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 FOR166.DOC dated October 25th, 1985. This appears to be a series of Forum messages in the Close Encounters SIG (probably a buffer capture of a reading session). It contains messages #166 to #187 dated mid to late September, 1985.
See the previous post here.
===
FOR166.DOC
===
FORUM>
166 18-SEP 05:13 Open Forum
RE: VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS (Re: Msg 153)
From: WZ To: ALL
Since I don't get online very often these days, I think I will try to cover
all of the bases I can. To those of you who have so graciously welcomed me, a
heartfelt thank you. Regarding Pete's comment about 60's stories, they were in
reality very hostile times (for all the talk of peace and love!). I much
prefer things the way they are now, where the hippies and stuffed shirts are
on the same side. And to comment on Tiggy's question regarding the discovery
of infidelity in your lover... I would rather crawl naked over five miles of
broken glass than go through that (again). An additional note, Gayle -
practice does not make perfect. I have been through it a number of times and
can only attribute my success in coping to the fact that you cannot cut your
wrists with an electric razor.
FORUM>
167 18-SEP 19:50 Noteworthy News
Over 60 and Sexy
From: CABUYS To: ALL
Ten men have been selected by McCall's Magazine as American's sexiest men over
60.
They are: President Ronald Reagan, 74; actors Paul Newman, 60; Cary Grant,
81; John Forsythe, 67; Frank Sinatra, 69; film director John Huston, 79;
writers Isaac Bashevis Singer, 81, and Norman Mailer, 62; businessman Lee
Iacocca, 61; and baseball star Joe DiMaggio, 70.
"White hair, wrinkles, and slightly sagging jowls notwithstanding, each of
these tremendous 10 give out high-voltage vibes that outdazzle mere anatomy
and render chronology irrelevant," Natalie Gittelson, an executive editor,
wrote in the article.
FORUM>
168 18-SEP 19:55 Open Forum
"Personals" Ads
From: CABUYS To: ALL
Tho I've never done it, I've often thought about placing a 'personals' ad in a
local weekly paper.
And on several occasions, I've been tempted to answer such ads. But lately my
mind has been elsewhere! <grin>
Anyway, I still read these ads regularly just for the amusement of the way
some people write them. For instance, the following ad is one I wish I had
written before current events changed my need to do so. It reads:
"Wanted White Knight, approx. age 40, tarnished armor acceptable. White steed
optional. Inquire Damsel [P O Box edited out of this message for obvious
reason.]"
Has anyone here ever placed or answered such an ad? If so, would you be
willing to share your experience with us?
FORUM>
169 18-SEP 19:59 Noteworthy News
Book Reviews
From: CABUYS To: ALL
I'd like to start compiling for our database here reviews of many of the books
available about relationships, sex, or any other topic pertinent to this sig.
This should be a combined effort of all sig members where you would submit
your book review as a message in reply to this one. Then in time I will take
the accumulated reviews and set them up for the database.
Anyone willing to help me with this? I know! - It's difficult to tear
yourself away from the computer screen to get much reading done these days,
but how about it?
FORUM>
170 18-SEP 20:03 Noteworthy News
Movie Reviews
From: CABUYS To: ALL
In addition to the book reviews mentioned in message 169, we could also
compile reviews of "adult" movies for the database.
This would be handled in the same way. You could submit your review as a
reply to this message and I would accumulate them later for the database.
And if you are too shy to post your review here of either a book or movie,
just send it to me via DMAIL and I'll post it anonymously.
FORUM>
171 18-SEP 20:19 General Information
Photo Exchange
From: CABUYS To: ALL
In answer to someone's comment in the "Photo Exchange" poll, this is how I
envision it to work:
One person would be designated as the person to mail your photo to. You would
also need to send postage and an address label.
We would allow approximately six weeks for the photos to accumulate. Then we
would have them "printed" in the format of a high school yearbook. [Yeah -
remember those?] <grin>
There would be approximately a dozen pictures per page with each picture
having as it caption the username and first name of the person. The postage
and address label, of course, would be used to send you your copy.
Now, I haven't investigated the cost of the printing yet because there has not
been enough interest shown in this.
I would expect at least 24 - 30 people to participate before we actually tried
to do this.
By doing it in this way, as new members come into the sig, pictures could be
accumulated until there was enough for another printing. Then all those on
the original mailing as well as the new participants would receive copies.
Anyway, I think you get the general idea. Also we might consider making this
a Delphi-wide project for anyone who's interested, but of course, there would
have to be some slight charge to non-sig members. If we go Delphi-wide, I
think we would also want to include something more in the caption, such as age
or the place they are most likely to be found on line or something like that.
Now it's your turn to point out to me the obvious <to you> flaws in my plan!
<grin> or to make any other comments/suggestions you want about this idea.
FORUM>
172 18-SEP 20:26 Open Forum
RE: Offense to Womanhood? (Re: Msg 158)
From: PETEVO
To: CABUYS
"AW SHUCKS," HE SAID SHEEPISHLY.
FORUM>
173 18-SEP 20:34 Open Forum
RE: 'old married folks' (Re: Msg 159)
From: PETEVO To: CABUYS
I KNOW THAT THE PHOTO EXCHANGE IS ONLY SPECULATIVE. I WAS JUST BEING MY
OVERLY ANALYTICAL SELF.
ON THE LEVEL THOUGH, YOU'VE PIQUED MY INTEREST. . . WHY IS THE SIG SIZE A
SECRET?? I DON'T UNDERSTAND. (ANOTHER MYSTERY OF LIFE TO CONTEMPLATE).
--PETE
FORUM>
174 18-SEP 20:35 Noteworthy News
A NEW WORD
From: RODM To: CABUYS
If you recall several times I have mentioned that I needed a word that meant
more than 'love' because when I say 'I love you' it seems to be inadequate.
Then I found the song 'You Are The One' which refered to the same problem,
well since I have been unable to find such a word I have invented one and here
it is:
Morthove - 1. A term or unit of measure of passion that is 1000 times that of
the word 'love'.
2. A state or level of passion that is: irreversable, inalterable,
indescribable and has a relative magnatude of 1000 times Love.
(Root words: MOre THan lOVE)
EXAMPLES:
I am so morthove with you?
I Morthove You!
If this helps anyone give someone a 'flower' then I will be very well rewarded
for posting this here!
Morthove,
Rod
FORUM>
175 19-SEP 09:11 Open Forum
RE: shopping on-line? (Re: Msg 165)
From: ELLENK To: FRIED
Well I can always count on <<you>> to listen when I talk to myself dear
[:grin:]
Anyway on THIS SIG EVERYONE listens. <smile>
xXkissesXx ((hugs)) **fuzzies**
<<>>
FORUM>
176 19-SEP 09:12 Noteworthy News
RE: Over 60 and Sexy (Re: Msg 167)
From: ELLENK To: CABUYS
Gee Connie guess there's hope for us *Oldies but Goodies* [:grin:]
(They left out Charlton Heston so it's not *really* an accurate list!)
xXkissesXx ((hugs)) **fuzzies**
<<>>
FORUM>
177 19-SEP 09:15 Noteworthy News
RE: Movie Reviews (Re: Msg 170)
From: ELLENK To: CABUYS
How about TV while you're at it?
(Playboy Channel gets "Xier" every night).
xXkissesXx ((hugs)) **fuzzies**
<<anonymous>>
FORUM>
178 19-SEP 09:18 General Information
RE: Photo Exchange (Re: Msg 171)
From: ELLENK To: CABUYS
Gee Connie, I'd be happy to send a photo. (Hey guys if it has a slight
resembelence to Marilyn Monroe you'll understand) (grin)
(And therein lies the loophole) [:grin:]
<<>>
FORUM>
179 19-SEP 17:18 Noteworthy News
RE: Movie Reviews (Re: Msg 177)
From: CABUYS To: ELLENK
Good idea, Ellen, thanks!
Now all I need to find is a "reporter" for such!
By the way, there's no way *you* could stay <<anonymous>> when you close
everything with xXkissesXx ((hugs)) **fuzzies**! <giggle>
FORUM>
180 19-SEP 17:19 General Information
RE: Photo Exchange (Re: Msg 178)
From: CABUYS To: ELLENK
*That's* a big loophole, Ellen and it points direct to what I consider a flaw
in my character ===> I trust everyone to be honest! sigh.
FORUM>
182 20-SEP 07:31 Noteworthy News
RE: Movie Reviews (Re: Msg 5389)
From: WZ To: CABUYS
Regarding the 'adult' movie database, do I detect a video tape exchange in the
offing? I have a rather nice library to offer to the pool if this is to
happen.
Please reply to 'plain brown wrapper' and tell 'em Connie sent you!
FORUM>
183 20-SEP 18:46 Noteworthy News
RE: Movie Reviews (Re: Msg 177)
From: RODM To: ELLENK
Hey! I like that ! Except I can't get in this town either Playboy or Pleasure
Channel!!!!!!!
When I designed and installed some commercial Sat. sites we would watch
Playboy directly from the sat. and it proved "interesting" to say the least!!!
Cinemax has a program "eros" or something like that and it varies from totally
stupid to erotic but I seem to catch even that only on rare occasions!!
Would enjoy the reviews of others but am totally unqualified to do one!
See Ya'
Rod
FORUM>
184 20-SEP 19:03 Open Forum
RE: "Personals" Ads (Re: Msg 168)
From: SMENCIK To: CABUYS
I have answered several, received replies back from about 1/3 of those I
answered. I actually had 1 date, which was unimpressive, and I never heard
from her again. (She said "she would call me later in the summer after she
went through her 50+ responses"). I have also placed an ad, and received
exactly 1 response. Again, an uneventful date in which it was obvious we "were
not made for each other" and that was the end of it. Even though these
experiences were not too great, I wouldn't mind trying again, though currently
I am back dating an old girlfriend.
Anyone else honest enough to confess??!!
Steve
FORUM>
185 21-SEP 23:35 Open Forum
RE: Offense to Womanhood? (Re: Msg 102)
From: HANSOLO To: CABUYS
Connie, I think that the signs probably do tend to distract the commuters. I
also feel that the apparent general subject matter is in bad taste however
there is quite a lot of stuff in bad taste. I am from the New York City area
and we have a DJ up here, Howard Stern, who is the epitome of bad taste, in my
opinion, he has one of the highest rated shows for his time slot which is the
afternoon rush hour. He puts the person writing the signs to shame and would
probably cause the woman down there to have heart failure if she gets upset
over jokes of the sort you showed.
The fact that the signs and radio show are still being seen and heard says a
lot for our society, don't you think?
John
FORUM>
186 21-SEP 23:55 Open Forum
Censorship?
From: HANSOLO To: ALL
I think we all have been inundated by the hearings before the Senate Commerece
Commitee about rating of records. They (the PMRC) want the record companies
to put ratings similar to those used for movies on ALL records produced.
Aleggedly because of the ease with which youngsters can aquire said items. I
will agree with them that the content of a large number of Rock and Roll songs
(if you can call some of it Rock and Roll; personal opinion) is not suited
for young ears or old for that matter. I do not agree in the slightest with
the idea that the records should be rated or in any way segrated. If this
were done it would only make these items more visible which is what they want
to avoid. Nor do I feel that whether or not a record has a 'R' or 'PG' or even
(heaven forbid) 'X' rating will the parents who are not involved get more
involved these parents just don't care what their kids do.
I also have the funny feeling that if the PMRC gets its way we are rapidly on
our way to letting the busybodies of the world tell us what we can or cannot
see hear and do. No I do not think the PMRC are a bunch of busybodies just a
group of people with good intentions who have gotten too much free press and
who should just TURN OFF the radio if they don't like what they hear and don't
buy what they don't like or want their kids to buy. That is their perogotive.
JUST DO NOT try and tell me what I can or can't do, etc.
John
FORUM>
187 22-SEP 14:04 Poetry
Madonna's poem
From: CABUYS To: ALL
I want to thank Madonna for submitting her poem to the Poetry database. I
hope to encourage her to write and submit more for us!
Thanks Madonna!
