'Web channels' are among the latest push techniques. Despite initial ballyhoo, they are not yet of much use in getting information on Indonesia in English, Indonesian, or any other language. Other methods sketched in previous Indonesia on the net columns are faster, more complete, and less frustrating.

Channels are specially programmed Web sites meant for downloading to your computer via specific software such as Internet Explorer 4.0 (available by looking around http://www.microsoft.com), or Netscape Communicator 4.0 (http://home.netsc ape.com/netcenter, both free). The channel components are called Active Desktop and Netcaster respectively. Take care installing them - I had some very anxious moments with Explorer 4.0! Excellent Actually, functionally similar stand-alone programs like WebSeeker (to find relevant sites) and WebWhacker (to download as you wish) have been on the market about two years. These excellent packages require more initiative on your part but are more flexible than the newer competition. Personally, I now use one called WebBuddy to download.

A nice compromise is PointCast 2.0. Initially it offered only a few channels and was very US-centric. Now it also offers a 'super-channel' which allows you to reach hundreds of sites. Late last year PointCast released an 'Asian' version. But it is heavily focused on East Asia and has little Indonesia-relevant content. You'll do about as well with the US version.

PointCast (http://www.pointcast.com) is also free, and is less complicated than the higher- profile Microsoft and Netscape product lines.

If you're entrepreneurial, Microsoft, Netscape, or PointCast will (in principle) also offer you the tools to broadcast your own private 'channel.' Goodbye So why did I ultimately turn against channels and opt for a stand-alone program?

In Explorer and Communicator, setting up and then downloading the channels is agonisingly slow (not so Pointcast). Downloaded channels also gobble up huge amounts of your disk space. Yet what's there will almost surely disappoint you. Most channels involving Indonesia are still under construction. Some are programmed to 'self-destruct' on your disk after a certain number of days. Some stop updating, period.

When you do get some with worthwhile Indonesian content, you'll often find only a cover page, no content. You have to burrow down to find something you can read offline. Republika was a case in point. The cover page was the first level. The second level consisted of headlines. The third finally comprised all the links which represent actual news stories. There are no standards for what a level should comprise. And you cannot bypass upper levels.

So, if the old method of going to a Web site and reading content online or emailing it to yourself is so much easier, why download channels at all ? Good question. My answer is, unless the channel contains exclusive content (a rare occurrence), bid channels an early, sweet goodbye. Microsoft and Netscape rushed a promising product to market prematurely.

If you want to try channels, experiment with the pioneer and market segment leader, PointCast (which is, beware, very addictive). Or use a stand-alone Web site downloading product.

Oh, yes. Almost forgot. Channels include advertising. You didn't really think they were 'free,' did you?

I don't want to leave you gloomy. Here's a program to enrich your Web viewing immensely. Visit http://www.alexa.com. Read what Alexa does, do the easy download and install. Then as you visit your favourite Indonesian (and other) Web sites, let Alexa give you lots of inside info on them. I dare not say more. But it's a certified gold mine. And yes, it's really free.

John A. MacDougall.