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From: Caro.PA@Xerox.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers
Subject: Re: Separating wheat from chaff
Message-ID: <3611@topaz.RUTGERS.EDU>
Date: Wed, 11-Sep-85 14:07:10 EDT
Article-I.D.: topaz.3611
Posted: Wed Sep 11 14:07:10 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 14-Sep-85 02:31:21 EDT
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Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.
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From: Caro.PA@Xerox.ARPA

Actually, I think this would tend to tell more about the writer of the
rules than anything else, i.e. I happen to LIKE smart dolphin stories!

Here's my set of decision rules, in no particular order:

1. Author Name Recognition -- if it's Zelazny, it must be worth reading,
etc.

2. Recommendation From a Friend -- "I don't CARE if you think Piers
Anthony is a repetitious, misogynous, money hungry sot!  Read 'On a Pale
Horse' or I'll KILL you!"

3. Random -- Better than 3 on a six-sided die.

4. [Very rarely] Craving For a Theme -- such as my recent search for
computer science fiction.

I make a point of NEVER reading a back-cover blurb or teaser page until
AFTER I have read the book (such things are ALWAYS inaccurate and
usually spoilers.)  I try not to let cover art influence me, but
sometimes it does.  Reviews are anathema to me, therefore I cannot base
decisions on such.

Perry