Volume 4, Number 31 17 August 1987
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| _`@/_ \ _ |
| International | | \ \\ |
| FidoNet Association | (*) | \ )) |
| Newsletter ______ |__U__| / \// |
| / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / |
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Editor in Chief: Thom Henderson
Chief Procrastinator Emeritus: Tom Jennings
FidoNews is published weekly by the International FidoNet
Association as its official newsletter. You are encouraged to
submit articles for publication in FidoNews. Article submission
standards are contained in the file ARTSPEC.DOC, available from
node 1:1/1.
Copyright 1987 by the International FidoNet Association. All
rights reserved. Duplication and/or distribution permitted for
noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances,
please contact IFNA at (314) 576-4067.
FidoCon is THIS WEEK!
Table of Contents
1. ARTICLES ................................................. 1
Fido/FidoNet Version 12 Announcement ..................... 1
Hotline! (4) ............................................. 8
Reach Out, America! ...................................... 11
2. COLUMNS .................................................. 12
The Regular Irregular Column ............................. 12
Random Mutterings ........................................ 16
3. FOR SALE ................................................. 18
Diagnostic tools for the SYSOP ........................... 18
4. NOTICES .................................................. 19
The Interrupt Stack ...................................... 19
Netmail at FidoCon ....................................... 19
Latest Software Versions ................................. 19
International FidoNet Conference Registration Form ....... 20
IFNA Order Form and Membership Application ............... 21
FidoNews 4-31 Page 1 17 Aug 1987
=================================================================
ARTICLES
=================================================================
Tom Jennings
Fido/FidoNet Version 12 Announcement
First of all, this is a Macintosh to ASCII conversion of
the data sheet I send out to people who request information.
While it is accurate and pretty complete, it is probably a bit
insulting to the FidoNet crowd, as it assumes you're not too
sophisticated ... sorry 'bout that!
Fido Version 12 is going to be "shipped" at the Fourth
FidoNet Conference, Aug 20, in DC. Its working now; the manual is
completely written (by Scot Kamins; he did the "Q & A"
documentation, and the Mac BASIC book, and he does interface
design ...) and now being formatted for printing. The manual is
top notch. Software is having small bugs chased out, and is in
good shape.
Since I messed around for so long, I'm up against the
wall for time, so this is late, the software is late, I'm late.
(What else is new ...) So, until 4FidoCon, this is probably it
for communication from me in FidoNews.
Sorry to keep everyone in the dark for so long.
Tom Jennings
--------------------------------
(Remember this is a mechanical Mac -> ASCII conversion; I've also
struck a lot of the junk that everyone already knows:
"Fido/FidoNet is a Bulletin Board and ...")
Note New Address: Fido Software 164 Shipley San Francisco CA
94107 (415)-764-1688
Fido/FidoNet Specifications Effective 1 Sept 87
System Description:
Performance:
Fido/FidoNet internally buffers all DOS file system
operations, avoiding many of the typical performance bottlenecks
of other systems. All aspects of the system are considerably
faster than previous versions, and FidoNet network operations are
up to 10 times faster.
Low disk space overhead
FidoNews 4-31 Page 2 17 Aug 1987
Fido/FidoNet stores all of its parameters and statistics
in a single system file. (Previous versions used many small
files; the savings in disk space over previous versions is
tremendous.) Fido/FidoNet installed on a 10 Meg or 20 Meg hard
disk has nearly unlimited space; thousands of messages, files, a
2,000+ node FidoNet network, with plenty of disk space remaining.
For a sample "small scale" system, running on two 360K
floppies and 256K of memory, there is room for all of the basic
Fido/FidoNet system utilities plus your own text editor and other
tools, over 200 messages, and close to 100K bytes free. The same
system with a 1,600 node FidoNet Network can have approximately
80 messages.
Modem Handling:
Fido takes advantage of all of the major features of all
modems supported. The callers' baud rate is determined by the
system automatically; callers do not have to hit the RETURN key
to get the systems attention. Outgoing calls made by FidoNet (if
so enabled) watch for busy, no-dialtone, and other features as
supported by each modem. Fido/FidoNet performs tests on the modem
during normal operation to ensure that the modem is connected and
behaving properly.
Caller DataBase:
Each caller to the system has a record in a simple
database that maintains each callers name, password, terminal-
specific settings, privilege levels and controls, and various
statistics. Tools are provided to manipulate these records both
manually and automatically. Database size is limited only by disk
space.
System Messages and Bulletins:
Fido/FidoNet uses ordinary text files for most system
messages and bulletins that are meant to be customized for each
installation. When displaying and entering text, Fido takes into
account each callers terminal settings, such as screen width and
length, and performs on-screen formatting for a clean display.
Access Controls:
There are six privilege levels that callers can be
assigned. You can specify minimum privilege levels needed to
access commands and both message and file areas.
In addition to privilege levels, there are 32 "locks"
with matching "keys". Locks can be applied to things such as
commands and message and file areas; callers can be given any
number of keys. Callers can access only those things for which
they have all of the matching keys, plus meet the privilege level
requirements. For example, if the E)nter-Message command has lock
#20 applied, only callers that have Key #20, plus any necessary
minimum privilege levels, can use, see or get help with that
FidoNews 4-31 Page 3 17 Aug 1987
command.
Limits can be placed on each callers' connect-time on the
system per-call and per-24-hour period, and on file downloads.
Time limits are enforced at all times, including file download
and upload, so that scheduled Events are not preempted by caller
file downloads or uploads. ("Optional" events, described
elsewhere, are allowed to be preempted by human callers.)
Context-Sensitive Help System:
The help system provides context-sensitive help, taking
into account what commands the caller has access to because of
privilege levels or locks. Help is available on every command in
the system. The Help files are ordinary text files that can be
customized to fit your specific needs.
Message Areas:
There can be up to 200 seperate message areas, each with
access controls as described above. The number of messages in
each area is limited only by disk space. Callers can enter new
messages, modify existing saved messages, search for messages by
keyword or as addressed to them, and perform many other
operations upon messages. Help is available at all decision
points.
File Areas:
Fido/FidoNet supports up to 200 independent file areas,
with access controls as descibed earlier. Within each File Area
callers can access files and related commands. There are a
number of ways in which to make files available (or not) to
callers. Commands and functions have been added to make remote
maintenaince of file areas and other parts of the disk easier for
the system operator. Files can be uploaded and downloaded in
ASCII, XMODEM, Telink, "MODEM BATCH" or Kermit protocols.
(All of the file transfer protocols listed above are
available in most commercially available terminal programs, and
in 4th quarter 1987 in terminal communications software from Fido
Software.)
There can be up to 100 "Events", scheduled to run at any
time of the day and any day of the week. Events allow
Fido/FidoNet to run FidoNet network mail, execute external
programs via DOS Batch Files, and other events for various
special purposes. In Version 12 of Fido/FidoNet the events system
has been expanded into a timed event programming system, capable
of handling simultaneous and/or overlapping events, special
"optional" events, and combinations of events and
characteristics. ("Optional" events can be used, for example, to
simulate "background" FidoNet network activity while no caller is
otherwise occupying the system.)
Incoming FidoNet mail at any time
FidoNews 4-31 Page 4 17 Aug 1987
Fido/FidoNet can now receive mail from other Fido/FidoNet
systems or compatible software at any time a caller is not
occupying the system, as well as during scheduled FidoNet Network
Events. Optionally, Fido/FidoNet can execute external programs
via a DOS Batch File to do special processing of unscheduled
Incoming Mail.
Other Features & Enhancements:
Fido/FidoNet is considerably streamlined in day to day
operations over previous versions; most maintenance can be done
automatically, and manual operations are easier and more
convenient to use.
You can sign in to the system from the local keyboard, as
if you had called in remotely with a modem, without "taking down"
the system. Upcoming events can be listed, and previously-run
events can be reenabled from the local keyboard.
Fido works easily with external "shell" programs to allow
programmers and "aftermarket" add-on programs to work with
Fido/FidoNet. Technical information is available in the manual.
(External "shell" support programs are not currently supplied by
Fido Software.)
Installation:
All Fido/FidoNet parameters, lists of events, command
names, and message and file area definitions are contained in
ordinary text files you can display and change with your own text
editor program. Message and file areas are defined in one text
file; the Fido/FidoNet system takes care of all the work of
creating and verifying the actual DOS subdirectories used.
Commands are in their own text file, along with any privilege
levels and locks. You can change the command name to any single
word you choose.
Compatibility:
Each new Fido/FidoNet version is always compatible with
previous versions; never will you be left behind with
incompatible software. This has been true through numerous
versions, and will remain true in the future.
Support Programs Supplied with Fido/FidoNet:
The following programs are supplied as part of the
standard Fido/FidoNet system package. In addition, there are a
number of "aftermarket" programs from other authors to make using
and maintaining Fido/FidoNet easier and more powerful.
(You can schedule Events in Fido/FidoNet to execute these
or other programs at any time, using an MSDOS Batch File you
create to make your system completely or partially automatic.)
MSGMGR.EXE
FidoNews 4-31 Page 5 17 Aug 1987
The Message Manager is used to perform routine
maintenance on messages within Fido/FidoNet Message Areas.
MSGMGR can purge messages by relative age (2 to 1000 days old)
and renumber messages so they are sequential. MSGMGR is commanded
through a plain text file as is Fido/FidoNet, and allows complete
flexibility in specifying what operations to perform, if any, on
any of the Fido/FidoNet message areas. SYSOP.EXE This is a
database-like tool for managing the Fido/FidoNet caller list,
that contains the names, passwords and statistics and other
information on each person in the system. With it you can enter
new callers, delete existing callers one by one or by time since
last logged in; set caller privilege level and assign Keys;
perform data integrity checks on each record; lock callers into
specific message and file areas; and many more functions. There
is also an "undo" feature and context sensitive help.
TIMELOG.EXE
Fido/FidoNet maintains a log of caller access of the
Fido/FidoNet system by each hour of each day of the week; TIMELOG
displays this information in graphical form, to give you
information on your systems use.
AUTOMAIL.EXE
This tool lets you create FidoNet network messages with
your own text editor or word processor. For example, during the
day you can create FidoNet network messages as part of your work,
and copy them to a disk or subdirectory you designate;
Fido/FidoNet can be instructed to execute AutoMail and FidoNet to
automatically send your messages through the FidoNet network.
TWIX.EXE
Twix prints FidoNet network mail newly received on your
printer or in a disk file you specify.
11-TO-12.EXE
This tool is used to convert existing Fido/FidoNet
version 11 installations into text files that you can modify and
use to create the new system. It performs all file format
conversions necessary to work with the new programs. Each
Fido/FidoNet version is always compatible in form and function
and file format with previous versions.
Computers Supported:
The Fido/FidoNet software runs on the following
computers:
IBM Personal Computer, XT, AT and clones
IBM Personal System/2
DEC Rainbow 100
Victor 9000, IBM compatible diskette only
(FidoNews Note: There will be a Fossil version shortly; I have
also released my driver code for Sanyo, Victor and Otrona to the
Fossil guys. Its P. D. now.)
FidoNews 4-31 Page 6 17 Aug 1987
Your computer must have at least the following:
256K memory (more if resident programs are used)
One IBM Async compatible Serial Port
At least 700K of disk storage (hard diskrecommended)
Modem as described below
Modems Supported:
U. S. Robotics Courier 2400
D. C. Hayes SmartModem 1200 or 2400
U. S. Robotics Courier HST *1
Multi-Tech 2400 Prentice
POPCOM
Everex Internal & External models *2
Other FULLY HAYES COMPATIBLE modems
U. S. Robotics 212A
*1 (Support for the U. S. Robotics Courier HST is not yet
complete; it is fully functional, but does not yet take advantage
of the high speeds the modem is capable of. This will be
forthcoming in late 1987, as well as support for other 9600 baud
modems.)
*2 (Starting with version 12, Fido no longer supports the
non-Hayes compatible modems previous versions did. Fido/FidoNet
versions 12 and up also now support modems that do not use the
control signal "DTR" (Data Terminal Ready); previous Fido/FidoNet
versions did not.)
Operating Systems Supported:
DOS Versions 3.00 up
MSDOS/PCDOS Versions 2.00 up
Fido/FidoNet also operates under most Local Area Network
software (ViaNet, Novell Netware, etc) and multitasker programs
(DoubleDOS, Multilink, etc) and multiprocessor hardware add-ons
(Alloy Computer Products' Slave Cards); please contact the
manufacturers of those products for details.
Prices: Sept 1987
(FidoNews Note: Keep in mind that this data sheet and the prices
and services listed below are targeted at my commercial
customers. There will be a special IFNA Member price and version,
from IFNA only. The details will be hammered out at 4FidoCon.
Sorry, but Fido v12 is not free. Things have gotten too large to
do that any more; Scot get a goodly chunk for the manual, and
it's a full time job now. More on this issue at 4FidoCon and
later.)
Fido/FidoNet Version 12 $175
Complete Fido/FidoNet system, including support programs,
diskette, manuals.
FidoNews 4-31 Page 7 17 Aug 1987
Fido/FidoNet upgrade from previous versions $50
Fido Software customers who purchased any version of Fido/FidoNet
directly from Fido Software can upgrade to version 12 for the
above price; the original "Fido Software" diskette must be
returned to qualify. NOTE: This is not a standard "software
update", as described below, because of the new materials that
must be provided.
Fido/FidoNet Version 12 program update $25
When enhancements to Fido/FidoNet version 12 are announced,
customers may upgrade their current Version 12 to the latest
upgrade level; the original diskette must be returned to in order
to qualify. Upgrades do not include printed manuals; errata
sheets will be provided.
Ordering:
The software is available directly from Fido Software or
authorized distributors only. Terms: Prepaid with order, or
invoices accepted from rated companies, payment NET 30. Shipping
is by U. S. Post Office First Class, included in price for U. S.
& Canada. All overseas orders add $20 for shipping. U. S. only:
for Federal Express add $25.
Notes:
Manuals are not available seperately; only as part of the
complete package.
Site Licenses and quantity discounts are also available;
please contact Fido Software for details.
Members of the International FidoNet Association (IFNA), an
independent amateur association of Fido/FidoNet and compatible
systems may obtain Fido/FidoNet version 12 from IFNA directly;
certain restrictions apply. Non-hobbiests must purchase their
software directly from Fido Software.
Fido is a trademark of Tom Jennings The dog-with-diskette is a
trademark of Tom Jennings FidoNet is a registered trademark of
Tom Jennings Fido/FidoNet and all support programs are Copyright
Tom Jennings
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FidoNews 4-31 Page 8 17 Aug 1987
Hotline! (4)
(c) 1987
James Zachary
There are times that the telephone will ring in vain at the water
and sewer department, because there is no one there to answer it.
The bartender at the local pub wanders over to the slumping
figure by the window.
"Looks like you need a beer! Rough day at work?"
Better make it a straight bourbon, a rough day at work makes me
paranoid about amber liquids that foam.
"Where do ya work?"
At a sewage plant.
"RIGHT! One bourbon coming up!"
(A comely young lady wearing tight jeans and a 'Save the
Armadillo' sweatshirt walks over.)
"May I have a word with you?"
No.
"Awww, come on now, I just want to talk."
Lady, if this is about your plugged sewer, rusty drinking water
or your house flooding last September, call our main office
tomorrow during working hours.
"Oh no, I don't live around here. I want to ask if you are
willing to observe 'Meatless Monday' with us?"
Please go away.
"Do you know about 'Meatless Monday' and what it means to the
world?"
It must have something to do with either 'Gay Rights' or the
'Celibate Society' movements. I'm the wrong person to talk to...
please have a nice evening.
"OH NO! 'Meatless Monday' is a worldwide event planned to
demonstrate the cruelty of eating the flesh of other living
animals. We propose all people become vegetarians."
I really don't want to be a vegetable.
"Vegetarian. Mankind does not have the right, nor the real need,
to slaughter living creatures for food. Meat protein and fat is
slowly killing you. Were you aware of that?"
FidoNews 4-31 Page 9 17 Aug 1987
Sure beats getting knifed on the subway.
"The more people we can get to observe 'Meatless Monday', the
more animals will be saved from vicious slaughter."
Vicious slaughter?
"YES! Do you realize how cruelly animals are killed before
butchering? Most are just bludgeoned into unconsciousness and
are then quartered alive!"
I wondered where the 'quarter-pounder' came from.
"This is serious! There are no standards set for the humane
killing of animals and we want all people to boycott meat
products for one day, as a demonstration of unity."
Sure, lady. I'll try not to eat anything until it has quit
wiggling.
"Are you involved in any ecological or conservation programs?"
Oh, yes Ma'am. I too believe all living creatures must be
protected. I am a member of the 'Save the Mosquito Committee'.
I am the recruitment officer.
"You are not serious! Just what does the recruitment officer
do?"
I find people willing to stand naked in the swamp to act as
feeding stations. Interested?
"NO! Don't change the subject. Our group wants to convince as
many people as possible to be vegetarians, but we realize that
many will insist on eating animal flesh. We would settle on a
standard that would require a humane method of killing them."
That's easy. You can volunteer to talk to the animals.
"I don't understand what good that would do."
They would then simply die of boredom.
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FidoNews 4-31 Page 10 17 Aug 1987
From: Robert Heller, SysOp of Locks Hill BBS 321/148
FidoNet software for non-MS-DOS systems!
Do you run a BBS on a system which an O/S other than MS-DOS, such
as CP/M 2.2 on a Z80 or CP/M-68K or TOS on an Atari ST? I have
written a set of network tools for CP/M-68K to put my non-MS-DOS
system onto FidoNet. The programs consist of a FidoNet protocol
handler (talks to other FidoNet mailer programs, such as Fido,
Opus, and SEAdog), nodelist processing programs (one program to
edit a nodelist with a nodediff file and a program to process a
nodelist file into s SDB data base file), and a simple EchoMail
package. All of the code is in C and compiles under the Alcyon C
compiler supplied with CP/M-68K 1.2. The package assumes UNaXcess
(as modified to run under CP/M-68K) as the BBS program and
assumes a Stride 400 series system and an ADC MD1202 modem (which
is mostly Hayes compatable). The specialized code is isolated in
specific modules.
The code is available on an as is basis from 321/148 in LU310
library format. My system does not support file requests, so
you'll have to send me a message requesting me to file attach
them to a FidoNet node (I'll need an OK from the SysOp of the
node). I have also sent it to Old Frog @ 220/1. I don't know if
he has the files located in either a user accessable or file
requestable area yet.
Robert Heller
EMail addresses:
ARPANet:
[email protected]
BITNET:
[email protected]
BIX: Heller
GENIE: RHeller
CompuServ: 71450,3432
FidoNet: 321/148
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FidoNews 4-31 Page 11 17 Aug 1987
Ken Kaplan
Fido 1/10
The following tidbit appeared in the "Calling All America" summer
'87 newsletter:
Question: I make a lot of long distance calls to places in my own
state. Is there a calling plan that covers this kind of call?
Answer: Yes....AT&T's Reach Out State plans!. These calling plans
are similar to "Reach Out" America, except that they give you a
fixed amount of low priced, direct dialed AT&T calling within one
state. So, if you make a lot of calls within one state that
aren't covered by your local telephone company, a "Reach Out"
State plan could give you an opportunity to save. To find out
more about these plans, call us toll free - 1-800-222-0300.(This
plan is availiable in 29 states at this time, and prices and
hours may vary by state.)
I know most FidoNet SYSOP's who have AT&T ROA are happy with it
and it has paid for itself many times over during NMH. If you
sign up for this service and it saves you money or if you know of
alternative services that save FidoNet SYSOP's moneys please
write FidoNews.
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FidoNews 4-31 Page 12 17 Aug 1987
=================================================================
COLUMNS
=================================================================
-- The Regular Irregular Column --
Dale Lovell
157/504
I'm finally beginning to get ready for the Conference in a
few weeks. If things work out perfectly, you should get to hear
all about the Monday after the conference. If things go a little
wrong, you'll still get to hear about it the following week. In
preparation I've made arrangements with a friend to borrow his
laptop (a Toshiba T1100+). I should be able to bring it to the
conference and write down my comments and opinions on it as soon
as things happen. This should hopefully give everyone a good
idea of how things happened and what was accomplished (in
addition to my opinionated ideas on everything of course). In my
new conversion as a WordPerfect addict I stopped by my dealer and
picked up a copy of the WordPerfect Executive.
-- WordPerfect Executive (WordPerfect Corp., $249.00) --
The Executive is designed for people on the road with
laptops or portables. It includes cut down versions of
WordPerfect, PlanPerfect (a spreadsheet) and the WordPerfect
Library. Since it all fits onto one 720K disk (the 3 1/2 disk
used by most of the laptops) or one 1.2 meg disk it is very
convenient to use. In the past week it has ended up staying in
the Toshiba's drives for almost everything. All I do is turn on
the machine and up comes the DOS shell program. Since I don't
plan to do much serious work on the laptop (like develop
programs) I can finally appreciate the convenience of a menu
system. So far I haven't needed to change the default of settings
of the shell, although by looking over the manual it is almost
identical to the shell in the WordPerfect Library so I should be
able to do it if the need arises. As it stands, it is just what
I'd want if I was a computer literate executive on the road with
everything made real easy for me. Several shell macros are
included to switch between the different applications (most of
which are loaded into memory as the default) quickly and easily.
Also included with Executive is a notecard program (which is the
only program that isn't loaded into memory as the default), an
appointment calendar (looks the same as the one in Library), a
phone directory (which is very similar to Library's notebook), a
calculator (which lacks most of the nicer features of Library's),
a spreadsheet and a word processor. I'm not going to go over the
appointment calendar, phone directory or calculator as they are
all so close to Library's that you can just look up my comments
in last weeks column.
Executive is shipped on one 720K microdisk as well as the
more standard 360K disk for people using it on a non-laptop (like
any of the Compaq portables or a home machine). Included are
keyboard templates for the standard ten function keys the new IBM
extended keyboard with twelve function keys and special templates
FidoNews 4-31 Page 13 17 Aug 1987
for the Toshiba T3100 and T1100+ computers. If none of these
templates fit your machine, you're given a phone number to call
and a template for your machine will be shipped to you, hopefully
at no additional charge. I'm happy because templates are included
for all of my machines (and the laptop that's on loan).
The phone directory and the note card programs are almost
identical to the notebook in Library. The main difference is
that you aren't provided with any way to change the underlying
database, only the list view. I would have liked to have changed
the information stored in the phone directory, but I managed to
come up with suitable workarounds. The only other feature that I
really miss is the dialing feature of the notebook. While I don't
have a modem attached to the laptop I'm writing this on (and most
hotels and companies aren't accommodating to direct connect
modems), it would have been nice for my home machine.
The word processor is a fairly complete version of my
faithful full-blown version of WordPerfect. The feature I miss
the most is the thesaurus. While I still have the same spelling
checker (save the check single word option), WordPerfect had to
choose between the thesaurus and the spell checker in order to
fit everything on one disk. Almost all of the key combinations
I'm using at home or work is the same on the Executive word
processor. The Executive version is also missing a few on the
fancy formatting features. If you've brought down a file from
WordPerfect it shows the codes, it just isn't bright enough to
interpret the WordPerfect codes. I've brought several macros
down from WordPerfect and have edited some of the Executive
macros using the Library's Macro Editor without any problems. As
far as I'm concerned this makes the products compatible with each
other, although I really would have preferred the thesaurus to
the spell checker.
The spreadsheet in Executive has proven itself quite nice.
If this is a cut down version of PlanPerfect (formerly called
MathPlan), I may try and talk my boss into purchasing it from
work. I'd heard stories about MathPlan, but I'm just beginning to
realize that it may be a very good program. WordPerfect Corp has
managed to squeeze quite a bit into it, along with spreadsheets
already set up for a variety of uses. While the graphing
portions of the Executive spreadsheet are a little weak, it
scores well on most other aspects. It won't do three dimensional
cubes like QubeCalc, but I haven't run into many spreadcube
programs as of yet.
The installation process was a snap. The only problem I had
is the spelling directory wouldn't read on the Toshiba's A drive.
It would read in the B drive, so I just copied everything up and
ran the backup copy when installing the software. I know how all
the manuals warn you not to do this, but I had a machine with
both types of disk drives a few feet away when I did this and was
feeling a little lazy. I was surprised when it asked me for my
name and title. I little digging around produced an answer.
Executive comes with several sample macros, spreadsheets, and
memo/report forms. For example pressing ALT-M creates a business
FidoNews 4-31 Page 14 17 Aug 1987
memo in the word processor or puts it there if you're not
currently using the word processor. It prompts you for the
receiving person, the subject and all you have to do is type in
the text of the memo. Another included macro copies the expenses
blocked in the spreadsheet to the word processor, perfect for
business expense reports. Imagine keeping track of your travel
expenses with a spreadsheet and having your word processor
automatically transfer it into your monthly expense report. This
is the convenience that executives have been promised since the
first of the integrated programs. WordPerfect Executive makes it
easier by giving you everything you need to do several of your
more common business tasks (itineraries, letters, travel reports,
etc.).
I'm very enthusiastic about Executive. It is the closest
thing I've seen to a perfect program for laptops. While it isn't
billed as an integrated program, it comes a lot closer to an
integrated environment than many of those other programs. The
standard uses of function keys make it fairly easy to learn, as
opposed to learning one company's spreadsheet and another's word
processor. I'm amazed at the size of the programs, everything
fits on one 720K disk (and you can keep all of it in memory on a
640K machine) leaving a second 720K disk free for data. While I'm
undecided as to how well it would be on a home machine, I do like
it as a program for the laptop markets and plan on using it at
FidoCon this month.
-- Winding Down... --
I going to break tradition here on the book I'm going to
recommend. It's "Bad Habits" by Dave Barry (Owl Books, $5.95). I
haven't gotten around to looking at any games or reading any
computer books this week as I've spent much of it going over "Bad
Habits." I first heard of Dave Barry on Usenet. He is a
syndicated columnist and someone had obtained permission from
Knight-Ridder to reprint his column on Usenet. Almost every week
this person would spend a hour or two typing in Dave's column
from the local paper and sending it across Usenet. The first of
these that I saw was on how modern technology worked. I laughed
so hard I almost ended up in an emergency room! He is at both
enlightening and ludicrous. In any case this a new book of his
and contains many of his best columns (but leaving out some of my
favorites). Every time I look at the net these days, I see people
taking offense at anything and jumping at each other's throats
over imagined offenses. Do yourselves a favor, take a few hours
out and read "Bad Habits." It may help give you a lighter view of
things, and right now I think this is badly needed in the net.
Next week I promise to go back and look at a more computer
related book, but I just enjoyed this one too much to not pass it
on to all of you.
That ties it up for this week. As always I welcome you
questions, comments, and general friendly chit-chat (no flames)
to me at any of the addresses listed below. If you're sending me
a message through FidoNet, please mention to your sysop that it
must be routed through 157/1 (or 157/0) as I'm a private node.
FidoNews 4-31 Page 15 17 Aug 1987
Also included is a Usenet and US mail address.
Dale Lovell
3266 Vezber Drive
Seven Hills, OH 44131
FidoNet 1:157/504.1
uucp:
decvax\
>!cwruecmp!hal\
cbosgd/ \
>!ncoast
ames\ /
talcott \ /
>!necntc/
harvard /
sri-nic/
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 4-31 Page 16 17 Aug 1987
Patrick McDonald
SEAdog/Opus 1:109/657
This semi-regular column will appear from time to time, and
is likely to be filled with all sorts of inane drivel from yours
truly, but hopefully will contain some tidbits that some of you
will find interesting.
"FidoNet Needs Better Security!" --- Scott Tissue
This week saw the return of our old friend Scott Tissue in
his/her most annoying incarnation yet. The national Sysop
EchoMail conference came under attack in a new form, with the
introduction of many nonsensical messages. Those who receive and
read the SYSOP echo know what I am talking about. At first these
messages appeared to be a corruption of legitimate messages and I
let loose with one of my typical tomes (what do they say about
fools and angels?). It now appears that the messages were not
corruptions of previously legitimate messages but rather entirely
faked.
My personal opinion is that a current FidoNet sysop is
responsible for this. I base this conviction on the observation
that a non-trivial amount of effort is being expended for what
would otherwise be little payback except to someone who has a
regular feed on that echo (something more regular than a
piecemeal "stealing" of the echo.
In my opinion, all measures introduced to date at improving
FidoNet mail security fall far short of the mark. I am thinking,
in particular, of the security features built into Bob Hartman's
Confmail system. Bob claims that by using all the security
features (only toss from archives, and then only from a system
listed in the AREAS.BBS file, with the option of using encrypted
archives) this type of assault may be eliminated. I disagree.
Anyone sophisticated enough and familiar enough with how the
system works to dump these messages into someones netmail area is
certainly smart enough to start dumping archives and make it look
like they came from a legitimate system. Even the encryption of
archives is not sufficient to guarantee EchoMail security. This
is not to take anything away from ConfMail. It is an excellent
package and I use it for my echomail processing. I simply feel
that the concentration of effort into trying to secure the mail
itself is a waste of time.
The key, in my view, is to secure the link between the two
machines. I still feel that public key encryption (with the
public keys a new field in the nodelist) is the best route to
follow. For some reason this suggestion appears to meet with
resistance from the netmail interface developers. My suggested
scheme is a simple one. I would add the following startup
dialogue:
1. The calling system identifies itself in the clear and then
follows that up by sending it's node address encrypted with
FidoNews 4-31 Page 17 17 Aug 1987
it's private key. The receiver decrypts this with the public
key listed in the nodelist for the calling system and sees if
they match. If so, the caller's identity is confirmed.
2. The system being called does the same (that is sends it's node
address both in the clear and encrypted with it's private key)
which the caller uses as additional verification that it has
reached the system it thought it was calling.
This method seems to me to be elegantly simple and yet totally
effective to secure the mails. As Thom Henderson has pointed
out, this will not guarantee the elimination of Scott Tissue
types of messages, but it DOES guarantee that we know who is
responsible for them since all mail links have a known origin and
recipient. I would like to hear from the major netmail interface
developers what they think about this suggestion (or from anyone
else for that matter). I think this year may be destined to be
the year of security until we can plug some of the holes in our
netmail processing. The longer we delay in coming up with a
solution to this problem, the harder it will be to get the net to
switch over, en-masse, to an enhanced protocol.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 4-31 Page 18 17 Aug 1987
=================================================================
FOR SALE
=================================================================
Jay Sprenkle
OPUS 280/303
Diagnostic Tools for the SYSOP
After I received a copy of the OPUS Version 1.01 software I
eagerly looked toward installing it and seeing what new features
the author had installed.
I remembered when I installed OPUS the first time, it took about
a week to tweak the settings and get everything set the way that
I wanted it. I also remembered that being down so much that week
had a very bad effect on the number of calls to the system.
I began to wonder if there was some way that I could watch for
callers to the system and still have the BBS software down for
tweaking or tests. I could plug a telephone into the line so that
callers would cause the bell to ring but this is a poor solution
do to the excessive noise. I knew I would forget to unplug it and
would be awakened in the wee hours of the morning by the night
people.
After a bit of experimentation an idea came to me. Instead of a
bell ringing, why not install a light that would flash when an
incoming call was ringing? This turned out to be a good solution
at the time as it was very quiet and still let me know if a
caller wanted to use the system.
I have since left the ring indicator light connected to the line
on the BBS system. This lets me know if someone is calling when I
am performing routine maintenance of the BBS.
Some of my friends in the area encouraged me to share this idea
with others and start manufacturing boxes for them as well. We
have found it a very useful tool for sysops doing diagnostics or
simply doing maintenance of the system. I hope you find it a
useful tool too.
If you are interested in obtaining one of these ringing indicator
lights write to me or send a message through FIDO net. The ring
indicator light is available for $10.50 plus $1.80 for postage.
The unit is housed in an attractively painted metal box, with
rubber feet to prevent marring of your computer's paint job. It
plugs into the RJ-11 telephone jack on your internal or external
modem and requires no batteries or wall supplied power. The cord
on the unit allows you to place the box up to three feet from the
modem. My mailing address is: 1800 Avalon Lane, Olathe, KS 66062
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 4-31 Page 19 17 Aug 1987
=================================================================
NOTICES
=================================================================
The Interrupt Stack
20 Aug 1987
Start of the Fourth International FidoNet Conference, to be
held at the Radisson Mark Plaza Hotel in Alexandria, VA.
Contact Brian Hughes at 109/634 for more information. This is
FidoNet's big annual get-together, and is your chance to meet
all the people you've been talking with all this time. We're
hoping to 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 1:1/1.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to Rick Siegel at 107/27, FidoCon attendees with portable
computers will be able to receive network mail while at the
conference. A selection of echomail conferences will also be
available.
The network address for a conference attendee will be:
107/27.<room#>
For example, to send mail to someone who is staying in room 312,
address it to "107/27.312".
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Latest Software Versions
BBS Systems Node List Other
& Mailers Version Utilities Version Utilities Version
Dutchie 2.51 EDITNL 3.3 ARC 5.21
Fido 11w LISTGEN 05.25.86 ARCmail 1.00
Opus 1.03* MakeNL 1.00 ConfMail 3.00
SEAdog 4.00 Prune 1.40 EchoMail 1.31
TBBS 2.0M XlatList 2.81 Renum 3.30
* Recently changed
Utility authors: Please help keep this list up to date by
reporting new versions to 1:1/1. It is not our intent to list
all utilities here, only those which verge on necessity.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 4-31 Page 20 17 Aug 1987
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION FORM
FOURTH INTERNATIONAL FIDONET CONFERENCE
RADISSON MARK PLAZA HOTEL
ALEXANDRIA, VA.
AUGUST 20 - 23, 1987
Name _________________________________ Date _____________
Address ______________________________
City & State _________________________
Phone (Voice) ________________________
Net/Node Number ______________________
Phone (Data) _________________________
Number in Your Party _________________
Staying at the Radisson? _____________
Number of Rooms? _____________________
Arrival Date? ________________________
Departure Date? ______________________
Registration Fees: How Many Total
Full Conference $60.00 each ________ $________
Late registration $10.00 each ________ $________
(after Aug. 1)
Friday Night Banquet $30.00 each ________ $________
Saturday Luncheon $16.50 each ________ $________
Total Amount Included (Registration and Meals) $________
IFNA MEMBERS ONLY:
How many in your party will
be attending the Sunday morning
Board of Directors meeting? ________
Send your registration form and a check or money order to:
Fourth International FidoNet Conference
212 E. Capitol St., Washington, D.C. 20003
Attn: Brian H. Hughes -- voice: (202) 543-4200
This registration form does not include hotel accomodations. If
you wish to stay at the Radisson Mark Plaza Hotel, please contact
them directly and mention you are with the FidoNet Conference.
Conference room rates are $80/night for single or double
occupancy, and $20/night for an extra cot.
Radisson Mark Plaza Hotel
5000 Seminary Rd., Alexandria, Va. 22311
1-800-228-9822
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 4-31 Page 21 17 Aug 1987
INTERNATIONAL FIDONET ASSOCIATION
ORDER FORM
Publications
The IFNA publications can be obtained by downloading from Fido
1/10 or other FidoNet compatible systems, or by purchasing them
directly from IFNA. We ask that all our IFNA Committee Chairmen
provide us with the latest versions of each publication, but we
can make no written guarantees.
Hardcopy prices as of October 1, 1986
IFNA Fido BBS listing $15.00 _____
IFNA Administrative Policy DOCs $10.00 _____
IFNA FidoNet Standards Committee DOCs $10.00 _____
SUBTOTAL _____
IFNA Member ONLY Special Offers
System Enhancement Associates SEAdog $60.00 _____
SEAdog price as of March 1, 1987
ONLY 1 copy SEAdog per IFNA Member
International orders include $5.00 for
surface shipping or $15.00 for air shipping _____
SUBTOTAL _____
Mo. Residents add 5.725 % Sales tax _____
TOTAL _____
SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO:
IFNA
P.O. Box 41143
St. Louis, Missouri 63141 USA
Name________________________________
Net/Node____/____
Company_____________________________
Address_____________________________
City____________________ State____________ Zip_____
Voice Phone_________________________
Signature___________________________
FidoNews 4-31 Page 22 17 Aug 1987
__
The World's First / \
BBS Network /|oo \
* FidoNet * (_| /_)
_`@/_ \ _
| | \ \\
| (*) | \ ))
______ |__U__| / \//
/ Fido \ _//|| _\ /
(________) (_/(_|(____/ (jm)
Membership for the International FidoNet Association
Membership in IFNA is open to any individual or organization that
pays an annual specified membership fee. IFNA serves the
international FidoNet-compatible electronic mail community to
increase worldwide communications. **
Name _________________________________ Date ________
Address ______________________________
City & State _________________________
Country_______________________________
Phone (Voice) ________________________
Net/Node Number ______________________
Board Name____________________________
Phone (Data) _________________________
Baud Rate Supported___________________
Board Restrictions____________________
Special Interests_____________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Is there some area where you would be
willing to help out in FidoNet?_______
______________________________________
______________________________________
Send your membership form and a check or money order for $25 to:
International FidoNet Association
P. O. Box 41143
St Louis, Missouri 63141
USA
Thank you for your membership! Your participation will help to
insure the future of FidoNet.
** Please NOTE that IFNA is a general not-for-profit organization
in formation and Articles of Association and By-Laws were adopted
by the membership in January 1987. An Elections Committee has
been established to fill positions outlined in the By-Laws for
the Board of Directors. An IFNA Echomail Conference has been
established on FidoNet to assist the Elections Committee. We
welcome your input on this Conference.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
