From: cockburn@edieng.enet.dec.com (Craig Cockburn)
Subject: Re: UK BBS->Interne
Organization: Digital Equipment Co. Ltd., Reading, England
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 19:59:24 GMT


In article <1992Oct11.050207.160@news.Hawaii.Edu> JOEL@jach.hawaii.edu writes:
> 
>>        I'm looking for a modem-accessable (free or subscription) BBS
>>service in the UK, accessable by MODEM, that allows access to
>>INTERNET/MULTINET/BITNET so that my father-in-law can send/receive EMAIL
>>to our site in HAWAII.... (ie cheaper than ATT). 
> 
Try this:

This is a summary of information gathered from the Internet on how private
individuals can connect up to the Internet for International email and/or
Usenet access from a PC in their house. 

Craig

Alphabetic list of companies covered in this summary

CIX
Compuserve
Demon systems
The Direct Connection
ExNet
IBM PC User Group 
Infocom
PSIlink
Spud's Xanadu

------------------------ The List ----------------------------------------

CIX:

 ------- Forwarded mail received on 28-Jul-1992 at 13:52:13 -------

From:	mat@cix.clink.co.uk
To:	edieng::cockburn


We offer 3 services really, Electronic Mail / Usenet access, Online
conferencing and a database of Files.

The costs follow:

CIX - The cost effective conferencing system:
=============================================

    Usage and non usage charges:
        Connection Rates:    	   2.00 pounds per hour off peak.
                             	   3.10 pounds per hour peak.
        Monthly Minimum:           6.25 pounds - billed in advance.
        One time Registration:     15.00 pounds. User Manual included.

    Mail charges:
        Within the UK:		   Free.
        Received from outside UK:  Free.
        Sent outside UK:	   7 pence per kilobyte

    Fax machine billing:
	Normal UK Fax:             30 pence per page
	European Fax:	           70p first page + 45p per additional page.
	Outside Europe Fax:        175p first page + 125p per additional page.
	Extras (UK only):          20 pence per extra per page

    CIX User Manual:               10.00
    CIX Tshirts:                   3.00

                                   (All prices are ex VAT).

    Peak time is Mon - Fri 08:00 to 18:00.
    It is the logon time that determines whether it is peak or cheap.

    If you have any questions or queries email 'cixadmin'
    or telephone 081 390 8446.

Comment from a CIX user:
CIX supports/is supported by a wide range of off-line readers on 
various machine types, which means that your on-line time is minimized. 
Combined with the high-speed modem access (HST DS+'s), there are a number 
of people who use it regularly from further away than Silicon Glen!


CompuServe info: 

First, details on what they offer in the US (info supplied by a user)

I pay  10 Dollars a month for one level above basic service. 
Out of that my connect time gets paid , connect time is about 20 cents 
a minute. That comes to about 50 minutes. To send a message takes slightly 
under a minute.

ComPuserve customer service UK freephone 0800 289 458

I was talking to a old friend who told me
that MCI mail was common link that they were heading towards. I believe
he quoted a charge of 35 dollars a year.. Would be interesting to know
if you have to pay more there for the same services than you do in the
states  ( Compuserve charges 35 cents for each mail message to MCI .   
This message to you has no surcharge , via internet with the service I
have.


More CompuServe info (this applies to the UK)

Their Information Services e-mail address is :

70006.101@compuserve.com

There is no access to usenet at all.

The charges are (in US$)

Standing Charge + Connect Charge + Communications Surcharge 

The standing charge is free for the first month, thereafter $7.95/month

The connect charge is free for basic services, extended services cost at
the following rate (my leaflet does not say what is a basic service !!)
300 baud = $6.30/hour
1200/2400 baud = $12.80/hour
9600 baud = $22.80/hour

The communications surcharge is as follows - as Compuserve calls are quite
likely to be a local number, this charge covers the use of the comms network
to the central compuserve location, rather than you having to pay long distance
telephone charges.

UK:			off peak (1900-0800)	peak (0800-1900)
London				FREE		$7.70/hour
(Compuserve Network)

Rest of UK:
GNS Dialplus network		$4.20/hour	$7.70/hour

They also offer services in Germany, Switzerland and there's a 4th rate for
the rest of Continental Europe.


DEMON SYSTEMS:

 ------- Forwarded mail received on 26-Jun-1992 at 17:13:51 -------

From:	cliff@demon.co.uk

    The facilities offered are:  SLIP or PPP access to the Internet
via gate.demon.co.uk.  This includes free international mail, free
bi-directional usenet news and ftp access to any Internet site in
the world.  Other facilities available on the Internet are "Internet
Relay Chat" and telnet facility to any number of public-access
boards in the world.

    The only charges are #12.50 joining fee and then #10.00 per
month (both plus VAT).  These are collected monthly in advance from
your credit card.  Other than that, it's a call to an 081 number.

    To get started, you will need to mail the following details to
internet@demon.co.uk.  You should be set up the next day.  Before
you log on with PPP or SLIP, you will need to do so with a terminal
emulator and, having logged in with your chosen site name, you will
be prompted to set a password. The modem number is 081-343 4848.

    You then log on using ka9q or other IP package and become part
of the Internet.  Don't forget to read any mail addressed to
postmaster at your site ... it's our standard way of getting in
touch with you.

    The support number (voice) is 081-343 3881.  Please do not
hesitate to ring us if you need any further assistance.

    To get you started, we need to know:

	1)    Credit Card Number
	2)    Expiry Date
	3)    Address
	4)    Phone Number
	5)    Machine Name: <something>.demon.co.uk (from 4 to 8 characters)
	6)    Machine Type
	7)    SLIP or PPP

        See you on the Internet!
            Cliff.


-- 
Cliff Stanford				Email:	cliff@demon.co.uk (Work)
Demon Systems Limited				cms@demon.co.uk   (Home)
42 Hendon Lane				Phone:	081-349 0063	  (Office)
London	N3 1TT	England				0860 375870	  (Mobile)


The Direct Connection:

 ------- Forwarded mail received on 23-Aug-1992 at 22:39:32 -------

From:	tdc0001@dircon.co.uk

With reference to your list of UK public USENET sites, here's 

The Direct Connection has been providing on-line communication
services since 1988. Our facilities include:

        - USENET news access (with a choice of newsreaders)
        - Electronic Mail to/from Internet sites
        - FAX gateway
        - Computing/technology news service (updated throughout
          the day, every day)
        - Libraries of downloadable software

Charges: 
        Registration charge (one off)   -  5 pounds (+ VAT)
        Monthly subscription            - 10 pounds (+ VAT)

We do not levy a time charge and there are no time restrictions.
Payment is by credit card, or for companies, we can send invoices.

We have an on-line demonstration facility which will give you
more information. You can access it by calling: 081-317 2222
(300 to 2400 bps) or 081-317 3333 (V32/V32bis/HST), and login
with account name: demo.



ExNet: 

 ------- Forwarded mail received on 30-Jul-1992 at 14:14:04 -------

From:	dhd@exnet.co.uk  "Damon"
To:	Craig Cockburn 30-Jul-1992 1242 <edieng::cockburn>
Subj:	Re: Internet info

Contact address for ExNet:
Damon Hart-Davis
60 Sunningdale Avenue
Hanworth
TW13 5JT

Tel/Fax: 081 755 0077

Internet address is HelpEx@exnet.co.uk.

Basic setup is now subs UK #5 /month for 300--2400 baud dialup, with 
first month FREE (no subs) to try out the system.

Up to 1MB e-mail (in and out total) and 10MB USENET postings per month, and 1MB
of perm disc space all guaranteed free.  More by arrangement and possibly
free!

All users get Internet e-mail addresses of the form user@exnet.co.uk, though
this may change to be a subdomain such as user@helpex.exnet.co.uk at some
point.

All prices exclude VAT.

Info sheet on ExNEt:

Will ExNet's HelpEx service help me?

Well if any of the descriptions below fit, yes:

    You are a consultant or programmer needing up-to-the minute access to the
    latest facts and rumours in computing.  Or maybe you've got a problem you
    can't solve and you need some advice.  And you don't want to splash out
    lots of money.

    You are a in a small business needing cheap, fast, national and
    international e-mail access.

    You are a student, ex-student, or private individual wanting cheap access
    to USENET and e-mail.

    You want to use a bulletin board.  USENET is the biggest with perhaps
    over 2,000,000 readers at 40,000 sites.  We carry about 500 `groups' or
    boards and 8MB of traffic every day at the moment.  We are
    steadily increasing the number of groups we carry.  Every topic under
    the sun has a group!

    You have a special interest.  Talk to us about it---we may be able to set
    up links for you for nothing to sites carrying specialist discussions.
    High performance car (hotrod) and bike groups from Atlanta, Georgia, USA is
    one of our first such specialist areas.

    You want UNIX access.  We run SunOS, Sun's flavour of BSD and SVR4 UNIX.
    We give unrestricted shell access, with various common shells.

    You want Internet access for remote logins (rlogin and telnet) and ftp.  We
    will have it soon.  Ftp is possible via mail servers over e-mail in the
    meantime.

Costs:

    Only UK #5 per month, three months in advance.  There is a 10 per cent 
    discount if you pay six months in advance, or if you are a full-time 
    student.

    NOTHING for full USENET access for receiving and sending articles.
    About 3,000 messages in about 500 groups arrive each day.  More is
    available.  Very frequent news exchanges with connected sites.

    NOTHING for full national and international e-mail access to send and
    receive as much or as little as you like.  Mail access to UK universities
    over JANET is included.  As little as an average of 15 minutes to any 
    Internet site.

    NOTHING for access at up to 2400 baud (V22bis) or down to 300
    baud (V21) or 1200/75 (V23).

    NOTHING for your first 1MB of disc space.  Only 2p per 1MB
    per day for any data left on the disc overnight.  A small charge may be
    levied for an expanded disc quota.

    Other facilities are being added all the time.

    Payment is by cheque drawn on a UK bank.  All prices exclude VAT.
    Services offered to you may be slightly different from those shown here,
    and may also be tailored to fit your requirements---please enquire.


Can I try before I buy?

    You can use HelpEx for up to one month for free before you decide if you
    want to retain access to the service.

How do I get in contact?

    Write to us (on paper or electronically) or 'phone and leave a message
    telling us your normal postal address, and we'll send you an information
    pack telling you how to get started.


 ------- Forwarded mail received on 1-Jul-1992 at 09:54:08 -------

From:	alanj@ibmpcug.co.uk  "Alan Jay" 
To:	Craig Cockburn 30-Jun-1992 0936 <edieng::cockburn>


The PC User Group provides access to the Internet in the UK.
This can be anything from email and news to FTP and telnet.

News and Mail can be accessed as a single user either by
logging onto our computer or by using UUCP and a Shareware
package such as Waffle.   FTP and Telnet are accessed via
our computer which is directly connected to the Internet.

We are based in London and our main dial in number in
081-863 6646.

If you would like more information please email me (I can
send you some further details if you would like by post if
you give me your mailing address).

Hope this is of help.

Regards
ALan Jay

-- 
Alan Jay                                    The IBM PC User Group, PO Box 360,
Tel.     081-863 1191   Fax: 081-863 6095   Harrow HA1 4LQ, ENGLAND
Email:   alanj@ibmpcug.CO.UK                Path: ..!uknet!ibmpcug!alanj
***  For all users of IBM PC & ALL Compatibles  *** (+ Standard Disclaimer)

Infocom:

 ------- Forwarded mail received on 24-Aug-1992 at 12:34:23 -------

From:	SUNIL@lsl.co.uk "SUNIL"

Infocom also offers : 
   Email, News, Binary mail, Free/Shareware database, Chat...
Comming soon : Online Teletex pages.


Infocom connection rates:
            1.50 pounds per hour peak
            Free off peak

No monthly minimum.

Registration fee :
    Bronze : Free (3 months)
    Silver : 25.00 Pounds per Year
    Gold   : 40.00 Pounds per Year


Infocom mail charges:
        Received : Free
        Sent outside Infocom: 10p per kilobyte
No fax on Infocom

Peak time : idem
You pay only for the time spend in peak time (i.e if you connect between 
17:00 and 20:00 you pay only one hour)

If you have any questions or queries email "sysop@infocom.uucp" or telephone
0734 344 000.

Other figures : CIX has been here for several years, has 6,000 users and 70 
modems. Infocom just opened last month with 4 modems and 40 users.

You can register or see a demo by calling '0734 34 00 55' and typing 'new' 
at the login prompt.
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philippe Goujard                                  Email ppg@oasis.icl.co.uk


 ------- Forwarded mail received on 16-Jul-1992 at 14:27:28 -------

From:	schoff@psi.com "Martin Lee Schoffstall"
To:	Craig Cockburn 16-Jul-1992 0753 <edieng::cockburn>
Subj:	Re: Internet access 

our psilink service will be available in the uk no later than august.  for
details send email to

psilink-info@psi.com

the computer will respond with on-line info.

Martin

... and this is the message you get ...

 ------- Forwarded mail received on 16-Jul-1992 at 14:40:35 -------

From:	psilink-info-forw@psi.com
To:	edieng::cockburn
Subj:	Re: Request for info

[This is an automatically generated message.]

PSILink -  Personal Internet Access
	Email, Anonymous FTP, & USENet

Internet access is an important facet of all higher education institutions,
and most corporations throughout the US, Western Europe and the Pacific
Basin.  It is also important for small organizations and individuals, yet
both the cost and usability have been barriers.  The PSILink service is
designed to remove these barriers for the indivdual.

PSI provides local dialups throughout North America to provide PSILink service
and provide access to the 250+ million people available through the
Internet and electronic mail networks such as compuserve, mcimail, etc.  Over
200 cities are served - in the US, Mexico, and Canada.

The PSILink 'Lite' service today provides unlimited electronic messaging 
for a flat fee.  PSILink Basic in addition to unlimited messaging provides
Anonymous FTP access to thousands of archive sites as well as USENET
NEWs the largest distributed bulletin board in the world.

PSI provides the necessary software for MSDOS based PC's to use this service
at no additional cost - the current Version is 3.1.  Only PSI's software
can access this service.
Even the smallest PC with a Hayes compatible modem
can use PSILink.  This software is available via anonymous ftp on
ftp.psi.com in the "psilink" directory as

	psilink-3.0.zip

and in its compontent installation files un-zipped.  Make sure you use
binary transfer.  It is also available on a 3.5" 1.44Mbyte MSDOS floppy
when you register, no other distribution media is available.

A demonstration account is available, the
name is "guest" with the password of "guest".  [The password will change
periodically, and only email is available through the guest account].


If you want to register for this service send email to

	psilink-registration@psi.com

A PostScript registration information will be automatically mailed to you,
you will need to fill it out and send it in by usmail or fax.

If you can't print the PostScript documents send complete contact information
including postal address, name, and phone number to:

	psilink-order@psi.com

You will receive materials via the Postal system.

Alternatively you can call or write:

	PSI
	Attn: PSILink Information
	Suite 1100
	11800 Sunrise Valley Drive
	Reston, VA 22091
	+1.703.620.6651
	(fax) +1.703.620.4586


PSILink Monthly Pricing (after the one-time $19 registration fee) is:

	   @1200-2400baud    @9600baud (V.32)
'Lite'		$19		$29
Basic		$29		$39

These flat fees apply to use of ClassA dialup cities.  ClassB dialup cities
have an additional connection time costs - $6/hour prime time, $2.50/hour
non-prime time.  City lists are available by sending email to
	classa-na-numbers@psi.com
	classb-na-numbers@psi.com
The computer will automatically respond with a list.

Basic Service provides 50Mbytes of USENET per month, each additional Mbyte
	is an additional $1.  It also includes 50Mbytes of FTP per month,
	each additional Mbyte is an additional $1.

PSILink is billed on a monthly basis to your MasterCard or Visa, no other
payment plan is available.


Copyright 1991,1992 Performance Systems International Inc. All rights reserved.

Rev: 7/10/92



Article: 135
From: jamie@spuddy.uucp (Jamie Allen)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.british,alt.internet.access.wanted,uk.telecom,soc.culture.usa
Subject: Re: Internet access in the UK
Date: 10 Jul 92 08:15:31 GMT
Organization: Spuddy's Public Usenet Domain

Try Spud's Xanadu on (0203) 638780 or (0203) 638693.

Free to join (and no VAT)
No subscription charge (no VAT)

Outgoing international mail : 9 pence per kilobyte.

Incoming international mail : free

Bidirectional usenet, email and all other services : free

Jamie.
-- 
++         jamie@spuddy.uucp  or  !uunet!mcsun!uknet!spuddy!jamie	 ++
++                                                                       ++
++	 Call Spud's Xanadu on >>0203 638780<< for FREE access to :      ++
++  Usenet reading/posting, internet/uucp mail, SunOS unix, GNU archive  ++
++ tonnes and tonnes of stuff to dowload or uucp, two MUD games & MORE ! ++

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Craig Cockburn, Digital Equipment Co. Ltd, Reading, England.     Suas
  Internet: cockburn@edieng.enet.dec.com                           leis
  UUCP:..!decwrl!edieng.enet.dec.com!cockburn                      a'
                                                                   Gha\idhlig!
  Views here are my own, and are not necessarily those of Digital
Newsgroups: alt.bbs.internet