CompuServe Navigator

Author: Denise Jesus


Date: March, 1994


Keywords: Information Service application review software program

online


Text:

CompuServe Navigator

     by Denise Jesus, SMUG member

          CompuServe Navigator 3.2 is a productivity tool for the

Macintosh that allows you to perform tasks offline that formerly had to

be done online; and less time online saves you money. Using a local

phone number, you can quickly log on to the world's largest computer

information service, gather the information and files that interest

you, and automatically log off. 

          Until recently, I used a Santa Rosa number ($$$) and MacCIM

(CompuServe Information Manager) software to connect to the CompuServe

Information Service. Now I connect to CompuServe via a local TYMNET

number (TYMNET: 445-3021), pay a low monthly flat-rate of $8.95

(extended services are priced at $8.00/hr. for 1200 & 2400 baud, and

$16.00/hr. for 9600 baud), and use CompuServe Navigator to set up my

sessions offline.

          CompuServe Navigator comes as a self expanding file on one

800k disk, and includes an excellent Users Guide (in a sturdy ''D''

ring binder), and a registration card. The system requirements are a

Macintosh (including the II, IIX, SE, Plus & 512KE); one double-sided

800k disk drive and a hard drive, or two 800 double-sided disk drives;

System 4.1 or higher (I'm running 7.1); a modem (Hayes-compatible

recommended); and a CompuServe Information Service membership.

          After an easy installation on my hard drive which took 1MB of

space, I followed the instructions in chapter two of the Users Guide to

create my first session file. Double-clicking on the Navigator icon

opens up the selection window. The selection window contains a set of

tiles, each representing a different CompuServe location or task to be

performed.

          Double-clicking the top tile, CompuServe Session Parameters,

allows you to enter your User ID number, password, your local access

telephone number, and your modem settings. The modem set-up was easy.

You select your modem from the list, (I chose ''standard''), and the

correct settings are automatically entered (you do need to enter the

baud rate). You can also enter a log-on script if you're script

literate, which I'm not, but it's strictly optional. And if you're not

already a CompuServe member you are guided through the sign-up

procedure in the section titled ''Running a First Sign-Up Session'' in

chapter four, Techniques.

          After I set the session parameters, I double-clicked on the

CompuServe Mail System tile, opening a window of the same name. From

this window I used the pull down Commands menu to select the ''Read the

Mail'' option. Other options include; Edit Messages, Create Messages,

Send a File, Delete a Command, DO NOT ENTER this location, Forget this

location, Summarize the Mail, and Delete After Reading.

          Then I went on to the Macintosh Support tile. Double-clicking

the tile opens the Macintosh Support window revealing tiles for

numerous Macintosh Forums. I double-clicked on the ZiffNet Information

Service tile, and then again on the MacWeek Editorial Forum tile. From

the MacWeek Editorial Forum (or any forum) window you can select

options from three pull-down menus; Forum, Message, and Library. I

chose ''Update the section and library names'' from the Forum Menu and

''Download Files'' from the Library Menu. Then from the Download Files

window, I selected the library that I wanted and entered the name of

the file that I wanted to download. You can also set up your session to

search for files and upload files.

          Once your session is set up to your specifications, you name

and save the file. Then select Show Preview from the Session Menu to

see a line-by-line description of your session. Does everything check

out? If so, you're ready to run the session. If you spot a problem, you

can make corrections to the tasks and preferences, then save the file

and rerun the preview... all offline, saving you both time and money.

          You can watch the progress of your session in the Session

Status Window as it runs, or set up your session to log on and run at a

preselected time. You can retrieve messages on topics that you define,

and follow the threads of interesting messages. You can even set a

pause in your automated session to allow you to enter terminal mode and

access other areas of CompuServe while you're still online. And because

CompuServe Navigator works in the background, you can work in other

applications while you run your automated session.

          CompuServe Navigator provides an efficient method to conserve

valuable online time. The program is easy to use and yet it still

offers ''power users'' the ability to set up complex, detailed

sessions... including scripting (see Writing Scripts, page 92). The

bottom line is that if you own a Mac, and you use CompuServe, then you

NEED CompuServe Navigator.

     CompuServe Navigator 3.2 is available for $99.95 retail from: 

          CompuServe Information Service

          P.O. Box 20212

          5000 Arlington Centre Boulevard

           Columbus, Ohio 43220   (800) 848-8199

     

Copyright &copy march, 1994 by Denise Jesus