On Mon, 6 Nov 2000 Christof Lange wrote:
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Christof Lange <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Monday, November 06, 2000 7:38 PM
> Subject: Re: Re-grading Arachne
>t: Re: Re-grading Arachne
> Yes, Tom, you are basically right. But the selfextracting archive and
> wizards are designed for newbies. If they come from WINDOWS they are
> accustomed to this kind of install. I think the main intention is to
> get these mostly just curious people with Arachne as fast as possible
> online. For customization the Wizards and the Options page are much
> less convenient.
> It would be necessary to hear what ordinary people (not from the
> list) say. I mean, people who install Arachne for the first time and
> do not know anything about configurating modem, loading packet
> driver etc. I remember that I was really impressed then seeing how
> smooth Arachne installed (Version 1.48). After quite a number of
> attempts with nettamer, smtpop and others, it was the only
> application which entirely worked at the first try.
I don't know whether I qualify as "ordinary" (I don't know *that* much!)
but here are some thoughts including the ease/difficulty of install
operations.
The main problem I encountered was having to know DNS identities. I had
accounts with 7 ISP's and tried them all. Miniterm seemed to get further
(prompted for and accepted Username and Password) with some ISP's with
unknown DNS, which was confusing. After some help (thanks T.F.) I
managed to connect. In the UK most ISP's charge for calls. Only two of my
ISP's are unmetered and I have been unable to find their DNS addresses.
Hence DNS is still one of the worst problems imaginable (costs me
money!)
For comparison NetTamer doesn't need DNS addresses and installed OK for
me on the first attemt
When assistance was needed it was not helpfull that this list did not
appear to allow subscriptions eminating from sources other than Arachne?
It would be better if the install wizard automatically detected an upgrade
situation or at least asked the question. MSIE, which I know you all
admire? attempts this and it worked well for me.
I hope the above isn't too negative but you did ask. Nevertheless IMVHO
Arachne is good even if you do need a "leg up" (or 8)
John
-- This mail was written by user of Arachne, the Ultimate Internet Client
-- Arachne V1.66, NON-COMMERCIAL copy, http://arachne.cz/
