jpm@lanl.gov (James P Mcgee) (11/14/90)
A while back, someone asked about getting access to the internet, and someone else listed a couple of companies that provided access for a reasonable price. I had hoped that someone would post prices and such, but no such luck. My interest is far enough into the future that I didn't want to waste a salespersons time. There have also been questions about commercial UUCP access. Today, while reading "README" (Sun Microsystems User Group), V5#3, I saw the following article. (Typed in, so typos are mine) ========================================================================= Low-Cost UUCP Network Connections Portal Communications Company 10385 Cherry Tree Lane Cupertino, CA 95014 (408) 973-9111, voice (408) 725-0561, modem In August, Portal Communications Company announced several products that allow UNIX users low-cost access to the UUCP Network. With the Portal Basic UUCP Connection, UNIX users can send and receive electronic mail and access Usenet through modems and dial-up phone lines. For companies and individuals without UNIX expertise, Portal offers a product called Supported UUCP Connection. This service provides the basic UUCP connection along with access to Portal's engineering staff for instruction, support, and trouble-shooting. Also available is the Portal UUCP Start-up Kit, which includes a software tape of all the necessary software to implement exchange of mail and news, plus software documentation and installation instructions. This Portal Start-up Kit provides a time-saving package for quick, full-function connection with Usenet. The UUCP electronic-mail connection reaches more than 10,000,000 people on thousands of networks. The Usenet feed enables interactive, stored discussions of more than 1200 topics and reaches more than 600,000 people worldwide. Portal Communications Company offers relable, secure, 24-hour -a-day connections to this network. The service eliminates your dependence on the generosity of others for UUCP network connections. Prices for the Basic Connection are $34.95 per month plus $1.95 per hour of connect time. With a feed of standard newsgroups and an average flow of mail, the cost per month for the service will typically range from $100 to $200 ========================================================================= I have no information on this other than what I just keyed in. While I know that there is a big difference between UUCP access and Internet access, this is at least something. If anyone knows anything about Internet access, I'd appreciate hearing about it. Pat McGee, jpm@lanl.gov
eps@toaster.SFSU.EDU (Eric P. Scott) (11/14/90)
[distribution restricted to usa] Portal is selling SERVICE. Don't get the impression that they're the only people in this business (they're not), or that there is anyone you have to pay money to other than your local telephone company and interexchange carrier to participate in UUCP. There is NO charge for "joining UUCP," for registering in the UUCP maps, or for registering a domain name. If you have the hardware (e.g. Telebit modem) and the software (supplied with most UNIX systems and available for many others) and you know what you are doing, the ONLY cost to you is the cost of your time and the cost of pushing bits around. Portal is catering to people who don't have and don't care to develop local expertise. Many "home computers" participate in the International UUCP Network without this kind of "help"--any commercial organization that isn't willing to put in at least as much effort (even if it means hiring a consultant for a few hours), deserves to be ripped off. Anyone who tells you that it's difficult to get a [working] UUCP connection is LYING, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area. -=EPS=-
cnh5730@calvin.tamu.edu (Chuck Herrick) (11/15/90)
In article <5823@lanl.gov) jpm@lanl.gov (James P Mcgee) writes:
)In August, Portal Communications Company announced several products that allow
)UNIX users low-cost access to the UUCP Network.
)Prices for the Basic Connection are $34.95 per month plus $1.95 per hour of
)connect time. With a feed of standard newsgroups and an average flow of mail,
)the cost per month for the service will typically range from $100 to $200
low-cost? They're kidding, right?cs00jec@unccvax.uncc.edu (Jim Cain) (01/12/91)
I'm sure this subject has been beaten to death. In fact, I remember seeing
something about it off and on for the past few months (since I've been
reading this newsgroup). But now I need to know and I have the basic
understanding of uucp required to ask intelligently.
Where may I gain free uucp access? My station should arrive any time,
and I would like to establish a uucp node. My school says they do not have
the resources now to handle another uucp connection ("maybe this summer",
presumably when they get more resources).
I am going to check the local companies who get there mail from the school,
but in the meantime I would like to hear about other places offering free
uucp access in case these companies are uncooperative.
Thanks for your help (and expect many novice questions in a few weeks).
Jim Cain
cs00jec@unccvax.uncc.edu