{"history":[],"article":{"id":"bf6286dc-e9d3-4cb9-aa68-b57326315492","title":"HyTelnet","slug":"hytelnet","content":":::summary\n:::\n\n# \n**Hy[Telnet](https://bliptext.com/articles/telnet)** (sometimes rendered Hytelnet or HYTELNET) was an early attempt to create a universal or at least simpler interface for the various [Telnet](https://bliptext.com/articles/telnet)-based information resources available before the [World Wide Web](https://bliptext.com/articles/world-wide-web).\nIt was first developed in 1990 by Peter Scott, then at the [University of Saskatchewan](https://bliptext.com/articles/university-of-saskatchewan) in [Saskatoon](https://bliptext.com/articles/saskatoon), [Canada](https://bliptext.com/articles/canada).\nUsing a [client](https://bliptext.com/articles/client-computing) written by Earl Fogel, HyTelnet offered its users a primitive [terminal](https://bliptext.com/articles/computer-terminal)-based [GUI](https://bliptext.com/articles/gui) that allowed them to browse a directory of Telnet-based resources and then access them in a relatively standardized manner.\nOn-line help was available, and there were frequent updates made available to its [database](https://bliptext.com/articles/database) which sites could download.\nHyTelnet's chief inadequacy was that it was not centralized, i.e., every HyTelnet installation used its own separate copy of the master directory.\nWhile beneficial early-on, as it ensured no dependence on a central [server](https://bliptext.com/articles/server-computing), HyTelnet's [user experience](https://bliptext.com/articles/user-experience) could vary widely as local installations might not have the same version of the client or might have obsolete information.\nThis became a greater liability as more institutions had reliable, \"always-on\" Internet access.\nFinally, when the World Wide Web gained pre-eminence, many of the services that HyTelnet pointed to were gradually retired, increasingly limiting its relevance.\nHyTelnet's final database update was in 1997.\n\n# Interface\nThis is a typical HyTelnet screen running much as a user would have experienced it, rendered in [non-proportional font](https://bliptext.com/articles/typeface) to simulate a [terminal](https://bliptext.com/articles/computer-terminal).\nThis is from one of the last releases of the client, which was version 6.9.\nWelcome to HYTELNET version 6.9\nOriginal version dated June 11, 1995 with updated database as of June 8, 1997\nWhat is HYTELNET?\n\nLibrary catalogs \nOther resources \nHelp files for catalogs \nCatalog interfaces \nInternet Glossary \nTelnet tips \nTelnet/TN3270 escape keys \nKey-stroke commands \n............................................................. Up/Down arrows MOVE Left/Right arrows SELECT ?\nfor HELP anytime\nm returns here i searches the index q quits\n............................................................. HYTELNET 6.9 was written by Peter Scott (scott@lights.com)\nNorthern Lights Internet Solutions, Saskatoon, Sask, Canada\nItems in angle brackets < > are selectable, and can be highlighted by using the cursor motion keys.\nThere is a prominent online help option.\nThe right arrow/cursor key selects the highlighted option, or ENTER/RETURN.\nThe left key allows users to back up to an earlier level.\nThe search option allows a simple search of a central INDEX file.\nThis INDEX file is one-line-per-resource, and is a [flat file](https://bliptext.com/articles/flat-file-database) that the Hytelnet client searches directly.\nAfter entering a term, the client returns a new menu with the list of selectable items, for example this query \"library\":\n On-Line Library Catalogs\n National Library of Poland (Biblioteka Narodawa)\n Hungarian National Library\n Faculty of Agriculture Library - Gembloux\n Royal Library Albert I (Belgium)\n National Central Library\n Taiwan Provincial Library at Taichung\n Danish National Library of Science and Medicine\n Royal Danish Library\n Denmark's Technical Library\n Danish Veterinary and Agricultural Library (AGROLINE)\n Vatican Library (Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana)\n Washington University in St. Louis Medical Library\n Waterways Online Library Facilities\n New York State Library\n University of Texas at Austin Tarlton Law Library (TALLONS)\n Boston Library Consortium Union List of Serials\n University of California Northern Regional Library Facility\n University of Miami Medical Library\n OhioLink: Ohio Library and Information Network\n University of Virginia Health Sciences Library\n Abilene Library Consortium (Texas)\n University of Alabama, Birmingham, Lister Hill Health Sciences Library—press space for more --\nThe user may then select one of these options, or go back with the left arrow.\nSearch results will vary based on the locally installed database.\nAfter drilling down to a specific resource, HyTelnet will display a connect page.\nThe [hostname](https://bliptext.com/articles/hostname), [IP address](https://bliptext.com/articles/ip-address) and contact address are for example purposes only, and may not necessarily connect to anything functional (although this is a real entry in HyTelnet's last released database).\nUniversity of California (MELVYL)\ntelnet melvyl.ucop.edu or 192.35.222.222\nWhen asked for terminal type, enter VT100 or HELP for other options\nPress RETURN when prompted to To exit, type END\nContact:\npreferred address: MELVYL System User Services melvyl@dla.ucop.edu\nAt this point, the user could select the \"telnet\" portion and attempt to connect to the remote host over [Telnet](https://bliptext.com/articles/telnet).\nInstructions for using the resource are given.\nAdditional instructions for general types of library and research systems were also given in HyTelnet, such as this one for INNOPAC, a common library electronic card cataloguing database:\nUsing INNOPAC\nINNOPAC is very easy to use.\nJust press the letter or number next to the\nitem that you want.\nThere is no need to press the ENTER or RETURN key\nwhen choosing one of the menu options.\nFor example:\nTitle searches: To search for a particular title, select T on the main menu.\nAuthor searches: To search for a particular author, select A on the main menu.\nSubject searches: To search for a particular subject, select S on the main menu.\nKeyword searches: Either \"k\" or \"w\" (varies from system to system) as listed on the menu.\nOther search options: Different INNOPAC libraries have added additional\nsearch options, such as Medical Subject Headings,\nCall Number, SuDocs numbers, Reserve Lists, etc. Popular options available when looking at any one record include:\nS > Show items with the SAME SUBJECT\nZ > Show items nearby on the shelf\nThe regular updates not only updated the list of resources, but also the help files in addition.\n\n# Modern implementations\nThe HyTelnet client is no longer maintained, but there are several web-based re-creations available.","current_revision":null,"created_by":"kACnuQmH5k9Nr5VNVEpVeg7XpvUmMctD","created_at":"2025-01-26T06:58:24.411Z","updated_at":"2025-01-26T06:58:24.411Z","search_vector":"'hytelnet':1","search_content":" \n \n\n# \n**Hy[Telnet](https://bliptext.com/articles/telnet)** (sometimes rendered Hytelnet or HYTELNET) was an early attempt to create a universal or at least simpler interface for the various [Telnet](https://bliptext.com/articles/telnet)-based information resources available before the [World Wide Web](https://bliptext.com/articles/world-wide-web).\nIt was first developed in 1990 by Peter Scott, then at the [University of Saskatchewan](https://bliptext.com/articles/university-of-saskatchewan) in [Saskatoon](https://bliptext.com/articles/saskatoon), [Canada](https://bliptext.com/articles/canada).\nUsing a [client](https://bliptext.com/articles/client-computing) written by Earl Fogel, HyTelnet offered its users a primitive [terminal](https://bliptext.com/articles/computer-terminal)-based [GUI](https://bliptext.com/articles/gui) that allowed them to browse a directory of Telnet-based resources and then access them in a relatively standardized manner.\nOn-line help was available, and there were frequent updates made available to its [database](https://bliptext.com/articles/database) which sites could download.\nHyTelnet's chief inadequacy was that it was not centralized, i.e., every HyTelnet installation used its own separate copy of the master directory.\nWhile beneficial early-on, as it ensured no dependence on a central [server](https://bliptext.com/articles/server-computing), HyTelnet's [user experience](https://bliptext.com/articles/user-experience) could vary widely as local installations might not have the same version of the client or might have obsolete information.\nThis became a greater liability as more institutions had reliable, \"always-on\" Internet access.\nFinally, when the World Wide Web gained pre-eminence, many of the services that HyTelnet pointed to were gradually retired, increasingly limiting its relevance.\nHyTelnet's final database update was in 1997.\n\n# Interface\nThis is a typical HyTelnet screen running much as a user would have experienced it, rendered in [non-proportional font](https://bliptext.com/articles/typeface) to simulate a [terminal](https://bliptext.com/articles/computer-terminal).\nThis is from one of the last releases of the client, which was version 6.9.\nWelcome to HYTELNET version 6.9\nOriginal version dated June 11, 1995 with updated database as of June 8, 1997\nWhat is HYTELNET?\n \nLibrary catalogs \nOther resources \nHelp files for catalogs \nCatalog interfaces \nInternet Glossary \nTelnet tips \nTelnet/TN3270 escape keys \nKey-stroke commands \n............................................................. Up/Down arrows MOVE Left/Right arrows SELECT ?\nfor HELP anytime\nm returns here i searches the index q quits\n............................................................. HYTELNET 6.9 was written by Peter Scott (scott@lights.com)\nNorthern Lights Internet Solutions, Saskatoon, Sask, Canada\nItems in angle brackets are selectable, and can be highlighted by using the cursor motion keys.\nThere is a prominent online help option.\nThe right arrow/cursor key selects the highlighted option, or ENTER/RETURN.\nThe left key allows users to back up to an earlier level.\nThe search option allows a simple search of a central INDEX file.\nThis INDEX file is one-line-per-resource, and is a [flat file](https://bliptext.com/articles/flat-file-database) that the Hytelnet client searches directly.\nAfter entering a term, the client returns a new menu with the list of selectable items, for example this query \"library\":\n On-Line Library Catalogs\n National Library of Poland (Biblioteka Narodawa)\n Hungarian National Library\n Faculty of Agriculture Library - Gembloux\n Royal Library Albert I (Belgium)\n National Central Library\n Taiwan Provincial Library at Taichung\n Danish National Library of Science and Medicine\n Royal Danish Library\n Denmark's Technical Library\n Danish Veterinary and Agricultural Library (AGROLINE)\n Vatican Library (Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana)\n Washington University in St. Louis Medical Library\n Waterways Online Library Facilities\n New York State Library\n University of Texas at Austin Tarlton Law Library (TALLONS)\n Boston Library Consortium Union List of Serials\n University of California Northern Regional Library Facility\n University of Miami Medical Library\n OhioLink: Ohio Library and Information Network\n University of Virginia Health Sciences Library\n Abilene Library Consortium (Texas)\n University of Alabama, Birmingham, Lister Hill Health Sciences Library—press space for more --\nThe user may then select one of these options, or go back with the left arrow.\nSearch results will vary based on the locally installed database.\nAfter drilling down to a specific resource, HyTelnet will display a connect page.\nThe [hostname](https://bliptext.com/articles/hostname), [IP address](https://bliptext.com/articles/ip-address) and contact address are for example purposes only, and may not necessarily connect to anything functional (although this is a real entry in HyTelnet's last released database).\nUniversity of California (MELVYL)\ntelnet melvyl.ucop.edu or 192.35.222.222\nWhen asked for terminal type, enter VT100 or HELP for other options\nPress RETURN when prompted to To exit, type END\nContact:\npreferred address: MELVYL System User Services melvyl@dla.ucop.edu\nAt this point, the user could select the \"telnet\" portion and attempt to connect to the remote host over [Telnet](https://bliptext.com/articles/telnet).\nInstructions for using the resource are given.\nAdditional instructions for general types of library and research systems were also given in HyTelnet, such as this one for INNOPAC, a common library electronic card cataloguing database:\nUsing INNOPAC\nINNOPAC is very easy to use.\nJust press the letter or number next to the\nitem that you want.\nThere is no need to press the ENTER or RETURN key\nwhen choosing one of the menu options.\nFor example:\nTitle searches: To search for a particular title, select T on the main menu.\nAuthor searches: To search for a particular author, select A on the main menu.\nSubject searches: To search for a particular subject, select S on the main menu.\nKeyword searches: Either \"k\" or \"w\" (varies from system to system) as listed on the menu.\nOther search options: Different INNOPAC libraries have added additional\nsearch options, such as Medical Subject Headings,\nCall Number, SuDocs numbers, Reserve Lists, etc. Popular options available when looking at any one record include:\nS > Show items with the SAME SUBJECT\nZ > Show items nearby on the shelf\nThe regular updates not only updated the list of resources, but also the help files in addition.\n\n# Modern implementations\nThe HyTelnet client is no longer maintained, but there are several web-based re-creations available.","revisionCount":0},"hasMore":false,"nextCursor":null}

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