Prodigy launches 100 Interest Groups on the World Wide Web; All sites have deep links to Chat and Newsgroups; Topics range from "Adventure Travel" and "Astrology" to "Virtual Reality" and "Wrestling"

Business Wire, Sept 27, 1995

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 27, 1995--Prodigy, America's most recognized online network, has announced the launch of "Interest Groups A-Z" -- a new option allowing members to easily access the areas on the World Wide Web which are of most interest to them.

Prodigy members are sure to find a group they can call their own. The first one hundred interest groups are available immediately, and hundreds more will be added in the future.

Prodigy is the only online service building Interest Areas in the language of the Internet, HTML. While these web sites are built on the Internet, they are exclusive to Prodigy members.

The 100 different Interest Group sites on the Web combine editorial content with interactive communications and links to related Web pages. Interest Group sites are hosted by expert moderators who are especially passionate about their interest areas. These moderators are responsible for maintaining the editorial content as well as ensuring that there are fresh reliable links to related Web pages, USENET Newsgroups, Bulletin Boards and Chat rooms.

"Now, getting information from the Web, specific to what is of interest to you has never been easier or more fun," says Edward A. Bennett, president and CEO of Prodigy. "We're delivering the best of the Web with Prodigy's hottest new sites to create our Interest Groups.

"Among the exciting sites Prodigy members can now choose from are:

o Alternative Music: For the best links to today's hottest

music, there is no alternative. Visit Web Pages devoted to

the most-talked-about artists and bands around, including

Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Nine Inch Nails, and Alanis Morrisette,

learn about aspiring local bands, check out Addicted to Noise

magazine's Web page and hundreds of more places of interest

to music fans.

o Motorcycles: Head out on the highway and search for

adventure and whatever comes your way in the Motorcycle

Interest Group. Race reports and Sneak Peeks of upcoming

products are listed along with Safety Tips and even recall

notices. If you were born to be wild with the wind in your

face, you'll find the information you seek in this group.

o Science Fiction/Fantasy: Get the latest scoop on your

favorite shows from Babylon 5 to Star Trek Voyager to

X-Files. This Interest Group contains information on

upcoming conventions, reviews of the bestsellers in

bookstores and previews of the hottest sci-fi flicks in

theaters. Whether its the new sci-fi loaded TV season or the

latest in fantasy fiction, the information awaits.

o Virtual Reality: Picked by Ed Bennett as one of his favorite

Interest Group Web Pages. Loaded with information on virtual

games, VR development and background on VRML, the 3-D

programming code for the future.

o Weird Worlds: There's something for everyone interested in

the extraordinary at this Interest Group. Check out Strange

magazine, enter the UFO Chat room, or read new reports on the

Loch Ness monster. You name it ... if it's weird, it's here.

Each Interest Group is constantly researching new sites to add links to, and experienced moderators are always looking for member feedback and news on the latest information pertaining to their topic.

Whatever you're into, "Interest Groups A-Z" is the area on Prodigy to find out about the latest interest groups being launched on the World Wide Web.

Prodigy, a partnership of IBM and Sears, markets the Prodigy service, America's most recognized online network, with more than two million members. It is also the world's largest dial-up access provider to the Internet's World Wide Web. Prodigy offers a range of news, weather and sports, financial information; educational content; games; reference materials; e-mail, bulletin boards, USENET newsgroups and Chat; travel reservations; shopping; a discount brokerage and online banking.

Prodigy Interest Groups

Body and Mind: --------------

Alternative Medicine / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Health & Fitness/ HIV-AIDS / Medical & Health / Psychology / Religion / Women's Corner

Business/Finance: -----------------

Accountants / Investing / Real Estate Online

Computers: ----------

Information Highway / Internet Help / Local BBS / PC Network / Virtual Reality / Virus Help / Windows Help

Crisis Center: --------------

Cops & Crime

Cultures: ---------

America / Black Experience / Gay & Lesbian / Generation X / Latin America / Military & Veterans / Native American / Scandinavian / Spanish

Education: ----------

College Search / Distance Learning / Education / Environment / Homeschooling / Space And Flight / Writing Workshop

Entertainment: --------------

Astrology / Books & Writing / Comedy / Comics / Games / Movies / Personal Connections / Radio / Role Playing Games / Sci-Fi Convention Database / Science Fiction-Fantasy / Trivia / TV / Video Games / Weird Worlds

Home and Family: ----------------

Adoption / Blended Families / Consumer Electronics / Daycare / Freebies / Gardening / Genealogy / Homelife Pursuits / Kids / Online Shopping / Parenting / Parenting Multiples / Pets / Planet Teenager