======== Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm Subject: COMP.SYS.CBM: General FAQ, v3.1 Part 3/9 From: brain@mail.msen.com (Jim Brain) Date: 13 Aug 1996 00:36:46 -0400 X-Posted-By: YPost, version 0.08 Archive-name: cbm-main-faq.3.1.p3 Comp-answers-archive-name: commodore/main-faq/part3 News-answers-archive-name: commodore/main-faq/part3 Comp-sys-cbm-archive-name: main-faq/part3 Version: 3.1 Last-modified: 1995/08/12 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table of Contents (for this file) --------------------------------- 5. Connecting Up 5.1. How do I connect my computer to the outside world? 5.2. What services can I use to get online? 5.3. What hardware do I need? 5.4. What kinds of terminal programs exist? 5.4.1. What kinds of terminal for the 64? 5.4.2. What kinds of terminal programs exist for the 128? 5.5. Can I use my Commodore computer on Amateur Radio? 5.6. Is there TCP/IP software available for Commodore computers? ----------------------------------------------------------------- 5. Connecting Up 5.1. How do I connect my computer to the outside world? First, we need to define what "outside world" means. In this sense, we are referring to the process of connecting the Commodore computer up to another computer or computers and exchanging textual, binary, or graphical information. To connect to another computer, one must have a Commodore computer system, a modem, a phone line, and a telecommunications program (called a terminal emulator or terminal emulation program). While you can use this to connect to other individuals, to access great stores of online information you need to subscribe to an "online service", which can take many forms. This type of service allows you to correspond with many people with a single phone call, and may permit you to contact people out of your area without a long distance phone call. 5.2. What services can I use to get online? The following services can be accessed by a Commodore computer and allow the user to access online information. Bulletin Board System (BBS). - Small system usually with one phone line operated by an individual. Fees are optional. For a list of BBS systems in your area, contact Myles Skinner for nner@julian.uwo.ca. Compuserve Information Service. - CompuServe has two Forums designed specifically for Commodore 8-bit computer users. CBM Applications Forum (GO CBMAPP) deals with programming, geoProgramming, applications software, telecommunications, CP/M, utilities and hardware. CBM Arts/Games/Music & GEOS Forum (GO CBMART) deals with GEOS in general, music (including SidPlayer and MIDI), games, graphics and graphics utilities. Both Forums have full message boards and extensive data libraries, and both Forums have weekly real-time conferences. The CompuServe network is available virtually world wide. The Commodore Forums are attracting increasing membership from Europe and Australia, and have begun to tap into the vast variety of Commodore files available around the world (some of the best new Commodore programs are coming in from EuropeompuServe has an extensive network of local numbers throughout the United States and Canada and is also available through supplemental networks such as SprintNet and DataPac. The number of direct CompuServe connect numbers in Europe is beginning to expand. While there is no standalone CompuServe navigator program available for Commors, CBMAPP has the CIS.EXE script set that automates Dialogue 128 on CompuServe, and also VIDAUT.BIN which will virtually automate Vidtex (which is available again through Software Support International). In addition there is OFFLIN.HLP, a text file in CBMAPP, that provides a method for semi-automating access with any standard comm program and word processor. CompuServe's rates are as follows: STANDARD PRICING PLAN Me: $ 9.95/month PLAN BENEFITS For $9.95, your CompuServe membership entitles you to five free hours on the service. This includes forums, mail, and Internet access. After your first five hours, additional hours are billed at the rate of $2.95/hour. For an additional $15 a month, our Super Value Plan adds 15 free hours (for a total of 20 hours each month) and each additional hour is just $1.95. Premium ($) services carry additional surcharges, however, during your free hours, you are not charged for connect-time. Any communications surcharges apply. INTERNET ACCESS Direct Internet Access (Dail PPP) File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Remote Login (Telnet) USENET Newsreader ASCII USENET Newsreader CIM For additional information on the listed services, GO INTERNET. MAIL CompuServe Mail is billed for connect time. This includes reading mail and viewing classified ads. Surcharged areas, such as fax, telex and CongressGrams carry additional charges. For a complete list of mail services and rates, including hardcopy deliveries through the po GO MAILRATES. CONNECT-TIME RATES Connect-time is billed in one minute increments, with a minimum of one minute per session. Partial minutes are rounded each log-in session to the next full minute for our billing purposes. Comon Systems P.O. Box 20212 Columbus, OH 43220 (800) 848-8990 (Information) | GEnie - GEnie is a general interest + online service that was previously run by General Electric. There + are four different subscription packages from which a member can + choose: + GenieLite + This is a subscription for the occasional user -- someone who + primarily uses e-mail but likes to take occasional journeys into + Genie's RoundTables. + Monthly subscription*: $7.95/month + Per hour rate for all Genie services: $2.75/hour + Additional prime time surcharge: $1.00/hour + *GenieLite monthly subscription includes 5 free hours of e-mail use. + Genie + This is our standard membership plan and is a tremendous value + for any of our members who use more than 6 or 7 hours a month. + Monthly subscr$23.95/month + Per hour rate for all Genie services: $2.75/hour + Additional prime time surcharge: $1.00/hour + **Genie monthly subscription includes 9 free hours of Genie + services. Monthly subscription is reduced to $18.95 for anyone who + had a Genieccount prior to February 1, 1996. + GenieNet + Internet. There are two different plans under the GenieNet banner: + Option 1 + The GenieNet Option 1 plan gives unlimited access to the Internet + but without a graphical interface. This is total, unrestricted, + 28.8Kbps access to the Internet, WWW, FTP, and Newsgroups. + Monthly subscription***: $15.00/month + Per hour rate for all Genie services: $2.75/hour + Additional prime time surcharge: $1.00/hour + *** GenieNet Options 1 & 2 provide UNLIMITED Internet usage. + Option 2 + The GenieNet Option 2 plan gives unlimited access to the Internet + but this time with a graphical interface. In addition to the + features offered under Option 1, you'll also get free Netscape + Navigator software and the ability to create a personal web page. + Monthly subscription***: $29.00/month + Per hour rate for all Genie services: $2.75/hour + Additional prime time surcharge: $1.00/hour + *** GenieNet Options 1 & 2 provide UNLIMITED Internet usage. + Note: Two separate e-mail addresses, one on Genie and one on + GenieNet, are issued when you select either GenieNet subscription + option. The Commodore support area on GEnie is known as the Flagship Roundtable. While there are a few premium services on GEnie that charge an extra price, all of the Flagship is available at the basic rate. The Flagship RT includes some "Real-Time Conferences" (RTCs) featuring classes or discussion of issues associated with Commodore computers. Additionally, there is a BB (Bulletin Board), which works much like Usenets comp.sys.cbm (only the discussion is broken down into categories and topics). Finally, the Flagship has an extensive library of Commodore files. The BB messages can be read economically by capturing all the new messages in a terminal programs capture buffer, and reading the messages off-line. Wizard, the C= GEnie fron end, supports this. Because GEnie is a general interest service,it supports many different computers, and you ASCII terminal program to connect to GEnie. Wizard is available, but not required. GEnie operates normally | at 300 - 28,800 bps. There are local access numbers across the country. e 401 North Washington Street Rockville, MD 20850 (800) 638-9636 (Information) Delphi Internet Services. - Delphi is a commercial system that, while small in comparison to other systems, is growing rapidly. It has a large forum dedicated to Commodore computers, as w...
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