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1466 lines
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______ __ __ __ ______
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/ __ / / \ \ \ \ \ / _\/_ \
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/ /_/ /andom / /\ \ccess \ \_\ \umor | |____| |
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/ _ _/ / ____ \ \ __ \ \__ \____/
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/ / \ \ / / \ \ \ \ \ \ |_\____|
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/_/ \_\ /_/ \_\ \_\ \_\ |____|
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--------------------------------------------------
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The Electronic Humor Magazine
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--------------------------------------------------
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Version 1 Release 0 January 1994
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Editor: Dave Bealer
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Member of the Digital Publishing Association
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Copyright 1994 Dave Bealer, All Rights Reserved
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Printed on 100% recycled electrons
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Random Access Humor is an irregular production of:
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|
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VaporWare Communications
|
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32768 Infinite Loop
|
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Sillycon Valley, CA. 80486-DX2
|
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USA, Earth, Sol System, Milky Way
|
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|
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WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
|
||
The "look and feel" of Random Access Humor has been specifically
|
||
earmarked, spindled and polygraphed. Anyone who attempts to copy
|
||
this look and feel without express written consent of the publisher
|
||
will be fed to rabid radioactive hamsters by our Security Director,
|
||
Vinnie "The Knife" Calamari.
|
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TABLE OF INCONTINENCE:
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About Vaporware Communications.....................................01
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Editorial - The Virtual Word.......................................01
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Lettuce to the Editor..............................................02
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||
1993 RAH Online Industry Awards....................................03
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Programmer X.......................................................05
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The Smallification Wars--Where Will It End?........................07
|
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Were It Not For Computers..........................................08
|
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Oasis of Greed.....................................................09
|
||
The Eliminator 2000................................................12
|
||
RAH Logo Design Contest Results....................................14
|
||
The Twit Filter: The Know-It/Done-It-All...........................16
|
||
RAH Humor Review: "Mrs. Doubtfire".................................17
|
||
Announcements......................................................17
|
||
Taglines Seen Around the Nets......................................18
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Masthead - Submission Information.................................A-1
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RAH Distribution System...........................................A-2
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Random Access Humor Page 1 January 1994
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|
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About Vaporware Communications
|
||
|
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VaporWare Communications is an operating division of VaporWare
|
||
Corporation, a public corporation. Stock Ticker Symbol: SUKR
|
||
VaporWare Corporate Officers:
|
||
|
||
Luther Lecks
|
||
President, Chief Egomaniac Officer
|
||
|
||
Dorian Debacle, M.B.A. Gabriel Escargot
|
||
V.P., Operations V.P., Customer Service
|
||
|
||
Pav Bhaji, M.Tax.(Avoidance) Carlos Goebbels
|
||
V.P., Finance V.P., Political Correctness
|
||
|
||
Kung Pao Har Hoo, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc. F.A.C.S, C.P.A., S.P.C.A.,
|
||
Y.M.C.A., L.E.D., Q.E.D., op. cit., et al.
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V.P., Research & Development
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---------------------------------------------------------------------
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Editorial - The Virtual Word
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by Dave Bealer
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||
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Virtual reality promises to be the hottest technology of 1994. Don a
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pair of goggles and a glove, and you can go anywhere the programmer's
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||
warped imagination can take you. To jaded generations reared on
|
||
television and video games, virtual reality promises the next level
|
||
of instant gratification. Go anywhere; kill anyone or anything.
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||
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The real surprise is that this is nothing new. A special kind of
|
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virtual reality has existed for centuries. It requires no programs,
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no microprocessors, no rubber chickens, not even any electricity.
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The components of this ancient virtual reality machine are the
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written word and the human imagination.
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||
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This fact first occurred to me during my junior year of college. My
|
||
roommate had been in the U.S. Navy. He had been to many far corners
|
||
of the world that I will likely never see in person. Despite this,
|
||
he once claimed that I was more well travelled than he was. When
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||
asked to support this preposterous claim, he pointed out that I was
|
||
always reading science fiction, fantasy and many other types of
|
||
novels (rather than doing my schoolwork, of course).
|
||
|
||
In a way my roommate was right. I've been to all manner of fantastic
|
||
places, met amazing people, seen incredible things. These tours
|
||
started at my convenience, proceeded at my own pace, and broke for
|
||
dinner when my mother called. These excursions were led by legendary
|
||
guides such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey,
|
||
Douglas Adams, and J.R.R. Tolkien.
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||
|
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My roommate was always too busy to read much fiction, although I've
|
||
never had the nerve to ask just what was going on over on his side of
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||
the room. Whatever it was, not reading more fiction was his loss,
|
||
but his decision. Truly tragic are those folks who cannot read at
|
||
all, people whose illiteracy bars them forever from the joy, the
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||
splendor of a well crafted story. These unfortunates can certainly
|
||
|
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Random Access Humor Page 2 January 1994
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watch movies or television, but even Hollywood's most spectacular and
|
||
expensive special effects pale in comparison to the power of the
|
||
written word and the human imagination.
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||
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Some elements of fiction can never be adequately represented on the
|
||
screen, whether the screen is big or small, real or virtual. For
|
||
instance, nobody could ever do complete justice to the scenes
|
||
involving the infinite improbability drive on the _Heart of Gold_ in
|
||
the _Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy_ books. It just can't be done.
|
||
|
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Computers and high-tech gadgetry promise to raise entertainment to
|
||
new levels, but we can't afford to forget how to read and interpret
|
||
stories (and information) ourselves. We laugh at science fiction
|
||
tales of computers taking over the world, but if we lose the ability
|
||
to think for ourselves they just may do it some day. If it really
|
||
happens, it will be far from funny.
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||
|
||
As you read these words, rejoice in your ability to do so. They can
|
||
be your passport to any place on Earth, to the stars, and beyond. No
|
||
batteries or assembly required. {RAH}
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---------------------------------------------------------------------
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Lettuce to the Editor
|
||
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Recent shenanigans on the RAHUSER Internet mailing list:
|
||
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To: GIULIANO_MACIOCCI_JR@MANGO.APC.ORG
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||
From: DAVE_BEALER@RAH.CLARK.NET
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||
Subj: Hello!!
|
||
|
||
-> Hi rahuser@rah.clark.net!
|
||
->
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||
-> How'ya doin' Curtis 'ol pal? Welcome to Rahuser, there's 2 of us
|
||
-> so far.
|
||
|
||
Actually, there are seven users on three continents, not counting
|
||
myself (not counting myself as a user or a continent, although
|
||
there has been some disagreement about the latter). Sadly, your
|
||
friend Curtis is not among the users in this group - he mailed
|
||
his add request *to the group*, not the listserver. I sent him
|
||
private e-mail on the subject.
|
||
|
||
//Dave\\
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||
- - - - - - - - - - - -
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||
We want to hear from our readers! Get the same kind of respectful
|
||
answers to YOUR questions. Send your e-mail to:
|
||
Internet> lettuce@rah.clark.net
|
||
FidoNet> Lettuce at 1:261/1129
|
||
You can also ask your questions in one (or both) of our two new RAH
|
||
reader conferences. Internet users can subscribe to our RAHUSER
|
||
mailing list (send e-mail to: rahinfo@rah.clark.net for instructions)
|
||
and FidoNet users can ask their sysops to obtain the new RAHUSER echo
|
||
from the RAH Publication BBS (1:261/1129).
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page 3 January 1994
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||
|
||
1993 RAH Online Industry Awards
|
||
by Dave Bealer
|
||
|
||
Since nobody sued us over last year's awards article, we'll
|
||
report on the insanity of yet another year online. Literally
|
||
minutes of intensive research have gone into making these the
|
||
fairest, most objectionable (er, objective) awards available
|
||
today. Tomorrow, who knows?
|
||
|
||
|
||
>> Vaporware of the Year <<
|
||
|
||
Pretty Good Privacy
|
||
Oh, you can find it, if you know whom to ask. The U.S.
|
||
government would like everyone to pretend that it was never
|
||
released. Especially to evil foreigners, whose mail will now
|
||
be much more difficult to read. Of course, they're not *too*
|
||
pleased about being unable to read the mail of their own
|
||
citizens either, but they can't admit that.
|
||
|
||
|
||
>> Worst Online Idea of the Year <<
|
||
|
||
Putting American Politicians Online
|
||
Just when you thought is was safe to turn on your modem, the
|
||
inane blatherings of your elected "representatives" are now
|
||
being made available, at taxpayer expense, online. The scary
|
||
part is that some of these people can't even navigate a car
|
||
all the way across a bridge, much less use a computer.
|
||
|
||
|
||
>> Best Shareware Software <<
|
||
|
||
PC-Right
|
||
This modern shareware word processor has a built in sensitivity
|
||
checker. It prevents the user from using words or phrases that
|
||
could conceivably offend any of the world's reactionary special
|
||
interest groups. Since what actually does offend these groups
|
||
often changes from hour to hour, PC-Right incorporates revolu-
|
||
tionary artificial intelligence precognition algorithms. Those
|
||
who register get a special quick-index card to the 47 English
|
||
words that they're still allowed to use.
|
||
|
||
|
||
>> Highest Pressure Marketing Department <<
|
||
|
||
America Online
|
||
Joining is like falling off a log; quitting is like falling out
|
||
of a plane without a parachute into a mine field.
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page 4 January 1994
|
||
|
||
>> Most PC-Owning Town <<
|
||
|
||
Marlow, New Hampshire, USA
|
||
Virtually everyone in town owns a PC, and they all got them
|
||
through the employee discount program of PC Connection, the
|
||
hardware/software mail order vendor where they all work. This
|
||
is a real modern day "company town." PC Connection is also the
|
||
only racoon owned and operated business in New Hampshire.
|
||
|
||
|
||
>> Ebenezer Scrooge Memorial Award <<
|
||
|
||
Prodigy
|
||
In a never ending quest to separate people from more of their
|
||
money, Prodigy switched from a fixed rate access charge structure
|
||
to hourly charges. The next software upgrade should provide
|
||
billing by the picosecond.
|
||
|
||
|
||
>> Best Hardware Innovation <<
|
||
|
||
Ryxel-Leamington Portable Combo
|
||
28.8 Cellular/Satellite FAX/Modem - Electric Toothbrush
|
||
The result of one of those cross-industry mergers, this little gem
|
||
allows you to keep in touch with your favorite online system from
|
||
literally anywhere Earth while keeping your teeth clean and bright.
|
||
|
||
|
||
>> The Lowest Standard <<
|
||
|
||
RIPOFF Graphics
|
||
The graphics standard which the online world has (for some
|
||
inexplicable reason) welcomed with open arms. Using CGA emulation,
|
||
this one is sure to be a favorite with optometrists around the world.
|
||
|
||
|
||
>> Online System of the Year <<
|
||
|
||
UFO Reality
|
||
This system runs on actual alien hardware taken from a flying saucer
|
||
that crash-landed in the Mojave Desert in Southern California. It
|
||
turns out that they crash there all the time, and that this explains
|
||
the "earthquakes" that plague the area. If you want to try this
|
||
system out, you'll need special front-end hardware and software
|
||
capable of communicating directly through the atmosphere using the
|
||
harmonic resonance of helium atoms. The hardware is readily avail-
|
||
able through mail-order science supply houses. Vendors have promised
|
||
front-end software for OS/2 and Windows NT for delivery next year.
|
||
So far the software is only available for CP/M and OS9. {RAH}
|
||
--------------
|
||
Dave Bealer is a thirty-something mainframe systems programmer who
|
||
works with CICS, MVS and all manner of nasty acronyms at one of the
|
||
largest heavy metal shops on the East Coast. He shares a waterfront
|
||
townhome in Pasadena, MD. with two cats who annoy him endlessly as he
|
||
writes and electronically publishes RAH. FidoNet> 1:261/1129
|
||
Internet: dave.bealer@rah.clark.net
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page 5 January 1994
|
||
|
||
Programmer X
|
||
by Greg Borek
|
||
|
||
Mr. Noodle, I'm glad you could meet me for lunch.
|
||
|
||
Well, Jenkins, I always have time for my managers. Besides, you made
|
||
it sound very important. What's so urgent?
|
||
|
||
Now that I have had time to think about it the matter I wanted to
|
||
discuss seems to lose some of its urgency. But the issue is still
|
||
important enough to bring to your attention.
|
||
|
||
Why a lunch meeting? Why not just bring this up at the manager's
|
||
weekly meeting?
|
||
|
||
I thought you should hear about this yourself first, away from the
|
||
office. I wanted to discuss one of my programmers, Franklin.
|
||
|
||
Franklin? One of my star employees. Excellent programmer, good
|
||
fellow, salt of the earth. Wins all kinds of productivity awards,
|
||
doesn't he? What about him?
|
||
|
||
I know he writes clear, concise, I dare say perfect code. Always
|
||
gets his work in on time, exactly to specification. Yes, he's a
|
||
wonderful employee, but have you ever actually met him?
|
||
|
||
Well, no, but he works the night shift, doesn't he?
|
||
|
||
That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Franklin is in my
|
||
department, and I felt that it was about time to meet him face to
|
||
face. Whenever I would send him e-mail to set up a meeting, he
|
||
always came up with a last minute excuse. I accepted his excuses
|
||
initially, but they became too regular, then too contrived. When I
|
||
asked his immediate supervisor, I was surprised to find out that he
|
||
has never met Franklin either. As a matter of fact, no one has.
|
||
|
||
How can that be? Some one must have hired him.
|
||
|
||
Apparently everyone thought someone else had recruited, interviewed,
|
||
and hired him. Curious, I wanted to investigate his personal life.
|
||
|
||
Why? That's a bit irregular, isn't it? Maybe he's just eccentric,
|
||
a hermit or something. As long as his work is excellent, I don't
|
||
think we should bother him. Hm. You don't suppose one of the other
|
||
employees is acting like a programmer?
|
||
|
||
No, I thought of that. They are all too busy with their own work,
|
||
and besides no one else has his genius for clarity. I thought I
|
||
might see him on payday when he picks up his paycheck, but he has
|
||
direct deposit. I decided I would drop in on him at home. I got his
|
||
address from personnel and visited his apartment building. I asked
|
||
the apartment manager about Franklin and he said that he has never
|
||
met him in person, that all of their business is conducted over the
|
||
telephone. Although he never met him personally, Franklin's an
|
||
excellent tenant: quiet, always pays the rent on time, no complaints.
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page 6 January 1994
|
||
|
||
The manager didn't think it was odd no one ever saw Franklin because
|
||
of the hours he keeps. When I went to the apartment, you'll be
|
||
amazed at what I found.
|
||
|
||
What?
|
||
|
||
Absolutely nothing. The apartment is just a front. I resolved to
|
||
get to the bottom of this by surprising Franklin at the office. I
|
||
decided I would come in at night unannounced and confront him. I
|
||
came in one night and waited. He never showed. Of course, he may
|
||
have been sick. The thing is the next day, his work was done and he
|
||
had e-mailed several people during that time.
|
||
|
||
Could he be remotely accessing our computers?
|
||
|
||
Not possible, sir. The security we have set up doesn't allow access
|
||
from outside the building. I decided to go back the next night and
|
||
search the building for him. When I couldn't find him, I decided to
|
||
get drastic. Since no one else was in the building, I went outside
|
||
and turned on the alarms. If he was anywhere in the building he
|
||
would set off the motion detectors.
|
||
|
||
Did he?
|
||
|
||
No. Sir, what I am going to tell you may sound fantastic but it can
|
||
be the only explanation. Your star employee doesn't exist.
|
||
|
||
What? That is ridiculous. Someone has to be writing his code.
|
||
|
||
No sir, after careful study of network activity logs, computer CPU
|
||
usage, security files, and Christmas party attendance sheets, I can
|
||
only conclude that what we have here is a virtual employee.
|
||
|
||
A what?
|
||
|
||
Although Mr. Franklin is one of our best and most productive
|
||
employees, he is actually nothing more than a computer program that
|
||
is masquerading as a person. This is the only conclusion that can be
|
||
drawn after studying all of the facts.
|
||
|
||
What do you propose we do?
|
||
|
||
Absolutely nothing. {RAH}
|
||
--------------
|
||
Greg Borek is a C programmer with a "Highway Helper" (OK, "Beltway
|
||
Bandit" - but don't tell his boss we told you) in Falls Church, VA.
|
||
He has previously been mistaken for a vampire. Netmail to: Greg
|
||
Borek at 1:261/1129. Internet: greg.borek@rah.clark.net
|
||
---------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
Real Programmers never work 9 to 5. If any real programmers are
|
||
around at 9 AM, it's because they were up all night.
|
||
|
||
Real Programmers don't write in BASIC. Actually, no programmers
|
||
write in BASIC, at least after the age of 12.
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page 7 January 1994
|
||
|
||
The Smallification Wars--Where Will It End?
|
||
by Jerry Weichbrodt
|
||
|
||
In the beginning there was ARC, and then there were PKARC, LHARC,
|
||
DWC, PAK, ARJ, PKZIP, .... We all found ourselves combing the boards
|
||
just trying to find the archiver to un-xxx (fill in your favorite
|
||
archive suffix above) that terrific new utility we just downloaded
|
||
from Joe Blow's BBS. Of course most of these folks wanted money for
|
||
their latest-and-greatest (for this week anyway) archiver, so we
|
||
walked around with guilt-ridden souls if we hadn't invested the
|
||
customary $500 in archivers for all occasions. After all, the
|
||
archiver of choice for a particular set of files really does depend
|
||
on the phase of the moon, the 10.7 cm solar flux, the barometric
|
||
pressure, and your horoscope, doesn't it?
|
||
|
||
Ok, I guess I had myself all reconciled to this state of affairs.
|
||
After all, everybody wants to make a buck, so the invention of the
|
||
1,850th iteration of the mouse trap is just the American way. And
|
||
then ... there was PKZIP version 2.04C. And then there was PKZIP
|
||
version 2.04E. And then there was PKZIP version 2.04G. And then
|
||
.... Well, I thought it would be fun to contemplate just where it
|
||
might all wind up. Try this on for size, if you would:
|
||
|
||
PRESS RELEASE
|
||
|
||
PKZIP VERSION 2.04Z
|
||
|
||
THE ULTIMATE IN COMPRESSION SOFTWARE
|
||
|
||
Features:
|
||
-Multiple archives in one cluster: Why waste an entire
|
||
512, 1024, or up to 4096 bytes on one single file.
|
||
PKZIP 2.04Z packs multiple zip-files into one cluster
|
||
with PKWARE's new ZleepingBag (TM) technology, the
|
||
best way ever to bag your zip-files.
|
||
-New Something-to-Nothing File Fractionalization (SNUFF)
|
||
compression algorithm reduces entire archive into one
|
||
VERY informative byte*.
|
||
-New -gbg (garble-but-good) option generates random passwords
|
||
for encrypted archives. Nobody, but nobody, will be able
|
||
to break into your secure data. Just try to unzip the
|
||
file yourself, and see how well it works!!
|
||
-New PKSFD option for creating self-deleting archives.
|
||
This takes the "This tape will self-destruct in five
|
||
seconds" concept one step further, applying it to the
|
||
space-age realm of computers.
|
||
-New -dm (delete-before-move) option deletes files from
|
||
disk and then moves them to the archive. This ensures
|
||
that archived files take up the smallest possible space
|
||
(zero bytes).
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page 8 January 1994
|
||
|
||
With this host of new options, can you afford to be without
|
||
PKZIP version 2.04Z! Order your copy today and unclutter your
|
||
hard drive with PKWARE's new PKUHDR (PK Unconditional Hard Disk
|
||
Reformat) utility, included as a special bonus.
|
||
|
||
*Note: The new SNUFF algorithm is available in PKZIP but is
|
||
not supported in PKUNZIP. It is intended to be analogous with
|
||
the popular WOM (Write-Only-Memory) integrated circuit chip.
|
||
|
||
<end of release>
|
||
|
||
I'm going to order my copy today. How about you? {RAH}
|
||
--------------
|
||
Jerry Weichbrodt is an electrical engineer with General Motors in
|
||
Milford, Michigan. He's also a new father, so a sense of humor
|
||
is particularly important to him. His Internet address is:
|
||
jerry.weichbrodt@semsog.com
|
||
---------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
Were It Not For Computers
|
||
by Tim Casady
|
||
|
||
Ever notice how fellow employees often depend heavily on computers?
|
||
Everytime they lose your paycheck or haven't finished the work that
|
||
they swore on an electronic Bible they'd have completed a week ago,
|
||
they turn to the trusty computer and say, "It's the computer's
|
||
fault." This is a foolproof scheme used by fools. They don't even
|
||
need to know how to operate the computer. They just have to learn
|
||
the fine skills of pointing their index finger at their computer and
|
||
blaming it, knowing darned well that the computer will not speak up
|
||
in its own defense. This leads one to wonder: what would these same
|
||
employees do had computers never been invented?
|
||
***
|
||
disgruntled employee: It's pay day. What do you mean you can't give
|
||
me my paycheck until next week?
|
||
payroll officer: We're very sorry, but the waste paper basket deleted
|
||
it.
|
||
***
|
||
angry supervisor: Don't just sit there staring off into space. Get
|
||
back to work.
|
||
accountant: But I can't do any work right now, sir. My pencil is out
|
||
of order.
|
||
***
|
||
annoyed supervisor: Where are those files I said to put on my desk?
|
||
secretary: I can't get at them. The file cabinet is malfunctioning,
|
||
and the repairman won't be here until this afternoon.
|
||
***
|
||
executive manager: You were found making out with secretary in your
|
||
office. What do you have to say to yourself?
|
||
middle-level manager: Ummmmmmm.... I was down for maintenance? {RAH}
|
||
--------------
|
||
Tim Casady spends his work days not writing about undocumented
|
||
features in software programs. After work, he likes to do some
|
||
martial arts. Either it brings him inner peace, or else there is
|
||
something innately satisfying about kicking things after working with
|
||
computers for eight hours straight. If you feel like just leaving
|
||
him alone, then don't contact him at bampf@delphi.com.
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page 9 January 1994
|
||
|
||
Oasis of Greed
|
||
by Dave Bealer and Greg Borek
|
||
|
||
Last November two members of RAH's intrepid editorial staff journeyed
|
||
to the high desert of southern Nevada. We went there to engage in
|
||
statistical research. The statistical theories we were there to test
|
||
mainly involved cards, dice, and roulette wheels.
|
||
|
||
THE BEST LAID PLANS
|
||
|
||
The trip had been planned several months in advance. Our primary
|
||
concern had been to avoid being in Las Vegas while COMDEX was in
|
||
session. After all, what possible interest could the world's largest
|
||
computer trade show hold for a pair of programmer/journalists?
|
||
|
||
Truthfully, being misanthropes, our main desire was to avoid crowds
|
||
(read: people) as much as possible. We knew that a couple of new
|
||
hotels would be opening just a week before our arrival, but this
|
||
didn't appear to be a big problem. Most of the resulting crowds
|
||
would be focused on the newcomers themselves. All we had to do was
|
||
avoid them like the plague and we would be OK.
|
||
|
||
Imagine our chagrin when we found out that there was going to be a
|
||
Heavyweight Championship fight in Vegas on the last day of our three
|
||
day trip? This little bombshell was dropped on us at the airport as
|
||
we waited for our flight to Vegas. Of course it was far too late to
|
||
cancel or reschedule the trip.
|
||
|
||
GETTING THERE IS HALF THE FUN
|
||
|
||
Our Cattle Car Airways flight was non-stop and, surprisingly, not
|
||
full. Five hours in an upholstered aluminum can hurtling through
|
||
space is never a picnic, especially given the usually lousy food.
|
||
Greg managed to sleep part of the way (despite having the twit in
|
||
the seat in front of him reclined into his lap), Dave did not.
|
||
|
||
We landed at McCarran International just after midnight on Thursday
|
||
morning. Despite the time, the airport was mobbed. Despite the
|
||
crowds, guards insisted on inspecting the claim tickets for every
|
||
piece of checked baggage. Then we had the pleasure of waiting in
|
||
line at the rental car counter.
|
||
|
||
Finally we collected our assigned hunk of cheesy Detroit craftsman-
|
||
ship and headed for the hotel. We stayed at the Rio Suite Hotel and
|
||
Casino, a very nice place off the Strip. Although called suites, the
|
||
Rio features what are really just large rooms. The living room and
|
||
bedroom are combined into a large common area. It turns out that
|
||
there is a small window in the shower at head level that looks out
|
||
into the bedroom/living room area. This is a unique architectural
|
||
feature that neither of us had seen before, in a hotel or any other
|
||
kind of room. Maybe we've just lead sheltered lives.
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page 10 January 1994
|
||
|
||
A RESTFUL VACATION
|
||
|
||
Since we would be in Las Vegas for less than 72 hours, we decided to
|
||
make the most of our time by sleeping as little as possible. This
|
||
wasn't too difficult the first night since we were all wound up from
|
||
the flight. It became increasingly difficult to stay awake as the
|
||
days wore on, so we did lose some time that could have been spent
|
||
gambling.
|
||
|
||
We split up during most of the first two days, since (although not
|
||
superstitious) we each feel the other has an adverse effect on our
|
||
luck while gambling. At night we would get together for dinner and
|
||
discuss our triumphs of the day.
|
||
|
||
On Thursday night we saw Lance Burton's magic show at the Hacienda.
|
||
Lance's six-pack of beautiful assistants were the highlight of the
|
||
show for us. We attended the late show since we had it on good
|
||
authority that during that show his assistants perform topless. It's
|
||
truly amazing what you can learn by lurking in the FidoNet LV_GAMBLER
|
||
echo.
|
||
|
||
THE STEALTH HOTEL
|
||
|
||
Between the Hacienda and the Excalibur is the new Luxor Hotel and
|
||
Casino. The Luxor is a huge pyramid which has been painted flat
|
||
black. In the daylight it looks fascinating, especially sitting next
|
||
to the medieval castle shaped Excalibur. At night the effect is
|
||
remarkable. Rather than throw lights directly at the side of the
|
||
building, as with all the other hotels on the Strip, the Luxor
|
||
supports a single powerful beacon of light at the pinnacle of the
|
||
pyramid.
|
||
|
||
The effect is that the pyramid itself vanishes. Only the beacon can
|
||
be seen. The side facing the Strip is illuminated by all the lights
|
||
hitting the Sphinx which forms the lobby. Seen from the other three
|
||
sides at night, the Luxor is like a stealth hotel. The only way you
|
||
can tell there is a building there is the fact that you can't see
|
||
anything behind the Luxor. There's also the matter of this powerful
|
||
beacon which can be seen for miles, and appears to be hanging in
|
||
midair.
|
||
|
||
Even more fascinating is the interior of the Luxor. In a design that
|
||
had to be inspired by Rube Goldberg, the entire outer surface is
|
||
taken up by windows to the 2500+ hotel rooms. Each room therefore
|
||
has one diagonal wall which contains a window. Each level of hotel
|
||
rooms has it's own corridor. The levels are connected by elevators
|
||
which move diagonally. (No, we didn't actually see these elevators
|
||
ourselves. But it's the only reasonable way the hotel room levels
|
||
could be connected in a building of this shape. Besides, someone
|
||
told us that's how they work.) The center of the building holds
|
||
offices, restaurants, machinery, and the casino. Suffice it to say
|
||
we're seriously considering staying at the Luxor next time we travel
|
||
to Las Vegas. We may even take some dead batteries along and leave
|
||
them in the room to recharge.
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page 11 January 1994
|
||
|
||
THE REAL LAS VEGAS
|
||
|
||
One refreshing thing about Las Vegas is that it doesn't pretend to be
|
||
anything other than what it is. Many of the casinos, especially ones
|
||
off the Strip, advertise special deals for those who cash their
|
||
paychecks at the casino cage. These free drinks, free lunches (or
|
||
whatever) are good deals for those who don't gamble. Of course, how
|
||
many die hard non-gamblers are going to venture into a casino to cash
|
||
their paycheck just to get a free drink?
|
||
|
||
Since Dave is asthmatic, he looks for a no-smoking gambling
|
||
environment whenever possible. His favorite place is therefore
|
||
Silver City, a small casino just south of the Riviera on the Strip.
|
||
The entire Silver City building is no smoking all the time. The
|
||
antithesis of this is Arizona Charlie's, where they actually have a
|
||
tray of free cigarettes at each blackjack table.
|
||
|
||
THE FIGHT CARD
|
||
|
||
In addition to the new hotels and the Hollyfield-Bowe fight, there
|
||
was also a massive convention going on during the first two days of
|
||
our stay. The Strip was therefore gridlocked the whole time we were
|
||
there. The location of the Rio, behind Caesars at I-15 and Flamingo
|
||
Ave., turned into a major asset. We were able to use the interstate
|
||
to avoid travelling on the Strip except when our destination was on
|
||
the Strip. Even then we could get close to our destination before
|
||
descending into the gridlock.
|
||
|
||
As with most major American sporting events these days, there was a
|
||
blimp in attendance for the Heavyweight fight. Almost everyone has
|
||
a blimp these days. We had never seen the Trojan blimp before, but
|
||
it does have a certain logic to it, given the product - and the town.
|
||
A chance to watch the Trojan blimp enter the hangar always draws a
|
||
big crowd, usually of envious Democratic legislators.
|
||
|
||
On Saturday, the actual day of the fight, we left town and trekked
|
||
out across the high desert to the Arizona border. Neither of us had
|
||
seen Hoover Dam before, and it's quite impressive. Even more
|
||
impressive is the utter desolation of the area around the dam. Only
|
||
the small town of Boulder City and the vacation castles of the
|
||
wealthy overlooking Lake Meade break up the starkly beautiful
|
||
terrain. After a while you find yourself expecting the "Man With No
|
||
Name" to come riding over the horizon. Of course he's hanging out in
|
||
Carmel these days.
|
||
|
||
On the way back to Vegas we stopped off at the world famous Ethel M
|
||
chocolate factory in Henderson. Our legendary tracking skills had
|
||
failed us and we couldn't locate any of the dozens of Ethel M
|
||
locations in hotel lobbies on the Strip. Furthermore we're both
|
||
extremely cheap, and figured to get better prices at the factory
|
||
outlet store.
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page 12 January 1994
|
||
|
||
THE FINAL INSULT
|
||
|
||
Finally it was time to get cleaned up, check out of the hotel, and
|
||
head back to the airport. The rental car company managed to rip Dave
|
||
off to the tune of $25 for a half-tank of gasoline with their
|
||
misleading refueling policy. We won't mention the name of the
|
||
company, but suffice it to say that no matter how much "harder they
|
||
try," they'll never get our business again.
|
||
|
||
The final insult was the fact that the prices at the Ethel M store in
|
||
the airport are EXACTLY THE SAME as at the factory outlet store. In
|
||
fact, by making our purchase at the factory, we were cheated out of
|
||
the free four-pack of Almond Krisps that the airport store was giving
|
||
out with each purchase of $15 or more. We each spent more than that.
|
||
|
||
We actually made it home with our bodies intact, if not our minds.
|
||
No parachutist landed on top of either of us during the trip. Of
|
||
course, if the parachutist had been one of Lance Burton's assistants,
|
||
we wouldn't really have minded. {RAH}
|
||
---------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
ATTENTION BULLETIN BOARD SYSOPS:
|
||
|
||
Tired of those annoying breakins?
|
||
|
||
Had it up to HERE with people hacking your board?
|
||
|
||
Has your user account been stolen by some little dweebot that
|
||
cracked your system so many times you need a Cray to keep count?
|
||
|
||
Then you need . . .
|
||
|
||
The ELIMINATOR 2000 (tm), (c), (r)!
|
||
|
||
Yes, that's right . . . The ELIMINATOR 2000!
|
||
|
||
The Eliminator 2000 is a revolutionary device, about the size of a
|
||
small sports complex, brought to you by the makers of the Nuclear
|
||
Powered Potato Peeler, the Spam Fork, the 2-ton Potato Masher and the
|
||
Apathetic Grenade. Just insert the custom controller card into your
|
||
BBS computer, after reading the clear and concise 2,500 page randomly
|
||
numbered instruction manual written in Swahili, and the Eliminator
|
||
2000 is ready to protect your system. Its patented nuclear core
|
||
keeps your system operational and secure for approximately 1200
|
||
years.
|
||
|
||
At the slightest indication of a hacker attempting to break into your
|
||
BBS, the Eliminator 2000 snaps into action. After making a snapping
|
||
noise it traces the call to find out the location of the villain
|
||
(Note: only in areas that support CALLER ID). Then, upon discovering
|
||
the intruder's location, the Eliminator 2000 feeds the navigational
|
||
data into an internal ICBM with a modest nuclear warhead. The ICBM
|
||
is launched and system security is assured mere moments later when
|
||
the missile bathes the rapscallion with the soothing rays of a 5
|
||
kiloton nuclear explosion.
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page 13 January 1994
|
||
|
||
Thus our credo, which should be your credo:
|
||
|
||
"The only good hacker is an irradiated hacker."
|
||
|
||
If your area does not support Caller Id then the Eliminator 2000
|
||
takes the following actions:
|
||
|
||
1. It launches a 5 kiloton warhead anyway (in a random direction
|
||
ensuring that wherever it explodes there won't be anyone there
|
||
that could *ever* think of hacking your board).
|
||
|
||
2. The Eliminator 2000 will protect the security of your data by
|
||
sending a pulse of 3 trillion volts through your serial port,
|
||
melting all computer components (not to mention the desk it rests
|
||
on) into a multi-colored river of molten slag, assuring that the
|
||
hacker cannot get anything out of your BBS.
|
||
|
||
If you purchase the Ernie Molding attachment, when the slag cools, it
|
||
will press your BBS remains into an attractive paperweight.
|
||
|
||
Comes is five attractive colors.
|
||
|
||
Rush out and order your Eliminator 2000 today!
|
||
|
||
Price: $2,045.92
|
||
Ernie Molding Attachment: $1,095,762,032,172.57
|
||
|
||
Furnished with four 5 kiloton ICBMs at no additional charge.
|
||
|
||
* Does not work under any version of DOS above 1.2, Windows (like
|
||
anything does?) and Windows/NT.
|
||
|
||
Send cash, check or money order to:
|
||
|
||
Oppenheimer Industries
|
||
RD1 Box1a
|
||
Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544
|
||
|
||
Makes a great gift for that sysop who is so hard to shop for. {RAH}
|
||
--------------
|
||
Vincent B. Navarino is some wacko from Monroe, NY, and the SysOp of
|
||
The Particle Board III BBS (FidoNet 1:272/60). After finally being
|
||
released from a local psychiatric center, he seeks out captive
|
||
Twinkies in order to release them back into the wild. Sometimes he
|
||
falls to his knees and sobs uncontrollably for no apparent reason.
|
||
Rumor has it he has not kissed a girl in over two years.
|
||
(Editor's note: Vincent didn't actually write the preceding
|
||
advertisement. We just thought you'd like to know this stuff.)
|
||
---------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
Real computer scientists love the concept of users. Users are always
|
||
real impressed by the stuff computer scientists are talking about;
|
||
it sure sounds better than the stuff they are being forced to use
|
||
now.
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page 14 January 1994
|
||
|
||
RAH Logo Design Contest Results
|
||
by Dave Bealer
|
||
|
||
You've already seen the winner on the cover of this issue, but here
|
||
are all the gory details. Apparently I set a difficult task with
|
||
this contest, because only five official entries were received. The
|
||
winner is:
|
||
|
||
Kelly Price of Severn, Maryland. Kelly's entry follows:
|
||
______ __ __ __ ______
|
||
/ __ / / \ \ \ \ \ / _\/_ \
|
||
/ /_/ /andom / /\ \ccess \ \_\ \umor | |____| |
|
||
/ _ _/ / ____ \ \ __ \ \__ \____/
|
||
/ / \ \ / / \ \ \ \ \ \ |_\____|
|
||
/_/ \_\ /_/ \_\ \_\ \_\ |____|
|
||
|
||
For his winning entry, Kelly will receive an AT&T Dataport
|
||
14.4 External FAX/Modem.
|
||
|
||
The other entrants, all of whom will receive a free copy of the
|
||
"Best of RAH" Electronic Book as soon as it becomes available, are
|
||
(listed in the order the entries were received):
|
||
|
||
Ralph Blanchette of Clinton Corners, New York:
|
||
|
||
o o o o o o o , '.
|
||
o , .
|
||
HAHAHAHAHAHA AHAH AHAH o`,AH
|
||
AHA HAH HAHAHA HAH ` o HA H
|
||
AHA HAH AHA HAH HAH A AHA
|
||
AHAHAHAHAHA HAH AHA HAHA o'AHAHA A
|
||
AHA HAH AHAHAHAHAHAH HAH `H AHA
|
||
HAHA AHAH HAH AHA AHAH ,Aoo AHAH
|
||
oooHoo...
|
||
* R A n D o M * A c C e s S * H u m o R -*-(_(`;
|
||
|
||
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
|
||
Kees Van Duyne of Den Haag, Holland:
|
||
|
||
_\|||||||/_
|
||
= ~ ~ =
|
||
(: (o) (o) :)
|
||
( ^ )
|
||
( ___ )
|
||
( (___) )
|
||
___((()_____________()))____
|
||
RRRRRRR AA HH HH
|
||
RR RR AAAA HH HH
|
||
RRRRRRR AA AA HHHHHHHH
|
||
RR RR AA AA AA HH HH
|
||
RR RR AA AA HH HH
|
||
----------------------------
|
||
(c) 1993 Random Access Humor
|
||
|
||
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
|
||
Random Access Humor Page 15 January 1994
|
||
|
||
Isaac Salpeter of Pensacola, Florida
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Random Access Humor Random Access Humor
|
||
Humo ccess Humor ccess Humo andom cess
|
||
Acce Humor ndom Acce Humor ndom Acce Humor ndom
|
||
Rand----------Humor Rand-----------umor Rand-----------umor
|
||
Acce Humor ndom Acce Humor ndom Acce Humor ndom
|
||
Humo andom cess Humo andom cess Humo andom cess
|
||
Random Access Humor Random Access Humor Random Access Humor
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------
|
||
We buy the jokes wholesale, and pass the savings on to you!
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
|
||
Giuliano Maciocci Jr. of Harare, Zimbabwe
|
||
(Ed. note: Giuliano was the only entrant who took advantage of the
|
||
fact there was no restriction on the number of entries to the
|
||
contest. The following are his most interesting efforts.)
|
||
|
||
________________________
|
||
| \__ (O)(O)
|
||
| Random Access Humour ___\ / \
|
||
\_______________________| / |
|
||
/ \ |
|
||
// ________ / /\__/
|
||
// _ / \ / /
|
||
/ \ / ____ \_/ /
|
||
//\ \ / / \ / //
|
||
V \ \/ / // \ /
|
||
\___/ \_____/
|
||
|
||
*********************************************************************
|
||
________ ________
|
||
| \ \ |-^-| \ \ | (Ed. note: I'm not sure
|
||
| \ \| | \ \| what this has to do with
|
||
`.____.' `.____.' RAH, but it looks cool.)
|
||
|
||
@@ @@
|
||
@@@@@ @@@@@
|
||
@@@@@@@@@@@@@
|
||
|
||
*********************************************************************
|
||
########
|
||
############### \\
|
||
####################
|
||
####################### )) _______________
|
||
.-~########################-._ | *Random* | ))
|
||
.-~ ######################### ~-.__ | **Access** |
|
||
.-~ o ######################## ~-| ***Humour*** |
|
||
@_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _##################### )) |_______________| ))
|
||
''' ''' Oo Oo
|
||
*********************************************************************
|
||
Random Access Humor Page 16 January 1994
|
||
|
||
___________________ _ _
|
||
/\ |\__/| .~ ~. ))
|
||
\_| RANDOM /O O `./ .'
|
||
| ACCESS {o__, \ {
|
||
| HUMOUR / . . ) \
|
||
| _______________`-` '-' \ } ))
|
||
\_/_____________ .( _( )_.'
|
||
'---.~_ _ _|
|
||
|
||
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
|
||
All in all, an interesting collection. Even this small response
|
||
clearly indicates RAH's international appeal. The five entrants
|
||
reside on three different continents. {RAH}
|
||
---------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
The Twit Filter: The Know-It/Done-It-All
|
||
by Dave Bealer
|
||
|
||
This loathsome creature is common throughout human society, though
|
||
they seem to occur most frequently near universities, government
|
||
buildings, and computer centers.
|
||
|
||
Everyone knows the type: if you have a 3.96 GPA, the Know-It/Done-It-
|
||
All (KIDIA) has a 3.98. If you've climbed Mount Everest, the KIDIA
|
||
climbed it backwards walking on his hands, and set a new record time
|
||
in the process, of course. If you coded the current Data Structures
|
||
lab assignment in three days using 71 lines of C code, the KIDIA
|
||
coded it in two hours using 674 bytes of binary machine code. When
|
||
asked to produce proof of these astonishing feats, the KIDIA hems and
|
||
haws. Now is not the right time for such disclosures. Eventually it
|
||
becomes clear that there will never be a right time.
|
||
|
||
Particularly dangerous online, the KIDIA knows the extreme difficulty
|
||
of asking for proof of any fantastic claims. The KIDIA always has
|
||
the fastest CPU, the biggest hard drive, the fastest modem, the most
|
||
efficiently configured WINDOWS.INI settings, and all the newest whiz-
|
||
bang peripherals. For some reason simply possessing these things
|
||
isn't good enough for the KIDIA. She has to remind everyone that she
|
||
has them in at least one post every day.
|
||
|
||
There are only three options to choose from when confronted with a
|
||
KIDIA:
|
||
|
||
1) Kill yourself. Sure, this solves your problem, but what about
|
||
the rest of us?
|
||
|
||
2) Kill the KIDIA. Actually the ideal solution, although you may
|
||
have to spend a couple of weeks in jail. (Applies to the United
|
||
States only. This solution is NOT recommended in countries that
|
||
actually punish people for murder and other violent crimes.)
|
||
|
||
3) Put the KIDIA in your twit filter. Probably the best solution,
|
||
at least in countries where option 2 is not viable. It can even
|
||
be effective in the U.S. There's nothing KIDIAs hate more than
|
||
the thought that people are ignoring them. {RAH}
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page 17 January 1994
|
||
|
||
RAH Humor Review: "Mrs. Doubtfire"
|
||
by Ray Koziel
|
||
|
||
"Mrs. Doubtfire" could be considered the "Tootsie" of the '90s. It
|
||
stars Robin William who is in good form as Daniel Hillard, a ne'er-
|
||
do-well actor/impersonator. His casual, devil-may-care attitude
|
||
toward life is in complete contrast with his wife, Miranda (played by
|
||
Sally Field). As a consultant for a design firm, her life has become
|
||
organized and hectic. The antics of her husband have become too much
|
||
for her and she files for a divorce. Currently without a job and an
|
||
apartment, Daniel is only allowed to see his three children on
|
||
Saturdays. Not satisfied with this, Daniel seeks whatever means
|
||
necessary to see his kids. Then, when he learns that Miranda is
|
||
looking for a housekeeper to watch the kids after school, he is
|
||
struck with a wonderful idea. With the help of his brother who is an
|
||
expert in makeup, Daniel puts his acting skills to the test and Mrs.
|
||
Doubtfire is born - a loving old lady from England. Mrs. Doubtfire
|
||
arrives on the scene just in time, as Miranda's new client turns out
|
||
to be an old flame (played by Pierce Bronson) looking to spark things
|
||
again.
|
||
|
||
"Mrs. Doubtfire" is very entertaining and enjoyable. Robin Williams
|
||
plays his part very well and has some excellent lines. Of course
|
||
there are a couple of the standard "switcheroo scenes" where Williams
|
||
must change in and out of costume in order to convince people Daniel
|
||
Hillard and Mrs. Doubtfire are two different people. All in all,
|
||
"Mrs. Doubtfire" was well done, breathing new life in an old gag.
|
||
-------------- {RAH}
|
||
Ray Koziel is a systems programmer/analyst for a consulting firm in
|
||
Atlanta. Since Ray has started contributing to RAH, his wife has
|
||
become more at ease now that he has a new target for his weird sense
|
||
of humor.
|
||
---------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
Announcements and Observations
|
||
|
||
CORRECTION: The name of Pablo Bianucci, the author of the article
|
||
"The Truth About Data Compression," was misspelled in the December
|
||
1993 RAH issue. We apologize for the error.
|
||
- - -
|
||
Due to copyright ownership concerns, RAH will no longer publish song
|
||
parodies. Do not submit such parodies, they will only be rejected.
|
||
- - -
|
||
In the best tradition of vaporware, the publication date for the
|
||
"Best of RAH" hypertext book has again slipped. The new expected
|
||
publication date is February 1, 1994. There is even some hope that
|
||
this date can be met, since some work has actually been done, unlike
|
||
when previous dates have been set.
|
||
- - -
|
||
In the "too much time on their hands" department, a RAH staff member
|
||
recently saw part of a televised graduate school course. This TV
|
||
University lecture was part of a course leading to a Masters degree
|
||
in Library Science. By the time the staff member fell asleep, it
|
||
was quite clear that the professor was going to spend an entire hour
|
||
lecturing about library catalog cards. And they say education is
|
||
dead.
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page 18 January 1994
|
||
|
||
--- Taglines Seen Around the Nets
|
||
|
||
If things get any worse, I'll have to ask you to stop helping me.
|
||
|
||
If it ain't broke yet, let me have a shot at it.
|
||
|
||
I'm being held prisoner in a chocolate factory. Don't send help.
|
||
|
||
Will the information superhighway have any rest stops?
|
||
|
||
9 out of 10 rotweilers prefer Jehovah's Witnesses.
|
||
|
||
If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest have to drown too?
|
||
|
||
Look out for #1. Don't step in #2 either.
|
||
|
||
Failure is not in falling down, but in staying down.
|
||
|
||
I shot JFK, and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.
|
||
|
||
I love my country but I fear my government.
|
||
|
||
I escaped from a political correction facility.
|
||
|
||
I hit the CRTL key but I'm still not in control!
|
||
|
||
ONLINE? Hit <ALT-H> for a quick I.Q. Test.
|
||
|
||
I am Mr. T of Borg. I pity da fool that resists me.
|
||
|
||
Of course I'm sane. The voices said so.
|
||
|
||
I don't see you, so don't pretend to be there.
|
||
|
||
Welcome to Earth - 75% water, 25% malls
|
||
|
||
PMS is a vicious cycle!
|
||
|
||
Nice underwear. Perhaps you should take them off your head.
|
||
|
||
I am Clinton of Borg. Your paycheck will be assimilated.
|
||
|
||
Women do come with instructions, ask them!
|
||
|
||
Well, to be Frank, I'd have to change my name.
|
||
|
||
They made us eat porridge. It was a gruelling experience.
|
||
|
||
I'm a writer. Prohibited by statute from having money.
|
||
|
||
You're gonna hurt all three of my feelings!
|
||
|
||
Tuesday is Human Sacrifice Day at the Sizzler - Tom Servo
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page 19 January 1994
|
||
|
||
...just when I had you wriggling in the crushing grip of reason, too.
|
||
|
||
Two silkworms were having a race, but it ended in a tie.
|
||
|
||
A miser is someone who earns his money the hoard way.
|
||
|
||
You are in a maze of twisty little BBS menus, all alike...
|
||
|
||
If it can't be fixed with Vise-Grips & duct tape, it can't be fixed.
|
||
|
||
Rap is to music as the Etch-A-Sketch is to art.
|
||
|
||
It would never work. I'm Aquarius and you're ridiculous.
|
||
|
||
Help Wanted: Telepath. You know where to apply.
|
||
|
||
Mary had a little RAM, its bits were white as snow.
|
||
|
||
Member of PETA - People for the Eating of Tasty Animals
|
||
|
||
I just had a mental breakdown. Got any jumper cables?
|
||
|
||
Anger is a wind that blows out the lamp of the mind.
|
||
|
||
The longer a man is wrong, the surer he is that he's right.
|
||
|
||
You're not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on.
|
||
|
||
It's not hard to meet expenses, they're everywhere.
|
||
|
||
Don't look back, they might be gaining on you.
|
||
|
||
Do the words 'act of war' mean anything to you?
|
||
|
||
Klingon Prime Directive: If it moves, shoot it.
|
||
|
||
Daddy, why doesn't this magnet pick up this floppy?
|
||
|
||
I live in a quiet neighborhood - they use silencers.
|
||
|
||
A bird in the hand doesn't count in poker.
|
||
|
||
I! Finally! Figured! Out! How! To! Punctuate! Kirk's! Sentences!
|
||
|
||
What is a sysop and why would I want to Yell at it?
|
||
|
||
Give me ambiguity or give me something else.
|
||
|
||
I.R.S.: We've got what it takes to take what you've got!
|
||
|
||
I threw caution to the wind. The wind threw it back.
|
||
|
||
"Ensign Fodder, report to transporter for away team duty."
|
||
|
||
We are born naked, wet and hungry. Then things get worse.
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page A-1 January 1994
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Masthead:
|
||
|
||
Editor & Publisher: Dave Bealer
|
||
|
||
Associate Editor: Greg Borek
|
||
|
||
Contributing Editors: Ray Koziel
|
||
|
||
Logo Design: Kelly Price
|
||
|
||
Contact: The Puffin's Nest BBS
|
||
FidoNet: 1:261/1129 (1200-14400/V.32bis)
|
||
BBS: (410) 437-3463 (1200-16800/HST)
|
||
Internet: dave.bealer@rah.clark.net
|
||
greg.borek@rah.clark.net
|
||
|
||
Regular Mail: (Only if you have no other way to reach us!)
|
||
Random Access Humor
|
||
c/o Dave Bealer
|
||
P.O. Box 595
|
||
Pasadena, MD. 21122 USA
|
||
|
||
>> Legal Junk <<
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor (RAH) is published ten times a year (September -
|
||
June) by Dave Bealer as a disservice to the online community.
|
||
Although the publisher's BBS may be a part of one or more networks at
|
||
any time, RAH is not affiliated with any BBS network or online
|
||
service. RAH is a compilation of individual articles contributed by
|
||
their authors. The contribution of articles to this compilation does
|
||
not diminish the rights of the authors. The opinions expressed in
|
||
RAH are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the
|
||
publisher.
|
||
|
||
This entire publication is a work of satire (except for these legal
|
||
bits here). If anyone takes offense to something published herein,
|
||
the fault (a lack of a sense of humor) lies with them and not with
|
||
the magazine. The editors and publisher will not be held responsible
|
||
for the use or misuse of any information contained in this magazine.
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor is Copyright 1994 Dave Bealer. All Rights
|
||
Reserved. Duplication and/or distribution is permitted for non-
|
||
commercial purposes only. RAH may not be distributed on diskette or
|
||
in hardcopy form for a fee without express written permission from the
|
||
publisher. For any other use, contact the publisher.
|
||
|
||
RAH may only be distributed in unaltered form. Online systems whose
|
||
users cannot access the original binary archive file may offer it for
|
||
viewing or download in text format, provided the original text is not
|
||
modified. Readers may produce hard copies of RAH or backup copies on
|
||
diskette for their own personal use only. RAH may not be distributed
|
||
in combination with any other publication or product.
|
||
|
||
Many of the brands and products mentioned in RAH are trademarks of
|
||
their respective owners.
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page A-2 January 1994
|
||
|
||
>> Where to Get RAH <<
|
||
|
||
Copies of the current issue of RAH may be obtained by manual download
|
||
or Wazoo/EMSI File Request from The Puffin's Nest BBS (FREQ: RAH), or
|
||
from various sites in several BBS networks. Back issues of RAH may
|
||
be obtained by download or file request from The Puffin's Nest BBS.
|
||
|
||
Internet users may obtain RAH back issues as UUENCODED files attached
|
||
to e-mail. Free subscriptions are also available via mailing lists.
|
||
For more info, send an e-mail message to: rahinfo@rah.clark.net
|
||
The subject line and body can contain anything or be blank.
|
||
|
||
>> Writing For RAH <<
|
||
|
||
Article contributions to RAH are always welcome. All submissions
|
||
must be made electronically. File attach your article to a netmail
|
||
message to Dave Bealer at 1:261/1129. E-mail (with file attaches)
|
||
may also be sent via Internet to: dave.bealer@rah.clark.net
|
||
|
||
Tagline and filler submissions may be made via e-mail. Article
|
||
submissions should be made via file. Submitted files must be plain
|
||
ASCII text files in normal MS-DOS file format: artname.RAH; where
|
||
artname is a descriptive file name and RAH is the mandatory
|
||
extension. If your article does not conform to these simple specs,
|
||
it may get lost or trashed. Also note that such imaginative names as
|
||
RAH.RAH might get overlaid by the blatherings of similarly minded
|
||
contributors. If your hardware is incapable of producing file names
|
||
in the proper format, you may send your article as one or more e-mail
|
||
messages. As the volume of mail increases it may not be possible to
|
||
make personalized responses to all submissions or correspondence
|
||
received.
|
||
|
||
The editors reserve the right to publish or not to publish any
|
||
submission as/when they see fit. The editors also reserve the right
|
||
to "edit", or modify any submission prior to publication. This last
|
||
right will rarely be used, typically only to correct spelling or
|
||
grammar misteaks that are not funny. RAH is a PG rated publication,
|
||
so keep it (mostly) clean.
|
||
|
||
RAH can accept only the following types of material for publication:
|
||
1) Any material in the public domain.
|
||
2) Material for which you own the copyright, or represent the copy-
|
||
right holder. If you wrote it yourself, you are automatically the
|
||
copyright holder.
|
||
|
||
In writing jargon, RAH is deemed to be given "One Time Rights" to
|
||
anything submitted for publication unless otherwise noted in the
|
||
message accompanying the contribution. You still own the material,
|
||
and RAH will make no use of the material other than publishing it
|
||
electronically in the usual manner. Your article may be selected for
|
||
publication in a planned "Best of RAH" electronic book. If you want
|
||
your copyright notice to appear in your article, place it as desired
|
||
in the text you submit. Previously published articles may be
|
||
submitted, but proper acknowledgement must be included: periodical
|
||
name, date of previous publication.
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page A-3 January 1994
|
||
|
||
RAH Distribution System:
|
||
(Sites bearing the <contrib> designation will accept your
|
||
contributions and forward them to the editors.)
|
||
(All these systems would be good places to find sysops with a sense
|
||
of humor...seemingly a rarity these days.)
|
||
|
||
The Puffin's Nest Pasadena, MD. Sysop: Dave Bealer
|
||
FidoNet> 1:261/1129 (410) 437-3463 16800 (HST/Dual)
|
||
<contrib>
|
||
Current RAH Issue (text format): FReq: RAH
|
||
Current RAH Issue (Readroom format): FReq: RAHR
|
||
Back Issues of RAH: (text) FReq: RAHyymm.ZIP
|
||
(RAH9209.ZIP for premiere issue)
|
||
Back Issues of RAH: (Readroom) FReq: RAHyymmR.ZIP
|
||
(RAH9302R.ZIP and later only)
|
||
Complete Writers Guidelines: FReq: RAHWRITE
|
||
Complete Distributor Info: FReq: RAHDIST
|
||
|
||
RAH Gateway Systems:
|
||
|
||
Pooh's Corner Fells Point, MD. Sysop: Mark Truelove
|
||
FidoNet> 1:261/1131 (410) 327-9263 14400 (V.32bis)
|
||
RBBSnet> 8:936/206 FilNet> 33:410/0 CandyNet> 42:1031/1
|
||
<contrib>
|
||
|
||
H*A*L Muskogee, OK. Sysop: Lloyd Hatley
|
||
FidoNet> 1:3813/304 (918) 682-7337 14400 (V.32bis)
|
||
RFNet> 73:102/1 RANet> 72:918/21 LuvNet> 77:101/1
|
||
DoorNet> 75:7918/205 <contrib>
|
||
|
||
The Shop Mail Only Flushing, NY. Sysop: Steve Matzura
|
||
FidoNet> 1:2603/203 (718) 460-0201 14400 (V.32bis)
|
||
ADAnet> 94:7180/1 JayNet> 17:99/100 WorldNet 62:4400/200
|
||
MusicNet.FTN> 88:8001/12 <mail only - no BBS)
|
||
|
||
Cyberdrome Philadelphia, PA. Sysop: Mike Taylor
|
||
FidoNet> 1:273/937 (215) 923-8026 14400 (V.32bis)
|
||
PodsNet> 93:9600/2 <contrib>
|
||
|
||
Abiogenesis Kansas City, MO. Sysop: Scott Lent
|
||
FidoNet> 1:280/310 (816) 734-4732 14400 (V.32bis)
|
||
VirNet> 9:103/110 MailNet> 20:416/310 SuperNet> 43:1315/102
|
||
|
||
Datanet BBS Voorschoten, Netherlands Sysop: Ed Bakker
|
||
FidoNet> 2:281/101 31-71-617784 14400 (V.32bis)
|
||
Digital-Net> 15:200/512 MomNet> 71:2000/2
|
||
|
||
SoftCom Online Istanbul, Turkey Sysop: Tolga Yurderi
|
||
FidoNet> 2:430/1 90-1-2572790 16800 (HST/Dual)
|
||
GlobalNet> 52:9000/1 IntlNet> 57:90/1 HiTNeT> 102:1001/5
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page A-4 January 1994
|
||
|
||
The Vision BBS Keflavik, Iceland Sysop: Jon Karlsson
|
||
FidoNet> 2:391/20 354-2-14626 14400 (V.32bis)
|
||
IceInet> 354:2/10
|
||
|
||
Incredible BBS Burleson, TX. Sysop: Don Teague
|
||
FidoNet> 1:130/82 (817) 447-2598 14400 (HST/Dual)
|
||
USPolNet> 30:603/103
|
||
|
||
The Harddisk Cafe Nidderau, Germany Sysop: Bernd Hohmann
|
||
FidoNet> 2:244/1682 49-6187-21739 19200 (Z19)
|
||
FidoClassic> 2:248/317 Gamesnet> 144:4906/153 BasNet> 255:1000/0
|
||
|
||
The Next Level Scarborough, ON, Canada Sysop: James FitzGibbon
|
||
FidoNet> 1:250/301 (416) 299-1164 19200 (Z19)
|
||
ZyXELnet> 18:105/301 ibmNet> 40:6482/301 NAnet> 81:416/520
|
||
<contrib>
|
||
|
||
Didi's Place Dearborn Heights, MI. Sysop: Diane Pahl
|
||
FidoNet> 1:2410/120 (313) 563-8940 14400 (V.32bis)
|
||
W-Net_fts> 66:636/0 CrossNet> 73:4100/3 SEMSOGNt> 94:101/0
|
||
<contrib>
|
||
|
||
|
||
RAH Official Distribution Sites:
|
||
|
||
-= AUSTRALIA =-
|
||
Northern Territory
|
||
Images Unlimited Darwin 3:850/110 61-89-41-1630 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
Victoria
|
||
The Flying Circus Highett 3:635/555 61-3-532-5224 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
-= BELGIUM =-
|
||
Proteus/2 Brussels 2:291/711 32-2-3752539 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
-= CANADA =-
|
||
Ontario
|
||
Typecast BBS Kingston 1:249/107 (613) 545-9148 V.32bis
|
||
The Next Level Scarborough 1:250/301 (416) 299-1164 Z19
|
||
Echo Valley Vanier 1:243/26 (613) 749-1016 HST
|
||
|
||
-= GERMANY =-
|
||
The Harddisk Cafe Nidderau 2:244/1682 49-6187-21739 Z19
|
||
|
||
-= ICELAND =-
|
||
The Vision BBS Keflavik 2:391/20 354-2-14626 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
-= NETHERLANDS =-
|
||
BIB Aalten Aalten 2:283/401 31-54-3774203 V.32bis
|
||
BBS Sussudio Denhaag 2:281/517 31-70-3212177 HST/Dual
|
||
Midkemia BBS Denhaag (MomNet) 31-70-3361872 V.32bis
|
||
TouchDown Hoofddorp 2:280/401 31-2503-24677 HST/Dual
|
||
Bommel's BBS Schiedam 2:285/800 31-10-4700939 V.32bis
|
||
Pleasure BBS Utrecht 2:281/705 31-30-934123 V.32bis
|
||
Datanet BBS Voorschoten 2:281/101 31-71-617784 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page A-5 January 1994
|
||
|
||
-= PORTUGAL =-
|
||
The Mail House II Loures 2:362/29 351-1-9890140 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
-= SAUDI ARABIA =-
|
||
MidEast Connection Riyadh (NoFido) 966-1-4410075 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
-= SLOVENIA =-
|
||
R.I.S.P. Ljubljana 2:380/103 38-61-199400 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
-= UNITED STATES =-
|
||
Alabama
|
||
J & J Online Chickasaw 1:3625/440 (205) 457-5901 V.32bis
|
||
Digital Publ. Assoc Birmingham (NoFido) (205) 854-1660 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
California
|
||
InfoMat BBS San Clemente (P&BNet) (714) 492-8727 HST/Dual
|
||
Automation Central San Jose 1:143/110 (408) 435-2886 V.32bis
|
||
The Software Station Saugus 1:102/1106 (805) 296-9056 V.32
|
||
Marin County Net Sausalito 1:125/55 (415) 331-6241 HST/Dual
|
||
|
||
Connecticut
|
||
ModemNews Express Stamford (P&BNet) (203) 359-2299 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
Florida
|
||
Ruby's Joint Coconut Grove 1:135/373 (305) 856-4857 V.32bis
|
||
The Software Cuisine Miami 1:135/57 (305) 642-0754 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
Hawaii
|
||
Casa de la Chinchilla Honolulu (NoFido) (808) 845-1303 HST/Dual
|
||
|
||
Idaho
|
||
Phantasia BBS Boise 1:347/25 (208) 939-2530 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
Illinois
|
||
The Crossroads BBS Chicago 1:115/743 (312) 587-8756 HST/Dual
|
||
The Loonatic Fringe Elk Grove 1:115/542 (708) 290-8877 V.32
|
||
|
||
Indiana
|
||
Digicom Evansville 1:2310/200 (812) 479-1310 HST/Dual
|
||
|
||
Maryland
|
||
Wit-Tech Baltimore 1:261/1082 (410) 256-0170 V.32bis
|
||
Outside the Wall Baltimore 1:261/1093 (410) 665-1855 V.32
|
||
The File Exchange Cockeysville 1:2617/104 (410) 628-7243 HST/Dual
|
||
Pooh's Corner Fells Point 1:261/1131 (410) 327-9263 V.32bis
|
||
Cybersystems Frederick 1:109/713 (301) 662-8948 V.32bis
|
||
Robin's Nest Glen Burnie (P&BNet) (410) 766-9756 V.32
|
||
The Puffin's Nest Pasadena 1:261/1129 (410) 437-3463 HST/Dual
|
||
|
||
Michigan
|
||
Didi's Place Dearborn Heights 1:2410/120 (313) 563-8940 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
Mississippi
|
||
Ranch & Cattle South Columbus (NoFido) (601) 328-6486 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
Random Access Humor Page A-6 January 1994
|
||
|
||
Missouri
|
||
Abiogenesis Kansas City 1:280/310 (816) 734-4732 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
New Mexico
|
||
High Mesa Publishing Los Lunas 1:317/100 (505) 865-8385 V.32
|
||
Paula's House of Mail Los Lunas 1:317/317 (505) 865-4082 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
New York
|
||
The Shop Mail Only Flushing 1:2603/203 (mail only) V.32bis
|
||
The Wall-2 Middle Village 1:278/612 (718) 335-8784 HST/Dual
|
||
Particle Board 3 Monroe 1:272/60 (914) 783-2455 V.32
|
||
Computers & Dreams New York (NoFido) (212) 888-6565 V.32bis
|
||
ASB Ronkonkoma (NoFido) (516) 471-8625 V.32bis
|
||
Dome Ideas BBS Yonkers 1:272/104 (914) 968-2205 HST
|
||
|
||
Oklahoma
|
||
H*A*L Muskogee 1:3813/304 (918) 682-7337 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
Oregon
|
||
Bitter Butter Better Tigard 1:105/290 (503) 620-0307 V.32
|
||
|
||
Pennsylvania
|
||
Cyberdrome Philadelphia 1:273/937 (215) 923-8026 V.32bis
|
||
Milliways Pittsburgh 1:129/179 (412) 766-1086 HST/Dual
|
||
|
||
Texas
|
||
Sunlight Thru Shadows Addison (P&BNet) (214) 620-8793 V.32bis
|
||
Incredible BBS Burleson 1:130/82 (817) 447-2598 HST/Dual
|
||
|
||
Utah
|
||
Vital Signs Midvale 1:311/20 (801) 255-8909 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
Virginia
|
||
Pen & Brush Burke (P&BNet) (703) 644-5196 V.32bis
|
||
Data Empire Fredericksburg 1:274/31 (703) 785-0422 V.32bis
|
||
Flying Dutchman Newport News 1:271/237 (804) 595-9383 V.32bis
|
||
The Time Machine Newport News 1:271/236 (804) 599-6401 HST/Dual
|
||
|
||
Washington
|
||
Spokane Online Spokane 1:346/20 (509) 327-8540 V.32bis
|
||
Dragon's Cave Tacoma 1:138/198 (206) 752-4160 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
Wisconsin
|
||
The First Step BBS Green Bay 1:139/540 (414) 499-0659 V.32bis
|
||
|
||
=====================================================================
|
||
|
||
Although not official RAH distributors, the following large
|
||
commercial systems carry RAH. (Uploaded by the editor himself.)
|
||
|
||
Channel 1 Cambridge, MA. (617) 354-8873 (Readroom)
|
||
|
||
EXEC-PC Elm Grove, WI. (414) 789-4210 (Readroom)
|
||
|
||
SPACE Menlo Park, CA. (415) 323-4193
|
||
|
||
Software Creations Clinton, MA. (508) 368-4137 |