Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site sdccs6.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdccs6!ix553 From: ix553@sdccs6.UUCP Newsgroups: net.singles Subject: As Promised: My Survey Answers Message-ID: <1239@sdccs6.UUCP> Date: Sun, 11-Dec-83 05:35:37 EST Article-I.D.: sdccs6.1239 Posted: Sun Dec 11 05:35:37 1983 Date-Received: Tue, 13-Dec-83 02:44:15 EST Organization: HPFQ Sbb Znpuvar Lines: 105 My own answers to the survey I had posted in the previous article. It took me about 15 minutes. The format for answers is typical of the responses I have received, in that they tend to be a bit verbose, and (hopefully) spontaeneous. This is the ONLY completed survey that you will ever see posted on the net. (Yes, I encrypt and protect this sort of information!) The results, to be posted in January, will be a statistical analysis of the responses I have received, and a preliminary draft of conclusions. If you are inter- ested in a final draft, contact me at the time of the posting. Cindy :-) ======= #1 At first, I thought net.singles would be some singles-type electronic dating service. However, I've discovered that it is more of a forum of topics which are related, however vaguely, to the experience of being single, and how to find "love". An ideal net.singles would for me, be one without put-down articles (remember the "pawing" controversy?), less flames, less irrelevant articles (what does being kosher have to do with being single? make the connection obvious, at least!). I read net.singles for light entertainment, not voyeurism, to find out how other people feel about being single, and because I have a paper on net.singles to write. Topics I personally find interesting: How women in computer-related environments deal with problems of a relational nature. How to maintain long distance relationships. How people have met SOs and ISOs. Topics that I dislike: Surveys. :-) Attacks or speculations of a personal nature on the net. (ex: the Arwen blackmail incident) #2 Personally, I think that anonymity would allow a lot more shy types to submit articles. I have nothing against it. I like pseudonyms when consistently used. However, there is the danger of irresponsible persons abusing such privilege, but that already exists (guest accounts), so I don't see why not. I would probably contribute a couple of articles on my love life, if anonymity was guaranteed. I know that some people have unique writing styles, I've been "caught" when I've sent articles from friends accounts. #3 DYMs are an extremely naive way to meet someone compatible, but they are probably a lot better than newspaper personals. I spoke with people who've tried to start something through ads and DYMs, and it sounded as if both methods leave a lot to be desired. Net.singles is not a meet-market in the sense that DYMs and ads are, but you CAN meet people if you make the effort, or at least make pen-pals. Even an electronic relationship is better than none at all! #4 Well, some of the topics have given me a lot to talk about with my MSO. In this manner, net.singles has aided me by broadening my conversational horizon. Yes, I have been in a close relationship for 3 years now. Non-exclusive, however. I don't feel that the advice in net.singles about how to meet MOTOS has helped me start a red-hot love affair, but you never know! I might meet some cute librarian... #5 Nah, I'm no hacker. I program for good grades and money, sometimes curiousity, but never love! I average 3 hours a day on the various computer systems on campus. UNIX is my favorite OS. (Down with the p-system!) Most of the time I spend on the terminal is 1) reading news, 2) writing letters, 3) talking to other users, 4) working on my projects. I would estimate about 25% of my time is just news. I don't have a permanent terminal/modem at home, but I did borrow one this weekend because I have a cold and wanted to work on this project! My family has a toy VIC-20, I like to play games on it, that's all. I have somewhat ambivalent feelings about having a terminal/modem at home. One the one hand, it's real nice to do things in the privacy of one's home, but on the other, the damn things get to be too time consuming, and can conceivably destroy a relationship if one gets too obsessed with them. #6 Cindy Paloma, 22, graduating senior (June 1984) with BA in CS from UCSD, (La Jolla, California), never married, female. Referee. #7 There are people out there with extremely strong personalities, but I am not sure how true to life they are. It's so easy to misrepresent yourself on netnews and give yourself a personality which is not present in the flesh. I'm not saying that everybody does it, just that it is extremely possible. Yes, I've gone out of my way to meet other net.people, at least at UCSD. No disappointment, the people I met are real, and I had a real positive feeling from the experiences. But I didn't go in with any unreal expectations, just wanted to talk. I do have a regular correspondence, and it's a lot of fun! (Hope you enjoy it as much as I do, David!) The problem with electronic correspondence and netnews is that they aren't as spontaeneous as face-to-face meetings, a lot gets lost in transmission. But it is definitely easier, and I like it. Besides, I happen to be a pretty spontaeneous person myself, and I think that gets conveyed in my mail. #8 In the original survey, the question was: Does netnews play a major part of your social life? and the unequivocal answer was NO! However, having rephrased the question, I can truthfully say that netnews is a small part (like 1%) of my social life. Electronic correspondence is another thing, I really enjoy i. Perhaps 5%, I write everyday. Hey, I look forward to it...It's a great way to learn about others! And start friendships. -- Cindy Paloma {decvax,philabs,ucbvax,ihnp4}sdcsvax!sdccs6!ix553