If you would like to join CompuServe phone free on 0800 289 378 for full details. If you'd like to connect straight away, set your communications software to 7-1-E (7 data bits, 1 stop bit, even parity) and dial in - the London node for a first experiment is on 0171 490 8881 but you'll want to find a local node (from the freephone contact number) as soon as possible.
CIS SIGNUP
If you hit <return> after dial in, you will be at the HOST NAME: prompt. Enter CIS <return>. If you're not a member of CompuServe yet, you'll be taken through the simple sign-up process if you enter User Id 177000,5600, Password Future, 1 for English, Agreement Number PCPLUS and Serial Number 91347. Remember to have your credit card details handy.
Once on CompuServe you can access the PC Plus service by typing GO PCPLUS or join the forum directly by typing GO PCPFOR. If you are joining via an off-line reader remember that the forum name is PCPFOR, not PCPLUS. If you are using CIM press [Ctrl]+[G] and enter PCPLUS.
CIX CONFERENCING
We also maintain a conference on CIX, the Compulink Information Exchange. To join, ring 0181 296 9666 (voice) for details or join up on line (with credit card details ready) at 0181 296 1255 (most speeds, set comms to 8/N/1) or 0181 399 3468 (ISDN, V110, switch off V42bis compression).
The joining fee is ú25 then ú3.20 an hour peak, ú2.40 off-peak, minimum ú6.25 per month. CIX supports Internet e-mail and has a (censored) Usenet feed.
INTERNET PROVIDERS
You'll need to phone up to arrange your account; many service providers will supply you with some Internet software to get started with.
Almac 01324 666336ú45 or ú75 a year or ú7.99 per month
CityScape: 01223 5669504, ú50 start-up then ú180 per year
for Internet
Delphi: 0171 757 7080, from ú10 per month
Demon: 0181 371 1234, ú12.50 start-up then ú10 per month
Direct Connection: 0181 3170100, ú7.50 registration, then from ú10 per month
EasyNet: 0171 209 0990, ú25 start-up then ú11.90 per month (London), ú13.90 per month elsewhere
Eunet: 01227 266466, ú95 a quarter for e-mail; ú145 a quarter for
e-mail plus Usenet; other services available
Foobar Internet 0116 2330033 ú12.50 setup fee, ú10 per month
Frontier Internet Services 0171 242 3383 ú25 start-up then ú10 per month
GreenNet: 0171 7131941, ú15 start-up then ú5 per month plus ú3.60 per hour peak, ú2.40 off-peak - specialises in environmental information
Hiway 01635 550660 ú15 per month or ú50 per yearNETHEAD 0171 207 1100 no details of prices
On-line Entertainment Ltd 0181 558 6114 ú15 per quarter
Pavilion Internet plc 01273 607072 ú17.75 registration, ú17.75 per month (ú14.75 by direct debit)
PC User Group: 0181 863 1191, from ú6.75 per month (WinNet); ú10 start-up plus ú14 per month (Connect)
Pipex Dial: 01223 250120, ú50 start-up then ú180 per annum
U-net: 01925 633144, from ú12 start-up and then ú12 per month
RedNet Limited 01494 513 333 ú25 set-up, ú15 per month
Sound & Vision BBS 0181 288 8555 charges vary from ú15-ú60 per year
Total Connectivity Providers Ltd 01703 393392 ú10 per monthZETNET 01595 696667 ú35 registration ú6 per month
We're always interested to hear about other service providers - please email us at marypcb@futurenet.co.uk