2394 lines
90 KiB
Plaintext
2394 lines
90 KiB
Plaintext
Path: bloom-beacon.mit.edu!hookup!usc!sdd.hp.com!news.cs.indiana.edu!noose.ecn.purdue.edu!dirac!bohr.physics.purdue.edu!vogelges
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From: vogelges@physics.purdue.edu (Ralf Vogelgesang)
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Newsgroups: soc.culture.german,soc.answers,news.answers
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Subject: FAQ: soc.culture.german Frequently Asked Questions (posted monthly)
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Summary: This posting contains a list of Frequently Asked Questions
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(and their answers) posted to soc.culture.german.
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Plase read this before you post a question.
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Message-ID: <16689@dirac.physics.purdue.edu>
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Date: 4 May 94 16:05:22 GMT
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Sender: news@dirac.physics.purdue.edu
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Reply-To: vogelges@physics.purdue.edu
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Followup-To: soc.culture.german
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Lines: 2376
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Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu
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Originator: vogelges@bohr.physics.purdue.edu
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Xref: bloom-beacon.mit.edu soc.culture.german:25926 soc.answers:1147 news.answers:19099
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Archive-name: german-faq
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Last-modified: 1994/04/30
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Version: 1.11
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______________________________________________________________________
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!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAQ for SOC.CULTURE.GERMAN ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!
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!! -- general remarks -- !!
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!! !!
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!! !!
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!! All new lines are marked with a # sign as first character. !!
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!! Open questions are marked by '???' (use as search string !!
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!! and send/post answers!) !!
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!! !!
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!! !!
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!! DOWNLOADING the FAQ !!
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!! !!
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!! via FTP: (OK: 2/94) !!
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!! rtfm.mit.edu /pub/usenet-by-group/soc.culture.german !!
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!! !!
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!! via GOPHER: (OK: 2/94) !!
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!! == in EUROPE == !!
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!! ftp.win.tue.nl /usenet/news.answers/german-faq !!
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!! == in NORTH-AMERICA == !!
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!! jupiter.sun.csd.unb.ca /FAQ/soc/news.answers.00526 !!
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!! !!
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!! via EMAIL: !!
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!! if you have no other means... you may be able to get !!
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!! the faq by "ftpmail". Be aware, though, that such !!
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!! services are not guaranteed to function, nor fast! !!
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!! It took more than 3 days, when I tried it. (OK: 3/94) !!
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!! !!
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!! == in EUROPE == !!
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!! send email !!
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!! To: bitftp@vm.gmd.de or bitftp@plearn.edu.pl !!
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|
!! with message body: !!
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|
!! ftp rtfm.mit.edu netdata !!
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!! user anonymous !!
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!! cd /pub/usenet-by-group/soc.culture.german !!
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!! get F:_s.c.g_F_A_Q_(p_m) !!
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!! quit !!
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!! !!
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!! == in NORTH-AMERICA == !!
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|
!! send email !!
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!! To: bitftp@pucc.princeton.edu !!
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|
!! with message body: !!
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!! ftp rtfm.mit.edu netdata !!
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|
!! user anonymous !!
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!! cd /pub/usenet-by-group/soc.culture.german !!
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!! get F:_s.c.g_F_A_Q_(p_m) !!
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!! quit !!
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!! or !!
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!! send email !!
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!! To: ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com !!
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!! with message body: !!
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!! connect rtfm.mit.edu !!
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!! cd /pub/usenet-by-group/soc.culture.german !!
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!! get F:_s.c.g_F_A_Q_(p_m) !!
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!! quit !!
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!! !!
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!! !!
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!! !!
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!! WHAT'S NEW? !!
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!! !!
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|
!! Transparent Language story telling software !!
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!! !!
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|
!! Accent Multilingual Word Processor !!
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|
!! !!
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|
!! German children's books !!
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|
!! !!
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|
!! Money transfer US <-> Germany !!
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|
!! !!
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!! How to get internet access in germany; pointers to lists of !!
|
|
!! public unix-systems with internet connection in Germany. !!
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|
!! !!
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!! Langenscheidt's dictionary on WWW !!
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|
!! !!
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!! Telephone adapters !!
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!! !!
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!! Address Honorarkonsluat der BRD, Winnipeg !!
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!! !!
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!! exchange rates dollar-DM via net !!
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!! !!
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!! List of anonymous FTP servers !!
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!! !!
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!! Lists of Public Unix Systems !!
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!! !!
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!! General naming system of the German academic network !!
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!! !!
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!! Finding Train Connections !!
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!! !!
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!! Ralf Vogelgesang !!
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!! West Lafayette, Wed, May 4 1994 !!
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!! !!
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!! Last Month's Contributors -- Special Thanks to: !!
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!! !!
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!! Bernd Hammerschmid !!
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!! Christian Hettler !!
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!! David Weible !!
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!! Eberhard Wegner !!
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!! Frederik Ramm !!
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!! Honer Michael !!
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!! Jan Richert !!
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!! Joachim Mugdan !!
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!! Joerg Hill !!
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!! John Cowan !!
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!! Juergen Piesche !!
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!! L. Jake Jacobson !!
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!! Mark A Lilly !!
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!! Martin !!
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!! Mathias Koerber !!
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!! Michael Palmer !!
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!! Michael Roetzer !!
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!! Norbert Hoffmann !!
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!! Paul Fisahn !!
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!! Probal Tahbildar !!
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!! Rainer "RaMa" Mallon !!
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!! Rainer Schulze !!
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!! Rod Lloyd !!
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!! S. Clarkson !!
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!! Vera Heinau !!
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!! Wolfgang Sander-Beuermann !!
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!! Wolfram Schneider !!
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!! info@accent !!
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!!__________________________________________________________________!!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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_______________________________________
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!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!
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!! !!
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!! FAQ for SOC.CULTURE.GERMAN !!
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!! !!
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!!___________________________________!!
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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@ ....CITY !_ __! __/ @ KOPENHAGEN
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\ ...river `! !_\~~~~! ! /~
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# ....lake ! / `\_ ! `~\ \ o s t s e e
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!-! `! ~` ___;~'~-
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'. ! `, \__! ,-\
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._! KIEL@--._\ ,\__\_!
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n o r d `\_ ,-'_ ,-~-~ `~---___--~
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.............. /~~~`\ HAMBURG~ ~ !
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s e e ..',------.!~~~~~U\! `\@_ \
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,' / U !weser `~-_ elbe oder/
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/\ !_ @\ `-_ /'
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AMSTER! ,' _! BREMEN! `\ BERLIN \_
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DAM /'@`-' / HANNOVER ! @ !
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/_ rhein |_ @ / \___
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~~~~~----_ ! \___
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DUESSEL`, @@ RUHR ! elbe~`\
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DORF @!@@@@ POTT ! @ `\
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@ @@ LEIPZIG `\
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BRUESSEL `@KOELN `@ DRESDEN
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BONN`@_
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_! FRANKFURT PRAG
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_- `\___@_ _ _ @
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mosel_- `\ ~!__! `\_! ~~
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! main NUERNBERG
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SAAR @ `, @
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BRUECKEN ,' STUTTGART donau
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NANCY ,' @ ___--~~~~-_
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@ / _-~~ ~~--__
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rhein' __--~~ ~~@--_-_
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! ----~~ @ LINZ
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`\___,-----### boden MUENCHEN @
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BASEL @ @ ### see SALZBURG
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ZUERICH @
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INNSBRUCK
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__Contents__
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~~~~~~~~~~~~
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1 Introduction
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2 Mail Order
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2.1. Books
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2.2. Newspapers
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2.3. Audio / Video Tapes
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2.4. Miscellaneous
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3 Addresses / Phone Numbers
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# 3.1. Consulates / Embassies
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3.2. Goethe Institutes
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3.3. Universities
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3.4. Miscellaneous
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4 Short-Wave Radio / Satellite TV
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4.1. Deutsche Welle
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4.2. Regional German Radio Stations via Shortwave
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4.3. TV via Satellite
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4.4. Swiss Radio; Radio Austria
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5 Phone System
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5.1. Public Phones / Phone Cards in Germany
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# 5.2. Adapters
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6 German zip codes (Postleitzahlen, PLZ)
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6.1. Finding PLZs on the Net
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6.2. The New Zip-Code System
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6.3. The Old Zip-Code System
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7 (Public) Transportation in Germany
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7.1. Railways
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7.1.1. Deutsche Bundesbahn AG
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7.1.2. Which Train to Use
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7.1.3. Ticket Prices
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7.1.4. International Addresses for Railway Travelers
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7.1.5. Timetables
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7.1.6. The "Poor Man's Version" of the "Kursbuch"
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# 7.1.7. Finding Train Connections on the Net
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7.1.8. Fly and Ride (a Train)
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7.1.9. Trains and Bicycles
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7.2. Country-Wide/Continent-Wide Bus Travel like Greyhound?
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7.3. Regional Bus Service
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7.4. Local Transport (Within Cities)
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8 Email in Germany
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# 8.1. Finding Email Addresses
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8.2. Getting Email Access
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8.2.1. Universities
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# 8.2.2. Lists of Public Unix Systems
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# 8.2.3. Private Networks
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8.3. List of Anonymous FTP Servers in Germany
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9 Electronic Language
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# 9.1. Dictionaries (Word Lists from the Net)
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9.2. Encyclopedias, "Lexika"
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# 9.3. Translation Programs; Spell Checkers; Thesauri
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# 9.4. Tutorial Software
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10 "de" Newsgroups
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11 Fax Numbers in Germany
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12 German News via gopher/email
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13 German Soccer Results
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14 Transferring Foreign Academic Degrees to Germany
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15 Questions and Answers
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15.1. How to Write Umlauts in soc.culture.german?
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15.2. Taking American Electronic Equipment to Germany?
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15.2.1. Importing Phones to Germany?
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15.2.2. Video Tapes? -- Different Video Norms!
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15.3. Calling Germany Collect from Abroad?
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15.4. Using US Phone Cards in Germany?
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15.5. VAT in Germany?
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15.6. What presents to take to Germany?
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15.7. Buying a Car for Short Period instead of EuRail?
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15.8. How much is Gasoline in Germany?
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#15.9. How to get German Stock Data via Internet?
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#15.10. What German Books for Children?
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#15.11. Sending Money To and From
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[To skip to a particular question, search for the question number
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followed by two blanks.]
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1 Introduction
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This posting contains answers to frequently asked questions in
|
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soc.culture.german. The answers are neither complete nor tested by me.
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All information in this FAQ is free and everybody should feel
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encouraged to distribute it.
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Please check this posting first before you ask a question in
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soc.culture.german.
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Input to this FAQ is always welcome. Please refer to
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vogelges@physics.purdue.edu if you have questions about the FAQ.
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The FAQ was prepared by collecting different postings and email
|
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messages.
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2 Mail Order
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In this section you will find addresses of mail order stores which sell
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books or tapes either in German or about Germany (or both). This list
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is not necessarily based on the maintainer's personal experience. The
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maintainer of this list is not responsible for the accuracy of this
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information.
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You will find general mail order stores below.
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2.1. Books
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German Information Center
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(see 2.2.)
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Der Buchwurm
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(German Books, Music Tapes, CD's, Journal Subscriptions, etc.)
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PO. Box 268
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Templeton, CA 93465
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Tel: (805) 238-2353
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Fax: (805) 238-9523
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Mary S. Rosenberg, Inc.
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1841 Broadway
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New York, NY 10023
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Tel: (212) 307-7733
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Fax: (718) 857-7163
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Mail order, but no credit cards! However, checks do not need to
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clear your bank before they send merchandise.
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Schoenhof's Foreign Books
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76A Mount Auburn Street
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Cambridge, MA 02138
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Tel: (617) 547-8855
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Fax: (617) 547-8551
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Accepts Visa, MC, and AMEX.
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French, German, Italian, and Spanish books
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Adler's Foreign Books, Inc.
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915 Foster Street
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Evanston, Illinois 60201
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Tel: 1-800-ADLERS-1
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Accepts major credit cards,
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no current catalogue!
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International Book Import Service, Inc.
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2995 Wall Triana Highway, Suite B4
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Huntsville, Alabama 35824-1532
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Continental Book Company
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80-00 Cooper Avenue
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Bldg. #29
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Glendale, NY 11385
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MAIL ORDER KAISER
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Postfach 401209
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80712 Muenchen
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Germany
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Tel: +49 89 362001
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Mail order bookstore in Germany.
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Delivery worldwide at German domestic prices.
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Monthly newsletters.
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ATS (Associated Technical Services)
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855 Bloomfield Ave.
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Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
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Technical Dictionaries
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2001
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Ferdinand-Porsche-Str. 39
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Postfach 61 06 37
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60348 Frankfurt/Main
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Tel: +49 69 4208000
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Fax: +49 69 415004
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or:
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Kantstr. 41
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10625 Berlin 12
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Tel: +49 30 3125017
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They deliver only to European countries. A Bill will be included
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on delivery. The value of an order to abroad must be above 50 DM.
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Only books are delivered abroad, no CDs, tapes or records.
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Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft
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Hindenburgstrasse 40
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Postfach 11 15 53
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64230 Darmstadt 11
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Germany
|
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Tel: +49 6151 33080
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Fax: +49 6151 314128
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Carl Hanser Verlag
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Postfach 86 04 20
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81631 Muenchen
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Take major credit cars, and offer books from BASIC programming to
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Object-Oriented methods. Nice little catalog - these are the
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distinctive bright red books with blue trim.
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"Die Weisse Rose"
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Rozengracht 166
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Amsterdam
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The Netherlands
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Tel: +31 20 638 3959
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Opening hours: Tue-Fri 10-18, Sat 11-17
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2.2. Newspapers
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Deutschland Nachrichten / The Week in Germany
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The German Information Center
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950 Third Ave.
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New York NY
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10022
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Tel: (212) 888-9840
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"Deutschland Nachrichten" or its English version "The Week in
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Germany" is a free 8 page flyer. It features selected articles
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from various German newspapers, soccer results, and the $/DM
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exchange rate. The German Information Center also distributes
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lots of other information (books, maps, ...) for free. They
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are a particularly helpful resource for those who may have to
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prepare a school presentation about Germany.
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Der Spiegel
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German Language Publications, Inc.
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153 South Dean Street
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Englewood NJ
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07631
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email: 100064.3164@compuserve.com
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Published weekly, subscription price for the USA is $280 p.a.
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There are plans to make the "Spiegel" available via
|
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internet.
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Die Zeit
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Die Zeit
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29 Coldwater Road PO. Box 9868
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Toronto, ON Englewood, NJ
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M3B 1Y8 07631-1123
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Canada USA
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"Die Zeit" is available either via air mail or as international
|
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edition via surface mail from Canada. The international edition
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is much cheaper but contains less pages.
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The German Tribune
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does not exist any more ...
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Die Nordamerikanische Wochenpost
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Die Nordamerikanische Wochenpost
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1120 E. Long Lake Road
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Troy, MI
|
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48098
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3 month trial subscription: $15, one year $42.95
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This is a general interest newspaper. The front page generally
|
|
features news from/about Germany. There are special pages for
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regional, domestic American news of interest to German speakers
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(e.g. Florida, New York, Chicago/Milwaukee, and Detroit).
|
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Additionally, there's a special page for news from/about
|
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Austria. All the major sections that you would expect in any
|
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newspaper are represented: politics, sports, the economy,
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fashion, cartoons, features, editorials, etc. There are also
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several short-stories and a serialized novel. There's a list of
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German-language radio broadcasts for North America (US and
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Ontario, Canada). It also contains a list of German-American
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associations.
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Tages-Anzeiger
|
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Tages-Anzeiger
|
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Abonnentendienst
|
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Postfach
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CH-8021 Zuerich
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Fax: +41 1 248-5055
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prices (Sfr) for all countries, first four issues free.
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|
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air mail surface mail
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3 months 41.74 33.75
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6 months 78.50 66.50
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1 year 135.00 111.00
|
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|
Tages-Anzeiger is one of the major Swiss daily newspapers
|
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(besides Neue Zuericher Zeitung). Their international edition
|
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is published weekly.
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Others:
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Stern, Hamburg 100125.1305@compuserve.com
|
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Focus 100335.3131@compuserve.com
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2.3. Audio / Video Tapes
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VIDEO:
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|
(For conversion of videotapes (NTSC <-> PAL) see 15.2.2.)
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|
|
German Language Video Center
|
|
7625-27 Pendleton Pike
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Indianapolis, Indiana 46226
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Tel: (317) 547-1257
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|
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free catalogue
|
|
|
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AUDIO:
|
|
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|
The Olivia and Hill Press
|
|
PO. Box 7396
|
|
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48107
|
|
Tel: (313) 663-0235
|
|
Fax: (313) 663-6590
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|
|
|
Selection of German-language cassette recordings of novels,
|
|
plays, and radio plays, e.g. Duerrenmatt's "Der Richter und sein
|
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Henker". Free catalogue.
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Schau ins Land
|
|
PO. Box 158067
|
|
Nashville, TN 37215-8067
|
|
Tel: 1-800-824-0829
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|
|
|
Monthly audio magazine of news, stories, music, etc. Comes with
|
|
a written transcription including a vocabulary glossary.
|
|
Approx. $120/yr. in the US.
|
|
|
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|
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2.4. Miscellaneous
|
|
|
|
Quelle:
|
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|
|
W. Hoeffken
|
|
Representative for QUELLE
|
|
PO. Box 999
|
|
Oceanside, NY. 11572
|
|
|
|
The catalogue is $20, which is refundable with the first order
|
|
(DM 100 minimum). Payment can be made with a personal check drawn
|
|
on a US. bank or with a credit card. English translations of
|
|
the product descriptions are provided.
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 Addresses / Phone Numbers
|
|
|
|
# 3.1. Consulates / Embassies
|
|
|
|
The Consulates are very helpful in getting information about anything
|
|
concerning Germany (travel, politics, laws ...) They're very
|
|
thorough and supply lots of information in response to requests. The
|
|
German Information Center (see 2.2.) is sponsored by them.
|
|
|
|
There is a list of all embassies/consulates in the US. You get it
|
|
from the Department of State. Its title is "Foreign Consular Offices
|
|
in the United States" and it contains addresses, names of the staff
|
|
and phone numbers. You might find the booklet in most public
|
|
libraries.
|
|
|
|
Consulate General of the
|
|
Federal Republic of Germany
|
|
One Union Square, Suite 2500
|
|
600 University Street
|
|
Seattle, WA 98101
|
|
|
|
The German Embassy
|
|
4645 Reservoir Road NW
|
|
Washington, DC 20007
|
|
|
|
Consulate General of the FRG
|
|
2100 Edison Plaza
|
|
660 Plaza Drive
|
|
Detroit, MI 48226-1849
|
|
Tel: (313) 962-6526
|
|
Fax: (313) 962-7345
|
|
|
|
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany
|
|
460 Park Ave.
|
|
New York, NY
|
|
Tel: (212) 572 5600
|
|
|
|
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany
|
|
6222 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500
|
|
Los Angeles, CA 90048
|
|
Tel: (213) 930-2703
|
|
|
|
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany
|
|
Miami, FL
|
|
???? street, phone ????
|
|
|
|
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany
|
|
676 N Michigan Ave.
|
|
Chicago
|
|
Tel: (312) 580-1199
|
|
Office hours: Mon-Fri 8.30-12
|
|
|
|
Deutsche Botschaft Singapur:
|
|
Far East Shopping Centre
|
|
545 Orchard Road #14-01
|
|
Singapore 9124
|
|
Tel: +65 7371355
|
|
Fax: +65 7372653
|
|
|
|
Konsulat der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
|
|
Via Solferino 40
|
|
20121 Milano, Italy
|
|
Tel: +39 2 6554434
|
|
Fax: +39 2 6554213
|
|
|
|
Embajada de la Republica Federal de Alemania
|
|
Agustinas 785 Piso 7 y 8
|
|
Casilla 9949
|
|
Santiago de Chile
|
|
Tel: +56 2 335031/5
|
|
Fax: +56 2 336119
|
|
Office hours: 9-12 am
|
|
|
|
Embajada de la Republica Federal de Alemania
|
|
Villanueva 1055
|
|
CC 2979
|
|
Buenos Aires, Argentina
|
|
Tel: +54 7715054, +54 7715059
|
|
|
|
Embajada de la Republica Federal de Alemania
|
|
La Cumparsita 1417/1435
|
|
CC 20014
|
|
Montevideo, Uruguay
|
|
Tel: +598 908041, +598 913970
|
|
|
|
Embajada de la Republica Federal de Alemania
|
|
Av. Venezuela 241
|
|
CC 471
|
|
Asuncion, Paraguay
|
|
Tel: +595 24006, +595 24007
|
|
|
|
Honorarkonsulat der Bundesrepublik Dtld.
|
|
Jorge Memmel 631
|
|
Encarnacion, Paraguay
|
|
Tel: +595 25567
|
|
|
|
# Honorarkonsulat der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
|
|
# 208-310 Donald Street
|
|
# Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
|
|
# Tel: (204) 947-0958
|
|
# weekdays 9:00-12:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.2. Goethe Institutes
|
|
|
|
The various "Goethe Institutes" are funded by the German government
|
|
to provide an opportunity for people outside Germany to become
|
|
acquainted with German culture. They offer exhibitions, movies, and
|
|
German classes. To get more information, call one of the following:
|
|
|
|
Ann Arbor (313) 996-8600
|
|
Atlanta (404) 892-2388
|
|
Boston (617) 262-6050
|
|
Chicago (312) 329-0915
|
|
Cincinnati (513) 721-2777
|
|
Houston (713) 528-2787
|
|
Los Angeles (213) 854-0993
|
|
New York (212) 439-8700
|
|
San Francisco (415) 391-0370
|
|
Seattle (206) 622-9694
|
|
St. Louis (314) 367-2452
|
|
Washington DC. (202) 319-0702
|
|
|
|
Montreal (514) 499-0159
|
|
Toronto (416) 924-3327
|
|
Vancouver (604) 732-3966
|
|
|
|
Kyoto 75 761218-889
|
|
Osaka 6 3413051-53
|
|
Tokyo 3 3584-3201 or 3 3584-3267
|
|
|
|
Amsterdam +31 20 623 0421 (Herengracht 470)
|
|
|
|
Singapore +65 3375111
|
|
|
|
Santiago de Chile +56 383185
|
|
|
|
Montevideo, Uruguay +598 405813
|
|
|
|
Wien, (Vienna) Austria +43/222/512-39-82/0 (Stallburggasse 2)
|
|
(Goethe-Institut der Oesterr.-Amerikanischen Ges.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.3. Universities
|
|
|
|
The most accessible listing of the many German universities is probably
|
|
found in 'The World of Learning', which should be in the reference
|
|
section of the libraries of most unis in the English speaking world.
|
|
It lists Universities, faculties, departments, affiliated organizations,
|
|
as well as academic staff with respective general areas of specialization
|
|
(eg. structural mechanics). [3/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.4. Miscellaneous
|
|
|
|
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
|
|
Kennedyallee 40
|
|
53175 Bonn 2
|
|
|
|
They are something like the NSF in the USA.
|
|
|
|
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
|
|
Kennedyallee 50
|
|
53175 Bonn 2
|
|
Tel: +49 228 8820
|
|
|
|
German Academic Exchange Office
|
|
950 Third Avenue, NY 10022
|
|
phone: (212) 758-3223
|
|
FAX : (212) 755-5780
|
|
Email: DAADNY@NYUACF.BITNET
|
|
|
|
Very important for foreign students who want to study in Germany
|
|
and also for German students who want to study in another country.
|
|
They also have an office in New York (check the phonebook for
|
|
German Academic Exchange Service)
|
|
|
|
Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes
|
|
Mirbachstr. 7
|
|
53173 Bonn 1
|
|
Tel.: +49 228 354091
|
|
|
|
An important source of scholarships for German students abroad and
|
|
in Germany.
|
|
|
|
Konferenz der Kultusminister
|
|
Postfach 22 40
|
|
53012 Bonn
|
|
|
|
This is the place where they decide about transferability of foreign
|
|
academic degrees. Maybe they answer questions.
|
|
???? Any experience how helpful this address is ????
|
|
|
|
Representative of German Industry and Trade
|
|
One Farragut Square South
|
|
Washington, DC. 20006
|
|
Tel: (202) 347-0247
|
|
|
|
Zentralstelle fuer Arbeitsvermittlung
|
|
Feuerbachstrasse 42-46
|
|
60325 Frankfurt/Main
|
|
Tel: +49 69 71110
|
|
Fax: +49 69 7111555
|
|
|
|
This is an important address for people who want to work in Germany.
|
|
|
|
Association for International Practical Training (AIPT)
|
|
217 American City Building
|
|
Columbia, MD 21044-3492
|
|
Tel: (301) 997-2200
|
|
|
|
Chamber of Commerce (Industrie- und Handelskammer)
|
|
|
|
The German-American Chamber of Commerce
|
|
465 California Street, Suite 910
|
|
San Francisco, CA 94104
|
|
Tel: (415) 392-2262
|
|
|
|
German-American Chamber of Commerce
|
|
104 S. Michigan Ave. Suite 600
|
|
Chicago, IL 60603-5978
|
|
Tel: (312) 782-8557; (312) 641-6673
|
|
|
|
German-American Chamber of Commerce
|
|
909 Fannin Suite 3750
|
|
Suite 3418
|
|
Houston, TX 77010
|
|
Tel: (713) 658-8230
|
|
|
|
German-American Chamber of Commerce
|
|
3250 Wilshire Blvd.
|
|
Suite 1112
|
|
Los Angeles, CA 90010
|
|
Tel: (213) 381-2236; (213) 381-2237
|
|
|
|
German-American Chamber of Commerce
|
|
666 Fifth Avenue
|
|
New York, NY 10103
|
|
Tel: (212) 974-8830; (213) 582-7788
|
|
|
|
German-American Chamber of Commerce
|
|
Peachtree Center Harris Tower
|
|
233 Peachtree Street NE
|
|
Suite 2701
|
|
Atlanta, GA 30303
|
|
Tel: (404) 577-7228
|
|
|
|
Camera de Comercio Uruguayo-Alemana
|
|
Zamala 1379 Piso 4
|
|
CC 1499
|
|
Montevideo
|
|
Tel: 405813
|
|
|
|
Deutsch-Paraguayanische Industrie- und Handelskammer
|
|
Camera de la Industria y del Comercio
|
|
Juan O'Leary 409
|
|
Estrella Ed. Parapito Piso 2 Oficina 201
|
|
CC 201
|
|
Asuncion
|
|
Tel: 446594
|
|
|
|
Deutsch-Argentinische Industrie- und Handelskammer
|
|
Camera de la Industria y del Comercio
|
|
Florida 547
|
|
Buenos Aires
|
|
Tel: 3939006, 3939007
|
|
|
|
The Chambers of Commerce maintain a list of the German companies
|
|
in the respective countries along with their addresses which you can
|
|
purchase. The price varies according to how detailed a list you
|
|
wish to have.
|
|
|
|
Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk
|
|
Bismarckstrasse 8
|
|
Postfach 1455
|
|
D - 32756 Detmold
|
|
Phone: (+49) 5231 7401 0 Fax: (+49) 5231 7401 49
|
|
Germnany
|
|
|
|
For national and international directories of youth hostels.
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 Short-Wave Radio / Satellite TV
|
|
|
|
4.1. Deutsche Welle
|
|
|
|
The official German short-wave station is the "Deutsche Welle". It
|
|
broadcasts worldwide in a variety of languages and also TV, using
|
|
various satellites. It's there not so much for Germans in Germany, but
|
|
for those people abroad (not only Germans) who would like to keep
|
|
in touch with Germany.
|
|
Radio Deutsche Welle gladly sends out a monthly magazine with
|
|
times/frequencies and stories on broadcasts. If you would like to
|
|
subscribe (for free) contact them at:
|
|
|
|
Deutsche Welle
|
|
Oeffentlichkeitsarbeit
|
|
50588 Koeln Tel. 49-221-389-0
|
|
Germany Fax. 49-221-389-41 55
|
|
|
|
in North America: Tel. 1-800-545-3765
|
|
|
|
TV: "deutsche Welle Nachrichten", News from Germany (not only about
|
|
Germany)
|
|
North-Americans find it on Mind Extension University (you will need
|
|
cable), daily at 5:00pm ET, three blocks of 30 minutes: German-English-
|
|
Spanish.
|
|
[3/94]
|
|
|
|
Radio: Generally Radio Deutsche Welle comes in loud and clear.
|
|
|
|
6075 ( 0:00- 6:00)
|
|
6085 ( 4:00- 6:00)
|
|
6100 ( 0:00- 6:00)
|
|
9700 ( 4:00- 6:00)
|
|
9730 (22:00- 2:00)
|
|
9735 ( 2:00- 4:00)
|
|
11795 ( 0:00- 4:00)
|
|
11810 ( 4:00- 8:00)
|
|
13780 (22:00- 2:00)
|
|
13790 (14:00-16:00)
|
|
15270 ( 0:00- 2:00)
|
|
17715 (12:00-19:00)
|
|
17860 (18:00- 0:00)
|
|
|
|
All times are UTC.
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.2. Regional German Radio Stations via Shortwave
|
|
|
|
Here are short-wave frequencies for some of Germany's "regional"
|
|
programs. The stations are nationally operated and mostly serve
|
|
one of the federal states.
|
|
|
|
7265 kHz SWF 3 Suedwestfunk / Baden-Wuerttemberg
|
|
|
|
Suedwestfunk
|
|
Postfach 820
|
|
76485 Baden-Baden
|
|
|
|
6190 kHz Sender Freies Berlin & Radio Bremen
|
|
|
|
Radio Bremen
|
|
Heinrich-Hertz-Str. 13
|
|
28211 Bremen
|
|
|
|
Sender Freies Berlin
|
|
Masurenallee 8-14
|
|
14057 Berlin
|
|
|
|
6005 kHz RIAS Berlin (100 kW)
|
|
|
|
RIAS (Rundfunk im Amerikanischen Sektor)
|
|
Kufsteiner Str. 69
|
|
10825 Berlin
|
|
|
|
6030 kHz Sueddeutscher Rundfunk / Baden-Wuerttemberg (20 kW)
|
|
|
|
Sueddeutscher Rundfunk
|
|
Neckarstr. 230
|
|
70190 Stuttgart
|
|
|
|
6085 kHz Bayerischer Rundfunk (100 kW)
|
|
|
|
Bayerischer Rundfunk
|
|
Rundfunkplatz 1
|
|
80335 Muenchen
|
|
|
|
Consult the "World Radio and TV Handbook" for a complete listing of all
|
|
short-wave stations. The book is updated annually and can be found in
|
|
many libraries.
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.3. TV via Satellite
|
|
|
|
Europe: EUTELSAT II-F1 (13 deg. East)
|
|
Transponder 27, 11,163 GHz,
|
|
vert. pol,
|
|
15-05 UTC, PAL.
|
|
sound: 6.65 MHz
|
|
This is a low power satellite; Deutsche Welle broadcasts not for
|
|
Germans in Germany and so it broadcasts not on the hot bird ASTRA
|
|
satellite (see below)
|
|
|
|
German TV in Europe / ASTRA
|
|
|
|
There is a hot bird ASTRA TV satellite with nearly all German TV
|
|
programs (public or commercial) but not with Deutsche Welle on it. An
|
|
equipment to get all these German TV programs is much cheaper in many
|
|
areas than an equipment to get Deutsche Welle. Ask local Germans or
|
|
your satellite dish dealer for ASTRA service.
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
North/South America: INTELSAT-K (21.4 deg. West)
|
|
Transponder H7, 11,605 GHz,
|
|
North America: hor. pol.
|
|
South America: vert. pol.
|
|
15-05 UTC, NTSC-M
|
|
Sound: 6.8 MHz
|
|
|
|
North America: SATCOM C-4 (135 deg. West)
|
|
Transponder 5V, 3,8 GHz,
|
|
pol. vert.,
|
|
15-05 UTC, NTSC-M
|
|
Sound: 6.8 MHz
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.4. Swiss Radio; Radio Austria
|
|
|
|
For Information about Switzerland you might want to listen to
|
|
"Schweizer Radio International"
|
|
|
|
Swiss Radio International
|
|
PO Box CH-3000
|
|
Bern 15, Switzerland
|
|
|
|
|
|
For Austria:
|
|
|
|
Radio Austria
|
|
A-1136
|
|
Vienna, Austria
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 Phone System
|
|
|
|
The law:
|
|
|
|
The German phone system is operated by the German Telecom. There are
|
|
no private long-distance or local phone companies. Every phone, fax or
|
|
modem you connect to a phone line needs to be approved by the German
|
|
Telecom. Approved appliances have a special sticker with a BZT number
|
|
on the back.
|
|
|
|
The German Telecom (Deutsche Bundespost Telekom):
|
|
|
|
They are a state-owned company which split from the German mail
|
|
(Bundespost) a couple of years ago. They try to act like a private
|
|
company but don't quite measure up because of lacking competition and
|
|
for various historical reasons. Changes relating to the introduction
|
|
of European Community laws can be expected.
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.1. Public Phones / Phone Cards in Germany
|
|
|
|
Public phones in Germany work more or less like everywhere, with a few
|
|
exceptions ("of course"):
|
|
|
|
There are now quite a lot of card phones in Germany. Unlike American
|
|
card phones, they use debit cards. German phone cards can be bought at
|
|
any post office and most money exchanges at major train stations. They
|
|
have a given value (12 DM for 40 units or 50 DM for 200 units). Once
|
|
you have used up this value you must get a new card. All 0130 numbers
|
|
are toll free. At public phones you might have to insert 30 Pfennigs
|
|
(the minimum price for a call)... but you will get your money back.
|
|
|
|
At card phones it is not possible to use money. If you have neither
|
|
change nor a phone card there are nice public phones at post offices.
|
|
You ask to make a call and pay at the counter after you are finished.
|
|
Some of them have a (tiny) desk next to them.
|
|
|
|
There is one special phone card which allows you to have the calls you
|
|
make added to your home phone bill. But you need an account at a
|
|
German bank. The annual fee for this card is about 15 DM.
|
|
|
|
See also "Questions and Answers" for more on international aspects of
|
|
telecommunication in Germany!
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 5.2. Adapters
|
|
#
|
|
# There are cheap(!) adapters available (between 2 and 20 DM.) To build
|
|
# one yourself is most likely not cost efficient. Be aware of possible
|
|
# legal conflicts. Your phone is more likely to me illegal than the
|
|
# homemade adapter.
|
|
#
|
|
# connection scheme:
|
|
#
|
|
# American plug German TAE-F or TAE-N plug
|
|
# +------------- -----
|
|
# | * yellow 4 / /
|
|
# | * green 3 4 // 3
|
|
# | * red 2 / /
|
|
# | * black 1 // 2
|
|
# +------------- / /
|
|
# // 1
|
|
# for regular voice service / /
|
|
# connect green/red only! -----
|
|
# connect them to the two wires that come into
|
|
# your house (if you can make out which they are)
|
|
# yellow/black are for data transmission devices.
|
|
# impedance is no problem.
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 German zip codes (Postleitzahlen, PLZ)
|
|
|
|
6.1. Finding PLZs on the Net
|
|
|
|
= ftp =
|
|
|
|
You can retrieve the original databases from various sites:
|
|
ftp.germany.eu.net:/pub/packages/plz
|
|
info2.rus.uni-stuttgart.de:/pub/misc/datasets/PLZ
|
|
|
|
= gopher =
|
|
|
|
The easiest way to get the new zip codes are Gopher servers.
|
|
They are offered at:
|
|
|
|
gopher.informatik.tu-muenchen.de
|
|
(here you will also find a map - GIF format - showing the new zip
|
|
code areas) (OK: 02/94)
|
|
|
|
gopher.rog.rwth-aachen.de (OK: 01/94)
|
|
(They have also a list of car license plate codes and the phone
|
|
area codes).
|
|
|
|
= telnet =
|
|
|
|
If you prefer telnet try:
|
|
telnet PLZ.ISR.UNI-Stuttgart.de
|
|
login: PLZ
|
|
password: (not needed) (OK: 01/94)
|
|
|
|
= Mailserver =
|
|
|
|
Thomas Bullinger has written a very handy mail server. To get a
|
|
zip code send a mail message
|
|
To: mrbulli@btoy1.rochester.ny.us
|
|
Subject: #PLZ# <NAME-OF-TOWN>
|
|
|
|
Features:
|
|
- name of town is case-insensitive
|
|
- may be abbreviated
|
|
- no umlauts, hyphens, etc.
|
|
- only one town per email!
|
|
|
|
Examples:
|
|
From: hugo@fiktive.site.de
|
|
To: mrbulli@btoy1.rochester.ny.us
|
|
Subject: #PLZ# stuttgart
|
|
This extracts all known PLZ's for Stuttgart (sorted according to
|
|
street names) and sends it in 5 pieces of max. 1000 lines each to
|
|
"hugo@fiktive.site.de".
|
|
|
|
Subject: #PLZ# aach
|
|
All known PLZ's fuer Aach und Aachen.
|
|
|
|
Subject: #PLZ# badhomburg
|
|
All known PLZ's for Bad Homburg
|
|
|
|
|
|
Another mail server is plz@plz.uni-forst.gwdg.de. This one seems
|
|
particularly suited for numerous address conversions!
|
|
Send a mail that uses the following syntax:
|
|
1st line: Adresse: <optional identifier>
|
|
2nd line: <street and number
|
|
3rd line: <old zip codes> (including the letter O or W) <name of the
|
|
town and old post office number> (for larger cities)
|
|
4th line: <like 1st line> or QUIT at the end of the mail.
|
|
You don't need the old zip code if there is only one town with this
|
|
name.
|
|
example:
|
|
Adresse: 1
|
|
Hauptstrasse 5
|
|
W-1234 Stadtdorf 5
|
|
Adresse: 2
|
|
Testweg 123
|
|
O-7890 Althausen
|
|
QUIT (OK: 01/94)
|
|
|
|
= telephone =
|
|
|
|
The German "POST" also maintains a toll free number (0130-55555) to ask
|
|
for a zip code. The number is open from 08:00 to 22:00 only. [2/94]
|
|
|
|
= don't know at all =
|
|
|
|
The old 4 digit zip codes should still work. (Even letters with no zip
|
|
code at all "should" -in principle- make it through.) No guarantee,
|
|
though!! Letters will definitely take longer compared to those that
|
|
use the new code -- if they arrive at all. Some people have already
|
|
lost mail because of this. [3/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.2. The New Zip-Code System
|
|
|
|
All zip codes have been changed (effective 7/93). The new zip codes
|
|
have 5 digits. No more additional numbers following city names.
|
|
|
|
There is no easy way to convert between old and new zip codes.
|
|
|
|
One CITY might now have more than one zip code. Then you need the
|
|
name of the STREET to find the zip code, but long streets have more
|
|
than one zip code, you need the HOUSE NUMBER; Odd numbers or even
|
|
numbers have not the same zip code in many cases.
|
|
In some big towns there are streets with the same name. So you need
|
|
to know where the street really is, look at the old number of post
|
|
office behind the name of the town.
|
|
The zip codes for POST BOXES are different, still.
|
|
|
|
Big COMPANIES (companies with more than 1000 letters every day) get
|
|
their own codes (as in the US zip code system). If you just look for
|
|
the address of one of these companies you will get the wrong ZIP code.
|
|
It seems that these company zip codes were in fact kept secret at
|
|
first.
|
|
Only after people started collecting their own listings, the "Post"
|
|
published a special phone book.
|
|
An electronic file can be found at some of the ZIP-code gopher sites
|
|
(see 6.1.).
|
|
|
|
The German Mail service has distributed a (big!) book containing all
|
|
new zip codes to each German household in May/93. But this book
|
|
neither contains PO boxes nor the big companies' zip codes... [2/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.3. The Old Zip-Code System
|
|
|
|
Every zip code had one letter, a dash and four digits. The letter was
|
|
a "W" for former West Germany and an "O" for East Germany.
|
|
|
|
You can get these zip codes via gopher at the infoserver of the RWTH
|
|
Aachen. The also have them as a file for FTP.
|
|
|
|
Examples: O-1155 Berlin
|
|
W-1000 Berlin 33
|
|
|
|
In many bigger cities in the West had a number following the city name
|
|
for reasons of further differentiation.
|
|
|
|
Mail without the O/W letter took/takes significantly longer (weeks!)
|
|
(up-to-date as of: Fall 1993)
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 (Public) Transportation in Germany
|
|
|
|
7.1. Railways
|
|
|
|
!!! The next major change of timetables is on 29. May 1994 !!!
|
|
|
|
(There will be also a minor change in Fall 1994 and some
|
|
changes during the year.)
|
|
|
|
Trains play a special role in Germany (and in Europe in general.) In
|
|
terms of traffic they have top priority. They have right of way before
|
|
any other vehicle. There are lot's of tunnels and bridges for trains
|
|
and therefore they don't have to stop anywhere between railway stations
|
|
and can go at rather high speeds... 120km/h (75mph) for regular
|
|
trains, up to 250km/h (120mph) for the high speed trains.
|
|
|
|
Statistics:
|
|
former Western:
|
|
27,421 km government owned
|
|
12,491 km double track
|
|
11,501 km electrified
|
|
4,022 km non government owned
|
|
31,443 km total;
|
|
former Eastern:
|
|
3,830 km double track
|
|
3,475 km electrified
|
|
14,025 km total;
|
|
(1988)
|
|
On a typical day an average of about 32,000 trains are scheduled.
|
|
|
|
The railroad system in Germany is currently under constant change.
|
|
Most important: there is a program to change the German railroads from
|
|
a government owned and operated system to a free market.
|
|
|
|
Private and foreign companies are now free to operate on the German
|
|
railroad net.
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
7.1.1. Deutsche Bundesbahn AG
|
|
|
|
"Deutsche Bundesbahn" (former Western) and "Deutsche Reichsbahn"
|
|
(former Eastern) joined to become "Deutsche Bahn AG". Despite
|
|
unification there are still price differences between East and West!
|
|
|
|
The Deutsche Bahn AG is forced to split into several branches (and
|
|
later into several companies):
|
|
"Fernverkehr" (Long-distance travel) runs all ICE, EC, IC, EN, IR
|
|
and D trains.
|
|
"Nahverkehr" (Short-distance travel) runs all the other trains.
|
|
"Personenbahnhoefe" (Railway stations) runs the railways stations
|
|
for all railway companies; rents shops in railway stations.
|
|
(Remember: It is forbidden by German law to open shops in the
|
|
evening and on Sundays. But it is legal to sell goods to
|
|
passengers in airports and railway stations....)
|
|
"Ladungsverkehr" (Big freight service)
|
|
"Stueckgutverkehr" (Small freight service)
|
|
"Netz" (Net) sells the right to travel to railroad companies
|
|
"Bahnbau" (Track repair etc)
|
|
"Traktion" (Traction) Rents out locomotives to railways
|
|
"Werke" Repair of rolling stock material
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
7.1.2. Which Train to Use
|
|
|
|
For the last couple years the "Deutsche Bundesbahn" has been
|
|
implementing a new philosophy in train travel. One very obvious sign
|
|
of its modernization are the new cars, which have defined new colors
|
|
outside and better seats inside.
|
|
|
|
All modern trains have special color codes:
|
|
red-white = High speed trains (ICE, EC, IC)
|
|
blue-white = long distance trains (IR, Talgo)
|
|
green-white = regional trains (RSB, CB, RB)
|
|
orange-white = urban train (S)
|
|
It is a good idea to use these if possible. Foreign cars are also
|
|
nice. Check the label outside! Only the silver cars ("Silberlinge")
|
|
are real bad.
|
|
|
|
Most trains have some cars where smoking is allowed... There are also
|
|
first class cars in most trains. You don't really need reservation in
|
|
most trains. If you found no seat you can ride without a seat or, if
|
|
you think the train is to full, take another train an hour later...
|
|
There is no reservation possible for any short-distance trains.
|
|
|
|
Brief overview:
|
|
|
|
Long-distance trains
|
|
|
|
ICE -- "InterCityExpress"; the German high speed train. These
|
|
trains are integrated in the IC network, but have higher prices
|
|
than other IC. Ticket prices depend on ICE speed and the speed
|
|
of other trains at the same distance.
|
|
EC -- "EuroCity"; an international high quality train. In Germany
|
|
most EC's are integrated in the IC net.
|
|
IC -- "InterCity"; an national high quality train. Nearly all IC's
|
|
run in the IC net. On most lines there is one IC every hour.
|
|
EN -- "EuroNight"; a night train, there were only 4 such trains in
|
|
1993/1994.
|
|
IR -- "Interregio"; similar to IC. The IR net is much longer and
|
|
IR's stop at more stations IC's. On most lines there is one IR
|
|
every other hour.
|
|
D -- "Schnellzug"; a long-distance train which is not good enough for
|
|
to be qualified as ICE, EC, IC, EN, IR. In May 1994 most of them
|
|
will get modernized and become InterRegios.
|
|
Some night trains or trains with foreign destinations will remain
|
|
D trains.
|
|
|
|
Short-distance trains
|
|
|
|
RSB -- "RegionalSchnellBahn"; a semi-fast train with good material
|
|
like a VT 610 (German pendolinio), VT 628 or other modern cars.
|
|
Some of these trains are as fast as IC, others stop at every
|
|
station.
|
|
E -- "Eilzug"; a semi-fast train not good enough to be classified as
|
|
RSB. Some of these trains are as fast as IC, others are slower
|
|
and stop at every station.
|
|
CB -- "CityBahn"; a local train with qualified good rolling material.
|
|
S -- "S-Bahn"; an urban train in areas like Hamburg, Berlin,
|
|
Frankfurt, Munich,...
|
|
RB -- "RegionalBahn"; a local train with qualified good rolling
|
|
material.
|
|
() -- (no letter marking) "Nahverkehrszug"; local train with rather
|
|
poor rolling material
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
7.1.3. Ticket Prices
|
|
|
|
2nd class West 0.24 DM/km
|
|
2nd class East 0.15 DM/km
|
|
1st class is 150 percent.
|
|
ICE price is a little more in 2nd and 1st class.
|
|
There are special short-distance prices in many areas. In that case
|
|
the ticket includes local bus and subway, but you can use all short-
|
|
distance trains with a railroad ticket like Interrail etc or a long-
|
|
distance train ticket. There will be a new price system in a few
|
|
months.
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
7.1.4. International Addresses for Railway Travelers
|
|
|
|
USA
|
|
German Rail/DER TOURS,
|
|
11933 Wilshire Blvd.
|
|
LOS ANGELES, CA 90025
|
|
Phone:(310)479-41140
|
|
Fax:(310)479-2239
|
|
|
|
Canada
|
|
GERMAN RAIL/DER TOURS
|
|
904 The East Mail
|
|
ETOBICOKE, ONT. M93 6K2
|
|
Phone:(416) 695-1209
|
|
Fax:(416)695-1210
|
|
|
|
Australia
|
|
THOMAS COOK LIMITED
|
|
Ground Floor
|
|
257 Collins Street
|
|
MELBOURNE VIC 2000
|
|
Phone: (03) 6502442
|
|
Fax:(03) 6507050
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
7.1.5. Timetables
|
|
|
|
There are many timetables you can buy or get for free in Germany.
|
|
Prices will not be a real problem for travelers, but weight may be a
|
|
concern, unless you are interested in transporting just timetables....
|
|
|
|
"Kursbuch Gesamtausgabe"; 15 DM; 3000 g
|
|
All trains in Germany, no subways, no busses.
|
|
|
|
"Auslandskursbuch"; 10 DM; 800 g
|
|
A selection of long-distance trains in Europe outside Germany.
|
|
|
|
"Fernfahrplan"; 7 DM; 800 g
|
|
All long-distance trains in Germany.
|
|
|
|
"Regionalkursbuecher"; 7 DM; 800 g (each)
|
|
12 books with timetables.
|
|
|
|
"Regionalfahrplaene"; 5 DM; 300 g (each)
|
|
30 books with all trains and all federal bus.
|
|
(But no local bus etc!)
|
|
|
|
"EC/ICE/IC-Fahrplan"; 0 DM; 200 g
|
|
A big paper with all the high speed trains in Germany.
|
|
|
|
"Staedteverbindungen"; 0 DM; 250 g
|
|
Trains from big towns to other big towns.
|
|
|
|
"Staedteverbindungen von ... und nach ..."; 0 DM; 30 g - 60 g
|
|
120 booklets about trains from the 120 most important stations
|
|
to important station "...". Available only at local railway
|
|
stations.
|
|
|
|
"StreckenFahrplan Strecke ..."; 0 DM; 10 g
|
|
Specialized table of all trains on just one line; hundreds of these
|
|
papers exist. Available only at local railway stations.
|
|
|
|
"Oertlicher Fahrplan"; X DM; X g
|
|
In all towns you can buy local timetables with all the local bus
|
|
and subway and local trains and all trains from the main local
|
|
station.
|
|
Buy it if you plan on staying any longer than just a few hours in
|
|
an area.
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
7.1.6. The "Poor Man's Version" of the "Kursbuch"
|
|
|
|
The German "Kursbuch" exists on CD-ROM; but even without it one still
|
|
gets
|
|
along quite well, following these simple basic rules:
|
|
- The service in the West is better than in the East.
|
|
- You can rely on the backbone of the ICE/EC/IC/IR inner net with
|
|
trains running at least every other hour, usually every one! (In some
|
|
highly frequented areas three times an hour.)
|
|
- Some ICE/EC/IC/IR may also connect to less important cities (outer
|
|
net).
|
|
- They always run at the same minute after the hour and they are very
|
|
punctual.
|
|
- On more than 90 percent of the railway lines there are more than just
|
|
a few trains every day. Almost certainly there is a service of at
|
|
least one train every other hour, usually there's better service.
|
|
- Missed a train? You may or may not be well-advised to take the very
|
|
next. On many lines there are different trains stopping not at the
|
|
same stations. (Typically one train may stop at many stations and an
|
|
hour later the next train stops at fewer stations and the next train
|
|
after that one stops again *everywhere*... Because of this mixed
|
|
service it is good advice to check if using a short-distance train is
|
|
an option when you missed a long-distance train. Check first! Many
|
|
short-distance trains stop at rural stations and wait to let a long-
|
|
distance train pass. In that case it would be better to wait for the
|
|
faster long-distance train....
|
|
- Short-distance service is somewhat limited on Saturdays and Sundays
|
|
and public holidays (no rush hour back-up trains; usual trains run less
|
|
frequently.) Nevertheless, nearly all long-distance trains usually do
|
|
run on these days. Check before traveling on less important lines on
|
|
weekends!
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 7.1.7. Finding Train Connections on the Net
|
|
#
|
|
# If you would like to know about a specific connection in Germany
|
|
# you can send email to Frederik Ramm who will look it up for you
|
|
# in the "Kursbuch Gesamtausgabe". Send email to
|
|
# ule3@rz.uni-karlsruhe.de
|
|
# [4/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.1.8. Fly and Ride (a Train)
|
|
|
|
Airports with railway stations near or under the terminals:
|
|
|
|
Duesseldorf: S-trains to Duesseldorf und Duisburg and other
|
|
towns in the area.
|
|
Frankfurt: S-trains to Frankfurt, Mainz and Wiesbaden and other towns
|
|
in the area. IC/EC Service to many German towns.
|
|
Stuttgart: S-trains to Stuttgart and other towns in the area.
|
|
Muenchen: S-trains to Muenchen. It is a good advice for travelers to
|
|
the North to check the bus shuttle via Freising
|
|
|
|
Be ready to have German coins. It is not legal to enter an S-train
|
|
without a valid ticket. So you might want to use the ticket vending
|
|
machines. Other airports can be reached by local public transport.
|
|
Taxis cost a lot in all areas and may also be time consuming in some
|
|
areas.
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
7.1.9. Trains and Bicycles
|
|
|
|
It costs 8.60 DM to transport a bike in an IR TRAIN with reservation
|
|
and self service, but costs double price without reservation.
|
|
NOTE: It is not possible to transport a bike in 95 percent of all LONG-
|
|
DISTANCE, NON-IR TRAINS!
|
|
It costs 8.60 DM or less to transport a bike in any SHORT-DISTANCE
|
|
train; no reservation necessary (or even possible).
|
|
It is possible to transport a bike in 95 percent of all short-distance
|
|
trains. Some of the RSB and E trains are real semi-fast trains. It is
|
|
very easy to take a bike across Germany's border by train. Take a
|
|
train to the last station before the border. Than ride across the
|
|
border to the next station... It might be possible that there is
|
|
another method, ask....
|
|
In tourist areas it is possible to rent bikes at railway stations or
|
|
from private.
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.2. Country-Wide/Continent-Wide Bus Travel like Greyhound?
|
|
|
|
There is no national or private bus company like greyhound. There are,
|
|
nevertheless, a few lines run by the European railroads or private
|
|
companies. Some of the lines you can find in the *Kursbuch* . On many
|
|
lines there is only one bus every day or even week. Some airport bus
|
|
lines have real service.
|
|
In towns with many foreign workers there might also be some bus
|
|
services to the South, but you have to be a local to know about it.
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.3. Regional Bus Service
|
|
There are regional bus services run by bus companies of the federal
|
|
railroad. Ask at a railway station about the service.
|
|
EXCEPTION: In some areas, mostly in the Eastern, there is no regional
|
|
bus service run by any railway related company. Ask for the local
|
|
transport company.
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.4. Local Transport (Within Cities)
|
|
|
|
In all German towns there are local bus service or streetcars or
|
|
subways. To get information about it ask local Germans. If this is
|
|
not possible call the local railway station and ask them for the name
|
|
and phone number of the local transport company. Then call the local
|
|
transport.
|
|
If you stay longer than a day in an area, it's a good idea to buy a
|
|
local transport timetable and get a map of their local net.
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 Email in Germany
|
|
|
|
The pointers and tools described here are mostly of general interest
|
|
in the sense that their scope is not restricted to Germany.
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 8.1. Finding Email Addresses
|
|
|
|
Generally speaking, finding an email address is a non-trivial
|
|
undertaking, but it's not impossible. Several tools exist and you
|
|
ought to try to them first before you resort to posting a personal "I'm
|
|
looking for a friend" - note on the net.
|
|
These tool include: Netfind, X.500, rtfm's usenet-addresses search,
|
|
and WHOIS.
|
|
The more information you know about your associate (name, place of
|
|
business or school, and so on) the better your chances are!
|
|
|
|
= INTERNET IN GENERAL =
|
|
read the newsgroup "alt.internet.services"!!! Get the FAQ-list from
|
|
there.
|
|
|
|
= EMAIL BASICS =
|
|
FTP to ftp.sura.net:/pub/nic/network.service.guides/how.to.email.guide
|
|
to learn the basics of email on the internet.
|
|
|
|
= From NETWORK to NETWORK =
|
|
If you have trouble navigating from one network to another (buzz-word
|
|
"gateways"!), read the pretty extensive "Inter-Network Mail Guide"
|
|
edited by Scott Yanoff (formerly edited by John J. Chew.) Fetch the
|
|
electronic version of this document by anonymous ftp from
|
|
csd4.csd.uwm.edu:/pub/internetwork-mail-guide
|
|
|
|
= HOW TO FIND EMAIL ADDRESSES? =
|
|
A very complete answer is the "FAQ: How to find people's E-mail
|
|
addresses", frequently posted in the newsgroup "news.answers" and also
|
|
available by sending email
|
|
To: mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu
|
|
with message body of:
|
|
send usenet/news.answers/finding-addresses
|
|
|
|
= COLLEGE STUDENTS' ADDRESSES =
|
|
Anonymous-FTP to
|
|
rtfm.mit.edu:/pub/usenet/soc.college/Student_Email_Addresses
|
|
or send email
|
|
To: mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu
|
|
with message body of:
|
|
send usenet/soc.college/Student_Email_Addresses
|
|
|
|
# If you have a person's name and their academic location, you may try
|
|
# a netfind for the domain name
|
|
# uni-stadt.de for Universitaeten
|
|
# fh-stadt.de for Fachhochschulen
|
|
# th-stadt.de for Technische Hochschulen
|
|
# where "stadt" is to be replaced by the name of the town where the
|
|
# person lives. (example: the university of Karlsruhe
|
|
# is *.*.uni-karlsruhe.de)
|
|
# [4/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.2. Getting Email Access
|
|
|
|
Public Internet access is (still) nothing you could take for granted.
|
|
Not even at German universities; although the general trend is going
|
|
towards better service. Some universities provide it and some don't.
|
|
The University of Bonn, for instance, provides public Internet access
|
|
only since August 1993.
|
|
Nevertheless, usually it should be possible to stay on-line in
|
|
Germany.
|
|
# Also try reading the newsgroup de.org.sub (see 10 for more)
|
|
[4/94]
|
|
|
|
8.2.1. Universities
|
|
|
|
If the university offers Internet access, you can be sure that the
|
|
services are not very much like what American students are used to.
|
|
For example FTP might be very(!) restricted.
|
|
Usually you'll have to be a student, postdoc, etc. to be entitled
|
|
for email access at your university. Ask for email at your local
|
|
"Rechenzentrum". [3/94]
|
|
|
|
# 8.2.2. Lists of Public Unix Systems
|
|
#
|
|
# Read de.etc.lists !! (see 10 on how)
|
|
# Look for Jan Richert's list "publicuucp".
|
|
#
|
|
# You may also get Wolfgang Sander-Beuermann's list via ftp
|
|
# from
|
|
# ftp.rrzn.uni-hannover.de /pub/special/lists PubUxDe
|
|
# (currently 43 unix machines; between 0 and 50 DM/month; generally
|
|
# including mail and news service; frequently other services such
|
|
# as UUCP, IP, ISDN)
|
|
# [4/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 8.2.3. Private Networks
|
|
|
|
There are a number of ways besides university connections to stay on-
|
|
line. Private networks like FIDO or MAUS offer cheap connections to
|
|
the Internet. Only the telephone bills from the German TELEKOM can be
|
|
nasty. :-(
|
|
|
|
= PDIAL =
|
|
One source of pointers to these networks is PDIAL, a list of public
|
|
access providers offering dial-up access to Internet connections (both
|
|
free and pay services.) I found that this list a very extensive for US
|
|
areas but tells only a few services for Germany. [3/94]
|
|
It is posted semi-regularly to alt.internet.access.wanted and
|
|
news.answers. You may also get it by sending email
|
|
To: info-deli-server@netcom.com
|
|
Subject: send PDIAL
|
|
|
|
= MAUS.NET, SUB.NET, INDIVIDUAL.NET =
|
|
Getting access through a COMMERCIAL usenet provider is advisable only
|
|
if you want to use the net for business. They are much more expensive
|
|
than IN and sub.net!
|
|
To get access to a NON COMMERCIAL BBS (like MAUS-NET). You can only
|
|
read or write messages or use email. Most of these feed into "SUB.NET"
|
|
or "INDIVIDUAL.NET" (IN) ... which is why you might want to consider
|
|
getting their services directly; their internet-connection is also
|
|
faster and more complete.
|
|
|
|
Sub.Net
|
|
info@subnet.sub.net
|
|
|
|
INDIVIDUAL NETWORK
|
|
in-info@individual.net
|
|
# 40 DM/month for SLIP access
|
|
# 300k mail and news free.
|
|
# or:
|
|
# Oliver Boehmer
|
|
# Linkstr. 15
|
|
# D-65933 Frankfurt (Germany)
|
|
# Tel. +49 69 39048413
|
|
# email. info@rhein-main.de [4/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAUS.NET
|
|
If you happen to know the license plate id ("KFZ-Kennzeichen")
|
|
for the area of your interest try the following (note that this
|
|
method is not guaranteed to work!)
|
|
|
|
SYSOP@[license plate id].MAUS.DE
|
|
example: SYSOP@K.MAUS.DE for service in the Cologne area.
|
|
|
|
In the body of the message ask for the telephone number of your local
|
|
BBS box. [2/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.3. List of Anonymous FTP Servers in Germany
|
|
|
|
This list is maintained by Christian Hettler (hettler@ask.uni-karlsruhe.de).
|
|
|
|
FTP ftp.ask.uni-karlsruhe.de /pub/info/ftp-list-de
|
|
|
|
URL http://askhp.ask.uni-karlsruhe.de/ftp-list-de.html
|
|
|
|
email (leave subject blank)
|
|
To: mail-server@ask.uni-karlsruhe.de
|
|
|
|
begin
|
|
send /pub/info/ftp-list-de
|
|
end
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 Electronic Language
|
|
|
|
# 9.1. Dictionaries (Word Lists from the Net)
|
|
|
|
= gopher (OK: 1/94) =
|
|
|
|
There are on-line dictionaries available via gopher, e.g.:
|
|
gopher.tu-chemnitz.de
|
|
"Weitere lokale Infos (Woerterbuch)"
|
|
gopher gopher.informatik.tu-muenchen.de 70
|
|
"ISAR Gopher"/ "Services"/ "Englisches Woerterbuch"
|
|
|
|
= ftp (OK: 1/94) =
|
|
|
|
In general for ftp sites assume the following, unless stated
|
|
otherwise;
|
|
login: anonymous
|
|
password: <your-own-email-address>
|
|
|
|
German word lists and German-English dictionary word lists are
|
|
available via FTP from the sites listed below.
|
|
|
|
for people in EUROPE ...
|
|
___site___ ___directory___
|
|
ftp.informatik.tu-muenchen.de /pub/doc/dict
|
|
ftp.uni-kl.de /pub2/packages/doc.tum/dict
|
|
ftp.th-darmstadt.de /pub/dicts/German
|
|
ftp.uni-muenster.de /pub/comp/doc/dict
|
|
mailserv.zdv.uni-tuebingen.de /public
|
|
nestroy.wu-wien.ac.at /pub/lib/info/dict
|
|
|
|
and, for people WEST OF THE ATLANTIC...
|
|
___site___ ___directory___
|
|
arthur.cs.purdue.edu /pub/pcert/dict/German/ftp.informatik.tu-
|
|
meunchen.de
|
|
|
|
# = WWW (untested) =
|
|
#
|
|
# Langenscheidt's German-English/English-German Dictionary
|
|
#
|
|
# German-English: xmosaic http://www.fmi.uni-passau.de/htbin/lt/ltd
|
|
# English-German: /lte
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.2. Encyclopedias, "Lexika"
|
|
|
|
There is a "Bertelsmann Universal Lexicon" available on CD-ROM, which
|
|
can be ordered one from
|
|
|
|
totronik Torsten Droste
|
|
Rotebuehlstrasse 85 Tel: 0711-6271980
|
|
D-70178 Stuttgart Fax: 0711-616218
|
|
or
|
|
Asix Technology GmbH
|
|
Postfach 142 Tel: 07243-31048
|
|
76255 Ettlingen Fax: 07243-30080
|
|
|
|
The cost is about DM 150, and they take major credit cards. Airmail
|
|
shipment arrived within a week. They carry a number of other CD-ROM's
|
|
also, and a catalog on 3-1/2" disk is available.
|
|
[1/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 9.3. Translation Programs; Spell Checkers; Thesauri
|
|
|
|
Translators
|
|
|
|
For MS-DOS you can buy translation programs (German-English).
|
|
|
|
"Power Translation" by Global Link Inc.
|
|
"Translation" by Timeworks Inc.
|
|
(??? anybody ever used these programs? Experiences? Costs? ???)
|
|
"German Assistant" by MicroTack
|
|
Sold as a simple translator. Its real values are the hot key
|
|
bilingual dictionary, verb conjugator and grammar help. These
|
|
features work with any word processor. The translations range
|
|
from poetic to horrible. (about $60)
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
Spell Checkers and Thesauri
|
|
|
|
For German on the Mac., look for EXCALIBUR.
|
|
This is a spell-checker designed to work with LaTeX documents, but
|
|
does also handle plain text very well. Communication with just about
|
|
any editor via clibboard is possible! There are German, Dutch, French,
|
|
Italian, and many other dictionaries available. (about $0)
|
|
FTP-sites for that program:
|
|
sumex-aim.stanford.edu
|
|
mac.archive.umich.edu
|
|
wuarchive.wustl.edu
|
|
|
|
|
|
Word, WordPerfect and the like offer special modules for several
|
|
languages, not only German. One can get spell checking and thesaurus
|
|
modules for German. (about $100)
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
# Accent 1.0 - Multilingual Word Processor
|
|
#
|
|
# Over 30 different languages. Needs IBM 386 with Windows, 6 to 25MB.
|
|
# Spellercheckers: 17 languages
|
|
# Thesaurus: 9 languages
|
|
# Hyphenation: 12 languages
|
|
# Berlitz(R) Interpreter(TM) (5 language translation tool)
|
|
#
|
|
# Accent file filters allow you to import and export documents
|
|
# to other standard Windows software you are using including:
|
|
# Lotus, Ami-Pro, Excel, Word, Wordperfect, RTF, and ASCIII text.
|
|
# For more information send email to: info@accent.co.il [4/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
# 9.4. Tutorial Software
|
|
|
|
If you have an MS-DOS platform, one interesting site to look at might
|
|
be:
|
|
|
|
oak.oakland.edu:/pub/msdos/langtutr
|
|
|
|
There is free German, Spanish, Afrikaans, and other language software in
|
|
this directory; GERM1-23.ZIP and GERM2-23.ZIP cover German language
|
|
topics (mainly verb CONJUGATION and vocabulary exercises).
|
|
VOCAB217.ZIP has basic VOCABULARY for several different languages.
|
|
(about $0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
# Transparent Language version 2.0
|
|
# 1-800-332-8851
|
|
# 70541.3626@compuserve.com
|
|
# for DOS and MAC
|
|
#
|
|
# principle: "don't memorize -- get involved in a story!"
|
|
# main window shows story in original language, (French, German,
|
|
# Italian, Latin, or Spanish)
|
|
# three other windows explain correct meaning
|
|
# of word in context, meaning of sentence, and notes on
|
|
# grammar/root words/etc.
|
|
# You get only three stories for free, additional stories are
|
|
# $15 to $35; they have 17 different German stories as of now,
|
|
# adding about 4 every year.
|
|
#
|
|
# Readers from s.c.g have reported positive experiences, esp. good
|
|
# for not absolute beginners. But the stories tend to be on the
|
|
# "serious" side. (Kafka didn't have much fun, either!)
|
|
# List price is $99 -- but mention that you heard of the promotional
|
|
# $30 price! [4/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 "de" Newsgroups
|
|
|
|
If you would like to know more about Germany and you are able to read
|
|
and write German try the newsgroups in the "de" hierarchy. Those
|
|
newsgroups are available in Germany and at some sites in the US.
|
|
|
|
= NNTP = (??? couldn't access any of these??? 2/94)
|
|
For a list of these sites send email to ju8025@csc.albany.edu or ftp to
|
|
xray.phy.albany.edu
|
|
|
|
= email = (unchecked)
|
|
You can also subscribe to a special service that lets you read those
|
|
newsgroups by email. Send a mail to CHAMAS@DOLUNI1.Bitnet. Send a
|
|
mail like:
|
|
|
|
To: CHAMAS@DOLUNI1.Bitnet (<- you might not have to use 'Bitnet')
|
|
Subj.: CBM
|
|
help
|
|
|
|
Internet address: CHAMAS@vmxa.hrz.uni-oldenburg.de
|
|
|
|
= gopher = (OK: 2/94)
|
|
|
|
There are a number of US gopher sites that carry many newsgroups. I
|
|
haven't found a single one in the US, yet(?), that carries "de"
|
|
newsgroups.
|
|
So the only remedy is to connect to a news feeder in Germany. Please
|
|
use these services as little as possible if you are located outside of
|
|
Europe...for sake of satellite bandwidth!
|
|
Note that gopher provides only reading permission. You cannot post to
|
|
"de" newsgroups.
|
|
|
|
Here's how you do it: Connect to uni-trier, select one of the German
|
|
sites, and select the "de" newsgroups of your choice.
|
|
|
|
Type=1
|
|
Name=NEWS: Public Access USENET News all over the World
|
|
Path=1/Gateways/News
|
|
Host=kleopatra.uni-trier.de
|
|
Port=70
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 Fax Numbers in Germany
|
|
|
|
Frederik Ramm generously offers to provide fax numbers of companies and
|
|
institutes in Germany as they are printed in the official books by
|
|
Telecom.
|
|
Send an email like the following to his address:
|
|
|
|
To: ule3@rz.uni-karlsruhe.de
|
|
Subject: FAX request
|
|
|
|
Name: Firma Tiny
|
|
Ort: Klein-Hoppenstaedt
|
|
|
|
|
|
12 German News via gopher/email
|
|
|
|
NOTE: if you read soc.culture.german on a regular basis, please
|
|
disregard this! The information available at these places is also fed
|
|
into the newsgroup. You won't be missing anything!
|
|
|
|
= gopher = (OK: 2/94)
|
|
|
|
news.gwdg.de
|
|
(URL: gopher://news.gwdg.de)
|
|
|
|
Under menu point "Verschiedenes" you find *lots* of valuable
|
|
information... a real gem among gopher services ;-)
|
|
Proceed to "Aktuelle Nachrichten" for news transcripts in German
|
|
These news are provided on a daily basis by a team of volunteers
|
|
around Rainer Mallon. They take news from radio stations and
|
|
type them in (yip; manually!).
|
|
|
|
= email = (OK: 2/94)
|
|
|
|
send email To: LISTSERV@vm.gmd.de
|
|
with body SUB GERMNEWS
|
|
|
|
This will subscribe you to the list.
|
|
DON'T DELETE THE AUTOMATIC REPLY! You'll need that information if you
|
|
want to get off the list again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 German Soccer Results
|
|
|
|
If you ask Thomas Hofmeister (hofmeist@zorro.informatik.uni-
|
|
dortmund.de) he will send you the most recent soccer results via email.
|
|
|
|
His postings are also archived on a WorldWide-Web-Server:
|
|
|
|
URL is http://ls2-www.informatik.uni-dortmund.de/Buli/Buli.html.
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 Transferring Foreign Academic Degrees to Germany
|
|
|
|
(Because this is only important for Germans, I write this in German.
|
|
There are just too many special legal terms involved to do it in
|
|
English ...)
|
|
|
|
???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ????
|
|
|
|
Hier fehlen mir noch Literaturhinweise (Gesetzestexte) und Beispiele.
|
|
|
|
???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ????
|
|
|
|
Hier einige wichtige Fakten, die ihr wissen solltet.
|
|
|
|
Fuer alle Bundeslaender:
|
|
|
|
- Um einen auslaendischen akademischen Grad in seiner Originalform
|
|
fuehren zu duerfen, bedarf es einer "Erlaubnis zum Fuehren ..."
|
|
|
|
- Diese Erlaubnis erteilt das Kultusministerium des Bundeslandes, in
|
|
welchem der erste Wohnsitz liegt. Fuer Personen, die nicht in
|
|
Deutschland wohnen, erteilt das Land NRW die Erlaubnis.
|
|
|
|
- Die Erlaubnis kostet etwa 100-150 DM Bearbeitungsgebuehr. Die
|
|
Bearbeitung dauert etwa einen Monat.
|
|
|
|
- Die Erlaubnis besagt nichts ueber eine Gleichwertigkeit. Sie
|
|
stellt lediglich fest, dass der Titel rechtmaessig erworben wurde
|
|
und gibt an, in welcher Form er verwendet werden darf. Zum
|
|
Beispiel wird aus einem Master of Science, der an der State
|
|
University of New York at Albany erworben wurde, ein "Master of
|
|
Science at State University of New York at Albany". Gleichzeitig
|
|
werden auch zulaessige Abkuerzungen mitgeteilt (Bsp: M.S.
|
|
(SUNYA)).
|
|
|
|
Fuer alle Bundeslaender ausser Bayern:
|
|
|
|
Es gibt noch den zweiten Weg (ausser in Bayern): Ihr koennt einen im
|
|
Ausland erworbenen Titel als einem deutschen gleichwertig anerkennen
|
|
lassen. Die Bearbeitung ist dann im allgemeinen etwas aufwendiger
|
|
(laenger, teurer). Das Ergebnis ist, dass ihr euch dann statt Ph.D
|
|
Dr. phil nennen duerft (oder auch Dr. rer. nat.). Die Details
|
|
sind von Bundesland zu Bundesland sehr verschieden. Diese
|
|
Anerkennung kann auch abgelehnt werden.
|
|
|
|
In einem Beispiel (Baden-Wuerttemberg) wurde ein amerikanischer
|
|
Master (in Computer Science) in einen Magister umgewandelt. Dies
|
|
wurde mit der Studienzeit begruendet, welche kuerzer war als die
|
|
Regelstudienzeit fuer einen Diplom-Informatiker.
|
|
|
|
Wer nicht in Deutschland gemeldet ist, muss sich an das
|
|
Kultusministerium von Nordrhein-Westfalen wenden. Es wird dann ein
|
|
Nachweis verlangt, dass man wirklich im Ausland lebt. Da es in
|
|
vielen Laendern (speziell USA) keine Meldepflicht gibt, muss
|
|
normalerweise der umgeschriebene Pass vorgelegt werden (Kopie
|
|
reicht). Andere Nachweise sind zum Beispiel ein Auszug aus der
|
|
DMV-Kartei (im wesentlichen besagt dieser, dass man einen
|
|
amerikanischen Fuehrerschein hat, welcher auf eine amerikanische
|
|
Adresse ausgestellt wurde).
|
|
|
|
Die Adresse in NRW:
|
|
|
|
Ministerium fuer Wissenschaft und Forschung
|
|
des Landes NRW
|
|
Postfach 101103
|
|
(Voelkinger Str. 49)
|
|
40002 Duesseldorf
|
|
|
|
Tel: +49 211 896-4335
|
|
Fax: +49 211 896-4555
|
|
|
|
Verlangt wird in NRW (wie sonst auch): Beglaubigte Kopie des
|
|
Abiturzeugnisses und der Verleihungsurkunde fuer den amerikanischen
|
|
Grad, Kopie eines Wohnsitznachweises, ausgefuelltes Antragsformular.
|
|
Nach der Bearbeitung wird eine Gebuehr verlangt (war 150 DM). Ein
|
|
Ph.D. wird in Dr. rer. nat. (USA) umgewandelt. Die Bearbeitung
|
|
dauert etwa 3-4 Monate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
15 Questions and Answers
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.1. How to Write Umlauts in soc.culture.german?
|
|
|
|
As you may have noted, there are various ways to write umlauts. There
|
|
is no generally accepted way to do this in soc.culture.german.
|
|
Periodically, therefore, you will observe hard-fought battles on this
|
|
topic in this group.
|
|
|
|
Here are the two methods most often used:
|
|
|
|
"common" Version ae oe ue AE OE UE ss or sz
|
|
TeX Version "a "o "u "A "O "O "s
|
|
|
|
Please! if you have a German-style keyboard with umlauts, and if
|
|
you're using it to, say, post something in soc.culture.german, DON'T
|
|
use the umlauts. They probably won't get displayed correctly on
|
|
terminals in, say, North America.
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.2. Taking American Electronic Equipment to Germany?
|
|
|
|
If you wish to use domestic American electronics in Germany you will
|
|
encounter difficulties such as:
|
|
|
|
- German plugs have a different shape.
|
|
- The medium wave (AM) frequencies have different spacings (9 kHz vs.
|
|
10 kHz). This will cause problems with digital receivers.
|
|
- The voltage / frequency in Germany is 220-240 V / 50 Hz and not
|
|
110 V / 60 Hz as in the US. Improper voltage / frequency could
|
|
result in serious damage.
|
|
- TV uses the PAL norm. American TV uses the NTSC norm. These two
|
|
norms are incompatible. Therefore an American television will
|
|
generally not work in Germany and vice-versa, although multi-norm
|
|
TVs are available in Europe.
|
|
|
|
15.2.1. Importing Phones to Germany?
|
|
|
|
You may own any phone but you may not connect it to the public system
|
|
unless it has a BZT number (Old phones: ZZF). You may not own radios
|
|
or cordless phones which are not approved. The number is usually found
|
|
on a sticker at the back of the case.
|
|
Pulse dial phones should work in Germany. Tone dial is not available
|
|
in many areas. This is changing, however.
|
|
|
|
Cordless phones are a real problem. In Germany, cordless phones
|
|
operate on different frequencies than in most other countries. The
|
|
frequencies many foreign phones use are used by others (police,
|
|
emergencies, radio, TV ...).
|
|
It is a crime to own and use a cordless phone!
|
|
Therefore,
|
|
use only approved cordless phones !!! or they _will_ get you !!!
|
|
|
|
Problems are possible with Hong Kong or British pulse dial phones
|
|
because the pulses there are not exactly the same as in Germany. But
|
|
the phone system is very tolerant and with most of these phones you can
|
|
switch to the other system anyway (same for Modems).
|
|
|
|
The wall outlets for phones in Germany have a different shape than the
|
|
usual modular plug. Adapters are available in Germany (from 2.50 to 20
|
|
DM). These adapters are no problems with phones. But legal and
|
|
illegal things might not work together on the same line.
|
|
|
|
15.2.2. Video Tapes? -- Different Video Norms!
|
|
|
|
PAL format videotapes will not display properly using an NTSC based VCR
|
|
and vice-versa.
|
|
|
|
There are services where video conversion from any format to any other
|
|
format can be made for a fee (VHS, VHS-C and 8 mm types of cassettes.)
|
|
This will allow playback of videotapes made overseas using US TVs and
|
|
VCRs (PAL, SECAM --> NTSC) and vice-versa (NTSC --> PAL, SECAM, etc ...)
|
|
|
|
It is also not too expensive to get a VCR which is able to play NTSC
|
|
and PAL tapes.
|
|
Only very few VCRs are able to record and play VHS tapes in NTSC and PAL
|
|
(e.g. Panasonic W1, about DM 5000). Cheaper VCRs are able to play
|
|
different formats (NTSC, PAL, SECAM).
|
|
|
|
DO IT YOURSELF
|
|
With this setup you can transfer from NTSC to/from PAL at reasonable cost.
|
|
Dont expect studio quality though:
|
|
Akai VS R110EM is a three system unit - PAL, NTSC, SECAM , costs about
|
|
200 dollars mailorder (smile video, nyc).
|
|
AIWA MG360S also 3 systems, costs about 450 us dollars (mail order,
|
|
j/R music world, nyc, 1 800 221 8180) [3/94]
|
|
|
|
Another VCR that is "reasonably" priced is sold by Radio-Shack. The
|
|
VCR is available through special order only; and not all Radio Shack
|
|
employees know that this machine even exists. If they don't, have them
|
|
look in the current catalog for #16-706. The cost is $600.
|
|
(Need a second VCR for conversions.) [3/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMMERCIAL CONVERSION
|
|
|
|
International Video Conversion
|
|
520 Harvest Lane
|
|
Raleigh, NC 27606-2217
|
|
Tel: (919) 233-8689
|
|
|
|
Fees: $20.00 + $5.00 S&H
|
|
(Price of a High Grade Cassette Included, 2hrs or less)
|
|
Delivery: Mailed back the next day, express shipping at request.
|
|
Payment: Check, Cash or Money Order mailed with tape.
|
|
|
|
|
|
sasjrm@unx.sas.com does it for $5 per hour + $3 for the blank tape.
|
|
(Formats: NTSC, PAL, NPAL, MPAL, SECAM, MSECAM)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion Labs
|
|
2250 Monroe St #263
|
|
Santa Clara, CA 95050
|
|
Tel: (408) 985 2098
|
|
|
|
$20 per tape (up to 2h, each add. hour $ 10). Tape, S&H included.
|
|
Mail only, next day shipping, overnight available. Check, cash, money
|
|
order. Does: NTSC (8mm, Hi8, VHS) -> PAL (VHS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Give your local shops a try! I found a *Camera Shop* that does PAL <->
|
|
NTCS conversions; a bit expensive, though ($20/h). But if you need
|
|
something the very next day...
|
|
[1/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.3. Calling Germany Collect from Abroad?
|
|
|
|
The most convenient way for German tourists to call home is the
|
|
'Deutschland direkt' Line. You can reach it toll-free from the US at
|
|
1-800-292-0049. A German speaking operator will connect your call.
|
|
Collect calls are possible. It is also possible to use a special phone
|
|
card and password. Ask your local 'Telefonladen' for details.
|
|
|
|
If you want to call a German '130' number from the US, you need to call
|
|
either the above mentioned service or your long distance operator.
|
|
'130' numbers are Germany's version of the US '800' numbers. But if
|
|
you call them from another country you will have to pay the usual fee
|
|
for operator asst. long distance calls. Some of the German '130'
|
|
numbers are linked to US '800' numbers so you can actually call them
|
|
for free in the US.
|
|
|
|
It is also not possible to reach US '800' numbers from Germany. You
|
|
will have to use an operator. If you own a US phone card use one of
|
|
the numbers listed (see 15.4.) Otherwise use the German long distance
|
|
operator.
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.4. Using US Phone Cards in Germany?
|
|
|
|
If you have an American phone card you can get connected to an English
|
|
speaking operator from any phone by dialing:
|
|
|
|
- AT&T Direct: 0130-0010 (operator)
|
|
0130-0011 (phone cards)
|
|
0130-850 058 (customer asst.)
|
|
- MCI Direct: 0130-0012
|
|
- US Sprint: 0130-0013
|
|
- Canada Direct: 0130-0014
|
|
|
|
The following countries offer an equivalent service by dialing:
|
|
|
|
0130-800-### (### is the international access code. For two digit
|
|
access codes dial 0##. Example: Australia 0130-800-061)
|
|
|
|
Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iceland,
|
|
Israel, Italy, Japan, Rep. of Korea, Luxembourg, Malaysia, New
|
|
Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey,
|
|
United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Finland, France, Hungary,
|
|
Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Denmark
|
|
|
|
Many other international long distance companies provide the same
|
|
service. Ask your long distance carrier for the right number.
|
|
|
|
Ask these companies for details.
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.5. VAT in Germany?
|
|
|
|
In Germany every retail price includes 15% (1993 value) Value Added Tax
|
|
(Mehrwehrtsteuer, MwSt). If you buy goods in Germany and plan to take
|
|
them with you to a foreign country it is possible to get a refund for
|
|
the VAT. In some places you even get a discount in the shop. To get
|
|
the VAT refunded you usually need some proof that you life not in
|
|
Germany (Passport ...) and a special receipt from the store. It is
|
|
possible for Germans to get a refund if their Passport shows a foreign
|
|
address. Then ask for your refund at the border or airport (if the
|
|
store did not deduct the tax already). Please ask the customs people
|
|
for details. This refund might be not available for residents of
|
|
European Community member states.
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.6. What presents to take to Germany?
|
|
|
|
T-SHIRTS, sweat-shirts, baseball-caps, mementos from such places as the
|
|
Monterey Sea-Aquarium or the Museum of Modern Arts or the Air & Space
|
|
or Smithsonian museum (or whatever is in your neighborhood)
|
|
|
|
COMPUTER: software and paperback books about software and hardware.
|
|
publications by your favorite computer users group (BMUG, BCS,
|
|
whatever)
|
|
|
|
BOOKS: paperbacks (non-fictional mostly), cartoons, cooking, travel
|
|
guides, historical, biographies, etc...
|
|
|
|
MUSIC: CDs are much cheaper here, especially if you do one of those
|
|
mail-order 'buy 8, pay for 1/2' (and what do you mean I forgot to tell
|
|
you about shipping&handling), and some cannot be easily found overseas.
|
|
support your local starving-musicians and buy some of their stuff (CDs,
|
|
Tshirts) at the next gig you in your favorite music hang-out...
|
|
|
|
POSTERS: from museums, art boutiques, Natl. Geo, Smithsonian,
|
|
|
|
MAGAZINES: Sunday NYT, last years Natl. Geo., Air&Space, Smithsonian,
|
|
Architectural Digest, Texas (or whatever is published monthly with your
|
|
state's name on it - with lots of pictures and local lore...)
|
|
|
|
RAGS: CACM, IEEE, Foreign Affairs,...
|
|
specialty rags (Private Pilot, Sailing, WoodWorking, Beer and Wine
|
|
Making,...)
|
|
|
|
and if you are a photographer, why not make a couple of 8 x 10" prints
|
|
of some of your best (sign them and put them in a frame) ?!?
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.7. Buying a Car for Short Period instead of EuRail?
|
|
[Summary of a thread from Fall 1993.]
|
|
|
|
The overall tone of the responses was pessimistic. In particular:
|
|
* REGISTRATION and INSURANCE are difficult to arrange for FOREIGNERS
|
|
without residency
|
|
* GAS is expensive
|
|
* PARKING can be a hassle.
|
|
|
|
Here are selected parts of the responses:
|
|
|
|
Driving in Germany is not cheap! A tank of GAS that would cost you
|
|
about $12 (~20 DM) in the USA would cost you about $50 there (~80 DM)
|
|
in Germany (Assuming a rate of 1.60 DM per 1$.)
|
|
---
|
|
If you don't buy a car from a dealer you do not pay VAT anyway. For
|
|
that kind of money [DM 2000-2500, USD 1200-1500] don't bother about
|
|
SHIPPING it to the States. It would be so old that it wouldn't have a
|
|
catalytic converter.
|
|
---
|
|
Your INSURANCE will be astronomical just because you're a foreigner.
|
|
[...] You've also got to pay property TAXES on the car. That means you
|
|
must have an address in Germany where you are "angemeldet" [residency].
|
|
There also may be some legal hang-ups against buying a car if you're
|
|
just using it to travel. In addition to these thoughts, the BUYING
|
|
process is also quite different. You can't just walk into a car dealer
|
|
and come out with a car -- like you can in America. There's quite a
|
|
bit of paper work that needs to be done before you can even test drive
|
|
the car. You'll have to come back a couple of days later to do that
|
|
and then afterwards you can negotiate the transaction.
|
|
---
|
|
Primarily central parts of the CITIES are closed for cars.
|
|
---
|
|
PARKING can be a hassle.
|
|
---
|
|
To my knowledge, you have to be RESIDENT of the Fed. Rep. of Germany
|
|
in order to REGISTER a car. [...] RESELLING the car can be quite a
|
|
hassle. There are times (not particular seasons, though) when the
|
|
market is not really in favor for sellers. [...] RENTING a car might
|
|
be worth considering.
|
|
---
|
|
It should be no problem to get a car which is still running for this
|
|
price. Make sure it has some state inspection time left, otherwise it
|
|
will not be REGISTERED. [...] You will need INSURANCE, of course.
|
|
This is based on the hp of the car. For 40 hp it will be about 100 DM
|
|
per month. You must also pay car TAX, this is based on the cc of the
|
|
engine. For 1 liter is it about DM 200 per year. You get a refund, if
|
|
you sell the car earlier for the unused time.
|
|
---
|
|
I personally would not recommend buying a very cheap car, because it
|
|
will likely BREAK DOWN.
|
|
---
|
|
I would look for a REALLY CHEAP CAR (<1000 DM), which will last for the
|
|
time you are in Germany.
|
|
---
|
|
> Are there Mercedes diesels from the 70s that are reasonably priced?
|
|
They are about DM 2000-6000 [USD 1200-4000] ... maybe more if in very
|
|
good shape.
|
|
---
|
|
I lived in Germany for over a year and one of the nicer things [...]
|
|
about living there is the fact that you DON'T NEED a car.
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.8. How much is Gasoline in Germany?
|
|
|
|
Diesel...: DM 1.18 (+/- 0.06) per liter
|
|
??? what are the other typical values ???
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
#15.9. How to get German Stock Data via Internet?
|
|
|
|
For WWW-browsers available... use URL:
|
|
|
|
http://www.wiwi.uni-frankfurt.de/AG/JWGI/JWGIhome.html
|
|
(daily updated info; the data seem to come from www.win.tue.nl)
|
|
|
|
??? when I checked, I didn't find any direct exchange rates ???
|
|
??? and what is "mrt" anyway? ???
|
|
[2/94]
|
|
|
|
# For exchange rates in Amsterdam:
|
|
# http://www.win.tue.nl/cgi/tt2www/nos/tpage/569
|
|
# [unchecked 4/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
#15.10. What German Books for Children?
|
|
#
|
|
# by Ottfried Preussler
|
|
# Die kleine Hexe
|
|
# Das kleine Gespenst
|
|
# Der starke Wanja
|
|
# Krabat
|
|
# Der kleine Wassermann
|
|
# by Max Kruse
|
|
# Urmel aus dem Eis (and more Urmel books)
|
|
# by Michael Ende
|
|
# Jim Knopf und Lukas, der Lokomotivfuehrer
|
|
# Jim Knopf und die Wilde 13
|
|
# Die unendliche Geschichte
|
|
# Momo
|
|
# Der satanoluegenialalkohoellische Wunschpunsch
|
|
# by Erich Kaestner
|
|
# Das fliegende Klassenzimmer
|
|
# Emil und die Detektive
|
|
# Puenktchen und Anton
|
|
# der kleine Mann
|
|
# and the classic books by Astrid Lindgren
|
|
# [4/94]
|
|
|
|
|
|
#15.11. Sending Money To and From
|
|
#
|
|
# To Germany (e.g. to mailorder places that don't accept plastic)?
|
|
#
|
|
# Ruesch International Financial Services will issue a draft in DM
|
|
# (and other currencies) at the current rate of exchange, plus a
|
|
# service charge of only $2 per transaction. Telephone the U.S.
|
|
# headquarters (in Washington, DC) at 1-800-424-2923 to set up an account.
|
|
# Regional offices:
|
|
# Atlanta (404-222-9300)
|
|
# Boston (617-482-8600)
|
|
# Chicago (312-332-6900)
|
|
# Los Angeles (310-277-7800)
|
|
# New York (212-977-2700)
|
|
# Washington, DC (202-408-1200)
|
|
# Switzerland: Ruesch Devisenhandel
|
|
# Schipfe 7
|
|
# CH-8023 Zuerich
|
|
# Tel. 01-212-5300, Fax 01-212-5406
|
|
# (They charge 5 sfr for a check.)
|
|
#
|
|
# Other ways to get US$ across the ocean are:
|
|
# * sending an American personal check
|
|
# may or may not work....if you like to gamble then this is your way ;-)
|
|
# * branches of German banks abroad
|
|
# if you are lucky you find a major German Bank in your City, then you
|
|
# may try direct deposit like it is customary in Europe.
|
|
# * Eurochecque
|
|
# Send one of your own Eurochecques; possibly you can get them from
|
|
# a German banks branch. Catch: Need to have a German bank account.
|
|
# * American Express travellers checks
|
|
# Go to a local American Express office and purchase DM travellers
|
|
# checks. You can get single checks, 20's and above. No service fee,
|
|
# but a few points off the bank exchange rate. Make sure to fill out
|
|
# the "Pay to the order of:" field for security!
|
|
# Problem: You may not get the exact amount you need, like DM 57.66.
|
|
# * American Express money orders
|
|
# Are well accepted by German banks.
|
|
# For long term you might consider opening a Germann bank account and
|
|
# depositing a regular payment with American Express money orders. Then
|
|
# you can pay German bills off of that account.
|
|
#
|
|
# From Germany
|
|
# * international money orders
|
|
# Available at every post office. Charge is about $5 for small
|
|
# amounts. Note that int. money orders are nt issued by American
|
|
# post offices.
|
|
# * have a credit card withdrawing from your German account. Try to
|
|
# avoid cash advances (extra fee) but buy things with your card (only
|
|
# the currency exhcange rate is applied.)
|