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At first blush, online services may all seem alike. But while the similarities are striking at times, each still retains its own personality with unique services and operational aspects. Choosing is tough, but one service's singular offerings could tip the scales in its favor. Here's a sampling of highlights from the most popular commercial online services.
America Online fully integrates Internet connectivity, with suggested Web pointers throughout the service. Road Trips--either AOL-sponsored or user created--offer virtual tours of the service. AOL also provides comprehensive Web publishing options and AOLNet, a network that allows high-speed access from many cities.
Monthly, $9.95 (first five hours, free; each additional hour, $2.95); first month, 10 hours free.
800-827-6364, 703-448-8700
CompuServe is the *grande dame* of online services and leads the pack in computing resources. You'll find forum after forum devoted to providing product support, up-to-date electronic computer magazines and shareware by the truckload. If you're a techie--or a wannabe techie--CompuServe is for you. CompuServe is also the international online leader, with access offered worldwide and foreign language support.
Basic monthly services, $9.95 (includes three Internet hours; each additional hour, $2.50); Internet Club, $24.95 (includes basic service).
800-848-8199, 614-457-8600
If e-mail is a prime consideration, GEnie delivers. GEnie's newest software has an enhanced e-mail client that makes sending Internet mail about as easy it gets. You just enter the recipient's e-mail address and click on one of the icons for other online services. GEnie adds the appropriate Internet suffix (e.g., @aol.com), and your mail is on its way. The service's address book and file cabinet are just as easy to use, and its revamped art-deco-ish interface is reason enough to take a look at GEnie.
Monthly, $8.95 (four hours free).
800-638-9636, 301-251-6475
It's a family affair with Prodigy's Homework Helper. Its natural language search lets you type questions such as "How many rings does Saturn have." Homework Helper responds with articles from encyclopedias, newspapers and magazines, and it highlights the passages that answers your search question. Sports fans won't feel left out because Prodigy serves up ESPN and a number of other sports information resources. At press time, Prodigy was the only service to offer ISDN access.
Monthly, $9.95 (first five hours free; each additional hour, $2.95); first month's membership fee is waived and includes 10 free hours.
800-776-3349,
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