CompuServe Launches New Software Upgrade of CompuServe 2000; CompuServe Momentum as Online Value Leader Grows With Upgrade and Continued Success of Revolutionary Rebate Program.Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 4, 2001 Online Value Leader Becomes Even More Convenient Way to Communicate With Friends and Family, Enjoy Multimedia Content, and Take Advantage of E-Commerce Opportunities CompuServe, the value leader in Internet access See how to access the Internet. , and a wholly-owned subsidiary of America Online See AOL. , Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :AOL (A division of Time Warner, Inc., New York, NY, www.aol.com) The world's largest online information service with access to the Internet, e-mail, chat rooms and a variety of databases and services. ), today released the newest version of its affordable and convenient online service, CompuServe 2000. The latest software upgrade makes CompuServe even more valuable than before with powerful new features that improve the most popular online activities and allow mainstream consumers to take advantage of exciting new online multimedia content. Essential features such as e-mail and instant messaging Exchanging text messages in real time between two or more people logged into a particular instant messaging (IM) service. Instant messaging is more interactive than e-mail because messages are sent immediately, whereas e-mail messages can be queued up in a mail server for seconds or have been upgraded, and new tools have been introduced to make online shopping even more convenient. The launch of the latest version of the service adds to CompuServe's continuing momentum as the value element of AOL's multi-brand strategy. CompuServe's consumer electronics Rebate Program -- currently underway at partner retailers Circuit City, Office Depot Office Depot (NYSE: ODP) is one of the world's leading suppliers of office products and services. The Company's selection of brand name office supplies includes business machines, computers, computer software and office furniture, while its business services encompass copying, and Sears as well as PC manufacturers HP, IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) , eMachines and Gateway -- has added more than 1.5 million new members to the service in the year-and-one-half since its inception, driving the brand to a leading position in the highly competitive online value market. CompuServe currently offers consumers who purchase computers or other electronic equipment from participating retailers a $400 rebate upon signing a three-year service agreement with CompuServe for the CompuServe 2000 Premier service, priced at $21.95 per month for unlimited use. As Internet use becomes increasingly central to consumers' lives, CompuServe's newest version introduces a number of features designed to help CompuServe 2000 and CompuServe 2000 Premier members manage their daily activities, including: -- Enhanced e-mail, making the most popular online activity more convenient with a sortable mailbox and automatic address completion feature, and new support for HTML, which enables members to read and send graphically enhanced mail and documents to anyone on the Internet; -- A built-in media player, which launches seamlessly, so that members can enjoy the full range of rich audio and video content available on the World Wide Web. CompuServe also offers CompuServe Radio powered by Spinner.com, introduced earlier this Fall, which offers 17 channels of popular music; -- A streamlined look and feel that makes it easier to connect to the most popular features and content on the CompuServe service. Design enhancements highlight the most commonly-used features on a new Toolbar for faster access, making the Main Menu more personal and relevant, and providing easier access to the CompuServe Search tool; -- Improvements to CompuServe's Buddy List(R) feature that make it easier to customize and organize, helping to make instant messaging an even more enjoyable and convenient way to communicate; -- The CompuServe "Shopping Assistant," which appears automatically onscreen when members visit merchant partners' sites, provides valuable information - including customer satisfaction reviews - to help members make informed decisions. Coming soon, CompuServe's "Shopping Assistant" will debut an innovative new price comparison tool that will also help value-conscious members find the best price on the Internet on their particular item; -- Improved Address Book and "My Calendar" features that can be accessed from multiple locations including both home and work. CompuServe 2000's new version also allows members to print out their Address Book in an easily readable format; -- Expanded "My Places" section with more options available to personalize the CompuServe Main Menu. Audrey Weil, General Manager of CompuServe, said: "CompuServe's commitment is to win the loyalty of mainstream consumers who are seeking the best value online. So we listen carefully to members' feedback when designing new software upgrades to fit the way they live their everyday lives. Our members have asked for easier, more powerful e-mail, a multimedia player to seamlessly play music and videos, and more shopping options, and we have delivered. CompuServe 2000's newest version is an even better value than it's ever been before." System Requirements To be used efficiently, all computer software needs certain hardware components or other software resources to be present on a computer system. These pre-requisites are known as (computer) system requirements and are often used as a guideline as opposed to an absolute rule. for CompuServe 2000's newest software version are: Minimum system requirements for Windows 95, 98, or Windows Millennium Edition See Windows ME. (operating system) Windows Millennium Edition - (Windows ME) An update of Microsoft Windows 98, released in 2000. ME included updates of packaged software and new software such as Windows Media Player 7, Windows Movie Maker. : -- Pentium-class processor -- 16 megabytes of RAM minimum -- Hard drive free space required for install: Windows 95 - 130 MB Windows 98/ME - 113 MB -- VGA (Video Graphics Array) The display standard for the PC. All PC display adapters support VGA, and Windows machines boot up in "VGA mode" before switching to higher resolutions. , SVGA (Super VGA) A screen resolution of 800x600 pixels. Third-party vendors extended IBM's VGA display standard and were the first to use the term. SVGA has also referred to 1,024x768 resolutions. See PC display modes. or better display -- 640x480, 256 colors or better screen (optimized for 800x600) -- 14.4 Kbps or faster modem or other means of connecting to the Internet -- Internet Explorer Microsoft's Web browser, which comes with Windows starting with Windows 98. Commonly called "IE," versions for Mac and Unix are also available. Internet Explorer is the most widely used Web browser on the market. It has also been the browser engine in AOL's Internet access software. version 5.0 or better. (230 MB of free space required if IE 5.5 is installed) Minimum system requirements for Windows 2000: -- Pentium-class processor -- Remote Access Services (communications) Remote Access Services - (RAS) A service provided by Windows NT which allows most of the services which would be available on a network to be accessed over a modem link. (RAS (1) See network access server. (2) (Remote Access Service) A Windows NT/2000 Server feature that allows remote users access to the network from their Windows laptops or desktops via modem. See RRAS and network access server. ) Installed -- 64 MB (megabytes) of memory RAM, or more -- Hard drive free space required for install: 108 MB -- VGA, SVGA or better display -- 640x480, 256 colors or better screen (optimized for 800x600) -- 14.4 Kbps or faster modem or other means of connecting to the Internet -- Internet Explorer version 5.0 or better (178 MB of free space required if IE 5.5 is installed) Availability Members can get CompuServe 2000's newest version by either visiting Keyword: Upgrade to download the new software or by calling 800/848-8199. Consumers can also download the new software upgrade at www.CompuServe.com. About CompuServe CompuServe, the Internet value leader and a wholly owned subsidiary Wholly Owned Subsidiary A subsidiary whose parent company owns 100% of its common stock. Notes: In other words, the parent company owns the company outright and there are no minority owners. of America Online, Inc. (NYSE:AOL), provides access for more than 2.8 million worldwide members at home, in the workplace and around the globe. Members enjoy features such as a customizable main menu with local news and personalized per·son·al·ize tr.v. per·son·al·ized, per·son·al·iz·ing, per·son·al·iz·es 1. To take (a general remark or characterization) in a personal manner. 2. To attribute human or personal qualities to; personify. stock portfolios with real time quotes, email, internet search, instant messaging, a wide variety of online shopping options, and Member Values, a regularly updated list of incredible savings and values exclusively for members. CompuServe is currently offering rebates on computers and consumer electronics at partner retailers including Circuit City, Office Depot and Sears. For more information about CompuServe, consumers can visit: www.CompuServe.com. |
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