Digital Archaeology: Floppy Disk #10 – FOR231.DOC


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 FOR231.DOC dated October 23rd, 1985. This another set of forum messages from the Close Encounters SIG (probably a buffer capture of a reading session). It contains messages from early October 1985. There are a variety of topics here ranging from censorship to sexual positions (and lots of others).

See the previous post here.

===
FOR231.DOC
===


 
FORUM>
 
231  5-OCT-17:40: Open Forum
     RE: the great debate <!--??--> (Re: Msg 201)
     From: TROPICAL     To: ALL
 
 Although I agree very heartily that censorship in all forms should not be
 excercised (I make exception for the 'fire' shouters in crowded non- burning
 theatres, etc..) I'm not too sure about smoking - the mere fact that the stuff
 is burning affects all the air, not just that in the close proximity of the
 smoker.  A pedantic point, but one to consider... Tropical
 
 FORUM>

232  5-OCT-18:22: Open Forum
     RE: the great debate <!--??--> (Re: Msg 231)
     From: HANSOLO      To: TROPICAL
 
 I don't think that we should do more than segregate the smokers from the non-
 smokers.  There are several places where I think smoking should be prohibited;
 Those are confined areas such as buses, subways, elevators, etc.  I also think
 (and it is the law in NY) that smoking in supermarkets should be illegal. John
 
 FORUM> 
 
233  5-OCT-18:33: General Information
     fantasy board
     From: HANSOLO      To: JOHNMYSELF
 
 John, I just finished reading the fantasy board.  I think your synopsises are
 terrific.
 
 see you later John
 
 FORUM> 
 
234  5-OCT-19:22: Lifestyles
     RE: Legal sex with minors! (Re: Msg 225)
     From: JOEY         To: CABUYS
 
 Connie,
 
 These people are SICK! I am speechless.
 
 Joe
 
 FORUM> 
 
235  5-OCT-19:24: Noteworthy News
     RE: Sign Here Please! (Re: Msg 226)
     From: JOEY         To: CABUYS
 
 Written strokes? I prefer a different kind.(smile)
 
 Joe
 
 FORUM> 
 
236  6-OCT-07:52: Open Forum
     RE: sex (Re: Msg 229)
     From: FRIED        To: JOHNMYSELF
 
 Gee, shouldn't this discussion be in the Theology SIG? <grin>
 
 Or perhaps Art of Programming? <grin>
 
 Er, maybe GameSIG? <grin>
 
 Sounds a little MANIACal to me. <grin>.
 
 I'm trying to get serious about this, but it's difficult.  Just occurred to me
 that Adam would have had a hard time finding help from a local hospital if he
 had an impotence problem.
 
 Eve:  What's wrong, Honey?
 Adam: I don't know.  Must have been all those apples.
 
 Happy Sunday.
 
 FORUM> 
237  6-OCT-09:16: Lifestyles
     RE: Legal sex with minors! (Re: Msg 225)
     From: JOHNP        To: CABUYS
 
 The North American Man/Boy Love Association is one of those organizations that
 makes me wish the First Amendment could be temporarily suspended.
 
 They are the sickest bunch of people I've ever heard of.  Anyone who knows my
 preferences knows that I'm possibly more accepting of 'different' things than
 others, but this ... I can't properly or fully express my disgust in words.
 
 FORUM> 
 
238  6-OCT-14:27: Play Ground
     Sexual Trivia Contest 1
     From: JOHNMYSELF   To: ALL
 
                 Sexual Trivia Contest Questions
                       Set 1 - October 1985
 
         1) Fellatio is the highly erotic opera written by
            Pucini.  True or False
 
         2) A man's knowledge of a woman's body is helpful
            to him in:
                 a) Appreciating what it means to be female.
                 b) Pleasing himself and her sexually.
                 c) Planning for contraception and preventing
                    and discovering disease.
                 d) All of the above.
 
         3) Which of the following offers some protection against
            sexually transmitted disease?
 
                 a) Condoms.
                 b) Vaginal suppositories.
                 c) Saran  wrap.
                 d) Two of the above.
 
         4) "Gender identity" can change during a lifetime.
            True or False
 
         5) Who said "Bisexuality immediately doubles your chances
            for a date on Saturday night."
 
                 a) Woody Allen.
                 b) Tallulah Bankhead.
                 c) Elton John.
                 d) Bette Midler.
 
         6) How did Franciscan monks test their powers of chastity?
 
         7) Why is the wedding ring customarily worn on the third
            finger of the left hand?
 
         8) On which date, according to a 1970 'Seventeen' survey,
            is it traditional for a couple to have their first kiss?
 
         9) What do hermaphrodites have that "normal" humans do not?
 
        10) Who is the ancient Roman god of orgies?
 
 FORUM> 
 
239  6-OCT-14:39: Lifestyles
     RE: Legal sex with minors! (Re: Msg 225)
     From: JOHNMYSELF   To: CABUYS
 
 Personally, I think that the notion of children consenting to sexual activity is
 at best, a little off base.
 
 Children can say yes or no to be sure, but for that kind of interaction, the
 participants should be able to understand completely the nature of what they are
 doing.  I seriously doubt that you average child of say 8 or even 10 has the
 mental and emotional capability to handle sexual relations for one thing, and I
 don't think that man made laws or changes to them should be given serious
 consideration.  This is primarily (I think) a moral issue first, and a legal
 issue second.
 
 Valid consent can only come from understanding and isn't really related to what
 I may or may not want/like.  As for me, there isn't anyone that will get away
 with telling me that my children can have sex with someone if they (think) they
 want to.  Not till they are at least 18 anyway.!!
 
  FORUM> 
 
240  6-OCT-14:44: Open Forum
     RE: sex (Re: Msg 229)
     From: JOHNMYSELF   To: RODM
 
 True, but there also other things that come with choices. Responsibilities, and
 sometimes trouble.  Getting a good balance is difficult at best.  However, in
 the long run, you can come out well ahead on the plus side.
  
 FORUM> 
 
241  6-OCT-14:50: Open Forum
     RE: considerations (Re: Msg 230)
     From: JOHNMYSELF   To: RODM
 
 Of such stuff are many Sci-Fi stories which find remnants of technlogical
 societies generations later just (re)-emerging from the caves (sic) to restart
 the long climb to knowledge.
 
 <even star trek had such an episode> In which the leaders passed on such
 knowledge as was deemed safe to relate but did so in the form of laws and
 judgements from a might deity who watched over and protected them.
 
 Eventually, they would return to some measure of their parents society and
 developement.  Perhaps they would manage to avoid the great errors that brought
 about their original collapse.  And then again, perhaps not.
 
 FORUM> 
 
242  6-OCT-15:29: Open Forum
     RE: sex (Re: Msg 240)
     From: RODM         To: JOHNMYSELF
 
 I didn't mention it but the truth is obvious that any true treasure of life is
 either won, earned, or given freely by another but in all cases must be
 protected, maintained, and cherished if it is to remain a treasure!
 
 Pardon my being so dull! But I think we have similar values and know these
 truths! Rod
 
 FORUM> 
 
245  7-OCT-20:05: Open Forum
     What questions would you ask?
     From: CABUYS       To: ALL
 
 If you had the opportunity to chat on line in the conference area with someone
 who is a professional in the field of human sexuality, what questions would you
 ask about him/her or their profession?
 
 FORUM> 
 
246  7-OCT-23:32: Close Encounters
     Sexual Positions
     From: RODM         To: ALL
 
 
 The  last  couple of conferences have dealt with sexual positions and  I  have
 followed the discussions very closely but for several reasons could not put my
 thoughts  and experiences together concisely enough nor can I enter data  fast
 enough or even tell it to someone fast enough to keep up with the pace of  the
 conferences so I am formulating several lists and messages which might via the
 forum or articles be of help to the SIG, its conferences, or its membership in
 the future discussions.
 
 The  first  of  these is the following list of coital positions  that  I  have
 experienced  with  varying  degrees of success.  This list  does  not  contain
 positions for oral sex,  anal sex,  mutual masterbation,  or manual /  digital
 <finger not computer>  stimulation,  nor does it include the  advantages  or
 disadvatages of the positions listed but if I can develope the courage all  of
 those lists and references will soon follow.
 
 I  hope  that when seen this list will make everyone aware that the  positions
 are variations and many of them are actually very common,  others in the  list
 are  NOT  real common and usually are related to  some  event,  occassion,  or
 circumstance.
 
 Afterall  Life itself is filled with variations and often those variations are
 the beauties, treasures, or 'flowers' of life!
 
 ENOUGH!! - Now the List!:
 
 Position    Woman's Position         Man's Position         Relative Positions
 ________    ______________________   _____________________  __________________
 
 1           Lying on back            Horizontal above       Face to face
 
 2           "  "  "   "              "  "  "  "  "  "       Opposite(Head-toe)
 
 3           "  "  "  side            Beside                 Face to face
 
 4           "  "  "   "              "  " (Forming 'X')     Back to face
 
 5           "  " / kneeling over     Kneeling               Man behind Woman
 
 6           Sitting/Kneeling atop    Lying on back          Facing
 
 7           "   "   "    "   " "     "  "   "  "            Woman facing away
 
 8           Squatting over           "  "   "  "            Facing
 
 9           "    "    " "            "  "   "  "            Woman facing away
 
 10          Sitting on Man           Sitting(leaning back)  Facing
                                      (man can reach woman)
 
 11          "    "  "  "             "  "                   Woman facing away
 
 12          Squatting over           "  "                   " "   "  "   "  "
 
 13          "    "    " "            "  "                   Facing
 
 14          Leaning onto table       Standing               Man behind Woman
 
 15          Lying on table           "   "                  Man facing Woman
                                                            (holding her legs)
 
 16          Leaning over low back    "   "                  Man behind Woman
             chair or arm of couch
 
 17          Standing (leaning back)  "   " (leaning back)   Facing
 
 18          "   "  (leaning forward) "   "                  Man behind Woman
 
  FORUM> 
 
247  8-OCT-20:17: Open Forum
     Playboy Magazine
     From: CABUYS       To: ALL
 
 If anyone has the March 1985 issue of Playboy that they are willing to part
 with, please contact me via Dmail or in reply to this message.  Thanks!
 
 -Connie
 
 FORUM> 
 
248  10-OCT 13:50 Open Forum
     RE: Playboy Magazine (Re: Msg 247)
     From: ELLENK       To: CABUYS
 
 Hmmm I probably have it in the *library* and would be glad to send it to you.
 Now you have my curiosity up tho. [:grin:] WHAT was in it?????
 
 xXkissesXx ((hugs)) **fuzzies**
 <<>>
 
  FORUM> 
 
249  10-OCT 14:20 General Information
     Playboy mag
     From: ELLENK       To: CABUYS
 
 Thanks Connie, I needed that.
 
    After making that *rash* statement that I probably had the Playboy mag in
 question I signed offline and went back to look. Do you have ANY idea what
 YOU started???
    I started with the book rack in the *library* where I found a jillion (so I
 exagurate) 3 year old catalogs. some yellowed newspapers an` several Penthouse
 issues. No Playboys.
    Then I went for the stack of mags in the closet.  THAT yielded 3 letters I
 hadn't answered, A financial report I've been looking for and a dividend check
 I had misplaced last Feb.
    Now I have to write 3 letters and go deposit the check. (All of .25).
    To make an even longer story short, no Playboy March issue. Sorry Luv.
 
 xXkissesXx ((hugs)) **fuzzies**
              <<>>
 
 FORUM> 
 
250  10-OCT 17:14 Open Forum
     RE: Playboy Magazine (Re: Msg 248)
     From: CABUYS       To: ELLENK
 
 Your *library*, huh? <grin> Must be *some* library!
 
 As for what's in it, that's easy:  There's an article called "Type Dirty To Me"
 by Robert E. Carr & I'd like to get reprint permission, once I get my hands on
 the mag!
 
 <hugs> -Connie