The Online World - Odd de Presno (top 10 non fiction books of all time TXT) 📗

would be appreciated. Thanx. -- Steve

My script found the search word "T2000" in the subject line's text (Sb: #T2000SX Recharger), and subsequently selected the message.

Once per month, the same system "scans the horizon" to give me an idea of what is going on. This is done by requesting a list of subjects being discussed. Here is part of one such list: 29555: DOS 5 Upgrade 6 replies 29540: TDOS Upgrade questions 3 replies 29585: Toshiba DOS 5.0 ships! 1 reply 29586: DOS 5.0 Upgrade Solution 29580: ToshibaDOS=bad business 8 replies 29581: DOS 5 / Stacker 1 reply

Reading the list, allows me to see if new and interesting topics are up for discussion. If I use Stacker and want contact with other users, I can request message number 29581 and the subsequent reply (1 reply). That should give me some email addresses.

| Several advanced communication programs and offline readers |

| have built-in quick scan features. For example, TAPCIS does |

| this just fine in CompuServe forums. |

| |

| When retrieving conference messages from bulletin boards using |

| 1stReader at high speed, like 9600 bps or above, then the cost |

| of downloading all new items may be insignificant. Therefore, |

| you might just as well do it. |

| |

| Later, when reading the captured mail, 1stReader lets you |

| select messages to read from a list of subjects. You can save |

| what you want to keep, and delete the rest. |

By regular scanning subject headers you reduce the risk of missing important trends, for example because authors were using other terms on the subject line than expected.

Scanning also lets us discover if the discussion is heading off in other, interesting directions. After a while, you'll have a set of sources, persons, and tools that will provide you with what you need. This is your personal infrastructure of electronic information. Now, you must maintain and cultivate it.

Store incoming information

Chances are that you will retrieve more information than you can read. Sometimes it takes weeks for me to get up to date with my own readings.

If you visit several online services, consider storing the data in files with different names. Use part of the file name to show the source of this information. If visiting a service regularly, consider using the date as part of the file names. This will make it easier to select, read and search them in a useful sequence.

| Example: Say you're regularly visiting TWICS in Tokyo. What you |

| download on November 10, you may store in a file named |

| |

| TW1110.TMP |

| |

| My scripts do this automatically. On some services, they also |

| split retrieved data into URGENT and MAY BE READ LATER files. |

| Private mail from TWICS is stored in NB1110.TMP. By storing |

| private mail separately, it is easier to see if somebody wants |

| a quick reply. |

All file names in this example have the extension .TMP (temporary). This signifies that these files are unread.

When I read them, and select parts for permanent storage on my hard disk, I use different names. Often, I use the year, or a month/year code in the file name extension. For example, the file DIALOG.93 contains information from DIALOG collected during 1993.

Postprocessing the data

The data capture is completed, and the retrieved data is stored on the hard disk in more or several files. Your next task is to

* Read the received texts, * Cut and paste selected parts to archive or work files, * Prepare responses to your electronic mail. This may include quoting part of the incoming messages in your replies. * Finally, delete all temporary files.

Many advanced programs have these features built in. If not, you may use your favorite word processor, or something else. There are many alternatives.

LIST is my favorite MS-DOS shareware file viewer program. It can be downloaded from most bulletin boards. Using LIST, it is difficult to destroy your precious retrieved data while reading, cutting and pasting.

| MORE ABOUT LIST: |

| Assume that all input data is stored in the disk catalog C:IN |

| and that you're using the file name convention suggested above. |

| Type LIST and press Enter. A list of file names will appear on |

| your screen. Press S to sort the list, and then D to have them |

| sorted by creation date. The newest files are at the bottom of |

| the list. |

| Move the cursor (using the Arrow keys) to the input file |

| that you want to read and press Enter. Scroll up and down in the|

| file by pressing the PgUp/PgDn or the arrow keys. |

| Let's assume that you are reading TW1110.TMP right now. |

| On your screen is a piece of information that you want to |

| keep for future reference. Mark the text with ALT-M commands |

| (keep the ALT key pressed down, while pressing M), and then |

| ALT-D. LIST will ask you for a file name. You enter TWICS.93, |

| and the text is appended to what is already there. |

| This method allows you quickly to mark and append parts |

| of your input file to various archive files. Press ESC to |

| return to the file list when through, then press D. LIST asks |

| if you really want to delete the file. Press Y, and TW1110.TMP |

| is gone. |

| LIST lets you find information stored in your archives |

| (string search). What you find can be marked and copied to a |

| work file. It can also be set to invoke an editor or a word |

| processor for the selected file. |

Reuse of data on your hard disk

Over time your personal archives will grow in size. You begin to experience the benefits of having all this information on your hard disk.

Yesterday's news is today's history, and may be used in many interesting ways. One business executive regularly monitors key technologies, customers, competitors, and suppliers. He does it by tapping sources like KOMPASS, Associated Press, and Reuters. Interesting bits of information are regularly stored on his disk. Tomorrow, there is an important meeting with a major customer. First, a quick search through the personal customer database to be