Time Computers has joined the free PC brigade, offering a £500 computer for a two-year ISP commitment. Users must sign up for the NetlinePlus ISP for 24 months, at £9.52 per month. They receive the 300 M-II Time FreePC, without monitor, for a £39.95 delivery fee. The PC has 300 M-II IBM chip, 32Mb RAM, 2.1Gb hard drive, 32x CD-ROM and Windows 98. The machine is worth £499. Netline is a sister company to Time, and the ISP was created earlier this year. An interesting added twist to the Time deal is that it has enlisted the help of MP Paddy Ashdown to promote the deal. Ashdown is an avid Time computer user according to a Time representative, but most people know him as the former SBS hero who went on to lead the Liberal Democrats. "The Internet is already changing the world," observed the politician. "If you are not part of it you should be, especially if you have children. "This outstanding offer gives you a unique opportunity to be in the 'knowledge revolution' rather than standing at the side and watching." Exact figures were not available for those already signed up for the deal, but Time said the response had been "very interesting" and it had received "lots of enquiries." The offer was launched last Friday, the same day as a similar deal started at Time rival Tiny Computers. Tiny has offered a free PC for a one-year commitment to its telecomms venture, TinyTelecom. Time has over 140 showrooms in the UK. It is owned by Lancashire–based Granville Technology. ®