Review of "The Complete MCI MAIL Handbook" by Stephen Manes
           (Bantam Computer Books, trade paperback, 498 pp., $22.95)
                       Copyright 1988 David W. Batterson


     MCI MAIL has grown fairly well since its inception, and not long ago it
celebrated its fifth anniversary.
     Meanwhile, videotex systems like CompuServe (which include e-mail service)
and GEnie have grown more rapidly, since they offer far more choices than
messaging.  I've used MCI for about four years now, and wouldn't trade it for
ANY videotex or online database, if I had to make a choice.
     Of course, they are two entirely different animals.  You use videotex
mostly to suck up information, while you use MCI MAIL to disperse it.
     Does the average computer user need MCI MAIL?  No, not really.  Can the
average business justify the cost of using it?--absolutely.
     If you aren't currently using MCI MAIL and don't know why you should, then
"The Complete MCI MAIL Handbook" is must reading.  It's written by an expert,
PC Magazine contributing editor Stephen Manes, an MCI MAIL addict like myself.
     Don't worry...MCI MAIL is less filling, although it doesn't taste great!
You might call it "E-Mail Lite."  It isn't cumbersome like old Telex machines
nor is it tricky to learn like some videotex/online database systems.
     Manes starts out with the basics, and goes all the way through the
advanced capabilities of MCI MAIL.  He takes it slow and easy, so don't be
intimidated by the 498 pages.  Much of the material involves things you may
never use.
     As an unpaid booster of MCI MAIL, I often try to promote its use.  But I
hear responses like:  "Well, we already have fax," or "we use Telex or Federal
Express."
     The author explains how MCI MAIL is cheaper than Telex or overnight
delivery services.  Telex messages move at an unbelievably slow pace, at either
50 or 110 baud.  And flying next-day letters around the country is obviously
going to cost you more than if you transmit them electronically.
     You can also send fax messages (text only, not graphics) to any Group 3
fax machine worldwide at reasonable cost.  Domestic fax is only $1.00/page and
you get an electronic receipt (so you know it was delivered) free!
     When I first got my MCI manual, I didn't find it particular well-written
or organized.  Perhaps that's why Manes decided to write this book.   He
explains the methods of addressing mail, creating mailing lists, sending
Telexes and fax mail, transmitting mail to CompuServe users, and sending paper
mail.
     The latter involves mail which is transmitted to the nearest large city
(NY, Chicago, etc.) where MCI's high-speed laser printer prints it and either
pops it into the U.S. mails, or delivers it via courier.  It's fast, easy and
affordable.
     Manes offers some shortcuts.  For instance, you can use two-letter
commands, such as type CR instead of CREATE to start a message--I didn't know
that one! He also mentions one that I found out myself.
     Let's say you wanted to send MCI MAIL to Stewart Alsop III, editor of
"P.C. Letter."  According to MCI instructions, you would type "TO: Stewart
Alsop." That one works, but try typing "TO: Bob Jones" and see what you get:
a list of different guys named Bob Jones will pop up.
     Manes suggests using the MCI # instead:  "TO: 123-4567."  Now you could
also type "TO: SALSOP" or "TO: DBATTERSON" [1st initial & last name] and it
usually works (unless you wanted to reach Sally Alsop or Delbert Batterson!).
     I couldn't find any flaws or misinformation in the book.  The price is a
bit steep at suggested list of $22.95, so try getting it at a discount book
store.
     If you still think MCI MAIL costs too much, keep in mind that for $23 you
can send 46 short (500 characters or less) messages, 23 long messages
(up to a whopping 7,500 characters), or 23 fax pages (within the U.S.)!
                                       #
David Batterson's computer articles, reviews and commentary appear in various
publications.  Contact him via MCI MAIL: 273-7218 or DBATTERSON.