🚀 go-pugleaf

Nabil M. El-Khodari (falcon@torfree.net) wrote:
: I-Comm once again!!! IMHO, I-Comm is the way out for most of TFN's 
: current probelms that can be summarized as follows:


Good to heaar from you again Nabil. Most of the time I don't understand 
what you are talking about, but your posts always create excited 
responses from excited peaple.


: - 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

: --------------------------------------------------------------------------

: 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. 



: -- 
: -----------------------------------------------------------------------
: 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
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