Yo! Doug:
Sunday May 18 1997 20:22, Doug Bryce wrote to Bill Cheek:
 BC>> I would guess that these Information Services are okay for the green
 BC>> weenie entry level networker......
 DB> I am also a CIS member (I keep my membership for different reasons
 DB> ), but I agree with you completely....as an ISP they suck -- and I
 DB> can't see any of the other information services being any better.  For
 DB> 'rookies' they are good, and I used CIS for a (very) few months while
 DB> I got my feet wet.  Once I decided that I wanted i-net access I got a
 DB> 'real' ISP.
 DB> I *do* think that they serve a useful purpose though, in terms of the
 DB> product support facilities and discussion groups that are available
 DB> there.  Personally, I prefer moderated msg areas to the newsgroups.
 DB> At least you don't have to worry about keeping your asbestos underwear
 DB> close at hand .
It's a whole different modus operandi in unmoderated forums.  It just takes 
better equipment and software to manage it....but it is manageable.  But 
yeah, outfits like CI$, AOL, Phraudigy, et al, clearly have their benefits 
and value. Internet service just isn't one of those values.  heh heh heh.
 BC>> These guys are not always best for the green
 BC>> weenie because they often won't pass the time of day with ya......you
 BC>> got a problem, you fix it.
 DB> I agree that the locals are generally the best way to go....but they'd
 DB> better be prepared to recognize when *they* might have 'improved'
 DB> something and broken my connection!  And be ready to fix it.
My experience is that all services automatically assume YOU are at fault when 
there is a problem. The down-home locals might be a little better....but not 
much.  It is best to be "experienced", that's for sure.
 BC>> The better ISP's don't give a shit one way or the
 BC>> other.....and have their systems set up to allow any and all "client"
 BC>> packages...independent of brand name of hardware or software.
 DB> That's exactly how it *should* work, right?
Right....and DOES....in most cases outside of the Information Services.  CIS, 
AOL, etc, all prefer you to use their front ends and do things their way, 
which is okay for the entry level green weenie who doesn't know any better.
 DB> Or at least tell me coming in if there's a platform (s/w or h/w) that
 DB> you *don't* support. Don't tell me after I sign up that "I'm sorry
 DB> but we don't support...."   After all, the software that I use to
 DB> dial and make the SLIP/PPP connection *should* be transparent from
 DB> the server end. Shouldn't matter if it's Win 3.x, Win95, Os/2, Unix,
 DB> or whatever.
Right....and I think most REAL Internet Service Providers are that way, so 
long as you specifically sign up for a SLIP or PPP account.  Shell accounts 
won't get it, of course.
 BC>> In a word, I think radio itself is on the way out.  After all, what
 BC>> is the purpose of radio?  Communication?  Right.  And there are
 BC>> better tools and means for communication now than radio as we know
 BC>> it. My two-cents, anyway..........
 DB> Do you think that scanning as we know it is going to disappear? (Aside
 DB> from aviation, anyway).  That'd be a pisser.  :-(
Not soon....but yes, for the most part.  There is a massive shift to PCS and 
cellular services now....which is rendering the Land Mobile industry to a 
"has been".  Obviously, trunking is also right up there.  Digital and 
encryption are next..... maybe even spread spectrum, too.  The result will be 
less and less for the hobbyist to monitor.
It's already happening.  But it may take 5-yrs before it smacks us in the 
face.
I've already been smacked by it, though.  I see what's coming down for radio 
in general.  Even shortwave!  Make a rough calculation of what it costs to 
broadcast 50,000 watts (or more), given that the power draw is at least 
double that actually transmitted.  A 50-kW station will draw at least 100-kW 
from the electric grid.  At 8 or 10 cents a kilowatt-hour....WOW!  Cheaper 
ways of sending programming to target audiences is already diminishing the 
shortwave broadcasters.  Add to that, the warmed political climate..........
Bill Cheek ~ bcheek@san.rr.com
Windows 95 Juggernaut Team ~ Microsoft MVP
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