Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!bu.edu!telecom-request
From: jdominey@bsga05.attmail.com
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: New Online Service?
Message-ID: <telecom11.215.1@eecs.nwu.edu>
Date: 18 Mar 91 16:36:42 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 215, Message 1 of 13


In  V11#214, Jeff Sicherman <sichermn@beach.csulb.edu> writes:

>   The latest issue of BYTE (March 1991) has a stiff card with an ad
> offering free time on a new online service in return for some feedback
> on the service. Does not mention how long the free time will last or
> how much use will be allowed. Also no mention of access means or
> costs.  The card has questions on hardware configuration so they can
> send the proper software. Also inquires about other online services
> that you use.

Sounds like the ad in {PC Magazine} that I answered a couple of months
ago.  It turns out to be Online America.  The actual offer is, IMHO,
pretty cheesy, and I don't intend to use it.  To log in, you must
provide a Visa/Mastercard number.  You then get three "free" hours of
online time to evaluate the service.  If you stay online any longer,
normal rates ($8 peak / $4 offpeak) apply.  A monthly charge of $9.95
will also be levied, but this covers your first three hours per month.
The only way to avoid charges altogether is to drop the service after
those first three hours.

In other words, this "free time for feedback" is just a deceptive way
to lure us 'techies' into what is really just a waiver of the first
month's service charge.  Whoopee.


Jack Dominey, AT&T Commercial Marketing, Tucker GA
v: (404) 496-6925  AT&TMail: !dominey