Even Easier than AOL

Computer Life column for January 17, 1998 by
Richard Gordon

One of the annoying things about so-called experts is that we often disagree with each other.

For example, two weeks ago, Bill Hayden, a colleague at the News Journal, suggested that America OnLine is the easiest way for people to get on the Internet. I'd like to offer up an even easier alternative.

AOL certainly seems easy to use, and its software is as easy--or easier--to install than CompuServe's, Microsoft Network's, or software from other service providers. But AOL and most other providers require a complex device that over 75% of the population don't have: a computer.

If you want to get on the Internet with the least amount of hassle, consider purchasing a WebTV Classic or WebTV Plus system. These network computers come ready to connect to your phone and your TV--two things that the vast majority of households do have.

WebTV (www.webtv.com) has its limitations--the systems are not full-service computers. With Volkswagen re-introducing its Beetle this month, I immediately thought of WebTV. Like the original VW Bug, WebTV systems are designed as "basic Internet transportation." And just as you used to have to order things like a gearshift knob, sun-visor on the passenger's side, radio, and other things for your Bug that fancier cars had as standard features, so you have to make sure that your WebTV system has a keyboard and, if you want one, a printer adapter. Want to save things you find on the Web? Then you'll need to order the WebTV equivalent of air conditioning: WebTV Plus with a 1G disk drive. Wait a minute. The old VWs didn't even have air conditioning as an option, did they?

Just as my first car was a used, pale-blue VW bug, so WebTV systems make inexpensive first Internet systems. For under $300, you get everything you need to cruise the Web and send and receive e-mail. And WebTV's software supports many more of the file formats found on the Web than it did when I first mentioned them 10 months ago.

Another recent development is that you can get unlimited Net access via WebTV for $5/month less than you can with AOL. If you are willing to use MCI as your long-distance phone carrier, the charges for unlimited Net access drop from $19.95/month to $14.95/month.

The catch is that WebTV Classic systems, manufactured by Sony and Phillips/Magnavox, are sold out most places. For example, a salesman at the Bryn Mawr Stereo store on Kirkwood Highway told me that his store had 35 of the systems on backorder. Including a keyboard, so you can type e-mail instead of picking your letters one at a time with a TV remote control, the WebTV Classic system sells for $170-$230.

WebTV Plus systems, manufactured by Sony, Mitsubishi, and Phillips/Magnavox (selling for $200 to $290), are also in short supply. These systems include a hard drive for local storage of Web pages and e-mail, a keyboard, a printer adapter, an upgraded modem, and other features. Of the stores I called, only Bryn Mawr Stereo even had any on backorder. "Sony committed 65 to us 'by Christmas' that still haven't come in," a salesman told me. He estimates they will arrive in mid-February.

A customer service rep at WebTV Networks confirmed that "availability is a problem in some areas, particularly for the WebTV Plus systems." He also admitted that WebTV printer adapters work only with Canon BubbleJet printers and Hewlett Packard Deskjet printers--fine printers, but ones that have consistently rated below some of Epson's inkjet printers over the last year.

As prices for "Real Computers" continue to drop, I'll be interested to see if the market share for WebTV-like "Network Computers" continues to grow. Like the old VW bug, WebTV is far from perfect. But, hey, it's cheap, it's easy, and it works.

Still skeptical? Then let me remind you that, last year, Bill Gates thought highly enough of the concept he bought the whole WebTV company.

Copyright © 1998, The News Journal Company

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