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.
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. ARTICLES
2. COLUMNS
Speeding Up Batch Files
Computer Industry Spotlight
Job Market Research Part III
3. WANTED
Wanted: IBM PC programs for publication!
Any large Fidos out there?
4. FOR SALE
Entertainment Software for your PC!
Public Domain Software Library Sale!!
5. NOTICES
The Interrupt Stack
CARTOON: Generic George, by Bruce White
FidoMail Diplomacy - Game F2
SPLTNEWS - A New Fido Sysop Utility
Don Daniels NODEFIX.EXE
SYSOP, FIDO 107/211 Ver 1.00
When using ECHOMAIL, it is necessary to run TOSSMAIL against
the incoming mail in your mail area in order to move ECHOMAIL
messages to their appropriate areas. TOSSMAIL 1.30 searches for
mail which contains your Net/Node number as indicated in
MAIL.SYS. This presents no problem if you are a standard node.
But, if you are a Hub and/or a Host, it is possible that senders
have used one or more different (alias) Net/Node addresses than
that given as the primary in MAIL.SYS. Such messages will NOT
be relocated by TOSSMAIL 1.30.
NODEFIX addresses this situation by changing the Net/Node
numbers of appropriate messages to a common value as specified
by the user.
NODEFIX.ARC, which includes NODEFIX.EXE and accompanying
documentation, is available for downloading from:
D2-FIDO (107/210) 516-682-8525 evenings or weekends at 2400 bps, or
DANIELS-FIDO (107/211) 516-367-9626 most any time or day at 1200-300
Batch files make life a lot easier, but they are very slow. Even
when using batch files in RAM disks, execution time is quite
noticeable. It reminds me of the time when a batch file meant a
batch of cards. The techniques described here reduce the time
required to execute batch file by as much as an order of
magnitude.
Execution time is closely related to the number of lines rather
than the number of characters. To save time put as many commands
on one line as possible. Some ways to do this:
1. Instead of using a lot of lines for remarks, put what you have
to say in a file and issue the batch command TYPE FILE.
TYPing a file takes less than 30% as long as echoing the same
information from a batch file.
2. Instead of using a lot of lines to issue commands, put all the
commands in a FOR subcommand. For instance, your autoexec.bat
file might start out:
fastdisk
parint
scrnsave
spool 7
sk
c:
Instead, just say:
for %%f in (fastdisk parint scrnsave spool:7 sk c:) do %%f
This reduces six lines to one. In DOS 2.1, but not in 3.0,
you can eliminate spaces and slightly decrease execution time
like this:
for %%fin(fastdisk parint scrnsave spool:7 sk c:)do%%f
Note the colon between spool and 7. You can't have any spaces
within the parentheses except to denote the beginning of a new
command.
3. When copying files use the FOR subcommand and wild cards like
this:
for %%fin(print v sp)docopy a:%%f???.*
The FOR subcommand does not support wild cards within the
Fidonews Page 4 21 Jul 1986
parentheses.
How much time the FOR subcommand will save, if any, depends on
how the disk buffers are used while the subcommand is being
executed. DOS remembers the entire subcommand. It doesn't
have to go back to disk to read more of the subcommand as it
goes along. But DOS doesn't remember the contents of the
batch file unless it is held in disk buffers. Whether or not
the disk buffers keep the contents of the batch file depends
on what you're doing between batch commands.
4. The IF subcommand supports conditional commands and the FOR
subcommand. For instance, you might want to see if a file
exists and, if it does, to run several programs and then to
return to the menu; or, if it doesn't to display a message and
return to the menu. A batch file for this task might look
like this:
If exist myufile goto programs
echo File does not exist. Try again.
d:menu
:programs
myprog.ram
second.prg
third
d:menu
But it will run faster like this:
If exist myfile for %%fin(myprog.ram second.prg d:menu)do%%f
for %%fin(echo d:menu)do%%f File does not exist. Try again,
5. When a command processor or another batch file is invoked,
batch processing for the first batch is terminated. You don't
need to exit the batch file. For example, in the batch file
fragment below, the command GOTO GETOUT (and probably the
label :GETOUT) is unnecessary and will increase execution time
in some cases:
..
command c:
goto to getout
..
..
:getout.
6. A fast way to get out of the middle of a batch file is to
issue a command for another batch file, say a file called
exit. EXIT can contain only the command REM or just a dot or
better yet nothing. A file that contains nothing doesn't take
up any disk space. You can create such a file with another
batch file, say autoexec.bat, by inserting this command:
for %%fin(echo rem)do%%f >d:exit.bat
The rem part of the command can be any command that doesn't
Fidonews Page 5 21 Jul 1986
look for parameters on the command line, e.g. cls or pause or
sk.
7. Of course, running batch files from a RAM disk is a big help.
It's sometimes worth transferring control to a batch file that
has been copied onto your RAM disk. The time required for
handling the batch operations in a RAM disk is less than a
third of that required for a floppy.
8. Putting an end-of-file marker (ASCII 26 or Control Z) on the
same line and immediately after the last command, will prevent
annoying multiple prompts at the end of batch processing.
TELEX COMPUTER PRODUCTS, INC. -- Telex Computer Products, Inc. is
a leading electronics and communications concern, which designs,
manufactures, markets, and services computer peripheral
equipment. Operations are managed from offices in more than 175
locations throughout the U.S., Canada, and major worldwide
cities. Job opportunities are regularly available for field
service technicians with training and previous hands-on
experience maintaining magnetic tape drives, disk drives,
printers, and a variety of terminal equipment. There is
excellent opportunity for advancement into management. Field
service offers management training courses to those employees who
express a desire to move into managerial positions and have an
aptitude for management. Courses include formal seminars,
structural on-the-job situations, and computer associated
instruction.
Contact: Nina Newberry, Personnel Representative/Recruiter,
Telex Computer Products, Inc., 6422 E. 41st St., Tulsa, OK
74135.
When this initial phase of your research effort is finished,
you'll find yourself already well ahead of the game. Unlike most
of your competitors in the job market, you will have achieved a
clear idea where you're going and what you're trying to
accomplish. You have established for yourself a well-defined
area -- a specific industry (or industries) -- on which to
concentrate your search. (You may of course, wish to narrow the
focus even more, to a specific geographic area.) And in the
process, you've learned a good deal about the industry and are in
a position to begin researching specific employers and to start
making all-important personal contacts with people in the
industry. Furthermore, you're now able to talk knowledgeably to
industry officials about a subject that interests them greatly:
their industry. And your knowledge will progressively increase
and become more detailed as you continue your search.
The second and final phase of your research focuses on
SPECIFIC COMPANIES within your selected industry. Your immediate
task here is to compile a list of employers -- as lengthy a list
as possible -- which appear to have suitable opportunities in
your field. After you have compiled this list you will then do
some additional work to determine which department within each
listed company hires people in your field and who the
department's hiring official is. Most major industries have
industry directories -- often published by the industry trade or
professional association -- which provide company listings and
officer names and titles. Trade journals and company
stockholder's reports may also help. Or you may wish to simply
call the personnel or public relations office of a company to
obtain the needed information.
TRADE JOURNALS AND INDUSTRY PERIODICALS. These publications
often contain news about current recruitment needs and plans of
major companies; in addition, nearly all of them include a
"Positions Available" classified section.
CORPORATE DIRECTORIES. Although it is not recommended that
such directories be used for indiscriminate "scatter-gun"
mailings, corporate directories can be very useful in helping you
to identify firms which may have current opportunities in your
field. But before you mail your cover letter and resume to a
listed company, make an effort to determine its current hiring
needs (through additional library research or by contacting the
firm directly). Then slant your cover letter in such a way that
any relevant interests or accomplishments are highlighted. The
best corporate directories are: THE COLLEGE PLACEMENT COUNCIL
ANNUAL, the S & P REGISTER, and DUN'S MILLION DOLLAR DIRECTORY.
SMALL BUSINESS AND ASSOCIATION REFERENCE MATERIALS. Two
important areas often overlooked by job seekers are small
Fidonews Page 8 21 Jul 1986
businesses and trade/professional associations. A "small
business," incidentally, need not be particularly small.
Companies with sales under $25 million are considered to fit the
usual definition. A good starting point in researching these
firms is the INC. 500 DIRECTORY (published by INC. Magazine),
which lists and profiles the 500 fastest-growing small companies
nationwide. Another very good source is so obvious you might
overlook it -- the yellow-pages telephone directories (many
libraries maintain yellow-pages directories for all major U.S.
cities). As for associations, your best source of company
information is the ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ASSOCIATIONS, also available
at most libraries.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION SOURCES. In the course of your
research, you'll uncover many additional information sources on
your own. Here are a few additional ones that have wide
applicability. O'DWYERS DIRECTORY OF PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRMS;
THOMAS' REGISTER OF AMERICAN CORPORATIONS; EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS,
THE IRREVERENT GUIDE TO CORPORATE AMERICA. (The last source
mentioned, EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS, contains major company histories
and profiles that are especially useful in preparing for job
interviews.)
The next and last article will present THE ALL IMPORTANT
HUMAN FACTOR.
Distributed via FidoNet BBS by NOVA_WEG Fido 109/626, W.E.G.
Systems, P.O. Box 5072, Springfield, VA 22150. Permission is
hereby given to reprint this article providing the contents
remain unchanged.
SOFTDISK, INC., the already-successful publisher of magazines on
diskette for Apple II and Commodore 64 computers, will produce a
monthly disk-based publication for the IBM PC.
The first issue of this publication, to be named BIG*BLUE DISK,
and which will be contained entirely on a floppy disk, will be
shipped to thousands of retail outlets in September, including B.
Dalton Booksellers and Waldenbooks.
- - OFF-BROADWAY - -
If you have written a program for the IBM PC, please consider
publishing it on BIG*BLUE DISK; it's your chance to make some
money, and get your name in print. Programs of all categories
are being accepted: utilities, educational, recreational, home,
business, graphics, music, etc.
- - YOUR REWARD - -
We will select the best programs submitted, and publish them on
issues of BIG*BLUE DISK. If we choose to publish your program,
we will pay you a minimum of $50, and possibly more-- as much as
$500, depending on the nature and quality of the program. This
money is for the privilege of publishing your program. You
retain full rights to it.
- - HOW TO SUBMIT IT - -
Submissions can be sent by FIDONET to node 19/216, or uploaded
directly to our BBS at (318) 636-4402.
Alternatively, you can send them on a floppy disk to:
BIG*BLUE DISK, PO BOX 30008, SHREVEPORT, LA 71130-0008.
You will receive a new blank disk in return mail, to replace the
disk you sent.
BIG*BLUE DISK is a widely-distributed, carefully-prepared
publication, so make sure your programs are well-tested and
debugged, and include adequate instructions within the program.
Include a note (on paper, in a text file, or in a message to the
sysop of our BBS) describing what your program does, what files
are necessary to run it, and what system configuration (hardware
and software) is required.
- - NOTE TO SYSOPS - -
There is a finder's fee of 10% for you if you submit a program on
behalf of one of your users and it is published. Thus, you may
wish to publicize BIG*BLUE DISK and our search for programs on
your board.
Justin Norman, System Operator
Northwest Super Fido (#105/2)
Are there any large Fidos out there?
I recently started to look into a larger and more powerful MS
or PC-DOS based machine to run my Fido on, and also run some
other applications. I have noticed that the IBM PC/AT or clones
are the most leader. So what I want you to do is if you own a
computer system or systems that meat or exceed the following
specs to please send me more information.
System must have at least:
A 6Mhz processor
512Kb of Random Access Memory
CRT controller of some type
40 MegaBytes total of hard disk storage
One floppy drive of some type
Send me this information if your system qualifies:
Your name
Computer Name
Name of all the parts
How you have everything hooked up (configuration)
Any extra devices hooked up (printers, graphics cards, etc.)
Total cost for everything
Where you purchased or ordered the items
Do you like the machine (keyboard, monitor, etc.)
Have you had any problems with the machine?
If so, what are/were they?
Thanks alot, your help is appriciated!! If your system does
qualify, please send the information requested to me via one of
the following resources:
Voice: Justin Norman, 503/692-5976 or 503/692-3511
Date: Northwest Super Fido, 300/1200/2400 baud,
24 hrs, 365 days a year, 503/692-6243
FidoNet: Fido node 2 in net 105 (#105/2)
US Mail: P.O. Box 1085
Tualatin, Oregon 97062
=================================================================
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
Public Domain collection - 550+ "ARC" archives - 20+ megs of
software and other goodies, and that's "archived" size! When
unpacked, you get approximately 28 megabytes worth of all kinds
of software, from text editors to games to unprotection schemes
to communications programs, compilers, interpreters, etc... Over
55 DS/DD diskettes!!
This collection is the result of more than 15 months of intensive
downloads from just about 150 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
- ACS INTRCPT 720k format
- Plain ol' files (add $50)
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.
14 Aug 1986
Start of the International FidoNet Conference, Colorado
Springs, Colorado. Contact George Wing at node 1/10 for
details. Get your reservations in NOW! We'll see you there!
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.
Diplomacy Game F1 has been running for almost six bloody weeks
on The Diplomat, which puts the game at the end of 1902. It's
been quite a fracas. Russia, Germany and Turkey have almost
eliminated Austria with a brutal combination of blitzing armies,
propaganda, espionage, and deceit. It has been a good time!
For those that missed out on joining Game F1, we are now taking
applications for players in the next game, F2. Turns will be due
weekly and diplomatic messages are your responsibility. For more
information contact Bryny at 124/109.
Hallo allemaal, er zijn nogal wat problemen met de mogelijkheden
van de commodore computers in Fido.
1e. Uploaden. Dit gaat niet met de Teletron 1200 en de Multimodem
64.
2e. Downloaden. Dit gaat ook niet met deze modems. Een aantal
leden heeft me al meerdere malen gevraagt wat we (ze) daaraan
kunnen doen.
Heeft een van jullie een oplossing, of is er misschien dan toch
een modem die deze problemen niet heeft.
Ik zelf zit met 2 nieuwe programma's die ik graag in mijn node
zou willen hebben. Bijde van commodore gebruikers.De programma's
waren gemaakt voor het Micro-Master toernooi en ik mag ze als
Publik-Domain gebruiken. Dus als iemand er iets op weet, laat
het mij dan weten.
SPLTNEWS is a program designed to allow Fido BBS users
easier access to the information contained in the weekly
FidoNews "publication". When used in conjunction with SEND-
MAIL (written by Jeff Rush at the Rising Star Fido 124/15),
it allows each page of the the FidoNews document to be
entered as a message into a specific message area. The
users may then "browse" through the news by entering that
message area and reading the messages. A particular article
in the table of contents may be accessed by entering its
page number as a message number. Casual readers may read
each page by just pressing return at the message prompt.
Sample command line syntax:
SPLTNEWS FIDO325.NWS
This example will create PAGE.001, PAGE.002, PAGE.003...
in the current directory - one for each page in the
original document.
Fidonews Page 15 21 Jul 1986
The format of a PAGE.nnn file is thus:
MSG: 0 DATE: 30 JUNE 1986 -- date from 1st line
FROM: FidoNews Splitter
TO: Everyone
SUB: FidoNews Page n -- the actual page number
*
* -- the actual text
* -- from page n
*
END
This is the format required by SENDMAIL.
Although this program was written for use with FidoNews, it
may also be used to split other types of files. The program
and C source code are available on Fido 158/104. The author
will respond to comments and suggestions by FidoMail.
Please address any correspondence to Jim Fullton.
