[comp.os.vms] Everything You Always Wanted to Know about DECUS

ctp@pop.utexas.edu (Clyde T. Poole) (10/14/87)

*****Last modified 22-September-1987*****

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 a suggestion on
something that should be added 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 U.S. Chapter
   219 Boston Post Road, BP02
   Marlboro, Massachusetts  01752-1850

   (617) 480-3418

   or (in 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
      two Symposia will be Anaheim, California, December 7-11, 1987
      and 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.  Their next
      Symposium is in Toronto, Ontario, February 8-12, 1988.

   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.
      The catalog is available free of charge to DECUS members.

   c) The DECUS U.S. Chapter SIGs Newsletters, 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.

   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) Refereed Papers Competition, this competition allows DECUS
      members the opportunity of presenting an indepth discussion of
      the works they are performing to their fellow DECUS members.
      Papers are invited that portray the exciting and innovative work
      being performed by DECUS members in the computing arena.  For
      more information, call the DECUS U.S. Chapter Office at (617)
      480-3328. 

    h) DECUServe, a teleconferencing systems using VAX Notes,
       currently in the prototype stage and limited to 1000 members by
       invitation only.  It is the intent of this system to allow
       members of DECUS to interact with each other on a day-to-day
       basis.  The prototype phase is scheduled to run through
       December, 1987.

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
   Micro, IAS, Languages and Tools, Large Systems, MUMPS, Networks,
   Office Automation, Personal Computer, RSTS, RSX, RT, Site
   Management & Training, UNISIG (UNIX, ULTRIX), and VAX Systems. 

   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 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. 

-----
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: {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"