Text Access

About Text Access

Text-based access is available from the Toronto Freenet ("TFN") for you to 
quickly and easiliy 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 (or register as "guest" - see below)
 - a computer with a modem
 - phone line
 - text software package

Settings:
Phone Number (modem): 416-645-1999
Data Bits: 8 bits
Stop Bits: 1 bit
Parity: None
Terminal Emulation: vt100 (or vt102)
Screen size: 24 lines X 80 columns

When you are a member you can...

Use Email
Through text access, all email communications are done through option 1: 
Pine mail.  
Here, you will be able to send and receive email and attachments with 
anybody, anywhere on the internet.

Surf the Web
World wide web access is available through option 2: Lynx web browser.   
You can go to any webpage on the internet through lynx.
and manage your files through lynx.

Transfer Files
Pressing z at the main menu allows you to transfer files to TFN.
See your text terminal software such as Telix or Procomm to download files 
and 
for more help on particular procedures at your end of the connection. 

(See menu item 4 for help on other account options available from the main 
menu.)

To become a member of TFN you must first register online by using lynx. 

1. Type "guest" without the quotes after connecting.
2. Read the information under "memberships" (press 'Enter' on the 
highlighted word).
3. Use the arrow keys to get to and highlight "Start the online 
Registration process."
4. Press 'Enter' and use arrow keys to go down the page to fill in the 
form with 
   the requested information. 
5. When done highlight "Submit Account Request"
6. Write down your password (hint: use 6 letters and 2 numbers or 
punctuation marks).
7. Write down the User ID that the system generates.
8. Send in your personal identification (and cheque donation or 
subscription fee)
9. Wait for mailing plus one business day and try your new account with 
login ID and 
   password your wrote down to discover all the benefits of being a member 
of TFN!