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<meta name="Author" content="Dirk Koopman G1TLH">
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<!-- Created: Wed Dec 2 18:22:33 GMT 1998 -->
<!-- hhmts start -->
-Last modified: Sun Dec 20 16:25:28 GMT 1998
+Last modified: Sun Apr 1 18:21:18 BST 2001
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- <p>The DXSpider dx cluster system is written in perl5 as an exercise in self-training
- for both protocol research and teaching myself perl.
- <p>This document will contain all the instructions for its installation and use -
- eventually
- <h3>Contents</h3>
+
+ <h4>Introduction</h4>
+
+ The DXSpider DX cluster system is written in <a
+ href="http://www.perl.com">perl 5.004</a> running under <a
+ href="http://www.linuxhq.com">Linux</a> as an exercise in
+ self-training for both protocol research and teaching myself <a
+ href="http://www.perl.com">perl</a>.
+
+ <h4>What is a DX Cluster?</h4>
+
+ A DX Cluster is a means for Amateur (Ham) Radio operators to tell each
+ other, in realtime, about DX stations (other interesting or rare
+ Amateur Radio stations all over the world).
+
+ <p>To quote what is probably the most comprenhsive source of DX Cluster related
+ information, the <a href="http://www.cestro.com/pcluster/">DX PacketCluster WebNet</a>,
+ a Cluster is:-
+
+ <p><em>One station is set up with PacketCluster and is linked to one or
+ more other stations who have installed the software. These nodes
+ when connected are called a cluster. Clusters are connected to
+ clusters, expanding the network. Individual users connect to the
+ nodes on a frequency different from what the node stations are
+ linked on. Users are capable of announcing DX spots and related
+ announcements, send personal talk messages, send and receive
+ mail messages, search and retrive archived data, and access data
+ from information databases among its many features.</em>
+
+ <p>It's a rather specialised (and not as robust) form of IRC really.
+
+ <p>The original package runs under DOS and was created by Dick Newell AK1A
+ but is no longer under active development. Most replacements also run under
+ DOS and/or are closed source. I wanted something in open source (so I don't
+ have to do <em>all</em> the work) and for Linux.
+
+ <p>This document will contain all the instructions for its
+ installation and use - eventually...
+
+ <h4>Contents</h4>
<ol>
- <li> <a href="install.html">Installation</a> of the main cluster software.
- <li> Installing the lastest version of <a href="cpan.html">CPAN</a>.
- <li> <a href="connect.html">Connecting</a> to other clusters.
- <li> <a href="hops.html">Hop</a> control, network <a href="hops.html">isolation</a> etc.
- <li> <a href="../download/">Download</a> the software and any patches.
+ <li> <a href="http://www.dxcluster.org/download/">Download</a> the software and any patches.
+ <li> DXSpider <a href="installation.html">Installation</a> manual.
+ <li> DXSpider <a href="adminmanual.html">Administration</a> manual.
+ <li> DXSpider <a href="usermanual.html">User</a> manual.
+ <li> Peruse the <a href="spiderFAQ.html">FAQ</a>
+ <li> If you are on the bleeding edge, see the <a href="spiderCVS.html">CVS Addendum</a>.
+ <li> Explaining the <a href="client.html">client</a> programs.
+ <li> <a href="cron.html">Periodic</a> jobs, e.g. starting connection to other clusters.
+ <li> <a href="program.html">Programming</a> new commands or altering existing ones.
+ <li> <a href="local.html">Local</a> customisation of the cluster daemon.
</ol>
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