The contents of the articles contained here are not my
responsibility, nor do I necessarily agree with them;
everything here is subject to debate. I publish EVERYTHING
received.
You can take this to mean anything you want, but hopefully
as an invitation to comment, make suggestions, or write
articles of your own.
ARTICLE SUBMISSION
All articles you see in this issue are written by users and
sysops, and have one way or another managed to consume disk
space on Fido #375. In order to get rid of them, and free up
my precious disk space, I include them here, then quickly
delete them. Then they are YOUR problem.
EDITORIAL CONTENT:
Totally up to you; I publish anything at all. Articles are
generally Fido or BBS related; this is by no means a
decision on my part, nor a requirement.
FOR SALE, WANTED, NOTICES:
Pretty much self explanatory. Commercial ads are welcomed,
if of reasonable length.
SUBMITTING AN ARTICLE:
Manage to get a copy of your article to Fido #375,
preferably by Fidonet mail, or by uploading. The name of
the file you send MUST have one of the following extensions:
.ART An article
.SAL A "For Sale" notice
.WAN A "Wanted" item
FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:35:50 Page 2
ARTICLE FORMAT: VERY IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!
The requirements are a little tighter in this department,
due to purely practical constraints. I cannot devote hours
to converting every text format in the world to the one I
use.
1. NO LEFT MARGINS! Flush left please. We will do the
indenting at our end, thank you.
2. RIGHT MARGIN AT COLUMN 60 OR LESS! Less is OK, more is
definitely not. This includes fancy boxes, dotted lines,
etc.
3. NO FUNNY CHARACTERS! This includes formfeeds and other
oddities.
4. NO GRAPHIC CHARACTERS! Believe it or not, not every one
in the world has an IBM PC. My computer understands
printable characters from 20 hex to 7e hex. (Space to
tilde) This is ASCII; "American Standard Code for
Information Interchange". We are "Interchanging
Information". Everything else is GARBAGE. ASCII is
universal; Graphics are not.
5. TOTAL ARTICLE LENGTH: Up to you; note, however, that I
will probably avoid publishing dictionaries, bibles
translated into NAPLPS, and ASCII encoded LANDSAT
pictures of Russian wheat farms.
6. WHERE ON EARTH IS THIS ARTICLE FROM? Well ... good
question! A good idea to identify yourself somewhere,
unless you wish to remain anonymous. Thats okay too, but
I may balk at publishing rude or otherwise racy
submissions.
7. You don't need to put in separator lines at the top or
bottom. They are added automatically when Fidonews is
assembled.
Any article that doesn't meet the above criteria will get
bounced, and will not be published until someone gets around
to fixing it. I might go over it and fix it up in time for
the next issue, or I might ask you to try again, or I might
just forget about it. In any event, you must meet these
standards if you expect your article to be published
promptly.
FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:35:51 Page 3
The New Kid on the Block
That's me. This is my first issue as editor of Fidonews.
Since you are reading this, then obviously I've at least
figured out how to put the paper together. So far, so good.
I've already made a few changes, but almost all of them are
internal things, dealing with how Fidonews is assembled, and
shouldn't really affect anyone but me. No big deal, really.
Everyone develops their own methods for doing things. Tom
Jennings and I have developed different methods, is all.
My short range goal is to totally automate the production of
Fidonews, so that it will get out on time even if I'm out of
touch for awhile. This should be no big problem, as long as
contributors abide by the submission standards (above).
This is really more your newsletter than mine, anyway. I
just put together the pieces and send it out, maybe with a
little note from me to you tucked away somewhere.
So don't think of this as "my" paper, or even as Fido's
paper (pun NOT intentional). Think of it as YOUR paper.
* * *
I've seen at least four different methods of naming
Fidonews. The one I've decided to go with is:
FIDOvnn.NWS
Where "v" is the volume number, and "nn" is the issue
number. I've renamed all my back copies this way, and I
plan on naming all future issues this way. What you will
do, I have no idea.
But speaking of issue numbers, there seems to have been some
confusion on this in the past. Here's the record for 1985,
as best as I've been able to determine:
Old New
Vol, Publication Issue Vol,
Num Date Date Num
==== ======= ======= ====
2, 1 06 Jan 85 06 Jan 85 2, 1
2, 2 16 Jan 85 16 Jan 85 2, 2
2, 3 21 Jan 85 21 Jan 85 2, 3
2, 3 04 Feb 85 04 Feb 85 2, 4
2, 4 19 Feb 85 19 Feb 85 2, 5
2, 5 06 Mar 85 01 Mar 85 2, 6
2, 6 18 Mar 85 15 Mar 85 2, 7
The publication date is the date the issue was actually
assembled, as given in the page headers. The issue date is
the nominal "date of issue", as given just above the picture
of the doggie. These are never required to match, which is
FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:35:53 Page 4
why you get the March issue of a magazine in January.
The "old" issue number is the number given in the issue
itself. As you can see, there was a trivial error in the
issue numbering, so I numbered my back copies according to
the "new" issue numbers. So, by my count, this should now
be volume 2, number 8. And so it is.
============================================================
NEWS
============================================================
From FIDO #66 Orange County, California
UPGRADE YOUR FidoBBS SYSTEM TO
MULTI-TASKING FOR LESS THAN $160
OR TO
MULTI-TASKING AND MULTI-USER FOR LESS THAN $255.
By Robert Bosche', Jr.
Co-SYSOP Fido #66 (714) 642-4408 - 24-Hours
If you are like most SYSOPS, you probably run your Fido BBS
during the hours you're not using the computer for local
tasks. One computer is not just enough to handle FIDO BBS 24
hours a day and run your other programs at the same time.
Until recently we found ourselves in the same situation, and
disappointed many of our faithful callers while we burned
the midnight oil. We now run Fido #66 on a 24-Hour basis on
our only computer and plan to add a second Fido to the same
computer in the near future.
During working hours we run other programs such as R:Base
4000, Microrim's XRW, Wordstar, 1-2-3, PC-TALK III, and
various editors and DOS files in the `foreground' while Fido
#66 runs in the `background', on the same computer.
To say there is no noticeable degradation would be
stretching the truth, but I will say that the degradation is
acceptable, even with three tasks/programs running at the
same time.
Over the past three months, we tested a number of multi-
tasking/multi-user packages for compatibility with Fido and
other popular packages, as well as for speed, degradation,
other quirks, and finally cost. We can recommend two of
them, one for about $160, and one for about $495. Most users
can get by well with the $160 package. At these prices, it
certainly beats buying another computer for the present. I
will explain the differences later. Let's call them p$160
and p$495 for short.
P$160 turns your PC-DOS 2.10 & 3.x (not MS-DOS) compatible
computer into a true timesharing system running up to 9 PC-
DOS compatible programs concurrently.
FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:35:55 Page 5
Up to 9 separate jobs can be run at the same time, but this
really depends on the CPU and RAM demands of each program
you run. For our purposes, we find 2 or 3 jobs to be the
reasonable maximum for our own application mix.
You don't have to bring FIDO down any more to run other
programs, or get out of your wordprocesssor to copy a file
in another directory, just switch back and forth between
jobs. It's like switching between computers.
With p$160 the keyboard and screen can be assigned to any
job, and all other jobs continue to run unattended.
P$160 requires no additional hardware. An additional $90
buys the Multi-user version of the package. It uses one
standard serial port for each additional user (NOT BAD for a
MULTIUSER SYSTEM). Remote users can be connected either by
modem or direct via a null modem cable.
Direct connection yields transmission rates up to 19.2K
baud. RAM size may need to be increased according to program
requirements. We recommend 640K, which is the maximum
directly accessable memory for the IBM-PC/XT & Compatable.
P$160 is simple to install, and requires only a one-line
addition to your AUTOEXEC.BAT to allocate memory to each
job's partition. Once booted, any program compatible with
IBM PC-DOS may be loaded.
Simple keystrokes can then cause any job/program to appear
on the foreground screen, while the other jobs/programs
continue to run in the background partition.
Additional p$160 parameters allow you to assign processing
priorities/time to specific jobs according to your needs.
We have been and continue to work with the developers of
this package to enhance its capabilities even further.
P$495 surpasses p$160 in a few respects which may be
requisites of your system. P$495 allows use of many IBM
compatible computers running under PC-DOS in a multitasking
and multiuser environment.
P$495 also allows you to implement a number of background
routines which actually control the way certain `unfriendly'
software packages manipulate video RAM. The unfriendly
software then performs normally from the user's vantage
point, but in such a way that it cannot interfere with or
overwrite allocated portions of video RAM. The best example
of an unfriendly program is one that manipulates screen
memory.
P$495 supports remote access to DOS, so you can run programs
from a remote location.
P$495 also supports a memory expansion card which allows DOS
FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:35:58 Page 6
to direct-access up to 4 megabytes of memory.
Think about the capabilities and use of these package(s).
The 4 megabyte memory expansion card and multi-port (4 to 8)
serial cards are also available.
Please give us a call for additional information. We'll be
more than happy to work with you to resolve any questions
and supply any of the required software or hardware at very
reasonable prices.
For your information, Fido #66 runs on a Compaq portable
packed with 640K, 2 DSDD floppies, a 33.5 meg hard disk, a
ProModem 1200, 3 serial ports, a Kimtron (PC lookalike)
terminal, a Heathkit/Zenith terminal, a Citizen MSP-15
printer and a few other `put-togethers'.
Bob Bosche'
The ASC/US Group
The ASC/US Computer Price Club
Fido #66: (714) 642-4408 24-Hours
Voice lines: (714) 642-7949 10:00AM - 6:00PM PST
(714) 642-2582 " " "
------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jon Tara on FIDO #92
Subject: AT hard disk rumors
Disclaimer: This is pure conjecture. I've take a few slips
of the tongue from various sources, and put them together to
make a viable rumor...
IBM will soon announce the availabilty of a "40MB"
PC-AT. Because consumer confidence in the ill-fated 20MB AT
drive is so low, IBM may even offer the 40MB AT at the same
price as the current 20MB model, and offer to upgrade
existing 20MB drives.
The new drive is actually a 33MB (formatted) drive from
CMI - the same company that makes the 20MB drive. Some
marketing genius at IBM decided, though, to follow the lead
of the sleazier end of the micro industry, and use the
unformatted capacity of 40MB in the company's literature.
Many theories have been offered about the cause of the
problems with the 20MB drive. One is that the controller
leaks write current during reads, resulting in the slow
erasure of data. But users have experienced no problems
using non-CMI drives on the AT. The problem is actually
with the 20MB CMI drive. The thermal stability of the case
is insufficient to maintain head alignment, resulting in all
sorts of havoc, as tracks get recorded and re-recorded at
different locations.
The 33MB drive is of a completely different design,
FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:35:59 Page 7
which avoids the thermal problems of the 20MB drive. The
other difference is that the 33MB drive is (currently) made
in the U.S., while the 20MB drive is made in the orient.
------------------------------------------------------------
MIKE HAMILTON SYSOP FIDO #313 & 370
I'm sure that all Rainbow owners have found as I have that
there is a bottleneck in system recovery between programs.
This is generally caused by having to reread COMMAND.COM
from the disk. Following is the procedure I use for moving
COMMAND.COM into memory in a RAMDISK.
Two programs are used RAMDISK and COMSPEC, both of which are
avaliable on numerous boards around the country.
In CONFIG.SYS add the following:
RAMDISK.SYS 21K (This will create a ramdisk of 21k in
size)
In AUTOEXEC.BAT add the following (G: is used for reference
only the real drive will
be the next one
avaliable)
COPY COMMAND.COM G:
SET COMSPEC=G:\COMMAND.COM
COMSPEC G:\COMMAND.COM
PATH=G:\;E:\ (THE E:\ SHOULD BE WHAT
EVER DRIVE IS YOUR
PRIMARY)
This procedure works for me and inproves system performance
about 10%.
------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Hamilton SYSOP FIDO #313 & 370
I have several scare stories lately about using reinforced
center floppies. In my company we have over 100 RAINBOWS and
use exclusively DYSAN disks (they have a re-inforced center)
to the tune of 1000 per quarter for the past 6-9 months. We
have experienced no problems excpet with people who insist
in jerking the disks out of the machine when there is a
little resistance to removal.
I don't know where the information got started but it sounds
like the NY Times article about DEC and their RAINBOWS.
Anyone else have any experience that can be documented about
the ???problem???.
First of all thanks to Tom Jennings for all the
Newsletters until now, and thanks to Thom Henderson
for his accepting the editorship of the Newsletter.
I hope that everyone has heard all about the
dismissal of the Tom Tcimpidis vs PacTel case.
What is still very unclear to me is just what
should be the lessons learned by this case, and
what practical actions should Sysops take as a
result?
I am seeing many boards become a registration/
subscription system, i.e. first time in, you only
get to leave your name address and phone number.
The Sysop will then allegedly verify your information
before allowing real access. I for one am not
willing to undertake that kind of overhead to keep
a Board running, and I really fail to see its
value in protecting oneself against legal liability
from abusive users.
I would appreciate comments from anyone in this
matter, privately or in this newsletter. THANKS.
I might relate one or two interesting comments
that I heard regarding this case: The first was
from a lawyer who was incredulous when told about it.
Ever since the Greeks has a public posting been
considered Free Speach and the property owner could
not possibly be held liable. He thought the case
would collapse immediately upon submittal to any court.
The second comment I got was "What if I go over to the
Kiosks on the Mall and start posting Credit Card numbers?
Will the city be held liable? The merchant who owns the
store that it's in front of? How about the bulletin
board that's in the local supermarket?" Food for
thought.
============================================================
FOR SALE
============================================================
NOTICE FROM FIDO #66 Orange County, California
A S C / U S C O M P U T E R P R I C E C L U B
BBS: (714)642-4408 VOICE:(714)642-2582 or 642-7949
Although we've spent the last two months down more than up,
FIDO #66 is back and better than ever. Try it and let us
know what you think.
FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:36:03 Page 9
We not only offer a FIDO BBS setup which we are proud of,
but excellent prices on all of your hardware and software
needs. Download our HOTLIST for current specials, and our
".CAT" file(s) for a more comprehensive listing. Call
(714)642-CLUB for current pricing.
We carry over 20,000 items, and specialize in items for IBM
and compatibles at very fair prices. We also pay referral
fees for consulting gigs.
Please give us a call!!
------------------------------------------------------------
We have a confession to make. We've been holding out on
you. For several years now we've been using a program
called MACRO to boost our productivity. But we've been
keeping it a closely guarded secret. Even our most intimate
clients have been unaware of it's existence. Now, however,
we've decided to release it to the PC user community.
If you have ever used a macro assembler, then you already
know how useful macros can be. For the rest of you, well, a
good macro processor can do half of your work for you.
MACRO works with any normal text file, and hence can be used
as a powerful front-end to almost any language. MACRO can
help you create programs that:
1. Put parameters in your programs, allowing you to easily
change table sizes, ranges of values, and so forth.
2. Put conditional code in your programs, allowing you to
write one program, and then "switch" parts on and off
easily for different customers and applications.
3. Perform integer arithmetic and string manipulation
before your program is compiled, saving run time.
4. Write programs that customize themselves when you
compile them, based on commands given and questions
answered during the macro scan.
MACRO is available for only $100 through SEAboard, Fido 375.
You can order by either leaving a comment to the sysop when
you log off of SEAboard, or by sending a PRIVATE message to
the sysop of Fido 375. Be sure to give your name, mailing
address, and VISA or MasterCard number and expiration date.
Also be sure to download our electronic catalog, which will
run on any IBM PC, XT, or AT, and which gives details of our
complete line of products for the IBM user.
------------------------------------------------------------
MIKE HAMILTON SYSOP FIDO #313 & 370
FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:36:05 Page 10
Seems like everyone and their cousins are in the chip
selling business these days. So I figured Mike why don't you
join the crowd. Since I frequently listen to myself here is
the deal.
9 chip set of 256k chips for $125.
3 sets for $115 apeice
5 sets for $105 apiece
larger orders call for prices.
I realise that these prices are below what others are
offering. I have no excuse for them. My prices will come
down as the market drops its prices.
Contact me at fido #313 for arrangements.
------------------------------------------------------------
FROM FIDO 357-------SPRING VALLEY, NEW YORK-------------
ADS answering service is the FIRST service to run TOTALLY
ON COMPUTER. ADS uses state of the art IBM hardware
assuring you of continued service 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week.
We offer service with UNLIMTED CALLS per month, NO
CONNECTION FEE, and NO MONTHLY FEE to the phone company.
Here at ADS the computer answers your call, greeting your
caller with a message you compose, IN YOUR OWN VOICE,
asking them to please leave a message. Since there are NO
operators involved ALL MESSAGES ARE 100% PRIVATE !!
When you call in from any touch tone phone in the world,
you can INSTANTLY retrieve your messages, and if the caller
also is a subscriber to our service, you may then leave an
answer for him on the system.
You can at any time delete your messages, and when this
occurs the message file is filled with random characters
and then deleted from the disk directory ASSURING YOU THAT
NO ONE WILL EVER HAVE ACCESS TO THE MESSAGE AGAIN!
You may at any time change your greeting message to reflect
changes in your location, status of availability, etc; In
fact your message may be anything YOU desire !
You may also leave messages for any other subscriber at any
time.
ADS is the ultimate in answering services!!
For more information or to arrange a demonstration of the
newest form of telecommunications please call 914-352-6801
from 9 am to 5 pm (EST)
Does anyone know of any utilities for converting RBBS
user lists to Fido user lists? I understand the reluctance
of some sysops to convert their RBBS systems to Fido just
because of this one task. Thanks.
