From: tvp@gibdo.engr.washington.edu ()
Subject: Relative Politeness of Compuserve vs. USENET (Was: STUCK IN TOKYO)
Summary: Why can USENET users so damn rude?
Organization: clearer than blir
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 12:43:06 GMT

I belong to both Compuserve and USENET. I don't really like all the
connect charges and other charges associated with CS, but whenever I
log on there I do notice one thing: THE PEOPLE ARE CIVIL TO EACH
OTHER!! Read the following excerpt of a typical (and it is typical,
trust me) CS thread and ask yourself if this isn't quite a bit
different in tone than what you see on the Net.

In article <1992Dec23.091232.13812@netcom.com> jturley@netcom.com (James Turley) writes:
>
> Take a look at this thread from the TRAVSIG on CompuServ, Asia section.
> You may find it useful.  EMail mail if you want detailed info about Japan.
>
> [USENET header deleted]
>
>    23-May-92
>Sb: Narita Lodging Problem
>Fm: r.w. baker 71571,1541
>To: ALL
> 
>Anybody have advice for an overnight layover at Narita Airport in
>Japan?  I arrive at 4pm, and have a continuing flight the next
>morning.  Is there anywhere cheap to stay near the airport?
>
> [two responses deleted]
> 
>Fm: Kevin Lum 70431,3604
> 
>   I spend A LOT of time in Narita, and can tell you there aren't a lot
>of cheap places.  Lots of standard airport type places to say - with
>the usual high Japanese tariff.
>   There is a hotel in Narita called U-City that NW supposedly puts
>it's foreign national crews in, and may be cheaper than most.
>   As a UA crew person we stay in a number of hotels, but they're
>pretty high when just walking in off the street - they are:    Narita
>Tokyu, Narita View, the Let's Hotel (located in heart of Narita) and
>the Centraza.  There is a very small hotel called the Park Hills which
>is unusual in that it supplies breakfast along with the room.
>   There are also the usual Holiday Inn, and ANA Hotel.  The hotel on
>the airport property is called the Narita Rest House.
>   If you've got an AMEX Gold Card - you might want their Travel
>Service 800-ENVOY24, to do the calling and price comparison for
>you.
> 
> 
>Fm: Robin Garr/NYC 76702,764
> 
>   Kevin, considering the ample, and reasonably quick, train service
>between Narita, wouldn't it make just about as much sense for a
>person staying overnight in the area to run in to Ueno or central
>Tokyo?  Or would this require more paperwork than leaving the
>airport area for someone who's just passing through?
> 
> 
>Fm: Kevin Lum 70431,3604
> 
>   Robin...you'd think it would...and I suppose it depends on how
>much someone just arriving in Japan is going to be "up" for upon
>arrival.  The New JR service into Tokyo leaves from NRT and goes
>right into the city.  There are at least 4 different destinations,
>Shinjuku, Tokyo JR Station, Ikebukuro and the last one escapes me.
>The Keisei line goes to Ueno, but requires a bus transfer from the
>airport terminal to the train station.
>   You're right it's faster than the bus into Tokyo, but still about 1.3
>hrs.  With an arrival time of about 2-3pm, that puts you into the city
>station at about 4ish, that's already 12am PDT, and a lot later if
>you're from some other part of the US.  The departure at 11am the
>next morning means checking in around 9am, so that's getting up
>and heading for return train at about 6:30am....
>   When you add in the higher price of a hotel in Tokyo proper, and
>the travel time - I'd still opt for a Narita hotel.  The town is quaint
>and has enough to keep you occupied between arrival and passing
>out, and is a mere 15 minutes from the airport.  Makes more sense
>to save Tokyo for an extended visit instead of an overnight layover.
> 
> 
>Fm: Robin Garr/NYC 76702,764
> 
>   Thanks, Kevin. I was just curious what you thought about that. As
>you know, we were so excited about our first trip to Japan that the
>matter of a "mere" one-hour bus or train ride wouldn't even have
>slowed us down.
>   For someone who's only staying over, however, I could see that
>getting a bit of rest without hassle could be a major priority.
>
> [rest deleted]

Don't get me wrong. In some ways, I prefer the free-wheeling style of
the Net. But with certain rabid dogs posting madly lately (and you
know who you are) I sometimes wonder why we can't be like that? Is the
serious threat of being denied further access to Compuserve (that's
their policy) really all it takes to turn the rabid dogs that we have
to put up with into civil, polite human beings? Just wondering.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tad Perry      Internet:    tvp@gibdo.engr.washington.edu
               CompuServe:  70402,3020
               NIFTY-Serve: GBG01266
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Xref: sparky soc.culture.japan:13094 alt.sex:40765 soc.culture.usa:9416 soc.culture.african.american:13383 sci.electronics:21848 misc.consumers:21399 misc.education:5611 misc.entrepreneurs:3807