---------------------------------------------------------------- LAPTOP RESOURCES VIA COMPUSERVE ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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 LI Laptops infinity, portable computer merchant 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 THREE BONUS DISKS which expand this software package with vital tools, updates and additional tutorial material for laptop users! Send $29.95 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.