Virtual reality in cyber space

The proliferation of jargon like cyber space, information superhighway, website, HTML, may raise the hackles of many but the only way to beat techno-freaks is to join them 8212; by getting an education in computers and the internet. But that is usually too theoretical, time consuming, and expensive. And the alternative 8212; setting up your own system 8212; can cost anything upwards of Rs 50,000. Also, given the rate at which computer technology is advancing, you can be sure of being straddled with a museum piece within just a few years. The better alternative would be to hitch on to a deal where someone else worries about the costs and you do your own thing 8212; at a price you can afford. Cyber Club is one such place. Established at a cost of more than Rs 5 lakh per centre, the cosy air-conditioned club offers you the option of spending an hour or two of surfing on the internet with experts standing by to help you iron out gray areas. There is a catch to it though 8212; the hour could end up becoming half a day, as you won8217;t know where to stop.

The club is for entertainment, business and job-hunting. quot;Some people come here looking for business tie-ups, to tap new markets or find a job, even to send resumes abroad. Others come just for chatting, sending E-mail, look at movies or matrimonial stuff,quot; says Raj Lalchandani, the founder of the Cyber Club. For example, students interested in joining colleges abroad can take a virtual trip of campuses and check details, even the layout of the hostel room, before applying. The possibilities are endless. After all, the Internet is packed with all kinds of information from tips on exchanging your quot;earthly containersquot; for a free ride on a spaceship trailing a comet, to information on science, medicine and education. All this and you don8217;t need to budge from your seat.

In addition to giving you access to the Net, the club will also help you set up your Webpage or Website. The reach and the costs of advertising in cyber space are highly attractive. quot;For Rs one lakh, you can put up a website for a year, with a lot more information and 80 million people as potential customers,quot; adds Lalchandani. They have set up centres in Dadar and Dhobi Talao, with more coming up at Santacruz, Thane and Navi Mumbai. The members can use the roving8217; option they can avail of the facilities from any centre, irrespective of where they have been registered. And for the uninitiated, the club offers special one-on-one classes on the basics of computers, operating systems and browsers, for an additional Rs 150 per topic. They can also use the CD-ROM, books and printing facilities at nominal charges. The annual membership is Rs 750 with Rs 75 for every half hour of computer usage. Members are free to access any site. quot;Free access to any and every piece of information is the whole point behind the Internet.

Censorship does not work here,quot; says Lalchandani. Though for members below 18, a consent form has to be signed by the parents. But for the computer initiated with the necessary hardware and software, plus an Internet account, they can become members of another club 8212; the Space Club spaceclub.com. quot;It is not an actual club. It is a virtual club and exists in cyber space,quot; says Subhendu Sen, its director. The club was established in February 1997, and offers free membership. If offers links to Indian and international newspapers and magazines. Also you can order books, music and software through the site. A part of the proceeds go for charity. Sen will also set up a webpage for you, and offers you a virtual-server for your own site. You can also send E-mails, digital greeting cards and flowers over the Net, hold online chats and forums with other members. Or go job hunting, make cyber friends and whatever else you can think of, without leaving your home.The configuration required to browse on the Internet:

1 A computer, preferably with multimedia sound cards, speakers, mic, etc

2 An external modem or an internal modem card

3 Windows 3.1 or a higher operating system

4 Browser software Netscape, Internet Explorer, etc

5 A Shell or TCP/IP Internet account from a service provider VSNL

Note: A shell account allows you to access only text files, whereas TCP/IP allows access to text and graphics. To get an account, fill up the application form available from the VSNL office. Enclose a cheque or DD for the appropriate amount. For a shell account, the registration is Rs 50 and annual charges/500 hours whichever comes earlier is Rs 5,000. For students it costs Rs 500. For TCP/IP account, the charges are Rs 15,000 per year/500 hours. Students do not get a discount for this. Processing takes 10 to 15 days and VSNL will inform you as to when you can start using the service.

Net Gains

1 What is Yahoo?

a Shammi Kapoor b Search Engine c When you top the class

2 What is WWW?

a World Wide Web b Women Wrestler8217;s World c Work With Wimps

3 What is E-mail?

a Electronic mail b Express mail c Erotic mail

4 What is Online chat?

a Telephone conversation from a PCO b Chatting at a bus stop queue c Chatting through computers

5 What is a Website?

a Where a spider builds a web b The fishing nets erected at sea c An internet address

6 What is surfing?

a Tagging behind a speed-boat b Exploring the Internet c Playing with detergent powder

7 Who is an Internet Service Provider?

a The organisation that provides access to the Internet b Consultants who fix fishing nets c A fly trapped in a spider8217;s web

8 Who are cyber-cops?

a Robotic cops b People who monitor the Internet c Extra-terrestrial cops

9 What is Hacking?

a Cutting a tree b Unauthorised entry into a computer c Doing what Jack the Ripper does

10 What are hits?

a Road accidents b The sixes and fours in a cricket match c No of people who access your websitee