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Archive-name: medicine/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/cfs-electronic-resources Posting-Frequency: monthly Last-updated: 1994/10/1 CFS / ME ELECTRONIC RESOURCES The CFS/ME Computer Networking Project "A Guide to the Many Information Resources Available via Computer for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis" ----------------------- Second Edition: October 1, 1994 ____________________________ CONTENTS *** INTRODUCTION *** 1. CFS/ME Information and Networking 2. The CFS/ME Computer Networking Project *** USING A COMPUTER *** 3. Buying a computer 4. Reaching the networks with your computer *** ELECTRONIC RESOURCES *** 5. News sources A. News sources. B. Easy access to news sources. C. Self-service access to news sources and other Internet services. 6. Physicians' discussion group 7. CFS/ME electronic discussion and support A. Fidonet conference B. Commercial services America Online CompuServe GEnie Prodigy C. Internet D. Usenet E. Free-Nets 8. Information files A. BBSs B. Commercial networks C. Internet *** FURTHER INFORMATION *** 9. For further information 10. Credits and copyright notice ------------------------------------------------------------- The printing and distribution of this edition of "CFS/ME Electronic Resources" is made possible through a grant from the CFIDS Buyers Club (800-366-6056). Design contributed by Matt Straznitskas of BrainBUG Graphics. ------------------------------------------------------------- ================== INTRODUCTION ================== 1. CFS/ME information and networking A growing number of CFS/CFIDS/ME patients, support groups, and doctors are exchanging news and information rapidly on computer networks. The following CFS/ME-related services are available: * NEWS SOURCES -- Support groups and other organizations exchange news articles via electronic mail. One advantage to this exchange is that when support groups want to reprint an article in their newsletter, it won't need to be retyped. * DISCUSSION GROUPS -- Many individual CFS/ME patients participate in general discussion groups on the computer networks and on Bulletin Board Systems (BBSs). Much information and support are exchanged. These discussions, which are an excellent resource for those who are homebound or otherwise unable to attend support group meetings, take place on many networks, several of which are accessible at no charge. * INFORMATION FILES -- There are information files available containing articles from medical journals and previous editions of the CFIDS Chronicle, documents from NIH, advice on coping, disability, Social Security, etc. This document lists where in the electronic world these resources can be found, and how to find or sign up for the various systems that have them. Please remember that most of the news and information that appears on the computer networks is the result of important efforts made by our national and local support organizations. If we want to hear good news, and help to create it, we must support and participate in the organizations that are working to help us. Please join and sustain your support and advocacy organizations. 2. The CFS/ME Computer Networking Project The CFS/ME Computer Networking Project (referred to in this document as the Project) is comprised of patient volunteers who are the CFS section leaders from major computer networks. They assist in exchanging news and information on computer networks, and offer help in finding electronic CFS/ME resources on these networks. They established and operate the CFS Newswire service (see Section 5 which follows). The Project's current members are: Roger Burns (Internet); Lucie Dorais (GEnie); Maryka Ford (Prodigy); Molly Holzschlag (Project founder); Ed Isenberg (CompuServe); and Sandy Shaw (Fidonet). The Project's postal addresses are listed in Section 10. It can be contacted on Internet at cfs-me@sjuvm.stjohns.edu and by Fido netmail at CFS-ME at 1:163/221. ============== USING A COMPUTER ============== 3. Buying a computer There are many things you should know about before buying a computer. This guide cannot present all of the advice you should have about computer purchases, so we suggest that you read a beginner's book such as "Your First Computer" by Alan Simpson (Sybex publishers, tel. (800) 227-2346 or 1-510-523-8233). Study up and be prepared to put good questions to your computer salesmen before making your purchase. Important questions to consider are: should you buy a PC (i.e., an IBM compatible) or a Mac? (factors being price, ease of use, compatibility with systems at your work place); storage needs ("hard disk" size, choose a size that is bigger than you think you'll need at first); peripheral hardware (modem, video, printer); and software (programs which enable the computer to do specific tasks). To access the electronic resources featured in this guide, you must have at least a modem and some communication software (discussed in the next section). You'll probably need more advice after you've made your purchase. There are excellent books on most hardware and software. It will also be extremely useful to get advice from experienced fellow computer owners. To find local PC users' groups, phone the automated information system at 1-914-876-6678. For Mac users' groups, USA residents can phone (800) 538-9696. 4. Reaching the networks with your computer To reach the various network information resources and discussion groups, your computer will need a device called a "modem", which translates computer data into signals which can be transmitted through phone lines to other computers, and "communications software", which enables your computer to operate the modem. Some advice on purchasing: a 14,400 baud modem is currently the best buy for your money. The higher rates a commercial network might charge are more than offset by the much faster rate at which the modem operates, therefore saving you money. If you use one of the commercial networks (see section 7-B which follows), they offer communications software that allow you to reach them more efficiently. For general communications software which can access most systems, including local BBSs, some popular brands are Procomm Plus and Cross Talk. ============== ELECTRONIC RESOURCES ============== 5. News services A. News sources. The CFS Newswire service of the CFS/ME Computer Networking Project enables support groups and others to exchange news articles and other newsworthy material for use in composing CFS/ME newsletters. News material intended for distribution is electronically submitted to the Newswire editors for review and prospective release. The Newswire is based on the Internet, the overall network which connects most other computer networks together. It is thus accessible from America Online, CompuServe, Free-Net, GEnie, MCI-MAIL, Prodigy and other services. See subsections B and C immediately below for instructions on how to get the Project's Newswire service. There is also an informal "newswire" procedure on the Fidonet no-cost network of BBSs. Anyone can post material to Fidonet's CFS "echo" (or conference) with the subject heading of NEWSWIRE, and that material will be posted to all of the 100+ BBSs that carry the CFS "echo". The Project will exchange messages between the informal Fidonet newswire and the Project's Internet-based Newswire. However, only those items that have been accepted by the Project's review procedure will be distributed on the Project's Internet-based Newswire. For a description of the Fidonet CFS "echo", see section 7-A which follows. The CFS-NEWS Electronic Newsletter provides current medical research updates and other news for the CFS community. It is published at least once every calendar month. The newsletter is posted to the CFS "echo" on Fidonet, and is also available as USENET newsgroup bit.listserv.cfs.newsletter although this may change soon (for current information, contact the editor listed below.) On Internet it is available as listname CFS-NEWS at Listserv nodename LIST.NIH.GOV. For instructions on getting CFS-NEWS through the Internet, see section 5-C which follows or send an e-mail inquiry to editor Roger Burns at address CFS-NEWS@LIST.NIH.GOV. For access to the Internet, see section 7-C which follows (and note that the commercial services described in section 7-B can access Internet). The newsletter is on file on the Project ENABLE BBS, tel. 1-304-759-0727, file area 23. Back issues are also available on Internet (contact the editor) and on CompuServe and GEnie. "Catharsis" is a CFS electronic newsmagazine which focuses on personal health, intellect and creativity for the CFS community. The magazine is posted to the CFS "echo" on Fidonet. On Internet it is available as listname CATHAR-M at Listserv nodename SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU. For instructions on getting Catharsis through the Internet, see subsection C which follows or send an e-mail inquiry to the editor listed below. The newsletter is on file on the MEDBASE/CFS Tucson BBS at 1-602-790-7420. Back issues are also available on Internet and on CompuServe and GEnie. For inquiries, contact editor Molly Holzschlag via Internet at CATHAR-M@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU or by postal mail at the Electronic Information Exchange, PO Box 42225, Tucson, AZ 85733-2225, USA or at Fidonet Molly.Holzschlag at 1:300/23. B. Easy access to news sources. Contact the Project (see the last paragraph of Section 2 above) or any CFS section leader listed in the service descriptions in Section 7 which follows. They can arrange for you to get the requested service. C. Self-service access to news sources and other Internet services. Aside from the "easy" method described above, the more adventurous may arrange to obtain these resources by themselves by using the following instructions. (These instructions are for the Newswire and other message-based services. For information files, see Section 8 which follows.) Access through the no-cost Fidonet network is described in section 7-A (newswires are posted as messages to the CFS "echo" discussion group). Because there are several Internet-based services described in this document, this subsection will serve as a general reference for how to obtain Internet services, using the CFS Newswire as an example. Remember that the CFS Newswire service and most other CFS/ME resources on Internet can also be reached from most of the many computer services described in Section 7 which follows. Check with your service's support staff for specific guidance on how to send Internet mail. There is an automated procedure on Internet called "Listserv" which will enable you to get on the mailing list for the Newswire, or for other Internet services. If you send a "subscribe" command to a Listserv address by e-mail, the Listserv will sign you up for the service you designate in the command, as explained below. The word "subscribe" merely refers to adding one's address to a mailing list. There is no extra cost for using Listserv-based services other than the use of e-mail. In order to subscribe to a service or discussion group via Listserv, you must know the service's "listname" and its "Listserv nodename". (These names are shown throughout this document.) Use Internet electronic mail to create a message which has the following general form: SUB listname YourFirstName YourLastName and send it to the Internet address which has the general form LISTSERV@<nodename> . For example, suppose Ms. Sally Forth wishes to sign up for the CFS Newswire service. The listname for the CFS Newswire is CFS-WIRE and its Listserv nodename is SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU. Ms. Forth should create an e-mail message which says SUB CFS-WIRE Sally Forth and send it to the address LISTSERV@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU . Instructions about how to submit material for posting will then automatically be sent, as will all future Newswire postings. Be sure that the subscription message is typed precisely and with no other written text, since it is being sent to a machine which will only respond to the correct command words and will be confused by any other material. Other CFS/ME services are also available on Internet including the CFS-NEWS electronic newsletter, the "Catharsis" newsmagazine, the CFS-L discussion group and more. As a second example, if Mr. John Doze wishes to sign up for the CFS-L discussion group, which is based at Listserv nodename LIST.NIH.GOV, he should send the e-mail message SUB CFS-L John Doze to the Internet address LISTSERV@LIST.NIH.GOV . Again, if there is some difficulty, contact any CFS section leader as shown throughout Section 7 below to have these arrangements made for you. To obtain a general help file about how to use Internet and Listserv, send the command GET CFS NET-HELP as an e-mail message to the Internet address LISTSERV@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU. 6. Physicians' discussion group A discussion group for medical doctors and other health professionals will begin in October 1994. It will be accessible through the Internet, and through the many computer services which have Internet e-mail (see section 7-C below). To subscribe to the group, contact the group's moderator Roger Burns at Internet address CFS-MED@LIST.NIH.GOV. Or to sign up directly, send a message which says SUB CFS-MED YourFirstName YourLastName as an e-mail message to the Internet address LISTSERV@LIST.NIH.GOV. For further help, read the sign-up example in section 5-C above, using listname CFS-MED and nodename LIST.NIH.GOV. Or again, contact the moderator at address CFS-MED@LIST.NIH.GOV. 7. CFS/ME electronic discussion and support CFS/ME network discussion groups are more than just a way to exchange the most up to date information on research, advocacy and treatment. Close friendships often develop between people who share tips on coping and provide sympathy and understanding at any hour of the day or night. These electronic support groups are a valuable resource to many who are housebound or who have no local support group to attend. A. Fidonet conference. Fidonet is a volunteer, world-wide network of over 20,000 personal computer BBSs which can be accessed by anyone with a personal computer and a modem. The CFS "echo" (i.e., discussion group) can be reached at any of the 200 BBSs shown on the accompanying tables. The vast majority of these BBSs are accessible free of charge. However, Fidonet messages take a day or two for distribution, rather than mere minutes as on the commercial networks and the Internet. For advice or assistance, post a message to the conference for moderator Sandy Shaw or send him Fido Netmail at 1:163/221 or Internet e-mail at aa328@freenet.carleton.ca. If none of the BBSs shown on the table are near you, then you should find a Fidonet BBS in your community and request of the operator that their BBS carry the CFS "echo". To do this: (1) Find Fidonet BBSs near you by asking your local computer retailer or computer users' group. Alternatively, you may obtain the file named FIDONETS.TXT which lists net coordinators throughout the world, and search it for cities or phone numbers near you. Then login to their BBS and ask for a list of local Fidonet BBSs. To get this FIDONETS.TXT file, dial into the Project ENABLE BBS at tel. 1-304-759-0727 (West Virginia, USA), and download it from file area 23. Commercial services may have this file in their file library. Then (2) call several Fidonet BBSs and leave a message for SYSOP, requesting that they carry the CFS "echo". Mention that the CFS "echo" is "on the Fidonet backbone" (that's sysop jargon, and means that it's easy to get). Internet users will soon be able to access the CFS "echo" by telnetting into the Project ENABLE BBS at node enable.wvnet.edu. To reach the CFS "echo" on this BBS, use the "Join" command to enter conference number 101. The accompanying table shows those BBSs which have recently carried the conference. If the CFS conference cannot be found among the "echo" conferences on one of these BBSs, leave a message on the BBS addressed to the name SYSOP and ask that the CFS "echo" be carried. This table is occasionally updated and the latest version can be found on the Project ENABLE BBS at tel. 1-304-759-0727, file area 23, filename CFS-BBS.TXT. CFS CONFERENCE BBS LIST as of September 20, 1994 === AUSTRALIA === || Jacksonville FL 1-904-727-7794 || Jacksonville FL 1-904-292-3904 St. Ives NSW 61-2-440-8364 || Jacksonville FL 1-904-246-1481 Stanmore NSW 61-2-569-5130 || Mount Dora FL 1-904-383-7841 Fitzroy VIC 61-3-417-2440 || DeLand FL 1-904-738-3858 Victoria VIC 61-3-591-0020 || Eustis FL 1-904-483-2463 N. Bayswater VIC 61-3-739-0028 || St. Augustine FL 1-904-823-0947 Frankston VIC 61-3-783-1275 || Forest Park GA 1-404-363-0194 Wantirna South VIC 61-3-887-1485 || Martinez GA 1-706-860-5070 Perth WA 61-9-244-2111 || Des Moines IA 1-515-288-7793 || Pekin IL 1-309-346-6829 === BRITAIN === || Peoria IL 1-309-697-1011 || Chicago IL 1-312-736-7434 Fleet UK 44-252-626233 || Rockford IL 1-815-654-7956 London UK 44-81-595-1921 || Ottawa IL 1-815-433-6959 || Whiting IN 1-219-659-0112 === CANADA === || Atlanta GA 1-404-368-1132 || Kansas City KS 1-913-642-7907 Calgary AB 1-403-245-5942 || Lexington KY 1-606-273-3716 Calgary AB 1-403-251-5540 || New Orleans LA 1-504-486-7249 Calgary AB 1-403-299-9925 || Sun LA 1-504-886-2157 Calgary AB 1-403-286-7545 || Framingham MA 1-508-872-8461 Edmonton AB 1-403-466-7613 || Danvers MA 1-508-750-0250 Abbotsford BC 1-604-436-3271 || Marlborough MA 1-508-481-7147 N. Vancouver BC 1-604-986-8791 || Boston MA 1-617-739-9246 Nanaimo BC 1-604-753-9137 || Boston MA 1-617-767-2909 Prince George BC 1-604-564-5564 || Boston MA 1-617-783-8820 Richmond BC 1-604-224-7456 || Rockville MD 1-301-946-3070 Richmond BC 1-604-272-5888 || Silver Spring MD 1-301-439-7437 Surrey BC 1-604-599-3885 || Silver Spring MD 1-301-585-5680 Vancouver BC 1-604-266-1977 || Silver Spring MD 1-301-949-5764 Portage la Pr. MB 1-204-857-5927 || Salisbury MD 1-410-543-2406 Winnipeg MB 1-204-233-0227 || Marysville MI 1-313-364-4162 Winnipeg MB 1-204-338-3423 || Troy MI 1-313-435-4544 Winnipeg MB 1-204-831-5375 || Mt. Clemens MI 1-313-468-0912 Grimsby ON 1-416-945-6131 || Southgate MI 1-313-284-3548 Pickering ON 1-416-831-6102 || Sterling Hts MI 1-313-795-5829 Toronto ON 1-416-465-7436 || Warren MI 1-313-774-5038 Toronto ON 1-416-466-8931 || Waterford MI 1-313-623-6314 Toronto ON 1-416-604-1221 || Saginaw MI 1-517-752-3203 Toronto ON 1-416-650-5411 || Grand Ledge MI 1-517-627-4461 Toronto ON 1-416-798-4713 || Grand Rapids MI 1-616-361-2268 Belleville ON 1-613-962-1359 || Andover MN 1-612-753-1943 Gloucester ON 1-613-746-5293 || Jefferson City MO 1-314-893-6099 Lynden ON 1-519-647-3595 || Kansas City MO 1-816-561-3650 North York ON 1-416-650-6232 || Kansas City MO 1-816-763-3353 Kitchener ON 1-519-744-6266 || Kansas City MO 1-816-587-3971 Stratford ON 1-519-273-5607 || Kansas City MO 1-816-763-3353 St. Thomas ON 1-519-633-7253 || Jackson MS 1-601-372-6998 Ottawa ON 1-613-837-5473 || Charlotte NC 1-704-873-2058 Ottawa ON 1-613-749-4550 || Fair Lawn NJ 1-201-796-2752 Ottawa ON 1-613-747-7665 || Little Falls NJ 1-201-812-9352 Ottawa ON 1-613-737-0966 || Elizabeth NJ 1-908-289-3981 Ottawa ON 1-613-669-0617 || Albuquerque NM 1-505-823-7700 Ottawa ON 1-613-521-3690 || Long Island NY 1-516-736-6810 Trenton ON 1-613-394-5919 || Albany NY 1-518-462-6134 Thunder Bay ON 1-807-345-7248 || Ballston Spa NY 1-518-885-4192 Gatineau QC 1-819-246-8538 || Churchville NY 1-716-293-2692 Moose Jaw SA 1-306-692-6765 || Buffalo NY 1-716-688-1552 || Rochester NY 1-716-594-1222 === USA === || Marlboro NY 1-914-236-3265 || Poughkeepsie NY 1-914-473-1697 Birmingham AL 1-205-254-3344 || Oklahoma City OK 1-405-745-5117 Montgomery AL 1-205-264-8000 || Broken Arrow OK 1-918-455-5806 Montgomery AL 1-205-244-0296 || Rocky River OH 1-216-356-1772 Pinson AL 1-205-254-6050 || Kent OH 1-216-677-3437 Little Rock AR 1-501-227-9600 || Wooster OH 1-216-345-6995 Little Rock AR 1-501-224-1605 || Beavercreek OH 1-513-427-9473 N. Little Rock AR 1-501-753-8575 || Miamisburg OH 1-513-435-1163 Kingman AZ 1-602-757-0385 || Cincinnati OH 1-513-921-7623 Hereford AZ 1-602-378-3375 || Columbus OH 1-614-268-8050 Tucson AZ 1-602-571-9063 || Tigard OR 1-503-620-0307 Tucson AZ 1-602-741-7851 || Madras OR 1-503-475-3056 Clovis CA 1-209-292-3530 || Hatboro PA 1-215-638-2334 Manteca CA 1-209-823-0854 || Philadelphia PA 1-215-464-9068 Los Angeles CA 1-213-766-1356 || Philadelphia PA 1-215-676-3618 Los Angeles CA 1-310-372-0987 || Philadelphia PA 1-215-755-1917 Berkeley CA 1-510-836-4717 || Yardley PA 1-215-493-5242 Adelanto CA 1-619-246-5166 || Pittsburgh PA 1-412-621-4604 San Diego CA 1-619-535-9580 || Harmony PA 1-412-452-8306 San Diego CA 1-619-546-1536 || Lancaster PA 1-717-393-9966 La Mesa CA 1-619-697-8873 || Cranston RI 1-401-943-0835 Santa Rosa CA 1-707-576-0397 || York PA 1-717-845-2725 Anaheim CA 1-714-952-2110 || Franklin PA 1-814-437-5647 Tujunga CA 1-818-352-2993 || Dalzell SC 1-803-469-2018 Tujunga CA 1-818-353-8891 || Ladson SC 1-803-873-5797 Sacramento CA 1-916-685-2368 || San Antonio TX 1-210-674-1242 Citrus Heights CA 1-916-729-2968 || New Braunfels TX 1-210-606-1754 Roseville CA 1-916-781-2092 || Dallas TX 1-214-790-6472 Westminster CO 1-303-650-7732 || Dallas TX 1-214-238-0928 Pueblo CO 1-719-545-8572 || Dallas TX 1-214-528-1816 Ansonia CT 1-203-735-5619 || Austin TX 1-512-453-5079 Shelton CT 1-203-926-6168 || Cannelview TX 1-713-452-2114 Wethersfield CT 1-203-257-9906 || Houston TX 1-713-451-6066 Wethersfield CT 1-203-721-0706 || Houston TX 1-713-640-1298 Newark DE 1-302-994-3772 || Houston TX 1-713-526-4528 Wilmington DE 1-302-529-1650 || Burleson TX 1-817-447-1619 Sunrise FL 1-305-572-7060 || Bedford TX 1-817-498-2344 Miami FL 1-305-271-2146 || El Paso TX 1-915-594-7806 Melbourne FL 1-407-255-9948 || Virginia Beach VA 1-804-496-3320 Orlando FL 1-407-299-4762 || Lacey WA 1-206-493-0798 Orlando FL 1-407-298-5830 || Longview WA 1-206-578-1157 Orlando FL 1-407-381-2798 || Longview WA 1-206-578-1948 West Melbourne FL 1-407-728-5548 || Seattle WA 1-206-767-7681 Audubon FL 1-407-459-0969 || Milwaukee WI 1-414-761-2582 Tampa Bay FL 1-813-961-6242 || Cross Lanes WV 1-304-759-0727 Sarasota FL 1-813-377-1470 || B. Commercial networks. These networks have broad-based CFS discussion groups that offer quick responses, as well as many informational files and occasional live chats. The cost of reading messages can be minimized by using "off-line readers". Ask the service contact people listed for each network below for advice about these utilities. America Online has a CFS discussion area, an information file section and a weekly live chat. One of the CFS messaging areas can be found by going to the Better Health & Medical Forum, section on Organizations and disABILITIES (keyword: disabilities), and go to the General Discussions/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. For further assistance and general information, contact Mary Dee Harris by e-mail at address MDHarris. CompuServe has a CFS/CFIDS/FMS/ME section in its Health & Fitness Forum (enter GO GOODHEALTH). Discussions occur in message section 16, information files are in Library 16, and there are regular real-time conferences. For further assistance and general information, contact CFS section leader Ed Isenberg by e-mail at address 72303,1236. GEnie has a CFS discussion and files area and a bi-monthly real-time conference. To reach the CFS discussion section within the disAbilities Round Table, type M970;1 and then Set CATegory 18. To reach the CFS library, type M970:3, then Set CATegory 11. For further assistance and general information, contact CFS section leader Lucie Dorais by e-mail at address L.DORAIS. Prodigy computer service has an CFS/ME discussion group and informal live chat sessions. To reach the CFS section, choose [JUMP] and type Medical Support BB, and then select the topic Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Although there is no formal library section, detailed information is re-posted regularly. For further assistance and general information, contact CFS section leader Maryka Ford by e-mail at ID ANSU44B. COSTS. The chart below is intended only for making rough comparisons between the different pricing schemes available for the various commercial services. Each plan has special aspects that are not shown on this chart. There may be extra charges for special features, the communications link, non-USA access, or using higher baud rates. Costs and available features are subject to change. Get current, accurate and complete information by contacting each network office directly. Comparative prices for USA subscribers -------------------------------------- Service Monthly Hourly Sign up phone ---------------- ------- ------- ------------- America OnLine $9.95 $3.50 800-827-6364 after 5 hrs free CompuServe - Alt 2.50 12.80 800-848-8199 CompuServe - Std 8.95 4.80 800-848-8199 GEnie 8.95 3.00 800-638-9636 off-peak after 4 hrs free Prodigy 7.95 1.20 800-776-3449 after 5 hrs free NOTICE: CompuServe: there are two basic plans (Alternative and Standard), examples shown are 2400 baud access, for overseas information call 1-614-457-0802 (Ohio, USA) or call toll-free in Australia 008025240, U.K. 0800289378, Germany 01303732 or France 36638122 / GENie peak hours are Mon-Fri 8am-6pm local time / Prodigy is available in the USA and service to Canada is being tested (ask for special offer), $7.95 is cheapest of four plans, discount rate of $1.20 per hour plus five hours free is available only while in the Medical Support Board (where the CFS section is). C. Internet. The Internet is the name for the rapid communications network which uses electronic mail and other services to link most mainframe computers around the world. Almost all CFS/ME resources on Internet can be obtained through electronic mail. They are thus accessible through all of the commercial services shown above, and other services listed below, of which many are low-cost or free. The various means of access are described further below. To obtain a general help file about how to use Internet and Listserv, send the command GET CFS NET-HELP as an e-mail message to the Internet address LISTSERV@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU. For personal assistance about CFS resource on Internet, contact Roger Burns at Internet address CFS-NEWS@LIST.NIH.GOV. CFS-L discussion group. This patients' discussion group is available through Internet e-mail. To join the group, contact the group's moderator Roger Burns at Internet address CFS-L-REQUEST@LIST.NIH.GOV. Or to sign up directly, see the second example described in section 5-C above. Other e-mail services. There are many other services based on Internet e-mail: CFS-WIRE, CFS-NEWS, and Catharsis magazine (described in Section 5 above); the CFS-MED physicians' group (described in Section 6 above); the CFIDS-L activist discussion (for information, contact Roger Burns at CFIDS-L-REQUEST@AMERICAN.EDU); and the CFS-FILE and CFS-D information file resources (described in Section 8-C which follows). Full service Internet. There are many high tech services available on Internet in addition to e-mail and many of these services can access CFS information. Some full service Internet accounts may be expensive, so inquire about costs. Some intermediate level services are accessible on lower cost systems such as some public unix nodes (see subsection D which follows) and on Free-Nets (see subsection E). A good reference to Internet services is the book by Gilster (described further in subsection D which follows). To see a list of CFS resources available via Internet gopher, ftp, telnet and WWW, get the CFS NET-HELP file mentioned above. Access to Internet. There are many ways to reach the Internet, some very expensive and others absolutely free. Many businesses, universities and government offices give Internet access to their employees (usually electronic mail). The commercial networks described above, and other systems, include Internet access as part of their services. Most commercial networks levy an additional charge for exchanging messages with the Internet. Ask the network contact people listed in section 7-C about ways to minimize these costs. MCI-MAIL charges $35 (USA) per year and offers unlimited incoming Internet e-mail at no extra charge. Thus this service is excellent for receiving CFS-WIRE, CFS-NEWS and Catharsis magazine, and monitoring the CFS-L discussion group. However, outgoing messages are expensive. For sign-up information, in the USA call (800) 444-6245. For service outside of North America call 1-202-833-8484 in Washington, DC or in the UK call 44-71-9281232 or in Germany call 49-89-4313071. Free-nets give access to almost all Internet CFS resources by e-mail and they are usually free. See subsection E which follows. Delphi and Holonet provide full Internet access to North America. For information, call Delphi at (800) 695-4005 and Holonet at 1-510-704-0160 (California). There are also many local providers of Internet services. See the references in subsection D below. D. Usenet. The Usenet network provides thousands of electronic discussion groups on many topics. Usenet discussion groups are called "newsgroups". They are accessible on many BBSs, mainframe computers and increasingly on the larger commercial networks. The "alt.med.cfs" newsgroup is linked to the CFS-L Internet e-mail discussion group, i.e. the two share their messages automatically. The CFS-NEWS newsletter appears on newsgroup "bit.listserv.cfs.newsletter". Note that these newsgroup names may soon change. For the latest information and advice, contact Roger Burns at address CFS-NEWS@LIST.NIH.GOV or post a message to any of the newsgroups listed above. The CFS Newswire and Catharsis magazine will soon be distributed on Usenet as well. The system of Free-Nets gives access to Usenet. Although not every Free-Net gives direct access, from any Free-Net it is possible to log into the National Capital (Ottawa) or Buffalo Free-Nets which do provide newsgroups. See subsection E below regarding Free-Nets. Many local BBSs and Internet providers give access to Usenet. There are many books available about the Internet, and several of them list the hundred or so local providers of Internet and Usenet access. One such book is "The Internet Navigator" by Paul Gilster. There are several electronic files which list Internet providers. Filenames NIXPUB.SHT, NIXPUB.LNG and PDIAL.TXT are available on the Project ENABLE BBS, tel. 1-304-759-0727, file area 23. America Online and CompuServe (subsection B above) provide access to newsgroups, and other major commercial services may also do so in the future. E. Free-Nets are non-profit systems in various cities that offer free access to Internet e-mail, Usenet newsgroups, and other services. (A few systems charge a nominal fee.) With the given Internet and Usenet access, users can reach any of the news, discussion and information services described in sections 5, 7-C and 7-D above and in section 8-C which follows. Volunteers set up their own information sections on local Free-Nets. Those who log into any one Free-Net can access all of the others. For example, from any of the Free-Nets you can access the CFS/ME section on the National Capital Free-Net (NCF) in Ottawa. Once inside NCF, enter the command GO CFSEIR to get to the CFS/ME section. For the advice and assistance, contact Sandy Shaw on the NCF Free-Net at Internet address aa328@freenet.carleton.ca, or post a message for Sandy on the Fido CFS "echo" (see section 7-A above). Current Free-Nets (FNs) now operating are as follows: Name Location Dial-in login info ------------- ------------ -------------- ----------- Los Angeles FN Los Angeles CA 1-818-776-5000 Select #2 at first menu Denver FN Denver CO 1-303-270-4865 login: guest CapAccess Washington DC 1-202-785-1523 login: guest password: visitor SEFLIN FN Broward County FL 1-305-765-4332 login: visitor Tallahassee FN Tallahassee FL 1-904-488-5056 login: visitor Prairienet Champaign-Urbana IL 1-217-255-9000 login: visitor Heartland FN Peoria IL 1-309-674-1100 login: bbguest UMASSK12 Amherst MA 1-413-572-5583 login: guest Great Lakes FN Battle Creek MI 1-616-969-4536 login: visitor Educ. Central Mt. Pleasant MI 1-517-774-3790 login: visitor COIN Columbia MO 1-314-884-7000 login: guest ORION Springfield MO 1-417-864-6100 login: guest Big Sky Telegraph Dillon MT 1-406-683-7680 login: bbs Buffalo FN Buffalo NY 1-716-645-6128 login: freeport SENDIT Fargo ND 1-701-237-3283 login: bbs password: sendit2me Tri-State Online Cincinnati OH 1-513-579-1990 login: visitor Cleveland FN Cleveland OH 1-216-368-3888 login: Select #2 at first menu Learning Village Cleveland OH 1-216-247-6196 login: visitor Gtr Columbus FN Columbus OH 1-614-292-7501 login: guest Dayton FN Dayton OH 1-513-229-4373 login: visitor Lorain County FN Elyria OH 1-216-366-9721 login: guest Youngstown FN Youngstown OH 1-216-742-3072 login: visitor Medina County FN Medina OH 1-216-723-6732 Ocean State FN Providence RI 1-401-831-4640 Rio Grande FN El Paso TX 1-915-775-5600 login: visitor Seattle Comm. Net. Seattle WA 1-206-386-4140 login: visitor Tri-Cities FN Tri-Cities WA 1-509-375-1111 Vancouver FN Vancouver BC 1-604-222-4723 CIAO! FN Trail BC 1-604-368-5764 login: guest Victoria FN Victoria BC 1-604-595-2300 login: guest National Capital FN Ottawa ON 1-613-780-3733 Chubucto FN Halifax NS 1-904-494-8006 Finland FN Helsinki FI 358-929292 login: visitor FN Erlangen-Nuernburg DE 49-9131-85-8111 login: gast Citynet Wellington NZ write to Computer Services Wellington City Council P.O. Box 2199, Wellington, NZ Many new Free-Nets are being developed. For the latest information on available Free-Nets, dial into tel. 1-216-247-6196 (Ohio), login as "visitor" and search for "NPTN" information. 8. Information files There are information files available on most of the networks and on many BBSs. They include medical articles, articles from previous editions of the CFIDS Chronicle, documents from NIH, advice on coping, disability, Social Security issues, etc. A. BBSs. Certain BBSs have special sections or are devoted entirely to carrying many helpful information files on CFS/ME. Note the following: Cross Lanes, West Virginia 1-304-759-0727 Tucson, Arizona 1-602-790-7420 Smithtown, New York 1-516-736-6810 Los Angeles, California 1-213-766-1356 Kansas City, Kansas 1-913-642-7907 Ottawa, Illinois 1-815-433-6959 Newport, Delaware 1-302-994-3772 Irvine, California 1-714-856-7996 Ottawa, Ontario CANADA 1-613-521-3690 Fleet, BRITAIN 44-252-626233 Apeldoorn, NETHERLANDS 31-55-337951 Sydney, AUSTRALIA 61-2-673-3559 The CFS-NEWS Electronic Newsletter can be found on most of the BBSs shown above. The CFS Newswire is carried by the CFS/ME/FMS BBS of Long Island (New York, tel. 1-516-736-6810) and the Shrine of the Cybernetic Madonna BBS (Los Angeles, tel. 1-213-766-1356). Back issues of the CFIDS Chronicle can be found on the MEDBASE CFS BBS (Arizona, tel. 1-602-790-7420). Publications of the (USA) National CFS & Fibromyalgia Association can be found on the South of the River BBS (Kansas City, tel. 1-913-642-7907, file group 2, area 26). B. The commercial networks also carry many CFS information files, notably America Online, CompuServe and GEnie. See the references to these file sections in the network descriptions that appear in section 7-B above. C. Internet has CFS/ME information files, available for retrieval by e-mail. (For Internet access, see section 7-C above.) The CFS-FILE database is the original source for electronic copies of the CFIDS Chronicle, the HealthWatch Newsletter (published by the CFIDS Buyers Club), the newsletter of the Canada ME/Fibromyalgia Action Network, and Catharsis magazine, in addition to the many standard medical articles, advice on disability, etc. To obtain a list of all available files, create an e-mail message which says GET CFS-FILE FILELIST and send it to the Internet address LISTSERV@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU. When you see files of interest, you can retrieve them by sending commands of the form GET filename1 filename2 (each file has a two-part name). For assistance, contact Molly Holzschlag at address CFS-FILE@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU. There is a separate base of CFS files at the Albany Listserv. This service stores back issues of CFS-NEWS and has other files associated with the Internet CFS-L discussion group. Send the message GET CFS-D FILELIST to address LISTSERV%ALBNYDH2@ALBANY.EDU and then send commands in the form of GET filename1 filename2, just as with the CFS-FILE database described above. For assistance, contact Roger Burns at address CFS-NEWS@LIST.NIH.GOV. ========== FURTHER INFORMATION ============= 9. Further information More detailed information about CFS/ME resources can be found in the CFS-RES.TXT file. The latest version of the CFS-RES.TXT file is always available at the following places. On the Internet, send the command GET CFS-RES TXT as an e-mail message to the address LISTSERV@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU . The file has also been uploaded as filename CFS-RES.TXT to the following: Project ENABLE BBS, tel. 1-304-759-0727, file area 23; GEnie network, Page 970, file area 11; CompuServe forum GOODHEALTH, Library 16, (filename CFSRES.TXT). An electronic copy of this guide can be downloaded as filename CFS-NET.TXT (or on CompuServe as CFSNET.TXT) at the same places shown above. Further advice may also be sought from the CFS/ME Computer Networking Project (see contact information in Section 2 above). 10. Credits and copyright notice This guide is produced by the volunteer efforts of CFS patients. We distribute it free of charge, but printing this guide does cost money. Please send in a donation so that this work can continue. Checks can be made payable to the CFS/ME Computer Networking Project and sent to our USA address of P.O. Box 11347, Washington, DC 20008 or to the Canadian address of 3332 McCarthy Road, P.O. Box 37045, Ottawa, Ontario K1V 0W0. We'd like to give thanks to those who have distributed or promoted this document and other information about CFS/ME computer networking. In particular, we wish to recognize the M.E. Association of Canada, the CFIDS Buyers Club, the CFIDS Association of America, and Matt Straznitskas for the design and lay-out of this document. Support groups and others have permission, and are encouraged, to reproduce this document for re-distribution. Individuals may get single copies by sending a stamped, self-addressed legal sized envelope to either of the addresses above. Outside of the USA or Canada, please include an International Reply Coupon which can be obtained at your post office. Copyright (c) 1994 by The CFS/ME Computer Networking Project. Permission is also granted to excerpt this document if the source, and the author (The CFS/ME Computer Networking Project), are cited. Permission is also granted to reproduce the entirety of this document unaltered. All trademarks, both marked and not marked, are the property of their respective owners. Much of the material above is derived from the CFS-RES.TXT file copyright (c) 1994 by Roger Burns and is reproduced here with permission. ---------------------------------------------------- ======================== From: CFS-L@LIST.NIH.GOV ===========================