Date: Fri, 24 Jun 2005 22:43:37 -0400
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>
From: Elspeth Kovar <ekovar at worldnet.att.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Computer problems at work

At 11:22 AM 6/21/2005, Mike B. wrote:
>At 12:06 AM 6/21/05 -0400, Keith F. Lynch wrote:
> >Mike Bartman wrote:
> >
> >> Telnet originated on Unix a long time ago...well before anything
> >> resembling "windows" on a computer screen.
> >
> >Telnet is far older than Unix.
>
>Yeah?  Where did it come from then?
>
>My impression was always that it was created as part of the Berkeley work
>that led to TCP/IP and the whole "sockets" theory of network programming.
>That would have been around 1970 and on what would eventually become BSD
>Unix.

 From http://www.cs.cf.ac.uk/Dave/Internet/node16.html

1972
     -- Computers can connect more freely and easily

         * First public demonstration of ARPANET between 40 machines.

         * Internetworking Working Group (INWG) created to address need for
establishing agreed upon protocols.

           Why is this relevant?

               o Telnet specification
               o Telnet is still a relevant means of inter-machine
connection today.

1974
     -- Packets become mode of transfer

         * Transmission Control Program (TCP) specified. Packet network
Intercommunication -- the basis of Internet Communication.

         * Telnet, a commercial version of ARPANET, opened -- the first
public packet data service.

1976
     -- Networking comes to many

         * Queen Elizabeth sends out an e-mail.

         * UUCP (Unix-to-Unix CoPy) developed at AT&T Bell Labs and
distributed with UNIX.

           Why is this relevant?

               o UNIX was and still is the main operating system used by
universities and research establishments.
               o These machines could now ``talk'' over a network.
               o Networking exposed to many users worldwide.

Unfortunately my contact who was there, who handled the first node for
Columbia University and has kept up with matters since, is off dealing with
SF convention matters so isn't available for elucidation.  But I *think*
this covers the basics.

Elspeth

(Actually, he often isn't useful in this sort of case.  For the most part
if I want to respond to an email on something if it's simple he'll brief me
over the phone and I'll type it up for y'all or folks on another list.  If
I come across something I'm interested in and he has the time he's more
than willing to spend hours on the phone teaching and discussing
history.  Both are a favor, though: for the most part he figures that the
basic history and information has been written already.  More useful to do
the computer work as a consultant and helping friends out which frees up
time to do other things.)

E.