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Finally, the time has come: You can now access the Internet with your ATARI just as easily as all PC and Mac users. The first commercially available program that enables comfortable surfing comes from ASH and is called PPP-Connect.
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There is one catch though: You need a multitasking operating system like MagiC.
It comes at a convenient time for all users that ASH - perhaps also with an eye on the expected crowds of internet-using ATARI users - has reduced the price of MagiC to just 99 DM. PPP-Connect is only distributed in conjunction with CAB 2.5, the HTML browser, and not as a stand-alone program. For why PPP-Connect is called what it's called, please refer to our article "Getting on the Internet with ATARI," where we describe in detail what access options users have through Telekom, for example.
As already described in the introduction, ATARI users need a multitasking operating system for surfing. For all beginners who are unfamiliar with this term, it should be briefly explained that these operating system extensions replace the original ATARI-TOS and offer the possibility to run multiple programs simultaneously.
This is exactly what's necessary for surfing, as one software must establish a connection to the Internet provider, while the second program (in this case CAB) creates a bridge to PPP-Connect and ensures that the Internet data is converted into screen-compatible pages.
PPP-Connect is just one component of the ASH Internet package and is sold in conjunction with CAB. While the price has increased to now, this is still justified given the performance delivered.
As expected, PPP-Connect has been designed to be both content-rich and visually appealing, making it possible to install and use the software after just a short time.
Before starting, you launch the program Iconf (see image 1), which helps you configure your personal data for Internet access. The program is already preconfigured for access through providers T-Online, Compuserve, EUnet, and MetroNet, so you only need to enter your personal user data such as password, etc. For those who are more familiar with the subject matter, there is the possibility to configure many additional settings. A positive note is that PPP-Connect is fundamentally prepared for additional program extensions for handling news, ftp servers, etc., once the HTML browser CAB becomes available.
Once all required data has been entered, the program can be closed. Now you start the small program Iconnect, which will open the gateway to the (inter)net digital world. One click on the "Connect" button and you'll be connected to your provider using your previously entered personal data. Generally, establishing a connection should happen quickly. Once that's done, you can start the CAB program (if it's not already running in the background) and begin surfing to your heart's content. How to do this with CAB was shown in our detailed test report in the previous issue (7/8 - 1997).
While the current CAB version has experienced some important improvements compared to version 2.0 that we tested, the new Internet software reached us so close to our editorial deadline that a detailed presentation of the new CAB version had to be postponed.
All in all, it's very pleasing that there is now a reliable and high-quality solution for connecting to the Internet. The fact that a new operating system is necessary might be painful for some users, especially since smaller computers will be at a disadvantage due to lack of memory, but unfortunately, the high demands that a modern communication medium places on computers cannot be ignored. It's all the more pleasing in this context that the price for MagiC, the multitasking operating system from ASH, has dropped to around.
Furthermore, it's worth highlighting as positive that thanks to CAB's optimization, the entire Internet package is now only about 400 KB in size, allowing even smaller ATARIs to enjoy the software.
Those who, for whatever reason, are simply not willing to use an operating system extension must continue to wait for the French competing product called WenSuite to appear in an acceptable and marketable version. When this will be the case is still unclear. While the programmers are working on development daily, there are still some major errors in the display of web pages.
One thing shouldn't be forgotten among all the praise: The current software combination only enables "just" surfing on Internet web pages. Writing, receiving, and archiving emails, electronic mail, is unfortunately not yet possible. Hope is given by the fact that PPP-Connect, which is essential for these and other functions, is already designed to be expanded with the aforementioned components.
Finally, it's worth mentioning that the editorial team is pleased that now almost all ATARI users fundamentally have the opportunity to use the wide-ranging offerings of the Internet. Therefore, we would like to mention that we too can be reached with an now extensive information offering.
Our address: