Commercial information services are generally
considered to provide a good entry-level Internet experience for the novice. There are
four major online services operating today. Each service offers some unique content and
has a different personality. CompuServe at www.compuserve.com
is one of the oldest online services and is often perceived as being strongest in
technical content and its discussion forums are highly regarded. America Online at www.aol.com is the largest of the four online services in
terms of members. It pioneered online interactive sessions with famous writers,
politicians, sports figures, and rock stars. Prodigy Internet at www.prodigy.com, is often viewed as a family-friendly
online service, and it has file libraries, chat rooms, and proprietary content, such as a
Consumer Reports library. In February 1997, Prodigy re-launched itself as a full service
Internet provider, while keeping its online service as a smaller part of its business.
Finally, Microsoft Network at www.msn.com is the newest
of the online services. It is generally regarded as having the coolest, most extravagant
proprietary content. You can learn more about commercial information services through
computer industry magazines. For example, PC World's "Best Routes to the
Net," in the February 1997, issue reviewed 12 Internet service providers, including
the commercial information services. In addition, check out the Online Connection at www.barkers.org/online/index.html.
This Web site provides news, comparisons of commercial information services and national
ISPs, discusses pricing and features, and provides service profiles.
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