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.
Backwards vs. Upwards Compatible
There's a bit of a battle that starts up whenever people get
together and start discussing upgrading a piece of software.
The question being, how should the new package be compatible
with the existing package? (Or even, should it be
compatible?)
The two main ways to make a new package compatible with its
older cousins are "upward compatibility" and "backward
compatibility".
A package is upward compatible if the new version will still
work wherever the old version worked. An example of this
might be a new compiler that can still compile programs
written for an earlier version of the language. Upwards
compatibility means that the newest version will always
work.
A package is backward compatible if the old version will
still work wherever the new version worked. An example of
this would be a squeeze utility whose output is acceptible
to older versions of the unsqueezer. Backwards
FIDONEWS -- 05 Aug 85 16:04:27 Page 2
compatibility means that the older versions will always
work.
In the micro community, where program updates sometimes
percolate slowly through the user base, backwards
compatibility is clearly desireable. But is it always
acheivable?
Upward compatibility is usually not hard to implement. If
necessary, older format data files can be converted to the
newer format as they are needed. The price (everything has
a price) is in added program complexity and in larger
program size, since the program may have to deal with a
large number of data formats, commands, and so forth that
are no longer needed in the new version.
Backward compatibility is usually much harder to achieve.
It often calls for fancy tricks (ie. kludges) to fit in new
data, commands, structures, and so forth in a way that won't
choke the older programs. An ingenious example of this is a
method someone came up with for tucking date and time data
into a squeezed file by putting it AFTER the squeezed data
(where a normal USQ doesn't even look). In a great many
cases this sort of trick is not possible.
There also comes a time in every program's life where you
just have to chuck the whole compatibility issue and start
fresh. Versions and variations proliferate -- especially in
the micro community -- to the point where it becomes nearly
impossible to accomodate them all. Sooner or later the
price to pay for compatibility (of ANY sort) grows too high.
As an absurd example, imagine if you will a far-future
program (call it ZUSQ1e3) which can unsqueeze any squeezed
file ever created by any of several hundred different
variations (present and past) of SQ. Who in their right
mind is going to want to save, load, and use a 300k program
to perform a basic task that a 16k .COM file can handle?
We'd all like to think that our programs are immortal, but
the sad fact is that everything eventually fades away. The
machine you use today will be obsolete in five years (if it
isn't already!) The true answer to the question of
compatibility is to give it an honest try, but don't go nuts
about it.
FIDONEWS -- 05 Aug 85 16:04:29 Page 3
============================================================
NEWS
============================================================
A CRY FOR HELP - FOUR UNRELATED QUESTIONS
By Steve Lemke, Sysop, Fido 102/378
Voice Phone: (805) 968-7360
=====================
IBM PC-AT SPEEDUP CRYSTAL SET:
Recently, although I can't remember exactly where or
when, I read an article or letter from someone in some
magazine about speedup crystals for the IBM PC-AT. They
mentioned that they had tried a Radio Shack crystal and had
nothing but problems. Then they said that there was a place
in the Los Angeles area somewhere that sold a set of three
(3) crystals for the IBM PC-AT. Included in the set was a 8
Mhz. crystal, a 9 Mhz. crystal, and a 10 Mhz crystal. The
idea is, try the 10 Mhz. first, and if for some reason you
have problems, you can drop down to the 9 Mhz. or even the 8
Mhz. Any one of these three crystals is easy to plug in
after removing the existing (socketed!) 6 Mhz. crystal from
the system board of the PC-AT. This is all fine and dandy,
except that I can't for the life of me remember where I saw
this article, letter, or whatever it was. If anyone knows
where I can get this set of crystals, or a similar set,
please let me know A.S.A.P.!! Thanks.
ANYONE WRITING A BBS FOR MS-DOS PLEASE READ THIS:
I am in need of a BBS for a PC-Compatible. It must be
written in either Turbo Pascal (preferably) or "C", with the
source code available. Hopefully this BBS will be able to
both send and receive FidoNet Mail. I don't want this
system for a BBS, but to modify it into an electronic
ordering system for a mail-order company. The system would
then be installed on a toll-free phone number where people
could call and get listings of products available. Then, by
hitting a few keys, they could call up a more extensive
product description, and by hitting a few more they could
place an order for the product. If the program were
compatible with FidoNet, then orders could also be placed
via FidoNet Mail. If you are writing or have written a
program that might work for me, please contact me A.S.A.P.!!
I also have a friend who is in the process of
converting the CP/M "Citadel BBS" program (written in "C")
to MS-DOS. He is in need of a communications driver that
will work with MS-DOS and "C" for use in this Citadel BBS.
Please contact me if you can be of assistance to him.
SHOULD USERS BE ALLOWED TO DOWNLOAD FIDOLIST & FIDONEWS?
I realize that many systems offer FidoNet software,
documentation, newsletters, and nodelists in their download
areas, but if I'm running a board that does not have Fido
available for downloading, should I let my users download
FidoNews and FidoLists? There are often some sensitive
articles in FidoNews (like things Sysops should be aware of
that users don't need to know about) that lead me to believe
FIDONEWS -- 05 Aug 85 16:04:31 Page 4
that users shouldn't be allowed to read it. Other times,
there are general articles that seem like the users might
benefit from. I never really liked the idea of having to
'censor' the FidoNews just to make it available for
downloading, but there are times when they don't need to see
everything. I recently decided to make the FidoList avail-
able to users so they could download the whole list of Fido
systems (minus the private ones) and see where they can send
mail to. I think with the recent articles about Anti-BBS
laws, I'm going to allow users to download FidoNews also.
I'm not really asking for a "YES" or "NO" answer to this
question, but just trying to open this up for discussion.
LASTLY, WHAT IS THIS HALLEY'S COMET STUFF??
What is the purpose of the Halley's Comet and Voyager
event listings in "The Interrupt Stack"? Perhaps just
something to fill up what would otherwise be an empty
calendar? Well, if we're that desperate for events, you
could always list my next birthday - May 19, 1986.
BBS PRESS SERVICE OFFERS FREE ISSUE OF
INFO-MAT MAGAZINE TO FIDO-NET SYSOPS
FIDO-NET sysops run one of the finest BBS packages ever
written and they know it. Now, thanks to THE BBS PRESS
SERVICE, they can make their systems TRULY unique --
attracting REGULAR callers who can count on their local
FIDO-NET for the very latest news, information, and
features. It's easy with INFO-MAT Magazine, from The BBS
Press Service (BPS). INFO-MAT is an exciting new weekly
electronic publication that FIDO-NET sysops can post on
their own BBS's. Each issue of INFO-MAT serves up a
generous helping of text (50 - 70K). The topics covered
include computer and software news, video and consumer
electronics news, movie, software and hardware reviews,
informative features about ANYTHING electronic, and
editorials to get your users thinking. The best news,
however, is that a FIDO-NET sysop can put EVERY issue of
INFO-MAT on his or her BBS for as little as $3.12 per week!
INFO-MAT can be downloaded directly from The BPS BBS, a 24-
hour bulletin board system, or delivered on disk, in formats
compatible with most popular computers. According to BPS'
publisher, Alan R. Bechtold, their affiliates regularly
report increases of 20% to 25% in the number of callers
accessing their systems once INFO-MAT is put online. This
makes it the perfect addition to a board, and it doesn't
matter to BPS whether an affiliate charges an initial access
fee or runs it wide open and free. Businesses and computer
clubs easily draw regular callers by running INFO-MAT, too.
Many BPS affiliates pay the entire cost of carrying INFO-
MAT, including the monthly fee and all telephone or postage
charges -- often with a profit -- by charging their users a
small yearly access fee of $5 - $15. Others have found
local merchants more than willing to pay the entire cost, in
return for mention as an INFO-MAT Sponsor. Since BPS
doesn't force their affiliates to charge for access or tell
them how much to charge if they do, INFO-MAT can be put
online any way the affiliate sysop wants to -- reaping the
benefits he or she wants most from it.
Each issue of INFO-MAT is a series of ten or more separate
ASCII text files, including a separate file for each week's
headlines and table of contents. Affiliate sysops place the
headlines for the week in a Bulletin file, let their users
know where they can go to find INFO-MAT, then watch them
call in regularly to get their favorite "printless
magazine." FIDO-NET users can use FIDO-NET'S "Type" option
to read the magazine online or download it to read at their
leisure.
For a limited time, the BBS PRESS SERVICE has posted a
special FREE sample issue on their BBS, just for FIDO-NET
sysops. Give it a call. FIDO-NET Sysops are invited to
look the magazine over, then download it and put it on their
systems, to see for themselves how much their users would
like to have each weekly issue available on their local
FIDONEWS -- 05 Aug 85 16:04:35 Page 7
FIDO-NET BBS. Affiliate subscriptions can even be ordered
online with Visa or MasterCard. Complete pricing and disk
format information is alsso always online, and names and
addresses can be left in a message to the sysop, to be
placed on the BPS mailing list, to receive the latest
information about other exciting new BPS text features that
you can purchase on a regular basis, or one at a time.
Call the BPS bulletin board NOW, by dialing:
==============
(913) 478-9239
==============
-- To see the free sample issue and order online. Or, for
more information via first class mail, send your name,
address and BBS information to:
INFO-MAT Magazine
The BBS Press Service
8125 S.W. 21st
Street Top
PUBLIC vs. PRIVATE BULLETIN BOARD SYSTEMS
By Steve Lemke, Sysop, Fido 102/378
=============================
One thing that's really bugged me lately is the number
of FidoNet systems that are either private or semi-private.
Recently, I wanted to get the latest NODELIST and FIDONEWS
files without waiting for my host to get them for me. I
called all over Southern California (and even out of state)
and all I could find were private systems! I could see that
some systems had it, but the download command was not
available to me until I had been "verified" or sent in some
written agreement, or something like that. It was rather
annoying to have to "identify" myself and then call back
later. Other systems that were public didn't have the file.
I used to run a system where people would have limited
access until they answered the system questionnaire and I
had a chance to check it. I found it to be a real pain to
have to go through the answers file and then upgrade
everyone manually to a higher status. Recently, I changed
the system to a _COMPLETELY_PUBLIC_ system, where all new
users can do anything (upload, download, enter messages,
kill messages, etc.). I added the QNEWUSER.BBS file so they
have to answer the questionnaire before they get into the
system, and if I ever find a set of answers that are not
acceptable, I can delete the person.
My system has been *PUBLIC* for about two months now,
and I've had *NO* problems related to this change. I trust
FIDO, and I believe that it is pretty-much crash-proof. The
only problem I had occurred when someone broke into another
local system (RBBS) and the password of my other Sysop was
discovered. (Now he uses different passwords on each
system!) That enabled our crook to drop into DOS (I've
since made that harder!) and find out my password and cause
all kinds of problems. But, _THAT_WOULD_HAVE_HAPPENED_EVEN_
_IF_MY_SYSTEM_WERE_PRIVATE!_ I enjoy having a public system,
and I like being able to trust the users of my system.
Incidentally, my system is running on a 30MB Compaq
DeskPro 286 (a PC-AT Compatible, but 30% faster: 8 Mhz).
_THIS_SYSTEM_REALLY_FLIES!!_ Our specialty here is IBM PC
files of all kinds, and we also have some Macintosh stuff.
The system is up 24 hours/day (except when the machine is
being used locally), so give it a call if you want to see
"THE FASTEST FIDO IN THE WEST" (& WORLD?) The number is
(805) 569-2459. (That number again is (805) 569-2459!).
From: David Horowitz Fido 107/2
Subject: Shipuser.com
Date: July 30, 1985
To all SysOps,
In the last fidonews there was an article about shipuser.
The article made comments about how I did not use Hex number
to represent the file name (Like TJ does in Mail). Well,
all I can say is I messed up...
When I wrote the program I put alot of thought and time into
designing a name that would be unique for all systems, yet
still have the same extension, for easy processing. I came
up with NodeNet.USR. It seemed like a good idea, and I did
not remember that TJ does similar things with mail. I
figured under the new scheme that my name would leave enough
room for 1000 squared nodes, and if we even can close to
1000 nodes the Master User List would become too big anyway.
I figured that Nets would renumber starting with one. It
made sense at the time, but noooooo....
Anyway, the program really has to stay this way. It would
mean changing the way we process the incoming userlists if
we changed the name of the files, so the way it is - is the
way it stays.
However. I am in the process of making some changes to
SHIPUSER:
1) Removed the question are you running 10i or
greater, so the whole program is controlled from the command
line,
2) Added a feature to allow you to select users
greater than or less than a given privilege level.
3) Added a feature to allow you to select users who
have called more than a given number of times.
The new program will be making its way around soon, please
use it! We are getting a fair response, but it could be
better. If you would like to make a suggestion to other
features for SHIPUSER contact me at:
From Spiv's Fido #346 in Region #10 (408) 972-8164:
(The ONLY FIDO devoted to the IBM PC AT)
********************************************************
IBM ADMITS HARDWARE FLAW IN PC-AT!
IBM finally admits that approx 10% of the PC-ATs shipped
may have a defective hard disk controller card. (IBM is
rumored to have shipped about 300,000 PC-ATs so far.)
IBM will replace FREE OF CHARGE any controller that is
defective.
Suspected units are in the following serial number range:
5019001 to 5141250 and 0054001 to 0146900
You can check if your system needs a new board by running
a new IBM diagnostic program. Every IBM PC dealer is
supposed to send this program to every customer that might
have a PC-AT in the suspect serial number range.
THIS FILE IS ON-LINE HERE IN THE UPLOAD SECTION. SO GRAB
AND IT QUICKLY PUT YOUR MIND AT EASE OR GET IN LINE AT YOUR
DEALER TO GET A REPLACEMENT BOARD.
[Note: "Here" means on Fido #346 at 408-972-8164]
It is also possible to identify defective controller boards
by visual inspection. If the Texas Instruments IC in position
U-19 has a suffix code of "-10" then the board should be
replaced.
I am aware of a number of home-grown programs designed to
perform utilitarian functions for Fido sysops. I'm sure
there are twice as many that I haven't heard about. I
usually find out about them by stumbling across them on
someone else's board. Sometimes they drop in from the blue
via FidoNet mail.
It struck me that there is no mechanism for disseminating
information about these utilities. I have therefore appoin-
ted myself a committee of one to rectify the situation! I
am beginning a directory of Fido utility software which I
will publish in this newsletter from time to time. And with
this article, I begin a semi-regular series of reviews of
this software.
Now, to make this work I am going to need help from all of
you. If you have a favorite Fido utility program you want
to share, send it to me at 100/10 for inclusion in the
directory and possibly for review here. For the directory I
need the program name, author, hardware and/or software
constraints, language, where it can be obtained, whether or
not source is available and a brief abstract. Please limit
it to Fido specific utilities. There are so many good
general utilities that without this limitation, we could
quickly saturate.
Now, on to my first review:
Program Name: SYSREPT, V1.30
Author: Alfred Anderson
Constraints: none
Language: Generic TURBO Pascal
Download From: 14/61, 100/10 or 100/51
Source Available? NO
Abstract:
Produces up to five reports based on an analysis
of the SYSOP.LOG file. The reports include a
condensed system log, a download report, an upload
report, an export data file and a utilization
summary.
This is without doubt the best Fido reporting utility I have
seen. It produces several useful reports in a clear, concise
well designed format. It has been successfully tested on
the IBM and the DEC Rainbow, and I expect it will run OK on
any machine.
The only minor annoyance is that TURBO insists on initial-
izing the screen. Compiled with IBM TURBO, any program is
machine-specific. Compiled with Generic TURBO, the program
slows significantly, but is machine-independant.
The reports may be directed to any device, or to files in
FIDONEWS -- 05 Aug 85 16:04:43 Page 13
any directory. Page headings contain a user-defined "board
name" for a personal touch. Defaults are established in a
control file, but all may be overridden by command line
switches.
The input log data may span several days (I run mine on a
weekly basis), but the program assumes that it begins with
the first call after midnight of the first day and ends with
the last call before midnight of the last day. I force this
to happen with an external event at 23:59 each Saturday
night.
The condensed system log is, as its name suggests, a conden-
sation of SYSOP.LOG in the form of a very readable daily
log. Each call is numbered and usually receives a one line
entry containing user name, time on, call duration, number
of files downloaded and comments. It is the comments field
which causes some entries to occupy more than one line.
Here such things as invalid password entries and uploaded
files are noted.
The "export" file is essentially the same data as the con-
densed log, but without page formatting or comments. It may
be produced in comma-delimited form with ASCII string data
enclosed in quotes suitable for input to 1-2-3 or dBASE, or
in a fixed field format for sorting or processing by other
programs.
The download report is a sorted list of all files downloaded
during the period, and the number of times it was down-
loaded. It is produced two columns to a page, making it
compact but quite readable.
The upload report is a sorted list of uploaded files with
the name of the user who uploaded it and the date and time
of upload.
The one page utilization report is perhaps the most impress-
ive of the lot. Most Sysops have only a vague notion of how
much activity they get on their boards. Here's the report
that will give them precise information. It begins with a
histogram of percent utilization vs. hour of the day. It
then lists several useful statistics such as number of calls
at each baud rate, total number of calls, total total avail-
able time, total logged time overall percent of utilization,
average call duration, etc.. For one page, it is chock full
of useful information.
In summary, Anderson has put a lot of careful thought into
this one, and I don't think any Fido Sysop should be without
it.
FIDONEWS -- 05 Aug 85 16:04:45 Page 14
============================================================
NOTICES
============================================================
The first edition of the National Fido User List is now
available! Download your copy now from 107/1, 107/2, or
107/7.
It is called FIDOUSER.LST in the 300k expanded form, or
FIDOUSER.ARC in the 80k compressed form.
