[Xastir] Useful without TNC/tracker?

[Hans Fong]

Newbie here! I am new to APRS, but investigating it after some interesting talks at our local ham meeting.

I successfully set up Xastir, but I don't have a TNC or tracker yet. I 
was wondering if I still can do something useful with Xastir, like 
getting info from the web and displaying it in Xastir (a bit like aprs.fi). Can you connect to an iGate, or another source directly? I saw that 
there is an interface for an internet server, but it seems outbound 
only, not inbound. But then again, I might be doing something wrong. 
Hope this group can help out a bit. Thank you.

Some more info:
Running Xastir 2.0.0
OS: Kubuntu 10.10
Box: MSI CR400 mini-laptop
Rig: TH-F7e
Tracker/TNC: pending
Grid: PL040u

Call: BX2ABT / PA2BX
Name: Hans
73 and TU