We didn't have internet, but there were active Windows developer forums on CompuServe, BIX, and GEnie. I used to hang out on all of them answering people's ques

We didn't have internet, but there were active Windows developer forums on CompuServe, BIX, and GEnie. I used to hang out on all of them answering people's questions and learning from other developers. My usual monthly bill for dial-up access to the three services (mostly CompuServe) was around $300, close to $800/month in today's dollars. Charles listed me in the acknowledgements for the first edition of Programming Windows as "the indefatigable Michael Geary." That was kind of fun.