(begin quote)
Hello:
Does anyone know if it is possible to use any DOS internet
applications with a psuedo-ISP such as AOL?
I have been told that it is not possible. Can anyone verify
this for certain?
I have also heard that earthlink and mindspring were once real
ISPs, but they have now downgraded themselves to becoming
psuedo-ISPs, and they will no longer work with DOS internet
applications. Does anyone know about this?
Another question: I know that compu-serve can be set up to work
with Arachne. Does compu-serve work just like any other real ISP
except for having to set up your number of stop bits and parity
bits differently?
Sam Heywood
(end of quote)
AOL uses a proprietary protocol for access to the Internet and to AOL proper.
Proprietary protocol is available for Win32 and Mac. I remember hearing about a
beta Java version but haven't heard any more recently. I don't think even the
regular Win32 Internet software would work with AOL. I think Prodigy and
Compuserve 2000 are like AOL in this regard, believe there are other Compuserve
modes (Classic and bring-your-own-Internet-access). AOL, Compuserve and Prodigy
are traditionally non-Internet online services.
Earthlink took over Mindspring as far as I know. But Earthlink and Mindspring
were ISPs, didn't have their own online service as far as I know.
Now where does MSN fit in? I think it's an online service comparable to AOL,
Prodigy and Compuserve, noticed in 1999 (or 2000?) it was open to Windows 95 and
98, with NT conspicuous by its absence. How is that for intra-MS compatibility?
