The Cutting Edge: COMPUTING / TECHNOLOGY / INNOVATION

America Online

* Today, 4 p.m.: Join educator Paul Gagnon in an online discussion of childrens education in America. Keyword: Centerstage

* Thursday, 6 p.m.: Cary Lu, a contributing editor at Macworld magazine, answers computing questions in an online chat. Keyword: Centerstage

CompuServe

* Today, 6 p.m.: Author David Wallenchinsky, who wrote “People’s Almanac” and “The Book of Lists,” takes questions in an online conference. Go CONVENTION

Prodigy / TimesLink

* Thursday, 6 p.m.: Actress Amy Yasbek of the TV show “Wings” in Prodigy online chat. Jump: CHAT

* Jan. 3, 7 p.m.: Exercise guru Richard Simmons in Prodigy online chat. Jump: CHAT

Internet

* The Unofficial directory of Nasdaq SmallCap stocks on the Web offers stock quotes, the EDGAR database and links to the Websites of many companies at https://financial.spiders.com/

* CNN has just launched its Financial Network Web page, where you can find an updated graph of the Dow Jones industrial average, get stock quotes and read breaking financial news. It is at https://www.cnnfn.com/index.html

* If you are conducting serious Internet research, you need look no further than the Information Superlibrary, which offers a master Internet search page. Searches can be conducted using Archie, Veronica and a variety of other search engines. Its at https://www.mcp.com/general/search/srcheng.html

Sources: Times, wire and company reports