The Online World

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

80

Title

The Online World

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

The Online World serves as a practical guide to navigating the rapidly expanding global online information resource of the early 1990s. Written by Odd de Presno, this shareware book explores diverse applications ranging from entertainment and hobbies to professional databases and special services for organizations. Designed for novices and experts alike, it demystifies telecommunications, offering strategies to access international networks like the Internet, BITNET, and FidoNet. The text emphasizes the value of information, the dynamics of electronic mail, and the...

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1993 by Odd de Presno, *The Online World* serves as both an engaging narrative and a comprehensive manual for the burgeoning digital age. The book establishes early on that knowledge is power, illustrating how online access can provide critical support for rare diseases, facilitate global communication for the disabled, and offer entertainment. Presno explains the structure of the online world, distinguishing between commercial services like CompuServe and GEnie, which charge hourly or flat rates, and grassroots bulletin board systems (BBS) often run as hobbies. The text details the mechanics of gateways, allowing users to access distant databases without direct connection, and discusses the evolution of user interfaces from simple text menus to graphical displays. A significant portion addresses the economics of online usage, advising readers on managing telephone costs and comparing service rates. The book covers a vast array of topics including electronic mail, real-time chat, news clipping services, full-text database searching, and online shopping. It also highlights the importance of building personal networks for job hunting, education, and business intelligence. Presno notes the dynamic nature of the internet, where services open and close daily, urging readers to stay updated. The work concludes with appendices on registration, technical terms, and international standards, positioning the book as an essential, evolving reference for anyone seeking to participate in the global electronic community.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/80.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg80.epub

Removed after upload

Downloaded at

2026-07-07 06:58 UTC

Categories

• Internet