You don't need to know what the specifications mean, but you do need to find out what they am for the other computer (also called the remote computer). If the other computer is an information service, it's easy. The information is spelled out in the documentation that comes when you subscribe to the service. If it's another personal computer, how you send the information depends on the configuration of the other computer's modem port or modem interface card. Read "Changing Printer/Modem Port Settings" in Appendix A for information on how the Apple IIGS modem port is set up to receive information and for an explanation of what the various specifications mean.

There are two kinds of information services: general-purpose services, like the Dow Jones News/Retrieval Service^® , The Source^SM, CompuServe^®, Dialog^®, and GEnie^®; and specialized services for lawyers, journalists, stock brokers, doctors, and others.

General-purpose information services let you check the latest news, sports, weather, and movie reviews; exchange messages and mail with other subscribers; make airline reservations; and download (have the service send you) uncopyrighted software.

Services like Dialog give you access to vast libraries of books and articles. You pick the data base you want to access, type a few keywords, and the service searches for all the articles that contain your keywords. It's a fast, efficient way to do research.

If you're interested in one of these information services, ask your authorized Apple dealer how you can get a subscription. Your dealer can tell you how to get your user ID, your password, and the local phone number of the service that interests you.

Communications

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