In an effort to be helpful to the members of his small family history group, Alec published the following in the ‘Fewings Newsletter’ in 1993. How times have changed!

CompuServe

I obtained a brochure from the CompuServe office at Bristol. The service is strictly for those into computers and equipped with a modem for connection to the telephone system.

CompuServe has widespread uses, in that it can be used for business, entertainment, hobbies, shopping, news, advice, etc. Using it, it is possible to download information and programs etc., send and receive FAX, send and receive electronic mail, talk to other members online, and join and associate with groups having similar interests. There is access to financial items, reference data, investment, travel and reservations. In fact it seems to offer all things to all people. There is a price to be paid for use, of course, and this varies according to where you happen to live, and the speed with which your particular installation is able to transfer data via the system. The speed is measured in ‘bauds’ and the charge increases for the higher speeds, from 300 bauds (min) to 9600. The data transfer is slower for the slower speeds, therefore on-line time would be slightly longer and telephone charges a bit higher.

The charges are per hour and are price in dollars (U.S.). The relative hourly charges for someone living in London would be:-

• $6.30 per 300 baud connection
• $12.80 per 1200 to 2400 baud connection
• $22.80 per 9600 baud connection (where available).

Beyond this the pricing is a little more complicated as there is a communications surcharge which varies between London and the rest of U.K. and whether connections are made at peak or off-peak hours. Those wishing to have more detailed information should write to CompuServe Information Services (U.K.) Ltd., 15/16 Lower Park Row, P.O. Box 676, Bristol, BS99 1YN.

Anyone in North America who may be interested should write to CompuServe, 5000 Arlington Road, P.O. Box 20212, Columbus, Ohio, 43220, U.S.A.

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So there you have it, folks; if you want to take advantage of one of the wonders of this new technological era – at the bargain rate of $22.80 per hour where available – you should write (write!) to one or other of the addresses above. It’s difficult to believe that the world has changed quite so drastically in such a relatively short space of time!

(N.B. Late in his life Alec was known in the family as ‘Gadget Man’ because of his willingness to adopt – albeit without always understanding – new technology!)

Next post will be uploaded on 26 April 2019 at 06.00