From: BruceG6069@aol.com (Bruce Grubb)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.comm,comp.answers,news.answers
Followup-To: comp.sys.mac.comm
Subject: comp.sys.mac.comm FAQ (v 2.0) Mar 1 1998
Archive-name: comp-sys-mac-comm/csmc-FAQ
From: BruceG6069@aol.com (Bruce Grubb)
Last-modified: Mar 1 1998
This is the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list for comp.sys.mac.comm
=======================================================================
This list of frequently asked questions and answers is intended to help reduce the number of "often asked questions" that make the rounds here in comp.sys.mac.comm. Since comp.sys.mac.comm is intended as a forum to discuss telecommunication (and related issues) that are specific to the Macintosh, most questions about modems, telecommunications in general, and other non-Macintosh specific communication questions are not listed here. The proper newsgroup for such questions is usually comp.dcom.modems.
This list is posted periodically (about once a month) to the Usenet
group comp.sys.mac.comm with intention to add comp.answers and news.answers
to the newsgroup list. Latest versions of the FAQ can be retrieved via anonymous FTP from any info-mac mirror as well as at: http://members.aol.com/BruceG6069/csmc.txt
This FAQ is purely a volunteer effort. Although every effort has been
made to insure that answers are as complete and accurate as possible,
NO GUARANTEE IS IMPLIED OR INTENDED. The editor and contributors have
developed this FAQ as a service to Usenet. We hope you find it useful.
It has been formatted in both HTMl and ASCII format for your browsing convenience.
The editor/maintainer of this FAQ takes no responsibility for its
contents. Thanks to David Oppenheimer for giving me permission to
continue the FAQ.
Please send your corrections and comments to the editor, Bruce L Grubb at BruceG6069@aol.com
SHARE THIS INFORMATION FREELY AND IN GOOD FAITH.
DO NOT DISTRIBUTE MODIFIED VERSIONS OF THIS FAQ.
DO NOT REMOVE THIS NOTICE OR THE TEXT ABOVE.
(INCLUDING THE 'LastModified' HEADER; THANKS.)
Exception to the above: Excerpts of this FAQ not exceeding 9000 characters
in length may be reprinted PROVIDED that "the comp.sys.mac.comm Usenet
newsgroup FAQ" is credited as the source of the information. Even in this
case, no editing of the quoted material is permitted
=============================================================================
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
* = Updated or New information
[1] Modems and Cables
[1.1] What kind of modem will work with my Macintosh?
*[1.2] What kind of cable do I need to use my external modem with my
Macintosh?
[1.3] What do V.32, V.42, bis, MNP, etc mean?
[1.4] How fast can the Macintosh serial ports really go?
[1.5] How can I disable call-waiting when using my modem?
[2] File Formats and Conversion
[2.1] What is a resource (or data) fork?
*[2.2] What is encoding?
*[2.3] What is BinHex? What is uuencode? What is Base64?
*[2.4] What is MacBinary?
*[2.5] What do file suffixes like .hqx, .sit, .bin, etc ... mean
and how can I convert such files back to normal Macintosh
applications and documents?
[3] Macintosh File Transfers
*[3.1] What is the difference between a commmunications and an Internet
connection?
*[3.2] What commmunications programs are available?
*[3.3] What Internet programs are available?
*[3.4] What's the best compression program to use when uploading
files to an archive or BBS? Are there any other guidelines
I should follow?
*[3.5] How can I transfer Macintosh files to/from my Macintosh and
other non-Macintosh computers (eg: mainframes, UNIX boxes,
PCs)?
*[3.6] How can I use the programs that are posted to
comp.binaries.mac?
[4] Networking basics
*[4.1] What is the difference between AppleTalk, LocalTalk,
Ethernet, EtherTalk, TCP/IP, etc?
*[4.2] What is Open Transport?
[4.3] How can I change the Chooser "user" and name of my Macintosh?
Also: Why can I no longer change the name of my hard-disk?
[4.4] What is Apple Remote Access?
[4.5] Where can I get a Remote Access script for my modem?
[4.6] How can I use the services of my EtherTalk network and print
to my LocalTalk-only printer at the same time?
[5] Internet Networking
*[5.1] What kind of hardware and software do I need to have a
direct connection (ie use TCP/IP protocol) to the Internet?
*[5.2] What are SLIP, CSLIP and PPP?
*[5.3] FreePPP Frequently Asked Questions
*[5.4] Do I have to know anything about Unix to use the Internet?
*[5.5] What is Telnet, and what MacOS Telnet Programs are there?
[5.6] Is there a UNIX program that will convert between BinHex
and MacBinary?
[6] Miscellaneous
[6.1] What aids are available for programmers wishing to write
TCP/IP applications for the Macintosh?
[6.2] I have a FAX machine and a FAX modem. How can I use these
devices together to emulate a scanner and a printer?
Appendices:
[A] List of Common File Suffixes and Abbreviations
[B] Mac program archive list link
[C] Mac program archive list link and Vendor Information
[D] Contributors
==========================================================================
[1] Modems and Cables
=====================
[1.1] What kind of modem will work with my Macintosh?
-----------------------------------------------------
Any *external* Hayes compatible modem will work with your Macintosh.
There are too many to list or review here. The USENET newsgroup comp.dcom.modems is a good place to ask questions about the many
different external Hayes compatible modems. Such modems can be used
with any computer (Macintosh, UNIX box, MS-DOS PC, Amiga, etc) with
a serial port (e.g.: Macintosh modem port) interface. However, there
*are* modems that are designed specifically for use with the Macintosh. nternal Powerbook modems, ADB modems, and internal NuBus modems are all examples.
Note that modems for the Macintosh Performa apparently can only
plug into the Macintosh Performa because of an extra pin which
they posesses (there is a corresponding extra hole on the Performa
serial port connector into which this pin fits). As a result,
the bundled Global Village FAX modem can only plug into the Performa.
Other modems can of course also plug into the Performa; the extra
pin only prevents plugging the Performa-specific modem into other
Macs.
Assuming you wish to use an external modem, your only other hardware
consideration is to find an appropriate hardware-handshaking cable
to connect it to your Macintosh. (see [1.2] for details).
Various special modems exist with unique features; the most
notable type is the dual FAX/modem. For more information,
visit comp.dcom.modems or your local dealer: there are simply
too many products to describe here.
[1.2] What kind of cable do I need to use my external modem with my Macintosh?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Most modems have a female DB-25 (25 pin) connector labelled RS-232C
on their backsides. All Macintoshes since the Mac Plus use a mini
DIN-8 (8 pin) connector for the two serial ports (modem and printer).
Earlier models use the larger DB-9 (9 pin) connector. Finding a generic
cable for any configuration should not be very difficult at most computer accessory stores. They are typically sold for around $25.
However, for any modem 14.4K and above you need a hardware handshaking
cable. Attempting to transfer files at high bps rates using a non-hardware-
handshaking cable will likely result in repeated transmission errors, a
drop in the transfer rate, and possibly an aborted transmission. Since
high speed modems are the norm non-hardware-handshaking cables have
effectively disappeared. Also since such cables are at most $15.00 (10 ft)
there is no need to 'roll your own'.
[1.3] What do V.32, V.42, bis, MNP, etc mean?
---------------------------------------------
Because these topics are universal telecommunications issues,
they are more fully discussed in comp.dcom.modems. However, a
short description of some of the more common abbreviations and
buzzwords is given below.
<>
Buzzword What it typically means
--------------- ----------------------------------------------
bit : binary digit; amount of information necessary
to distinguish between two equally likely
events (such as the value of a binary digit)
byte : eight bits; size of a single ASCII character
bps : bits per second
baud : one analog signal state change; people usually
use baud and bps interchangeable, although most
modern modems can encode multiple bits per baud
Bell 103 : 300 bps U.S. Standard
Bell 212A : 1200 bps U.S. Standard
LAP/M : Link Access Protocol/Modem.
MNP : Microcom Networking Protocol (Proprietary)
MNP5 : MNP extension; 2 to 1 data compression.
V.32 : 9600bps, 4800bps
V.32bis : 14.4Kbps, 12Kbps, 9600bps, 7200bps, 4800bps
V.32terbo : psuedo-standard extending V.32bis to 16.8, 19.2 kbs
V.34 : 28,800 bps, 14,400 bps, 9,600 bps, 2,400 bps
V.Fast : Interim version of V.34; sometimes used as a nickname
for V.34
V.FC : A proprietary Rockwell protocol used before V.34 was
approved as a standard
V.42 : MNP 4 and LAP/M modem to modem error correction
V.42bis : LAP/M and 4-to-1 data compression.
2x, 54K : Two orignally incompatable format that are being
used in the standard. Dependent on a digital equipment
which some areas do not have.
Note: Some V.FC modems do not work with V.34 modems at 28,800 bps.
FAX standards:
V.21 : 300 bps FAX
V.27ter : 4800 bps FAX
V.29 : 9600 bps FAX
V.17 : 14400 bps FAX
Table 1.3.1
[1.4] How fast can the Macintosh serial ports really go?
--------------------------------------------------------
The Macintosh operating system supports data rates up to 57600 bps,
but the Macintosh serial hardware can support transfer rates that
are much higher if they are externally clocked. Serial port
sound-input-devices such as the Cedar Technologies SID and
Farallon's MacRecorder, as well as AppleTalk boxes, use this trick
to achieve transfer rates greater than 100 Kbps.
Ward McFarland <70240.504@compuserve.com> writes:
"The clock rate supplied by pre-AV Macs to the SCC (and used for bps
rate generation) limits the maximum asynchronous serial speed to
57,600 bps. The maximum synchronous speed is 16 times this (as used
by the old serial hard drives used on 512K Macs and by the Personal
LaserWriters).
Indeed, the SCC can be externally clocked to faster asynchronous
speeds, with a couple of limitiations. First, the external clock
is applied to the Mac's CTS input, making it impossible to respond
normally to normal modem handshake requests. Second, since the SCC
used in older Macs can only buffer 3 characters, data losses can occur
due to interrupt service delays. MacRecorder and other custom devices
got around this by locking out all system interrupts during serial
data transfer.
The AVs and PowerMacs apparently use a different SCC clock, and I have
benchmarked fairly good ZModem performance using Smartcom II 4.0 at
115,200 and 230,400 bps. Apple does not publish the serial driver
control call to set this, and they state they do not support such
speeds. I do not know of anyone besides Hayes who has managed to get
Apple to tell them the methodology."
Note: AppleTalk being active can degrade serial port performance,
as can Ethernet-network traffic. Turning off AppleTalk via
the Chooser, or disconnecting the Ethernet transceiver, are
work-arounds.
Dan Schwarz adds
AVs and PowerMacs use a newer SCC chip and a DMA based serial driver
that can handle a much higher async throughput than the older,
interrupt-based driver.
My SerialSpeed 230 control panel takes advantage of this new driver
and allows many older applications to operate at speeds of 115,000bps
or 230,000bps on the PowerMac and AV Mac. It's shareware and is widely
available.
You can get a copy from the info-mac ftp site, or try
http://www.infohaus.com/access/by-seller/Brookline_Software
[1.5] How can I disable call-waiting when using my modem?
---------------------------------------------------------
This varies depending on your local phone company, but often, if you
preced the phone number you wish to tone dial with "*70," (omit the
quotes but not the comma), you can disable call-waiting FOR THAT CALL ONLY.
If you have a strictly rotary dial line, try preceding the
phone number with "1170".
In the United Kingdom, the code to use is #43#.
In New Zealand, the code to use is *52.
If you are using Telecom Australia,
ATDT#43#,;H Will turn call-waiting OFF
ATDT*43#,;H Will turn it back ON again.
==============================================================================
[2] File Formats and Conversion
===============================
[2.1] What is a resource (or data) fork?
----------------------------------------
A Macintosh file has two parts: a data fork and a resource fork. Text
files and GIF image files are examples of Macintosh files that are
usually stored completely in the data fork, and have an empty
(or nonexistent) resource fork. Applications, as a counter-example,
store most if not all of their information in 'resources' in the
resource fork and usually have an empty data fork.
Because this two-forked organization of files isn't very common,
transferring Macintosh files that have non-empty resource forks
to non-Macintosh machines (such as UNIX boxes, or MS-DOS machines)
requires special encoding, described below.
[2.2] What is encoding?
------------------------
To understand 'encoding' as the term is normally used on the Internet
one needs to understand the difference between "binary" and ASCII. With
the noted exception of text files computers store information in "binary" format which means that all 8-bits of a byte are used. By constrast
ASCII originally only defined the first 7 bits of a byte setting the high
bit in each byte to zero. As an added complication the character sets for
byte values 128-255 used by ANSI and 1981 to 1990 IBM PCs differed.
As a result for 8-bit information to reliably be sent between computers it
had to be translated into 7-bit ASCII text or 'encoded'. This was especially true of Usenet and e-mail which even today mostly support 7-bit ASCII. Because 8-bits worth of data are being put into a 7-bit text file encoded
files are always larger than their binary counterparts.
Because most binary files sent through the Internet are already compressed
they are unafffected by V.42bis and MNP5 compression (see [1.3]). For the
most part ASCII files do see a benifit which means that even though it is larger an ASCII endoded file can be downloaded faster than its binary counterpart.
[2.3] (a) What is BinHex? (b) What is uuencode? (c) What is Base64 ?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
These are all ASCII encoding (see [2.2]) formats.
(a) BinHex 4.0, by Yves Lempereur, is a binary to text translator that
can directly encode any Macintosh document (ie: it knows how to convert
information in both the resource and data forks). BinHex files can be
easily recognized since they begin with the line:
(This file must be converted with BinHex 4.0)
and are followed by a line starting with a colon, ':'. The BinHex encoding
of the file follows, and is ended with another colon. Binhex 4.0 files
also can be identified externally by the suffix ".hqx".
There is in fact a program called "BinHex 4.0" in various archives, but it
has a bug wherein it refuses to decode .hqx files with very long names and
you don't have to use it to convert files to and from BinHex.
It's best to use one of the other more powerful utilities like StuffIt
Expander and other StuffIt programs, SunTar, and HQXer to name only a few.
StuffIt Expander has the advantage of also being able to automatically expand StuffIt, Compact Pro, and Applelink archives and being available
UNIX utilities (see [6.5]) that manipulate BinHex, MacBinary, and other
types of Macintosh files are also available.
The specifications to BinHex, should you be an interested programmer, are available at the University of Michigan's Macintosh archive site as
mac/misc/documentation/binhex4.0specs.txt, or at InfoMac sites as dev/info/binhex-40-specs.txt .
There is also a program/format called "BinHex 5.0"; it is NOT a more
advanced version of "BinHex 4.0" but rather a separate _binary_ format
(it uses the entire eight-bit ANSI character set and is thus not suitable
for news postings or e-mail) (see [2.2])
BinHex 5.0, written by Yves Lempereur, was the first MacBinary converter available. Converting a file with BinHex 5.0 and then using BinHex 4.0 is
another way of converting a native Macintosh files with data and resource
forks into a format that can be e-mailed or posted (and then reconstructed).
MacBinary, however, is almost always used in preference to BinHex 5.0.
As new versions of BinHex were developed, they encoded only the
new format but continued to decode all previous formats:
BinHex 1.0 encodes .hex and decodes .hex
BinHex 2.0 encodes .hex & .hcx and decodes .hex & .hcx
BinHex 3.0 never existed
BinHex 4.0 encodes .hqx and decodes .hex, .hcx & .hqx
BinHex 5.0 encodes MacBinary and decodes .hex, .hcx, .hqx & MacBinary
(b) "uuencode" is a binary to text translator that serves the same purpose
as BinHex, except that it knows nothing about the Macintosh resource/data
fork structure. uuencode was designed to allow UNIX binary files to be
easily transferred through text- only interfaces, such as e-mail. Every uuencoded file contains a line similar to:
begin 644 usa-map.gif
followed by a series of lines of ASCII text characters (which are
normally 60 characters long and begin with the letter 'M').
The file ends with a line containing the word 'end'. There may be other
special keywords included. Externally uuencode files are usially denoted
with the suffix ".uu".
Usually, one won't find Macintosh files in uuencode format; however,
most non-Macintosh specific binary data posted to Usenet is uuencoded,
so if you wish to use any of this data (such as the images posted in
alt.binaries.* and elsewhere), you will need to deal with uuencode. The programs 'uuencode' and 'uudecode' exist on most UNIX systems. If not,
don't worry as there are many programs allow you to convert to and from uuencode using your Macintosh (see [2.6]).
(c) Base64 is the encoding format used by Multipurpose Internet Mail
Extension (Mime) files. The reason mime uses Base64 rather than the more
popularal uuencode format is that uuencode is not really a standard but
rather a collection of related but different formats. This rendered
uuencode impractical as a cross platform encoding format.
While Eudora recommends AppleDouble for recipients with mime mailers it
is unclear if AppleDouble is related to Base64 or just a encoding format
mime supports. Since AppleDouble are actually two files (data fork in a
file with original filename and resource fork in a file with '%' prefixing
the original filename) it seems the seconds idea is more likely. More
extensive documentation is available at ftp.support.apple.com.
[2.4] What is MacBinary?
------------------------
MacBinary is a standard way of taking a Macintosh file (both resource
and data forks) and creating a new file with just a data fork. MacBinary's
purpose is to encapsulate *all* information (including the filename,
creation and modification dates, file type and creator) contained in a Macintosh file for transport over a non-Macintosh medium.
Unlike encoding MacBinary uses the 8-bit ANSI character set making it a
binary format and subject to the same limitations as other binary formats. This renders the format useless for Usenet posting and most E-mail.
Although a Macintosh program (called MacBinary) does exist
to do the converting to and from MacBinary, almost all modern
Macintosh telecommunications programs have the capability of
converting and unconverting MacBinary files for you. ZTerm,
for example, can be configured to automatically detect when
a MacBinary file is being received and to convert this file
to its original representation; or, if you are uploading,
ZTerm can optionally encode the file into MacBinary before
sending. Fetch, and most other shareware and commercial products
have equivalent or similar capabilities.
Dennis Brothers, Yves Lempereur, and others gathered on
CompuServe to discuss what eventually became the original
MacBinary standard. According to Lempereur, "We finally
agreed on using the MacTerminal format (without the modified
XModem protocol). I then wrote BinHex 5.0 (see [2.3]) to
support MacBinary. A year later, the same group got together
on CompuServe again and created MacBinary II."
MacBinary I is the name given to the old MacBinary standard.
MacBinary II is the name given to the new MacBinary standard
which everybody uses today; in common usage, MacBinary means
MacBinary II.
Since then, BinHex and the new MacBinary have become the standard way of encapsulating Macintosh files for transfer over foreign systems throughout
the Internet, USENET, and elsewhere. MacBinary is also used as a way to
retain Mac file information in non-mac formats. For example ZipIt uses MacBinary in this manner for the PC .zip format.
[2.5] What do file suffixes like .hqx, .sit, .bin, etc ... mean and how
can I convert such files back to normal Macintosh applications
and documents?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Most files available by FTP or posted to Usenet are modified twice to allow them to more easily pass through foreign computer systems. First they are compressed and then either ASCII or ANSI encoded with BinHex (.hqx) and MacBinary (.bin) being the formats of choice for Macintosh users (see [2.3]
and [2.4] for an explanation of these formats).
Generally the suffix on these files only tells you the encoding method used
and nothing about the compression method. As a result StuffIt Expander has become the defacto decorder utility especially when combined with the StuffIt Engine. You can use the following table to determine what Macintosh programs decode which formats. For a more complete description of the various
Macintosh archival programs, see the excellent FAQ for comp.sys.mac.apps.
This table is also part of the Mac-FTP-list and listed on its own as format-chart.txt both of which are at http://members.aol.com/BruceG6069/
as well as being archived on any info-mac mirror site, in the
/info-mac/comm/ directory.
unix gzip .uu/ .b64/
Macintosh .cpt .sit .hqx .bin .arc .zip .tar .Z .gz/.z .uue .mime*
Stuffit Expander** D D D D
w/ DSEE 4.0** D X X D D D D D D D
w/ DSEE 4.5** D X X D D D D D D D D
ShrinkWrap*^ D D D D D D D D D D
StuffIt Lite*** D X X X {see note below}
StuffIt Deluxe*** D X X X D D X X D X D
ArcMac X
BinHex 5.0 D X
Compact Pro 1.5.1 X D/N X
MacCompress X
MacGzip D X
MPack 1.5.1 D D X
SunTar 2.1.3 X X X X D
Tar 4.0b X
uucd 2.4.6 X D
YA-Base64 1.2.9 D D D
ZipIt 1.3.8 D D X
Other unix gzip .uu/ .b64/
computers .cpt .sit .hqx .bin .arc .zip .tar .Z .gz/.z .uue .mime*
binhex-pc-13 X
extrac.exe D
macutil (unix)
hexbin D D
macunpack D D D D
mcvert (unix) X X
MPack D D X
PKZIP X
Stuffit Expander D D D D D D D
for Windows
unsitins.exe D
xferp110 (win) X X X
N = Cannot decompress .sit dlx {Type SITD} files
D = Decode only
X = Encode and decode
.sit refers to both 1.5 and dlx. Otherwise a '/' is used {1.5/dlx}.
.hqx = BinHex4 (see [2.3]); .bin = MacBinary (BinHex5) (see [2.4])
Note: Almost every Mac communications program can decode .bin files.
* .b64/.mime (Base 64) refers to the encoding format used by the
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension. For more information consult
the MIME FAQ.
** DropStuff with Expander Enhancer is an $30 shareware addon for Stuffit
Expander . The Stuffit
Engine which comes with DSEE is also used by other programs {marked with
a *^}. Current public versions are are 4.0 and 4.5 respectively DSEE
version 4.5 is only available with StuffIt Deluxe 4.5 as of this writing.
*** Stuffit Deluxe 3.5/4.0 translators can be used with Stuffit Lite.
Current versions are 4.5.0 and 3.6.0 respectively as of this writing.
Table 2.5.1
Note: .gz and .Z compression systems, while both native to UNIX, are
completely different, and these suffixes cannot not be interchanged.
WARNING: .hqx, .uu, .b64, and .txt files are the ONLY files that can be
downloaded in ASCII mode; all others must be downloaded in BINARY {IMAGE}
mode for the file to decompress properly. This is especially true of
".bin" and "unstuffed" files. Otherwise you will get errors like
"unreadable file" or "file is corrupt" when you try to decompress them.
Less commonly used formats. Those follwed by a + are Mac formats.
.arj
PC format common to European sites. Decompressed by unArjMac, DeArj, and
Stuffit Expander for Windows.
.dd +
Disk Doubler (Mac} format. Decompressed by DDExpand and DiskDoubler.
.exe
DOS/Windows executable file (program); also used to create
self-extracting archives. An .exe file used as a self-extracting
archive can usually be decompressed with Stuffit Expander w/ DSEE.
.html (.htm)
WWW document. Used by WWW browsers such as Netscape and lynx.
.image/.img/.ima/ +
These are all disk image extensions. They represent Mac disk image
(.image/.img), Microsoft Disk Image Utility (.img), and Winimage
(.ima) formats. Most can be decoded and/or mounted via StuffIt
Expander 4.5 or ShrinkWrap 3.0
. For a history
of Shrinkwrap consult the 2.1 site .
Note that .img is also used as an graphic file extension and
needs GraphicConverter to view.
.lzh (related formats - .lha and .lzs)
old PC/Amiga format that is still quite popular in Japan, largely
replaced by .arc and .zip elsewhere; decompressed via the
Stuffit Engine 4.5 and StuffIt Deluxe 4.5, macunpack,
LHA Expander 1.0.3, French KISS 2.2.0 and MacLHA 2.2.1 (which also
allows compression).
.pit
old {~1989} Mac compression format created by PackIt programs, replaced
by .sit. In general, a program that handles .sit files can decompress
.pit files as well.
.pkg
AppleLink package format, replaced by .sit. Decompressed by all present
Mac StuffIt programs.
.rar
A DOS compression format. Decompressed by MacUnRAR.
.sea
A special version of a Mac compression format that decompresses
itself when opened. The most common .sea files are Stuffit,
Compact Pro, and Disk Doubler. On the PC Stuffit Expander for
Windows will expand Stuffit SEA files.
.shar
Unix shell archive. Decoded by Unshar.
.taz
another name for .tar.Z
.tgz
another name for .tar.z and .tar.gz (do not confuse with .tar.Z).
.txt (.abs, .doc)
ASCII text file. There is a slight differance between ASCII text files
of Mac, PCs, and UNIX systems which can cause problems when trying to
read them. Mac ASCII uses carrage returns, UNIX uses line feeds, and
PC uses both.
.z
Early {~1993} suffix for Gzip files. Due to confusion with the UNIX
'compress' suffix {.Z} it was abandoned in favor of the .gz suffix.
.zoo
old {~1989} PC/Amiga format, replaced by .arc. Decompressed by MacZoo
and MacBooz.
Table 2.5.3
========================================================================
[3] Macintosh File-transfers
============================
[3.1] What is the difference between a commmunications and an
Internet connection?
--------------------------------------------------------------------
A commmunication connection was the original way home computers remotely connected to other computers. Originally each communication program had
its own method and interface but then Apple created the Communications
Toolbox (CTB) as a standard interface for programmers writing communications programs. In addition, specific "tools" that interface with modems, provide terminal emulation, or handle file transferring could be implemented as external add-on features to CTB-aware programs.
The protocals most commonally associated with commmunications software are
(in order of preferance): Zmodem, YModem, Xmodem, and finally Kermit.
In all cases the commmunication program itself provided a direct connection
to the computer on the other end. Because it was a direct connection you
could only do on thing at a time and the interface tended to be text only
or even Command Line Interace. In the wake of Internet connections continued development of communication programs has fallen off though they are still
the best way to connect to a local BBS.
By contrast Internet connections grew out of the development of personal computers. Originally Internet computers were directly connected to each
other providing information to the user via dumb termanals. With the development of personal computers a need to allow dial in connections
developed with SLIP and PPP (see [5.3]) being the result. These additional protocals allowed personal computer users to use such Internet protocals
as FTP, Gopher, and SMTP.
Since support for Internet connections was rolled into the MacOS beginning
with System 7.5 it has become the defacto way to link a personal Mac to the outside world.
[3.2] What communication programs are available?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a short list of shareware/freeware and commercial communication programs from the orginal list that are still available. As a matter of practicality only those programs that have been written or updated since 1993, support at least three of the standard protocols (Kermit, Xmodem, YModem, and Zmodem), and either are available or have web pages are listed.
BN: Black Knight 1.0.7, $30 shareware,
Raine Storm softworks
CL: Communicate Lite, $30 SRP, Mark/Space Softworks,
http://www.markspace.com/comm_lite.html
MP: MicroPhone II 5.0, $149 retail, $119.95 mail order; cheaper
sidegrades often available, Software Ventures Corporation
Also, MicroPhone Pro, a slightly more capable package. Software
Ventures Corporation now offers MicroPhone LT, a streamlined version
of MicroPhone II.
MT: MacToPic Plus, $195, site licenses available, Carnation Software,
ST: SITcomm 1.0.1, $120, sidegrades are $49, and existing Aladdin customers
pay only $39, Aladdin Systems
aladdin@applelink.apple.com or aladdin@well.sf.ca.us
VT: VersaTerm and VersaTerm Pro 5.0.6, $145 and $195 respectively
Synergy Software
ZT: ZTerm 1.0.1, $30 shareware, $40 with disk, Dave Alverson,
davea@xetron.com
Shareware/freeware communications programs can be found in the /info-mac/comm/term directory of any Info-mac mirror.
Table 3.1.1 summarizes file transfer capabilities of various Macintosh telecommunications programs.
| Programs
Protocols | BN CL MP MT ST VT ZT
---------------------------------
XMODEM | X X X X X X X
YMODEM | X X X X X X X
ZMODEM | X X X X X X X
Kermit | X X X X X
QuickB | X X
B Plus | X X
CTB tools | X X X X
FTP | X X
Table 3.1.1
Table 3.1.2 summarizes the terminal-emulation capabilities of various
Macintosh communications programs:
| Programs
Terminals | BN CL MP MT ST VT ZT
---------------------------------
TTY | X X X X X
VT52 | X X
VT100 | X X X X X X X
VT102 | X X X X X
VT220 | X X X
VT320 | X
PC/ANSI | X X X
IBM3270 | X
Tek 4010 | X
Tek 4014 | X
Tek 4105/7| P
DG210/211 | X
CTB tools | X X X
Controls | X X X
Viewpoint | X
Wyse 50 | X X
Prism | X
Table 3.1.2
Table 3.1.3 summarizes the scripting capabilities of various
Macintosh telecommunications programs:
| Programs
Scripting | BN CL MP MT ST VT ZT
----------------------------------
Recording | X X X X
If/Else | X X a a
Loops | X X a a
XCMDs | X
FileOps | X X a a
Arithmetic | X X a a
Variables | X X a a X
User Input | X a a
Key Remaps | X X *
Arrays | X a a
Wait/Send | X X X a X
AppleScript| X X X
a = capability is accessible through AppleScript
Table 3.1.3
Note: Both Black Night and SITcomm are fully Apple Scriptable.
SITcomm also has the Frontier Runtime portion of the Frontier
scripting system is also bundled with SITcomm.
* Allows programmable function keys
[3.3] What Internet programs are available?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The desire to get on the Internet has produced dozens of such programs many
of which are listed at The Mac Orchard web page .
To help the fledgling Internet user I am listing the most commonly used
programs below:
E-mail
Eudora is perhaps the best written and
most popular e-mail program available for the Macintosh. Eudora is
a complete and versatile e-mail package which can send e-mail via
SMTP (see [5.4]) and receive e-mail via a POP server. It can
even be used with UUPC 3.0 (as a mail reader and message generator,
not a transport agent). Eudora can also be used to transfer arbitrary
Macintosh files between computers through its BinHex 4.0 attachment
features. Many accolades go to the author, Steve Dorner.
Versions are:
Eudora Lite 3.1 (free) -- System 7+; expanded feature set
Eudora Pro 3.1 (pay) --- commercial version; even more features
FTP clients
The two most popular MacOS FTP clients are Anarchie and Fetch.
Anarchie 2.0.1 is sharewhare and has a home site at
Fetch 3.0.2 "is free to users affiliated with an educational
institution or charitable non-profit organization; all other users
may purchase a license."
()
News
All Mac Newsreaders make use of NNTP (see [5.4]).
Newswatcher (2.2.1) by John Norstad and its close sister
Multi-Threaded NewsWatcher (currently Version 2.4.1) by Simon
Fraser are likely the most popular online Newsreaders.
A reference page to these programs can be found at
Browsers
The two most popular browsers are Netscape and MicroSoft Internet
Explorer both of which support frames and other Internet goodies.
The most recent versions (4.0.4 and 4.0 respectively)
can be found at and
[3.4] What's the best compression program to use when uploading files
to an archive or BBS? Are there any other guidelines I should follow?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Best Compression: (Revised 02/98)
---- -----------
The shareware programs StuffIt Lite ($25) and DropStuff with Extension
Expander (and their commercial sibling, StuffIt Deluxe) are generally
regarded as providing the best compression performance of the many
Macintosh compression utilities. StuffIt Lite and StuffIt Deluxe have
a fancy user-interface while DSEE has a very simply interface.
StuffIt Expander (free) with DSEE ($30 shareware) seems to be the most comprehensive package currently available for decompressing files.
StuffIt Expander 4.5 cannot make use of the StuffIt Engine that comes
with DSEE 4.0 so one must use StuffIt Expander 4.0 instead.
The closest rival to the Stuffit programs was Compact Pro but it has two problems: 1) it has not been updated since April 1995 and 2) it cannot
decompress the Deluxe .sit format. As a result StuffIt has become the
defacto king of Mac compression.
Posting Macintosh Programs: (Revised 02/98)
------- --------- --------
You should use either StuffIt Lite, SE with DSEE, StuffIt Deluxe, or
Compact Pro to compress Macintosh files you send to anonymous FTP sites
and BBS's. Do not post Zip, LZH, or any other type of archive (including self-extracting archives -- see below). Stuffit and Compact Pro have
evolved as the standard archive formats for posting Macintosh files for
good reasons.
Regardless of which archiver you use, PLEASE DO NOT MAKE AN AN ARCHIVE
YOU ARE POSTING SELF-EXTRACTING! The convenience of self-extracting
archives is not worth the space they waste at anonymous-FTP sites and
BBS's (where literally thousands of compressed files are stored). Self- extracting archives are useful in other contexts, but should be discouraged
as a medium for posting to archives.
Before you create your archive, set the Finder label of all
files you plan to include in the archive to 'None'.
Avoid using strange punctuation marks in filenames that you will
distribute. Characters such as exclamation points, spaces, dollar
signs, etc, are legal characters in Macintosh filenames but can be
difficult to work with on non-Macintosh systems (where most Macintosh
archives are stored). Since BinHex and MacBinary store your original
Macintosh filename, removing strange characters from a BinHex'd or
MacBinary'd file before distributing will not affect the original
filename. As an example, MyFile-215.sit is a perfectly acceptable filename.
After you have created the archive and named it appropriately, BinHex
encode it (see [2.3]). Preface the resulting text file a short description
of the archive you want to distribute, including any system requirements
and problems. Do not bother with a signature.
Finally, upload the text file (if necessary) and e-mail it to macgifts@info-mac.org. Your subject line should specify a suggested
name with a suggested location in the text file.
To: macgifts@info-mac.org
Subject: myfile-215.hqx
Mailing your archive to macgifts automatically submits it to the InfoMac archives, mac.archive.umich.edu, and the Usenet group comp.binaries.mac.
[3.5] How can I transfer Macintosh files to/from my Macintosh and other
non-Macintosh computers (eg: mainframes, UNIX boxes, PCs)?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Regardless of whether you are using a communications or Internet program
the procedure you should follow will be the same. First the file should be
compressed with either Compact Pro or StuffIt and then binhex encoded.
Some programs like Eudora will so the binhexing for you so you can skip
the second step.
The reason you want to use Binhex rather than MacBinary as your encoding
format is that Binhex is useable in the 7-bit only areas of the Internet
like Usenet and E-mail that MacBinary cannot go.
For Internet programs downloading a file is very simple. For systems or programs that do not support Drag and Drop you simply double click on the
file and it is downloaded for you. Drag and Drop aware programs allow you
to drag the file to the desktop which results in it being downloaded. Uploading varies from program to program and some FTP sites only allow
files to be E-mailed. Consult your program and destination site
documentation for the proper procedures.
Communication downloading and uploading is a little more complicated.
This is because the remote computer is usially running a totally different
OS from the Mac that the user must interact with. As a result the remote computer must be first be told that a file is being sent or recieved and
then the Mac commmunications program told the same thing.
Since Unix shell accounts were the most common remote OS they are used as
example but it should be noted that many BBSes use a different interface
and therefore different commands.
For a unix shell account the command consists of two parts:
% method filename
'Filename' is the name of the file on the remote machine and 'method'
is the protocal and whether the file is being sent or received.
The methods are generally as follows:
Kermit XMODEM YMODEM ZMODEM
------- ------ ------ ------
sending kermit sx sb sz
receiving kermit rx rb rz
As one goes from left to right in the chart above the protocal's speed
increaces. As a result as early as 1994 some communication programs were
not supporting Kermit. With Internet connections communication software
and its protocols are rapidly fading into the mists of history.
[3.7] How can I use the programs that are posted to comp.binaries.mac?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The files posted to comp.binaries.mac are in BinHex 4.0 format. Long files
are split into several postings that must be concatenated IN THE PROPER
ORDER (and usually with headers and signatures removed) before converting.
First, read the documentation for your newsreader. A little time spent
here can save you a lot of time trying to put the articles together into
one file later.
Next, save all the posted articles for a given program posted to comp.binaries.mac to a single file. Don't combine postings that are
for different programs, but do save multi-part postings to the same
file, in increasing order of part number.
Finally open the file in a text editor and make sure to eliminate all non-Binhex information from the file and save the new file.
The Macintosh file you create may in fact be an archive that you
then need to unarchive with the appropriate program. See the list of
file suffixes (see [2.5]) to determine which program(s) to use.
========================================================================
[4] Networking basics
[4.1] What are AppleTalk, LocalTalk, Ethernet, EtherTalk, TCP/IP, etc?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
When attempting to describe networking terms, a distinction should be
drawn between networking _protocols_ (such as AppleTalk and TCP/IP) and networking _hardware_ (such as LocalTalk, Ethernet, and TokenRing). In most cases, a specific protocol can be used over more than one hardware medium.
In order to help understand the interaction of these disparate parts in a real-world network, we can adopt the useful analogy of multi-layer cake
with the physical wire at the very bottom and the software which you are running at the very top.
Thus, we can think of LocalTalk, Ethernet and TokenRing as being the layers
at the bottom, AppleTalk and TCP/IP in the middle and programs like NCSA Telnet, NFS/Share and Netscape at the top.
The following terms describe protocols (software descriptions) common to the Macintosh networking world:
AppleTalk
A proprietary suite of protocols developed by Apple Computer, Inc.
that provides for near-transparent network connections between
Macintosh computers. However, over the years AppleTalk has been
ported to other OSes including UNIX, VMS and DOS.
Questions about the AppleTalk protocol are probably best posed in
the newsgroup comp.protocols.appletalk.
EtherTalk and TokenTalk
The drivers which allows AppleTalk protocols to be transported by
Ethernet and over IBM TokenRing networks respectively.
TCP/IP
A suite of protocols developed by the Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency (DARPA) whose purpose is multi-platform connectivity.
TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol,
because these are the two most widely used protocols in the suite.
However, TCP/IP includes the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Address
Resolution Protocol (ARP), Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP)
and others. TCP/IP drivers are available for almost all of the
computer platforms in use today, including micros, minis, main-frames
and supercomputers.
The following terms describe hardware (the physical link such as the
wire(s) connecting computers) common to the Macintosh networking world:
LocalTalk
One type of hardware over which AppleTalk protocols can be
transported. LocalTalk has a throughput of 230.4 Kbps
second, or roughly a quarter of a Mbps.
PhoneNet
Another type of hardware commonly used to transport AppleTalk packets.
PhoneNet mates LocalTalk hardware with ordinary (unused) telephone
wire. PhoneNet is probably the cheapest way to connect widely
separated Macintosh computers within a single building.
Ethernet
A network medium over which AppleTalk, TCP/IP and other protocols
travel, often simultaneously. Ethernet's maximum throughput is
10 Mbps. Competing successors offer 100 Mbps.
TokenRing
A network medium developed (and patented) by IBM based on a topology
of a ring of nodes connected serially by a single cable. Each node,
or computer, speaks on the cable only when it has posession of a token.
TokenRing technology can demonstrate throughputs of ranging from 4 to
16 Mbps.
[4.2] What is Open Transport?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Basicly Open Transport is Apple's complete revision to the Macintosh's
network system software. Originally the Mac's only native protocol was
AppleTalk and anything else had to be added on. In addition thanks to
the AppleTalk Manager (which resided in the ROM of most Macs) AppleTalk
got privileged access. As a result network software developers not only
had to write each and every non-AppleTalk protocol they wanted to use but
they had to contend with AppleTalk. After Open Tranport came out this method became known as Classic networking.
Open Transport which has been part of the OS since 7.5.3 changed this
situation by using industry standard Aplication Programing
Interfaces (APIs). Not only did the APIs eliminate the need for developers
to reinvent the wheel but they put all the protocols on an equal standing.
In addition Open Transport is Power Mac native resulting in speed ups in both
AppleTalk and TCP/IP.
Open Transport requires a minimum 68030 CPU and can be added Systems 7.1, 7.1.1, 7.5.3, and 7.5.5. It became the default networking system beginning with System 8.0. It is recommended that at least version 1.1 of Open
Transport be used.
Classic and Open Transport networking are different enough that programs
written for just one generally will not work with the other. So read the documentaion of any networking software you plan to use to make sure it is compatable with your networking method.
[4.3] How can I change the Chooser "user" and name of my Macintosh?
Also: Why can I no longer change the name of my hard-disk?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
To change the owner and name of your Macintosh under System 7, select
"Controls Panels" from the Apple Menu and double-click on the "Sharing
Setup" Control Panel.
The Chooser "user" is the "Owner name:". Change it like any standard
edit field. The name of your Macintosh is the "Macintosh name:".
Also on this Control Panel is a button to turn File Sharing on and
off. When File Sharing is on, you cannot change the name of shared
disks. If you are trying to change the name of your hard disk but
cannot get the name to turn into an edit field, File Sharing is
probably on. Use the Sharing Setup Control Panel to turn File Sharing
off, change your hard disk name, and then turn File Sharing back on
(unless you have no need for it).
[4.4] What is Apple Remote Access ?
---------------------------------------
Apple Remote Access is a software package that allows you to dial-in to an AppleTalk network (or to create an AppleTalk network between two Macs via dial-up modems) from a remote Macintosh. Remote Access requires at minimum:
a Macintosh (possibly connected to an AppleTalk network) designated
as the host with a dedicated high speed modem, or a dial-in server
with ARA support.
one or more remote Macintoshes with modems and a phone line
connecting them to the host Macintosh
copies of the Remote Access software running on the designated
host as well as on all remote machines
Once configured, connecting the remote machine to the AppleTalk network
is as simple as clicking a button. Modem control is handled automatically (assuming one of the many included modem scripts works with your modem;
see [4.4]). Passwords and call-back facilities are provided.
Once connected, the remote machine can use the AppleTalk network normally.
One can print remotely, send messages, access remote filesystems, monitor network traffic, etc. Apple's own description of Apple Remote Access can
be found at http://training.apple.com/fast/spfast/ns/nsarasol.html
[4.5] Where can I get a Remote Access script for my modem?
----------------------------------------------------------
If none of the (many) included modem scripts work with your modem, try:
searching the InfoMac archives for a script for your modem; several
scripts have been posted recently
searching the database of Remote Access scripts maintained by Apple.
making a copy of the script that works best with your modem (the
scripts are in the Extensions Folder which is in the Systems Folder),
opening it up with a text editor, and experimenting; this assumes you
have a copy of your modem's manual and know the basics about the Hayes
command set. If you are succesful, post your script so others can
benefit!
[4.6] How can I use the services of my EtherTalk network and print
to my LocalTalk-only printer at the same time?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
By default, Macs can only use AppleTalk for communication through one
network interface at a time. This means that without special hardware
or software, if you are connected to an EtherTalk network through your
Ethernet port/card and are also connected to a LocalTalk-only printer
through your LocalTalk port, you cannot use the EtherTalk network services
and print to your LocalTalk printer simultaneously. (EtherTalk is
AppleTalk datagrams encapsulated in Ethernet packets running on Ethernet
wiring, and LocalTalk wiring in this scenario is used to communicate with
your printer using AppleTalk datagrams; hence to use both services
simultaneously you would need to be communicating out of two network
interfaces using AppleTalk simultaneously.) You tell your Mac
which interface you want to use by selecting either EtherTalk or
LocalTalk from the Network Control Panel.
As Ethernet wiring becomes increasingly popular for transporting
AppleTalk datagrams, many people want to share files or print over their
EtherTalk network without losing simultaneous access to their LocalTalk-
connected printer. A number of solutions exist to solve this problem.
The simplest solution is to use software on your Mac which allows your
Mac to speak a subset of AppleTalk through its LocalTalk port, while
it continues to use the Ethernet port for the majority of its
AppleTalk traffic. These products typically only support printing, and
often to just one device. They allow your Mac to see that printer, but
no other Mac on the network can see the printer. Two products in this
category are Sonic System's PowerBridge 3.0 and the Apple LaserWriter
Bridge.
If you want to share your LocalTalk printer with other Macs on your
EtherTalk network, you need true bridging software. This turns your Mac
into a LocalTalk/Ethernet bridge, passing AppleTalk packets between
the two interfaces. This allows users of the EtherTalk network to see
and use your LocalTalk printer if your Mac is turned on and working
properly. Such bridging software might also support services beyond
printing, allowing Macs on your EtherTalk network to see any LocalTalk
devices connected to the bridging Mac (including any Macs on a LocalTalk
network connected to the bridging Mac). It typically does not provide a
MacIP server (to encapsulate and decapsulate TCP/IP). Three products in
this category are Farallon PowerPath, Farallon LocalPath, and Apple
LocalTalk Bridge 1.0 (the last item is not available yet.)
For faster and possibly more reliable service than software bridging,
you need a LocalTalk/Ethernet hardware bridge. This bridge performs
the same service as the software bridge described the above paragraph,
passing AppleTalk packets between its Ethernet and LocalTalk interfaces.
It allows Macs on the EtherTalk network to see and use any LocalTalk devices
attached to the LocalTalk network connected to the bridge. It typically
does not provide a MacIP server. Hardware devices in this category include
Dayna EtherPrint, Sonic MicroPrint, Asante AsantePrint, Farallon EtherWave
MultiPrinter Adapter, and Farallon EtherWave LocalTalk Printer Adapter.
The final option is a LocalTalk/Ethernet router, which routes packets
between a LocalTalk network and an Ethernet network, and converts packets
between EtherTalk and plain AppleTalk as needed. A product in this
category is the Shiva FastPath.
========================================================================
[5] Internet Networking
==========================================
[5.1] What kind of hardware and software do I need to have a
direct connection (ie use TCP/IP protocol) to the Internet?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regardless of whether you using Classic or Open Transport networking
(see [4.2]) there are some common hardware and software requirements:
a program that implementes the Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency (DARPA) TCP/IP Protocols (see [4.1])
a direct connection to an Ethernet or TokenRing network, a SLIP or
PPP dialup connection, or a connection to a LocalTalk network with
a DDP-IP router such as a Shiva FastPath, Cayman Gatorbox, Webster
Multigate, or Compatible EtherRoute TCP.
For Classic networking the TCP/IP impliementation is a control panel called MacTCP 2.0.6 which requires a Macintosh Plus or later CPU and System 6.0.
or better and became part of the OS with System 7.5. Under System 6.0.X, MacTCP will reside in the System Folder; under System 7.0 +, it should be
placed in the Control Panels Folder. In Open Transport the TCP/IP impliementation is called TCP/IP which IIRC is in the extensions folder.
In either network the TCP/IP file is loaded when your Macintosh boots.
Both programs provided a standard interface to TCP/IP network hardware,
and makes it possible for more than one TCP/IP based application to run
on a Macintosh at any one time. For example, you can simultaneously use
a Telnet program, an FTP program, and share a filesystem via NFS when you
use MacTCP to provide the interface to your TCP/IP network.
For more detailed information regarding setting up a Macintosh to connect
to a TCP/IP network using MacTCP, see Eric Behr's report on MacTCP which
is archived at the various FTP sites as mac-tcp-info.txt. This report
provides a lot of useful information for first-time Macintosh networking administrators. According to the document itself,
"The newest release of these notes can be obtained by anonymous
ftp to ftp.math.niu.edu (the text file /pub/mac/doc/mactcp.txt),
or by gopher to gopher.math.niu.edu ("Help Files/Help For Macintosh
Users"), or as http://www.math.niu.edu/~behr/docs/mactcp.html. The
HTML version is usually updated first and may be more accurate."
From the "obscure MacTCP configuration suggestions" file
(submitted by Larry W. Virden ):
We have a series of machines known only by internal hosts file as
well as one machine which acts as a firewall/gateway to DNS for
external machines. We had a hosts file in the System Folder,
listed the gateway machine in the MacTCP 2.0.4 control panel,
and marked that DNS entry as the default.
We found that users could get to external machines, but not to
the machines in the hosts file. If they unmarked the DNS entry
as the default, then they could get to the internal hosts, but
not to the external machines.
To resolve the problem, we had to add a second DNS host, with the
name of . and the same IP address as our gateway, and then not mark
either as the default name server. When we did this, MacTCP would
go to the hosts file first, and if the address is not found there,
it goes on to the gateway for the external hosts.
[5.2] What are SLIP, CSLIP and PPP?
-------------------------------------
SLIP stands for Serial Line Internet Protocol. SLIP is a "non-standard"
for framing IP packets and shipping them over a serial line (e.g. a cable,
or a pair of modems), thus allowing a home machine to dial up and become
part of the Internet. Effectively, SLIP turns a serial port into a
logical Ethernet port. PPP (see below) has effectively replaced SLIP as
the standard of choice for Internet connections.
CSLIP stands for Compressed SLIP. CSLIP reduces the size of the headers
in IP packets by eliminating a certain amount of redundancy. This
improves interactive performance.
Synergy Software offers a CSLIP MacTCP extension with its
VersaTerm/VersaTerm-PRO packages. If you already own Versaterm,
SLIP is a $20 upgrade. If you buy the complete VersaTerm 5.0.4
package, you will also get an FTP server and client, a Telnet
connection tool, and MacTCP. Performance is comparable to that of
MacSLIP. Contact: [USA] (215) 779 0522
PPP stands for Point-to-Point Protocol. PPP has been stated as a
standards-track protocol by the Internet Engineering Task Force and
the Internet Activities Board. PPP can support both synchronous
and asynchronous connections and protocols that are not IP-based (such
as AppleTalk). It provides specifications for error detection, feature negotiation, escaping control characters, etc. As a result PPP has
become the defacto standard for connecting to the Internet with FreePPP
being the most popular extension.
[5.3] FreePPP Frequently Asked Questions
---------------------------------------
As stated in the FreePPP FAQ :
"FreePPP is a group effort, by the not so coincidentally named
FreePPP Group, aimed at 'unifying' the various enhancments to MacPPP
that have been released since 2.0.1 as well as coordinating the efforts
of the people making these enhancments."
There is a 2.5 version of MacPPP around that is reasonally stable but it is
recommended that FreePPP (currently at version 2.6) be used instead.
* What things in MacTCP or TCP/IP do I -not- need to bother with?
You can safely ignore the IP address field, Gateway Address,
Subnet Mask, and generally the LCP and IPCP Options. These
will be set up by the server at connect time.
* How should I set the 'Obtain address' setting for MacTCP?
This should be set to 'server' The load on the Internet today
has rendered manual addressing virtually useless.
* Do I need to set the Domain Name Servers list in MacTCP?
Yes. This information needs to provided to you from your system
administrator or service provider.
* Which Port Speed setting should I use for FreePPP?
If you are using a modern modem (e.g. V.32bis, V.34) then the
best setting is likely to be 57,600. This will give you the
best possible throughput of data.
* Which Flow Control setting should I use and
what modem initialization string should I use?
With a modern modem connected with a hardware handshaking cable
(see [1.2]) set this to 'CTS & RTS (DTR)'. While the exact
modem initialization string will depend on which modem you have
(Consult your modem manual or local systems administrator for
advice.) some genralizations can be made.
The modem must be configured to match the Flow Control and in
addition the modem must be set for 'DTR override' (&D0) in your
initialization string. Many modems have at least one factory
defalt setting (&F) that can be used as a starting point.
* Should I specify my username/password in the Accounts box?
The Authentication Dialogue box is only for use if you are
connecting to a PPP server that supports PAP. If setting your
username and password in the Accounts box does not result in a
successful login, and you are sure that the information is correct,
and you have ruled out any other problems, then you should not use
this part of Accounts box; its fields must be left blank. In this case
use the Connection Script dialogue to build a script which includes
your username and password. If you do not know whether your PPP
server supports PAP, check with your service provider or System
administrator.
* Do I need to specify a connection script?
If you are connecting to a PPP server which does not support
PAP, then you must specify a connection script rather than using
the Authentication Dialogue box (see above). The connection
script must include your username and password. If you want to
"watch what happens" in order to develop a connection script,
then check the Terminal Window option in the FreePPP Setup program.
Note, however, that if the Terminal Window box is checked, FreePPP
will ignore your modem initialization string and telephone number.
You will have to issue the modem commands by hand to establish your
connection. You may need to include a command to start PPP at the
remote end (this often happens automatically) - if you need to, put
this command at then end of your script.
* Can I control FreePPP using Apple Script?
Yes this ability is allowed by the FreePPP Control add on whose
homepage is
* How do I make a FreePPP Connection Script pause?
You can build a pause into the connection script using the '\d'
special character in an out string. '\d' represents a 1 second
pause. If you need a 5 second pause use '\d\d\d\d\d'.
* FreePPP drops the line after a few minutes. What's wrong?
This phenomena has a number of causes.
1) One cause is not setting your modem for DTR override when
using 'CTS & RTS (DTR)' or 'RTS (DTR) Only' Flow Control. Mac
hardware handshaking cables have the hardware line from the Mac
wired to both the RTS and DTR lines of the modem. This means that
when the Mac drops its handshake line to stop the flow of data from
the modem, both RTS & DTR are dropped at the modem end.
Dropping the modem's RTS line is fine because that stops the flow of
data to the machine (until the machine is ready, whence the line is
raised again and the flow of data resumes). However, if DTR is dropped,
the modem will hang up. To avoid this, configure the modem for 'DTR
override' by including the appropriate setting in your modem
initialization string.
2) If you have selected an Idle Timeout, then FreePPP will seek
to drop the connection when there has been no traffic for the
period you have specified. Normally a dialogue box will appear,
but, if you have checked the 'Quiet Mode' box in Config PPP, the
disconnection will occur silently.
3) Some PPP servers will cut the link after a number of minutes
of inactivity. This is to stop you tying up a network line if
you are not making use of it. If you want to defeat this you
will need to generate some network activity every few minutes.
[5.3] Do I have to know anything about Unix to use the Internet?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
For the most part the answer to this question is no though there are
some Unix and Internet protocals you should know about. The ones followed
by a * you need to be aware of.
DNS (Domain Name Server) *
desinates the servers that translates domain names to IP numbers.
If this server has problems then you cannot use domain names at all
and have to use IP numbers. The only MacOS DNS program I am aware
of is DNS Lookup (any Info-mac mirror as
info-mac/comm/inet/dns-lookup-092.hqx) which is no longer supported.
NFS (Network File System)
file sharing protocol used by many UNIX workstations. The average
Internet surfer doesn't need to worry about this as most file
transfers involve FTP not NFS. The one commecrcial product that
allows NFS to be used on the MacOS is:
PathWay Client NFS from Attachmate
NNTP (Net News Transfer Protocol) *
a protocol used to transfer articles between a central news server
and many client machines over TCP/IP or a serial link. Used by about
every MacOS Newreader program available.
SMTP (Simple-Mail-Transfer-Protocol) and POP (Post-Office-Protocol) *
These are two protocols for transfering electronic mail between
machines that have a TCP/IP interface or equivalent. Without these
you cannot send or receive e-mail.
UUCP
UUCP (Unix-to-Unix-Copy) is a protocol originally intended to be
used to transfer files between Unix machines over telephone lines.
As with NFS it can be safely ignored by the average Internet surfer.
[5.4] What is Telnet, and what MacOS Telnet Programs are there?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Telnet is a high speed terminal connection protocol designed with TCP/IP
in mind. A Telnet program allows you to connect to computers that accept
Telnet sessions (such as UNIX boxes) with interactive full-screen console
input and output capabilities in mind.
There are several Telnet programs for the Macintosh.
NCSA Telnet and BetterTelnet
The oldest and still widely used one is the freeware NCSA Telnet for
which developement stopped January 1, 1996. The last 'offical' version
was 2.6 though there is a 2.7b4 available. The freeware succesor is
Sassy Software's BetterTelnet (Version 1.2.2)
which uses the 2.7b5 code
and provides many bug fixes, and improved interface and additional
features. Both of these programs support TEK 4105 graphics, provide
both an FTP server *and* client, and can do session logging. About
the only drawback is that these programs use Classic rather than
Open Transport networking.
Nifty Telnet
Nifty Telnet
is a freeware Telnet program that supports Kerberous encrypting
(US version only), has a clean inteface, and is Open Transport native.
tn3270
If you need to telnet to an IBM mainframe this is the MacOS program
you need. At version 2.5b5 this makes tn3270 more enjoyable.
[5.5] Is there a UNIX program that will convert between BinHex and MacBinary?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, there are at least two that will handle BinHex 4.0, MacBinary, and
other conversions. macutil and mcvert are distributed as UNIX shar
archvies and can be found in the unix directory at InfoMac sites. Source
code is included (of course) so you will need a C compiler to build the
programs. Be warned all of these programs are old and are no longer
supported by their authors.
* macutil (Last upload Aug 1992)
macutil is a collection of utilities for manipulating Macintosh
files in MacBinary [see 2.2] or BinHex [see 2.3] format, or over
AppleDouble, AUFS, or CAP servers. It includes three programs:
hexbin - a program to convert BinHex 4.0 to MacBinary; it also
converts uuencode (and UULite) files to their native binary
format; support for .dl, .hex, and .hcx formats (all
predecessors of BinHex 4.0) also exists
macsave - a MacBinary filter program to convert between various
MacBinary representations, including a single .bin file, three
separate .data, .rsrc, .info files, and AUFS format. macsave
also allows one to "peek" inside MacBinary files
macunpack - a program that decompress PackIt, Compact Pro,
StuffIt (Classic and Deluxe format), Diamond, DiskDoubler,
LHarc/MacLHa, .Z (UNIX compress) and Zoom
It also decodes BinHex 5.0, MacBinary, and uuencode.
Support for password protected and/or multi-segment
archives of various types is minimal or non-existent.
The various authors of the macutil utilities are too numerous
to list here; consult the README files that come with the package
for the details.
* mcvert (Last upload Oct 1994)
mcvert allows you to convert BinHex files to MacBinary files
and vice versa. In addition, you can create MacBinary files
with empty resource forks from normal files, as well as perform
other transformations. mcvert can also decode PackIt archives.
mcvert was originally written in 1987 by Doug Moore, but had
many many new features and a better interface added by
Joseph Skudlarek.
=======================================================================
[6] Miscellaneous
=================
[6.1] What aids are available for programmers wishing to write Classic
TCP/IP applications for the Macintosh?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* PathWay API Developer's Tool Kit Macintosh from The Wollongong
Group provides:
* BSD 4.3 Sockets library
* Stream (TCP) and datagram (UDP) socket types
* Blocking and nonblocking socket modes
* Include files and sample programs for Apple MPW 3.2
* PathWay API Programming Guide
* Works on System 6.0.x, 7.0, and 7.1
[6.2] I have a FAX machine and a FAX modem. How can I use these devices
together to emulate a scanner and a printer?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is often possible to simply connect your FAX modem to your
FAX machine using a regular telephone cable. You can then print
to your FAX machine by sending a document to your FAX modem (then
through the cable to your FAX machine, to be printed). Analogously,
you can "send" a FAX from your FAX machine to your computer's FAX
modem and thus emulate a scanner (the FAX image will be read into
your computer by your FAX modem software).
This phone cable connection does not always work, however. For
these cases, P.E.P. Products, Inc., offers faxScan/faxPrinter,
a Macintosh and Windows-compatible product which allows you
to connect your FAX modem to your FAX machine and thus gain the
ability to print from your computer to the FAX machine and
scan into your computer from the FAX machine, as described
above. This device is pocket-sized, 1.05 ounces, and powered
by a 9 volt battery. According to the company's sales information,
"The faxScan/faxPrinter device stabilizes line voltages
on both sides, allowing any combination of FAX modem and FAX machine
to work together. This product is useful if you travel and want to
print or scan using any fax machine."
========================================================================
Appendix
========
[A] List of Common Abbreviations
--------------------------------
Abbrev-
iation Description
------- ------------------------------------------------------
ADB Apple Desktop Bus
ARA Apple Remote Access (was AppleTalk Remote Access)
bps bits per second
CSLIP Compressed SLIP
csmc comp.sys.mac.comm
CTB Communications Tool Box
CTS Clear-To-Send
DSR Data-Set-Ready
DTR Data-Terminal-Ready
FTP File Transfer Protocol
IP Internet Protocol
LAP Link Acess Protocol
MNP Microcom Networking Protocol
NNTP Net News Transfer Protocol
PPP Point-to-Point Protocol
RTS Request-To-Send
SID Sound Input Device
SLIP Serial Line Internet Protocol; also seen as SLIP
TCP Transmission Control Protocol
[B] Mac program archive list link and Vendor Information
------------------------------------------------------------------
Nearly all shareware or freeware programs described in this FAQ are
available from one of the many archives that mirror the InfoMac and UMich archives. Over 90 of these mirror sites are listed in the FTP section of
the Mac-FTP-list
These vendors are either mentioned in this FAQ or provide products
relating to Macintosh networking. Neither the editor of this list
nor any of the contributors necessarily endorse any of the vendors
or their products. The following information is provided for your
convenience only.
Please bring any errors or additions to the attention of the editor.
Aladdin Software
[USA] (408) 685 9175
Alverson Software
e-mail: davea@xetron.com
Apple Developers Association (APDA)
[USA] (408) 974 4667
Asante
Ascend Communications
Attatchmate
Carnation Software
Celestin Company
[USA] (800) 835-5514
[USA] (206) 385-3767
[FAX] (207) 385-3586
AOL: Celestin
e-mail: celestin@pt.olympus.net
Compatible Systems
[USA] (800) 356 0283
Creative Solutions, Inc.
[USA] (800) 367-8465
[USA] (301) 984-0262
[FAX] (301) 770-1675
AppleLink: CSI
CompuServe: 70240,504
e-mail: 70240.504@compuserve.com
Dayna Communications
[USA] (801) 269-7200
Farallon Computing
[USA] (510) 814-5100
FreePPP Group
Global Village
[USA] (415) 390-8200
[USA] (800) 736-4821
Hayes Corporation
[USA] (404) 441-1617
[CANADA] (519) 746-5000
[UK] 081-848-1858
[UK] 081-569-1774 {BBS}
[HK] 852-887-1037
ICE Engineering, Inc.
[USA] (313) 449-8288
Mark/Space Softworks
[USA] (408) 293-7299
Mercury System, Inc.
[USA] (310) 553-0881
[USA] (310) 553-1291 (fax)
QUALCOMM, Incorporated
[USA] (800) 2-EUDORA
[USA] (619) 587-1121
Raine Storm Softworks
Sassy Software
Shiva
[USA] (800) 458-3550
Software Ventures Corporation
[USA] (510) 644-1325
Sonic Systems
[USA] (408) 736-1900
[USA] (800) 535-0725
Synergy Software
[USA] (215) 779-0522
Webster Computer Corp.
[AUSTRALIA] 61 3 764 1100
Walker Richer & Quinn, Inc.
[North America] (800) 872-2829
[Elsewhare] +1.206.217.7100
ZyXEL Communications
[USA] (800) 255-4101
[USA] (714) 693-0808
[CANADA] (416) 534-1508
[CANADA] (416) 534-1312
[D] Contributors
----------------
The editor of this FAQ would like to graciously thank all of the
following individuals who have contributed in some form or another
to the answers provided above, and to the many others not listed
who have nonetheless encouraged and corrected us along the way.
Steve Baumgarten (Versaterm)
Jack Brindle (BinHex, MacBinary)
Eric Behr (MacTCP)
Jim Browne (NCSA Telnet)
Josh Cole (Networking, MacTCP, AppleDouble)
Bill Coleman (Smartcom)
Steve Dorner (Eudora, SLIP)
Don Gilbert (SLIP)
Tom Gewecke (European E-Mail, Archives)
Elliotte Rusty Harold (General, File Transfer Programs)
Mikael Hansen (AutoShare)
Patrick Hoepfner (various tidbits)
Greg Kilcup (CSLIP, PPP)
Andy Y. A. Kuo (Networking)
Yves Lempereur (MacBinary/BinHex)
Peter N. Lewis (General)
Ward McFarland (Mac serial port speeds)
David Oppenheimer (original c.s.m.comm FAQ maintainer)
Leonard Rosenthol (General, StuffIt)
Richard Saint (MacPPP [now FreePPP] FAQ)
Dan Schwarz (Mac serial port speeds)
Eric P. Scott (General)
Jon L. Spear (General, Baud Etymology)
Christopher Swan (Black Night)
Werner Uhrig (Macintosh Expert)
========================================================================= (
geocities.com/siliconvalley/park) (
geocities.com/siliconvalley)