Four Ways to Get MITnet Applications for Macs and PCs Aafia Siddiqui

There's a lot of free network-related software for Macintoshes 
and PCs that you can download via MITnet. This software is stored on MIT's 
network software distribution site, net-dist. The net-dist server is well worth 
exploring, especially if:

* You just got an MITnet connection and want to find out what applications MIT 
has to offer. 

* You want to upgrade to a newer version of your computer's network software.
 
* You want to download an email application, World Wide Web browser, or 
newsreader program.
 
Available Applications
Net-dist houses a range of applications for both platforms. In the Web directory 
(folder), you'll find various Web browsers, helper applications, and publishing 
applications. The Eudora email program and TechInfo, MIT's public information 
system, are on net-dist. Assorted newsreaders and FTP/Telnet clients are also 
online. 

Macintosh users may want to check out MacDiscuss, MacOLX, MacPPP, and 
MacZephyr. For DOS, Windows, and OS/2 users, there's a complete set of 
distribution disks of LAN WorkPlace. 

Net-dist also offers applications that haven't been officially released 
in its alpha-beta directory, as well as utilities for use with network 
applications. Last but not least, you can find anti-virus applications on 
net-dist. 

Most of these applications come with readme files, installation instructions, 
and help files. If you aren't sure what an application does, check its readme 
file.

How to Download Applications
You can connect to net-dist in several ways. Options include anonymous ftp, the 
World Wide Web, TechInfo, and AppleShare (Macintosh only). Once connected, you 
can download files to your machine in a matter of minutes. 
    
* Anonymous FTP. Using any File Transfer Protocol (FTP) program, you can connect 
to net-dist and download applications. For Macintosh users, IS recommends Fetch; 
for PCs running LAN Workplace, Rapid Filer is the recommended FTP program. Both 
programs are part of the network installation software distributed by IS. 

To download software using this method, start your ftp client. In the host name 
field, enter net-dist.mit.edu. In the user name field, enter anonymous and in 
the password field, enter your email address. Go to the directory /pub/mac or 
/pub/dos to see a list of applications for your platform.

Select the file you want, and use the get or copy command to transfer it to your 
computer.

* World Wide Web. You can get MITnet applications using Netscape Navigator (the 
recommended Web browser for Macintoshes and PCs) or any other browser. To 
connect to the net-dist server, open the URL
  
ftp://net-dist.mit.edu/pub/

Click on mac or dos to move to the appropriate directory. Once in, click on 
files you wish to download. 
   
* TechInfo. TechInfo also provides a convenient way to download MITnet 
applications. From the TechInfo main menu, choose Computing, then Network 
Software Distribution (net-dist), and finally mac or dos, depending on your 
platform. Double-click on the desired file to download it to your machine. 
   
* AppleShare (Macintoshes only). Open the Chooser and select the AppleShare icon 
and then the IS-DCNS AppleTalk zone. In the list of fileservers, double-click on 
net-dist. In the dialog box that appears, click on the Guest button and click 
OK. Then in the net-dist dialog box, make sure net-dist is selected and click OK 
again. When the net-dist icon appears on your desktop, you can open it and copy 
(drag and drop) applications to your computer. Note that the AppleShare version 
of net-dist contains MITnet applications for Macintosh computers only. 
   
Need Help?
If you have questions about downloading files from net-dist, or about using the 
applications you find there, contact the Computing Help Desk at 
<net-help@mit.edu> or call x3-4101.