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 DM0922.DOC which is dated September 21st, 1985. This is a screen capture of another mail reading session and like the previous one, it is relatively lengthy compared to some of the earlier ones. There are e-mails dated from September 18th, 1985 to September 22nd, 1985. Some topics include more from Rod and Connie, personal ads, books, SIG management, music, poetry, and much more. Towards the end you can also see some menu navigation within Delphi including some of the settings options.
See the previous post here.
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DM0922.DOC
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read 1 #1 18-SEP-1985 12:03:13 MAIL From: BOS2A::RODM To: CABUYS,RODM Subj: Delicous My Dearest Delicous Darling Connie, I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU Love, Rod MAIL> d MAIL> #2 18-SEP-1985 19:19:32 MAIL From: BOS1A::PRINCESS To: CABUYS Subj: am ok ... and you? want to talk? phone?? MAIL> d MAIL> #3 18-SEP-1985 19:20:56 MAIL From: BOS1A::PRINCESS To: CABUYS Subj: stu thinks i am talking with rod dimumb man! MAIL> d MAIL> #4 18-SEP-1985 19:25:32 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: PRINCESS,CABUYS Subj: Rod will be calling in a few minutes. I felt bad that I had not talked to you after Monday to see how you were! <hugs> -Connie MAIL> d MAIL> #5 18-SEP-1985 20:07:27 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: RONMAZUR,CABUYS Subj: Thanks! Hi Ron! I got the book and article today! I haven't had time to start reading yet but it looks very interesting! I did read the article tho and found it very interesting! One of these days, we'll have to meet "in person", don't you think? Keep in touch! <hugs> -Connie MAIL> d MAIL> #6 18-SEP-1985 20:10:23 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: JOHNP,CABUYS Subj: tsk tsk tsk! How come you don't have a "whois" in the sig membership directory? <grin> "We" would like to know more about you! How's that for a 'subtle' hint? <grin> -Connie MAIL> d MAIL> #7 18-SEP-1985 20:15:21 MAIL From: BOS1A::RODM To: CABUYS,RODM Subj: read and destroy! My Darling Connie here is the comments from earlier: PRINCESS>> hiya CABUYS>> good because others here besides me would mean trouble for you! <grin> /zend cabuys so what! CABUYS>> by the way, I want *you* to post your MORTHOVE msg in the Forum! pa Page whom? CABUYS>> so what you say????? I'll get ya for that! cabuys cabuys being paged. Hit RETURN to cancel:/who GROUP LIST: 19:29:19 3) PRIVATE STUART, PRINCESS - idle CABUYS, RODM PAGE LIST: RODM is paging cabuys AVAILABLE LIST: () = in conf (STUART), (PRINCESS), (CABUYS), (RODM) ------ [4 in this area] Hit RETURN to cancel: /zend princess did Stu get earthed Connie did! PRINCESS>> YOU CALLING THAT LADY AGAIN PRINCESS>> HUGS ** CABUYS just joined 1 (2 members now) ** CABUYS> darn system dropped me! RODM> did you go BOOM! PRINCESS>> NO HE LEFT, AND JUST AS WELL, HE WILL DRIVE ME NUTS .Connie> yup! it hurt too! <grin> PRINCESS>> OR TO DRINK SOME DAY PRINCESS>> HASSLES ME ENDLESSLY RODM> just a sec /zend princess patience for your subjects your majesty! PRINCESS>> MY SUBJECTS RIGHT, PLANTY PATIENCE, MY MASTER ... NO PRINCESS>> SIGH PRINCESS>> I BETTER FLY BEFORE I GET CAUGHT ... SIGH ... HUGS /zend princess it isn'THAT bad is it!!! PRINCESS>> YES IT IS ... SIGH ... OH WELL ... PRINCESS>> I ASK FOR IT ... GOT INVED WITH A MALE CHAUVANISmT ... PRINCESS>> NITE FOR NOW, HUGS /zend princess many Knights would comfort and protect you PRINCESS>> MERCI ... HUGS AND SISTERLY ... UMMM PRINCESSLY KISS /zend princess farwell then my PRINCESS ma! Could not send MAIL> d MAIL> #8 18-SEP-1985 21:20:16 MAIL From: BOS1A::JOHNMYSELF To: CABUYS,JOHNMYSELF Subj: no mail to ? besides Louschneider and Yoshi; are there any others you know of who do not want to be on the mailing list? let me know. thanks. John MAIL> d MAIL> #9 18-SEP-1985 21:21:36 MAIL From: BOS1A::JOHNMYSELF To: CABUYS,JOHNMYSELF Subj: what is this? Roses are red, we know that is true; and we also know that I love you. <so there !!!> MAIL> d MAIL> #10 18-SEP-1985 23:21:34 MAIL From: BOS1A::RODM To: CABUYS,RODM Subj: May I be your Knight? 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? MAIL> d MAIL> #11 18-SEP-1985 23:23:05 MAIL From: BOS1A::RODM To: CABUYS,RODM Subj: review - ultimate kiss!!!! 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? MAIL> d MAIL> #12 19-SEP-1985 02:40:08 MAIL From: BOS1A::RONMAZUR To: BOS1A::CABUYS Subj: RE: Thanks! Hi Connie--We must have alot in common--read a note the other day which was from a call from Bill Hunscler more than a year ago asking me to call a person who wanted to do a SIG which might be in "my area". Told him there was no such thing as my area and that I would not presume to call you and that the more the merrier. Life is sometimes a happy trip of intertwining country lanes where joyful wanderers keep meeting to share wonderful moments. Perhaps we will have the pleasure of such meetings. **warmly** ron MAIL> #13 19-SEP-1985 12:45:16 MAIL From: BOS2A::TIGLON To: CABUYS, ELLENK Subj: high messages! Gals, Since i can kick two stones with one show and mail to both of you, I got a weird problem in both of the sigs recently. When I go into the forum...my high message read changes to some number way WAY over the number of the highest message in the SIG!!! I have changed to the right number that I have read to, but it still keeps changing back every time I come back! Waht's up?? Softey Bugs again?? HighMessed, Gayle MAIL> d MAIL> #14 19-SEP-1985 17:08:31 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: BOS1A::RONMAZUR,CABUYS Subj: RE: Thanks! Ron, You can't believe how I am giggling over your message! You see, when I wanted to start my SIG on Delphi, I was dealing with Glenn and there was a discussion between him and Bill about a possible overlap of interests between your sig and mine. Bill suggested that I call you but I never did. Funny, we both got similar messages and neither of us did it and now look at us! <grin> And one of these days, I *will* call - I always do what I say I'm gonna do - often it just takes me one heck of a lot longer to do so than I wish! <smile> Take care! <hugs> -Connie MAIL> d MAIL> #15 19-SEP-1985 17:09:45 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: BOS1A::JOHNMYSELF,CABUYS Subj: RE: no mail to ? I'm not aware of any one at all, until you mentioned those two. Perhaps you should post an announcement advising all members that we do send out dmail regularly to sig members and those who wish not to be on such a mailing list should notify you? -Connie MAIL> d MAIL> #16 19-SEP-1985 17:10:35 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: BOS1A::JOHNMYSELF,CABUYS Subj: RE: what is this? I love it, sweetheart! and I love you too! <smile> so there!!! yourself!!! <grin> Love, Connie MAIL> d MAIL> #17 19-SEP-1985 17:11:51 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: BOS1A::RODM,CABUYS Subj: RE: May I be your Knight? But, lover, I *thought* you already were my knight!!! <grin> After all, didn't you notice my comment re: "before current events changed my need to do so!"? I love you! -Connie MAIL> d MAIL> #18 19-SEP-1985 17:12:45 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: BOS1A::RODM,CABUYS Subj: RE: review - ultimate kiss!!!! I plan to do an indepth book review of Ultimate Kiss - soon as I have the time do so! <grin> I knew you'd get around to that suggestion sooner or later! I love you! -Connie MAIL> #19 19-SEP-1985 17:14:17 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: BOS2Ad::TIGLON,CABUYS Subj: RE: high messages! Gayle, I've had the same thing happen to me just recently. Only I did note that the high message counter was that of a previous sig I had visited. I suspect bugs again. Will do some checking and let you know what I find. -Connie MAIL> MAIL> #20 19-SEP-1985 17:14:35 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: ELLENK,CABUYS Subj: copy of my answer to Gayle Gayle, I've had the same thing happen to me just recently. Only I did note that the high message counter was that of a previous sig I had visited. I suspect bugs again. Will do some checking and let you know what I find. -Connie MAIL> d MAIL> #21 19-SEP-1985 19:21:46 MAIL From: BOS1A::PRINCESS To: CABUYS Subj: sok about not calling, was wondering if you cared or not <sigh> know you are busy yourself hugs ] peggy MAIL> d MAIL> #22 19-SEP-1985 20:39:58 MAIL From: BOS1A::RONMAZUR To: BOS1A::CABUYS Subj: RE: Thanks! Wonders never cease! Careful that I do not get electronic limmerance!! **Getting warmer** ron MAIL> #23 20-SEP-1985 16:20:06 MAIL From: BOS1A::RODM To: CABUYS,RODM Subj: resend w/copyright info So very often today songs are writen with little or no continuity to the lyrics, the lyrics are burried by the intensity of the beat or rhythm of the music, but every so often a song 'makes it' that has the beauty that the one I am sending has. There is a lot of background to why I am so affected by this song and some of that might have even prevented my even hearing it but life has grabbed my attention and caused me to find new beauty in places I might never have gone. Until recently I didn't listen to much music at all and CERTAINLY NOT country music but my life was affected by several people and after emerging from a 'cave' in which I was hiding I started hearing the words to songs, seeing the fantastic things life has to give, and learned the importance sharing, feeling, and loving if life is to be worth living. I hope that everyone that reads this knows already or will realize very soon exactly who they would recite or sing these words to and perhaps give them to that person as the 'flower' for that day! ** "You Decorated My Life" (D.Hupp/B. Morrison - Pub. by: Music City Music) All my life was a paper, once plain, pure, and white 'Til you moved with your pen, changing moods now and then, 'til the balance was right Then you added some music, every note was is place And anybody could see all the changes in me, by the look on my face And you decorated my life. Created a world where dreams are a part And you decorated my life by painting your love all over my heart You decorated my life! Like a rhyme with no reason in an unfinished song There was no harmony, life meant nothing to me, until you came along And you brought out the colors. what a gentle surprise Now I'm able to see, all the things life can be, shining soft in your eyes And you decorated my life. Created a world where dreams are a part And you decorated my life,by painting your love all over my heart You decorated my life! **Written by: D. Hupp / B. Morrison Published by: Music City Music, Inc. Permission to publish these lyrics may be gotten by written request from: Mr. Bob Beckham Combine Music, Inc. 35 Music Square East Nashville, Tenn. 37203 Request should state how reprint is to be used and that it is for Non- Commercial Use. (Combine Music now owns all assets of Music City Music) MAIL> #24 21-SEP-1985 06:13:37 MAIL From: BOS1A::JOHNP To: BOS1A::CABUYS Subj: Want to know more about me? Hmmmmm...<grin> I thought you knowew *quite* a bit about me!!! I'll see what I can do! MAIL> d MAIL> #25 21-SEP-1985 13:42:45 MAIL From: BOS1A::MADONNA To: CABUYS Subj: poem (submitted to poetry section) "I Can Almost Feel You" September telescopes outside my bedroom window. Night stains the air inky dark. I lean against the open window, elbow on papered table, ready for anything. The last of the fireflies rise from weeds, blinking green, interlopers with burning eyes. Insects navigate the darkness, warm night-walls, secduced by carlights,l lantern moons, and you follow. Red clMississippi dirt covers your shoes as you cross the border, attracted by the golden cliircle of my houselights. Within the night, you observe lace-screened windows framed by southern darkness. You beckon me into the honeysuckle. I kiss the curve of your lips, your hands question my skin. I answer you with sweet kisses. You take my shoulders in wary hands, draw me against your heart (where fireflies flutter). I kiss the hollow just below your clollarcollar bone, where that soft shadow waits. All I want to do is forget-- to know nothing but the weight of your body, to hear nothing but this echoed breathing I have imagined for too long. I cannot tell where I end and you begin. As you retreat along delta flatlands, I memorize the shape of your body, the curve of your cheek reflected in river eddiess in river eddies, love catches in my throat like a bone. Tonight, in the lglow of, of my houselights, I'll pretend your are waiting in the tangled honeysuckle-- the glow of your cigarette is a beacon. I can almost feel your breath against my neck..... MAIL> d MAIL> #26 21-SEP-1985 14:24:43 MAIL From: BOS1A::MADONNA To: CABUYS Subj: second thoughts.. Connie, I really think (if you decide to use the poem) that I'd like it to be an anyonoymous submission. Ok? Thanks! I am trluly skhy & would like to build my nerve up bit by bit (smile). Best, Libybyby MAIL> d MAIL> #27 21-SEP-1985 15:38:52 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: BOS1A::MADONNA,CABUYS Subj: RE: second thoughts.. Libby, As you know, we are more than happy to accept original poetry or anything else on an "annonymous" basis. I can definitely understand the shyness. You can't imagine how often I have to deal with my own shyness and how much it takes for me to build up my nerve just to handle this sig! Strange, huh? Thanks for the poem! You can bet we'll use it! And in time, I just bet you'll want to post some things and let everyone know *you* wrote 'em! YOu should be proud of what you can do! I envy anyone who can write poetry and often wish I could do so! OH well, enough of my rambling for now! Take care! -Connie MAIL> d MAIL> #28 21-SEP-1985 15:53:01 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: RODM,CABUYS Subj: copy of msg from insiders sig. 1468 21-SEP 15:26 SIG News SEND & WHO now at FORUM> From: DAN To: ALL And SEND allows you to ask questions: FORUM> SEND DAN ?QUE PASA? does the "right" thing with the questions marks. MAIL> d MAIL> #29 21-SEP-1985 19:40:27 MAIL From: BOS2A::MADONNA To: CABUYS Subj: third thoughts Thank you for understanding....however I talked with Joey & he convinced me to take credit for the poem. So when you put it in the dbase, I would appreciate it if you'd say it was from Madonna (Libby) Thank you! ((hugs)) Lib MAIL> d MAIL> #30 21-SEP-1985 21:39:36 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: RODM,CABUYS Subj: /send isn't working - neither is /page & hurry up & join us! <grin> MAIL> d MAIL> #31 21-SEP-1985 22:10:16 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: RODM,CABUYS Subj: I may bail out of here suddenly - not happy with way co is going. sigh. MAIL> d MAIL> #32 21-SEP-1985 22:12:08 MAIL From: BOS1A::RODM To: BOS1A::CABUYS,RODM Subj: RE: I may bail out of here suddenly - not happy with way co is going. si gh. MY Darling, If you do may I join YOU!?? MAIL> d MAIL> #33 21-SEP-1985 22:13:23 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: BOS1A::RODM,CABUYS Subj: RE: I may bail out of here suddenly - not happy with way co is going. si gh. Join me where, dear? Would be foolish of me to stay on line and not attend my co and you can't call from where you are. sigh. MAIL> d MAIL> #34 21-SEP-1985 22:15:04 MAIL From: BOS1A::RODM To: BOS1A::CABUYS,RODM Subj: RE: I may bail out of here suddenly - not happy with way co is going. si gh. I CAN CALL!!!!!! MAIL> d MAIL> #35 21-SEP-1985 22:15:59 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: BOS1A::RODM,CABUYS Subj: RE: I may bail out of here suddenly - not happy with way co is going. si gh. ok! if I leave, then please do so!!!! I love you!!! MAIL> d MAIL> #36 21-SEP-1985 22:45:57 MAIL From: BOS1A::RODM To: CABUYS,RODM Subj: Survival odds? Darling , What is my life expectancy right now?? MAIL> d MAIL> #37 21-SEP-1985 22:46:36 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: BOS1A::RODM,CABUYS Subj: RE: Survival odds? Lover, actually very good! I'm giggling a lot! MAIL> d MAIL> #38 21-SEP-1985 22:48:01 MAIL From: BOS1A::RODM To: BOS1A::CABUYS,RODM Subj: RE: Survival odds? I hope I confused the joke adequately! I LOVE YOU!!! MAIL> d MAIL> #39 21-SEP-1985 23:01:18 MAIL From: BOS1A::RODM To: CABUYS,RODM Subj: May I NOW? Darling , May I call NOW? MAIL> d MAIL> #40 21-SEP-1985 23:01:59 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: BOS1A::RODM,CABUYS Subj: RE: May I NOW? yes! MAIL> d MAIL> #41 22-SEP-1985 14:12:23 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: CABUYS,CABUYS Subj: changes to database from Insiders sig 1496 22-SEP 13:26 SIG News 9/22 Database Enhancements From: DAN To: ALL I have installed a new version of the databases and workspace in the Inside Information sig today. I haven't made it globally available until it's shaken down a bit. (I particularly don't want to put new stuff in for you on a Sunday night!) The various major and minor enhancements are: FILE SIZES - the field for the file size now displays if non-zero. The field is automatically calculated by the system at the time of submission. It is also available as one of the editable items for database managers. When using the edit option on the file size, you can enter some number of your own or type SYSTEM to let the system calculate it for you. The system-calculated number is reasonably accurate, but not guaranteed. The number is displayed in bytes, but I am open to other suggestions. At the time the new database software is released for general use, I will run a program against all of your production databases to update the file size fields -- since these are all zero now. SUBMIT FROM COMMON PREVIEW - now works again. Getting this to work required making some changes to workspace (internal changes only), which may affect the way some of you have been moving from workspace to databases and back. Submit from a database menu probably brings you back to where you left off rather than putting you in the workspace as it had previously. (Not sure of this.) SPACING BETWEEN ITEMS ON DIR FULL - now a little easier to see where one file/group ends and the next starts. DISPLAY FORMAT OF MANAGER-ONLY ITEMS - for consistency, I now display a / (slash) character before items that only managers see. I haven't gotten them all yet, but I'm trying. This should make it easier to tell who is seeing what. FILE NAMING CONVENTIONS - now a bit more unlikely to create duplicates. File names in COMMON PREVIEW when submitted by a user are now prefixed by a two-digit suggested-topic-id and the first 5 letters of the guy's username. For example, I submitted a file called NATIONAL.DAT from my username DAN0 to be placed in the Using Delphi topic here. Using Delphi has an internal id of 5 (this is the same number that specifies the digit-position in the topics in smaint), so the file created in COMMON PREVIEW is 05$DAN0$NATIONAL.DAT -- making it less likely that someone else will trash the file. The new naming convention also has the (useful?) side effect of causing a DIR within a database area to list the files by username of submittor within topic. There are no major changes here; I am just taking advantage of the longer filenames allowed under the new version of the VMS operating system. Using PEABO's method of watching the filenames as they are moved into COMMON DATABASE is still STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. If all works well, this new version will be available for installation early this week. Dan MAIL> d MAIL> #42 22-SEP-1985 14:21:19 MAIL From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE" To: ATRICK,CABUYS Subj: quick entry to your sig Allen, I'm answering your message in Insiders via Dmail because it's not recommended that sig managers use this method. It's not recommended because changes can be made to menus that you are not aware of unless you see the menus and with my method you don't see 'em. Anyway, here's how I have it set to log directly into my sig, which is Close Encounters. You'll need to make necessary change in sig name for your sig. ^Z MAIN> ? MAIN Menu: Bulletin Boards News-Weather-Sport Conference People on DELPHI DELPHI Mail Travel Entertainment Workspace Financial Services Using DELPHI Groups and Clubs HELP Library EXIT Merchants' Row MAIN>What do you want to do? using USING-DELPHI> ? USING-DELPHI Menu: Advice From DELPHI What's New On DELPHI Credit Policy Rates and Prices Feedback Settings (PROFILE) Guided Tour Telex-Codes Mail To SERVICE Usage History Manuals HELP Network Info EXIT Premium Services USING-DELPHI>(Please Select an Item)> settings SETTINGS> ? SETTINGS Menu: WIDTH (Columns) PROMPT Mode LENGTH (Lines/page) TERMINAL Type MENU (Default Selection) HELP PASSWORD (Change) EXIT SETTINGS>What would you like to set? prompt Your current prompt mode is: 1 (Brief) Select type of prompt. (1, 2 or 3) 1 Your prompt has been set to 1 (Brief) SETTINGS> menu Your current default menu item is: MAIN Default Menu Item: gr clo You have selected the GR CLO menu. SETTINGS> ^Z *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Close Encounters - The Intimate Side of Computer Telecommunications (c) 1985 SLG Associates *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* ENCOUNTER> Hope this helps or is what you are looking for! If not, let me know and I'll try again! Good luck! -Connie MAIL> d MAIL> No more messages MAIL> d