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 OMNITERM.RCV dated October 27th, 1985. It appears to be a log capture from the terminal of a user navigating logging on to Delphi, reading mail and performing other activities. Some of the contents has shown up in other files but what makes this interesting is the sort of start to end interaction with the system. A snippet of what “going online” was like in 1985.
See the previous post here.
===
OMNITERM.RCV
===
H
DISCONNECT
*dt 3561115x
DIALING...t 3561115
RINGING...
ON LINE ORIG
x|
UNINET PAD 3EC0 PORT 00
service : gvc
*u001 000 connected to 61703050
Username: CABUYS
Password:
Hello CABUYS
Welcome to DELPHI
Copyright (c) 1985
General Videotex Corporation
Logon at : 27-OCT-1985 11:03:54
Last Logon : 27-OCT-1985 10:55:25
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Close Encounters - The Intimate Side
of Computer Telecommunications
(c) 1985 SLG Associates
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
You have new Forum message(s).
ENCOUNTER> ma
MAIL> s
To: rodm
Subj: me your account
Enter your message below. Press CTRL/Z when complete, or CTRL/C to quit:
Darling,
I couldn't wait so I came on line on your account and reposted your
message.
I also posted the "Clock" since it's very appropriate today! <smile>
Hope you don't object but if you do, please say so. I'm now d going to post
my reply to your message .
By the way, I also went into your workspace. You have a mess there that's
going to cot st you money!
I'll clean it up, if you wish, like i I did before. Just give me the ok to do
so.
I love you!
Love,
Connie
^Z
New mail on node BOS1A from CABUYS "CONNIE"
MAIL> readn newmail d newmail
#1 27-OCT-1985 11:06:24 NEWMAIL
From: BOS1A::CABUYS "CONNIE"
To: RODM,CABUYS
Subj: your account
Darling,
I couldn't wait so I came on line on your account and reposted your
message.
I also posted the "Clock" since it's very appropriate today! <smile>
Hope you don't object but if you do, please say so. I'm now going to post
my reply to your message.
By the way, I also went into your workspace. You have a mess there that's
going to cost you money!
I'll clean it up, if you wish, like I did before. Just give me the ok to do
so.
I love you!
Love,
Connie
MAIL> ^Z
ENCOUNTER> for
Welcome to the Close Encounters Forum!
Forum contains messages 1 through 311.
Highest message you've read is 309.
You have new message(s).
Press RETURN to READ WAITING Messages.
FORUM> read 310
310 27-OCT 11:01 Play Ground
Time to Reset Your Clock
From: RODM To: ALL
For those of you on Eastern Time, hopefully by now you've reset your clocks.
Here's one way we could reset our clocks:
This is a mature discreet adult SIG.....
9
9 ^ 9
|
9 | 9
|
|
|
9 <-------O 9
9 9
9 9
9
NO sex until 9:00 !
(In other words ... NOW!!!!)
FORUM> edit
310 27-OCT 11:01 Play Ground
Time to Reset Your Clock
From: RODM To: ALL
Change Topic (Y/N)? n
Change subject (Y/N)? n
Edit text of message (Y/N)? y
Please wait.
1 For those of you on Eastern Time, hopefully by now you've reset you
r clocks.
*
2
*i
.lt
^Z
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3 Here's one way we could reset our clocks:
*
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6 This is a mature discreet adult SIG.....
*
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9 9
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10 9 ^ 9
*
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20 9 9
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22 9 9
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23 9
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25 NO sex until 9:00 !
*
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[EOB]
*i
.el
^Z
[EOB]
*exi
UD_2:[0RRG1HTF9]118XXX310.TMP;2 42 lines
FORUM> read 210
No such message.
FORUM> read 310
310 27-OCT 11:01 Play Ground
Time to Reset Your Clock
From: RODM To: ALL
For those of you on Eastern Time, hopefully by now you've reset your clocks.
Here's one way we could reset our clocks:
This is a mature discreet adult SIG.....
9
9 ^ 9
|
9 | 9
|
|
|
9 <-------O 9
9 9
9 9
9
NO sex until 9:00 !
(In other words ... NOW!!!!)
FORUM>
311 27-OCT 11:03 Open Forum
RE: sex positions & me (Re: Msg 305)
From: RODM To: CABUYS (NR)
WOW!
You are presenting a chalanging question!
I guess the first thing that comes to mind that I would share is that
anything as intimate as sexual positions must be the mutual adventure
of BOTH partners and never be something imposed by one on the other.
The next thing is that whatever objection one partner has to a
particular sexual position, act, or anything shared that objection
should be recognized as a valid one and that objection answered by
BOTH and an agreement hopefully reached!
Now for the question as to positions NOT liked.
I am going to NOT be specific but say that there several positions I
find unfavorable for reasons of discomfort, <physical AND
psychological> not expressive of love and passion, or just not
possible for me to perform!
In all of the cases above I feel justified in my objections and trust
my partner will be respective of my objections.
In my history such objections were sometimes NOT respected and that
can cause something that may be between or a combination of
humiliation and pain to my person or ego.
I hope I NEVER cause that discomfort for my Love!
I hope that posses some answer or support for you and anyone else.
Rodm
FORUM> rep
To:
To: RODM
Please enter your message below. CTRL/Z when Complete.
I've been very lucky! My partner and I have the mutual respect and
love for each other that
allows us to talk about *EVERYTHING*
including our deepest feelings about the mutual adventure we are
sharing.
Love, support, understanding and communication between lovers is so
important but too often we get so wrapped up in other things that
this all gets put on hold.
In this particular incident I have to admit that I *thought* I was
doing very well in keeping the real reason for objecting to various
positions well hidden. You can imagine my shock when his comment hit
the nail square on the head! Now that I've acknowledged the real
reason, he and I can go on together to hopefully overcome this.
^Z
Response Message 312 Stored.
FORUM> read 312
312 27-OCT 11:10 Open Forum
RE: sex positions & me (Re: Msg 311)
From: CABUYS To: RODM (NR)
I've been very lucky! My partner and I have the mutual respect and
love for each other that allows us to talk about *EVERYTHING*
including our deepest feelings about the mutual adventure we are
sharing.
Love, support, understanding and communication between lovers is so
important but too often we get so wrapped up in other things that
this all gets put on hold.
In this particular incident I have to admit that I *thought* I was
doing very well in keeping the real reason for objecting to various
positions well hidden. You can imagine my shock when his comment hit
the nail square on the head! Now that I've acknowledged the real
reason, he and I can go on together to hopefully overcome this.
FORUM> ^Z
Highest message read: 312.
ENCOUNTER> da
g
TOPIC> en
DBASES:Gen> wo
comm
WS> on
You are now in the common group workspace.
WS> dir
Directory COM_1:[COMMON.SIGS.ENCOUNTER]
WHYONLIN.DOC;1 97/100 17-SEP-1985 20:11
Total of 1 file, 97/100 blocks.
WS> list whyonlin.doc
.lt
** Conference of 9/14/85 - Topic: "WHY DO YOU COME ON-LINE?"
** Beth just joined CLE - WHY COME ON-LINE? (2 members now) **
** Connie just joined CLE - WHY COME ON-LINE? (3 members now) **
** EFK just joined CLE - WHY COME ON-LINE? (4 members now) **
EFK> Do you usually stick to the topic in this conference?
Myself> well, once we get started.
Myself> we try to hold close to the original topic
Myself> but have been known to stray
EFK> Sounds good.
Myself> if the general discussion moves in another direction which
generates a better discussion.
Myself> well, lets see what we can do
EFK> I'm used to main conf. It can be a zoo.
Myself> I think this tymnet thing is going to keep attendance down.
Myself> well, that is the nice thing about here..
EFK> Been going on for weeks! Aren't they working on it?
Myself> less congestion. more conversation.
Myself> that is what they say they are doing.
Myself> but I don't see any results yet.
EFK> Talk is cheap.
Myself> agreed.
Myself> ok
Myself> lets start this conference....
EFK> I've been curious about something for a long time John...
Myself> yes? what is that?
EFK> Why do you call yourself myself?
** STUART just joined CLE - WHY COME ON-LINE? (5 members now) **
Connie> <oh - oh!><giggle> you've done it now!
EFK> Hi Stuart.
Myself> well I am <after all> Myself ... but seriously...
EFK> yes?
Myself> I picked it up on another system
Connie> hello Stuart.
Myself> and just kept it.
Beth> Hi Stuart
EFK> Just be yourself. Is that it?
Myself> you see, my name is john <hence johnmyself> and you know how
many of those there are.
Myself> bingo.
EFK> Ok.
Beth> {I always wondered, too}
Myself> now for t
*OUTPUT OFF*
WS>
WS> comm d
You are now in the DATABASE workspace.
WS> dir
Directory DB_1:[DB.ENCOUNTER]
01$CABUY$QUESTION.;1
29/30 26-OCT-1985 12:31
01$CABUY$TIGLON3.;1
10/10 24-SEP-1985 18:50
01$JOHNM$SURVEY.TXT;1
5/5 29-SEP-1985 19:49
07$CABUY$CO921.TXT;1
15/15 24-SEP-1985 18:28
07$CABUY$JOURNAL.DOC;1
8/10 8-OCT-1985 17:07
07$CABUY$JOURNAL2.DOC;1
12/15 8-OCT-1985 17:07
07$CABUY$JOURNAL3.DOC;1
2/5 8-OCT-1985 17:08
07$CABUY$SEXMAGCO.;1
30/30 26-OCT-1985 15:47
07$CABUY$WHYMARRY.;1
65/65 26-OCT-1985 15:48
11$CABUY$POEM.DOC;1
3/5 7-OCT-1985 19:48
ADULTERY.;1 61/65 16-AUG-1985 16:34
AM1.;1 2/5 16-JUL-1985 20:28
AM2.;1 4/10 16-JUL-1985 20:29
AM3.;1 1/5 16-JUL-1985 20:30
AM4.;1 ' 3/5 16-JUL-1985 20:30
AM5.;1 6/10 16-JUL-1985 20:31
ART1.;1 1/5 9-AUG-1985 21:32
ART10.;1 1/5 9-AUG-1985 21:36
ART11.;1 10/15 9-AUG-1985 21:37
ART12.;1 2/5 9-AUG-1985 21:38
ART13.;1 2/5 9-AUG-1985 21:39
ART14.;1 1/5 9-AUG-1985 21:40
ART15.;1 30/30 9-AUG-1985 21:40
ART16.;1 1/5 9-AUG-1985 21:43
ART2.;1 1/5 9-AUG-1985 21:33
ART4.;1 1/5 9-AUG-1985 21:34
ART7.;1 1/5 9-AUG-1985 21:34
ART9.;1 1/5 9-AUG-1985 21:36
CHRSMSEV.;1 89/90 15-AUG-1985 22:29
CL10.;1 3/5 16-JUL-1985 21:47
CL2.;1 1/5 16-JUL-1985 20:38
CL3.;1 2/5 16-JUL-1985 20:39
CL4.;1 7/10 16-JUL-1985 20:39
CL5.;1 15/15 16-JUL-1985 20:41
CL6.;1 3/5 16-JUL-1985 20:43
CL7.;1 13/15 16-JUL-1985 20:43
CREDITS.;1 3/5 16-JUL-1985 22:12
ELECTRON.;1 3/5 14-AUG-1985 14:22
F1.;1 7/10 11-JUL-1985 22:31
F11.;1 10/15 11-JUL-1985 23:28
F14.;1 9/10 11-JUL-1985 23:30
F4.;1 5/10 11-JUL-1985 23:23
F5.;1 12/15 11-JUL-1985 23:24
F6.;1
