From: SMTP%"LISTSERV@BINGVMB.cc.binghamton.edu" 6-JUN-1995 15:09:11.80 To: CIRJA02 CC: Subj: File: "INDEX-L LOG9504D" Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 15:09:34 +0000 From: BITNET list server at BINGVMB (1.8a) Subject: File: "INDEX-L LOG9504D" To: CIRJA02@GSVMS1.CC.GASOU.EDU ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Apr 1995 11:17:13 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Marylee Kastelic Subject: Re: WI Chapter of ASI? In-Reply-To: <199504130410.XAA15567@batch1.csd.uwm.edu> ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- On Wed, 12 Apr 1995, Georgianna wrote: > ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- > Not to put too fine a point on it, the University of Wisconsin at > Milwaukee also has a library school where indexing is taught - Madison > isn't alone in Wisconsin. The teacher there is Virgil Diodato, a > professional indexer who really knows his stuff and loves to share > indexing with students. > Thanks for pointing that out Georgianna. I am currently taking Dr. Diodato's class, Back of Book Indexing, at the School of Library & Information Science at Univ. Wis. Milwaukee. He is an excellent teacher, has written many articles and is cited often too. MaryLee Kastelic ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Apr 1995 11:19:14 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Richard Evans Subject: Re: QUESTION: Consistent Index Entries ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- You wrote: > >Greetings all! > >How would you handle the following index quandry? > > * Generally, in my index I include acronyms with a "see _insert > acronym meaning here_" and no page number. The corresponding > entry includes all of the information. > > Occasionally, however, the acronym is more important that the > terms for which it stands. > > Would it be acceptable to consistently mix my standards? > > Certainly. Making judgement calls like that is one of the skills of a professional indexer. Never let standards get in the way of doing the right thing. If there are only one or two references, I index both. If there are many references, I index the more common version with a pointer from the alternate. Dick Evans ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Apr 1995 11:20:21 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Mrowland@aol.com Subject: MA ASI/FEA Cape Cod Freelancers ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Massachusetts Society of Indexers and Freelance Editorial Association Cape Cod Schmooze Thursday, April 27, 1995 6:30 to 8:30 pm Bayberry's Restaurant 271 Cotuit Road Sandwich, MA (508) 477-4094 The Massachusetts Chapter of the American Society of Indexers and the Freelance Editorial Association are sponsoring a joint Cape Cod Schmooze on Thursday, April 27, at Bayberry's restaurant in Sandwich. All are welcome! You don't have to be a member of either organization to attend. Come, meet and talk to other freelance indexers, writers, copyeditors, proofreaders, designers, wannabes, and others about work or just to socialize. Directions to Bayberry's From Route 6 (Mid Cape): Take Exit 2 (Route 130) toward Mashpee-Forestdale. Drive approximately 2 miles. Pass the Industrial Park. Take the next left onto Cotuit Rd. Bayberry's is on the right. It's a log cabin style building. From Falmouth: Take any road that will get you to the Mashpee Rotary. Go aroun d to Great Neck Rd North (there is a Sandwich sign). Follow to the end. Take a left onto Route 130. At the set of lights take a right onto Quaker Meeting House Road. At the next set of lights (A&P) take a left. Bayberry's is on the left. From Lower Cape: Take Route 6 (Mid Cape) to Exit 3 (Quaker Meeting House Road). Left at exit. Follow Quaker Meeting House Road until set of lights (A&P). Turn right. Bayberry's is on left. For more information and to RSVP, contact Marilyn Rowland at (508) 457-4525 or Mrowland@aol.com; or Susan Phelan, Cape Cod Indexing, at (508) 362-5172. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Apr 1995 11:20:53 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Joanna Sheldon Subject: Re: Translation ListServer?? ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Hi. I get a message that the address is no good, when I send a message to listerv@searn. Has it worked for you? Thanks in advance. ...JS >----------------------------Original message---------------------------- >OOOps just found another address. >Here it goes > >LANTRA-L > >Subjects covered: Language; translation studies. > >Internet: helge.niska@dafa.se > >To Subscribe: Send subscribe message to listerv@searn > > >Sulo Ravi >ravis@battelle.org > > Dr. Joanna Sheldon Technical Writer, Translator (French, German, Italian) cjs10@cornell.edu ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Apr 1995 11:22:29 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Gerry McKiernan Subject: Neural Networks/WWW ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Are any Netters aware of efforts to apply the philosophy, theory and/or technology of Neural Networks for organizing WWW resources? The very interconnectivity of the Net, the ability to monitor pathways, patterns of access and the collective behavior of users, provides the basis for applying a Neural Network perspective on organizing the Internet and the WWW. I'd appreciate any and all thoughts, reactions, sources and comments about this idea. Please reply to this newsgroup or listserv. Thanks! Gerry McKiernan Coordinator, Science and Technology Section Reference and Instructional Services Department Iowa State University Ames IA 50011 gerrymck@iastate.edu "Think Radically, Act Logically" ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Apr 1995 11:23:09 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: LoriM2267@aol.com Subject: Re: biographical reference so... ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Here are a couple of reference I have found useful: INTERNET FOR DUMMIES THE INTERNET NAVIGATOR These are two that I have had the chance to use. Hope it helps! Lori ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Apr 1995 11:23:25 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "A.H. Calvert" Subject: Macrex Tutorial ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- MACREX INDEXING SERVICES Beech House, Burn Road, Blaydon-on-Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE21 6JR, England. Phone/Fax 0191-414 2595 (international +44 191 414 2595). E-mail: hcalvert@cix.compulink.co.uk MACREX SHORT CUTS We will be holding a London session for experienced MACREX users on June 1st 1995 from 9.30am to 12.30pm at the Library Association, Ridgmount Street, Store Street, London WC1 (the day of the Society of Indexers' AGM). =20 We will be concentrating on demonstrating short cuts using such devices as global changes, wildcards and macros. Most users do not have the time or the inclination to read the whole of the MACREX manual, but may well be spending time unnecessarily on procedures which could easily be streamlined. Also, many people who have been using MACREX for a long time may not have investigated the newer editing features. We shall be using a PC projected onto a screen so that a reasonable number of people can see what is happening. We will only be able to accommodate 25 people, so let us know straight away if you would like to come. Most of the examples will be relevant to version 5 and 6 users of MACREX, although a few will only be possible with version 6. We shall start from simple examples and gradually work onto more complicated manoeuvres. We shall hope to cover most of the following (and more): * general use of edit keys=20 * deleting entries one at a time -> deleting a block of entries * global change of main heading * making backup files with one keystroke * loading word processor/disk files (MWP and LAY files) using one keystroke * bold, italic, underline short cuts * searching and replacing entries containing ^, \ or ? * grouping page numbers * putting a series of entries into and out of the query file * removing page numbers from an index without leaving the program * making several indexes at the same time and splitting them without leaving the program * duplicating (double posting) entries * removing subheadings when space is at a premium * making a printer or word processor replacement code * moving the cursor from one entry to the next with a single key stroke * making an index to a single chapter of a book you have indexed without leaving the program * grouping all entries beginning with a capital or lower case letter * making a complete index before the page numbers are known Cost =9C20 (SI members); =9C25 (non-SI members) SINCE WE ARE IN THE THROES OF A POSTAL STRIKE WE SUGGEST YOU E-MAIL, FAX OR RING US TO RESERVE A PLACE --------------------------------------------------------------- I should like to attend the MACREX session on June 1st and enclose a cheque for =9C20/=9C25 made payable to MACREX INDEXING SERVICES/I cannot come on June 1st but would be interested in a similar session in London/Newcastle/Manchester/elsewhere (please state preferred place) Signed .................................................... Name .................................................. Address ............................................................... ...... ............................................................... ............ .............................................................. Comments - anything particular you would like covered, etc. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Apr 1995 11:24:00 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Gerry McKiernan Subject: WWW Sci-Tech Virtual Reference Collection ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- With the pending approval of a new high-end multimedia workstation, I plan to initiate an effort to identify _and_ organize "key" WWW _Reference_ resources within the Sciences and Technology. I intend to use the Library of Congress classification schedule AND equivalent subject descriptions, Where appropriate a given WWW resource will be linked to any _and_ all (?) LCC class(es) and its corresponding subject equivalent. While I plan a systematic review of all LCC-organized sites to identify "key" _Reference_ WWW resources, I see significant value in soliciting the _evaluated_ and _considered_ professional views of my colleagues regarding those WWW resources in the Sciences and Technology which they judge to be _appropriate and significant_ for a Virtual Science and Technology _Reference_ Collection. I will be constructing this virtual collection over the coming months and would much appreciate _any and all_ WWW science and technology candidates would find appropriate, significant and useful for such a collection. While I am aware that the concept of a Reference Work has become significantly blurred over the past few years, I would like to focus on the conventional types of works that have and will be used for _reference_ purposes. I'd very much appreciate receiving the URL(s) for any and all relevant science and technology WWW resources that you and/or your clientele consider useful WWW _reference_ resources. If there are individuals and/or organizations interested in creating (and maintaining) this planned virtual _reference_ collection, please do not hesitate to contact me. Gerry McKiernan Coordinator, Science and Technology Section Reference and Instructional Services Department Iowa State University Ames IA 50011 gerrymck@iastate.edu "There are No Answers, Only Solutions" ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Apr 1995 11:26:43 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: N M Ferreira Subject: authors who invent new terms -Reply ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Dankie vir die brokkie: dis wat indeksering so interessant (en frustrerend?) maak. Nico F. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Apr 1995 11:27:59 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Bernie Roche Subject: Here's CIAC-NOTE 94-94c ... Please don't write to CIAC for it! [Moderator's note....Thanks also to all (9 of you) who sent information reminding us that this virus is a hoax. Charlotte] Hi, all: In the hopes of not seeing too many more messages about the "Good Times" non-virus, I am cross-posting the message below. Best wishes, Bernie Roche Toronto, Canada -- U.S. DOE's Computer Incident Advisory Capability ___ __ __ _ ___ __ __ __ __ __ / | /_\ / |\ | / \ | |_ /_ \___ __|__ / \ \___ | \| \__/ | |__ __/ Number 94-04c December 8, 1994 Welcome to the fourth issue of CIAC Notes! This is a special edition to clear up recent reports of a "good times" virus-hoax. Let us know if you have topics you would like addressed or have feedback on what is useful and what is not. Please contact the editor, Allan L. Van Lehn, CIAC, 510-422-8193 or send E-mail to ciac@llnl.gov. $-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$ $ Reference to any specific commercial product does not necessarily $ $ constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or favoring by $ $ CIAC, the University of California, or the United States Government.$ $-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$-$ THE "Good Times" VIRUS IS AN URBAN LEGEND In the early part of December, CIAC started to receive information requests about a supposed "virus" which could be contracted via America OnLine, simply by reading a message. The following is the message that CIAC received: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Here is some important information. Beware of a file called Goodtimes. | | | | Happy Chanukah everyone, and be careful out there. There is a virus on | | America Online being sent by E-Mail. If you get anything called "Good | | Times", DON'T read it or download it. It is a virus that will erase your | | hard drive. Forward this to all your friends. It may help them a lot. | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- THIS IS A HOAX. Upon investigation, CIAC has determined that this message originated from both a user of America Online and a student at a university at approximately the same time, and it was meant to be a hoax. CIAC has also seen other variations of this hoax, the main one is that any electronic mail message with the subject line of "xxx-1" will infect your computer. This rumor has been spreading very widely. This spread is due mainly to the fact that many people have seen a message with "Good Times" in the header. They delete the message without reading it, thus believing that they have saved themselves from being attacked. These first-hand reports give a false sense of credibility to the alert message. There has been one confirmation of a person who received a message with "xxx-1" in the header, but an empty message body. Then, (in a panic, because he had heard the alert), he checked his PC for viruses (the first time he checked his machine in months) and found a pre-existing virus on his machine. He incorrectly came to the conclusion that the E-mail message gave him the virus (this particular virus could NOT POSSIBLY have spread via an E-mail message). This person then spread his alert. As of this date, there are no known viruses which can infect merely through reading a mail message. For a virus to spread some program must be executed. Reading a mail message does not execute the mail message. Yes, Trojans have been found as executable attachments to mail messages, the most notorious being the IBM VM Christmas Card Trojan of 1987, also the TERM MODULE Worm (reference CIAC Bulletin B-7) and the GAME2 MODULE Worm (CIAC Bulletin B-12). But this is not the case for this particular "virus" alert. If you encounter this message being distributed on any mailing lists, simply ignore it or send a follow-up message stating that this is a false rumor. Karyn Pichnarczyk CIAC Team ciac@llnl.gov ------------------------------ WHO IS CIAC? CIAC is the U.S. Department of Energy's Computer Incident Advisory Capability. Established in 1989, shortly after the Internet Worm, CIAC provides various computer security services free of charge to employees and contractors of the DOE, such as: Incident Handling consulting, Computer Security Information, On-site Workshops, White-hat Audits. CIAC is located at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and is a part of its Computer Security Technology Center. CIAC is also a founding member of FIRST, the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams, a global organization established to foster cooperation and coordination among computer security teams worldwide. CONTACTING CIAC If you require additional assistance or wish to report a vulnerability, call CIAC at 510-422-8193, fax messages to 510-423-8002 or send E-mail to ciac@llnl.gov. ------------------- A - T - T - E - N - T - I - O - N --------------------- | For emergencies and off-hour assistance, CIAC is available 24-hours a day | | to DOE and DOE contractors via an integrated voicemail and SKYPAGE number.| | To use this service, dial 1-510-422-8193 or 1-800-759-7243 (SKYPAGE). The | | primary SKYPAGE PIN number, 8550070 is for the CIAC duty person. A second | | PIN, 8550074 is for the CIAC Project Leader. Keep these numbers handy. | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CIAC's ELECTRONIC PUBLICATIONS Previous CIAC Bulletins and other information are available via anonymous FTP from ciac.llnl.gov and WWW from "http://ciac.llnl.gov". CIAC has several self-subscribing mailing lists for electronic publications: 1. CIAC-BULLETIN for Advisories, highest priority - time critical information, and Bulletins, important computer security information; 2. CIAC-NOTES for Notes, a collection of computer security articles; 3. SPI-ANNOUNCE for official news about Security Profile Inspector (SPI) software updates, new features, distribution and availability; 4. SPI-NOTES, for discussion of problems and solutions regarding the use of SPI products. Our mailing lists are managed by a public domain software package called ListProcessor, which ignores E-mail header subject lines. To subscribe (add yourself) to one of our mailing lists, send requests of the following form: subscribe list-name LastName, FirstName PhoneNumber as the E-mail message body, substituting CIAC-BULLETIN, CIAC-NOTES, SPI-ANNOUNCE or SPI-NOTES for "list-name" and valid information for "LastName" "FirstName" and "PhoneNumber." Send to: ciac-listproc@llnl.gov not to: ciac@llnl.gov e.g., subscribe ciac-notes O'Hara, Scarlett 404-555-1212 x36 subscribe ciac-bulletin O'Hara, Scarlett 404-555-1212 x36 You will receive an acknowledgment containing address and initial PIN, and information on how to change either of them, cancel your subscription, or get help. To subscribe an address which is a distribution list, first subscribe the person responsible for your distribution list. You will receive an acknowledgment (as described above). Change the address to the distribution list by sending a second E-mail request. As the body of this message, substitute valid information for "list-name," "PIN", and "address of the distribution list" when sending E-mail to ciac-listproc@llnl.gov: set list-name address PIN distribution_list_address e.g., set ciac-notes address 001860 remailer@tara.georgia.orb To be removed from a mailing list, send the following request via E-mail to ciac-listproc@llnl.gov: unsubscribe list-name e.g., unsubscribe ciac-notes For more information, send the following request: help If you have any questions about this list, you may contact the list's owner: listmanager@cheetah.llnl.gov. ------------------------------ This document was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor the University of California nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or favoring by the United States Government or the University of California. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or the University of California, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. ------------------------------ End of CIAC Notes Number 94-04c 94_12_08 ***************************************** =========================================================================== ====== U.S. DOE's Computer Incident Advisory Capability ___ __ __ _ ___ __ __ __ __ __ / | /_\ / |\ | / \ | |_ /_ \___ __|__ / \ \___ | \| \__/ | |__ __/ Number 94-05d January 11, 1995 ... { stuff deleted } ... ------------------------------ More on the Good Times Virus Hoax CIAC recently sent out a Notes 94-04 telling its clients that the "good times" virus message circulating around the Internet was a bogus virus alert. Having malicious code (malware) buried in the body of an E-mail message that would "infect" your computer is not a very likely possibility because characters in an E-mail message are displayed, not executed. CIAC still affirms that reading E-mail, using typical mail agents, will not activate malware delivered in or with the message. However, the amount of E-mail CIAC received in response to issue 4 was extrordinary. To summarize what we received: lots of thank you's for exposing "good times" and "xxx-1" viruses as urban legends (hoaxes); no E-mail viruses have been captured (and brought to us for examination); the FCC warning concerning "good times" was retracted; the warning message and its denounciation are seen to behave like viruses (memetic lifeforms) with a human serving as the replicating mechanism (just like chain letters); many people believe "in theory" that malware can be delivered and activated by some mail agents that have automated services. The best example of such malware was mail delivered to a PC that has embedded, seemingly invisible escape sequences which affect screen display or program the keyboard to do some nastiness when some key is "accidently" pressed. This case is described more fully below. CIAC did not claim that E-mail could not be a delivery agent for malware. A real threat comes from attached files which could contain viruses or Trojan programs. You should scan any executable attachment before executing it in the same way that you scan all new software before using it . It is possible to create a file that remaps keys when displayed on a PC/MS-DOS machine with the ANSI.SYS driver loaded. However, this only works on PC/MS-DOS machines with the text displayed on the screen in text mode. It would not work in Windows or in most text editors or mailers. A key could be remapped to produce any command sequence when pressed, for example DEL or FORMAT. However, the command is not issued until the remapped key is pressed and the command issued by the remapped key would be visible on the screen. You could protect yourself by removing ANSI.SYS from the CONFIG.SYS file, but many DOS programs use the functionality of ANSI.SYS to control screen functions and colors. Windows programs are not effected by ANSI.SYS, though a DOS program running in Windows would be. CIAC Plans To Have A Mosaic Home Page In January We have been working with several people to coordinate the WWW server support for Web home pages for LLNL, the Computer Security Technology Center (CSTC) and CIAC. When we are ready to go, there will be much easier access to information on CIAC and our electronic publications. In the meantime, you might find the listing of security information servers (below) of interest. ------------------------------ ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 25 Apr 1995 11:38:24 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: James Brady Subject: Cindex Workshop (Maine) ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- The Maine Indexers' Group meeting on Sunday, April 30th, 1 p.m., will present a hands-on workshop in Cindex with its creator, Frances Lennie, at the University of Southern Maine Library, Bedford St. & Forest Ave., Portland, Me. This workshop is open to all. (There will be a short Maine Indexers' Group business meeting preceding the workshop). Directions: From the South: From Maine Tpk., take exit 6a, (I-295); then take exit 6b off of I-295 onto Forest Ave., and turn left at first stoplight (Bedford St) From the north: Driving south on I-95, stay on as it becomes I-295, taking exit 6b as above. The library is the building that looks like it was made with Leggo bricks. For directions to the Library, call Jim Brady at 207 780-4269 (till friday) For information about Cindex or the Maine Indexers Group, call Nick Humez at 207 773-3405 or 207 772-8168 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 25 Apr 1995 11:46:52 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Gerry McKiernan Subject: Nordic WAIS/WWW Project ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- **THIS POSTING HAS BEEN SENT TO RELEVANT** *LIBRARY LISTSERVS and NEWSGROUPS* PLEASE EXCUSE ITS DULPICATION I strongly encourage all library Netters to visit the NORDIC WAIS/World Wide Web Project and its summary document. The URL is: http://www.ub2.lu.se/W4/summary.html I believe that the project offers practical solutions to the various problems relating to organized and structured access to _appropriate and significant_ WWW resources that have been raised and discussed over the past few weeks. I have provided the abstract and introduction below as well as the conclusion. I believe that many will find that the project team has created a system that will greatly enhance current and future access to WWW resources. At the end of this posting there are other URLs that library Netters (LibNets(?)) may wish to explore! Gerry McKiernan Coordinator, Science and Technology Section Reference and Instructional Services Department Iowa State University Ames IA 50011 gerrymck@iastate.edu "There are No Answers, Only Solutions" > IMPROVING RESOURCE DISCOVERY AND RETRIEVAL ON THE INTERNET > > The Nordic WAIS/World Wide Web Project - Summary Report. > > Anders Ardv, Franck Falcoz, Traugott Koch, Morten Nielsen and Mogens > Sandffr > > ABSTRACT > > As an answer to some of the weaknesses of the most important NIDR > (Networked Information Discovery and Retrieval) tools, the Nordic > WAIS/WWW Project started to explore the possibilities of improving > navigation and searching in the Net. The main approach has been to > combine and in this way further develop the strength of two of the > most important tools, WWW (World Wide Web) and WAIS (Wide Area > Information Server). The project has accomplished the following > results: > > 7 A model integration of a library system into WWW. > > 7 An experimental system for automatic detection and classification of > WAIS databases, featuring a WWW frontend. > > 7 An experimental system for automatic detection and indexing of > Nordic WWW pages. > > 7 An improved gateway between WWW and WAIS, supporting multi-database > searching and relevance feedback. > > 7 Several pilot services offering the possibility to try out these > project results. > > This project was sponsored by NORDINFO and carried out by The National > Technological Library of Denmark and Lund University Library, UB2. The > complete final report is under publication as a NORDINFO Publication. > > INTRODUCTION > > One of the most important developments for research libraries is the > rapid growth of the Internet and its electronic information resources. > Libraries have a long tradition of storing, organizing and finding > information, and it is important that they play an active part in the > development of electronic information services to ensure that full > advantage is taken of their expertise. > > The information resources on Internet are spread out on thousands of > computers around the globe. Utilization is hampered by problems such > as the wide array of local user interfaces, imposed by information > systems that are not interfaced standard protocols such as WWW and > WAIS, and the difficulties of global resource discovery, location and > overview, caused (at least to a great extent) by the lack or > shortcomings of discovery and location tools, search instruments and > standards. > > As Internet users as well as service providers (mainly using WAIS and > WWW), the two cooperating libraries had quite broad experience of > these problems, for instance: > > 7 the problem of establishing an overview of the resources (eg the > lack of a browsing tool for WAIS, based on a classification of the > databases) > > 7 the problem of locating specific resources (eg the lack, at that > time, of a proper searching instrument for WWW-resources). > > 7 the limitations in the existing gateways between NIDR tools (eg the > WWW to WAIS gateway's lack of support for multi-database search and > relevance feedback) > > 7 the problem for libraries to interface or integrate their existing, > often comprehensive, computerized services and catalogs to the world > of Internet-based client/server protocols. > > In order to contribute to the solution of the above mentioned problems > and especially to make a step towards tighter integration of WAIS and > WWW, the "Nordic WAIS/WWW Project" was started. Beginning in the > summer of 1993 it was carried out for one year as a joint project > between Lund University Library and The National Technological Library > of Denmark, and sponsored by NORDINFO, the Nordic Council for > Scientific Information and Research Libraries. > > CONCLUSION > > The project demonstrated the possibility to enhance network-based > resource discovery and retrieval by building and developing gateways > between established discovery tools and between these tools and > library OPACs. > > The pilot services are working well and the heavy usage of some of > them, even before officially announced, certifies their usefulness and > the need for this type of services. By the end of 1994, the situation > can be summarized as follows: > > 7 The gateway between WWW and the ALIS OPAC is on level with the most > advanced experiments in the area. > > 7 The automatic classification of WAIS databases is still the only > major service of this type, > > 7 The gateway from WWW to WAIS is the only one preserving the full > functionality of WAIS. > > 7 The model of indexing the Web into distributed WAIS servers seems > the most promising way to handle the heavy load on a comprehensive > international service. > > There are quite a couple of possibilities and needs for improvements, > especially when one wants to turn the pilot services into stable large > scale and comprehensive international services. The ideas and > methodologies are anyway applicable and productive in the fast > changing area of networked information services. > > DOCUMENTS AND SERVICES > > The project plan and intermediate results have been paper published > in: > > Nordic WAIS/World Wide Web Project. Project description and > plan. NORDINFO-Nytt 1994:1, p.6-16. > Nordic WAIS/World Wide Web Project. Report of phase I. > NORDINFO-Nytt 1994:1, p.17-27. > The Final report is under publication as a NORDINFO Publication. > > The project has been presented and demonstrated at several Nordic and > international conferences and been announced in electronic > conferences. > > All documentation, the software and the resulting pilot services can > be found at the following net addresses: > > Project description, reports, and links to pilot services: > http://www.ub2.lu.se/W4.html > > Description of the WWW gateway to WAIS: > http://www.dtb.dk/w4 > > WWW interface to the ALIS library system: > http://www.dtb.dk/alis > > Automatic indexing and classification of WAIS databases: > http://www.ub2.lu.se/autoclass.html > Gopher version: > gopher://gopher.ub2.lu.se/1/allWAIS/experiment/ > > WAIS index of WWW resources: > http://www.ub2.lu.se/wwwindex.html > > Lund University Electronic Library: > http://www.ub2.lu.se > > National Technological Library of Denmark, home page: > http://www.dtb.dk/dtb > ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 25 Apr 1995 11:47:25 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Sulochana Ravi Subject: Re: Translation ListServer?? ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- After further research I have this info for Lantra-L Bitnet address: listserv@searn Internet address: listserv@searn.sunet.se Moderator Bitnet: hniska@seumdc51 " Internet: hniska@umdc.umu.se I hope this helps Sulo Ravi ravis@battelle.org ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 25 Apr 1995 11:47:40 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Elinor Lindheimer Subject: Montreal conference announcement ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- ANNOUNCEMENT: INDEXING IN A SHRINKING WORLD The American Society of Indexers (ASI) and the Indexing and Abstracting Society of Canada/Societe canadienne pour l'analyse de documents (IASC/SCAD) announce a three-day conference to be held jointly, June 8-10, 1995, at the Delta Montreal Hotel, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This will be the 27th annual meeting of ASI and the 17th annual meeting of IASC/SCAD. Information about workshop, roundtable and conference prices and registration information appear at the end of this announcement. The conference will consist of the following: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS (limited 40 participants each) THURSDAY JUNE 8, 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. 1. BASIC PERIODICAL INDEXING Susan Klement, Freelance Indexer and Indexing Instructor, Tucson, Arizona; Past President, IASC/SCAD Designed for beginning or intermediate indexers, this workshop will pres ent basic techniques for open-system indexing, emphasizing differences from closed-system (back-of-the-book) indexing. Hands-on practice will feature the NEW YORK TIMES. 2. CONSTRUCTION OF BILINGUAL THESAURI Michele Hudon, Freelance Indexer and Thesaurus Designer; Toronto, Ontario; Past President, IASC/SCAD The workshop will include techniques and practice in constructing thesau ri for use in bilingual situations, no matter what the language. THURSDAY JUNE 8, 1:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. 1. WHAT MAKES A WILSON-AWARD QUALITY INDEX? Dorothy Thomas, Past President, ASI; New York One of the original Wilson Award Committee will lead you through the elements of judging quality indexes. Discussion will include current standards, reviews of indexes good and bad, and suggestions for revision of standards. For intermediate and advanced indexers. 2. SMOOTH SAILING: CHARTING THE WATERS OF INDEXER-PUBLISHER RELATIONS Alexandra Nickerson, Freelance Indexer, ASI Board Member; Cincinnati, Ohio AND Mary Rose Muccie, Managing Editor, Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania This workshop will cover strategies for finding new clients, editors' expectations of indexers, negotiating rates and schedules, maintaining a positive working relationship, problem resolution, and other aspects of indexer-editor communication. It will be valuable to indexers and editors will all levels of experience. FRIDAY JUNE 9, 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. 1. THE INTERNET: MAKING IT WORK FOR YOU Phyllis Levine, Team Leader/Technical Information Specialist, Reference and Retrieval Division, Defense Technical Information Center, Alexandria, Virginia This workshop will introduce you to the Internet, highlight some of the resources available, and demonstrate the tools necessary to locate and retrieve valuable information. 2. CROSS REFERENCES IN INDEXES (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.) Bella Hass Weinberg, Professor, Division of Library and Information Science, St. John's University, Jamaica, New York AND Enid L. Zafran, Chief of Indexing Services, The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., Washington, D.C. This workshop, which is intended for intermediate to advanced indexers, will focus on various issues relating to cross-references: (1) rationale--the need for cross-references; (2) structure--selection of type of cross-reference and its relationship to the structure of the index; (3) format--the position, typography, and punctuation of references; and (4) control--recordkeeping, pruning, and editing. Examples will come from book, serial, and electronic indexes, with some attention to thesauri. Attendees are encouraged to bring "thorny" problems they have encountered for discussion. ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS FRIDAY JUNE 9, 1:30 to 3:30 Each roundtable will be limited to 15 participants, and will be facilitated by professionals working in the field. This will be an invaluable opportunity to network and learn with colleagues who work in the same field as you do, or who face similar problems. ACADEMIC/SCHOLARLY INDEXING Diana Witt, Freelance Indexer, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Past President, ASI Jean Mann, Freelance Indexer, Forestville, California; Vice President, ASI Golden Gate Chapter Jeanne Moody, Reston, Virginia, Freelance Indexer; Wilson Award Winner COMPUTER-MANUAL INDEXING Julie Kawabata, Freelance Indexer, Portland, Oregon Lynn Moncrief, Freelance Indexer, TECHindex & Docs, Tustin, California HANDLING THE FREELANCE LIFE Noeline Bridge, Freelance Indexer, Bridgework; Edmonton, Alberta; IASC/SCAD Regional Representative Vicki Agee, Freelance Indexer, Albuquerque, New Mexico INDEXING AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS Christine Jacobs, C. M. Jacobs Information Management Services; National Film Board of Canada, A/V Librarian; Montreal, Quebec; IASC/SCAD Regional Representative Ruth Pincoe, Indexer and Editor specializing in music and theater; Toronto, Ontario; President, Editor's Association of Canada INDEXING SCIENTIFIC MATERIALS Marilyn Rowland, Freelance Indexer, Falmouth, Massachusetts Vakil Siddiqui, Freelance Indexer, Scarborough, Ontario LEGAL INDEXING David Thompson, Manager, Indexing Department, Research Institute of America, New York, New York Mary McLean, B.A., Ll.B., Freelance Indexer, North York, Ontario MEDICAL INDEXING Donna Balapole, Editorial Resources Manager, Churchill Livingstone, New York, New York Heather Ebbs, Editor's Ink, Carleton Place, Ontario Katherine Pitcoff, Freelance Indexer, Mendocino, California THE NEED FOR BOOK INDEXES (FRENCH-LANGUAGE ROUNDTABLE) Michele Hudon, Freelance Indexer and Thesaurus Designer; Toronto, Ontario; Past President, IASC/SCAD Christiane Talbot, A/V Librarian, National Film Board of Canada, Montreal, Quebec CHAPTER LEADER GET-TOGETHER FRIDAY JUNE 9, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. SPECIAL FRIDAY EVENING RECEPTION HOSTED BY IASC/SCAD JUNE 9, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Delta Montreal Hotel All conference participants are invited to join in the reception hosted by IASC/SCAD. Snacks will be provided, and there will be no-host bar. Please indicate on the registration form if you plan to attend. ALL-DAY CONFERENCE, SATURDAY JUNE 10, 1995 KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Christine Maxwell, Research on Demand, Berkeley, California INDEXING REGIONAL HISTORY MATERIALS (Panel Discussion) Moderator: Barbara E. Cohen, Freelance Indexer; ASI Secretary,, Champaign, Illinois Patricia Aslin, Indexing and Administrative Assistant, Indexing Research, Rochester, New York Barbara Ann McAlpine, Information Librarian, Local History Collection, Oakville Public Library, Oakville, Ontario INDEXING NON-ART PICTURES James M. Turner, Professeur adjoint, Ecole de bibliotheconomie et des sciences de l'information, Universite de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec THE INTERNET AND INDEXERS Julius Ariail, University Librarian, Georgia Southern Univeristy, Statesboro, Georgia Charlotte Skuster, Science Reference Librarian/Health Science Bibliographer, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York; Moderator, Index-L; Board Member, ASI INDEXING CD-ROM PRODUCTS: BNA'S EXPERIENCES Michael G. Bernier, Manager, Indexing Services, The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., Washington, D.C. Enid L. Zafran, Chief of Indexing Services, The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., Washington, D.C. THE ONLINE WORLD: NEW ROLES FOR INDEXERS Laura Fillmore, Editorial, Inc. and the Online BookStore (OBS). Editorial, Inc. produced THE INTERNET COMPANION: A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO GLOBAL NETWORKING." Ms. Fillmore travels the world speaking and consulting about online publishing. ORAL HISTORIES, PART TWO Interviews with ASI and IASC/SCAD personalities Dorothy Thomas, Past President, ASI To register, you may select and copy this form, and fax or mail it to ASI if you are registering in the U.S., or IASC/SCAD if you are registering in Canada. (See addresses at end of form.) REGISTRATION FORM Name Organization Address City State/Province Country & Postal Code Phone ____Please check here if you wish to be on a list of attendees seeking roommates for your conference stay. The list will be circulated only among those whose names and phone numbers appear on it. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS Registration fees for each workshop: postmarked before May 5, 1995: U.S. $50 members/$60 nonmembers; Canadian $65 members/$75 nonmenbers postmarked after May 5, 1995: U.S. $60 members/$70 nonmembers; Canadian $75 members/$85 nonmembers Thursday morning, June 8, 1995 [ ] Basic Periodical Indexing [ ] Construction of Bilingual Thesauri Thursday afternoon, June 8, 1995 [ ] What Makes a Wilson-Award-Quality Index? [ ] Smooth Sailing: Charting the Waters of Indexer-Publisher Relations Friday morning, June 9, 1995 [ ] The Internet: Making It Work for You [ ] Cross References in Indexes (please note later starting and ending time) ROUNDTABLES Registration fees: postmarked before May 8, 1995: U.S. $12 members/$15 nonmembers; Canadian $15 members; $18 nonmembers postmarked after May 8, 1995: U.S. $18 members/$21 nonmembers; Canadian $21 members; $24 nonmembers Please indicate your first, second, and third choices by putting numbers in the appropriate boxes. We will try to give you your first choice, but since the number of participants is limited, we may not always be able to. Register early! [ ] Academic/Scholarly Indexing [ ] Computer-Manual Indexing [ ] Handling the Freelance Life [ ] Indexing Audio-Visual Materials [ ] Indexing Scientific Materials [ ] Legal Indexing [ ] Medical Indexing [ ] The Need for Book Indexes (French-language roundtable) ALL-DAY CONFERENCE Registration fees (includes continental breakfast and complete luncheon): postmarked before May 5, 1995: U.S. $90 members/$105 nonmembers; Canadian $120 members/$135 nonmembers postmarked after May 5, 1995: U.S. $100 members/$115 nonmembers; Canadian $130 members/$145 nonmembers [ ] I will attend the all-day conference. [ ] Please check here if you will be attending the Friday-night reception hosted by IASC/SCAD. ________Total amount enclosed. Payment Information: All registration fees must be paid in full at the time of registration. Payments must be received by the dates indicated below in order to qualify for reduced rates. U.S. attendees: Please enclose a check or money order in U.S. funds, made payable to the American Society of Indexers. To register by Visa or Mastercard, please call (512) 749-4052, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Central Standard Time, Monday-Friday. Mail check or money order and this form to: American Society of Indexers 1995 Conference P.O. Box 386 Port Aransas, Texas 78373 U.S.A. Phone: (512) 749-4052 Email: asi@well.sf.ca.us Canadian attendees: Please enclose a check or money order in Canadian funds, made payable to the Indexing and Abstracting Society of Canada. Mail payment and this form to: Indexing and Abstracting Society of Canada c/o C. M. Jacobs Information Management Services 5430 MacMahon Avenue Montreal, Quebec H4V 2B9 Canada Phone: (514) 487-9204 Email: incj@musicb.mcgill.ca Refunds: Requests for refunds will be honored only if received in writing no later than May 5, 1995. No refund requests will be accepted after this date. All refunds will be subject to a $25 processing fee. Checks for refunds will be issued within six weeks after the conference. CONFERENCE HOTEL The Delta Montreal 450 Sherbrooke ouest Montreal, Quebec H3A 2T4 Canada (514) 286-1986 FAX: (514) 284-4306 RESERVATIONS: (800) 877-1133 (from the U.S.) (800) 268-1133 (from Canada) Conference Rates: Standard room: Canadian $121.00 (U.S. $89.00 approx.) Deluxe room: Canadian $136.00 (U.S. $100.00 approx.) Junior suite (1 bedroom + living room) : Canadian $245 (U.S. $181 approx.) Hospitality suite (1 bedroom, living room, kitchenette, bar, sofa-bed): Canadian $600 (U.S. $444 approx.) You must book directly with the hotel, rather than through a travel agent, in order to get these rates, and state that you are attending the ASI meeting. Rooms must be booked by May 8, 1995, after which any available rooms will be priced at the hotel's regular rates. The Delta is located near the downtown shopping and restaurant area, and a short walk from McGill University. It is not far from the Convention Center where the Special Libraries Association will be meeting following our conference. A Metro station is nearby. Most of the hotel rooms have a small balcony with views of Mount Royal and downtown. A health club with indoor pool is available to guests, and the hotel has a restaurant and coffee shop. If you plan to bring work with you, ask in advance for a room with a special telephone connection for a laptop computer (no extra charge). For those on a limited budget, dormitory rooms are available at McGill University. These are single rooms only, with shared bath facilities. Bed linens and towels are supplied, but no other amenities. The residence halls are located near the top of a steep hill, about a five- to ten-minute walk from the Delta Montreal Hotel. Estimated room rates for June 1995 will be Canadian $38 (U.S. $28 approx.). To reserve, write to McGill University, 550 Sherbrook Street West, West Tower, Suite 490, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1B9, Canada. Or telephone (514) 398-6367. These low rates are available only directly through McGill, not through a travel agent. Make your reservations early, as the demand is great and the supply is limited. All lodging rates for ASI are guaranteed in Canadian dollars. The U.S. exchange rate will vary. Prices do not include Canada's GST (Goods and Services Tax) of 7%, or the Quebec sales tax (QST). The GST tax on lodging (and on certain merchandise purchased for export) can be rebated to non-Canadian visitors within one year, and rebate forms are available at Canadian Customs offices, tourist information locations, duty free shops, and other retail outlets. You can reach Montreal by auto, plane, or bus. To cross the border from the U.S., all you need is a valid driver's license--a passport is only necessary if you are arriving from another country. Transportation from the airport is available by shuttle, at a cost of Canadian $15 each way. Montreal is the world's second-largest French-speaking city, a cosmopolitan blend of many cultures. The city is especially known for art and architectural treasures, and for its culinary excellence. Underground pedestrian walkways link downtown office buildings, hotels, apartments, restaurants, and shops. For those who prefer the outdoors, the Old Port is a waterfront park and the former Expo '67 site is a resort-like destination a short subway ride from downtown. Or you can climb Mount Royal, take a jet boat tour or a romantic cruise, walk through the woods, or visit the 180-acre Botanical Garden-Insectarium complex. The Biodome is a natural science museum of living environments: tropical forest, St. Lawrence marine, Laurentian forest, and polar. Sports fans will want to see the Olympic Stadium, home of the Montreal Expos. The Indexing and Abstracting Society of Canada/Societe canadienne pour l'analyse de documents and the American Society of Indexers invite you to join in an information-packed convention for information professionals! Elinor Lindheimer elinorl@mcn.org Mendocino, CA ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 25 Apr 1995 11:49:27 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: TGAUS@vms.cis.pitt.edu Subject: 2 questions on freelancing ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Hello - I'm considering taking some coursework as an exploration into perhaps beginning some freelancing index work. If you don't mind answering what might be often-asked questions from a newbie, I'd appreciate your views - 1. Is there more freelance work for back-of-the-book indexers as opposed to database indexers? 2. Generally, how difficult is it for a freelancer to set up a practice? I wouldn't know if it might take 3 months or a year to get the first job, or exactly what an average timetable might be. I plan to get some of the ASI's publications on indexing, but its hard to resist asking for immediate feedback from a discussion group. Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide. Tim Gaus TGAUS@vms.cis.pitt.edu ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 26 Apr 1995 15:39:29 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: J.A.Lawrence@massey.ac.nz Subject: Re: Macrex Tutorial > >Greetings, I am a fairly new/inexperienced MACREX user and would really appreciate some guidance. Would it be possible to make your tutorial available through internet or some other electronic avenue. there is a few of us in far flung corners who would really appreciate the opportunity - for a fee ofcourse Judy Lawrence Audiovisual Librarian Massey University Library Private bag 11054 Palmerston North New Zealand Phone 64 6 3569099 ex 7839 Fax 64 6 350 5605 ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 26 Apr 1995 15:57:00 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Gwenavere G. White-Dubose" Subject: Indexing Software ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Hi, I am new to the group. I learned about you from the Editorial Eye newsletter. I've been searching for an indexing software package that allows you to select entries of more than one word and edit them if necessary. I am currently using WordMarc wordprocessing software that has very reliable indexing capabilities as far as alphabetizing and page numbering. But because of its limitations with selecting and editing text and of selecting levels of entries, I recreate each issue by creating a "dummy" issue in a WordMarc document and type the entries needed. The annual index is created from the 12 "dummy" documents that are all incorporated into one document. I am looking for software that allows more flexibility and that is less cumbersome. Any suggestions? Gwen ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Apr 1995 16:41:36 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Claude Gosselin Subject: A tool for indexing notes ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I am on the lookout for the best software in order to gather and index my Phd notes. I have been told that Pro-Cite would be a good tool. What about Hyper-Research? Anything else? Thank you. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Apr 1995 16:42:33 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "A.H. Calvert" Subject: Re: Macrex Tutorial In-Reply-To: <199504270046.BAA11323@cheviot.ncl.ac.uk> ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- MACREX users on index-l -- would there be support for the idea of some kind of distributed tutorial? We could think about organizing one if enough people were intrerested. Regards Hilary Calvert ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 28 Apr 1995 14:47:43 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: DP1301@aol.com Subject: Re: 2 questions on freelancing ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Gosh who knows how long it takes? I quit a Real Job because it was So Horrid I couldn't do it anymore. But I have a background as a public librarian and no fear when it comes to how-does-this-software-application work?? Moslty I seem to be smart with dedicated databases that deal with fund-raising or independent school administration. So I somehow have this overwhelming part-time job from which I break away from time to time to index. The computer smarts job pays better than indexing, but I love the puzzle more with indexing--so I'll stick with it. I think with indexing you're headed into a huge unknown that can be very rewarding--if you end up having the knack for it. I don't know yet that I do, but I know in my attempts I'm providing access to the reader--one of the most gracious things a host could ever do. A real contribution to our civilization. Go for it! And best to you... Deborah Patton DP1301@aol.com ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 28 Apr 1995 14:47:55 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Richard Evans Subject: Re: Montreal conference announcement ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Will there be snail mail in addition to the e-mail notice? Dick Evans ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 28 Apr 1995 14:48:16 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: richard k wesson Subject: Indexer wanted ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I have a back-of-the book index project that I need to subcontract. The subject matter concerns international naval law and will be ready to work on in about two weeks. Turnaround time is one month. If you are interested please contact me directly at your convenience. Thank you. Richard K. Wesson rkw@telecomp.com PO Box 985 Wilder, VT 05088 802-295-7595 ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 28 Apr 1995 14:48:28 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: MaryMort@aol.com Subject: New York ASI, May meeting ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Please join us for the second meeting of the 1995 program year. We will be having an informal discussion, led by Mary Mortensen, on the practical aspects of networking on the Internet. Mary will discuss use of America Online, INDEX-L, etc. We will be meeting at Chinatown East for lunch. Specials range from $4.50 to $5.95. Date: Saturday, May 13, 1995 Speaker: Mary Mortensen Topic: Networking on the Internet Place: Chinatown East 1650 Third Avenue (at 92nd Street) Time: 12:30 p.m. Fee: Members: $2.00 Nonmembers: $5.00 (Lunch is not included in fee.) Limited to 20 people. Please reserve by May 10, 1995, by sending your check, with your name, affiliation, telephone number, and number of members and nonmembers to: Janet Mazefsky Research Institute of America 90 Fifth Ave. New York, NY 10011 If you have questions, Janet can be reached at Jmazefsky@aol.com or (212) 337-4168, or contact me at marymort@aol.com. Mary Mortensen ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 28 Apr 1995 14:48:40 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Neva J. Smith" Subject: Walking in Montreal ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- To any and all indexers coming to Montreal for the conference in June: I'm gathering a list of people who would like to walk for about an hour two or three times during or after the conference. My pace is about 5k in 50-60 minutes. (That's about 3.5 miles per hour.) And faster if there aren't any hills. ;-) I'll arrive in the evening of June 7 and will stay in Montreal until the 15th. (I'm attending the Special Libraries Assn conference after ASI.) For anyone else staying after ASI, I've already started a walking group of SLA members. Indexers are welcome! Hope to hear from some of you soon. TTFN, Neva > = - * - = < = > = - * - = < = > = - * - = < = > = - * - = < = Neva J. Smith, MLIS DataSmiths Information Services PO Box 2157 / Round Rock, TX 78680 email: njsmith@bga.com voice: (512) 244-2767 Editor, _Library Currents_ PO Box 2199 / Round Rock, TX 78680 ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 28 Apr 1995 14:49:03 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: MasterWork Kat Nagel Subject: Re: virus hoax (PLEASE READ THIS) ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Sean Brooks forwarded a message about the "Good Times" computer virus. This urban legend has been around long enough to have its own FAQ. Here is a copy of the latest FAQ update. Please send this to everyone you have frightened by forwarding the original hoax. -----------begin FAQ-------------------------------------------------------- Good Times Virus Hoax FAQ by Les Jones macfaq@aol.com lesjones@usit.net Revised: April 24, 1995 This document can be freely reproduced in any medium, as long as it is distributed unmodified and in its entirety. ------------------------------------- Is the Good Times email virus a hoax? ------------------------------------- Yes. It's a hoax. America Online, government computer security agencies, and makers of anti-virus software have declared Good Times a hoax. See Online References at the end of the FAQ. Since the hoax began in December of 1994, no copy of the alleged virus was ever found, nor have there been verified first hand reports of the virus. ------------------------- Why should I believe you? ------------------------- Unlike the warnings that have been passed around, the FAQ is signed and dated. I've included my email address, and the email addresses of contributors, for verification. I've also provided online references at the end of the FAQ so that you can confirm this information for yourself. ---------------------------------- What is the Good Times virus hoax? ---------------------------------- The story is that a virus called Good Times is being carried by email. Just reading a message from someone named Good Times, or reading a message with Good Times in the subject line, will erase your hard drive. Needless to say, it's a hoax, but a lot of people believe it. The original message ended with instructions to "Forward this to all your friends," and many people did just that. Warnings about Good Times have been widely distributed on mailing lists, Usenet newsgroups, and message boards. The original hoax started in early December, 1994. It sprang up again in March of 1995. In mid-April, people began distributing a previously obscure message, and added. Worried that Good Times would never go away, I decided to write the FAQ and a separate report that chronicles the hoax's history. ------------------------------- What is the effect of the hoax? ------------------------------- For those who already know it's a hoax, it's a nuisance to read the repeated warnings. For people who don't know any better, it causes needless concern and lost productivity. The virus hoax infects mailing lists, bulletin boards, and Usenet newsgroups. Worried system administrators needlessly worry their employees by posting dire warnings. The hoax is not limited to the United States. It has appeared in many English-speaking countries. As Adam J Kightley (adamjk@cogs.susx.ac.uk) put it, "The cases of 'infection' I came across all tended to result from the message getting into the hands of senior non-computing personnel. Those with the ability and authority to spread it widely, without the knowledge to spot its nonsensical content." Some of the companies that have fallen for the hoax include AT&T, CitiBank, NBC, Hughes Aircraft, Texas Instruments, and dozens or hundreds of others. Good Times has made its way around Washington, D.C. Some of the government agencies that have reportedly fallen victim to the hoax include the Department of Defense, the FCC, NASA, and numerous colleges. The virus hoax has occasionally escaped into the popular media. ez018982@betty.ucdavis.edu reports that on April 2, 1995, during the Tom Sullivan show on KFBK 1530 AM radio in Sacramento, California, a police officer warned listeners not to read email labeled "Good Times", and to report the sender to the police. I've called Business Media Services (916-453-8802) and ordered a tape of the show. .WAV at 11:00. --------------------------------------------------- What did the original warning (Happy Chanukah) say? --------------------------------------------------- This is the canonical original message as I received it, and as it was quoted in the CIAC report. Like all quoted material in the FAQ, it includes the original punctuation: ----Begin quoted material---- Here is some important information. Beware of a file called Goodtimes. Happy Chanukah everyone, and be careful out there.There is a virus on America Online being sent by E-Mail. If you get anything called "Good Times", DON'T read it or download it. It is a virus that will erase your hard drive. Forward this to all your friends. It may help them a lot. ----End quoted material---- ------------------------------------------------------ What's the other commonly-distributed warning (ASCII)? ------------------------------------------------------ The "happy Chanukah" greeting in the original message dates it, so more recent hoax eruptions have used a different message. The one below can be identified because it claims that simply loading Good Times into the computer's ASCII buffer can activate the virus, so I call it ASCII. Karyn Pichnarczyk (karyn@cisco.com) remembers the ASCII message from the original hoax in December of 1994, though I never saw it. Mikko Hypponen (Mikko.Hypponen@datafellows.fi) sent me a copy of this warning that dates back to December 2, 1994. It's now the basis for the most common message warnings. ----Begin quoted material---- Thought you might like to know... Apparently , a new computer virus has been engineered by a user of America Online that is unparalleled in its destructive capability. Other, more well-known viruses such as Stoned, Airwolf, and Michaelangelo pale in comparison to the prospects of this newest creation by a warped mentality. What makes this virus so terrifying is the fact that no program needs to be exchanged for a new computer to be infected. It can be spread through the existing e-mail systems of the InterNet. Luckily, there is one sure means of detecting what is now known as the "Good Times" virus. It always travels to new computers the same way - in a text e-mail message with the subject line reading simply "Good Times". Avoiding infection is easy once the file has been received - not reading it. The act of loading the file into the mail server's ASCII buffer causes the "Good Times" mainline program to initialize and execute. The program is highly intelligent - it will send copies of itself to everyone whose e-mail address is contained in a received-mail file or a sent-mail file, if it can find one. It will then proceed to trash the computer it is running on. The bottom line here is - if you receive a file with the subject line "Good TImes", delete it immediately! Do not read it! Rest assured that whoever's name was on the "From:" line was surely struck by the virus. Warn your friends and local system users of this newest threat to the InterNet! It could save them a lot of time and money. ----End quoted material--- ------------------------------------------------------ What's the popular variation on ASCII (Infinite Loop)? ------------------------------------------------------ Material is sometimes added to ASCII as it is forwarded and reforwarded. One common variation mentions a (long since retracted) FCC report, and claims that Good Times can destroy a computer's processor by placing the processor in a "nth-complexity infinite binary loop," which is a fancy-sounding piece of science fiction. ----Begin quoted material---- The FCC released a warning last Wednesday concerning a matter of major importance to any regular user of the InterNet. Apparently, a new computer virus has been engineered by a user of America Online that is unparalleled in its destructive capability. Other, more well-known viruses such as Stoned, Airwolf, and Michaelangelo pale in comparison to the prospects of this newest creation by a warped mentality. What makes this virus so terrifying, said the FCC, is the fact that no program needs to be exchanged for a new computer to be infected. It can be spread through the existing e-mail systems of the InterNet. Once a computer is infected, one of several things can happen. If the computer contains a hard drive, that will most likely be destroyed. If the program is not stopped, the computer's processor will be placed in an nth-complexity infinite binary loop - which can severely damage the processor if left running that way too long. Unfortunately, most novice computer users will not realize what is happening until it is far too late. ----End quoted material--- --------------------------- What was the CIAC bulletin? --------------------------- On December 6, 1994, the U.S. Department of Energy's CIAC (Computer Incident Advisory Capability) issued a bulletin declaring the Good Times virus a hoax and an urban legend. The bulletin was widely quoted as an antidote to the hoax. The original document can be found at the address in Online References at the end of the FAQ. ----Begin quoted material---- THE "Good Times" VIRUS IS AN URBAN LEGEND In the early part of December, CIAC started to receive information requests about a supposed "virus" which could be contracted via America OnLine, simply by reading a message. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Here is some important information. Beware of a file called Goodtimes. | | | | Happy Chanukah everyone, and be careful out there. There is a virus on | | America Online being sent by E-Mail. If you get anything called "Good | | Times", DON'T read it or download it. It is a virus that will erase your | | hard drive. Forward this to all your friends. It may help them a lot. | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- THIS IS A HOAX. Upon investigation, CIAC has determined that this message originated from both a user of America Online and a student at a university at approximately the same time, and it was meant to be a hoax. CIAC has also seen other variations of this hoax, the main one is that any electronic mail message with the subject line of "xxx-1" will infect your computer. This rumor has been spreading very widely. This spread is due mainly to the fact that many people have seen a message with "Good Times" in the header. They delete the message without reading it, thus believing that they have saved themselves from being attacked. These first-hand reports give a false sense of credibility to the alert message. There has been one confirmation of a person who received a message with "xxx-1" in the header, but an empty message body. Then, (in a panic, because he had heard the alert), he checked his PC for viruses (the first time he checked his machine in months) and found a pre-existing virus on his machine. He incorrectly came to the conclusion that the E-mail message gave him the virus (this particular virus could NOT POSSIBLY have spread via an E-mail message). This person then spread his alert. As of this date, there are no known viruses which can infect merely through reading a mail message. For a virus to spread some program must be executed. Reading a mail message does not execute the mail message. Yes, Trojans have been found as executable attachments to mail messages, the most notorious being the IBM VM Christmas Card Trojan of 1987, also the TERM MODULE Worm (reference CIAC Bulletin B-7) and the GAME2 MODULE Worm (CIAC Bulletin B-12). But this is not the case for this particular "virus" alert. If you encounter this message being distributed on any mailing lists, simply ignore it or send a follow-up message stating that this is a false rumor. Karyn Pichnarczyk CIAC Team ciac@llnl.gov ----End quoted material---- Note: Karyn is now with Cisco. Her email address is karyn@cisco.com. -------------------------------- Exactly when did the hoax start? -------------------------------- December 2, 1994 is often quoted as the beginning of the hoax, but some of the AOL forward message headers in the copy I received put the date at December 1. One non-AOL header is dated November 29, though that date could easily have been forged. Also, notice the text of the original message as it was sent to me, and quoted in the CIAC report: Here is some important information. Beware of a file called Goodtimes. Happy Chanukah everyone, and be careful out there.There is a virus on America Online being sent by E-Mail. If you get anything called "Good Times", DON'T read it or download it. It is a virus that will erase your hard drive. Forward this to all your friends. It may help them a lot. The first paragraph suggests that someone was forwarding the information in the second paragraph. A seasonal greeting like "Happy Chanukah" is almost never placed in the second paragraph of a letter, suggesting even more strongly that this message was repeating information from someone else. --------------------- Who started the hoax? --------------------- No one knows who started the original hoax. You'll meet people who think they know who started it, or where it started. They are mis-informed. Show them the FAQ. They're just repeating second hand information. The truth is, no one knows who started Good Times. I discuss this further in my report. Now that new outbreaks of the hoax have begun, it's not especially important who starts the rumors. Even if you catch the latest hoaxster, there will always be another one. We're better off spending our time educating new Internet users, and distributing the FAQ whenever Good Times erupts. ------------------------------- How do you know all this stuff? ------------------------------- I investigated the original hoax in December of 1994. I'll disclose the full details in my report. ------------------------------------ When will your report be ready, Les? ------------------------------------ Soon. I'm working on a complete history of the hoax. It promises to be good reading. The report provides a detailed history of events and public opinion. It also suggests a way to counter hoaxes and other thought viruses, and recounts my discovery of the NVP Trojan horse. When it's finished, it will be freely distributable, and will be available from my ftp site at usit.net in the pub/lesjones directory. --------------------------- Is an email virus possible? --------------------------- No. There is no way for a virus to spread simply by reading email. A few people have gone through mental gymnastics trying to dream up a way such a thing could be done. The closest anyone has come is to infect a program with a virus, encode the program into text with uuencode, binhex, etc., and email the encoded program. The person receiving the email would have to download the mail to their hard drive, decode it, and run the infected program. That's not even close to the claims made for the spread of Good Times. You should, of course, be wary of any file attachments a stranger sends you. At the least, you should check such file attachments for viruses before running them. ------------------------------------------------- How can I protect myself from viruses in general? ------------------------------------------------- Use a virus checker regularly. Freeware, shareware, and commercial anti-virus programs are widely available. Which program you use isn't as important as how you use it. Most people get into trouble because they never bother to check their computer for viruses. Most viruses spread through floppy disks, so isolating yourself from online services and the Internet will not protect you from viruses. In fact, you're probably safer if you're online, simply because you'll have access to anti-viral software and information. ------------------------------------------------------- What can I find anti-viral information on the Internet? ------------------------------------------------------- Usenet newsgroups _________________ comp.virus Mailing lists _____________ VIRUS-L is for discussions of viruses and anti-viral products. Send email to listserv@lehigh.edu. In the body of the message, include the line "sub virus-l your-name" (without the quotes). VALERT-L is for announcements of new viruses. Send email to listserv@lehigh.edu. In the body of the message, include the line "sub valert-l your-name" (again, without the quotes). FTP sites _________ cert.org in pub/virus-l/docs/ Contains information about viruses and anti-virus products, with pointers to other FTP sites. Comp.virus FAQ on the World Wide Web ____________________________________ http://www.datafellows.fi/vl-faq.htm#A7 ------------------------------------ Was the hoax a sort of virus itself? ------------------------------------ Yes, but it wasn't a computer virus. It was more like a social virus or a thought virus. When someone on alt.folklore.urban asked if the virus was for real, Clay Shirky (clays@panix.com) answered: "Its for real. Its an opportunistic self-replicating email virus which tricks its host into replicating it, sometimes adding as many as 200,000 copies at a go. It works by finding hosts with defective parsing apparatus which prevents them from understanding that a piece of email which says there is an email virus and then asking them to remail the message to all their friends is the virus itself." Shirky eloquently described what a lot of people were thinking. Good Times was a virus, but not a computer virus, just as a computer virus was a virus, but not a biological virus. So what is a virus? To a biologist, a virus is a snippet of DNA that must infect a host organism to survive and reproduce. To be contagious, a virus usually carries instructions that cause the host to engage in certain pathological activities (such as sneezing and coughing) that spread the infection to other organisms. To a computer programmer, a virus is a snippet of computer code that must infect a host program to spread. To be contagious, a computer virus usually causes the host program to engage in certain pathological activities that spread the infection to other programs >From this perspective, it's easy to see the Good Times hoax as a sort of thought virus. To be contagious, a thought virus causes the host to engage in certain pathological activities that spread the infection. In the case of Good Times, the original strain (happy Chanukah) explicitly told people to "forward this to all your friends." The other major viral strain (infinite loop) encourages people to "Please be careful and forward this mail to anyone you care about," and "Warn your friends and local system users of this newest threat to the InterNet!" Likewise, the stories of an FCC modem tax encourage people to tell their friends and post the warning on other BBSes. David Rhodes' Make Money Fast scam instructs people to re-post the message to as many as ten bulletin boards. In _The Selfish Gene_ (1976, University of Oxford Press), Oxford evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins extends the principles in his book from biology to human culture. To make the transition, Dawkins proposes a cultural replicator analogous to genes. He calls these replicators memes: "Examples of memes are tunes, ideas, catch-phrases, clothes fashions, ways of making pots or of building arches. Just as genes propagate themselves in the gene pool by leaping from body to body via sperm or eggs, so memes propagate themselves in the meme pool by leaping from brain to brain via a process which, in the broad sense, can be called imitation. If a scientist hears, or reads about, a good idea, he passes it on to his colleagues and students. He mentions it in his articles and lectures. If the idea catches on, it may be said to propagate itself, spreading from brain to brain. As my colleague N. K. Humphrey neatly summed up an earlier draft of this chapter: "...memes should be regarded as living structures, not just metaphorically, but technically. When you plant a fertile meme in my mind you literally parasitize my brain, turning it into a vehicle for the meme's propagation in just the way that a virus may parasitize the genetic mechanism of a host cell."" Amazingly, when I read alt.folklore.computers looking for research material, two people had already mentioned Dawkins' memes. One of them referred to an article in the April 8, 1995 _New Scientist_ about something called the Meme Research Group at the University of California, San Francisco. The article noted that the group was reticent about details, and didn't mention a person's name of phone number. I had no luck it trying to locate the group via USF's operator assistance or computing department, and I'm still waiting for someone to reply to my email. I am not a memeticist, and a real memeticist might take umbrage at my explanation of the concept. To learn more, I encourage you to visit the alt.memetics newsgroup on Usenet, and the alt.memetics home page on the World Wide Web (http://www.xs4all.nl/~hingh/alt.memetics/). Though we've talked about memes in terms of viruses (a common analogy), the concept of a meme is neither good nor bad. The idea of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is as much a meme as the Good Times hoax. ----------------------------------------------- What's the best way to control a thought virus? ----------------------------------------------- Create a counter virus like this one as an antidote. To make the counter virus contagious, include instructions such as, "The Good Times email virus is a hoax. If anyone repeats the hoax, please show them the FAQ." ------------------------------------------------------------- What are some other hoaxes and urban legends on the Internet? ------------------------------------------------------------- The FCC Modem Tax Every so often someone posts a dire warning that the FCC is considering a tax on modems and online services. The warning encourages you to tell your friends so they can take political action. It's a hoax. It's been going on for the five years I've been online, and probably much longer. If you'll notice, the warnings don't include a date or a bill number. Make Money Fast If you haven't seen a Make Money Fast message, call your local anthropology department. They might be interested in studying you. Devised by David Rhodes in 1987 or 1988, Make Money Fast (sometimes distributed on BBSes as a file called fastcash.txt) is an electronic version of a chain letter pyramid scheme. You're supposed to send money to the ten people on the list, then add your name to the list and repost the chain letter, committing federal wire fraud in the process. Posting a Make Money Fast message is one sure way to lose your Internet account. Craig Shergold needs your get well cards Craig Shergold is a UK resident who was dying of cancer. He wanted to get in the Guinness Book of World Records for having received the most get well cards. When people heard of the poor boy's wish, they began sending him postcards. And they kept sending him postcards, and never stopped. Shergold is now in full remission. He was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1991. He really does not want your postcards any more, and neither does his hometown post office. These are just the urban legends that you're likely to encounter on the Internet. There are many more in real life that you probably believe. I won't give them away, but here are some clues: peanut butter, Neiman Marcus/Mrs. Fields, Rod Stewart, and the Newlywed Game. For more information, read the alt.folklore.urban FAQ, listed in Online References at the end of the FAQ. ----------------- Online References ----------------- CIAC Notes 94-04 and 94-05d --------------------------- FTP to ciac.llnl.gov and look in the /pub/ciac/sectools/unix directory. The URL is ftp://ciac.llnl.gov/pub/ciac/sectools/unix/ The URL for the CIAC home page on the World Wide Web is: http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/ alt.folklore.urban FAQ -------------------------- Available via FTP from cathouse.org in the /pub/cathouse/urban.legends/AFU.faq directory. Also available on the World Wide Web at http://cathouse.org/UrbanLegends/AFUFAQ/ America Online's official statement ----------------------------------- keyword "virus2" on America Online The Good Times Virus Hoax FAQ (this document) --------------------------------------------- FTP to usit.net and look in the pub/lesjones directory. The URL is: ftp://usit.net/pub/lesjones/GoodTimes-HoaxFAQ.txt ------end------------------------------------------------------------------ @Kat -- view with monospaced font and 60 char screen window -- Kat Nagel LIFE1 (techwriting) katnagel@eznet.net MasterWork LIFE2 (music) PlaynSong@aol.com /| "If there were such a thing as common sense, \'o.O' everyone would have it." =(___)= ......anonymous training sargeant, U Milwaukee Co. Sherrif's Department ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 28 Apr 1995 15:43:17 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Rosemary Simpson Subject: Research management tools ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Claude asks: >I am on the lookout for the best software in order to gather and index my >Phd notes. I have been told that Pro-Cite would be a good tool. What about >Hyper-Research? Anything else? Claude, I use FileMaker Pro as a major project, research, index, and hypertext management tool. It is wonderful because it is like wet information clay - it doesn't force you to accomodate your needs to its preconceived notions and it allows you to iteratively develop the structures and procedures best suited to your particular application or applications. I would be very happy to share some of my structures and procedures with you if you'd like. Michelle Rosemary Simpson President, Indexing Unlimited ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 28 Apr 1995 14:49:03 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: MasterWork Kat Nagel Subject: Re: virus hoax (PLEASE READ THIS) ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Sean Brooks forwarded a message about the "Good Times" computer virus. This urban legend has been around long enough to have its own FAQ. Here is a copy of the latest FAQ update. Please send this to everyone you have frightened by forwarding the original hoax. -----------begin FAQ-------------------------------------------------------- Good Times Virus Hoax FAQ by Les Jones macfaq@aol.com lesjones@usit.net Revised: April 24, 1995 This document can be freely reproduced in any medium, as long as it is distributed unmodified and in its entirety. ------------------------------------- Is the Good Times email virus a hoax? ------------------------------------- Yes. It's a hoax. America Online, government computer security agencies, and makers of anti-virus software have declared Good Times a hoax. See Online References at the end of the FAQ. Since the hoax began in December of 1994, no copy of the alleged virus was ever found, nor have there been verified first hand reports of the virus. ------------------------- Why should I believe you? ------------------------- Unlike the warnings that have been passed around, the FAQ is signed and dated. I've included my email address, and the email addresses of contributors, for verification. I've also provided online references at the end of the FAQ so that you can confirm this information for yourself. ---------------------------------- What is the Good Times virus hoax? ---------------------------------- The story is that a virus called Good Times is being carried by email. Just reading a message from someone named Good Times, or reading a message with Good Times in the subject line, will erase your hard drive. Needless to say, it's a hoax, but a lot of people believe it. The original message ended with instructions to "Forward this to all your friends," and many people did just that. Warnings about Good Times have been widely distributed on mailing lists, Usenet newsgroups, and message boards. The original hoax started in early December, 1994. It sprang up again in March of 1995. In mid-April, people began distributing a previously obscure message, and added. Worried that Good Times would never go away, I decided to write the FAQ and a separate report that chronicles the hoax's history. ------------------------------- What is the effect of the hoax? ------------------------------- For those who already know it's a hoax, it's a nuisance to read the repeated warnings. For people who don't know any better, it causes needless concern and lost productivity. The virus hoax infects mailing lists, bulletin boards, and Usenet newsgroups. Worried system administrators needlessly worry their employees by posting dire warnings. The hoax is not limited to the United States. It has appeared in many English-speaking countries. As Adam J Kightley (adamjk@cogs.susx.ac.uk) put it, "The cases of 'infection' I came across all tended to result from the message getting into the hands of senior non-computing personnel. Those with the ability and authority to spread it widely, without the knowledge to spot its nonsensical content." Some of the companies that have fallen for the hoax include AT&T, CitiBank, NBC, Hughes Aircraft, Texas Instruments, and dozens or hundreds of others. Good Times has made its way around Washington, D.C. Some of the government agencies that have reportedly fallen victim to the hoax include the Department of Defense, the FCC, NASA, and numerous colleges. The virus hoax has occasionally escaped into the popular media. ez018982@betty.ucdavis.edu reports that on April 2, 1995, during the Tom Sullivan show on KFBK 1530 AM radio in Sacramento, California, a police officer warned listeners not to read email labeled "Good Times", and to report the sender to the police. I've called Business Media Services (916-453-8802) and ordered a tape of the show. .WAV at 11:00. --------------------------------------------------- What did the original warning (Happy Chanukah) say? --------------------------------------------------- This is the canonical original message as I received it, and as it was quoted in the CIAC report. Like all quoted material in the FAQ, it includes the original punctuation: ----Begin quoted material---- Here is some important information. Beware of a file called Goodtimes. Happy Chanukah everyone, and be careful out there.There is a virus on America Online being sent by E-Mail. If you get anything called "Good Times", DON'T read it or download it. It is a virus that will erase your hard drive. Forward this to all your friends. It may help them a lot. ----End quoted material---- ------------------------------------------------------ What's the other commonly-distributed warning (ASCII)? ------------------------------------------------------ The "happy Chanukah" greeting in the original message dates it, so more recent hoax eruptions have used a different message. The one below can be identified because it claims that simply loading Good Times into the computer's ASCII buffer can activate the virus, so I call it ASCII. Karyn Pichnarczyk (karyn@cisco.com) remembers the ASCII message from the original hoax in December of 1994, though I never saw it. Mikko Hypponen (Mikko.Hypponen@datafellows.fi) sent me a copy of this warning that dates back to December 2, 1994. It's now the basis for the most common message warnings. ----Begin quoted material---- Thought you might like to know... Apparently , a new computer virus has been engineered by a user of America Online that is unparalleled in its destructive capability. Other, more well-known viruses such as Stoned, Airwolf, and Michaelangelo pale in comparison to the prospects of this newest creation by a warped mentality. What makes this virus so terrifying is the fact that no program needs to be exchanged for a new computer to be infected. It can be spread through the existing e-mail systems of the InterNet. Luckily, there is one sure means of detecting what is now known as the "Good Times" virus. It always travels to new computers the same way - in a text e-mail message with the subject line reading simply "Good Times". Avoiding infection is easy once the file has been received - not reading it. The act of loading the file into the mail server's ASCII buffer causes the "Good Times" mainline program to initialize and execute. The program is highly intelligent - it will send copies of itself to everyone whose e-mail address is contained in a received-mail file or a sent-mail file, if it can find one. It will then proceed to trash the computer it is running on. The bottom line here is - if you receive a file with the subject line "Good TImes", delete it immediately! Do not read it! Rest assured that whoever's name was on the "From:" line was surely struck by the virus. Warn your friends and local system users of this newest threat to the InterNet! It could save them a lot of time and money. ----End quoted material--- ------------------------------------------------------ What's the popular variation on ASCII (Infinite Loop)? ------------------------------------------------------ Material is sometimes added to ASCII as it is forwarded and reforwarded. One common variation mentions a (long since retracted) FCC report, and claims that Good Times can destroy a computer's processor by placing the processor in a "nth-complexity infinite binary loop," which is a fancy-sounding piece of science fiction. ----Begin quoted material---- The FCC released a warning last Wednesday concerning a matter of major importance to any regular user of the InterNet. Apparently, a new computer virus has been engineered by a user of America Online that is unparalleled in its destructive capability. Other, more well-known viruses such as Stoned, Airwolf, and Michaelangelo pale in comparison to the prospects of this newest creation by a warped mentality. What makes this virus so terrifying, said the FCC, is the fact that no program needs to be exchanged for a new computer to be infected. It can be spread through the existing e-mail systems of the InterNet. Once a computer is infected, one of several things can happen. If the computer contains a hard drive, that will most likely be destroyed. If the program is not stopped, the computer's processor will be placed in an nth-complexity infinite binary loop - which can severely damage the processor if left running that way too long. Unfortunately, most novice computer users will not realize what is happening until it is far too late. ----End quoted material--- --------------------------- What was the CIAC bulletin? --------------------------- On December 6, 1994, the U.S. Department of Energy's CIAC (Computer Incident Advisory Capability) issued a bulletin declaring the Good Times virus a hoax and an urban legend. The bulletin was widely quoted as an antidote to the hoax. The original document can be found at the address in Online References at the end of the FAQ. ----Begin quoted material---- THE "Good Times" VIRUS IS AN URBAN LEGEND In the early part of December, CIAC started to receive information requests about a supposed "virus" which could be contracted via America OnLine, simply by reading a message. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Here is some important information. Beware of a file called Goodtimes. | | | | Happy Chanukah everyone, and be careful out there. There is a virus on | | America Online being sent by E-Mail. If you get anything called "Good | | Times", DON'T read it or download it. It is a virus that will erase your | | hard drive. Forward this to all your friends. It may help them a lot. | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- THIS IS A HOAX. Upon investigation, CIAC has determined that this message originated from both a user of America Online and a student at a university at approximately the same time, and it was meant to be a hoax. CIAC has also seen other variations of this hoax, the main one is that any electronic mail message with the subject line of "xxx-1" will infect your computer. This rumor has been spreading very widely. This spread is due mainly to the fact that many people have seen a message with "Good Times" in the header. They delete the message without reading it, thus believing that they have saved themselves from being attacked. These first-hand reports give a false sense of credibility to the alert message. There has been one confirmation of a person who received a message with "xxx-1" in the header, but an empty message body. Then, (in a panic, because he had heard the alert), he checked his PC for viruses (the first time he checked his machine in months) and found a pre-existing virus on his machine. He incorrectly came to the conclusion that the E-mail message gave him the virus (this particular virus could NOT POSSIBLY have spread via an E-mail message). This person then spread his alert. As of this date, there are no known viruses which can infect merely through reading a mail message. For a virus to spread some program must be executed. Reading a mail message does not execute the mail message. Yes, Trojans have been found as executable attachments to mail messages, the most notorious being the IBM VM Christmas Card Trojan of 1987, also the TERM MODULE Worm (reference CIAC Bulletin B-7) and the GAME2 MODULE Worm (CIAC Bulletin B-12). But this is not the case for this particular "virus" alert. If you encounter this message being distributed on any mailing lists, simply ignore it or send a follow-up message stating that this is a false rumor. Karyn Pichnarczyk CIAC Team ciac@llnl.gov ----End quoted material---- Note: Karyn is now with Cisco. Her email address is karyn@cisco.com. -------------------------------- Exactly when did the hoax start? -------------------------------- December 2, 1994 is often quoted as the beginning of the hoax, but some of the AOL forward message headers in the copy I received put the date at December 1. One non-AOL header is dated November 29, though that date could easily have been forged. Also, notice the text of the original message as it was sent to me, and quoted in the CIAC report: Here is some important information. Beware of a file called Goodtimes. Happy Chanukah everyone, and be careful out there.There is a virus on America Online being sent by E-Mail. If you get anything called "Good Times", DON'T read it or download it. It is a virus that will erase your hard drive. Forward this to all your friends. It may help them a lot. The first paragraph suggests that someone was forwarding the information in the second paragraph. A seasonal greeting like "Happy Chanukah" is almost never placed in the second paragraph of a letter, suggesting even more strongly that this message was repeating information from someone else. --------------------- Who started the hoax? --------------------- No one knows who started the original hoax. You'll meet people who think they know who started it, or where it started. They are mis-informed. Show them the FAQ. They're just repeating second hand information. The truth is, no one knows who started Good Times. I discuss this further in my report. Now that new outbreaks of the hoax have begun, it's not especially important who starts the rumors. Even if you catch the latest hoaxster, there will always be another one. We're better off spending our time educating new Internet users, and distributing the FAQ whenever Good Times erupts. ------------------------------- How do you know all this stuff? ------------------------------- I investigated the original hoax in December of 1994. I'll disclose the full details in my report. ------------------------------------ When will your report be ready, Les? ------------------------------------ Soon. I'm working on a complete history of the hoax. It promises to be good reading. The report provides a detailed history of events and public opinion. It also suggests a way to counter hoaxes and other thought viruses, and recounts my discovery of the NVP Trojan horse. When it's finished, it will be freely distributable, and will be available from my ftp site at usit.net in the pub/lesjones directory. --------------------------- Is an email virus possible? --------------------------- No. There is no way for a virus to spread simply by reading email. A few people have gone through mental gymnastics trying to dream up a way such a thing could be done. The closest anyone has come is to infect a program with a virus, encode the program into text with uuencode, binhex, etc., and email the encoded program. The person receiving the email would have to download the mail to their hard drive, decode it, and run the infected program. That's not even close to the claims made for the spread of Good Times. You should, of course, be wary of any file attachments a stranger sends you. At the least, you should check such file attachments for viruses before running them. ------------------------------------------------- How can I protect myself from viruses in general? ------------------------------------------------- Use a virus checker regularly. Freeware, shareware, and commercial anti-virus programs are widely available. Which program you use isn't as important as how you use it. Most people get into trouble because they never bother to check their computer for viruses. Most viruses spread through floppy disks, so isolating yourself from online services and the Internet will not protect you from viruses. In fact, you're probably safer if you're online, simply because you'll have access to anti-viral software and information. ------------------------------------------------------- What can I find anti-viral information on the Internet? ------------------------------------------------------- Usenet newsgroups _________________ comp.virus Mailing lists _____________ VIRUS-L is for discussions of viruses and anti-viral products. Send email to listserv@lehigh.edu. In the body of the message, include the line "sub virus-l your-name" (without the quotes). VALERT-L is for announcements of new viruses. Send email to listserv@lehigh.edu. In the body of the message, include the line "sub valert-l your-name" (again, without the quotes). FTP sites _________ cert.org in pub/virus-l/docs/ Contains information about viruses and anti-virus products, with pointers to other FTP sites. Comp.virus FAQ on the World Wide Web ____________________________________ http://www.datafellows.fi/vl-faq.htm#A7 ------------------------------------ Was the hoax a sort of virus itself? ------------------------------------ Yes, but it wasn't a computer virus. It was more like a social virus or a thought virus. When someone on alt.folklore.urban asked if the virus was for real, Clay Shirky (clays@panix.com) answered: "Its for real. Its an opportunistic self-replicating email virus which tricks its host into replicating it, sometimes adding as many as 200,000 copies at a go. It works by finding hosts with defective parsing apparatus which prevents them from understanding that a piece of email which says there is an email virus and then asking them to remail the message to all their friends is the virus itself." Shirky eloquently described what a lot of people were thinking. Good Times was a virus, but not a computer virus, just as a computer virus was a virus, but not a biological virus. So what is a virus? To a biologist, a virus is a snippet of DNA that must infect a host organism to survive and reproduce. To be contagious, a virus usually carries instructions that cause the host to engage in certain pathological activities (such as sneezing and coughing) that spread the infection to other organisms. To a computer programmer, a virus is a snippet of computer code that must infect a host program to spread. To be contagious, a computer virus usually causes the host program to engage in certain pathological activities that spread the infection to other programs >From this perspective, it's easy to see the Good Times hoax as a sort of thought virus. To be contagious, a thought virus causes the host to engage in certain pathological activities that spread the infection. In the case of Good Times, the original strain (happy Chanukah) explicitly told people to "forward this to all your friends." The other major viral strain (infinite loop) encourages people to "Please be careful and forward this mail to anyone you care about," and "Warn your friends and local system users of this newest threat to the InterNet!" Likewise, the stories of an FCC modem tax encourage people to tell their friends and post the warning on other BBSes. David Rhodes' Make Money Fast scam instructs people to re-post the message to as many as ten bulletin boards. In _The Selfish Gene_ (1976, University of Oxford Press), Oxford evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins extends the principles in his book from biology to human culture. To make the transition, Dawkins proposes a cultural replicator analogous to genes. He calls these replicators memes: "Examples of memes are tunes, ideas, catch-phrases, clothes fashions, ways of making pots or of building arches. Just as genes propagate themselves in the gene pool by leaping from body to body via sperm or eggs, so memes propagate themselves in the meme pool by leaping from brain to brain via a process which, in the broad sense, can be called imitation. If a scientist hears, or reads about, a good idea, he passes it on to his colleagues and students. He mentions it in his articles and lectures. If the idea catches on, it may be said to propagate itself, spreading from brain to brain. As my colleague N. K. Humphrey neatly summed up an earlier draft of this chapter: "...memes should be regarded as living structures, not just metaphorically, but technically. When you plant a fertile meme in my mind you literally parasitize my brain, turning it into a vehicle for the meme's propagation in just the way that a virus may parasitize the genetic mechanism of a host cell."" Amazingly, when I read alt.folklore.computers looking for research material, two people had already mentioned Dawkins' memes. One of them referred to an article in the April 8, 1995 _New Scientist_ about something called the Meme Research Group at the University of California, San Francisco. The article noted that the group was reticent about details, and didn't mention a person's name of phone number. I had no luck it trying to locate the group via USF's operator assistance or computing department, and I'm still waiting for someone to reply to my email. I am not a memeticist, and a real memeticist might take umbrage at my explanation of the concept. To learn more, I encourage you to visit the alt.memetics newsgroup on Usenet, and the alt.memetics home page on the World Wide Web (http://www.xs4all.nl/~hingh/alt.memetics/). Though we've talked about memes in terms of viruses (a common analogy), the concept of a meme is neither good nor bad. The idea of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is as much a meme as the Good Times hoax. ----------------------------------------------- What's the best way to control a thought virus? ----------------------------------------------- Create a counter virus like this one as an antidote. To make the counter virus contagious, include instructions such as, "The Good Times email virus is a hoax. If anyone repeats the hoax, please show them the FAQ." ------------------------------------------------------------- What are some other hoaxes and urban legends on the Internet? ------------------------------------------------------------- The FCC Modem Tax Every so often someone posts a dire warning that the FCC is considering a tax on modems and online services. The warning encourages you to tell your friends so they can take political action. It's a hoax. It's been going on for the five years I've been online, and probably much longer. If you'll notice, the warnings don't include a date or a bill number. Make Money Fast If you haven't seen a Make Money Fast message, call your local anthropology department. They might be interested in studying you. Devised by David Rhodes in 1987 or 1988, Make Money Fast (sometimes distributed on BBSes as a file called fastcash.txt) is an electronic version of a chain letter pyramid scheme. You're supposed to send money to the ten people on the list, then add your name to the list and repost the chain letter, committing federal wire fraud in the process. Posting a Make Money Fast message is one sure way to lose your Internet account. Craig Shergold needs your get well cards Craig Shergold is a UK resident who was dying of cancer. He wanted to get in the Guinness Book of World Records for having received the most get well cards. When people heard of the poor boy's wish, they began sending him postcards. And they kept sending him postcards, and never stopped. Shergold is now in full remission. He was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1991. He really does not want your postcards any more, and neither does his hometown post office. These are just the urban legends that you're likely to encounter on the Internet. There are many more in real life that you probably believe. I won't give them away, but here are some clues: peanut butter, Neiman Marcus/Mrs. Fields, Rod Stewart, and the Newlywed Game. For more information, read the alt.folklore.urban FAQ, listed in Online References at the end of the FAQ. ----------------- Online References ----------------- CIAC Notes 94-04 and 94-05d --------------------------- FTP to ciac.llnl.gov and look in the /pub/ciac/sectools/unix directory. The URL is ftp://ciac.llnl.gov/pub/ciac/sectools/unix/ The URL for the CIAC home page on the World Wide Web is: http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/ alt.folklore.urban FAQ -------------------------- Available via FTP from cathouse.org in the /pub/cathouse/urban.legends/AFU.faq directory. Also available on the World Wide Web at http://cathouse.org/UrbanLegends/AFUFAQ/ America Online's official statement ----------------------------------- keyword "virus2" on America Online The Good Times Virus Hoax FAQ (this document) --------------------------------------------- FTP to usit.net and look in the pub/lesjones directory. The URL is: ftp://usit.net/pub/lesjones/GoodTimes-HoaxFAQ.txt ------end------------------------------------------------------------------ @Kat -- view with monospaced font and 60 char screen window -- Kat Nagel LIFE1 (techwriting) katnagel@eznet.net MasterWork LIFE2 (music) PlaynSong@aol.com /| "If there were such a thing as common sense, \'o.O' everyone would have it." =(___)= ......anonymous training sargeant, U Milwaukee Co. Sherrif's Department ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 28 Apr 1995 16:06:03 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Barbara E. Cohen" Subject: Re: Indexing Software ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Gwen: Check out the ASI publication on indexing software for lots of options. Barbara E. Cohen becohen@prairienet.org