SETTING UP FREEPPP 2.6 TO CONNECT TO PANIX

FreePPP 2.6 is the latest version of the terrific Mac PPP dialer from Rockstar Studios. It features a number of improvements over Version 2.5 (the one that we include in our Mac Pack).

If you're just upgrading to Version 2.6 from a copy of 2.5 that's already set up for Panix, you shouldn't need to change anything. Just make your connection normally.

If you've just installed a fresh copy of FreePPP 2.6, this document will help you set it up for Panix.

STEP 1. Verify Your FreePPP Installation

Look on the right side of your pulldown menu bar, for your FreePPP Menu icon. (It looks like a blue telephone.) Pull down this menu, and go to 'Open FreePPP Setup'.

(If the menu doesn't work, or is all greyed out, go to the "~PPP Menu" Control Panel and make sure 'Active' is checked.)

The "FreePPP Setup" dialog should appear.

STEP 2. FreePPP Setup - The 'General' Tab

The new FreePPP Setup dialog has four index-tab sections: General, Accounts, Locations, and Modems. We'll start with General.

General contains 6 checkboxes. Here are some suggestions:

• "Allow applications to open connection": your choice.
• "Disconnect if idle": leave this box unchecked.
• "Check line": leave this box unchecked.
• "Show alerts": your choice.
• "On connect, open FreePPP Setup": leave this box unchecked.
• "Open application on connect": your choice; usually, you can leave this unchecked.

STEP 3. FreePPP Setup - The 'Accounts' Tab

Now click the 'Accounts' index tab. If the list on the left has a Panix account in it already, just select it and click 'Edit...'. If the list doesn't contain a Panix account, just click 'New...' to create one. Either way, this will pull up an account-editing dialog.

This dialog contains 3 index tabs. The 'Account' tab will be open when the dialog first pops up, so we'll start there:

• 'Account name:' If you clicked 'Edit...', this will already have a name in it. If you clicked 'New...', just enter a descriptive name like "Panix 56K".

• 'Connect:' Set this to "Directly".

• Type your Panix username and password in the fields provided. We recommend not checking the box to "reconnect automatically".

Now click the 'Dialup' tab, and enter the area code and number of your main Panix access number. If this is a local number, you don't need to check 'Dial area code' or 'Dial as long distance'. You can include other numbers as alternates, if you like.

Do not modify anything in the 'Options' tab. If you do, FreePPP may not work properly.

When you're done editing your account, just click 'OK' to get back.

STEP 4. FreePPP Setup - The 'Locations' Tab

Click the 'Locations' index tab. If the list on the left has a location in it already, just select it and click 'Edit...'.
If the list doesn't contain a location, just click 'New...' to create one. Either way, this will pull up a location-editing dialog.

Normally, you won't have to change anything here. If your modem has trouble dialing out, or you have an unusual phone setup, here are some suggestions:

• 'Location name:' If you clicked 'Edit...', this will already have a name in it. If you clicked 'New...', just enter a descriptive name like "Home" or "New York office", etc.

• 'Area code:' Enter the area code of the location you're calling from.

• 'Long distance prefix:' This is usually "1".

• 'When account area code does not match location area code:' Select 'Dial long distance prefix before acount area code'.

• The 'Dial prefix', 'long distance acess code', and 'dial suffix' fields are there for special purposes (like disabling call-waiting, long-distance acess with calling cards, etc.) and normally don't need to be used.

  When you're done editing your location, just click 'OK' to get back.

STEP 5. FreePPP Setup - The 'Modems' Tab

Click the 'Modems' index tab. If the list on the left has a modem in it already, just select it and click 'Edit...'.
Otherwise, just click 'New...' to create one and open the dialog.

Normally, you won't have to change anything here. If your modem has trouble dialing out, or you have an unusual phone setup, here are some suggestions:

• Connected to: Choose the port your modem is connected to. If it's internal, "Internal modem" should be an available option.
• Port speed: 115200 bps is usual for 56K modems.
• Flow control: 'CTS & RTS (DTR)' is usual for newer modems, although we often recommend 'None'. Macs don't seem to need flow control, usually.
• Dial type: 'Tone' is standard for most phone lines.

• Of the checkboxes, only 'Hangup on disconnect' is required. Do not check 'Performa internal modem' unless you have a Performa with an internal modem.

• Modem init string settings: Most modems can live perfectly well with 'AutoDetect init string'. If you're given a custom string to try, just check 'Use:' here, and type the string into the field provided.

  FreePPP 2.6 sets the init string to AT&F1&D0 by default. This should work for most modems, but will cause trouble for some.

  When you're done editing your modem entry, just click 'OK' to get back.

STEP 6. Dialing Panix!

Now your FreePPP is almost ready to go. In the FreePPP Setup window, choose the proper account from the 'Connect to:' popup menu, the proper dial-out location from the 'From:' menu, and the proper modem from the 'Using:' menu. Now quit FreePPP Setup to save your changes.

You shouldn't need to restart your Mac, unless you've also been editing the TCP/IP control panel.

You can open your Panix connection from the PPP Menu (a phone/globe icon-menu on the right side of the menu bar next to the clock) or from the Control Strip if you prefer.

FreePPP will dial, log in, and if all goes well, you'll get a "Connection established!" message within seconds. If you get an error, write it down and let us know. We'll do our best to help.

STEP 7. What Now?

Now you're connected to Panix, and can use any email, Web, or other Internet programs you choose. When you're done using the Internet, just go back to the PPP Menu or the Control Strip and choose 'Close PPP Connection'. This will hang up the modem, and reset your FreePPP so it's ready for the next time.

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