CHAPTER 4
                        LOGGING ON


After properly setting up your modem and terminal, the 
next step is to try logging on.

There are now 4 telephone numbers to use for accessing 
OSFN.  These numbers connect you to the RINet.  The 
Free-Net is one item on the list (osfn.rhilinet.gov).  
Follow the instructions to connect to the Free-Net through 
RInet.

Your software will probably allow you to set up the 
telephone number in a dialing directory and have the modem 
dial the number automatically. Consult the manuals for 
your hardware and software.

The numbers are:

South County: 789-9764
    (NOTE: settings for this number are different
    from the others.  Even parity, 7 bits and 1 stop
    bit for this one.);
East Bay: 683-4550;
Providence: 946-9810;
Northern Rhode Island: 658-3995.

When the OSFN number is dialed the first free line  will 
be selected automatically, and will answer your call.  At 
peak times there may be delay in getting a free line.  The 
only advice right now is, "If at first you don't succeed, 
try, try again".  More lines will be added from time to 
time as we attempt to find the right balance between user 
demands and available funding to pay for lines.  Off-peak 
hours (evenings and weekends) are always recommended if 
your schedule permits this.

If your terminal emulation software supports automatic 
redialing, it is suggested that you use that mode.  If the 
lines are busy, the software will make the modem hang up, 
and dial again, and continue to repeat this cycle until 
there is a connection.

In doing this, be aware that there are at least two 
methods of doing auto-redial in available software 
packages.  Some can detect a true busy signal, and will 
initiate the redial only when the busy signal occurs.  
That is fine.

Other software packages may not detect the busy signal, 
but simply time out if a connection, including modem 
hand-shaking, is not completed within a defined period.  
If your software operates that way, make sure the time-out 
period before redialing is set to 20 seconds or more.

Shortly after the RINet line answers, you should hear a 
high pitched tone in the speaker of the modem.  This is a 
good sign.  After that, you should hear a harsher squawk 
as the two modems begin a "handshaking" process to sort 
out who is doing what, and get synchronized.

Once that is complete, the speaker should go silent, and 
some indication that a connection has been made should 
appear on your screen.  Again, a good sign.


THE NEXT STEP IS TO ENTER "guest" AT THE PROMPT.  THEN 
ENTER "guest" AT THE PASSWORD PROMPT.
AT THE RINET PROMPT TYPE "telnet osfn.rhilinet.gov".

In a moment or two you will see the three choices for 
login type: 1, 2, or 3.

are you:
1.) A registered user
2.) A visitor
3.) Exit now

At that point, SELECT the proper one.  Be sure to use 
lower case for Free-Net ID,   If you make a mistake, don't 
try to delete the error and correct it - it won't be 
accepted.  Simply give a carriage return, and after 
getting a fresh login prompt, try again.

If you selected other than visitor, you will see another 
prompt:

password:

At this point enter your password.  Type carefully, and 
duplicate exactly the sequence of upper/lower case and 
special characters that are in your password.  Since these 
characters are not echoed you will not see them on the 
screen, and will not be sure about errors.

If you fail the password, the login and password prompts 
will appear again.  If you succeed, you should see the 
OSFN  message of the day, then the OSFN main menu.


NOTE:  If you logged on as "visitor", a password is
       not required, and the password prompt will not
       appear.


NOTE:  EVERYONE, WHETHER VISITOR OR REGISTERED USER,
       HAS A MAXIMUM ALLOTMENT OF 60 MINUTES OF LOG
       ON TIME.  FIVE MINUTES BEFORE IT ELAPSES, A
       WARNING WILL APPEAR THAT YOU SHOULD FINISH UP
       AND LOG OFF.


Failure to heed this warning may result in you being shut 
down in the middle of something.  Once off, you are at 
liberty to queue up and try logging in again.

HINT:  To know where you stand on time used up, you
       may enter the "time" command at any time.
       Time used and remaining will be displayed.

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