About Text Access

Text-based access is available from the Toronto Freenet ("TFN") for you to quickly and easily access your account on our system. All services, such as email and the world wide web, are served to you in plain text, without the worries of requiring a powerful computer. With text access, you can telnet into your account from anywhere on the Internet or dial up directly using just about any computer -- all you need is a computer and modem!

Accessing the TFN (in text mode)

To access the TFN, you will need:

• a valid TFN account
• a computer with a modem
• phone line
• text communications software package (a terminal program, such as Telix, ProComm, Hyperterminal, Putty, etc.)

Using Email
Through text access, all email communications are done through option 1: Pine mail. Here, you will be able to send and receive Internet email and attachments.

Surfing the Web
World Wide Web access is available through option 2: Lynx web browser. You can view any webpage on the Internet with lynx.

Downloading Files
From within lynx, navigate to the file you want to download (which can be a webpage or a file in your own account). Then press "d" to download. Lynx will display a menu of transport protocols. You must choose the Kermit protocol; the others (Xmodem, Zmodem), don't currently work correctly. Lynx will then prompt you for the filename to be used on your computer. Once you have answered, use your text terminal software (eg Kermit, Telix, Procomm) to download the file.

Uploading Files
From within lynx, navigate to a directory, within your TFN disk space, into which you want to upload a file from your computer. Then press "u" to upload. Lynx will display a menu of transport protocols. Again, you must choose the Kermit protocol; the others, don't currently work correctly. Lynx will then prompt you for the filename under which to store the new file in your TFN disk space. Once you have answered, tell your text terminal software (eg Kermit, Telix, Procomm) to upload the file.