A	>>	B	>>	C	>>	D	>>	E
F	>>	G	>>	H	>>	I	>>	J
K	>>	L	>>	M	>>	N	>>	O
P	>>	R	>>	S	>>	T	>>	U
V	>>	W	>>			X	>>	Z

Baruch Spinoza - "On the Improvement of the Understanding"

Charles Dickens - "The Old Curiosity Shop"

Maxim Gorky - "Project Gutenberg surfs with a modem donated by Supra."

Rafael Sabatini - "Scaramouche"

Since the author also requests remuneration, we would ask these

O >> Odd de Presno. All >> Since the author also requests remuneration, we would ask these



THE ONLINE WORLD

The Online World book's text on paper, disk and in any other
electronic form is (C) copyrighted 1993 by Odd de Presno. All
rights reserved worldwide.

xxxx
SHAREWARE BOOK

*********************
* THE ONLINE WORLD *
*********************

Version 1.1 - September 1993

By Odd de Presno
4815 Saltrod, Norway (Europe)
Voice (registrations only): +47 370 31204
Internet mail: opresno@extern.uio.no
Data/BBS: +47 370 31204
FAX: +47 370 27111




PREFACE
=======
This is the ASCII online distribution of the Online World. It deals
with the practical aspects of using the rapidly growing global online
information resource.
The book is distributed in a form that is designed to be easily
accessible with the maximum range of computers, printer types, and
search programs. Also, it has been designed to be compatible with
electronic reading devices for the blind. Therefore, many frills
(such as fancy formatting, extraneous characters or tags) have been
omitted.
The main subject of the book is what you can get out of the
online resource.
Expect an outline, not a comprehensive list or directory of all
available offerings. This book explores selected applications
across network and service boundaries, to show how these needs may
be satisfied.
In the process, it gives access information for a large number
of specific online offerings.
The applications range from entertainment and the bizarre to
databases and special services for professionals and organizations.
You are not expected to live in the United States or in Norway.
Emphasis is on major international offerings available through
services and networks like the Internet, BITNET, CompuServe, Echo,
FidoNet, Usenet, Dialcom, Dow Jones/News Retrieval, MCI, NewsNet
and UUCP. These services can be accessed from almost anywhere.
Talking about the Internet, we do not expect that it will be
easy for you to get full access. We assume that most people can get
access to this network by electronic mail only.
I wrote The Online World for parents and youth, teachers,
students, business people, social workers, psychologists, young,
old, for anybody interested in knowing a bit more about our
current "Global Village."
You can read it like a novel, to get an idea of what is going
on. It can be used as a practical guide book to online data bases
and news sources, or as a book of reference.
You need not be a computer expert or an experienced "onliner"
to find it useful.
While not being a textbook on data communications, it contains
much information to help novices get started. For an introduction
to telecommunications, check out appendix 2 and 3 before continuing
with Chapter 1.
Before you start, one word of warning. New online offerings are
born each day, while others are being closed down. Chances are that
most services in this book will still be around when you read it,
but I will need to update the text regularly. Therefore, all
feedback is welcomed with thanks.
Please do also tell me what you like, what you don't, and what
you feel I may have missed -- or have gotten hopelessly wrong. Send
by electronic mail to me at opresno@extern.uio.no .

This book is not free
---------------------
The Online World book is NOT public domain. It is copyrighted work
and may be distributed only pursuant to this license.
You are granted a limited read and use license of the book to
see if it is for you. Any unregistered use other than to determine
if the book meets your needs is a violation of this license and is
forbidden.
If you like the book, please become a registered reader. Your
contribution will support further research and development of the
text.
The important benefit of registering is that you will receive
the latest version of the book on diskette (MS-DOS only). This will
allow you to have current information on your hard disk that you
can search whenever you want to.
The online world is dynamic. Services and offerings come and
go. So read appendix 8 to find out how to stay updated.

The registered shareware version of The Online World including
shipping and handling is

NOK 105.00 for payment by credit card
(around US$ 15.00)
US$ 20.00 for all other types of payment
(check or SWIFT bank transfer)

As an alternative, you can also register for six updates of the
book during one year. The updates will be mailed you on computer
diskette:

US$60.00 for all types of payment

The special rates for organizations to make the text available to
employees etc. over a network are explained in appendix 8.
Please note: As I do not receive any renumeration from vendors
of shareware disks, you must register your copy to have a legal
license for use of the book beyond an evaluation period.

Please give to others
---------------------
Permission is with this granted to reproduce and distribute the
Online World book so long as:

(1) No remuneration of any kind is received in exchange.
A distribution fee may be charged for the cost of a
diskette, shipping and handling, as long as the total
(per disk) does not exceed US$8.00.
(2) Distribution is without ANY modification to the contents
of all accompanying text files, including the copyright
notice and this license. All of the files in this package
are to be distributed together.
(3) No publication of the book or individual articles from the
book in print is permitted, in any language, without the
express written consent of the author.

If archiving this book for BBS use or library use, please include
all files and use the name ONLINE10, for example, ONLINE10.ZIP, or
ONLINE10.LZH. This will provide consistency for future updates.

No copy of this book may be distributed without including a copy
of this license. Any other use, including bundling of any of the
book's chapters or appendixes for your own distribution, is
prohibited without express, written permission in advance from the
author.

The Online World book is regularly being updated. Information about
where to get the latest version of the book can be retrieved from
TOW, a mailing list set up to support the project. For information,
send electronic mail to LISTSERV@vm1.nodak.edu (LISTSERV@NDSUVM1 on
BITNET) containing the command "GET TOW MASTER".

How to read the book
--------------------
You may read the book using any ASCII viewing or text searching
program. My private favorites are:

LIST - Shareware MS-DOS file viewing program,

LOOKFOR - Shareware boolean text search program.

Print versions of The Online World
----------------------------------
The Online World does not cover any specific area of the world.
Local versions will be printed and published in several countries
through joint venture partners. These versions of the book will be
adapted to local conditions, and contain many local examples and
references.

The following local version of the book is available:

"Ut i verden fra egen skjerm," Norwegian text, Dataforlaget A/S,
1992. 220 pages. Phone: +47 22 63 61 62. Fax: +47 22 63 60 09.
Price: NOK 245,-. ISBN: 82-90628-67-6.

Local language versions of the book are due be published soon by
partners in Denmark and Germany. For information, please contact:

Claus Berg (Denmark) at Claus_Berg@SKOLE-KOM.UNI-C.DK
Publisher: Teknisk Forlag A/S, Skelbaekgade 4, 1780 Kbh.V.,
Denmark. Fax: +45 31 21 09 83.

Dr. Karl Sarnow (Germany) at karl@dadoka.h.ni.schule.de
Publisher: Verlag Heintz Heise GmbH & Co KB, Helstorfer
Strasse 7, D-3000 Hannover 61, Germany.
Fax: +49-511-53 52-129.

Do you want to be a partner?
----------------------------
If you are interested in becoming the author of a local language
version of the book in your country, please write me at
opresno@extern.uio.no to discuss the possibility of a joint-
venture.


Saltrod (Norway), September 1, 1993

Yours,

Odd de Presno


-------------------------------------------------------------
The Online World book's text on paper, disk and in any other
electronic form is (C) copyrighted 1993 by Odd de Presno. All
rights reserved worldwide.
-------------------------------------------------------------

INDEX
=====

PREFACE

1. Going online will make me rich, right?
Knowledge is Power. A larger personal network gives you a stronger
punch. The value of information, and of having a great time. . .

2. The online world
The structure and content of the online offerings. About
Bulletin Board systems, discussion lists, conferencing systems,
and online data bases. About packet data services, and network
services like FidoNet, i-Com, Infonet, Internet, and others.
A constantly changing environment.


3. How to use online services
Short introduction. How to use menus, and how to navigate like
an expert. Tailoring online services to your interests and needs.

4. Hobbies, games, and fun
About computer programs, online adventure games, threatening viruses,
planning holidays, collecting coins and stamps, genealogy, music,
shopping and other leisure activities.

5. Home, education, and work
Tips for house owners, for those more concerned about money, about
education and the exchange of knowledge, electronic conferences.
Building a personal network. Job hunting by modem, and about
working from home.

6. Your personal healthnet
About support for diseases like AIDS, cancer, and kidney diseases.
Forums for people with physical or mental disabilities, like
hearing impairments, learning disabilities, vision impairment,
mobility problems.

7. Electronic mail, telex, and fax
How to communicate globally at a ridiculously low cost, with
notes about how to address your global electronic mail.

8. Free expert assistance
How to get free advice about your computer, software and
other things.

9. Your electronic daily news
Read national and global news before getting it through the
traditional media. Get those interesting background facts.
Read special interest news that the media never bother to print.

10. Looking for a needle in a bottle of hay
Notes about searching data bases. How to locate interesting
books and articles.

11. Getting an edge over your competitor
Using the networks to manage projects. Monitor competitors,
prospects, suppliers, markets, technologies, and trends.
Marketing and sales by modem.

12. Practical tips
How to get more out of the time spent online.

13. Cheaper and better communications
Using packet data services or competing data
transport services like Tymnet Outdial, Infonet,
Internet, PC Pursuit, and others.

14. Keep what you find.
Build your local personal data base. Strategies for
locating interesting information. What separates good
from bad information.

15. You pay little for a lot!
How to figure out costs.

16. Automatic communication
Get a lead on your competitors.
Avoid duplication of effort.
Reduce costs.
Reduce boring repetitive work.
No need to remember all the "tricks" of communications
anymore.

17. Gazing into the future.
Thoughts about things to come.

---------------------------
Appendices:

1. List of selected online services
2. How to get started
About your personal computer, modem and
communications program.
3. Your first online trip
Getting started. Typical pitfalls and
simple solutions. Down- and uploading.
4. Explanation of some frequently used terms
5. Books and articles for further reading
6. International standard country codes
7. About the author
8. How to register
---------------------------

Chapter 1: Going online will make me rich, right?
=================================================

The number of services is enormous. It takes time to find the
truly interesting stuff.
- Knowledge is power.
- A large personal network gives you a punch.
- The value of information, and of having a good time.

Knowledge is Power
------------------
My wife has a rare and dangerous kidney disease. One day her doctor
joined us on an online research session to look for experiences and
advice in other countries.
We sat down in my office in Norway. I turned on my personal
computer and started a communications program.
After some keypresses, we could hear the attached modem dial
the number of CompuServe, a North American information utility. (A
modem is a piece of equipment that converts computer signals to and
from sound codes, so that data can be sent by phone.)
It took just a few seconds to make the connection. Soon, a
greeting scrolled over our screen, followed by a menu of available
choices.

For an introduction to practical telecommunications, check out
appendix 2 and 3. Appendix 1 lists major services mentioned in
this book.

We selected "Health" and the "Data Base for Rare diseases." This
gave the address of an American foundation for "cysts in kidneys,"
which is the name of her disease. My wife made contact, and has
since received regular reports of research results and experiences
gained in the field.
We sent an open request for help to an electronic forum for
doctors. The result was several useful responses. We searched a
magazine data base for medical articles containing the key word
"kidney." Paper copies of the most interesting finds arrived by
mail after a few days. My wife gave them to her hospital doctor as
background reading.
Kenya Saikawa is paralyzed. He communicates with his PC and
modem using light key strokes and Morse code. Online communications
allows Kenya to be in regular contact with people outside the walls
of his Tokyo hospital.
We met online in a "Handicap Club" on a computer center called
TWICS in Tokyo. He was there to exchange experiences with others
with disabilities. The club is a personal support group for those
in need of help.
CompuServe's Cancer Forum has a similar function. "It's a
blessing that I can visit here 24 hours a day," one visitor said.
"When I'm unable to sleep at night, I often sit down by the PC to
read and write messages to others."
The forum is like a family. The file library is full of
information about cancer. Members can just go in there and pick
up whatever they want to read.
Dave Hughes from Old Colorado Springs, Colorado in the United
States has had a long career as a professional soldier. He has
fought in places like the Yalue river in Korea and Vietnam's
jungle. When he retired, he became a political online force.
"I'm using the new tools of the individual mind to change the
world," he says. Native American Indians are among those, who
have benefited from Dave's energy and knowledge. He has helped them
show their culture to the outside world in a graphical form.
Vladimir Makarenkov from the Crimea in the Ukraine is manager
in a company called VINKO. In early 1993, he distributed an offer
of partnership with foreign companies through the mailing list E-
EUROPE. VINKO is into aluminium processing. He wrote:
"From our own production we can offer some one metals and
aniline dye for cotton, viscose, wool, silk, leather. We are
interested in deliveries of chemical production (gamma acid, H-
acid) and not quickly deteriorating foods (food concentrates,
canned food etc)."
George Pavlov is Planning and Reporting manager at an American
computer manufacturer. Daily, he logs on to online services to
monitor industry product announcements and daily news from several
electronic sources. It helps him stay ahead of rapid technological
developments.
Semafor A/S in Arendal, Norway, produces modems and other types
of telecommunications equipment. They operate an electronic bulletin
board for customers, users and prospects. Anybody can call in to
get information about products and offerings. If they need help,
they can leave a message to Semafor A/S day and night. A response
will be waiting for them, when they call back.
Eduardo Salom heads Software Plus SA in Buenos Aires,
Argentina. He discovered the online world in 1988, and uses it to
find information that can help his company develop industrial
applications.
The Norwegian civil engineer Kai Oestreng regularly calls
specialized online computer clubs to discuss his computational
needs, fetch programs and monitor developments.
Mary Lou Rebelo was born in southern Brazil. Today, she is
married to a Japanese and lives in Tokyo. She teaches Portuguese
and works as a translator. The modem enables her to keep in touch
with others around the world interested in Portuguese and Spanish
language and culture.
Mike Wright teaches at St. Andrew's College in Grahamstown,
South Africa. He integrates the online world in his teaching to
motivate his students. His classes are involved in international
projects with schools all over the globe.
In August 1991, the "Old Stalinists" made a coup d'etat in the
Soviet Union. The news media were silenced, but they forgot the
country's many bulletin boards. Early one morning, a foreign caller
picked up the following messages from a Moscow BBS:


From: Valery Koulkov
To: All Msg #560, 00:42am
20-Aug-91
Subject: Moscow, August 19, 23:00

Some news from the square news RSFSR white building, 23:00. Local
inhabitants are very welcome for the people guarding 'white
building', they carry food and some garments to the square.
Approx. 8 tanks stand by the house under the RSFSR flags! There is
an information that 'white house' is surrounded by the soldiers
from Vysshee Desantnoye uchilische from Ryazan. The people are not
so desperate than some hours ago. There are more and more people.


From: Stas Stas
To: Alexey Zabrodin Msg #562, 02:53pm
20-Aug-91
Subject: Russia In Agency news

I have sent two files RIA4.txt & ria5.txt
It's msgs of Russia Information Agency
Spread it as much as you can!!!


From: Andrew Brown
To: All Msg #563, 06:31pm
20-Aug-91
Subject: What's happening?

I am a journalist on the London Daily newspaper *The Independent*,
and I am trying to discover whether this technology, like fax
machines, is being used for independent communication now that the
censors have clamped down on everything else.

Can people describe what is happening, and what they see?
Something similar was done on Compuserve during the Gulf War, by
subscribers who where in Israel and were able to describe Scud
missile attacks without censorship.

Andrew Brown


Select: 564
From: Valery Koulkov
To: All Msg #564, 00:52am
21-Aug-91
Subject: Moscow events

There is shooting near the American embassy and RSFSR state
building. Informer said (by phone) that he saw several victims
(shot and killed under the tanks. there is fire near the RSFSR
building. Moscow, August 21, 1:15 am

Telecommunications played a role in this historic event. While CNN
televised the coup, it was not the images, but the words of men
like Yeltsin that held sway for Russian citizens.
Within hours of Yeltsin's statement in defiance of the coup
leaders, handbills reproducing his statement papered the walls of
the Moscow metro and Leningrad houses.

You can!
--------
Online communication is not just for the privileged or those with a
special interest in computers. It is for you, me, everybody.
There is much to learn in the "online land," and the medium is
fascinating. It makes learning fun. You can learn about how to use
your computer, about your profession, other people's views about
whatever, and more. Often, you will find reports about experiences
and know-how that it is hard or impractical to get in other ways.
Some users go online to learn how to do things better. Teachers
want to give their students a better and more motivating learning
environment. Architects, engineers and companies want increased
competitiveness and sales. They seek timely information about
competitors, technologies and tools, partners and trends.
You can take a Masters Degree in Business Administration while
sitting in front of your computer at home. You can join online
seminars arranged by local or foreign educational institutes. You
can even study at night, when the rest of your family has calmed
down.
Some build their own educational programs supported by data
bases, online forums and associations of various kinds.
You may feel helpless when in hospital, or when visiting your
doctor. Knowledge about your disease will make you better equipped
to handle the situation. The online resource is just keypresses
away, and knowledge is power.
To get this power, you'll need to know what you can get from
the online world. This book is filled with examples of what is
available, and practical tips about how to use the offerings.

A large personal network gives strength
---------------------------------------
Most of us belong to one or several networks. They consist of
persons that you can call on whenever you need help. Your network
may be private, like in your family. You may be member of various
associations, or be part of a group of people with common interests
within a company or organization.
The modem allows you to be part of more personal networks than
you can possibly cope with in the "real world." Besides, it's much
easier to develop personal networks in the online world.
We have used words like "clubs" and "associations." By this we
mean groups of people interested in helping You and in participating
in what You happen to be interested in.
Today's communications technology lets us participate in
networks in other countries at a very low cost. Many describe it as
participation "beyond time and space."
Write a message and send it to a person in your network. It
arrives in his/her "mailbox" within minutes (sometimes seconds)
and stays there until the recipient wants to read it. This built-in
ability to send messages to other people's electronic mailboxes
reduces the power that time and geographical distances have over
our lives.
A friend in a remote country gets out of bed nine hours after
you, but keeps going well into what, for you, is the next morning.
No problem. You can send letters when you're awake and receive
replies when you're asleep.
You can pick up and read your friend's messages the next day or
whenever you feel like doing it. That is how two people as far
apart as Arendal, Norway and Beijing, China could be involved in
the development of this book.
Sometimes "real time" discussions are important. Consider the
following example. CompuServe has a Diabetes Forum. You can call
there any time, day or night, seven days a week. Whenever you feel
like it. You will always find someone to chat with who understands
and shares your problems.
Real-time chatting may become expensive, but you are free to
decide your level of involvement. If you think that $10 spent is
enough, then just stop there.

What is the point?
-----------------
Thousands of commercial and noncommercial online services offer
over 5,000 online databases. These infobases are repositories of
electronic information. They contain full-text and reference books,
magazines, newspapers, radio and TV shows, reports, and more.
In 1992, BiblioData (USA) found that around 4,000 titles (i.e.,
magazines, newspapers, etc.) were available online in full-text.
You will find facts and figures about almost anything in the online
world.
The world has over 100,000 public bulletin board systems
(1993). Most are small information centers, running on personal
computers using a simple computer program and modems. People call
in to read messages and information, retrieve free software, or
just to have a good time.
Most BBSes are free. Some charge a small annual fee. The
largest board has 213 telephone lines, seven gigabytes of storage
for letters, conferences, computer programs, and more (1993).
Mind you, 7 gigabytes is a lot. It is equivalent to more than
7,000,000,000 characters, or a whopping 12,000 copies of this
book!
The entrepreneur sees the online world as a new, profitable
playground. Many of them have made it their profession to search
for information for others, and they earn a good living doing so.
Others advertise and sell products and services by modem.
Some set up their own online services to sell knowledge and know-
how, be it of aqua culture, wine production, marketing, or about
the petroleum offshore market.
In business, it pays to be one step ahead of the competition.
Early warnings of customers' needs, competitors' moves, and
emerging opportunities can be turned into fortunes. It can reduce
potential losses and help develop businesses in more profitable
directions.
Turn this to your advantage. Build your own early warning
system that monitors online information sources and networks.

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