Decus U.S. Chapter SIGs Newsletters

This document is the May 1986 edition (Volume 1, Number 9) of the Digital Equipment Computer Users Society (DECUS) U.S. Chapter newsletter, which serves as a central hub for updates from various Special Interest Groups (SIGs). The publication includes:

• Organizational Information: A directory of various SIGs (e.g., APL, Artificial Intelligence, Business Applications, Graphics, VAX Systems, etc.) and steering committee listings for many of these groups.
• Technical Articles: Specific content relevant to DEC users, including a detailed report from the ANSI X3J4 COBOL committee, a guide on managing database applications with RDB and SMARTSTAR, and documentation for VAX/VMS ReGIS to SIXEL conversion.

• SIG-Specific News:

  • Data Management (DMS): Includes a product overview of the VAX Information Architecture (ACMS, TDMS, CDD, DBMS, Rdb/VMS).
  • Datatrieve/4GL: Features the "Wombat Wizard" column, an introduction to VAX TEAMDATA and VAX RALLY, and updates on the Datatrieve/4GL leadership.
  • Education (EDUSIG): An announcement regarding the "Clearinghouse for Academic Software" operated by Iowa State University.
  • Graphics (GAPSIG): Minutes from a steering committee meeting and a summary of "Graphics After Standardization."
  • Languages & Tools (L&T): Technical articles on terminal support and documentation formatting, as well as status updates on various VAX languages (Ada, APL, Basic, Bliss, C, Cobol, Fortran, Pascal, PL/I, RPG).
  • Large Systems: A chairperson's article and a "Doctor TOPS" column addressing VMS account string management.
  • Networks: General information regarding the purpose and function of the Networks SIG.
  • Office Automation: Technical tips for using ALL-IN-1, including handling non-DEC printer ports and re-installing the TXL.
  • RSTS/E: Technical patches, specifically for RSTS/E V9.1, and scripts for managing jobs.
  • RSX: Technical advice on using the RSX full-duplex terminal driver and various "Macro-11" programming tricks.
  • RT-11: Updates on the Fall 1985 RT-11 SIG tape, new software announcements (including the "Mini-Tasker" newsletter), and directory information.
  • VAX Systems: A "Pageswapper" section containing reviews, technical Q&A, and reports on disk backup strategies.

• Administrative Forms: Includes submission forms for articles, questionnaires, and system improvement requests (SIRs), as well as an application for membership.