Even an old 286PC, a MacPlus, or and old DEC terminal will do. Because the pine mail program is stored on CitySource's host computer, few of your computer's resources are needed to use it. Your computer acts like a simple computer terminal ( a vt 100 terminal to be exact).
The CitySource Guide instructions apply to the pine e-mail program no matter which Internet access provider you use. Pine is a standard program available with nearly all "Unix Shell accounts."
Generally in a Unix shell account all you see when you sign on with your user name and password is a prompt symbol, often the "%" symbol. To use the pine e-mail program from your provider's computer, just type "pine" after the prompt symbol.
About Internet electronic mail
When you have an Internet e-mail account and someone sends you mail, that mail is sent to and stored on your provider's computer in an area reserved for you (This area is called your Home directory.).Whether you read your mail directly from your provider's computer, or have it sent (downloaded) to your computer depends on the type of account you have and/or the way you choose to get your mail.
Using e-mail software on your provider's host computer
When you dial up your provider using a terminal (or communications) program on Windows or a Macinstosh, your provider's computer will be doing most of the work. Your computer is just managing the connection and sending commands to the host computer which runs the e-mail program and carries out the commands you send it. This is why no matter what machine you are using, the commands will be the same and you will not need to navigate with the keyboard arrow keys, not your mouse.
You control the e-mail program remotely-- using your keyboard. Using your computer as a "dumb terminal" may seem dated and uncool, and from the standpoint of user interface design it is. But from the standpoint of efficiency, flexibility, and access to the Internet, using a "terminal program"allows you to connect to your account from just about any modem-equipped computer, or network. You can use any Macintosh or PC, including an old 286 PC running DOS or even a 20 year old DEC VT 100 terminal. (The modem "terminal" setting you use, "VT 100 terminal emulation" is named after those early Digital Equipment terminals.)
With this kind of an account you don't even have to own a computer. You don't need to understand anything about that computer you are using or its operating system. All you need to know is how to open the terminal program and dial up your provider's computer. Once connected to your provider's computer, you're back in the familiar, e-mail program you learn once to read and send your mail.
Using point and click e-mail software on a Macintosh or Windows PC
To take full advantage of the graphical capabilities of your Windows or Macintosh computer you must install the e-mail program on your home or work computer. These programs are called "client programs." They have the familiar windows and pull down menus of standard graphical programs, formatted text, color, and the ability to display images and sounds. You can use a mouse to issue commands and to open your mail messages.
The most popular Internet client e-mail program is Eudora. It's available in a free downloadable version and as a commercial version with a manual. To make use of client e-mail programs like Eudora, you'll need a high-speed connection to the Internet, a connection that speaks the language of the Internet, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). These high speed connections are called "SLIP", "PPP", or "pseudo SLIP". All these connections and programs treat your computer as if it were directly connected to the Internet.
You'll also need to install and configure a TCP program and telephone dialer program on your computer. The correct settings for the TCP and dialer programs include the IP (Internet Protocol address of your provider). You'll need to get information and probably help from your Internet provider to connect. These accounts generally cost 1.5 to 2 times the price per month of a simple text-only account. Also you'll need equipment that can handle the heavier data load. Some bargain PCs and older Macs (MacPlus, Classic-I. LC, and LCII) cannot coordinate the flow of data to and from the modem required for these high speed Internet connections.
Getting an e-mail account on CitySource
You must be registered as a CitySource Resident to get a CitySource e-mail account. (CitySource e-mail addresses and e-mail forwarding are available to Members and residents.) To access your e-mail account directly from CitySource Center, you must enter via telnet, the web, or direct dial-up via a terminal program using VT100 emulation.
Free resident e-mail accounts are limited to 500K of storage space. Any messages older than 30 days will be deleted. These limits are subject to change at any time.
A good rule of thumb is to never send e-mail that might harm or embarrass you or others if it inadvertently becomes public.
You should not send unsolicited advertising to someone's e-mail account. It is not considered proper "netiquette."