and it'll probably work.


                            VERONICA BY E-MAIL
                            ------------------

Speaking of searches, this is a good time to mention Veronica.  Just
as Archie provides a searchable index of FTP sites, Veronica provides
this function for "gopherspace".  Veronica will ask you what you want to
look for (your search words) and then display another menu listing all
the gopher menu items that match your search.  In typical gopher
fashion, you can then select one of these items and "go-pher it"!

To try Veronica by e-mail, retrieve the main menu from a gophermail server
using the method just described.  Then try the choice labelled "Other
Gopher and Information Servers".  This menu will have an entry for
Veronica.

You'll have to select one (or more) Veronica servers to handle your
query, specifying the search words in the Subject of your reply.  Here's
another example of where using e-mail servers can save time and money.
Often the Veronica servers are very busy and tell you to "try again
later".  So select 2 or 3 servers, and chances are one of them will be
able to handle your request the first time around.

A Gophermail Shortcut:
----------------------

The path to some resources, files or databases can be a bit tedious,
requiring several e-mail messages to the gophermail server.  But here's
the good news...  If you've done it once, you can re-use any of the
e-mail messages previously sent in, changing it to suit your current
needs.  As an example, here's a clipping from the Veronica menu you would
get by following the previous instructions.  You can send these lines to
any gophermail server to run a Veronica search.

   Split=64K bytes/message <- For text, bin, HQX messages (0 = No split)
   Menu=100 items/message <- For menus and query responses (0 = No split)
   #
   Name=Search GopherSpace by Title word(s) (via NYSERNet)
   Type=7
   Port=2347
   Path=
   Host=empire.nysernet.org

Specify the search words in the Subject line and see what turns up!


                             USENET BY E-MAIL
                             ----------------

Usenet is a collection of over 5000 discussion groups on every topic
imaginable.  In order to get a proper start and avoid embarrasing
yourself needlessly, you must read the Usenet new users intro document,
which can be obtained by sending e-mail to:

   mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu

with blank subject and including this line in the body of the note:

   send usenet/news.answers/news-newusers-intro

To get a listing of Usenet newsgroups, add these commands to your note:

   send usenet/news.answers/active-newsgroups/part1
   send usenet/news.answers/active-newsgroups/part2
   send usenet/news.answers/alt-hierarchies/part1
   send usenet/news.answers/alt-hierarchies/part2

Once you've handled the preliminaries, you'll need to know how to read
and contribute to Usenet newsgroups by e-mail.  To read a newsgroup, you
can use the gophermail service discussed earlier in this guide.

To obtain a list of recent postings to a particular newsgroup, send the
following lines to one of the gophermail servers mentioned previously.
Leave "Subject" blank and include only these lines in the message body.

(You must replace "<groupname>" below with the name of the Usenet
newsgroup you wish to access.  eg: alt.answers, biz.comp.services,
news.newusers.questions, etc.)

   ------- begin gophermail message (do not include this line)
   Type=1
   Port=4320
   Path=nntp ls <groupname>
   Host=info-server.lanl.gov
   ------- end gophermail message (do not include this line)

The gophermail server will send you a typical gopher menu on which you
may select the individual postings you wish to read.

Note: The gophermail query in this example is the greatly edited result of
many previous queries.  I've pared it down to the bare essentials so
it can be tailored and reused.

If you decide to make a post of your own,  mail the text of your post to:

   newsgroup.name.usenet@decwrl.dec.com         (USA)
   newsgroup.name@news.demon.co.uk              (UK)

For example, to post to news.newusers.questions, you would send your
message to one of:

   news.newusers.questions.usenet@decwrl.dec.com
   news.newusers.questions@news.demon.co.uk

Be sure to include an appropriate Subject: line, and to include your real
name and e-mail address at the close of your note.

An Alternative Usenet->E-mail Method
------------------------------------

Another way to get Usenet postings by e-mail is via a special server in
Belgium.  It's a bit easier than the gophermail approach, but it carries
only a subset (about 1000) of the Usenet groups.  Send e-mail to:

  listserv@cc1.kuleuven.ac.be

with this command in the body of the note:

   /NNHELP

and you'll get complete details.  If you can't wait, send the command

   /NEWSGROUPS

to get a list of the newsgroups available on the server.  If you're even
more impatient, try something like:

   /GROUP comp.unix.aix SINCE 19941215000000

and you should get a list of postings made from 15 Dec 1994 onward.

Yet Another Usenet->E-mail Method!
----------------------------------

See the section "World-Wide Web By E-Mail" for an even easier method of
retrieving Usenet posts by e-mail!  This method is limited to the set of
newsgroups carried at the CERN server, but the selection seems to be
quite comprehensive.


                          WAIS SEARCHES BY E-MAIL
                          -----------------------

WAIS stands for Wide Area Information Service, and is a means of
searching a set of over 500 indexed databases.  The range of topics is
too broad to mention, and besides, you'll soon learn how to get the
topic list for yourself!

I recommend that you send e-mail to "waismail@quake.think.com" with HELP
in the body of the note to get the full WAISmail user guide.  But if you
can't wait, use the info below as a quickstart.

A list of WAIS databases (or "resources" as they like to be called) can be
obtained by sending e-mail to "waismail@quake.think.com" with the line

   search xxx xxx

in the body of the note.  Look through the returned list for topics that
are of interest to you and use one of them in the next example.

OK, let's do an actual search.  Send e-mail to:

   waismail@quake.think.com

with the following commands in the note body:

   maxres 10
   search bible flood

This will tell WAISmail to search through the text of the "bible"
database and return a list of at most 10 documents containing "flood".

You will receive an e-mail response something like this:

   From: WAISmail@Think.COM
   Searching: bible
   Keywords: flood

   Result # 1 Score:1000 lines:  0 bytes:   3556 Date:910101 Type: TEXT
   Headline: Genesis: Chapter 9  9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons...
   DocID: 0000000457KJV :cmns-moon.think.com@cmns-moon.think.com:210%TEXT

To retrieve the full text of a matching document, just use one the
returned "DOCid:" lines exactly as is.  So your next e-mail to WAISmail
would be:

   DocID: 0000000457KJV :cmns-moon.think.com@cmns-moon.think.com:210%TEXT

This will cause the referenced "document" to be sent to you by e-mail.


World-Wide Web By E-Mail
------------------------

The World-Wide Web is touted as the future of Internet navigational
tools.  It's a hypertext and multimedia system that lets you hop around
the Net, read documents, and access images & sounds linked to a source.

Have you ever heard someone say, "Wow, check out the cool stuff at
http://www.somewhere.com/blah.html" and wondered what the heck they
were talking about?  Now you can retrieve WWW documents using e-mail!

All you need to know is the URL (that long ugly string starting with
"http:", "gopher:", or "ftp:") which defines the address of the
document, and you can retrieve it by sending e-mail to either of:

   listserv@www0.cern.ch
   listproc@www0.cern.ch

In the body of your note include one of these lines, replacing "<URL>"
with the actual URL specification.

   send <URL>

This will send you back the document you requested, with a list of all
the documents referenced within, so that you may make further requests.

   deep <URL>

Same as above, but it will also send you the documents referenced in
the URL you specified.  (May result in a LOT of data coming your way!)

To try WWW by e-mail send the following command to listproc@www0.cern.ch :

   send http://info.cern.ch

You'll receive in due course the "WWW Welcome Page" from Cern which will
include references to other Web documents you'll want to explore.

As mentioned earlier, you can also get Usenet postings from the WWW
mail server. Here are some examples:

   send news:comp.unix.aix            (returns a list of recent postings)
   deep news:comp.unix.aix            (returns the list AND the postings)

Note: The URL you specify may contain only the following characters:
a-z, A-Z, 0-9, and these special characters /:._-+@%*()?~

There is another WWW-mail server whose address is:

   webmail@curia.ucc.ie

This server requires commands in the form:

   go <URL>


                              MAILING LISTS
                              -------------

There are literally thousands of discussion groups that stay in touch
using e-mail based systems known as "mailing lists".  People interested
in a topic "subscribe" to a "list" and then send and receive postings by
e-mail.  For a good introduction to this topic, send e-mail to:

   LISTSERV@vm1.nodak.edu

In the body of your note include only this command:

   GET NEW-LIST WOUTERS

Finding a Mailing List
----------------------

To find out about mailing lists that are relevant to your interests,
send the following command to the same address given above.

   LIST GLOBAL /keyword

(Of course you must replace "keyword" with an appropriate search word
such as Marketing, Education, etc.)

Another helpful document which details the commands used to subscribe,
unsubscribe and search mailing list archives can be had by sending to:

   LISTSERV@ubvm.cc.buffalo.edu

In the body of your note include only this command:

   get mailser cmd nettrain f=mail

New in These Parts?
-------------------

If you're new to the Internet, I suggest you subscribe to the HELP-NET list
where you're likely to find answers to your questions.  Send the command:

   SUBSCRIBE HELP-NET Firstname Lastname

to LISTSERV@VM.TEMPLE.EDU, then e-mail your questions to the list address:

   HELP-NET@VM.TEMPLE.EDU


                               FINGER BY E-MAIL
                               ----------------

"Finger" is a utility that returns information about another user.
Usually it's just boring stuff like last logon, etc., but sometimes
people put fun or useful information in their finger replies.  To try
out finger, send e-mail with

   Subject: FINGER jtchern@headcrash.berkeley.edu.
   To: infobot@infomania.com

You'll receive some current sports standings!  (The general form is
FINGER user@site.)

Just for kicks, try finger using a combination of gopher and WWW.  Send
the command:

   send gopher://<site>:79/0<user>

to the WWWmail server mentioned earlier.


                     "DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE" BY E-MAIL
                     --------------------------------

"Whois" is a service that queries a database of Internet names and
addresses.  If you're looking for someone or you want to know where
a particular computer is located, send e-mail with

   Subject: whois <name>
   To: mailserv@internic.net

Try substituting "mit.edu" or the last name of someone you know in place
of "<name>" and see what comes back!

Another alternative name looker-upper is a database at MIT which keeps
tabs on everyone who has posted a message on Usenet.  Send e-mail with
a blank subject to "mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu" and include this command
ONLY in the note body:

   send usenet-addresses/<name>

Specify as much information as you can about the person (lastname,
firstname, userid, site, etc.) to limit the amount of information that
is returned to you.  Here's a sample query to find the address of
someone you think may be at Harvard University:

   send usenet-addresses/Jane Doe Harvard


                           A FEW NET-GOODIES
                           -----------------

Here are some other interesting things you can do by e-mail.  (Some of
them are accessible only by e-mail!)

* WEBSTER BY E-MAIL
Don't have your dictionary handy?  Send e-mail to infobot@infomania.com
again, but this time make the subject WEBSTER TEST and you'll get a
definition of the word "test" in reply.

* ALMANAC, WEATHER & THE SWEDISH CHEF
Infomania offers a bunch of other services by e-mail!  Almanac
(daily updates), Weather, CD Music Catalog, etc. Send e-mail to
infobot@infomania.com with subject HELP for full details.

* THE ELECTRONIC NEWSSTAND
The Electronic Newsstand collects articles, editorials, and tables of
contents from over 165 magazines and provides them to the Internet. To get
instructions on e-mail access, send a blank message to gophermail@enews.com

* U.S. CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE
Find out if your congressman has an electronic address!  Just send mail
to the address congress@hr.house.gov and you'll get a listing of
congressional e-mail addresses.

You can also contact the President (president@whitehouse.gov) or Vice
President (vice.president@whitehouse.gov), but don't expect a reply by
e-mail.  Messages sent to these addresses get printed out and handled
just like regular paper correspondence!

* USENET SEARCHES
A new service at Stanford University makes it possible to search USENET
newsgroups for postings that contain keywords of interest to you.  You
can even "subscribe" and receive a daily list of newsgroup postings that
match your search criteria.  Send mail to netnews@db.stanford.edu with
blank subject and HELP in the body of note for full details.

* MOVIE INFO
To learn how to get tons of info on movies, actors, directors, etc.
Send mail to movie@ibmpcug.co.uk with blank subject and HELP in the body
of note for full details.

* STOCK MARKET REPORT
Send e-mail with subject STOCK MARKET QUOTES to martin.wong@eng.sun.com
and you'll receive a rather lengthy stock market report (every day until
you ask Martin to stop sending them)!  Please note that this is not an
automated server, so be sure to include a word of appreciation for this
useful service.

* STOCK MARKET QUOTES
If you want to get a current quote for just 1 or 2 stocks, you can use
the QuoteCom service.  They offer this free service along with other fee
based services.  For details, send e-mail to "services@quote.com" with a
subject of HELP.

* ANONYMOUS E-MAIL
The "anon server" provides a front for sending mail messages and posting
to Usenet newsgroups anonymously, should the need ever arise.  To get
complete instructions, send e-mail to:

   help@anon.penet.fi                               (English version)
   german@anon.penet.fi  or deutsch@anon.penet.fi   (German version)
   italian@anon.penet.fi or italiano@anon.penet.fi  (Italian version)

* NET JOURNALS LISTING
I highly recommend "The Internet Press - A guide to electronic journals
about the Internet".  To get it, send e-mail with Subject: send ipress to
savetz@rahul.net.  Be sure to check out Scout Report & Netsurfer Digest!

SCOUT REPORT: Forget building campfires. Scout Report is a weekly
featuring new resource announcements. News reports about the net were
promised but are pretty lean. Put out by gods at InterNIC.
E-MAIL - To:      majordomo@is.internic.net
         Subject: Ignored
         Body:   Subscribe scout-report

                           SUGGESTED READING
                           -----------------

There are lots of good books and guides to help you get started on the
Internet, and here are some that I recommend.  The first few are free
(FTPmail commands listed below), and the others can be found in most
bookstores that carry computer-related books.

"Zen and the Art of the Internet", by Brendan Kehoe
   open ftp.std.com
   cd obi/Internet/zen-1.0
   get zen10.txt

"There's Gold in them thar Networks", by Jerry Martin
   open nic.ddn.mil
   cd rfc
   get rfc1402.txt

"Unofficial Internet Book List", by Kevin Savetz
   open rtfm.mit.edu
   cd pub/usenet/news.answers/internet-services
   get book-list


"The Whole Internet User's Guide and Catalog", by Ed Krol
   Publisher: O'Reilly and Associates
   ISBN: 1-56592-063-5
   Price: $24.95

"The Big Dummy's Guide to the Internet", by Adam Gaffin
   Publisher: MIT Press
   ISBN: 0-262-57105-6
   Price: $14.95

"The Internet for Dummies", by John Levine and Carol Baroudi
   Publisher: IDG Books
   ISBN: 1-56884-024-1
   Price: $19.95


                          CONTACTING THE AUTHOR
                          ---------------------

"Doctor Bob", also known as Bob Rankin, welcomes your feedback on this
guide and can be reached at the following addresses.  Send corrections,
ideas, suggestions and comments by e-mail.  I'll try to include any new
e-mail services in future editions of this guide.

Internet:  BobRankin@Delphi.com
US Mail :  Doctor Bob / P.O. Box 39 / Tillson, NY / 12486


                  MORE PUBLICATIONS FROM DOCTOR BOB!
                  ----------------------------------

                             Announcing ...

           +------------------------------------------------+
           |    "100 COOL THINGS TO DO ON THE INTERNET!"    |
           |        Doctor Bob's Internet Tour Guide        |
           | Over 100 places you *must* visit in cyberspace |
           +------------------------------------------------+

This is the guide I wanted when the Internet was new to me.  Just a
quick overview of the "tools of the trade" and a list of "cool things to
do".  Not 300 pages...  And not $39!  This information could save you
money, hours of valuable time, or lead you to a new career.

There's a goldmine of information, software and services out there just
waiting to be discovered!  It can be yours, but it's not easy...  That's
why you must have this informative report which gives you the lowdown on:

* Online databases          * Electronic Library Catalogs
* Shopping in Cyberspace    * Job Postings Online
* Vast software libraries   * ALL FREE!

You'll learn the basics of TELNETing, FTPing and GOPHERing to the
information you want, with specific instructions and the "secret keys"
you need to unlock all the doors on the way!


          +------------------------------------------------+
          |     Doctor Bob's Internet Business Guide       |
          |            An Introduction to Good             |
          |    Old-Fashioned Capitalism In Cyberspace      |
          +------------------------------------------------+

There are those who say that the Internet should be free of capitalism,
commerce, advertising and anything that smells like "business".

But there ARE ways to conduct business on the 'Net without raising the ire
of the inhabitants of the electronic domain.  You can lower costs, make
money and even get thanked for providing your service if you know how to
do it right!

I can't promise that you'll make lots of money selling your product or
service, but I'm certain that after you've read this guide, you will have
a better understanding of:

* Internet Tools & Techniques      * Business Resources on the Net
* Setting Up Shop on the Net       * Avoiding Net Marketing Pitfalls
* What business are on the Net     * Getting paid for your product


          To get your copy of:

  "100 COOL THINGS TO DO ON THE INTERNET!"
                   - or -
   "DOCTOR BOB'S INTERNET BUSINESS GUIDE"

Send just $5 each (cash, check or money order) plus a self-addressed,
stamped envelope to:

 -->  DOCTOR BOB
 -->  PO BOX 39, DEPT U3
 -->  TILLSON, NY 12486  USA

Outside the USA:  Skip the stamp, but please add $1 for postage.
And if it's too difficult to get US funds, send 12 International
Postal Coupons in lieu of payment.

I also accept NetCash!  For details on electronic payment, send e-mail
to netbank-info@agents.com with the keyword "netbank-intro" (minus the
quotes) on the first line of your note.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

                Copyright (c) 1994,  "Doctor Bob" Rankin

   All rights reserved.  Permission is granted to make and distribute
   verbatim copies of this document provided the copyright notice and
   this permission notice are preserved on all copies.  Feel free to
            upload to your favorite BBS or Internet server!


