CompuServe 4.0.2 and CompuServe 2000

CompuServe 4
For frequent fliers and those who regularly travel, having an Internet Service Provider that allows you to dial a local number in a foreign city is a real moneysaver. CompuServe has been, in our tests over the last few years, utterly -- and I mean 100% -- reliable. Built-in dial-up and CompuServe login support in Windows makes Compuserve extremely easy to use as an ISP, and its US$24.95 flat fee for unlimited Internet access is not unreasonable for those who tend to use the Net a lot. And CompuServe's network infrastructure is robust. We achieved transfer rates up to 76K/sec (using an ADSL connection) during business hours, and we've never been frustrated by more than an occasional busy signal when attempting dial-up access.

Now, version 4.0 (downloadable at http://www.compuserve.com/content/download.asp) brings a web interface to Compuserve -- at least, if you're a 32-bit Windows user. Long-suffering Mac users can't use the new software, and are stuck at version 3.0.2. Windows 3.x holdouts have it even worse, as version 2.61 was the last release for that platform. See our previous report for more details and information on other features of CompuServe.

POP3 email support, which the company didn't get around to providing until 1997, works well. Usenet newsgroup access is also provided. See www.csi.com/mail for info on CompuServe's POP3 compatibility with Netscape, Internet Explorer, Eudora, and other standard Internet Email clients. An option to automatically forward standard CIS mail is provided, too.

On. Dec. 15th, CompuServe shipped beta testers a "Field Trial 2" version of its next-generation client for Windows 95/98 dubbed CompuServe 2000. Compuserve users can sign up to be CompuServe 2000 beta testers via the keyword GO BETA30.

The disc also includes beta 2 of version 4.0.2 of CompuServe software for Win95/98 and NT,  the current releases of CompuServe software for Mac (MacCIM 2.4.4 and CompuServe 3.0.2 for Mac) and several other utilities. Version 4.0.2 beta 2 includes Internet Explorer 4.01 with Service Pack 1 (making it Y2K compliant), a new spelling checker, e-mail counter, a history list clear option, offline desktop on start, and an updated mail menu including a filing cabinet option. Those who lamented the absence of the online clock in v4.0 may cheer its return, along with improvements to dial-up networking via DUN 1.3.   The company says Windows NT users need Service Pack 2 to run CS4.0.2

Q: Can you do access your own Internet account from any computer with dial-up capabilities?

A: Yes. I do this all the time. Note that, unless you have an account that provides local access in other cities (as CompuServe does), you may incur long-distance dial-up charges if you use a computer to dial into your account from other cities. Once the connection is made, however, the email, web and news services are not long-distance dependent. You will  have to set up an email account  with your user name and password on the computer you intend to use, of course. Windows has a Connection Wizard that eases this task; Macs have a similar capability.

Q: And is it illegal to do so?

A: I sure hope not. Seriously, it is not, provided that the owner of the account approves of the access and the person accessing it does not break any laws.

Q: And is it illegal if I give my user name and password to my friend so he can log on to the internet?

A: Not as long as you are paying for it, you do not both try to use the same account at the same time (not usually possible, anyway) and your friend does not break any laws or purchase any products or services that you may be liable for. Many companies buy accounts for their employees, so in essence, you are simply paying for your friend's usage. Check  the license agreement that your Internet Service Provider can provide you with for more details on what is and isn't allowed. Generally, they have rules against copyright infringement (i.e., software piracy), unsolicited email, hate litereture, pornography and so on.

• See the Short Reviews page for more hands-on product tests.
• See Online Services - Q3'98 for a report on CompuServe 4.0.