We have finished testing and Internet subscribers are now able to connect to Almac at local call rates from throughout the UK. This facility is provided through an 0845 number using network facilities provided by Scottish Telecom, the telephone division of Scottish Power.

Subscribers will also be able to take advantage of our new six-pack service, which allows up to six e.mail addresses to be operated from each Internet account.

In addition, users will also be issued with our new software package and will be entitled to receive upgrades to this pack as and when applicable.

Local call access is available to Internet subscribers. It cannot be used for dialling directly to the BBS - this would be uneconomic to provide - although naturally, Internet subscribers will be able to make a connection at local call rates and telnet into the BBS.

There is a one off charge of £25.00 (£29.37 incl.vat) for those who wish to take advantage of this new facility. We point out that at day-time regional Call rates, it would only take 11.57 hours to recoup this charge. At national call rates, only 8.33 hours of use is required before there is a net gain.

This charge is in line with our new general terms, detailed in another message, but in essence, we are, with immeditate effect, introducing a new joining fee at the same rate of £25.00 for new members.

Please note that this new charge is not compulsory for existing subscribers. Those who wish to continue dialling directly, rather than through the 0845 number will be able to do so. In line with our new terms, it IS compulsory for new subscribers however.

To take advantage of this new facility, please either:

• send a cheque to Claire Ferguson at ALMAC, 141 Bo'ness Road, Grangemouth, FK3 9BS. (Cheques should be made payable to ALMAC and not ALMAC BBS).
• telephone us on 01324-666336 with details of your credit or debit card and we will charge this.
• Upon receipt of payment, we will despatch your software and provide you with any other details you need.

With immediate effect, Almac announce a change in subscription rates with the introduction of a new £25.00 joining fee (£29.37 incl.vat). This new charge, payable once only, only applies to Internet subscribers. There is no change to the annual or monthly subscription rates.

There is no change to the terms for BBS or BBS Plus membership.

With immediate effect, we are introducing a membership introduction bounty which will apply to new Internet accounts. For those introducing a new monthly Internet account, we will pay (to the introducer) a bounty of £5.00. For an annual subscription, this is raised to £10.00. This will be paid by cheque.

To qualify for this, you should ensure that the new member makes reference to the fact on their subscription forms that they have been introduced by you. The new forms have a specific section for this.

If this section is not completed it is obviously more difficult for us to pay this bounty, but if you think you have a claim that hasn't been processed, please give us a call and we will try to resolve it, but with no guarantees.

We regret that this new scheme cannot be implemented retrosepectively. We appreciate that some of you have done spendidly in this regard in the past and that this might seem a bit unfair, but we are confident that you appreciate that the administration of retrospective awards would be an administration nightmare.

There is no limit to the number of new members/bounties you can claim. If you can introduce enough new members to get your own account for free and even make a profit, then so be it!