For Immediate Release. November 21, 1988 Westlake Village, CA Business Editors and Computer Writers SUMMIT Telecommunications today announced an on-line information network that provides customers with easy access to various services for communication, business, entertainment or research use. The SUMMIT network is available to anyone who has a personal computer (PC), modem and phone line. The system will be released nationwide in January, 1989. Services offered by SUMMIT include news, weather, sports, private electronic mail, real-time conferencing, multi-player games, reference materials, newsletters, celebrity interviews, travel guides and shopping services. Contracts have been signed with over 50 information providers and news sources such as USA Today and Business Wire. SUMMIT features a unique multi-tasking design that allows customers to run multiple information tasks simultaneously -- without incurring any additional charges. Tasks are controlled by the SUMMIT Communicator, a software program supplied free to members. The Communicator can display up to four windows, each of which can control any SUMMIT service. All choices and options are provided in easy-to-use menus, making it unnecessary to learn any computer programming or commands. According to Bryan Eggers, V.P. of Marketing, "One example of multi-tasking would be to monitor up-to-the-minute business news in one window while using a second window to compose and send electronic mail. In this scenario, the second taks would essentially be free because the multi-tasking is allowing more efficient use of the modem bandwidth. SUMMIT reduces the connect time required to complete a typical on-line session and this results in a cost savings for the customer." "SUMMIT is the first information network to design both the host computer system and the customer's PC software," said Eggers. "This gives SUMMIT a competetive edge because the proper integration of multi-tasking requires that it be included in the initial design phase, not as an afterthought. We designed the entire system to take full advantage of our multi-tasking concept." Forums (Special Interest Groups) provide an on-line gathering place for people with common interests. Each Forum includes a public bulletin board, conference room, software database, member directory, topic-related news, announcements, polls and surveys. Private services are available to companies, groups or organizations. SUMMIT's national network will be supplemented by local services to be marketed in select metropolitan areas. Each local service will be customized to the needs and interests of the community. SUMMIT charges $6 per hour during non-business hours (7pm to 6am) and $18 per hour during business hours (6am to 7pm). Hourly rates include 300, 1200 or 2400 baud access through Tymnet and Telenet lines. These lines make SUMMIT available as a local phone call to most U.S. cities and over 60 foreign countries. "Our aim at SUMMIT is to make computer communications more efficient, easier to use and more affordable," said Eggers. "Customers can now control a powerful, multi-tasking information network using a standard PC-compatible computer." SUMMIT Telecommunications, a privately held company, provides national and local information services. --30-- End of Press Release Pretty sharp huh? And pay CLOSE attention to that multi-tasking concept! This means you can download that program you want in one window, check the messages and compose your replies in another and you still have two more windows to spare! The concept is truly revolutionary for a huge on-line information service. And the software that takes care of all this is FREE! Take my word when I also tell you that this service is major league. The size and potential capacities of SUMMIT's systems surpass almost any similar operations. Yes, even the big names...combined! It's going to be incredible! And for you desktop publishers out there, SUMMIT will be bringing you a forum dedicated completely to your interests! A national one-stop gathering place for all of your desktop publishing ideas, comments, questions and, of course, the desktop publishing files you've come to love from NPE BBS systems across North America! The desktop publishing forum on SUMMIT will be hosted by myself, NPE founder Ed Aborn, and Ron LaFon, West Coast Editor of the NPE Monthly and NPE regional coordinator. We'll be bringing you up-to-the-minute desktop publishing info from both coasts. We'll even be bringing you some of the latest news and trends before they happen! We want to let electronic communication live up to its potential--and that is to be an instant barometer of events. No need to wait for that paper or magazine to come out. You'll know often before they will! Anyway, just wanted to get the word out and invite everyone to stop in at SUMMIT upon it's opening in January. Keep your eyes posted for more info as we get it on signing up, tours, test drives etc. Don't forget to tell your friends and associates! Thanks and have fun!