0004133373@mcimail.com (Donald E. Kimberlin) (02/22/91)
There have been a number of posts advising ways that Internet
users can file messages to the troops. For those not having Internat
access, here's a way GEnie has provided for the general public, from a
the kind sysop of the St. Petersburg Prorgram Exchange in FL:
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Date: 02-18-91 (21:18) Number: 12630
From: DENNIS NICHOLSON Refer#: NONE
To: ALL Read: NO
Subj: GEnie to the rescue Conf: (0) Main Board
GEnie has offered to take calls from anyone that has a computer and
modem and transmit these as letters to our troops in the gulf.
The phone numbers are:
(813) 447-9521 St. Petersburg (During working hours before 6 PM)
(800) 638-8717 After hours and on Saturday and Sunday
I would hope if you call the general 800 number listed at the end of
this they would give you the local number where you live.
In dialing into GEnie it is a good idea to use a script. It requires
you to type in "HHH" and if you are not fast the whole thing goes to
sleep and you have to disconnect.
It is looking for ASCII or TTY transmission, 7 Data bits, Even parity,
1 stop bit (not 2), and half duplex.
After connection you enter (or your program and script enter) ASCII,
HHH, GEnie responds with #U and the reply is LETTERS - The first time
through be sure to turn on the capture feature since after you type
letters there will be a lot of information on how to use this section.
The next question is:
Press <RETURN> or <S>croll?
If you have capture on, type "s" and return.
The system will first request some information from you about yourself
(your mailing address, phone number, etc.). This information will
used for statistical purposes - for security reasons it will NOT be
printed on the letter or otherwise disclosed.
Before sending a Letter from Home you must know the following
information about the intended recipient:
- Name & Rank
- Social Security Number
- Unit or Ship Name
- APO or FPO Number
If you are unable to supply any of the above information, the system
will not allow you to enter a letter. NOTE - While it may be possible
to "create" information which the system will accept, entering
incorrect or inaccurate information will most likely result in your
letter NOT being delivered to the intended recipient.
Please make sure you have the information listed above BEFORE you try
to send your Letter from Home.
For further information about the GEnie service, please
call GEnie Client Services at 1-800-638-9636.
~ EZ 1.30 ~ St. Petersburg, Florida >> HOT Old Folks <<
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I called GEnie Customer Service on (800) 638-9636 and found the
rep most helpful and interested in seeking the widest dissemination of
news of this free service. I hope it's useful to readers here.