Connectivity Providers Database

From: wsamoamgr <wsamoamgr@pactok.peg.apc.org> To: sghuter@psg.com Date: 08 Aug 95 08:56:58 +1000 > Last of all, could you please complete the following for the database of > contacts: > Date of Entry: 8 August 1995 > Organization: Pacific Sustainable Development Networking Project for Western Samoa. Based at the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Apia, Western Samoa. > Address: P.O Box 240, Apia, Western Samoa > Country: W. Samoa > Code: > Contact Person: Wanda Ieremia or Alex Williams at SPREP > Voice: (685) 21929 > Fax: (685) 20231 > E-mail: wsamoamgr@pactok.peg.apc.org sprep@pactok.peg.apc.org > Host/Node Name: wsamoamgr@pactok.peg.apc.org > Host manager is Wanda Ieremia > URLs: > Notes: Attached is some notes you will find very informative on the Wantok/Pactok E Mail system we use. They are sent to us from our Post master in Sydney Australia (from the Hub). (110) 30 Jul 95 21:43:00 Rcvd: Sun 30 Jul 16:36 By: robg, Rob Garnsey (90:900/990) To: SysOp Re: Pactok Network Developments St: Rcvd ------------------------------------------------------------ Pactok Network Update --------------------- Dear Pactok member, Recently I have written to all the Pactok host managers outlining the proposed strategic direction for the development of the Pactok network over the next six to eighteen months. I would also like our members to be aware of what we are planning and what it might mean in terms of new and improved services. Some of these changes you may wish to take advantage of right away. Others will take a while to implement. Objective --------- Within the timeframe indicated, it is proposed that Pactok should migrate from a Fido technology network to a TCP/IP based network. TCP/IP is the standard on which the Internet runs. As long as the configuration we come up with preserves all of the efficiencies of the Fidonet protocol for the difficult communications environment in which we operate, users can expect to get more features and more reliability out of their email system. In the first instance, the TCP/IP network will still be based on dial-up links between the network hub and the subnet hosts. In time, however, country hosts will no doubt obtain permanent local connections to the Internet backbones as soon as these become available at a reasonable price in each country. Even without a permanent local Internet link, users will still experience big improvements from a change to TCP/IP, such as: * no limits on message size * easy file attachment with automatic encoding and decoding * speedier turnaround on messages * more modern, easier-to-use software The work involved in these plans is non-trivial and will have an impact on virtually all aspects of the networking operation: hardware, operating systems, server and client software as well as accounting and billing systems and the knowledge of the people who look after the systems. Economics --------- One of our goals in all of this is to make sure that a Pactok connection remains affordable. While the nature of the changes means that the only viable option is to introduce time and volume charging for users, the average user should certainly pay no more to send and receive messages than what they pay now. Most Internet sites have typically run on Unix workstations, tendered by engineers. Now, for the first time, it is becoming possible to assemble a package of the right cost and level of complexity for our own particular conditions. But a lot of work still needs to be done before the testing is completed, the administrative arrangements are made and it can all be put into operation. Immediate considerations ------------------------ In a related development, we have set up a World Wide Web server in conjunction with the University of Technology in Sydney. This server, called "Pacific Talk", is to become a 'virtual library' of information about world issues in Asia and the Pacific. That is, it will publish on the Internet information about development, environment and human rights - the sorts of issues that Pactok members are involved with. It is our hope that Pactok members will make use of this facility, free of any additional charge, to publicise the work they are doing and to carry the campaign for their objectives onto the wider world stage. About the World Wide Web ------------------------ Nothing has done as much to popularise the idea of the Internet as has the development of the World Wide Web (WWW) over the last 2 or 3 years. WWW is a way of organising and publishing rich text (formatted text and pictures) on the Internet that makes it very easy for people to find it and read it again. A Web browser is so easy to use and the concept of Web navigation so easy that, once connected, even the most technologically challenged individuals can access a world wide mine of information on almost any subject. As an interactive medium, WWW requires a fairly high speed link to the Internet while the session is in progress. Unfortunately that puts it beyond the reach of people in places where an Internet connection is too expensive. Since Pactok is designed for such situations, it is no surprise that Pactok users cannot yet browse the Web. But the good news is... ----------------------- The way telecommunications are developing, this will not remain the case forever. And in the meantime, even if you can't browse, there is nothing to stop you from publishing on the World Wide Web immediately, courtesy of the Pacific Talk server. All you will need to do is send us the text of your Web presentation by email. For maximum impact, a logo and one or two photos should also be sent - in the post. We will then mark up your text using the WWW formatting language (HTML), scan in your graphics and publish your information in the Pacific Talk virtual library. Doing your own mark up ---------------------- No doubt there will be some of an inquisitive nature who will wish to learn the techniques involved in developing content for the Web and supply us with finished product. In this case we can arrange to supply them, through the local host manager, with the necessary software tools and some written material on how to go about it. WWW by email ------------ It is possible, technically, for an email user to send a specially formatted email message to a server and receive by return mail the text of any specific Web page complete with HTML markup tags. If this user also has a Web browser, she can load up the HTML page and view it as it would appear were she actually browsing the Web (minus any graphics). Unfortunately the public servers which provide this service appear to be unavailable much of the time. It is our intention to implement such a facility on the Pacific Talk server, specifically for Pactok users. What next? ---------- Firstly, we would be happy to receive any comments or questions you have about Pactok's development plans. Secondly, we welcome any enquiries to do with publishing information about your organisation's projects on the Pactok Web server which is now operating. Best regards, Rob Garnsey Pactok Network Manager 22/7/95 @Via IMAIL 1.21a (Unregistered) on 90:685/100.0@Pactok, 31 Jul 95 08:00:06