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.
Table of Contents
1. ARTICLES ................................................. 1
FidoNews Generator is Offline ............................ 1
2. COLUMNS .................................................. 2
3. NOTICES .................................................. 2
Special Notice ........................................... 2
The Interrupt Stack ...................................... 2
Latest Software Versions ................................. 3
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS ........................................ 4
IFNA Status Report for October, 1987 ..................... 4
Thom Henderson
FidoNews Editor
Region 13 Coordinator
Sysop, SEAboard
FidoNews Generator is Offline
The system that creates FidoNews every week has suffered a
hardware attack. We are engaged in major surgery to revive it,
but the prognosis is not good.
In other words, my system died and I have been unable to get it
up and running reliably. Plans made long ago call for my being
away for the next two weeks, and I have no time left to get it
fixed before I leave. This unfortunate timing of events means:
1) It will be AT LEAST three weeks before I can publish another
issue of FidoNews.
2) The files mentioned in last week's FidoNews as being
requestable from 107/6 or downloadable from our BBS will
probably not be available for at least another two weeks.
3) Nodes in Region 13 may experience difficulties in getting
their node list updates in, or in receiving new node lists
over the next two or three weeks.
I will endeavor to get the problems fixed as soon as possible
upon my return. Until then, you have my apologies in advance for
whatever inconveniences may occur.
Substitute Editor's note: Rather than publish absolutely nothing
for a 3-week period, Thom has arranged for one of his underlings
to pinch-hit with this abbreviated edition.
However, we don't know yet what we'll do next week. Maybe it'll
be "The Best of FIDONEWS."
14 Nov 1987
The First New England Sysop Conference, to be held at the
Lederle Graduate Research Center, 16th Floor, University of
Massachusetts, Amherst. Contact Mort Sternheim at 1:321/109
for details.
7 Dec 1987
Start of the Digital Equipment Users Society meeting in
Anaheim, CA. Contact Mark Buda at 1:132/777 for details.
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.
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.
Don Daniels, President
International FidoNet Association
FidoNet 1:107/210
IFNA Status Report for October 1987
This is the first of what should be a monthly status report from
me to the membership of IFNA. It is my intention to publish
these reports here in FidoNews the first week of each month from
now until the end of my term in August. My apologies for this
report being a week late - this was due to technical difficulties
experienced with both my machine and the one supporting FidoNews.
I have requested that all of the Committee Chairmen provide me
with Status Reports outlining their Progress for the past month,
current Problems, and Prognosis for the coming month. My status
report to you, which will take the same general format, will be
based on their reporting and on additional material from the
various officers of the Association.
PROGRESS DURING THIS PERIOD
General
Well, we're underway! We may not have a full head of steam up
yet, but at least we seem to be moving a bit - and much of it
is in the same general direction for a change!
Administration and Finance
We still do not have an official Chairperson for this committee
so Ken Kaplan continues as Acting Chairman. He and Treasurer
Leonard Mednick have been in contact and intend to meet in St.
Louis in order to perform a turnover of responsibilities.
Board of Directors
The BoD has formed its own echo and has discussed a variety of
concerns. To date, however, progress on any one these items
has been stymied by a lack of structure. One question that
appears to have been resolved is the question of whether a new
node in South Africa should be allowed to join FidoNet. The
consensus appears to be that, as FidoNet is dedicated to the
free and open exchange of information, it may prove beneficial
(even in some small way) to admit any node that ascribes to
those precepts.
FidoNews 4-39 Page 5 12 Oct 1987
By-laws and Rules
The primary activity of this commmittee this month has just
been the manning of the committee.
Executive Committee
This committee has formed its own Echo and has begun discussion
on a variety of topics. No specific decisions have been made
to this point, however.
International Affairs
This committee has not "met" as of yet, although Henk Wevers
has provided some assistance to Switzerland which has scheduled
its first National Sysop Meeting for the first weekend in
October.
Membership Services
Phil Ardussi sent in a very nice report which I've summarized.
Committee organization included the formation of several
sub-committees: FidoCon Site Selection (Jim Cannell), Echolist
(Gene Coppola), Help Node (David Dodell), New Sysop Help (David
Bonine), and Membership List (Norm Henke). Several other
projects are under way including requests for proposals for the
site of the next FidoNet Conference.
Nominations and Elections
Dave Dodell informs me that he has formed his commmittee but
they have tabled any action at this time as it is too early to
gear up for the next elections.
Publications
No detailed report has been received from this committee.
Technical Standards
Ryugen Fisher says that the following sub-committees have been
formed (or established liaison) and been manned: New Protocols,
Documentation, Beta Testing, 9600 Modems, FOSSIL.
FidoNews 4-39 Page 6 12 Oct 1987
PRESENT PROBLEMS
General
The main problems with which we are presently faced appear to
be of the start-up variety. For most of us (Techies primarily)
running an organization is something that does not come
naturally - particulary when you consider that most of our
interaction must be performed via electronic mail.
To give you just one example of the effect of geography on our
endeavors, consider the case of the eight-member Executive
Committee: one each from New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey,
Virginia, Illinois, Oklahoma, California, and Washington. And
this group is suppossed to "meet at least quarterly" according
to the By-laws.
"So `meet' electronically!" you reply. Well, it appears that
its not so simple. Having checked with our lawyers, we find
that there does not appear to be any state which will legally
allow for official business to be conducted via an electronic
medium. It seems that we're victims of being more progressive
than the legislative process. What we are attempting to do to
resolve this dilemma is to go ahead and conduct our business
via electronic mail, but augment our actions either with USMail
signature cards or by meeting at various times where, in
person, we can "ratify" the decisions we've made previously.
Administration and Finance
One problem Ken reports is that, with the official IFNA address
and phone number existing in St. Louis, he is still overwhelmed
at times with new business. Changing the address every year
with a new administration, however, does not make sense.
Board of Directors
The large size of this group and its geographical disparity
makes it very difficult for business to be effectively handled
in the BoD EchoCon. Another concern is the resignation of Ben
Baker as Vice President - Technical Coordinator.
By-laws and Rules
Steve indicates that without specific direction from either the
BoD or Executive Committee, it is difficult for them to proceed
on fixing some of our organizational problems.
Executive Committee
The fact that there is so much to be done by a few disjointed
volunteers has really been brought home in this, the front-line
committee. Additional mechanisms are required to structure the
work in ways that will allow it to be efficiently handled.
International Affairs
It goes without saying that distance here has a considerably
detrimental effect on progress. We need to establish a really
effective way of maintaining a responsive EchoCon before much
business can be done by this committee as a whole.
FidoNews 4-39 Page 7 12 Oct 1987
Membership Services
Some of the volunteers have not been contacted yet. They will
be as the sub-committee work get underway. Phil wonders how to
get the committee members together in order to "get done in a
couple of hours what it takes in two months of EchoMail."
Nominations and Elections
The only problem that has cropped up so far is the question of
a conflict of interest in the case of members of this committee
who wish to seek office in the next election. Tom Marshall has
been asked to comment on this.
Publications
Brian Hughes has indicated to me that he may be transferred.
Such concerns have resulted in essentially no time left over
for this committee. Brian, although he does not wish to leave
the committee, may be forced to drop the chaimanship.
Technical Standards
There have been a few problems with various assignments of some
individuals to the sub-committees as some people either did not
feel qualified or lacked required background or skills for a
particular group. It is hoped that most of this has been or
will be resolved.
PROGNOSIS FOR THE COMING MONTH
General
It is hoped that the use of Richard's Rules of Electronic Order
may provide the infra-structure that will help several of the
committees become more efficient through ECHOMAIL. Hopefully,
our present wheel-spinning trying to get underway will decrease
and we'll see more things getting done next month.
Administration and Finance
Leonard is planning to make a stop in St. Louis this month to
take over much of what Ken does in this area.
Board of Directors
If Richard's Rules of Electronic Order appear to work in the
Executive Committee, they will be applied to this committee as
well.
By-laws and Rules
Activity in this committee will mostly be tabled until we have
a chance to see what works and what doesn't.
Executive Committee
It is expected that this committee will be the guinea pigs for
Richard's Rules of Electronic Order. This, or some other form
of structure, is the primary requirement to resolve so that the
rest of the work can be more effectively attacked.
FidoNews 4-39 Page 8 12 Oct 1987
International Affairs
No specific plans have been made for this coming month.
Membership Services
In addition to ongoing sub-committee work, it is expected that
all proposals for the 1988 FidoNet conference will be received
during this month.
Nominations and Elections
No activities are planned for the coming month.
Publications
Brian Hughes is to resolve the chairmanship problem this month.
Technical Standards
It is expected that this month will primarily be involved with
the internal organization and operation of the various sub-
committees.
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
and Articles of Association and By-Laws were adopted by the
membership in January 1987. The first elected Board of
Directors was filled in August 1987. The IFNA Echomail
Conference has been established on FidoNet to assist the
Board. We welcome your input on this Conference.
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.
System Enhancement Associates SEAdog $60.00 _____
ONLY 1 copy SEAdog per IFNA Member.
Fido Software's Fido/FidoNet $65.00 _____
ONLY 1 copy Fido/FidoNet per IFNA Member.
As of November 1, 1987 price will increase to
$100. Orders including checks for $65 will be
returned after October 31, 1987.
SUBTOTAL _____
Missouri Residents add 5.725 % Sales tax _____
International orders include $5.00 for
surface shipping or $15.00 for air shipping _____
TOTAL _____
SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO:
IFNA
P.O. Box 41143
St. Louis, Missouri 63141 USA
