From: dlm3@quads.uchicago.edu (saki)
Subject: Welcome to r.m.b.
Reply-To: dlm3@midway.uchicago.edu
Organization: University of Chicago Computing Organizations
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 21:24:01 GMT

It's in the air---that intangible autumnal tang.

You've been here before...or at least it seems that way. Those
familiar keys; that friendly terminal. Do you gaze into that
vague video visage with new seasonal vigor? Or is this a fond
reunion as the halls of academe summon you for another year of
pedagogical delights?

Or is this your first time?

Perchance you'll need a lamp in the darkness...some sensible guidance
to the vagaries and variants of that complex, compelling compendium
of Beatles lore. It's your choice, of course. You may prefer to
travel light, unburdened by scholarly baggage.

But if you crave something beyond mere trivia, any of these notes 
should help:

- Are you new to the newsgroup? Read one or both Nems Notes to see if
   your question has turned up already. These Frequently-Asked-Questions 
   may answer your query. Nems I is for starters. And if you're ready
   for the graduate-level Frequently Asked Questions, ask for Nems II. 
   (Specify NEMS I or NEMS II).

- "Introduction to rec.music.beatles", wherein you can learn
   how this newsgroup works, guidelines on how to post, etc. (INTRO).

- A Beatles-related book list compiled by Steve Carter and saki 
  (ask for BOOK).

- 25 succinct and relevant "Paul is Dead" clues (ask for CLUES). 

- A considerably longer treatise on the "Paul Is Dead" myth (PID).

- A discussion of "butcher cover" values and explicit instructions
  on how to safely peel one of these valuable items (ask for BUTCHER).

- Doug Sulpy's excellent and studious intro to the best bootlegs
  (as seen in r.m.b.) (ask for RARE).

- Scott Galuska's reknowned list of Beatles songs covered by other
  artists, just recenlty updated; ask for COVERS.

- Harold Somers' Guide to Britishisms/Americanisms in the Beatles'  
  music; ask for BRITGUIDE.

- A traveler's guide to Beatles sights and sites in Liverpool and
  London; ask for TRIP.

- And a long reference---in alphabetical order, no less---of British
  musical groups, from the early 1950's to the British Invasion;
  ask for BRITPOP.

Send your request (and your preferred email address---PLEASE. You
might be surprised, but sometimes your header doesn't know who 
you are) to:

dmac@math.ucla.edu (saki)

and the notes of your choice will be quickly and cheerfully sent to
you.

NOTE:   Alan Pollack's "Notes On ..." series is archived at the 
	FTP site bobcat.bbn.com (or, numerically, 128.89.2.103).
	Administrator is clements@bbn.com.

	You can get the Notes from this machine, *not via email*.
	Also available are the articles above, if you prefer FTP.

	Use "ftp" as follows:
		ftp bobcat.bbn.com
		(user name) anonymous
		(password) your-name    [please? Not just "guest", etc.]
		cd beatles
		cd noteson   [for Alan's notes]  or cd welcome [ for saki's]
		dir
		get <whatever you want>

	Also in the "noteson" directory are:
		i)      Alan's "README" file describing the series,

		ii)     The file notestar.z which is a compressed
			"tar" file of all the notes so far.

	Also in the "welcome" directory are:
		i)      A "README" file describing the various files,

		ii)     The file introtar.z which is a compressed
			"tar" file of all the "welcome" files.
	Cautions:

		i)     Be patient.  The file transfers may be slow.

		ii)    Please respect all copyrights on these files.

                iii)   The "Notes on..." series is not available
                       via email. Please don't ask.

		iv)    The files "notestar.z" and "introtar.z" mentioned
			above are only useful if you have Unix-
			compatible "uncompress" and "tar" utilities.
			If you do fetch these files, use "binary"
			mode in your FTP program.

	FOR LYRICS/GUITAR CHORD FANS: 
------------------------
			Lyrics are not archived at bobcat.bbn.com because
			of copyright restrictions. There is, however, one
			site where the administrators seem not to care
			about preserving such sanctities, and if you wish
			you can search for Beatles lyrics there at cs.uwp.edu
			(in directory pub/music/lyrics); chords to Fabs'
			songs may be at ftp.nevada.edu (in directory
			pub/guitar/Beatles). Not all songs will be 
			available at all sites.	These files aren't maintained
			by anyone in r.m.b., so please don't ask us for help.
------------------------
And one more thing: now that you've read everything and are ready
to post, do try to remember several points of netiquette:

1. Please edit your Subject line if it needs it.

2. Please don't quote a previous article in its entirety.

3. Please keep your .sig shorter than your article.

4. Please don't shout...UNLESS YOU MUST! :-)
--------------------------------------------
-- 
"The Lana Sisters, clad in pink, added a welcome feminine flavour.
'Much better than those Beatles' I heard one gentleman remark."
------------------------------------------------------------------
saki (dmac@math.ucla.edu---despite appearances to the contrary)