Re: Genie...is it worth it?

[bazyar@netcom.com (Jawaid Bazyar)]

kindall@falcon.ic.net (Jerry Kindall) writes:

>Jawaid Bazyar (bazyar@netcom.com) wrote:
>:   GEnie's main benefit is that it has a large file library. It also
>: costs $3/hour, which is totally outrageous in my opinion. Internet
>: providers are much less expensive, averaging $20/mo for _unlimited_
>: usage.

>One thing some people tend to forget when comparing services like GEnie 
>to the Internet is that online services provide you with a higher level 
>of service than the Internet.  

  Sometimes.  Depends on the particular forum in question. They
are _supposed_ to provide a higher level of service, but I
don't find myself doing research on GEnie - I do research on Internet.
I don't search for software on GEnie - I search for it on Internet.

>On GEnie, every program in the library is 
>checked to make sure it works properly and contains no viruses.  


  Well, the latter part of the statement has no relevance for Apple II
software, but it is good to have software in the library verified,
even if just for the ability to unpack it.

>Old 
>versions of programs are removed when new versions are uploaded.  

  Sometimes this is a bad thing!

>Message 
>threads are forcibly kept on-topic and old message threads are archived.  

  Archiving good, "forcibly kept on-topic", could be bad. Depends
on whether you trust the "forcible" person or not.

>Digests such as GEnie Lamp are prepared.  Not to mention things that you 
>can't get via the Internet, such as Grolier's Encyclopedia and Official 
>Airline Guide, to name just two such services.

  Can't complain about any of these things :)

>How much work is it for an internet provider to carry Apple II 
>newsgroups and allow access to Apple II FTP sites?  Virtually none.  How 
>much work is it for the GEnie A2 staff to do all the things they do?  A 
>lot.

>The Internet provides data.  GEnie and other services provide 
>information.  You may pay $20 for your Internet connection, but the 
>Internet connection is ALL you get.

  Ha! Information is what you make it.  A comparison of the two
forums:

Genie: lots of people chatting about the Apple II, except you can't
       choose what topics you want to read. You either read them all, or
       you have to ignore entire categories.
Internet: lots of people chatting about the Apple II, but I can pick and
       choose messages on an individual basis based on individual
       titles and keywords

GEnie: lots of Apple II files. Lots.  OTOH, there is limited demand 
       for "Jason's Latest SoundSmith Song".
Internet: Lots of apple II files, but not as many as GEnie. 

GEnie: easier to control flamefests by the heavy hand of staff
Internet: flamefests run free on unmoderated groups, but you can control
       them with a light tap of the 'K' key.


  Yes, GEnie (and other onlines) have services that a "raw" internet
connection doesn't provide. I don't believe it's worth $3/hour,
though. Ever try AOL's airline ticket price search feature?
The prices there are generally ridiculous. A quick call to my
travel agent yields much better results.
-- 
 Jawaid Bazyar              |   Like UNIX? Like your Apple IIGS? Then ask
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