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Question: What is telnet?

Answer: Telnet is a text-only protocol that allows you to connect to a remote computer and use programs and data as if the computer were sitting in front of you. Kind-of-like using a computer somewhere else - and having a really really really long keyboard cable and monitor cable.

Telnet was (at one time) one of the most popular ways to connect to a remote site (a computer anywhere else). The popularity of telnet has greatly dropped because of the growth of the web and simplicity that it introduced through point and click - no commands to remember - graphical interface. Still, many universities have access to their mail server through telnet - does PINE ring any bells. Access to a command-line prompt is calming to some guru-type-web-people.

MUDs, MUSHes, MUSEs, and MOOs are all variations of different adventure games played through telnet connections. There are still many of these in existence for the simple reason that text is fast. Some chat rooms are set up over these type of connections simply because you don't have to be running other software to get to these. Telnet software is extremely small - some smaller than 50k.

Most telnet sites require USERID and password for access.

A telnet URL looks something like this: telnet://address.to.connect:port-number
The port-number is usually omitted unless it is other than the default port of 23. From a Unix shell account where you can issue line commands - you can enter telnet Address.To.Connect:port-number

Answer: Sure! Here are a list of Free-Nets that have telnet services available to guest log-in.

Answer: Handle - yes - but it is using an external program. Using Netscape - go under the EDIT menu - select preferences - choose Navigator/Applications - You will see a window that shows the helper applications that are used for different file types. Description the type of file you wish to define a method of dealing with and Handled By associates those types of files with either an application or plug-in that takes care of the file.

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