633 lines
40 KiB
Plaintext
633 lines
40 KiB
Plaintext
|
||
1 If you are in need of help, you need but ask....
|
||
2 *********************** INSTALLED: 9 JAN 85 ************************
|
||
3 Welcome to BWMS (BackWater Message System) Mike Day system operator
|
||
4 ************************************************************
|
||
5 GENERAL DISCLAIMER: BWMS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INFORMATION
|
||
6 PLACED ON THIS SYSTEM.
|
||
7 BWMS was created as an electronic bill board. BWMS is a privately owned
|
||
8 and operated system which is currently open for use by the general public.
|
||
9 No restrictions are placed on the use of the system. As the system is
|
||
10 privately owned, I retain the right to remove any and all messages which
|
||
11 I may find offensive. Because of the limited size of the system, it will be
|
||
12 periodically purged of messages. (only 629 lines of data can be saved)
|
||
13 To leave a message, type 'ENTER' and use ctrl/C or break to get out of the
|
||
14 ENTER mode. The message is automatically stored. If after entering the
|
||
15 message you find you made a mistake, use the replace command to replace
|
||
16 the line. To exit from the system, type 'OFF' then hang up.
|
||
17 Type 'HELP' to see other commands that are available on the system.
|
||
18 ************************************************************
|
||
19
|
||
20 WOW! WHOOP WHOOP! On top of the World! Problem is: My text isn't ready yet.
|
||
21 All I can say is: magna est veritas et praevalebit. homme moyen sensuel.
|
||
22 ________________Melissa--------------------------------Melissa________________
|
||
23 M A G E N
|
||
24
|
||
25 I looked down at my feet dangling in the crystal clear water. How long had
|
||
26 I been sitting here on this rock? Calling, calling, until a small shadow of
|
||
27 doubt crossed my mind. No! I'm sure the spirit of the sea will return. She
|
||
28 could not forget me now, I need her council so very much. Who on the island
|
||
29 could I possibly talk to? Even Raza would hear no more of spirits, or voices
|
||
30 in the wind. I love Raza so much, and I know that he loves me, but ever
|
||
31 since that night I stood on this beach and saw the pattern in the stars
|
||
32 nothing in my life has been quite the same. If it hadn't happened to me I'd
|
||
33 never have believed that one short vision could completely alter my
|
||
34 existence. Maybe that's why it's so difficult to try to explain it to other
|
||
35 people.
|
||
36 "Magen, Magen is that you? Wait! I must talk to you. Don't move. I'll swim
|
||
37 over. Please wait!"
|
||
38 I looked across the bay and there was Raza running down the sandy beach.
|
||
39 He paused under a palm tree to remove his tie, shirt, shoes and trousers.
|
||
40 That settled it. Raza wearing a tie. How in the name of a million spirits
|
||
41 could anyone believe it made any sense to tie a knot around your neck? I
|
||
42 tried it with a piece of muskadine vine and nearly choked to death. Such
|
||
43 foolishness of dress was relatively harmless compared to the wearing of
|
||
44 those shoes. I placed one bare foot on the sand and felt the natural
|
||
45 he flow of energy ran through my body all the way to my finger
|
||
46 tips. I raised my arms up to the sky and gave thanks for the gift.
|
||
47 "Good Lord Magen, have you turned into a complete pagan?"
|
||
48 "Why hello Raza, how wonderful to see you. My but you look beautiful in
|
||
49 that outfit. Why don't you wear it more often?", I smiled.
|
||
50 "This is no laughing matter Magen. I swear if you could see yourself, see
|
||
51 how you've changed. Living in the roots of a Banyan tree, foraging for your
|
||
52 arely enough clothes to cover your vital regions..."
|
||
53 "Well your 'vital regions' are seeing the light of day for the first time
|
||
54 in quite a while. By the way, have you considered the possibility that it
|
||
55 might be you who has changed? Once you and I lived the days together, ran
|
||
56 down the beach hand in hand, ate the food provided by the island and the
|
||
57 sea, but above all else we were happy."
|
||
58 "Some time we all have to grow up and face reality."
|
||
59 "Raza, Raza, feel the wind and sun on your body, feel the sand under your
|
||
60 feet, feel that essential connection that links us all."
|
||
61 "Enough, enough. Next it'll be, 'Drink only the water that falls from the
|
||
62 sky, pure as the heavens, and stay out of places connected with the hum.'"
|
||
63 "Yes Raza, that is essential."
|
||
64 "Just forget it. Why do I bother trying to talk sense into you Magen?
|
||
65 Sometimes it seems we no longer speak the same language. This living out
|
||
66 here alone has changed you."
|
||
67 "No one is really alone."
|
||
68 "See, there you go again. You may not be aware of it but I've got more
|
||
69 important things to do than stand around this beach naked, talking about
|
||
70 such foolishness."
|
||
71 Raza's last words were carried away by the wind as he turned abruptly,
|
||
72 dived into the bay, and began swimming toward the opposite shore. I tried to
|
||
73 return to my vigil, but my thoughts drifted back along the sequence of
|
||
74 events that had brought me full circle, back to this bay, back to again seek
|
||
75 the advice and wisdom of the spirit of the sea. I knew there was something
|
||
76 vital that I must understand. My inner voice said so, and what good is an
|
||
77 inner voice if you don't listen to what it says?
|
||
78 ----------------Melissa________________________________Melissa----------------
|
||
79
|
||
80
|
||
81
|
||
82 AAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGG!!!
|
||
83 I MADE A REALLY DUMB MISTAKE! I FINISHED READING DB AND PUT MY ENTRY ON IT
|
||
84 BY MISTAKE!!!!! ARRRRG! Sorry about that folks... But the entry is on lines
|
||
85 numbered 590 through 610
|
||
86 hope I'm not missed too greatly. My silly mistake though. (aarrrrrg?)
|
||
87 _-_-_-_-_-_ abacab -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
|
||
88
|
||
89 _)%*@#_)*%@_)*%!+*%_#)*%!_)*%!_@%)_@#&%_@)#*%+_@#)*%_)@#&%@)_#*%@_#)*%)_@#*%_@)
|
||
90 I managed to keep the questions regarding the man's parentage to
|
||
91 myself, but the sheer idiocy of his replies did indeed try my patience. He
|
||
92 made New Englanders appear like talkative socialites in comparison. But after
|
||
93 a little 'friendly' persuasion, I managed to get the information I wanted out
|
||
94 of him, and bounded 3 steps at-a-time up to the second floor.
|
||
95 The powers-that-be at NET pride themselves in the ability to prepare
|
||
96 their field agents for any combat/non-combat situation. Ian himself has
|
||
97 spearheaded many of the innovations in NET training. But all of the training
|
||
98 in the world couldn't have prepared me for what I saw upon opening the
|
||
99 stairwell door. Two doors down on the left, floating about 6 inches off the
|
||
100 ground, wicked looking appendages pointing into the room, marked 23 on the
|
||
101 open door, was the meanest looking man-killer I had ever seen in my life. By
|
||
102 reflex only, I pulled my weapon up, and aimed. Simultaneously, a very
|
||
103 large cylinder rotated on the top of the device. I didn't wait to see what
|
||
104 kind of greeting I would get from this thing, so I fired my gun.
|
||
105 The ensuing explosion rocked the hallway, and I went tumbling to the
|
||
106 deck. A shower of sparks lighted the hall with a brazen light, turning the
|
||
107 rug and a nearby hotel-motel piece d'art into flames. I was up quickly, and
|
||
108 after stamping out the rug (I left the picture burn; you would have too),
|
||
109 stepped into the room. The pandemonium within just about equalled that which
|
||
110 took place out in the hall only moments before.
|
||
111 Six bodies lay on the floor, covered with varying amounts of debris
|
||
112 from the now-defunct device and what was left of the room. The dust settled
|
||
113 quickly, and with the light coming in from the glassless and curtainless
|
||
114 window, I set checking for damages to the six occupants.
|
||
115 The first body I checked was clad in green, and fortunately for him
|
||
116 he was already dead. A follower of Dangerfield, gone to meet his master. Next
|
||
117 came the form of agent Fellows, lying sprawled on a sofa. He was conscious,
|
||
118 and fairly coherent. I went on to a man still clutching a large service 45. I
|
||
119 didn't recognize him, but he seemed to be coming around, so I relieved
|
||
120 him of his gun, and an interesting looking watch, and went on checking. The
|
||
121 man near the window had no obvious wounds but was still unconscious. I
|
||
122 checked for any concealed weapons, didn't find any, and continued my rounds.
|
||
123 Again I wasn't prepared for the next person I found on the ground. Petrov,
|
||
124 that sheep-lovin' sonovabitch. I raised my weapon, and was about ready to
|
||
125 send him to pervert heaven, when a groan arose from the one remaining
|
||
126 body I hadn't checked yet. I hadn't heard a groan like that since the time
|
||
127 Joshua and I had delighted in smoldering bamboo stalks shoved underneath
|
||
128 our fingernails that time back at the Dragon Room. Since Joshua and I...
|
||
129 "Joshua!", I shouted, forgetting for the moment my intent to
|
||
130 eradicate with extreme prejudice my old friend Petrov. "Are you all
|
||
131 right?" I could hardly believe my eyes. "Of course I am Parity! Stop
|
||
132 stammering like an old fool, and help me up!" I bent over to lend him a
|
||
133 hand, and kept on going, pushed from behind. "Petrov! I forgot all about
|
||
134 him." For someone supposedly unconscious from the blast, he moved
|
||
135 remarkably fast. I was able to get off on badly aimed shot, which took out
|
||
136 a part of the apartment room wall, but missed my mark. I was getting up to
|
||
137 give chase when Joshua grabbed my arm and insisted, "Let him go. I'll
|
||
138 explain later."
|
||
139 The celebration at finding Joshua was short-lived. Joshua quickly
|
||
140 gave me the scoop on what had happened here before I had announced myself,
|
||
141 while we tied up 'Farley' and the still-unidentified man, who was now awake
|
||
142 and complaining bitterly. A still shaky but ready-for-action Fellows was sent
|
||
143 to summon reinforcements and a clean-up crew from Portland NET HQ on the
|
||
144 comset. We would meet the reinforcements at a nearby safe-house. No doubt
|
||
145 all the noise and commotion would attract a large crowd.
|
||
146 We got out quickly, with our new prisoners in front of us. "My car
|
||
147 is too small for all of us.", Joshua said. "Don't worry, we'll walk. We won't
|
||
148 look out-of-place in this neighborhood.", I told him. I couldn't wait to
|
||
149 start the interrogation, and find out what in heck that contraption was. Speed
|
||
150 was of the essence, and the safe-house was only a few blocks away.
|
||
151 Joshua found at last. Petrov almost in my grasp. Fellows rescued. Two
|
||
152 new prisoners. And good results from the first field test of Ian's new
|
||
153 weapon. Not a bad afternoon, even by NET's high standards!
|
||
154 *)_%@#*)%_@#*%)_@#%*!_)*%!_)@% L'homme sans Parity *%_)#*%_)@#*%@#_)*%_#@)*%@_
|
||
155
|
||
156 Sorry all net readers for the couple typos and the pandemonium sentance. I
|
||
157 forgot about ENTER ONLY (see sentence above, arg). It should say something
|
||
158 '...was just the opposite of...' I was going to go back and reword it, but...
|
||
159 G. Minsky : Sorry to leave you behind, but in the rare chance to access BW
|
||
160 I just didn't have time to work you into the story. I am sure with your fine
|
||
161 abilities you can figure a way to catch up. Don't forget Flemming!
|
||
162 *(_)%*#@_)%*@#_)*%@_#)%*@_#*%@_)*!#_)%*_)*_)%*!#_)%*@_)%(@)_*%)_*%_)@*%_@)%*
|
||
163 *********************************************************
|
||
164 HMM, LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER GENERIC DISK BYTES THE DUST.
|
||
165 ********************* CISTOP MIKEY **********************
|
||
166 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
167 Cistop Mikey: I know you did not do the original programming for BWMS, and
|
||
168 I know nothing, repeat, nothing about programming, but...isn't there a way
|
||
169 to set BWMS so that Changes/Deletions could be made only on the same call
|
||
170 the material was entered? That would fix R.D.'s, but would still allow the
|
||
171 fancy borders and spelling corrections. Also, will BWMS accept uploaded
|
||
172 files? If so, how? This would allow everyone to run their spelling checker
|
||
173 over their entry AND save time entering the story. As you have noticed, it
|
||
174 does take a while to get on...
|
||
175
|
||
176 Kathy: YOU lighten up. If you don't like comments, you can put them on disk
|
||
177 and read them yourself. Noticing the frequency of your entries, you might
|
||
178 try being polite and letting SOMEONE ELSE on for a change. Spending hours
|
||
179 waiting to get in doesn't make anyone happy...
|
||
180 PS--"them" refers to your writing. I enjoy your writing, but no one is
|
||
181 forcing you to write...
|
||
182 "Robin"
|
||
183 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
184 #$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$#
|
||
185 Fog: A 5.6? Does that mean my writing is incredibly clear, or stupid, or both?
|
||
186 Net: I have a new theory concerning the level 4, I'll work on it. If I am EXTREMELY lucky, I might have it by Sat.
|
||
187 By the way, is talking with other 'crackers legal?
|
||
188 Alex: (see last sentence) I'd really like to talk to you and exchange notes. Would you care to chat via private
|
||
189 mail somewhere?
|
||
190 #$##$##$##$##$##$##$#
|
||
191 *THIS* time I wasn't going to let him get away. There wasn't anything that could go wrong, I thought...
|
||
192 The tinkle of glass hitting the floor after something had hit it suddenly convinced me otherwise. Muttering an oath,
|
||
193 I hit the deck and turned over to shoot at the person at the window.
|
||
194 Reflexes, however, would have never saved me from the surprise istore for me. The door fell apart into splinters as
|
||
195 that drone decided to crash the party. Strange words were shouted at it from the window, and it turned its *VERY*
|
||
196 wicked-looking muzzle from me. One of my prisoners, faster than I, summoned a gun as if by magic and proceeded to
|
||
197 blast the hell out of the drone.
|
||
198 The ceiling fell about me after the drone exploded, pelting me with chunks of plaster and bits of wood. Dust
|
||
199 obscured my eyes for a moment, but my prisoner had just enough time to reverse our roles.
|
||
200 I cursed my bad luck again, under my breath. I was tied up, and my 'com and gun taken. I wondered how it would be
|
||
201 for me in the near-future, and if my new captors would be as slack as my last ones. At least I had enough time to
|
||
202 press the 'Help' button on the 'com. Fred would wait, watch, and follow....
|
||
203 #$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$# Farley #$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$# 01/09/1985 - 06:45pm:it's hard to get on...
|
||
204 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
|
||
205 abacab: yes, DDD[].
|
||
206 All: hardcopy of the two messages on DB (and possibly others) will be
|
||
207 available on Sat. (You pay for the "Xerox")
|
||
208 Farley: You may NOT discuss level 1 with others. Discussing Level 4
|
||
209 will lower your test scores.
|
||
210 ?All: a description of HOW you solved the problem will be required in
|
||
211 addition to the other requested info. (If you don't know what I'm
|
||
212 talking about, don't call us- we'll call yyou)
|
||
213 As for uploads, SOME "prompted upload" programs work, some don't
|
||
214 a "." seems to work with my software.
|
||
215
|
||
216 Since the NET has a copy of the BWMS software (for rewrite purposes) I
|
||
217 can state the following:
|
||
218 At the present time there is *NO* way to make any changes to BW.
|
||
219 The system code is burned into an OBSOLETE type of EPROM. There
|
||
220 are also some gaps in the system docs that prevent certain areas
|
||
221 from being changed (we don't know what the CURRENT code for
|
||
222 those areas is).
|
||
223 L'homme: Ian "suggested" that you try the lower power configuartion next
|
||
224 time.
|
||
225 Ada Lovelace (for Mr. MacHinery)
|
||
226 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
|
||
227 yakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyak
|
||
228
|
||
229 I'm sorta gnu here, so tell me, what's the deal on the NET stories,
|
||
230 etc. Do you just add as you go along, all who want to participate
|
||
231 can do so, or WHAT?
|
||
232 Mad YAkkER
|
||
233
|
||
234 yakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyak
|
||
235
|
||
236 JoshuaJoshua......................................................Joshua
|
||
237 (a curse on Enter Only)
|
||
238 I thought that when school started up again, it would become easier to
|
||
239 get on here. I seem to have been mistaken. As it has been almost two
|
||
240 full days since last I visited the Inn, my prepared entry has been
|
||
241 rendered extremely passe'. Since my extemporaneous capabilites are
|
||
242 \\\ do not meet my standards for public viewing, I'll have to try again
|
||
243 later. (at which late time, it will again be outdated....).
|
||
244 To any who plan on putting Petrov into situations requiring him to
|
||
245 extricate himself, don't. He ain't here, he's in Corvallis, and so
|
||
246 unable to defend himself. I save it all for him, though, so if you
|
||
247 have any praise for him (or immoral offers), go right ahead. Just don't
|
||
248 expect an immediate response.
|
||
249 JoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJoshuaJJoshu
|
||
250 P.S. if you have any immoral offers not involving sheep, let ME know.
|
||
251 --------------------------------------
|
||
252 Robin: Why don't you leave Kathy(and
|
||
253 the rest of the authors alone? They
|
||
254 are what makes this system great. I,
|
||
255 for one, do not mind the delays to get
|
||
256 on, because if people started to worry
|
||
257 about how long they spent here, the
|
||
258 quality of the stories would proably
|
||
259 suffer as a result. If you hate the
|
||
260 delays in logging on, why don't you go
|
||
261 use of the other boards? They much
|
||
262 (They are much) easier to get on...
|
||
263
|
||
264 Note: the maker of these disks should
|
||
265 be ashamed of themselves. 15%
|
||
266 rate of error is horrible...
|
||
267 -------------------------------Mad Max
|
||
268 **********************************************************************
|
||
269 IT IS NOT THE PEOPLE ENTERING THE MESSAGES THAT TAKE SUCH LENGTHY
|
||
270 ON LINE TIMES, IT IS THE NEWER USERS WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET AROUND
|
||
271 THE SYSTEM QUICKLY. THE AVERAGE ON LINE TIME OF A NORMAL USER IS 20-30
|
||
272 MINUTES. THE AVERAGE ON LINE TIME OF A FAIRLY NEW USER IS 30 MIN TO
|
||
273 45 MINUTES. I'VE SEEN SOME WANDERING AROUND ON HERE FOR OVER AN HOUR.
|
||
274 THE REAL PROBLEM IS THAT THEY DO THIS DURING 'PRIME TIME' THE OLDER
|
||
275 USERS HAVE LARGLY TRYED TO MOVE TO TIMES THAT ARE NOT PRIME FOR LENGTHY
|
||
276 INPUT. KATHY IN PARTICULAR IS ON AT 'VERY' WEIRD HOURS, AND THEREFORE
|
||
277 IT IS NOT JUSTIFIABLE TO SAY SHE HOGS THE SYSTEM. IN FACT, IT IS BY FAR
|
||
278 THE OPOSITE, SHE TENDS TO HAVE A VERY LOW ON LINE TIME 15-20 OR LESS.
|
||
279 AS FAR AS REWRITING THE SYSTEM, SEE MESSAGE ABOVE DESCRIBING SAID SAME.
|
||
280 *********************** CISTOP MIKEY **********************************
|
||
281 ALL: WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS DISK.
|
||
282 WELL, IT SEEMS THAT THE OLD VENERABLE DISK DRIVE THAT HAS BEEN ON HERE
|
||
283 FROM THE VERY FIRST DAY OF OPERATION FINALY BOUGHT THE FARM. IT IS
|
||
284 LAYING BELLY UP IN MY JUNK BOX NOW. THE MOTOR FINALY WENT OUT ON IT
|
||
285 WHICH IS THE REASON FOR ALL THE DISK ERRORS HERE. NOT MUCH I CAN DOO
|
||
286 ABOUT IT. IF YOU GET AN ERROR. TRY READING THE LINE AGAIN USUALLY IT
|
||
287 WILL READ OK. CONSIDERING THAT THE DRIVE WAS ORIGINALY RESURECTED
|
||
288 FROM THE JUNK BOX TO BEGIN WITH, IT IS VERY AMAZING THAT IT LASTED
|
||
289 4+YEARS IN A BBS NO LESS!
|
||
290 ************************* CISTOP MIKEY **************************
|
||
291 &*%_*_@#*_)#*@_)%*@_)
|
||
292 Farley:! What are you trying to do? Any more messages like your last one
|
||
293 and we are confiscating your secret decoder ring. I thought it was
|
||
294 clear who blew up that drone. What's this about your prisoners doing
|
||
295 all the dirty work? Tsk Tsk. Nice touch with Fred though. I knew you
|
||
296 would work in KITT's poor relation somehow (haha). All set to go to
|
||
297 PSU after reading messages on PCS? Someone came up to me at the IBM
|
||
298 club tonight and thanked me for the messages. They said something
|
||
299 about non-glossy school sponsored press releases... C U Saturday,
|
||
300 and remember, "Howrya Howrya"
|
||
301 Joshua: So ends the sheep wars for now. But wait until Spring break.
|
||
302 Since your friend Petrov is gone, maybe you could suggest another
|
||
303 person who would like to spar a bit with the Portland Police Kinko
|
||
304 Squad?
|
||
305 Ian: Message received and understood. I thought a good demonstration
|
||
306 of the new weapon warrented the high pouwer setting. Also, with the
|
||
307 setting I used, I won't feel so funny going up to any Russian tanks
|
||
308 we meet up with, and saying, "Go ahead comrade, make my day..."
|
||
309 _)#@*$_)#*$_)@#*$_@#)*$_#)@ L'homme sans Parity *)_#@*%)_#@*%)_#*%_)_
|
||
310 *** GENERIC DISK ERROR IN LINE XX ***
|
||
311
|
||
312 02020202020202020202020202020202020202020202020202020202020202020202020202020202
|
||
313 Ian - that Level 1 code was cruel. Regarding the Level 4 (what was
|
||
314 Level 3?), I don't know, as I have not yet been granted access
|
||
315 to the key (hint hint). I wonder if.... no, you wouldn't have...
|
||
316 By the way--your codes are messy to download. A leading X'11', leading
|
||
317 periods... a real pain for those of us with high-class decoders.
|
||
318 (if they are so high-class, how come they are bothered by little things like...)
|
||
319 02020202020202020202020202 09 Jan 85 at 11:19:47 PM 020202020202020202020202
|
||
320 **********************************************************************
|
||
321 to mikey: thank-you for defending me.
|
||
322 *************************************************kathy****************
|
||
323 ARRRGH!!!
|
||
324 L'homme: I took the M3 in to be
|
||
325 worked on today. About 8 pm the
|
||
326 LCD & RS232 on the Mm100 went
|
||
327 out. I am using my third level
|
||
328 backup system-- YEP, the MC-10!
|
||
329 Much to my disgust, the Modem II
|
||
330 won't accept commands from it,
|
||
331 so things are going to be REAL
|
||
332 painful for a while.
|
||
333 In case you were wondering
|
||
334 how I knew it was "just" the LCD
|
||
335 etc, It happened while I was
|
||
336 using the CRT. IT still works...
|
||
337 This $&$% gets lost if it
|
||
338 gets too much, too fast so I
|
||
339 have to read by typing "do" ( &
|
||
340 "he" whenever I get a garble..)
|
||
341 ----------Leonard---------------
|
||
342 (I can't have lowercase AND
|
||
343 underline at the same time $&##&
|
||
344 *************************************************************************
|
||
345 Tony walked the streets with confidence, He knew he was BAD, he
|
||
346 knew he was TOUGH. His chocolate brown leather pants and jacket were
|
||
347 too COOL. Neon lights beaconed to the night, promising pleasures and
|
||
348 excitment. Tony's breath could be seen.
|
||
349 In a doorway Jack waited, Jack and Tony were best buds, way back,
|
||
350 almost 3 weeks now, and they were planning something BIG. Jack was a
|
||
351 computerland reject, his fouryear degree didn't meen s**t in the real
|
||
352 world. Mensa often have trouble adapting to "normal" society. Jack was
|
||
353 wearing his art deco black pocket protecter to match his plaid pants.
|
||
354 Fresh glass tape on his hornrims.
|
||
355
|
||
356 WATCH OUT PORTLAND, HERE COMES THE MEN FROM S.H.E.I.L.D.
|
||
357 (drum roll)
|
||
358 ********************************************************kathy************
|
||
359 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|
||
360 hmmm
|
||
361 ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
|
||
362 `'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'
|
||
363 After the swirling FOG cleared, (blown in through the open door, no
|
||
364 doubt) the practitioner pondered on the ramifications left in it's wake. It
|
||
365 was interesting that a phenomenon with a partial name of fog could actually
|
||
366 illuminate certain aspects of reality. In any case, it's appearance was a
|
||
367 welcome input even if some reactions were less than enthusiastic. Reactions
|
||
368 typically say more about the person doing the reacting than they do about
|
||
369 the initial event. Now that will probably elicit comments from those that
|
||
370 feel it's pointed in their direction, thought the keeper of the stone.
|
||
371 Some new yarns could be heard interwoven among the ever present flow of
|
||
372 comments indigenous to the Inn. Bravo! It is the telling of tall tales that
|
||
373 gives this place it's unique flavor. If any of you budding or blooming
|
||
374 authors need encouragement consider this as unbridled support. Try to let
|
||
375 critical comments guide you toward better writing, rather than toward angry
|
||
376 rebuttal. To paraphrase an old but true phrase: 'Those who can write---the
|
||
377 others become critics'. "I for one am enjoying the stories", he said aloud,
|
||
378 "FREE drinks for all the authors, on my tab. Perhaps a few quafs will serve
|
||
379 to remove a some inhibitions. Inside every new author is an excellent story
|
||
380 just waiting to get out."
|
||
381 Innkeeper you still operate the finest establishment around. I'll have
|
||
382 another of those ales myself, if you please.
|
||
383 `'`'`'`' -alchemist- `'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'
|
||
384 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
|
||
385 Consider that the purpose of a system is to maintain itself.
|
||
386 Now consider that maintaining itself includes warding against
|
||
387 competitors for the same resources. This generaly means trying
|
||
388 gain an advantage over a competitor. The most common way being
|
||
389 to strong arm them someway, usually by brute force. This allows
|
||
390 the system to gain more resources thus being able to grow larger
|
||
391 expand its teritory, and fight off even more competitors, until
|
||
392 there are none left, or at least none of concern.
|
||
393 Sounds like the normal growth of a corporation doesn't it?
|
||
394 Also sounds like the normal growth of an animal too.
|
||
395 Or even a species. The reason is simple, they are all systems,
|
||
396 and all follow the same general rules of life.
|
||
397 And thus we come down to the definition of life. Life being
|
||
398 a system which maintains and propagates itself. This is true
|
||
399 whether it be a human being, a dog, a bug, a tree, a corporation,
|
||
400 a religion, or even a computer. They are all maintaining and
|
||
401 trying to propagate themselves. I usally get a negative response
|
||
402 in regard to the computer, but consider the microcomputer industry,
|
||
403 Look at the growth of the IBM PC. It has followed the rules of
|
||
404 life systems amost to the letter. You may not agree that machines
|
||
405 can be representative of life, but they do follow the rules no
|
||
406 matter what you say. The other problem people have is accepting
|
||
407 that a belief structure can be considered to have life of its own,
|
||
408 yet it too follows those same rules for a life system.
|
||
409 ++++++++++++++++++++++ fred +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
|
||
410 lurk...
|
||
411 O.K. what do you have against lurkers? I have been one for a year and a half and at most I
|
||
412 have entered 15 enteries. You should be ego-lifted at the fact that us lurkers just return to
|
||
413 read your work. Well, a group of lurkers and I have gotten together and are dreaming ideas
|
||
414 for new stories. Perhaps we may not be lurkers too much longer.
|
||
415 lurk...
|
||
416 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?/
|
||
417 Theus:YOU RENTED THE OBSERVATORY?!? Do you have any idea of what we had in the
|
||
418 lab over there? God pass the antibiotics.
|
||
419 Sondargaard:The F106 you say? I am still pondering the case. PorSFiS is
|
||
420 very shakey. I am helping CDP and another BW type move during that time.
|
||
421 Who knows? maybe I can get them to attend.
|
||
422 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?/MiG/?? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?/
|
||
423 ARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
|
||
424 Anyone care to help mangle the
|
||
425 local RS repair people? They
|
||
426 tell me that it'll take a WEEK
|
||
427 to fix the 100. BECAUSE THEY
|
||
428 DON'T STOCK THE PARTS!! (note
|
||
429 they haven't even SEEN the thing
|
||
430 yet, just a verbal list of
|
||
431 symptoms...)
|
||
432 ------------Leonard------------
|
||
433 Fred:Did you ever consider the
|
||
434 growth of the IBM PC you akin to a life system merely appears that way because
|
||
435 those that buy it are life systems themselves. To mention inanimate objects
|
||
436 such as computers in the same breath you mention life conjurs up images of
|
||
437 living machines and self-automated monsters. I tend to think more along the
|
||
438 lines that the only things that can be considered life systems are things
|
||
439 that can be placed under the heading of biological life. All other systems
|
||
440 are merely an interpretation and extension of the real biological life that
|
||
441 inhabits, uses, defines, shapes, and manipulates them. This reasoning
|
||
442 explains corporations, religions, forrests, computers, and anything else
|
||
443 you can think of. Your comments are well taken though, and I encourage you
|
||
444 and others to enter more along these lines. With the NET dialogue so heavy
|
||
445 on the airwaves, a nice subject for discussion and debate would be quite
|
||
446 welcome. Fred, you do have some very interesting ideas. Write more!
|
||
447 A. Debater
|
||
448
|
||
449 HOW LONG DOES A STORY STAY ON THI
|
||
450
|
||
451 SYSTEM? I AM GETTING TIRED OF WRITING
|
||
452
|
||
453 A STORY INTO THIS BOARD, AND, AS SOON
|
||
454
|
||
455 AS I TURN AROUND IT IS GONE!!! HOW DO
|
||
456
|
||
457 YOU EXPECT ANYONE TO USE THIS BOARD IF
|
||
458
|
||
459 YOU PULL STUNTS LIKE THAT. IF IT
|
||
460
|
||
461 HAPPENS TO ME ONCE ME THAT'S IT. I
|
||
462
|
||
463 WILL PUT PORNOGRAPHIC STORIES ON HERE,
|
||
464
|
||
465 WAIT I GOT A BETTER IDEA, I WILL JUST
|
||
466
|
||
467 LEAVE MY PHONE ON ALL NIGHT, SO NO ONE
|
||
468
|
||
469 CAN USE THIS BOARD. I SAY YOU BETTER
|
||
470
|
||
471 GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER.
|
||
472
|
||
473 A VERY CONCERNED,
|
||
474
|
||
475 AUTHOR
|
||
476
|
||
477
|
||
478 P.S. THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO
|
||
479 READ THE ABOVE MESSAGE.
|
||
480
|
||
481 ***********+++++++++++++++++++************+++++++++++++++*************
|
||
482
|
||
483 TO THE ABOVE IF YOU ARE FINISHED WITH YOUR FIT!
|
||
484 THERE ARE OTHERS THAT READ AND LEAVE MESSAGES TO
|
||
485 AND IF THERE IS NOT SPACE IT'S NOT THE END OF THE
|
||
486 WORLD!!!!
|
||
487 IT JUST MEANS YOU SAVE IT FOR LATER.
|
||
488
|
||
489 M.G.
|
||
490 { ^+/* ---------------- ^+/* ---------------- */+^ ---------------- */+^ }
|
||
491 "My goodness a debate you say? Now there's a epicurean delight a person can
|
||
492 sink their metaphysical teeth into." Fred and A. Debater turned to get a
|
||
493 better look at the character seated nearby who had spoken. He continue, "I
|
||
494 couldn't help but overhear your conversation, hope you don't mind if I add
|
||
495 a note or two...
|
||
496
|
||
497 Fred, your hypothesis of the purpose of a system being to maintain itself
|
||
498 can certainly be true within a limited context. Before addressing the issue
|
||
499 concerning whether one purpose, no matter how profound, could hardly be
|
||
500 considered necessary and sufficient conditions for defining life, there is
|
||
501 the small matter of who is making the definition of purpose. This seemingly
|
||
502 detached *system*; that is both perceiver of the apparent system, separate
|
||
503 from itself, and conveyer of purpose upon this separate system, holds the
|
||
504 essential key to the postulated mystery. Would not such a *system*, with
|
||
505 these magnanimous powers, perhaps have the tendency to project upon this
|
||
506 external system self characteristics. Would not this act of projection tend
|
||
507 to produce an identity between the two system, or a connection if you prefer.
|
||
508 Such a *system* could hardly be content with such a limited definition of
|
||
509 life. In other words life can be defined to include anything one wishes or
|
||
510 it can be restricted to include only the perceiving *system* itself, or
|
||
511 somewhere in between. In all cases the essential element is the nature of
|
||
512 the system that is determining the definition.
|
||
513
|
||
514 One small, final point, if I may. Consider the fact that a system struggling
|
||
515 for mere survival has little time for such esoteric subjugations. Only a
|
||
516 being of greater purpose, with leisure time, can engage in such luxuries."
|
||
517
|
||
518 /Whatever other ramifications this dissertation portends one measure of
|
||
519 ubiquitous nature will result in a fog index of eleven or better. <Mez>/
|
||
520 { ^+/* --------------- The Mesolithic Mathematician --------------- */+^ }
|
||
521 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
||
522 CISTOP MIKEY: No I didn't jest, but my luck did almost run out.
|
||
523 I almost MISSED a disk. Heaven Forbid.
|
||
524 PIPER: Glad to hear that your overheated imagination is having
|
||
525 a good time. ha ha
|
||
526 MiG: !!! F106 !!! that is right.
|
||
527 A VERY CONCERNED, AUTHOR: Another new user who doesn't know his *&(*&#$
|
||
528 from his keyboard.
|
||
529 ALL: I have just spent the last 45 minutes reading most of B and all
|
||
530 of A so to let a few of the rest of you get in, I will cut this off.
|
||
531 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PaPa Smurf 1-10-85 17:30
|
||
532 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
|
||
533 ZIPPY: I can't find your ph# or
|
||
534 The Nerd's ph #, so if you see
|
||
535 this message please call me.
|
||
536 ++++++++++Karl++++++++++++++++
|
||
537
|
||
538
|
||
539 if the sysop can see this: how
|
||
540 you get out of enter mode
|
||
541
|
||
542 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PaPa
|
||
543 Another NEW USER to the system. Read lines 1 thru 19 before going
|
||
544 into ENTER mode the next time. This should help. CNTL-C to
|
||
545 answer your question.
|
||
546 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PaPa Smurf 20:30 1-10-85
|
||
547 yakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyak
|
||
548
|
||
549 Okay, I've been pondering over names as of late- names of trees, names of
|
||
550 people, names of drinks, names of countries, names,names,names,names! Just
|
||
551 the thought of an identity for something is driving me crazy. I'm a thinker,
|
||
552 I am. Pretty heavy stuff to think and ponder over lately. For instance: I've
|
||
553 been thinking about time: the word, the context, the meaning, the usage in
|
||
554 all kinds of texts- and the actual concept of it. What happens if everyone
|
||
555 in the world suddenly stops doing what they are doing and just stands still for
|
||
556 several seconds? Would "time" as we know it become confused, and stop to com=
|
||
557 pensate for the lapse, or would it go ticking merrily away, minding its own
|
||
558 business, letting the silly people do what they want?? Or what if all the
|
||
559 countries agree to ban the word "time" and replace it with...oh, lets see.
|
||
560 Howabout "eggplant"? Central Standard Eggplant? Mountain Eggplant? Eggplant
|
||
561 after eggplant? I somehow don't think that would be as feasible as it sounded
|
||
562 one minute ago...
|
||
563 And NAMES: What is in a name? "A rose smells just as sweet by any other name"
|
||
564 What is the concept of labeling something for identification? Wouldn't it just
|
||
565 be as easy (maybe not for this generation) to learn something akin to UPC codes
|
||
566 for everything. 0001001011 might be your kid's best friend's dog's name. Who
|
||
567 knows what the future holds in store? And here's a good question that has been
|
||
568 bugging me for awhile- if the Dutch and the Belgians live in the same general
|
||
569 area of the world, the Dutch in Holland, and the Belgians in Belgium, why can't
|
||
570 we call the Belgians "Belch"? I mean, it seems to be a trend, in a way. There
|
||
571 are the Welsh, and the aforementioned Dutch, so why should we leave out the
|
||
572 Belgians and call them that?
|
||
573 Ah, well. Enough foaming at the mouth to keep any healthy Yak busy...
|
||
574 -- It's around 9:00, eggplant for me to stampede on...
|
||
575 Mad YAkkER(!)
|
||
576
|
||
577 I hope this discussion brought up as much "ponderment" as it did for me...
|
||
578
|
||
579 yakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyakyak
|
||
580
|
||
581
|
||
582 ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
|
||
583 TO ALL: SORRY THAT THIS IS IN ALL UPPER CASE, BUT FOR SOME WEIRD REASON, MY VIPTERM
|
||
584 PROGRAM IS FREAKING OUT ON ME...
|
||
585 ???????????????
|
||
586 THE DOCTOR LOOKED ON THE TARDIS' CHRONOMETER AND IT READ 01:10:185. "ISN'T
|
||
587 'TOMORROW' THE REGULAR
|
||
588 PORSFIS MEETING, K9?" "AFFIRMATIVE, MASTER. 01:11:1985 IS THE CORRECT SOLAR EARTH
|
||
589 DATE..." "I WONDER HOW MANY OF THE ADVENTURERS OF THE RENOWED BACKWATER INN WILL
|
||
590 SHOW UP? I REMEMBER THOSE DAYS...PIPER, L'HOMME, BARD, THE INNKEEPER, AND OF COURSE
|
||
591 MILCHAR. I STILL HAVEN'T GOT TO THOSE DAMNED 3 BY 5 CARDS, YET. THOSE THINGS
|
||
592 GOT ME IN SO MUCH TROUBLE THAT IT'S NOT EVEN FUNNY. ONE DAY, THOUGH...
|
||
593 ???????????????
|
||
594 ALL (AGAIN): I WILL BE AT THE UP AND COMING PORSFIS MEETING. TO THOSE WHO DON'T
|
||
595 KNOW WHO I AM, I WILL BE THE ONE WEARING A) A 25' BLACK AND WHITE SCARF,
|
||
596 B) A 4' BLACK AND WHITE SCARF, OR C) A BRIGHT PURPLE AND GOLD SCARF(IF AMBER WILL
|
||
597 GIVE IT TO ME...I HAVE DEFINITE POWERS OF PERSUATION, SO...).
|
||
598 I HOPE TO SEE SOME OF THE 'OLD TIMERS', AS WELL AS THE NEW (AND SOME VERY GOOD)
|
||
599 AUTHORS. SEE YA ALL LATER...
|
||
600 ?????????????? The D THE DOCTOR ???????????????????? ON AT 11:00:00PM AT 01:09:1985 ?
|
||
601 PS: TIME IS ONLY RELEVANT...TAKE IT FROM ONE WHO KNOWS...
|
||
|
||
602 ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
|
||
603 PPS: THE ENDING BORDER WAS NOT MY FAULT...
|
||
604 ????????????????? THE DOCTOR ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
|
||
605 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
|
||
606 Doctor: Time is indeed relevant, for you seem to be living in yesterday. Today's the TENTH. The PorSFiS meeting
|
||
607 is on the TWELFTH. The party we are attending is on the ELEVENTH.
|
||
608 By the by, did you say that you would be bringing Garrote? (To all who don't know: that's the NAME [names again] of
|
||
609 his 24' long scarf.)
|
||
610 +++++++++++++++ Milchar ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 11:35 - 01/10/85 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
|
||
611 #$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$#
|
||
612 Ada: I wouldn't say anything about the level 1, as I have a sadistic temperment about codes (let 'em figure it out
|
||
613 by themselves, heh, heh), but since I don't know what level 4 is, and I presume Alex doesn't either, then...
|
||
614 Ian: Ever read a book entitled "Secret Writing" by James Raymond Wolfe? Fun reading if you like ciphers...
|
||
615 Also, if I don't have the cipher cracked by Saturday (and as things are looking now, that's likely) I'll relate what
|
||
616 I have guessed about it, reasoning, etc. And the aforementioned book. The NET level 1 method is mentioned in there-
|
||
617 the author gave it bad marks for security, for obvious reasons (to a NET member).
|
||
618 For now, goodbye, I'm not likely to be getting on again until after PorSFis...
|
||
619 #$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$# Farley #$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$# 01/10/1985 - 11:44pm #$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$##$#
|
||
620 *************************************************************************
|
||
621 MORE STORIES!.. MORE STORIES!!.. MORE STORIES!!.. MORE STORIES!!..
|
||
622 NOT ENOUGH DISK SPACE TO WRITE MORE...
|
||
623 **************************************************kathy*******************
|
||
624 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (o.k. I'll try not to ramble on and on and on and on and on and
|
||
625 ^^^kathy; it's a good thing to be able to ignore fools ^^^Robin; yes, noone is forcing kathy to put her entries on, they've
|
||
626 just been admired for so long (by me at least) because others want them here as much as she ^^^MiG; yup, them's "Darts"
|
||
627 ^^^alchemist; I met "Mystery Author" today (weird guy) and he's miffed that you are using the same `'`' border... oh well.
|
||
628 ^^^Theus; what happened to ANNEX? C.H.Q. wants to know... ^^^ Ian; Tricky, tricky... --->Sondargaard, the Guardian 0150
|
||
|
||
TOTAL NUMBER OF LINES = 628
|