Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1994. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Being Alive/Orange County, Vol. 2, No. 6 - August/September 1994
Brent Korvus
Her AIDS Education General Information System (AEGIS), a local computer information service, hooks it callers to thousands of HIV and AIDS resources across the nation including local and national HIV/AIDS news, an ACT UP discussion group, and full access to Internet HIV- related newsgroups.
Besides the discussion groups, there's a resource library with clinical alerts and bulletins, information from the National Library of Medicine and National AIDS Clearinghouse, and electronic copies of Being Alive, the AIDS Treatment News, and of course, much more. In total, Sister Elizabeth says her system has "over 145,000 files, all 'keyword searchable,' and 15 discussion groups. There's so much out there, it's unbelievable."
The discussion groups represent a lively discussion on dozens of topics. The messages are all channeled in from other systems across the nation; the result is a sort of worldwide conversation with everyone able to add their own two cents. Topics range from the political to the medical, with a lot of everything in-between. And, according to longtime user Brian Taylor, "there are a lot of messages from people who have just found out they're positive. People don't know what to do or where to turn, so there's a wide variety of responses helping them out."
Other messages are more medical and just as important. One recent note, for example, is from Ken who has just come down with severe HIV- related arthritis. Ken received responses to his original post (which ended "I would appreciate input") suggesting everything from alfalfa pills to hydrogen peroxide. Intermixed into every response was a fair dose of "hugs" and "stay healthy" messages. It's like an electronic support group, where the members never meet each other but still form strong friendships and a dependence on each other.
"A lot of users are homebound, with nobody to talk to. They're at home by themselves sitting around waiting to die. If it wasn't for the boards, they'd have no communication with outside people," explains Taylor. "I've made friends that I talk to on a daily or weekly basis who I still haven't met face to face." There's nothing quite like an electronic support group, and as Taylor concluded sincerely, "If I had not had the computer over the past two years, I wouldn't be here now."
When you are finished with the BBS, just before disconnecting, it proclaims, "Because a virus has no moral, [we're] celebrating our fourth anniversary linking North America to the world!" Besides serving just Orange County residents, AEGIS reaches out across the globe, with information in French, German, and Dutch and connections to over a dozen countries.
To get involved, call the HIV/AIDS Info BBS with your computer and modem. It operates at speeds from 1200 to 28,800 bps; set your software to 8 data bits, no parity and one stop bit (8-N-1) and full duplex. The number is (714) 248-2836 and all services are free, a truly world-class resource available to all of Orange County for the cost of a local call.
Copyright (c) 1994 - Being Alive/Orange County. Noncommercial reproduction encouraged.
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Copyright © 1994 - Reproduced courtesy of copyright owner - listed on source line.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1994. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
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