Revised: May 28th, 1998 How To Subscribe at Ripco Ripco Communications Inc. is a registered corporation in the state of Illinois. The original Ripco BBS was established in 1983, and RCI currently provides internet access with local dial-up numbers and direct telnet. Along with the free BBS account, Ripco provides POPMail, Unix shell, SLIP and PPP, web hosting, and true SLIP/PPP, accounts on an untimed basis. Untimed means just that, no set time limits, no 'up to x amount of hours per month' policy. The shell account will open up all the common features that make up the internet as a whole. These include telnet, ftp, irc, gopher, www (via lynx), along with lesser known activities such as MUSHes, MUDs and other games If it's "on the net", we can provide it or access to it. You will also have options to use different programs to suit your tastes. We offer a variety of newsreaders, editors, mailers and other utilites you can mix and match as needed. Subscribers can set up their own 'home pages' on the World Wide Web with no additional fees or hidden costs. The POP-Email account provides only email access, with no web browsing or usenet news features, it is primarily offered as a secondary mailbox for customers who already have a full access account, here or anywhere else, and only need a second private mailbox. The Unix shell account also includes at no additional cost, access to software that emulates a SLIP or PPP type of connection. This allows you run most internet programs including Netscape, Mosaic, Microsoft Explorer and Eudora without the costs of our 'true' PPP accounts. Although not fully compatible with 'server' type programs (such as IPhone and CuSeeMe), the emulator does run most, if not all, 'client' software products, including all web browsers and email clients. The dynamic SLIP/PPP account includes the Unix shell account along with access to SLIP or PPP on the dialup, with faster downloads than with the shell. This account works with all known conferencing and internet gaming programs. The true dedicated SLIP/PPP is the same with the added advantage of assignment of a single fixed (static) IP address and a hostname of your choice, under ripco's domain name, or when can be combined with Domain Name services (DNS), under your own domain. This account is NOT timed either by session or monthly limits, true PPP users are encouraged to stay connected full time, 24x7. The ISDN accounts include all of the true dedicated PPP features as well as the enhanced speed and reliability of a fully digital connection. Web server hosting provides a full-time 'virtual host' web site under your own domain, and can be subscribed with the Commercial account form. The virtual host account includes dynamic PPP access. Combining the above with other standard system features like unlimited time-on (untimed account), dual full bandwidth T1s, 96 analog dial-in numbers (including 80 USR v.everything Couriers) and a simple to use menu system to help get you started, Ripco really offers the best value for the experienced user. _________________________________________________________________ ACCOUNT RATES FOR PREPAID ACCESS ACCOUNT PER MONTH PER QUARTER SIX MONTHS YEAR BBS Account FREE FREE FREE FREE POP-Email $5 $15 $30 $60 Shell $15 $35 $70 $140 Dynamic PPP $20 $50 $100 $200 True SLIP/PPP $50 $150 $250 $500 ISDN PPP 64K $90 $270 ISDN PPP 128K $170 $510 Web Hosting $90 $180 $360 Domain Name $50 _________________________________________________________________ For either the BBS or Unix-shell account you will need access to a standard communications program that supports ANSI screen emulation and the Z-modem file transfer protocol. Some programs that are known to work include: MS-DOS Windows Macintosh Telix 3.22 Terminal Z-Term Procomm HyperAccess White Knight Terminate Procomm Plus ClarisWorks Shell users who wish to use the SLIP/PPP emulator or the True SLIP/PPP accounts will need the proper tcp/ip software for their operating system. We have some materials available on the system for downloading along with configuration instructions. * WE DO NOT MAIL OUT OR SUPPLY SOFTWARE * If you currently are a BBS-level user, all you need to do is send in a check or money order to the address below, please note your login on payment. If you currently are not a registered user you can fill out the form below and mail it in with payment. Normal processing takes about 5-7 days and will be returned via U.S. Mail. We do not accept credit cards. As an option to speed up the process if not currently registered, telnet to shell.ripco.com or dial in on 773-665-0065 and login as info. There is an online registration form available from the menu (option 'R') and fill it out. Then if you send payment in, by the time the mail crosses your account will be in. Since we do not process BBS accounts outside of the Chicago Metro area, you must send the following form in with payment if you are not local to the 219, 224, 312, 630, 708, 773, 815 or 847 area codes. _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------> cut here <--------------------------------- Please check one: [] BBS account [] POP-Email [] Unix shell [] PPP [] Static PPP [] ISDN Full Name: ___________________________________________________________ Street Address: ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ City:___________________ State:____ Zip:__________-________ Daytime Phone: (_____)________________ Evening Phone:(_____)_______________ Date of Birth: _____/_____/_____ Signature_________________________________ [ The above information is kept confidential, signature required for verification of age - you may use 'over 18' above only if you really are ] Choice of preferred login name. This should be lowercase, start with a letter, consist of no more than 8 characters and be alpha or alphanumeric content only. This name will be your e-mail address, for example if you choose 'elf' then your mail address will be 'elf@ripco.com'. Please give at least two choices in case the first is already taken. Choices: 1. _______________ 2. ________________ 3. _______________ The full account name will be given on electronic mail and in other listings of who's logged on, it's usually a longer form of the login name, or your real name. If you leave the "preferred full name" blank, we will use the "Full Name" above. You may use an alias or 'handle'. Preferred full account name? _______________________________________________ * WE DO NOT MAIL OUT OR SUPPLY SOFTWARE * Shell subscribers have a choice of operating shells, if there is a preference. If you do not know the difference or have no preference, the KSH shell will be given as default. Please check one: __ KSH (default) __ TCSH __CSH If you are applying for the free BBS account, please return this form to the address below. If you are applying for the dynamic or dedicated SLIP/PPP account, please specify protocol: [ ] standard SLIP [ ] compressed (vj) SLIP [ ] PPP If you are applying for an ISDN connection, please choose a speed: [ ] 64Kbps [ ] 128Kbs This can be changed later but we need a starting point. If you are subscribing to the shell account, please include payment of $15 for one month or $35 for three months. The Dynamic PPP (33.6Kbps) account is $20 for one month or $50 for three months. The True SLIP/PPP (33.6Kbps) account runs $50 a month or 6 months for $250. Please do not send cash. Currently we only accept checks and money orders (no credit cards). Make checks payable to Ripco Communications Inc. All accounts are fully refundable for two weeks after their start. We reserve the right to cancel or refuse service to anyone for any reason. Refunds after the two week period are handled on a one-on-one basis. Your account will be processed and the login/password will be returned via US Mail in about 5-7 days. Questions? 773-477-6210, 1pm-6pm monday thru friday. Ripco Communications Inc. 3163 N. Clybourn Chicago, IL 60618-6424 Office hours - by appointment only