FIDONEWS     --           14 Apr 85  11:45:45           Page 1

       Volume 2, Number  9                            14 April 1985
       +----------------------------------------------------------+
       |                                             _            |
       |                                            /  \          |
       |    - FidoNews -                           /|oo \         |
       |                                          (_|  /_)        |
       |  Fido and FidoNet                         _`@/_ \    _   |
       |    Users  Group                          |     | \   \\  |
       |     Newsletter                           | (*) |  \   )) |
       |                             ______       |__U__| /  \//  |
       |                            / FIDO \       _//|| _\   /   |
       |                           (________)     (_/(_|(____/    |
       |                                                (jm)      |
       +----------------------------------------------------------+

       Publisher:              Fido #375
       Chief Procrastinator:   Thom Henderson

       Disclaimer or dont-blame-me:

       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     --           14 Apr 85  11:45:50           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     --           14 Apr 85  11:45:53           Page 3

                           Progress and Changes

       My first issue seems to have gone off well.  The automation
       all worked as planned (it should have, it was only tested
       about three thousand times).  The distribution went okay,
       except that I seem to be sending to about three more nodes
       than are possible in one mail slot.  (Something is definetly
       going to have to be done about distribution.  You'll be
       hearing more about this.)

       My major goal at this point is a weekly publication
       schedule, but that requires twice as much material.  I can't
       write it all myself, and wouldn't want to if I could.  I am
       sure that you want to hear from many diverse viewpoints, not
       just from me.  I urge you all, if you have an idea for an
       article, write it and send it in!  All I ask is that you
       follow the guidelines given above.  If you're new to
       Fidonet, don't let that stop you.  New blood and new ideas
       are vital to any group that wants to stay healthy and
       active, and Fidonet is no exception.  If you're an "old
       hand", don't let that stop you either.  There are plenty of
       people out there who are interested in what you have to say.


       So if you have anything to say, write an article and send it
       in.  If you want to write a regular (or semi-regular)
       column, just say the word.





































FIDONEWS     --           14 Apr 85  11:45:56           Page 4

       ============================================================
                                 NEWS
       ============================================================
       Tom Jennings Fido #1

               Kent Leonard brought up the point "What did we learn
       from the PacBell/Tom Tcimpidis case?" (If you dont know,
       PacBell dropped all the charges for lack of evidence.)

               Well, they dropped the case for lack of evidence. My
       guess is that they were trying to or needed to show a
       pattern of abuse, not just toss him in jail over one single
       offending message. Apparently they didnt find a "pattern of
       abuse", just one (or a few? I dont know) offensive messages.

               Moral: Use the "2" command a lot. If you purge
       messages over 30 days (or whatever) old, then at the worst
       you will have a message that gets missed around no longer
       than 30 days (or whatever).

               Probably my (sysop) habits are like most others; I
       read all messages, by reading the new ones once a week or
       so, and use "2" to purge 'em over 30 days. If I miss one,
       well, such is life. It will evaporate in 30 days anyways.

               In the midst of the flap this past fall I called
       PacBel's security dept and asked. (Why didnt anyone think of
       that earlier?) Of course they would not make an "official"
       comment, no names pleez, but basically I was told: "We dont
       go after BBS's. We only go after complaints, and then only
       if it might affect PacBel revenues. We are too busy
       following up serious problems to deal with BBS's."

               And in any case, don't go play ostrich if you
       suspect trouble! It doesnt help you, nor anyone else.
       Paranoia never does any good. It tees me off to hear of
       people "hiding" when the slightest trouble happens. The old
       "together we stand ..." is based on a real truth. We live in
       an age of huge bureaucracies and anal-retentive bean
       counters whose job it is to keep track of obscure and
       useless details. Together we have some power, however small.
       If we all hide and go away at the least sign of trouble, we
       are totally powerless. No one is going to shoot you, and you
       aren't important enough to show up on any watergate type hit
       list, so don't be paranoid.

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



                          Creating FIDO Source
                                   by
                   Robert Briggs, SYSOP, FIDO node 464



            I,  at  least,  am  willing to take on Tom  Jennings'







FIDONEWS     --           14 Apr 85  11:46:00           Page 5

       challenge  to create source public domain source code  for
       FIDO.   Therefore,  I  am creating a special section on my
       board  for FIDO internal use only ,  devoted  to  handling
       source  code  for a FIDO re-write.   This section will  be
       available to anyone who sends me a FIDO-NET message - just
       leave your log on name and desired password in the message.

            There  are  some ground rules that I  feel should  be
       observed.   The  source should be able to be  compiled  by
       either Lattice 'C',  Microsoft 'C' (about the same thing),
       or  CIi-C86.   That  means that any features  peculiar  to
       either  compiler  will  have to be stuck in a  library  of
       routines   and  they  have  to  be  duplicated  for   both
       compilers.   Since  I  am the author of the  CHEAPWARE  c-
       function  libraries,  this is "right up my alley",  so  to
       speak.

            FIDO  uses  both  interrupt driven send  and  receive
       routines.   I   have have only the interrupt  driven  send
       routines  available for both compilers.   I  will put  the
       code  up on the board and let people somewhat more skilled
       in assembly language "hack" on it.   FIDO also  implements
       several  protocalls,  such  as KERMIT and TELELINK that  I
       know nothing about.   I am sure that there is a WIZ or two
       out there that could write something.   Please note that I
       am  not  offering  to  write  FIDO,   just  take  on   the
       responsibility of keeping track of a multitude of routines
       that need to be done before we even have a good start on a
       re-write.   This is no small job,  imagine several hundred
       people submitting changes and ideas....

            Anyway,  everyones feed-back,  comments, suggestions,
       gripes, etc. are welcome at my node.  One thing that I  do
       insist  on,  the SYSOP must be able to sign onto the local
       terminal  just like a remote user,  and without having  to
       take FIDO down.   I have implemented a rudimentary version
       of this feature, and a (extremely) rough copy of a program
       that answers the phone, sends the file WELCOME.DAT out the
       modem, and then asks for the users name.  Not much I  will
       admit, but a start.

            Please  respond  to the  programmers  technical  BBS,
       Pro_Tech_BBS,  node 464.  The number is (801) 264-8290.  I
       would  like  to currently limit access to the  section  to
       those who can send me FIDO-NET mail.   Others later?  It's
       all  up to the FIDO network SYSOPs.   I would hate to have
       to cancel this whole thing for lack of  interest,  knowing
       full  well that TOM gets many requests for info about  the
       source code.  Must be some interest out there somewhere...















FIDONEWS     --           14 Apr 85  11:46:05           Page 6

       ------------------------------------------------------------
       By: Christopher von Schilling
           FIDO 388, REVAP_DATA, Keene, NH
           (603) 357-2090, 300/1200, 24 hrs.

       Yes!  The NodeBook project is still going strong!  Many
       sysops have participated but I need more input.  For some
       reason the flow of listings came to a halt sometime around
       April 6th.  Before that I received listings of up to six per
       day.  I am all caught up with the compiling of all entries
       and I'm waiting for more...

       I am using the following format for NodeBook entries.
       Please send your listing according to this format.  I have
       received all kinds of formats imaginable which makes the
       data entry part of the project a bit difficult.  Here is a
       sample listing:

       +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
       FIDO 311, THE_LAIR, Altamonte Springs, FL
       (305) 830-8494, 300/1200, 5:00 PM - 8:00 AM wkds.
       24 hrs. weekends.
       Robert Hupf
       *************************************************

       HARDWARE:

       IBM-PC, HAYES SMARTMODEM 1200

       FEATURES:

       Telecommunications, Graphics, Data Base Managment
       and Multi-Tasking

       SPECIAL:

       Robert is looking for more options of interfacing
       FIDO with other types of systems, such as ATARI,
       TRS-80, TI, COMMODORE and ways of switching any
       existing BBS to interface with FIDONET without
       having to use the FIDO software as a whole.

       +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

       So, everything within the <+>'s is the listing of Roberts'
       board.  Could you submit your entry exactly the same way as
       the above form?  I have learned much about the task of data
       entry and which format is the easiest to enter.  The one
       which needs the least modification is the way to go.  My
       article in the last March issue of FIDONEWS asked for a
       summary in an A), B), C) etc. fashion.  That was a mistake.
       Again, please submit your listing in the format shown above.

       To all of you who did send their listings, thank you for all
       the praise <blush> you included and your quick response.  I
       have deceided to compile listings for 1) IBM 2) DEC 3) SANYO
       4) MISC.  Don't get upset about the MISCELLANEOUS part.  I







FIDONEWS     --           14 Apr 85  11:46:09           Page 7

       use and sell machines that fit that description (LEADING
       EDGE etc.)  This method keeps the size of each individual
       file down.

       If more of you respond quickly I'll have V01 of each
       catagory out soon (in an LBR file or rather in segments of
       four individual files?)

       Tnx!
       --Chris von Schilling
          Sysop Fido 388, REVAP_DATA

       ------------------------------------------------------------
       FIDO Demonstration        Allen Miller, Sysop Fido 85


            I recently was asked to give a presentation of the Fido
       bulletin board system for the Cincinnati IBM PC User's Group
       meeting.  I planned to do a 'live' demonstration by accessing
       Fido from a PC at the meeting while dislplaying the session
       on the club's pair of 25" RGB monitors.

            In doing my homework before the meeting, I found that
       the large meeting room used by our club did not have any
       telephone service.  I needed to be able to have one PC (the
       terminal) access another PC (Fido) without the aid of a
       phone line, dial tone, etc.  The following will document my
       experience and hopefully be of benefit to someone else along
       the way.

            I found 2 methods to have one PC access the second PC.
       The method which I chose made use of a Null Modem cable and
       no modems.  The second method, used a modular telephone
       extension cable and 2 modems.

       NULL MODEM CABLE
       ================

            A Null Modem cable consists of a special wiring
       configuration and RS-232 connectors (female) at both ends.
       The pin configuration is shown below:

                 Fido                     Terminal
                 ----                     --------
                   2 -----------------------  3
                   3 -----------------------  2
                   4 -----------------------  4
                   5 -----------------------  5
                   6 -----------------------  6
                   7 -----------------------  7
                   8 ----------------------- 20
                  22 ----------------------- 22

            Notice that the end with pin 8 wired is the Fido end.

            Using the Null Modem cable, the following steps will
       enable the termial to access Fido.







FIDONEWS     --           14 Apr 85  11:46:13           Page 8


       1.   Set the Fido command line modem mask with 255/V.

       2.   Start Fido.

       3.   Activate communications software on terminal.  Hitting
            <enter> should bring up the Fido sign on screen, the
            same as if you had called by phone.

       4.   The only thing which I could not get to work was having
            Fido automatically recycle and wait for new caller
            after the session was completed.

       TWO MODEM SETUP
       ===============

            For those of you not able to manufacture or obtain a
       Null Modem cable, there is another way.  Connect the modems
       of the 2 PC's using a modular telephone extension cord.
       With the hardware in place, do the following:

       1.   Set the Fido command line modem mask with 255/V.

       2.   Use a FIDOMDM.BBS, modem initialization file, with the
            Hayes modem command ATA as the last entry.

       3.   Start Fido.

       4.   Activate communications software on terminal.

       5.   From keyboard of terminal, give the Hayes modem command
            ATD.  You should now be able to 'wake' Fido up by
            hitting the <enter> key.


       end FIDO Demonstration    Allen Miller, Sysop Fido 85


       ------------------------------------------------------------
       +================================+
       | Fido #329  SYSOP: Mike Johnson |  Fido # 329
       | 918-493-2137  300/1200/(2400?) |  UNIX
       |                                |      "C"
       | Public Domain Fido Project     |         IBMPC
       +================================+              ARCHIVAL

       After reading Tom Jennings article  in  the last Fidonews, I
       agreed with him that because of the  rapid expansion one man
       could  no  longer  maintain  Fido  and provide the necessary
       improvements along with the bug fixes. Since Tom's source is
       proprietary, we must start from  the  beginning so I propose
       an effort  to produce  a  public  domain  fido  with  source
       developed by and for SYSOPS. Tom has agreed to help with the
       Fidonet portion as his time allows but we must not depend on
       him and learn to understand the software  ourselves. I would
       like him to publish a document that specifies functions with
       arguments and a description  of what they do,  none  of  his







FIDONEWS     --           14 Apr 85  11:46:17           Page 9

       source need be made public only functions and descriptions.

       Hopefully there are enough of us that program in "C" that we
       could put together a project team to do this, I already have
       several volunteers from a  net mailing I sent  out.  I  have
       received  responses  from  Tom,  Jim Ryan,  Ken Shackleford,
       Howard  Ekman,  Mike Elkins, Thom Henderson and Daniel Doman
       so far, I  believe that there may be more out there and alot
       of excellant programmers.

       My ideas, basic design leans to 1 menu area (kinda like pup)
       that allows message categorys and file categorys,  a  switch
       for 1200/2400 baud operation only, and a  multiple  bulletin
       message area(like RBBS), and above all  enhancements for use
       in a network environment  to allow several  phones lines and
       machines if desired.  I would also retain everything current
       in Fido now(even kermit no matter what a kludge it is people
       use it).  However starting from scratch we should be able to
       cut down on  the size  of the program with careful design at
       least I would  hope  so,  I am not as bold as Tom so my idea
       would be to keep it under 128k in size.(If possible at all)

       These are just my basic ideas for improvement and  to  allow
       some outside creativity to slip in(not that Tom isn't great)
       One final thing  on the bbs a USENET  tiein for  UNIX people
       would not hurt my  feelings  at  all.  But I am not sure how
       they would feel about us.

       The final thoughts that I have are a network of  Fido SYSOPS
       that can answer questions and  relieve the strain on Tom ( I
       want to go to 2400 before  we get the  PD project finished).
       He gets  numerous questions  everyday from  new sysops  that
       have been  answered  time and again.  An article  on the 100
       most frequently asked questions would  not hurt, but I would
       be willing to answer  questions on  what I can and I am sure
       that  there are  more experienced  sysops than me that would
       also volunteer to help.

       Okay guys and gals, it is up to you I will  be workin on the
       workin design basically we will try to get a fido equivalent
       workin  in the form I described then add any enhancements we
       can agree on(or if we dont agree  at least you will have the
       source to make your own changes...so there).   Send any  and
       all ideas for improvements or enhancements to me at Fido 329
       and the team will look at them, also dont get  excited about
       getting anything anytime  soon cause it ain't  gonna happen,
       this is strictly a spare time  project as we can  parcel out
       the work to volunteers.  Complaints, comments and critisisms
       can be funneled through my bbs at 918-493-2137. THANKS

       ------------------------------------------------------------
       David Heron Space Coast Fido Node #457
       Titusville,Florida and The John F. Kennedy Space Center
       April 12,1985

       After 5 previous delays and one this morning, the shuttle
       Discovery and its crew finally left the ground. The delay







FIDONEWS     --           14 Apr 85  11:46:22           Page 10

       this morning was caused by a cargo ship that drifted into
       the safety zone in the Atlantic Ocean east of Kennedy Space
       Center.

       When the next launch window opened at 8:45 A.M. EST, it
       looked like rain might delay the shuttle until the
       thirteenth. But at the last moment the launch control crew
       decided to get the bird up before Atlantis arrived and the
       parking lot was full.

       Rising into the heavily clouded sky, Discovery performed
       perfectly as she has on past missions. The only complaint
       was a rise in air pressure caused by the launch systems.
       Ground control quickly stated the rise was perfectally fine
       and that the crew had no worry.

       One crew member, Utah Sen. Jake Garn, has been the brunt of
       jokes in the comic strip Doonesbury. As one report has it,
       the launch crew put up a large sign that said "Barf, JAKE,
       Barf!". So much for the higher intellect of the launch
       crews.

       (Thom, I'll have more as mission progresses. Dave)

       ------------------------------------------------------------
       WARNING:  I have not tested the procedure described in this
       article.  I'm told that it HAS been tested, and DOES work,
       but I can't say so from my own personal experience.

           This document describes how to install 640k of RAM on
       the system board in the IBM XT and the IBM portable (which
       uses the same mother board).

       Parts list:

          Quantity    Description
          --------    -----------------------------------
             18       256k by 1 Dynamic RAM chips
                          (any of the following)

                          Manufacturer        Part number
                          -------------------------------
                          Fujitsu             MB81256-15
                          Hitachi             HM50257-15
                          Mitsubishi          M5M4256-15
                          NEC                 uPD41256-15
                          OKI                 MSM41256-15
                          TI                  TMS4256-15
                          Toshiba             TMM41256-15

              1       74LS158 Decoder/multiplexer IC

       IBM XT Instructions:

       1.  Turn off the system unit, and disconnect the power
           cables, monitor and keyboard cables and any cables that
           may be connected to expansion boards.  Remove the







FIDONEWS     --           14 Apr 85  11:46:26           Page 11

           monitor and the keyboard.  Place the system unit in a
           convenient work area.

       2.  Take off the cover from the system unit by removing the
           5 screws on the back (4 corners and top center), slide
           the cover forward and tip up to remove completely.

       3.  Take out any boards installed in the expansion slots by
           removing the hold down screw at the rear of the chassis,
           and pulling the card straight up.

       4.  The floppy disk drives will have to be removed to gain
           access to portions of the mother board.  This is done by
           removing the screws on the left side of the drive(s).
           Gently slide the drive(s) out of the unit far enough to
           get at the cables plugged into the back of them.  Making
           note of where each cable goes, remove the data and power
           cables by gently pulling them away from the drive.  When
           the cable are off, remove the drive(s) from the chassis
           and set them aside.

       5.  Refer to figure 1 and locate the jumper block labeled E2
           on the mother board.  It is located near the edge of the
           board near the power supply.

       6.  A jumper has to be installed between pads 1 and 2 on E2.
           This can be done without removing the mother board using
           a short piece of wire.  Hold the wire with a pair of
           needle nose pliers and heat up one of the pads with a
           soldering iron.  When the solder melts, push the wire
           into the pad and remove the soldering iron.  Do the same
           thing with the other end of the wire and pad.

       7.  Refer to figure 1 and locate the IC socket labeled U84
           on the mother board.  This will be an empty socket near
           the front of the board, underneath where the floppies
           were mounted.  Install the 74LS158 chip in this socket
           making sure pin 1 (marked with a dot or notch) is
           pointing away from the front panel.

       8.  Remove the 64k RAM chips in the rows labeled BANK 0 and
           BANK 1 (9 in each bank) on the mother board using an IC
           puller.  If you currently only have 128k of memory on
           the mother board (BANK's 2 and 3 empty) you can move
           these chips to those banks.  Be careful not to damage
           the pins when removing them (you can sell them to a
           friend whose machine has amnesia).

       9.  Install the 256k RAM chips in the now empty sockets of
           BANK 0 and BANK 1 making sure they are installed
           correctly with pin 1 pointing away from the front panel.
           You should now have 2 banks (0 and 1) of 256k RAM chips,
           and 2 banks (2 and 3) of 64k RAM chips, giving you a
           total of 640k.

       10. Refer to figure 1 and locate the switch block, SW1 on
           the mother board.  Make sure that switch positions 3 and







FIDONEWS     --           14 Apr 85  11:46:32           Page 12

           4 are in the OFF position.

       10. Re-install the floppy drive(s) by sliding them into the
           front panel about half way and reconnect the data and
           power cables in the same locations they came off of.
           Push the drive(s) the rest of the way in and anchor them
           with the screws removed earlier.

       11. Re-install the your expansion boards (minus any memory
           boards that used to be in the system) in the reverse
           order of when you took them out.

       12. Put the cover back on, re-connect the cables and install
           your monitor and keyboard.

       ------------------------------------------------------------
       |                                |                         |
       |         EXPANSION              |                         |
       |           SLOTS                |                         |
       |                                |                         |
       |                                |                         |
       |---------------------------------                         |
       |                                                          |
       | ------------------------------                           |
       | |          BANK 0            |                      ---- |
       | ------------------------------                    E |12| |
       | ------------------------------                    2 |34| |
       | |          BANK 1            |         ---          ---- |
       | ------------------------------         |S|               |
       | ------------------------------         |W|               |
       | |          BANK 2            |         |1|               |
       | ------------------------------         ---               |
       | ------------------------------                           |
       | |          BANK 3            |  ---                      |
       | ------------------------------  |U|                      |
       |                                 |8|                      |
       |                                 |4|                      |
       |                                 ---                      |
       ------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Figure 1
                         (XT/Portable motherboard)

       ------------------------------------------------------------
       Thom Henderson, Fido 375
       System Enhancement Associates

                            Public Domain Fido

       I agree that we should have a public domain source for a
       version of Fido.  The reasons are legion, and stated
       elsewhere, so I won't repeat them.  A great deal of talent
       has been volunteered for the effort, so I am sure that
       something can be done.  I'll just toss a few thoughts into
       the pot.

       It's not necessary to duplicate the existing Fido source.
       Some (including, I think, Tom Jennings) would argue that







FIDONEWS     --           14 Apr 85  11:46:37           Page 13

       it's not even desirable.  So we don't need functional specs
       for the existing system.  Instead, we should first decide
       what we want the result to look like and act like, and then
       break it down into functional parts which individuals can
       tackle on their own.  A few such functional parts come to
       mind immediatly:

       1)  Fido and Fidonet are obviously different, even though
           they must work in concert, and may even share many of
           the same subroutines.

       2)  The message area can, by and large, be treated
           separately.  At least, much of what it does would be
           done nowhere else.

       3)  File transfer protocols can be dealt with in almost
           total isolation from everything else.

       4)  Certain low-level functions, such as conversing with the
           comm port, watching for the start/end of a scheduled
           event, and so forth, can and should be designed and
           implemented before anything else.

       We will also need to choose a common language to write this
       in.  I personally vote for Computer Innovations C-86, for
       the following reasons:

       1)  It's the language I write in, so I'm biased.

       2)  Their library has good low-level support, allowing an
           easy, standard interface to the hardware and the
           operating system.

       3)  They are on the net, making them more eaily available
           for questions and assistance (I am presuming, of course,
           that they are willing to participate.)

       Someone, or some group, somewhere, is going to have to
       oversee all of this effort.  At a minimum, this will include
       putting together the initial system design, writing up the
       functional specs for the various parts, doling out the specs
       to the people who will do the writing, coordinating
       everyone's efforts, and assembling and tailoring the
       "finished" parts as they come in.  I'm not at all sure how
       to go about finding someone who has the ability, experience
       managing large projects, AND the time to spend.

       I have personally been long of the opinion that any task
       which CAN be done by one person, SHOULD be.  I suspect that
       this may be such a case.  I therefore offer an alternative
       proposal:

       1)  Whoever can should write up technical specs on how the
           various parts function (such as how does Kermit work,
           how does CRC checking work, etc.)   Much of this has
           been done already, but it needs to be gathered together
           and disseminated.







FIDONEWS     --           14 Apr 85  11:46:42           Page 14


       2)  Everyone who feels able and has time should go ahead and
           try writing his/her own version of Fido.

       3)  People should start sharing function libraries for Fido
           tasks.  (ie. I've got a Kermit routine, does anyone have
           a Telink routine? [example only])

       4)  THEN, bright people everywhere can start looking at the
           various sources and combining the best aspects of each.

       Given the (inherently) disorganized nature of the Fido
       community, I suspect that an approach such as this has the
       best chance of success.


















































FIDONEWS     --           14 Apr 85  11:46:44           Page 15

       ============================================================
                             FOR SALE
       ============================================================
       From:  Bob Spivack
              Fido #346
              (408) 972-8164

       For Sale:

       A *Brand new* "BABY BLUE" Z80 card for the IBM PC.  I bought
       this sucker a long time ago as a security blanket before I
       gave up my CompuPro Z80 system.  I have never used it.
       Maybe you can give it a home.
       If you are interested, please drop me a line or forward FidoMail
       to me.

       ------------------------------------------------------------
       From: FIDO 386 Bit Bucket
       Sysop: EJ McKernan
       Subject: 256K RAM Sale!

       Fujitsu 41256 150nS 256K RAMS.... $9.99 each any quan.
       Factory Fresh....NO Rejects or Removals...............

       Also for Sanyo 550/555 owners.... the "Missing Link"
       RAM Card. Includes Built in Real time clock and soft-
       video feature (allows 123 to run without vid card!).
         Prices....$240/no ram.....$320/256K.....$390/512K

       Leave message to node 386 or Check/Money Order to:

        DATALOG
        Box 1401
        Emporia, KS  66801-1401

       Please include $3 shipping and handling per order.....


       ------------------------------------------------------------
       WEEEE!!! WE ALL HAVE CHIPS FOR SALE!!!!!!

               Fill up your 8008 system to it's 16K capacity, or
       just stick 'em on your wall! They look great!

       21L02 Static RAM        1K x 1  1000 uS          $2.95
       2708 EPROM              1K x 8   450 nS         $25.50
       746 Quad DTL NAND Gates                          $1.22

       SPECIAL!!!!! MEMORY EXPANSION KIT!!!!!

               32 chips to fill out your system to it's full 4K!!!!
       Total cost of only $94.50!

               Send orders to:
               Dldkdf Dlkdjsdj
               3434909 Fhj;kjh St
               JKdsdsd FFF 9999







FIDONEWS     --           14 Apr 85  11:46:47           Page 16



       ------------------------------------------------------------
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       disk. We are able to offer you the lowest prices anywhere on
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       Xidex box of 10 DS/DD --- $12.50 each

       Xidex disk was rated as highest quality by Mr. Rodina in the
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FIDONEWS     --           14 Apr 85  11:46:49           Page 17

       ============================================================
                              NOTICES
       ============================================================
                        *** Calendar of Events ***

       20 Apr 85 - 1700 EST; Next Occasional NY/NJ Sysop meeting.

       30 Apr 85 - Network Mail Hour; Submissions deadline for next
                   issue of Fidonews.

        1 May 85 - Next issue of Fidonews hits the stands.





       If you have any event you want listed in this calendar,
       please send a note to node 375.