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 © march, 1994 by Denise Jesus