MICRO HINTS Downloading

Not only do microcomputers enhance productivity and efficiency in the workplace by the implementation of many applications — wordprocessing, information management, spreadsheet, calculations and financial models, graphics and so on, but they can now be used as a tool to tap the almost unlimited information available on the major online services. All that is needed are a few accessories to enable access to the hosts; thereafter, the user can adopt two routes: ‘downloading’ information on to a floppy or hard disk for personal manipulation of the data, or ‘uploading’ which enables quicker transfer of messages/requests/ orders, fast delivery of search results via electronic mail, data transfer to mainframe/minicomputer database or private file service which may offer fuller facilities such as major analytical processing.