Reflections of a ModemJunkie
by 
Leonard  Grossman

This is the first thing I've ever typed in Windows (almost). and getting this far has taken half an hour because I clicked on something and three paragraphs
disappeared. That's why I said "almost."   After 5 years of using WP 5.1 five hours a day, this is
like learning to walk all over again, with different legs.  But what's the point of upgrading my
equipment if I can't take advantage of the latest software.  So this is being composed in
WPWIN6.0a.  (I know, I know,  6.1 is out but this is what I have.)  Windows has made the
exploring the Internet much less daunting than it would have been otherwise.  But this is something
else. 

First, I had to change the font size to 18 point, just so I could read the screen..  I'll try tochange it back when I save the file.  I've changed the Template
(what ever that means) To WP5.1.   Maybe that means the function keys will be where I expect
them...we'll see.

Where did I leave off?  Oh, yes.  I had signed up with InterAccess
for $28 a month butwas contemplating changing to MCS which has a $10 a month basic
rate for full Internet access. The $10 covers the first 10 hours.  Its a dollar an hour after
that.  I thought I could use market influences to control my addiction.  So, just before my free trial
period was over, I switched to MCS.  The theory was that if I use less that 28 hours a month I
would save money over the InterAccess minimum rate.  Therefore market pressure would help
cure my addiction.   

So....after two and one half weeks I telnetted my account at MCS. 
Guess what ?  In 18days I had only been on line 34 hours. So much for theory.  Iquickly called MCS and asked to beswitched to their three month plan which costs $65 for unlimited
access. (InterAccess has asimilar plan but it is slightly more expensive.)  I left desperate E-mail for the billing department asking them to let me know when the new rate was in effect so I 
could log on again.  I quickly received a comforting note stating that the new rate was retroactive to the beginning of the month
so I didn't have to worry. 

 So, if you want to try the Internet but are afraid to take the plunge, the $10 MCS rate is agood risk.  If you don't find yourself
on line much you can keep it or drop just before the next billing period begins  and pay only for what you've used. But if
you find yourself  addicted you can upgrade your service at any time.  Your unlimited service will
be retroactive to the first of the current billing period.

The competition between services is keen and aficionados of each claim theirs has less
down time and better access. Its really hard to tell.  Ethical and political battle rage in flame wars
between advocates of one system or another.  Issues like purportedcommercialism on the WEB
result infantile flame wars far more annoying than any advertising could be.  In any event, thanks
to Karl Denninger of MCS for letting us all know about the new CompUSA home page on the
WEB (HTTP://comp-usa.mcs.net/) where you can register to win a28,800 modem.  But don't try. 
I'm going to win. 

In the brief time I have been on line, I haven't found manysubstantive differences between
MCS and InterAccess (IA).  Both offer the essential services.  The biggest differences are in
getting set up and in the rate structures.  InterAccess is probably the easiest for the total Newbie
(not a term of endearment on the Net).  Once you've signed up. InterAccess sends you a disk with
all the essential software and a few parameters to enter.  Load it through Windows and you are
ready to role.  There is some controversy because IA charges $15 for the disk which includes asignificant amount of shareware.  They
advise you to register, but the advice is in small type.  OTOH, MCS requires you to find the software on your own, either in
one of the many Internet books containing the Chameleon Sampler or on-line. It is then
necessary to download a special config file from MCS.  

While their method seems a bit more pristine, it's somewhat more complicated, and the likelihood that you will register is, in
truth, no greater one way or the other.   In the end its not clear that there that there are great
differences between the providers.  At least,Ihaven't found any great differences so far.  (I should point out
that there are a number of other providers available in the Chicago area, but these seem the two
most popular. See the  Novemberedition of Computer Currents, if you can still find it, for a
number of ads and an excellent cover story on the WEB.)

What is clear is that as the Internet becomes more popular it is becoming less efficient as
a productive tool. As exponential growth continues, sites formerly rarely overloaded become
unavailable.  How this will affect scientific and scholarly use of the Internet is hard to predict at
this time.  What is also clear is that the WEB is truly addictive.  It is an endless source of
information and amusement.  Whether downloading a video clip of an upcoming movie or
listening to underground music, the WEB is an interactive magazine constantly providing new
amusement or knowledge.  Whether touring the Louvre or reading the White House home page,
reading the latest Time Magazine or checking the local weather, there is no point in ever saying
you are bored.  There is always something else to see or do.  

And its all connected in an entangled Web, with one thing linking you to another and then another link taking you far away or bringing
you home. Want to know where to eat or stay in Chicago or listen to music from Hebrew
University, its all there.  If last month I was underwhelmed by now I'm overwhelmed.  I haven't
had much sleep.  Typing this article has been the longest period I've been off the net while at
home in a month.

But in all the hoopla some great things shouldn't be overlooked. 
James Coates, the Tribune computer columnist brought that home in his November 4
"Cyberspace" column which was headlined "SMALLER BULLETIN BOARDS TRAMPLING THE GIANTS."  An 
important part of the column was a detailed exploration of Chicago Syslink.  As he put it , "For
$30 a year  . . . Matyaszek's subscribers get a surprisingly large package that rivals the offerings of
the Big Five [Prodigy, America Online, CompuServe, GEnie and Delphi]."  Congratulations,
George. I couldn't agree more.  While the Internet is fascinating, I have never found a more useful
and friendly online service than Syslink.  If I need a file, George has 12 gigs on line.  No hassle,
no need to gopher or FTP.  Just find the file and download.  If I have a problem, one of his
regular subscribers has the answer.  If I want to play a trivia game, a couple of keystrokes and
bingo, all the questions I want.  If  you want an Internet e-mail address at an incredibly reasonable price.
George has it.  

If you have the time and can steal the money, full Internet  access is ablast.  If you need it for
your work, its unbeatable--at least so far.  I can't imaginedropping access right now, but I would
be really lost without Syslink.

Let me know how and why you use the Internet.  I'll try to include
excerpts from interesting comments in upcoming columns. 
 
leonard.grossman@syslink.mcs.com
grossman@mcs.com
Copyright Leonard Grossman 1994