Introduction to CompuServe Africa If you think of your computer as a car, then CompuServe becomes the road, and essential connection to the outside world and to information resources that were undreamed of just a decade ago. CompuServe - the world's most popular and user friendly online service with more that 4 million active members in more than 150 countries worldwide. CompuServe Africa, an affiliate office of CompuServe Inc. was established in South Africa in conjunction with the CSIR-Information Services. Launched on September 1, 1992, CompuServe Africa brought to the African continent, over 3000 international information and communication services via a dedicated network, CSIR-Net. CompuServe Africa offers local technical support, client services and billing in South African rand. With a flick of your fingers on your personal computer with, the reality of online information is at your fingertips. The CompuServe Information Service is constantly being expanded as new services are added and existing ones are, on a regular basis, being enhanced. CompuServe always gives you and your family more to do and discover. But don't take our word for it. Try us yourself. Simply phone 0 800 11 22 52 for your free CompuServe Information Manager Software. Start it up, enter the sign-up numbers on the outside envelope when prompted. Once you see for yourself the fun, entertainment, as well as business services available on CompuServe, you'll wonder how you have ever got along without it. Company History Since it's introduction in 1979, the CompuServe Information Service has become a leading worldwide provider of online information for computer users, both in terms of number of members and the scope of the information available. During 1987, CompuServe recognised the growing global demand for information, resulting in a program of expansion, with licensing and distributorship agreements in: * Japan * Argentina * UK * Germany * France * Hungary * Australia * Hong Kong * Chile * Israel * New Zealand * South Korea * South Africa * Mexico * Taiwan * Venezuela CompuServe Africa is the Southern African affiliate with members throughout South Africa, Mozambique and Namibia and with licensed distributors in Botswana, Swaziland and Mauritius. What is needed to Access CompuServe? 1. Hardware: PC/ Laptop/ Notebook Any Hayes-compatible modem / modem card 2. Software: To get the most out of CompuServe you'll want to use our exclusive CompuServe Information Manager (CIM) software. The CompuServe Information Manager Software is designed specifically for use with CompuServe and is available for Windows, Macintosh, OS/2 and Dos systems. The Software's graphical interface and simple commands lets you navigate the service quickly and easily. The CompuServe Information Manager allows you to create and read your electronic mail messages and forum messages off-line, thus automating your online activity and saving you time and money. To get your FREE copy of the CompuServe software or for more information on the service call us Toll Free on 0800 11 22 52. Pricing Monthly Fee: R 80.00 (Network charges will apply) Usage Rates: Service Rates: First 5 hours FREE, thereafter R 12.00 per hour (Subject to US$/Rand exchange rates) Network Rates: CompuServe Africa Network (CSIR-Net) - first 2 hours FREE, thereafter R40.00 per hour prime time* or R 25.00 off prime time.* * Billed in one minute increments. CompuServe Africa prime time : 8am to 7pm CompuServe Africa After Dark - off prime time: 7pm to 8am. Sign up discounts and benefits: To make it that much easier to meet you online, we're giving each new member a R 100.00 network usage credit and the first 10 hours on CompuServe are free. (Network charges will apply for the 10 free hours) All the above are valid for the month of Sign up only. Some Services carry additional premium surcharges and these will be billed to your CompuServe account monthly. Online notification on charges about to be occurred , will be issued. Payment Options CompuServe Africa offers three payment options namely: *Credit Card: CompuServe Africa service charges can be billed to a Visa, Master, Diners Club or American Express card. CompuServe Africa will forward invoices on a monthly basis for REFERENCE ONLY. For more information call us on: 0800 11 22 52 toll free. *Direct Debit: Direct Debit payments are automatically deducted on a weekly basis. CompuServe Africa will forward invoiced monthly for REFERENCE ONLY. Contact CompuServe Africa to request a Direct Debit Application form on 0800 11 22 52 Toll Free. *Corporate Business Account: Business Accounts are available to established companies, subject to CompuServe Africa's approval. Contact CompuServe Africa for a Business Account Application form on 0800 11 22 52 Toll Free Some of the services available: - Forums: General Want to meet people like you ? How about people like you've never met before? Whatever you're looking for, you'll find it in our forums. They're where people go to talk about issues. Visit with friends. Or find the answers to questions. So whether you're into home improvement of home business, you'll find a place for you and your family. Forums can be seen as online clubs where people come together to exchange ideas and news about all kinds of subjects. Hundreds of forums operate on CompuServe, discussing topics as diverse as gardening, genealogy and stamp collecting to law and medicine, journalism, political issues, pet care, cooking, all genres of music, travel, religion, and sport. Keep in touch with latest discussions on various topics by browsing the message boards, explore the ever expanding forum libraries or join a real time interactive conference. CompuServe has a forum for ALL, so drop in and introduce yourself. - Hardware & Software Forum Amongst the most popular are the computer-specific forums. CompuServe is the world's largest network of people with answers to your hardware and software questions. Access CompuServe forums and you will find valuable product support maintained by over 1000 hardware and software companies such as: * IBM * Microsoft * Borland * Fox * Novell * WordPerfect * Symantec and many more. Software exchange has always been an important part of CompuServe. Each Forum has its own library where thousands of original programs and text files can be retrieved. Many of the programs are public domain (Free), while others are "shareware" programs. For immediate access to over 30 000 drivers, patches, templates and demo's to download, explore our forum libraries. Obtain product reviews from major computer publications or follow up on an article you may have read or even discuss upcoming advances with other members. All with the click of your mouse. And all on CompuServe. - CompuServe CD The CompuServe CD combines CD-Rom based information, applications, sound, graphics and video with CompuServe's online services. The CompuServe CD is the first step towards delivering multimedia information on the information superhighway. Issued bi-monthly the CompuServe CD offers members great savings on connect times charges, as it offers multimedia contents that would take long to download via telephone line. Complimentary up-to-date information is available online. - Internet You have probably heard of Internet and the Web. Maybe you think they have a lot to offer, but you're afraid to connect, and if you do connect, how do you find your way around? With CompuServe, it's easy. Full Internet Services are available through CompuServe. The CompuServe's Internet Made Easy (SM) program forms part of CompuServe's Internet strategy. CompuServe offers Internet access in a structured and simplified manner to its members through the CompuServe Information Manager's user-friendly menus and dialog windows. The Internet Forum on CompuServe has been divided into two new forums to meet the needs of both the Internet users and experienced Internet "Surfers" (GO INTERNET). Full access to the Internet through the Internet dialler, allows you to use all the popular Internet software available. Seamless access to the Internet is made possible by CompuServe's netlauncher Internet access software and CompuServe members can explore the vast resources of the Internet. Services includes the World Wide Web, USENET newsgroups, file retrieval with File Transfer Protocol (FTP), electronic mail, remote login (telnet), and more. - E-Mail With the CompuServe Mail system you can send and receive messages throughout the world and be assured of complete privacy. Get your message across in no time, for next to nothing at all. In addition, you are able to send and receive binary files as easily as text messages. At the stroke of a few keys transmit complete word processing files or experience real time interactive communications on our CB simulator. CB simulator is a freewheeling, nonstop, international gathering place open to all. Realtime talk is another CompuServe creation, For years, members have been accustomed to sitting at their computers and carrying on conversations with the world, typing messages on their keyboards and reading replies instantly on their screens. So next time you have something to say, go on CompuServe and say it with electrons. Any day, any place, CompuServe keeps you in touch with the world. - Reference Turn hours of research into minutes online by accessing hundreds of reference databases from: * Business * Legal * Academic * Consumer * Social * Scientific * Medical to general. Access the Grolier Encyclopedia online which ins updated quarterly, Read full text from over 3000 professional journals and consumer magazines. The list is almost endless! Added to all this is the advantage of available online specialist newsletters research papers and seminars. - Business and Financial matters Invest wisely with CompuServe by taking control of your overseas investments utilising the same electronic tools and information that the expert use. CompuServe offers you the best possible online financial data with a global perspective. Review current Wall Street data, review live exchange rates and even discuss the information with your peers in the Investors forum. Utilise the CompuServe's online brokerage services and begin to implement your decisions immediately. - Entertainment and Games Game show and trivia addicts flock to the electronic "studio" day and night and play real time/ multiplayer games of skill. Pit your mental talents against opponents who may be thousands of mile away. You can play games, explore the Gamer's forum for mystical games, combat, parlour games and quizzes. Speak with vendors or challenge other players in modem-to-modem competitions. Come and join the fun. - News Stay in the news with CompuServe, from anywhere in the world, 24 hours per day ! Stay on top of the world with CompuServe's international newswires. Access the same sources as the news media and obtain up-to-the-minute news, business and sports. Find some of the leading US and European newspapers online, all updated hourly. Access the Executive News Service, an electronic clipping service that brings to your personal computer the power and scope of Associated Press, United Press, Reuters Financial, Washington Post and many more ! With CompuServe, you are always in the news. - Travel and Weather On CompuServe, you , your business and your family can plan your next trip with the same information travel agents use. Look up flight information, hotels, car rentals and find the lowest available airfares. Travelling overseas? Type GO MAPS and view Accu-Weather maps of the continental USA, UK, Europe, Pacific Rim, Australia and New Zealand - updated four times per day. Wherever your destination, CompuServe places you in full control. - Graphics Take your computer's graphics capabilities to the limit with high-resolution images. Discover the facts about Multi-media and make the most out of desktop publishing in our Graphics and Multi-media Forums. Browse the Graphics Forum for access to libraries of visual designs, programs utilises and techniques. Enjoy the combined experience of online experts eager to assist you. Whether your job depends on being up-to-date or you are just an art lover, CompuServe keeps you in the picture!