aloha, all - due to the tragic events of this morning, i am unilaterally
cancelling today's general membership meeting, as all bridges and tunnels
into manhattan are currently closed, and i just heard on the radio that
the mayoral primary has been canceled. here in JC, directly across the
river from the WTC, all is eerily silent, only punctuated by hushed
conversations and the wail of the sirens of emergency vehicles as they
attempt to make their way across the river and down to the riverside to
treat and transport the evacuated wounded.

the best we can do is sit tight and pray, each in our own fashion, for the
well-being of the wounded.  and the health of those across the east river,
as the smoke plumes seem to be drifting that way with heavy soot
precipitation - word of rescheduling will follow, although that is
currently the least of any of our worries.

gregory.

PS: i apologize for the flippant tone of the meeting announcement, which is
a stark and sad contrast to subsequent events - it was written late last
night.

On Tue, 11 Sep 2001, gregory j. rosmaita wrote:
> aloha, y'all - this is a slightly (well, actually, sarcastically) altered
> text-image of the heavily hyperlinked announcement located at:
> http://www.hicom.net/~oedipus/vicug/schedule.html#next
>
> VICUG NYC's next General Membership Meeting will be held in the Auditorium
> of Selis Manor TODAY, Tuesday, September Eleventh, from 6:30 to 8 PM.
> (Although seeing how it's election day, we may have to meet somewhere else
> within Selis - someone, probably me, will be near the security guard's
> window - which is on the right-hand side of the wall, almost immediately
> after you pass through Selis' double doors - from 6pm onward to direct you
> to whatever space Selis has to offer an unruly mob at 6:30pm. If the meeting
> venue changes we will send a notice to the list, as well as alert the
> security guards, but as all too many of you know, that doesn't necessarily
> mean that they'll know, which is why someone, perhaps, if not probably me,
> will be standing nearby to tell you.)
>
> The topic of the September Eleventh meeting is Digital Talking Books. Luis
> Gutierez of the American Foundation for the Blind's Talking Book department
> and VICUG NYC's own Jay Leventhal will discuss and  demonstrate  the
> Talking Books of the future. Their presentation will also answer the
> following questions:
>   * What are Digital Talking Books?
>   * How do they differ from mainstream electronic books?
>   * just what the hell does a DAISY have to do with it?
>   * How many books are available in the new format?
>   * and, what are the most useful features of digital Talking Books?
>
> Jay and Luis will also demonstrate a stand-alone digital Talking Book player
> and a software digital Talking Book player, so please join us THIS EVENING,
> Tuesday, September 11 at 6:30PM for a chance to read into the future.
>
> As an extra bonus -- and at no extra charge -- you will also be treated to a
> yearly ritual/spectacle: the nomination of VICUG NYC
> members-in-good-standing for all the positions on the Executive Committee.
> (That would be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer,
> WebMaster/Minister of Propaganda, and 2 members-at-large.) So, come to Selis
> this evening, if only to find out if the nominations actually bring the
> entire Executive Committee to a General Membership meeting. (Oh, and don't
> forget to vote in the primary elections, either!) And if you're wondering
> when VICUG NYC plays for keeps, elections will be held at the November Ninth
> meeting.
>
> If you're interested in hearing about Digital Talking Books, and/or running
> for an office or nominating someone else, come to this evening's meeting,
> and be sure to bring -- or, at least, tell -- a friend!
>
> Oh, and speaking of members-in-good standing, membership dues for 2001 will
> be collected at the September Eleventh meeting. (One of our organizational
> mottos is "It's Never Too Late to Pay Your Dues, Dude") Dues are a mere
> twelve dollars, and endow you with the right to hold office, the right to
> vote, and a clear conscience. (That's right folks, absolution for all your
> sins can be had for a measly twelve bucks!) If you plan on paying in cash,
> please try to bring exact change! Thanks to all who paid dues at previous
> meetings.
>
> Background Materials for the September 2001 Meeting
>   1) The DAISY Consortium
>       http://www.daisy.org/text.htm
>      1A) About the DAISY Consortium
>       http://www.daisy.org/consortium/menucons.htm
>      1B) Questions  about  the  DAISY Project & Digital Talking Books
>       http://www.daisy.org/questions/menuques.htm
>      1C) DAISY Mission Statement
>       http://www.daisy.org/strategy/mission.htm
>      1D) DAISY Products, Projects, & Specifications
>       http://www.daisy.org/products/menupps.htm
>      1E) Self-Proclaimed "Hot" News from the DAISY Consortium
>       http://www.daisy.org/news/hotnews.htm
>      1F) News about the DAISY Project
>       http://www.daisy.org/news/projnews.htm
>      1G) Digital Talking Book Product News
>       http://www.daisy.org/news/prodnews.htm
>   2) NLS' Digital Talking Book Information page
>       http://www.loc.gov/nls/dtbindex.html
>   3) Read 'Em & Speak's Digital Talking Books page:
>       http://www.hicom.net/~oedipus/books/dtb.html
>   4) VICUG NYC's Bylaws
>       http://www.hicom.net/~oedipus/vicug/bylaws.html
>
> MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
> VICUG NYC's October meeting (which will be held on the Ninth of the month)
> will feature a presentation by VICUG NYC member and computer builder
> extraordinaire, Peter Mikochik
>    http://www.hicom.net/~oedipus/vicug/members#mikochik
> Peter's subject will be "Buying a Computer", a topic with truly universal
> appeal. (Yes, this presentation is part of our masochists outreach
> program -- tissues for wiping away tears of
> regret will be available, but please refrain from flagellation, at least
> until you get home.)
>
> WHAT TOPICS INTEREST YOU? WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT?
> If you have a suggestion for a future presentation, please let us know --
> fill out the survey located at:
>   http://www.hicom.net/~oedipus/vicug/survey.html
> Don't like hypertext forms? Snag the plain text version from:
>   http://www.hicom.net/~oedipus/vicug/survey.txt
> or simply email: [log in to unmask]
>
> Don't forget to make a note of VICUG NYC's upcoming meeting dates:
>    October Ninth: Peter Mikochik "Buying a Computer"
>    November Thirteenth
>    December Fourth: Annual Holiday Drink-a-thon, er, Party
>
> Don't forget to check out the minutes from past meetings:
>    http://www.hicom.net/~oedipus/vicug/schedule.html#minutes
> and the ever-exciting background resources and materials from past meetings:
>    http://www.hicom.net/~oedipus/vicug/schedule.html#edu
> where you'll find quite a diverse collection of links and resources.
>      _________________________________________________________________
>
>    VICUG NYC meets on the second Tuesday of every month (except August)
>    in the Auditorium of the Selis Manor building, from 6:30 to 8 pm.
>    Selis Manor is located at 135 West Twenty-Third Street, between Sixth
>    and Seventh Avenues, in New York City. If you have any questions about
>    subway lines and bus stops in the vicinity of Selis Manor that
>    aren't answered by the hypertextualized directions located at:
>    http://www.hicom.net/~oedipus/vicug/directions.html, please leave a
>    message on the VICUG NYC Hotline (212) 714-4967, and someone will get
>    back to you.
>
>    For more information about VICUG NYC and its activities, bookmark
>       http://www.hicom.net/~oedipus/vicug/
>    or call the VICUG NYC Hotline at: (212) 714-4967.
>      _________________________________________________________________
>
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