I used telnet to connect to my email account (a vax account) from my
mom's computer and Netscape software.  To get to my email from anyplace
other than my workplace, I had to dial into the work computer system on
my home computer.  I was directly connected to my work computer and was
basically just a dumb terminal instead of a home personal computer.  But
at my mom's house or anywhere where I could get on Netscape or some
other World Wide Web browser, I can't dial into my work computer
directly, but I can use the Telnet to access my work computer.
Similarly, I could access my school vax email vax account in Texas from
my mom's computer in Pennsylvania.

I hope this helps.  My guess is that you probably do not need to use the
Telnet.  I don't think that most people do need to use it anymore with
email addresses being web based rather than vax or some other non-world
wide web based accounts.



>Hi Museum-L-ers and ISEN-ASTC-ers
>I've been going through a tutorial on internet (Patrick Crispen's
Internet
>Roadmap) and I'm up to Lesson 12, TelNet.  Our MIS folks tell me that
portal
>has been closed because it can be used by nasty people to mess up our
>network. But if I think I need it there are ways to provide access
safely.
>
>Of course I can't answer his question (What do you think you need or
what
>will you be using it for?) because I don't know anything about it. -
that's
>why I was going through the tutorial.  I also know the tutorial is old
by
>computer standards (1994 I think).
>
>Can anybody give me a quick lesson on what one uses TelNet for?  I know
it
>has something to do with being able to access other computers, but
that's
>about it.
>
>Thanks
> Linda Wilson
>     Visitor Studies and Evaluation
>     Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL 60605
>     PH (312) 692 3261
>    FAX (312) 939 8677
>     [log in to unmask]

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