Digital Archaeology: Codex (Floppy Disk) #10 (part 7)


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 DEBSHOP.DOC dated October 17th, 1985. It is an e-mail or document describing an idea to set up online shopping on Delphi. It’s pretty lengthy with a bunch of examples.

See the previous post here.

===
DEBSHOP.DOC
===


 
read shop

Name: SHOPPING SKETCHES
Type: DOCUMENT
Date: 17-OCT-1985 14:56 by DEB

Peter....my outlline, comments and (kinda) how shopping will work.  These are
not short, but I have sent them to the folks interested in being vendors, and
they like it.

These are NOT docs, just ideas about how I put together the *FlagShip* shopping.

**

Keywords: FORMATS, SHOPPING, SKETCH, DEB

Contents:

   1  CATEGORIES (Size: 6509) /File=01$DEB$CATAGORY.TXT  Count:   2
   2  FIELDS (Size: 6307) /File=01$DEB$FIELDS.TXT  Count:   1

ACTION> ?


ACTION Menu:

Next Group/File       Help
Download              Exit
Xmodem Download       Move/Rename Topic
List (Unformatted)    Edit
Display               Delete Group
Description

ACTION> (Next, Down, Xm, List) DIS

Display: CATEGORIES

Product Category Menu:

ACCESSORIES BOOKS AND MAGAZINES COMPUTERS DISKETTES & SUPPLIES DRIVES & STORAGE
PERIPHERALS INTERFACES MODEMS MONITORS PRINTERS SOFTWARE SUPPLIES FOR PRINTERS
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE OTHER PRODUCTS


Product Category: ACCESSORIES

The current searchable fields are: Displayed   <WORD>    TYPE Displayed   <WORD>

SPECS(RS-232,IEEE,ETC) Displayed   <WORD>    MODEL Displayed   <WORD>
MANUFACTURER Displayed   <NUMBER>  PRICE Displayed   <WORD>    ADVERTISER


Product Category: BOOKS AND MAGAZINES

The current searchable fields are: Displayed   <WORD>    BOOK OR MAGAZINE
Displayed   <WORD>    AUTHOR/PUBLISHER NAME Displayed   <WORD>
TYPE(DISK,SUBSCRIPT.,ETC) Displayed   <WORD>    TOPIC Displayed   <NUMBER>
PRICE Displayed   <WORD>    ADVERTISER


Product Category: COMPUTERS

The current searchable fields are: Displayed   <WORD>    MODEL Displayed
<WORD>    MANUFACTURER Displayed   <NUMBER>  PRICE Displayed   <WORD>
ADVERTISER


Product Category: DISKETTES & SUPPLIES

The current searchable fields are: Displayed   <NUMBER>  SIZE DISKETTE(5.25/3.5)

Displayed   <WORD>    TYPE (SS,SD,DS,DD) Displayed   <WORD>    ACCESSORY
Displayed   <WORD>    MANUFACTURER Displayed   <NUMBER>  PRICE Displayed
<WORD>    ADVERTISER


Product Category: DRIVES & STORAGE PERIPHERALS

The current searchable fields are: Displayed   <WORD>    TYPE(DISK DRIVE,
TAPE,ETC) Displayed   <WORD>    DISK FORMAT (1541,8250,ETC) Displayed   <WORD>
COMPUTER Displayed   <WORD>    PORT USED Displayed   <WORD>    I/O BUS TYPE
(SERIAL,IEE) Displayed   <WORD>    MODEL Displayed   <WORD>    MANUFACTURER
Displayed   <NUMBER>  PRICE Displayed   <WORD>    ADVERTISER


Product Category: INTERFACES

The current searchable fields are: Displayed   <WORD>
TYPE:(PRINTER,RS-232,IEEE) Displayed   <WORD>    COMPUTER Displayed   <WORD>
PORT USED Displayed   <WORD>    EXTERNAL DEVICE OBJECTIVE Displayed   <WORD>
MODEL Displayed   <WORD>    MANUFACTURER Displayed   <NUMBER>  PRICE Displayed
<WORD>    ADVERTISER


Product Category: MODEMS

The current searchable fields are: Displayed   <NUMBER>  BAUD RATE
(300,1200,2400) Displayed   <WORD>    PLUG COMPATIBLE (RS232, CBM) Displayed
<WORD>    AUTO-DIAL/ANSWER TYPE Displayed   <WORD>    MODEL Displayed   <WORD>
MANUFACTURER Displayed   <NUMBER>  PRICE Displayed   <WORD>    ADVERTISER


Product Category: MONITORS

The current searchable fields are: Displayed   <WORD>    COLOR/MONOCHROME
Displayed   <WORD>    SIGNAL TYPE Displayed   <WORD>    SOUND (YES/NO) Displayed

<WORD>    MODEL Displayed   <WORD>    MANUFACTURER Displayed   <NUMBER>  PRICE
Displayed   <WORD>    ADVERTISER


Product Category: PRINTERS

The current searchable fields are: Displayed   <WORD>    PRINT HEAD(DOT
MATRIX,DAISY) Displayed   <NUMBER>  SPEED (IN CPS) Displayed   <WORD>
CONNECTION-CBM,CENTRONIC,ETC Displayed   <WORD>    MODEL Displayed   <WORD>
MANUFACTURER Displayed   <NUMBER>  PRICE Displayed   <WORD>    ADVERTISER


Product Category: SOFTWARE

The current searchable fields are: Displayed   <WORD>    CATEGORY (TOPIC)
Displayed   <WORD>    COMPUTER Displayed   <WORD>    MEDIUM (DISK,CART,ETC)
Displayed   <WORD>    AGE LEVELS Displayed   <WORD>    PERIPHERAL SUPPORT
Displayed   <WORD>    AUTHOR Displayed   <WORD>    VERSION Displayed   <WORD>
MANUFACTURER Displayed   <NUMBER>  PRICE Displayed   <WORD>    ADVERTISER


Product Category: SUPPLIES FOR PRINTERS

The current searchable fields are: Displayed   <WORD>    TYPE:(PAPER,RIBBON,ETC)

Displayed   <WORD>    SIZE Displayed   <WORD>    TRACTOR FORMS (Y/N) Displayed
<WORD>    COLOR Displayed   <WORD>    RIBBON TYPE (PRINTER) Displayed   <WORD>
COMPOSITION SPECS Displayed   <WORD>    MODEL Displayed   <WORD>    MANUFACTURER

Displayed   <NUMBER>  PRICE Displayed   <WORD>    ADVERTISER


Product Category: TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE

The current searchable fields are: Displayed   <WORD>
COMPUTER(64,C128,B128,ETC) Displayed   <WORD>    PROTOCOL(XMODEM,PUNTER,ETC)
Displayed   <WORD>    TERMINAL OR BBS Displayed   <NUMBER>  BUFFER SIZE (IN
KILOBYTES) Displayed   <WORD>    PERIPHERALS SUPPORTED Displayed   <WORD>
VERSION Displayed   <WORD>    MANUFACTURER Displayed   <NUMBER>  PRICE Displayed

<WORD>    ADVERTISER Displayed   <NUMBER>  BAUD RATES (300,1200,2400) Displayed
<WORD>    MODEM SUPPORTED


Product Category: OTHER PRODUCTS

The current searchable fields are: Displayed   <WORD>    TYPE Displayed   <WORD>

COMPUTER Displayed   <WORD>    MODEL Displayed   <WORD>    MANUFACTURER
Displayed   <NUMBER>  PRICE Displayed   <WORD>    ADVERTISER



=====================================


I just spent two hours putting up the above shell for the SIG Shopping area.
More searchable fields can be added if we need, but I would like to keep it
fairly stable and not change it for the members.

Each searchable field should have just a LIMITED number of valid entries, and I
will EDIT each Vendor's listing in the shopping database if the searchable
entries in the fields do not meet with the specified valid ones we are keeping.

This might sound harsh, but it's one of the few ways we can guarantee the
members can find what they are looking for during SEARCHes.

I will prepare another list again for anyone not receiving the list of valid
entries to the searchable fields.  Any Vendor wishing to include something in a
field that does not already appear on the list should first check with me.

In the meantime, please enter your products carefully in the Shopping area, and
do not forget to enter your Vendor profile.  Any troubles, just contact me in
mail.

I am compiling a list of suggestions and additional features for future
revisions to the SHOPPING program.  Holler if you have any ideas, as this is
just the first version, and changes WILL happen.

Given the current condition of Delphi, I will make no targetted date for the
first Shopping announcement for the members.  ((grin))  Lets just say as soon as

there are some products entered there, we will put it up!

I am also in the process of writing both the Vendor instructions and the member
instructions, any suggestions for either of those departments, just blast away
at me!!!

deb!


ACTION> 

Display: FIELDS

Follows are the valid and suggested entries for each searchable field in the
Shopping Area, divided by category, and listed under each field.

Note that both the ADVERTISER and PRICE fields are added automatically and you
do not have to add this information more than the once when you initially enter
the product.  Both the Price and ADVERTISER fields can be toggled so that they
do not show as searchable fields in each catagory since they show already as
part of the information header.  Your feedback on this toggle would be
appreciated.  Right now, it shows, but I have a feeling it is an unneccesary
thing for the folks to have to look at.

Multiple searchable entries can be made in any field.  When you enter the
keywords into the field, and you want more than one to be searchable, just enter

each one, and separate it with a slash.

For Instance, you'd like to make sure that if a user with a HAYES 1200 modem
knows your software is capable of both supporting HAYES commands and running
1200 or 300 baud, you could enter:

BAUD:    300/1200
MODEM SUPPORT: HAYES/HES II/1650/1660/1670

If the user searches for either 1200 or 300 baud software, he will get your
product when he narrows the search down to his particular kind of modem, but at
the same time you are allowing the fellow with the HES II to do the same!



Product Category: ACCESSORIES

Searchable Fields: TYPE                   [What kinda Accessory is this?]
cable
board
surge protection
power supply

SPECS(RS-232,IEEE,ETC) [what's it work on?]
pet to IEEE (P to I)
IEEE to IEEE(I to I)
RS-232

MODEL MANUFACTURER PRICE ADVERTISER


Product Category: BOOKS AND MAGAZINES

Searchable Fields: BOOK OR MAGAZINE
Book
Magazine
Diskette

AUTHOR/PUBLISHER NAME

TYPE(DISK,SUBSCRIPT.,ETC)
Subscription
Back Issues
Diskette

TOPIC PRICE ADVERTISER


Product Category: COMPUTERS

Searchable Fields: MODEL
64
C128
B128
Plus/4

MANUFACTURER PRICE ADVERTISER


Product Category: DISKETTES & SUPPLIES

Searchable Fields: SIZE DISKETTE(5.25/3.5)
5.25
3.5

TYPE (SS,SD,DS,DD)
SS
SD
DS
DD
color

ACCESSORY
cleaner
case
notcher
label

MANUFACTURER PRICE ADVERTISER


Product Category: DRIVES & STORAGE PERIPHERALS

Searchable Fields: TYPE(DISK DRIVE, TAPE,ETC)
Disk Drive
Floppy Disk
add-on
card
tape
wafer drive
hard disk drive
RAM Disk
Speed-up for 1541

DISK FORMAT (1541,8250,ETC)
1541
1001
8050
other

COMPUTER
64
C128
B128
PLUS/4

PORT USED            [where does this thing plug in to my computer?]
serial
user
cartridge
cassette
joystick

I/O BUS TYPE (SERIAL,IEE)
serial
IEEE
RS232

MODEL MANUFACTURER PRICE ADVERTISER


Product Category: INTERFACES

Searchable Fields: TYPE:(PRINTER,RS-232,IEEE) [what's it interface TO?]
printer
RS-232
IEEE
external controller

COMPUTER
64
C128
B128
PLUS/4

PORT USED
serial
user
cartridge
cassette
joystick

EXTERNAL DEVICE OBJECTIVE [what kinda peripheral is this interface made for
talking to?]
centronics
IEEE
RS-232
other

MODEL MANUFACTURER PRICE ADVERTISER


Product Category: MODEMS

Searchable Fields: BAUD RATE (300,1200,2400)
300
1200
2400

PLUG COMPATIBLE (RS232, CBM)
CBM
RS-232

AUTO-DIAL/ANSWER TYPE
1650
1660
HES II
Mitey Mo
Hayes
Other
None

MODEL MANUFACTURER PRICE ADVERTISER


Product Category: MONITORS

Searchable Fields: COLOR/MONOCHROME
color
monochrome
amber
green

SIGNAL TYPE
RGB
composite
other

SOUND (YES/NO)
yes
no

MODEL MANUFACTURER PRICE ADVERTISER


Product Category: PRINTERS

Searchable Fields: PRINT HEAD(DOT MATRIX,DAISY)
Dot Matrix
Daisy Wheel

SPEED (IN CPS)

CONNECTION-CBM,CENTRONIC,ETC
CBM
Centronics
RS-232
IEEE

MODEL MANUFACTURER PRICE ADVERTISER


Product Category: SOFTWARE

Searchable Fields: CATEGORY (TOPIC)
Game
Education
Music
Graphics
Utility
Language
Copy
Compiler
Database
Word Processor
Home
Application

COMPUTER
64
C128
B128
PLUS/4

MEDIUM (DISK,CART,ETC)
Disk
cartridge
tape

AGE LEVELS PERIPHERAL SUPPORT
Disk
Tape
printer
Joystick
K-Pad
BI-80
BusCard II

AUTHOR VERSION MANUFACTURER PRICE ADVERTISER


Product Category: SUPPLIES FOR PRINTERS

Searchable Fields: TYPE:(PAPER,RIBBON,ETC)
paper
ribbon
color paper
label
accesory

SIZE TRACTOR FORMS (Y/N)
yes
no COLOR RIBBON TYPE (PRINTER)
Star
Okidata
1525
1526
Epson

COMPOSITION SPECS
# bond (size)
carbon film
multi strike
nylon

MODEL MANUFACTURER PRICE ADVERTISER


Product Category: TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE

Searchable Fields: COMPUTER(64,C128,B128,ETC)
64
C128
B128
PLUS/4

PROTOCOL(XMODEM,PUNTER,ETC)
XMODEM
PUNTER
RAVICS
B Protocol
other
none

TERMINAL OR BBS
terminal
bbs

BUFFER SIZE (IN KILOBYTES) PERIPHERALS SUPPORTED
Disk
Tape
Printer
BI-80
BusCard II
Data-20 80 Col card

VERSION MANUFACTURER PRICE ADVERTISER BAUD RATES (300,1200,2400)
300
1200
2400 MODEM SUPPORT
Hayes Compatible
1650
1660
1670
Hes II
Mitey Mo
Other
1600


Product Category: OTHER PRODUCTS

Searchable Fields: TYPE COMPUTER MODEL MANUFACTURER PRICE ADVERTISER


ACTION> 

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