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+<H2><A NAME="s1">1.</A> <A HREF="usermanual_en.html#toc1">Introduction</A></H2>
+
+<H2><A NAME="ss1.1">1.1</A> <A HREF="usermanual_en.html#toc1.1">What is a DX Cluster?</A>
+</H2>
+
+<P>A DX Cluster is a packet node where DX chasers on any band or mode can
+post rare or interesting stations that they have worked or heard. Of
+course other people are doing the same thing too, so you can find new
+DX as well as telling others about the stations you have worked.
+Clusters tend to be linked to each other so that the amount of people
+using them is increased, thereby increasing the amount of posted DX.
+Other information can be found on clusters such as on-line call books,
+mail etc. You can talk to other stations connected to the cluster
+network too, in real time, whether at the node you are logged into or
+on another node connected to the network. You can also use converse
+mode, where several stations can talk to each other in the same way.
+Of course, the DX is still posted to you all the while!</P>
+
+<H2><A NAME="ss1.2">1.2</A> <A HREF="usermanual_en.html#toc1.2">So what is DXSpider?</A>
+</H2>
+
+<P>PacketCluster nodes have been around since roughly 1985. The original
+PacketCluster idea came from Dick Newell, AK1A, and ran under DOS.
+In about 1992 Dick stopped the development of the PacketCluster
+software for amateur radio. Many systems are still using this
+relatively old DOS software today.</P>
+<P>There are several new compatible cluster programs around now,
+including DXSpider. DXSpider is a clone of PacketCluster software that runs
+under several operating systems including Linux and Windows. Linux is fast
+becoming the choice for amateur radio stations because of it's flexibility,
+reliability and the lack of the memory limitations of DOS. Linux supports
+multitasking and is also multiuser. It has support for AX25, ROSE,
+NetROM and TCPIP built in, making it the ideal choice for amateur
+radio. It is also totally free!</P>
+<P>DXSpider was conceived and begun in 1998 by Dirk Koopman, G1TLH as an
+exercise in perl programming. It has developed rapidly and today is a
+very powerful cluster program. It was designed to be totally compatible
+with the AK1A program, although several commands have been extended to
+improve functionality.</P>
+<P>This manual is designed to help you become familiar with the commands
+that DXSpider supports and to help you get the best from the program so
+you can enjoy working that rare DX! As DXSpider is being improved all the
+time, commands will be added as time goes by, so make sure you have
+the most upto date version of this manual. The latest version will
+always be included with the cluster program so if you are unsure, simply
+ask your sysop. The manual will also be available on the wesite.</P>
+
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