Book Review: The Internet for C64/128 Users by Gaelyne R. Gasson by Bev Harvey (bharvey@the.link.ca) If I were to be limited to one single word in describing this instruction manual, I would have no hesitation in choosing the word "COMPLETE." As a hobby Commodore user since way back in 1984, I have been wading through instruction manuals; some I could master, others with perseverence I managed, with great difficulty, to get something somewhat close to what was supposed to be. It seems while for the most part Commodore programmers were ever brilliant in writing computer programs, I had difficulty following their instructions. For me, these important people were under the assumption the reader had several degrees in computer science, or was at least on a computer intelligence level of the writer. How wrong some of them were. I had heard Gaelyne was writing this manual quite some time before it was available. I waited with anticipation; I made discreet inquiries. Finally, my good friend Tom Adams sent me e-mail and told me the instruction manual was ready and gave me Gaelyne's address. I immediately contacted her and gave her my Visa number, and within a week the book was in my hot little hands. Quickly, I thumbed through it. I expected volumes of instructions similar to the "Dummy" books - but no, here was a neat little book, about half the size of those other instruction books mentioned, neatly ring bound for easy handling and the whole works outlined in seventeen chapters with the usual Appendix Resource Listings and Index. Further study showed this lady certainly knew her stuff. The workings of the Commodore Computer, both C-64 and C-128, were clearly outlined. She shows an exceptional knowledge of the Internet as related to the Commodore, and has organized her book in such a manner that it could apply to the beginner anxious to "Surf The Net" as the saying goes, or to those who have been on the Net for considerable time, but never fully realized the potential of our often maligned Commodores. All the reader had to do was go to the index at the front of the book, figure out about where his knowledge level was, and jump on board. She has covered the most used terminal programs - Nick Rossi's Novaterm (there's even a sort of a demo to get you started), Desterm, Dialogue, and Bob's Term for complete coverage. Strictly your choice. I can't speak too highly of this book. To me it's a relief to follow instructions aimed at the average Commodore fan. I think she should have named it "Everything You Wanted to Know About The Internet Using a 64 or 128 but Were Afraid to Ask." I was pleasantly surprised to learn procedures that other platform users were bragging about are available on the Commodore. She even outlines the dialogue to use if the Internet provider has any doubts about the capabilities of the Commodore. A source list of providers is listed complete with voice phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Free-Nets are listed by State including Hawaii and even two locations in Canada. I have used this book extensively for the last ten days now and can say I have learned more in that time by referencing the manual when I logged on than I ever did the last year and a half I have been using the World Wide Web. The only disadvantage I can think of, and that's difficult to do, is the price, including Nick Rossi's Term Program, was over $50.00 Canadian. Of course, at the present rate of exchange US to Canada the American price would be much cheaper. However when you compare this cost and the valued content to the "Dummy" instruction books there is no comparison. The value is obvious. For any Commodore user presently using the Internet - or those thinking of jumping on the Net, I personally recommend this instruction manual. Once you start to use it, in conjunction with logging on, it will become your constant reference for easy access and use in the complicated world of cyberspace. (Reprinted from Mailink, newsletter of Meeting Commodore Users Through the Mail, July 1997) The book has been updated to a second edition, now available; and a third edition is in the works. The following ordering information was obtained from Gaelyne in mid-July 1998 for this reprint: If mailing a personal check or bank draft from the US, the price is: $29.95 US each plus shipping. ($12 Express /$9 Airmail /$7 Economy Air) If ordering using a credit card (Phone/Fax/Email/Web orders) we must charge in Australian dollars. The price is $36.95 AU and the shipping options are the same - but in Australian dollars, it's: $15 Express / $11.50 Airmail / $9 Economy Air Based on today's currency exchange rates (16 July '98), one book shipped Economy Air using a credit card would cost $45.95 in Australian, and US customers would have $28.69 US debited to their credit card. A Currency Conversion utility is available on the web at: http://www.xe.net/currency/ We can accept Master Card, Visa, Bankcard and American Express. Personal cheques are welcome - they should be made payable to: "VideoCam Services". VideoCam Services 90 Hilliers Rd. Reynella SA 5161 Phone: +61 8 8322-2716 Fax: +61 8 8387-5810 Email: videocam@videocam.net.au WWW: http://videocam.net.au For those who prefer to order from a US company, the book is available from Loadstar in the USA (1-800-831-2694). Item #900920. The price is $30 including shipping in the USA. Loadstar accepts credit card, check and money orders. (VideoCam Services can not accept money orders). The 3rd Edition will have an additional chapter covering TCP/IP Connections (such as PPP or SLIP), so the number of chapters has increased to 18, plus appendix material. I'll be putting together a press release regarding the 3rd Edition soon. Via The Commodore Information Center web site (http://home.att.net/~rmestel/commodore.html)