FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:00:48           Page 1

       Volume 2, Number 23                             22 July 1985
       +----------------------------------------------------------+
       |                                             _            |
       |                                            /  \          |
       |    - FidoNews -                           /|oo \         |
       |                                          (_|  /_)        |
       |  Fido and FidoNet                         _`@/_ \    _   |
       |    Users  Group                          |     | \   \\  |
       |     Newsletter                           | (*) |  \   )) |
       |                             ______       |__U__| /  \//  |
       |                            / FIDO \       _//|| _\   /   |
       |                           (________)     (_/(_|(____/    |
       |                                                (jm)      |
       +----------------------------------------------------------+

       Publisher:              Fido 107/7
       Chief Procrastinator:   Thom Henderson

       Fidonews is published weekly by SEAboard,  Fido  107/7.  You
       are   encouraged  to  submit  articles  for  publication  in
       Fidonews.  Article submission standards are contained in the
       file FIDONEWS.DOC, available from Fido 107/7.

       Disclaimer or don't-blame-us:

       The contents of the articles  contained  here  are  not  our
       responsibility,  nor  do  we  necessarily  agree  with them;
       everything here is subject to debate.  We publish EVERYTHING
       received.





                         User Unsupported Software

       Last week I wrote about the high cost of marketing a
       software package.  This week I'll write about an
       alternative.

       You are all familiar with it -- it's called user supported
       software.  It's more commonly referred to as "freeware", but
       that name has been trademarked (as has almost every other
       variant of {something}ware).  But "user supported software"
       is a clumsy term, so I'll be lazy and call it freeware.

       The freeware concept is an ingenious idea.  The author is
       able to sell his wares without the immense gamble of a
       normal commercial offering, and can thus offer quality
       products at a low cost.  The user benefits from the low
       costs, and is in addition able to extensively "test drive" a
       program before purchasing it.  Everyone benefits!

       Well, not quite.  The user benefits from copious quantities
       of "free" software, and a small handful of authors make a
       decent buck.  The sad truth is that most freeware vendors
       receive little if anything for their trouble.







FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:00:51           Page 2


       Let's face it.  If you have a freeware product that you are
       still using after a couple of weeks, you are out of the
       "test drive" category.  If you haven't sent in a donation,
       then you are effectively a software pirate.  The author may
       say it's okay (since he can't really do anything anyway),
       but you are still deriving benefits from his work without
       providing any compensation.

       I see freeware as an attempt to open a new marketing
       channel.  When viewed that way, a freeware product is no
       different than a product sold at your local computer store.
       In either case it is wrong to use the product without paying
       for it.  The penalties differ, however.

       For stealing a product offered through standard commercial
       channels you might find yourself being sued by large
       corporations, though this is unlikely if you are stealing on
       a small scale.

       But for stealing a freeware product the penalty is much more
       subtle, and much more severe.  If people use freeware
       products without paying for them, then the entire freeware
       concept will cease to be valid.  The good authors will have
       to go find something else to do (probably working for the
       large corporations), and low cost quality software will
       become a thing of the past.  Also no more "test drives";
       you'll have to shell out the bucks if you want to try
       something out.

       So how about it?  You know what you're using that you
       haven't paid for yet.  Send in the donations, and let's keep
       the freeware concept alive.































FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:00:52           Page 3

       ============================================================
                                 NEWS
       ============================================================
                        A FIDO BBS WITH A MISSION
                                  11/499



       USER :      "I've  been  a  computer  user both at home and
       work  for  several  years now. Recently my vision has begun
       to  fail  and  reading  the  CRT  is  getting more and more
       difficult. Anyone have any suggestions ?"

       SYSOP:      "Yes  there  are  a  few  articles in the rehab
       file  section  that  might  be  of interest to you. You can
       download  these  files  or  just use the T)ype command they
       are  store  in  ASCII. If you don't find an answer here let
       me  know. For about $18.00 we can sign-on through DIALOG or
       BRS  and access the Abledata (National Rehab. Info. Center)
       where  listings  of  over 8000+ commercial products for the
       disabled have been stored."

       USER :      "I  read  your  articles  and  found  some good
       leads will let you know what happens."

       USER :      "Wow  I  just ordered the PC-Talker program and
       a  Vortrax  synthesizer  today.  The  total  solution to my
       problem  ... for under $700.00. The price was so reasonable
       that my employer picked up the tab."


             This  dialog  is an example of what a new BBS forming
       in  South  Bend Indiana is all about. The System is know as
       Care-Net.  Care-Net (Computer Aided REhabilitation NETwork)
       is  a  member  of  FIDO Network #11 Node 499. The system is
       run   by   a  husband  and  wife  team,  Marlin  and  Kathy
       Sheffield.   They   are   not   new  to  rehabilitation  or
       computers.  Kathy  has  been an employee of Council For The
       Retarded  for  the  past  eight  years.  Kathy works at the
       community  sheltered  workshop  known  as Logan Industries.
       Kathy  has  served  as  Work  Adjustment  Supervisor,  Work
       Evaluator,  and  now as Rehabilitation Director. Kathy is a
       member  of the National Association Of Disability Examiners
       and  is  CC-WAVE certified as a work evaluator. Marlin also
       worked  at  the  sheltered  workshop  for  about  4  years;
       currently  he  is the Manager of Information Services for a
       metal  stamping  and fabricating firm. He has been involved
       in   programming   micro-computers   personally  and  as  a
       consultant  for  some  8  years  now.  Perhaps,  as  much a
       motivation  as  any,  is  the  fact  that the couple is the
       rather   proud   foster   parents  of  two  developmentally
       disabled teenagers.

             The  goals  of  the  BBS are described by the systems
       editorial as :

         Care-NET is a non-profit effort to utilize a computerized







FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:00:55           Page 4

         message exchange with the following goals :

           o       A Forum Between Inconvenienced Citizens.

           o       A Tool To Encourage Dialogue Between Consumers
                   Of Rehabilitation Service And The Professionals
                   Providing These Services.

           o       A Medium For Health Care And Rehabilitation
                   Professionals To Share Information, Resources
                   Ideas and Develop Joint or Regional Projects.

           o       A Free Alternative To TTY Services -Private as
                   Well As Public Messaging Is Supported.

           o       A Link To The Rest Of The Telecomputing World.
                   We will maintain a library of public domain
                   programs available for downloading or uploading
                   by any computer enthusiasts. We will also post
                   your ideas for needed software to aid
                   rehabilitation efforts. Hopefully some of the
                   computer wizards can help contribute to the
                   cause.

             The  sysops  are  willing  and  excited about sharing
       information  with  others  who  are  willing or already are
       running   similar   bulletin  boards.  This  networking  of
       similar  services  was the primary reason for the selection
       of Fido software.

             For  such  an  ambitious  project to succeed regional
       input  is needed. If you have articles to contribute or are
       in  need  of  information  please give Care-Net a call. The
       system  is  on-line from 10PM to 5PM on weekdays (19 hours)
       and  from  10PM  to  9AM  on  weekends.  The Sheffields are
       running  the BBS on their Leading Edge Computer and  single
       phone  line.  They  are looking forward to trying to add an
       additional  phone  line  and  machine  so Care-Net can be a
       twenty-four  hour  a  day  seven  day a week service. (This
       author  is  frankly a little puzzled about how they plan to
       do  this  since the system charges no access fees, does not
       require  or  even  request  subscriptions, and claims to be
       funded  only by free will contributions. I hope their faith
       in  the goodness of the computer community is not aimed too
       high.)  The  system  is a closed but free system and is not
       limited  only  to rehabilitation and social service issues.
       You  are required to log on the system and complete a brief
       questionnaire  before full access to the system is granted.
       Your  status  is upgraded usually within 24 hours. Give the
       Sheffield's  and their project of love 'CARE-NET' a call at
       1-219-233-1261 (300/1200 baud). Or drop them a line or seek
       more information or express your support by writting :
                                Care-Net
                        % Marlin & Kathy Sheffield
                              820 Whitehall
                        South Bend, Indiana 46615








FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:00:58           Page 5

       ------------------------------------------------------------































































FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:00:58           Page 6

        Fido V10j Documentation correction.

        Lloyd Miller, Calgary_Fido, #17/418

        If anyone has tried the "previously undocumented" feature
       decribed in the V10I.doc update they probably had trouble
       getting it to work if they followed the documentation. It
       states that you should a file called QNEWUSER.BBS! This is
       obviously wrong because that file is used for new users not
       for users who forgot their password. The correct file name
       is QNOPWD.BBS, which is logical and you could probably
       guessed it your self.

       I have set up the file to display the following message
       since I have an open board and got tired of calling users
       who couln't remember their password to tell them what they
       should have known anyway.

       "The penalty for forgetting your password is - you cannot
       log in for 30 days. See you then, Bye."

       Of course all I do is use the "O)ld" command from the sysop
       utility to delete users after 30 days so when they come back
       they will be able to log in and enter a new password.

       Lloyd Miller
       Calgary_Fido
       #17/418

       ------------------------------------------------------------


































FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:00:59           Page 7


                        Running Fido with MultiLink
                         Allen Miller, Fido 108/0

            This brief document is an attempt to describe how to
       use MultiLink (by Software Link) to run 2 Fido's on one PC.
       The reader should be able to use this information to
       determine how to run Fido as a background task while being
       able to run other programs in the foreground.  Software Link
       is located at 8601 Dunwoody Place, Atlanta, Georgia, 30338.
       Their policy, when I bought MultiLink, was to allow a 30 day
       trial period.  MultiLink is copy protected.

            I said I would do this a long time ago, and I apologize
       for its tardiness.

            Accompanying this document should be 4 files:
       AUTOEXEC.BAT, AUTOEXE1.BAT, FUP1.BAT and FUP2.BAT.  These
       are commented batch files that I use on my system.  For
       those of you that are interested, Fido 108/0 at 513/579-2587
       runs on an IBM AT with a 20 meg internal drive and a 35 meg
       external Tallgrass drive, 2 Hayes 2400 baud modems and is
       supported by phone service providing 'hunt' when an incoming
       call encounters a busy on line number 1.  I am currently
       running DOS 3.0 and MultiLink 3.01.

            MultiLink has several parameters that may be set via
       the MLUTIL utility program.  This will allow the operator to
       modify keyboard loop polling, allocation of cycles between
       partitions, relative priority between partitions, resource
       (COM port) allocation and others.  I have experimented with
       this and found an arrangement that is good for me that you
       will see in the .BAT files.

            Please feel free to contact me if you find that this
       collection is not enough help to get you going or get out of
       trouble.  I have been running Fido with MultiLink since
       December, 1984, and both have run flawlessly.

       ------------------------------------------------------------

       :FILE AUTOEXEC.BAT
       :FOR RUNNING MULTILINK WITH FIDO BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM
       :ALLEN MILLER, FIDO 108/0, 7/13/85
       :SYSTEM - IBM AT, DOS 3.0, ML 3.01

       PATH=C:\BAT;C:\DOS;C:\UT;C:\RB\F;C:\ML
       :REPLACE DOS C> PROMPT
       prompt 2 $p
       :ACTIVATE ML TIMESLICING
       MLSLICE
       :INVOKE ML PARTITIONING
       MLINK /9,280
       :ENQUE ML RESOURCE (COM2:) TO THIS PARTITION
       MLUTIL ENQ -3
       :NORTON UTILITY TO COLOR CODE PARTITION
       SA CYAN







FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:01:01           Page 8

       :CALL SECOND FIDO PARTITION
       FUP2

       ------------------------------------------------------------

       :FILE AUTOEXE1.BAT
       :FOR RUNNING MULTILINK WITH FIDO BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM
       :ALLEN MILLER, FIDO 108/0, 7/13/85
       :SYSTEM - IBM AT, DOS 3.0, ML 3.01

       PATH=c:\DOS;c:\UT;c:\BAT;c:\RB\f;c:\ML
       :REPLACE DOS C> PROMPT
       prompt 1 $p
       :ENQUE ML RESOURCE 4 (COM1:) TO THIS PARTITION
       MLUTIL ENQ -4
       :NORTON UTILITY TO COLOR CODE PARTITION
       SA YELLOW
       :CALL FIRST FIDO PARTITION
       FUP1

       ------------------------------------------------------------

       :FILE FUP1.BAT
       :FOR RUNNING MULTILINK WITH FIDO BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM
       :ALLEN MILLER, FIDO 108/0, 7/13/85
       :SYSTEM - IBM AT, DOS 3.0, ML 3.01
       :RUNS COM1, WITH NO OUTGOING MAIL

       :SET DIRECTORIES
       CD C:\rb\f
       CD D:\
       CD E:\
       :DISABLE ML KEYBOARD POLLING
       mlutil dis
       :SET/RESET ML PARTITION PRIORITY TO 2
       mlutil pri 2
       :CALL FIDO
       fido_ibm 11/j 8/w 30/l 15/F 60/D 350/K 3/S /x 128/V /u 1/g 1/i /y
       :SYSOP '0' BRANCH
       if errorlevel 8 goto DOS
       :
       :
       :CTRL-C BRANCH
       if errorlevel 1 goto end
       fup1
       :DOS
       :TO MONITOR CARRIER
       WATCHDG1 ON
       :ML CYCLE ALLOCATION TO GIVE 2:1 PREFERRENCE
       mlutil time 2
       CTTY COM1:
       COMMAND
       CTTY CON
       WATCHDG1 OFF
       :ML CYCLE ALLOCATION TO RETURN TO 1:1
       mlutil time 1
       : return to run Fido after DOS







FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:01:02           Page 9

       FUP1
       :end
       :ENABLE ML KEYBOARD POLLING
       mlutil nod

       ------------------------------------------------------------

       :FILE FUP2.BAT
       :FOR RUNNING MULTILINK WITH FIDO BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEM
       :ALLEN MILLER, FIDO 108/0, 7/13/85
       :SYSTEM - IBM AT, DOS 3.0, ML 3.01
       :RUNS COM2, PROCESSES OUTGOING MAIL

       :SET DIRECTORIES
       CD C:\rb\f
       CD D:\
       CD E:\
       :DISABLE ML KEYBOARD POLLING
       mlutil dis
       :SET/RESET ML PARTITION PRIORITY TO 2
       mlutil pri 2
       :CALL FIDO
       fido_ibm 11/j 8/w 30/l 15/F 60/D 3/S 350/K 128/V /u 1/g 2/i /2 /y
       :SYSOP '0' BRANCH
       if errorlevel 8 goto DOS
       :EXTRACT RECENT CALLERS LIST
       if errorlevel 5 goto USERLIST
       :CTRL-C BRANCH
       if errorlevel 1 goto end
       fup2
       :DOS
       :TO MONITOR CARRIER
       WATCHDG2 ON
       :ML CYCLE ALLOCATION TO GIVE 2:1 PREFERRENCE
       mlutil time 2
       CTTY COM2:
       COMMAND
       CTTY CON
       WATCHDG2 OFF
       :ML CYCLE ALLOCATION TO RETURN TO 1:1
       mlutil time 1
       : return to run Fido after DOS
       FUP2
       :USERLIST
       users 3 >\A\UPLOADED\USERS.LST
       FUP2
       :end
       mlutil nod

       ------------------------------------------------------------














FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:01:03           Page 10

                                News Flash!

            Memphis, Tennessee abandons tradition!  Fido Nodes
       proliferate as Memphis makes bold move into network
       telecommunications!


       Seriously folks, we Memphians are proud to join your ranks.
       Historically, we've had one private board operating Fido
       software for over seven months.  In the two weeks preceding
       the adoption of the net/node format, another board opened up
       augmenting that sysop's local service, non-Fido bulletin
       board system.  Currently, the City on the Mississippi River,
       sports four different nodes, each with different
       personalities.  Several more are being discussed.  Already a
       local Fido Users' Group (FUG) is being formed to coordinate
       support for sysops in the acquistion of FIDONEWS, NODELISTS,
       FIDO software updates and general files.  Our users base
       spans a wide range of occupations, ages and interests.
       Among our endevours thusfar is one which might be of some
       interest.  Collaborative writing projects have too often
       become either very disjointed or overly restrictive
       creatively.  Our "project" has been set up to maximize both
       creativity and cohesiveness and, thusfar, has been very
       successful in both regards.  We are considering uploading it
       to the Fido Newsletter as an experiment in reader
       interaction, where readers would be able to help determine
       plot lines and character development by providing
       suggestions in feedback to project staff and contributors.
       We intend to get beyond a Writers Guide, Prologue and four
       Chapters before making a decision in this regard.  A Readers
       Guide would also be published to provide procedures for the
       interactive feedback.  In essence, we are, as with this
       article, attempting to introduce our new net in order to
       develop contacts for our users to establish Fido-mail
       correspondence with.


       One topic, which has produced a lot of message traffic
       locally, has been that of sysop and user rights and
       responsibilities.  We would be very interested in hearing
       from any other node's sysop or user in this regard.
       Specifically, we are curious about the types of rules
       established, levels of compliance, ratio of "active" users
       to "lurkers" and any distinctions made between local usage
       and networking.  Generally, we'd like to profit from your
       experience and guidance.


       Again, we'd like to express our joy in joining the ranks of
       networking Fido systems and look forward to establishing our
       community as vibrant, contributing members of the Fido
       Fraternity.



                    Bob Allman







FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:01:05           Page 11

                    FUG
                    Radio Free Fido
                    Region 18/Node 13
                    (pending approval of
                    new net assignment)
                    [Sysop: Jim Key]
                    901-754-3850
                    5:00 PM CST to
                    8:00 AM CST weekdays;
                    24 hrs weekends
                    300/1200 baud
                    (soon at 2400!)


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FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:01:06           Page 12

       Mike Ringer
       Fido 437/ in net 107


       For about eight months in Bryan/College
       Station has had a computer service called
       Fun-net.  What is Fun-net? Good question
       Fun-net is simillar to the C.B. option on
       compuserve.  up to 16 people can be on at
       one time with lines coming in from
       Houston and Austin.  The operator of this
       system Capt K operates a company out of
       Houston T.x. called FYI systems. Capt K
       said that "FYI means nothing as a company
       name but Normally it is an acronym for
       `For Your Information'".  I asked Capt K
       where he got the idea for Fun-net he said
       that "Fun-net is a spin off of
       Roundtable... The first of interactive
       computer entertainment networks, Which
       was designed and developed by one Jim
       Penny.... Clear Lake City Texas." Capt K
       said that there is one basic version that
       has been in exsistence for about one
       year.  When asked if fun-net was outside
       of Tx he said "Not yet... There are plans
       to put it in other cities and states...
       At the moment there are only five in
       exsistence...All in Texas.  Fun-net works
       only on the TRS-80 Model 4 with an
       additional outboarded cpu... The first
       time I asked him how much it cost he said
       "I don't know how much Fun-net cost
       yet...So far it's just been my house and
       3 cars" after a little prodding he said
       that "it cost 10k plus instalment.  When
       asked if if was to be developed for other
       Computer he said "Its not planned for
       any other hardware and it takes a modem
       for each incoming line." I think with a
       little prodding (and money) you might be
       able to get Capt K. to give you the
       source.
          FYI systems
          P.O. Box 690111
          Houston, Texas 77269

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FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:01:07           Page 13

       A few Ideas about the rewrite of FIDO.

       by

       Paul Kelly and Jim Lynn
       13/11          13/384


            When  in  the  course  of  human  events,   it  becomes
       necessary  for  two  or more FIDO Sysops to sit  around  and
       discuss the operations of a FIDO-BBS,  the topic (BS) always
       turns  to the impending re-write of FIDO as a Public  Domain
       system.   After all of the pros and cons have been beaten to
       a  pulp,  the simple fact emerges that no one is quite  sure
       just what they want in FIDO.   When last the Sysops of  FIDO
       #13/384 (PITTBULL) and  FIDO #13/11 (PITTSBURGH'S SANYO FIDO
       BOARD)  got  together  (through the  keyboards),  two  major
       points  of discussion arose.   The first was the subject  of
       compatability     with    existing    FIDO     systems/mail-
       communications.  The second topic was that of the ability to
       customize   one's own board to allow expanded  functions  on
       that particular board.

            One of the current plus points of Fido at this time  is
       due  to the fact that there is in reality,  only ONE correct
       version  of Fido,  that being the latest revision issued  by
       Tom  Jennings.  This allows a person to log into almost  any
       Fido board in existence and enter commands that have  become
       familiar  and expect consistent results.   Rather than  feel
       like a stranger when entering a `new' board,  one can almost
       feel  as at home as when dialing into the local home  board;
       something  like  putting  on an old pair of  well  broken-in
       shoes, everything seems to fit.

            At  the  same time,  with Fido being  a  public  domain
       program,  written  to  play  to a general audience  that  is
       growing  at rate beyond anyone's dreams,  many  groups  feel
       that  while  Fido  is well designed to handle  the  original
       goals,  there  could be an acceptable means for  customizing
       their  own board to better suit the particular interests  of
       their users.   This could be anything from allowing a search
       through  the  FILES.BBS  of  an  area  to  list  only  newly
       available  files  since their last  log-in,  to  allowing  a
       continuously  running  "forum" type conversation  where  the
       messages would simply be added into one file and accessed as
       a  whole rather than tracking through messages and  threaded
       replies.

            A  case  in  point is occuring on the  PITTBULL  system
       which has become a  standard meeting place for several local
       special  interest groups.   The board has added  a  separate
       area  for  each of these groups,  and within each group  are
       designated   individuals  who  are  `in  charge'   of   that
       particular  area  of  the board.   They assume the  task  of
       testing  uploaded  files,  editing  the  FILES.BBS  display,
       monitoring  messages and generally acting as  an  "assistant
       sysop" within that particular area.







FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:01:09           Page 14


            Within  these  local  areas,   we  feel  there  is  the
       possibility  of customizing the type of displays and type of
       functions  to meet the needs of this group to allow  quicker
       access  to  the type of operation that  the  group  desires.
       This  we envision as some type of a customizable overlay  to
       allow,  from  within this area only,  access to a variety of
       external routines which could for example:

            A)  Provide a database type program  which would  allow
       better  facilities  for searching and retrieving  files  and
       messages relating to certain subjects than could possibly be
       provided within Fido.

            B)  Allow conferences between users on multi-line  Fido
       systems.

            C) Display  mail waiting  for a user when the user logs
       on.

            D)  Show  a list of files uploaded or  newly  available
       since  the last time a user was in the files area.

            E)   Allow  the  user with proper  clearance  to  "run"
       programs  from  within FIDO such as adventure games  or  any
       program which is a "line-output" type.

            And yet,  by far the majority of Fido boards across the
       country would not have a need of this type,  hence the  idea
       of  an overlay to Fido,  utilizing Fido's device drivers and
       privilege determination, and allowing a return to `standard'
       Fido  operation  for  the user on  exiting  these  specially
       `operator configured' areas.

            A rewrite is comparible to re-inventing the wheel,  and
       the  wheel  we now are re-inventing would not  require  that
       much  extra  work  to function in a way which  may  be  more
       flexible for certain applications.

            We all know what Fido looks like from the outside,  and
       once source is written to provide similar action to THE Fido
       we have come to know and love (or hate, or accept), there is
       such a great possibility that chaos will erupt.   In witness
       to  this,  look  at the thousands of versions of  RBBS  that
       exist, with none being compatible with any other.

            We  feel that what  should be recommended is  that  the
       "code  committee" guard the material during the re-write  in
       order to prevent a "leak" of the souce code for the new FIDO
       and   only  release  compiled  versions  to  guarantee   the
       existence of only one current version of FIDO,  in a fashion
       very  similar  to the current situation.   The  `hooks'  for
       overlays  and the format that they must conform to could  be
       distributed.   This  would provide with fair certainty  that
       there  would be no pirated or customized FIDO's which  would
       lead  to  a situation like the RBBS "net-work"  where  every
       board in existence is different.







FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:01:12           Page 15


            In this manner,  the work that goes into the `new' Fido
       source  code is still available for later groups to work  on
       and  modify if the original re-write group becomes unable to
       handle  the  task,  and yet the code is  not  available  for
       casual  perusal  and modification at the whim of  a  curious
       passerby with the intent of creating a back door entrance or
       other obvious detrimental effect.

            Fido  can remain the viable and compatible  `operation'
       that  it  always has been,  and with some  changes,  it  may
       become  the  ONLY RBBS system to exist.   People  that  feel
       `handicapped'  due to not having source code to `operate  on
       and  patch' would need no longer yearn to get at the innards
       of our standard and compatible Wonder Dog.  Change and patch
       your  overlay  to you hearts desire,  make it as  unique  or
       complex or fancy as you wish, without begining the ruination
       of the friend that has caused us to come together as such  a
       large group of enthusiasts.

            We  encourage  other  operators to submit  their  views
       toward  our suggestions.   Maybe we can draft  some  optimum
       goals  to  obtain  towards   having a  system  that  remains
       totally  compatible and  yet as flexible as it needs to  be,
       without  the  fear  of negating the  efforts  to  remain  an
       integrous network that have already been put forth so well.








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FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:01:13           Page 16

       SAUNTERING SYSOPS BATMAN...

               Picture a bus load of Fido Sysops with a printed
       text file as a guide scooting north on the Garden State
       Parkway.  That's what we had on our hands when Dan North,
       Comm Sig Chair; Bob Klahn (Fido Coordinator); Jim
       Goldschneider; Joel Garrett; Gwen and Van Olmstead dog
       tracked to a Fido Sysop conference a couple weeks ago.  You
       thought we only traveled at 300/1200/2400 baud?  Not so.  We
       also move at sub-warp speeds.  We were answering the call of
       Thom Henderson (Node #107/7 on the national list) who fidoed
       an invitation to all Net 107 Sysops to join him on his boat
       for a day of sun, suds, surf and sysoping.  Spouses and all.
       I, for one, relished the opportunity to bring Spouse Gwen
       along.  She is a distant observer of most of this PC junk
       and she could burn her bronze body while the Sysops lamented
       the routing system bugs and generally yapped about kennel
       business.

               Dogbreath Klahn, (he started the name himself), our
       leader dog, called to inform me that the directions that
       were Netmailed to him were wrong.  "Thom's message says
       these directions are to his boat.  They are the same
       directions he sent last time--those were to his house!"  Not
       to worry.  We called Thom Henderson on the conference line
       and we were promised a correction.

               With the location all co-ordinated we could go on to
       coordinate other things.  Irene, Thom's POSSLQ (Person of
       Opposite Sex Sharing Living Quarters), did not relish
       providing more than relish for the whole of Net 107 so there
       was food to co-ordinate.  Do Fido's eat dogs?  What do they
       woof down?  Where should the pack congregate?  What doggone
       time do we leave?

               I drove the van.  It seemed fitting.  It's Gwen's
       Van.  She has several, counting me, my son and the Toyota.
       She let us use it.  That was nice.  Her van isn't like
       home...it's better.  Graphic equalizer, ice maker and refrig
       at hand make two-hour drives almost pleasant, even if the
       directions don't lead you where you wanted to go.  We made
       it anyhow.  To Thom's barkentine.

               Actually, it wasn't a barkentine.  Thom and Irene
       own a cabin catamaran.  The nicest thing on two hulls!  Big
       areas to sun and lots of cabin space.  Computer nuts should
       have gadgets and the Hendersons did.  Binoculars with the
       compass headings visible in the eyepiece make it much easier
       to spot the nudist colony at 193 degrees magnetic.  He
       showed us all sorts of electronic navigational gadgets.
       Among the neatest was their friend Mike.  We let Mike sail
       us across the bay.  Mike is an electronic helmsman.  He
       sailed just fine.

               The day was warm enough and we got a chance to toss
       the hook and go swimming in the bay.  I stepped on a crab
       but I didn't tarry long enough for it to retaliate.







FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:01:16           Page 17

       Besides, nobody was working hard that day.  The most labor
       done had something to do with pop tabs on cans.  After
       enough sailing and swimming was done to satisfy the interest
       of all, we headed for the marina and made fast.  Then we got
       down to real business.

               Like all good computer related stuff, Fido would be
       lost without sufficient jargon to confuse the user and
       observer alike.  We convened long enough to get some of the
       conventions adopted.  Some definitions:

       1. Dogyard, kennel, puppy palace all refer to the Fido
          environment.  "Thanks for stopping by my dogyard."
          "Appreciate you sniffing around the kennel."

       2. A bone is free credit on the users' behalf to be used for
          long distance communication by FidoNet.  "Thanks for
          throwing me the bone."

       3. Fido programs do not have bugs but rather fleas.

       4. Barking dogs are those who use the Yelp command too
          frequently.

       5. Routing codes mean your message goes through Africa to
          save phone charges.

       6. Almost anything can be paid for by credit on one's board.

       7. No right thinking Sysop will accept payment for anything
          by means of credit on a Fido.

       8. Veterinarian--what Bob Klahn does if you give him Sysop
          privs.

       9. Although dognames may be used to refer to sysops (e.g.
          Dogbreath, Edifido, K-9, Diversifido [should be my
          board]) there are no laws on the books with respect to
          the practice.  In short, it's not Dogma!

       Van Olmstead, Fido 107/214


       ------------------------------------------------------------




















FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:01:17           Page 18

       Chris Rowley
       Sysop, Fido 359 LINDA (301) 340-1376
       Sysop, non-net Fido WITHK Systems (301) 340-0246

       The following text is from the Sex Story board RAUNCH that I
       have been running on my boards for the last 7 months.  It
       originally ran on my Fido at college, Hell Central, where it
       got off to a slow, diversified start.  Now on my board at
       home (which doesn't have the hardware to make my being in
       the net feasible) it continues to expand in characters and
       realism, although the number of contributors has lessend.
       Below are the first four entries; you will notice that they
       are more juvenile than subsequent entries will be, but I
       believe the quality is well above that of most story board,
       sex story boards to say the least.  Hope you enjoy it, and
       if you want, give the board a call and contribute.

            Now many  would call  me a  peeping Tom, but my name is
       Mark, and  am only  an admirer...really.  Anyway, I couldn't
       believe it yesterday.  I'm not bad looking, but hunting down
       females around here is quite a chore.  For that reason I was
       really surprised  when the  Wheelers moved next door.  There
       used to be a older couple, but they headed off to Florida or
       something... Anyway, I was my usual interested self and wan-
       dered next door to check out what was going on.  There was a
       little obnoxious  kid running  around, just  like my younger
       brother.  This wasn't a good sign.  But I looked in the door
       and politely  knocked.   Mrs. Wheeler appeared, holding some
       books I guess she was putting them away  at the time.  Being
       the neighborly  sort I  offered my aid in moving them in and
       she graciously accepted.
            I was  getting curious  as to the make-up of their fam-
       ily, only  seeing the mother and the little kid named Scott.
       After about  ten minutes  a sleek  new corvette came rolling
       into the  driveway.   Mr. Wheeler  got out  of the passenger
       seat.   He wasn't  THAT old, but was definitely middle-aged.
       But what  got my  eyes popping  out of their sockets was the
       image exiting  from the  driver seat.   Never,  and  I  mean
       NEVER, had  I seen  such a  vision...not in  any of the many
       sexpot mags  I had  hidden away in my closet (shhhh....), or
       anything around here.  I wish I had a chance to get a better
       look at  that time,  but she  headed right inside blocked by
       the car.   I  knew I  would have  a better  opportunity if I
       played my cards right.
            Mrs. Wheeler  said that  her number  one  daughter  was
       named Rachel.   "Number  one?" I  thought..."could there  be
       more?"   I inquired  to this,  and Mrs.  Wheeler  said  that
       daughter number two was named Stacy.

            About an  hour later  we finished up.  I was both hyper
       to see  Rachel and  use the  restroom  facilities.    I  had
       learned that Stacy was with her grandparents until they were
       all moved  in.   She is  16 like  me, while Rachel is 18.  I
       wandered towards  the bathroom,  and, upon  seeing the  door
       locked, knocked.  It was then that I saw Rachel up-close for
       the first  time...well, only  her face, but it was enough to
       send me off into my wild dream land.  Her face was perfectly







FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:01:20           Page 19

       shaped, with  long brown hair, soul-piercing eyes, and full,
       waiting lips.  I can't even remember what she said, as I was
       too caught  up in  my imagination.  I remember wandering off
       and Mrs.  Wheeler inviting  me to  dinner once they were all
       set in, but the next thing I knew I was in my bed.
            I woke  up to  my mom's  shakings...it was dinner time.
       Being a  saturday, I  knew I could stay up without the usual
       parental pestering,  and spy  on my new voluptuous dream.  I
       rushed through  dinner, and  wandered around aimlessly until
       about 10.   It  was ripe  time for spying...especially since
       the Wheelers  were just  moved in  and would like to hit the
       sack after a long day.
            I circled their house until I saw Rachel in her room on
       the first  floor.   This was  a stroke  of luck, putting the
       "kids"  upstairs,   so  I   wouldn't  have  to  do  as  much
       maneuvering.   Rachel was  on her bed, back turned to be.  I
       was really  getting pumped  up just  thinking about  her.  A
       half an  hour passed in what appeared to be an eternity when
       she got  up and  walked to her dresser to get her nightgown.
       She then lifted her blouse high.  "Damn," I whispered, since
       her stance  blocked her  reflection  in  the  mirror.    She
       turned, and  undid her  bra.    "Gasp,"  could  be  my  only
       utterance, as  beautiful, round,  full, HUGE tits swung into
       view.   I had  to catch  my breath, and by the time I turned
       back she was slipping on her gown.  I managed to get a quick
       glimpse at  her smooth, long legs, and was once again on the
       ground.  I quickly ran home.  This was enough excitement for
       one night!

            After that  sight, I  couldn't wait  to see  the  other
       daughter.  Sure enough, after a couple of days, she arrived.
       This was  a sight worth waiting for.  Picture the ideal slut
       that every  man has  in his  head.   She was it.  Long blond
       hair,red lips,  too much  eye makeup, and the biggest set of
       knockers I  had ever seen on such a petite frame.  They were
       stuffed into  a sheer  tank top that left no doubt about the
       absence of  a bra.   Below  this was  a pair of cutoffs that
       revealed the  bottom third  of a pair of perfect ass cheeks,
       and a few wisps of dark curly hair.
            No sooner  had she  climbed from  the corvette than her
       father hustled  her into  the house.   From  the look on his
       face I  could tell that he didn't approve of her appearance.
       That didn't  matter I sure did.  I knew that when the dinner
       invitation came  I would  be there.  I also hoped to get her
       over for a swim in our pool.

            The next  day Mrs.  Wheeler invited  me over.  It was a
       good deal since my parents were going to a small party for a
       couple of  hours and  I'll take home cooking over TV dinners
       anyday.   But the absence of my parents made the prospect of
       getting Stacy  over for a swim even better, and would possi-
       bly allow me to get a BETTER view of the 16-year old dream.
            I certainly  had spent  much of  this first week fanta-
       sizing about  the Wheeler  girls, so  much that I was really
       being distracted  in school.   Not  that it  mattered  since
       school is just there, but my friends were getting to wonder-
       ing what  was going on and I didn't want them to learn of my







FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:01:22           Page 20

       "find" as of yet.
            At 6:30 I walked over to Wheelers.  The little brat was
       there with  is big  wheel and proceeded to roll over my toes
       before I  practically leaped  through the  door.   Stacy was
       there  and   introduced  herself.     My   earlier  observa-
       tions/wishes were  re-invoked and  she usually  gave me that
       certain stare  and squeezed her huge chest together with her
       arms and  she blinked  her eyes like an innocent.  This girl
       was not!   And  she still had that tank top that was driving
       me crazy.
            It was  near dinner so I sat down and Stacy sat next to
       me.   Mr. Wheeler  seemed to keep an eye on us all the time,
       and his presence combined with my nervousness made my speech
       very weird.   We  talked a bit about where they used to live
       and all  the people  around here,  and about  school (ugh!).
       The dinner  was great,  but I was hoping the desert would be
       better.   I helped  clear the table and then walked into the
       family room to sit by Stacy and struck up a conversation.


                          *** TO BE CONTINUED ***











































FIDONEWS     --           22 Jul 85  00:01:23           Page 21

       ============================================================
                                 NOTICES
       ============================================================

                            The Interrupt Stack


       27 Nov 1985
          Halley's Comet passes closest to Earth before perihelion.

       24 Jan 1986
          Voyager 2 passes Uranus.

        9 Feb 1986
          Halley's Comet reaches perihelion.

       11 Apr 1986
          Halley's Comet reaches perigee.

       24 Aug 1989
          Voyager 2 passes Neptune.





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