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Conference noted::sf

Title:Arcana Caelestia
Notice:Directory listings are in topic 2
Moderator:NETRIX::thomas
Created:Thu Dec 08 1983
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1300
Total number of notes:18728

1.0. "Introduction" by ATFAB::WYMAN () Thu Dec 08 1983 20:48

For the discussion of the Arcana Caelestia.

enjoy.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1.1History--conference first move from ATFABATFAB::WYMANTue May 08 1984 23:2622
In re 1.2:

Tracy,
	ATFAB is being packed up and shipped to Charlotte, N.C. where it
will be used to complete development of ALL-IN-1 V2.0. We just couldn't
keep going with only one 750 in Charlotte and the only machine we could
get our hands on was ATFAB... So, it was a choice between developers
revolting or management overhead and architecture types like us in MK
learning to live with paper and telephones... We figured the telephones
would "build character".

	Actually, we'll be on the net slightly longer then we expected
since we're having problems getting KUDZU's (Charlottes) connection
to the ENET moved off ATFAB onto another machine. It was supposed to
be done on Wednesday but won't be so we get to wait till it's done.
Which will be very soon.

		bob wyman

PS: We may be short of machine cycles but it's still better then in V1.x
days when ALL-IN-1 was developed using spare cycles on a machine time-
shared with customers!
1.2Keywords!VIRTUE::RAVANThu Feb 20 1986 13:2611
    Mike has kindly opened the file to keyword-creation, and I've added
    some keywords to the more obvious notes. To see the currently-defined
    keys, use SHOW KEY/ALL; to see which notes they point to, use SHOW
    KEY/FULL *; or use DIR/KEY=<specific keyword> to get a directory
    of the keyed notes.
    
    Anyone can relate an existing keyword to any note, whether they
    wrote it or not, so if you find a topic or reply that you think
    should be keyed, go ahead and ADD KEYWORD <key> note#.
    
    -b
1.23Moderator historyMTV::FOLEYI'm Frey'dWed Jul 02 1986 12:368
	Hi,

	Mike Raspuzzi will be taking over the moderator duties
	while I'm away on vacation. Thanks for volunteering
	Mike!

							mike

1.45History--conference move from MTVMTV::FOLEYBoom shacka-lackaMon Nov 03 1986 21:0514
    
    
    	SF needs a home. I'm not taking it to LKG with me. Matt
    	THEBAY::MTHOMAS has kindly offered if no one out here in the
        east offers to give it a home. Matt and I would rather
    	see it kept back east due to the overhead and slowness (sometimes)
    	of the link to THEBAY.
    
    	If you can give it a home out here then please mail me ASAP!
    	I'm backing it up on Wednesday, Nov 5th and it will close
    	as of that date until a new home is found..
    
    				thanks
    						mike
1.47Old locationDELNI::CANTORDave CantorMon Nov 10 1986 21:497
      This conference is now located at NAC::SF.
      
      Mike Foley (DELNI::FOLEY) remains the moderator; I will act
      as backup moderator.
      
      Dave C.
      (former moderator)
1.48Note TitlesCACHE::MARSHALLhunting the snarkFri Nov 21 1986 12:4353
    Hi,
    
    I have a gripe with the poor titles people sometimes give to their
    notes. 
    Below is a directory listing of all titles that have "NEW" in them,
    and are ambiguous. Notice the two "NEW HEINLEIN" titles.
    The first refers to _Job_, the second to
    _The_Cat_Who_Walks_Through_Walls_.
    All of these notes should have been titled the same as the book
    to which it relates.
    
    What I ask, is that when you write a new note, please consider your
    title carefully. Your note will become permanent, people will be
    reading it years from now. The title of a note is NOT like the 
    SUBJECT field on a MAIL message. What is "new" when you write the
    note will not be "new" for long, but your note will remain a long
    time. 
    This file is not just used as a topic-of-the-day file people do
    like to go back and enter replies to notes that are no longer
    "active". For example, I just recently finished reading 
    _The_Cat_Who_Walks_Through_Walls_ and wanted to enter my comments.
    Needless to say I was annoyed to find two "NEW HEINLEIN" titles.
    Especially since neither of them are really "new" anymore.
    
    Well, I'm beginning to rant and rave, excuse me, please. 
    Please think about your titles, please try to make them informative.
    "NEW <author>" is not informative.
                                                   
                  /
                 (  ___
                  ) ///
                 /
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Arcana Caelestia 
Created: 11-FEB-1986 05:42         413 topics         Updated: 21-NOV-1986 08:38
                -< There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. >-
 Topic  Author               Date         Repl  Title
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     8   NACHO::LYNCH        20-DEC-1983    17  New movies?
     9   NACHO::LYNCH        20-DEC-1983     3  New Doctor?
    40   NACHO::LYNCH        16-MAR-1984    41  New Tarzan flick
    77  PARROT::BLOTCKY      24-MAY-1984     1  New Lensmen Stories
   101  ADVISE::THOMPSON     28-JUN-1984     6  New Fuzzy Book Coming?
   109  NUHAVN::COSTLEY      25-JUL-1984     2  New Robert Silverberg story
   121   NACHO::LYNCH        17-AUG-1984     7  New Heinlein
   202  CTOAVX::JOHNSON       4-MAY-1985     9  New Shannara Book
   258  RAVEN1::HEFFELFINGER 28-AUG-1985     0  New Heechee Novel
   272  2LITTL::BERNSTEIN    17-OCT-1985     1  New Creative Writing file
   273  SHOGUN::HEFFEL       21-OCT-1985    13  New Heinlein
   292  SHOGUN::HEFFEL       25-NOV-1985     5  New McCaffrey
   377  NATASH::HYATT        25-AUG-1986    20  New Foundation Novel?
   385  PFLOYD::ROTHBERG     16-SEP-1986     5  New Amber ?!?!?
                  
1.49Topic write-locked and reserved for moderatorsDELNI::CANTORDave CantorSat Nov 22 1986 03:305
      This introductory topic is now write locked.  If you think
      you have something which should go into this topic.  Please
      write to one of the moderators.
      
      Dave C.
1.50Some VAX Notes Commands and Rules, Part 1DICKNS::KLAESThe Universe is safe.Thu Aug 27 1987 18:5337
    	It is easier to understand and enjoy the SCIENCE FICTION (SF)
    VAX Notes Conference better if you know some of the commands and rules 
    which could help you find the Topics you want to read and respond to.  
    Please read all of the following instructions before participating 
    further in the SF Conference:
          
    	To find a Topic in SF, write this command at the Notes> prompt in 
    the upper left corner of the screen (with it being understood that you 
    then press the RETURN key after writing this and most of the other 
    commands listed here):
    
    			DIR/TITLE=topicname
    
    	To view Topic titles in the Conference Directory in list form, 
    write:
    
    			DIR LAST-1 or DIR 1-LAST
    
    	If looking through the Directory for a particular Topic fails, 
    write this command example:
    
    			SEARCH Asimov
    
    	This will take you to the very first mention of Asimov in the 
    Conference.  Continue to write (or call up) the command SEARCH (you 
    do not have to write the name of the item you are looking for again, 
    until you start looking for a new item), and it will take you 
    continuously to the next reference to Asimov.
        
    	To set the SF Conference so that you can read and keep up 
    with the latest Replies and Topics in SF, write this command:
    
     			SET SEEN/BEFORE=YESTERDAY

        Then when you want to read the most recent Noters' entries in the 
    Conference, press the ENTER key from now on.    
    
1.51VAX Notes Commands and Rules, Part 2DICKNS::KLAESThe Universe is safe.Thu Aug 27 1987 18:5536
    	The commands for REPLYING to a Note and WRITING your own Topic
    are rather straightforward:
     
    	If you want to reply to a particular comment, just write REPLY
    at the Note you want to respond to, and press RETURN.  Write your 
    commentary, and when you are through, press CONTROL Z; you will be 
    asked to put in a title for your Reply.  When you have written your
    title, press RETURN, write YES that you want to put your Reply in, 
    press RETURN again, and there is your Reply, all safe and snug in the 
    proper Topic.
    
    	To write your *own* Topic (do *not* confuse this with REPLY), just
    write the command WRITE and press RETURN.  Then write your new Topic
    (First make certain that it has *not* been done before, though), then 
    press CONTROL Z, create your title, and press RETURN again (it is similar 
    to REPLY).
    
    	If you have an SF article in your main non-NOTES directory,
    to add it to the Conference in the *appropriate* Topic, just write
    REPLY filename.TXT (make sure it is a .TXT file), then do every
    other procedure like a regular REPLY command mentioned above.
    
    	If you want to copy a Note in the Conference, write SAVE and
    press RETURN at the Note you want to save.  You will then be 
    prompted to make up a name for it (Do not write .TXT after the name, 
    as that is done automatically); then write the Note's (or Notes') 
    number (120.0-.5, for example), and in approximately one minute, you 
    will receive a message stating that those Notes have been copied to 
    your main non-NOTES directory.

        If you want to make your own PERSONAL NAME - those clever 
    and sometimes informational phrases which appear immediately after 
    your user name at the left of the Note's header - write this command:

              SET PROFILE/PERSONAL_NAME="Clever phrase."

1.52VAX Notes Commands and Rules, Part 3DICKNS::KLAESThe Universe is safe.Thu Aug 27 1987 18:5836
        Please use *correct* grammar and spelling when possible.  Write 
    your commentaries clearly and precisely.  Do *not* use ALL CAPITALS 
    when writing:  It is considered SHOUTING in Notes, and is not 
    appreciated by other Noters, unless you have a legitimate reason for 
    being angry about something in the Notesfile.  

        Please put your SF commentaries in their *proper* Topics.  
    If your commentary is in the wrong Topic, it will be moved to the 
    correct location in the Conference.  Please do *not* enter commentaries 
    which are *not* about and/or related to SF.  Such items will be removed 
    from the Conference and returned to you.  Do *not* use obscene or 
    offensive words or phrases, as such a Note will be removed immediately 
    from the Conference and returned to you.  If you have comments, questions, 
    or problems about VAX Notes which you are unable to answer yourself, 
    please contact the Moderator about them - do *not* write them in the 
    Conference, as they too will be removed and returned to you.

        It is a good idea to just READ through the Conference at first for 
    a while, to get a feel of what SF Topics exist and where they are 
    located - and what has already been written - before replying, or 
    writing your own Topic.

        To learn more about KEYPAD commands, just press the PF2 key when 
    in Notes.  For more detailed information on Notes in general, 
    write the command HELP when in Notes.  Also, I highly suggest 
    reading the SAMPLE_CONFERENCE (NOTES$SAMPLE) Conference, which is 
    automatically supplied with every Notesfile in your VAX Notes Main 
    Directory.  You can also order the USER'S GUIDE TO VAX NOTES 
    Manual (Order Number AI-G98HA-TE), which can be ordered through your 
    Secretary. 
              
    	These are just a few VAX Notes commands and rules, but they are 
    the most helpful, and they naturally apply to *all* of the VAX Notes 
    Conferences.  They will help you participate in SF better, and I hope 
    you enjoy the Notes!

1.53History of SF Conference prior to VAX NotesDELNI::CANTORDave C.Sat Sep 12 1987 23:1986
      The following was extracted from the old NOTESLIST file (where
      NOTES-11 files used to be announced).   It contains some history
      of this SF conference, which may be of interest sometime. 
      Thus I'm reposting it here, so as not to lose it.
      
      If you don't care about Notes history, hit NEXT now.
      
      Dave C.      

                             <<< NOTESLIST.NOT >>>
                        -< Notes-11 File Announcements >-
================================================================================
Note 55.0                        Science Fiction                      14 replies
ATFAB::WYMAN                                          2 lines   8-DEC-1983 17:52
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	ATFAB::SYS$NOTES:SF.NOT
================================================================================
  ATFAB::WYMAN              NotesFiles Announcements          8-MAY-1984 18:31  
  Note #185.6             -< NotesFiles Need a Home >-                 6 of 10  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Science Fiction NotesFile has been moved to:

	NUHAVN::SYS$NOTES:SF.NOT.

		bob wyman
================================================================================
Note 55.2                        Science Fiction                         2 of 14
NUHAVN::CANTOR                                        8 lines   8-MAY-1985 16:23
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Science Fiction notes file has been temporarily moved to

	OLORIN""::SYS$NOTES:SF.NOT

It is expected to move to the new Andover MIS VAXcluster on or about
16-May-1985.

Dave C.
================================================================================
Note 55.3                        Science Fiction                         3 of 14
PENNSY::CANTOR                                       13 lines  10-JUL-1985 23:05
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only two months later than expected, the Science Fiction notes file has been
moved back to the Andover MIS cluster.

Please access this file via

    {LEHIGH,ERIE,PENNSY,NUHAVN}""::SYS$NOTES:SF.NOT

--

The Shelf Scanner on the above VAXcluster again is tracking this notes file, 
too, index number 76.

Dave C.
================================================================================
Note 55.4                        Science Fiction                         4 of 14
MTV::FOLEY                                           13 lines   3-DEC-1985 06:30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	I have now graciously taken over the responsiblity as the 
	moderator for the Science Fiction notesfile. SF.NOT can
	now be reached via the ICO Cluster..  If you note in prime
	time ONLY then please try and use NESN.. (I won't be as adamant
	about this anymore.. Just try if you can) Otherwise, feel free to
	use the rest of the cluster.

	{NESN,ESPN,HBO,MTV}""::SYS$NOTES:SF.NOT

	Enjoy!

							mike
================================================================================
Note 55.5                        Science Fiction                         5 of 14
NUHAVN::CANTOR                                        4 lines   4-DEC-1985 08:58
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And, of course, this file is no longer scanned as local by the Andover Shelf
Scanner.

Dave C.
================================================================================
Note 55.14                       Science Fiction                        14 of 14
MTV::FOLEY                                            6 lines  12-FEB-1986 01:24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	Science Fiction has been converted to VAX Notes.  The old file is 
	write locked and will remain there for a short time..

						mike
1.54Irrelevant old notes removedDELNI::CANTORDave C.Sat Sep 12 1987 23:5110
      I've removed several earlier replies to this, the moderators'
      topic.   Some of the notes I've removed pertained to an old, now
      moot, problem with the unseen count; others pertained to the
      controversy over when the conference was to be converted to
      VAX Notes format.
      
      I've retained the notes pertaining to moderatorship and history
      of this conference.
      
      Dave C. 
1.55Pointer to Etiquette conferenceDELNI::CANTORDave C.Sat Sep 12 1987 23:555
      The conference HUMAN::ETIQUETTE (Hit KP7 to add it to your
      notebook) contains much discussion and many good tips for writing
      notes.   I recommend all new noters to read this conference.
      
      Dave C.
1.56Allowed topics; quotations; actual works disallowed.DELNI::CANTORDave C.Fri Sep 18 1987 17:5521
      This conference should be used for the discussion of SF and
      of SF-related material and SF conventions.   
      
      Discussions about the rules for this file, or of the moderation
      style of this file should be carried out by private communication
      with the moderator(s).  Use the command
      
            Notes> SHOW MODERATOR  
      
      to find the names and mail addresses of the moderator(s).
      
      Except for short quotations, written works should not be posted
      in this conference.   Though this is late notice, this has
      always been the policy in this conference, and the moderators
      apologize for not having said so before.   An example of the
      the enforcement of the rule in the past can be found in note
      107, where someone was suggesting the posting of a work called
      "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Net" for the second time.
      
      Mike Foley and Dave Cantor,
      moderators
1.58Old locationNICLUS::CANTORDave C.Sat Jun 18 1988 18:327
    This conference is now located at NICLUS::SF.   Modify your notebook
    entry as follows:
    
    
         Notes>  MODIFY ENTRY SF/FILE=NICLUS::SF
    
    Dave C.
1.59Copyright issueAKOV11::BOYAJIANFri Aug 12 1988 06:1538
    The following is [with some slight editing] something I wrote for the
    moderator of QARRY::ANIMATION, regarding the issue of copyright
    violation. It should be considered as policy for this conference.
    

This is something that unfortunately needs to be stated explicitly, as the
problem has cropped up in other conferences, most recently in DSSDEV::VIDEO,
where someone was offering videotape copies of Disney features that have
not been made commercially available by Disney.
 
	Offering to make and/or distribute copies of copyrighted
	material, or seeking such material for the purpose of
	making and/or distributing copies is AGAINST THE LAW.
 
If Digital was to allow such offers or requests to be made via corporate
resources (i.e. the Easynet and its Notes conferences), the company is
legally liable for damages as an accessory. Obviously, Digital cannot
control what you do in your private lives, so if you are of a mind to
violate copyright laws, that's your personal business. Just don't use
Digital's resources to help you do so.
 
As there has been much debate in related conferences, as well as the courts
over what *is* legal as far as taping or copying copyrighted material (eg.
Should CATV be treated the same as broadcast TV? Can commerically produced
cassettes be copied if it's only for private home use?), it is best to err
on the side of conservatism. Please do not discuss the copying of copyrighted
material here. General discussion of the issue would be better off occuring
in DSSDEV::VIDEO.
 
It's safe to ask to borrow material (eg. "I missed the Bugs Bunny Special
on TV last night. Does anyone have it on VHS tape that I could borrow?")
for viewing, or to offer to loan something that is hard to find. Just don't
mention copying. It's also reasonably safe to mention that you taped a given
program off the TV. Just use good judgement; if you have doubts about the
propriety of mentioning it, then don't.
    
    
    --- jerry
1.61Note titles subject to changeDDIF::CANTORAnd I saw the Jag slide into the curve.Fri Dec 30 1988 07:2939
Effective now, the moderators reserve the right to change the titles of
notes (both topic notes and replies) with or without notifying the
author.

Some of the reasons for modification of note titles are:
    
    o  Misspelling
    
    o  Illegibility
    
    o  Forbidden language:  fighting words, obscenities, etc.
    
    o  Nondescriptiveness of actual text of note
    
This is not meant to be an exhaustive list.   We will not change the
titles just because we don't like an original title, but there may be
other reasons than those stated above.

We will notify the authors of SUBSTANTIVE change to their titles, but
not of mere corrections to spelling.

There is a class of notes where a noter asks a question about a subject
and enters a title which is nondescriptive (typically, something like
"help" or "what about foobar" or "story title request").  When these are
answered, we will try to retitle the note to indicate the true subject
(which wasn't known at the outset).  In general, we will not notify the
authors of these changes.

There is now an effort underway to retitle several dozen old topics in
this file to have descriptive titles.   Authors will not be notified of
these.   Several old topics which are not related to SF of fantasy will
be removed at this time, too.  Authors again will not be notified. 
These removals are typically concerned with using the old Notes products
"Kawell Notes" and NOTES-11.

A major portion of the research work which was required to do this was
done by Larry Klaes.  Thanks, Larry.   

Dave C.
1.62Conference moving. Home not settled yet!!AXEL::FOLEYRebel without a ClueWed Jan 04 1989 03:3213
       
       
       	Hi, I've accepted a new job in VMS Engineering and that means
       	I gotta take my conferences with me.  Unfortunately, it's gonna
       	take me about a week or two to get settled and find a system
       	to put this on. Please bear with me.  I will announce the
       	change in the EASYNOTES.LIS file and the EASYNET_CONFERENCES
       	conference.
       
       	Sorry for the short notice.
       
       						mike
       						Moderator
1.63New locationAXEL::FOLEYRebel without a ClueFri Jan 06 1989 03:0412
       
       
       	SF is now currently on UPSAR. Many thanks to Matt Thomas
       for hosting it and to Andy Leslie for the offer of hosting it.
       I've made Matt a moderator also.. He and Dave and Jerry keep
       up with SF more than I at the moment. 
       
        We'll see how things go for Matt and myself in a few weeks before
       we decide to either move SF again or keep it on UPSAR.
       
       						mike
       						Moderator
1.64progress report?UPSAR::THOMASThe Code WarriorWed Mar 08 1989 17:365
    OK.  It been about 2 months now.  Any complaints about performance or
    any other problem accessing SF??  If so, send me mail at NETRIX::THOMAS.
    
    BTW, if you occasionally see SF become not found, don't worry - I'm
    just compressing it and it will shortly be become available again.
1.65Notes now may be moved.DDIF::CANTORThis is not all rock and roll, dude.Mon Mar 20 1989 16:558
Now that the conference file has been reformatted to the new format
which allows moving of notes, the moderators now reserve the right
to move notes to more appropriate topics.  (E.g., a second topic note
started on the same subject would get moved.)

When feasible, the moderators will notify those whose notes are moved.

Dave C.
1.66Separation of subjects into separate topicsASABET::BOYAJIANProtect! Serve! Run Away!Fri Jul 28 1989 08:0110
    You may have noticed that I separated out Mishel's Stephen Brust
    question (and its attendant replies) from the Schmitz/Brust note.
    
    Simply for convenience's (and order's) sake, please try to keep
    each topic limited to one subject. If you have questions about
    two different authors, write two separate topics.
    
    Thanks.
    
    --- jerry
1.67Buy/sell/swap prohibited.PROXY::CANTOR$ DEL [*...]*.*;* fixes any problem!Fri Oct 06 1989 14:2514
Buy/sell/swap notes have not been permitted in this conference since it
was founded.  At one time, it was thought that buy/sell/swap notes were
disallowed by Digital policy.  If that was true at one time, it is not
true now, and hasn't been for some time.

However, there is a conference TECHNO::CLASSIFIED_ADS (hit KP7 to add it
to your notebook) which is specifically set up for buy/sell/swap notes.
Please use that conference if you wish to enter that kind of note.

Please do not enter buy/sell/swap notes here.  Buy/sell/swap notes
will be returned to the author and deleted.   (This has been the policy
of this conference right along, but wasn't explicit before.)

Dave C.
1.68Keywords maintainerHGABSS::SZETOSimon Szeto @HGO, HongkongWed Jul 04 1990 07:3717
    Some months ago the moderators gave me the privilege to move notes
    around when I volunteered to untwine the Zelazny and Eddings skeins in
    topic 609.  Later I spun off the Elenium string from the Mallorean
    discussion in topic 640.  I have since stayed on by default as
    permanent guest moderator.
    
    More recently, Larry Klaes has been added as "keyword czar" -- member
    with create-keyword and write-regardless privileges, without being
    moderator.  Keyword creation is now restricted in this conference.  In
    the words of Dave Cantor, "Larry has been a constant contributor to the
    file and has been really helpful in labelling notes with the proper
    keywords.  He has almost single-handedly been maintaining the keywords
    for a long time."
    
    Simon Szeto, (mostly-) absentee moderator
    P.S. Dave C. is on vacation, so I'm announcing this on his behalf.
    Oh, and Happy Fourth (to the Americans in the readership).
1.70Conference pointers updated.STAR::CANTORIM2BZ2PSat Jul 27 1991 21:3811
All the conference pointers in this conference have been updated as of
today.  The old locations of other conferences in the text of notes, of
course, has not been changed, but where there is a conference pointer,
it has been updated.

The current location of a conference can be looked up in VTX EASYNOTES,
in the biweekly edition of EASYNOTES.LIS, and in the conference for
announcing conferences, EASYNET_CONFERENCES (Hit KP7 to add it to your
notebook).

Dave C.
1.71Restored after corruption.STAR::CANTORIM2BZ2PTue Aug 13 1991 12:373
The corruption has been corrected; see topic 100.

Dave C.
1.72Memo from Corporate Personnel Dept.STAR::CANTORHave pun, will babble.Thu Jan 30 1992 20:03117
                  I N T E R O F F I C E   M E M O R A N D U M

                                        Date:     29-Jan-1992 11:49am EST
                                        From:     RON GLOVER
                                                  GLOVER.RON
                                        Dept:     Corporate Employee Relations
                                        Tel No:   508-493-9569

TO: See Below

Subject: A Message to Employee Interest Notes File Users                        



By way of introduction, I am the Corporate Personnel Policy Manager.  
Part of my responsibility includes providing interpretation of Digital's 
Personnel Policy, including the Personnel Policy 6.54.   I would greatly 
appreciate your assistance in posting the attached memo from John Sims in 
the Notes files you moderate, and as many other Employee Interest Notes 
Files as possible.  Please give me a call if you have any questions.


                  I N T E R O F F I C E   M E M O R A N D U M

                                        Date:     30-Jan-1992 
                                        From:     John Sims
                                                  SIMS.JOHN AT A1 at CORA @ CORE
                                        Dept:     Strategic Resources
                                        Tel No:   223-7243

TO:  Employee Interest Notes File Participants 


Subject:  A message to employee interest notes file users                          

           A MESSAGE TO EMPLOYEE INTEREST NOTES FILE USERS
    
    
    Over the last few months I have received a number of complaints 
    from employees, and individuals outside of the company about 
    material communicated in electronic mail systems and posted in 
    various employee interest notes files.  After reading some of this 
    material it is clear that a reminder about appropriate comment and 
    behavior in these systems is necessary.
    
    First, and most critically; the electronic mail systems and notes 
    files are company facilities subject to normal workplace rules of 
    conduct.   As such, the same rules that govern conduct and comment 
    in any other Digital workplace apply with equal weight in these 
    systems.  Stated simply, if you wouldn't say something in a 
    Digital business meeting, you shouldn't say it in electronic mail 
    or notes. PERIOD.  
    
    Statements that attribute improper, illegal or immoral motives or 
    actions to others; statements that cast aspersions on the 
    character or integrity of others or that amount to libel or 
    slander are not permitted. PERIOD.  In this regard, it does not 
    matter whether the individuals subject to the comment are elected 
    public officials or directors of organizations disfavored by the 
    author.   There is no "Public Figure" exception in these systems.
    
    Comments of a sexual nature are not acceptable whether they are 
    about the author or directed at others.  Similarly, comments that 
    degrade, devalue or discriminate against others are also 
    prohibited.
    
    Neither the notes conferences nor electronic mail should be used 
    to solicit other employees.  This prohibition covers efforts to 
    solicit employees for personal or political gain, to sell or 
    market goods or services (except authorized marketplace or 
    discount conferences) and efforts to solicit employees to take 
    action, sign petitions or support particular causes or candidates.
    
    Finally, employees should remember that it is never appropriate to 
    spend working time in employee interest notes for non-work 
    purposes.  Personal or entertainment activities in these notes 
    files should be limited to assigned break times, lunch time and 
    before or after business hours.  
    
    Employee interest notes files and conferences provide an 
    electronic forum to share ideas and opinions about matters of 
    common interest.  In supporting these conferences, the company 
    understood that there would be occasions where employees would 
    disagree on issues being discussed, but we believed and continue 
    to believe it is possible to disagree without being disagreeable.  
    Personnel Policy 6.54, Proper Use of Digital Computers, Systems 
    and Networks provides further information about appropriate 
    conduct and comment in these systems.  Employees who fail to meet 
    these expectations, or who use company computer systems in ways 
    that are contrary to the letter or spirit of that policy are 
    subject to Corrective Action and Discipline up to and including 
    the termination of their employment.
    
    The moderators of these conferences, along with your system 
    managers, personnel representatives and the Personnel Policy 
    Manager are all available to answer any question you might have 
    about appropriate use of these systems.
    
    Please feel free to forward this memo to other Digital notes 
    files and conferences.

Distribution:
 
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _CVG::Thompson )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _dr::Blinn )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _prose::Eppes )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _clt::Talcott )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _covert::Covert )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _mipsbx::Thomas )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _Closet::T_Parmenter )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _brons::burrows )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _thundr::Minow )
TO:  Remote Addressee                     ( _beirut::Sunnaa )
 
CC:  Remote Addressee                     ( _ics::glover )
CC:  Remote Addressee                     ( _ics::seltzer )
1.73How it applies to SF.NOTESTAR::CANTORHave pun, will babble.Thu Jan 30 1992 20:1948
There isn't much a problem in the SF conference, but please be aware of
the contents of Glover's and Sims' memoranda.

Criticism:

It is my interpretation as moderator that criticising works of
literature, cinema, and other art forms is acceptable so long as it does
not include negative statements about the author, editor, artist or
other persons.  

Criticize the works, not the persons!  Saying Joe Blow's latest book is
awful is okay; saying that Joe Blow is a low-down (*#^&*( as
demonstrated in his latest book is definitely not acceptable.

Sex and degradation, devaluation, and discrimination:

It is my opinion that you may discuss the fact that a work discusses sex
or any of the three D's.  You may not quote things or rephrase things
which describe sexual acts or tend to condone any of the three D's.

Work hours:

Your work hours are what your manager thinks are your work hours.  Act
accordingly.  If you don't want your manager to know you're writing
in this conference during the time (s)he thinks that you're working,
then don't write here during that time.

Policy for this conference:

Henceforth, the moderators will be rejecting and deleting notes which do
not conform to policy.  Such notes may usually be rewritten to exclude
the offending material, and then resubmitted.

Discussion of this policy:

This is NOT a proper subject for discussion in this conference, however.
As pointed out in Sims' memo, you can discuss the rules with any
moderator or with managers or with personnel representatives by PRIVATE
communication.  Any such communication posted here will be deleted.

If wishes could be fishes:

I wish it weren't necessary for me to have written this note.  I wish it
weren't necessary for Mssrs. Sims and Glover to have written their
memoranda.  Unfortunately, it was.  


Dave C.
1.74RUBY::BOYAJIANHistory is made at nightFri Feb 14 1992 11:598
    Please do not enter the same note in multiple topics. Most noters
    read the conference by the "next unseen" method, and they will be
    reading your note again and again as they "next unseen" from topic
    to topic. Once is sufficient.
    
    Thank you.
    
    --- jerry_as_moderator
1.75Down one more mod.STAR::CANTORDave CantorTue Jan 19 1993 03:407
Bye-bye.  I leave Digital this Friday due to TFSO.  Joining the
moderation team as I leave is Ann Broomhead.

But I'll see you folks around the various SF conventions from
time-to-time.  This sure was fun--I'm gonna miss it.

Dave C.