On Nov 19, 1996 at 00:22, Paul Edwards of 3:711/934.9 wrote:

 PE> Can I assume that TTY is the simpler system than SLIP/PPP...

When I say "TTY", it's basically using the modem link as a single
full-duplex stream - one uplink channel, one downlink channel.  This is all
that happens when you normally call a bboard.

By running over IP (be it SLIP/CSLIP or PPP), then your two physical
channels can be used for multiple "sessions" (any application),
as all traffic is packetised instead of being sent in a single stream.

Ergo, TTY is easier, but IP is more flexible.

 PE> ...and I'm more likely to be able to write my own version of the TTY
 PE> setup, using PDCOMM etc (so that I end up having the facility on all my
 PE> systems, not just Linux)?

Yes.

 PE> Ok, they refer to taylor.

De facto standard UUCP package.

 PE> Did anyone think that it would be a good idea to provide these things as
 PE> executables, given that there's 6 bloody CDs?

Check the SunSITE/MIT/other mirrors towards the end of the CD-ROM set; 
binaries all there.  Your Slackware setup should have a UUCP package, too.

 db>> Ahh, UUCP via TTY-based dial-up?  Kiss FTP good-bye.  For that, you'll
 db>> require SLIP or PPP.
 PE> My feed has said that I can probably get organized with "autoftp".

If it requires the FTP protocol, then it won't work via TTY;  otherwise, it
may be "FTP" in name only (ie., retrieve files but not using the
FTP protocol).

 db>> You may want to consider SLiRP or some other alternative for
 db>> downloading gobs of net.news when you dial-up.  POP3 should handle your
 db>> email nicely - depending on your MUA, it should connect to the POP3
 db>> server at your ISP and download all the mail to a mailbox on your PC
 db>> where you can read/reply.
 PE> Come on David.  You know I've got no idea what MUA etc is.

No I didn't.

    MUA     Mail User Agent

            User-level application that permits reading/writing email;
            examples include PINE, ELM and MHS, with Fidonet equivalents
            being GoldED and Msged.

    MTA     Mail Transport Agent

            Mail routing/delivery subsystem - most commonly used on the
            Internet is "Sendmail" (also receives mail), with Fidonet
            equivalents including Squish and Tobruk (one could debate
            whether or not Binkley/FrontDoor also goes here).

 db>> Sounds all nice and neat, and you've got the basic idea.  But I'd
 db>> suggest playing around with using your machine as a
"client" first,
 db>> before starting to download net.news (UUCP) and other odds and ends
 db>> just yet.  Step-by-step...
 PE> You want me to be an ISP before I start calling an ISP?

No I don't - I said you should try using your machine as a *client* (of
your ISP's services) before trying to establish "server-level"
stuff on your own box (like store 'n' forward mail, such as UUCP).  You'd
start to get a feel for how things work and then be able to select the
"right" solution to your own situation.

 PE> Hasn't anyone heard of simple solutions for simple people?

Yeah - Microsoft.  :-)

 PE> This Linux stuff is horrific.

It's built for "hackers" - those who like to get deep within the
system and make it work the way they want it to work;  it's not necessarily
for people looking for plug 'n' play ease of use.

 PE> Anyway, I have some more criteria.  My ISP suggested using tkmail, and

TkMail - MUA if I recall correctly (I don't like using too many Tcl/Tk-apps).

 PE> Except I have to use jmacs on linux at this point in time (that was the
 PE> executable provided).

"jmacs" should just be a GNU Emacs-like setup for the JOE editor
(which is what I use);  you should have GNU Emacs in its entirely (incl.
X11 interface) as a separate package.

 PE> And me and X don't get on very well.  X wants me to know the innards of
 PE> not only my video card, but also my monitor.

You don't have to - it just helps if you want to get the most out of the
system.  All you do is take your monitor's manual (dig it up from
somewhere) and enter in the numbers it lists as the v/h freq ranges. 
What's so difficult about that?

As for the video card, if your card is reasonably "standard"
(like mine), then it autodetects most stuff.

 PE> X does actually work, I just have to have some stupid (ie low)
 PE> resolution, making the pictures look stupid.

After autogenerating the "XF86Config" file (or whatever it's
called), I just manually edit it to remove all modes that I don't want, and
then X always runs in my chosen mode by default with no alternatives.

 PE> Hmmm, I don't see a mailprocessor there.  BFN.  Paul.

You're trying to mix 'n' match UUCP's native (old) stuff with your own
Fidonet-heritage stuff .. and it ain't pretty (but of course, is possible).

As I said, start basic - just use the services on the ISP's end first,
running clients on your machine (this is all client/server, remember), to
get a feel for things.  Move forward one step at a time.

Cheers..

    - dave
    d.begley{at}ieee.org

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