THE CUTTING EDGE: COMPUTING / TECHNOLOGY / INNOVATION : Net Not Needed to Plug Into L.A. Library

You no longer need Internet access to get into the Los Angeles Public Library’s vast catalogue. Just use your modem and telecommunications software to dial the library at (213) 623-6455. (Telecom parameters are the usual 8-n-1; maximum speed is just 9600 bps, but that is plenty fast--it is just text anyway.)

After the welcome message, type PAC and hit enter. When it asks about your terminal, you will probably want to choose VT-100 from the brief list that is offered. From there, you are off and running. Internet users can still access the library and many others. To reach the Los Angeles Public Library, telnet to pac.carl.org. After the welcome message, type PAC and make the following menu choices: 4, 43 and 131.