From: BEATLE To: CYBERPUNK Subject: next conv. Date & Time: 11/30/89 06:46:29 Message Number 600 You can go to a Star Trek convention and find ROBOTECh stuff. Comic conventions don't happen that often anymore, but there are Trek cons every year. Sometimes twice a year. If I see anything you might like, I'll let ya know... =========== From: BEATLE To: SAURON Subject: BLB Date & Time: 11/30/89 06:50:28 Message Number 601 Some classics won't come back. You know, some book companies have said that they couldn't sell books like"The Wizard of Oz" today... They don't even want to try. =========== From: BEATLE To: DONTHEN Subject: Movies.... Date & Time: 11/30/89 06:56:37 Message Number 602 All I remember was that I heard Siskel & Ebert complaining that movies like "Bambi" and "Peter Pan" had the top and bottom cropped off to make the screen wider, so I assumed that they were TV screen-shaped in the first place. =========== From: BEATLE To: CYBERPUNK Subject: your plan Date & Time: 11/30/89 07:00:13 Message Number 603 Good plan! I'd love to see what the video store thought when the next person to rent "Batman" says "Hey, they had a lot of clowns, but no Batman! What gives?" =========== From: RUFUS To: CHIP P. UNICORN Subject: Randomness Date & Time: 11/30/89 15:17:51 Message Number 604 I've seen this set around that has all the moves a piece can make printed on the base of the piece. Talk about real convenient. After I learn..I dunno..what will I do then.... =========== From: RUFUS To: CHIP P. UNICORN Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 11/30/89 15:19:00 Message Number 605 Good idea. We could have it at my place, but we can only fit about 8 people in my room. =========== From: RUFUS To: PSYCHE Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 11/30/89 15:20:19 Message Number 606 Maybe some day over winter break?? I'm not doing anything, except batteling to purchase gifts, which is fun when your heavily armed. =========== From: RUFUS To: TURTLE Subject: Go where? Date & Time: 11/30/89 15:22:33 Message Number 607 I don't get to play too much. I'd like to play more, but can rarely find anyone else ( until now ). Wish they had a computer version for the ole Apple here. =========== From: CYBERPUNK To: KEN OBER Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 11/30/89 16:54:45 Message Number 608 stupid. =========== From: CYBERPUNK To: DONTHEN Subject: Wyvern's Den Date & Time: 11/30/89 16:55:40 Message Number 609 that's pretty7 rude. =========== From: CYBERPUNK To: SPELLWIND Subject: Con Date & Time: 11/30/89 16:58:30 Message Number 610 what's your BBS going to be??? =========== From: CYBERPUNK To: BEATLE Subject: next conv. Date & Time: 11/30/89 16:59:57 Message Number 611 thanks dude! but i thought that there was usally Star Trek stuff at Star Trek conventions.... hehehe =========== From: SAURON To: LORELEI Subject: DOLPHINS Date & Time: 11/30/89 17:08:52 Message Number 612 1. Some football guy. 2. No. 3. would you settle for a Great Dane? =========== From: SAURON To: TURTLE Subject: Misogeny Date & Time: 11/30/89 17:17:43 Message Number 613 Just so you know...I have a daughter whose IQ is 169 (higher than mine and any remarks I address to (or about) the Fair gender are strictly in response to the current campaign that is attempting to portray males as chauvinist neanderthals. Strangely - the rest of you seem content to sit back and ignore the feminist crap that's being promulgated about one half of our species. So be it. If you guys are content to remain silent - I'm not. ....but you already knew that. =========== From: SAURON To: ANGEL Subject: Misogeny Date & Time: 11/30/89 17:25:04 Message Number 614 Drat! no one wants to play anymore. =========== From: SAURON To: ANGEL Subject: diversions Date & Time: 11/30/89 17:25:57 Message Number 615 Only if they're with younger women. =========== From: TURTLE To: BEATLE Subject: BLB Date & Time: 11/30/89 17:31:30 Message Number 616 No, I'm not sure at all. I'm not even sure what it was called, or where it disappeared to, or much of anything else, for that matter. But I AM sure I hate IBM... ...hey! There's an idea! Perhaps I should create a sub-board dedicated exclusively to abusing IBM and Mush-DOS! Yeah! =========== From: TURTLE To: BEATLE Subject: Witches & Stuff Date & Time: 11/30/89 17:34:51 Message Number 617 >...some book companies have said that they couldn't sell books like >"The Wizard of Oz" today... Of course not. The religious fundamentalists would scream about the portrayal of witches in the book, child psychologists would cluck their tongues about the damaging effects of having the main character melt a witch, parents would complain that Dorothy displays far too much initiative for her own good and therefore the book is clearly designed to subvert parental authority, anti-drug crusaders would say that the book is describing what /must/ be a drug trip, and school boards would ban it in school libraries because it communicates the wrong lessons to young minds. =========== From: TURTLE To: RUFUS Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 11/30/89 17:39:47 Message Number 618 >...we can only fit about 8 people in my room. Naaaah, I can fit almost that many people in my Volkswagen Bug; surely in a room the size of yours we could stuff...oh, 15 or 20 people. If you take out the bed we could cram even more! =========== From: TURTLE To: SAURON Subject: Misogeny Date & Time: 11/30/89 17:41:37 Message Number 619 Hmm. It seems like battling feminist propaganda about males being Neanderthal thugs by behaving like a Neanderthal thug is using some... peculiar tactics. I'm sure Andrea Dworkin would approve... =========== From: TURTLE To: ALL Subject: Wyvern's Den Date & Time: 11/30/89 18:09:09 Message Number 620 I have been informed that the Den will be up and back on-line in about two days...so don't despair. The number is 925-1386; 300-1200 baud; science fiction/fantasy oriented (in case you didn't already know). Evidently Watts went down to GTE today with a flamethrower and an UZI, and now they've seen the error of their ways. =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: PSYCHE Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 11/30/89 18:24:15 Message Number 621 Psyche- >You'll be able to defeat Chip P. Unicorn with your eyes closed and >your belly full of alcohol... Listen, Mr. "Who needs a board? Let's play mental chess!" on the way from Jacksonville... my playing is NOT that bad. Reckless, insane, and without proper motivation, yes. But not bad. Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: PSYCHE Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 11/30/89 18:27:43 Message Number 622 Personally, I prefer the hippopotamous. Or the Cabbage offense. Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: TURTLE Subject: Chess Date & Time: 11/30/89 18:30:30 Message Number 623 >Why are the little horsies always raved about as though they were the >next best thing to two gods on a plate? We equines stick up for each other. Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: SPELLWIND Subject: Con Date & Time: 11/30/89 18:32:03 Message Number 624 > Having two speakers next to my ears and chucking out Appetite For > Destruction at full volume has left me deaf. Hmmm... betcha can't keep your fingers on the speakers for ten minutes... :) I'm game, Spellwind: what will your BBS's name be? Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: BEATLE Subject: Yuppies Date & Time: 11/30/89 18:37:57 Message Number 625 You're right. At fourteen, you're too young to be a yuppie. You're a guppie. :) Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: RUFUS Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 11/30/89 18:40:57 Message Number 626 Where will we have the Dealers' Room? And the filking room? I guess we'll have to partition off your room into four corners in which only two can fit at a time... Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: BEATLE To: SAURON Subject: Vulvas Date & Time: 11/30/89 19:02:50 Message Number 627 Do you plan on getting married someday? And if you already are, I feel sorry for your wife. =========== From: BEATLE To: DONTHEN Subject: Movies.... Date & Time: 11/30/89 19:04:10 Message Number 628 The discs that are letterboxed that you mentioned are available here except for "Close Encounters". Another letterboxed TAPE I can think of is the EXCELLENT film "Innerspace". On the laserdisc front, the letterboxed version of "Ghostbusters" is VERRRRRRRRRRY good, and "E.T." is also letterboxed on disc. "Roger Rabbit" will be on a letterboxed disc within the next few months. Also, I would like to see the disc of "Poltergeist" as it is also letterboxed. Also, I would like a laserdisc player! hehehe... Oh, just remembered, the new tape release of "Ghostbusters II" is half letterboxed up to the credits, where it is fully letterboxed. =========== From: BEATLE To: TURTLE Subject: Letterboxing Date & Time: 11/30/89 19:10:19 Message Number 629 I love this. Something I KNOW about... "Aliens" was not released on TAPE letterboxed. Neither was "Alien". BUT, soon, both films will be on LASERDISC in letterbox format. And for those of you who really liked the movie "Aliens", the TV (CBS) version had(has) 8 minutes of new footage. Anyone tape it when it was on??? =========== From: BEATLE To: LORELEI Subject: DOLPHINS Date & Time: 11/30/89 19:15:47 Message Number 630 You know, the name Don Shula is very familiar...isn't he one of those football TV guys??? =========== From: BEATLE To: KEN OBER Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 11/30/89 19:18:31 Message Number 631 Hey, I'll trade ya August for December. My birthday is in December. Of course, if there is a Beatle con, people would do what >I< want to do. I know you won't be showing up! =========== From: BEATLE To: CYBERPUNK Subject: next conv. Date & Time: 11/30/89 19:23:30 Message Number 632 There is, but there were lots of other Sci-Fi dealers sellingother assorted stuff. Tons of comic books, $50 Star Wars figures, pirated anime tapes, ROBOTECH stuff, and models, etc... =========== From: BEATLE To: TURTLE Subject: Witches & Stuff Date & Time: 11/30/89 19:26:29 Message Number 633 actually, the reason was that nobody would buy it... =========== From: BEATLE To: BEATLE Subject: Letterboxing Date & Time: 11/30/89 19:28:32 Message Number 634 And to clear this up, for whoever mentioned that "Alien" and "Aliens" were ALREADY available (I saw that after I wrote the message)... the movies (and others you said that were from Japan) will be available HERE from US companies. =========== From: SPELLWIND To: SAURON Subject: Misogeny Date & Time: 11/30/89 20:40:27 Message Number 636 But alot of males fit that description (or act like it). I'm not one of them, girls. =========== From: SPELLWIND To: CHIP P. UNICORN Subject: Con Date & Time: 11/30/89 20:44:57 Message Number 637 Haha! I'm not telling! They're holding it for me at Computers Etc., probably'll be a christmas gift. Hey, you dont hafta sacrifice presents just because you don't believe in the religion! =========== From: KEN OBER To: CHIP P. UNICORN Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 11/30/89 21:10:35 Message Number 638 Hey, Idon't mind....my place would be a blast to have a con, ask anyone who's ever been here! The question is...My parents wouldn't go for it, sorry.... (well, they MIGHT) =========== From: KEN OBER To: CYBERPUNK Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 11/30/89 21:12:35 Message Number 639 > stupid. Is that all you have to say? STUPID?!?!?!? =========== From: KEN OBER To: BEATLE Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 11/30/89 21:14:09 Message Number 640 sure I'D show up! Just as long as it had noithing to do with Ihate about what you like! hehehehe :> =========== From: ANGEL To: CYBERPUNK Subject: RUFUS CON '89 Date & Time: 11/30/89 22:09:23 Message Number 641 Hello, there. Pleased to almost meet you! Maybe at the second annual RufusCon. =========== From: ANGEL To: RUFUS Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 11/30/89 22:11:32 Message Number 642 Can I add Scrabble to the game list, or is that too mundane for this fast-track crowd? =========== From: ANGEL To: RUFUS Subject: H.A.M. Date & Time: 11/30/89 22:12:40 Message Number 643 I've had one play produced locally, and it was supposed to be produced again this fall by a New Mexico troop, but that fell through for reasons I can't determine (thank goodness I hadn't spend the anticipated royalty check!) I don't sing particularly well, but I am very LOUD!!!! Which is a castable asset in a large theater. I dance only under duress. I'm still a fox-juggler in training, oh, and acting? God, I'm wonderful! =========== From: ANGEL To: CHIP P. UNICORN Subject: H.A.M. Date & Time: 11/30/89 22:17:22 Message Number 644 No immediate plans to perform in a show. But I will be directing the February show at the Players of Sarasota. It's called "The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940" -- it's a hoot-and-a-half. Delightfully bizarre characters in a snow-bound mansion replete with revolving bookcases, hidden passages, and unknown knifer, and bodies dropping like flies. I'm looking forward to it. By the way, open auditions are December 18 at 7:00 pm if any of you have thespianic ambitions. Oh, and a kwepie doll is a cheap plastic doll once given away as a prize in carnival games. It's contemporary equivalent is a stuffed Gumby, or the like. =========== From: ANGEL To: SAURON Subject: diversions Date & Time: 11/30/89 22:31:30 Message Number 645 > Only if they're with younger women. WRONG! Take my word for it. =========== From: TURTLE To: BEATLE Subject: Movies.... Date & Time: 11/30/89 22:57:39 Message Number 646 I saw this most amazing thing once...a video disc player that didn't use a laser. The disc had a groove in it like a record, and the video- disc player actually had a needle! It was a really neat idea. It didn't work too well, though; the groove on the disc was /very/ narrow, and it tended to skip (a somewhat interesting thing to watch). The discs themselves were pretty. Normally, they're sealed in a plastic carrier and you can't see them (or touch them), but I broke one open once. It's really shiny...and diffracts light in some amazing ways. =========== From: TURTLE To: BEATLE Subject: Aliens Date & Time: 11/30/89 23:00:38 Message Number 647 The CBS version has extra footage? Where can I find a copy???!!! Aliens is one of my #1 all-time favorite movies!!! =========== From: TURTLE To: ALL Subject: aLTER rEALITY Date & Time: 11/30/89 23:04:29 Message Number 648 Well, gang, the spirits must be out in force today...I averaged about 10 new messages an hour for most of the day. Anyway, this message base is starting to eat into storage space in a hefty way, so I'm gonna start clearing out some of the older ones (hey, 700 messages isn't bad for one 360K floppy!) I may start automatically deleting messages after a set number of days if this keeps up... =========== From: TURTLE To: ALL Subject: AAARRRGGGHHH!!! Date & Time: 12/01/89 15:32:38 Message Number 649 Well, aLTER rEALITY was up and running on the 3.5" floppy...for about half a day. Well, the traitorous, backstabbing thing failed, taking the message base with it...AAAIIIGGGHHH! Anyway, I've restored a backup of the message base, but 20 messages were lost in the process. ('Tis a good thing I did a complete backup last night, methinks...) Anyway, the microfloppy may be down for the count; the damn thing isn't worth the effort it would take to kick it into next Tuesday. More on this as it develops. --A frustrated Turtle =========== From: RUFUS To: CHIP P. UNICORN Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/01/89 15:43:11 Message Number 650 An all time favorite offense when losing at checkers is the "Throw the board across the room and storm out of the room pouting." I suppose it would work with Chess to. =========== From: RUFUS To: CHIP P. UNICORN Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/01/89 15:44:26 Message Number 651 Well, the dealers room is under my computer desk, and the filking room could be under the other desk. Say, we could have it at my aunts farm that has 11 acres. We could bring some Port-O-Tiolets and have a grand time for a few weeks. =========== From: RUFUS To: KEN OBER Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/01/89 15:47:25 Message Number 652 Here's what we do, we tie your parents up for the night. =========== From: RUFUS To: ANGEL Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/01/89 15:48:22 Message Number 653 Fair enough. I have this weird game where the board stands up between the two player. I'll have to find it and see what you have to do. =========== From: RUFUS To: ANGEL Subject: H.A.M. Date & Time: 12/01/89 15:49:37 Message Number 654 Well, you'll have to tell us all when you will be acting next. We can all come down and see ya. Of course, we are a tough group to please. Hmm..last time I saw a play was "Who's Life is it Anyways" or something like that. It was about this quaddraplegic (sp?) who wanted to die, so they had a court case. It was extra credit for Law Studies, and well, I wasn't all that impressed with it. Oh well, can't win 'em all. And my mind is drifting.. =========== From: RUFUS To: TURTLE Subject: Aliens Date & Time: 12/01/89 15:53:32 Message Number 655 Yea, I saw it. If I'm not mistaken, some of the extra footage included these "smart" guns they set up in a corridor. When the aliens came near the guns would proceed to blast away. =========== From: CRYSTAL To: ANGEL Subject: diversions Date & Time: 12/01/89 17:08:40 Message Number 657 To back you up on that, It is true. The woman does not have to be younger then the man. =========== From: CRYSTAL To: ALL Subject: GameCon Date & Time: 12/01/89 17:15:29 Message Number 658 Hay guys, lets have a Game Con. It could be fun. Lets see we could have Scrabble, Chess, Go, Scatergories, Monopoly, Connect-4, Battle Ship, Pictionary, Sorry, Life, Clue, Trivial Pursuit, Boggle, Wheel Of Fortune, Memory, and Chutes and Ladders. Just think it could be fun. Any way it was just an idea. * CRYSTAL * =========== From: TURTLE To: ALL Subject: Well... Date & Time: 12/01/89 18:30:24 Message Number 659 aLTER rEALITY is back up on the 3.5" drive. (Some turtles never learn.) The new drive is somewhat slower than the 5.25" (Hey, it's from an IBM. What do you want?) and is a good deal flakier (ditto, and the fact that Turtle had to kludge an interface for it doesn't help...) Anyway, I /hope/ this thing doesn't flake out on me again...if it does, oh well, kiss some more messages goodbye. Anyway, the message base is somewhat less cramped for room now, so it is probably worth it. --An optimistic Turtle =========== From: BEATLE To: KEN OBER Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/01/89 18:37:38 Message Number 660 Yes, your place would be neat. And if you got that S-VHS VCR you could have movies (maybe Howard the Duck hehehehe) is Dolby Surround and show it off. Just one thing, your house has 1) many breakable objects 2) a fairly small amount of space to have a buch of people around. Then again you don't have to worry, your parents WON'T go for it. =========== From: BEATLE To: KEN OBER Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/01/89 18:40:03 Message Number 661 Well, I would show movies like "Back to Future"...just kidding. well, I might do that. I wouldn't show horror movies. And I woldn't make you listen to The Beatles...I know you'd really not want to come. What about a Star Trek Beatle Con??? =========== From: BEATLE To: TURTLE Subject: Movies.... Date & Time: 12/01/89 18:43:43 Message Number 662 Lessee, that was either the first RCA "Selectavision" player or the other first laserdisc player. I remember that was a top-loading player.. =========== From: BEATLE To: TURTLE Subject: Aliens Date & Time: 12/01/89 18:44:52 Message Number 663 Hey, I also want to see that extra footage! =========== From: BEATLE To: CRYSTAL Subject: GameCon Date & Time: 12/01/89 18:47:25 Message Number 664 And one of the most amusing games---VCR Commercial Crazies! Yes, it's a tape of the wackiest commercials from the people who brought you the Federal Express guy. Some of the commercials are even funny! =========== From: CORWYN OF AMBER To: ALL Subject: ? Letterboxing? Date & Time: 12/01/89 19:30:46 Message Number 665 OK: WHAT IS LETTERBOXING!!!! =========== From: TURTLE To: ALL Subject: Hey! Date & Time: 12/02/89 15:36:03 Message Number 666 After a brief hiatus in which this board was experiencing weird technical difficulties (due to a dumb turtle who never bothers to read documentation...), we are back. A few people attempted to log on this morning and got a carrier but nothing else; apologies if you were one of them. We're still having a few quirky problems here at aLTER rEALITY, but if you'll just bear with us, life will become sunshine and roses Real Soon Now. --A gosh-what's-a-manual-for Turtle =========== From: ROCKY To: ALL... Subject: movies... Date & Time: 12/02/89 21:58:56 Message Number 667 Well, I've heard all the classics, except for these few, which by the way are also among my favorites, These animation classics seem to be making huge comebacks (which they always seem to do) but I was wondering what happened to "100 and 1 Dalmations", and "Jungle Boy", and ALSO, a VERY classic flick that was realeased a relatively short time ago in animation land, though done by totally different animators (The animation in this flick was rated top of the line at it's time of release) and that was "Heavy Metal". Since the release of Heavy Metal, I have yet to see such quality animation in a full length feature cartoon (if you can call it that) and it's storyline as yet unmatched. There were segments in the movie "The Wall" which matched the quality of the animation techniques used in Heavy Metal, but was only in short visual bursts of fantastic animation. =========== From: BEATLE To: CORWYN OF AMBER Subject: ? Letterboxing? Date & Time: 12/02/89 23:10:58 Message Number 668 Ever notice that the movie theatre has a movie screen that is ALMOST as wide as two TV screens side by side? Well, when THAT size is shown on a TV with black bars at the top and bottom to fill empty space, THAT'S letterboxing. =========== From: BEATLE To: ROCKY Subject: movies... Date & Time: 12/02/89 23:14:52 Message Number 669 Disney has a LONG line of classic animated films they have yet to put on video. They often release them to theatres. For instance, "Peter Pan" was released at least twice in the last 8 years. Anyway, that film and others such as "Jungle Book" and "101 Dalmations" and the absolute #1 Disney classic, "Snow White" will have to wait a while for a video release. Now that Disney's big movies are out ("Bambi", "Cinderella", etc.), I would guess that "Peter Pan" or "Fantasia" might be in line for release soon. =========== From: PSYCHE To: CRYSTAL Subject: GameCon Date & Time: 12/02/89 23:54:08 Message Number 670 I think it sounds good (possibly in January?) What does everyone else think of a GameCon? (Positive feedback only, please. If you don't like it, you don't have to come. So there.) =========== From: CRYSTAL To: PSYCHE Subject: GameCon Date & Time: 12/03/89 00:59:28 Message Number 671 It think it is a great idea. I am glad you thought of it. And holding it is January is an even better idea. You see after the 15th I don't get any days off till Christmas any way. And from today on I only get two more days of till the 15th. So January is and excellant idea. Two great minds....... Ok so it's set. Will set the actual date after New Years. And Thank you for your support. * CRYSTAL * =========== From: DONTHEN To: ROCKY Subject: movies... Date & Time: 12/03/89 02:59:46 Message Number 672 Hm. "Heavy Metal" had some really good animation and some so-so animation, depending on who was doing it (each segment was done by a different team). The storylines of each individual segment were good, although the connecting device of the Evil Green Ball from Hell was a damn silly idea. I think the best animation done in the 80's is the movie "Rock and Rule," which also had a pretty good storyline and a fairly impressive soundtrack to boot. It is, coincidentally enough, the only movie with anthropomorphic characters who could be considered furries instead of funny animals. =========== From: TURTLE To: DONTHEN Subject: movies... Date & Time: 12/03/89 05:01:01 Message Number 673 Rock and Rule is also, coincidentally enough, animated by the same people who did the animation in Pink Floyd The Wall. Rock and Rule contains a fair number of really sophisticated animation techniques and special effects that I have never seen anywhere else...pity it was such a box-office flop. =========== From: TURTLE To: PSYCHE Subject: GameCon Date & Time: 12/03/89 05:02:50 Message Number 674 Positive feedback only? In that case, I guess it's likely to be unanimous; everyone who responds will say a game convention is a good idea. Seems like a kind of silly way to get everyone to agree, though. Myself, I think it sounds like an interesting idea, but I'm not all /that/ fond of games in general so I'm not sure I'd want to make a grand two-day affair or something out of the whole deal. =========== From: TURTLE To: ALL Subject: More flames Date & Time: 12/03/89 05:04:46 Message Number 675 Gosh, this bulletin board has gotten really slow, hasn't it? I knew this -- PS/2 drive was slower than the 5.25" drives I normally use, but I didn't think it would be /that/ much slower. Oh well, the message base is more than twice as large now; I guess the speed decrease will have to be lived with. Kind of weird, though; the /only/ reason I like PBBS at all is the fact that it's a fast system, so for the sake of speed I am willing to overlook its weird problems and general klunkiness and lack of flexibility; now it appears that that one advantage has been tossed out the window. *Sigh* I may yet end up setting up an ERACS BBS From Hell (ERACS: The program designed to convince you you're running on a mainframe), but it'd be a shame to toss out the messages I have so far. *sigh* Such is life, mine at least. --A long-suffering Turtle PS: Somebody ask Donthen about his car window. It's totally off-topic, but it'd be amusing anyway. I bring this up because my fingers hurt and it makes typing difficult. Ask Donthen; he'll make sense of it all. =========== From: RUFUS To: CRYSTAL Subject: GameCon Date & Time: 12/03/89 12:07:20 Message Number 676 Let's not forget Spoons, the only full contact card game! =========== From: RUFUS To: DONTHEN Subject: movies... Date & Time: 12/03/89 12:12:14 Message Number 677 So when is the AnimationCon?? On another note, our new TV has a feature that gives everything a slightly bluish tinge, and it makes animation look better ( O.K., some animation ). =========== From: RUFUS To: DONTHEN Subject: windows Date & Time: 12/03/89 12:15:37 Message Number 678 What's up with your car window? =========== From: DONTHEN To: TURTLE Subject: ERACS Date & Time: 12/03/89 14:20:36 Message Number 679 ERACS has only one major flaw: it bites rocks. It's hard to use, you have no way to run it as an open-access system, you can't have spaces in your username, the message base utility makes the Greene Machine look downright userfriendly, the downloading utility is just as bad, and it's SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWW. When I was running it from my hard drive it was about half as fast doing everything as your floppy-based PBBS system is, and that's running on your 3.5" drive -- and I was running at 6 MHz. It takes almost a minute just to log on to the damn thing. I'll admit, the TTY filter impresses the hell out of me, and MONITORx/ECS's functions that don't require patching the damn DOS are really cool (even though they don't do anything that the Fox kernel couldn't do if it was set up correctly, not counting being able to set privilege bits on every DOS command) ... but the advantages really don't seem like they're worth the hassle. I suspect if you actually set up an ERACS system, you'd really, really regret it after a while. I realize all the privilege bits and the neato command parser appeal to the mainframe hacker in you, but let's face it -- being able to restrict access to the ATTRIB command when you let people play around at your OS level may be something no other BBS lets you do, but it's something no other BBS misses, either. Considering that nobody in their right mind would run a public-access ERACS system without using the menu control files, that "advantage" is somewhat illusory. A case could be made for wanting to give certain users the ability to access half the DOS commands, but it'd be real hard to claim it's necessary for a BBS. (Besides, I suspect the same thing will be possible from the Fox script processor, and with a better command parser to boot.) =========== From: DONTHEN To: RUFUS Subject: windows Date & Time: 12/03/89 14:34:00 Message Number 680 It's missing a gasket. Someone tried to break into it in Tampa. In fact, he did it successfully, which is a good thing, considering his friend's keys were locked in the car and both of them would have been stuck at a Spur station at the intersection of Fowler and I-75 for even longer than they were, which was, in fact, quite long enough. Cold weiather sucks and they didn't even have very good coffee. =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: BEATLE Subject: BeatleCon Date & Time: 12/03/89 15:59:29 Message Number 682 >people would do what >I< want to do. Only possible in a police state. Or if you're Madison Avenue. Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: KEN OBER Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/03/89 16:01:41 Message Number 683 Gee... a might! location for a convention. Wow! This is the closest we've gotten for a while... we'd better start printing up the posters, T-shirts, invite the GoH and Fan GoH, hire some staff and gofers before your parents change their minds, huh? Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: ANGEL Subject: H.A.M. Date & Time: 12/03/89 16:05:02 Message Number 684 You might find an interested thesbian here. When would the practices be, and can I see a copy of the script? (When will the performance be?) ... well, if you have no use for a unicorn on the stage, my stableboy might be interested, too. Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: TURTLE Subject: aLTER rEALITY Date & Time: 12/03/89 16:07:23 Message Number 685 At the rate we're going, might have to be on a one-WEEK deleting time... aLTER rEALITY is doing fantasically well... Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: RUFUS Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/03/89 16:08:38 Message Number 686 Works good in Go, too. Then again, Psyche has a magnetic Go set, so throwing it across the room might not disturb the position of the board... Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: CRYSTAL Subject: GameCon Date & Time: 12/03/89 16:10:52 Message Number 687 Crystal- The idea's been batted about a bit. Anyone want to get together prizes for the winners? (Implies an entrance fee, of course. I might do nametags in my free time; not supply winners' prizes.) What games would be brought? And which ones would be competed in? Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: TURTLE Subject: Hey! Date & Time: 12/03/89 16:13:56 Message Number 688 I was one of them... anyway, how can we believe that message you wrote? (Take a look at the message number...) Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: TURTLE Subject: More flames Date & Time: 12/03/89 16:17:40 Message Number 689 An ERACS board could be fun... don't worry; if this insanity dies, there will be more to replace it. Long live Discordia! Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: RUFUS To: DONTHEN Subject: windows Date & Time: 12/03/89 20:45:34 Message Number 690 Ohh, nothing like "I rolled the window up when Turtle's fingers were in the way." I do that all the time, but the Hell Nova does have power windows. =========== From: RUFUS To: CHIP P. UNICORN Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/03/89 20:49:04 Message Number 691 O.K. I'll rent one of those large cranes that has a giant electromagnet on it. Then hold the board down, and flip the switch. Little go pieces stuck in the roof. Anyways, could you give me a little hint as to what you do in Go? All I saw was a board with about a thousand squares and about 2000 black and white pieces. =========== From: RUFUS To: CHIP P. UNICORN Subject: GameCon Date & Time: 12/03/89 20:51:15 Message Number 692 Well, we need games for all types. Maybe Pictionary for the simple minded ( like me ) and Spoons for the violent minded ( like me ) and maybe Paranioia for the mind who likes to vacation ( like me ). =========== From: CRYSTAL To: DONTHEN Subject: AAA Date & Time: 12/03/89 20:59:25 Message Number 693 When I was able to drive, my parents, gave me a quift of AAA automobile club. It was not until I started going out with Turtle that I use it so often. When I first got the card I used it only during the winter months in PA. Since I have moved to Florida and began dating Turtle I use it at least four times a year. Any one who goes out with a Turtle in the car ( no matter yours or his ) Take a AAA card with you Remember don't leave home with out it. * CRYSTAL * =========== From: CRYSTAL To: CHIP P. UNICORN Subject: GameCon Prizes Date & Time: 12/03/89 21:06:32 Message Number 694 YES AND THE WINNER OF ALL THE GAMES WILL WIN A *NEW* NEVER BEFORE DRIVEN 1987 * Y U G O *. With the special options package: 1.) Air Conditioning (with the windows rolled down) 2.) Seat bealts (connected to the car in two places),(not necessarly in the same place as other cars) 3.) MATCHING Pickle Bucket Seats 4.) Front, rear, and side windows 5.) Four tires (pre-instuled) 6.) A pocket radio WITH antenna 7.) And last but not least turn signals Yes Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls of all ages this car can be yours, If YOU win the GAMECON.... * CRYSTAL * =========== From: PSYCHE To: TURTLE Subject: GameCon Date & Time: 12/03/89 22:03:11 Message Number 695 Unanimity is the point. Those who don't think it is a grand, spiffy idea can just stay home. I really don't care to hear if they think the idea sucks... That doesn't tend to be good for one's ego. =========== From: PSYCHE To: CHIP P. UNICORN Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/03/89 22:07:01 Message Number 696 Ken's parents might be agreeable to the idea of having a GoCon at the house, but I don't think that they would Go fer hiring some GoFers. That might be gilding the lily. Just shoot me for that one. =========== From: PSYCHE To: CHIP P. UNICORN Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/03/89 22:10:30 Message Number 697 Throwing it across the room might or might not disturb the position of the board, but it would certainly disturb the person who it hit. I thought GO was a relaxing game. =========== From: PSYCHE To: RUFUS Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/03/89 22:13:47 Message Number 698 381 squares and a trillion black and white pieces. I'll let Chip explain the object of the game (gee, that's a tough one). =========== From: PSYCHE To: RUFUS Subject: GameCon Date & Time: 12/03/89 22:15:40 Message Number 699 We could just have everybody bring their own games. If they were smart, they'd bring games that they knew would appeal to the masses; otherwise, they might just have to sit in the corner and play with themselves. Like I said before, games included in GameCon should appeal to more than just the people who brought them. =========== From: ANGEL To: RUFUS Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/03/89 22:50:18 Message Number 700 Wow! An 11 acre ant farm! Those little critters must be happy! =========== From: ANGEL To: RUFUS Subject: Openings Date & Time: 12/03/89 22:52:18 Message Number 701 Actually ARCHANGEL opened in a play Friday night. He's in 'The Lion In Winter' at Anna Marie Island Players, playing the King of France. Gee from ambassador to King, not a bad job promotion. I saw the show last night and he was, as usual, superb. But he looked ridiculous. He's 6'6" and they put him into a long purple robe and then put a crown on top -- made him look like Welch Gumby. =========== From: ANGEL To: CHIP P. UNICORN Subject: Casting couch Date & Time: 12/03/89 23:02:43 Message Number 702 Well, the script doesn't call for a unicorn, but if your stableboy is interested, we need five men, five women -- ages from early twenties to early fifties. Rehearse evenings from 7:30 to 10:30 five nights a week starting January 9 (roughly). Show opens mid-February (this is embarrasing, I don't remember what day we open ... oh, well, I'll be there regardless). =========== From: SAURON To: BEATLE Subject: Vulvas Date & Time: 12/04/89 03:49:17 Message Number 703 Married again? No, once (for 19 years) was quite enough. =========== From: SAURON To: .... Subject: Bah! Date & Time: 12/04/89 03:51:45 Message Number 704 You've obviously all been brainwashed by the bra-burners. =========== From: SAURON To: TURTLE Subject: Oz Date & Time: 12/04/89 03:54:51 Message Number 705 Just for the record, Ballantine Books released the complete Oz series in paperback about 8 years ago. I had a few and the cover art was really nice;much more so than the terrible scratchings the original Grosset & Dunlop hardcovers had in the 30's. =========== From: TURTLE To: RUFUS Subject: GameCon Date & Time: 12/04/89 04:13:45 Message Number 706 While we're on the subject of Games We Need To Have At GameCon, let us not forget the more...reptilian of pasttimes--like, say, Mexican, and Quarters, and many other sophomoric pasttimes designed to cause extreme inebriation in their contestants. --A game-loving Turtle =========== From: TURTLE To: PSYCHE Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/04/89 04:16:56 Message Number 707 Click...Click...(blasted thing)...Click...BLAM!! Aha, there we go. =========== From: TURTLE To: SAURON Subject: Bah! Date & Time: 12/04/89 04:19:13 Message Number 708 Men stink! They're all chauvanist pigs! Women are supreme! Women everywhere should unite and cast off the chains of male domination! Men must be put in their places! All of them! Off with their heads! Force them to bow to the female form! Make them lie face-down in dirty bath water! Yarg! Yarg! =========== From: RUFUS To: CRYSTAL Subject: GameCon Prizes Date & Time: 12/04/89 15:39:58 Message Number 709 I'd rather have another cake. Actually, for the next Con I'll bake my chocalate with chocalate chips covered with chocalate icing brownies. =========== From: RUFUS To: ANGEL Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/04/89 15:42:04 Message Number 710 Not really, the bathroom is about a 3 acre walk. They don't go very often. =========== From: CORWYN OF AMBER To: ROCKY Subject: movies... Date & Time: 12/04/89 17:37:17 Message Number 711 I thought Wizzard (are there two Z's in that title.. not sure.) had scences comparable to Heavy Metal's .. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Heavy Metal fan, I just liked Wizard a lot too... If you haven't seen it and you liked Heavy Metal.. get it sometime. - Corwyn =========== From: CORWYN OF AMBER To: BEATLE Subject: ? Letterboxing? Date & Time: 12/04/89 17:40:11 Message Number 712 Thank you.. When they release films "letterboxed" do they usually release it in a normal format also? =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: ALL Subject: Batman Apprec. Date & Time: 12/05/89 00:07:23 Message Number 713 "Half-holy bat guano, FatMan!" -- from the Robin Appreciation Society. All donations cheerfully accepted. Have an excruciatingly pleasant day. =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: RUFUS Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/05/89 00:09:35 Message Number 714 A hint? Heck! I'll try to teach you the game over the modem. Basically, the game is very simple [Hah!] The person with the black stones moves first. He places one of his stones in the intersection of the lines on the board. Then the white player goes, and places one of his stones in an intersection. The two alternate placing stones in corners of the board. Got me so far? The idea of the game, really, is to capture territory. If any two pieces of the same color are touching horizontally or vertically (note: NOT DIAGONALLY!!!!), they are said to be "linked." Still with me? Stones are removed from the board in only one way: they must be completely surrounded horizontally and vertically (NOT DIAGONALLY), touching, by the opponent's pieces. Heck -- here are a few diagrams of captured positions: o ooo oo oxo ooXXo oXXo o oXo oXXo o oo Got that? Here are a few examples of NOT captured pieces: xxx xo x There's an "escape" left for the poor o -- but he'll xx probably be taken next move. xxx xooox xo ox Surprised? This is NOT taken. The space on the INSIDE counts xooox as an escape route... though they'll probably be taken xxx next move. xxx xooox xo ox The o's in this position cannot be taken. CANNOT! When X xooox tries to move into one of the empty spots, he's instantly xo ox taken... x cannot hold both empty spots at the same time. xooox This is called "two eyes," and it's extremely powerful. The only other rule you need know: you cannot move into the same square twice in a row. This prevents certain bad things from happening. That's it for the rules. When GameCon comes around (if!), I'll review them... and play you a game. It's a LOT tougher than it seems... Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: RUFUS Subject: GameCon Date & Time: 12/05/89 00:22:16 Message Number 715 Yes! We NEED more Paranoia players! George Orwell meets the Marx Brothers... (that's how we played it, kinda sorta... Lots of fun!) Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: CRYSTAL Subject: GameCon Prizes Date & Time: 12/05/89 00:24:03 Message Number 716 Crystal, Thanks for offering the grand prize! Everyone, let's give a big hoof to Crystal... Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: ANGEL Subject: Casting couch Date & Time: 12/05/89 00:32:17 Message Number 717 The only time which I might have problems with is the auditions. I plan on visiting my parents for Christmas (actually, I have no choice!), but I might still be in the Sarasota area on the 18th. Regardless if I show up for the auditions, I WILL be at the performance. At least as a member of the audience. Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: SAURON Subject: Bah! Date & Time: 12/05/89 00:36:19 Message Number 718 No. I merely have quite a bit of respect for the brain of my filly. She is currently a straight-A student in her college (good going!), as well as holding down a full-time job. And she gives delicious backrubs. Chip P. Unicorn =========== From: CHIP P. UNICORN To: RUFUS Subject: GameCon Prizes Date & Time: 12/05/89 00:38:56 Message Number 719 drool... drool... drool... Don't mention them in front of me. I'm a chocolaholic! The chocolate-lover. =========== From: ANGEL To: CHIP P. UNICORN Subject: Casting couch Date & Time: 12/05/89 00:47:04 Message Number 720 Please do indeed come to opening night. I want to pack the house when the critics are there with people who will laugh, hoot, holler, and stamp hooves in appreciation (whether they appreciated it or not). This is my first directing assignment in the area and I'd like to be asked back. =========== From: PSYCHE To: TURTLE Subject: GameCon Date & Time: 12/05/89 01:00:41 Message Number 721 You're not implying that we should have alcoholic beverages at GameCon, are you? Ewww, YUK! I have never touched a drink containing alcohol in my life (at least not that I can remember, so I'm sure I haven't), and am not sure how thrilled I would be about having lots of people at close quarters belching, gagging, throwing up, and having flatulence contests. If you insist, however, I'm game. =========== From: PSYCHE To: TURTLE Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/05/89 01:06:40 Message Number 722 If I were a criminal, you could say "aha, there we Go, Con." =========== From: SPELLWIND To: CHIP P. UNICORN Subject: Poker Date & Time: 12/05/89 01:45:50 Message Number 723 Well, we could play betting poker. I'd donate half my winnings to the 'prize fund'. And I am a Very Good poker player. I'll only play if it's betting. =========== From: SPELLWIND To: CRYSTAL Subject: Turtlecar Date & Time: 12/05/89 01:51:16 Message Number 724 And a will, and insurance, and a seatbelt...... .s =========== From: SPELLWIND To: PSYCHE Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/05/89 01:53:37 Message Number 725 Well, you could always have it at my house. I have an interesting house, and you don't have to whisper! =========== From: SPELLWIND To: TURTLE Subject: GameCon Date & Time: 12/05/89 01:57:44 Message Number 726 Definitely. =========== From: SPELLWIND To: CHIP P. UNICORN Subject: Batman Apprec. Date & Time: 12/05/89 01:59:55 Message Number 727 They might have him in the next Batman movie. I hope not. =========== From: BEATLE To: SAURON Subject: Oz Date & Time: 12/05/89 07:03:18 Message Number 729 Hmmmmmmmmm...interesting. They wouldn't have done that 10 years ago. BUT, Ballantine was the company that took the chance by publishing "Who Censored Roger Rabbit"... =========== From: BEATLE To: CORWYN OF AMBER Subject: movies... Date & Time: 12/05/89 07:06:10 Message Number 730 The movie was "Wizards" and it was made by the same people who did a segment of Heavy Metal... =========== From: BEATLE To: CORWYN OF AMBER Subject: ? Letterboxing? Date & Time: 12/05/89 07:07:07 Message Number 731 Well, in the case of a letterboxed tape, the movie is only on tape in the letterboxed form. To preserve cable ratings (assuming people don't want letterboxing on cable), the movie is converted to screen size for pay cable. If a film is on disc letterboxed, chances are that there is a tape unletterboxed, unless the tape was alredy released in letterbox. Only about 10 major films (maybe less) have been released letterboxed on tape. Some other "classic" or foreign films have also been letterboxed. It is interesting to compare something like "Ghostbusters" letterboxed to the normal TV version... =========== From: BEATLE To: ALL Subject: ZemeckiCon... Date & Time: 12/05/89 07:15:33 Message Number 732 ARE YOU INTERESTED??? The ZemeckiCon (IF HELD) would be planned for summer 1990. It will be a two-day event including video screenings of the following Zemeckis films: "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" "Used Cars" "Romancing the Stone" "Back to the Future" "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" "Back to the Future Part II" PLUS trivia contest, behind the scenes of some of the movies specials, AND the cap of the Con, a trip to the movie theatre to see "Back to the Future Part III". Of course, to rent the tapes and buy the movie tickets there will have to be a fee. This fee will also contribute to the prize in the trivia contest. Hey, it's a quirky idea, but SOMENONE has to be interested. Tyler, don't reply to this message... =========== From: CRYSTAL To: BEATLE Subject: Used Cars Date & Time: 12/05/89 10:55:50 Message Number 733 Finally someone else that has seen "Used Cars". That has got to be one of the funniest movies of all time. Everyone has got to rent it. * CRYSTAL * =========== From: CORWYN OF AMBER To: ALL Subject: The Shadow Date & Time: 12/05/89 12:18:38 Message Number 734 Call The Shadow BBS, 359-1717.. it's up from 11:00pm till 4:00pm. Online games: Murder Motel, Leech, and of course Camel. If you haven't played Camel, you have to try it, it's a very simple game but it's also very difficult to win. We STILL need more message writers, I'm not going to put in other bases if there are only a few messages in the existing ones.. Call tonight. (P.S. If you tried calling and got hung up on, sorry I was having problems w/ the init string a lot, the problem's solved now - Corwyn =========== From: BEATLE To: CRYSTAL Subject: Used Cars Date & Time: 12/05/89 16:20:58 Message Number 735 Yep, I saw "Used Cars". I originally saw it because it was produced by Steven Spielberg. It is an oddity because it is the only R-rated film Steven Spielberg or Robert Zemeckis has ever made. I take it you would be interested in ZemeckiCon... =========== From: CYBERPUNK To: ALL INTERESTED Subject: ChristmasCon Date & Time: 12/05/89 16:42:19 Message Number 736 hey all, ayone interested in a ChristmasCon, or it could be CyberCon , it can be held at my house, can have as much noise as you want, and a LOT more room than Turtles house, if ya'll like it, tell me!! we might have it!! Cy =========== From: SPELLWIND To: CRYSTAL Subject: Used Cars Date & Time: 12/05/89 16:49:12 Message Number 737 That was with the dead guy. That guy drove that car and gave him a heartattack. funny. =========== From: SPELLWIND To: CORWYN OF AMBER Subject: The Shadow Date & Time: 12/05/89 16:52:33 Message Number 738 Also call and help out the developing storyboard... =========== From: SPELLWIND To: BEATLE Subject: Used Cars Date & Time: 12/05/89 16:54:09 Message Number 739 yep! =========== From: TURTLE To: PSYCHE Subject: GameCon Date & Time: 12/05/89 17:08:23 Message Number 740 >I have never touched a drink containing alcohol in my life... How sad. Anything I can do to help? >...not sure how thrilled I would be about having lots of people at >close quarters belching, gagging, throwing up, and having flatulence >contests. Doesn't sound like fun to me, either. I'm not completely sure of the relevance of that statement, though. Thpth! =========== From: TURTLE To: PSYCHE Subject: GoCon Date & Time: 12/05/89 17:16:46 Message Number 741 Puns like that can get you arrested in 17 states, Mr. Psyche... =========== From: TURTLE To: ALL Subject: Yo-Yo's... Date & Time: 12/06/89 02:50:55 Message Number 743 ...don't go up and down as often as this system. *sigh* I just found and fixed another teensy weensy problem...if you called and got stuck in "Looking in your Mailbox!" for about 2 years, then you, too, were a victim. Oh well. Anyway, it's all better now... --A resigned Turtle =========== From: CORWYN OF AMBER To: ALL Subject: Modem connects Date & Time: 12/06/89 14:39:29 Message Number 744 How exactly does the modem connect process take place. I know I usually hear two tones, then the (static) "crshhh" of carrier. What exactly are the first two (or one) tones.. <-- On this system I hear one tone before carrier.. It's one of the few 1200 baud systems I call so I'm not sure if that's it. If (when calling another system) I hear only one tone and nothing else, which modem isn't doing it's job.. (in other words, "Whos fault is it?") Any other info on exactly how modems connect would be welcome. - Corwyn (Eagerly awaiting enlightenment) =========== From: CORWYN OF AMBER To: TURTLE Subject: Alcohol Date & Time: 12/06/89 14:46:03 Message Number 745 I haven't drank anything (significant) since the last PCP(about a month) and it's done terrible things to my disposition. Really, I'm a much nicer person when I'm slightly (or very) drunk.. have a lot more fun too Wednesday.. (next) I plan on getting completely and totally smashed just for the theraputic value.. I highly recommend it. - Corwyn (Eagerly awaiting inebriation) =========== From: CORWYN OF AMBER To: SAURON Subject: Abortion Date & Time: 12/06/89 14:56:07 Message Number 746 Abortion has been defined as legal during the first two tri-mesters of pregnancy (w/ a doctor's consent) Some people declare this an arbitrary descision. I don't think we will ever know enought about conciosness to determine whether the infant is self-concious at that time. The catchy slogan "Right to Life" is mis-leading, as are discussions as to whether the fetus is alive. My personal conclusion is: Of course the fetus is alive, that is not the issue. Your teeth are alive, so is a cancerous growth in a woman with cancer (I realize this is a distasteful simile, but I believe it present the idea well>. No-one disputes the right of an individual to have one of his/her teeth pulled.. or have a cancerous growth removed. The fetus is the same as these two except for one (or two.. see above reference to it's self-conciousness) factor, it's potential. That fetus is certainly no more intelligent than the cow you had for dinner last night (vegetarians are excused from this argument), or Gasp! the Turtle steak you ate last week (or year). The telling question is whether you judge the action on the basis of the fetus' potential to become an intelligent, self-concious organism. The precedence, I beleice supports NOT doing so, you can not sentence a man to death because of his potential for committing murder.. you can't try a castrator for killing all the children the man had the POTENTIAL to have. As I am coming up with these examples off the top of my head, I am sure there are flaws in them.. and I'm sure there are "Pro-Lifers" who will joyously point them out to me, but my purpose is to demonstrate the shift in the actual issue. I have many other reasons for supporting legalized abortion, some of which are difficult to explain.. I'd prefer to see how people respond to this note before explaining some of them. I will return.. - Corwyn (Eagerly awaiting morally outraged responses) =========== From: RUFUS To: CHIP P. UNICORN Subject: GameCon Date & Time: 12/06/89 15:22:17 Message Number 747 I was in the thingy that is a pick up with tank treads. Well, some guy was looking down the launch tube to see if it was clear, so I fired. I explained to the computer that "He was attempting to sabotage equipmen by jamming his flashlight into the tube." Of course we wiped out about 25 clones in 2 hours. Lotsa fun. =========== From: RUFUS To: ANGEL Subject: Casting couch Date & Time: 12/06/89 15:25:22 Message Number 748 No problem, just point the critics out, and we'll be happy to meet them outside with large baseball bats. Will Archangel be trying out for any parts?? =========== From: RUFUS To: CYBERPUNK Subject: ChristmasCon Date & Time: 12/06/89 15:28:43 Message Number 749 Sounds good to me, but stop the Turtle/Crystal house bashing. They were kind enough to let us in, and risk getting evicted. Half the fun is stepping on people. =========== From: TURTLE To: CORWYN OF AMBER Subject: Modem connects Date & Time: 12/06/89 15:35:53 Message Number 750 Okay, here we go... The first tone you hear is a CCITT signal. That is the carrier for a 300 baud modem; if you're using 300 baud, you just send an ORG carrier back and that's that. 1200 baud uses a carrier on a different frequency. Most modems will respond to the CCITT carrier by sending a 1200 baud carrier, which (unlike 300 baud) contains sync signals...that's why it makes that hissing sound. What happens on the host end at this point depends on how good the host modem is. Some modems will immediately recognize the 1200 baud carrier and start gen- erating one of their own, and the connection takes place. Other modems will search for a 300 baud carrier, not find one, and switch to sending a 1200 baud carrier with no sync signals. They will THEN suddenly realize that they're hearing a 1200 baud carrier and wake up, and start sending the sync signal, and the connection gets made. Is that terribly helpful? --A wizard Turtle ===========