Gateways Books and Tapes

The Internet Column

Inner Journeys certainly wouldn't want to be left off the bandwidth wagon of the Intemet. So here is the first in a series of columns to be dedicated to what the bookstore owner, small publisher, and interested litterateurs might want or need to know about this ubiquitous NET; and why they might want to get hooked in, if they don't see the need right now.

I'll struggle to avoid hype, I'll turn my BS Detectors up to full gain, and go for it. I'm a newcomer to this Networld, having done nothing more than dial up America On Line a few times, so you readers will be able to explore along with me, and perhaps, help me in my soon-to-be-chronicled misadventures at 14,400 Kbps, if you are more Net-ified than I. I thought if 90% of what I had heard about the Net was pure hype, it would still be worthwhile. So I did a little research, spent a little money, and got a full PPP hookup to the NET with full ftp, Mosaic, Newsgroup, and extra crunchy bits. We live in a rural area of Northern California, but I found a provider (Direct Network Access) in Berkeley, about 150 miles away, and got a phone package that makes it affordable, if I do most of my calling after 11 p.m. There are new providers every week, all over the country, so depending upon your needs, no matter where you live, some kind of access is possible.

Sound confusing? Daunting? Well it is, a little. I've been Netted for a bit over a week, and the feeling is like getting settled into a hostel in Southeast Asia, not speaking any local language, knowing that there are great sights and adventures and treasures out there to be found, but not being exactly sure how to reach them.

I'll be covering three areas: What's on the Net-How to get Hooked Up and, How to Use the Net to help you and your business prosper. Don't be scared! It's not too late! And if you're already on line, send me some mail at: dougt@dnai.com. See you there!

-Douglas Cracraft

Net Addresses from Bookselling This Week August 8 1994:

amerbk@aol.com (ABA on-line)

rec.arts.books (newsgroup)

rec.arts.sf.written (SF books newsgroup)

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