F I D O N E W S -- Vol.12 No.32 (07-Aug-1995)
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| A newsletter of the | ISSN 1198-4589 Published by: |
| FidoNet BBS community | "FidoNews" BBS |
| _ | +1-519-570-4176 |
| / \ | |
| /|oo \ | |
| (_| /_) | |
| _`@/_ \ _ | |
| | | \ \\ | Editors: |
| | (*) | \ )) | Donald Tees 1:221/192 |
| |__U__| / \// | Sylvia 1:221/194 |
| _//|| _\ / | |
| (_/(_|(____/ | |
| (jm) | Newspapers should have no friends. |
| | -- JOSEPH PULITZER |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Submission address: editors 1:1/23 |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| MORE addresses: |
| |
| submissions=>
[email protected] |
| Don --
[email protected] |
| Sylvia
[email protected] |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| For information, copyrights, article submissions, |
| obtaining copies of fidonews or the internet gateway faq |
| please refer to the end of this file. |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
========================================================================
Table of Contents
========================================================================
1. Editorial..................................................... 2
2. Articles...................................................... 3
A_THEIST Echo on Zone 1 Backbone!........................... 3
North American Backbone FAQ................................. 4
DEF CON III Last Minute changes......................... 10
New Echo for Those Interested in FLorida_USA!............... 10
HOLYSMOKE Echo is available on the Zone 1 Backbone!......... 11
What If Dr. Seuss Did Technical Training Manuals?........... 12
A QUESTION ABOUT RECs....................................... 13
MENSANS_ONLY Echo Notice.................................... 13
PUBLIC_KEYS & PKEY_DROP Echos on Backbone!.................. 14
The Booke of Balde.......................................... 16
Silly submission, eh........................................ 18
SKEPTIC Echo on the Zone 1 Backbone!........................ 19
THEIST_WATCH Echo on Zone 1 Backbone!....................... 19
3. Fidonews Information.......................................... 20
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 2 07 Aug 1995
========================================================================
Editorial
========================================================================
MY mother's name is Opal and i like having my hand held.
Who am i?
a: 2-4,4-7,2-6,4-4,4-5,5-C,3-2,3-A,4-8,4-6,5-2
..relatively unrelately, at least in my previous direction:
The February issue of "Waste Age" contains an article by
Cheryl L. McAdams, called "Resurrecting the Computer Graveyard".
i like how article rhymes with popsicle.
i learned something about networking today. I went off on a secret
mission, to meet someone at a donought shop who was to take me to a
place. I followed the directions towards getting there, or so i
thought, but when i arrived there was no-one waiting for me so i
waited for him instead. I had forgotten his name, so when some people
asked me if i was looking for their friend who frequented the place,
and i confessed that i had forgotten his name, they spoke the name
of their friend and i inclined my head and bobbed it, up and down,
guessing that it sounded quite the same.
They said they had been there for a while but he hadn't shown up
yet, and i wondered aloud if i were possibly in the wrong donought
shop on the right street. They suggested that i try the other one,
assuring me that if he showed up where they were to remain, that they
would inform him of my whereabouts, assuming i was to go to the
other place. So i did.
He wasn't there either.
The other place was boring so i drove homewards, and in my anxiety i
noticed a black and green handpainted sign near a highway cut-off
with an arrow on it and above the arrow was written, in black and
green ink, "Albanian Picnic".
Having many less intruigueing but more pressing tasks to accomplish
in the near future, of course i decided to follow the sign and try
to find the albanian picnic. I saw more Albanian picnic signs, some
of which included a smallish and delicate lobster logo which also
sort of looks like a bottle opener or a chamelion or a winged spider.
Most of these signs were placed JUST SO, at the near beginnings of
highway cut-offs. I tended to see them just as it was too late to
turn, so i went round and round, over clover leaves, to get back on
so i could get back off.
Finally, eventually,.
The Albanian picnic was apparently already over to be replaced by
the Crowley family reunion but by then i didn't care, because
acreoss the street from the opening of the park where the picnic
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 3 07 Aug 1995
wasn't, WAS A 1957 DESOTO!
i love that car. i took pictures, so that the character mentioned
above can ride about in a 1957 Desoto.
The moral of this story is that bits only flow one way, so the
trick to hacking isn't driving quickly, it is TURNING quickly.
(eventually the desoto will be available by file request, but don't
hold your breath I AM NOT FAST contrary to popular opinion and
personal fantasy)
========================================================================
Articles
========================================================================
A_THEIST Echo on Zone 1 Backbone!
Christopher Baker
Rights On! 1:374/14
A_THEIST Echo Available
A_theism means free of religion in the way a_political means
free of politics or a_sexual means free of sex
characteristics or drives.
With that in mind and ever cognizant of the continued
pressure of religion to intrude itself into our government
and its operations, the A_THEIST Echo is provided to inform
and alarm and hopefully wake up the sleeping and too long
silent majority to the peril on our doorstep.
It is a Zone 1 Backbone Echo Hosted and Moderated by Rights
On! at 1:374/14 and Christopher Baker [card carrying member of
American Atheists, Inc.] and by Jackson Harding at 3:800/857
in Hawthorndene_SA_Australia. Links may be obtained from your
local Backbone source connection. Zone 3 is being Hubbed
through 3:800/857.
The Echo is open to anyone who can discuss, without
proselytizing, the extreme desirability of maintaining the
absolute separation of State and church in this country as
provided for in our Constitution.
A sample of the first few messages and the statement of
purpose of the Echo is available as A_THEIST.ZIP from this
system anytime except 0100-0130 ET and Zone 1 ZMH [USR HST
V32 online] if you wish to get an idea of whether to commit
disk space to the Echo.
It has been on the Backbone for years. Ask your Backbone
connection to get it for you! The complete info is available
in the current ELISTnnn.XXX file available from your NEC or
REC or here. [Request ELIST.]
I hope you will join us or ask your Sysop to request a link
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 4 07 Aug 1995
via their regular Backbone connections!
TTFN.
Chris
----------------------------------------------------------------------
North American Backbone FAQ
================================================
== North American Backbone Frequently ==
== Asked Questions and HELP file ==
01 Aug 95 ================================================
BOFAQ508.TXT
Terms used throughout this file:
Backbone.Na - A text file listing all echoes, and their
descriptions, that are presently carried on the North
American Backbone. This text file is formatted in a
manner which makes it easily readable by EchoMail
distribution software to use as a "forward list". The
file is published weekly and distributed through the
EchoMail Hubs. Formerly known as Fidonet.Na.
Backbone.No - A file, distributed along with Backbone.Na, which
acts as a buffer for conferences that are in the process
of being removed from Backbone distribution for failing
to maintain a listing in the Echolist. Conferences are
customarily queued in this file for a period of 90 days.
Formerly known as Fidonet.No.
Backstat.Na - A North American Backbone newsletter published
weekly which, among other things, itemizes echoes which
are in the process of being added to the North American
Backbone as well as listing the Zone and Region Hubs.
Backstat.Na is distributed in much the same manner as
Backbone.Na. It is advisable that those people who rely
on the North American Backbone get in the habit of
reading this file. Formerly known as Fidostat.Na.
Echo (Conference) - An echomail conference is a message base or
forum, distributed under a specified echomail conference
name, dealing with a defined area of interest.
Gateways - Echomail Gateways are nodes whose systems are used to
exchange mail with other groups. The term Gateway, as
used here, includes all forms of gating including, but
not limited to, zone-gating, inter-network gating,
intra-network gating, and domain-gating.
Hub - Echomail Hubs are people who distribute echomail. Zone
Hubs distribute echomail at the zone level: Region Hubs
distribute echomail at the region level: Net Hubs
distribute echomail at the net level.
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 5 07 Aug 1995
Moderator - Person(s) responsible for the echo and its liaison
with the Backbone.
North American Backbone - Group of volunteers who help
distribute EchoMail and routed netmail, the structure of
which is somewhat flexible. Customarily recognized as a
set of tiers with the intention of distributing EchoMail
in an accurate and expeditious manner. The North
American Backbone tiers are identified by the use of
Hubs who subdivide and distribute to lower tiers. From
this point forward throughout this file, the North
American Backbone will be referred to as, the "Backbone".
O.B.O. - Overseer of Backbone Operations - Person responsible
for maintenance of this help file and its associated
distribution documents. The position has customarily
been occupied by the Zone 1 EchoMail Coordinator
(identified by the 1:1/200 address in the FidoNet
nodelist). Ultimately responsible for all decisions
regarding EchoMail distribution on the North American
Backbone.
O.B.O. Council - A group of people representing the EchoMail
interests of the Zone, assembled for the purpose of
providing input and perspective to the O.B.O. The
Council consists of the 10 Region EchoMail Coordinators.
Region EchoMail Coordinator - In respect to the Backbone, this
person sits on the O.B.O. council representing his/her
respective FidoNet Region. Each Region EchoMail
Coordinator can be identified by an administrative
address in the FidoNet nodelist in the form 1/2xx (where
"xx" = the Region number.)
Zone Echolist - As it relates to the Backbone, a database
containing a list of echoes distributed by, or aspiring
to be distributed by, the Backbone. The format of this
monthly distributed database is at the discretion of the
ZEC, however customarily contains echo names, moderator
names and addresses, and descriptions of the echoes.
Zone EchoList Coordinator - Person responsible for the
maintenance and production of the Zone EchoList.
Q1
===================================================================
What is the purpose of this help file?
This help file has been assembled as a means to provide answers
to frequently asked questions regarding how the Backbone
operates and to provide an insight into its internal
administration.
Q2
===================================================================
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 6 07 Aug 1995
Who appoints the Hubs?
Hubs at the Zone level, commonly referred to as "Stars", are
appointed by the O.B.O. Hubs at the Region level are appointed
by their respective Region EchoMail Coordinators. The
appointment of Hubs at the Net level is left up to local policy
to decide.
Q3
==================================================================
Are all of the echoes listed in Backbone.Na available from all
of the Hubs?
The Zone Hubs (Stars) make available all echoes which are listed
in Backbone.Na. Region Hubs and Net Hubs are not obligated to
carry all listed echoes. NO Hub is required to carry any echo
that, in their opinion, could subject them to consequences which
might have a negative effect on their well being.
Q4
==================================================================
What are the responsibilities of a Moderator of an echo which
the North American Backbone carries?
1) Seeing that messages in their conference(s) correspond to
the conference's theme.
2) Updating their conference(s) listing in the Echolist at least
every six months.
3) To prevent the distribution of their conference(s) from
interfering with the operation of the Backbone.
Q5 ==================================================================
What "tools" does the Backbone provide to a Moderator in
order to help him/her carry out their responsibilities?
If a Moderator believes that a node is violating a conference rule,
he/she may request the feed to that node be severed. This
authorization is made in direct written form (netmail), to the Hub
feeding the offending node, with a copy to the offending node.
Q6 ===================================================================
What means does the Backbone use to recognize the Moderator
of a conference?
A Moderator is recognized as follows:
1) Upon formation of a conference, the person who forms the
conference is the Moderator.
2) Upon resignation or replacement of an existing Moderator,
the conference's rules define how the new Moderator is
selected.
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 7 07 Aug 1995
3) Should a conference be without a moderator for over 30 days, the
O.B.O. may cause a Moderator to be selected.
Q7
==================================================================
I am the moderator of a conference, but I may be away from my
computer for long periods of time. What does the Backbone
suggest that I do to ensure that my conference is properly
maintained?
Moderators are encouraged to appoint Co-Moderators to assist
them in their duties and to stand in for them in their absence.
Q8
==================================================================
What is the Backbone's position on illegal activities conducted
within EchoMail conferences?
The Backbone does not distribute any conference which routinely
contains messages which are encrypted, contain illegal
information, or promote illegal activities. As used in this
paragraph, "illegal activities" includes activities which are a
violation of civil law as well as activities which could result
in criminal prosecution.
The Backbone does not distribute any conference which routinely
contains counterfeit messages. A counterfeit message is any
message entered using another person's name, handle, or node
address with the intent of deceiving others about the true
author of the message.
Q9
==================================================================
What is the Backbone's position on the censorship of EchoMail
messages as they pass through the distribution system?
The Backbone does not permit the deletion or alteration of
messages as they are distributed. The exceptions to this
provision are the deletion of messages, by any node, which may
lead to legal action against that node or which do not meet
echomail message standards.
Q10
=================================================================
Regarding echomail standards, what standards does the Backbone
employ?
FTSC specifications FTS-0001 and FTS-0004 are followed. All
Backbone nodes use the pathline option.
Q11
=================================================================
How does one go about getting an echo added to North American
Backbone distribution?
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 8 07 Aug 1995
The O.B.O. generally adds a conference to the Backbone when all
of these requirements are met:
1) The conference is listed in the Echolist.
2) The moderator sends a request to the O.B.O. He/She
should include a copy of the Echolist confirmation
message if the conference does not appear in the
currently published Echolist.
3) Two O.B.O council members recommend that the Backbone carry the
conference to their regions.
Q12
=================================================================
When does the Backbone remove an echo from its distribution
system?
The O.B.O. generally drops a conference when any of these
situations occur:
1) The conference is not listed in the Echolist.
2) Unconditionally when the moderator requests that the echo be
removed.
3) There are no longer two O.B.O. Council members requesting
that the Backbone carry the conference to their regions.
4) The Moderator fails to properly carry out his
responsibilities.
5) The conference is without a Moderator for over 30 days.
6) The traffic level in the conference falls below 10 messages
over a two month period.
7) When the O.B.O. considers that the distribution of an echo is
no longer in the best interest of the Backbone.
Q13
=================================================================
How do Backbone nodes handle NetMail that lands on their systems
in the course of distributing EchoMail?
The Backbone encourages the use of 'Echo routed NetMail' as a
means of keeping echo volume and off-topic posts to a minimum.
Backbone nodes accept routed netmail from any node who connects
with them for conferences. Any netmail message with a
deliverable destination within FidoNet, regardless of its
origin, is accepted. Routed netmail may be routed along
echomail paths or to a ZC, RC, or NC who has agreed to handle
such mail.
Routed netmail is for personal messages. It is not for
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 9 07 Aug 1995
commercial messages, conferences, mailing lists, news groups,
file-attaches, "encoded" files, pyramid letters, or chain
letters.
Q14
=================================================================
What does the Backbone expect of nodes who operate as "Gateways"
into and out of other domains?
Gateways must remove foreign distribution identifiers (including
seen-bys) which might adversely affect the distribution of the
conference on the Backbone. Gateways also pass netmail into the
other network, unless it is technically impossible to do so.
Q15
=================================================================
What obligation does the Backbone have to those that desire to
get their EchoMail feed from it?
To strive to distribute EchoMail in the most accurate and
expeditious manner possible within its means.
Although the North American Backbone attempts to provide the
best service possible, there is no guarantee of service provided.
It is operated by volunteers and is not obligated to handle any
conference that could take the fun out of the hobby. Use of
Backbone services should be viewed as a privilege, not a right.
Messages which require sensitive or timely handling should not
be sent through the Backbone.
Q16
=================================================================
What is the update procedure for this document?
The O.B.O. may update this help file anytime that he/she feels
that it would be in the best interest of the Backbone and those
people it voluntarily serves in order to more accurately reflect
its current operation.
- end -
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 10 07 Aug 1995
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
DEF CON III Last Minute changes.
This is the last update before the convention at the Tropicana
this August 4-6th. If you can't find it in this or the main
last announcement (Version 1.80) then it isn't mentioned and you
need to email me (dtangent@ defcon.org)
SPEAKERS:
These are the speakers currently listed. If they are not listed here
but were in the 1.80 announcement it means they have dropped or I can't
get ahold of them and assume they are not showing up.
Bruce Schenier Winn Schwartau Chris Hall
Theora Curtis Karnow Robert D. Steele
James Settle Karen Coyle Peter J. Skelly
Oscar Meyer EFF Stephen Cobb
Dead Addict Attitude Adjuster Susan Thunder
Pete Shipley Koresh John Q. Newman
Deth Vegetable Mark Lottor Frosty
Novocain
WEB PAGE: Is working now at
http://www.defcon.org/ and
announcements and stuff will be posted there. But you don't
care because you'll be at the con and it won't make a difference.
BAR: I got a wet bar again for the convention area (Nobody
better fucking break it this year or I will sick _all_ the Goons
(c) on you and you'll be screwed) and it starts around 10 pm on
Friday night to get us liquored up in time for hacker jeopardy.
If it survives we'll have it again Saturday.
NETWORK: Don't forget to bring your stuff for the 10baseT
ethernet network. Get the winsock tcp/ip stack installed in
advance if you can.
MOVIES: Bring a vcr if you want to dub anything people are
offering, bring the movies you want to show.
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
New Echo for Those Interested in FLorida_USA!
Christopher Baker
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 11 07 Aug 1995
Rights On!, 1:374/14, Titusville_FL_USA
Bert Sainz
Tech-80, 1:135/55, Miami_FL_USA
Larry Squire
Ancient City Wireless, 1:3620/2, St._Augustine_FL_USA
FLA_COOKS Echo
We are running a FLorida-wide Echo [FLA_COOKS] that deals
with cooking and eating throughout the state. Use of native
ingredients and regional specialties will be included as
well as restaurant reviews and anything else that pertains
to food in FLorida.
FLA_COOKS is Hubbed and Moderated by Christopher Baker at
1:374/14 in Titusville_FL, by Bert Sainz at 1:135/55 in
Miami_FL, and by Larry Squire at 1:3620/2 in St. Augustine
FL. Contact any for a link into this conference. It is also
being carried on the Region 18 Backbone at 1:3619/25.
That's the general idea. [grin]
The Echo tag is FLA_COOKS. In addition, FLorida systems
should have their FLorida city in their origin line so
everyone knows what part of FLorida you are talking about
and if you mention a specific place or area, you should
define it as if people outside your immediate area are
reading it [as they will be]. This ain't a 'local' Echo
anymore! [grin]
TTFN.
Chris & Bert & Larry
----------------------------------------------------------------------
HOLYSMOKE Echo is available on the Zone 1 Backbone!
Styx Allum
Out in the Styx, 1:152/20
HOLYSMOKE Echo is ready and waiting!
HOLYSMOKE is a Backbone Echo that originally sprang forth
from Out in the Styx of Oregon. It is carried on the
Zone 1 Backbone and sent into Zones 2, 3, and 6.
HOLYSMOKE is Moderated by Styx Allum on 1:152/20.
If any of you or your Sysops are interested in obtaining
this Echo, you or they should contact their regular,
Backbone Echo source! HOLYSMOKE has appeared in FIDONET.NA
[now BACKBONE.NA] since 26 Jul 92.
HOLYSMOKE is an Echo for debating the merits/demerits of
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 12 07 Aug 1995
religions of all kinds in a friendly but contentious way.
It is open to anyone who cares to argue or cajole without
proselytizing or personal attacks. Wear your NOMEX undies!
The Echo is now fully activated and waiting for those with
an interest in fire or brimstone or a bucket of cold water.
The complete rules are posted regularly in the Echo and are
available in the current ELRUL archive published at 1:1/201.
Come and join us in the great debate!
Styx Allum, Host & Moderator
1:152/20
----------------------------------------------------------------------
What If Dr. Seuss Did Technical Training Manuals?
Marilyn Field
[email protected]
Wilfrid Laurier University
Development and Alumni Affairs
Max & Don,
Here's a little ditty I came across today that I thought might
provide a smile.
What If Dr. Seuss Did Technical Training Manuals?
IF a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port,
And the bus is interrupted as a very last resort,
And the address of the memory makes your floppy disk abort,
Then the socket packet pocket has an error to report!
IF your cursor finds a menu item followed by a dash,
And the double-clicking icon puts your window in the trash,
And your data is corrupted 'cause the index doesn't hash,
Then your situation's hopeless, and your system's gonna
crash!
You can't say this?
What a shame sir!
We'll find you
Another game sir.
IF the label on the cable on the table at your house,
Says the network is connected to the button on your mouse,
But your packets want to tunnel on another protocol,
That's repeatedly rejected by the printer down the hall,
And your screen is all distorted by the side effects of gauss
So your icons in the window are as wavey as a souse,
Then you may as well reboot and go out with a bang,
'Cause as sure as I'm a poet, the sucker's gonna hang!
When the copy of your floppy's getting sloppy on the disk,
And the microcode instructions cause unnecessary RISC,
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 13 07 Aug 1995
Then you have to flash your memory and you'll want to RAM
your ROM.
Quickly turn off the computer and be sure to tell your MOM!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A QUESTION ABOUT RECs
By: Melle Koning, 2:281/705.29
Internet:
[email protected]
I've got a question about Region Echomail Coordinators. Is a REC
allowed to disallow a conference-name because he wants to prevent
double-tags?
For example if a few people [nodes] want to route the echo SPORTS
between their nodes, but a conference with this name already exists,
can the REC somehow tell these nodes not to use this conference
name? And what if these nodes still don't want to change the name of
the area, can a REC use any pressure? Echopol doesn't answer this.
And what if a major link drops [because of some argument] and an
area breaks into two separate distribution conferences with the same
tag? Can a REC order one of the two to change the tag? Echopol
doesn't answer this either.
I hope someone can answer this or tell in fidonews if they ever
found themselves in this kind of situation, either as REC or as node
or as moderator or anything else :-) If you have an opinion about
this please let me know. [Yes I do have my own opinion about this
but first want to hear you guys.. :-)]
Thanks for reading,
Melle Koning (2:281/705.29)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
MENSANS_ONLY Echo Notice
Christopher Baker
1:374/14, Titusville_FL_USA
MENSANS_ONLY Echo
MENSANS_ONLY is open to any verified member, past or
present, of any Mensa organization anywhere.
MENSANS_ONLY is not connected with American Mensa, Ltd.
[The High IQ Society], or any other Mensa organization
anywhere. MENSANS_ONLY has no opinions. Any opinions
expressed are those of the writer and any replier.
MENSANS_ONLY exists solely to provide a convenient forum
for electronic conversation between accepted members of any
Mensa organization. Any other inference you may glean from
perusing this Echo is all in your head, which is where it
should stay.
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 14 07 Aug 1995
It is Hosted and Moderated from Rights On! in
Titusville_FL_USA at 1:374/14. It is intentionally withheld
from the FidoNet Backbone distribution system and is
offered for point-to-point links only. Any Backbone system
discovering this Echo traversing their system should
immediately remove it and notify anyone sending or
receiving it through them to desist unless said Backbone
system is an active and verified participant of
MENSANS_ONLY.
Anyone may read the traffic in this Echo but only verified
members may post in this Echo. Non-members interested in
more information about Mensa are directed to the general
Mensa Echo of the same name [MENSA] available from the
FidoNet Backbone and Moderated by Dave Aronson of
1:109/120.
Sysops who link into MENSANS_ONLY agree to abide by the
access restrictions above. The content of that Echo is not
restricted to any single topic or idea.
The number of systems linked to this Echo and the volume of
traffic in this Echo varies. Traffic is generally light
which is typical of non-Backbone, special interest Echos.
Anyone interested in linking into MENSANS_ONLY, should send
Netmail to: Christopher Baker at 1:374/14 {Rights On!,
Titusville_FL_USA}.
The following is a list of primary links for M_O:
[Zone 1:] 109/120 114/74 135/71 250/416 374/14 374/98 380/7
387/31. Zone 2 is also connect thru the Netherlands courtesy
of Frits Spieker at 2:286/115. [thanks, Frits!]
The Sysops of the above systems may link others into
MENSANS_ONLY based on the acceptance of the restrictions,
imposed above, by the link requesting Sysop.
Anyone requiring a direct feed or further information
should send Netmail to me at 1:374/14. Rights On! is a 24
hour system currently at 9600+ bps. It is at 9600+ HST/V32 on
a USR Courier HST dual standard courtesy of their Sysop
Purchase Plan.
TTFN.
Chris
----------------------------------------------------------------------
PUBLIC_KEYS & PKEY_DROP Echos on Backbone!
Christopher Baker
Rights On!, 1:374/14
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 15 07 Aug 1995
GK Pace
PaceSoft Utilities, 1:374/26
PUBLIC_KEYS and PKEY_DROP Echos on Zone 1 Backbone
The PUBLIC_KEYS Echo and PKEY_DROP Echo are available on the
Zone 1 Backbone.
The purpose of the Echos is to provide a place to post and
find public-keys for data privacy within FidoNet and
elsewhere and to discuss electronic signatures and data and
software encryption and the various schemes thereof.
[The rules below are a composite of the rules from each
Echo. See PUBKEYS.RUL and PKDROP.RUL in the current ELRUL
file for complete Guidelines for each Echo.]
These are technical Echos with very few rules. Those very few
rules are:
1. Stay on-topic. Topics of keys and privacy are welcome.
Others are not.
2. No politics [except as it relates to privacy issues] and
no religion.
3. No personal attacks, slurs or innuendo. Stick to issues
not personalities.
4. No Private flagged messages in Echomail! PGP traffic
using public-keys is permitted for the exercise so long
as it is on-topic and anyone can read it.
5. This Echo may be traveling around the world so try to be
concise. Avoid excessive quoting for one-liner responses.
6. Be aware that Echomail is NOT secure. Don't take anything
at face value.
7. The posts in this Echo are the sole responsiblity of the
poster. If you need verification, use Netmail.
8. The Moderators will deal with off-topic traffic. Don't
respond for them. Links to this Echo will only be
curtailed when absolutely necessary so please don't make
it necessary. [grin]
The Moderators are Christopher Baker [KeyID: 2048/D881B549]
and GK Pace [KeyID: 2048/B604EBE9] at 1:374/14 and 1:374/26,
respectively.
It is recommended that public-keys be made available via
Netmail or by file-request with the magic filename: PGPKEY
and that the public-key provided for that request by given
a distinctive filename using part or all of each provider's
name and address. For example, on my system, a file-request
of PGPKEY will give BAK37414.ASC to the requesting system.
This will avoid duplicate overwriting and make it easier to
track the keys. Using a standard magic filename will make it
easier to find keys on different systems.
These Echos are on the Zone 1 Backbone. The PKEY_DROP Echo
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 16 07 Aug 1995
is for placing public-keys in circulation in a central area
available to all. This Echo has been EListed since ELIST211.
Please feel free to announce and distribute this Echo to all
interested participants in your area.
Make standard requests to your normal Backbone source for
these Echos and find out what we're doing. Join us in
discovering new possibilities.
"Pretty Good Privacy" MSDOS executables and source files for
porting to other platforms are available as PGP and PGPSRC
from this system and many others. Both archives were
hatched into the SDS in the SOFTDIST area and should be
available at an SDS site near you.
Thanks.
TTFN.
Christopher Baker & GK Pace
Moderators
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Booke of Balde
Chapter the First
In the beginning, Tony created the heaven and the earth. He
created NZ_ECHO, and He created NZ_SYSOP. He created George and
He created Daniel, that is also known as Raguel, the Vengeance
of the Lord. And in the Garden of NZ_ECHO, he created a tree,
the tree of posts and the tree of moderation. And He gave the
domain of NZ_ECHO to Daniel. And He gave the domain of hair to
George.
And Daniel did create in NZ_ECHO the first users, and they were
named Tim and Wendy, and Alan and Jeremy, and Ewen and Jenny.
And Tim and Wendy and Alan and Jeremy did become tired of the
Vengeance of the Lord and did leave the Garden, saying "Yea, the
Vengeance of the Lord should Get a Life". So that only Ewen and
Jenny were left. And Ewen did desire to eat of the fruit of the
tree of moderation. And Jenny did desire to eat of the fruit of
the tree of posts - in amounts overwhelming.
And it came about that Daniel and George espied their desires,
and said unto each other, "Let them not eat of the fruit of the
tree of moderation, lest they become like us, able to smite
users who deviate from the Proper Way of Doing Things". But
George was jealous of Daniel, and secretly plotted against him.
He strove mightly, but George was an angel of few powers, as The
Lord has wisely granted him but a little domain. So George
created a vile instrument of his envy, a Serpent, with many
heads. And the heads were numbered three, and they were named
Purity, Piety, and Chastity. And he sent the Serpent down into
the Garden.
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 17 07 Aug 1995
And the Serpent spake unto Jenny. First, the head known as
Chastity spoke, and Jenny was tempted by Chastity, but refused.
Second, the head known as Purity spoke great wisdom, which was
incomprehensible to the inhabitants of the Garden, as they had
little attention spans, after long exposure to that language
which was common in the Garden at that time. Third, the head
known as Piety spoke, and the snake grew desperate, as it was
running out of heads, and therefore devised a cunning stratagem.
Yea, it spake not of devotion to The Lord, Tony, but of
Fulfillment through the sin of Gluttony, and urged her to eat of
the fruit of the tree of posts. And it suceeded, and Jenny did
eat of the fruit of the tree of posts, in amounts overwhelming.
And verily, she did share it with Ewen.
And Daniel was most displeased and was filled with wrath. And
he did blame Ewen for the Fall of Jenny, and his eye did fall
upon the Serpent, and he did blame it for the Exodus of Tim and
Wendy and Alan and Jeremy. And he did say unto Ewen "Get thee
gone from the Garden, and take that bloody snake with you." And
Ewen's heart was heavy, for he had been Banished. And he turned
to leave, and Jenny turned to leave with him, but Daniel
intervened, saying "That one can stay - she's a bit of all
right."
And, as the Serpent was brought low, and dragged from the Garden
on its belly, and the center head, that was named Purity said
"What the hell is going on here?" And Daniel did speak in
tongues. And the Serpent spoke again, saying "What sort of
reply is that, for I can make neither heads, nor tail of it".
And Daniel did speak again, but only unto the head that was
named Purity, saying "I have laid thee low upon thy belly, such
that the only way that thou mayst rise from the dust in which
thou dost crawl is to apply your flicking serpentine tongues to
my buttocks with exceptional vigour. And that's my last word on
the matter."
And the head named Chastity said "That's alright, for I have two
gardens of my own". And added the head named Purity, "So have
I", and Piety declared "As do we all!"
Some time passed. And the Serpent did wander for a time. And,
on passing the Garden of Daniel, the Serpent did notice that
there were holes in the wall of the Garden, and it did poke its
head named Chastity through one of these holes, and lo! A
strange sight greeted it. For, during the time of wandering,
Jenny had grown lonely, with noone else to talk to. And Daniel
had created for her a new race of users, with exceptionally long
and supple tongues, and they were named David and Samuel, and
Jamie and David. And the sound of many tongues slapping
vigorously upon buttocks was heard throughout the land.
End of Book I
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 18 07 Aug 1995
Silly submission, eh
From: John Beveridge (1:252/140)
What have we here, Martha? BOFAQ508.TXT? huh? What kind of
silliness is this?
Q3 ========================================================
Are all of the echoes listed in Backbone.Na available
from all of the Hubs?
The Zone Hubs (Stars) make available all echoes which are
listed in Backbone.Na. Region Hubs and Net Hubs are not
obligated to carry all listed echoes. NO Hub is required
to carry any echo that, in their opinion, could subject
them to consequences which might have a negative effect
on their well being.
"Their well being" could very well mean anything at all. Sort of like
"the pursuit of happiness" or some such.
Q8 ========================================================
What is the Backbone's position on illegal activities
conducted within EchoMail conferences?
The Backbone does not distribute any conference which
routinely contains messages which are encrypted, contain
illegal information, or promote illegal activities. As
used in this paragraph, "illegal activities" includes
activities which are a violation of civil law as well as
activities which could result in criminal prosecution.
Geezus, whatever happened to "well being"?
The Backbone does not distribute any conference which
routinely contains counterfeit messages. A counterfeit
message is any message entered using another person's
name, handle, or node address with the intent of deceiving
others about the true author of the message.
Q9 ========================================================
What is the Backbone's position on the censorship of
EchoMail messages as they pass through the distribution
system?
The Backbone does not permit the deletion or alteration
of messages as they are distributed. The exceptions to
this provision are the deletion of messages, by any node,
which may lead to legal action against that node or which
do not meet echomail message standards.
Does this mean that we can also delete any message that comes close to
messing with our "well being"? Probably does and there doesn't seem
to be too much that the Old Boys Organization and/or the Old Boys
Organization Council can do about it. After all, our "well being" or
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 19 07 Aug 1995
some such is at stake here. Isn't it?
Thanks.....
....jb
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SKEPTIC Echo on the Zone 1 Backbone!
Christopher Baker
Rights On!, 1:374/14
SKEPTIC Echo is alive and well!
SKEPTIC is a Backbone Echo that originally sprang forth
from the San Francisco area. It now originates from Zone 3
in Hawthorndene, Australia under the Moderatorship of Jackson
Harding at 3:800/857. Co-Moderator is David Bloomberg in
Springfield, IL at 1:2430/2112.
If any of you or your Sysops are interested in obtaining
this Echo, you or they should contact their regular,
Backbone Echo source! SKEPTIC has appeared in FIDONET.NA
[now BACKBONE.NA} since 2 May 92.
SKEPTIC is devoted to examination and report of paranormal
and fringe-science claims. It has NO official or unofficial
connection to CSICOP {Committee for the Scientific
Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal} but has a similar
philosophy. Claims are not rejected on a priori grounds but
rather are investigated by objective and critical inquiry.
The Echo is now fully activated and waiting for those with
an interest in the mission stated above.
Complete information about the Echo may be found in the
current issue of the EList and the ELRules files.
Come and join us in the pursuit of knowledge! [grin]
TTFN.
Chris
Zone 1 Hub for SKEPTIC
----------------------------------------------------------------------
THEIST_WATCH Echo on Zone 1 Backbone!
Christopher Baker
Rights On! 1:374/14
THEIST_WATCH Echo Available
Theists of all stripes do many wacky and colorful things in the name[s]
of their various deities and other imaginary superfriends. Some of
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 20 07 Aug 1995
these activities are just amusing and some are dangerous to the liberty
of anyone who doesn't subscribe to their particular brand of socially
acceptable lunacy.
Take the case of Salman Rushdie, for example. Here's a perfectly
average writer who points out a few foibles and suddenly has an actual
death order out against him because he supposedly 'blasphemed' a
mainstream monotheism's god. This might be funny if it weren't for the
sobering fact that there are plenty of deranged individuals who would
be happy to kill Mr. Rushdie for this victimless 'crime'. Can't happen
here, I hear you cry? Wanna bet? It wouldn't be the first time.
American Atheists Online Services is now Hosting an Echo to call
attention to the zany and disturbing activities of all kinds of
theists without regard to mainstream or fringe affiliations. This Echo
is called THEIST_WATCH and that's just what it does.
THEIST_WATCH is a news reporting Echo. News items from around the world
are posted here for reference, information, and further distribution.
It is READ-ONLY except to non-theist persons wishing to post actual
news items. It is NOT a religion debate Echo. [That's what HOLYSMOKE is
for.] It is not a bashing Echo. It is a forum for the dissemination of
information about the activities of theists in the public arena;
particularly where those activities encroach upon the separation of
state and church.
It is now a Zone 1 Backbone Echo Hosted & Moderated from AAOS [American
Atheist Online Services] at 1:382/1006 in Austin_TX, by Robin
Murray-O'Hair. Anyone may Areafix it from their Backbone feed as of
15 Jan 95.
The THEIST_WATCH rules are available in the current issue of the ELIST
and have since ELIST501. File-request the current ELIST from your local
Backbone source for instructions on the Echo's operation.
Also available from AAOS is the AAOS Echo. This is a Backbone
distributed Echo for members or prospective members of American
Atheists, Inc. AAOS Echo may be obtained from the source at 1:382/1006
or from the alternate feed at 1:374/14. Send Netmail with session and
Areafix passwords to the feed of your choice for a link.
AAOS Echo contains atheist news and information as well as providing a
direct link to American Atheists.
If you are interested in keeping up with the shennanigans of the theist
community, Areafix THEIST_WATCH from your Backbone source today!
TTFN.
Chris
----------------------------------------------------------------------
========================================================================
Fidonews Information
========================================================================
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 21 07 Aug 1995
------- FIDONEWS MASTHEAD AND CONTACT INFORMATION ----------------
Editors: Donald Tees, Sylvia Maxwell
Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell,
Vince Perriello, Tim Pozar
Tom Jennings
"FidoNews" BBS
FidoNet 1:1/23
BBS +1-519-570-4176, 300/1200/2400/14400/V.32bis/HST(DS)
more addresses:
Don -- 1:221/192,
[email protected]
Sylvia- 1:221/194,
[email protected]
(Postal Service mailing address)
FidoNews
128 Church St.
Kitchener, Ontario
Canada
N2H 2S4
voice: (519) 570-3137
sylvia: (519) 579-8029
Fidonews is published weekly by and for the members of the FIDONET
INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR ELECTRONIC MAIL system. It is a compilation
of individual articles contributed by their authors or their
authorized agents. The contribution of articles to this compilation
does not diminish the rights of the authors. Opinions expressed in
these articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of
FidoNews.
Authors retain copyright on individual works; otherwise FidoNews is
Copyright 1995 Donald Tees. All rights reserved. Duplication
and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For use
in other circumstances, please contact the original authors, or the eds.
OBTAINING COPIES: The most recent issue of FidoNews in electronic
form may be obtained from the FidoNews BBS via manual download or
Wazoo FileRequest, or from various sites in the FidoNet and Internet.
PRINTED COPIES may be obtained by sending SASE to the above paper-mail
address.
INTERNET USERS: FidoNews is available via FTP from ftp.fidonet.org,
in directory ~ftp/pub/fidonet/fidonews.
Anyone interested in getting a copy of the INTERNET GATEWAY FAQ may
freq GISFAQ.ZIP from 1:133/411.0, or send an internet message to
[email protected]. No message or text or subject is
necessary. The address is a keyword that will trigger the automated
response. People wishing to send inquiries directly to David Deitch
should now mail to
[email protected] rather than the
previously listed address.
FidoNews 12-32 Page: 22 07 Aug 1995
SUBMISSIONS: You are encouraged to submit articles for publication in
FidoNews. Article submission requirements are contained in the file
ARTSPEC.DOC, available from the FidoNews BBS, or Wazoo filerequestable
from 1:1/23 as file "ARTSPEC.DOC". Please read it.
"Fido", "FidoNet" and the dog-with-diskette are U.S. registered
trademarks of Tom Jennings, and are used with permission.
' ' disgreement is actually necessary,
or we'd all have to get in fights
or semethin to amuse ourselves,,
and create the requisite chaos."
-Tom Jennings
-- END
---------------------------------ooh----------------------------------
