Date: Fri, 5 Jun 92 04:48 EST
From: "Michael E. Marotta" <
[email protected]>
Subject: File 1--Detailed Summary of X-Press (Response to CuD 4.24)
In CUD #4.24, the transcript of Cisler's forum on Genie mentioned
X-Press. Here is a more detailed description of what X-Press is.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Excerpts from: "Connecting Your Computer to Cable TV
Doubles the Dimensions of Cyberspace"
by Michael E. Marotta
(originally published Aug 1991 by TELECOMPUTING, Albuq, NM)
X-PRESS Informations Services, Ltd., of Denver Colorado, makes it
possible for your home computer to receive and store news via cable
(or satellite) television. X-PRESS X-Change is their basic service;
they also sell an "executive" connection geared to businesses.
X-PRESS X-Change is a basic consumer information service provided by
cable television companies to personal computers. The service is a
constant stream of worldwide news, sports, and weather supplemented
with articles on lifestyle, shopping, and entertainment. Conferencing
with other users is also possible.
International news is the key feature of X-Change. In addition to the
Associated Press, there are nine other news feeds. Tass and Xinhua
send news in English from the USSR and China. English-language news
also comes from OPEC, Taiwan and Japan. NOTIMEX sends out news in
Spanish from Mexico. User can define up to 16 keywords for which the
computer will automatically scan. The results can be stored to disk
for later evaluation.
The service is generally compatible with IBM-PC, Apple // and
Macintosh, Atari and Amiga computers. It is most compatible with
IBM-PCs including the XT, AT and PC/2 lines. To run with an Apple //c
or //e, requires a super serial card. As you would expect, only the
Atari-ST series can be used and Amiga owners must have a 500, 1000 or
2000. This is a 16-bit service.
Also, there are some differences in the kinds of special features the
various kinds of personal computers will support. For example, all of
them will news and stock quotes and all can write news stories to disk
for future reference. However, only IBM, Atari and Amiga systems can
accept futures and options information.
To connect to X-Change, you buy an interface kit for $99.95. If your
cable television service already offers X-change there is no other
charge. Executive service costs $19.95 per month. The cost of the
modem is higher, also, $149.95. If your cable television provider
does not carry X-Change and doesn't want to, then you can use a
satellite dish. The signal comes from Galaxy-1 transponders 7 (WTBS)
and 18 (CNN) but you don't have to subscribe to these to use the
InfoCipher equipment. Via satellite the Executive service costs
$26.95 per month.
Both the Executive and basic products give you access to financial
information. For instance basic service includes the ability to track
128 symbols from 2000 securities. X-PRESS Executive provides quotes
on 30,000 securities. In addition, stocks, Treasury rates, CDs,
Broker Call Loans and foreign exchange rate, and selected metal prices
are also available. X-PRESS also provides software for tracking and
analyzing financial data. The output is compatible with Lotus 1-2-3.
Conferencing is also possible. X-PRESS clients can dial in via a
Tymnet 800 number. Users can read and post messages in several areas.
X-PRESS then selects messages to be posted on the television feeds.
The "Pen Pals" conference is popular with grade schoolers. High
school students benefit from a "Science and Technology" conference
that leans toward NASA activities. Thus, X-PRESS is basically a BBS
via cable television or satellite. Of necessity, the information flow
is generally one way, from X-PRESS to you.
Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253
