Re: Info AOL

[stc7@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Steven T Chiang)]

In article <1g4embINNnjb@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> co057@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Steven H. Lichter) writes:
>
>Why? The software for the II is real clunky and tends to lock up. They
>have not updated it and I don't believe they will ever do so. Enie might
>a much better deal.

	Well, I subscribe to both AOL and Genie.  They both have their
strong points.

	When I first signed onto AOL, I hated the windows, and scroll
text boxes etc.  I guess I didn't realize how nice it was until I
signed onto Genie... (interface wise)  I've seen a lot better ACOS or
Metal based systems... 

	I'm not a Genie expert, but here are some things I still
haven't figured out.  I've been on Genie for about a year, but I
really didn't start calling it frequently until about the last few
months.  Each message doesn't have a subject line, so you sort of have
to scroll through each message... and I still haven't found a way to
skip to the next message.  The prompt is cryptic "<Space> for next
page, <return> to scroll, and <Q> to quit"...

	At any rate, this is supposed to be a bash Genie session,
because there probably are ways to do mundane things like skip a
message... I'd love for somebody to tell me how to do it..


In Genie's defense, the Developers section is much more active than
AOL's.  It's hard to compare the two service's general Apple 2 sections as on
AOL they are split up.

And both systems have huge libraries of Apple II files.  It's easier
to find old software or the most current version of recent
software, because every file has a description.  FTP is great, but
it's not as organized as AOL or Genie.  If you are a developer, you
definitely want to get your programs up on both services.

The people on boths systems are great.  I've met a bunch of people
through AOL and Genie, and it's been good (for the most part... :)...
Oh, and you can talk directly to companies, through the company
support areas.  I'll list some of them, forgive me if I forget you...
Lunar Productions, Procyon, DreamWorld, Seven Hills, Vitesse, Quality
Computers, Interplay, TMS, Econ, etc...

The pricing is competitive...  Genie is a litle more when you leave
basic services, I think it's $4.95/hr (basic services) $6.95/hr (other
services).  The Apple 2 sections would be considered other services.
AOL is a flat $5/hr.


Summary... well, if you think Apple II support is dying, check out one
of these services...  They are both great, and you can't go wrong with
either one.

Steven Chiang                  Order - DreamGrafix:  The ONLY 16/256/3200
stc7@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu       color paint program for the Apple IIGS.
America On_Line:  DWS Steve
Genie:  S.Chiang4              Apple IIGS Forever!