Date   : Fri, 05 Oct 1984 21:04:00-EDT
From   : Eric Stork <STORK@Mit-Mc.ARPA>
Subject: BYTE INDEX

I am encourage by the response to my suggestion on yesterday regarding
the possibility of a PD joint effort to create an index to BYTE.
Here are a few points from the responses:
1.  Several people said they'd be glad to help, but do not have dBASEII.
    QUESTION:  Is it reasonable to assume that most everyone on this net
    has access to MBAASIC, or to something like it?  If so, we could
    put together a data input file that runs on basic and that 
    outputs the product in a standard format that can be accepted into
    dBASEII (or some other standard system).  I think that would work.
    If there are people who would participate but hesitate because they do not
    have dBASEII, please let me know about you if you have BASIC of
    some sort.
2.   Indexing is a lot of work.  Are there ideas of what should be 
     covered?  'Everything' is easy to say, but hard to do and
     generates a lot of output (of couse, we'll be able to scan it
     electronically).  Ideas on what should have priority attention?
3.   I'm collecting the names/net-addresses of people who respond to me on this
     and am glad to serve temporarily as the 'committee sec'y'.  Will
    get back to respondents in a few days, when there has been enough
    time to get most volunteer responses.
4.  In the meantime, if someone wants to forward the idea to
    the other nets (MICRO,PC,what have you), please do so.  There is a lot of
    work to be done and we can use as many volunteers as are available.

    For efficiency sake, for the time being, ask volunteers to respond
    direct to me (STORK@MIT-MC), and I'll compile a list.

Eric.