From tia-info@marketplace.com Sun Feb 5 16:20:29 1995 Date: Sat, 4 Feb 1995 15:41:48 -0700 From: TIA Info To: Subject: Info about The Internet Adapter(tm) ABOUT THE INTERNET ADAPTER (tm) Revision 1.21 (1/18/95) To obtain the latest version of this document, send blank e-mail to tia-info@marketplace.com The Internet Adapter (TIA) is a new Internet access utility that lets you use popular graphical software such as Mosaic, Netscape, and Eudora with a standard UNIX shell account. In essence it converts a shell account into a "pseudo-SLIP" account the same way an electrical adapter converts a two-prong outlet into a three-prong outlet. This document provides basic information about TIA and explains how to order it over the net or by phone. For more detailed information, please see the addresses for TIA FAQ files and other info listed near the end of this document. ***NOTE: If you currently do not have any Internet access at all (and are reading hardcopy of this file provided by a friend or colleague), please see the special section we have included at the end for Internet newcomers. Or, if would prefer to talk to a friendly Internet expert about how to get started, please call SoftAware (an authorized TIA dealer) in Los Angeles at 310-314-1466 (9-5 PST, M-F). WHY THE INTERNET ADAPTER? TIA was created by Cyberspace Development, Inc. (CSD) to solve a growing problem: while the vast majority of Internet dial-up users currently have access via shell accounts, the vast majority of exciting new Internet tools -- such as Mosaic or Netscape -- require a full TCP/IP connection (also called a SLIP or PPP account) to work. The software engineers at CSD, who specialize in developing Internet applications, realized they could solve this problem by creating a program that runs directly on a user's shell account -- with no special privileges or IP address required -- to provide the same services as a standard SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol) account. Surprisingly enough, the program they developed even managed to slightly exceed the speed of standard SLIP. After a successful beta test at Colorado Supernet, one of the largest regional access providers, TIA was released to the public in August of 1994. Since then it has been adopted by thousands of Internet users, and has been licensed by over 120 universities, corporations, government agencies, and Internet service providers. TIA has also been featured in many books and articles about the Internet, including Adam Engst's popular "Internet Starter Kit" books, PC Week, Open Systems Today, Internet World, LAN Times, PC World, and the Cobb Group's "Inside the Internet" newsletter. WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM TIA? TIA solves the problem of SLIP access for two distinct groups: * Individual shell-account users who would like to use graphical Internet access software, but for whom a traditional SLIP account is either not available or too expensive. * Internet access providers who are looking for an easier, faster way of providing SLIP access that doesn't require new hardware or the setup and administrative overhead of static or dynamic SLIP. Increasingly, TIA also is meeting the needs of a third group: individuals who are newcomers to the Internet who want a low-cost, open, graphical Internet connection. These persons are finding that the combination of TIA and a shell account (which typically has a fixed monthly fee and no per-hour charges) gives them economical access together with the freedom to run any graphical, TCP/IP-based client software they want. As a result, thousands of individual users have licensed TIA, including professionals, students, corporate employees, and hobbyists. HOW IS TIA LICENSED AND SOLD? Two types of TIA licenses are available: Single User, for use on a single shell account; and Host, for multiple users on one or more UNIX hosts. Single user licenses are sold directly over the Internet via a unique online sales system jointly developed by CSD and InterMind Corporation. This system, based at Marketplace.com, CSD's Internet Information Mall(tm), even includes a special Interactive Voice Response system for secure transmission of credit card information. Because of the efficiencies of this system -- and because both companies feel so strongly about TIA's potential for opening up graphical access to the Internet -- Single User licenses are currently priced at only US$25. Host pricing is equally attractive: TIA Host licenses start at only US$495 for up to eight concurrent TIA users on a single host. Substantial discounts are available for larger configurations, as well as special pricing for academic and government buyers. Our goal is to make TIA by far the most cost-effective SLIP solution available. WHAT DO I NEED TO TRY TIA? To evaluate TIA, you need to place two files on your UNIX host: the TIA binary file appropriate to that computer, and a TIA license code (ordered by you from our server and delivered via Internet mail -- each code is unique to the system on which it is installed). You will also need a TCP/IP "stack" (like Trumpet Winsock, MacTCP, etc.) and graphical TCP/IP client applications installed on your personal computer. (NOTE: If you are new to the Internet and these terms, please see the special section at the end of this document.) The TIA binary file you need is freely available via anonymous FTP from Marketplace.com. Platforms currently supported include Sparc/SunOS, Sparc/Solaris, Intel/BSDI, Intel/SCO, Intel/Linux, DEC/Ultrix, DEC/OSF, IBM/AIX, SGI/IRIX, and HP/HP-UX. Additional versions (or "ports") are under development -- a full list is always included in the two order forms described below. To use the binary, you need a TIA License Code -- a digital "key" that enables TIA to run. Each code is specific to the shell account or host where it is installed, and is stored on the machine as a file. Cyberspace is offering free Evaluation license codes which allow fully operational use of TIA for 14 days (Single User) or 21 days (Host). Evaluation codes are only available via a special e-mail ordering form. To get one, simply send a blank message to: tia-single@marketplace.com (Single User Version) tia-host@marketplace.com (Host Version) Just fill out and return the form, and our mailbot will send back your Evaluation license code plus instructions for obtaining and installing the correct TIA binary file via anonymous FTP. You can be up and testing TIA within minutes! HOW CAN I PURCHASE TIA? When you have tried TIA and are satisfied, Registered license codes can be purchased both online and by phone using a credit card. (NOTE: the first option below also allows you to pay by check, money order, or purchase order). Your online ordering options include: * Using the same e-mail ordering forms as above (which we recommend - save a copy of your Evaluation order form and resubmit it with your credit card information once you decide to purchase TIA). * Connecting directly via telnet or gopher to "marketplace.com" and following the menus. * Pointing your World Wide Web browser to "http://marketplace.com/". ORDERING SINGLE USER LICENSES BY PHONE Phone orders may be placed by calling SoftAware Co. in Los Angeles at 310-314-1466, 9-5 PST M-F. SoftAware is your best source for TIA if: * You have a shell account but want help with TIA installation. * You need TCP/IP software for your PC or Mac and want advice and assistance installing the best low-cost solutions available. * You are a newcomer to the Internet and aren't sure where to start. Besides TIA Single User licenses ($25), SoftAware also offers TIA License Code Installation ($35 - includes a TIA License) and a complete TIA Starter Kit ($65 plus shipping), which includes a TIA license and installation plus the best-selling introductory book for Internet Users, _The Internet Starter Kit_ by Adam Engst (either Windows or Mac edition) and all the software you need to get started. You can receive a complete brochure on SoftAware's packages by sending e-mail to: softaware@marketplace.com ORDERING HOST LICENSES InterMind Corporation in Seattle handles all Host licensing for TIA. Volume discounts, site licenses, and special academic and government pricing are available. For more information, please call InterMind at 206-545-7803 (9-5 PST M-F), or send e-mail to: tia-licensing@marketplace.com InterMind is also the contact for reseller, co-marketing, and consultant inquiries. HOW CAN I GET MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT TIA? Because TIA is just one piece in the complex puzzle of dial-up TCP/IP connectivity, we have a growing library of online documents for more information and help. We suggest beginning with the following three (each is available by sending blank e-mail to the address listed): The TIA Single User FAQ............. tia-FAQ-single@marketplace.com This has answers to the most common questions about the Single User version of TIA, including how it works, how it compares with conventional SLIP, and how to solve common TIA setup problems. The TIA Host FAQ.................... tia-FAQ-host@marketplace.com A more technical document for Host licensees that discusses TIA and TIA-based SLIP access from a system administrator's standpoint. The TIA Directory................... tia-directory@marketplace.com A one-stop guide to all the TIA documents available online, as well as all human e-mail addresses and phone numbers associated with TIA. CSD also maintains a complete TIA Information Center at Marketplace.com, including access to all TIA documents and the TIA binaries themselves. You can reach it via: Anonymous FTP marketplace.com Gopher marketplace.com World Wide Web http://marketplace.com/ Finally, if you want to stay abreast of news about TIA, including ports and new releases, you can join our TIA Mailing List. Full instructions are available by mailing: tia-broadcast-request@marketplace.com ***** SPECIAL ADDENDUM FOR NEWCOMERS TO THE INTERNET ***** We at CSD and InterMind are painfully aware of how complex and confusing getting connected to the Internet can be to newcomers. What's worse is the "Catch-22" involved: the best information on how to do it is only available on the Internet! To help solve this problem, we are including a layman's summary of the steps required for the individual who wants to begin traveling the Internet graphically using a shell account and TIA. The three parts to the equation are: (1) A shell account (2) TIA, installed in your shell account (3) Client software -- including both a TCP/IP "stack" and TCP/IP client applications -- installed on your own computer You may also need technical assistance to configure your client software. Here's how to obtain each of these pieces: (1) The shell account: if you don't have access to a shell account through an academic institution, club, or your employer, you can locate a Internet service provider ("ISP") who provides them by talking to your local computer dealer, consulting the computer technology columns of your local paper, studying nationally distributed computer magazines, or calling your library. Alternately, SoftAware (310-314-1466, 9-5 PST) can advise you on many national and regional providers who support TIA. In competitive areas, shell accounts are often available for $20/month or less. This is usually a flat rate (i.e., no hourly surcharges apply). (2) TIA: Once you have located shell account provider and obtained a logon ID and password, you have two options for obtaining TIA. The first is to call SoftAware, who can not only sell you a TIA license for $25, but can install it for you for an additional $10 fee (note that this will require that you give them temporary access to your shell account). The other is to order it directly online yourself. To do this, you can use a standard communications program (like ProComm (tm), or Windows' "Terminal" utility) to dial into your shell account, and then use a standard UNIX e-mail program to order TIA (as described above). Despite UNIX's well-deserved reputation for being hard-to-use, UNIX e- mail programs such as Pine and Elm are really quite easy -- they even include online help (just type a question mark). If your shell account has a menu system, chances are one of these programs appears on the menu. If not, just type "pine" or "elm" at the command prompt. (3) Client software: To run graphical applications on your own computer, you will need a TCP/IP "stack" and the client applications themselves. Some excellent-quality "shareware" versions of this software for the Windows platform are available on the Marketplace.com server. These programs can be downloaded to your shell account and subsequently your own system for testing at no cost to you. For detailed instructions on how to do this, use Pine or Elm to send a blank e-mail message to: tia-win-setup@marketplace.com (for the Windows version) tia-mac-setup@marketplace.com (for the Macintosh version) A variety of client software packages is also available through SoftAware at very competitive costs. If you need technical assistance, e-mail-based support for TIA is available directly from Cyberspace Development. Support for client software distributed free from Marketplace.com may be obtained from other sources (such as the respective creators). Technical assistance is also available from SoftAware if you purchase TIA from them. See the TIA Directory, described above, for more information on support options. That's it--whether you are an Internet newcomer or long-time shell- account user, you now have a full picture of how to get a fully graphical Internet connection. Thank you very much for your interest in The Internet Adapter, and we look forward to seeing you on the net. (c) 1994, 1995 Cyberspace Development, Inc. and InterMind Corp. Revision 1.21 (1/18/95)