Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!lll-winken!uunet!portal!cup.portal.com!Bob_BobR_Retelle
From: Bob_BobR_Retelle@cup.portal.com
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: PC Ditto/Prodigy
Message-ID: <17458@cup.portal.com>
Date: 22 Apr 89 01:26:14 GMT
References: <8904210013.AA04040@NADC.ARPA>
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Lines: 35

Ron Kushnier asks:
>Does anyone know how to get onto the Prodigy Information System using
>PC Ditto?
 
I assume you have the Prodigy Startup Kit..  that's the ONLY way to log
onto the service..  a normal terminal program can't be used..
 
The key to using Prodigy with pc-ditto is *patience* ...  more patience
than I think I may have...  even with 2400 baud data transfer, the Prodigy
software runs very slowly on pc-ditto...
 
If it appears that nothing happens when you first run the software
(this is assuming you've already followed the installation procedure,
 typed in your local access number, etc.. to create the "work disk"),
WAIT...  (and wait)...  eventually, after several minutes, the modem will
dial..
 
At first, I thought the software had locked up, or perhaps it was addressing
the wrong COM port...  finally, I walked away in disgust, only to hear the
modem dialling a little while later...   apparently the software has to
initialize for a while before dialling...
 
Because there is no "Text" mode, screen displays are excruciatingly slow..
everything on the screen is mapped out in graphics... it took about
fifteen minutes for me to read a 3-page letter of welcome from the system..
(no kidding.. I timed it..!), and each page is only about 8 lines of
40 characters each..
 
This is not to say that the service is bad.. in fact, it looks like a VERY
interesting information service, especially at the price.. $9.95 per MONTH,
flat rate...    it's just not usable with the current version of pc-ditto..
 
Now...  with pc-ditto II, that will change...
 
BobR