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From: psc@lzaz.UUCP (Paul S. R. Chisholm)
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Re: WELL (and maybe BIX, too)
Message-ID: <514@lzaz.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 28-Feb-86 18:31:27 EST
Article-I.D.: lzaz.514
Posted: Fri Feb 28 18:31:27 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Mar-86 23:20:35 EST
References: <1240@brl-smoke.ARPA>
Organization: Somewhere in AT&T, Lincroft, NJ
Lines: 57

< Oxygen is for people who can't take New Jersey >

In article <1240@brl-smoke.ARPA>, DEP%SLACVM.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.edu writes:
> The WELL ... "Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link" is such an interesting BBS
> that I thought I would pass on my observations about it to readers of
> this list. . . .

     Thanks to DEP, whoever you are, for your comments.  I'd just read
more about WELL in the latest WHOLE EARTH REVIEW (from the people who
brought you the rather good WHOLE EARTH SOFTWARE CATALOG).  Some more
info from there:

>      Even though you can "chat" on The WELL in real-time, most
> information is exchanged within conferences where you post and read
> comments on your own schedule - The Well is open 24 hours a day.
> There are now 120 active conferences on everything from various kinds
> of computers (especially the newer ones) to spirituality, legal
> questions, and sexuality.  Increasingly, The Well includes previews of
> material eventually published in WHOLE EARTH REVIEW. . . .
> 
>      Although it's primarily a regional system, people from outside
> the San Franciso Bay Area can reach The Well at discount rates via
> Uninet, a nationwide networking service. . . .
> 
>      How much does it cost?  Uninet's rate during non-prime time
> (evenings and weekends) is approximately $4/hour for phone access.  A
> subscription to The Well costs $8/month plus $2/hour.  Your online
> charages from, say, New York would be $6/hour.  That compares
> favorably with other teleconferencing systems (e.g., Source $10.75;
> Compuserve $12.50/hour at 1200 baud).  A simple long-distance phone
> call at night rates is about $10/hour.  To find your closest Uninet
> access number, call customer service at 800/821-5340 or 800/221-2444.
> 
>      For more WELL information, contact me at 415/332-4335, or use
> your modem to sign up by dialing 415/332-6106.  Just answer the
> questions, and your in The Well.  -Matthew McClure

     But I've got some questions:

     o  Are WELL conferences moderated?  Some, most, all, none?

     o  I've noticed ...!well!foo on netnews.  Can you send and receive
Unix mail as a vanilla WELL user?  Are netnews articles cross-posted?
Vice versa?

     o  Is the user interface such that your can write a script for your
terminal program to read all your mail and download all your conference
messages?  (I like reading off-line.)

     Come to think of it, how would BIX users answer those same
questions?  (I know BIX doesn't offer Unix mail.)  Or other
conference services?
-- 
       -Paul S. R. Chisholm, ihnp4!lznv!psc or {pegasus,ihnp4}!lzaz!psc
       or attmail!psrchisholm or AT&T Mail !psrchisholm (TLX 150249361)
       The above opinions might not be shared by any telcomm company.
NOMINATE MARK LEEPER (mtgzz!leeper):  HUGO AWARD FOR BEST FAN WRITER IN 1986