[net.periphs] HELP! Need to show VDTs not dangero

hosking@convexs.UUCP (12/04/85)

> Some students in the course who are pregnant are now objecting
> that they do not want to use a video display terminal, because
> they believe it is dangerous and related to birth defects.
> I would like to convince them that this is not the case,
> particularly when we're talking about an exposure of 7-10 hours
> over three months.

As far as I can tell, VDTs do NOT cause birth defects.  They do tend
to cause brain damage, though.  I've proven that many a time when I
go back and reread some of the code I've written while using one. :-)

But seriously...
If they're that concerned about it, why not make it easier for everyone
and acquire (rent ?  borrow ?) some hard copy terminals for use by those
who are really concerned.  (Let me guess... the software is too brain damaged
to run on anything but CRTs...)  It would seem to be a fairly easy and
simple way of making everybody happy.  In a lot of ways, it might even be
better to use the hard copy terminals.  That way, the students have some
record of what they did.  This can make it a LOT easier to remember stuff
a few months/years down the road when they need to go back to it.  I'll
let you worry about who winds up paying for the stuff.

				Doug Hosking
				Convex Computer Corp.
				Richardson, TX
				{allegra, ihnp4, uiucdcs}!convex!hosking