TOM RUE Traveling the information superhighway need not be costly, thanks to the rapidly growing popularity of computer bulletin board systems around the country. Commercial on-line services like CompuServe , America On Line , Prodigy , GEnie , and others all charge monthly fees, which in addition to phone bills can mount up fast. Hundreds of thousands of computer files of all sorts are available locally for free downloading. Government workers, volunteers and members of the public may find it easier to keep current by accessing files on specialized topic BBSs via toll-free numbers which are financed by public and foundation funds. BBSing can be a treasure hunt for useful information, and is fairly simple once you get into it.
Some BBSs charge a monthly fee, though a trial period is usually offered at no cost.
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