Chapter 3: Online Help & the Members
`
`67
`
`On the other hand, in the little Oregon town where I live, there are
`no strangers. People stop on the street and say hello, swap some gossip
`and perhaps offer advice.
`America Online is more like my little Oregon community. I spent
`years on other services and never felt like I belonged. I never got mail, I
`never contributed to a message board, and I never knew where to find
`help. It was like a big city to me and I was always anxious to leave. At
`AOL I'm walking the street in a small town on a sunny day and every-
`one is smiling. The first day I arrived at AOL, I got a letter from Steve
`Case. People like Kathy4648 go out of their way to offer assistance. This
`is my kind of place. I'm at home here.
`
`Guides
`
`Guides are members chosen by AOL to serve as real-time assistants.
`Guides are like Members Helping Members, except there’s no waiting.
`Have a question? Ask a Guide.
`I recall an art gallery in Amsterdam. There were a number of
`Rembrandts there, hanging on the Wall just like any other picture. No
`glass cases or protective Lexan—just those radiant Rembrandts, eman-
`cipated and free. A gentleman in uniform stood near. He wasn't a
`guard; the uniform wasn't that severe. He was a guide. He was a
`volunteer. He got to spend his days in a room full of the Rembrandts he
`loved and at the same time share his interest with other people. He
`explained the Rembrandts to us in a fatherly way, exhibiting a
`proprietorial regard for his fellow countryman’s legacy.
`Which is precisely what AOL's Guides are. They're members just
`like the rest of us—experienced members, with particularly helpful
`online personalities—but members all the same. They remain politely
`in the background, leaving us to our own explorations, silent unless
`spoken to. If we need help, however, Guides are always nearby, ready
`with friendly advice and information. If you have a question—any
`question at a]l—about AOL, its services or its policies, ask a Guide.
`Like the guide in Amsterdam, you can identify Guides by their
`appearance: their screen names have the word "Guide" in them. If
`Figure 3—9’s I(athy4648 was to be a Guide (she should be), she would
`probably be "Guide Kathy,” or something like that.
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`062
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 62
`
`062
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 62
`
`

`
`68
`
` The Official AOL Tour Guide
`
`Figure 3-11: A stop
`by the Lobby for
`some help from
`Guide MO.
`
`:;::getting out ostrich feather :::;
`:
`: Nonononononoill
`::::TICKLE, TICKLE:::::
`::gigq1ing::
`.
`: Hey Cantonili
`: Hi MD!
`: Hiya Nytenaire :l
`: Hiya MO Ll
`
`:1
`
`.Maire1£l1 {}[}{}{}{}{} These 3;-eh g
`. {({i[{CDunt}}}}}}}} **
`N¥t9 (1{}l}{}{}{}{}ll{}{}{]ii[l
`i {livixliil
`: How are you Nyte?
`: Getting crazy, and you? ;}
`: Pretty good Nyte :1
`anybody know of a utility to convert EDIE to TIFF?
`Let us check the librazias for you. T :} I alums nan Photonhnp
`: <——trying to type while holding ice pack on face.
`:}
`A
`: ACK Rate. what happened?
`: Kate :( Dentist??
`- Is the ice pack inside or outside the paper bag?
`: Lthr, had 3 hours of oral and sinus surgery yesterday.
`They say I should be able to eat again next Friday.
`Alhanw would probably be thn converter to use, Hnjuxiun...
`: Ouch! Kateli lllllililillllll
`:
`awww Kate.
`* to make it hetter.....
`:}
`: <——needs to go to dentist for Rates new diet
`in 2 days‘ “
`. Viz. works real well... lost just under five pounds
`: Perfect ...that would put me just where I want
`to be, Kate :}
`Ilnjaxmcm — I In sorry - I don't. use what. you need ofilhnnd,
`
`though 1 know in mist-. mum is ham :4! <(—— Chagrin
`1'11 aback later nnfl Email you, it that’: any help.
`Tlunlgs Guide. Appreciate it. I have an Plus. cuau-. run pnotomaop,
`ok - I just wrote a note to mrlult -
`“
`
`Figure 3-11 is a little hard to follow if you're not used to AOL's so-
`called ”chat rooms.” Though chat rooms are discussed in Chapter 12
`("People Connection”), a little explanation seems in order here as Well.
`Twenty-one people were in the room when I visited. Many were just
`watching (lurkers), but others seemed to be old friends. The room was
`full of ”smi1eys” (turn your head counterclockwise 90 degrees and :)
`becomes a smile) and hugs. Smileys are discussed in Chapter 13,
`"Clubs 3:: Interests,” and Chapter 20, ”Ten Best." The entire illustration
`is a "chat log" (see your File menu for the Logging command).
`Chat rooms can be intimidating to the first-time visitor. Don't be shy.
`Jump right in with a Hello, look for the Guide’s name, and ask your
`question. More important, note that I received one immediate answer
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`.
`_ 063
`_
`Pet1t1oner M1crosoftCorporat1on, EX. 1007, p. 63
`
`063
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 63
`
`

`
`Chapter 3; Online Help a the Members
`
`69
`
`to my question (from GWRepSteve, a member) and another the next
`day from Guide MO. I got just what I needed (Alchemy worked per-
`fectly, and it’s available online), and it only took 10 minutes.
`Guides are on duty from 9 A.M. until 6 A.M. (Eastern time), 7 days a
`week, 365 days a year. To find a Guide, choose Lobby from the Go To
`menu, type Command—L, or select the People Connection icon from the
`Departments screen. If you need a Guide quickly, use the keyword:
`GuidePager.
`
`All of this talk about Guides and Members Helping Members might
`give you the impression that members play a significant part in the
`operation of AOL, and you’re right. Members are much more than
`AOL’s source of income: they’re contributors (most of the files in the
`data libraries discussed in Chapter 5, ”Computing,” are submitted by
`members), they're assistants, and, of course, they are the heart of the
`online community.
`Since members play such an important role at AOL, it behooves us
`to spend a few pages discussing them: how to find them, the member
`profile and how to be a better member yourself.
`
`The Member Directory
`America Onljne offers you the opportunity to post a voluntary member
`profile. Though I’ll talk about profiles in a moment, the operative term
`m the previous sentence is “voluntary.” America Online values the
`individual’s privacy, and if you wish to remain secluded in the online
`community, you may do so. Those members who have completed a
`profile are listed in the Member Directory.
`You can search for a member by real name, screen name or profile.
`You might see a screen name online and wonder who is behind it:
`Search the directory. You might wonder if a friend is signed up with
`AOL: Search the directory.
`One of the more interesting things you can do with the directory is
`to search for people with interests similar to yours. Once you've found
`them, you can send them mail (I discuss electronic mail in Chapter 4)
`and, perhaps, strike up a friendship. It's all part of the electronic
`community.
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`064
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 64
`
`064
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 64
`
`

`
`70
`
` The Official AOL Tour Guide
`
`I, for instance, enjoy the beauty of my state. I live just 13 miles from
`the Mount Hood National Forest, where hundreds of square miles of
`virgin forest, lakes, trails and meadows await the explorer. Thinking I
`might find someone to share my interest, I search the Member Direc-
`tory for members in my locality by using Oregon as my criterion
`(Figure 3-12).
`
`Figure 3-12: Much
`to my delight, 956
`other Oregonians
`have posted their
`profiles. I'll send
`them some mail
`
`and see if they
`want to explore
`the forest
`
`someday.
`
`1~I:=Int:erflir'ea:lr.Jrg
`all
`Send Instant Message
`SEE
`set 1: Members Profile
`Locate a Member Ilnline as;
`
`Personal Ehnlces
`
`Ed” -3- r-eute an iiodlfg ‘four
`Delete ?our Pro§"
`fllaplag Your PP-
`
`Member Director
`'7' H1 11;] for, then click Search. For example.
`Tgpa wards ttmtdescribevllat you a —
`, cs." Illicit H31}: 8. Info for moreinatructions.
`'b1kinuands\.rimn1irLg"or “I-lull
`
`a 29:: gov know FT t~‘Lea.
`br'-u.
`SIZEITT H . FHTTEfiSl]H
`Katherine, H?L5
`FIIIN EUEHHHH
`NIKE
`Henry Flbe I
`Elan I-leber
`
`Kl I.tenll]22
`HIJY GEHIEIU
`i1|KE|5B
`Hankgstuh
`i]F1REfiF|H
`
`Actually, Figure 3-12 is misleading. My search for "Oregon” omitted
`those members who used the state’s two—character abbreviation (“OR”)
`in their profiles. It also didn't include those members who have elected
`to omit their profiles. My guess is that there are thousands of AOL
`members from Oregon, many more than pictured in Figure 3-12.
`To access the Members Directory, choose Members Directory from the
`Members menu, then double-click Search the Members Directory option.
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`.
`_ 065
`_
`Pet1t1oner M1crosoftCorporat1on, EX. 1007, p. 65
`
`065
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 65
`
`

`
`Chapter 3: Online Help & the Members
`
`71
`
`Member Profiles
`
`As I mentioned a moment ago, member profiles are optional. If you
`elect not to complete a profile, your name won’t show up in searches
`like the one described above.
`If that's your preference, you cut yourself out of a number of oppor-
`tunities to become involved in the online community. If you elect to
`post a profile (or if you’re already posted a profile and want to edit it),
`AOL provides a couple of ways for you to do so.
`Look again at the menu pictured in Figure 3-12. Note that one of the
`options listed there is "Edit Your Dnline Profile.” While this is one way
`to get the job done, a better way is to go through Member Services.
`You've got to be signed on in either case, but Member Services is free
`and choosing Edit Your Onljne Profile from the Members menu is not.
`Moreover, the Member Services route offers a few options that aren’t
`available from the Members menu. You can also use the keyword:
`Profile. Both routes pass through the free curtain.
`Once you choose either one of these methods, you’ll see the window
`pictured at the bottom of Figure 3-3. Note the button labeled Accounts
`8: Billing. Click it and follow the path identified in Figure 3-13.
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`066
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 66
`
`066
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 66
`
`

`
`72
`
` The Official AOL Tour Guide
`
`Figure 3-1 3: You
`can access your
`member profile by
`using the keyword:
`Profile; by
`
`choosing Edit Your
`Online Profile from
`the Members
`
`menu; or by using
`Member Services
`
`(keyword: Help).
`
`Hember Services
`
`tlnlina Help:
`
`I-larnbt-rs‘
`Unlho Support
`
`Hlrnbirs Hlnlp
`Hemln-rs
`
`Aul. Twlirricai
`Suppnfl BBS
`
`ADL Fm-:Li.i:
`'34;-uric:
`
`-a»- floclt fg mmaznddrasa lfr-not Ion
`-9- flocllfg Billing Information
`Teoh -9- Explain Bl I
`I Ing Tor-in
`" Eur-r-enl.
`lionI.h'a Bl I
`I ing 51IrrIrI1I:Ir-9
`-¢- Requsal. Betuil Bllllng |nl'o
`-9- Change Your Personal Poaolor-cl
`-9- Crautelfialete a Screen Home
`:---._-.|';
`---‘It-:--"'|l::--j
`'.-|
`'..'-'.I.-
`ll-_=*".r.-I
`-9- Est
`linemen: lo Elllln uaallni-is
`4* Cancel
`‘four He:
`
`.
`
`.2-,.;..' 3.
`.
`0- Creotofflodlfg lfour l1arnl:er- Profile
`-3 Delete Your Number Pu-ofl In
`-3- Elisplo i'our-
`lienber FI‘Dfl|e
`
`Keyword: l'-‘rufi II-.
`
`The profile inquiry consists of four screens, each with a few questions
`about you. Take your time answering these (it’s free, after all), and soon
`you’ll have a profile as sterling and poetic as mine (Figure 3~14).
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`.
`_ 067
`_
`Pet1t1oner M1crosoftCorporat1on, EX. 1007, p. 67
`
`067
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 67
`
`

`
`Figure 3-14.-
`MajorTom’s profile
`
`reveals all of my
`secrets.
`
`Screen Name:
`Hember Home:
`Location:
`Blrthdate:
`Sex:
`Marital Status:
`
`HajorTom
`Tflh LICHTY
`
`BHESHRH, UH USH
`'D5flBf14
`Hale
`Married
`
`336/33 clone, Nae Plus
`Computers:
`Home/Family, Literature, Nuelc, Truuel, flnline
`Hobbies:
`communities, Hotorcgcles
`Uccupation:
`Writer
`
`Quote:
`
`Deadlines mean alwags having to sag you're sorrg.
`
`,3
`
`Moving On
`We've come a long way since the heavy—metal band took the stage at
`the beginning of this chapter. I hope your journey has been confidence-
`buflcling for you. America Onljne offers more help—and more kinds of
`help—than any software I've known. It's onljne, it’s off-line, it’s Jay
`Levitt and the Customer Relations Department, its Members Helping
`Members, and it's Guides. Everyone at AOL—mernbers included-
`helps someone else sooner or later. That’s comforting. Not only is AOL
`a community, it's a considerate community, where no one remains a
`stranger for long.
`And noW’s the time to become a member of that community. The
`best way to do that is to send electronic mail to someone. Mail is the
`heart of the AOL community, and we’ll explore it thoroughly in the
`next chapter.
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`068
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 68
`
`068
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 68
`
`

`
` The Official AOL Tour Guide
`
`Faceboqk |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`.
`‘ 069
`_
`Pet1t1oner M1crosoftCorporat1on, Ex. 1007, p. 69 _
`
`069
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 69
`
`

`
`People
`
`Connection
`
`PetapleConnec-
`
`tion is the real-time headquarters of AOL. This is not the home of
`message boards and e-mail: communication here is as immediate as a
`telephone conversation. Unlike telephone conversations, however, with
`People Connection any number of people can be involved. There's
`never a long-distance toll to pay, and half the people you talk to are
`strangers—but never for long.
`People Connection is the heart of the AOL community. It is here you
`make the enduring friendships that keep you coming back, day after
`day. Here, in a "diner,” you can order a short stack and a cup of coffee,
`and talk over the weekend ahead. You can also sip a brew in a "pub”
`after a long day on the job. There are "events” here as well, where you
`can interview eminent guests and hobnob with luminaries.
`Doesn't that sound like a community to you? This isn’t couch-potato
`entertainment, this is interactive telecommunication—where imagina-
`tion and participation are contagious and the concept of community
`reaches its most eloquent expression.
`It sure beats reruns.
`
`Proving that AOLers do exist in real life, a photo of seven members at the Las Vegas
`AOL gathering in January 1994. Top row {L to R): Trevayne, Nealnjanet (2 people).
`Bottom row (L to R): WaterLily, CaNurse, Vrroorn, Kunphuzed.
`This photo {along with thousands of others) appears in the Gallery, a feature of
`People Connection. To get to People Connection, click the People Connection button
`in the Main Menu window.
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`.
`_ 070
`_
`Pet1t1oner M1crosoft Corporation, EX. 1007, p. 70
`
`070
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 70
`
`

`
` The Official AOL Tour Guide
`
`The Lobby
`Unlike the other deparlments we've explored, a visit to People Connec-
`tion requires first passing through the ’’Lobby.’’ The Lobby is one of
`AOL's so-called chat rooms, where real people communicate in real
`time. No messages are left here. There are no files to download.
`America On.li.ne’s Lobby is similar to the lobby of a hotel: it’s an area
`people pass through, often on their way to some other destination.
`Every so often, people bump into an acquaintance, or just sit there a
`moment to rest.
`
`Entering the Lobby
`To begin our People Connection adventure, choose People Connection
`from the Department screen, choose Lobby from the Go To menu, use
`the keyword Lobby, or press Command-L. No matter which method
`you use, you will soon find yourself in the Lobby (see Figure 12-1).
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`_
`_ 071
`_
`Pet1t1oner M1crosoftCorporat1on, Ex. 1007, p. 71
`
`071
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 71
`
`

`
`Figure 12-1: The
`Lobby screen
`seems ernptyjust
`after I enter.
`
`5-
`
`.
`-
`
`Note that the chat room window pictured in Figure 12-1 says that
`you are in Lobby B. When I entered the Lobby, AOL routed me to
`I Lobby B. This happens whenever traffic on the system is heavy. When
`the main Lobby reaches capacity (rooms are considered filled when
`they contain 23 members), AOL places people i.n the secondary lobby-
`Lobby A. It too must have filled by the time I arrived, so I got placed in
`Lobby B. Note that it was also approaching capacity, so new arrivals
`were about to be routed into yet another lobby. This isn't uncommon.
`There are often a dozen or more lobbies in operation at any one time.
`America Online will run out of letters i.n the alphabet if this keeps up.
`People in a room can see when others enter it by watching the text at
`the top of the window following the word ‘'’Hi." Since mine is the first
`name on the list, I was the most recent arrival. Departing members’
`names appear after the word ”Bye." I just got here; no one has left since
`I arrived.
`I
`
`Finally, note that there is no text in the main (conversation) portion
`of the window other than the announcement telling me where I am.
`The only true conversation appearing here occurs after my arrival, and
`I have just walked in the door. That situation changes the moment I
`speak (see Figure 12-2).
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`.
`_ 072
`.
`Pet1t1oner M1crosoftCorporat1on, Ex. 1007, p. 72
`
`072
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 72
`
`

`
`
`
`_
`
`Figure 12-52: No
`matter how shy
`you're feeling, say
`hello when you
`
`enter a room.
`
`Look again at Figure 12-2. This lobby is active today. People are
`rushing through it with hardly a pause. By the time I've said hello, in a
`matter of seconds, three more people have arrived and six have left.
`America On]ine’s lobbies are something like a hotel lobby just after a
`large meeting has let out: people are scurrying everywhere. (This is
`particularly true during periods of heavy usage. The session pictured
`occurred on a Sunday morning. America Online is almost always busy
`on the weekends.)
`Seconds later, a conversation has begun (see Figure 12-3).
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`073
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 73
`
`073
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 73
`
`

`
`Figure 12-3: Catchy ..
`SCFEBI1 names
`
`_
`
`come in handy
`when you first
`enter 3 room.
`
`-
`
`.flutn nae. fimgour-nallg?
`;N\:I,noI.r'IulI
`.|usId1.oblatr*affIc
`u-udtlautnnas
`namlusuclunttnuir-.
`:l3r~amd oontrolto Hqjor 'l'un.....
`:Vou get It Brooks. Fran Uta Emit sung.
`
`Though I became immediately involved in a conversation, don't feel
`obligated to do so yourself. It's perfectly all right to say hello, then just
`watch for a while. In fact, I recommend it: it gives you a chance to
`adapt to the pace of the conversat-ion—to get to know who is in the
`room and what they’re like. Lobbies are good for
`They're lobbies,
`after all. It's‘ perfectly natural for people to sit i.n a lobby and watch
`other people.
`
`Guides
`
`To carry my hotel lobby analogy a bit 1'-urther, you might find a "con-
`cierge" there—a Guide—to answer your questions. Like a real-life hotel
`concierge, AOL's Guides are chosen for their knowledge of the territory
`and their friendly personalities. Watch the conversation for a while. No
`doubt you’ll soon see someone with the word "’Guide” in his or her
`screen name. More likely, a Guide will welcome you to the room.
`Take a moment to look back at Figure 3-11. Do you see the Guide
`there? She welcomed me the moment I walked into the room and went
`out of her way to be of assistance. This is the way all Guides tend to be.
`Guides are on duty from 9 A.M. to 6 A.M. (Eastern time), seven days a
`week. Since I already discussed them in Chapter 3, “Online Help 5: the
`Members,” I won't go over their function again. But if you would like
`to review that section, turn back to that chapter (see page 67).
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`.
`. 074
`_
`Pet1t1oner M1crosoftCorporat1on, Ex. 1007, p. 74
`
`074
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 74
`
`

`
` The Official AOL Tour Guide
`
`Exploring other Public Rooms
`As is the case with hotel lobbies, you won't want to stay in AOL's
`lobbies indefinitely. Lots of other rooms await you, where conversa-
`tions are more focused and residents less transitory. These rooms can
`be great fun; all you have to do is find the one that suits you best.
`
`The Event Rooms Guide
`
`Room exploration should not be done randomly. The method I recom-
`mend is to become familiar with the event rooms before you enter
`them. To do this, click the PC Studio icon. It’s the “spotlight” icon
`pictured in Figure 12-3. The PC Studio window opens with its selection
`of options. Double-click What's Happening This Week, then double-
`click Event Rooms Guide (see Figure 12-4).
`
`1*-
`r
`
`.
`
`.
`.
`_.
`fl
`-0- Guide Pager
`El Center Stage I. Box flfflea
`
`.
`
`I, Th. Eu"
`CI The Hell
`'
`
`|l|Illl7"l.|lI'uI‘III'I TIIII’ Insole-.
`|IlEuo11l. Floors Schedule
`U Gale Boon Schedule
`CI The fludItor~Iu|'s Box Elffloa
`
`'
`
`'
`
`'
`
`'-
`
`'
`I
`_
`
`i 4
`
`Figure 19-4:
`Become familiar
`with the Event
`Rooms Guide
`
`before you spend
`time in People
`Connection.
`
`l
`D Special Euenta n Hal Boon
`D lilnllne Short7'
`El Eunnt flnau C-E
`El Event. floats F-I1
`
`D Euent Hoou l'l—fi
`El Event Home S-Z
`
`Many of the rooms available on AOL at any particular moment are
`spontaneously created by members. While spontaneous rooms can
`sometimes be entertaining and fun, they lack the focus found in the
`regularly scheduled event rooms. Event rooms are populated by hosts
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`.
`_ 075
`_
`Pet1t1oner M1crosoftCorporat1on, Ex. 1007, p. 75
`
`075
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 75
`
`

`
`Chapter 19: People Connection
`
`957
`
`and reg-ulars—people who have developed an online camaraderie and
`whose patter is familiar and neighborly. Hosts keep the conversation
`on track and offer a familiar "face” to anyone who visits. Hosts and
`regulars aren't cliquish, however; you're never made to feel unwel-
`come in one of AOL’s event rooms. At this writing, 33 event rooms are
`listed (a number that's sure to change), ranging from the Best Lil
`Chathouse to Parents R US (see Figure 12-5). Shall we drop in on one?
`
`Figure 19-5: Thirty-
`thrae event rooms
`are scheduled this
`week. Double-«click
`any one for a
`description.
`
`J
`
`One of my favorites is the Authors Cafe, which meets every Satur-
`day at 1 RM. (Eastern time). You never know who’ll turn up—familiar
`writers visit it regularly. America Online is a favorite haunt for writers,
`partly because of the Writers’ Club (keyword: Writers) and partly
`because of its unique chat rooms such as the Authors Cafe. The mom-
`ing I visited, Tom Clancy dropped by, unscheduled and unannounced.
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`.
`_ 076
`_
`Pet1t1oner Mlcrosoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 76
`
`076
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 76
`
`

`
`[__ ___.
`
`it.11.:
`
`253
`
`The Official AOL Tour Guide
`
`The log of his appearance appears below. Typical of a chat room,
`smileys and shorthand abound. The symbol :) is a smile and :( is a
`frown (turn your head 90 degrees counterclockwise); and ”LOL” means
`"laughing out loud.” These can be modified with semicolons (winks) or
`D's (open-mouth smiles).
`
`D P Ciurnby:
`
`Hi Tomi! :)
`
`Tom Clancy:
`
`Good morning, Gumby
`
`Tom Clancy:
`
`and Rosey
`
`D P Gumby:
`
`Hey Tom..... you should think about joining us at the
`Allentown Bash!
`
`Tom Clancy:
`
`when’s the party?
`
`D P Gumby:
`
`D P Gumby:
`
`Tom Clancy:
`
`Tom Clancy:
`ROSEY DAWN:
`
`Data Dump3:
`
`Tom Clancy:
`
`Gleeful:
`
`Data Dump3:
`
`D P Gumby:
`ROSEY DAWN:
`
`We've got about 100 onliners coming to the Bash.... it's
`gonna be a blast! :)
`
`August 21-23.... in Allentown PA!
`
`busy then—doing something with Iohns Hopkins
`
`their summer camp for kids with cancer
`
`Got any new books close to being released, Tom???
`
`<— showing a prospective customer the service :D
`
`sorry, Rosey, no. I just came to terms with Putnam for #7,
`which I now have to write :(
`
`Hiya Prospective Customer. .;D
`Mornin’ Tom :D
`
`I’ll be first in line for it, Tom!
`
`:)
`
`Oh well, anticipation makes it even better!
`
`Tom Clancy:
`
`hello, Dump
`
`Gleeful:
`Tom Clancy:
`
`lol Tom...you sold it and you haven't written it yet?? :D
`that's normal
`
`ROSEY DAWN: Heck, G1ee—I’d *buy* it too — just knowing Tom is going
`to write it
`
`Tom Clancy:
`
`Gleeful:
`
`D P Gumby:
`
`the advance money is the literary equivalent of a gun to
`the head
`
`To1n...doesn’t that put a lot of pressure on you tho???
`
`I think, based on past performance...we can assume it'll be
`a good investment on behalf of the publisher
`
`Tom Clancy:
`
`pressure....what do you think?
`
`Tom Clancy:
`
`they pay you $XM, and you have to deliver a product,
`from inside your head, that‘s worth $XM
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`.
`. 077
`.
`Pet1t1oner M1crosoftCorporat1on, EX. 1007, p. 77
`
`077
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 77
`
`

`
`Chapter 12: People Connection
`
`L_-.-.—.--.
`
`'
`
`E
`
`959
`
`ROSEY DAWN:
`
`D P Gumby:
`
`Tom Clancy:
`Gleeful:
`
`Data Durnp3:
`
`Tom Clancy:
`
`Tom Clancy:
`
`D P Gumby:
`
`Tom Clancy:
`
`D P Gumby:
`
`Tom Clancy:
`
`Tom Clancy:
`
`Gleeful:
`
`Tom Clancy:
`Rich O0:
`
`Gleeful:
`
`Tom Clancy:
`Rich O0:
`
`Gleeful:
`
`Tom Clancy:
`
`Tom Clancy:
`
`Tom Clancy:
`Gleeful:
`
`ROSEY DAWN:
`
`GATEWAY:
`
`Tom Clancy:
`Gleeful:
`
`Gleeful:
`
`What’s in your head, Tom, is worth at least $X)OOO(
`Or more! :)
`
`thanks, ma’am, I'd like to think so
`
`awww Tom...You’ll be just fine...just ask us..we l<now..D
`
`Sheesh Tom, I would hate to run around w/ a price on
`my head....1et alone in it!!! ;D
`
`don't worry, all writers are scared at this stage
`
`we're SUPPOSED to be insecure, but not as badly as
`actors are
`
`That’s a good point, Tom.. i do a lot of theater.. and it’s
`awfully frighteni.ng sometimes!!
`
`‘I speak a lot, and I always get stage fright
`
`they say the best of them do, Tom...
`
`there's no dishonor in it, it happened to Olivier, too
`
`it's a thoroughly crummy way to earn a living, but you do
`it because you love it, and because you have to do it
`Have to Tom??
`
`yeah, it’s my mission in life, it’5 what I do
`
`Money is a great motivator. :)
`
`Tom...do you give a lot of talks??
`
`quite a few, yes
`
`Tom..I always draw a blank til the speech is over,,,I have
`no idea what I've said.
`:)
`
`Are books usually the subject or something else, Tom?
`me, too, Rich
`
`Glee, Ijust get up there and ramble
`
`All my speaking money go to my kids’ school
`
`Good place for it to go.;D
`
`Will you run for President, Torn????
`
`You have my vote, Tom!
`
`Rosey, do I LOOK that STUPID??‘???
`
`See ya’ll laterll I have an appt to l<eep..,-D
`
`Tom..it was nice to meet you..:D
`
`AFC Doug:
`
`<— off to jump out of an airplane. :D
`
`Tom Clancy:
`
`don't forget the chute, pal
`
`D P Gumby:
`
`Time for me to
`
`see y'all later! Take care, Tom!
`
`078
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`.
`.
`.
`Pet1t1oner M1crosoftCorporat1on, Ex. 1007, p. 78
`
`078
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 78
`
`

`
`260
`
`The Official AOLTour Guide
`
`The Event Rooms Schedule
`The Event Rooms Schedule is posted in the PC Studio along with the
`Event Rooms Guide. Look again at the center window in Figure 12-4:
`do you see the schedule there? DoubIe~click it to view it. The week's
`schedule is pictured in Figure 12-6.
`
`'
`
`Figure 12-6: The
`seven-day Event
`Rooms Schedule.
`Use this schedule
`along with the j
`Event Rooms
`Guide to plan '
`your visits.
`:'
`
`;
`'
`.
`‘
`
`There are three things I need to mention about the schedule in
`Figure 12-6:
`
`A This schedule is subject to change. By the time you read this book,
`the schedule you see in Figure 12-6 will probably be out of date.
`Check it for yourself. Print it if you wish (choose Print from the File
`menu when the schedule is on the screen). Don't rely on Figure 12-6 -
`as the final word.
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`.
`_ 079
`_
`Pet1t1oner Mlcrosoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 79
`
`079
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 79
`
`

`
`Chapter ‘I52: People Connection
`
`.
`
`i
`,
`
`261
`
`A‘; No matter how current it might be, the Event Rooms Schedule lists
`only those events in the People Connection Department and not
`those scheduled by individual forums or clubs. The Ten Forward
`Lounge, for instance, is the Star Trek Club's chat room, and it isn't
`mentioned in the Event Rooms Schedule at all. Consult individual
`clubs (see Chapter 13, "Clubs 3: Interests,” for a discussion of clubs)
`for their chat rooms and schedules, or use the keyword TITF
`(Tonight in the Forums) to see what's about to happen.
`
`in Note the names of the hosts in Figure 12-6. Each of the Event
`Rooms is hosted, and that is a matter of significance. The hosts’
`duties include keeping the conversation going, selecting topics,
`aiding members who have questions (not to the degree that the
`Guides do, but aid nonetheless), and making sure all members
`have an enjoyable time—incIuding the shy ones. Events rooms are
`sponsored by AOL; each room and its host have to go through a
`trial period before the room is added to the schedule. Though a
`number of rooms are simply opened by members (and don’t ap-
`pear on the schedule), you can be assured of certain standards of
`behavior when you visit an event room, and most of the credit for
`this goes to the host.
`
`Finding other Rooms
`You can always tell which other rooms are available at any particular
`moment by clicking the Rooms icon at the left side of any chat window
`(review Figure 12-2 for Lobby B's window). When you click that icon,
`you'll see the window pictured in Figure 12-7.
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`080
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, EX. 1007, p. 80
`
`080
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 80
`
`

`
`262
`
`Public Rooms list
`appearsvvhenevcr
`youdmkme
`Rooms icon in a
`chat window.
`
`Best Lil ChatHouae
`The Flirts Hook
`
`Gossip Gossip
`Great Outdoors
`
`Hollywood Tonight
`The fleeting Place
`New Hember Lounge
`Heus Room
`Dn Uacation
`
`Uuer Fovtg
`Raiding the Fridge
`Hed Dragon Inn
`Romance Connection
`
`Sports
`The Stage Door
`Storfleet Hcademg
`
`—.n_.
`
`K)...
`
`Seventeen rooms are listed in Figure 12-7 and the More button (at
`the bottom of the window) is active. In fact, more than 35 rooms were
`available when I visited. Note that the lobby is filled to capacity (again,
`23 is the maximum for a room: must have something to do with the fire
`marshal), so there must be other lobbies hidden beneath the More
`button. I can go into any room by double-clicking it, or I can get a list of
`all the people in a room (without going in) by selecting the room, then
`clicking the People button at the bottom of the screen.
`The Active Public Rooms window in Figure 12-7 only lists the active
`public rooms—rooms with people in them. Often, public rooms are
`available and no one is in them. A listing of these rooms is available by
`clicking the Available Rooms button (see Figure 12-8).
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`.
`_ 081
`_
`Pet1t1oner M1crosoft Corporation, EX. 1007, p. 81
`
`081
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 81
`
`

`
`Chapter 12: People Connection
`
` E3
`
`963
`
`Figure 19-8: The
`Ammmemmr
`Rooms window
`
`lists only those
`avmmbmrooms
`
`§ fltlailable Public Booms I"
`
`Available Rooms
`
`Available Public Rooms
`
`that are currently
`unoccupied.
`Parlor Game
`Parlor Game Too
`
`Pet Chat
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Raiding the Fridge
`Hecoueng Link
`Sports
`The Stage Door
`Todugs Headlines
`Trivia
`Tnlula H
`
`
`
`
`
`Three Kinds of Rooms
`
`People who are new to AOL often have trouble understanding the
`three kinds of rooms AOL has to offer. Each serves a different purpose.
`Entering one without an understanding of what's inside is a bit like
`opening meeting room doors in a large hotel: some might welcome you
`enthusiastically, others might make you feel unwelcome, and still
`others might be engaged in conversations that are of no interest to you
`whatsoever.
`
`15; Public rooms are created and named by AOL to reflect their conver-
`sational focus. Some of these are hosted; some are not. So far, public
`rooms are all we've discussed.
`
`A Private rooms are created and named by members. Their names
`never appear on any of the lists you can see. I’ll discuss private
`rooms in a few moments.
`
`in Member rooms are named and created by members (see Figure 12-9).
`Member rooms are rarely hosted, though Guides might occasion-
`ally visit them. Conversations in member rooms are usually
`unmonitored and topics range from the sublime to the scurrilous.
`
`Facebook |nc.'s Exhibit 1007
`082
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, EX. 1007, p. 82
`
`082
`
`Facebook Inc.'s Exhibit 1007
`
`Petitioner Microsoft Corporation, Ex. 1007, p. 82
`
`

`
`
`
`Member rooms are
`created by
`members and are
`not hosted. You
`
`can create one of Fortg Soaething
`
`Le Chateau
`18
`Vourcwvn
`
`4
`bubgs I u i rig
`W_“:"“f€' 3;?‘
`vws umng
`e
`Create Room
`3
`Sgsop: canted
`b “on
`nice guy at
`lunch
`u
`.
`
`
`
`Note that Figure 12-9 contains a Create Room button. Anyone who
`wishes can create a member room-—to talk