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Note: Unless you tell us otherwise, we assume that you grant us permission to post your correspondence as if it's a letter to the editor. (Actually it's an e-mail to the Webmaster, but let's not quibble.)P.S.: We've fallen 'way behind in updating this page and we know it! We'll get to some of the back mail as soon as we can. We reserve the right to get the real zingers on this page right away, even though some of the more mundane mail still sits in the mailbox . . . .
Subject: Mensa parties
30 Jan 1998
I'm not a member of Mensa yet, although I've applied to take the test. I'm contacting you because I heard from a member (Cliff Enz) that Mensa is noted for its parties.
I'm a freelance writer, and I do occasional pieces for the Post Magazine. One story my editor is considering is on the subject of big parties in small spaces. This was my idea -- I think these are definitely among the best parties. Anyway, Cliff thought I should check with Mensa and see what's going on there. Are there members who have given or are thinking about giving parties of this sort? And if so, would they like them to be written about?
This story, of course, would not be solely on Mensa. So far I am thinking of including a catered party in Georgetown, a group-house party in Mount Rainier, and a sort of religious get-together given by Peruvians.
I would appreciate any e-mail addresses, advice or comments. Thanks.
Joanne Leonard <jleonard@ami.net>
25 Sep 1997
Subject: Scholarships for College Bound High School Seniors
Please send me information on how to obtain an application form for the MERF scholarship award.
You'll find full information on the MERF Web page: http://www.mindspring.com/~mensa/pages/merf.htm
Clare Goodman <goodmank@erols.com>
9/22/97
First: I'd like to become a member and take the test (or the other way round).
2) Problem is I'm in Brazil.
You'll find complete information on taking the Mensa test and joining our group at Mensa International's Web address: http://www.mensa.org
3) I bought a book published by Barnes & Noble calles The Ultimate Mensa Challenge and was surprised to see some puzzles of which I had a completely different answer to them.
4) So, either I'm an average dumb or...someone should listen.
5) Example: Puzzle 10, Level 3, page 213, My answer:
Captain Shrimp must have navigated the world following at close distance alongside the coast, thus permiting him to sleep on dry land every night.
This answer sounds much more logical then the one the book supplies.
Is this right?
Luis Kmentt, Recife/Brazil <lucho@elogica.com.br>
I'm afraid I'm not much of a puzzle solver. When I get a chance I'll post your inquiry on our Web page and see if any of our brighter members can help.
Thanks for writing and good luck.
Hey there:
I was informed that my Kinkos article was on your Mensa page (whoa did I gloat about that one). I have but 2 things to ask:
1. Why is it there??? *snicker*
We've gotten a lot of laughs from it, and we wanted to share it with our members.
2. Can you please put a link at the end to its home?
You've got it.
Thanks!
Mileena
Update September 1998 by the Webmaster: Mileena's old Web address has been turned into a pornographic Web site so we have removed the link. If you're still out there, Mileena, let us know.
by what I just read in the mensa web pages is sure doesn't take much to be a mensa member anymore- just a few bucks and an unsupervised test or a paid off shrink to sign a piece of paper. You all should be ashamed of yourselves. I thought Mensa was supposed to be an elite group; something to be proud of and yet you have managed to make it a money making scheme. Never will I ever think of Mensa as the "smart ones", just the "greedy ones" from now on. a
Tim (tklein@erols.com)
Well, you're a cheery little fellow, aren't you?
19 Aug 1997
Subject: Possible Membership
Many years ago (17 or so) I was a member of a Mensa group that met in the Baltimore area. I have contacted Mensa International about reactivating my membership, but they may be as bureacratic as the home office of any organization.
Is it safe to conclude that anyone with a high IQ has fled the Baltimore area because we had no football and they were all Redskin fans? Is there an active group in Maryland today?
I can remember that Henry Noble and Herbert Mack led many of the sessions.
In reading through your pages, it seems that you have an active & diverse group, but a little too far for me to join. I will contact one of my associates. Adding a password protection feature to a web page should present no major problem. (noting your concern about discovery of Mensa events) You may be able to secure only the pages containing scheduled events, so that potential candidates could still access the overall page.
24 Jul 1997
I'm surprised that the most recent e-mail to you is April, 1996. Also, the application needs to be updated to reflect the new preliminary test price of $20. It was very disappointing to have my request for a test for my father and myself mailed back to me, due to an incorrect payment.
On a more positive note, I was very pleased to find your website, and the necessary information to join your club.
Thanks! I look forward to seeing new info. on your site soon!
Edsomm@aol.com (More below . . . )
Thanks for your input. The Metropolitan Washington Mensa Web site's e-mail page is currently somewhat inactive, and I regret it. "Little M" is run by two volunteers, and neither of us has had much time lately; a lame excuse, but that's all there is.
One of these days I'm going to sweep through all the mail (all saved, compulsively) and make that page shine. As far as the preliminary test price change, it's news to us. I'll check that out and make changes as necessary in the next round of updates.
Just as an aside, I looked up genius in my trusty Webster's New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, do you know if different IQ tests categorize genius according to different scores?
Yes they do. Check Mensa International's Web site at www.mensa.org. (At last check, the exact address for American Mensa's FAQ page on test score information was http://www.mensa.org/mensa-international/faq.cgi?country=United+States&page=4.
What IQ score does it take to join Mensa?
According to the American Mensa FAQ page, "The term "IQ score" is widely used but poorly defined. There are a large number of tests with different scales. The result on one test of 132 can be the same as a score 148 on another test. Some intelligence test don't use IQ scores at all. Mensa has set a percentage as cutoff to avoid this confusion. Candidates for membership in Mensa must achieve a score at or above the 98th percentile (a score that is greater or equal than 98 percent of the general population taking the test) on a standard test of intelligence . . . . American Mensa reserves the right to alter or change these scores as the tests shown are renormed or restandardized. American Mensa will individually appraise all applications, and reserves the right to make the final determination about the acceptability of any test."
And, if so, do you know what the qualifying score for "genius" is on the California Test of Mental Maturity?
See the page referenced above. I'm not sure they define their qualifying score as "genius."
12 May 1997
Subject: Mensa / Calendar
Hi Bud,
I saw your bio on the Washington Mensa page and realized that you are the smartest of the bunch (or at least the most Web savvy) and hopefully the most likely to check his email.
The amount of time it took me to respond to your e-mail should dissuade you of any such notion(s).
I'm about to join Mensa and was wondering if you had any comments, encouragement, or anything else you wanted to say about it before I joined.
(Anyone want to reply to this one?)
I was raised in this area and went through all the gifted and talented programs in Fairfax County, culminating in one of the best experiences of my life: the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. I went on to go to Virginia Tech and am now going for my Masters degree.
Anyways, I thought about joining Mensa when I was younger (around 8, I believe) when my dad gave me a Mensa brain-twister book. But I never did.
However, recently I brought it up with my wife and she suggested it might be good to join.
I looked at the International Mensa web site and realized that I could join with perhaps 4 tests (IQ test in 2nd grade, PSAT Junior Year in 1989, SAT in 1991, GRE in 1996). I filled out the Web form for the American Mensa site, but I was disappointed that there was no email address or phone # that I could call.
I've been browsing the site and it sounds like an interesting bunch to join here in the local area.
Our local Mensa chapter has a variety of functions and the members, a variety of interests. The best way to meet us (if you haven't already) is to come to a New Members Open House. The next open house is listed at
http://www.mwm.org/for_ms.html
I look forward to meeting you at one of our functions.
And to the calendar part...
I noticed that you put up a local calendar of events. I'm definitely interested in such a beast, although I'm not sure how you have limited it in the past.
I've recently created an CGI group calendar (in C++) as a side project here at work.
It connects to the freely available msql database. Perhaps when I join I can put it up at the MWM site. It lets you add, edit, and delete events for any day of any year. I'm currently working on porting it to Java in my free time.
Louie <Luis.delaRosa@mci.com>
25 June 1996
Hi Metropolitan Washington Mensa!
It's me, Little M, the other Little M on the web! My name is Angie Hung, and I used an Altavista search to see who had a link to my homepage (http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/3494). Thank you very much for your link, and I will gladly return the honor by placing a link to your homepage the next time I update it.
By the way, I chose Little M as my name, since I'm a fan of Madonna. You know, she also has an IQ in the top 2% of the US population, so she can actually be a member of your group!
Best wishes on Capital M and Little M!
Little M (Angie Hung) (ahung@acs.ucalgary.ca)
Hi, Angie. I wondered when we'd hear from you!
I know you were Little M before we were. Your outstanding home page reflects a wide variety of interests and concerns. I hope you'll use your self-described "child-like mindset" as you explore Calgary and the world--and share it with us. You make it all sound like such fun!
One more thing--plenty of our members were perceived in high school as "quiet and studious nerds." I'm glad to see you've shattered that image of yourself. Please consider joining us as you continue to broaden your interests. You'd make a great Mensan!
Write us anytime, and good luck.
23 May 1996
Wonderful set of pages! However, PLEASE put in an option to kill the $*$*$ frames. It's one of Netscape's most obnoxious new features. I'd prefer to be able to look at it in a normal fashion.
Bruce Glassford (bglassford@interramp.com)
17 May 1996
Please don't scroll text on the status line of the MWM web pages. It's very annoying.
The status line is the place where a url is displayed when you hold the mouse cursor over a link. If you scroll on the status line, the user can't see the urls of the links.
The scrolling eats up the CPU cycles and disk access (because it's writing to disk cache), and slows the PC waaaaayyyy doooowwwwnnnn. I can hardly do anything else when the text is scrolling on the status bar, and there's no way I can stop it from scrolling either.
Also, please offer a non-frame version of the pages. Frames take longer to load and they use up valuable screen real estate. A screen is small enough as it is. Dividing the screen with frames makes even less space available to view the primary information.
David Savage (dsavage@mail.hq.faa.gov)
13 May 1996
Just wanted to congratulate the Webmaster General and Associate Webmaster Supreme on an OUTSTANDING job on the Web site. I think you are definitely in the running towards your goal of having the best Mensa web site, judging from what I found in entering a (very few) other sites. Congratulations on initiative and a job well done.
I am considering putting in a bio but I am a very boring person—hobbies are president of victorian society, making stained glass windows and collecting antique cars. pedestrian stuff. Maybe I can embellish a few things into something interesting.
(Webmaster's note: Please do!)
I REALLY enjoyed the Densa test--I've wanted to belong to it for a long time, I think Mensa and Densa would make the perfect resume.
Cheerio.
Anne Marie Zerega ( Anne-Marie.Zerega@mailgw.er.doe.gov)
30 Apr 1996
Hi! The site looks great! Good job!
I'll admit up-front that I may be biased due to my employment situation, but Netscape isn't the only, or even best, browser available. The comments here and there on the site seem to indicate that only with Netscape can folks see the full beauty of the pages, and this is simply untrue. The company I work for, Attachmate Corporation (recent purchasers of my previous employer, The Wollongong Group), sells a browser/Internet swiss-army-knife called Emissary (Attachmate bought Wollongong to get this program for themselves...). Emissary is capable of displaying all the stuff that Netscape is capable of, with the exception of Java (which I personally feel to be a dangerous creation that I will never allow onto my personal computer...it's just asking for trouble to allow support for it...but that's just me and a future version of Emissary will most likely support it due to popular (i.e. ignorant) demand).
Besides being a very good web browser, Emissary is also a news reader, POP mail client, FTP client/file-manager, Telnet client (with multiple terminal emulations), and HTML editor. Every part of it supports HTML and the mail portion can handle MIME just fine. Everything works with drag and drop ease.
If you want to try a beta of the next version of Emissary, free, you can grab one at www.twg.com. It's time limited, but otherwise fully functional. If you find any bugs, please let the developers know! (there are a few here and there, though they are getting stomped pretty quickly).
So I guess the short form of the suggestion is that where you now say "Netscape" it might be better to say "Netscape or Emissary", or maybe just "Any browser supporting the Netscape extensions to HTML".
Mike "gotta try out TrueSpace in the next 30 days..." Bartman (mike@cais.cais.com)
Though I'm aware of the program and used the Beta for a while, I just don't think about it much. The power of Netscape to mold men's minds is undeniable. When I get a chance, I'll give Emissary equal space with our suggestion that people use Netscape 2.0 to view Little M.
10 Apr 1996
Love the site. Keep up the good work.
Fred Radewagen (aspadc@erols.com)
08 Apr 1996
Just wondered if you considered those of us with astigmatism and eye coordination when you considered moving messages across the bottom of the screen. I can't even read anything on your page because I can't focus with the scrolling message. Can I turn it off somehow (I am using Netscape 2.01) so I can see your page?
Other pages with moving stuff I usually just leave.
Mary Wolfe (mdwolfe@cennet.mc.peachnet.edu) of Mensa in Georgia
A good question, Mary. If you have a copy of Netscape 1.x you can use that and the crawl won't appear. I suspect the answer is no, you can't turn it off with Netscape 2.0, but we'll look into it.
09 Apr 1996 / followup
Thanks for the tip about the old viewer. I still had an old copy of Netscape 1.1 on my hard drive. Your page looks better to me without the frames too since the text is larger, and the other frames cause no distraction.
Since you had a creative person who sends frames only when the browser can handle it, I now wonder if it is possible to allow the viewer a choice of frames or not? I think your design as a whole is great and represents Mensa in a positive manner. I love the owls!
One other thought — have you considered changing the resolution of your VGA display? You can select a different Windows video driver to display 800 x 600 pixels or 1024 x 768 instead of the (default) 640 x 480. That will make text and graphics smaller, but you can compensate by changing the size of Netscape's default font. Select Options/General Preferences/Fonts and size up the defaults. The result: You'll see Little M's frames, but the Java crawl across the bottom will be so small that you can ignore it.
08 Apr 1996
Congratulations.
As a Webmaster for the French speaking Mensa Web site France-Quebec (in construction), I want to congratulate you. I thought all Mensa pages were boring (99% of them are). Yours is nice, artistic, and "intelligent".
Yves Langlois (yveslany@acces- cible.net)
07 Apr 1996
I don't have a Web site, but I'd like to use Little M to publicize Listeners of Classical Music. Can I do that and what do I need to do?
Ken Zabielski (kzabiels@capaccess.org)
Take a look at http://www.mwm.org/submit.html for full details.
Or, here's the short answer:
Just send appropriate info via e-mail to Associate Webmaster Supreme Mary Matthews (wisdom@smart.net) and she will post for you. Once she's seen it she may have comments for you on how to format future materials, but since this is the first time, just send what you have.
05 Apr 1996
Even without Netscape 2, the site looks exceptionally well-designed.
Sue King
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