ID:CS Technical Support via Compuserve
Quarterdeck Technical Note #134
by Gene Venable

        With half a million subscribers, CompuServe is more of an
electronic city than a community, yet somehow it has the feel of
the best of both worlds.  Subscribers can get information on
virtually any subject, and experts are usually available to explain
that information in a way that matches the user's level of
expertise.  CompuServe, however, is not just an information
service; it is a band of friends, ready to help or argue or
commiserate or point out, as the situation requires.

        CompuServe rates are $6.00 an hour for communications below
1200 baud and $12.50 an hour for 1200-2400 baud.  Your
communications program can probably be left at its standard
settings, since CompuServe allows typical bulletin board settings
of 8 bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit. You may subscribe to
CompuServe using a registration package that you is available at
most computer and software stores.  Many users minimize the cost of
going online and getting information by using TAPCIS or AUTOSIG,
two popular programs that automate interaction with CompuServe,
thus greatly speeding online activities and allowing the
transmitting and receiving of hundreds of selected messages or
files in minutes.  TAPCIS may be downloaded from the TAPCIS forum
on CompuServe; AUTOSIG is available from Library 1 of the IBMCOM
forum.

        Quarterdeck participates in Section 1 of the PCVENB forum,
which you may reach by typing GO PCVENB at a prompt.  The first
time that you enter the PCVENB forum you will be asked to join it,
which you should do, since it involves no additional cost and
allows you access to everything available in the PCVENB forum; all
you need to do is agree to join the forum and give your name. 
After entering the PCVENB forum, type MES BRO SEC:1 to browse thru
the messages in Section 1, choosing which messages you wish to
read.  To browse through the files available for download, enter
LIB 1 and at the following prompt enter BRO.  To get help on
CompuServe, simply enter HELP at a prompt.  Another popular hangout
for Desqview users is the Multitasking section of the IBMSYS forum,
Section 4.

Here is a typical selection of "threads," or topics, discussed in
Section 1 of the PCVENB forum:

53997        NG and DV's new version 
53948        Windows 3.0 and QEMM 
54016        Startup Video 
53957        DV/Zoom/Sight Problem 
53989        QEMM-386 start-up 
53969 [ 1]   QEMM 5.1-FACTS 
54025        ?dvansi + dos4.01? 
54036        QEMM 50/60 
54007        Carbon Copy Plus 
53966        DV.bat 
53964 [ 1]   Multitasking/Procomm 
53941 [ 1]   DV 2.26 and WP 5.1 
53976        DV 2.26 and Quattro Pro 
53987        DV and LAN

        The opportunity for users of Quarterdeck products to
exchange information and opinions via CompuServe and other
electronic information services is invaluable; our users are often
very concerned with keeping up with the latest developments in
software and hardware, and nowhere else is it possible to find out
what's happening now with such immediacy.  Users who want to
squeeze out faster performance or more memory would have to have
mighty good connections to match the incredible resources of
advice, expertise, and knowledge available to 
anyone who accesses CompuServe.  We welcome your participation.

        Copyright (C) 1991 by Quarterdeck Office Systems
             * * *   E N D   O F   F I L E    * * *