The best example of a local area network is the integrated office. The type of information in this kind of network is specific to the needs and requirements of the organization. The commercial information utilities are also networks. A microcomputer-based networking system works much like the commercial utilities except that a microcomputer is the host. Most are privately operated and usually provide general information about a specific subject, e.g., education, Apple users, microcomputer club news.
Access is through regular telephone lines.
Those networks that are not local entail a long distance phone call. For this reason, many operate at night when phone rates are lower. Although most microcomputer networks are free except for the phone call, some require the user to become a member and use an identification number and password to get into the system. Many people use their microcomputers as terminals, which allows them to store to disk or print out the information they are retrieving. The first step is to dial the network's phone number and establish communication with the host computer.