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On Sat, 22 Apr 1995, Paul McAfee wrote:

> David Hoye, Computer Writer, The Phoenix Gazette wrote: 
> 
> >What I have noticed, however, is that if you launch any browser, 
> whether
> >it's CompuServe's or not, without first establishing your SLIP/PPP
> >connection, CompuServe's automatic dialer kicks in and links you to 
> the Web
> >through CompuServe.
> 
> This, of course, is not a problem ... as long as you don't mind paying 
> Compu$erve's $2.95/hour charge for Net access (once you use up your 
> incredibly liberal three "free" hours), PLUS the charge for using a 
> modem that runs at industry-standard speed, PLUS whatever additional 
> fee CompuServe is dreaming up at the moment...

And don't forget, your using that voice grade line and turning away 
customers.  Really great if you company has 1 T1 for the internet and 1 
T1 for voice.  You just wiped out 1/24 of the voice link.  Get 23 more 
CIS users and the customer service department can go home :-).

> So this is how C$erve has chosen to make its grand WWW entrance: with a 
> gold-lined red carpet rolled out for tourist-class passengers who later 
> (and unwittingly) get a bill for the royal treatment. Kind of reminds 
It's interesting, I can't resolve http://www.aol.com, http://prodigy.com
or http://www.prodigy.com.  I did resolve http://www.compuserve.com
using a generic Mosaic version 2.5 browser.  Now, if Compuserve would 
give me access from the internet to CIS, I might be willing to pay my 
own line charges and pay them $9.00/month, I might even reconnect.
Especially If I can do Check-Free via Internet.

> you of a used-car salesman before the lemon law. Don't know 'bout you, 
> but it sure gives ME a warm feeling about the Service That Only Landed 
> Gentry Can Afford...

One thing's for sure, they are going to have a tough time competing with 
OnRamp, NetCom and Pipeline, not to mention the locals.

> Do they really think we're that stupid?
We aren't.  We've been on this side of the net for quite a while now.  
But CIS customers don't realize how easy it is to get netcom or pipeline,
they don't know you can get internet in a box for <$100.  They also don't 
know HOW to set up IP addresses, NetMasks, and SLIP Scripts.

After they've spent about $300 on compuserve, they'll learn.

This might even be a move to get people OFF of their network.

	Rex Ballard


From rballard@cnj.digex.net Wed May  3 23:45:19 1995