Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!faqserv
From: cfs-news@cais.cais.com (Roger Burns)
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Subject: FAQ: CFS Electronic Resources
Supersedes: <medicine/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/cfs-electronic-resources_885215922@rtfm.mit.edu>
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Date: 19 Feb 1998 11:10:41 GMT
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Summary: This posting describes where chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) 
          resources can be found online on all networks, including 
          Internet, Usenet, BBSs, Fidonet, America Online, Compuserve, 
          Prodigy, GEnie, and Free-nets.
X-Last-Updated: 1997/03/20
Originator: faqserv@penguin-lust.MIT.EDU
Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu alt.med.cfs:74494 alt.answers:32252 news.answers:123706

Archive-name: medicine/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/cfs-electronic-resources
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-updated: 1994/10/1

                         CFS / ME ELECTRONIC RESOURCES
                    The CFS/ME Computer Networking Project

                  "A Guide to the Many Information Resources
                          Available via Computer for
             Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis"

                            -----------------------

                       Second Edition:  October 1, 1994

                         ____________________________


                                   CONTENTS


                             *** INTRODUCTION ***
                     1. CFS/ME Information and Networking
                     2. The CFS/ME Computer Networking Project

                           *** USING A COMPUTER ***
                     3. Buying a computer
                     4. Reaching the networks with your computer

                         *** ELECTRONIC RESOURCES ***
                     5. News sources
                          A. News sources.
                          B. Easy access to news sources.
                          C. Self-service access to news sources and
                             other Internet services.
                     6. Physicians' discussion group
                     7. CFS/ME electronic discussion and support
                          A. Fidonet conference
                          B. Commercial services
                                 America Online
                                 CompuServe
                                 GEnie
                                 Prodigy
                          C. Internet
                          D. Usenet
                          E. Free-Nets
                     8. Information files
                          A. BBSs
                          B. Commercial networks
                          C. Internet

                          *** FURTHER INFORMATION ***
                      9. For further information
                     10. Credits and copyright notice

         -------------------------------------------------------------
               The printing and distribution of this edition of
                "CFS/ME Electronic  Resources" is made possible
          through a grant from the CFIDS Buyers Club (800-366-6056).
         Design contributed by Matt Straznitskas of BrainBUG Graphics.
         -------------------------------------------------------------


             ==================  INTRODUCTION  ==================

1. CFS/ME information and networking

A growing number of CFS/CFIDS/ME patients, support groups, and doctors are
exchanging news and information rapidly on computer networks. The following
CFS/ME-related services are available:

* NEWS SOURCES -- Support groups and other organizations exchange news
articles via electronic mail. One advantage to this exchange is that when
support groups want to reprint an article in their newsletter, it won't
need to be retyped.

* DISCUSSION GROUPS -- Many individual CFS/ME patients participate in
general discussion groups on the computer networks and on Bulletin Board
Systems (BBSs). Much information and support are exchanged. These
discussions, which are an excellent resource for those who are homebound or
otherwise unable to attend support group meetings, take place on many
networks, several of which are accessible at no charge.

* INFORMATION FILES -- There are information files available containing
articles from medical journals and previous editions of the CFIDS
Chronicle, documents from NIH, advice on coping, disability, Social
Security, etc.

This document lists where in the electronic world these resources can be
found, and how to find or sign up for the various systems that have them.

Please remember that most of the news and information that appears on the
computer networks is the result of important efforts made by our national
and local support organizations. If we want to hear good news, and help to
create it, we must support and participate in the organizations that are
working to help us. Please join and sustain your support and advocacy
organizations.


2. The CFS/ME Computer Networking Project

The CFS/ME Computer Networking Project (referred to in this document as the
Project) is comprised of patient volunteers who are the CFS section leaders
from major computer networks. They assist in exchanging news and
information on computer networks, and offer help in finding electronic
CFS/ME resources on these networks. They established and operate the CFS
Newswire service (see Section 5 which follows). The Project's current
members are: Roger Burns (Internet); Lucie Dorais (GEnie); Maryka Ford
(Prodigy); Molly Holzschlag (Project founder); Ed Isenberg (CompuServe);
and Sandy Shaw (Fidonet). The Project's postal addresses are listed in
Section 10. It can be contacted on Internet at cfs-me@sjuvm.stjohns.edu and
by Fido netmail at CFS-ME at 1:163/221.

     ==============  USING A COMPUTER ==============

3. Buying a computer

There are many things you should know about before buying a computer. This
guide cannot present all of the advice you should have about computer
purchases, so we suggest that you read a beginner's book such as "Your
First Computer" by Alan Simpson (Sybex publishers, tel. (800) 227-2346 or
1-510-523-8233). Study up and be prepared to put good questions to your
computer salesmen before making your purchase.

Important questions to consider are: should you buy a PC (i.e., an IBM
compatible) or a Mac? (factors being price, ease of use, compatibility with
systems at your work place); storage needs ("hard disk" size, choose a size
that is bigger than you think you'll need at first); peripheral hardware
(modem, video, printer); and software (programs which enable the computer
to do specific tasks). To access the electronic resources featured in this
guide, you must have at least a modem and some communication software
(discussed in the next section).

You'll probably need more advice after you've made your purchase. There are
excellent books on most hardware and software. It will also be extremely
useful to get advice from experienced fellow computer owners. To find local
PC users' groups, phone the automated information system at 1-914-876-6678.
For Mac users' groups, USA residents can phone (800) 538-9696.


4. Reaching the networks with your computer

To reach the various network information resources and discussion groups,
your computer will need a device called a "modem", which translates
computer data into signals which can be transmitted through phone lines to
other computers, and "communications software", which enables your computer
to operate the modem.

Some advice on purchasing: a 14,400 baud modem is currently the best buy
for your money. The higher rates a commercial network might charge are more
than offset by the much faster rate at which the modem operates, therefore
saving you money. If you use one of the commercial networks (see section
7-B which follows), they offer communications software that allow you to
reach them more efficiently. For general communications software which can
access most systems, including local BBSs, some popular brands are Procomm
Plus and Cross Talk.


              ==============  ELECTRONIC RESOURCES ==============

5. News services

A. News sources. The CFS Newswire service of the CFS/ME Computer Networking
Project enables support groups and others to exchange news articles and
other newsworthy material for use in composing CFS/ME newsletters. News
material intended for distribution is electronically submitted to the
Newswire editors for review and prospective release. The Newswire is based
on the Internet, the overall network which connects most other computer
networks together. It is thus accessible from America Online, CompuServe,
Free-Net, GEnie, MCI-MAIL, Prodigy and other services. See subsections B
and C immediately below for instructions on how to get the Project's
Newswire service.

There is also an informal "newswire" procedure on the Fidonet no-cost
network of BBSs. Anyone can post material to Fidonet's CFS "echo" (or
conference) with the subject heading of NEWSWIRE, and that material will be
posted to all of the 100+ BBSs that carry the CFS "echo". The Project will
exchange messages between the informal Fidonet newswire and the Project's
Internet-based Newswire. However, only those items that have been accepted
by the Project's review procedure will be distributed on the Project's
Internet-based Newswire. For a description of the Fidonet CFS "echo", see
section 7-A which follows.

The CFS-NEWS Electronic Newsletter provides current medical research
updates and other news for the CFS community. It is published at least once
every calendar month. The newsletter is posted to the CFS "echo" on
Fidonet, and is also available as USENET newsgroup
bit.listserv.cfs.newsletter although this may change soon (for current
information, contact the editor listed below.) On Internet it is available
as listname CFS-NEWS at Listserv nodename MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU. For
instructions on getting CFS-NEWS through the Internet, see section 5-C
which follows or send an e-mail inquiry to editor Roger Burns at address
CFS-NEWS@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU. For access to the Internet, see section 7-C
which follows (and note that the commercial services described in section
7-B can access Internet). The newsletter is on file on the Project ENABLE
BBS, tel. 1-304-759-0727, file area 23. Back issues are also available on
Internet (contact the editor) and on CompuServe and GEnie.

"Catharsis" is a CFS electronic newsmagazine which focuses on personal
health, intellect and creativity for the CFS community. The magazine is
posted to the CFS "echo" on Fidonet. On Internet it is available as
listname CATHAR-M at Listserv nodename MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU. For
instructions on getting Catharsis through the Internet, see subsection C
which follows or send an e-mail inquiry to the editor listed below. The
newsletter is on file on the MEDBASE/CFS Tucson BBS at 1-602-790-7420. Back
issues are also available on Internet and on CompuServe and GEnie. For
inquiries, contact editor Molly Holzschlag via Internet at
CATHAR-M@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU or by postal mail at the Electronic
Information Exchange, PO Box 42225, Tucson, AZ 85733-2225, USA or at
Fidonet Molly.Holzschlag at 1:300/23.

B. Easy access to news sources. Contact the Project (see the last paragraph
of Section 2 above) or any CFS section leader listed in the service
descriptions in Section 7 which follows. They can arrange for you to get
the requested service.

C. Self-service access to news sources and other Internet services. Aside
from the "easy" method described above, the more adventurous may arrange to
obtain these resources by themselves by using the following instructions.
(These instructions are for the Newswire and other message-based services.
For information files, see Section 8 which follows.) Access through the
no-cost Fidonet network is described in section 7-A (newswires are posted
as messages to the CFS "echo" discussion group).

Because there are several Internet-based services described in this
document, this subsection will serve as a general reference for how to
obtain Internet services, using the CFS Newswire as an example. Remember
that the CFS Newswire service and most other CFS/ME resources on Internet
can also be reached from most of the many computer services described in
Section 7 which follows. Check with your service's support staff for
specific guidance on how to send Internet mail.

There is an automated procedure on Internet called "Listserv" which will
enable you to get on the mailing list for the Newswire, or for other
Internet services. If you send a "subscribe" command to a Listserv address
by e-mail, the Listserv will sign you up for the service you designate in
the command, as explained below. The word "subscribe" merely refers to
adding one's address to a mailing list. There is no extra cost for using
Listserv-based services other than the use of e-mail.

In order to subscribe to a service or discussion group via Listserv, you
must know the service's "listname" and its "Listserv nodename". (These
names are shown throughout this document.) Use Internet electronic mail to
create a message which has the following general form:

   SUB listname YourFirstName YourLastName

and send it to the Internet address which has the general form
LISTSERV@<nodename> . For example, suppose Ms. Sally Forth wishes to sign
up for the CFS Newswire service. The listname for the CFS Newswire is
CFS-WIRE and its Listserv nodename is MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU. Ms. Forth
should create an e-mail message which says

   SUB CFS-WIRE Sally Forth

and send it to the address LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU . Instructions
about how to submit material for posting will then automatically be sent,
as will all future Newswire postings. Be sure that the subscription message
is typed precisely and with no other written text, since it is being sent
to a machine which will only respond to the correct command words and will
be confused by any other material.

Other CFS/ME services are also available on Internet including the CFS-NEWS
electronic newsletter, the "Catharsis" newsmagazine, the CFS-L discussion
group and more.

As a second example, if Mr. John Doze wishes to sign up for the CFS-L
discussion group, which is based at Listserv nodename
MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU, he should send the e-mail message

   SUB CFS-L John Doze

to the Internet address LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU . Again, if there is
some difficulty, contact any CFS section leader as shown throughout Section
7 below to have these arrangements made for you. To obtain a general help
file about how to use Internet and Listserv, send the command GET CFS
NET-HELP as an e-mail message to the Internet address
LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU.


6. Physicians' discussion group

A discussion group for medical doctors and other health professionals will
begin in October 1994. It will be accessible through the Internet, and
through the many computer services which have Internet e-mail (see section
7-C below). To subscribe to the group, contact the group's moderator Roger
Burns at Internet address CFS-MED@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU. Or to sign up
directly, send a message which says

   SUB CFS-MED YourFirstName YourLastName

as an e-mail message to the Internet address
LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU. For further help, read the sign-up example
in section 5-C above, using listname CFS-MED and nodename
MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU. Or again, contact the moderator at address
CFS-MED@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU.


7. CFS/ME electronic discussion and support

CFS/ME network discussion groups are more than just a way to exchange the
most up to date information on research, advocacy and treatment. Close
friendships often develop between people who share tips on coping and
provide sympathy and understanding at any hour of the day or night. These
electronic support groups are a valuable resource to many who are
housebound or who have no local support group to attend.

A. Fidonet conference. Fidonet is a volunteer, world-wide network of over
20,000 personal computer BBSs which can be accessed by anyone with a
personal computer and a modem. The CFS "echo" (i.e., discussion group) can
be reached at any of the 200 BBSs shown on the accompanying tables. The
vast majority of these BBSs are accessible free of charge. However, Fidonet
messages take a day or two for distribution, rather than mere minutes as on
the commercial networks and the Internet. For advice or assistance, post a
message to the conference for moderator Sandy Shaw or send him Fido Netmail
at 1:163/221 or Internet e-mail at aa328@freenet.carleton.ca.

If none of the BBSs shown on the table are near you, then you should find a
Fidonet BBS in your community and request of the operator that their BBS
carry the CFS "echo". To do this: (1) Find Fidonet BBSs near you by asking
your local computer retailer or computer users' group. Alternatively, you
may obtain the file named FIDONETS.TXT which lists net coordinators
throughout the world, and search it for cities or phone numbers near you.
Then login to their BBS and ask for a list of local Fidonet BBSs. To get
this FIDONETS.TXT file, dial into the Project ENABLE BBS at tel.
1-304-759-0727 (West Virginia, USA), and download it from file area 23.
Commercial services may have this file in their file library. Then (2) call
several Fidonet BBSs and leave a message for SYSOP, requesting that they
carry the CFS "echo". Mention that the CFS "echo" is "on the Fidonet
backbone" (that's sysop jargon, and means that it's easy to get).

Internet users will soon be able to access the CFS "echo" by telnetting
into the Project ENABLE BBS at node enable.wvnet.edu. To reach the CFS
"echo" on this BBS, use the "Join" command to enter conference number 101.

The accompanying table shows those BBSs which have recently carried the
conference. If the CFS conference cannot be found among the "echo"
conferences on one of these BBSs, leave a message on the BBS addressed to
the name SYSOP and ask that the CFS "echo" be carried. This table is
occasionally updated and the latest version can be found on the Project
ENABLE BBS at tel. 1-304-759-0727, file area 23, filename CFS-BBS.TXT.

               CFS CONFERENCE BBS LIST as of September 20, 1994

          === AUSTRALIA ===           ||  Jacksonville     FL  1-904-727-7794
                                      ||  Jacksonville     FL  1-904-292-3904
 St. Ives        NSW  61-2-440-8364   ||  Jacksonville     FL  1-904-246-1481
 Stanmore        NSW  61-2-569-5130   ||  Mount Dora       FL  1-904-383-7841
 Fitzroy         VIC  61-3-417-2440   ||  DeLand           FL  1-904-738-3858
 Victoria        VIC  61-3-591-0020   ||  Eustis           FL  1-904-483-2463
 N. Bayswater    VIC  61-3-739-0028   ||  St. Augustine    FL  1-904-823-0947
 Frankston       VIC  61-3-783-1275   ||  Forest Park      GA  1-404-363-0194
 Wantirna South  VIC  61-3-887-1485   ||  Martinez         GA  1-706-860-5070
 Perth            WA  61-9-244-2111   ||  Des Moines       IA  1-515-288-7793
                                      ||  Pekin            IL  1-309-346-6829
          === BRITAIN ===             ||  Peoria           IL  1-309-697-1011
                                      ||  Chicago          IL  1-312-736-7434
 Fleet            UK  44-252-626233   ||  Rockford         IL  1-815-654-7956
 London           UK  44-81-595-1921  ||  Ottawa           IL  1-815-433-6959
                                      ||  Whiting          IN  1-219-659-0112
          === CANADA ===              ||  Atlanta          GA  1-404-368-1132
                                      ||  Kansas City      KS  1-913-642-7907
 Calgary          AB  1-403-245-5942  ||  Lexington        KY  1-606-273-3716
 Calgary          AB  1-403-251-5540  ||  New Orleans      LA  1-504-486-7249
 Calgary          AB  1-403-299-9925  ||  Sun              LA  1-504-886-2157
 Calgary          AB  1-403-286-7545  ||  Framingham       MA  1-508-872-8461
 Edmonton         AB  1-403-466-7613  ||  Danvers          MA  1-508-750-0250
 Abbotsford       BC  1-604-436-3271  ||  Marlborough      MA  1-508-481-7147
 N. Vancouver     BC  1-604-986-8791  ||  Boston           MA  1-617-739-9246
 Nanaimo          BC  1-604-753-9137  ||  Boston           MA  1-617-767-2909
 Prince George    BC  1-604-564-5564  ||  Boston           MA  1-617-783-8820
 Richmond         BC  1-604-224-7456  ||  Rockville        MD  1-301-946-3070
 Richmond         BC  1-604-272-5888  ||  Silver Spring    MD  1-301-439-7437
 Surrey           BC  1-604-599-3885  ||  Silver Spring    MD  1-301-585-5680
 Vancouver        BC  1-604-266-1977  ||  Silver Spring    MD  1-301-949-5764
 Portage la Pr.   MB  1-204-857-5927  ||  Salisbury        MD  1-410-543-2406
 Winnipeg         MB  1-204-233-0227  ||  Marysville       MI  1-313-364-4162
 Winnipeg         MB  1-204-338-3423  ||  Troy             MI  1-313-435-4544
 Winnipeg         MB  1-204-831-5375  ||  Mt. Clemens      MI  1-313-468-0912
 Grimsby          ON  1-416-945-6131  ||  Southgate        MI  1-313-284-3548
 Pickering        ON  1-416-831-6102  ||  Sterling Hts     MI  1-313-795-5829
 Toronto          ON  1-416-465-7436  ||  Warren           MI  1-313-774-5038
 Toronto          ON  1-416-466-8931  ||  Waterford        MI  1-313-623-6314
 Toronto          ON  1-416-604-1221  ||  Saginaw          MI  1-517-752-3203
 Toronto          ON  1-416-650-5411  ||  Grand Ledge      MI  1-517-627-4461
 Toronto          ON  1-416-798-4713  ||  Grand Rapids     MI  1-616-361-2268
 Belleville       ON  1-613-962-1359  ||  Andover          MN  1-612-753-1943
 Gloucester       ON  1-613-746-5293  ||  Jefferson City   MO  1-314-893-6099
 Lynden           ON  1-519-647-3595  ||  Kansas City      MO  1-816-561-3650
 North York       ON  1-416-650-6232  ||  Kansas City      MO  1-816-763-3353
 Kitchener        ON  1-519-744-6266  ||  Kansas City      MO  1-816-587-3971
 Stratford        ON  1-519-273-5607  ||  Kansas City      MO  1-816-763-3353
 St. Thomas       ON  1-519-633-7253  ||  Jackson          MS  1-601-372-6998
 Ottawa           ON  1-613-837-5473  ||  Charlotte        NC  1-704-873-2058
 Ottawa           ON  1-613-749-4550  ||  Fair Lawn        NJ  1-201-796-2752
 Ottawa           ON  1-613-747-7665  ||  Little Falls     NJ  1-201-812-9352
 Ottawa           ON  1-613-737-0966  ||  Elizabeth        NJ  1-908-289-3981
 Ottawa           ON  1-613-669-0617  ||  Albuquerque      NM  1-505-823-7700
 Ottawa           ON  1-613-521-3690  ||  Long Island      NY  1-516-736-6810
 Trenton          ON  1-613-394-5919  ||  Albany           NY  1-518-462-6134
 Thunder Bay      ON  1-807-345-7248  ||  Ballston Spa     NY  1-518-885-4192
 Gatineau         QC  1-819-246-8538  ||  Churchville      NY  1-716-293-2692
 Moose Jaw        SA  1-306-692-6765  ||  Buffalo          NY  1-716-688-1552
                                      ||  Rochester        NY  1-716-594-1222
          === USA ===                 ||  Marlboro         NY  1-914-236-3265
                                      ||  Poughkeepsie     NY  1-914-473-1697
 Birmingham       AL  1-205-254-3344  ||  Oklahoma City    OK  1-405-745-5117
 Montgomery       AL  1-205-264-8000  ||  Broken Arrow     OK  1-918-455-5806
 Montgomery       AL  1-205-244-0296  ||  Rocky River      OH  1-216-356-1772
 Pinson           AL  1-205-254-6050  ||  Kent             OH  1-216-677-3437
 Little Rock      AR  1-501-227-9600  ||  Wooster          OH  1-216-345-6995
 Little Rock      AR  1-501-224-1605  ||  Beavercreek      OH  1-513-427-9473
 N. Little Rock   AR  1-501-753-8575  ||  Miamisburg       OH  1-513-435-1163
 Kingman          AZ  1-602-757-0385  ||  Cincinnati       OH  1-513-921-7623
 Hereford         AZ  1-602-378-3375  ||  Columbus         OH  1-614-268-8050
 Tucson           AZ  1-602-571-9063  ||  Tigard           OR  1-503-620-0307
 Tucson           AZ  1-602-741-7851  ||  Madras           OR  1-503-475-3056
 Clovis           CA  1-209-292-3530  ||  Hatboro          PA  1-215-638-2334
 Manteca          CA  1-209-823-0854  ||  Philadelphia     PA  1-215-464-9068
 Los Angeles      CA  1-213-766-1356  ||  Philadelphia     PA  1-215-676-3618
 Los Angeles      CA  1-310-372-0987  ||  Philadelphia     PA  1-215-755-1917
 Berkeley         CA  1-510-836-4717  ||  Yardley          PA  1-215-493-5242
 Adelanto         CA  1-619-246-5166  ||  Pittsburgh       PA  1-412-621-4604
 San Diego        CA  1-619-535-9580  ||  Harmony          PA  1-412-452-8306
 San Diego        CA  1-619-546-1536  ||  Lancaster        PA  1-717-393-9966
 La Mesa          CA  1-619-697-8873  ||  Cranston         RI  1-401-943-0835
 Santa Rosa       CA  1-707-576-0397  ||  York             PA  1-717-845-2725
 Anaheim          CA  1-714-952-2110  ||  Franklin         PA  1-814-437-5647
 Tujunga          CA  1-818-352-2993  ||  Dalzell          SC  1-803-469-2018
 Tujunga          CA  1-818-353-8891  ||  Ladson           SC  1-803-873-5797
 Sacramento       CA  1-916-685-2368  ||  San Antonio      TX  1-210-674-1242
 Citrus Heights   CA  1-916-729-2968  ||  New Braunfels    TX  1-210-606-1754
 Roseville        CA  1-916-781-2092  ||  Dallas           TX  1-214-790-6472
 Westminster      CO  1-303-650-7732  ||  Dallas           TX  1-214-238-0928
 Pueblo           CO  1-719-545-8572  ||  Dallas           TX  1-214-528-1816
 Ansonia          CT  1-203-735-5619  ||  Austin           TX  1-512-453-5079
 Shelton          CT  1-203-926-6168  ||  Cannelview       TX  1-713-452-2114
 Wethersfield     CT  1-203-257-9906  ||  Houston          TX  1-713-451-6066
 Wethersfield     CT  1-203-721-0706  ||  Houston          TX  1-713-640-1298
 Newark           DE  1-302-994-3772  ||  Houston          TX  1-713-526-4528
 Wilmington       DE  1-302-529-1650  ||  Burleson         TX  1-817-447-1619
 Sunrise          FL  1-305-572-7060  ||  Bedford          TX  1-817-498-2344
 Miami            FL  1-305-271-2146  ||  El Paso          TX  1-915-594-7806
 Melbourne        FL  1-407-255-9948  ||  Virginia Beach   VA  1-804-496-3320
 Orlando          FL  1-407-299-4762  ||  Lacey            WA  1-206-493-0798
 Orlando          FL  1-407-298-5830  ||  Longview         WA  1-206-578-1157
 Orlando          FL  1-407-381-2798  ||  Longview         WA  1-206-578-1948
 West Melbourne   FL  1-407-728-5548  ||  Seattle          WA  1-206-767-7681
 Audubon          FL  1-407-459-0969  ||  Milwaukee        WI  1-414-761-2582
 Tampa Bay        FL  1-813-961-6242  ||  Cross Lanes      WV  1-304-759-0727
 Sarasota         FL  1-813-377-1470  ||

B. Commercial networks. These networks have broad-based CFS discussion
groups that offer quick responses, as well as many informational files and
occasional live chats. The cost of reading messages can be minimized by
using "off-line readers". Ask the service contact people listed for each
network below for advice about these utilities.

America Online has a CFS discussion area, an information file section and a
weekly live chat. One of the CFS messaging areas can be found by going to
the Better Health & Medical Forum, section on Organizations and
disABILITIES (keyword: disabilities), and go to the General
Discussions/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. For further assistance and general
information, contact Mary Dee Harris by e-mail at address MDHarris.

CompuServe has a CFS/CFIDS/FMS/ME section in its Health & Fitness Forum
(enter GO GOODHEALTH). Discussions occur in message section 16, information
files are in Library 16, and there are regular real-time conferences. For
further assistance and general information, contact CFS section leader Ed
Isenberg by e-mail at address 72303,1236.

GEnie has a CFS discussion and files area and a bi-monthly real-time
conference. To reach the CFS discussion section within the disAbilities
Round Table, type M970;1 and then Set CATegory 18. To reach the CFS
library, type M970:3, then Set CATegory 11. For further assistance and
general information, contact CFS section leader Lucie Dorais by e-mail at
address L.DORAIS.

Prodigy computer service has an CFS/ME discussion group and informal live
chat sessions. To reach the CFS section, choose [JUMP] and type Medical
Support BB, and then select the topic Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Although
there is no formal library section, detailed information is re-posted
regularly. For further assistance and general information, contact CFS
section leader Maryka Ford by e-mail at ID ANSU44B.

COSTS. The chart below is intended only for making rough comparisons
between the different pricing schemes available for the various commercial
services. Each plan has special aspects that are not shown on this chart.
There may be extra charges for special features, the communications link,
non-USA access, or using higher baud rates. Costs and available features
are subject to change. Get current, accurate and complete information by
contacting each network office directly.

                 Comparative prices for USA subscribers
                 --------------------------------------

   Service             Monthly       Hourly           Sign up phone
   ----------------    -------       -------          -------------
   America OnLine      $9.95         $3.50            800-827-6364
                                after 5 hrs free

   CompuServe - Alt     2.50         12.80            800-848-8199

   CompuServe - Std     8.95          4.80            800-848-8199

   GEnie                8.95          3.00            800-638-9636
                                    off-peak
                                after 4 hrs free

   Prodigy              7.95          1.20            800-776-3449
                                after 5 hrs free

NOTICE: CompuServe: there are two basic plans (Alternative and Standard),
examples shown are 2400 baud access, for overseas information call
1-614-457-0802 (Ohio, USA) or call toll-free in Australia 008025240, U.K.
0800289378, Germany 01303732 or France 36638122 / GENie peak hours are
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm local time / Prodigy is available in the USA and service to
Canada is being tested (ask for special offer), $7.95 is cheapest of four
plans, discount rate of $1.20 per hour plus five hours free is available
only while in the Medical Support Board (where the CFS section is).

C. Internet. The Internet is the name for the rapid communications network
which uses electronic mail and other services to link most mainframe
computers around the world. Almost all CFS/ME resources on Internet can be
obtained through electronic mail. They are thus accessible through all of
the commercial services shown above, and other services listed below, of
which many are low-cost or free. The various means of access are described
further below.

To obtain a general help file about how to use Internet and Listserv, send
the command GET CFS NET-HELP as an e-mail message to the Internet address
LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU. For personal assistance about CFS resource
on Internet, contact Roger Burns at Internet address
CFS-NEWS@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU.

CFS-L discussion group. This patients' discussion group is available
through Internet e-mail. To join the group, contact the group's moderator
Roger Burns at Internet address CFS-L-REQUEST@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU. Or to
sign up directly, see the second example described in section 5-C above.

Other e-mail services. There are many other services based on Internet
e-mail: CFS-WIRE, CFS-NEWS, and Catharsis magazine (described in Section 5
above); the CFS-MED physicians' group (described in Section 6 above); the
CFIDS-L activist discussion (for information, contact Roger Burns at
CFIDS-L-REQUEST@AMERICAN.EDU); and the CFS-FILE and CFS-D information file
resources (described in Section 8-C which follows).

Full service Internet. There are many high tech services available on
Internet in addition to e-mail and many of these services can access CFS
information. Some full service Internet accounts may be expensive, so
inquire about costs. Some intermediate level services are accessible on
lower cost systems such as some public unix nodes (see subsection D which
follows) and on Free-Nets (see subsection E). A good reference to Internet
services is the book by Gilster (described further in subsection D which
follows). To see a list of CFS resources available via Internet gopher,
ftp, telnet and WWW, get the CFS NET-HELP file mentioned above.

Access to Internet. There are many ways to reach the Internet, some very
expensive and others absolutely free. Many businesses, universities and
government offices give Internet access to their employees (usually
electronic mail). The commercial networks described above, and other
systems, include Internet access as part of their services. Most commercial
networks levy an additional charge for exchanging messages with the
Internet. Ask the network contact people listed in section 7-C about ways
to minimize these costs.

MCI-MAIL charges $35 (USA) per year and offers unlimited incoming Internet
e-mail at no extra charge. Thus this service is excellent for receiving
CFS-WIRE, CFS-NEWS and Catharsis magazine, and monitoring the CFS-L
discussion group. However, outgoing messages are expensive. For sign-up
information, in the USA call (800) 444-6245. For service outside of North
America call 1-202-833-8484 in Washington, DC or in the UK call
44-71-9281232 or in Germany call 49-89-4313071.

Free-nets give access to almost all Internet CFS resources by e-mail and
they are usually free. See subsection E which follows. Delphi and Holonet
provide full Internet access to North America. For information, call Delphi
at (800) 695-4005 and Holonet at 1-510-704-0160 (California). There are
also many local providers of Internet services. See the references in
subsection D below.

D. Usenet. The Usenet network provides thousands of electronic discussion
groups on many topics. Usenet discussion groups are called "newsgroups".
They are accessible on many BBSs, mainframe computers and increasingly on
the larger commercial networks. The "alt.med.cfs" newsgroup is linked to
the CFS-L Internet e-mail discussion group, i.e. the two share their
messages automatically. The CFS-NEWS newsletter appears on newsgroup
"bit.listserv.cfs.newsletter". Note that these newsgroup names may soon
change. For the latest information and advice, contact Roger Burns at
address CFS-NEWS@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU or post a message to any of the
newsgroups listed above. The CFS Newswire and Catharsis magazine will soon
be distributed on Usenet as well.

The system of Free-Nets gives access to Usenet. Although not every Free-Net
gives direct access, from any Free-Net it is possible to log into the
National Capital (Ottawa) or Buffalo Free-Nets which do provide newsgroups.
See subsection E below regarding Free-Nets. Many local BBSs and Internet
providers give access to Usenet.

There are many books available about the Internet, and several of them list
the hundred or so local providers of Internet and Usenet access. One such
book is "The Internet Navigator" by Paul Gilster. There are several
electronic files which list Internet providers. Filenames NIXPUB.SHT,
NIXPUB.LNG and PDIAL.TXT are available on the Project ENABLE BBS, tel.
1-304-759-0727, file area 23. America Online and CompuServe (subsection B
above) provide access to newsgroups, and other major commercial services
may also do so in the future.

E. Free-Nets are non-profit systems in various cities that offer free
access to Internet e-mail, Usenet newsgroups, and other services. (A few
systems charge a nominal fee.) With the given Internet and Usenet access,
users can reach any of the news, discussion and information services
described in sections 5, 7-C and 7-D above and in section 8-C which
follows.

Volunteers set up their own information sections on local Free-Nets. Those
who log into any one Free-Net can access all of the others. For example,
from any of the Free-Nets you can access the CFS/ME section on the National
Capital Free-Net (NCF) in Ottawa. Once inside NCF, enter the command GO
CFSEIR to get to the CFS/ME section. For the advice and assistance, contact
Sandy Shaw on the NCF Free-Net at Internet address
aa328@freenet.carleton.ca, or post a message for Sandy on the Fido CFS
"echo" (see section 7-A above). Current Free-Nets (FNs) now operating are
as follows:

    Name              Location      Dial-in      login info
 -------------     ------------  --------------  -----------
 Los Angeles FN  Los Angeles CA  1-818-776-5000  Select #2 at first menu
 Denver FN            Denver CO  1-303-270-4865  login: guest
 CapAccess        Washington DC  1-202-785-1523  login: guest
                                                 password: visitor
 SEFLIN FN    Broward County FL  1-305-765-4332  login: visitor
 Tallahassee FN  Tallahassee FL  1-904-488-5056  login: visitor
 Prairienet Champaign-Urbana IL  1-217-255-9000  login: visitor
 Heartland FN         Peoria IL  1-309-674-1100  login: bbguest
 UMASSK12            Amherst MA  1-413-572-5583  login: guest
 Great Lakes FN Battle Creek MI  1-616-969-4536  login: visitor
 Educ. Central  Mt. Pleasant MI  1-517-774-3790  login: visitor
 COIN               Columbia MO  1-314-884-7000  login: guest
 ORION           Springfield MO  1-417-864-6100  login: guest
 Big Sky Telegraph    Dillon MT  1-406-683-7680  login: bbs
 Buffalo FN          Buffalo NY  1-716-645-6128  login: freeport
 SENDIT                Fargo ND  1-701-237-3283  login: bbs
                                                 password: sendit2me
 Tri-State Online Cincinnati OH  1-513-579-1990  login: visitor
 Cleveland FN      Cleveland OH  1-216-368-3888  login: Select #2
                                                        at first menu
 Learning Village  Cleveland OH  1-216-247-6196  login: visitor
 Gtr Columbus FN    Columbus OH  1-614-292-7501  login: guest
 Dayton FN            Dayton OH  1-513-229-4373  login: visitor
 Lorain County FN     Elyria OH  1-216-366-9721  login: guest
 Youngstown FN    Youngstown OH  1-216-742-3072  login: visitor
 Medina County FN     Medina OH  1-216-723-6732
 Ocean State FN   Providence RI  1-401-831-4640
 Rio Grande FN       El Paso TX  1-915-775-5600  login: visitor
 Seattle Comm. Net.  Seattle WA  1-206-386-4140  login: visitor
 Tri-Cities FN    Tri-Cities WA  1-509-375-1111

 Vancouver FN      Vancouver BC  1-604-222-4723
 CIAO! FN              Trail BC  1-604-368-5764  login: guest
 Victoria FN        Victoria BC  1-604-595-2300  login: guest
 National Capital FN  Ottawa ON  1-613-780-3733
 Chubucto FN         Halifax NS  1-904-494-8006

 Finland FN         Helsinki FI  358-929292      login: visitor
 FN Erlangen-Nuernburg       DE  49-9131-85-8111 login: gast
 Citynet          Wellington NZ  write to Computer Services
                                 Wellington City Council
                                 P.O. Box 2199, Wellington, NZ

Many new Free-Nets are being developed. For the latest information on
available Free-Nets, dial into tel. 1-216-247-6196 (Ohio), login as
"visitor" and search for "NPTN" information.


8. Information files

There are information files available on most of the networks and on many
BBSs. They include medical articles, articles from previous editions of the
CFIDS Chronicle, documents from NIH, advice on coping, disability, Social
Security issues, etc.

A. BBSs.  Certain BBSs have special sections or are devoted entirely to
carrying many helpful information files on CFS/ME.  Note the following:

 Cross Lanes, West Virginia 1-304-759-0727
 Tucson, Arizona            1-602-790-7420
 Smithtown, New York        1-516-736-6810
 Los Angeles, California    1-213-766-1356
 Kansas City, Kansas        1-913-642-7907
 Ottawa, Illinois           1-815-433-6959
 Newport, Delaware          1-302-994-3772
 Irvine, California         1-714-856-7996
 Ottawa, Ontario CANADA     1-613-521-3690
 Fleet, BRITAIN             44-252-626233
 Apeldoorn, NETHERLANDS     31-55-337951
 Sydney, AUSTRALIA          61-2-673-3559

The CFS-NEWS Electronic Newsletter can be found on most of the BBSs shown
above. The CFS Newswire is carried by the CFS/ME/FMS BBS of Long Island
(New York, tel. 1-516-736-6810) and the Shrine of the Cybernetic Madonna
BBS (Los Angeles, tel. 1-213-766-1356). Back issues of the CFIDS Chronicle
can be found on the MEDBASE CFS BBS (Arizona, tel. 1-602-790-7420).
Publications of the (USA) National CFS & Fibromyalgia Association can be
found on the South of the River BBS (Kansas City, tel. 1-913-642-7907, file
group 2, area 26).

B. The commercial networks also carry many CFS information files, notably
America Online, CompuServe and GEnie. See the references to these file
sections in the network descriptions that appear in section 7-B above.

C. Internet has CFS/ME information files, available for retrieval by
e-mail. (For Internet access, see section 7-C above.) The CFS-FILE database
is the original source for electronic copies of the CFIDS Chronicle, the
HealthWatch Newsletter (published by the CFIDS Buyers Club), the newsletter
of the Canada ME/Fibromyalgia Action Network, and Catharsis magazine, in
addition to the many standard medical articles, advice on disability, etc.
To obtain a list of all available files, create an e-mail message which
says GET CFS-FILE FILELIST and send it to the Internet address
LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU. When you see files of interest, you can
retrieve them by sending commands of the form GET filename1 filename2 (each
file has a two-part name). For assistance, contact Molly Holzschlag at
address CFS-FILE@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU.

There is a separate base of CFS files at the Albany Listserv. This service
stores back issues of CFS-NEWS and has other files associated with the
Internet CFS-L discussion group. Send the message GET CFS-D FILELIST to
address LISTSERV%ALBNYDH2@ALBANY.EDU and then send commands in the form of
GET filename1 filename2, just as with the CFS-FILE database described
above. For assistance, contact Roger Burns at address
CFS-NEWS@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU.

         ========== FURTHER INFORMATION =============

9. Further information

More detailed information about CFS/ME resources can be found in the
CFS-RES.TXT file. The latest version of the CFS-RES.TXT file is always
available at the following places. On the Internet, send the command GET
CFS-RES TXT as an e-mail message to the address
LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU . The file has also been uploaded as
filename CFS-RES.TXT to the following:
  Project ENABLE BBS, tel. 1-304-759-0727, file area 23;
  GEnie network, Page 970, file area 11;
  CompuServe forum GOODHEALTH, Library 16, (filename CFSRES.TXT).

An electronic copy of this guide can be downloaded as filename CFS-NET.TXT
(or on CompuServe as CFSNET.TXT) at the same places shown above.

Further advice may also be sought from the CFS/ME Computer Networking
Project (see contact information in Section 2 above).


10. Credits and copyright notice

This guide is produced by the volunteer efforts of CFS patients. We
distribute it free of charge, but printing this guide does cost money.
Please send in a donation so that this work can continue. Checks can be
made payable to the CFS/ME Computer Networking Project and sent to our USA
address of P.O. Box 11347, Washington, DC 20008 or to the Canadian address
of 3332 McCarthy Road, P.O. Box 37045, Ottawa, Ontario K1V 0W0.

We'd like to give thanks to those who have distributed or promoted this
document and other information about CFS/ME computer networking. In
particular, we wish to recognize the M.E. Association of Canada, the CFIDS
Buyers Club, the CFIDS Association of America, and Matt Straznitskas for
the design and lay-out of this document.

Support groups and others have permission, and are encouraged, to reproduce
this document for re-distribution. Individuals may get single copies by
sending a stamped, self-addressed legal sized envelope to either of the
addresses above. Outside of the USA or Canada, please include an
International Reply Coupon which can be obtained at your post office.

Copyright (c) 1994 by The CFS/ME Computer Networking Project. Permission is
also granted to excerpt this document if the source, and the author (The
CFS/ME Computer Networking Project), are cited. Permission is also granted
to reproduce the entirety of this document unaltered. All trademarks, both
marked and not marked, are the property of their respective owners. Much of
the material above is derived from the CFS-RES.TXT file copyright (c) 1994
by Roger Burns and is reproduced here with permission.

             ----------------------------------------------------


================ From: CFS-L@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU ====================
                          

