Here's the IIA info message that has caused all the furor: Forwarded message:

From info@iia.org Mon Jan 10 14:31:54 1994

The text in this document is how we envision our host machine to look in the very near future. Please be patient if some things are not currently available. We are working on this system daily to improve it. Welcome to the International Internet Association - the largest non-profit provider of free Internet access in the world. We are a Washington based association dedicated to the free flow of information without regard to position or affiliation. We look forward to serving you. In response to your request we need a little more information to set up an account and get you on-line. Please complete the attached form and return to our offices in Washington. You will advance in line quicker if you simply fax back the attached registration form at the end of this document. When received we will provision accounts in the order received. We have responded to over fifteen thousand requests in the last several weeks, and we greatly appreciate your continued patience. WHO AM I ON THE INTERNET? We will assign a USERID (User Identification) which combines your first and last name in accordance with international standards governing E-mail. All accounts will be eight characters or less beginning with the last name and ending with the first initial. For example John Smith will become SMITHJ. If your last name is over seven characters only the first seven characters will be used. If you would like a specific ID, this can be arranged as well as other custom services upon your first login. You need only follow the menu items to custom services and make the electronic request. Since you will gain access to the Internet through the IIA your address to the rest of the internet community will be USERID@IIA.ORG where USERID is the name we generated using your last name first initial. WHAT DO I GET? You get an Internet account providing 14,400 BPS capability and lower (9600,2400,1200). 256K of storage allowing you to download files and messages (more can be made available). Kermit, X-MODEM, Y-Modem, and Z-MODEM download protocols to transfer information to your home computer. Menu driven options will allow easy access to GOPHER, World- Wide-Web, Archie, Prospect, Telnet, FTP and a host of others (no pun intended) In short you can do what anyone else anywhere can do on the net and more (we have built in capabilities beyond the general capabilities of the Internet). ACCESS The International Internet Association is able to make this service available through generous private donations, and extraordinary dedication of its membership. We will invite users to join, but will in no way restrict access based on membership. WHAT TO EXPECT You will receive two numbers with your welcome aboard package. One is a direct dial number to either our master node in Washington D.C., or our research facility in New Jersey. If you choose to direct dial it is your responsibility to pay your long distance carrier for the time spent on-line. Your bill will be identical to the cost of calling and speaking to someone. The cost of a phone call. The second option is to receive an 800 number provided by the IIA. The IIA has made arrangements for this service to be provided universally across the U.S. 24 hours a day at the rate of 20 cents per minute. (The 20 cents is billed exactly at cost through the generous contribution of our supporting provider). You need to look at your long distance rate from your current provider and decide the most economical way to reach our nodes. The IIA plans to install local calling points across the U.S. to support our users, as soon as we obtain the funds. WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU: Please complete the enclosed form in its entirety. Pay careful attention to the accuracy of your name and address. We need a Master Card, Visa, Or American Express. When we provision your account you will have access to both the direct dial, and the U.S. 800 number. If you do not use the 800 number you will never receive a charge. If you find the 800 number more economical than direct dial than you will be billed in 10 dollar increments. A charge will be rolled over until all time has been exhausted. Without receiving a Credit Card Number, the IIA cannot provision an account. (We apologize for this inconvenience to our users planning on direct dial. Shortly we plan to rectify this through programming, but until that time we must adhere to the policy of our long-distance provider.) WELCOME ABOARD PACKAGE Your welcome aboard package will contain additional information about the IIA including your USERID and Password (required for login) and instructions on how to login. We will also provide information on the Internet services available. However the majority of the useful information can be found on-line by following the menus to the help section. OUR THANKS The IIA would like to thank-you for your interest in becoming part of the electronic community, and we look forward to serving in the capacity of your host. We trust it will change you life.  INTERNATIONAL INTERNET ASSOCIATION APPLICATION FOR FREE INTERNET ACCESS Name ________________________________________ Address ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Fax Line(___)______________ Voice Line (___)____________ Modem Speed (1200) (2400) (9600) (14.4) (Whats a modem?) Credit Account: Required (See attached statement) Visa _______________________Exp-date_____ MC _______________________Exp-date_____ AMEX _______________________Exp-date_____ Signature ____________________ Date _____________________ 1. I understand that the use of this account will be for lawful purpose and accept responsibility for my actions while on-line. I will not hold the IIA responsible for any activities occuring, or initiated by any user who makes knowing use of the ID IIA assigns on my behalf. 2. I agree that any use of the 800 number made available to me by the IIA will be billed to my credit card. I authorize use of this account with regard to voluntary on-line services to which I approve. When completed please fax this document to the following. (202) 387 - 5446 PLEASE NOTE - FAX THIS DOCUMENT DIRECTLY - WE CAN NOT ENSURE PRIVACY IF YOU SEND IT THROUGH THE NETWORK! This form may be copied for the purposes of adding additional Internet users. If you are having difficulties making a clean connection try changing your modem parameters to 7 bits, even parity and 1 stop bit.