Note: In case you're wondering what the hell this is, it really is the
Dark Illustrated October 1995 .NFO file.  Scroll down, or read on.
(use an editor to cut the encode out and save in ASCII.)

begin 644 dark.jpg

9LOSYdEtRSbSlzxal

end
sum -r/size 52035/7421 section (from "begin" to "end")
sum -r/size 42385/5366 entire input file

the october 1995 information file..

PumpkINTROduction

Adorn magnificent costume
for I come to judge the world
be with me here in my dark place
let yours be mine
cut me and I do not bleed
heat is my body
the poor and simple fools..
- My Dying Bride "The Bitterness and the Bereavement"

Song can generate many varied emotions, from sadness, to fear, to
love, to hate.  I used to think that life was a trifle made of sour cream
and radishes - but in this day and age, all things good have come to be
covered up with blankets.  Quality, craftsmanship, pride, it's all been
beaten down into the one or two common denominators - creativity or money.
Dark solely encompasses neither.  Rather, we have no set idea of what is
'acceptable', or 'alright', but we know the things that are truly great.
It seems that these days, artists everywhere, be them computer, ink, or
otherwise, are preoccupied with this all too familiar venting of creative
emotion.  But the true meaning of quality lies not in the creativity of
artwork, but in the CREATION of artwork.  Originality lies in the heart
and soul of those that are artists; what is brought forth is merely an
extension of the self.

This month, Dark strives to break away from the simple mundane and
into the unknown.  While the quantity of artwork may be low, our group
philosophy is not one of 'What have you done for me lately?' but one of
'Here is what WE, together, will do'.

With the writing of each information file, the group takes on a
different and varied look.  We welcome several new members to the group
this month.  Along with their new blood, they bring fresh new ideas and
inspirational talent.  Our home on the World Wide Web has been firmly
established, to spread the Darkness all around; although we were not the
first, and certainly not the last, we aim to be the best.  The blackness
that surrounds our being does not extend into the depths of self-despair
or destruction, but into the very essence of all things DARK.

Open your wings, and fly with the fools; light has fallen, down into
the Dark.
-desalvo

All Dark files are still named as follows:

XXXXX-##.DRK

XXXXX represents five characters for an artist name.  ## is a hexadecimal
number representing the number of releases that artist has made to date.
This file naming system is working out just fine for us and hopefully
other groups may find this new method useful with getting rid of the
multiple alias conflicts.  All are encouraged to use it.

Viewer Incompatibilities

DARKVIEW is still unable to digest files of the extension .JPG - we
assume this is because of the early use of C++ to code the viewer, but
we're not too sure.  Although Dark cannot endorse the use of any program
other than it's own, it has been rumoured that members use the program
known as CSHOW.

Dark's Stupid Joke of the Month..

A man who owned a small sports outfitting store happened upon a
strange looking object while throwing out the trash one day.  Upon further
inspection, it appeared to be a magic lamp, the type you'd find in movies
like Aladdin and Police Academy.  After curiosity got the better of the
man, he eagerly rubbed it, and to his amazement, a genie popped out in
a great cloud of pink smoke.

"I shall grant you three wishes," said the genie, "but be warned
that whatever you wish for, your worst enemy will receive DOUBLE of what
you are granted."

The man, who just barely escaped eviction last month, couldn't care
less.  "I don't care!" said the man, "just give me my three wishes!"

The genie nodded, and the man thought for a moment.  A car?  Money?
After a few seconds, he knew what he wanted for his first wish.

"I want a one hundred room palace with belly dancers and servants
in every room!" said the man.

The genie nodded, snapped his fingers, and FOOM!  In a great cloud of
smoke appeared a huge, one hundred room house, with belly dancers and
servants in every room.  The man was amazed.  However, in looking across
the street, he noticed that his worst enemy, the owner of a rival store,
had received a two hundred room palace with double the belly dancers and
servants.  Angrily, and not to be outdone, he thought about his second wish.

"Give me a million dollars.. no, make it ten million!" said the man.

The genie nodded, snapped his fingers, and FOOM!  In a great cloud of
smoke appeared ten million dollars, all neatly wrapped and packaged in wads
of one hundred dollar bills.  The man greedily snapped up the money, but
stopped when he discovered his competitor across the street had received
twenty million dollars, in untraceable bearer bonds.

"Shit, I bet he won't even have to pay tax on them!" screamed the man.
Intently, he thought about what he could wish for.  Anything that wouldn't
be outdone..

After a few minutes, he had the answer.  "Genie, for my last wish, I
want you to reduce my sexual potency by 50 percent."

FOOM!

Ba-dum-bum-CHING!

Another exciting month for the gaining of new members in Dark.  In
the depths of the 905/416 area code we came upon the great Dirge, previously
known as Prison Breaker of Skimer.  His excellent drawing techniques just
set us in awe.  As well we gain another musician!  Yes, this month we gained
Shrike, who will just blow you away!  Can't wait to start working with both
of these wonderful artists!

Aw mom, aren't videotapes are supposed to be eaten?!?!?!

People who went to the X-Files convention.. Scully, huh huh.

Mmmm.. porridge.. aurghghurhguhg..

Are you ready to read the verdict over live chat, bailiff?  Alright then,
proceed.  We the jury find Orenthal James Simp│æ▒┐z«Ñf╨▓▀£NO CARRIER

The Lands of Dark

Shadowdale416World FortressRavage Bias
Sanctuary305Southern  FortressTempus Thales
Harvest Moon216Central FortressQu'Ran

Black Ice805Dark ArmouryInertia/Argon
Dungeon 2808Dark ArmourySmooth
Ground Zero+972Dark ArmourySharp Edge
Project-X+972Dark ArmouryNyc-Kid
Suicidal Shrimp514Dark ArmouryRed Leader
Sushi Bar Z619Dark ArmouryAsylum
Eternal Insanity908Dark ArmouryMindcrime
Evil Intentions408Dark ArmouryBetrayer

** All SysOps of Dark-affiliated bulletin boards are required to
contact  a  Dark  Senior member  (via e-mail, IRC, or through
another Dark member)  by the end  of October  to discuss  its
current status.  Failure  to do so will result in the board's
removal  from Dark's  list of official  distribution sites.   **

ALL SITES ARE CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW.
REFER TO THE FAQ FOR E-MAIL ADDRESSES OF SENIOR MEMBERS.

Groups:  ACiD  ∙  iCE  ∙  Anasthasia  ∙  Blade  ∙  Legend  ∙  Toon

Individuals:  Aphex Twin  ∙  Mass Delusion  ∙  Juice
Lord Carnuss  ∙  Godless  ∙  Nailz  ∙  Rad Man
Sinned Soul  ∙  Smooth  ∙  Somms  ∙  Syntax Error
Tempus  ∙  (and all the guys we forgot)

This Collection goes out  to
The 4th Disciple, aka Tribe.
Your  perservance  and  hard
work are greatly appreciated
and  provide an  inspiration
for us all...

Acidic Soap

" fade into the dark. . . "