GINA

[Mel Roseman <mrosema@EIS.CALSTATE.EDU>]

Here is the latest official word about GINA from Keith Vogt, Director of
the California Technology Project:
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GINA TM

GINA TM (Graphical Interface for Network Access) is a software package
designed to ease educators and others into the world of networked
electronic information services by lowering the technical and economic
hurdles
associated with network access.

GINA offers access to the international electronic highway called the
Internet. Services accessible through GINA include: electronic mail,
conferencing, bulletin boards, databases, library catalogs, and other
information resources.

Unlike other freeware/shareware products for Internet connectivity, GINA
provides a common, high-quality interface across all these functions.
Each function uses similar menus, toolbar, and other interface
components, thus making it very simple for a individuals to learn how to
use all the supported functions.

As well as improving the interface to the network, GINA raises the
lowest common denominator for networked information transmission from
ASCII files to fully formatted documents that may contain graphics,
JPEG-compressed images, and fully-formatted text in multiple fonts. This
is
accomplished by the inclusion of an AdobeTM AcrobatTM Reader with every
copy of GINA. This software package permits transmission of complex
documents between software packages, and across operating system and
hardware platforms.

Given the present lack of direct Internet connections in the K-12
educational environment, GINA is optimized for dial-up use through SLIP.
The SLIP software is an integral component of the package, rather than
being an add-on as it is for other current Internet tools. The package
can also utilize direct connections to the Internet through such common
Local Area Network systems as Ethernet and LocalTalk, where those are
available.

GINA is available in both MS-Windows and Macintosh versions: delivered
in a supported, "shrink-wrapped" format, complete with all required
drivers and associated software. The simple installation tools minimize
the problems
associated with establishing network connectivity.

GINA consists of four main modules, presented as a single application,
plus the Adobe Acrobat Reader:

* Authentication
* Electronic mail
* Conferencing
* Information

Features:

Multi-user design: The software is designed to permit sharing of a
single Macintosh or PC by a number of users, for example in a lab
environment. Each user is authenticated by means of a username and
password, whether or not the system is currently connected to the
network. Each user's preferences,
mail messages, and personal folders are stored separately, and used only
when the user has been authenticated.

Off-line use: Since the software is designed to be used over dial-up
connections, the electronic mail component can be used off-line to
minimize connect-time, and thus telephone costs. Messages can be
downloaded, and then read after the connection has ended. Replies and
new messages can be
composed off-line, and then mailed once a connection is made.

Address book: The mail address book represents Internet addresses as
real names: (e.g. jones@sonoma.edu is shown as Frank Jones ). Addresses
from incoming mail are automatically added to the address book.

Dial-up use: Whenever possible, slow operations, such as downloading of
long items, take place in the background, thus leaving the machine free
for other uses while they take place, and minimizing the impact of slow-
speed communications links.

Newsflash: The software has a feature that allows server administrators
to display a message of any length at login-time.

License renewals: If notified by the server that a user's license is
about to expire, the software will prompt the user for a credit card
number, to permit on-line license renewal.

Hardware/system requirements:

Macintosh:

* System: 7.0 or later
* RAM: 4 MB minimum
* Hard disk: at least 2 MB free space
* 9600 BPS V.32 or better modem or
* Ethernet/LocalTalk IP connection
* Mouse

IBM compatible

* Microsoft Windows 3.0 or later
* 386 or 486 processor
* RAM: 4 MB minimum
* Hard disk: at least 2 MB free space
* 9600 BPS V.32 or better modem or
* Ethernet/LocalTalk IP connection
* Mouse


Technical specifications

GINA supports the following protocols:

* POP3 (for receiving mail)
* SMTP(for sending mail)
* NNTP (for NetNews)
* Gopher (for information access)
* Telnet (for remote logins)
* CSO/PH (for phone directories)

All these protocols follow Internet standards, thus ensuring full
compatibility between GINA and existing information resources.

Servers

While the California Technology Project offers full network dial-up and
central services in conjunction with purchases of GINA within
California. It is also possible for sites to set up their own servers.
These servers are based on a Unix platform, running standard TCP/IP
software.

In addition to standard server software for the protocols listed above,
GINA requires the presence of a specialized authentication server that
handles such functions as user authorization, newsflash dissemination,
license renewal etc. This server program will run on any standard Unix
system, and is available at no cost from CTP.

A software-only version of the authentication server is available for
Sun computers, or a complete 486-based software and hardware package
will be available for purchase in Spring 1994 from CTP.

Licensing/Availability

GINA is being marketed in California at an educational cost of $40
annually, ($15 for GINA, $25 for CORE) plus $8.10 to cover tax,
shipping, and handling. This price includes dial-up connectivity, a
server account, and full support for California users.

For customers outside California, and for quantity purchases, GINA is
available on a software-only basis by arrangement. Since GINA is
client/server software, those users outside of California must have
access to a GINA server, or wish to establish one.


Acknowledgments

GINA was developed by Microsoft Consulting Services. It incorporates
code and protocols developed at the University of Minnesota.  Additional
components were provided by Apple Computer Inc., Peter Speck, NCSA, QPC
software, and Hyde Park Software.

Ordering information

For more information or to place an order, please write: The California
Technology Project, P.O. Box 3842, Seal Beach, CA 90740-7842.