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Accessing the World Wide Web using Microsoft Internet Explorer

We access the World Wide Web with the help of a special program called a browser. The most popular ones are Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator, download the latest edition for free in the Goodies section of our Web site or directly from Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/ie, or from Netscape at http://home.netscape.com.

Internet browsers are especially used to explore the WWW, but thanks to the development of the latest versions, it now integrates most of the Internet services. For electronic mail and discussion groups, the user only needs to activate the appropriate command to open the window. For the Gopher tools and FTP (file transfers only), you need to have the right URL address, that's written in the field reserved for addresses with the appropriate prefix:  

• For FTP sites, ftp://address

• For Gopher sites, gopher://address

• For WWW sites, http://address

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Using the Internet browser

Learning how to use Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator can be done in only a few hours. It is still too long to give a complete description of the different commands of the software in this section. We therefore invite you to consult Microsoft's or Netscape's Internet sites.

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Possible Error Messages

If Internet Explorer or Netscape tells you a server does not have a DNS entry, make sure that you typed the address of the site where you want to go correctly. If the address is correct, maybe the site is temporarily closed, or its access path no longer exists. Try to access it by broadening the search (for example, if you cannot attain http://www.yahoo.com/Arts/Literature/Books, try by http://www.yahoo.com/Arts). 

If a message tells you the host server cannot be found or Internet Explorer or Netscape could not create an exchange, you are undoubtedly having connection difficulties or you are not connected to the Internet. Check if you are still hooked up and that your original opening session succeeded. If you can use other applications and the problem only occurs with Internet Explorer or Netscape, we suggest you download a more recent version of your browser. 

A connection breakdown is often linked to the shareware and its function in the operating system of your computer. Often, we have left too many applications open at the same time, which blocks your browser. These difficulties have less to do with your active memory and more with the actual shareware. If the connection ends, close everything before trying to connect again.  

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What is E-Mail ?

To properly understand how electronic mail works, a comparison can be made with it's predecessor, regular paper mail. To write to someone, you must write a letter, put it in an envelope with the proper address, then drop it off into a mailbox, without worrying exactly how it's going to get there.

In the case of electronic mail, the keyboard and monitor have replaced the pen and paper. The program you use to send the mail, can be thought of as the envelope through which the mail is actually sent. Properly addressed, electronic mail can be send anywhere in the world, and the best part about e-mail is that it is absolutely free, whether you are sending it across the street, or around the world. The mailbox in this case, is your internet provider.

Perhaps the most amazing thing about this process, is the difference in speed. Electronic mail is, for all intents and purposes, instantaneous. In fact, one could almost hold a conversation using e-mail.

 Is e-mail fated to replace regular paper mail? We don't think so. Although electronic mail is very convenient, there will always be packages to be sent, and nothing can replace the human touch on certain occasions.

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How to configure E-Mail?

To begin, you must choose The first part of your e-mail address. It can be a combination of your first name and family name or a nickname (ex: johnsmith@progression.net). Don't forget, this must be typed in lower case letters. 

Next, you must open the program which you wish to use for your e-mail (Netscape/Outlook/Eudora/etc.). In the options section of your program, you must specify the Outgoing mail server (SMTP), which is "mail.progression.net". Next, you must specify the Incoming mail server (POP), which is "pop3.progression.net". Most programs will also ask you for your POP username, which is the username you use to connect to the internet.

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Possible Error Messages

• "Mail drop lock is busy " : This message usually occurs when your messages has been incorrectly transferred. When this happens, please call our technical support service, mention the error and your username, and we will remedy the situation.

• "This address is unacceptable to the SMTP server " : Check the address that you are trying to send mail to, there is probably a typo.

• "The message was bounced back to you " : The mail server was unable to send the mail to the address you have specified. There are two possible reasons for this. First, the address simply doesn't  exist. Second, there is a problem with the mail server. If you are certain the address is correct, please contact the technical support.

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What are Newsgroups ? What is Usenet?

Discussion groups, commonly referred to as newsgroups, are one of  the internet's most valuable services. A few years ago, these were mainly used by researchers in the military and in universities to exchange information in a forum setting. Since then many programs have been developed to make accessing the discussion groups easier and  it has become one of the most popular services available on the internet. Usenet was created in 1980, as a means for researchers to ask questions to other scientists in the same field in order to rapidly get answers. It is now being used in a similar fashion by just about anybody. There are now almost 40000 discussion groups in practically every field of interest, taste or subject.

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Accessing Newsgroups using Netscape

Usenet has become increasingly easy to use with today's  latest software. There are several different packages available to browse Usenet, we recommend in particular Microsoft Outlook Express, and Netscape Navigator (version 3+).

To configure these programs, in the options section you must specify the Newsgroup server (NNTP), which is "news.progression.net".

To learn how to access the newsgroups themselves, we recommend reading the documentation in the help section of your particular program and search for newsgroups.

Once you have accessed the group list, we recommend reading the following sections: " news.announce.newusers ", " news.newusers.questions " and " news.answers " to learn the policies and rules of using Usenet. 

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What is FTP ?

File Transfer Protocol was designed originally as a means of transferring binary files (non-text files) between UNIX type servers. This service still remains the method of choice today to distribute software throughout the entire world via the internet.

This aspect of the Internet is perhaps a bit more complex than the ones previously covered. Using the TCP/IP protocol, software applications have been developed to allow people to transmit information using the FTP protocol which has rendered is much more user friendly than the original unfriendly UNIX commands. To connect to a remote computer and transfer files however, you must have been granted access to that computer in the form of a username and password.

There is, however, a way to access many sites on the Internet which distribute software freely (called freeware) or try-before-you-buy software (called shareware). Many sites allow what is called anonymous access, which means that using the username 'anonymous' with the password being your e-mail address (example: johndoe@progression.net), you can gain access to many such sites.

To connect to progression.net's FTP server and access your own disk space (used to make your web page), you may connect to "ftp.progression.net" using a FTP client such as WS_FTP, or CuteFTP, using you username and password.

To access our FTP service, as stated above, you need an FTP client, such as CuteFTP, or WS_FTP. Once you have a copy of one of these programs installed on your computer, open it. It will prompt you for the following information:

• Host: (example : ftp.progression.net ) 

• User-ID: Your username (to connect anonymously, use anonymous)

• Password: Your password (to connect anonymously, use your e-mail address) 

Your screen will be sectioned off into two parts: the left side represents the contents of your computer (local system) whereas the right side represents the contents of the directories of the server you wish to connect to (remote system). 

The arrows in the middle indicate the direction of the transfer of files to be made. To begin transferring a file, you must be in the correct directories, that is, locate the directory source of one side and the destination of the other side. Then you must press on the appropriate arrow. A ringing signal will be heard once the transfer is finished. 

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Frequent problems

• Nothing happens when you try to open a new program that you have just downloaded: It is very likely you have brought in the file in ASCII format. The best thing to do is to throw out the file and to download again, in binary format, this time. 

• If You try to enter communication with a site by using "anonymous" but your access is refused: Many FTP sites restrict access to their servers to avoid excess loads and unfortunately the best sites are often the most difficult to reach. Usually it is easier to reach them outside high frequenting hours. 

• If you try to communicate with your FTP site at Progression.net in order to send your Web page, but you cannot get the www directory. Call customer service and check if your personal directory has been activated. 

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What is IRC (Internet Relay Chat) ?

The Internet chat service (Internet Relay Chat or IRC) allows its users to discuss with other users in real time, while they are connected to the Internet. You can just as easily communicate with somebody in  Australia as with someone in Montreal. It is possible to enter in communication with any number of IRC servers, thanks to different chat programs. While looking for IRC in Yahoo, you will obtain a long list of chat software that you can download. 

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Chatting on the Internet using "Mirc"

Users of Windows 3.1 and 95 can download Mirc (version 16 or 32 bit), a special software conceived to allow Internet chat. You can easily find other sites to download thanks to any research tool, but you can start by www.mirc.com

Once you have installed the program of your choice in your computer, you should find the server name to which you can connect to. The IRC FAQ will become indispensable. You will find a list of many IRC servers. If one of them does not allow you to connect, try another one. While configuring this software, you should choose a nickname or alias. 

Once you are connected, you want to know which channels are available. To obtain a list of all the channels, type "/list" and the names will appear. Once you have made your choice of channel, type "/join#nameofchannel". A new window will open and you will see the list of all people conversing. Read the conversations for a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the subject and the style of the speakers. When you want to intervene, type your text and press Enter. Your comment will then appear on the screen. 

To change channels, write " /part#nameofchannel" and press Enter. You can learn more about your speakers by typing the command " /whoisusername" in the command zone of your screen. If this sign "@" is before the user name, it means there is a robot, a mini-program, which will give you answers prepared in advance.  

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