The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group The New Melb PC Dialup Internet Configuration Kit Stan Johnstone stanj@melbpc.org.au |
 |
A
new Melb PC Internet dialup configuration kit suitable for all
versions of Windows from 95 through to the recently released Vista is now
available. The program named MPC2007.exe is available to all new subscribers, on
the monthly disk, and downloadable from a link on the Message of the Day page.
This new version of the program will configure all Windows versions from Windows
95 to Vista, but is only of real benefit to new installations.
As well as setting up the dialler configuration with your username and password,
it allows a choice of the available dial up phone numbers. In addition, the
Microsoft Internet Explorer (to v7,) and the increasingly popular Firefox (to
v2) browsers are configured for the standard Melb PC settings.
The following Mail and News programs are also configured for the Melb PC mail
and news servers with usernames and passwords are inserted automatically where
required. These programs include:
Netscape became a problem when Netscape (at v6) changed its method of
configuration. Currently the easiest way for Netscape users is to download the
latest version and it will copy the settings from other software during
installation.
Previous Melb PC Kits
When Melb PC commenced its Internet service back in 1994 the latest operating
system was Windows 3.1. Gary Taig wrote a set of installation programs for what
was emerging at the time as the Slipkit. He adapted this from a manual setup
conceived and developed by Larry McGoldrick of Capital User Group in Washington
DC.
Windows 3.1 did not include any Internet software, however with Gary's
adaptation the Slipkit installed a fully configured copy of a dialler (Trumpet
Winsock), Netscape as a complete browser, Eudora for mail, Agent for news, an
FTP program and other smaller programs such as Telnet and Ping.
Not only did the kit install the full configured versions of these programs, all
of these programs and material was contained on just two 1.44 MB diskettes, and within 12
months the Melb PC Internet Service had 2800 member subscribers using it. We
believe there are at least two members still using this same software today.
With the introduction of Windows 95 late in 1995 we saw the introduction of
Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, although Netscape remained the more
popular browser for a few years. Microsoft created an ISP configuration kit
shortly afterwards, and Lynn Pollock who ran regular Internet classes at the
time, developed and supported a kit on only one diskette for configuring the new
Windows Internet software.
The introduction of Windows XP saw the need for a new program, and an earlier
version of this latest program was developed based on the work of a commercial
developer with whom I acted as a beta tester for some years.
Using the Program
Using the program is simplicity itself. Close all programs and run the program
MPC2007.EXE. The opening page will appear and after reading it and agreeing to
the terns, click on Accept. (See Figure 1)
The next window is the most important one. First enter your full name, on the
next line the username you have been issued, and then the password. If you don't want mail program configured
remove the tick from Configure Mail Account, and then using the drop down menu
select one of the available phone numbers, and finally click OK. (See Figure 2)
In a few seconds all configuration is complete, and a final screen tells how to
start dialling. Simple!
Figure 1 - Accepting the conditions
Figure 2 - The personal data window
If your current system is working fine - don't bother using it. It has nothing
new or wonderful that will make your Internet usage faster or better. As
mentioned earlier minor updates may only confuse causing the need to cry for
help - eg. do you know your
password? This is purely a program to configure Internet software for the Melb
PC dial up service.
If you are using broadband - yes it will give you a dialler to use as a dial up
alternative and enable you to access your mail. However when connected to your
broadband ISP all outgoing mail will still have to go out through your other
ISPs SMTP server and will need you to change to it to suit.
National Number
The National number for distant calling at local call cost is not listed in this
configuration. As always, application showing need must be made for upgrading
for this access must be made through the email address
nationalnumber@melbpc.org.au.
We hope you find the new Melb PC Dialup Internet Configuration useful - but
remember it is a tool designed for the one only specific purpose.
My grateful thanks to those members who assisted during the testing period.
Reprinted from the May 2007 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
