OVERVIEW: THE INTERNET RESOURCE GUIDE - AND - THE INTERNIC DIRECTORY OF DIRECTORIES 28 April 1993 What is the Internet Resource Guide ---------------------------------- The Internet Resource Guide was published by the NSF Network Service Center (NNSC) as a guide to resources on the Internet. These resources include facilities such as supercomputers, databases, libraries or specialized programs on the Internet which are available to large numbers of users. Each entry in the guide contains a description of the resource, a description of who may use the resource, the type of access supported (email, ftp, telnet), and contact points for further information such as a phone number, email address and name of a contact person where appropriate. Each listing is approximately one page of text. The categories of resources are (1) Computational Resources, (2) Library Catalogs, (3) Archives, (4) White Pages (information about users), (5) Networks, (6) Network Information Centers and (7) Miscellaneous. On April 1, 1993, the Guide was moved to the InterNIC Directory and Database Services provided by AT&T and is in the process of being incorporated into the InterNIC Directory of Directories. What is the InterNIC Directory of Directories -------------------------------------------- The InterNIC Directory of Directories is being built by AT&T as an online directory of resources and services available to the Internet. Two types of entries are supported in the Directory, Standard and Expanded. Standard entries are pointers to the resource or service. They contain a short description, a list of descriptive keywords, additional contact information, and, optionally, access information. Standard entries run about 1/2 page long (or a little longer than 24x80 terminal screen). Expanded entries may be much longer to accommodate comprehensive description and access information. The current resource categories include: Anonymous ftp archive site Computing center (including supercomputing center) Communications document archive (e.g. RFCs, FYIs, STDs, etc.) Database Server Dictionary, encyclopedia Directory General archive Information by subject (provide the subject) Internet introductory material Internet registration service center Library Mailing list, bulletin board, newsgroup Multimedia database Network information center (NICs) Network operation center (NOCs) Network provider Networked information resource server site (e.g. WAIS servers) Networked information resource tool (Information on specific tools like gopher, WWW, etc.) Newsletter (electronic newsletters) Publication (online publication subscription services) Security response center Software repository Standards organization Training program (Internet related seminars, classes, etc.) Transition of the Internet Resource Guide to the Directory of Directories ------------------------------------------------------------------------- During 1993 the Internet Resource Guide will be incorporated into the InterNIC Directory of Directories. The first step was to move the ASCII text chapters into the Directory as they currently appear in the Guide so that these entries are available to users of the Directory. No more new or updated entries will be accepted for the Guide, but if any are submitted, BBN Inc. will send them to the InterNIC Directory and Database Administrator. The Directory and Database Administrator will contact the provider about putting the entry into the new Directory of Directories format. The IRG will remain intact for at least one year. Any questions or concerns may be directed to: The InterNIC Directory and Database Services Administrator AT&T 5000 Hadley Road Room 1B13 South Plainfield, NJ 07080 Email: admin@ds.internic.net Phone: 1-800-862-0677 or 1-(908) 668-6587 --> WANTED: New Entries for The Directory of Directories <-- ---------------------------------------------------- AT&T is eager to add descriptions of additional resources to the Directory. If you are part of an organization that maintains a facility or service that should be included in the Directory, please send a message to: request@ds.internic.net and we will send a template for you to use to submit your information. We will edit the submission and check it with you before we include it in the Directory. If you know anyone who might want to make a contribution, please pass on this message or send us a note giving us the name of a contact person. The request form for placing an entry in the Directory of Directories may also be obtained from host ds.internic.net via anonymous ftp. Issue the following commands: cd pub/InterNIC-info get dirofdir-request.template Or send mail to mailserv@ds.internic.net and include the following command in the body of the message: file /ftp/pub/InterNIC-info/dirofdir-request.template This form contains a description of the format, the terms and conditions which apply and a template for providing the information. A completed form may be returned to: Email: request@ds.internic.net FAX: (908) 668-3763 Mail: The InterNIC Directory and Database Services Administrator AT&T 5000 Hadley Road Room 1B13 South Plainfield, NJ 07080 We need your help to make the Directory a valuable tool for Internet users. Its effectiveness will depend on the active participation of the community of resource providers. How to Get the Directory of Directories and The Internet Resource Guide ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Accessing the Directory of Directories -------------------------------------- You may use WAIS, anonymous FTP, gopher or electronic mail to access the InterNIC Directory of Directories. All entries are in plain text form. Paper copies of the Directory are not available at this time. Using WAIS ---------- To access the Directory using WAIS, telnet to ds.internic.net and login with userid "wais." No password is required. An online tutorial and a help interface are available to new users of the Directory and Database Services WAIS client. Using anonymous FTP ------------------- FTP to host ds.internic.net. The Directory of Directories is stored in the "resource/" directory as ASCII text files in resource category subdirectories (e.g. NIC, ftpsite, compcenter, archive, etc.). The Internet Resource Guide entries will have the same file names as they had in the Guide directory (e.g. section1-1.txt). Each chapter in the Guide is stored in the following subdirectories: Chapter 1: compcenter Chapter 2: library Chapter 3: archive Chapter 4: directory Chapter 5: provider Chapter 6: nic Chapter M: nirserver Entries in the new Directory of Directories format have file names based on an abbreviation of the name of the resource. Using electronic mail --------------------- Entries in the Directory may also be obtained through electronic mail by sending a message to mailserv@ds.internic.net. To retrieve individual files, include the FILE command in the message body. FILE has the following format: FILE - This command initiates a file transfer by email for each file specified. It requires a fully qualified pathname for each desired file. examples: file /ftp/resources/newsletter/SimpleTimes.b file /ftp/resources/compcenter/section1-1.txt A directory list may be obtained by including the LS (or DIR) command which has the following format: LS/DIR - This command initiates a directory listing for each directory specified. It requires a fully qualified pathname for each desired directory listing. example: ls /ftp/resources A users guide for the Directory and Database Services Mailserver may be obtained by sending email to mailserv@ds.internic.net and including the command HELP in the message body. Accessing the Internet Resource Guide ------------------------------------- The Guide may be accessed using anonymous FTP, WAIS, Gopher or electronic mail in plain-text form and anonymous FTP or electronic mail in PostScript form. Recipients can print the pages locally and insert them into a looseleaf binder which they can update when they receive new material. Paper copies are not available at this time. Using FTP --------- FTP to host ds.internic.net and cd to /resource-guide. The IRG is stored in the same directory structure as it appeared on nnsc.nsf.net. Using WAIS ---------- The IRG may also be scanned using WAIS by telneting to ds.internic.net and logging in with userid "wais". No password is required. When you receive the "search->" prompt, issue the command: database resource-guide to point you to the IRG database. An online tutorial and a help interface are available to new users of the Directory and Database Services WAIS client. Using Electronic Mail --------------------- The files which make up the IRG may also be obtained through electronic mail by sending a message to mailserv@ds.internic.net. To retrieve individual files, include the FILE command in the message body. Some examples are: file /ftp/resource-guide/overview file /ftp/resource-guide/chapter.1/section1-14.ps The LS (or DIR) command may also be used to get a directory listing of the IRG. Use the following command in the message body: ls /ftp/resource-guide A users guide for the Directory and Database Services Mailserver may be obtained by sending email to mailserv@ds.internic.net and including the command HELP in the message body. Using Gopher ------------ Gopher to internic.net, port 70. Choose item#4 on your first menu. Mailing Lists ------------- A mailing list is available to receive announcements about updates to the Directory of Directories: dirofdirs-announce. If you would like your name added to this list, please send a message to: dirofdirs-announce-request@ds.internic.net This mailing list will be used to announce changes in the status of the Internet Resource Guide and updates to the Directory of Directories. There were formerly three mailing lists available for updates to the Internet Resource Guide maintained by the NNSC. 1) irg-txt: updates via email in PostScript format 2) irg-ps: updates via email in plain-text (ASCII) format 3) irg-ftp: announced via email when new entries available via FTP These mailing lists have been taken over by Directory and Database Services and merged into dirofdirs-announce. Requests to be added to any of these lists will be forwarded by the NNSC to Directory and Database Services and will be added to dirofdirs-announce. The InterNIC Directory and Database Services Staff