An online service that provides hundreds of information sources that can be accessed by dialling in to the main computer with a modem. CompuServe is based in the USA and contains reference databases, such as stock exchange prices and weather maps, but it also has thousands of individual forums. The forums are each dedicated to a particular subject or product. For example, the Microsoft forum covers each of its separate products (Word, Excel, Access etc). One of the great benefits of CompuServe over rival online services is that it has thousands of software and hardware companies that provide support for their products. If you're stuck with a problem, leave a message in the correct forum and someone will probably be able to solve it for you.
Each CompuServe user is identified by a number rather than a name, which makes it rather less friendly than other systems. You can use CompuServe to send electronic mail messages to any other CompuServe user, or to anyone who is connected to the Internet.
When you join CompuServe it sends you a special software package called CIM. This provides a simple way of accessing all the forums and reference databases on the system. CIM will dial the telephone number, send you a user number and password and let you access forums and send mail. CompuServe charges in two ways: there's a small joining fee and then you are charged for the time you are connected to the service. In addition, some of the reference databases have an extra charge. Don't forget that you also have to pay for the telephone call - but this is normally a local call.
