I've just breezed over the archive for the month of 5-6/95 and it is just so great to read. It must have been exciting times back then, and I wish I were a part of it. There are still some posts missing from before 5-95 that I will get my hands on some day.

You can see many names that aren't around anymore. I wonder how many individual posters have actually posted to ARS.

You can really see the camaraderie involved back then. ARS was much more solidified. Perhaps many people have had a change of heart about Scn'gy, or Scn'gy has gotten smart and has become, mostly, invisible. That is, there is no more Helena Kobrin's anymore threatening everyone with lawsuits, only ARS anonymous cowards throwing dirt around, believed to be Scn'gsts.

Things have even changed since I first came on ARS back in early 98.

I recommend all of you get a hold of this CD.

I didn't realize how easy it would be to read. You can read it in Usenet format, with searches and all, by getting a copy of Forte Agent (I don't believe you can use Free Agent for this, but I could be wrong) and make folders for each individual month or year. You can then import those messages in the file. It took me 10 minutes to figure out how, and if I can figure out how, you can too.

However, as of yet, I am not aware if by adding all these files it will slow down Agent. I know with my huge archives on Gravity, it was slow as molasses to start and after I got it started. But with Gravity, you can have more than one instance of the program, unlike Gravity.

Here is an example from Helena Kobrin: (with or without the headers), just as a teaser.

Thanks Sten for sending me a copy and thanks Boudewijn van Ingen for compiling this archive.

HELENA THEN: <G>

Xref: netcom.com comp.org.eff.talk:52099
Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk
Path: netcom.com!hkk
From: hkk@netcom.com (Helena Kobrin)
Subject: Netcom
Message-ID: <hkkD7IK42.1zs@netcom.com>
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL1]
Date: Mon, 24 Apr 1995 00:31:13 GMT
Lines: 53
Sender: hkk@netcom4.netcom.com
Certain Church of Scientology corporations that I represent are currently involved in litigation against Netcom, Tom Klemesrud (operator of a BBS) and Dennis Erlich in the San Jose Federal Court over the posting of copyrighted and trade secret church materials. The case is Religious Technology Center vs. Netcom, Et. Al, Case No. C95-20091 RMW. Dennis Erlich posted large portions of copyrighted and trade secret materials on the Internet through Tom Klemesrud's BBS and Netcom.

Comments have been made by individuals on the Internet that the Church of Scientology was attempting to stifle freedom of speech and this was why this lawsuit was filed. This could not be further from the truth. The Church of Scientology has never been in conflict with the ethics or ethical principles of the Internet and totally supports bringing the world into better communication. The Church has always arduously fought for Freedom of Speech and its record speaks for itself when it comes to Freedom of Information. The Church is well known around the world for its efforts in this area.

The case against Netcom, Klemesrud and Erlich is not about Freedom of Speech or Freedom to criticize. It is simply a copyright and trade secrets case. If the Church's rights in its materials were not unlawfully being violated there would be no suit. In fact, Mr. Erlich has been criticizing the Church for many years prior to the lawsuit being filed and continues to post vile and false criticisms about the Church, but he has not been sued for any of these. This case has nothing to do with free speech. It has to do with the protection of Intellectual Property rights and nothing more. This is a concern held by many.

In relation to Erlich, Netcom initially took the position that Erlich could do what he wanted and they couldn't or wouldn't stop him. This was in complete contravention of its own rules and regulations or his BBS.

The Church believes that Netcom has now started to change its position as it has become clear that the Judge is not going to tolerate copyright infringement and has continued the restraining order against Erlich. This is beneficial for everyone except for those who engage in lawlessness such as infringement.

When the Church recently brought to Netcom's attention another copyright violator on its system by the name of Grady Ward, Netcom took action pursuant to its rules and regulations and immediately sent a warning to the infringer letting him know that if his actions continued his account would be cancelled. Netcom's lawyers even told the Judge in the Erlich case that Netcom took this action.

The Church is pleased that Netcom has agreed with its position and concern about copyright and trade secret infringers and will take appropriate action against violators in the future.

Helena Kobrin

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