eddings@bgsuvax.UUCP (Ken Eddings) (05/24/88)
Since the topic has come up several times in the past month, I thought the
net readers would be interested in the following press release I pulled
down from AppleLink.
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AppleLink Personal Edition Announced
APPLE COMPUTER AND QUANTUM COMPUTER SERVICES ANNOUNCE
APPLELINK PERSONAL EDITION
BOSTON. May 20, 1988. Apple Computer, Inc. and Quantum Computer Services, Inc.
announced here at AppleFest(R) today a new online communication and
information service specifically for Apple computer owners called AppleLink(R)
Personal Edition. The product is being demonstrated throughout the
three-day trade show, which focuses on the home market for Apple computers.
AppleLink Personal Edition is jointly developed and co-marketed by
Apple Computer and Quantum Computer Services. It will allow Apple users to
"talk" with each other and access both Apple-specific and general online
information and resources. Designed to enhance computing for productivity,
learning, creativity and fun, it will be useful to individuals with a broad
range of computer needs and uses. Users can, for example, sample software for
Apple computers, exchange electronic mail, check stock quotes, and participate
in an online forum with guest speakers such as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.
AppleLink Personal Edition provides in-depth Apple-related
information and services, Apple-specific forums, and a range of general
information and communication resources and capabilities. Designed to be
widely accessible, it will be available 24 hours a day throughout the United
States, affordably priced and easy to operate. In most cases, the service will
be accessible with a local phone call. A one-step sign-on procedure, icons and
pull-down menus provide simple and time-saving access and navigation through
the system.
Charles M. Boesenberg, senior vice president and group executive, Apple
USA, said, "With AppleLink Personal Edition, we want to provide Apple
computer owners easier access to the information they need, whether it's from
Apple, from third parties, or from each other. That way, all subscribers can
get the best use from their computers."
James V. Kimsey, president of Quantum Computer Services, said, "Quantum
specializes in interactive, system-specific online computer services. We're
very excited about joining the Apple community, which is known for its
enthusiasm and creativity, with both Apple(R) II and Macintosh(R)
versions of AppleLink Personal Edition."
AppleLink Personal Edition adds to the spectrum of information and
support services available to Apple computer owners. It joins authorized Apple
dealers -- primary providers of computer support services -- as well as user
groups, trade publications and other online services to provide an additional
source of information and support to system subscribers.
The Apple Community and General Services
AppleLink Personal Edition is organized into two main sections: The
Apple Community section and the General Services section. Apple Computer
provides information and direction for the Apple Community section. Quantum
Computer Services is responsible for the General Services section and manages
and maintains the online system.
The Apple Community section includes Forums of particular interest to
Apple computer owners; Industry Connection, with demonstration software,
product information and technical support from third-party companies; Software
Center, with public-domain software and shareware; Apple Headquarters,
providing information about Apple products, press releases, and a connection
to Apple Customer Relations; Reference Library, with information from Apple's
technical and product databases, software reviews, special education software
and Apple Programmers and Developers Association (APDA) listings; Apple
University, which at introduction will include online courses on BASIC
programming and AppleWorks, and; Calendar & Events, a guide to online events
in the Apple Community section. Questions posed to Customer Relations on the
service will usually be answered within 48 hours.
The General Services section of AppleLink Personal Edition includes
People Connection, an area featuring live "chat" from around the country, game
shows, and guest speakers in the auditorium; Financial District, with 15-minute
delayed stock quotes from the NYSE, AMEX and OTC, stock market summary and
investor's debate board; Recreation Center, with interactive multi-player games
as well as forums on sports, music and other topics; Club House for special
interest forums such as photography and genealogy; News Room, with
international news and weather; The Mall, with more than 200,000 brand-name
items available at discount prices through Comp-u-store, American Airlines
EAAsy Sabre service for air, car and hotel reservations, and classified ads;
and Learning Center, providing online courses and the electronic Grolier's
Academic American Encyclopedia.
Real-time communication and electronic mail functions work across both
sections of the service, and a work offline function allows users to save
online charges.
As AppleLink Personal Edition evolves, there will be more special
interest forums, system enhancements, and additional services.
A monthly magazine for system subscribers, called AppleLink Update(TM),
will provide detailed listings of conferences and online events and the
latest information about system features.
Hardware Requirements
The Apple II version of AppleLink Personal Edition works on Apple
IIGS(R), IIc, and IIe computer systems and on most commonly available
modems. (Apple IIe systems need enhanced ROM, 128K memory, an 80-column card,
and a Super Serial Card.)
When the Macintosh version is available later this year, AppleLink Personal
Edition will also operate on Macintosh 512K, Plus, SE and II computers.
Availability and Price
The Apple II version of AppleLink Personal Edition will be available
at authorized Apple computer dealers this summer, and the Macintosh version
will be available later in 1988.
The AppleLink Personal Edition package, available for a suggested
retail price of $35, will include the software, the user guide, the first
year's subscription to the service and the monthly AppleLink Update magazine,
and the first two hours of non prime time use. After the first year, there
will be a $35 annual subscription fee for the service and AppleLink Update.
AppleLink Personal Edition hourly rates are $6 per hour for non prime time
use (6 p.m. to 7 a.m. weekdays and all day on weekends) and $15 per hour for
prime time use. The hourly charge is the same for baud rates of 300, 1200 and
2400, and there are no surcharges for any services available at introduction.
Quantum Computer Services, Inc. provides online services to personal
computer owners and specializes in interactive communications, computer
enhancement and entertainment services. Founded in 1985, Quantum is
headquartered in Vienna, Va. and is the creator of Q-Link, one of the nation's
most widely used online computer services.
Apple, the Apple logo, Apple IIGS, AppleLink, and Macintosh are registered
trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
AppleLink Update is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
__________________________________________________________________________
Ken Eddings CSNET: eddings@andy.bgsu.edu
Department of Philosophy ARPANET: eddings%andy.bgsu.edu@csnet-relay
Bowling Green State Univ. ALink: UG0182 attn: Ken Eddings
Bowling Green OH 43403 GEnie: K.EDDINGS
__________________________________________________________________________
"The prudent mariner never relies solely on any single aid
to navigation." -=Old Mariner's Proverb=-
__________________________________________________________________________lippin@sizzlean.berkeley.edu (The Apathist) (05/24/88)
Recently eddings@bgsuvax.UUCP (Ken Eddings) quoted a press release: >A monthly magazine for system subscribers, called AppleLink Update(TM), >will provide detailed listings of conferences and online events and the >latest information about system features. Ok, I'll bite: Why a magazine? --Tom Lippincott ..ucbvax!math!lippin "Print is dead." --Igon
ecs165s052@deneb.ucdavis.edu (Greg DeMichillie) (05/26/88)
Just a minor point...
The AppleLink Personal Edition is a completely separate (sp?) entity from
the regular AppleLink available to developer's, dealers and Apple employees.
It will no doubt duplicate some of the features of AppleLink, but A-Link
Personal users will not be able to send e-mail to people on regular A-Link.
I believe this is correct, anyone with more info please correct me.
-----
Greg DeMichillie lgdemichillie@deneb.ucdavis.edu
ecs165s052@deneb.ucdavis.edu
{ucbvax, lll-crg, sdcsvax}!ucdavis!lgdemichillie
AppleLink: ST0178