From: J056600@LMSC5.IS.LMSC.LOCKHEED.COM
Subject: Re: PRODIGY New and improved STILL SUCKS, HORRIBLE as before
Organization: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 92 18:45:57 GMT

In <9212170305136637@waltham.columbus.oh.us>:

>jd> I chopped out most of this but you get the idea Imran doesn't like Prodigy
>d> Well I feel obliged to respond.  I've used Prodigy for a couple of years
>and
>jd> like it very much.  I tried Compuserve and think it SUCKS!  So there you
>are!
>jd> What do they say, "different strokes for different folks, etc"?
>
>>If you don't mind my asking, what in the world do you find to like about it?

>The commercials? The lack of file download capability? The interface (gag)?
>The lack of connectivity with the internet? The way it takes over your Mac?

>There must be something wonderful that I am missing. Sorry to sound sarcastic,
>but please do elaborate!

Well, I have both services, and I would recommend one of them or both of them
depending on your needs.  Flame wars and advocacy debates always seem to be
"A is the ONLY acceptable alternative!"  "You're full of shit!  B is the ONLY
way for EVERYONE to go!!!"  Well, people have different needs (gasp!) and
here's what I think about Prodigy and CompuServe:

* Prodigy is ideal for people who want to spend many hours online.  The
current rate is $14.95 per month ($16.95 at 9600) which includes unlimited
access to a vast majority of its services.  Prodigy has many bulletin boards
which are like CompuServe "forums" (without the downloads and without the
$12.80/$22.80 hourly charges).  There are many knowledgeable people on Prodigy
who can help you with problems, engage in debates on controversial issues,
and recommend products.  Prodigy also allows 30 E-mail messages per month as
part of the basic rate.  E-mail above the allotment of 30 per month is billed
at 25 cents each.  If you're the type who sends lots of E-mail (I usually send
anywhere from 25 to 50 per month), keep that in mind.

  The main strength of Prodigy is its flat rate pricing structure.  CompuServe
has a "flat rate" too, but if you have Prodigy, there's little need for
CompuServe unless you plan to need downloading and more technical support from
vendors (I do).  If you want to spend hours a day online without worrying
about connect charges, Prodigy is ideal.  Sure there are "ads," as has been
mentioned, but think of it as a cost control measure.  Oh, and I met my wife
on Prodigy, too  :-).


 * CompuServe is much more vast.  There isn't much that you could possibly
want to do online that isn't available.  Most major vendors (hardware and
software) are on CIS to provide support.  There are many different libraries
in the "forums" from which you can download.  I find this to be an excellent
reason by itself to keep CompuServe (though at $12.80 per hour at 2400 bps and
$22.80 per hour at 9600 bps, you want to be fast and selective about what you
do in the forums).  There is a flat rate structure--unlimited connect time is
available for $7.95 per month, but that really doesn't include much.  It does
include news, weather, a $9 per month E-mail credit and other goodies, but
mostly I want the forum access (which isn't covered in the $7.95 charge).  In
fact, if you want just news and information, and you don't need download
capabilities or technical support and you WON'T pay $13 or $23 per hour for
connect time, Prodigy is better suited for you.  E-mail in CompuServe is about
15 cents each (but remember that you get a $9 credit per month).  I find that
I rarely use CompuServe (perhaps 3 or 4 times monthly), since I what I usually
do costs $22.80 per hour.  Still, though, on those occasion when I do use
CompuServe, I have found it to be a godsend and a lifesaver.  I rarely use the
"free" services in the basic CIS package because I can get most of it on
Prodigy (where I spend most of my time).


  I want unlimited access time and the ability to stay in bulletin board areas
without needing a second mortgage.  That's why I have Prodigy.  I also want
the ability to go somewhere, quickly download a crucial utility or patch for
an existing program and get out even if it does cost me a buck or two each
time.  That's why I have CompuServe.  In short, there's something in either
service for almost everyone.  And in my case, there's something I need in
both of them that the other doesn't offer.  And hell, the total cost to me is
still only about $25 per month plus additional CIS forum charges.  Usually
that's about $40 to $50 per month, which I find reasonable considering how many
hours per month I'm logged on to them.


Tim Irvin
******************************************************************************
Microsoft Windows--from the folks who brought you EDLIN.