San Jose IBM PC Club Internet Server Frequently Asked Questions - Text Mode

World Wide Web

Getting Connected

E-mail

Midnight Commander File Manager

World Wide Web

1. I have dialed into the server with a terminal program. How do I surf the world wide web in text mode?

 

 

The web browser is called Lynx. You can access Lynx from option W on the login menu or by entering "lynx" at a command prompt.
 

2. In Lynx, how do I enter the URL of the web site I want to browse?

 

 

Press the "g" (go) key then enter the address at the "URL to open" prompt.
 

3. Where do I find the keystrokes for navigating the web with Lynx?

 

 

In Lynx, press the "h" (help) key, move the cursor to "Key-stroke commands", then press enter. There is lots of other helpful information about Lynx here too.

Getting connected to the sjpc.org Server

1. What do I need to get connected?

 

 

A terminal program: Windows comes with a basic terminal program called Hyperterminal.  OS/2 comes with a basic terminal program called TE/2.  For Linux use Minicom.

Terminal emulation setting: Use VT102. If your terminal program doesn't support VT102, use VT100. If it doesn't support either VT102 or VT100, use ANSI.  For data line settings use 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit (this is typically the default).

A userid: Each club member and family member can get a free userid from postmaster@sjpc.org.

E-Mail

1. How do I get to my e-mail?

 

 

The e-mail tool is called Pine. You can access Pine from option M on the login menu or by entering "pine" at a command prompt.
 

2. How do I send and receive attachments using Pine?

 

 

To attach a file to an e-mail, upload it from your PC to your home directory with Zmodem.  First exit from the login menu to a command prompt then start a Zmodem upload from your PC.  Your terminal program may use the Page Up key or a command to start the upload.  When the upload is complete, invoke Pine and enter the file name into Pine's "Attchmnt" field (remember that file names are cAsE sEnSiTiVe).

There are two steps to use an attachment that was sent to you.  The first step is to detach it from the e-mail.  While viewing the message in Pine press the > key to view the attachment, move the cursor to the attachment, then press s and enter to save the attachment to your home directory.

The second step is to download the attachment to your PC.  When you are done using Pine, return to the login menu.  Select option D for download and enter the name of the attachment file (remember that file names are cAsE sEnSiTiVe).  When you press enter, the terminal program on your PC may automatically download the file or you may have to press a key like Page Down or enter a command to receive the file with Zmodem.
 

3. My delete key doesn't work in Pine. How do I delete a character at the cursor?

 

 

Press Ctrl-D to delete a character.  Don't user the delete key. If you've pressed the delete key and the screen doesn't look right, press Ctrl-L to refresh the screen.
 

4. When I insert text it appears to overwrite the existing text.  What do I do?


A few terminal programs such as Hyperterminal have this problem.  Some workarounds...
 

• Press Ctrl-L to refresh the screen.  It didn't actually overwrite the message text but it sure is confusing.
• Use a more complete terminal program (for example ZOC).
• Use PPP and a graphical IMAP/POP mail program like Netscape Messenger instead of a terminal program
5. Does Pine have other keystrokes that aren't shown at the bottom of the screen?

 

 

While in Pine, press ? to see the list. Some handy ones...

Press Ctrl-A to go to the beginning of a line.

Press End or Ctrl-E to go the the end of a line.

Press Ctrl-J to justify text that is too wide for the screen.

Press Ctrl-L to refresh the screen.
 

Midnight Commander File Manager

1. How do I navigate around Midnight Commander (mc)?

 

 

Use the tab, cursor, and enter keys. Tab swaps you between the left and right screens. Cursor up and down takes you through the lists of files and directories. Press enter on a directory to go to that directory. Press enter on ".." to go up a directory. Press enter on a file to open it.
 

2. My function keys or Page Down key don't work right. What do I do?

 

 

If your terminal program does not support function keys, instead you can press Esc then a number key. For example, instead of F1 you can press Esc then the number 1 key. Instead of F10 you can press Esc then the number 0 key. To quit from most screens you can press Esc twice.

To quit Midnight Commander altogether, press Esc then 0 (F10) or type "exit" from its command line at the bottom of the screen.

If your terminal program remaps the Page Down key you can use Ctrl-V instead.