From: pianoman@misseye.uucp (Alan D. Ray)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc
Subject: Re: GEnie software for Amiga
Date: 6 Apr 92 21:03:37 GMT
Article-I.D.: misseye.pianoman.0065
Organization: Not an Organization

In article <1992Apr4.231214.1878@news.cs.indiana.edu> sgberg@peach.ucs.indiana.edu (Stefan Berg) writes:
>Is there GEnie software available for the Amiga? I know, that in the
>IBM world somebody wrote a program called aladin (?), which makes the
>use of GEnie much more comfortable.

Aladdin is indeed available for the Amiga. I downloaded the Aladdin
executable and the lengthy doc file from GEnie.
GEnie has a separate RoundTable just for Aladdin. Simply type "Aladdin"
(no quotes) at any prompt.


>
>And is the software for the multiuser games also available for Amigas?
>GEnie had this big ad in the May edition of Amiga World. They advertised
>their multiuser games (Battletech, etc...). But for that you'll need the
>correct software and I'm just wondering if they have it for the Amiga.
>

Don't know about this...I was never interested in multiuser games and
couldn't see paying the on-line charge. Your interests may vary :)

>Thanks for any response,
>
>Stefan
>
>P.S. If somebody knows some good/cheap networks, besides GEnie, please
>let me know. (worldwide public networks only)

I don't think there IS such a thing as a cheap network. I have a love/
hate relationship with GEnie. I use it awhile, see how big my bill
becomes, then cancel it for awhile...start missing it, re-join, use
it...cancel...etc.
Six dollars an hour doesn't sound like much, but download a couple
400K files, and see what it costs at 2400 baud. And there's a LOT
there on GEnie that I want! But it gets ridiculous spending $40,
$50 dollars a month (and that's with a LOT of restraint). I could
easily spend twice that with no problem.
GEnie's very good, but have a fat wallet (and an understanding wife ;)
CompuServe is just too expensive. There's a flat monthly fee of around
$5.00, and then another $12.00+ per hour to access the Amiga groups.
I think I joined for 5 minutes and then cancelled (an exaggeration).
Sure, they have everything, but who can afford it?
Portal is another net, which is quite decent. Harv Laser & Company
took the Amiga group there when People-Link died (actually, of all
the nets I've been on, I liked People-Link the best. I was sorry
to see it go. Anyone ever hear anything of WHY it died? Too few
subscribers--too much overhead)?
Portal charges a flat $13.95 a month with un-limited access, but
the SprintNet/Telenet connection tacks on another $2.50 an hour. Portal also
has UseNet, and that is also included in the flat rate. I would
still be a Portal subscriber, but they don't take American Express
(sounds like a commercial), and I don't have a VISA or MasterCard.
Even with the small SprintNet/Telenet surcharge, it's probably the best on-
line network deal around (NOTE: The $2.50/hr surcharge applies to
off-peak times. The charge is considerably more during peak hours).
Bix and Delphi I can't comment on since I never joined them.
Hope this helps.
Oh, here's the number for PORTAL: 408-973-9111 (voice)
                                  408-725-0561 (modems to 2400 baud)
                                  Sprintnet/Telenet name: C Portal
    Their address:
                   Portal Communications Company
                   10385 Cherry Tree Lane
		   Cupertino, CA  95014

I don't have the number or address for CompuServe, Bix, or Delphi.

I have no connection with PORTAL, or any of the above named services
except from being a subscriber to them.


>
>-- 

>,----------------------------------------------------------------------------,
>| Internet  - sgberg@ucs.indiana.edu             //           Stefan G. Berg |
>| NeXT Mail - sgberg@arapahoe.ucs.indiana.edu  \X/ AMIGA  Indiana University |
>| Bitnet    - sgberg@iubacs                   Undergraduate Computer Science |
>`----------------------------------------------------------------------------'

--
**************************************************************************
* Sing me a song           \  Alan D. Ray  /         BERKS AMIGA BBS     *
*  you're the               \ Reading, Pa./          (215)-921-1016      *  
*    pianoman....         *******************                            *
*        B. Joel             uunet!cbmvax!rehab1!misseye!pianoman        *
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Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc,comp.sys.amiga.advocacy