🚀 go-pugleaf

I-Comm once again!!! IMHO, I-Comm is the way out for most of TFN's 
current probelms that can be summarized as follows:

- User unsatisfaction with the current interface.
- Sponsors search for graphical-enabled, sound-enabled platforms to put 
their ads. 

THE USUAL COUNTER-POINTS:

A- TFN does not have enough band width to allow its users graphical access 
   to the WWW.

The answer to that is the ideal situation is for the users to use this 
browser within TFN. If we provide a 'graphical' menu system (which 
coincides with the requirements of the information providers to use HTML 
instead of the more difficult and less featured 'menu system'). The link 
to such files would be a Lynx link. 
Some of the users will however try to access sites outside TFN. This is a 
self-limiting phenomenon, as most will discover that:

a. It takes so much time to 'download' the html.
b. The HTML is first downloaded to the user's computer which will 
   eventually exhaust its resources.
c. The TFN philosophy is built around competing for scarce resources, 
   whether that be the telephone lines or the band-width. If too many people 
   are using the bandwidth, all the connections will become slower.

Solutions to TFN bandwidth problems:

a. Discontinue not.torfree.net and all its afilliated sites 
   (gts.torfree.net, etc.)
b. Cancel all accounts outside the Toronto area (those people use telnet 
   to reach TFN). They are most likely the least contributing members to the 
   donations. They also must have other accounts to reach the TFN, so no 
   harm will be done. Such approach has been implemented by one of the 
   Finnish FreeNets. 

B- The TFN does not have enough volunteer resources to implement new 
   systems nor provide user support for them.

Please read carefully the information listed below for the system 
requirements regarding the server. Only one file need to be included in 
the root directory. THAT IS IT.
1;2;c
Support can be provided - as it usually is - by other users in the 
newsgroups. May be we can also establish a new newsgroup just for that 
purpose.

WHAT IS NEEDED:

1- Provide the I-COMM browser in the public download area for the users 
   to experiment with. It is an excellent 'terminal' for use even with 
   current setting of TFN. This will avoid actually TFN users having to 
   subscribe to such freenets as the Finnish Freenet to be able to download 
   the software (by the way; why have the download feature been disabled in 
   the new Lynx?).
2- Make the decision to use I-Comm as 'THE' TFN browser and install the 
   server side file.
3- Make the information known to our users (asking them for donations, as 
   we are improving the service).
4- Immediate shift to HTML menues. Make this information known to our 
   'potential sponsors' and of course users and above all Information 
   Providers.

C- GUI access would affect those users preferring text-only.

Not at all. This approach is different than the PPP/SLIP alternative. 

D- Most TFN users will not be able to use the new features.

Again wrong. The browser only needs a 386. I have bought one from the 
Goodwell (though I still have my Pentium) for only $35 (an IBM PS/2 Model 
70). Also all libraries that ar affilliated with TFN can install the 
I-Comm browser for TFN users. The desk space required is minimal and the 
browser is better than those currently in use by the libraries. Those who 
cannot afford a second-hand 386 can always use the library. I have been 
doing that - as I did not have a telephone line, now I have one - as at 
least 2 persons that I happen to know closely ;-)

In the current situation the TFN is in, and with the board's decision to 
take the easy way by forwarding the bill to the users - something that I 
basically do not agree with - we might as well show that we are 
'improving' the service for the users.

Following is a brief list of I-Comm features of the older version. For 
more information, or to obtain the software:

http://www.best.com/~icomm/
http://www.talentcom.com/

May common sense prevail?

Nabil M. El-Khodari

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I-Comm(TM) FAQ Last Modified: Nov. 1, 1995 Version 1.09 Beta1 1. What is
I-Comm ?==================================================================
   I-Comm is a full featured graphical WWW browser which does
   not require any kind of SLIP/PPP connection. If you have a
   PC with Windows, a modem and an Internet Shell, VAX, or
   Freenet account, then you are ready to surf the Internet
   using I-Comm.  No fancy setup is needed. 
   I-Comm has a "Mosaic look & feel" interface and can display
   pages while downloading images in the background.  I-Comm also
   has a built-in full featured modem communication program which
   allows a user to switch between the communication program and
   the browser with just one button click. 
   I-Comm is a shareware program.  

2. What are I-Comm's minimum system requirements ? 
   a. 386DX running MS-Windows (tm) 3.1 or above with 4MB Memory
      and 1MB Disk Space; 
   b. 9.6 kbs or faster Modem; 
   c. A UNIX shell, VAX, or Freenet account with Internet access; 
   d. Z-Modem transfer program "sz" installed in your Internet
      account search path; 
   e. "icomhost" program from Talent Communications, installed in
      your Internet account search path; 
      OR Lynx browser installed in your Internet account search
      path; 
      OR WWW browser installed in your Internet account search
      path.  3. I-Comm's key features: 
   a. TWO IN ONE graphical WWW browser and modem
      communication program. 
   b. Switching between Browser and Terminal windows with just
      one button click makes Internet surfing easier and more
      enjoyable. 
   c. Does NOT require any kind of SLIP/PPP connection. 
   d. Supports HTTP, FTP and Gopher protocols. 
   e. Complete form support. 
   f. Can save HTML pages to disk WITH INLINE IMAGES. 
   g. Allows a user to edit the HTML file source. 
   h. Supports an unlimited number of hot list files and allows
      a user to edit the hot lists. 
   i. Supports batch HTTP, FTP, Gopher file downloading. 



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Nabil M. El-Khodari     You can fool all the people for some time 
TFN IP                  Or some people all the time 
                        But you cannot fool all the people all the time