Although it's been virtually superseded by the Internet, you'll still come across Minitel, a dinosaurial online computer found in post offices and elsewhere, allowing access through the phone lines to directories, databases, chat lines, etc. Most organizations, from sports federations to government institutions to gay groups, have a code consisting of numbers and letters to call up information, leave messages, make reservations and so on. You dial the number on the phone, wait for a fax-type tone, then type the letters on the keyboard. Lastly, press Connexion Fin (the same key also ends the connection). If you're computer-literate and can understand basic keyboard terms in French (retour – return, envoi – enter, etc), you shouldn't find them hard to use. Be warned though that most services cost more than phone rates.
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