Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!seismo!sundc!pitstop!sun!amdcad!ames!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!gnh-starport.UUCP!jschober From: jschober@gnh-starport.UUCP (Joey Schober) Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple Subject: Re: Apple Link Message-ID: <8903111536.AA24668@crash.cts.com> Date: 5 Mar 89 19:49:04 GMT Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Reply-To: pnet01!pro-ascii!pro-charlotte!pro-novapple!gnh-starport!jschober@nosc.mil Organization: The Internet Lines: 43 Scott Wilken writes: >> Could someone please mail me some information on this network? No one >> around here seems to know much about it, and I am interested in subscribing. >> >> I need some info on hourly rates, services offered, sign-up fee, and how I >> can actually subscribe. Sure! I'll handle the bottom part first; the description and is-it-worth-it is a little more complex. The sign-up fee for ALPE (AppleLink Personal Edition) is $35. That includes the program disk (3.5" and 5.25" versions), a nice, complete manual, 2 free hours of time, and a one year subscription. After that, on-line time is $6/hr (3/12/2400 baud, evenings [6 pm - 7 am, your local time], all day weekends and certain holidays), and $15/hr prime time [7 am - 6 pm local]. Access is through Telenet or Tymnet, but charges for those services are included in the hourly charge. There's also a charge of $35 a year, every year (12 months after you sign up, etc...). You also get a sharp lookin' magazine (AppleLink Update) monthly. The startup kit is available at any authorized APPLE dealer. (No, not just any software store, but an Apple dealership...). Or, call 1-800-545-5047x5107 for a "trial kit". (Look in any A+ for the ad...) Now... services offered. The system is split into 2 distinct areas: General Services and Apple Community. General Services has People Connection (on-line chat rooms, contests, chit-chat message boards), Financial District, The Mall, Customer Service, Learning Center, Recreation Center, and Club House (non-tech special interest groups). The names are pretty self-explanatory. The Apple Community is the tech section -- Apple Forums (Hardware, Development, AppleWorks, Music/Sound, Art/Graphics, Games, Communications, Utilities, Productivity, Word Processing, CP/M, and Education), Industry Connection (links to major software and hardware companies), Apple University (courses on Apple related subjects), Software Center, Calendar and Events, Apple Headquarters (Talk to Apple, New Products, Press Releases, etc...), and a couple other things. I'm running out of time; I could run on forever with my own opinions on any or all of the sections. The technical forums, however, are superb; seems that not a question goes unanswered around there. If you're a developer, the resources are terrific. Even if you're not a developer, you're sure to learn tons of interesting stuff. I personally consider it well worth it, especially for the price. ($6/hr at 2400 baud is nice...). Hope that helps! Joseph Schober... InterNet: gnh-starport!jschober@pro-novapple.cts.com * Sent by StarPort BBS at 3/ 6/89 10:47:36 PM