Washington Apple Pi
Internet Explorer Service

Answers to Frequently-Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE TCS?

The Telecommunications System (TCS) is Washington Apple Pi's center of communication. It is an electronic bulletin board serving over 100,000 callers a year with news and opinions, software, technical support, electronic mail, and worldwide discussions. The TCS has been on-line and continuously upgraded since 1983 as a text-based bulletin board system.

WHAT IS TCS EXPLORER SERVICE?

TCS Explorer Service builds on the existing structure, providing all the same features plus "full" Internet access via a PPP or SLIP dial-in connection. This service, packaged specifically for the Macintosh, turns a subscriber's Mac into a full peer on the Internet for the duration of each call. This enables the subscriber to use popular software to explore the World Wide Web, exchange e-mail, transfer files, and access the TCS with a graphical user interface. Most of these features are in place already, while some portions such as graphical access to the TCS's message base will emerge from development in coming months.

The first-year Explorer package comes with a set of Installer disks that place the required software onto a Mac. The installation package is specially designed for Macs connecting to TCS Explorer Service, and so installation is straightforward, with few of the surprises and decisions required by popular Internet books and Shareware collections. Tutorials are also available, separately.

WHAT IS THE CATCH?

TCS Explorer Service is a member-supported service of Washington Apple Pi. Interested members share their knowledge and talents, and split the cost of a medium-bandwidth (256 Kbps DSL) channel on the Internet. Members voluntarily limit their usage during peak hours of the day in order to give everyone a chance to explore and to learn about the Internet, the World Wide Web, and what these things have to offer. This is, as it is intended to be, in sharp contrast with the high-bandwidth, guaranteed services offered by big-budget Internet Service Providers (ISP's) at higher costs.

TCS Explorer Service is a volunteer effort for recreational purposes, and it is expected that occasional glitches may occasionally cause temporary disruptions of the service, despite everyone's best efforts. All lines may be in use by other subscribers during the busiest hours. If your needs are for a maximum-speed, commercial-grade Internet connection with a paid and responsive on-demand support line, there are many excellent commercial Internet providers in the Washington-Baltimore area.

WHAT OTHER TCS SERVICE LEVELS ARE AVAILABLE?

TCS Classic Service is an option with Pi membership. It adds complete access to downloadable files and programs, read and post access to many Usenet newsgroups, plus a personal electronic mailbox with which you can send messages to friends and business contacts around the world, with up to 150 minutes per day TCS access.

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO USE TCS EXPLORER?

Macintosh computers require either MacTCP or Open Transport in order to use Explorer service. MacTCP is sold by Apple Computer and certain licencees. MacTCP is included with System 7.5, many commercial titles of Internet software, and popular books on using the Internet. It may also be purchased from the Pi office; phone for details. Open Transport is available through the Apple System Software library on the Pi's bulletin board, as well as from Apple's Web sites. Open Transport works best on Macintosh computers running System 7.5.3 or later; for many Power Macintosh computers, Open Transport is required; MacTCP is not an option.

System 7.0 or later is required by most of the software that is distributed with Explorer service and understood by the other Pi members who answer technical questions. It is a practical (if not absolute) requirement. For most users, Mac OS 8.X (the latest version of the Mac operating supported by their computer) or later will yield best results.

A practical (if not absolute) requirement is a fast modem -- 9600 bits per second or faster. Such modems are often called v.32 (9600 baud), v.32bis (14,400 baud), v.34 (28,800 baud), v.90, etc. A hardware handshaking cable is required. (In most cases, these modems come with such cables.)

Some software that is distributed with Explorer service requires a Macintosh with a 68020 CPU or later (a 68030, 68040, or PowerPC). A complete kit, for getting on either TCS Classic or TCS Explorer (or both) is included in most editions of the Washington Apple Pi CD-ROM series, "Pi Fillings."

I HAVE AN APPLE IIGS. IS THIS SERVICE FOR ME?

The Internet was not built for Macs alone, and neither is the TCS. What is required to use the service is a collection of software for standard Internet protocols. Some such software is reported to be in development for GS/OS, but it is not currently available.

A limited text-only interface might be made available for accessing the World Wide Web portion of the service using any computer with terminal emulation software. Those members interested in such a project would be responsible for undertaking and maintaining it.

I HAVE AN IBM-PC. IS THIS SERVICE FOR ME?

A properly configured PC-type computer would work fine with TCS Explorer service. However, the members of Washington Apple Pi have limited experience in using Intel-based computers and would not be able to provide the same level of mutual support that Macintosh users enjoy. The level of help available would depend on other members being willing and able to offer it.

Due to the wide variety and complexity of Internet software that is often used on PC's, those owners wishing to use Explorer service should be knowledgeable and experienced in its use. Though the system is built around machine-independent hardware and software, some of the value of TCS Explorer Service (such as the preconfigured software) is specific to Macintosh users.

WHO STARTED TCS EXPLORER SERVICE?

The seed money for TCS Explorer service was provided by 263 Pi members who presubscribed in April and May of 1995. It is due to the enthusiasm and foresight of these Charter Subscribers that the project was able to begin. The TCS Committee and Pi officers prepared and executed the plan that brought the service on-line in September 1995.

WHAT IS THE COST OF TCS EXPLORER SERVICE?

Subscription costs are covered in detail on the Washington Apple Pi Electronic Store at http://store.wap.org.

As with the other TCS service levels, Explorer service is only available to Pi members, and it is provided under the same terms.