 The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Eddies in the Ether Dave Mitchell |
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You know, we've been chatting on and off like this for some months now and it occurs to me that we've got to know each other quite well. That is, at least, you've realised by now that I ought not be let out in public without someone with a cattle prod and a net being handy. This being the case let's have a look at a couple of instances recently when I've been allowed out of the bunker, roaming at large on the surface.
Insular on the Peninsula
There's nothing like self promotion, I always say, and here comes some right now. Second Monday, every month at 7.30 pm, I run a communications SIG at the "John Madder" hall at the Frankston Hospital as part of the Peninsula regional interest group. With the advent of their own PenRig Bulletin Board (which is a mail point and smaller version of the Main Melb PC BBS) the interest in communications has grown quite dramatically and the guys (there aren't many ladies- in fact, none!) and I have a fun time talking about modems and the problems associated with them each month.
The interesting thing about SIGs is that no matter how much of a dill you think you are there is always someone at a similar level of competency (or lack thereof? so there isn't any need to worry,"about feeling like an idiot when you ask a question. In fact, in this case, one look at the antics of the convener would convince you that you have little to worry about in the idiot stakes.
While we don't have the equipment to do large scale presentations such as Phil Lew can put together for the city comms SIG, we are stumbling along the path to enlightenment and having fun along the way. If you're down that end of the world, drop in! It isn't exclusive. They let me in don't they?
Da Boyz from Da Bush
It was a quiet night in the peaceful, sleepy streets of Warragul and Darren, Gerard and Russell were preparing for the monthly meeting of the Warragul RIG. When suddenly this normal, pastoral tranquillity was shattered when Dirty Dave and his gang from the big smoke rode into town! There was Andrew "the anarchist" Speirs, Phil "Oddjob" Lew, "Dangerous" Don McKenzie and Peter Freeman (known to those that worry why as "Vice") and the worst of them all the roughest, toughest slinger (did I miss the word gun? Oh well, you can make up your own mind what I was slinging) and bane of newbies and lurkers everywhere - Dirty Dave!
Seriously folks, the convener of the Warragul region, Darren Pelacci (a fine young chap whose motivation and enthusiasm is refreshing to see) had invited me down to talk to the folks about modems and BBSs. After setting up all the gear and (finally) getting a connection to the BBS we told the folks about bulletin boards in general and ours in particular so that they would know what to expect out of their regional BBS which should be up and running by know. One thing that impressed them was me chatting online with another user, Lester Stone, who managed not to abuse me for once.
Anyway for the next few hours we talked, we laughed, we maybe learned a few things and we had fun. I even got to rubbish Windows which made me happy, as it usually does.
(Serious mode on:) What fm pointing out here is that Melb PC, through the links of the bulletin board system, is extending its electronic arms to our regional and country members to provide them with a small part of the electronic super-highway we keep hearing about. Each member, whether country or city, is able to feel more completely a part of the best User Group in the southern hemisphere without, hopefully, the provincialism or city elitism that may otherwise be so easy to engender in people. (Serious mode off.)
Access All Areas
Here's the last (thank goodness) of the local message areas that the BBS currently carries. Don't forget there are plenty more areas that are "echoed" on our board either nationally or internationally.
Area 31: Local Unix Discussion
I'd say something witty here about UNIX but you know how these fanatics get. They'd probably come after me with TAR and Feathers.
Area 32: New file announcements
An area used by the Sysops to announce files that have been uploaded to the board recently. You'll see a post in here about once every two weeks.
Area 33: Books and Writing
It's a well known fact that no one reads manuals so this is an area you can discuss what you do read.
Area 34: Local Gardening Chat
Being an aphid in the rose garden of life I don't have much to do with the green thumbs in here but if you see yourself as a rose amongst thorns then it may well be for you.
Area 35: Local Fishing Chat
Yibbetty, yibbetta. I'm not Rex Hunt and neither are these people. Like most fishing stories this area seems to get bigger with each telling.
Subjects Unbecoming
You know when you go to parties or dinners or whatever with people you don't really know well, there are certain subjects it's better not to talk about? You know the big three - politics, football and religion. Well a similar situation exists on the BBS where message posters tend to be fairly strongly opinionated and any mention of one of these can be the start of a acrimonious insult fest. This is especially true in the Flames area where the limitations on language and style are a lot looser.
If you do post this stuff in this area don't even consider complaining or telling your antagonist to play the ball not the man. It's a fact that (again especially in Flames) this will only result in more of the same. If, and I stress if, you do make this social faux pas then it's best you back out quickly.
Anyway enough of that, the Waffle Sig is only a week away and fm hanging out to see everyone. So turn up if you can!
Here's the tag.. Hand-me-down clothing - also known as sharewear
Reprinted from the August 1994 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
