Conference noted::sf

     I heartily endorse your writing efforts, but I wonder exactly what your 
purpose really is .  I am willing to give constructive criticism (for what 
ever that is worth considering my level of expertise) if that is truly your 
purpose in placing that tantalizing tidbit of story in these notes files .

    Ready for a critique ?  First impressions are that you have some very good 
imagery working for you, but that it is over run by trying to pack too much 
factual data about the society into the first two paragraphs .  My suggestion 
is that you let the plot of the story turn up these historical facts for you 
rather than forcing it in the first few lines .  The hook is standard formula 
stuff "Then I found something that changed it all....." .  The success of this 
technique depends on what follows .  I would hope to find out more about 
"Anonymous" and what that person found later in the story, otherwise the 
reader will feel cheated .

     So much for constructive criticism from an amateur, I am not sure this 
file is really the place for this kind of activity, but I do not mind seeing 
it here .  I can guess that we will hear a few other opinions soon .

Good luck, and keep writing !
Jon

	Jon, I agree.  It is always alot of fun to read, write, and 
	critique original scifi.  But this probably isn't the place
	to put it.  Perhaps a new notes file is in order ???  I am
	all for an amateur scifi writing notes file, but where do
	we find a system that can support it?  Perhaps an alternate
	method would be to form a distribution list and mail directly
	to those who wish to participate.  I'm sure there are alot
	of talented noters out there just itching to let their
	creative juices flow....

	Mike

	Sorry I disappointed you.  I retreat back to the 'BOX. 

	

I was not disappointed... I liked it!  When are you coming with a 
short story?

Unlike others I say keep it here!

If it is about SF put it here.  Other types of writing can go
to other places, but let's center all SF writing here.

Regards,
Dave

Don't quit looking for the words that define what you see.  Not everyone can 
even see in the first place (or rather they see different things).  If you get 
the urge to share a vision, don't worry about someone being disappointed 
(can't please everybody, even the best writers have people that hate them).
Wish I had your courage to let people see my attempts.  For now, they collect 
dust.  

Beth

P.S. And keep it coming if there is more.  Or enter it when it's ready.

     I am happy to see you getting more support !  I was hoping to see
positive feedback for you .  I don't mind seeing writing here in this
notes file (as I stated in .1) and there does not seem to be any HEATED 
objection showing up yeat .
     By the way, I was not "disappointed" by what I read, just giving some
well meaning, but admittedly amateur, CONSTRUCTIVE criticism .  I hope that 
was what you were looking for .  I am interested to see more when you are 
ready .

Remember, keep writing !
Jon

	Terrific !  As long as there is no problem with disk space etc,
I'm glad to see this kind of writing here too.  Nothing better than a
little noontime scifi....
	A suggestion: I was involved in another short-story writing notes
file, now disbanded, and we found it a good idea to put comments/critiques
in a different note (ie not as a reply).  This way as the author(s) come up
with new chapters, they are added to form a continuous story which is much
nicer to read or print. It could look something like this:
	#100	STORY: Nomads of Time
	#101	COMMENTS: Nomads of Time

	Who knows, maybe we'll be the first ones to read the works of the
next "Hogan"....
	To anonymous: Thanks for the spark....and I'm still anxious to find
out what it was that "changed it all...."

Mike

	There will be more coming, and hopefully soon, but it isn't
	actually in the form of a story.  These are words to a group
	of songs that have already been published and recorded.  That's
	why the title was " A different type of SF ", along with the
	prologue that I submitted.  I will submit the rest of the words,
	granted I make it known that I did not write these.  I did not
	mean to mislead anyone to thinking I wrote them.  Within the
	near future, I do hope to be submitting something more original,
	and written by me.  Until then, I still remain......

						Anonymous

Not to put a damper on this, but I believe your employment contract
states that if you do things on DEC time and with DEC resources, the
things you do become property of DEC.

If you were to enter a story that you eventually hoped to publish,
you might have to go through some legal rigamorole to get DEC to 
relinquish the rights to it.

Anyone know for sure what DEC's policy is for this?

Charlie

I think if you check in Personnel Policies and Procedures, you'll find that
there are two ways something written can be handled:

	1)  If it's an engineering paper or technical note meant for a
         professional audience (e.g., a conference or a paper in a 
         technical society journal) it's got to ba approved by an
         ad hoc committee that includes the appropriate manager.

	2)  If it's meant for a trade press magazine or newspaper, it must
         be cleared through the Public Relations department.  

In both cases, the written work is preasumed to be work-related.  Literary
efforts done on the employee's own time and not identifying the employee
as a Digital agent or representative nor conflicting with the company's
legitimate business interests (e.g., such as an article on how to build
a $10 computer in your spare time) are the employee's property.
However, using Digital resources or creating such literary works on Digi-
tal's time is clearly at variance with doing one's job as an employee.  If
a cost center manager or designee authorizes use of departmental resources
after hors, that may be another story -- but check first before going ahead.
It can save awkward moments later.

The relevant policies are 6.06 (especially II), 6.08, and 6.30

Re:8



		I don't understand, is this a continuation of the narrative 

       or your admission of the story as lyrics from the song? Or is it

	your character's admission, is he the anon. or are you



				Don't ask me I just read here sam(14)

Ever hear of a group called Rush.
Or an album called _2112_.

Chris

Of course. Overature, Temples of Syrinx, Tears, Passage to Bangkok, Grand
Finale, etc. One of their best albums. An incredible and innovative group.
Neil Peart is a great drummer, I've learned alot from him. (I'm obviously a 
drummer)

- Rob

(Try Triumph too)