Online Access Magazine

"Planning 'Enchanted April' trip to Italy. Looking for villa in movie, and suggested activity during the day. Maybe cooking demo with local chef?" Linda Adams posted that request last month on an electronic bulletin board called rec.travel.europe. It's one of more than 11,000 special-interest discussion groups on the Internet, a worldwide computer network that reaches an estimated 25 million people.

Kathryn McCabe is not surprised that thousands of the computer users who rushedout to buy Windows 95 were on the phones shortly thereafter, swamping the Microsoft hot lines with pleas for help. Many claimed to be misled by the marketing promises that the new operating system is a breeze to install. ("So easy even a television show host can install it," Microsoft chairman Bill Gates had quipped to Jay Leno).

Ellen Pack and Nancy Rhine officially launched Women's Wire last month by inviting a large group of friends to chat with some guest experts. Travel writer Thalia Zepatos offered safety tips for women traveling alone. Computer guru Esther Dyson predicted where the electronics industry is headed. Greens Restaurant chef Annie Somerville answered questions about gourmet vegetarian cooking. Women from all over the country participated--but nobody had to leave home.