🚀 go-pugleaf

*****Last modified 15-May-1989*****

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."  People wishing to join DECUS
   may do so based upon their place of residence.  U.S. residents join
   the U.S. Chapter:

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

       +1-508-480-3259

   Canadian residents join DECUS Canada:

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

       +1-416-597-3437

   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
      few Symposia will be:

          Anaheim, CA, November 6-10, 1989
          New Orleans, LA, May 7-11, 1990

      If you can not attend, proceedings are available for these
      meetings (usually $15 per meeting).  For more information on the
      U.S. Chapter Symposia, call +1-508-480-3302.

      Other chapters of DECUS also hold symposia.  DECUS Canada holds
      an annual symposia.  Contact DECUS Canada for more information.
      DECUS Switzerland will hold its symposia May 29 through June 1
      and DECUS Denmark will hold its symposia May 31 through June 2.

   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 1988/1989 edition
      with the 1988/89 DECUS Library Catalog Update.  The catalog is
      available free of charge to DECUS members.  More information can
      be obtained by calling +1-508-480-3418.  Information on
      preparing a submission for the library can be obtained by
      calling +1-508-480-3514. 

   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 +1-508-480-3301. 

   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 is next scheduled for June 22-23, 1989 in
      Denver, Colorado (for more information, contact Tony Carrato,
      Conference Chair at +1-303-721-0851).

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

   f) DECUS Merit Scholarship Program, a Merit Scholarship has been
      established to be awarded annually to a DECUS member or member's
      child.  The DECUS member must have had membership in DECUS for 
      at least three (3) years as of January 1 of the award year in
      order to be considered.  For more information contact Ms. Paula
      Morin, +1-508-480-2355.

   g) DECUServe, a teleconferencing system using VAX Notes.  It is
      available to all U.S. Chapter DECUS members for a $45 per year
      subscription charge.  Subscribers also pay their own long
      distance telephone charges.  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.  A subscription form is
      available in the January 1988 issue of DECUSCOPE.

   h) Seminars, a program of seminars on topics of interest to DECUS
      members, presented at various times and locations around the
      U.S. and immediately preceeding symposia.  Call Diane Spirio at
      +1-508-480-3307 for more information. 

4) What is a SIG and a UIG?

   SIGs are Special Interest Groups.  There are many SIGs in DECUS.
   Some are: Artificial Intelligence, Business Applications, DAARC,
   Data Management, Datatrieve/4GL, EDUSIG, Electronic Publishing,
   Graphics, Hardware, Micro, Languages and Tools, MUMPS, Networks,
   Office Automation, Personal Computer, RSTS, RSX/IAS, RT, Site
   Management & Training, UNISIG (UNIX, ULTRIX), and VAX Systems.

   UIGs are User Interest Groups.  These are really either new SIGs in
   the making or old SIGs going out of business.  They provide the
   same kinds of services that SIGs provide but are short of volunteer
   leadership. 

   SIGs and UIGs 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 158 in
   the U.S. alone).  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, call +1-508-480-3289.

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.

   To check your membership status or to notify DECUS of a change of
   address call +1-508-480-3418.

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DATATRIEVE, DECUS, DECUServe, DECUSCOPE, IAS, RSTS, RSX, RT, ULTRIX,
   VAX and VTX are all trademarks of Digital Equipment Corp.
UNIX is a trademark of A.T. & T. Company
MUMPS is a registered trademark of Massachusetts General Hospital
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Clyde T. Poole - Technical Coordinator, Facilities and Equipment (in real life)
 DECUS U. S. Chapter, Communications Committee Chairman and Member of
   the Management Council (in my spare time)
Univ. of Texas at Austin        ARPA/CSnet/NSFnet: ctp@cs.utexas.edu
Dept. of Computer Sciences      UUCP: {uunet,harvard}!cs.utexas.edu!ctp
Taylor Hall 2.124               BITNET: ctp@UTADNX  SPAN: UTSPAN::UTADNX::ctp
Austin, TX  78712-1188          DECUServe: POOLE    VOICE: +1-512-471-9551