The PUB services
The PUB
actually consists of both a public and a
private WEB site. A number of different
services are offered to OPCUG members. The
most prominent of these are the software
libraries and conference areas. In the
middle of 1998, list server software was
installed on The PUB and used in support of a
number of lists. One of these is the
electronic distribution of newsletters.
Announcements are also distributed electronically
via the list server.
Software Libraries
The PUB
has a very extensive library of files. The
library is divided up into different areas
corresponding to the SIGs or other areas of
common interest. All files on The PUB are
contributed by OPCUG members, who collect them
from a variety of sources such as the Internet,
shareware Bulletin Boards and shareware CD-ROMs.
After downloading the program from the source or
receiving it on disk, all files are first
examined for possible virus infection before they
are transferred into one of the storage sites. We
use the well known McAfee system of VirusScan and
VShield. Nothing enters our system without being
checked for viruses, even though it might be
claimed the files are not infected.
All
files on The PUB are either "shareware"
or "freeware". Shareware was born
in the early 80's when a computer programmer
surprised the commercial software industry by
distributing his program at no charge. An
attached file told users that they could help out
by sending a few bucks to help defray his
production costs.
A new
industry was on its way. Thousands of
programmers have since joined that early pioneer
in selling their software through an honour
system which has become to be known as
"Shareware". By shareware
programmers making their product available in
this manner, high costs attendant to commercial
programs are avoided.
This
"try before you buy" concept presents a
definite advantage to the user. Here's a chance
to kick tires and be convinced that the program
does the job you want it to do, before
registering it. If you don't like it, you don't
buy it—no money lost. Most fees are under
$50.00.
"Freeware"
is the name for programs made available to the
user at no registration cost. Computer magazines
and educational institutions, plus an occasional
programmer who feels generous, are the sources of
this material.
Why
would you want to get the file from The PUB rather
than going to the source location? There are two
answers for that question. The first is speed of
access. Even though we all travel the
"information superhighway" with its T1,
T3 and OC-12 connections, we are often slowed
down by congestion along the way. With the The PUB
you do not have to contend to the same degree for
resources and you will have a constant connect
speed of 33.6 Kbps.
The
second reason is that you limit your searching
for useful software. The The PUB software library
has a search capability which handles the
mechanics of searching but more importantly, the
reason that the files are on The PUB is that
someone else has tried the software and thought
that others would find it as useful as they
did.
Now for
the legal stuff—Neither the Ottawa P C
Users' Group nor the authors warrant the
suitability of a program for any particular
purpose. We do not assume any liability for
damages of any kind resulting from a program's
use.
Conference Areas
There
are conference areas available on a variety of
topics to allow OPCUG members to communicate with
one another. Access to the message areas is
available from character mode through the dial-up
or Telnet, from a standard Web browser or with
the enhanced Windows client in the Wildcat!
Navigator. A special conference area
allows OPCUG members to exchange emails with
other Internet messaging services.
List Server
The PUB
includes a List Server. Conference areas on PUB
II are also carried through the List Server.
Members can participate in the conference areas
from any standard Internet e-mail client without
having to log onto The PUB.
You
decide what conference areas you want sent to you
via e-mail. You can reply to any message or post
new messages to any conference area from your
e-mail client.
The List
Server also has the ability to send certain text
files to you on demand. For example, you can send
an e-mail to the List Server asking for it to
send you upcoming meeting announcements. Within
minutes, the file will be delivered to your
mailbox.
To find
out more about the List Server, send an e-mail
message to . Leave the subject blank
and in the first line of the body of the message,
enter "get info" (without the
quotes).
Within
minutes, The PUB will deliver a FAQ to your
Internet mailbox.
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