The Internet is basically a world-wide network of computers. The amount of free resources available on it is incredible. I believe that the Internet can offer people who are restricted with CFS access to extra information services and companionship which they may not be able to get from the 'real world'.

How do I get access?
You need a computer, a modem connected to any phone line, and an account set up with a 'service provider' company. Prices and services offered by service providers vary enormously, so look around. You may also have access if you are at university. I would also suggest you buy the book Internet Starters Kit for PC (or for Macintosh) for $50, which comes with starter software and instructions.

Whatís available on the Internet?
E-Mail (Electronic Mail)
E-Mail allows you to send and receive electronic mail to and from other people directly. You can also subscribe to free electronic newsletters, such as CFS-News which provides up-to-date CFS related news items about once a month for you to read on your screen or save to your computer.

To subscribe to CFS-News using your e-mail program, follow these instructions.
Type the following in the e-mail address section: LISTSERV@LIST.NIH.GOV
Then type this in the message section (leave the subject blank):
SUB CFS-NEWS <your first name> <your last name> but donít include the brackets. Then send the e-mail. You will soon receive a 'welcome to CFS-News' e-mail reply if your subscription got through. The Society also has a pamphlet explaining this in more detail; see 'News Items' in this Emerge.

UseNet (Newsgroups)
This part of the Internet is made up of topic specific 'newsgroups' where people leave and reply to public messages which anyone can read. The CFS group is called alt.med.cfs. If you leave questions here, you will probably get an answer in a day or so. Keep an eye out here for messages posted regularly (by group moderator Roger Burns) which contain instructions for accessing archived CFS files and subscribing to CFS-News.

World Wide Web (WWW)
Access requires a fast modem. The WWW combines text, high resolution graphics and sound to present every topic of information you could imagine. You simply type in a WWW address and you are taken to that site. You can then read and explore what is there and easily move on to other sites linked to it.

Some WWW sites offering general CFS information and lists of other CFS related sites include:
http://metro.turnpike.net/C/cfs-news/
also try
http://www.astro.uva.nl/fluks/me.html

IRC (Internet Relay Chat)
Here, you are able to join into real-time conversions with people from around the world on different 'channels' (think of them as rooms) which have different topics. In Australia, log onto chicago.il.us.undernet.org (server port 6667) and join the #cfs channel to talk with other CFS sufferers, or join the #friendly channel to have a general chat. IRC is great fun and can lift your spirits because you can go to a support group made up of several people, chat for a while and leave when you get tired, all without getting out of bed! IRC can offer very ill people a vital link to other sufferers from around the world. I have found the CFS channel to be very friendly. Around lunchtime (Australian time) each day is the best period to find others on the channel. The 'Pacific Conference' time has been designated as being 12 noon on Saturday morning when you are sure to find the site busy.

In conclusion, there can be a lot to learn, but if you take it slowly, learning one function at a time, you shouldnít find it too difficult. If you have the equipment and can afford the start-up costs, you may find this link to the exciting world of Internet very rewarding. When you are up and running, send me a 'hello' by e-mail. My e-mail address is: quantum44@bigpond.com, or catch me on IRC!

Reprinted from Emerge, September 1995.