You're getting ready to try to most talked-about online service in the Macintosh computing community. Your America Online software will connect you to extensive computing support, software libraries (over 25,000 Mac files), computer forums, the top Macintosh hardware and software developers (over 100), electronic mail, advice for running your small- or home-based business, message boards, travel and stock services, news and sports, and chat and conferencing areas where you can meet with new and old friends to discuss topics that interest you.
If you haven't signed on yet for the first time . . .
. . . it only takes about 10 minutes, and all the instructions you need are included in your AOL software kit.
. . . remember that the first time you sign on, you will have some free time to try the service and explore (see your software kit for details). The next business day after you sign on, we will mail you a special new member's kit that includes additional information about getting the most out of America Online.
What do I need to get online?
All you'll need is: the America Online software kit, a Hayes™ or Hayes-compatible modem, a modem cable to connect your modem to your computer, a working telephone line -- and, of course, your Macintosh computer. Your Mac must have at least one megabyte of RAM (usually a Mac Plus or later), and a hard drive.
Will I need a manual?
No, America Online is very easy to use and “help” is built right into the software. To find out how to get help, select the topic "How to Get Help on America Online" from the list at the left. You can save and print the information found on the menu to the left, as well as the America Online documentation that can be found in the Members' Online Support department.
The Getting Started guide included in your America Online software kit contains all the information you need to get started (or, just follow the simple instructions below). You will find detailed information about America Online pricing in your America Online software kit. (Of course, up to date information can always be found online in the Members' Online Support department — free of connect charges.)
If you get stumped while you are trying to sign on for the first time, call our Customer Relations Department at (800) 827-6364 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET. A Technical Support Representative will be happy to get you online.
How do I become a member?
If you haven't signed on to America Online yet, you can do so easily. The entire process will take less than 10 minutes. Have your Registration Certificate that came with your software, and either a MasterCard®, Visa®, Discover®, American Express® or a checking account number handy. (If you wish to use the checking account option, your bank must be located in the United States).
Then, getting started is easy! Follow these steps:
• Put the AOL disk into your disk drive. Double click on the icon called "America Online Installer." The installer will ask you where you would like to put your America Online software. When you've selected a folder on your hard drive, click "Install" and the installer will create a folder called "America Online 2.0."
• Open the "America Online 2.0" folder and double click on the America Online icon and follow the step-by-step instructions on screen. You'll be connected to our computer via a toll-free number. Then, we'll help you set up your modem and phone information, and store that information in a configuration file on your disk.
• When you are prompted to do so, enter the registration number and code that you find on the Registration Certificate in your America Online software kit.
What should I do once I'm online?
Choose any of our “departments” to browse through our service offerings. Select the topic "America Online Departments" on the menu to your left to find out more about what America Online has to offer. For some tips on what to look for on your first trip online, select the topic "Your First Visit Online" from the menu to your left. But there's one place you absolutely shouldn't miss on your first visit: the Computing & Software department.
The Computing and Software department is the home of America Online's special interest Computing Forums. In these Forums, you will find other members who share your interests in business, communications and networking, desktop publishing, development, education, games, graphics, HyperCard®, music, utilities, user groups, desk accessories, and more. In America Online Computing Forums, you will find message boards and live, online conferences in which you can discuss your special interests and get computing help.
Search the America Online software libraries for public domain and shareware programs with the powerful "File Search," and get answers to your hardware and software questions from over 100 of the leading Mac hardware and software developers in Industry Connection.
You'll find that exploring is simple on America Online since you'll encounter familiar icons, pull-down menus, and windows. So, get online and wander about!
A little history . . .
America Online began in October 1989 as an online service exclusively for Mac and Apple II computer users. This is why you will find that America Online has a unique "Mac" focus, unlike other services that primarily serve PC users, and have added Mac support as an afterthought.
Between 1989 and 1991, thousands of Macintosh and Apple II users flocked to America Online, forming an enthusiastic and vibrant online community. In 1991, PC computer users were invited to join America Online; as a result, you can interact with friends and colleagues who use all computer types on America Online.
The PC software used to access America Online was developed with an eye towards the same ease of use standards pioneered by Macintosh version of AOL.
If you like America Online and would like to bring your friends aboard, you can use the keyword: FRIEND on America Online to ask us to send your friends free America Online software kits. For every friend that you bring on to America Online, we'll credit you for a free hour online -- to thank you for helping to grow this online community.
Once again, thank you for giving America Online a try -- enjoy.
Your First Visit Online
The first business day after you sign on to America Online, we will mail to you a New Member Kit with additional information about America Online, and how to get the most out of its services and features. If you have just signed on, you will be getting it any day now!
To get an overview of some of the services available on America Online, select the topic "America Online Departments" from the Help topic list (to the left of this text).
There's more to America Online than you can explore in one session, and more is being added every day. We recommend that you try out the following services on your first trip online, so that you can get a taste of the best America Online has to offer.
• Take a Tour (Keyword: HIGHLIGHTS)
The first time you are online, use the keyword: HIGHLIGHTS for a brief tour of some of AOL's most popular services. To use a keyword, pull down the Go To menu on the horizontal menu bar, and select "Keyword." Then, type the keyword in the space provided and click the "OK" button.
This is the fast way to keep on top of the news of the day -- national, international, business, and sports -- provided by the top news wires.
• Support from Leading Mac Hardware and Software Developers (Computing & Software Department > Industry Connection)
You'll find over 100 of the leading hardware and software developers online and ready to answer your questions. Select the topic "America Online Departments" from the list at left for a partial listing of the developers online.
• Microsoft Knowledge Base (Computing & Software Department)
Use the same searchable database used by Microsoft's own customer support staff to get instant answers to your questions about Microsoft products.
• Microsoft Small Business Center (News & Finance Department) (Keyword: SMALL BUSINESS)
Get support for running a small or home-based business from experts and other small business owners.
Search for articles in this award-winning encyclopedia -- you can read articles online, print them out, cut and paste excerpts into other documents, or save articles to your hard drive for future reference.
• Clubs and Special Interest Groups (Lifestyles & Interests Department)
Be sure to check out this department -- there is probably an online club that will interest you. If not, use the department Suggestion Box to let us know what you'd like to see online.
America Online has over 25,000 public domain and shareware files for your Macintosh in easy to use software libraries. It's easy to find files in your interest area by using the powerful File Search feature.
• Participate in a Computing Conference (Computing & Software Department > Check Active Rooms)
If you are signing on in the evening, chances are there is a computing special interest conference going on while you are online. To find out who is meeting and where, select "Check Active Rooms" from the Computing & Software Department. You will see what conferences are in progress, and you can go right to one that interests you by selecting it from the menu.
• Explore System 7 and More (Computing & Software Department > Operating Systems) (Keyword: MAC OS)
Get your questions answered about Apple's newest operating system, and get some helpful hints along the way. In the Mac Operating System Forum, you can benefit from the experiences of other Macintosh users who are using System 7. If you haven't upgraded yet, you can also download System 7 from America Online.
• Find Out What's New (Keyword: NEW)
New services are being added to America Online every day. If you are curious about what has been added recently, use the keyword: NEW to find out.)
America Online Departments
America Online is divided into 8 areas of interest, called "departments":
• Computing & Software
• Learning & Reference
• News & Finance
• Entertainment
• Travel & Shopping
• People Connection
• Lifestyles & Interests
• Members' Online Support (free of connect charges)
Every time you sign on to America Online, you will see a "Welcome Screen" that tells you if you have mail, has the top news story of the hour, and mentions "what's hot" on America Online. On the lower left-hand side of the screen, you will see a button called "Departments." If you click on that button, you will see a screen that lists all the departments of America Online.
(To get to the list of departments anytime you are signed on to America Online, simply select "Go To" from the horizontal menu at the top of your screen, then select "Departments.")
America Online grows and changes every day with the interests of members. So you'll have some idea of what you will find in each department, the service highlights of each department are listed below. But this is just a partial list, and more is added every day, so be sure to go online and explore yourself.
Computing & Software
• Tonight in the Forums - Find out what is happening tonight in the Mac computing special interest forums.
• Check for Active Rooms - Use this feature to find out what Forum conference rooms have meetings going on while you are online. Then, just click on the room name to join the meeting.
• Macintosh Computing Forums
- Beginners
- Education
- Communication & Networks
- Desktop Publishing
- Development
- Games & Entertainment
- Business
- Graphic Arts & CAD
- Hardware Support
- HyperCard
- Music & Sound
- Operating Systems
- Utilities/Desk Accessories
- Mac User Groups
• PC and Apple II Computing Forums
If your other computer is a PC or an Apple II, you can find computing forums for them on America Online as well!
• Macworld Magazine Online
- Browse and search past issues
- New & Reviews
- New Products
- Product Updates
- Software Library
- Write to Macworld Editors
- Publishers and Manufacturers Database
• Software Libraries
- File Search: Over 25,000 Mac files
- Top 20 Files
- Weekly New Files Listings
- Macworld's Top Shareware Files
- MacUser's Favorite Files
- Software Center Help Desk
• Industry Connection (the list is growing every day!)
- Aatrix Software, Inc.
- Access Software
- Activision
- Advanced Software, Inc.
- Affinity Microsystems
- Aladdin Systems, Inc.
- Altsys Corporation
- Alysis Software
- Ariel Publishing Company
- Articulate Systems
- Baseline Publishing
- Berkeley Systems
- Bowers Development (AppMaker)
- Brøderbund
- CE Software
- Claris
- CoStar
- Cultural Resources, Inc.
- Davidson & Associates
- Dayna Communications
- Digital Vision
- Direct Software
- Dove Computer Corp.
- Dubl-Click Software, Inc.
- Electric Image
- Emigre Fonts
- Farallon
- Fifth Generation
- FontBank
- GCC Technologies
- Global Village Communication
- Graphisoft
- inCider
- Infocom
- Inline Design
- Kent*Marsh
- Kiwi Software
- Language Systems
- Letraset
- LucasFilm Games
- MacArtist
- MacAvenue
- MacroMind, Inc.
- Market Master
- Maxis
- MECC
- Meridian Data
- Microcom
- Micro Dynamics, Ltd.
- MicroMat Computer Systems
- Micron Technology
- MicroProse
- Microseeds Publishing, Inc.
- Microsoft Knowledge Base
- Mirror Technologies
- New Era
- Now Software
- Nuvotech
- ON Technology
- OptImage Interactive Services
- PC World Online
- Personal Computer Peripherals
- Portfolio Systems, Inc.
- Power Up Software
- ProVUE Development (Panorama)
- Quark, Inc.
- RagTime, USA
- Salient Software
- Shiva Corporation
- Sierra On-Line
- Softek Design
- Softsync, Inc.
- Solutions, Inc.
- Spectrum HoloByte
- Specular International
- Strata, Inc.
- SuperMac
- Symantec
- TACTIC Software
- Technology Works
- TGS Systems
- T/Maker
- Virtus Corporation
- The Voyager Company
- WordPerfect
- Working Software
- Zedcor, Inc.
• Computing News & Reference
- Apple Press Releases
- COMPUTE Magazine
- Dictionary of Computer Terms
- Home Office Computing Magazine
- Inside Technology with Denise Caruso
- New Product Information
- Microsoft Knowledge Base
- Networker's Journal
- Newsbytes
- PC Catalog
- PC Novice & PC Today Magazines
- PC Vendors Database
- Technology Highlights
- USA Today Technology News
- USA Today Telecommunications News
Learning & Reference
• Compton's Encyclopedia (search by keyword)
• College Board Online
- Ask the College Board
- Tips on Choosing a College
- Financial Aid Information
- College Board Handbook (search by interest or by school name)
- Test Dates
• Course Registration & Course Listings
• Interactive Education Services
- Online Campus
- International House
- Interactive Library
- Academic Assistance Center (including nightly homework help tutoring sessions and an online "Teacher Pager"
• Teachers' Information Network
- NEA Educational Issues Database
- Educational Magazines Database
- Educational Software Libraries
- Lesson Plan Libraries
- The Exam Exchange
- Multimedia Exchange
• National Geographic Online
• Career Center
- Career Counseling Services
- Employer Contacts Database
- Occupational Profiles Database
- Resume Templates
- Cover Letter Library
- Job Listings Database
- Self-Employment Service
News & Finance
• Search News Articles
- Top Stories
- National
- World News Summary
- Washington Daybook
- International
• Stock Market Quotes & Shadow Portfolio Tracking
• Microsoft Small Business Center
• Weather
• Sports Report
• USA Today®
- News
- Money
- Sports
- Life
• Business News
• Ernst & Young Business Series
• Investors Network
• Your Money
• Fight Back! by David Horowitz
• Express Yourself
• Classifieds
Entertainment
• Bulls & Bears Game
• Book Bestsellers
• Online Cartoons
• Celebrity Notes
• Grandstand and SportsLink Sports Club
- Sports Boards
- Baseball
- Football
- Basketball
- Hockey
- Wrestling/Boxing
- Sports Cards
• Horoscopes
• LaPub (online "bar")
• Movie Reviews & News
• Music Notes
• Online Gaming Forums
- Free-Form Gaming
- Role Playing
- PBM & Strategy Gaming
• Quantum Space Play-By-Mail Game
• RockLink
• Television
Travel & Shopping
• EAASY SABRE Travel Service (with an easy to use Mac interface -- an America Online exclusive!)
• Computer Express
• Comp-u-Store Online
• AutoVantage (great deals on cars)
• Bose Express Music
• Classifieds
• Flower Shop
• The Independent Traveler
• LaserDirect Printing Service
• Penny Wise Office Product Store
• Sierra On-Line
• TravelLink
People Connection
The online "social center" of America Online, where you can meet other members, chat "live," and discuss your special interests, the hot topics of the day, or just "shoot the breeze." Computing industry notables and celebrities are often guests in the "Center Stage Auditorium."
Lifestyles & Interests
Explore your interests in an America Online club (each with their own software libraries, message boards, and conference rooms), including:
• Astronomy
• Aviation
• Baby Boomers
• Business Strategies
• Business and Finance
• Comedy
• Cooking
• disABILITIES
• Dolby Audio/Video Forum
• Emergency Response
• Environmental
• Ethics & Religion
• Gadget Guru Electronics
• Gay & Lesbian
• Genealogy
• HAM Radio
• Issues in Mental Health
• Kodak Photography Forum
• Military & Vets
• National Space Society
• Pet Care
• Radio Control
• Scuba Club
• Science Fiction & Fantasy
• SeniorNet
• SportsLink
• Star Trek
• Stock and Markets
• Tax Forum
• Trivia Club
• Writer's Club
Members' Online Support
This should be your first stop for answers to any questions you have about America Online. You'll find:
• Members' Online Guide
• New Members' Area
• Don't Miss . . .
• Calendar of Online Events
• Member Directory
• Town Hall
• Create/Delete a Screen Name
• Change Your Personal Password
• Make Billing Information Changes
• Local Access Numbers
• America Online Holidays
• Request Account Cancellation
• America Online Terms of Service
Getting Help On America Online
America Online has this built-in help window to assist you as you pursue your online explorations.
First timer? If you are signing on to America Online for the first time today, we want you to know that tomorrow we will send you a new member's kit that will include additional information about getting the most out of America Online. This kit will include a System Map, Downloading Guide, and details about keywords and other useful America Online functions.
Connecting to America Online is an easy and straightforward process -- just follow the on screen instructions. If you have any difficulty signing on for the first time, please do call us at 1-800-827-6364 (3 p.m. - 11 p.m. ET), and one of our customer representatives will be happy to help you.
Tip: When you dial the America Online toll-free number, you will be connected to our automatic call-processing system. A recording will lead you directly to the kind of help you need. If at any point while you are connected to our call-processing system you feel that you would prefer to speak in-person to a representative, you will have the option to do so.
Since we find that many of our members call us with the same types of questions, we have designed our call-processing system to answer your questions quickly and efficiently so you can get back online. If you have any suggestions on how we might improve our call-processing, we want to hear them -- see "Getting in Touch With Us" on the menu to your left to find out where to send your suggestions.
If you can get online, we encourage you to take advantage of the help that is built into America Online.
Here are just a few ways you can get help on America Online.
Apple Menu: Help
Anytime you are in the America Online application -- whether you are online or offline -- you can get help by selecting Help . . from the Apple menu on your horizontal menu bar. (You are here right now!) You can also get help by hitting COMMAND-/anytime you are in the America Online application.
Members' Online Support Department
This department should be your first stop when you are looking for America Online help. You can get there by clicking on the Departments button when you are at the "Welcome Screen" (the first screen you see when you enter America Online.) You can also go directly to the Members' Online Support department by selecting it from the Go To menu on your horizontal menu bar any time you are signed on to America Online.
The Members' Online Support department is free of connect charges, so you can take your time finding all the help you need.
This is what you will find:
- A New Members area that will tell you how to get started using America Online, explain America Online charges, and introduce you to some of the most important America Online functions.
- The Members' Online Guide will tell you what you will find in each of the America Online departments, and contains helpful information about important features of the service. This is where you will find a searchable database of local access numbers that you can use to connect to America Online, should you change your set up. (For example, if you are traveling with America Online, or if you wish to select a different local access number.)
- Ask America Online, where you will find answers to frequently asked questions about connecting, billing, and downloading. If you still have a question after reading the material you find here, you will be able to send a note to our customer relations representatives -- we'll get back to you within 48 to 72 hours with an answer.
- Get a calendar of online events, and get timely news about online happenings, in the Now Playing area of the Members' Online Support Department.
Help Buttons
Many America Online windows have Help buttons that you can click to get fast facts about the feature you are using.
Online Guides
Online Guides are experienced computer users who spend their online time helping America Online members enjoy and get the most out of the service. You'll find online Guides every evening in the Lobby and Help rooms in People Connection. You'll be able to recognize them because their names begin with the word "Guide," followed by their initials. Don't hesitate to ask a Guide any questions you have about America Online -- they are here to help.
