Gopher

Last updated on June 26, 1996
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Gopher - if you have a youger sibling you already know what a gofer is. Gopher is a file access system that provides access to and retrieves computer files from a large, but currently shrinking, number of information archives generally referred to as gopherspace. Gopher sites - also called gopher holes - provide text-based menus that are easy to use but can be confusing to find your way around in because of the number of options available to you at most sites and the complexity and depth of the menu structure. There are three search engines designed to ease the task of finding what you want in gopherspace:

Archie

A WAIS utility that allows you to locate computer files - computer software (freeware and shareware), graphics, video and audio files - in gopherspace worldwide.

Jughead

A local utility that lets you search the menu at the gopher site you're currently using for specific words.

Veronica

A WAIS utility that allows you to search nearly all of gopherspace for specific words - very useful but it can also be maddeningly slow.

Your Internet Service provider should supply the Windows shareware program BCGOPHER, or its equivalent, to allow you access to both gopherspace and WAIS (Wide Area Information Servers).

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