The Online World Part 7

Usually, there is a natural specialization between boards.

Those using the Unix operating system, have the largest number of programs for such machines. Those running on MS-DOS computers, have more programs for such computers.

Some games are trite and bad. Others are brilliant. There are ladder games, games challenging your responses (racer car driving, flight control, war games, subsea games), electronic versions of traditional games like Backgammon, Yatzy, chess and bridge, educational games (geography, mathematics and history), puzzles, fractal programs (drawing beautiful pictures on your screen), psychological tests, text-based adventure games, and other strange and funny creations. Here is something for any taste or belief.

If you want to get rich in a hurry, pick programs that increase chances of winning horse race bets, or other "real world" money winning games.

If you're into beautiful girls, fill your hard disk with picture files in GIF, PCX or other graphics formats. (Sorry ladies, there are not many pictures of naked boys around.) You'll also find software that will display the pictures that you just retrieved.

Keen users of the more popular games often want to swap tricks and discuss experiences: Super Nintendo players regularly meet on the SNES mailing list (on [email protected]). To join, send your subscription request to: [email protected] .

For chess, try the Chess Discussion List (CHESS- [email protected]) unless Chinese Chess (on [email protected]) is what you're looking for. CompuServe has a Chess forum (GO CHESSFORUM) with message sections called: Chess Basics, Theory & a.n.a.lysis, News Wire, Hardware/Software, Casual Games, Electronic Knights, Oriental/Variants, Tourneys (Open), USCF Rated Games, Team Play, and Time Out.

Usenet excels when it comes to games:

rec.gambling Articles on games of chance & betting.

rec.games.board Discussion and hints on board games.

rec.games.board.ce The Cosmic Encounter board game.

rec.games.bridge Hobbyists interested in bridge.

rec.games.chess Chess & computer chess.

rec.games.design Discussion of game design related issues.

rec.games.empire Discussion and hints about Empire.

rec.games.frp Discussion about Role Playing games.

rec.games.go Discussion about Go.

rec.games.hack Discussion, hints, etc. about the Hack game.

rec.games.misc Games and computer games.

rec.games.moria Comments, hints, and info about the Moria game.

rec.games.mud Various aspects of multi-users computer games.

rec.games.pbm Discussion about Play by Mail games.

rec.games.pinball Discussing pinball-related issues.

rec.games.programmer Discussion of adventure game programming.

rec.games.rogue Discussion and hints about Rogue.

rec.games.trivia Discussion about trivia.

rec.games.video Discussion about video games.

rec.games.video.arcade Discussions about coin-operated video games.

With so many games and programs around, it is difficult to stay current about new programs and new versions of old ones. Consider subscribing to the MS-DOS Archive Additions (one-way) information service. Internet MS-DOS archive managers use it to announce new additions to their collections.

To subscribe, send a message to [email protected] with this command in the body of the message:

subscribe msdos-ann

These announcements are also posted to the Usenet newsgroup called comp.archives.msdos.announce .

| It is probably easier for you to relate to references like | | "rec.games.video on Usenet," than to [email protected] | | References to BITNET mailing lists are made in various ways | | throughout the book, just as it is online. This is the basic | | rule: | | | | All BITNET mailing lists are 'managed' by a LISTSERV program, | | which handles all subscription requests. When you read a | | reference like [email protected], then that means that | | a subscription request must be set to the LISTSERV at the | | INDYCMS computer on BITNET. Mail to the forum, however, must | | be sent to [email protected] to be forwarded to the | | other members. | | | | For more information about these strange address codes, and | | how to use them, read about BITNET in appendix 1. You may | | find it useful to read about email addresses in Chapter 7. | | | | All BITNET mailing lists can be used by email through the | | Internet. Several BITNET hosts also have Internet addresses. | | Example: [email protected] can also be reached as | | [email protected] . When dual addresses are given, | | Internet users should use the Internet address, while BITNET | | users should use the BITNET address. | | | | Note: In cases where a BITNET mailing list has dual addresses, | | we have usually given the Internet address. If you are on | | BITNET, and using these addresses are difficult or impossible, | | ask your local postmaster for help. |

Computer viruses ---------------- Few online users ever live to see or experience a computer virus, but they do exist. So, read this: A virus is a small, hidden computer program that can cause the loss or alteration of programs or data, and can compromise their confidentiality. It can spread from program to program, and from system to system, without direct human intervention.

The chance of your computer being infected is small, but you're never safe. Therefore, download a program for virus detection and identification, like VIRUSSCAN from McAffee a.s.sociates, 4423 Cheeney Street, Santa Clara, CA 95054-0253, U.S.A. They also have virus disinfection programs (for MS-DOS computers).

For more about viruses, subscribe to [email protected]

CompuServe has the Mac New Users Forum (with a a Virus Clinic section), the McAfee Virus Help Forum, the Symantec AntiVirus Forum, and more. FidoNet has a VIRUS echo. ILINK has VIRUS-I.

Usenet has bit.listserv.valert-l (Virus Alert List), and comp.virus .

Online games ------------ If you're into games, why not investigate online adventure games?

There are many alternatives. Prestel (England) offers TRASH, an environmental multi-user game with a futuristic theme and full of humor. Up to 64 persons can play simultaneously.

" ...Callers play out the role of pandimensional refuse disposal officers, whose primary aim in life is to clean up the multiverse, as the Trash environment is called."

"With a diverse range of 'psionic powers', which vary from the nasty (pyrokinesis) to the gentle (faith healing), at their command, Trash players roam across dimensions and universes, completing various tasks."

Bulletin boards throughout the world invite you to role playing games. Some have graphics, music and sound effects. Dungeons & Dragons is a popular choice.

On EXEC-PC, play Startrek. Select an ident.i.ty and "play it out"

according to its character. If you're a real afficionado, check out rec.arts.startrek.info on Usenet or the list [email protected] (write [email protected] to subscribe).

Advanced players swap tricks on [email protected] On many BBSes, MUD is a most popular game.

| Multi-User Dungeons (MUD) is a structured and user-modifiable | | online environment, which allows users not only to interact | | with each other, but to do role-playing, build and furnish | | living areas and interaction areas, extend and create the | | interactive "s.p.a.ce" and the rules for using that s.p.a.ce. |

Popular choices on CompuServe are strategy games like The Island of Kesmai and Megawars. One game can last for weeks at a time. On CIX (England), many prefer the multi-user dungeon game DiscWorld.

If you prefer sport fantasies in the armchair, check out GEnie.

They offer Rotisserie League Baseball. Decide what team player to be, and join in a match of American baseball.

Nintendo offers online games through the Famicom Networks in j.a.pan and the U.S. Your PC must have a special graphics card to play games like GO and Shogi, a j.a.panese game of chess.

Chat ---- Chat, or "keyboard talking," is a popular attraction, and in particular on the large online services.

Your first attempt will probably be a strange experience.

When may people talk simultaneously in chat mode, incoherent sentences seem to fly over your computer screen. It takes some training to be able to read what each of them is saying.

CompuServe's Citizen Band Simulator (GO CB) is an electronic version of the hams' short-wave radio. It has 72 CB Simulator channels. You can chat with anonymous members, have fun and find new keypals.

On EXEC-PC's Chat and Entertainment System up to 64 users can talk simultaneously. GEnie calls their service Livewire CB. On BIX, look for CBIX.

Some users are serious about chatting. Several large companies are heavy users. Although this kind of talking is a slow process, it has advantages. It is easy to doc.u.ment the discussion. People from places geographically far apart can meet at a low cost to discuss.

Some online services charge less for chats than for other services.

My hobby -------- There are online forums for most hobbies: collection of stamps and coins, genealogy, music, holiday travels, skiing, purchase of consumer electronics, video, filming, and more.

Those you meet in the clubs share your interests. They come to exchange information and experiences, to listen, swap stamps or coins, partic.i.p.ate in club auctions, and exploit favorable group discounts when buying things for their hobby.

In these clubs, the main attraction is the open messages that people write to each other. Many clubs also have libraries filled with special software (like data base programs for collectors) and information files.

Coins (on [email protected]) is a forum for discussion of Numismatics, the study of coins, American and International. Paper currency is also a welcome topic, but trading is not allowed. To subscribe, send a message to [email protected] .

Music ----- ILINK, an international exchange of conferences between bulletin boards, has a forum for country music lovers. It presents itself in these words:

COUNTRY MUSIC Country & Western music including bluegra.s.s and other related forms. Discussion of artists, techniques, instruments & musicians. Host: John Stewart

One oasis of civility in the BBS maelstrom is the 150-board ILINK network -- recently renamed from InterLink. Unlike most BBS networks, ILINK carefully evaluates each board before permitting members.h.i.+p. "We are very selective -- some say overly selective," says ILINK's international host Andy Keeves.

Choosiness keeps ILINK small but upholds the decorum of its message bases.

Usenet has rec.music.country.western . FidoNet has 60S_70S_PROGROCK about the progressive rock music of the 60's and 70's, gospel music in CHR_GSPL_MUSIC, a club for selling and buying between musicians (MUSICIAN'S_SERVICES), and (MUSIC_COMP_101) for aspiring composers.

CompuServe has a bunch of forums. Check out the Music/MIDI sections in the Amiga and Atari ST Arts forums. The latter is a full Music/MIDI forum. The Coin/Stamp/Collectibles Forum has a section for music collectors.

CompuServe's RockNet forum has the following structure:

Available message sections: Available file libraries: 0 General/Misc. 0 General Misc 1 Rock Music 1 Rock Music 2 Rock Radio 2 Rock Radio 3 Reviews/LK 3 Reviews 4 Q&A/Help 4 Q&A/Help 5 Rock Film & Video 5 Rock Film & Video 6 RockLetters 6 RockLetters 7 Trends 7 Trends 8 Heavy Metal 8 Heavy Metal 9 Old Wave 9 Old Wave 10 New Music 10 New Music 11 CD Hotline 11 Compact Discs 12 Green, Village 12 Graphics/Programs

You can tailor your visits to RockNet to your personal interests.

If you're into Heavy Metal, limit your readings of messages to those in section 8, and possibly 3 and 7.

The Music and Performing Arts Forum (GO MUSICARTS) is another interesting place on CompuServe. Converse with fellow music fans about on topics like cla.s.sical, jazz/blues, Big Band, country/folk and religious music, ballet/dance, drama and more.

MIDI is discussed on several bulletin boards, including in conferences distributed by RelayNet.

Cla.s.sical music forums can be found on most larger services.

Try CLa.s.sM-L on [email protected]

For jazz, try the ILINK conference JAZZ, rec.music.bluenote on Usenet, MILES on [email protected] (about Miles Davis), or BLUES-L at [email protected] .

Another jazz oriented list, SATURN on [email protected], is for discussing the free-jazz big band leader, Sun Ra.

Network-Audio-Bits is an electronic magazine bringing reviews and information about rock, pop, new age, jazz, funk, folk music and other genres. (Write [email protected] to join.) The Music Newsletter offers reviews and interviews. Subscribe by email to [email protected] using the command "SUBSCRIBE UPNEWS Your-full-name."