From: buckmr@aix.rpi.edu (Ron Buckmire)
Subject: Gay Entrepeneurs Launch Multimedia Guide for GLB Community
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1992 19:04:14 GMT


N e w s   f r o m
Commonwealth Multimedia  ____
PO Box 365		 \  /
Blacksburg, VA 24063-0365 \/

For Immediate Release

				Gay Entrepeneurs Launch
			 National Interactive Multimedia Guide
    	                    For the Gay/Lesbian/Bi Community

Blacksburg, VA (Aug 1) - Commonwealth Multimedia, Inc, a gay owned, gay
operated communications technology firm announced the launch of an
interactive national service which will allow anyone with an ordinary
touch tone telephone to locate gay/lesbian friendly businesses, community
organizations, current events and university organizations nationwide.
The system, called BarPhone, will provide a rich suite of applications,
using voice, fax and videotex technologies.

Information on BarPhone is provided by any gay/lesbian friendly business,
organization, community group, or campus group wishing to post information
in our interactive database (which is used by our search engine), and in
two voice mailboxes (one for current event or general info, the other for
giving directions to a storefront or event location). These services are
offered absolutely free to information providers. [SPECIAL NOTICE FOR
GLB STUDENT, FACULTY AND ALUMNI ORGANIZATIONS FOLLOWS THIS MESSAGE]

Starting in early September, the general public will be able to use Bar
Phone via one of two 900 numbers. One number is designed for intercity
travelers, and gives callers the ability to search for listings and current
event information in every state of the union. The second number is
designed to accelerate searches in the area near the callers home town.
Both numbers are competitively priced. Searches are streamlined to minimize
waiting. In the case of the local (hometown) search service, it is actually
more economical to scan several establishments or organizations for current
events via BarPhone than to call them directly (in cities where a crosstown
call is a toll call). [The access numbers will not be given in this forum
to avoid conflict with Internet posting guidelines.] 

Also available from day one will be a national university guide. This service
will allow callers to type in the name of any university (i.e. their alma
mater), and find out about student, faculty and alumni organizations at
the institution. Listings for university related organizations are provided
free of charge. Call (703)951-GIDE for more information.

Starting in Fall 1992, BarPhone information services will be ported into
other media such as fax (have maps and other travel information faxed back
to you automatically), and videotex (we are planning to port all or part of
our databases into a multiport BBS which will be accessible nationwide.) In 
addition to the locator services, we will be providing numerous marginal
services such as: weekly updated messages from DJs on the hottest dance and
C&W music being played in the clubs, and we are looking into providing breaking
news through the service as well.

For more information contact:

Brian S McConnell
John W Walker
PO Box 365
Blacksburg, VA 24063-0365
Tel:(703)951-4475	: Office Line
    (703)951-4433 GIDE  : Information Providers Hotline
Fax:(703)951-4016
Eml:71460.1571@compuserve.com

-- 
RON BUCKMIRE, 54 Colvin Circle, Troy, NY 12180-3735.  "D.C. IN 93!"
uunet!rpi.edu!buckmr||buckmr@rpitsmts.bitnet||buckmr@rpi.edu||+1 518 276 8919
"You know, you should really change your position on abortion."
                                 --Katharine Hepburn to George Bush, Nov 1990
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