Using Telnet

Telnet is a communication protocol used to issue commands on a remote host. It is built into Windows95, Windows98 and WindowsNT.   All accounts created after 11-20-98 have telnet initially disabled. We will enable telnet on these accounts upon customer request.  You may change the master password of your account via telnet. If you wish to change your password but do not wish to use telnet, please use our Secure Web Form to notify us.

If you use an Apple Macintosh or other non-Windows computer, telnet client software is available at:

        http://www.tucows.com/UnitedStates.html

Pick a server in your region and then click on the operating system that you use. Choose Telnet from the Network Tools and download whichever program appeals to you.

You can call up telnet with Win95, 98 or NT by following these steps:

* Click on the "Start" button
* Click on "Run"
* Type "telnet" in the box
* Click on "OK"
* (The telnet window appears)
* Click on "Connect"
* Click on "Remote System"
* Where it says Host Name, type in "yourdomain.com" or use your IP address
* Click on "OK"
* You will receive a "login:" prompt (type your userID)
* You will be prompted for your password (the characters will not be printed to the screen)
* You should receive a prompt like the following:

     www#:/mnt/web/guide/yourdomainname

* You are now connected via a Unix telnet session and can run any standard Unix command

To view a directory's contents, type: dir

To change directories, type: cd directoryname

To change back to the previous directory, type: cd ..

To delete a file, type: rm filename

To delete a directory and all of its contents, type: rm -rf directoryname
(Unix does not have undelete and the rm command is irreversible)

To create a new directory, type: mkdir newdirectoryname

To edit a file, type: pico filename
(a list of editor commands will be at the bottom of the screen)

To rename a file (or directory), type: mv oldfilename newfilename
To move a file from one directory to another, type: mv old/directory/path/file.name new/dir/path/file.name

To copy a file to another directory, type: cp old/dir/file new/dir/file
To copy a file with a new name (e.g. to backup a file before editing), type: cp file file.old

To change your master password, type:  passwd
Always remember to email us with the new password so that we may update our database or use our Secure Update Form.

To finish telnet, type: exit

( if you will be idle more than 30 minutes, please use the    exit command as open logins increase the CPU load and take  up bandwidth unnecessarily. We appreciate your cooperation  in helping us to provide the best service possible : )

(Unix can be a powerful and versatile operating system but, at first,  it will seem cryptic and complicated. We recommend getting a book  or taking a course on its use.  We like "Unix for Dummies" )