A summary for those that haven’t been keeping up with this series:
I found a number of 5.25″ disks at a thrift store a number of years ago. I finally got around to acquiring a 5.25″ disk drive and extracting the contents a while back. Since then I have been posting the contents here.
Based on the contents, at least some of these disks were apparently once owned by someone named Connie who used to run the “Close Encounters” Special Interest Group (SIG) on Delphi in the mid 1980s.
A specific definition of this SIG was found in a document on one of the disks: “This SIG, known as ‘Close Encounters’, is a forum for the discussion of relationships that develop via computer services like the Source, CompuServe, and Delphi. Our primary emphasis is on the sexual aspects of those relationships.”
This service was text based and was accessed via whatever terminal program you used on your computer to dial in to Delphi’s servers. Many of these disks have forum messages, e-mails and chat session logs. All of this is pre-internet stuff and I don’t know if there are any archives in existence today of what was on Delphi in the 1980s. In any case, much of this stuff would have been private at the time and probably wouldn’t be in such archives even if they existed.
This post includes the contents of FOR188.DOC dated October 23rd, 1985. This appears to be a series of forum messages from the Close Encounters SIG (probably a buffer capture of a reading session). It contains messages from late September to early October 1985. There are multiple topics including some discussion about censorship in the music industry.
See the previous post here.
===
FOR188.DOC
===
FORUM>
188 22-SEP 20:08 Open Forum
RE: Censorship? (Re: Msg 186)
From: TROPICAL To: ALL
Greetings... I haven't spoken up here before, but I have been keeping track of
what's been going on on this sig for a LONG while... The hearings in Washington
have been of special interest to me since what I do for a living is produce
records, and any law or legislation restricting what can be bought also
restricts me from eating. Frank Zappa has been very eloquent of late, and I
agree with his assessment of the women involved as being bored wives who
unfortunately receive more press than they are entitled. John is correct in
that a rating system will not make unconcerned parents 'magically' concerned,
and that that which is censored becomes more desired. Kids (and you and I) will
listen to what we like regardless of the packaging - if access to music is to be
limited, at what point does access to literature follow... anyway, It's good to
finally have said SOMETHING here, I've felt so vouyer (sp?) istic all these
months.... Mark.
FORUM>
189 22-SEP 20:32 Poetry
A quote from Ron Mazur
From: CABUYS To: ALL
I received this lovely message in a dmail message and am reposting it here to
share with you:
Life is sometimes a happy trip of intertwining country lanes where joyful
wanderers keep meeting to share wonderful moments.
FORUM>
190 22-SEP 21:40 Poetry
RE: A quote from Ron Mazur (Re: Msg 189)
From: RODM To: CABUYS
The good doctor is a very learned man and is aware of just how generous and
beautiful life can be.
I certainly am not as qualified as he to illustrate or elaborate but have become
aware that life has for everyone more than they are capable of anticipating and
when caused to see what treasures can be found by those who will but cherish
them.
Ecstacy can be found at the end of what may be to others but a drive in the
country!
Just when life seems to causing you to ask why or why is this hapening to me
when I don't know how to survive if you remember how that life brought to you in
the day or days previous more ecstacy, pleasure, and especially love than you
ever thought possible and certainly more than ever deserved and delivered it in
the words, actions, or just from looking into the eyes of a person more
beautiful than you could expect whose very presence is a treasure undeservingly
given to you by life.
Think on this and how can you NOT survive! How can you fail! How can you ever
dare to call life 'unfair' when in fact if life was ONLY fair you would never
see, have, or hold the many treasures that can be found in life.
I only pray that whoever reads this considers it and begins to realize the truth
of it
FORUM>
192 22-SEP 23:46 Poetry
RE: Madonna's poem (Re: Msg 187)
From: TIGLON To: MADONNA
Libby,
I *loved* your poem!! Who is this person in the darkness huh? (grin)
Anyway hon..keep it up! We all need to hear more from your pen (and others)
I am sure!
Tiggy
FORUM>
193 23-SEP 00:25 Play Ground
Sick Joke
From: BGS To: ALL
What do you call a person with both Herpes and AIDS?
FORUM>
194 23-SEP 00:26 Play Ground
RE: Sick Joke (Re: Msg 193)
From: BGS To: ALL
An incurable romantic.
FORUM>
195 23-SEP 02:11 General Information
BBS
From: SHARC To: ALL
HELLO EVERYONE, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO CALL MY BBS IN PA AT 717-347-0962.
IT IS UP FROM 7:30 PM TO 7:30 AM 7 DAYS. THERE IS A BASE FOR MSGS SUCH AS IN
THIS SIG AND ALOT MORE. ALSO IF ANYONE WANTS TO CHAT WITH ME I SHOULD BE AROUND
AND WILL TALK ABOUT ANYTHING THAT IS ON YOUR MIND.
SYSOP-SHAWN TIGRETT
P.S. HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON......
FORUM>
196 23-SEP 18:23 Poetry
RE: Madonna's poem (Re: Msg 192)
From: RODM To: MADONNA
I really want to second tiggy's comment and compliment the capturing and sharing
of what must be an amazing treasure!
Thank you for sharing!
Rod
FORUM>
197 23-SEP 21:43 General Information
RE: Photo Exchange (Re: Msg 180)
From: PETEVO To: CABUYS
THAT SOUNDED LIKE A PRETTY HEAVY SIGH CONNIE. I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN AS I'VE BEEN
BURNED BEFORE BY PEOPLE I'VE TRUSTED.
BUT EITHER I DON'T LEARN BY MY MISTAKES OR I CANNOT BE CONVINCED THAT EVERYONE
IS LOOKING OUT FOR THEMSELVES, CAUSE I STILL TRUST PEOPLE.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE LINES FROM THE MOVIE SILVERADO IS WHEN PADEN SAYS THAT HE
FIGURES THAT YOU GOTTA TREAT EVERYONE AS YOUR FRIEND OR YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING.
(POSSIBLY MISQUOTED, BUT THE SENTIMENT IS RIGHT).
HANG IN THERE! I'M TRUSTWORTHY AND I AMD STILL CONVINCED THAT OTHERS ARE TOO.
PETE
FORUM>
198 23-SEP 21:51 Open Forum
RE: Censorship? (Re: Msg 188)
From: PETEVO To: TROPICAL
TAPE AN ALBUM AND PLAY IT IN THE PRIVACY OF YOUR WALKMAN.
ITS NOT QUITE AS EASY TO XEROX MAGAZINES OR COPY MOVIES. I THINK THE RATING
SYSTEM WOULD JUST BE AN INEFFECTIVE EXTRA BURDEN ON THE INDUSTRY.
THE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO LISTEN TO THE RAUNCHY STUFF WILL STILL BE ABLE TO NO
MATTER WHAT THEIR AGE OR WHAT CONTROLS ARE IN PLACE.
PETE
FORUM>
199 23-SEP 21:57 Open Forum
RE: Censorship? (Re: Msg 198)
From: TIGLON To: TROPICAL
I agree with Pete...when was the last time you saw a movie theathre asking for
ID'S?????
I havent seen that ever in all my early life as a kid or my present life as...
nevermind..
FORUM>
200 24-SEP 22:27 Play Ground
RE: Sick Joke (Re: Msg 194)
From: JOHNMYSELF To: BGS
I hate it!!
but it is cute. <note hysterical (almost) laughter>
FORUM>
201 24-SEP 23:18 Open Forum
the great debate <!--??-->
From: JOHNMYSELF To: ALL
People with good intentions have always been trying
to 'force' other's to do, or not do, things supposedly
for their own good.
In the 'old west' the otherwise well meaning (sometimes
religious) folks were against guns, gambling, loose women
(and morals), crime, and the ever present 'drink'.
These were all seen as great evils to be fought and discarded
with the morning trash.
In the (so called) roaring 20's, prohibition, the vain attempt
to eliminate the use of intoxicating drink, led to a strangle
hold on the product by organized criminals; as well as a more
dangerous producer, the home brewer. In many cases, people
took to making alcoholic drinks without the right materials
which led to many cases of blindness and death due to lead
poisoning.
Prohibition (the laws responsible for it) was eventually repealed
as more sensible people realized the futility of fighting nearly
everyone and getting nowhere fast.
Now, we still have those folks, often called (sarcastically)
'do-godders' and they are still crying about the need to eliminate
those (still with us) great evils.
Naturally, they have added a few; the movie ratings to keep young
people from being exposed to sex, violence, and corruption. The
fight against pornographic materials, 'girly' mags etc. Prostitution
is still alive and doing well and can even be found in the high class
neighborhoods.
Drugs can even be found in our grade schools, and the fight continues
as well it should. On the other hand, while they do try, and
sometimes produce good results, there are areas they should stay out
of.
Had they really learned the lesson over prohibition, they would
realize (?) that. But they evidently didn't. They have the power
of free choice but instead of exercising their own power to consume
or not, they prefer to (attempt) to regulate the consumption of
others.
E.G. They were right to force auto makers to provide seat belts as
standard safety equipment. On the other hand, the new Mass.
mandatory seat belt law which could bring fines of $50.00 per
un-belted person is wrong. Whether or not I buckle up is my choice
not someone elses. (by the way, I do buckle up - my choice)
The warning on cigarettes and tobacco products is a necessary reminder
of the potential harm to your health; at least you know about it. And
the smoking vs non-smoking sections in public places (and aircraft) is
also good. However, should I choose to smoke, you might tell me where
I; but not whether I can. (I don't - my choice)
What is available on the public airwaves is rightly subject to minimal
regulation, but the major factor should be choice not law. Recorded
material whether it is records, tapes, books, or what have you is
subject to that same process of choosing. If you don't want to watch,
listen, read, so what. DON'T. You don't have to. I also have the
same choice; and if I choose what you don't like again I say, so what!
Who are you to dictate what I will or will not (be able to) use, view,
hear?
Ours is a great country where we are 'free to make our own choices'.
However, when our choices are reduced to a set of statutes which
dictate what or how those choices will be, then we will lose that
freedom.
Relative to the current thread on censorship, I see no value in
rating records, or tapes except in the 'higher' prices the increased
demand for the more restictively rated material will bring.
We will no doubt argue the fine points both pro and con on these
issues for years to come. One fact remains as it has for past
generations. These 'great evils' will still be being fought and
agrued after we are long gone; and we will still be making our own
choices despite the attempts of the otherwise well meaning to enforce
on us their choices instead of making their own and leaving us to
make ours. <aren't you glad i have finally finished this?>
FORUM>
202 25-SEP 01:02 Open Forum
RE: the great debate <!--??--> (Re: Msg 201)
From: RODM To: JOHNMYSELF
John,
Your comments were as long as something I might try to write but are a NECESSARY
reminder of the everpresent attemps to protect ourselves from ourselves which
deletes choice and as a result threatens freedom!
IN OTHER WORDS - Here!, Here!, I agree!
As long as we remind each other of these truths we WILL remain FREE!
FORUM>
204 2-OCT-22:07: Open Forum
RE: Censorship? (Re: Msg 199)
From: JOHNMYSELF To: TIGLON
This is one of two messages I captured before the crash last weekend:
28-SEP 21:40 Open Forum
RE: Censorship? (Re: Msg 199)
From: PETEVO To: TIGLON (NR)
AS...???? A KID, MAYBE. OLDER, PERHAPS BUT MAYBE STILL YOUNG IN MANY WAYS.
PETE
FORUM>
205 2-OCT-22:09: Open Forum
RE: the great debate <!--??--> (Re: Msg 201)
From: JOHNMYSELF To: JOHNMYSELF
This is the other of two pre-crash messages I captured:
205 28-SEP 21:47 Open Forum
RE: the great debate <!--??--> (Re: Msg 201)
From: PETEVO To: JOHNMYSELF (NR)
VERY WELL SAID. I ESPECIALLY LIKED YOUR ANALOGY TO PROHIBITION AND THE
MANDATORY SEAT BELT LAWS (I HAVE CHOSEN TO BUCKLE UP TOO).
YOU GAVE ME A GREAT IDEA TO HELP ME PAY FOR MY DELPHI TIME. IF THEY IMPLEMENT
THESE RECORD RATINGS, I CAN PROBABLY MAKE A BUNDLE SELLING ALBUMS TO UNDERAGED
KIDS!!! I'LL BE RICH!
PETE
FORUM>
206 2-OCT-22:10: General Information
reposted
From: JOHNMYSELF To: ALL
I was a little lucky. I was able to capture two of the messages lost to the
crash and re-post them in their original sequence. <dumb luck i guess>.
<of course, from 206 on if ever found will have new numbers>
FORUM>
208 2-OCT-22:27: Play Ground
RE: Sick Joke (Re: Msg 200)
From: PETEVO To: JOHNMYSELF
IT LOOKS LIKE MSG 200 IS DEAD. I'VE GOTTEN "UNABLE TO RETRIEVE THE INFORMATION
REQUESTED" TWICE. LAST SATURDAY AND TODAY.
FORUM>
211 3-OCT-16:52: General Information
Unreadable Message 200
From: CABUYS To: PETEVO
Thanks for pointing out the problem with message 200. I've asked someone with
a little more "expertise" <grin> to take a look at it to see if it can be fixed.
