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                        LAPTOP RESOURCES VIA COMPUSERVE

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       After a while you begin to wonder. Is there a single centralized 
       source for laptop and notebook computer information? Somewhere 
       you can ask questions, comparison shop among various portable 
       computer models, locate specialized laptop software and obtain 
       tips on travelling with portable computers? No problem. Try 
       CompuServe - a vast computer network accessible by computer, 
       telephone line and a modem. Before we highlight some selected 
       resources for portable computer users a little background 
       concerning the CompuServe service.... 
       
       CompuServe. Telephone: 800/848-8199 or 800/8488990. 5000 
       Arlington Centre Blvd, Columbus, OH 43220. Claiming that more 
       than 800,000 members can use the service at any one time, 
       Compuserve is without doubt the most extensive online service in 
       existence. The vastness can be overwhelming with literally 
       hundreds of conferences including gardening, coin and stamp 
       collecting, legal research, music, games, foreign language 
       training, desktop publishing, travel planning, banking, ecology, 
       portable computers and more. Over 1,400 databases are contained 
       online and users can send and receive messages and software from 
       anywhere in the world. 
       
       Compuserve users can use an attractive basic monthly service 
       plan, costing $7.95 per month, which includes messaging, limited 
       but useful services such as Consumer Reports, News, Weather, 
       Encyclopedia, Peterson's College search and others. Additional 
       forums and advanced services are charged on a per minute connect 
       time basis with additional surcharges for advanced services. 
       Connect time rates for forum access and advanced services cost 
       about $6.30/hour at 300 baud, $12.80/hour at 1200 or 2400 baud 
       and $22.80/hour at 9600 baud. Depending on services accessed, 
       Online databases, such as the IQuest service of Compuserve 
       provide access to corporate financial data, full text magazine 
       articles, legal data, medical topics and more - although a 
       surcharge of between $2 to $100 per search on advanced database 
       searches can make Compuserve expensive but cost effective if 
       vital data is needed quickly. An online member directory and 
       national telephone and address database is also available. 
             
       A Compuserve starter kit is available from most retail software 
       stores ($39.95) or can be ordered from Compuserve via their toll 
       free telephone number. The starter kit includes a $25 credit for 
       online time which more than pays for the included software and 
       reference materials. Compuserve also publishes a richly detailed 
       monthly magazine for members which includes articles on travel, 
       research, shareware, forums of interest, shortcuts and news for 
       members which is well worth the price of basic subscription 
       services described above. Compuserve is owned by H&R Block 
       Company. 
       
       What is available on CompuServe for laptop and portable computer 
       owners? There is so much information it almost becomes a 
       necessity to organize the topic into three areas: forums, files 
       and services. 

       Let's start with forums. Containing both message areas and 
       specialized library areas where software files are located, 
       forums are the primary conduits of specialized information. All 
       can be quickly accessed using a GO command. For example GO 
       PALMTOP would quickly transport you to the palmtop computer 
       forum which contains information on devices such as the Sharp 
       Wizard, Casio BOSS, Psion and Poquet computers. Here is a brief 
       list of applicable CompuServe forums and their specialty areas 
       which laptop and portable computer owners should investigate. 
       The IBMHW forum, library 6, is an especially rich treasure 
       trove. 

       Laptop, portable and notebook computer interest areas

       Forum name          Focus/specialization
       
       IMBHW               IBM hardware forum, see library 6, small computers
       PALMTOP             Palmtop computers and personal organizers
       TRAVSIG             Travel special interest group
       CEFORUM             Consumer electronics and the mobile office
       IBMNET              Vendor forums for IBM related hardware/software
       CLUB                Computer club forums, small computers
       IBMCOMM             IBM communications forum
       EUROPHONES          Telephone access numbers (CompuServe) in Europe
       IBMEURO             IBM European users, travelling with laptops info
       IBMFF               IBM file finder, locate files you need

       Specialized vendor and manufacturer forums...

       APORTFOLIO          Atari Portfolio forum
       TOSHIBA             All toshiba portable and laptop computers
       ZENITH              Zenith laptop and desktop computers
       EPSON               Epson printers and portable computers
       HP                  Hewlitt Packard computers, printers
       HAYFORUM            Hayes modem forum
       M100SIG             Tandy model 100 notebook computer
       CANON               Canon portable computers and printers
       PPIFORUM            Practical Peripherals - miniature modems
       PCVENA              Vendor A forum, section 10, Northgate computer
       PCVEND              Vendors such as Dell computer
       MALL                Electronic shopping mall - merchants/vendors
       
       Routine commands/helpful GO words and commands

       BILLING             Review your current charges
       COMMAND             List of commands for efficient use
       RATES               Fees and charges for various services
       FEEDBACK            Ask questions on ANY CompuServe topic
       INDEX               Locate a forum, service or topic
       DIRECTORY           Locate a person and his/her ID number
       MAIL                Check your mail, send messages, FAX, postal
       QUICK               Master list of GO words
       LOGON               Telephone access info and numbers
       TOUR                An informative guided tour of the service
       QALOGON             Commonly asked logon/logoff questions
       NEW                 What's new this week on CompuServe
       BYE                 Command to logoff, exit the service
       
       The treasure trove of CompuServe software files of interest to 
       portable computer owners in almost overwhelming; one service 
       which helps you navigate through files bears mention: the IBM 
       File Finder (GO IBMFF). Using this speedy "search engine" you 
       can quickly locate selected software files by keyword, filename, 
       uploading author and other criteria. 
       
       CompuServe software files are associated with "keywords" which 
       help index them. For example a file on using laptops might 
       contain keywords such as "beginner, laptop, notebook, travel, 
       portable". Using the IBM File Finder you can ask for a listing 
       of all files containing the single word "laptop" or, for a more 
       precise search, BOTH the words "beginner" and "laptop". 
       
       The File Finder report will tell you the forum (e.g., IBMHW,) 
       library (e.g., Library 6, small computers) in which the selected 
       file resides as well as the filename. Now that you know the 
       details, simply jump to that forum (e.g., GO IBMHW), switch to 
       the library (e.g., DL command, then select library 6). Finally, 
       read a full description using the BROWSE command (e.g., BRO 
       filename). Quick and painless. 

       What types of files are available to laptop and portable 
       computer owners? A sampling.... 

       AIRPRT.ARC (GO IBMHW, library 6) discusses airline travel 
       concerns and issues of laptop computing such as use of laptops 
       while airborne, airport security and X ray inspections. 

       PORTCS.TXT (GO IBMHW, library 6) discusses business situations, 
       mostly oil drilling and prospecting, where laptop computers 
       processed crucial business information and assisted in 
       investment decisions. 
       
       TRAVEL.INF (GO IBMHW, library 6) contains a clever assortment of 
       tips and accessories for the well-equipped laptop traveler. 
       
       BC3.COM (GO TOSHIBA, library 5) cursor utility which changes 
       shape from thin underscore line to large block shape for better 
       visibility. 

       3PARTY.ZIP (GO TOSHIBA, library 4) retailers who can supply 
       specialized memory, modems, cables and accessories for Toshiba 
       laptop computers. 

       LAPKEY.ZIP (GO ZENITH, library 5) a clever utility which lets 
       you redefine the cursor control keys (right/left/up/down arrows) 
       on your laptop. 

       PKL105.EXE (GO ZENITH, library 5) PKLITE allows laptop users 
       with limited disk drive space to compress COM and EXE files to 
       save space - yet files still uncompress and run programs 
       quickly. 

       LAPTOP.ARC (GO TOSHIBA, library 4) discussion of common laptop 
       questions and issues concerning mobile and cellular computing. 

       CLAP.ARC (GO IBMHW, library 6) cursor pulsing speed can be 
       altered for better visibility. 

       TOSHUT.ZIP (GO TOSHIBA, library 2) an assortment of utilities 
       for Toshiba laptops, many of which also work on other portable 
       computer models, which toggle displays, cursor size, report 
       system setup information and more. 

       GAS50.ZIP (GO TOSHIBA, library 2) clever "gas gauge" utility to 
       report nicad battery level for older laptops lacking this 
       feature. 

       BF171A.ZIP and BF171B.ZIP (GO ZENITH, library 4) Back and Forth 
       allows you to rapidly switch between several applications for 
       increased laptop productivity. Switch quickly from word 
       processor to notepad when the phone rings. Jump from spreadsheet 
       to database or other program when you need real productivity. 

       VIDTOG.EXE (GO IBMHW, library 6) switch between internal LCD 
       display and external monitor on Compaq SLT computers. 

       Beyond files, other services await you on CompuServe. If 
       computer research and cost comparisons are what you need, try 
       the following services. Most of these services have surcharges 
       and special connect time charges in addition to normal rates, so 
       check rates before you begin an extensive search.... 
       
       The Computer Directory (GO COMPDIR) contains almost 10,000 
       manufacturers and 60,000 product listings. You can search by any 
       word or phrase such as product name or manufacturer name. 
       
       Likewise, the Computer Database Plus (GO COMPDB) contains 
       reviews of products from almost 150 computer magazines and 
       periodicals. You can search articles individually or in linked 
       groups. 
       
       InfoWorld Online (GO INFOWORLD)  provides further research by 
       way of product reviews on selected hardware, manufacturers and 
       software. 
       
       Finally Consumer Reports provides general information and 
       ratings for many consumer items such as computers, cars, toys 
       and food (GO CONSUMER). 

       Tutorial finished. Be sure to order your FOUR BONUS DISKS which 
       expand this software package with vital tools, updates and 
       additional tutorial material for laptop users! Send $20.00 to 
       Seattle Scientific Photography, Department LAP, PO Box 1506, 
       Mercer Island, WA 98040. Bonus disks shipped promptly! Some 
       portions of this software package use sections from the larger 
       PC-Learn tutorial system which you will also receive with your 
       order. Modifications, custom program versions, site and LAN 
       licenses of this package for business or corporate use are 
       possible, contact the author. This software is shareware - an 
       honor system which means TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. Press escape key to 
       return to menu. 
       


