EcoLinking#3
by Don Rittner

1993 and Cyberspace

Ninety-three was an important turning point for those of us in, and wanting
to be in, Cyberspace.  Finally, you didn't have to drain your bank account to
get environmental information online!  

Prices of PC's took a huge dive thanks to a computer war among the big
computer makers.  Today, you can buy an Apple Macintosh Performa for $1500,
and that includes the computer, monitor, built it modem, and about $1400
worth of software.  Just plug it in and get online.  That same computer would
cost $8000 if the pricing trends had continued the way they were.  Moreover,
most PC companies now bundle a modem with their computer reinforcing the fact
that everyone will be online some day.

Modems have also continued to get faster and cheaper.  Only a few months ago
a fast modem (14.4k)  was $600! The LineLink 14.4k with data compression,
made by Prometheus,  costs $99.  You can't beat that price.

Perhaps the most exciting development is Apple's Newton MessagePad.  This
nifty handheld computer recognizes your handwriting and has built in
communication tools.  You can fax information, beam info to another Newton
user, use a modem to connect to online services,  and with a messaging card
have 24 hour cellular paging that can download news, email, and other
electronic information no matter where you are!  

Several companies are releasing Newton software that will let you log on to
your favorite online service like America Online or CompuServe. The
MessagePad retails around $649.  We will discuss more about Newton in 1994.  

Perhaps the real surprise is that you can now enter your local Montgomery
Ward, Sears, or other mass merchandising store and buy a PC or Mac with
processing power that's 100 times greater than some of the early mainframes.
 This happened with no fanfare but to think that computers have become as
common place as refrigerators, ovens, and televisions, IS a big event.
 Personal computers are becoming as commonplace as VCR's.  Interactive TV is
right around the corner.  Empowerment is the word. Now YOU decide what YOU
want to see, and what information YOU want to bring into your home or office.

America Online, CompuServe and GEnie all reduced their online costs in 93
making it cheaper to stay online. Each has a different package of services
but the bottom line is you can get a few hours a month for less than $10.
 Unless you're a real power user that's less than your phone bill every
month.

Finally the Internet is opening up to all. For a few dollars a month you can
get your own Internet account.  Companies like Intercon (703-709-9890) offer
an inexpensive way to gain Internet access .  This gives you an email
account, file transferring abilities (FTP),  and subscriptions to any of the
discussion lists and Usenet news .  

America Online already offers free Internet access. With their email gateway
you can subscribe to Usenet and Internet mailing lists.

What will 1994 bring?  Stay tuned!