ONLINE: A Guide to America'
PSS ID Number: Q11951
Article last modified on 10-13-1986
PSS database name: PRESS






ONLINE: A GUIDE TO AMERICA'S LEADING INFORMATION SERVICES
by Steve Lambert
Price: $19.95
ISBN: 0-914845-35-7
Pub. Date: April 29, 1985

GET OVER 20 HOURS OF FREE CONNECT TIME: A $350 VALUE FOR $19.95 with
ONLINE: A GUIDE TO AMERICA'S LEADING INFORMATION SERVICES

   "Congratulations on this much needed work on electronic publishing." - Dow
Jones News/Retrieval Service
   "ONLINE is truly a second-generation book on information services." -
NewsNet
   "Without a doubt, ONLINE is one of the most comprehensive books we've ever
seen detailing the field of electronic mail today." - Western Union

   One of the fastest-growing areas of computer use today is
telecommunications.  More and more business and home computer users are
discovering the wealth of information available at their fingertips.  Online
information services offer everything from the latest airline schedules and
major wire-service news copy to stock market information and electronic mail
capability.  This April 29, 1985, Microsoft Press will publish a breakthrough
book in the field of telecommunications, ONLINE: A Guide to America's Leading
Information Services.
   Written by Steve Lambert, ONLINE combines a comprehensive guided tour
through today's most popular online services with more than 20 hours of free
access time!  In an unprecedented offer developed in conjunction with the
major online services, the purchase of this book entitles the buyer not only
to a free subscription but to free services as well.  Bound into every book
are registration cards for the following participating companies:
   - CompuServe
   - Dow Jones News/Retrieval Service
   - DIALOG
   - NewsNet
   - MCI Mail
   - Official Airline Guides
   - Western Union
   Actual online exploration is the only way to master the wide range of
services offered, and ONLINE is the first telecommunications book to provide
actual hands-on experience.  For example, for frequent travelers, Official
Airline Guides offers 30 days of free access to its comprehensive listing of
airline schedules and fares.  DIALOG furnishes $100 worth of time-and access
to over 250 databases.  In addition to waiving its $18 sign-up fee, MCI Mail
will deliver $10 worth of electronic mail and allow unlimited access while
learning the system.
   ONLINE begins with a description of the equipment needed to set up a
telecommunication system.  The book covers the latest in monitors, serial
ports, modems, and communication software, and discusses ways to get the
system set up and running.  Lambert then details methods of accessing the
information services and introduces the telephone networks that can be used to
call the services.
   The major portion of the book is devoted to a tour of the information
services.  For each, Lambert guides the reader through all the steps of an
actual online session.  In addition, he describes the services offered and the
way the information is organized, and provides a summary of the most commonly
used commands.
   Throughout, the author offers tips that will help save time - and money -
by automating routine data acquisition and streamlining sophisticated search
techniques.  ONLINE is written both for individuals who are new to
telecommunicating and for users who are familiar with one information network,
but would like to explore others as well.
   Steve Lambert, a native of Seattle, Washington, has worn many hats,
including those of high-rigger, house painter, locksmith, and journeyman
electrician.  An interest in Seattle's early architecture led him to publish a
biography of designer/builder Fred Anhalt.
   Lately, Steve has turned his attention to personal computers and their
practical uses.  He has written about computers for high Technology and
Computing for Business/Interface Age Magazines, and is a contributor to
Macworld, Time-life Access, and PC World Magazines.  He is the author of
PRESENTATION GRAPHICS ON THE APPLE MACINTOSH, published in August 1984 by
Microsoft Press.
   Microsoft Corporation, based in Bellevue, Washington, develops and sells a
wide range of operating systems, languages, application programs, and hardware
products, as well as books, for the microcomputer marketplace.

Praise For
ONLINE: A GUIDE TO AMERICA'S LEADING INFORMATION SERVICES
   "Congratulations on this much needed work on electronic publishing.  It
provides an excellent introduction to the wealth of business, financial and
general interest information available from Dow Jones News/Retrieval Service.
Working from this guided tour, new subscribers should have no problem sampling
all of the services available." - Dow Jones News/Retrieval Service
   "This chapter is a good `nuts and bolts' introduction to CompuServe." -
CompuServe
   "ONLINE contains the most useful how-to information on NewsNet in a
database book.  We recommend it for anyone worried that `going online' is too
difficult.  ONLINE is truly a second-generation book on information services."
- NewsNet
   "We found the section on the Official Airline Guides to be a very accurate
description of our system.  Steve Lambert captured the essence of OAG - its
ease of use." - Official Airline Guides
   "Without a doubt, ONLINE is one of the most comprehensive books we've ever
seen detailing the field of electronic mail today." - Western Union
   "We are very pleased with ONLINE's coverage of DIALOG, which is an accurate
and thorough overview of the system's capabilities." - DIALOG Information
Services, Inc.
   "Steve Lambert writes with superb skill.  His chapter on MCI Mail shows you
how to reach anyone, anywhere, right from your personal computer.  And with
MCI Mail's free offer inside, ONLINE pays for itself!" - MCI Mail

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986.