The “Grand-daddies” of Internet Tools

There are many tools for finding and retrieving information on the Internet. Many of the tools were created as the development of the Internet took place. Therefore, some of the tools overlap in what they can do. Some are fading out of existence because of the radical ways the Internet is changing. The descriptions below will discuss these older tools.

ARCHIE

One of the biggest problems on the Internet has been finding what you specifically want. In the beginning, one of the first tools for searching the Internet was by using a system called “archie”. This system would be set up on a computer to seek out and organize a listing of all the file names available on specific Internet sites. When a user wanted to find files on a particular subject, they would access Archie to return a listing of file names with that specific topic name.

Here’s a chance to see how it works first hand, this link goes to an Archie Plex Form, one that allows you to enter a filename that you want to find. ArchiePlex Form. So how did you do, did you find the file you were looking for?

The major problem with this system is that not all file names describe what is exactly in the file. Sometimes file names must be shortened and thus will not be recognized by an Archie search. (e.g. a file named “usgovsen” about United States Senators in our government will not be listed in an Archie list if the names “government” or “senator” is used for the search.) Another drawback is that Archie does not allow you to view the file before downloading. You need to place it on your computer before opening it and using.

TELNET

Many computers do not have an Archie client installed on their computers so they must find one on another computer. The best way of doing this is called “Telnet”. Telnet is a program that allows the user’s computer to call another computer and connect (log in) remotely to it. Once there, the user could use the Archie program set up on the remote computer. This way, not every computer has to be set up as an Archive server and Archie could be accessed by many more people. After logging on, a user could then use Archie (or any other program) to search the databases and download the desired files. The advantage of Telnet is the ability to run ANY program that is available on the remote computer just like it was on your own computer.

GOPHER

Gopher was created as a menu-oriented way to browse the Internet. The gopher menus offer many more options than the Archie service did. Choices are made by positioning the cursor or an item or by entering the appropriate item number. Gopher can display files, documents, access to other Internet tools, or more menus. When a document was chosen, it was displayed on the user's screen. With Gopher, “bookmarks” can be used to save and quickly locate specific items without having to search and navigate to them step by step. One drawback of the Gopher system is that it can only display one text or graphic item at a time.

Learn how Gopher (Gopherspace) is structured; locate a relevant resource.

1. In the location or Address Field, Type in the following URL:
   gopher://gopher.tc.umn.edu/
2. Click on Other Gopher and Information Servers
3. Click on North America
4. Click on USA
5. Click on California
6. Scroll down and click on one California college or university.
7. Results: What college/university did you locate?
   What is the URL?
   What type of information does the college/university make available?

VERONICA

The Veronica system indexes entire sets of Gopher menu items. This speed up the process of searching for specific information by looking for data in blocks rather than by individual file names. The problem with using Veronica is that it can make proper indexing difficult by pulling together vastly different files hidden in obscure server hierarchy. The Gopher item descriptions are usually “terse to the point of obscurity” when viewed out of their catagorized menus. Thus it is possible to receive multiple listings in a Veronica search of the same file.

You may use this link to find a list of Veronica Servers. Searching Gopher Space with Veronica

Be able to search (Gopherspace) using Veronica.

1. Click the open button on the Netscape menu.
2. Type in the following URL:
   gopher://gopher.tc.umn.edu/
3. Click on Other Gopher and Information Servers
4. Click on Search titles in Gopherspace using veronica
5. Click on any of the five links to Search GopherSpace by Title word(s)
6. Enter a subject in the text box. (Use Internet Education as a subject.)
7. Search for selected topics and identify several useful information resources
8. Results: Name 3 of the titles of the articles or information resources you located.

WAIS

Wide Area Information System (WAIS - pronounced “ways” or “wase”) is a search engine designed to help Internet users find information in large databases, lists, documents, directories of files and more.

Hundreds of WAIS information collections are available via the Internet, including everything from lists of Usenet groups to scientific and government databases, as well as numerous books and lists. WAIS can be used to provide search access to collections of audio, video, image, and multimedia information.

WAIS can be used on a single computer or through the Internet with less computer power than many other searching tools need. One important feature of WAIS is the ability to offer relevant searches. It can show you what it found from your search criteria and can also use the same criteria for other relevant searches.

FTP

FTP stand for File Transfer Protocol. It is a tool used for copying files among computers on the Internet. With the FTP program, you can connect to a remote computer to send files to it or receive files from it. FTP, in contrast to Telnet, is not used for running programs; you use it for moving files between computers. To view my “White Paper” on FTP, use this link... File Transfer Protocol

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