Internet. We offer free SL/IP access with every account created, along with access to out own new network PerthNet - consisting of three major hubs. it.com.au, omen.com.au and, tower.com.au (us). This network enables us to share many files interactively without the high costs for files overseas. We also offer permanant connections at discount rates for all commercial and personal users." Area ------> Western Australia Contact ---> Karl Ferguson Email -----> <root@tower.com.au> Voice -----> 015-779-828 Snail -----> PO Box 828, Canning Bridge WA, 6153. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trumpet Software International Pty Ltd Area ------> Tasmania Contact ---> Peter Tattam Email -----> <peter@trumpet.com.au> Fax -------> (002) 450-210 Voice -----> (002) 450-220 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Winthrop Technology "Winthrop Technology offer general bureau services on an Ultrix system. Since we are on AARNet, accounts on this system provide full AARNet access. "Accounts are available on one of two charging systems: a) You can pay a flat fee of $50 per month b) Casual, pre-paid access. This is charged at $2.50 per connect hour. "In addition to accounts on our bureau system, Winthrop Technology also offer Mail Affiliate links to AARNet. Users with their own Unix system can get mail and news feeds. The connection can use UUCP, MHSnet, or local SLIP. This does not offer full SLIP to AARNet. Mail Affiliates are charges $150 per month for their connection and mail/news feed; in addition, AARNet charge $1000 per annum for the service." Area ------> Perth Email -----> <kaye@uniwa.uwa.edu.au> Fax -------> (09) 382-1688 Voice -----> (09) 380-3698 Snail -----> University of W.A., Nedlands W.A. 6009 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- How do I send mail between the various networks? ------------------------------------------------ There are various different types of networks around the world. Gradually everything is moving towards the Usenet and Internet standards, but there are still plenty of separate networks that don't talk directly to the rest of the world. Email between FidoNet and Internet ================================== It's possible to mail back and forth between Fido nodes and internet addresses. The main thing to keep in mind is to keep the volume of mail small. Internet -> Fidonet ------------------- First you need the FidoNet address, which is of the form 3:711/919 or 3:711/919.2, where 3 is the zone, 711 is the net, and 919 is the individual node on that net. Sometimes there is the .2 thing, which is a point off the node. You then need to change this into an internet version of this, which is: f919.n711.z3 or p2.f919.n711.z3 Add the user name on the front, with spaces changed to full stops, eg. matthew.arnison@f919.n711.z3.fidonet.org where "fidonet.org" is the standard gateway address. matthew.arnison@f919.n711.z3.fidonet.org would be one way to mail me. I've tested this, and it works! If someone from Fido mails you using the techniques below, you may get away with just replying as usual for internet mail, and it will hopefully make its way back to Fido land. However, that doesn't always work, see below for alternatives. Fidonet -> Internet ------------------- Well, if you're on a Fido system, and someone from internet has sent you email, try just replying as normal, and that may work. But here's two ways to do it from scratch, in an excerpt from a document on IXGate, from Nick Andrew at Kralizec (nick@kralizec.fido.zeta.org.au). ------Nick------v When sending mail into the Internet, your sending address is converted by the IXgate and appears automagically on the From: line in messages. To send a message into the Internet from Fidonet, you send the message to 713/602 and in the To part of the message you put the full Internet address of the required destination. For example: Command? s send mail Matrix Address: 713/602 To: oracle@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu Subject: askme Start typing your message now... This ability of the IXgate software to put the Internet address of the sender into the Fidonet From field of messages is what sets it apart from other so-called gateways and it makes replying to Netmail & Echomail messages an easy, intuitive and transparent task. But sometimes Internet people have names which are too long for the Fidonet standards - 36 characters or more. In this case, you can use the kludge which other "gateways" consider the normal mode of operation. What you do is send the message to "uucp" at 713/602 and type in the Internet address of the recipient into the first line of the message. It goes like this: Command? s send mail Matrix Address: 713/602 To: uucp Subject: askme Enter your message now... To: someuser@verylongname.verylongdomains.com <-- this must be first line! Start typing what you want to say ... This style of message input is accepted at all times to retain upward compatibility with kludgy gateways. ------Nick------^ Other collected gateways, as collected from various posts: 3:632/348, 3:632/400, 3:635/552.2, 3:712/400 Not all of these gateways may support the first method above. However, the uucp method seems to be supported everywhere, but may make it difficult to just automatically reply at the other end. The best way to find out is to either try it, or mail "sysop" at the respective Fido node, and ask. Email to CompuServe ------------------- The correct method of addressing CompuServe Mail users is outlined below. Five types of CompuServe Mail addresses can be reached from the Internet as follows: a) Members of the CompuServe Information Service have an address (a.k.a. User ID) of the form "xxxxx,yyyy", such as "74906,1610". To send mail to such an address from the Internet, change the comma to a period and attach "@CompuServe.com". For instance: 74906.1610@CompuServe.com b) Members of organizations with a private CompuServe Mail area have an address of the form "organization:name", such as "ABC:J.SMITH". To send mail to such an address from the Internet, send it to "name@organization.CompuServe.com". For instance: J.SMITH@ABC.CompuServe.com A few organizations also a department in the form "organization:department:name", such as "ABC:ACCTG:JOHN". To send mail to such an address, send to "name@department.organization.CompuServe.com". For instance: JOHN@ACCTG.ABC.CompuServe.com c) Members of organizations whose LAN mail system is connected to the CompuServe Mail Hub via Novell NetWare MHS have an address of the form "name@workgroup", such as "JSMITH@ABC". To send mail to such an address from the Internet, send it to "name@workgroup.MHS.CompuServe.com". For instance: JSMITH@ABC.MHS.CompuServe.Com d) Members of organizations whose LAN mail system is connected to the CompuServe Mail Hub via cc:Mail have an address of the form "name at postoffice", such as "JSMITH at ABC". To send mail to such an address from the Internet, send it to "name@postoffice.ccmail.CompuServe.com". For instance: JSMITH@ABC.CCMAIL.CompuServe.Com e) Members of organizations whose X.400 mail system is connected to CompuServe as a CompuServe PRMD. Their X.400 addresses will have a Country value of "US" and an ADMD value of "CompuServe", such as "x400:(c=US;a=CompuServe;p=ABC;s=Smith;g=John)". To send mail to such an address, send it to "/s=surname/g=givenname/@prmd.X400.CompuServe.COM". For instance: /s=Smith/g=John/@ABC.X400.CompuServe.COM. Note that the Country and ADMD values are NOT needed on the left side of the at sign. Those values are implied by the ".X400.CompuServe.COM" portion of the address. The "tags" (i.e. the "/s=" and "/g=") are as follows: /O Organization /OU Organizational Unit /S Surname /G Given Name /I Initials /Q Generation Qualifiers /U UA Unique ID /X X.121 Address /T Terminal ID /D Domain Defined Attribute (/DD and /DDA are also acceptable) NOTE: In a Domain Defined Attribute, the type and value are to be separated by an equal sign. Please note that a number of special destinations available to users of CompuServe Mail which are NOT accessible from the Internet, including: Facsimile Delivery (e.g. FAX: ) Postal Delivery (e.g. POSTAL: ) Telex Delivery (e.g. TLX: ) MCI Mail Delivery (e.g. MCIMAIL: ) Finally, please realize that only CompuServe Mail users have access to our member directory. Since there is no mechanism for you to obtain addresses directly from CompuServe Incorporated, you should obtain this information from the individuals with whom you wish to correspond. Email to FAX ------------ The faq can be obtained from a robot at tpc-faq@town.hall.org and the current coverage can be obtained from a robot at tpc-coverage@radio.com Alternatively, the syntax is: remote-printer.Jane_Bloggs/Widgets_Dept@6121234567.iddd.tpc.int for a number in Sydney, where the "/" gives a newline on the cover sheet, and the number is made up of the full internation number you would dial, ie. the "612" stands for Sydney, and the "1234567" is the number within Sydney. There's coverage for big cities in Australia, many cities in the US, and other places in the world. For the sender, it appears to be free (although your coverpage may have a logo on it from the place which is donating their fax modem to the cause). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Changes this month ------------------ General: The whole FAQ was reformatted to a modified html form, and a utility written to convert this to text for the news version. This is in preparation for the automated FAQ updater I'm now writing. Over three and a half thousand lines of changes were received since the last edition. Consequently a lot of the FAQ has changed, and since it's in a different format it's hard to know exactly what. If you want to know if your entry has been updated, I guess you'll have to look it up by hand. I've put a fair bit of work into making the hypertext FAQ more useful. I've split it into eleven parts, which is a bit easier for most web browsers to handle. I'm vaguely thinking of going further and splitting the public access section into states, and the organisation section by organisation. If you are strongly in support of this please let me know. The number of hypertext links has increased hugely - all public access entries now link to their corresponding organisations if they have one, also all web references are live and many machine names link to a direct telnet connection. The FAQ is now over three thousand lines long. I'm thinking of splitting it into a "Public Network Access in Australia FAQ" and a "Network Link Providers in Australia FAQ". If anyone has any comments, please let me know. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer ---------- The Network Access in Australia FAQ provides information on publically accessible networking in Australia. It is compiled by myself and has no affiliation with any commerical entity or group. It is not advertising or promotional material. It does not speak for any organisation. Neither is it error free. In a compilation of this size where much of the material has necessarily to be gathered by hearsay it is inevitable that errors creep in. I collect error reports and endeavour to correct the errors in the next issue. I do not post updates for every single error, particularly considering there are usually several a month. The form and content of the FAQ are my choice, and no organisation will be given special treatment. Thanks to everyone who has contributed information to the FAQ! Copyright --------- This FAQ is provided free of charge and may be reproduced in its entirety without explicit permission from the author. The FAQ may also be reproduced in part without explicit permission from the author, but only if three conditions are met - the date of compilation must be included, it must be mentioned that a complete version is available, and the ftp and WWW archive locations given in section 1 must be stated. Under no other circumstances may material from this FAQ be reproduced or published. +-----------------------------------+----------------------------------------+ | zik@zikzak.net | "A man with one watch knows the time; | | Zik Saleeba | but a man with two is never sure." | +-----------------------------------+----------------------------------------+
