                                  T H E

                               Z E P H Y R

                      __     M A G A Z I N E
                     {__]++++++++++++++++++++++++++[]
                     Issue #34               12-25-86

                A weekly electronic magazine for users of
                            THE ZEPHYR II BBS
                        (Mesa, AZ - 602-894-6526)
                    owned and operated by T. H. Smith

                        Editor - Gene B. Williams

     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
     . You may share this magazine with your friends under the   .
     . condition that the magazine remain complete and intact,   .
     . with no editing, revisions or modifications of any kind,  .
     . and including this opening section and statement.         .
     . If you like the magazine, our Sysop and I would appreciate.
     . it if you would let your friends know where they can log  .
     . in to find the magazine (and incidentally one of the      .
     . finest BBSs in the country!).                             .
     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                (c) 1986

    THIS ISSUE:

       1986 is nearly done. And quite a year it has been!
       We've seen some disasters, and some wonderful things, this
    past year. A shuttle blew up. A dying boy had a dream of making
    Christmas good for his family. Another administration got caught
    up in scandal. Our Sysop (and me too!) brought a new life into
    the world.
       For me this is "The Year of Danny." Last January we moved
    into our new house. At 6:03 AM last February 12th our son Daniel
    Gorden Williams was born. So, 1986 has been a great year for me.
       He's talking and walking now. That's quite a Christmas present
    in itself.
       He's also getting into the Christmas tree.

       Congratulations to Thane and his wife on the birth of their own
    new child!

                          1986 Issues in Review

       All past issues are available for downloading. Merely access
    the upload/download section (U), and download (D) whatever issues
    you want.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.1     1-11-86   Taking Care of Your Computer (humor)

       I've done 5 books on computer repair and maintenance, 1 on
    VCRs, 1 on satellite television systems and 2 on appliances. This
    issue gave me a break from the technical and accurate side of
    things. It's a nonsensical article on how to take care of your
    system, with such valuable bits of information such as cleaning
    out your printer by opening a fire hydrant on it.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.2     1-25-86   Beans, Bags and Smiler Jack (fiction)

       Late one night a line crept into my dreams. "Smiler Jack cut
    another juicy one." In a semi-sleep, the rest of the story played
    itself out - kinda like watching a mental movie. The next day I
    put it all down on paper.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.3     2-01-86   Nuclear War - Nuclear Winter (article)

       Carl Sagan has been the head force behind this. At first a
    handful of scientists got involved and demonstrated what has to
    be the most important issue ever. Now just a few years later,
    the only argument is how bad the nuclear winter will be. Even
    our own government has publicly stated that in the event of a
    nuclear war, the result WILL be a nuclear winter, with the
    very possible outcome being the total extermination of almost
    every living thing on earth, and the extinction of mankind.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.4     2-9-86    There's Always Tomorrow (fiction)

       Ever have a fight with someone and put off making up until
    tomorrow? Ever lay back or hold off, figuring that there is
    always time later to take care of something?

                            *	*	*

    ISH.5     2-25-86   The Famous Baby Issue (birth)

       As I said in the opening, Danny was born on 2-12-86. I've done
    a lot of things in my life, but none quite so important as being
    a part of my son's birth.
       It just happens that I'm also doing a book on the subject.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.6     3-07-86   Evolution

       The common misconception used by the ignorant is to incorrectly
    state that evolutionists believe that man came from apes. That's
    total nonsense.
       Where DID we come from? What events set up the path for the
    creation of mankind? And how do the scientists know?

                            *	*	*

    ISH.7     3-15-86   The $3.75 (plus tax) Man (fiction)

       Some of you might remember "The Six Million Dollar Man" with
    Lee Majors. The concept was okay; the resulting TV show was a
    bit silly at times. The spin-offs were even worse.
       This one tops them all. A crop duster crashes and creams a
    field of asparagus. The doctors try to put him back together,
    between bouts in the closet with the nurses.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.8	  3-22-86   Satellite Television - Legal or Illegal?

       Just a little over a century ago, communication took place
    via scraps of paper carried by men on horseback. Then came
    strings of wire to carry clicks. At the beginning of this
    century, Marconi showed that long distance communication via
    air waves was possible. Just after WW II the first commercial
    television stations went on the air.
       Now we have about 150 stations on the air being beamed down
    on us from satellites in orbit. Companies such as HBO would
    like us to believe that interception of the programming is
    illegal.
       What is satellite television all about? Is it legal? What
    are the laws that govern it?

                            *	*	*

    ISH.9     3-29-86   Getting Started in Broadcasting
                           (by Chris Mitchell)

       Our first "Guest Issue" of the year came from the Sysop of
    THE SILENT SIDE, who also happens to make his living in radio.
    Some of you might know him from his days with KUPD.
       Regardless, you might be one of those people who looks at the
    fame of a DJ and wants to get in on it. Chris gives you some
    valuable pointers from someone who has been there.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.10    4-05-86   Writing as a Career

       The "Career Issues" part continues with my own contribution.
       Most of you know that I'm a fulltime freelance writer. For
    all of you who read a magazine or book and say, "I can do better
    than that" . . . this issue is for you.
       How do you break in? How do you submit? What does it take to
    become a full-fledged professional writer?

                            *	*	*

    ISH.11    4-12-86   Finding a Job.

       Okay. You don't want to be a writer. You don't want to be in
    radio. You may not even know what you want to be. Your primary
    goal might be nothing more than just finding a job either to
    pay the bills or to just have some spending money.
       Unless mom and dad are filthy rich and hand you everything on
    a proverbial platter, sooner or later you'll be out stomping
    around on the concrete trying to find someone willing to give you
    money for something you can do.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.12    4-19-86   The Star Wars Scheme

       Nuclear winter says that a major war could kill every living
    thing on earth. Obviously, it becomes imperative to prevent that
    war. There will be no winner. Everyone - and every thing - will
    lose.
       So along comes the Strategic Defense Initiative, commonly
    called Star Wars.
       What's it all about? Will it work?

                            *	*	*

    ISH.13    4-26-86   Miscellaneous Stuff

       Some years ago I did a column called "Rovin'" and then one
    called "Truckin'" and then one called "Did You Know . . ." All
    three involved batches of strange information, unusual news
    stories - all the silly things you don't need to know.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.14    5-10-86   Toy From the Stars

       You're a young boy who dreams of flying to the stars. Then all
    of a sudden, a space ship lands a short distance away. Out comes
    the alien creature. He uses a strange device to find where you are
    hiding in the bushes. But he doesn't zap you with a heat ray. No.
    Instead he offers to make a trade with you.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.15    5-18-86   The Chilton Book Series

       Over and over and over I have people asking me to list some
    of the things I've written. To date I have more than 9 million
    words and 10,000 photos in print. The most recent is a series of
    8 books for Chilton - the people so well known for their
    automotive manuals. (I do their computer and electronics books.)
       This issue answers at least some of the questions.

                            *	*	*

    QUESTION            The Questionaire for those who want to
                        participate in my newest project

       Maybe you're a parent. Maybe not. It doesn't matter. A response
    of any kind, including questions about things you don't understand
    about pregnancy and birthing will play a valuable role in the
    book I'm doing on the subject.
       Download the file, and modify it to suit your particular
    circumstances.
       Consider it your "dues" for the magazine subscription.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.16    5-24-86   Computer Repair - (part 1)

       This one is more serious. Actual and practical information on
    troubleshooting, repair and maintenance are given. It was a
    "part 1" in anticipation for continuing articles along those
    lines. Those depended on reader response.
       Hey! The article is good. But no one responded.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.17    5-31-86   Some Short Stories

       I've been known as someone who can fill a specific number of
    column inches in a magazine. What is given in this issue are some
    short-short-shorts used at various times to prevent too much
    white space in a magazine.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.18    6-7-86    Nuclear Power (by Jim Lippard)

       Our second guest article came from Jim Lippard. It was an
    extremely well done piece on what nuclear power is all about, done
    in the wake of the disaster in the Soviet Union.
       If you hear someone shooting off their mouth about nuclear
    power, its advantages and dangers, you have merely to refer to
    Jim's article for "the straight poop."

                            *	*	*

    ISH.19    6-21-86   Rovin'

       More stuff from my "old days" as a columnist. Weird laws.
    Unusual events. Strange but true stories.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.20    6-28-86   Ghost of Highway 12

       Imagine yourself driving down a dark road in the middle of
    nowhere. There was one hellacious party, and now you have no idea
    at all of where you are, or how you got there. The radio is
    dead. Nothing can be seen but trees and blank road.
       Suddenly a man appears in the road ahead of you. You slam on
    the brakes. Too late. Your vehicle slams into him.
       But wait! No it doesn't. It slides right through him, and his
    figure zips through the front, along your side, and out the back.
    You look in the mirror and see that he's still standing there.
    Still smiling.
       "I've come to release you from this world," he says.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.21    7-11-86   Financial Planning (by Bob Eastman)

       We have Medicare - a program that continues to cut back on
    benefits, and which seems doomed to failure. We have Social
    Security which has consistently raised its rates and reduced
    viable benefits to the point where almost no one could hope
    to survive on it.
       What it comes down to - short run and long run - is that
    your future lies in your own hands. Wait too long and your
    options are extremely limited. The best time to start planning
    for the future is NOW!
       Bob tells you how.
       This is an issue to download and keep!!!

                            *	*	*

    ISH.22    7-22-86   You're In the Army Now . . . and now . . .

       At this point, no one has been drafted for over 12 years. As
    I've said on the public board, you can bluster and brag about
    your bravery all you want, but these days no one is getting
    drafted and put into danger.
       After the absurdity called the VietNam War - oops, the VietNam
    Police Action, or Training Session, or . . . - anyway, after that
    the American public began to get sick and tired of living in an
    unfree free country so that the oil companies could make a fortune.
       What is the solution? We need an army to defend our country.
    But no one wants to go. Maybe they don't want to fight. Or maybe
    a personal career is more important than the country. Whatever the
    reason, no one wants to go. At least not enough people to fill
    the ranks.
       What is the solution?

                            *	*	*

    ISH.23    8-7-86    Home Study (by Bob Eastman)

       There are many people who have to work all day every day to make
    ends meet. But they are in a dead end job, and no where to go. Many
    of these people didn't think schooling was important when they had
    the time and when it was offered to them free. Suddenly they find
    themselves in that deadend and few options.
       One of the options is home study. Correspondence courses.
       Are they worthwhile? What should you look for? And look OUT for?

                            *	*	*

    ISH.24    8-16-86   Finding a Job

       A "Part 2" and refresher course, of sorts, to the previous
    article (ISH.11). Download both.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.25    8-30-86   More Rovin'

       Self-explanatory if you've been paying attention. More silly
    stories and odd bits.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.26    9-4-86    Bugs!

       You're a space explorer. Whatever you find you can file claim to,
    and later sell to others who are hungry for land and room. And you
    are lucky enough to find what at first seems to be a perfect planet.
       You're going to be the richest man in the universe!
       But there's one little problem.
       Bring the 6-12 and the calamine lotion when you read this one!

                            *	*	*

    ISH.27	  9-17-86   Writing For Zephyr Magazine

       Especially after the previous guest issues, a number of people
    asked me what it took to submit to the magazine. (Ahhhh, the fame
    and non-fortune!)
       This issues explains it all.
       Read it through and come up with some ideas of your own. Try
    your hand at becoming one of the elite few.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.28    10-1-86   "Rich Man - Poor Man" (by John Arbon)

       John joined those elite ranks with this issue. The world of
    the rich - and the world of the bum - come together in an
    interlinked story with a Rolls-Royce conclusion.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.29    10-10-86  "The Monsters of Terrance Peak"

       This was one of my very first published stories. It also
    happens to be one of my own all-time favorites. (Vain perhaps,
    but I *like* it!)
       The nuclear holocaust has come and gone. Very few are left
    alive. Radiation levels have caused some gross deformitites.
    Monsters live in the mountains above your Valley. Monsters that
    mutilate and eat people. You know because you've heard the
    stories and have seen the drawings of the hideous creatures.
       Your problem? You've "borrowed" a flyer, and now you've
    crashed in those mountains. There is no way down. You're cold,
    tired, hungry and scared. And the night is coming.
       Suddenly there's a noise in a nearby bush.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.30    11-3-86   "Buying a Car"

       The second largest purchase most people make is that of a
    vehicle. They also make this purchase again and again over the
    years.
       How do you avoid getting stung? How do you make more sure that
    you'll end up with a vehicle that will take care of you for years
    to come?

                            *	*	*

    ISH.31   11-22-86   "The Geek" (by Cathy Cosgrove)

       The science fair is coming up. The prize is just what you need.
    So, what can you do to win that prize?
       Well, of course! You build a robot - The Geek, by name. But
    just at that critical moment, it malfunctions.

                            *	*	*

    ISH.32    12-1-86   "The Wish" (by John Arbon)

       John Arbon comes back to give us another short story with
    this issue, and one that developed quite a bit of reader
    response and comment.
       What would YOU do with a magic bottle?

                            *	*	*

    ISH.33    12-9-86   Christmas Gifts

       We all run into the problem of trying to think of something
    special for someONE special. To make matters worse, how do you
    do something like that when you're a bit short on cash?

    ISH.34    12-24-86   1986 In Review

       C'mon! Don't be dumb. You just read it!!!

    SPREAD THE WORD!
    The ZEPHYR MAGAZINE is back! And it's here - and ONLY here - at
    602-894-6526!
    24 hrs. 300/1200

    Until Next Time

       And so we close another year. The next issue will come on-line
    in the next year. Volume #3, actually. This issue fills up the
    second disk to the breaking point.

       I sure hope you've enjoyed the magazine this past year. If so,
    give it your support. Participate. Contribute a guest issue. If
    nothing else, spread the word about the magazine.
       Better yet, read through ISH.15 and then run on down to the
    bookstore and buy copies of my books! Give them out as presents,
    or get the full set just for yourself.

       MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone. And the best wishes for the New
    Year! I hope the season is a happy one for everybody on board
    at the Zephyr!!!

    Gene B. Williams
    Editor - The Zephyr Magazine

Zephyr Magazine is © Gene Williams. All rights reserved.