"c|net central"
TRANSCRIPT
- EPISODE 27 -

Original air date: 9/30/95

HOSTS: RICHARD HART and GINA ST. JOHN


VOICE-OVER: Rock and roll online.  And a potential life-saving 
breakthrough on the Internet.     

RICHARD:  Hi, I'm Richard Hart.  Those stories plus the latest news 
and reviews to keep you up-to-date in the digital world.  All when 
we continue on "c|net central." 

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GINA:  Welcome to "c|net central."  I'm Gina St. John.  The Internet 
explosion has attracted millions of people from around the world 
looking for fun, education, and profit. But the Internet means much 
more than that to those who are suffering from life-threatening 
diseases.  Kate Kelly tells us that not only are they getting help from 
doctors from around the world, they're finding strength in each 
other.

KATE KELLY  Every morning Sharon Multhauf sits in front of her Mac 
and spends a couple of hours visiting with her online friends.  
They're members of an online list server--kind of special chat room-
-and they share a powerful bond.

SHARON MULTHAUF:  I always thought this idea of having friends in 
cyberspace was a little bit flaky, but maybe it's the nature of the 
people I've met or maybe it's my own need. Maybe it's the 
seriousness of the subject, but this is different from what I expected.  
I had my primary breast cancer in 1987.  I had a lumpectomy, and I 
had six months of chemotherapy. And I had radiation treatment, and 
I had a very nice eight years of learning to do a lot of things that I 
hadn't done before and enjoying it. Then last year, I had a recurrence 
in the same breast--which required a mastectomy--and I also found 
that I have metastasis spread of the cancer to two of my bones.

KATE:  Always a believer that knowledge can overcome fear, Sharon 
dove into research about metastatic cancer.  Eventually, that search 
took her into the Internet.

SHARON:  What I do when I get to a Web page is I click on 
everything.

KATE:  What she found surprised her.  There were breast cancer 
organizations, educational sites, links to support foundations...even 
the latest cancer research, and that's where she found the 
Community Breast Health Project and people like Dr. Ellen Mahoney.

DR. ELLEN MAHONEY (COMMUNITY BREAST HEALTH PROJECT):  
There's the world of the sick and the world of the well. And when 
you cross into the world of the sick, you can feel very lonely.

KATE:  Dr. Mahoney and the organizers of the Community Breast 
Health Project quickly recognized the potential of the Internet.

ELLEN:  It's natural to think it's the cancer that's making you feel 
that sick, and actually it's the treatment.

KATE:  They use Internet camera software like C-U-See Me to 
conduct videoconferences, and their Web site offers a vast 
assortment of support resources and links to other cancer sites. 

ELLEN:  Even if we could stop it today, there are a million women in 
the United States who have the beginnings of breast cancer.  It can't 
be prevented in that sense.  I would like to see every woman who is 
given this diagnosis or a diagnosis of any cancer have the ability to 
get this type of information--down to the nuts and bolts.

KATE:  But for Sharon Multhauf the Internet is less about information 
and more about communication.

SHARON:  One of the things that this kind of communication does is to 
remove us from that mode where we're looked upon as victims.  
Because a victim doesn't have power, and I don't think there's one 
person on this mailing list or in any of my support groups who will 
tolerate being called a cancer victim.

KATE:  Breast cancer is just one of dozens of medical topics that you 
can research on the Internet or through a subscriber service. Now, 
with the help of a good directory or a search engine, you can get the 
answer to literally thousands of medical questions.

Just about every disease has a Web site--from AIDS and Alzheimer's 
to Fragile X Syndrome.  There are medical glossaries and 
encyclopedias--complete with vivid graphics and photographs.  
There's even a man called the Visible Human who lives completely in 
cyberspace.  He was a convict executed in Colorado who donated his 
body to science. The data collected from the dissection of his body 
has created a whole genre of Internet medical science.  Hospitals use 
the Internet to showcase their particular expertise, and alternative 
medicine sites are starting to appear.  There are physician directories 
and even a page dedicated to helping you find the right doctor in 
your area.

Remember, these great resources aren't supposed to be a 
replacement for a doctor's visit.  But for many people like Sharon 
Multhauf, the Internet can be an important source of information, 
support, and even hope.

GINA:  In addition to the medical resources on the Net, there's an 
incredible variety of software on the market.  You can find 
everything from interactive medical encyclopedias to health and 
fitness programs.  Richard?

RICHARD:  Screensavers were developed originally to save your 
monitor from burning, but now they've become a form of self-
expression.  You've got your "Seinfeld" saver, "Star Trek," 
screensavers that never look the same twice, and many of them are 
free from commercial online services or the Internet.  So, we went 
around and asked the staffers here at c|net to show us what they 
have on their screens.

MALE1:  On my screen:  Barney, you know, the purple dinosaur.  

FEMALE1:  My screensaver is called Performance, pretty self-
explanatory. 

MALE2:  I don't believe in screensavers.  They're pretty pictures for 
idiots.  

MALE3:  I have roaches and flies right now. I thought it was bugs, 
like Bugs Bunny, but it's bugs.  I realized it's actually insects.

MALE4:  I don't have a screensaver.  I'm waiting for the c|net 
screensaver.

MALE5:  Well, this is my screensaver, and it's actually a copy of a 
tattoo I have on my body. 

MALE6:  Here we have Bill Gates and he's washing windows.

RICHARD:  You know, a really quick and convenient way to find the 
coolest screensavers is through c|net online's virtual software library.  
You type in the word "screensavers" and the virtual software library 
searches the Internet for screensavers that you can download into 
your own computer.  Gina?

GINA:  When "c|net central" continues: are you ready for some 
football?  John  C. Dvorak is, and how to rock and roll on the Internet.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

RICHARD:  Now, here's a look at the latest news of the digital world.  
"Star Trek"- and "Entertainment Tonight"-related content is coming 
to the Microsoft Network in January 1996, according to an 
announcement this week from the Paramount Television Group and 
Microsoft.  The companies also say the services might include 3D 
navigable spaces.  

Apple Computer has resumed shipping its PowerBook 5300 portable 
computer, but without the troublesome lithium ion battery that 
overheated and caught fire when used by Apple employees.  Fifty-
three hundred models will now feature a nickel metal hydride 
battery instead.  And Apple reportedly wants IBM to halt 
development of OS/2 for the Macintosh and instead support Apple's 
Mac operating system software.  With the IBM/Apple PowerPC 
alliance in disarray, this push by Apple officials is seen as an effort 
to strengthen the partnership.

GINA;  Thanks, Richard.  I am here with the guru of all gurus, John C. 
Dvorak.

JOHN C. DVORAK:  The guru meister.

GINA:  I'll learn your title better.  He's the one who's going to tell you 
what's great and what's not so great when it comes to multimedia 
publishing.

JOHN C. DVORAK:  That's right. And we've got some good titles this 
week again.

GINA:  Three of them.  This one is "75 Seasons: The History of the 
NFL."  

JOHN C. DVORAK:  Yeah, "75 Seasons."  It's like a spice rack.  Actually, 
quite a good disc.  "75 Seasons:  The History of the NFL" is an 
exploration of America's favorite game, including records, timelines, 
and interviews with players and coaches.

VOICE-OVER AL DAVIS:  We have always operated under a different 
philosophy.

JOHN C. DVORAK:  Great.  Al Davis. We've seen enough of him.  Let's 
check out Super Bowl III. The key players, game stats, and videos 
hosted by Pat Somerall.

VOICE-OVER PAT SOMERALL:  The game was Super Bowl III.  The 
Jets were given little chance against mighty Baltimore.

JOHN C. DVORAK:  This CD-ROM is very much like a football 
documentary starting quite logically from the beginning.

VOICE-OVER: The first real superstar of the NFL was Red Grane.

JOHN C. DVORAK:  And watch out for the interface.  Sometimes it's as 
difficult to navigate as it to get a decent hot dog at the stadium.  "75 
Seasons:  The History of the NFL" CD-ROM sells for $34.95 and is 
available on the PC and Mac.  I gave it a Try It.

GINA:  OK.

JOHN C. DVORAK:  I think some people like yourself who hate football 
won't want this disc, but a lot of fans out there will. You know, it's 
something to do those few days of the week when you can't watch 
football.

GINA:  Darn.  Now what about this one? This is "Julia Child."  It's 
called "Home Cooking With Master Chefs."  My question is:  home 
cooking and master chefs.  I don't tend to think they blend.

JOHN C. DVORAK:  This disc is for gourmet home cooking.

VOICE-OVER JULIA CHILD:  Hello.  This is Julia Child.  Welcome to 
"Home Cooking With Master Chefs."

JOHN C. DVORAK:  You start with a guided tour in Julia Child's kitchen.  
You can explore more than 100 recipes from 16 of the world's master 
chefs.  Humm.  Avocado relish from Robert Del Grande sounds good.  
Check this out.  His job was as an ice cream scooper.  Who cares.  
There are videos and surprisingly enough, some of them are actually 
helpful. Removing bones from a salmon with pliers.  Now that's 
clever.

VOICE-OVER:  Once you get used to this, it's pretty easy.

JOHN C. DVORAK:  You can make your own personal notes to any 
recipe and add ingredients from your shopping list.  "Julia Child: 
Home Cooking With Master Chefs" sells for $40.00 and is available on 
the PC.  I give it a Try It.

GINA:  OK.

JOHN C. DVORAK:  It's only got 100 recipes, but they're original 
recipes.  They're all cool and they're done by master chefs and 
they're all--these guys are hot stuff.

GINA:  You certainly know your food. I've got to trust you on this 
one.

JOHN C. DVORAK:  I'm sure you don't.  You better get a copy of this.

GINA:  OK.  This one I was kind of nervous about.  It's ABC News 
Interactive and the title is called "Earthquake."  Now, I've lived 
through a 6.8 so I...

JOHN C. DVORAK:  Me a 7.0 here.  If you want to keep people from 
moving to California, get them a copy of this CD-ROM.  "Earthquake" 
details major earthquakes worldwide, from the 780 B.C. quake in 
China to the 1994 quake in Northridge.  Ted Koppel is the host.  

VOICE-OVER:  Welcome to an interactive ABC News program.

JOHN C. DVORAK:  I guess his contract with ABC includes multimedia.  
Each earthquake is documented with an interactive text containing 
links to maps, graphs, and video clips.  A complete photographic 
archive lets you relive the death and destruction.  Once was enough 
for me. I commute on that bridge.  "Earthquake" sells for $45.00 and 
is available on the PC and Mac.  I gave this a Skip It.  You know, it's a 
lot of old video clips they put together.  It's not really that great.  
You're better off spending your money on an earthquake 
preparedness kit.  I'm going to give this the final toss.  I've got a new 
idea here.

GINA:  Oh.

JOHN C. DVORAK:  We're going to put some of this gel (Edge) on the 
disc and I think you get more distance.

GINA:  Oh no.  Well, John, I can see what you thought of this 
particular title.

JOHN C. DVORAK:  Yeah.

GINA:  You had some great reviews this week, though.  Thank you so 
much.

JOHN C. DVORAK:  We'll see you next week.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

GINA:  A member of our c|net online community, emailed us a story 
idea about independent bands who send their music and videos over 
the Internet.  Well, when we started surfing, we found these indie 
bands doing a lot more than just sharing music online. We even hung 
out with one band that booked an entire European tour, not using 
some high-priced agent or record company.  They used the Internet.

You may have thought the term garage band was just an expression, 
but to indie up-and-comer Baby Snufkin, it's a way of life.

MALE6:  Sleeping in back of cars... 

MALE7:...and the girls.  They were lining up.  

GINA:  They've opened for traditional favorites like Chris Isaac and 
Counting Crows, but that's about all that's really traditional about this 
band.

MALE6:  He's going to email our email to somebody's email. 

MALE7:  We could do that on the Internet?  Found that out today. 
What isn't possible?

GINA: We caught up with the Snufkin members the day before they 
left for a two-month American and European tour.  

SCROTE (BABY SNUFKIN):  We'll be landing in Amsterdam like we did 
last year.  Then we'll go to Hamburg and Berlin and Prague and 
Vienna.  We just booked Berlin this week on the Net.  We met the 
person on the last tour and then through a couple of faxes, found out 
they had email.  We had email and so we started emailing back to set 
up this trip.

GINA:  Baby Snufkin is just one of a growing number of independent 
bands who say going on the road begins with going online.

MALE6:  For us at this level, the most important thing is the money 
we're saving, and the ease that we can communicate all of our 
information to the different clubs.  

GINA:  Instead of spending time and money mailing out demo tapes, 
info packets, and press releases, indie bands are using online sites 
like these to reach a whole new audience. Sometimes they're even 
acting as their own record company.  Baby Snufkin operates its own 
record company and then distributes their music rights over the Net.  
How?  With their own Web site, a different site on the Internet 
Underground Music Archive, and links to their home page created by 
people who just like their music.  

VOICE-OVER PETER GABRIEL:  Hi, I'm Peter Gabriel.  Welcome to the 
real world.

GINA:  But it isn't just indie bands that are using cutting-edge 
technology to expand musical horizons.

VOICE-OVER:  Let me take you on a little journey.

GINA:  Peter Gabriel is hard at work on a new CD-ROM called "E."  
Following the success of his "Explorer" CD-ROM that allowed users to 
remix hit songs and even try out exotic musical instruments--all 
from a home computer.  On the Web, industry heavyweights like 
Warner Bros. are marketing their top stars.  Even the self-appointed 
king of pop is taking his musical message online.

VOICE-OVER MICHAEL JACKSON:  Hi, this is Michael Jackson.  Time 
tells the story of history.  Each moment is somehow a living memory 
of what is and what has been...

GINA:  The only catch is, you have to figure out what the message 
means.  And while the Internet may help bands like Baby Snufkin, it 
also raises some questions.  Like, if you can hear your favorite band 
and it's just as close as your home computer, what's the fate of your 
local record store?

MIKE DAVIS (MANAGER, VIRGIN MEGASTORE):  I really don't think 
it's going to affect your local music store as much as people think...

GINA:  Mike Davis is the manager of the largest record store in the 
country, the Virgin Megastore in San Francisco.  He says the Internet 
may actually help record sales.

MIKE:  Particularly with the younger customer, people more 
interested in emerging technologies. It could affect them in the same 
way a television or radio advertisement for a music product would 
effect them.

GINA:  The allure of the music industry, with the adoring fans and 
the glamorous locations, will always be a part of our collective 
cultural psyche, and whether that music reaches us through a phone 
line or our fingertips isn't as important as long as it gets through.

To find the best music sites on the Internet, go to c|net online.  And 
remember, this story originally came from a viewer suggestion, so if 
you have great story ideas, email us at letters@cnet.com.  

RICHARD:  The explosion of the World Wide Web has brought us 
hundreds of new music-related sites in the last year alone.  Now, 
Dave Ross is not sure that's all good news, and he gets "the last 
word."

DAVE ROSS:  Isn't that amazing?  Now you can not only order tickets 
by computer, but actually ATTEND a rock concert by computer.  Well, 
you know the technical term for people who attend a rock concert by 
computer...

(HOLDS UP CARD)

Wimps!  Or, if you're a girl...

(FLIPS CARD)

Wimpettes.

I WENT to Saugerties.  I was AT Woodstock '94.  And I've still got the 
muddy shoes to prove it!  Try to download THIS on your multimedia 
audio system.  

(PLOPS MUDDY SHOES ON DESK)

And you know what happened when I tried to get to the Sani-cans 
on Saturday afternoon right after it rained for the third time?  I fell 
flat on my toukas,  THAT'S what happened.  And I still have the 
jeans to prove it. 

(PULLS OUT MUDDY JEANS)

And you're gonna tap in a few keystrokes, stare at a screen, and call 
it "going to a concert"?  I don't think so!

You call that interactive? Trying to walk up a muddy hill to a Sani-
can is what I call INTERACTIVE.  Having to pitch your tent next to six 
bodybuilders smokin' funny tobacco is what I call INTERACTIVE.

You have to FEEL a rock concert, people.  In your bones.  In your 
nostrils.  Soaking right through your underwear.  THIS? 

(POINTS TO COMPUTER SCREEN)

I can get more excitement than this watching a half-dozen cherry 
tomatoes in the microwave.  Now THAT'S a show.

I'm Dave Ross.  And I get "the last word."

GINA: Don't forget that for every story you see here on "c|net 
central," there's much more online.  For instance at c|net online you 
can find out how to cruise the Web in style.  We'll show you the best 
Web browsers and how to get the most out of them.

RICHARD:  Not only the current crop of browsers, but we take a peek 
into the future, showing you such features as interactive 3D and 
seamless animation.

GINA:  And don't forget everything at c|net online is free.  That's all 
for "c|net central" this week.  Thanks for tuning in and logging on!
