By now, you've probably noticed that I tend to avoid giving detailed, blow-by-blow directions for using Internet programs. You may be wondering why, since such specifics are common in technical books. Don't worry, there is a method to my madness.
On the Internet, things change rapidly. Something that is available one day may disappear the next. Or, in some cases, something may be available at random times during the day, but not at others. Herein lies my concern with rigid instructions that people will attempt to follow closely. What if I give instructions for performing some task and it doesn't work? The fault may lie not with my instructions, but with the Internet resource I explain -- but that makes no difference to the person following the directions.
So, my strategy elsewhere in this book has been to provide basic information necessary to use the common MacTCP programs in a variety of situations, hopefully giving you the background you need to work around any difficulties you may encounter. However, several of the responses I received to the first edition of the book indicated that some step-by-step instruction would be welcome, and far be it from me to ignore such suggestions from readers. After all, I'm writing the book for you, not for me.
Note: You must have a direct connection or a PPP or SLIP account set up to be able to work through the following instructions, although you're welcome to read through before you have the connection set up.
Unlike any other book, I cover most of the Internet software available for the Mac, so providing step-by-step instructions for every program in this book would fill thousands of pages -- and could be patented as a cure for insomnia. Instead, I provide the steps necessary to perform several basic tasks in some of the most important applications. All of these applications require MacTCP and either a network or a SLIP or PPP connection. I start by covering MacTCP, MacPPP, and InterSLIP, provide steps for setting up the useful Internet Config, and then give steps for using a few important applications.
Note: In each case, I assume you have the program available on your hard disk. You may need to copy it from a floppy disk or download it from the Internet, debinhex, and expand the file. Most of these programs can be installed from the ISKM disk, and the ISKM Installer does some of the work of placing and configuring the programs. So, some of these instructions may be redundant. For instance, there's no reason to configure MacTCP for a provider on the disk (such as Northwest Nexus), because the ISKM Installer does it for you. Nonetheless, I wanted to be complete, and without instructions that start from a clean copy, you would never be able to duplicate these configurations on your own.For more information on what the ISKM Installer does for you, check out chapter 16, "Internet Starter Kit Disk."
Quick Reminder: MacTCP is a control panel that makes it possible for Macs to connect to TCP/IP-based networks such as the Internet.
Tasks:
The Mac asks whether you would like to put MacTCP in the Control Panels folder (see figure 29.1).
Figure 29.1: Placing MacTCP.
The MacTCP window opens (see figure 29.2).
Figure 29.2: MacTCP control panel window.
MacTCP presents you with its configuration dialog (see figure 29.3).
Figure 29.3: MacTCP configuration dialog.
Note: These directions show you how to specifically configure MacTCP for Northwest Nexus; I'll explain when you should use your provider's information instead.
Your configuration dialog should now look similar to my screen shot, although yours probably has 0.0.0.0 in the Gateway Address field and something different in the IP Address area at the upper right. Don't worry about those differences. If you don't use Northwest Nexus as your provider, you have different domain name server information, and you may have to select the Manually radio button instead of the Server radio button if your provider gives you a Manually addressed or static account (at which point you also must enter your IP number in the MacTCP control panel window and the gateway address in the Gateway Address field -- both of these pieces of information come from your provider).
MacTCP may or may not tell you that you must restart for your changes to take effect.
If you followed these directions without customizing them for InterSLIP or a different provider, you've now configured MacTCP for use with MacPPP and Northwest Nexus.
Quick Reminder: MacPPP consists of a control panel called Config PPP and an extension called PPP. MacPPP uses your modem to establish a connection to a PPP account over which MacTCP-based programs can work.
Tasks:
The Mac tells you that they need to be stored in special places within the System Folder, and asks if you would like to put them where they belong (see figure 29.4).
Figure 29.4: Placing MacPPP.
The Mac then tells you where it has placed them.
The Config PPP window appears (see figure 29.5).
Figure 29.5: Config PPP window.
Figure 29.6: Configuring the server configuration dialog.
Note: If the PPP Server pop-up menu doesn't have Untitled selected, you may wish to create a new server definition by clicking the New button, typing a name in the dialog, and clicking the OK button.
Note: These directions include specific information for Northwest Nexus, but if Northwest Nexus is not your provider, use the information from your provider.
Note: The comma in the phone number above tells the modem to pause for two seconds before dialing the rest of the number. You can insert multiple commas to use additional two-second pauses.
Note: If you installed MacPPP using the ISKM Installer, look in the ISKM3 Folder on your hard disk for a folder called MacPPP 2.0.1. In that folder you should find a text file called Modem Strings. It contains a number of untested modem init strings that might work.
Figure 29.7: Configuring the login script.
The Config PPP control panel opens. Note the frowning faces and the PPP DOWN label in the upper left corner (see figure 29.8).
Figure 29.8: Disconnected.
MacPPP configures your modem according to the string you entered in the server configuration dialog and dials the number you provided (see figure 29.9).
Figure 29.9: MacPPP dialing dialog.
After the modems connect, MacPPP sends your userid and password to log you in and then establishes the connection (see figure 29.10).
Figure 29.10: PPP Establishment phase.
Notice that the faces are smiling and the label now says PPP UP (see figure 29.11).
Figure 29.11: Connected.
You should now be able to run MacTCP-based applications such as Anarchie and MacWeb.
MacPPP disconnects from the Internet and hangs up your modem.
Congratulations! You've successfully configured MacPPP, established a connection to the Internet, and closed that connection. If anything went wrong during this process, reread the section on MacPPP in chapter 18, "PPP," and chapter 20, "Troubleshooting Your Connection."