🚀 go-pugleaf

*****Last modified 26-January-1988*****

There are a few basic questions that get asked from time to time that
indicate that people don't know much about DECUS and how to use its
services.  Monthly I post a list of answers to DECUS related questions
that may be of interest to the net.  If you have something to add or a
correction to this posting, please let me know. 
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Some basic answers to DECUS questions:

1) What does DECUS stand for and how do you pronounce it?

   Digital Equipment Computer Users Society

   The pronunciation is open for discussion.  My belief is that the
   correct way is DEE-CUS as opposed to DECK-US.

2) How can I contact DECUS?

   DECUS is made up of several "chapters."  You are required to join
   a chapter based on your place of residence.  All U.S. residents must
   join the U.S. Chapter:

       DECUS U.S. Chapter
       219 Boston Post Road, BP02
       Marlboro, Massachusetts  01752-1850

       (617) 480-3418

   All Canadian residents must join DECUS Canada:

       DECUS Canada
       15th Floor
       505 University Avenue
       Toronto, Ontario
       M5G 2H2

       (416) 597-3437

   DECUS can not, at present, be contacted electronically.

3) What services does DECUS provide its members?

   DECUS offers many services to its members.  Some of the more
   notable are:

   a) The DECUS U.S. Chapter Symposia, held twice each year. The next
      Symposium will be Cincinnati, Ohio, May 16-20, 1988.  If you 
      can not attend, proceedings are available for these meetings
      (usually $15 per meeting).  DECUS Canada also holds symposia.

   b) The DECUS Program Library, a VERY large collection of software
      for almost every computer DEC has ever made, which is available
      for essentially the cost of reproduction and distribution.  The
      current issue of the library catalog is the 1987/1988 edition,
      with the Mid-Year Addendum.  The catalog is available free of
      charge to DECUS members.  More information can be obtained by
      calling (617) 480-3418.

   c) The DECUS U.S. Chapter Newsletter, a monthly collection of the
      Special Interest Group Newsletters which is available on a
      yearly subscription basis ($35 annually).  Subscription
      information is available by calling (617) 480-3301. 

   d) Regional Conferences, local users groups from time to time host
      DECUS mini-symposia focused on some subset of Digital products.
      An example is the Rocky Mountain VAX Local Users Group, Regional
      Conference, which will be held March 31 through April 1, 1988 at
      the Sheraton Denver Tech Center.  For more information contact
      Paula Sharick at (303) 499-5700.

   e) DECUSCOPE, a quarterly information publication sent free to all
      DECUS members.

   f) DECUS Merit Scholarship Program, a Merit Scholarship has been
      established to be awarded annually to a DECUS member or member's
      child.  For more information contact Ms. Paula Morin, (617)
      480-2355.

   g) DECUServe, a teleconferencing system using VAX Notes.  This
      system recently completed its test phase.  It will soon be
      available to all DECUS members for a $45 per year subscription
      charge.  It is the intent of this system to allow members of
      DECUS to interact with each other concerning technical topics,
      on a day-to-day basis.

   h) Regional Seminars, a program of seminars on topics of interest
      to DECUS members, presented at various locations around the U.S.
      Call Diane Spirio at (617) 480-3307 for more information.

   i) OASIS, a teleconferencing system using VAX Notes and Video Text,
      sponsored by the OA SIG and Digital.  This service is currently
      in a start-up phase.  More information will be available soon.

4) What is a SIG?

   SIGs are Special Interest Groups.  There are many SIGs in DECUS.
   Some are: Artificial Intelligence, Business Applications, DAARC,
   Data Management, Datatrieve/4GL, EDUSIG, Graphics, Hardware, IAS,
   Micro, Languages and Tools, Large Systems, MUMPS, Networks, Office
   Automation, Personal Computer, RSTS, RSX, RT, Site Management &
   Training, UNISIG (UNIX, ULTRIX), and VAX Systems.  It should be
   noted that the IAS SIG is in the process of merging with the RSX
   SIG.

   SIGs sponsor sessions at symposia, publish newsletters and in other
   ways provide services to DECUS members interested in particular
   subsets of problems and applications of DEC computers and software. 

5) What is a LUG?

   A LUG is a Local Users Group.  There are many LUGs throughout the
   U.S., Canada and the rest of the world (the current count is 147).
   LUGs usually are associated with one or more SIGs.  For example
   many LUGs deal with the problems of VAX systems only.  To find a
   LUG near you, contact the DECUS office. 

6) How much does it cost to join DECUS and where can I get a
   membership form?

   Membership in DECUS is open to anyone and is FREE.  Membership
   forms may be obtained from the DECUS office, LUG's and the back of
   the Combined Newsletters. A LaTeX source for the DECUS U.S. form has
   been posted to the USENET newsgroup comp.org.decus and is available
   on request from the poster at any of the addresses below. 

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Clyde T. Poole - Technical Coordinator, Facilities and Equipment (in real life)
 DECUS U. S. Chapter, Large Systems SIG, Newsletter Editor (in my spare time)
Univ. of Texas at Austin        ARPA/CSnet: ctp@sally.utexas.edu
Dept. of Computer Sciences      UUCP: {uunet,harvard,ihnp4}!ut-sally!ctp
Taylor Hall 2.124               BITNET: ctp@UTADNX
Austin, TX  78712-1188          VOICE: (512) 471-9551
      "Life is a bitch ... and then you die"