Volume 3, Number 13 31 March 1986
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| _ |
| / \ |
| - FidoNews - /|oo \ |
| (_| /_) |
| Fido and FidoNet _`@/_ \ _ |
| Users Group | | \ \\ |
| Newsletter | (*) | \ )) |
| ______ |__U__| / \// |
| / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / |
| (________) (_/(_|(____/ |
| (jm) |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
Editor in Chief: Thom Henderson
Chief Procrastinator Emeritus: Tom Jennings
FidoNews is the official newsletter of the International FidoNet
Association, and is published weekly by SEAdog Leader, node 1/1.
You are encouraged to submit articles for publication in
FidoNews. Article submission standards are contained in the file
FNEWSART.DOC, available from node 1/1.
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.
Table of Contents
1. EDITORIAL
One Year Later
2. ARTICLES
AIDS Information Available on Fido 114/15
CommoLore Magazine
Space Shuttle Questionnaire
SYSREPT Update
3. COLUMNS
Notes from Abroad
Rainbow Corner
New MS-DOS Dac Easy-Word Under $50
4. FOR SALE
Entertainment Software for your PC!
Public Domain Software Library Sale!!
Special Offer to FidoNet Sysops
5. NOTICES
The Interrupt Stack
Fidonews Page 2 31 Mar 1986
=================================================================
EDITORIAL
=================================================================
One Year Later
It seems longer than that, somehow. Call it 31,536,000 seconds.
That feels more like it.
That's how long I've been editing FidoNews. Not long, I guess.
FidoNet has been around lots longer than that. Even FidoNews has
been around more than a year. Tom Jennings ran it for quite
awhile before I took over.
A digression, for the newer readers out there. Tom Jennings
would get busy, and sometimes the newsletter would be a day
or two late, so he called himself the "Chief Procrastinator".
Sometimes when a highly regarded college professor retires he
is given the title "Professor Emeritus", meaning that he
isn't still a professor, but he is still honored as one.
Hence, Tom Jennings became our Chief Procrastinator Emeritus.
FidoNet has grown a lot in the past year. A year ago we only had
about two hundred nodes. The latest node list shows over nine
hundred. Even leaving out the nodes that are down and the known
duplicates, we still have well over seven hundred nodes. We went
from one monolithic net to the present multinet design, with a
great hue and cry at the time, but we've settled down now into a
stronger and more powerful net than ever before. We've also seen
the birth of IFNA, which is still in its infant stage, but which
holds great promise for the future of FidoNet.
The newsletter has grown, too. When I first started doing this a
year ago, I had to scramble for articles to publish each issue.
Now I can publish an issue with at least a reasonable certainty
that I'll have enough for the next week.
There's more yet to come. The new method of distributing node
lists is going to save on everyone's phone bill, while at the
same time making it a little harder for a new sysop to figure out
what's going on. People are writing new utilities and add-ons,
such as Outside and Server, that add new functions to existing
boards. And whole new FidoNet compatible systems, such as
Colossus and SEAdog, are coming out. There's even a new wrinkle
in network mail, called Echomail, that will greatly expand the
whole meaning of FidoNet, if it doesn't break it first.
More people join in on our net every day, adding their voices to
our mighty throng. THAT is the true strength of FidoNet: our
wide diversity in backgrounds, hardware, and viewpoint. We are a
large and growing community of computer enthusiasts, pooling our
knowledge. We have everything to gain, and nothing to lose.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fidonews Page 3 31 Mar 1986
=================================================================
ARTICLES
=================================================================
Dr. David Dodell
Sysop Fido 114/15 Telephone (602) 235-9653 <300/1200/2400>
St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
Phoenix, Arizona
With the increased interest in Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS), St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center
Computer Information Service (Fido 114/15) has started a file
section devoted to disseminating information about AIDS. Part of
the problem with this new disease, is the public nervousness due
to the lack of understanding on how the disease is transmitted.
To provide an education forum on the disease the following files
are available on our board for downloading and reading. Some of
the files are copyrighted and can be used for personal reading
but not for uploading to any other board. These files are
clearly marked.
EDUCATIO.AID -- Education: A forum for Attacking Fear
AIDSINS.TXT -- Insurers: Watchful but Not Worried
EDAIDS.TXT -- Education: A forum for attacking fear
PRACTWK.AID -- Prudent Practices in the Health Workplace
AIDSHOSP.1 -- AIDS:A Time Bomb at Hospital's Door
AIDSRES.1 -- AIDS:Research Outlook Taking All Bets
WKPLACE.AID -- AIDS In the Workplace - Legal Issue
BLOOD.AID -- Blood Donation and AIDS
AIDSDIAG.TXT -- Diagnosis AIDS Early
AIDS.INS -- Alarm over Cost to Treat AIDS Patients
AIDS1.PRG -- Blood Supply Safer
AIDS2.PRG -- Public Health Service Recommendations
AIDS3.PRG -- Recommendations for Patients with Positive Tests
AIDS4.PRG -- Case Definition of AIDS
AIDS5.PRG -- Epidemiology
AIDS6.PRG -- Prevention and Treatment
AIDS.FCT -- AIDS Facts - from the Public Health Service -
Excellent Question/Answer format - explaining
all about AIDS Best File To Read to get overall
picture.
AIDS2.TXT -- General Information about AIDS for Non-Medical Persons
AIDS4.TXT -- AIDS in Arizona, Texas and Related Drug Use
AIDS.TST -- HTLV-III Antibody Test : What is It???
AIDS.NWS -- Drug Successful in Lab Tests
AIDS -- News Article about Recent Advances in Aids
AIDS.TXT -- General AIDS Information
Our board is available 24 hours a day at (602) 235-9653
300/1200/2400 baud except for FidoMail times.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fidonews Page 4 31 Mar 1986
Mike Roberts
Fido 120/5
CommoLore Magazine
Get ready for CommoLore Magazine from your local FIDO sysop
this April 5, 1986. Yes, that's right. It's electronic, for
Commodorians (though not limited to them), and available through
FidoNet at no charge. In fact, IBM users may also be interested
to read it for information about the Amiga, the latest IBM and
Apple challenger.
CommoLore is a revolutionary magazine because it is one of
the first Commodore-orientated magazines to be available through
telecommunications, specifically FidoNet although it will be
available for direct downloading. It consists of articles,
reviews, letters, answers to commonly asked questions, and many
other things.
There are reviews of new products, games, utilities, and
books. New languages for your C=64 and C=128 will be the subject
of some articles, as well as telecommunications, education,
games, and others. Plus there's information on the new and
powerful Amiga. We'll also be covering the new Commodore
Information Service- QuantumLink. In the premiere issue, one of
the many things we will be reviewing is the Write Now! Word
Processor from Cardco, along with Spell Now!, Paint Now!, and
Graph Now!. Yes, you probably haven't heard of it, but we will
be extending upon things such as its large text buffer,
conversion to ASCII directly to disk exactly as if it were on
paper (great for writing electronic magazines). As of now we
have several columns that will be touched upon each month such as
languages for the Commodore, telecommunications, and others.
How can you get in on this magazine? Well, CommoLore accepts
virtually any articles from free-lance authors. If you're
interested in submitting an article or writing a column, give us
a call at the number below or write to us via Fido at the address
below. If you would like to write an article, send us a Fido
FidoLetter before March 15, 1986 (for the premiere issue). If we
accept your article or request to write a column, the deadline
for the premiere issue is March 30, 1986. The premiere issue is
released April 5, 1986. To author a column, you must agree to
write for three consecutive issues, articles are not restricted
to this. CommoLore will also publish reprints of User Group
articles, etcetera, if you'd like. Commodore User Groups: Send
us any information you would like and we will print it in the
CommoLore's User Group Update. We do, however, reserve the right
to reject any articles or postpone them until successive issues.
The CommoLore publication will be available, for downloading,
bimonthly from Uticom Fido BBS 120/5 at no charge or through
FidoNet (with a paid subscription). At 2400 baud the time spent
is short. What? You'd like a copy but aren't near a FIDO BBS
that has it? Simply call us up and download it or send us a
check as described below under HOW TO SUBSCRIBE. The CommoLore
Magazine may be copied and distributed freely. In fact, please
Fidonews Page 5 31 Mar 1986
distribute it to every BBS, everywhere. All we ask is it's
copied and distributed as a whole.
*********
************* TITLE: CommoLore Magazine
**************** PRICE: None/Subscriptions
*********** ********** EDITOR: Michael J. Roberts
********* ******* A. EDITOR: Michael A. Dryja
******** OMMOLORE S. MANAGER: James Held
********* ******* SOURCE: Uticom Fido
*********** ********** PHONE: 313-739-1193
**************** BAUD: 300/1200/2400
************* SYSOP: James Held
********* FIDO ADDRESS: 120/5
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE
The subscription fee is not for profit. It is only to cover the
cost of sending the magazine. The following figures are the
subscription fees which we charge in order for US to send YOU
CommoLore via FidoNet, Xmodem, Punter, or ASCII. If you are
receiving via FidoNet please send us your name, BBS name, and
Fido address. If you want us to send it direct please include
your name, street address, and phone number (if your computer is
not on 24 hours then also specify time to call).
Price Baud rate Country # of Issues
$06 300 U.S.A./Canada* 3 (1/2 year)
$03 1200 U.S.A./Canada* 3 (1/2 year)
$02 2400 U.S.A./Canada* 3 (1/2 year)
$12 300 Foreign 3 (1/2 year)
$06 1200 Foreign 3 (1/2 year)
$05 2400 Foreign 3 (1/2 year)
* If you do live in Canada but not Ontario, please call us
first. Prices are subject to change for other Canada
Provinces.
Double all prices for a six issue (full year) subscription.
Call us up or stay tuned to FidoNews for an update on prices.
Please make all checks payable to "James Held" and send them
to CommoLore Magazine, P.O. Box 268, Utica, MI, 48087-0268. The
deadline to receive subscriptions to include the premiere issue
is March 20, 1986.
We're looking forward to a bright future for CommoLore.
Let's support this and other specialty magazines via FidoNet.
Thank you for your support!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fidonews Page 6 31 Mar 1986
RESULTS of a SPACE SHUTTLE RELATED QUESTIONNAIRE
by Rick Pellicciotti
1717 Denison
Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 362-7926
FidoNet Mail through 123/7, The Think Tank
In the aftermath of the Space Shuttle Challenger accident and
amid much controversy, I decided to do a public opinion survey.
I am active on several computer bulletin boards in my area, and
on several of them, many people expressed their views and
feelings quite eloquently. What better place to survey?
The bulletin board that is most popular in this area is a system
called "Fido" written by Tom Jennings of San Francisco. When he
wrote his system, he provided the facility for the operators of
the program to place a questionnaire on-line for the users to
answer. With the cooperation to several of the system operators
in town, I wrote a questionnaire which they placed on their
systems the week of February 22nd through March 2nd. The
questionnaire was setup so that the respondents remained
anonymous, not even the system operator could tell who answered
the questionnaire.
The following is the analysis of the survey:
Number of respondents: 57
The seven questions are listed below with the results following
each question. An asterisk flags the top response.
Question #1:
Do you feel that manned space flight should continue?
YES:*87.7% NO: 3.5% UNDECIDED: 8.8%
Question #2:
Do you feel that "proven" technology should be turned over to
private industry and NASA limited to research and development?
YES: 10.5% NO:*68.4% UNDECIDED: 21.1%
Question #3:
Do you want the U.S. Government to build a replacement for
Challenger?
YES:*63.2% NO: 19.3% UNDECIDED: 17.5%
Question #4:
Would you be in favor of a one dollar earmark on your income tax
return for building a new Shuttle?
YES:*64.9% NO: 22.8% UNDECIDED: 12.3%
Question #5:
What would you name a new Shuttle if it were built?
SEE COMMENTS FOLLOWING THIS SECTION
Fidonews Page 7 31 Mar 1986
Question #6: Multiple choice; 1 = Highest, 5 = Lowest
My confidence level in NASA's management is:
VERY HIGH: 15.8%
HIGH :*43.9%
AVERAGE : 19.3%
LOW : 14.0%
VERY LOW : 7.0%
Question #7: Multiple Choice; 1 = Highest, 5 = Lowest
My confidence level in the Shuttle itself is:
VERY HIGH: 33.3%
HIGH :*38.6%
AVERAGE : 14.0%
LOW : 12.3%
VERY LOW : 1.8
SUMMARY:
Clearly, the respondents believe that manned space flight should
go on. All were given a chance to enter their comments at the
end of the questionnaire. Those comments, ranged from extreme
cautiousness to energetic drive to continue. Many expressed a
desire to fly on the Shuttle themselves, a testimony to the
validity of the "Citizen in Space" concept.
Most people who answered the questionnaire felt that NASA should
continue to be in charge of using space. Many commented that
industry should work with NASA in a "joint-venture" atmosphere,
with industry providing the product and NASA providing the
transportation.
On replacing the Challenger with a new Shuttle, a majority were
in favor of expanding the fleet. A few questioned wether we
should build another Shuttle like the ones we have, or build a
second generation shuttle utilizing knowledge gained from the
existing vehicles.
A large majority favored earmarking one dollar of their income
tax for financing a new orbiter. Many suggested that one dollar
would not be enough, and they would like the figure to be five or
ten dollars. Clearly, this would not be enough money to build a
new Shuttle, but would make a good start. A few suggested that
private industry should finance a new Shuttle if they were going
to use it. Here a lease-back arrangement with NASA could be
made.
Naming the new Shuttle. Unfortunately, NO OPINION came out as
the top answer here. Perhaps because each of us were affected by
the accident a different way, many suggestions dealt with
patriotism, courage and remembrance. CHALLENGER II came in
second, not particularly my favorite as I feel the "II" reminds
us too much of the "I" we lost. Some names worth mentioning
were: "Phoenix", "Explorer", "Spirit of America" and "Courageous
7". Some people were tasteless enough to suggest "Zippo" or
"Boondoggle".
The questionnaire ran over the week of the public hearings by the
Presidential Committee. Although confidence in NASA's management
remained HIGH there were quite a few more AVERAGEs and LOWs
Fidonews Page 8 31 Mar 1986
recorded late in the week as opposed to the first few days of the
survey. Confidence in the Shuttle system itself was HIGH on the
average, as the news media seemed to focus on NASA's management
decisions rather than the hardware.
COMMENTS:
This is my first attempt at anything like this. I'm sure that
someone with a background in statistical analysis and polling
would have done a much different and possibly better job. These
were questions that I was asking myself, and I found that my
answers and beliefs ran pretty much in agreement with the public
at large.
A couple of people questioned my position about the space program
based on reading the questionnaire. I am steadfastly supportive
of the space program, and very much want to see it continue.
Hopefully, documentation like this will help to convince
Washington that manned space flight should continue as soon as
this problem is fixed. I intend to forward the results of this
survey to my Senator, and the National Space Society. I
encourage each of you to write to the President and Congress and
let them know how you feel. I'm sure the result will be a safer
space program that will continue to benefit us all.
I would like to thank all of those who participated in the
survey. Most took it very seriously and responded to the best of
their ability. I would also like to thank Mr. Bill Paul,
operator of "Think Tank", and Mr. Earl Bates, operator of
"Grapevine", for allowing me to run my questionnaire on their
systems. Your comments are welcome.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fidonews Page 9 31 Mar 1986
Alfred Anderson
Fido 14/61
SYSREPT UPDATE
--------------
Many (most?) FIDO Sysops are using a utility called SYSREPT to
generate management statistics documenting their systems usage.
SYSREPT reads the SYSOP.LOG file created by FIDO and provides an
analysis of callers, times, durations, file activity, and the
like. Many Sysops have automated SYSREPTs operation and directed
the management reports into files so that their callers can
easily determine new uploads, popular downloads, and overall
system utilization.
However, SYSREPT stopped working when version 11q was released.
The format of the SYSOP.LOG file was altered. As versions 11r,
11s, and now 11t, were released the SYSOP.LOG file maintained its
new format which is incompatible with SYSREPT.
As the author of SYSREPT, I have been receiving network mail from
all over the country asking for an updated version that will run
with 11t. However, I need help in understanding the new format
of the SYSOP.LOG file before a new version of SYSREPT can be con-
sidered. For example, this is a normal entry:
---------------------------------
= DL ibm_file\arc512.doc 1 OK
---------------------------------
This I understand too,
----------------------------------
= DL ibm_file\fidodoc.arc * limit
----------------------------------
And this is fine also:
----------------------------------
= DL ibm_file\serpent.arc ERROR
----------------------------------
But, can someone explain the following examples which were taken
directly from our SYSOP.LOG:
----------------------------------------------------------------
= DL ibm_file\arc512.doc ibm_file\turbo.arc = DL ibm_file\turbo
= DL ibm_file\arc512.doc 1 OK
----------------------------------------------------------------
or perhaps this one:
----------------------------------------------------------------
= DL app_file\ERROR TXT 1 OK
= UL app_file\D&D
= DL C:\FIDO\FIDO_NWS\FIDO308.NWS
+ 8 times, 41 min
----------------------------------------------------------------
Fidonews Page 10 31 Mar 1986
Was the upload successful or not? Was the Fido308 download OK?
Without a comma between the file name and the result (like in
version 11a) it is very difficult to parse the result codes when
the file name contains spaces.
Or, how about this gem:
----------------------------------------------------
= DL ibm_file\pango.exe ERROR
= DL ibm_file\pango.exe 1 OK
ERROR
= DL ibm_file\pango.exe ERROR
----------------------------------------------------
These are just a few examples. The old version of the SYSOP.LOG
displayed EXACTLY the same information but the format was much
easier to work with. I have more "horror" stories collected in
SYSOP.LOGs that others have sent in efforts to help me decode the
new LOG format.
I've been in communications with Fido's author, Tom Jennings,
regarding these problems. Although sympathetic, he can neither
tell me how to interpret the new SYSOP.LOG format nor will he
indicate that the old SYSOP.LOG format would be restored.
Therefore, I must sadly inform all of the Sysops (and their
users) that we must learn to live without the file activity
reports from SYSREPT until one of three things happen:
1. I figure out how to interpret the current SYSOP.LOG,
2. A new version of FIDO is released with the old SYSOP.LOG
format restored, or
3. A new version of FIDO is released with a new, but
interpretable, SYSOP.LOG format.
From my standpoint, option #1 is the best choice. If anyone can
help, please send FIDOMAIL to me at:
Alfred Anderson
FIDO 14/61
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fidonews Page 11 31 Mar 1986
=================================================================
COLUMNS
=================================================================
Notes from Abroad
I ordered two USRobotics modems a short while ago, one for me and
one for Henk Wevers. The modems subsequently arrived about three
weeks later and I had to import them into the UK. I had to pay
about 50 pounds for air freight and then about 150 pounds for
import duty and VAT. I then sent Henk's modem to Holland, and I
believe he had to pay VAT again.
Even so it is still a very good deal, and the modem itself is
superb! It needs a 110 volt power supply and also an adaptor to
enable it to plug into the UK telephone socket. I had both
modems on the same line but this caused several problems. I had
two Fido's set up; both running from the same COM port. I made a
special lead up that "daisy chained" the connections from the
original modem. This seemed to work OK sometimes, but other
times not so good.
If I had a caller at 300 baud (V21) both modems would go on line
at the same time and both would be trying to pick up the incoming
carrier. My Duplex (CCITT) modem would hook onto the V21 tones
and after about 30 seconds the USR would drop out as it couldn't
detect a valid carrier. Unfortunately the USR sometimes
connected as well. There could be a couple of reasons for this,
but I never found out why for sure. I suspect that the
originating modem's carrier was slightly off tone and made the
USR think that the incoming call was at Bell tones. Of course it
tried to connect but the other modem had already seized the line.
This caused some form of feedback loop and the USR tried to latch
onto what was in fact garbage. If it kicked in and thought the
incoming call was 1200 it would try to phase shift until it
connected. This caused enormous amounts of line noise for the
caller and sometimes even made him drop out.
I think this problem is not caused by the USR but by the incoming
modem not transmitting an accurate carrier. If the USR was
malfunctioning it would do so all the time! The second possible
cause of the problem could simply be line noise.
As I still wanted use the USR I decided to use my other line for
callers at 1200, & 2400. This caused several other problems, but
it seems to be working OK.
I believe that several other Country coordinators are thinking of
buying the USR modem. When this happens we will run our own mail
slot to exchange mail and files at 2400. Until then, I would
like an updated list of all new Fido's, and I would also like to
know if anyone else in Europe was running at 1200, 2400 every
night like myself.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fidonews Page 12 31 Mar 1986
The Rainbow Corner
by Ted Needleman
As I write this, it is now the second week in October. My "Great
Free Software Offer" has been out about two weeks, and boy, did I
ever get a response! So far, I've returned over 120 disks, and I
haven't gotten to the post office in a few days. I've been
really gratified by your response and your kind words. One
gentleman even enclosed a five dollar bill (yes, I returned it!)
I appreciate the thanks I've received, but to a large extent they
are misdirected. All I've done is download some software, and
dump it onto the disks you've sent in. The people who are really
deserving of your appreciation are those who have allowed the
fruits of their labor and creativity to be freely distributed. A
piece of software such as Tom Jennings' FIDO or Larry Campbell's
LCTerm takes literally hundreds of hours of work to develop, and
considerable time to update and support. While neither of these
programs are in the public domain, the authors DO allow you to
copy and use them for noncommercial use. You just can't sell
them, or include them in your own "for sale" software. Much of
the software available on FIDO boards is subject to these
restrictions. And when you consider that LCTerm is as good (or
better) than many commercial packages selling for a hundred
dollars or more, this restriction is not at all unreasonable.
So, considering the effort involved, why do they do it? There
are probably as many reasons as there are packages. Many of the
people who allow you to use the result of their labor are just
nice, generous folk. They've created something that they have
found useful, and figure maybe someone else might also find it
helpful, so they share it. For some, it's ego. Programming is a
creative process, and a well designed and implemented piece of
software IS a work of art. And, like many artists, there are
people who are justifiably proud of their creation, and want to
show it off.
Whatever drives these people, they are actively involved in the
user community. Have you found the FIDO bulletin boards useful?
Then sign on to Tom Jennings' board (415-864-1418) and leave a
"Thank You" message. How about LCTerm? Drop Larry Campbell a
note at The Boston Software Works, 120 Fulton St., Boston, MA
02109) and tell him. The same holds true for any piece of
software you've received for free. Take a look at the
documentation. If it lists the author's name and address, drop
them a note. Everybody appreciates a pat on the back now and
then.
By the way, Larry co-founded The Boston Software Works earlier
this year, and they have some very interesting sounding products
coming out, including LCTerm for the IBM-PC. As they become
available, I'm looking forward to seeing them and letting you
know about them here in the "Corner".
As long as I'm on the subject of involvement, let me take a
moment to talk about user's groups. If there's one near you,
join it. I've mentioned user's groups before, as a place to get
Fidonews Page 13 31 Mar 1986
help, but they're also a good place for you to get involved. All
of us have a responsibility to not just take, but to sometimes
"put a little back". Chances are that somewhere along the way,
someone has helped you out. You can even the score by helping
someone else. Even if you don't have the answers to another's
problems, you can at least help duplicate disks for the group's
library.
Enough moralizing, you get the idea.
Speaking of user's groups, one of the largest Rainbow groups in
the country is The Washington Area Rainbow User's Group (WASH-A-
RUG). Their newsletter, edited by Carolyn Mack, is outstanding!
At the time this is being written, the newsletter is free, though
they are considering charging for it. Doesn't matter though. It
will still be worth whatever they ask. Write Carolyn at 6415
Adelphi Road, University Park, MD 20782, or leave a message for
her on the WASH-A-RUG FIDO board (703/359-6179). Carolyn does an
excellent job of editing the newsletter, and she's going to be
doing an article on user's groups for an upcoming Hardcopy, so
keep your eyes peeled for it.
Progress Report...Emulate-84, the Rainbow/IBM emulator, has still
not shown up here. I hesitate to use the word "vaporware", maybe
they just keep running into problems. The "IDrive", mentioned in
the last couple of "Corners", IS going into production. It
should be available by the time you read this at a price of about
$400. I have been using mine for about a month and a half, and
love it. It's available from Suitable Solutions, 467 Saratoga
Avenue, Suite 319, San Jose, CA 95129, phone 408/725-8944.
So far, no takers of the "Rainbow Rumormonger" buttons. There
must be someone out there who wants one bad enough to "spill the
beans" - come on and write in!
Rumormonger Happenings... I keep hearing about 2 new DEC micros,
the PC-XX (said to be IBM compatible), and the VAXmate (an MS-
DOS/VMS system). I'd like to hear more, and as always, promise
to keep the identity secret of anyone who requests anonymity
(Deep-DEC?)...This mornings' mail had a press release for a high
speed tape backup unit for the Rainbow 100+. Backs up the 10 meg
disk in 18 minutes and costs $1190. I'm going to try to get one
to review, and if successful, will report the results here....
Half-height 20 megabyte hard disks for the Rainbow have been
announced by DEC. The RCD-31 is available both as the first hard
disk on your Rainbow, or as an upgrade for an existing 5 or 10
megabyte drive.
(c)1985 Ted Needleman (all rights reserved)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fidonews Page 14 31 Mar 1986
NO NONSENSE BUSINESS WORD PROCESSING
New MS-DOS Dac Easy-Word Under $50
Mike Guffey
It has been said often that many of us "fall in love" with the
first word processing (WP) software that we use. While this may
not be the case for all of us, it can certainly be said that the
first WP software we use gives us certain expectations for all
future word processing. This is the case whether we start with a
"good" or "bad" program. There are pros and cons for every
commercial package on the market.
Every now and then someone asks us for a recommendation of WP
software. And the wiser of us will hesitate before suggesting
our own preference and ask, "what kind of word processing will it
be used for?" This is an important consideration, especially if
the person asking the question is either new to word processing
or new to computing. Few of us would wish the agonies we went
through on others. And since many of the full-featured
commercial packages cost several hundred dollars, the issue
deserves serious thought, lest we give hasty, ill-considered
advice.
There are many good WP products on the market under $100. Most
of them reside in the realm of the Public Domain and/or as
ShareWare. For many reasons those types of software are
repugnant or undesirable to the business user. And whether the
Public Domain is ignored by design or ignorance, there has long
been a gap in the spectrum of commercial WP software for the
business user. That gap has been in the area of inexpensive,
easy to learn and use programs. Large (i.e. expensive) programs
almost all claim their fundamentals can be learned quickly. And
this is true to some extent. But full-featured programs require
a significant investment of both time and energy to prove their
worth and pay their way.
Many seeking WP software for their business are seeking no more
than a program to write business correspondence and to perform
light-duty office chores. Something on the order of a "smart"
typewriter, only better. A product that can be learned or taught
quickly when someone moves to the desk with the computer (that
does the accounting but sits idle much of the time). Or perhaps
a program to do away with the expensive and kludgy "memory-
writing" monster electric typewriters. Or, better yet, to
eliminate the need to hire expensive word-processing temporaries.
DAC's new WP software is an excellent product to fill the needs
of any business user needing an easily used tool rather than a
master-technician's polished, matched, and balanced complete
toolset. EASY-WORD's greatest strength maybe that it was not
designed to do "everything" WP software can do. What some would
call limitations will be for others "just enough". It is not a
"full-featured" product, but it is surprisingly versatile for its
low price. It works better in the creation of text than in
editing it, but it can perform both functions well for average
office use.
Fidonews Page 15 31 Mar 1986
The program requires at least two disk drives and 256k RAM. It
will work best in combination with a hard disk and/or an
electronic RAMdisk (if the system RAM capacity is 512k or
better). But, like the program itself, the minimum hardware
configuration is "just enough". It supports a wide array of
printers and (because of this) the installation process is short
and sweet. Its use presumes a basic knowledge of the Disk
Operating System but an above average knowledge (i.e.
subdirectories and pathnames) will greatly enhance its utility.
DAC Easy-Word can be learned or taught in a few minutes. It has
online help available for all of its features. Because of this,
there is no requirement to learn complex combinations of control
characters to get started. It uses function keys which change
definition as different tasks are performed. (Their current
definition is always displayed at the bottom of the screen).
There are also 20 <ALT-key> functions, all of which are related
to their function (i.e. <ALT-C> = center text, <ALT-J> =
justification, et cetera). The program can initially be used
without the ^<ALT key> combinations and memorization isn't
necessary since online explanation is always available. It has
been designed with inexperienced computer users or computo-phobes
in mind. But it doesn't underestimate the intelligence of
potential experienced users, either.
In spite of the fact that it is a basic level program, it also
sports some advanced features which meet or exceed industry
standards for "full featured" WP software. In addition to
search/replace and cut/paste functions, it allows the
manipulation of up to 4 documents onscreen, via windows. It also
incorporates a database oriented feature called DAC file which
can be used separately or merged into documents. (It is similar
to mailmerge functions of other WP software, but the syntax is
easier to learn/use and onscreen help is better.)
Some of Easy-Word's nicest features are in the area of print
functions. It supports over fifty printers and can be configured
to support up to three printers on separate ports. Because of
this, there is no complicated printer-driver installation
procedure. It will also support the following features for most
printers (without having to know the particular control codes for
each printer):
ITALICS | BOLD AND EMPHASIZED | UNDERLINE
ELITE AND PICA | EXPANDED AND DOUBLE WIDTH
NEAR LETTER QUALITY | SUPER AND SUB SCRIPT
COMPRESSED
The various type and print styles are embedded with control
characters, as with most WP software.
Experienced computer users familiar with the power and options of
full-blown WP software may not care much for some of the
limitations of Easy-Word. Cursor movement options are limited.
(There is no single command to jump to the beginning or end of a
line.) Formatting and justification are predefined and
alternatives must be defined at the beginning of each session.
(Some users may not care for the default values of a 10-character
Fidonews Page 16 31 Mar 1986
margin and a 60-character line length.) Users experienced with
using strings of control characters to perform functions such as
SAVE & RESUME or SEARCH & REPLACE may be put off by the
combination of keystrokes that Easy Word needs to perform these
functions. But in keeping the syntax simple and by increasing
the friendliness of the environment, this product will probably
reach a market previously untapped by WP software publishers.
There are only two serious limitations of Easy Word and neither
may be of real importance to the average business user. First,
the editing of documents prepared by other WP software is
difficult. This is because the documents created by Easy Word use
non-standard control characters to delimit ends of paragraphs
and, in some cases, blank spaces. Documents created by other
software which do not have the special characters don't sit well
with the automatic justification of Easy Word. (The documents
created by Easy Word are more easily handled by other WP
software, but some minor problems will be encountered.) The
second limitation is that the DELete function will not work when
automatic justification is turned off. For most office use, this
is not a problem and there are ways around it (but they will
probably never be discovered by casual users). While the lack of
these features keep the overall ease of use high, they may be
enough reason to consider a more expensive product.
The initial offering of Dac's Easy Word is at $49.95 and includes
spell-checking software. As of early December it had not
appeared in the laundry-list ads of discount mail order firms,
but discount software stores (such as the DFW area BABBAGE'S)
were discounting its price by 15%. (This is the best way to buy
it in the DFW area and will save purchasers nearly $15.)
DAC Easy Word is an excellent value considering its price and the
market to which it is geared. For casual home use there are less
expensive Public Domain/ShareWare products, but these lack the
slick, well prepared online and hardcopy documentation that DAC
provides.
dac software inc.
4801 Spring Valley Road
SUite 110B
Dallas, TX 75244
(214) 458-0038
$49.95 (plus $7.50 shipping; Texas residents add $3.06 tax)
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Fidonews Page 17 31 Mar 1986
=================================================================
FOR SALE
=================================================================
ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE FOR YOUR PC!
SUPERDOTS! KALAH!
Professional quality games include PASCAL source! From the
author of KALAH Version 1.6, SuperDots, a variation of the
popular pencil/paper DOTS game, has MAGIC and HIDDEN DOT
options. KALAH 1.7 is an African strategy game requiring
skill to manipulate pegs around a playing board. Both games
use the ANSI Escape sequences provided with the ANSI.SYS
device driver for the IBM-PC, or built into the firmware on
the DEC Rainbow. Only $19.95 each or $39.95 for both
exciting games! Please specify version and disk format.
These games have been written in standard TURBO-PASCAL and
run on the IBM-PC, DEC Rainbow 100 (MSDOS and CPM), CPM/80,
CPM/86, and PDP-11. Other disk formats are available, but
minor customization may be required.
BSS Software
P.O. Box 3827
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
For every order placed, a donation will be made to the Fido
coordinators! Also, if you have a previous version of KALAH
and send me a donation, a portion of that donation will also
be sent to the coordinators. When you place an order, BE
CERTAIN TO MENTION WHERE YOU SAW THE AD since it also
appears in PC Magazine and Digital Review.
Questions and comments can be sent to:
Brian Sietz at Fido 107/17
(609) 429-6630 300/1200/2400 baud
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Fidonews Page 18 31 Mar 1986
Now available from Micro Consulting Associates!!
Public Domain collection - 300+ "ARC" archives - 10 megs of
software and other goodies, and that's "archived" size! When
unpacked, you get approximately 17 megabytes worth of all kinds
of software, from text editors to games to unprotection schemes
to communications programs, compilers, interpreters, etc...
This collection is the result of more than 10 months of intensive
downloads from just about 100 or more BBS's and other sources,
all of which have been examined, indexed and archived for your
convenience. Starting a Bulletin Board System? Want to add on
to your software base without spending thousands of dollars? This
is the answer!!!
To order the library, send $100 (personal or company check,
postal money order or company purchase order) to:
Micro Consulting Associates, Fido 103/511
Post Office Box 4296
200-1/2 E. Balboa Boulevard
Balboa, Ca. 92661-4296
Please allow 3 weeks for delivery of your order.
Note: No profit is made from the sale of the Public Domain
software in this collection. The price is applied entirely to
the cost of downloading the software over the phone lines,
running a BBS to receive file submissions, and inspecting,
cataloguing, archiving and maintaining the files. Obtaining this
software yourself through the use of a computer with a modem
using commercial phone access would cost you much more than what
we charge for the service...
Please specify what type of format you would like the disks to be
prepared on. The following choices are available:
IBM PC-DOS Backup utility
Zenith MS-DOS 2.11 Backup Utility
DSBackup
Fastback
Plain ol' files (add $50, though, it's a lot of
work and takes more diskettes...)
Add $30 if you want the library on 1.2 meg AT disks (more
expensive disks). There are no shipping or handling charges.
California residents add 6% tax.
For each sale, $10 will go to the FidoNet Administrators.
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Fidonews Page 19 31 Mar 1986
SEAdog Electronic Mail System
Special Offer for FidoNet Sysops
System Enhancement Associates, the makers of the popular ARC file
archive utility, are proud to announce the release of the SEAdog
electronic mail system.
SEAdog is a PC-based electronic mail system which is fully
FidoNet compatible. In addition to all the functionality of
FidoNet mail, SEAdog adds the following:
o User directory support, for automatic lookup of node numbers
o Return receipts
o Audit trails
o Message forwarding, with or without a retained copy
o Twenty four hour mail reception
o High priority mail for immediate delivery
o The ability to request files and updates of files from other
SEAdog systems.
o No route files needed!
o A full screen user interface that our beta test sites fell in
love with!
SEAdog is NOT a bulletin board system, but it can be used as a
"front end" for Fido (version 11q or later), allowing you to add
the full functionality of SEAdog to your existing system.
SEAdog normally sells for $100/node, but for a limited time only
we are offering SEAdog to registered FidoNet sysops for only $35!
Orders may be placed by sending a check or money order to:
System Enhancement Associates
21 New Street, Wayne NJ 07470
Or by calling (201) 473-5153 (VISA and MasterCard accepted).
NOTE: The response to this offer has exceeded our expectations,
and we are out of manuals. Our printer swears we'll have
more manuals later this week. We apologize for the delay.
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Fidonews Page 20 31 Mar 1986
=================================================================
NOTICES
=================================================================
The Interrupt Stack
11 Apr 1986
Halley's Comet reaches perigee.
12 Apr 1986
The Next Occasional MetroNet Sysop Meeting, to be held in West
Milford, New Jersey. Contact The Wizard at node 107/16 for
details and directions.
19 May 1986
Steve Lemke's next birthday.
24 Aug 1989
Voyager 2 passes Neptune.
If you have something which you would like to see on this
calendar, please send a message to FidoNet node 1/1.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
We are thinking of publishing a hardcopy edition of FidoNews. If
you would be interested in subscribing to it, then please send a
note to Ken Kaplan at node 1/0. We anticipate a subscription
cost of about $50 for six months.
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Have you paid for your freeware yet?
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