Toronto Free-Net supported technologies

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Supported technologies

TFN services go beyond those of other Internet providers. This page summarizes technical details for users with specialized requirements (and for those who are simply curious). For information in plainer language, please see the list of access level descriptions and the price list.

for email:

TFN-supplied webmail program: IMP (Internet Mail Program).
TFN-supplied text-only full-screen mail program: Alpine (the current descendant of the Pine email program).
POP (Post Office Protocol) + your own mail program.

for WWW:

TFN-supplied text-only web browser: lynx.
PPP dialup (or DSL) + your own web browser.

for Usenet news:

TFN-supplied text-only news reader: Pine.
PPP dialup (or DSL) + your own news reader.

NB: currently, dialup users must make their own arrangements, whether paid or free, to gain access to Usenet. TFN is only able to provide Usenet access for DSL users.

to upload & download personal files and webspace files:

Kermit protocol + your own pre-Internet non-PPP communications software.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) + your own ftp client.

to access to TFN-supplied text-only programs:

TELNET protocol + your own telnet client.
SSH (Secure SHell) protocol + your own ssh client.
BBS-style dialup (non-PPP) + your own pre-Internet communications software.

other Internet services:

People using PPP can, of course, use any Internet protocol. Dialup non-PPP users are currently limited to the functions supplied by TFN's BBS (Bulletin Board System) software: WWW, email, Usenet (assuming you make your own access arrangements), and upload/download.