Computer UFO Newsletter - Vol 1 no 1 - 1985 08

Magazine Overview

Title: THE COMPUTER UFO NEWSLETTER
Issue: Volume 01, Number 01
Date: August 1985
Publisher: Centro Ufologico Nazionale (C.U.N.)
Country: ITALY
Language: English
Price: 12,000 Italian lire (6.5 US$) for six issues.

This inaugural issue of "The Computer UFO Newsletter" marks the beginning of an aperiodical, independent publication dedicated to exploring the intersection of computers and ufology. Published four to six times annually, it aims to present research, works, and discussions within this niche field. The newsletter is available in a computerized version on floppy disk or cassette for the Commodore-64 microcomputer. Contributions are welcomed from all researchers, with the understanding that views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily the Editor.

Editorial and Introduction

The Editor, Maurizio Verga, expresses uncertainty about the reception and value of this first issue, emphasizing that the newsletter's existence depends on contributions from its readers, both in terms of articles and financial support. He positions CUFON as a publication for the community, a platform for discussing ideas and information related to computers and UFO research. The editorial outlines the newsletter's intent to publish results of available works, proposals for new projects, and to initiate a discussion on the practical applications of computers in ufology. Readers are encouraged to submit proposals, which, after in-depth debate, will be featured in a special section.

Verga then presents his own initial proposals:

1. A file of available books and magazines: This would serve as a tool to catalog and assess available sources, potentially leading to a comprehensive reference UFO library where individuals could seek specific materials.
2. A file of articles: Structured by subject or specific files, this would create a detailed and continuously updated bibliography, useful for researchers writing papers or focusing on specific topics. The exchange of such files among researchers is highlighted as a way to share documentation.

He also mentions a similar project started by US researcher David Christensen, "Computer Catalog of UFO Resources," and a book cataloging project initiated in 1984 by M. Bottaini in Italy.

Computer Applications in Ufology

The newsletter explores various ways computers can be utilized in ufological research:

• Mail List: A simple yet effective use for managing researcher and magazine addresses.
• Ephemerides Survey: Using programs like "Skytravel" for Commodore 64, researchers can survey astronomical data to find potential explanations for UFO sightings. This is considered a crucial application for strictly selecting casuistries.
• Simulation: With powerful PCs and specialized programs, it's possible to simulate:
• The flight path of an object, useful for verifying explanations like meteor or satellite re-entries.
• The forces required to produce landing site traces, by analyzing parameters such as soil type and penetration coefficient. This could help reconstruct object size and shape, though the results might not be what enthusiasts expect, serving instead to ascertain whether a phenomenon was artificial or conventional.

It is noted that these advanced applications require significant experience in software and hardware, as well as considerable time.

• Database for UFO Sightings: A common database accessible by compatible computers could help establish a national UFO sighting file. However, the sheer volume of material makes this a difficult task. A potential solution is a "network" of researchers with similar machines and local casuistry data. A similar project in Italy, started in 1984, has only covered a small fraction of the country.
• Handling Specific Case Samples: Digitizing specific case samples based on characteristics like traces, entities, or physiological effects can be managed by a single researcher on a personal computer. Databases can be structured as simple reference works or as detailed descriptive sources.
• Statistical Analysis: Statistical programs can reveal trends in UFO sightings through temporal and geographical distributions. Sophisticated analyses can be performed quickly, but the quality and reliability of cases remain a primary concern. The best approach is to analyze small, selected samples of excellent cases.

Methodology for Computerization of Cases and Reports

A significant portion of the issue is dedicated to a paper by Piergiovanni D'Orazio and Gianfranco Lollino, presenting a methodology for data coding and computerization of UFO cases and reports, developed in conjunction with the C.U.N. of Rimini and Drs. Pinotti and Malanga.

They discuss existing methods, such as Peter Rogerson's INTCAT, and John Hind's suggestion of classifying cases based on "motifs." Their proposed "hybrid" classification aims to represent a finite number of interpretations by enumerating available material with progressive numbers as codes. A key challenge identified is expressing the exact meaning of witness statements, especially for phenomena like sounds. To address this, they propose using the witness's own words as coded data (strings) for such information.

For UFO shapes, which are difficult to represent with words, they adopt a procedure from Prof. Richard Haines, identifying UFO appearance recognition and identification test procedures with codes.

The cataloging method is structured into two files: "THE FILE OF CASES" and "THE FILE OF REPORTS," using an "indexed sequential" approach for efficient access.

The paper details a comprehensive coding system, including:

• NAME: Surname and Name (string).
• PLACE: Locality, City, Nation (string).
• DATE: MM/DD/SS (string).
• TIME: HH/MM/SS (string).
• CLASSIFICATION: A modified Hynek-Randles Classification with codes for Nocturnal Lights (NL), Daylight Discs (DD), Radar-Visual (RV), and various levels of Close Encounters (CE-0 to CE-3), including contact/abduction (CE-4).
• PHYSICAL EVIDENCE: Coded categories for effects on things, men, animals, vegetation, and traces.
• STRANGENESS-PROBABILITY RATING: A scale from 1 to 10 (string).
• IFO CLASSIFICATION: Identifying possible non-UFO sources like planets, stars, meteors, aircraft, and satellites.
• SOURCE: Information on where the case was first reported (mass media, daily newspapers, magazines).
• INVESTIGATOR: Individual or group who investigated the case.
• DIRECT REPORT: Code number of a report investigated directly.
• INDIRECT REPORT: Code number of a report investigated by others.
• AVAILABLE MATERIAL: Listing of signed declarations, reports, newspaper articles, photos, films, physical residuals, moulds, sketches, and drawings.
• MOTIVATIONAL REPORT: Short sentences describing "descriptive" and "action" motifs of the case.

Notes from the Editor clarify that this codification proposal has not yet been developed within C.U.N., and references are made to previous publications like INTCAT and John Hind's work.

ITACAT: A Computerized Catalogue of Italian Close Encounters

Maurizio Verga presents ITACAT, the Italian Catalogue of Type-1 events. This extensive manuscript, partly written using a word-processor, goes beyond simple abstract compilation to critically evaluate cases. It aims to provide additional information on the multifaceted problems and aspects of UFO research, acknowledging the personal and often emotional nature of witness statements. Verga notes that the current state of Italian Type-1 events research is poor, with only a small fraction of a 428-event sample being reliably reported or deemed "apparently unexplainable."

The structure of the ITACAT manuscript includes:

1. A detailed introduction to employed principles and "methodologies," along with two extensive bibliographies (one on the author's work on ITACAT, the other on foreign catalogues and studies of landing cases).
2. The catalogue itself, composed of abstracts and fundamental entries sourced from fundamental entries.

Request for Fee and News

The newsletter requests financial support to continue publication, citing the high costs associated with printing and distribution. A fee is proposed to cover the shipment of six issues, with options for surface mail (12,000 Italian lire / 6.5 US$) and air mail (17,500 / 9.5 US$). Remittances should be made via International Postal Money Order payable to Maurizio Verga.

Alternatively, subscribers can opt for "Easy Script files" delivered on floppy disks or cassettes for a fee of 10,000 Italian lire (5.5 US$).

Under the "NEWS" section, it's mentioned that a software list of over 1200 titles for Commodore 64 is available, and the organization is seeking software for the new Commodore 128.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the integration of computer technology into ufological research. This includes data management, analysis, cataloging, and simulation. The editorial stance is one of encouraging community participation, fostering rigorous research methodologies, and addressing the challenges of case quality and data standardization. There's a clear emphasis on moving beyond anecdotal evidence towards more systematic and analytical approaches, while acknowledging the inherent difficulties and the need for experience and resources. The publication also highlights the importance of international collaboration and the exchange of information within the ufological community.

Title: ITACAT
Issue Date: July 20, 1985
Publisher: CUFON
Country: Italy
Language: English

This issue of ITACAT focuses on UFO-related databases, software, and a census of ufologists' computer equipment. It details the ITACAT catalogue, its structure, and its contents, alongside related databases and software offerings.

ITACAT Catalogue Details

The article begins by describing the ITACAT catalogue, an Italian compilation of Type-1 UFO events. It notes that the catalogue includes "comment notes" with further information, personal evaluations, and references to both Italian and foreign sources. An appendix provides drawings and sketches related to the phenomena. The author clarifies that the catalogue does not indiscriminately collect all close encounters, but rather a preliminary selection to exclude cases with doubts about their reliability or those far from the Type-1 definition, such as sightings at a maximum height of about 30 meters/100 feet.

• Specifically, the catalogue excludes:
• (A) Contactee cases: involving physical contacts, messages, and exploitation of tales.
• (B) Photo cases:
• (C) Cases relating sightings of strange "beings" not directly associated with a UFO phenomenon (Type D-H of HUMCAT classification).
• (D) Cases relating discoveries of traces or other physical evidences not linked to UFO sightings.

In parallel to ITACAT, two other works have been developed: ITACAT N, an Italian catalogue of "negative" (IFO) Type-1 events (about 100 cases), and TRACAT, an Italian catalogue of trace cases (about 170 entries). These works are available on floppy disk or tape.

The structure of the ITACAT record includes:
1. Reference number (automatic)
2. Date
3. Location
4. Province
5. Classification
6. Evaluation

ITACAT N has a slightly different record structure with a sixth field for the explanation of the event.

• The classification and evaluation parameters are inserted in an indirect form, appearing as codes on the video. These codes include:
• CE0 to CE4: Different levels of close encounters.
• A.UN. (APPARENTLY UNEXPLAINABLE): Cases with sufficient information and good investigation, for which no cause has been advanced.
• POSS. (POSSIBLE EXPLANATION): Cases with indications for a possible explanation, often based on rumours or low-quality information.
• PROB. (PROBABLE EXPLANATION): Cases with indications for a probable or nearly sure explanation, but lacking valid information.
• HOAX (Possible HOAX): Cases regarded as possible fakes.
• INS. (INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION): Cases with too few data for serious consideration.
• UNRE. (UNRELIABLE): Cases that are unusable due to various characteristics, such as late enquiry, reliance on press or second/third-hand sources, or investigator inexperience.

Evaluations can be combined up to three different types.

Sample entries from ITACAT (1952), ITACAT N (1977), and TRACAT (1977) are provided, showcasing the data format and classifications.

UFO Software Offer

The issue also features an "Offer of Software" from CUFON, aiming to make UFO-related software accessible to anyone. While CUFON is a non-profit publication, software is offered against payment for floppy disc/cassette, packing, and shipping. The initial offer is limited but expected to expand. Programs can also be exchanged with other UFO software.

• A list of available software is presented, including:
• For Commodore 64: ITACAT, ITACAT N, TRACAT, Database for UFO sightings, Database for trace cases, Address-book for UFO group, Perpetual calendar.
• For Apple IIc: Database for UFO reference library, Database for general UFO sightings, ITACAT, ITACAT N, TRACAT.
• For IBM/34 and IBM/36: Catalogues of Argentinian Type-1 events, ARGENCAT statistical graphs and tables.
• For TI 990/I: Database for UFO sightings, Statistical analysis of Italian casuistry.

Charges are listed in Italian Lire. Print-out versions of some programs are also available.

Computer Census and Questionnaire

Under the "NEWS" section, readers are invited to contribute to a copy of UFO-related programs and files with descriptions. A "Computer Census" is introduced as a preliminary effort to understand the computer usage among ufologists. The goal is to identify common computer models to facilitate data exchange. A questionnaire is included for readers to provide details about their computers, devices, software, and any ufology work they have conducted. They are also asked to identify other researchers or groups with computer access. The questionnaire is to be sent to Maurizio Verga in Cermenate, Italy.

The issue also announces that "The Computer UFO Newsletter" will be probably released around October 1985, and that the current issue is the last one sent free of charge.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the organization and dissemination of UFO data through computer databases and software. CUFON's stance is to promote the use of computers in ufology, facilitate information exchange, and build a community of researchers by sharing resources and knowledge about their technological tools. The emphasis is on practical tools and data management for UFO research.