From: zik@zikzak.apana.org.au (Michael Saleeba)
Newsgroups: aus.general,aus.aarnet,apana.general,alt.internet.access.wanted
Subject: INFO: Australian Public Network Access
Date: 10 Jan 1993 21:46:18 +1100
Organization: Zikzak public access UNIX, Melbourne Australia
Distribution: aus
NNTP-Posting-Host: zikzak.apana.org.au
Summary: A listing of sites and organisations providing usenet/internet access in Australia
Keywords: internet,usenet,access,public

                   Australian Public Network Access
                   --------------------------------

Release version 1.0 - 92/01/10
Compiled by Michael Saleeba - zik@zikzak.apana.org.au

This is my compilation of information on public networking in
Australia. It contains information on the various organisations
providing network access, how to get an account with network access,
and how to attach your own machine to the network.

It will probably never be quite complete but I'm trying to keep it as
accurate and up-to-date as possible. If you have any information which
is not included here, or if you have corrections or constructive
comments to make, please mail me. I am (by the way) planning to
reformat this listing in a more organised fashion for the next
release.

************************************************************************

Q: Who can I go to for Usenet news and electronic mail?

A: There is a small but rapidly-increasing group of organisations
offering network access to the public. This includes -

 . APANA
 . AUUG
 . Brisnet
 . connect.com.au
 . Message Handling Systems
 . PAX
 . RUNX
 . Pegasus
 . Pro-Net

(Paragraphs in quotes come from the organisations themselves, unquoted
paragraphs are my own guesses)

------------------------------ Apana ---------------------------------

The Australian Public Access Networking Association (APANA) is a
non-profit organisation aimed at bringing the global network to its
members.

APANA is an Australia-wide network with around fifty machines
connected to it. Of these, nine supply accounts for public access. A
small group of machines uses permanent links, providing fast mail to
the Internet and allowing ftp, telnet, talk and IRC within this
sub-network. Other machines are connected via slower UUCP links.

------------------------------ AUUG -----------------------------------

"The Canberra Chapter of AUUG Inc. (UNIX and Open Systems Users in
Australia - see group aus.auug) runs a bulletin board service for
members. The services is based around a 386 SCO UNIX machine and
provides logins to UNIX for e-mail and news connectivity and for
general UNIX shell access.  We also provide UUCP feeds for news and
mail.  We have several public domain packages which allow feeding of
UNIX mail and news to MSDOS based machines via the UUCP protocols.
News and mail user agents for MSDOS and Windows are also available.
The service is available free to all AUUG Canberra chapter members.
AUUG membership is around $80 per year for an individual and includes
journals and access to other national and local chapter services.
Arrangements for non-members should be made through the Canberra
chapter committee, see contacts below."

----------------------------- Brisnet ---------------------------------

Brisnet is another non-profit networking organisation. They operate in
the Brisbane area only. They are loosely affiliated with APANA and
replace APANA's function in Brisbane.

"BrisNet is a non-profit association which aims to provide cheap(ish)
access to electronic mail and USENET news in the Brisbane and
South-East Queensland area.  We provide a dial-in USENET environment,
and UUCP feeds.  Locally developed software is available to help
improve access."

--------------------------- connect.com.au ---------------------------

"connect.com.au pty ltd will provide dial-in, or leased-line access to
AARNet and the Internet for commercial organisations and individuals.
connect.com.au pty ltd will initially establish network hubs in
Melbourne and Sydney, with high speed ISDN links connecting the hubs,
and forming the gateway to AARNet. Customers will be offered a range
of connectivity options extending from simple dial-up modems through
to permanent high-speed lines. Services offered will include
electronic mail, network news, archive service and file transfers, as
well as directory services, fax gateways and access to on-line
information servers."

I'm unsure as to whether connect.com.au has login accounts available
to the general public or whether they aim at providing feeds only.

---------------------- Message Handling Systems ----------------------

Message Handling Systems is one of the original network providers in
Australia. They have taken over maintainence of the ACSnet software
which was the fundamental basis for Australian networking until AARNet
came along, and now market the decendant of this software as MHSnet.
They also provide the backbone sites for the MHSnet network. Other
protocols are also supported. I'm unsure as to whether they offer
login accounts to the public.

-------------------------------- PAX ---------------------------------

PAX is a commercial public access system. They offer both dialin
accounts and network feeds. One of the more interesting features is a
large multi-platter CD-ROM archive area. Currently they have only one
machine which is located in Adelaide.

------------------------------ Pegasus -------------------------------

Pegasus is a "subscriber supported" setup. Pegasus sell public access
to their own networks, as well as gateway access to the Internet. The
access is based around phone calls to a (066) number, which can be
dialled anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call. I am
awaiting further information.

------------------------------ Pro-Net -------------------------------

Pro-Net are a commercial setup with a slightly unusual approach. They,
like Pegasus, are using a toll-free dialin number to allow calls from
anywhere in Australia to be charged at the local rate. They have an
interesting menu interface to their system and claim to have
extensive, up-to-date archives. An on-line chat system with conference
areas is also provided, as well as storage for databases. In general
they seem to be aiming at providing additional application software
services on top of the more fundamental networking services.

Charges are 32 cents per minute, or 25 cents per minute off-peak, plus
an $8 per month fee.

************************************************************************

Q: What's AARNet? 
A: It's the Australian Academic and Research Network. It's currently
the major Australian Internet-connected computer network, and all the
other organisations mentioned in this FAQ get their network
connections from it. You must be an academic or research organisation
to be a direct part of AARNet. It does not provide public access or
commercial networking services except through the other organisations
mentioned here.

************************************************************************

Q: Why do these public networking people do it?
A: Some people seem to be in it for the money - or so they say. Others
make no bones about the fact that they just do it for the fun. My
personal opinion is that we're all a bunch of net-addicted wierdos who
can't resist the temptation of infecting as many people as possible
with the same disease, even if it costs us our personal fortunes...

************************************************************************

Q: What public access machines are in my area?
A:
================================= ACT ==================================
Name:           canb.auug.org.au
Organisation:   AUUG
Location:       Canberra
Dialins:        (2 V32/MNP5 lines - phone numbers available on request)
Hours:          no restrictions
Charges:        no fees
Subscription:   Available free to AUUG Canberra members
Machine:        386 running SCO UNIX
Other services: UUCP (public domain DOS based UUCP, News and Mail available)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Site Name:      sserve.cc.adfa.oz.au
Contact:        Geoff Collin <gco@cc.adfa.oz.au>
Location:       Canberra
Dialin:         (06) 247-2044 
Hours:          any
Charges:        $50 p.a.
Subscription:   
Machine:        
Other services: Offering UUCP connections only

============================ New South Wales ===========================
Name:           gort.vaduno.oz.au
Organisation:   ?
Location:       Sydney
Dialins:        (02) 897-2160 (2 x V32bis/V24bis Lines)
Hours:          no restrictions
Charges:        no fees for now
Subscription:   login as "guest" password "gortguest"
Machine:        386 running SCO-ODT
Other services: Delayed access to AARNet + netnews + mail + uucp + more...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Site Name:      kralizec.zeta.org.au
Contact:        Nick Andrew <nick@kralizec.zeta.org.au>
Location:       Sydney
Dialin:         (02) 837-1183 (up to 14400 bps)
                (02) 837-1868 (2400 only)
Hours:          any
Charges:        $10/month or $1/hr which ever is greater ($60 min)
Subscription:   login as "guest"
Machine:        workstation running SunOS 4.0
Other services: 794 Mb of spinning storage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
hostname:                          kumear.apana.org.au
organisation:                      APANA
city, state:                       Lake Macquarie, NSW
main phone number:                 (049) 48-5408
number of lines:                   1
modem standards supported:         V32 + below; V42, V42bis, MNP5
annual contribution ($):           $15
avg time to AARNet:                18 Hours
Machine, operating system:         Amiga 2000, AmigaDOS 2.05
User front-end software:           DLGPro BBS
Comments:                          kumear is run from The DUNGEON BBS. Also
                                   has extensive FidoNET echo's available.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Site Name:      pos.apana.org.au
Contact:        Mark Purcell <Mark.Purcell@pos.apana.org.au>
Location:       Sydney
Dialin:         02 283 5598 (1200/2400)
Hours:          0800-1900
Charges:        no fees
Subscription:   login as "new"
Machine:        386DX running Waffle 1.65
Other services: offering UUCP and SLIP/PPP (soon) feeds
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Site Name:      runxtsa.runx.oz.au
Organisation:   RUNX
Location:       Sydney
Dialin:         (02) 487-2533 
                (02) 487-3677 
Hours:          any
Charges:        $50/ six months + $30 AARNet usage fee
Subscription:   
Machine:        
Other services: System is closing Jun93
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Site Name:      sleeper.apana.org.au
Contact:        Matthew Geier <matthew@sleeper.apana.org.au>
Location:       Sydney
Dialin:         02 718 6996 ( Ringback ) 
Hours:          
Charges:        
Subscription:   login as "guest" with password "guest"
Machine:        
Other services: Desolation Road Railfan BBS and Dialup Unix
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Site Name:      asstdc.oz.au
Contact:        Michael Butler <imb@asstdc.oz.au>
Location:       Sydney
Dialin:         (02) 314-6932 
Hours:          any 
Charges:        contribution $25-$75
Subscription:   login first time
Machine:        
Other services: Carries FIDO as well as USENET groups
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name:           tmx.mhs.oz.au
Organisation:   Message Handling Systems
Location:       Sydney
Dialins:        519-2044 (3 x V22/V22bis/V32 modems)
                519-2723 (2 x V22/V22bis/V32/PEP modems)
Hours:          No restrictions
Charges:        $8 per connect hour (min 1 hour/month)
                or
                $4 per connect hour for a prepayment of $1,200 p.a
                        Connection software fees apply
Subscription:   Contact Elaine Pensabene
Machine:        ?
Other services: MHSnet, UUCP, DOS* and MAC*
                (*DOS and MAC connection software being beta tested)

=========================== South Australia ============================
hostname:                       cswamp.apana.org.au
organisation:                   APANA
city, state:                    Adelaide, SA
main phone number:              (08) 370 2365
number of lines:                1
modem standards supported:      V.32bis and below; MNP 4
annual contribution ($):        none
avg time to AARNet:             24 hours
Machine, operating system:      80386/16, 2MB RAM, 105MB disk; MS-DOS 4.01
User front-end software:        Maximus 2.01wb bbs
Comments:                       Whatever echoes/newsgroups and files I am      
				interested in and have space for,
                                this machine is not often free. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
hostname:                       cumquat.apana.org.au
organisation:                   APANA
city, state:                    Adelaide, South Australia
main phone number:              (08) 287 1938  (V.32bis/MNP)
number of lines:                1
modem standards supported:      V.32 + below; MNP5, MNP4
annual contribution ($):        voluntary
avg time to AARNet:             24 hours
Hours:                          no restrictions
Subscription:                   log in as "new" or "visitor"
machine, operating system:      i386/25, 2MB RAM, 105MB disk; MS-DOS 5.00
User front-end software:        Waffle 1.65 / InterMail 2.10
Comments:                       USEnet and AARnet news site,
                                InterNet mail site.  NO FILES available.
                                The system operator is slightly weird, and
                                encourages slightly weird users :).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
hostname:			hal9000.apana.org.au
organisation:                   APANA
city, state:			Adelaide, South Australis.
main phone number:		(08) 371 2343
number of lines:		1
modem standards supported:	V.32 + below; MNP4
annual contribution ($):	none (at the moment)
avg time to AARNet:		12 hours
Machine, operating system:	amiga 2000, 5MB RAM, 52MB disk; WB2.04
User front-end software:	Dillon's UUCP 1.16D
Comments:			Regestered APANA sites always welcome.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name:           pax.tpa.com.au
Organisation:   PAX
Location:       Adelaide
Dialins:        (08) 235-9010 (4 lines up to V32bis with MNP5/V42bis)
Hours:          no restrictions
Charges:        $10/per month; $10 initial fee; billed to credit card.
Subscription:   log in as "new" or "guest" - immediate registration
Machine:        Sparcstation 1 running SunOS 4.1.2
Features:	Mail is fast via SMTP rather than UUCP.
                Large archives on multi-platter CDROMs.
Limitations:	Ftp and telnet etc. are NOT available.
Other services: UUCP,SL/IP,PPP & news feeds by special arrangement (to anyone)

============================== Queensland ==============================
Name:           ozspace.brisnet.org.au
Organisation:   Brisnet
Location:       Brisbane
Dialins:        All speeds, ring for details
Hours:          No restrictions
Charges:        From $60 p.a. for dial-in, $150 p.a. for UUCP
Subscription:   Contact BrisNet committee
Machine:        386 PC compatible; Waffle
Other services: UUCP feeds
Comments:       Charges reflect start-up costs and membership fees and will
                likely drop in future years as the number of people increases.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name:           tmxbris.mhs.oz.au
Organisation:   Message Handling Systems
Location:       Brisbane
Dialins:        (07) 870-0250 (2 x V22/V22bis/V32 modems)
Hours:          No restrictions
Charges:        $8 per connect hour (min 1 hour/month)
                or
                $4 per connect hour for a prepayment of $1,200 p.a
                        Connection software fees apply
Subscription:   Contact Elaine Pensabene
Machine:        ?
Other services: MHSnet, UUCP, DOS* and MAC*
                (*DOS and MAC connection software being beta tested)

=============================== Victoria ===============================
hostname:                              cloud.apana.org.au
organisation:                          APANA
city, state:                           Melbourne, Vic
main phone number:                     (03) 803 1326 (2230-0630)
number of lines:                       1
modem standards supported:             V22, V22bis
annual contribution ($):               none
avg time to AARNet:                    18 hours
Machine, operating system:             IBM AT Clone, MS-DOS
User front-end software:               RemoteAccess/Maximus
Comments:                              note the hours.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
hostname:                  guru.apana.org.au
organisation:              APANA
city, state:               Melbourne, Victoria
main phone number:         (03) 326 0440
number of lines:           2
modem standards supported: V.32 + below; MNP1-5, V.42, V.42bis
annual contribution ($):   $10 (once-only)
avg time to AARNet:        12 hrs
Machine, operating system: Amiga 2000, AmigaDOS 2.04, 350Mb HD, CDROM
User front-end software:   DLG Pro BBS/OS
Comments:                  Amiga Only BBS.  All amiga Fido & Usenet
                           message areas plus others of interest to
                           enthusiasts.  550Mb files online including
                           all Fred Fish disks (1-600 on CDROM).
                           Online games & multi-user chat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
hostname:                       insane.apana.org.au
organisation:                   APANA
city, state:                    Melbourne, Vic
main phone number:              (03) 802-1195
number of lines:                2
modem standards supported:      V.32bis and below; V42, V42bis, MNP
annual contribution ($):        none
avg time to AARNet:             12 Hours
Machine, operating system:      80386/33, 4MB RAM, 180MB disk; MS-DOS 5.00
User front-end software:        RemoteAccess BBS 1.11+
Comments:                       Only Macintosh Supported.  Good Range of
                                newsgroups, as well as a Memeber of this       
                                FidoNet.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Organisation:   Message Handling Systems
Name:           tmxmelb.mhs.oz.au
Location:       Melbourne
Dialins:        (03) 347-6277 (2 x V22/V22bis/V32 modems)
Hours:          No restrictions
Charges:        $8 per connect hour (min 1 hour/month)
                or
                $4 per connect hour for a prepayment of $1,200 p.a
                Connection software fees apply
Subscription:   Contact Elaine Pensabene
Machine:        ?
Other services: MHSnet, UUCP, DOS* and MAC*
                      (*DOS and MAC connection software being beta tested)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
hostname:			werple.apana.org.au
organisation:                   APANA
city, state:			Melbourne, Victoria
main phone number:		(03) 888 1726
number of lines:		2
modem standards supported:	V.32bis + below; V.42, V.42bis, MNP5
annual contribution ($):	$48
avg time to AARNet:		1 min
Machine; operating system:	i486/33; 386BSD
User front-end software:	standard unix shells (e.g. tcsh, bash)
Comments:			full >30MB/day news feed
				full access to standard unix facilities
				APANA IP network access
------------------------------------------------------------------------
hostname:                     zikzak.apana.org.au
organisation:                 APANA
city, state:                  Melbourne, Victoria
main phone number:            (03) 562-8813
number of lines:              4
modem standards supported:    V.32bis + below; V.42bis
annual contribution ($):      none
avg time to AARNet:           1 min
Machine, operating system:    Amiga 3000; Amiga UNIX 2.1 (SVR4)
User front-end software:      UNIX tools, nn, elm
Comments:                     Full news feed, APANA ip network access


************************************************************************
Q: How can I connect my own machine to the global network?

All the organisations provide network feeds. The amateur networks are
generally willing to provide feeds for free, but require that you be a
financial member of their organisation so that your portion of the
AARNet fees are paid for. The commercial organisations offer greater
reliability but tend to charge more. Generally they charge by connect
time or bandwidth used, plus some sort of yearly fee.

You'll have to decide if you want to work on a dialup basis or if you
need a permanent connection. Dialup connections are usually handled
using the UUCP protocol or possibly ACSnet/MHSnet software. All you
need is a modem and someone will to feed you. Permanent connections
require a phone line and modem at each end at the very least, so they
really start at around $1500 equipment cost alone. In terms of
bandwidth these systems go to around 30kbaud. You will need a
permanent connection if you want a full news feed.  The next step is
ISDN at 64kbaud and several thousand dollars, and from there is the
dreamland of Megalink and other such wonders...

Contacts:

APANA:                          info@apana.org.au
    Adelaide
        Mark Newton             m.newton@apana.org.au
                                08 322 4071 (H)
    Brisbane
        Rhys Weatherley         rhys@cs.uq.oz.au
                                07 279 2338 (H), 07 365 1657 (W)
    Canberra
        Jeff Coleman            j.coleman@apana.org.au
    Geelong
        Mark Gregson            m.gregson@apana.org.au
    Melbourne
        Nick Langmaid           n.langmaid@apana.org.au
                                03 336 3228 (H), 03 204 7399 (W)
AUUG:
    Canberra
        John Barlow             john.barlow@anu.edu.au
                                (06) 249 2930 (W)
        Peter Wishart           pjw@canb.auug.org.au
                                (06) 261 2894 (W) (06) 247 2996 (H)
Brisnet:
    Brisbane
        Rhys Weatherley         rhys@cs.uq.oz.au
                                07 279 2338 (H), 07 365 1657 (W)
        Mark Looi               m.looi@qut.edu.au
                                07 273 6100 (H)

Message Handling Systems:
    All areas
        Elaine Pensabene        elaine@mhs.oz.au
                                (02) 550-4448

Pegasus:                        support@peg.pegasus.oz.au

Pro-Net:
    All areas
                                (03) 349-2266

RUNX:
    Sydney
        Mark Webster            mark@runxtsa.runx.oz.au
                                (02) 489 4661.


I currently have no official contacts for the other networks.

+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
|         -|-   Zik   -|-           |  "Sometimes I get the feeling   |
|      zik@zikzak.apana.org.au      |   that Schrodinger wasn't       |
|         Michael Saleeba           |   really a cat lover."          |
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+