Megalextoria

A summary for those that haven’t been keeping up with this series:

I found a number of 5.25″ disks at a thrift store a number of years ago. I finally got around to acquiring a 5.25″ disk drive and extracting the contents a while back. Since then I have been posting the contents here.

Based on the contents, at least some of these disks were apparently once owned by someone named Connie who used to run the “Close Encounters” Special Interest Group (SIG) on Delphi in the mid 1980s.

A specific definition of this SIG was found in a document on one of the disks: “This SIG, known as ‘Close Encounters’, is a forum for the discussion of relationships that develop via computer services like the Source, CompuServe, and Delphi. Our primary emphasis is on the sexual aspects of those relationships.”

This service was text based and was accessed via whatever terminal program you used on your computer to dial in to Delphi’s servers. Many of these disks have forum messages, e-mails and chat session logs. All of this is pre-internet stuff and I don’t know if there are any archives in existence today of what was on Delphi in the 1980s. In any case, much of this stuff would have been private at the time and probably wouldn’t be in such archives even if they existed.

This post includes the contents of DM0910.DOC which is dated September 10th, 1985. I believe that ‘DM’ in this case stands for Direct Mail which appears to have been Delphi’s version of e-mail. This document contains several such emails from September 9th and 10th, 1985. There is a bit of overlap so some song lyrics are seen here that have been seen previously but there are also a few more emails between “Connie” and “Rod” (among others) including some poetry. Since this appears to have been a buffer capture of an online session, there was more than just an email reading session captured. At the end, there is a chat session with “Connie” and a new member of the SIG.

See the previous post here.

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DM0910.DOC
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read 1

    #1           9-SEP-1985 12:09:28                                        MAIL

From:   BOS1A::RODM        
To:     CABUYS,RODM        
Subj:   poetry resend

So  very  often  today songs are writen with little or no  continuity  to  the 
lyrics,  the  lyrics are burried by the intensity of the beat or rhythm of the 
music, but every so often a song 'makes it' that has the beauty that the one I 
am sending has.
 
There is a lot of background to why I am so affected by this song and some  of 
that  might  have  even prevented my even hearing it but life has  grabbed  my 
attention and caused me to find new beauty in places I might never have gone.
 
Until recently I didn't listen to much music at all and CERTAINLY NOT  country 
music  but  my life was affected by several people and after emerging  from  a 
'cave' in which I was hiding I started hearing the words to songs,  seeing the 
fantastic  things  life  has  to give,  and learned  the  importance  sharing, 
feeling, and loving if life is to be worth living.
 
I  hope that everyone that reads this knows already or will realize very  soon 
exactly who they would recite or sing these words to and perhaps give them  to 
that person as the 'flower' for that day!
 
"You Decorated My Life"
  
All my life was a paper, once plain, pure, and white
 
'Til  you moved with your pen,  changing moods now and then,  'til the balance 
was right
 
Then you added some music, every note was is place
 
And anybody could see all the changes in me, by the look on my face
 
 
And you decorated my life. Created a world where dreams are a part
 
And you decorated my life by painting your love all over my heart
 
You decorated my life!
 
 
Like a rhyme with no reason in an unfinished song
 
There was no harmony, life meant nothing to me, until you came along
 
And you brought out the colors. what a gentle surprise
 
Now I'm able to see, all the things life can be, shining soft in your eyes
 
 
And you decorated my life. Created a world where dreams are a part
 
And you decorated my life,by painting your love all over my heart
 
You decorated my life!
 
 


MAIL> 

    #2           9-SEP-1985 17:31:35                                        MAIL

From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
To:     JOHNMYSELF,CABUYS      
Subj:   entry log change from insiders forum

 
1263 9-SEP-11:59: SIG News
     Entry Log
     From: DAN          To: ALL
 
The entry log ENTRY ALL function now only displays the most recent
10 members who have entered the sig.  Anyone with a W, A, M, E, or
D flag still gets the entire display.
 
Dan
 


MAIL> 

    #3          10-SEP-1985 01:48:44                                        MAIL

From:   BOS1A::RODM        
To:     CABUYS,RODM        
Subj:   IMPORTANT !!!

My Beloved Darling Connie,

I don't think I have ever poured out so much of me in writting as I do in
the poem that follows.

I sat up in my office at home and penned it in the past two hours

I'm sorry to disturb you but it REALLY does mean that much to me !!

Because of the effect on your effectiveness as sig manager I am leaving
you the option of deleting the last verse if you choose but I do ask that
you post it in the poetry section of the forum

This poem is MINE and is authored for You!

My Darling I just don't seem to be able to tell you enough how much I LOVE
YOU !!!!

I am sending the poem as the next message

Love, 

Rod


MAIL> 

    #4          10-SEP-1985 01:52:30                                        MAIL

From:   BOS1A::RODM        
To:     CABUYS,RODM        
Subj:   MY Poem for YOU

"From a Meeting On-line"
 
I was living in my own private hideaway
 
Then I logged onto Delphi one day
 
There I noticed people talking and communicating on-line
 
And I watched for months to see what I could find
 
 
Then suddenly came some chats, meetings, and fantasies exchanged
 
And without warning my life was changed
 
What was just days before screens of readings
 
Had become a rush of unexplainable feelings
 
 
In a panic I made a telephone call
 
To someone I hoped could explain all
 
In just a couple of days I was standing at the doorway
 
Where I hoped to find why I felt this way
 
 
She came to the door, I went in, we spoke
 
of what I felt and I asked if it were a joke
 
I asked if these people on-line were just playing silly games
 
Or are they real people with faces and names
 
 
We talked some more, then went out to dine
 
Little did we know this was our meeting in time
 
How could I know that these searching questions
 
Would lead me to such loving obsessions
 
 
So I say to you that don't already know
 
that life, via a computer, to you may show
 
That what appears to be but a feeling on-line
 
May begin a love, meant to be for all of time
 
 
How could I have possibly known
 
That such a beauty in life I could be shown
 
And have this love of mine
 
From a meeting on-line 
 
 
 
I may be saying too much, and being too bold
 
But I think I might burst if it isn't told
 
This beautiful person that I tell you of
 
This beautiful person I so deeply love
 
This person that means so much to me
 
Is known to all of you as Connie


MAIL> 

    #5          10-SEP-1985 15:10:11                                        MAIL

From:   BOS1A::RODM        
To:     CABUYS,RODM        
Subj:   Let me know

My Beloved Darling,

I can hardly wait to see you again!

I
LOVE
YOU 
LOVE YOU!


Please let me know what you would prefer to do with my poem to you!

If you will please call me at my office "3260" at 6:00 pm

Until then my darling!

Love 

Rod


MAIL> 

    #6          10-SEP-1985 16:45:45                                        MAIL

From:   BOS1A::CABUYS       "CONNIE"
To:     BOS1A::RODM,CABUYS      
Subj:   RE: Let me know

Dear Rod,

That poem is so beautiful that I can't find words to tell you what it means
to me.

I tried so very hard to get it posted in the database last night after you
called but I kept screwing up the sysop functions. sigh.

I plan to post it in the database soon as I send this mail.  

ANd I will call as you asked!

Love,
Connie

P.S.  I took a printout of it to work and let Ann read it.  She was very
impressed! <gsmile> 

I read it to Peggy over the phone a little while ago too!  I
There is no way to keep such a thing of beauty like this to myself and it is
as beautiful to me as our love!

I love you!



MAIL> 

No more messages


MAIL> our primary emphasis is on relationships, with a lot of discussion about sexual relationships.
.Connie> our primary emphasis is on relationships, with a lot of discussion
  about sexual relationships.
we've found it /w
JJM> sounds good to me...lets    "talk"

GROUP LIST:   17:18:58
1)  1
      JJM, Connie
 - idle
AVAILABLE LIST: () = in conf
   (CABUYS), (JJM)
------ [2 in this area]
and what would you liek ke to "talk " about? 
.Connie> and what would you like to "talk" about?
/w jjm

NAME      :
AGE       : 37
COMPUTERS : IBM-PC
QUOTES    : "IT CAN ALWAYS BE WORSE"
SEX       : I HAVE TO WARN YOU I'M MARRIED BUT IF YOU'RE STILL
   INTERESTED!!!!!!!!!!!!
TERM-SOFT : GET ORGANIZED
TRAVEL    : I LOVE TO ... WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO??
ZODIAC    : TAURUS
(aww, your profile doesn't give you r first name)
JJM> first ..my name is  jay  may 1947..married   3 kids
.Connie> (aww, your profile doesn't give your first name)
Hello Jay and welcome to Close ENcounters!
JJM> i did though
.Connie> Hello Jay and welcome to Close ENcounters!
yup! you did.
.Connie> yup! you did.
JJM> great to be here
how long have you been using Delphi?
.Connie> how long have you been using Delphi?
JJM> 3 months or so
have you or do you use any other networks/?
.Connie> have you or do you use any other networks?
JJM> does this ever get more interesting than the reg conf
all depends on what you are looking for.
.Connie> all depends on what you are looking for.
if you are looking for serious dicussionif you are looking for serious discussions with other adults, we have a number of conferences likee that. if you are looking for pufun only, that is sometimes available
JJM> no...like what ones are interesting?
.Connie> if you are looking for serious discussions with other adults, we have a

  number of conferences like that. if you are looking for fun only, that is
  sometimes available
JJM> im not sure whats avail...what have you found here/
I came to Delphi from CompuServe back last August.  my partner and I have been working to establish this sig on CIS prior to that.
JJM> serios is great ...but  fun would be nice
.Connie> I came to Delphi from CompuServe back last August.  my partner and I
  have been working to establish this sig on CIS prior to that.
and what is fun to you, Jay?
.Connie> and what is fun to you, Jay?
JJM> have you had a lot of response?
response is growing and iI expect it will continue.
.Connie> response is growing and I expect it will continue.
JJM> seems like a great idea
well it's a profitable, workable idea, but many people come here with the wrong impression and that sometimes presents slight problems but if they stay around long enough to get to know ius and what's going on here, usually they like it.
JJM> re fun...that is a loaded question...could mean a number of things!!!!
.Connie> well it's a profitable, workable idea, but many people come here with
  the wrong impression and that sometimes presents slight problems but if they
  stay around long enough to get to know us and what's going on here, usually
  they like it.
I know it could mean that! <grin> it was a baited question!
.Connie> I know it could mean that! <grin> it was a baited question!
JJM> well im here to stay so well se what happens...
JJM> did i take the BAIT
not yet! but you will, I suspect! <smile>
.Connie> not yet! but you will, I suspect! <smile>
JJM> TEMPT ME!!!!!
give me time! <giggle> you'll find this sig much like the analog world - there is a certain introduction and 'flirtation' that takes place first! <smile>
.Connie> give me time! <giggle> you'll find this sig much like the analog world
  - there is a certain introduction and 'flirtation' that takes place first!
  <smile>
JJM> you there?
most of us are very awaremost of us in this sig are very aware of the impact that a seemlinglyinglyu harmless on line flitatrtation hcan have on one's .
JJM> im smiling...who have you meet interesting on this?
JJM> other than me   9ha ha )
.Connie> most of us in this sig are very aware of the impact that a seemingly
  harmless on line flirtation can have on one.
(darn! I wislh control keys were working correctly!)
.Connie> (darn! I wish control keys were working correctly!)
everyone JJM> like what impact????
I meet on this is interesting! but I have met some who are more interesting than others!
.Connie> everyone I meet on this is interesting! but I have met some who are
  more interesting than others!
re: impact - suppose your spouse canught you in a "hot chat" with someone on line? would she be jealous?
JJM> how long has this ser. been around?
.Connie> re: impact - suppose your spouse caught you in a "hot chat" with
  someone on line? would she be jealous?
or suppose you got really "involved" with someone on line and wanted to meet office line in hops oes of something more "interesting"?
JJM> surprisingly....no
JJM> is that good or bad
.Connie> or suppose you got really "involved" with someone on line and wanted to

  meet off line in hopes of something more "interesting"?
it's netiither good nor bad - but with some people it has become a major problem. we are here to help or to just listen or whatever - since we've been there before.
JJM> lets cross that bridge when..etc. etc.
.Connie> it's neither good nor bad - but with some people it has become a major
  problem. we are here to help or to just listen or whatever - since we've been
  there before.
Jay, I'm just posing possibilities here to point out a little of what can happen. in my case, I ended up divorcing my ed.
JJM> you ever had any problems...like that i mean
.Connie> Jay, I'm just posing possibilities here to point out a little of what
  can happen. in my case, I ended up divorced.
I've had problems like you can't imagine!
.Connie> I've had problems like you can't imagine!
and I ham a much stronger, confident peerson for having resolved most of those problems. wish I could say that about everyone I've heard from tho.
JJM> WOW...THAT GOT ME!!!!!!
.Connie> and I am a much stronger, confident person for having resolved most of
  those problems. wish I could say that about everyone I've heard from tho.
JJM> now ill be more serious...you made me a believer!!
my ex went into a jealous tirade when I was "caught" that he threatened to destroy the computer with a baseball bat.
.Connie> my ex went into a jealous tirade when I was "caught" that he threatened

  to destroy the computer with a baseball bat.
JJM> you mean this type of thing contributed to your divorce?
yes. he couldnt cope with my meetbeing on line, being involved in "hot chats" if I was interested, in fact he hated this entire thing. I was suppose to be his "possesion" - and outside contact with others was not needed.
JJM> did you ever meat the person you were chatting with?
.Connie> yes. he couldnt cope with my mbeing on line, being involved in "hot
  chats" if I was interested, in fact he hated this entire thing. I was suppose
  to be his "possesion" - and outside contact with others was not needed.
I've met several of them.
.Connie> I've met several of them.
and yes (presuming the next question) nearly all /w

GROUP LIST:   17:36:05
1)  1
      JJM, Connie
 - idle
AVAILABLE LIST: () = in conf
   (CABUYS), (JJM)
------ [2 in this area]
JJM> so these hot chat really do get HOT?
they can. depends on moods, personalities, whatever, just like athe analog world.
.Connie> they can. depends on moods, personalities, whatever, just like the
  analog world.
only it's much 'safer' physically here.
.Connie> only it's much 'safer' physically here.
and youJJM> ANY KIDS?
 get to know the other person much faster!
.Connie> and you get to know the other person much faster!
yes, one 15 year old son.
.Connie> yes, one 15 year old son.
JJM> WHAT COLOR EYES?
btrobrown. yours?
.Connie> brown. yours?
JJM> GREEN
JJM> what do you like to do other than play with this?
between my job and this, tbetween my job and this and the time I spent d with my lover, there's not much time for anything else!
.Connie> between my job and this and the time I spend with my lover, there's not

  much time for anything else!
JJM> so this isnt full time job?
no - tho I sometimes wish it were and often it feels like it is.
.Connie> no - tho I sometimes wish it were and often it feels like it is.
JJM> when are yo usually on?
usually around 9 pm if the system is working as it should - which is a big question of late! sigh.
.Connie> usually around 9 pm if the system is working as it should - which is a
  big question of late! sigh.
JJM> ive noticed!!
well it's only growing pains on Delphi's part - and that takes time and patience to overcome.
.Connie> well it's only growing pains on Delphi's part - and that takes time and

  patience to overcome.
JJM> im usually only here daytimes...office machine  ya know
wish I could get on from the office - we have the capability but I jhuust never have the time while there.
.Connie> wish I could get on from the office - we have the capability but I just

  never have the time while there.
I suspect I'd spend less thiime in regular work and more time here if there wjust as well tho - I'd spend more time here and less thime working!
JJM> so lifes better since the divorce?
.Connie> just as well tho - I'd spend more time here and less time working!
much better!
.Connie> much better!
JJM> how longs it been?
about 15 months.
.Connie> about 15 months.
JJM> getting easier?
well there are days when it's not so easy - but that's normal for everyone, I think. most ot f the time, it's just what I wantthere are days when it's not so easy but that's pretty normal, I think.
.Connie> there are days when it's not so easy but that's pretty normal, I think.

JJM> you there?
yes, still here. having some problems with control keys and such.
.Connie> yes, still here. having some problems with control keys and such.
JJM> it must have been tough at first
it was - but then I've been the fsupport, financially and otherwise, of the family for some time. and a lot of phsychotherapy helped - as well as the understanding of some very special friends.
JJM> was the computer the big problem or an actual "other" person
.Connie> it was - but then I've been the support, financially and otherwise, of
  the family for some time. and a lot of psychotherapy helped - as well as the
  understanding of some very special friends.
the computer managed to bring a lot of problems that we'd avoided over the years to the surface - mostly because I gained confidence in myself by talking to iothers on lines.
.Connie> the computer managed to bring a lot of problems that we'd avoided over
  the years to the surface - mostly because I gained confidence in myself by
  talking to others on line.
JJM> by the way if im getting to personal shut me up! ok!!??
ok - no problem so far. I tend to "spill my life sotrytory" if allowed!
.Connie> ok - no problem so far. I tend to "spill my life story" if allowed!
JJM> confidence is a strange thing..it can come and go..depending on the
  situation
most definitely! but you put someone in a situation where over a period of 15 years they are constantly cut down - they end up with no confidence at all.
JJM> your allowed...this is like a on line "shrink" from what i can see
.Connie> most definitely! but you put someone in a situation where over a period

  of 15 years they are constantly cut down - they end up with no confidence at
  all.
it's sort of like that. it's more like an "encounter" group where we can all share out thoughts and feelings without feeaar of ridicule. and we try to limit membership to adults (tho that's touhgh.)
JJM> tell me about it!!
JJM> i think i understand you compleatly
.Connie> it's sort of like that. it's more like an "encounter" group where we
  can all share out thoughts and feelings without fear of ridicule. and we try
  to limit membership to adults (tho that's tough.)
there are days when *I* don't understand me completely ! <grin>
.Connie> there are days when *I* don't understand me completely! <grin>
but I know what you wmean.
.Connie> but I know what you mean.
/w

GROUP LIST:   17:49:35
1)  1
      JJM, Connie
 - idle
AVAILABLE LIST: () = in conf
   (CABUYS), (JJM)
------ [2 in this area]
JJM> when you mention being cut down...did you ever really believe it or did you

  really belive in yourself all along?
that's not so easy to answer. I've found that I do much better if I have someone encouraging me on instead of cutting me down for what I want to accomplish. there'at's the big difference.
.Connie> that's not so easy to answer. I've found that I do much better if I
  have someone encouraging me on instead of cutting me down for what I want to
  accomplish. that's the big difference.
JJM> 15 years is a long time...it must have taken some real soul searching to
  make that move
oh yes! took a long time to decide to do it and then a while longer to actually accomplish it.
JJM> i would think so
.Connie> oh yes! took a long time to decide to do it and then a while longer to
  actually accomplish it.
JJM> did your ex ever have anything to really be jealous about..or was it all in

  his mind?
it started out all in his mind but over the years when I was accused of something I did not do, I figured I might as well do. price would be the same anyway.
.Connie> it started out all in his mind but over the years when I was accused of

  something I did not do, I figured I might as well do. price would be the same
  anyway.
I put up with his jealousy for nearly 4 years he had always been very jealous but it got worse especially the last 2 years were were married.
JJM> interesting
.Connie> he had always been very jealous but it got worse especially the last 2
  years we were married.
JJM> did you get the attention you felt you should from him..other than
  jealousy?
sure - I sure - I got attention from himnot always. tho I didn't always commhunicate with him that what my needs were.
.Connie> not always. tho I didn't always communicate with him what my needs
  were.
JJM> i guess jealousy is good to a point..but must be closly contained
/t

10-SEP-1985 17:55:19
75 minutes (1h 14m 32s)
JJM> youve got to communicate...the most important thing there is!
I know - but the other person has to listen too. not always the easiest thing to communicate to another.
JJM> feelings and people get lost without it
.Connie> I know - but the other person has to listen too. not always the easiest

  thing to communicate to another.
JJM> no its not ...youve got to work at it ...but people are to lazy