Dear Club WebTV Members,

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hundreds of terrific responses, suggestions, and applause we received from Club WebTV members about the premier issue of Club WebTV. Thanks to every one of you who took the time to write us. We greatly appreciate your efforts and your loyalty!

This month's Serendipity column is chock full of fun and educational web site addresses submitted by members, and Customer Corner contains many of your thoughtful comments and suggestions. Speakeasy and WebTV Tips contain more hints on enjoying the Internet and using your terminal effectively, while The Inside Scoop will inform you of the latest news at WebTV Networks.

We have two new columns this month, Founders' Forum, written by WebTV Networks founder Phil Goldman, and The Playground, by our new Club WebTV writer, Joey Clark. In the first new column, Phil discusses the history of the Internet, and shares some of the tricks he uses with his own WebTV Internet terminal. In the second new article, Joey reviews some of the best places to go for entertainment on the Net, including music, game, and chat sites.

On a serious note, we know that many of you have questions and concerns regarding the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOC) petition to the FCC. This petition would force Internet Service Providers (ISP's) to pay RBOC per-minute access charges for using their local lines. Of course, the possibility of increased costs to access the Internet concerns us all. The petition was denied, but the RBOC are expected to appeal the FCC's decision. To learn more about this important issue, please go to FCC 96-488: Access Charge Reform & Information Service/Internet Access Provider use of the PSTN.

And speaking of ISP's, WebTV Networks is proud to report that we have more local access numbers than any other on-line service in the country, and we're adding more all the time. Even so, there are still areas of the country that are not yet covered. If a phone number appears on your screen, along with the message, "This may be a toll call. Do you wish to continue?" when you connect, chances are that you will be charged long distance fees by your phone company. Check with your phone company or look in your phone book to find out the exact charges. Remember, you are responsible for any long distance charges. Ask your phone company about calling plans and discount rates that may be available.

As always, we invite your comments about, and submissions to, Club WebTV. Please remember, however, to address questions about how to use WebTV, or any problems, to WeCare@webtv.net, so that you receive our best efforts to assist you.

The Club WebTV Editors