PUBLIC-ACCESS INTERNET SITES
PUBLIC-ACCESS INTERNET SITES
PUBLIC-ACCESS INTERNET SITES
What follows is a list of public-access Internet sites, which are
computer systems that offer access to the Net. All offer international
e-mail and Usenet (international conferences). In addition, they offer:
FTP : File-transfer protocol -- access to scores of file
libraries (everything from computer software to historical
documents to song lyrics). You'll be able to transfer
these files from the Net to your own computer.
Telnet : Access to databases, computerized library card
catalogs, weather reports and other information services,
as well as live, online games that let you compete with
players from around the world.
Additional services that may be offered include:
WAIS: Wide-area Information Server; a program that
can search dozens of databases in one search.
Gopher: A program that gives you easy access to dozens
of other online databases and services by making
selections on a menu. You'll also be able to use these
to copy text files and some programs to your mailbox.
IRC: Internet Relay Chat, a CB simulator that lets
you have live keyboard chats with people around the
world.
Clarinet: News, sports, feature stories and columns
from Universal Press International; Newsbytes computer
news.
However, even on systems that do not provide these services
directly, you will be able to use a number of them through telnet .
Systems marked "Unix" dump you right into Unix (a.k.a. "DOS with a
college degree"). In most cases, this means you can also use the host
system's various Unix functions. The other systems use menus, which are
generally much easier for beginners to navigate -- they are just like
menus in restaurants, in which you decide what you want from a list of
options. Any unique features of a given system are noted. Some of these
systems require you to use parameters of 7-1-E, so if you get gibberish
when you connect, try that. Most let you look around for awhile before
you have to sign up.
Several of these sites are available nationwide through national
data networks such as the CompuServe Packet Network and PC-Pursuit.
Please note that all listed charges are subject to change.
ALBERTA
Edmonton. PUCNet Computer Connections, (403) 484-5640. Unix. Log
on as: guest.
Charges: $20 a month for 20 hours of connect time, plus $5 an hour
for access to ftp and telnet; $10 sign-up fee.
Voice help: (403) 448-1901.
CALIFORNIA
Berkeley. Holonet. For free trial, modem number is (510) 704-1058.
Boardwatch online news, USA Today. For information or local numbers,
call number below.
Charges: $60 a year for local access, $2 an hour during offpeak
hours.
Voice help: (510) 704-0160.
Cupertino. Portal. Both Unix and menus. (408) 725-0561, 725-1724
or (408) 973-8091.
Charges: $19.95 set-up fee, $19.95 a month.
Voice help: (408) 973-9111.
Encinitas. Cyber Station, (619) 634-1376. Unix. Log on as:
guest.
Charges: $20 a month for one hour a day; $10 setup fee.
Irvine. Dial N' CERF. See under San Diego.
Los Angeles. Dial N' CERF. See under San Diego.
Oakland. Dial N' CERF. See under San Diego.
San Diego. Dial N' CERF USA, run by the California Education and
Research Federation. Provides local dial-up numbers in San Diego, Los
Angeles, Oakland and Irvine. For more information, call voice (800)
876-CERF or (619) 534-5087.
Charges: $20 a month plus $10 an hour, with a one-time
installation fee of $50.
San Jose. Netcom, (510) 865-9004 or 426-6860; (408) 241-9760;
(415) 424-0131, up to 9600 baud. Unix. Maintains archives of Usenet
postings. Log on as: guest.
New users get a written guide to using Netcom and the Net in
general. However, access to Net services beyond Usenet requires
signature on a written "Network Agreement Form."
Charges: $15 start-up fee and then $17.50 a month for
unlimited use if you agree to automatic billing of your credit-card
account (otherwise $19.50 a month for a monthly invoice).
Voice help: (408) 554-UNIX.
San Jose. A2i, (408) 293-9010. Unix. Log on as: guest.
Charges: $20 a month; $45 for three months; $72 for six months.
Sausalito. The Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link ( WELL ),
(415) 332-6106, up to 2400 baud. Uses moderately difficult Picospan
software, which is sort of a cross between Unix and a menu system. New
users get a written manual. More than 200 WELL-only conferences. Log on
as: newuser.
Charges: $15 a month plus $2 an hour. Access through
the nationwide CompuServe Packet Network available for another $4.50
an hour.
Voice help: (415) 332-4335. Recorded message about the system's
current status: (800) 326-8354 (continental U.S. only).
COLORADO
Colorado Springs. CNS, (719) 570-1700. Local calendar listings
and ski and stock reports. USA Today. Users can chose between menus
or Unix. Log on as: new.
Charges: $1 an hour (minimum fee of $10 a month); one-time $35
set-up fee.
Voice help: (719) 579-9120.
Golden. Colorado SuperNet. Unix. E-mail to fax service.
Available only to Colorado residents. Local dial-in numbers currently
available in Ft. Collins, Denver/Boulder and Colorado Springs. For
dial-in numbers, call the number below.
Charges: $2 an hour ($1 an hour between midnight and 6 a.m.);
one-time $20 sign-up fee.
Voice help: 303-273-3471.
ILLINOIS
Chicago. MCSNet, (312) 248-0900. Unix.
Charges: $25/month or $65 for three months of unlimited access; $30
for three months of access at 15 hours a month.
Voice help: (312) 248-UNIX.
Peoria. Peoria Free-Net, (309) 674-1100. Similar to Cleveland
Free-Net (see Ohio, below). Users can "link" to the larger Cleveland
system for access to Usenet and other services. There are also Peoria
Free-Net public-access terminals in numerous area libraries,
other government buildings and senior-citizen centers. Contact the
number below for specific locations. Full access (including access to
e-mail) requires completion of a written application.
Charges: None.
Voice help: (309) 677-2544.
MARYLAND
Baltimore. Express Access, (410) 220-0462 or (301) 220-0462.
Unix. Log on as: new.
Charges: $15 a month or $150 a year for e-mail and Usenet; $25 a
month or $250 a year for complete Internet services (FTP, telnet, IRC,
etc.). This allows unlimited use between 3 a.m. and 3 p.m. and one
hour between 3 p.m. and 3 a.m. Access to Usenet, e-mail and Unix shell
only is $15 a month/$150 a year.
Voice help: (301) 220-2020.
MASSACHUSETTS
Brookline. The World, (617) 739-9753. Unix, but with a large
number of understandable online help files. Huge collection of MS-DOS
files, "Online Book Initiative" collection of electronic books, poetry
and other text files.
Charges: $5 a month plus $2 an hour or $20 for 20 hours a month.
Available nationwide through the CompuServe Packet Network for
another $5.60 an hour.
Voice help: (617) 739-0202.
Lynn. North Shore Access, (617) 593-5774. Unix. Log on as:
guest.
Charges: $10 for a month for 10 hours; $1 an hour after that.
Voice help: (617) 593-3110.
Worcester. NovaLink, (508) 754-4009. Unix. Log on as: info.
Charges: $12.95 sign-up (includes first two hours); $9.95 a month
(includes five daytime hours), $1.80 an hour after that.
Voice help: (800) 274-2814.
MICHIGAN
Ann Arbor. MSEN. Contact number below for dial-in number.
Unix.
Charges: $5 a month and $2 an hour, or $20 a month for 20 hours.
Voice help: (313) 741-1120.
Ann Arbor. Michnet. Unix. Has local dial-in numbers in several
Michigan numbers. For local numbers, call voice number below.
Charges: $35 a month plus one-time $40 sign-up fee. Additional
network fees for access through non-Michnet numbers.
Voice help: (313) 764-9430.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
MV Communications, Inc. For local dial-up numbers call voice line
below. Unix.
Charges: $5 a month mininum plus variable hourly rates depending on
services used.
Voice help: (603) 429-2223.
NEW YORK
New York. Panix, (212) 787-3100. Unix or menus. Log on as:
newuser.
Charges: $10 a month or $100 a year; one-time $40 fee.
Voice help: (212) 877-4854.
New York. Echo, (212) 989-8411. Unix and conferencing. Log
on as: newuser. Local conferences.
Charges: $19.95 ($13.75 students and seniors).
Voice help: (212) 255-3839.
New York. MindVox, (212) 988-5030. Log on as: guest. Local
conferences.
Charges: $15 a month; $10 set-up fee for non-credit card accounts.
Voice help: (212) 988-5987.
NORTH CAROLINA
Charlotte. Vnet Internet Access, (704) 347-8839. Unix. Log on
as: new.
Charges: $25 a month or $259 a year.
Voice help: (704) 374-0779.
Triangle Research Park. Rock Concert Net. Call number below for
modem number. Unix.
Charges: $30 a month; one-time $50 sign-up fee.
Voice help: (919) 248-1999.
OHIO
Cleveland. Cleveland Free-Net, (216) 368-3888. IRC. USA Today,
Ohio and US Supreme Court decisions, historical documents, many local
conferences. Full access (including access to e-mail) requires
completion of a written application.
Charges: None.
Voice help: (216) 368-8737.
Cincinnati. Tri-State Free-Net, (513) 579-1990. Similar to
Cleveland Free-Net. Full access (including access to e-mail) requires
completion of a written application.
Charges: None.
Cleveland. Wariat, (216) 481-9436 (2400 baud); (216) 481-9425
(higher speeds). Unix, menus.
Charges: $35 a month or $200 for six months; $20 sign-up fee.
Voice help: (216) 481-9428.
Lorain. Lorain County Free-Net, (216) 277-2359 or 366-9753.
Similar to Cleveland Free-Net. Users can "link" to the larger
Cleveland system for additional services. Full access (including
access to e-mail) requires completion of a written application.
Charges: None.
Voice help: (216) 366-4200.
Medina. Medina Free-Net, (216) 723-6732, 225-6732 or 335-6732.
Users can "link" to the larger Cleveland Free-Net for additional
services. Full access (including access to e-mail) requires
completion of a written application.
Charges: None.
Youngstown. Youngstown Free-Net, (216) 742-3072. Users can
"link" to the Cleveland system for services not found locally. Full
access (including access to e-mail) requires completion of a written
application.
Charges: None.
ONTARIO
Toronto. UUNorth. Call voice number below for local dial-in
numbers. Unix.
Charges: $25 for 20 hours a month of offpeak use.
Voice help: (416) 225-8649.
OREGON
Beaverton. Techbook, (503) 220-0636 (2400 baud); (503) 220-1016 (higher
speeds). Unix.
Charges: $10 a month for 30 hours of "basic" Internet access or $90 a
year; $15 a month for 30 hours of "deluxe" access or $150 a year. $10 sign-up
fee for monthly accounts.
Portland. Agora, (503) 293-1772 (2400 baud), (503) 293-2059 (9600
baud). Unix. Log on as: apply
Charges: $6 a month for one hour per day.
PENNSYLVANIA
Pittsburgh. Telerama, (412) 481-5302. Unix.
Charges: $6 for 10 hours a month, 60 cents for each additional hour.
QUEBEC
Montreal. Communications Accessibles Montreal, (514) 281-5601.
Unix.
Charges: $25 a month.
Voice help: (514) 923-2102.
RHODE ISLAND
East Greenwich. IDS World Network, (401) 884-9002. In addition
to Usenet, has conferences from the Fidonet and RIME networks.
Supports QMAIL offline reader, which lets you read and respond to
messages while not online.
Charges: $10 a month; $50 for six months; $100 for a year.
VIRGINIA
Norfolk. Wyvern Technologies, (804) 627-1828 (Norfolk); (804-0662
(Peninsula). Unix.
Charges: $15 a month or $144 a year; $10 sign-up fee.
Voice help: (804) 622-4289.
WASHINGTON, DC
The Meta Network. Call voice number below for local dial-in
numbers. Caucus conferencing, menus.
Charges: $20 a month plus $15 sign-up fee.
Voice help: (703) 243-6622.
See also: listing under Baltimore, MD for Express Access.
WASHINGTON STATE
Seattle. Halcyon, (206) 382-6245. Users can choose between menus
and Unix. Log on as: bbs.
Charges: $10 a month for Usenet and e-mail; $15 a month or $150 a
year for these and other Internet services (FTP, IRC, telnet, etc.).
Voice help: (206) 426-9298
Seattle. Eskimo North, (206) 367-3837 (2400 baud), (206) 362-6731
(9600/14.4K baud).
Charges: $10 a month or $96 a year.
Voice help: (206) 367-7457.
If you don't live in a city with a public-access site, you'll
still be able to connect to the Net. Several of these services offer
access through national data networks such as the CompuServe Packet
Network and PC-Pursuit, which have dozens, even hundreds of local
dial-in numbers across the country. These include Holonet in Berkeley,
Calf., Portal in Cupertino, Calf., the WELL in Sausalito, Calf.,
Dial 'N CERF in San Diego, Calf., the World in Brookline, Mass., and
Michnet in Ann Arbor, Mich. Dial 'N CERF offers access through an 800
number. Expect to pay from $2 to $12 an hour to use these networks,
above each provider's basic charges. The exact amount depends on the
network, time of day and type of modem you use. For more information,
contact the above services.
Two other providers deliver Net access to users across the
country:
Delphi, based in Cambridge, Mass., is a consumer-oriented network
much like CompuServe or America On-Line -- only it now offers
subscribers access to Internet services.
Charges: $3 a month for Internet access, in addition to standard
charges. These are $10 a month for four hours of off-peak (non-working
hours) access a month and $4 an hour for each additional hour or $20 for
20 hours of access a month and $1.80 an hour for each additional hour.
For more information, call (800) 695-4005.
PSI, based in Reston, Va., provides nationwide access to Internet
services through scores of local dial-in numbers to owners of IBM and
compatible computers. PSILink. which includes access to e-mail,
Usenet and ftp, costs $29 a month, plus a one-time $19 registration
fee. Special software is required, but is available free from PSI.
PSI's Global Dialup Service provides access to telnet for $39 a month
plus a one-time $39 set-up fee. For more information, call (800)
82PSI82 or (703) 620-6651.
Peter Kaminski maintains a list of systems that provide public access to
Internet services. It's availble on the network itself, which obviously
does you little good if you currently have no access, but which can
prove invaluable should you move or want to find a new system. Look for
his "PDIAL" file in the alt.bbs.lists or news.answers newsgroups in
Usenet (for information on accessing Usenet, see the USENET chapter).