GTE's new PC-Pursuit Service -- 08/26/85 ---------------------------------------- Though not yet available in this area, I thought I would pass along a note describing the new service from GTE which allows nearly UNLIMITED long distance data calling for a flat fee every month. As this service branches out to more cities, it could become a *VERY* inexpensive alternative to standard LD services for your data communications calls. This service also cuts down drastically on the usual long distance noise experienced. This information was uploaded to the TBBS SYSOP support board by a user in the Houston area. . INFORMATION ON PC-PURSUIT: New User Information For just $25 a month, you can establish an unlimited number of connections to free telephone-accessible databases, bulletin boards and other communicating PCs in 12 major metropolitan areas. The PC PURSUIT service can save you up to 75 percent over long-distance telephone charges for your home PC. It's the first cost-effective alternative for home PC users who have been using standard public telephone services to make long-distance connections. With PC PURSUIT, you can explore a wealth of free resources and even discover more uses for your PC. In any of the locations accessible to PC Pursuit, you have the ability to: * Call and send real-time information to other communicating PCs. * Access public bulletin boards to exchange messages. (GTE Telenet is not associated with these bulletin boards or their services.) * Access free databases for information that can be entertaining and educational. * Download/upload public domain software. * Shop and advertise in electronic catalogs. . How to Use PC PURSUIT After you are a registered user, you must do the following to use PC PURSUIT: a) Use your modem to call the local PC PURSUIT access number. b) Request the city and destination phone number you wish dialed. c) Hang-up and then receive your call-back. d) Await the connection and out-dial; then proceed just as if you had dialed the destination phone number yourself. Example: You live in Houston and have an area code and phone number of (713) 123-4567, and you wish to call a bulletin board in San Francisco in the 415 area code at 765-4321. a) Dial the Houston access number of 227-5742 to reach PC PURSUIT. b) When request session begins, answer the questions as in this example: --Welcome to Telenet PC Pursuit --Enter your 7-digit phone number (XXX-XXXX): 123-4567 --Which city do you wish to call? SAN FRAN --Enter the phone number you wish to call: 765-4321 --You are #( ) in the queue. Do you want to wait, or restart? --(Y/N/R)? Y c) When you key in the N(o) to the last question, your call will be disconnected. If you key in a Y(es), you will see the following: --Your request is being processed. --Please hang up and wait for your call-back. Good bye! At this point, you should set your modem and/or PC software to the AUTO ANSWER mode. d) In about 20 seconds, you will receive a call-back from PC PURSUIT. You will see the following banners: --This is your call-back. Please stand by ... --Please wait for 3-step call completion. 1) Network request submitted 2) Network connection complete. Placing request call 3) Connection complete **** e) You now are connected to your requested destination city and and phone number. If you've accessed a public bulletin board, most require that you enter two carriage returns or a Ctrl-C. f) To disconnect from the PC PURSUIT service, just disconnect by hanging up from your communication software, modem and/or PC. g) Customer Service - If you have any difficulty using PC PURSUIT, call Telenet Customer Service at (800)336-0437. PC PURSUIT Cities: Atlanta Boston Chicago Dallas Denver Detroit Houston Los Angeles New York Philadelphia San Francisco Washington DC Local Access Number in Houston: (713) 227-5742 Equipment Requirement --------------------- . To use PC PURSUIT, all you need are -- - a telephone line - an auto-answer modem - 300 or 1200 bps - a terminal or a PC with asynchronous communications software Parameters: ----------- Communication parameters for your hardware should be set-up consistent with the PC or BBS or host computer you wish to dial. We recommend you use the parameters given below, although several other parameter settings also work fine on PC PURSUIT: . Data Bits: 7 . Stop Bit: 1 . Parity: Space . Duplex: Full . End of Line: Carriage Return Only Service Hours and Billing The PC PURSUIT service is provided from 6 pm to 7 am Monday through Friday and on weekends from 6 pm Friday to 7 am Monday (local time). The more you use the service, the more cost efficient it becomes! A PC PURSUIT subscription includes a one-time registration fee of just $25. Then, you pay a flat monthly fee of $25 for virtually unlimited use of the service. Each connection can last 60 minutes. You are billed monthly through your VISA or MasterCard account. . Call GTE Telenet at 1-800-336-0437 for information.