\~The following screens will take you through the several steps required to get you logged on the a remote system via the switched/dial-up telephone network.
\~
\~\+STEP #1: Choose a Communications List Sort Option.
\~
\~\+STEP #2: Choose a service that you want to call..
\~
\~You will be offered a selection of services which this site supports and may or may not subscribe to. One of the service selection options which a site might wish to offer to their customers and patrons is 'CALL YOUR OWN SERV'. If this site supports this feature for your use, then pick this option if you want to call a service of your own choosing. If it is already on the system PUBLIC ACCESS will take you to that service.
\~
\~\+STEP #3: Check over full record screen and approve.
\~
\~\+STEP #4: Indicate whether payment is CASH or CREDIT as system permits.
\~
\~\+STEP #5: Answer Questions about yourself and credit card if CREDIT was chosen.
\~
\~This site will pre-authorize your credit card for the indicated amount. This process is performed only once and will be held in the system until you complete your use of the system. Final charges will be billed back against your credit card.
\~
\~\+STEP #6: ******!! CLOCK STARTS HERE !!******
\~
\~Check the PROGRESS/RESULT Screen to be sure all is correct. When you type Y=YES to accept this screen the session clock starts. If you cannot establish a communication link with the remote system and return with in the indicated time there will be no charge for this session.
\~
\~All sessions are counted (T), but only those sessions over the indicated time limit are charged ($).
\~
\~\+STEP #7: Logon to selected remote system..
\~
\~This system will then call the selected remote online service and attempt to log on if logon procedures are installed otherwise it will just call the phone number and let you do your own logging on.
\~
\~\+STEP #8: You're done and want to disconnect and hang up..
\~
\~Issue the appropriate LOGOFF, DISCONNECT, or HANGUP command as indicated. This system will then do some accounting and then offer a final tally screen showing you what your charges are.
\~
\~\+STEP #9: You are returned to the PROGRESS/RESULT screen.
\~
\~Notice here in this window that you get to see the results of the just completed session and the overall numbers.
\~
\~\+Step#10: You come back to the service selection list..
\~
\~At this point, you arrive back at the service selection window and can call another service if you like. There will not be any more credit card step. There may be a required reading window supplied for certain commercial services.
\~
\~\+STEP #11: You are finished and want to end your EVENT.
\~
\~When you are done just Press the ESC key several times until you arrive back at the beginning. As a final step PUBLIC ACCESS will display a final TALLY Screen showing the final numbers for your use of this system.
\~
\~
\|NOTE ... NOTE... NOTE... NOTE...
\~
\~The Displayed Charge Rates on this screen are system default rates only! Charge rates for specific online services can vary depending on local preference. These are displayed at this point to give the patron an idea of what they may be charged as a general rule for the use of online services on this system.
\~
\`SCREEN4
\|Commlistw
\~
\`SCREEN5
\|CREDIT INFORMATION SCREEN
\~
\~Enter you credit information here in this window.
\~
\~In certain instances this may allow you access to cooperating online services which allow access to their systems via credit card instead of having to be pre-subscribed.
\~
\~If you call a cooperating system you will be prompted on whether or not you wish PUBLIC ACCESS to transfer your credit card information.
\~
\~If you approve the transfer of your credit card information to the remote service, the service will receive a string from our system containing your credit card information. It will then take a moment to reauthorize your card for their accounts needs before proceeding.
\~
\~This is an unavoidable delay, dictated by the banking industry and the credit card networks for your security. This process amounts to two separate transactions (1 for this end and 1 for the other (remote) end).
\~
\~
\~A special note:.............
\~The credit card number is checked against your billing address and billing zip code. If they do not agree then this system will not approve the use of that card. So be sure to indicate your correct billing address information that goes with the card you are using.
\~
\~Final Note: When you use a credit card, it often becomes necessary for the merchant to establish a minimum charge to make dealing with the the customer's transaction practical. You may notice a minimum charge on this system.
\~
\`SCREEN6
\|NOTICE OF CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT IMPACT
\~
\~We hope this isn't an inconvenience to our customers, but it is a prudent business practice. If there are any questions please contact our staff.
\~
\~This check is performed once for each overall event.
\~
\~An overall event is defined as the time between starting a chargeable activity and quitting or exiting back to PUBLIC ACCESS's logo screen. The charge rate for an event is set by the site and can be some amount of money for some period of time. (i.e. $2.00 per hour [60 minutes])
\~
\~An event may be comprised, or made up of one or more sessions. For example, lets say you ran a word processor then ran a spreadsheet and finally called your office computer via the online part of PUBLIC ACCESS and transfered your work to the office computer. And the whole activity took three hours and 20 minutes. This would add up to three sessions. You will be charged for each session - for which there was a charge - and then charged for the overall event. Using the above example rate of $2.00, the event period would be rounded up to the next whole number making the charge $8.00 ($2.00 x 4 hours).
\~
\~NOTICE: You may find that the site must place a minimum charge on all credit card transactions. If the overall event, including all session charges is less than the minimum charge then the overall event charge may be the minimum charge.
\~
\`SCREEN7
\|**** PLEASE CONFIRM ****
\~
\~Press 'Y' here to have your credit card checked. This is final step prior to authorizing your credit card. You may still press ESCape any time to cancel the credit checking process.
\~
\~ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO PROCEED WITH AUTHORIZATION?
\~You have reached the end of an EVENT period. Do you wish to continue on, staying on for another EVENT or quit at this point?
\~
\`SCREEN11
\|YOURS OR OURS
\~
\~You have selected a service which this site supports and has established an automatic logon sequence for using THIS site's PASSWORD and ID. You may call and use this service using our Password and ID or if you desire you may use your own Passord and ID. If you use our Password and ID it is likely you will not have access to all the features offered by the service.
\~
\`SCREEN12
\|GETTING AROUND the SERVICE LIST
\~
\~This screen gives you access and is the entry point to all APPLICATION PROGRAMS supported by this site. You can look through and navigate around the list by using the ARROW, PGUP (Page Up), PGDN (Page Down), HOME, END, F1 and alphabetical keys. You may also choose a Sort Order to look at the list in various ways.
\~
\~First on the screen is the time remaining in your current event. If you have not started an event yet (just starting out and looking around, or have been using free parts of the system) then you will see a "* N/A *" as the time remaining on the current event. If you have started an event, you will see the hours (if any) and minutes left in this current event.
\~
\~Getting down to the menu, the menu options are:
\~
\~\+F1 This Help option (from this menu) or the Quick Position Window from the Pick list
\~\+F2 Sort LIST OF SERVICES Alphabetically By NAME
\~\+F3 Sort LIST OF SERVICES Alphabetically By STATE then by NAME
\~\+F4 Sort LIST OF SERVICES Alphabetically By TYPE then by NAME
\~\+F5 Sort LIST Numerically By PHONE NUMBER
\~\+F6 Search for special WORD or PHRASE
\~\+F7 Your Full Tally
\~\+F8 Leave Note To System Operator
\~\+F9 CALL Your Own Service (See Below)
\~
\~The sort command will re-display the list with the file pointer on the last data type field, not the beginning of the list. You may make large jumps around the list using either the first key of the sequence or the F1 key will open up a Quick Position window which will allow you to type in a partial word or phrase where you then press ENTER and the file pointer jumps to the closest matching record in the sorted field.
\~
\~EXAMPLE:
\~** With the sort on NAME, you can press the letter 'L' to go directly to the first online service name starting with the letter "L' (case insensitive) or you could press the F1 function key on the keyboard for the Quick Position window and enter 'DIAL' and press ENTER to go directly to 'DIALOG'.
\~
\~** With the sort on PHONE NUMBER, you can press '8' to go directly to the phone numbers starting with '8' or you can press the F1 function key for the Quick Position window and enter '1-215' and press ENTER to go directly to the area of the list with services in the 1-215 area code. The same holds true for STATE and TYPE sorts.
\~
\~In certain instances a site may wish to support their customers and patrons ability to call systems of their own. If this is supported by this site, then you will notice that there is one (1) service named 'CALL YOUR OWN SERV' for those people who would like to call a service which is not on the list. These people can choose F9 here or can use the F1 'Quick Position' window while the list is displayed (and sorted by Service Name) by typing "C" or pressing F1 'Quick Position' window and typing "CALL YOUR OWN SERV", or some part of the word to make it effectively unique, and pressing ENTER.
\~
\~There are several column headings which you might want to become more familiar with.
\~
\~They are:
\~
\~\+Online Service Name
\~\+Description of Service
\~\+T = Type of Service
\~\+R = Registration Required
\~\+F = Service (Remote) is FREE of charge
\~\+S = Service (Local) is FREE of charge
\~\+L = Long Distance Call
\~\+C = Credit Cards Allowed (CC AutoTrans)
\~
\~******************************
\~T - TYPE OF SERVICE: This system recognizes two basic types of online services.
\~
\~\|1) BBS: Bulletin Board Systems.
\~Must, if not all, of these type systems are to some degree free to any and all who wish to call them. They are usually run by small entrepreneurs with one or more phone lines and a home computer. A recent count places the number of these type systems somewhere between 30,000 to 50,000 here in the United State and twice that number scattered around the world.
\~
\~\|2) COM: Commercial Systems
\~These are purely commercial systems like CompuServe or Dialog that offer the high end of information on mainframes and charge for everything that you use. These systems offer invaluable services where the patron can find that special piece of information quickly. They can be expensive, but are frequently well worth the expense in the time they save. You must have been pre-registered with most of these services and posses your own Password and ID to access them. In these cases PUBLIC ACCESS will dial the appropriate access numbers and logon to these systems up to the beginning of the Password/ID prompt.
\~
\~
\~******************************
\~
\~R - REGISTRATION REQUIRED [Y or N]: In some instances these online services that you want to call require that the patron be pre-registered and call in with their own individual passwords. If the system requires this look for 'Y' in this column.\~
\~
\~******************************
\~
\~F - FREE ONLINE SERVICE ..[Y or N]: In many instances the online services you call will be totally free to use. The service is happy to have you just call in and look around to your heart's content. Download and Upload files, and leave messages all you want. Their system is all free. To distinguish their end from this end... they may not charge, this end might.\~
\~
\~******************************
\~
\~S - SITE CHARGES .........[Y or N]: As opposed to the 'F' described earlier (see above), this site may or may not charge for the use of their computer to call this particular online service. Look for an 'N' for does NOT charge, or a 'Y' for does charge.\~
\~
\~******************************
\~
\~L - LONG DISTANCE CALL ...[Y or N]: The online service you pick may require a long distance call and require that you pay for the call. Look for a 'Y' in this column for long distance. Local calls incur no long distance charges.\~
\~
\~******************************
\~
\~C - CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED [Y or N]: 'Credit Card Auto Transmit' Some of the services on this system are or may be (COM) commercial in nature and may be able to accept your credit card information from this system automatically on logon in lieu of your having to pre-register with their service. In these special cases you must be aware that they are commercial services and that you will be paying for all accrued charges you run up while online with them. Some of these services are expensive and the patron should be prepared to accept and be responsible for all charges. You will be promoted at several points to confirm that this is what you want to happen.
\~
\~
\~
\~\|--------------------------
\~\|CALLING YOUR OWN SERVICE
\~\|[ * When Supported * ]
\~\|--------------------------
\~
\~Select this option if you wish to call a data phone which is not currently listed amoung this site's supported services.
\~
\~The number you call is held by PUBLIC ACCESS, for the duration of your event. If you wish to recall the service again you may.
\~
\~If you DO wish to add this service to this site's database list of supported services then indicate "Y" in the 'OK to Add Service' field.
\~
\~1) IF you DO want it added to this site's database list (indicated "Y" in 'Ok to Add') and, 2) IF you DID successfully logon on and use the service (it is a real and active service), then it will be added, but it will not be available for general public use until the system operator has reviewed and approved it.
\~
\~If you DO NOT want the service added to this site's supported database then indicate "N" in the 'OK to Add Service' field. Applicable details of this service will NOT be added to this site's PUBLIC ACCESS's database list and it will be dropped upon completion of your event.
\~
\`SCREEN13
\|YOUR PASSWORD ONLY!
\~
\~You have selected a commercial service which this site does NOT subscribe to. You must have your own password to access this system. If you do want to proceed the PUBLIC ACCESS system will connect with and logon to this commercial service up to the beginning of the Password and ID logon steps. Otherwise press ESC to return to Service Information Screen.
\~
\`SCREEN14
\|CUSTOMER SPECIFIED COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE.
\~
\~You may use this screen to specify an online service which is not on the list. Just enter the appropriate information and then accept.
\~
\~NOTE: If you enter a phone number that is already in use by another system that system information will be retrieved and placed in the window. You will not be able to call out of the US and will not be able to dial 1-900-xxx-xxxx or 976-xxxx numbers.
\~
\`SCREEN15
\|ONLINE COMMUNICATION SERVICE INFORMATION SCREEN
\~
\~You may change the system settings (Databits, Stopbits, Parity, Duplex, and Videomode) for this particular service if you believe there are better settings. If you cannot get logged on then PUBLIC ACCESS will retain the old settings. If you are able to get logged on and have a successful session then PUBLIC ACCESS will retain your new settings. This way the system keeps current with the most current settings for these supported systems as they change.
\~
\~Also: You may make your own comments regarding this particular service, which you've selected, using the PATRON MEMO option and you may review (Read Only!) comments and advertising (IF ANY) from the provider using the READ MEMO option.
\~
\~You may review authorized video modes using the indicated function keys.
\~
\~NOTICE ** Charge Rates **
\~You will notice the Long Distance (if applicable) Surcharge, per Minute and per Session charge rates for this service on the middle right side of the screen. The specific rates for each individual service may vary from the system default charges displayed at the beginning of the program.
\~
\`SCREEN16
\|Videolistw
\~
\`SCREEN17
\|Fonelistw
\~
\`SCREEN18
\|CUSTOMER TALLY SCREEN
\~
\~This is your current account standing. A final tally screen will appear when you finish using the system.
\~
\~Special Note: Since the particular online service you use may have a special per minute, session and long distance call charge rate please notice the (~) indicating that these numbers are averages.
\~
\`SCREEN19
\|GETTING AROUND the SERVICE LIST
\~
\~This screen gives you access to a list of online services supported by this site. You can look through and navigate around the list by using the ARROW, PGUP (page up), PGDN (page down), HOME, END, F1 and alphabetical keys. You also may choose a sort order to look at the list in various ways. The sort options are:
\~
\~\+F1 This Help option
\~\+F2 Alphabetical By NAME
\~\+F3 Alphabetical By STATE/NAME
\~\+F4 Alphabetical By TYPE/NAME
\~\+F5 Numerical By PHONE NBR
\~\+F6 Search NAME/PHRASE
\~\+F7 Your Full Tally
\~\+F8 Leave Note To System Operator
\~\+F9 CALL Your Own Service (If supported)
\~
\~The sort command will re-display the list with the file pointer on the last data type field, not the beginning of the list. You may make QUICK jumps around the list using either the first key of the sequence or the F1 key for the Quick Position window, which will allow you to type in a partial word or phrase where you then press ENTER and the file pointer jumps to the closest matching record in the sorted field.
\~
\~EXAMPLE: With the sort on NAME, you can press the letter 'L' to go directly to the first online service name starting with the letter "L' (case insensitive) or you could press the F1 function key on the keyboard for the Quick Position window and enter 'DIAL' and press ENTER to go directly to 'DIALOG'. With the sort on PHONE NUMBER, you can press '8' to go directly to the phone numbers starting with '8' or you can press the F1 function key for the Quick Position window and enter '1-215' and press ENTER to go directly to the area of the list with services in the 1-215 area code. The same holds true for STATE and TYPE sorts.
\~
\~There is one (1) service named 'OTHER' for those people who would like to call a service which is not on the list. These people can choose F6 here or can use the F1 option (Quick Position window) while the list is displayed by typing "OTHER" or some part of the word to make it effectively unique.
\~
\~There are several column headings which you might want to become more familiar with.
\~
\~They are:
\~
\~\+Online Service Name
\~\+Description of Service
\~\+T = Type of Service
\~\+R = Registration Required
\~\+F = Service (Remote) is FREE of charge
\~\+S = Service (Local) is FREE of charge
\~\+L = Long Distance Call
\~\+C = Credit Cards Allowed
\~
\~******************************
\~T - TYPE OF SERVICE: This system recognizes three basic types of online services.
\~
\~\|1) BBS: Bulletin Board Systems.
\~Some or all of these are in large part free to any and all who wish to call them. They are usually run by small entrepreneurs with one or more phone lines and a home computer. A last count there were some 10,000 to 20,000 of these in the United State and thousands more scattered around the world.
\~
\~\|2) COM: Commercial Systems
\~These are purely commercial systems like CompuServe or Dialog that offer the high end of information on mainframes and charge for everything that you use. These systems offer invaluable services where the customer can find that special piece of information quickly. They can be expensive, but are frequently well worth the expense in the time they save.
\~
\~
\~******************************
\~R - REGISTRATION REQUIRED: In some instances these online services that you want to call require that the customer be pre-registered and call in with their own individual passwords. If the system requires this look for 'Y' in this column.\~
\~
\~******************************
\~F - FREE ONLINE SERVICE: In many instances the online services you call will be totally free to use. The service is happy to have you just call in and look around to your heart's content. Download and Upload files, and leave messages all you want. Their system is all free. To distinguish their end from this end... they may not charge, this end might.\~
\~
\~******************************
\~S - SITE CHARGES: As opposed to the 'F' described earlier (see above), this site may or may not charge for the use of their computer to call this particular online service. Look for an 'N' for does NOT charge, or a 'Y' for does charge.\~
\~
\~******************************
\~L - LONG DISTANCE CALL: The online service you pick may require a long distance call and require that you pay for the call. Look for a 'Y' in this column for long distance. Local calls incur no long distance charges.\~
\~
\~******************************
\~C - CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED: Some of the services on this system are or may be (COM) commercial in nature and may be able to accept your credit card information from this system automatically on logon in lieu of your having to pre-register with their service. In these special cases you must be aware that they are commercial services and that you will be paying for all accrued charges you run up while online with them. Some of these services are expensive and the customer should be prepared to accept and be responsible for all charges. You will be promoted at several points to confirm that this is what you want to happen.
\~
\`SCREEN20
\|Nochkprogw
\~
\`SCREEN21
\|- CUSTOMER INFORMATION WINDOW (NO CHARGE) -
\~
\~You have selected a service which is free to use.
\~
\~This system has several check points that requires the patron's name. The rest of the information is optional (See '*'). Please fill in your information so we can keep you informed of changes to our system.
\~
\~If, at a later point in this event, you chose a chargable session and select credit card as the form of payment, then all this information will be required at that point.
\`SCREEN22
\|CONFIRMING SAME USER
\~
\~The keyboard has not been touched in some time. Just checking to make sure you are the same customer who had been using the system.
\~
\`SCREEN23
\|CUSTOMER SPECIFIED SEARCH WORD
\~
\~You may develop your own subset list based on a common word or phrase that appears in online service records.
\~
\`SCREEN24
\|PAYMENT PREFERENCE
\~
\~PUBLIC ACCESS offers the patron the opportunity to pay with cash (check) or via credit card. Use the TAB or ARROW keys or move the mouse to place the cursor (highlight) on the form of payment you prefer then press the ENTER or RETURN key.
\~
\`SCREEN25
\|- CUSTOMER INFORMATION SCREEN (CASH SYSTEM) -
\~
\~This Public Access (tm) System only allow CASH payments at this time.
\~
\~This system has several check points that requires the patron's name. The rest of the information is optional (See '*').
\~
\~Please fill in your information so we can keep you informed of changes to our system.
\~
\`SCREEN26
\|- CUSTOMER INFORMATION WINDOW (CASH PREFERENCE) -
\~
\~You have indicated a preference to pay with CASH.
\~
\This system has several check points that requires the patron's name. The rest of the information is optional (See '*').
\~
\~Please fill in your information so we can keep you informed of changes to our system.
\~
\`SERVNAME
\|SERVICE NAME
\~
\~Enter the name of the service you are calling. If the name is in our existing record file the fill service record will be displayed on the screen for you.
\~
\`SERVTYPE
\|TYPE SERVICE
\~
\~This system has broken down the services into two main categories.
\~
\~BBS = Bulletin Board Systems (Mostly Free)
\~COM = Commercial OnLine System such as CompuServe, Dialog. (Never FREE)
\~
\~Note: If you are in doubt you might list it as a BBS. This can be changed at some point in the future if it is determined to be different system.
\~
\`DUPLEX
\|DUPLEX
\~
\~Settings are FULL or HALF
\~
\~When you type something on your keyboard it is sent directly out the modem port to the other system (not to the screen!). Most system will echo it back to you (FULL duplex) and you will see it on you screen as a character received. It looks as though it is displayed on your screen as soon as you type it. Some systems will not echo it back to you so you have to tell your own system to display it on your screen so you can see what your are typing (HALF DUPLEX). If you are getting two of everything try try setting Duplex to FULL. If you are not getting anything on the screen try setting Duplex to HALF.
\~
\`DATABITS
\|DATABITS
\~
\~You can enter 7 or 8 databits here. Leave this number along if you are not sure. 8 databits is the most common.
\~
\`MAXBAUD
\|BAUD RATE
\~
\~This number is the maximum you can set it at. If for some reason you feel it would be better explicitly set to a lower rate then you may do so here.
\~
\`VIDEOMODE
\|VIDEO EMULATION
\~
\~All systems you call will support at least one and very often multiple video emulation modes. A popular mode recognized by just about every system is ANSI or VT100. Don't let this be a problem for you. If the system doesn't support the emulation mode you have chosen it is easily changed by the customer at logon time. This is just a good general mode to start with.
\~
\~If you know that another video emulation is best then select it here.
\~
\~The emulation modes that are supported by this system at this end (unless otherwise noted) are:
\~All a modem does is convert outgoing digital (computer) signals to analog (phone line) signals and then back on incoming signals.
\~
\~All of today's modems have an optimum high speed that they can send databits back and forth. That speed is only achievable with other modems of the same type or manufacturer. The optimum speed is a variable based on a number of factors, including: modem manufacturer, design standards, utilized protocols, and more.
\~
\~Once modems connect with another modems, most, if not all, will attempt to figure out (negotiate) between themselves what that optimum speed is. A 9600 baud modem my connect at 2400 baud with another modem because that is the best they could negotiate. Normally, the higher the baud rate the better. And, if there are two different speed modems, the modems can only work at the lower of the two speeds.
\~
\~
\~Despite all the strides that have been made in data communications, the world of modems and data communications is still a relatively inprecise science and still full of trial and error. So if you are experiencing some frustraction connecting with a remote computer's modem, then welcome to the club. The problem could be Baud Rate, Databits, Parity or Stopbit settings, line noise, error correction scheme, MNP compression protocol or something else. You have some ability to control some of these settings here. Good luck.
\`DATABITS
\|DATABITS
\~
\~Services will either work with 8 or 7 databits. 8 databits is frequently used with 'N' parity and '1' Stopbit (8-N-1). The most common settings are either 8-N-1 or 7-E-1.
\~
\~If you are getting unintelligible characters (garbage) on the screen, then try changing the baudrate or the Databits/Parity/Stopbit settings and calling back.
\~
\`PARITY
\|PARITY
\~
\~The parity settings are O=ODD, E=EVEN, M=MARK, S=SPACE, N=NONE. 'N'one is frequently used with 8 databits as in 8-N-1.
\~
\~If you are getting unintelligible characters (garbage) on the screen, then try changing the baudrate or the Databits/Parity/Stopbit settings and calling back.
\~
\`STOPBIT
\|STOPBIT
\~
\~This is either a '1' or a '0'. In most cases it is going to be a '1' with (8) Databits and (N) parity (8-N-1).
\~
\~If you are getting unintelligible characters (garbage) on the screen, then try changing the baudrate or the Databits/Parity/Stopbit settings and calling back.
\~
\`CANADD
\|CUSTOMER APPROVAL TO ADD TO COMMON SERVICE RECORD FILE.
\~
\~Indicate here whether it meets with your approval to add this service to our regular database file for everyone to use. If you say NO then it will be deleted when you hang up.
