AFTER the Internet, another good source of on-line food and cooking information is CompuServe, the well-known commercial on-line service. In particular, the Cook's On-line Forum on CompuServe brings together an extensive file library of information and recipes. Among the many categories addressed in the forum are holiday fare, herbs and spices, ethnic recipes, microwave cooking, nutrition, culinary education and tools and books. In addition, the forum provides public bulletin boards for discussion of the subject areas addressed by the Forum's file libraries. Both the message sections and the file libraries can be searched by keyword. The forum is open to all CompuServe members without any additional surcharge. It can be reached by typing GO COOKS at the CompuServe prompt. CompuServe's Health and Fitness Forum also provides a message section and file library dedicated to nutrition. CompuServe brings to the on-line food-loving community what it is well-known for: electronic shopping. Of course, most of the shopping is really only economical for US-based customers, but it provides a glimpse into what will be possible in the future on-line. CompuServe also offers the Zagat Restaurant Guide which provides information about restaurants in selected cities worldwide.
