Justifying the need for a personal home computer has been a problem for many a prospective buyer. Tv commercials haven’t helped one bit either, with their guilt-ridden ads telling parents that their little one is going to be a failure if they don’t indulge. And it isn’t certain that keeping ones financial records and checkbook on a cassette tape is more convenient. Arcade and adventure games are interesting, but really only passing thrills.
A telecommunications modem can bring many things into perspective. The almost infinite supply of information and specialty services available to the home computer buyer, is probably the best reason for someone to own a microcomputer. And you don’t need spendy Apple and IBM machines [illegible] retrieve all of the information and services. A Timex/Sinclair works just fine. Either TS 2068 or TS 1000, it doesn’t matter. All you need is a computer, a compatible modem, some special software, and a telephone line to connect into.
Have you ever wanted to book your own airline reservation? How about your own investment service right there in your home? Send a letter to a friend via electronic mail. How about an instant movie or restaurant guide? Want to read any current major magazine or newspaper? Go “on-line” with another TS user and have a chat, or leave messages on an electronic bulletin board. All of this (plus a whole lot more) can be obtained by a home computer and modem, using commercial data base services.
A data base is essentially a pooling of information from a wide variety of sources, or individual bases. One commercial data base may [illegible]ave hundreds of seperate data bases under its wing. Usually the information is stored and sorted in large main frame computers. When a service is dialed, one computer converses with the other. In fact, when using the commercial services, it is like having your own private remote terminal.
There are quite a few commercial data base services available. New ones are cropping up on a regular basis. Most computer owners choose just one major service, one that best suits individual needs. Sometimes receiving a coupon with a brand new modem for free membership or “on-line” time, is the only influencing factor, that prompts someone to select a particular service. There are some differences among the commercial services. Prices can vary for the on-line rates, and is usually billed for every minute that you use. Some services charge for an initial fee or membership. There are sometimes, a user manual to be purchased, or it might be included free. Contents of the data base service can be widely different also. Some are more orientated towards business, some for entertainment, others are general interest. Ther is even one that has some features specifically for Timex/Sinclair users.
Before going on-line, a password and an identification number must be acquired and typed in. Different data base services have their own method of logging on. A telephone number of the service in your area must also be secured. This could be a real problem if you live in a rural area, or one that is not close to a major metropolitain area serviced by the data base. A phone bill for just one session could bankrupt such a user. Some of the larger services have available special phone lines that have been leased from telephone companies to provide their customers with a type of volume discount. This could help quite a bit, and should be investigated.
One other thing needs to be taken into consideration. Adjusting the modem’s parameters to be compatible with the host services computer. Parity, duplex, stop bits, and word length should all be set properly. This information can be obtained by contacting the data base directly.
In the following section, is a brief review of a few of the more popular data base services. It is by no means a complete list of all the offerings a user has. Included are general features, costs, and an address and toll free phone number where the service can be reached for further information.
COMPUSERVE: This is perhaps the largest and the oldest service available. It includes everything from comparing new automobiles, weather forecasts for your city, and playing text adventure games with other computer users. One rather pleasant suprise is that Compuserve offers some special services exclusively for TS users. This particular service has no listing in the main or sub-menus, but is included in the “Computers and Electronics Magazine Special Interest Group” section (CEM SIG). After logging onto Compuserve, print “GO CEM 450” and enter. Once in, there are bulletin and message boards, and on-line live conferences in progress. On Wednesday evenings (7:00P.M. PDT) are held special nation-wide conferences. Usually there is a quantity of information being exchanged on TS hard and software, technical advice, and sometimes just plain rumour. Occaisonally, TS after-market dealers will get together and converse. One other area of the CEM SIG that benefits TS users, is the XA data base (section 4). Here one can download programs stored in the data base memory, providing that your modem’s software is capable. With all of the standard features like electronic home shopping and up to the minute stock exchange reports, coupled with the TS section (CEM 450), Compuserve is certainly hard to beat. Cost: One time fee which includes the starter pack (three-ringed binder, manual, ID number and password, and three free hours of use in a sealed envelope) for $40. Compuserve starter pack can be purchased direct or from most larger computer retail stores. Hourly rates are $12 during peak periods, $6 for off hours.
Compuserve
500 Arlington Center Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43220
(800) 848-8199
THE SOURCE: The Source is a subsidary of the Readers Digest Assn., who are known traditionally for their quality services and products. The Source organization is also committed to offering the computer/modem user a large, sophisticated commercial data base of noted quality. Just to name a few, services include a 24 hour investment “center” by Spear Securities, “Sourcemail” electronic mail service, an airline guide, storage of files and data, and all the news and sports. Actually, Compuserve and The Source compare quite closely with information and telecommunication services. The Source however, does not have a Timex/Sinclair special interest group. There are interest groups for just about every other home computer though. Costs: $100 one time membership fee. To join, contact The Source directly. The Source users manual is an aditional $20. Hourly rates for prime time are $20.75, off hours are $7.75. There is also a monthly minimum of $10.
The Source
1616 Anderson Rd.
McLean, VA 22102
(800) 336-3366
DELPHI: The Delphi data base contains a variety of useful [illegible]rvices, but on a somewhat smaller scale than say Compuserve. Offerings include a 20, 000 entry encyclopedia, consumer information, financial advice and services, a professional advisory service for personal relationships, and others. Delphi plans to add many more features in the coming year ahead. Costs: Initial fee of $50 which includes a membership package and handbook. Hourly rates are $16 during business hours, $6 off hours.
Delphi
3 Blackstone St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
(800) 544-4005
DIALOG and THE KNOWLEDGE INDEX: From the Silicon Valley, Calif. come the two huge data base/info services that are a subsidary of the Lockheed Corp. The Dialog information retrieval system is more geared to business and pro[illegible]essional laypersons. It includes more than 100 million seperate entries, derived from books, magazines, newspapers, journals and directories. Subjects cover all areas of science, technology, business, medicine, current affairs, social sciences and humanities. Due to the complexity of Dialogs data bases, special training sessions are scheduled frequently for all skill levels of the users. The Knowledge Index on the other hand is the information service for home computer users. The service is only available during the off hours, and makes use of many of the data bases contained in Dialog, plus several others of interest to the general public. Costs: For Dialog, there is no initial fee, but hourly charges range from $10 to $100 or more, depending on the specific area being searched. For The Knowledge Index, there is a $35 initial fee which includes a users manual. Hourly rates are $24 (off hours).
Dialog/Knowledge Index
3460 Hillview Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94304
(800) 227-1927 (for Dialog)
(800) 227-5510 (for K.I.)
NEWSNET: Here is another business related information retrieval service with implications for personal home computer use. NewsNet is just that, a network of news storing data bases. Over 200 publications. Also, news “flashes” and wire services from UPI are featured. NewsNet has a very user friendly menu-select feature. Costs: There is no initial fee. Hourly rates are $24, with a $15 per month minimum. Some individual bases have sur-charges.
NewsNet
945 Haverford Rd.
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
(800) 345-1301