Telnet
Telnet is a command line program used to connect to public servers. Almost all operating systems include a telnet client by default. For example, you may connect to nethack.alt.org to play NetHack online by typing
telnet nethack.alt.org
It should be noted that no command line interface is quite the same as any other, and thus connecting through telnet to a server on different computers may cause strange results, especially if DECgraphics or IBMgraphics are used.
Windows telnet
Most Windows users seem to prefer PuTTY, which can do telnet and is more feature-rich than the default telnet.exe. If, however, you're forced to use the Microsoft telnet.exe, be aware that it by default it uses it's own broken ANSI terminal emulation. This causes programs such as dgamelaunch to show up messed up displays on your end. To fix this, set telnet.exe preferred emulation to vt100:
- Start -> run -> telnet
- Press 'd' and enter to display the current settings. There should be a line that says Preferred Term Type is ANSI
- Type in set term vt100 and press enter.
- Press 'q' and enter to quit telnet.exe; the terminal type is saved automatically.
