CANADIAN MUSICIAN ONLINE - September/October 1998

America Online Update - September 1998

Every few weeks, I get a disk in the mail from America Online and they usually get tossed. I have been a member of Compuserve and AOL off and on since 1982 but I generally do not recommend any of the Online services for Internet access because of the cost. The offer said 100 free hours so I thought, what the heck. The installation was a snap. It came on one diskette and after entering personal information, including a credit card, it dials an 800 number and prompts you to choose a local access number. It then reconnects and you are online. Any additional components or updates that you need including their web browser, are downloaded automatically as required. Navigation once online is very friendly and you have the choice of several subject-specific Channels or search capabilities.
There are two main reasons to have an America Online account, possibly in addition to your regular account with a local provider:
(1) The quality and organization of the content is superior to most websites out there since it is a paid service.
There are extensive areas on business, travel, computers and software including The Mac Software Centre which is a bonanza for Mac users.
There are also areas focused on music and audio. For example, Digidesign has its own area with a message board, software and information on all of their products. The PC Music and Sound Forum includes extensive MIDI resources, downloads and information on MIDI products.
(2) If you travel a lot with your notebook, you can use AOL for your local access. They provide local access in 1500 cities in over 100 countries. Your local provider can't do that. You can at least receive and send mail but night and day surfing will cost you big bucks.
So next time you get an AOL disk in the mail, give it a try for the trial period or download the software at http://www.aol.com. You might find it great online resource. There must be reason why millions of users have made it the largest single group on the Internet.

Resources

Steinberg North America has moved their website to http://www.us.steinberg.net. Featured are sections on their whole range of products as well a complete dealer list.
Check out MusicStaff.com for listings of over 4500 music teachers. Teachers can submit a listing as well. The site is only U.S. in contents but they will be adding Canadian teachers in the future. Visit MusicStaff.com
Canada Country is a directory of Canadian country artists and canadian and international music industry resources. If you are a country artist with a web site, you can add your listing to the site. Drop by at http://www3.sympatico.ca/hock/canadacountry.htm
If you are looking for a photographer to do promo shots, try the Global Photographers Search at http://www.photographers.com/default.asp. The site lists over 7,000 photographers and you can search by city and key word to find photographers who specialize in music in your area.
If you are attending LDI in Phoenix this year, visit their website at http://www.etecnyc.net/ldihome.htm. You will find information on exhibitors, workshops and special events and you can register online.
If you have access to a browser, but not to e-mail, one answer is Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. For instance, I am writing this column at Kinko's in Nashville and their machines do not have Internet e-mail capabilities and I need to get the file to our office. Enter Hotmail. For free, you can set up an e-mail account where you can send and retrieve mail from your browser and keep a personal address book. You can even set up 4 POP mail accounts so that you can read your e-mail at home or the office. It receives your POP mail instantly and in a format that is superior to most e-mail programs. Try it out.
Norris-Whitney Communications operates The Music & Audio Connection, the international on-line resource for music enthusiasts, musicians, music and audio professionals. Included are classified ads, products for sale, company showcases, discussion forums, associations, music education, music & audio resources, career information and file libraries. Updates to the site are available by e-mail or on The Pointcast Network Visit at musicandaudio.com. For more information, e-mail to [email protected], Fax (905) 641-1648 or call (905) 641-3471.