Path: utzoo!yunexus!geac!syntron!jtsv16!uunet!mcrware!jejones
From: jejones@mcrware.UUCP (James Jones)
Newsgroups: comp.society.futures
Subject: Re: Darker side of hacker's convention
Summary: form letters don't work well
Message-ID: <821@mcrware.UUCP>
Date: 27 Oct 88 15:02:16 GMT
Article-I.D.: mcrware.821
References: <8810261332.AA11798@multimax.ARPA>
Organization: Microware Systems Corp., Des Moines, Ia.
Lines: 25

In article <8810261332.AA11798@multimax.ARPA>, PMORRIS@WASH-VAX.BBN.COM ("Mad  Hatter", @%#*) writes:
> I think
> that one thing computer users have found is that BBS's make great lobbying
> devices, in that one person can take the time to compose a letter, and the
> rest can just run it off and sign it.

One thing that those who organize letter-writing campaigns stress is that
form letters just don't cut it.  They are easily recognized as such, and
pooh-poohed as not really representing the opinions of the "general public"
(whatever that is :-).  If you're serious about writing CBS, then the
following advice is apropos:

1. Don't just copy and send a form letter.  Express your opinion in your
   own words.
2. Write to a specific person at a specific address; type neatly (or use
   your NLQ printer :-).  Mail rooms can easily filter out letters addres-
   sed to "CBS, Hollywood USA" or which look from the outside like something
   ignorable.
3. Be polite.

The above is vaguely recalled from reading about the letter campaign that
persuaded NBC to renew *Star Trek* for another (half) season.  (That said,
don't blame Bjo Trimble for any of it. :-)

	James Jones, whose opinions are his own (would anyone really want them?)