(ITA -1997)Now to join In the worlds largest conve

(ITA - 1997) 

Now to join In the world's largest conversation

All you need to start cruising the information super-highway is a computer and a modem. Then you have to decide what sort of service you want. Companies such as Compuserve and CIX (Compulink information Exchange) offer a wide variety of discussion groups (which are often called conferences) and electronic mail; and Compuserve, in particular, gives access to a host of commercial services.

At present, neither offers full access to the Internet - they are linked by a "gateway" through which e-mail can be sent and received, but which denies access to many of the delights the Net has to offer. __(I)__, both companies are widening the gateways in the near future.

To use all the services the Net has to offer, you have to turn to a service provider like Demon Internet. For a monthly fee, service providers can give you your own Net address. From then on, you are able to use the wide range of software that already exists for Net surfing. Unlike Compuserve and CIX, service providers do not give you an all-in-one software package as part of the deal. Demon, however, provides several of the most important programs, and will sell you a book and disk package containing most of the rest of what you need for about 30 pounds.

Once you've got your programs, you'll have to configure them for your machine. This isn't difficult, but it'll help if you can seek advice from someone who is already linked up using a similar system, or it's likely you'll be spending a while on the telephone to your service provider's customer support line. After your software is working, the world of the Net is yours to explore.

FOCUS. Aug. 1994, p. 36

 

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