hart@blackjack.dt.navy.mil (Michael Hart) (05/15/91)
Ok, I got my AOL info pak from home, and here are the details.
Company:
America Online
8619 Westwood Center Drive
Vienna, VA 22182
Ph. (703)893-6288 (Membership Services)
(800)227-6364 (Sales and Installation Group)
I'm not sure if the 800- number is for getting the kit; Check
the 800 directory (1-800-555-1212) and see if there is another
800 number for them.
-> If you sign up between now and 6/15, you become a Charter Member.
There is a price discount on the hourly rates (see below). I'm
not sure if all new members before then are charter, or just
a random pick.
-> They have Mac and PC software available. I personally prefer
the Mac, but since I no longer have a Mac at home... I got the
PC version. Available in 5.25" or 3.5".
-> The PC version looks like 3-D Windows 3.0. Sorta like Motif,
but the general Windows look. I think this might be the
GEOS look? It's astetically(sp?) pleasing.
-> The software install was painless. My biggest gripe was that
I ordered the 3.5" disks. The install wants the 3.5" drive to
be the A: drive; mine is B:. The s/w would not use the B: drive,
so I had to copy everything to 5.25" disks. Minor point, but
still annoying.
-> The s/w is easy to use, even without a mouse. Just tab, arrows,
spacebar, and PgUp/Dn works all the buttons and icons. Good
visual cues makes it easy for keyboarders to see what buttons/
icons are selected. 'Course, this isn't an issue for mousers.
-> The install went very easy. The s/w dials an 800 number, then
asks for your area code, then displays a list of access numbers
that should be local calls for you. You then choose a primary
and an alternate number.
-> I have not tried all the areas yet; only the News & Finance, and
the Lifestyles & Interests. So far, I like it a lot. (It's not
UseNet, but, still nice :-))
-> Hardware requirements:
512K memory
DOS 2.0 or later
Hayes(tm) or compatible modem
Registration Certificate (with sign-on code and password)
VISA, MasterCard, or checking account transit number (to use
CheckFree)
-> Recommended:
EGA
640K memory
Hard Drive
Mouse
(from the Membership Info sheet)
-> Monthly Fee = $9.95 This includes 3 hours of free evening
or weekend usage. Also, unlimited free evening and weekend
access to the What's New and the Online Support areas.
-> Baud rates: 300, 1200, 2400. NO price difference on modem speeds.
-> Connect time charges: REGULAR MEMBERS
Day 6am-6pm 6pm-6am
Monday - Friday $10/hr $5/hr
Weekends/Holidays $5/hr $5/hr
Remember, first 3 hours of evening/weekend use is free.
-> Connect time charges: CHARTER MEMBERS (20% discount for life)
Day 6am-6pm 6pm-6am
Monday - Friday $8/hr $4/hr
Weekends/Holidays $4/hr $4/hr
Note: all rates are from continental US. Surcharges for
PR, HI, AK, Canada.
-> Billing. Auto-pay by Visa or MasterCard, or CheckFree.
$2 fee per month for CheckFree.
-> Upload Credit. If you upload software to the software library,
you will receive credit for th amount of time it took to upload
the program.
-> Canceling membership. Cancel by mail or online at any time.
Now, I'll try to describe the look and feel of the s/w.
When you first log on, you get an intro screen, with 3 icons:
Mail (which either says you have mail, or no mail), a
"hot item" button, and another that generally highlights one of
the areas of the service. At the bottom is a button that says
"Browse the Service". There is also a line with "TOP NEWS STORY:
and a 2-line headline.
When browsing, the screen has 8 icons atop the window, and two
boxes below, one labeled What you have selected, and the other is
What you can select.
The What you have selected box gives a listing of how you got to
where you are; i.e. all the "folders" you went through to get to the
area where you currently are. You can move up the path by selecting
any of your previous steps.
The What you can select side shows all the available sub-areas that
you can go into now.
(Mac users will liken this to using the standard file open dialogs
and navigating up and down folders).
The main areas are on the 8 icons across the top of this window.
They are:
News & Finance
world and business news, stock quotes, portfolio management,
Ernst & Young Business Series, Investor's Network, electronic
brokerage
People Connection
a series of 'chat' rooms, on-line conferences, etc
Lifestyles & Interests
hobbies, special interest software, conferences, etc
Games & Entertainment
live, on-line games, downloadable arcade-style games,
gossip, music, horoscope, soap opera summaries, etc.
Learning & Reference
online encyclopedia, tutoring, classes, database of colleges,
career assistance.
Travel & Shopping
online shopping.
Computing & Software
software, tech support from vendors, computing forums.
What's New & Online Support
AOL support, online reference manual, billing/account info,
other local access numbers, schedule of online events.
Overall, I like the service. If you have Usenet, you'll see
a lot of duplication of functionality. Of course, the players are
different. One thing I really like is the free stock quotes, and
general market info; something I've not been able to find on Usenet.
For this alone, I may keep the service. Plus, for just that, I can
probably keep my access time down to 3 hours/month. But, I suspect
that most people, myself included will gradually use the service
more than three hours.
My suggestion: TRY IT. Can't hurt!
Disclaimer: I have no connection with America Online other than
as a subscriber.
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Michael G. Hart hart@blackjack.dt.navy.mil / mhart@oasys.dt.navy.mil
Computer Specialist, 15 years of computer & mgmt experience looking for
a job. Reply NOW if you have openings in DP management.