If you only want to read mail and news, you only need the communications software that was provided with your modem. With this program you can connect to your account and work just as if you had opened a connection to your account at the lab with a program such as NCSA telnet. If your modem did not come with communications software you can obtain a copy of Kermit wich is a freeware application. If you need help obtaining a copy fo this software you can get help from the lab consultants at the NBCS labs.
If you want to access the internet in other ways, such as using web browsers, ftp programs, gopher programs, or basically Internet Applications you will need to do some extra work.
You have two options:
Once you decided how you want to connect to RUNet, you should follow Connecting to RUNet using SLIP or PPP on a Macintosh or Windows95, MS Windows3.x and Linux document. This document will show you how to establish a SLIP connection, which will allow you to run IP applications such as Telnet, Netscape and FTP on your computer at home.
NOTE:
Some of the configuration information are going to be changing over the course of the year. For more up-to-date information you should see generalized Working at Home document.
For those of you who would like to learn more about Internet Connectivity using a Mac, don't forget to check: Internet Starter Kit for Macintosh by Adam Engst.