For anyone with a modem and phone line, The Microsoft Network offers access at any time to the rapidly expanding world of electronic information and communication. With The Microsoft Network, users can conduct business transactions, communicate with individuals and organizations around the world, and find out information on subjects they're interested in — all from the Windows 95 desktop.
The following are benefits of signing up and using The Microsoft Network.
Minimal setup requirements.
A connection to The Microsoft Network is built into Windows 95. If users already have a modem and phone line, all they have to do is install The Microsoft Network during or after Setup, and click The icon on the desktop to connect to The Microsoft Network and become a member. After setting up an account, users can connect to The Microsoft Network by clicking its icon.
Familiar user interface.
With a user interface consistent with Windows 95 and a navigational tool similar to the Windows Explorer, users will find it easy to navigate services in The Microsoft Network. Users can create Windows 95 shortcuts to specific areas within The Microsoft Network and store those shortcuts on the desktop or any other folder in My Computer. Actions such as downloading files are as simple as using drag and drop to copy the files. And users can open Microsoft Exchange within The Microsoft Network to send and receive mail.
Multitasking.
The Microsoft Network takes advantage of the multitasking and multithreaded design in Windows 95 so that several different tasks in The Microsoft Network can run at the same time. For example, while a file is downloading, users can browse, read electronic mail, participate in a chat room, or do anything else on The Microsoft Network.
Worldwide access.
Local dial-up access is available to The Microsoft Network in over 40 countries, and The Microsoft Network application will be available in many different languages. In the United States, nearly 100 percent of users can access a network Point of Presence (POP) server; outside of the United States, between 60 percent and 100 percent of users will have access by a local phone call, depending on the country.
In the release with Windows 95, The Microsoft Network offers the following features.
Electronic mail.
With Microsoft Exchange, users can send and receive electronic mail to and from other members of The Microsoft Network, or anyone with an electronic mailbox on the Internet.
Bulletin boards.
The Microsoft Network provides bulletin boards where users can join in-depth discussions on a variety of topics, including hardware or software from computer companies.
Chat rooms.
By participating in chat sessions, users can converse in real time with other members of The Microsoft Network by sending and receiving messages. After users find a chat room with a discussion that interests them, they can observe the conversation or send a comment for other members to see immediately.
File libraries.
The Microsoft Network allows users to easily connect to file libraries to download graphics, software, product support information, and articles.
The Internet.
With Microsoft Exchange, users can send mail to other people on the Internet, and post and reply to messages in Internet newsgroups in the same way as users would on other bulletin boards.
Users can also obtain an Internet account with The Microsoft Network by obtaining Microsoft Plus!. The Internet Signup wizard in Microsoft Plus! guides Windows 95 users through the process of obtaining an Internet account, which provides the following Internet features:
Microsoft product information.
The Microsoft Network provides users with the latest technical and support information in the following forums:
Information services.
Information services that provide news, sports, stock and weather reports, product and product support information, and special-interest group information are accessible from The Microsoft Network.
Independent content providers (ICP)
By becoming an ICP on The Microsoft Network, a company can sell products and services in a worldwide electronic marketplace that is accessible from the Windows 95 desktop.