| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name
 | Date | Lines | 
|---|
| 624.1 | a golden oldie | MARKER::KALLIS | Don't confuse `want' and `need.' | Tue May 24 1988 08:46 | 23 | 
|  |     A:
    
     The actual title is _Ralph 124C41+_, and was written by Hugo
    Gernsback, often called "The Father of Modern Science Fiction."
    The story is about a future where people's last names are replaced
    wioth numbers that indicate, among other things, their abilities
    and talents.  It was written in the 1920s, and in a style that today
    would be considered unintentionally funny (the hero and heroine
    go through their world, commenting on its features.  This is just
    about as believable as two people in San Francisco speaking in
    wondering tones about such things as taxicabs, pay telephones, and
    vending machines).
    
    The original magazine story (and hardcover book) included copious
    footnotes, making the novel look more like a textbook than an adventure
    story (my favorite being the description of an artificial comet,
    made in miniature in a laboratory flask).  The footnotes usually
    cited technical/scholarly journals.
    
    When the novel appeared in paperback, the footnotes were excised,
    alas.  They gave the book a special charm.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
 | 
| 624.2 | If you already had it... | MTWAIN::KLAES | Know Future | Tue May 24 1988 09:14 | 7 | 
|  |     	Uh, if you were able to read the book, how come you are now
    looking for it?
    
    	BTW, the Topic title needs changing.
    
    	Larry
    
 | 
| 624.3 |  | AKOV11::BOYAJIAN | Monsters from the Id | Wed May 25 1988 01:22 | 11 | 
|  |     re:.2
    
    One assumes that he had a copy, but no longer does.
    
    re:.0
    
    Are you looking for a copy in English, or Japanese? It has not been
    in print for a long time, but I may be able to find an old copy
    of the paperback.
    
    --- jerry
 | 
| 624.4 | sentiment to the first SF | OGWV50::TAKESHIMA | TOKYO SS60 A.Take | Wed May 25 1988 06:33 | 21 | 
|  | >    	Uh, if you were able to read the book, how come you are now
>    looking for it?
    
     .0 is poor explaination.
     I've read it in my child, but I don't own. 
     Because the book I've read in translation ( English to Japanese for 
     children) is in the public library.
     Then I'd like to read in the original and own it.
>    	BTW, the Topic title needs changing.
    
     Why ? 
     What title is suitable ?
     A.Take
 | 
| 624.5 | >-< | MARKER::KALLIS | Don't confuse `want' and `need.' | Wed May 25 1988 09:13 | 12 | 
|  |     Re .4 (A):
    
    >>    	BTW, the Topic title needs changing.
    
    > Why ? 
    > What title is suitable ?
     
    I don't believe the title should be changed.  Every noter is entitled
    to his or her own title.  (I think the writer had in mind something
    like, "looking for a book," or some such.)
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
 | 
| 624.6 | RE 624.4-.5 | MTWAIN::KLAES | Know Future | Wed May 25 1988 09:30 | 9 | 
|  |     	I was simply commenting that the title of the Topic should be
    changed to the title of the book being discussed here, so that Noters
    can find and read about it here in the future.  I don't think that
    is so unreasonable, and in fact I remember several Noters in the
    past requesting that Noters title their Topics to clearly reflect
    what they are discussing.
                                                                    
    	Larry
    
 | 
| 624.7 | try SET NOTE/TITLE="Ralph 124C41+" | ATSE::KASPER | Superstition brings Bad Luck | Thu May 26 1988 12:48 | 0 | 
| 624.8 | Searching for Ralph 124c41+ | BSS::EAGER |  | Tue Jun 07 1988 15:15 | 17 | 
|  |     
    	There is a book locator here in Colorado Springs, that has 
    helped me locate rare books. If you would like me to have them 
    search for the Hardcover or paperback copy, send me a memo and
    let me know the max amount of money you would want to pay for 
    one in good or excellent condition. 
    
    	The last book I was looking for cost me $5.00 each for both
    a paperback and a hardcover copy. The owner of the store will be
    on vacation during the month of June but would be able to start
    looking the 1st of July. So far I've had great luck with these
    people. Let me know what you decide and I will contact you as 
    soon as they locate a copy and let you know what they want for
    it.
    
                                          Have A Nice One,
                                               Mark
 |