Volume 5, Number  9                              29 February 1988
    +---------------------------------------------------------------+
    |                                                  _            |
    |                                                 /  \          |
    |                                                /|oo \         |
    |        - FidoNews -                           (_|  /_)        |
    |                                                _`@/_ \    _   |
    |        International                          |     | \   \\  |
    |     FidoNet Association                       | (*) |  \   )) |
    |         Newsletter               ______       |__U__| /  \//  |
    |                                 / FIDO \       _//|| _\   /   |
    |                                (________)     (_/(_|(____/    |
    |                                                     (jm)      |
    +---------------------------------------------------------------+
    Editor in Chief                                       Dale Lovell
    Editor Emeritus:                                   Thom Henderson
    Chief Procrastinator Emeritus:                       Tom Jennings
    Contributing Editors:                                   Al Arango

    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 1988 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. IFNA may also be contacted
    at PO Box 41143, St. Louis, MO 63141.

    The  contents  of  the  articles  contained  here  are  not   our
    responsibility,   nor   do   we   necessarily  agree  with  them.
    Everything here is  subject  to  debate.  We  publish  EVERYTHING
    received.



                            Table of Contents

    1. ARTICLES  .................................................  1
       Southern Colorado gets new Area Code  .....................  1
       DASNet - Linking FidoNet to Commercial E-Mail Systems  ....  2
       Delta Airlines Supports Fidocon '88  ......................  4
       Treasurer's Report of IFNA for 1987  ......................  5
       What's in a Name?  ........................................  7
       Informed Consent BOR crap for those willing to listen  ....  9
       TRAIN A New Echo for Model Trains  ........................ 10
    2. COLUMNS  .................................................. 11
       The Apple Core - Security: Intro, Session  ................ 11
       Let's YACK about AlterNet  ................................ 14
    3. NOTICES  .................................................. 16
       The Interrupt Stack  ...................................... 16
       Latest Software Versions  ................................. 16
    FidoNews 5-09                Page 1                   29 Feb 1988


    =================================================================
                                ARTICLES
    =================================================================

    Richard Evers
    Node 128/11 Host for Net 128


                Colorado splits into two area codes
                          (303 and 719)

    On March 5th, the state of Colorado will be split into two
    area codes. The current area code of 303 will remain with
    the city of Denver, the North and Western parts of the state.

    The new area code of 719, will be assigned to the Southeastern
    parts of Colorado. The cities of Colorado Springs, Pueblo will
    be in the new area code. Please consult your telephone directory,
    or you local phone company for more information.

    Since Net 128 is directly effective by this change, the Nodediff
    on March 4th will reflect this change. If you are using a modem
    program to directly call Southern Colorado, you need to note, and
    make this change.

    Since area code 303 has all but run out of prefixes, it is likely
    that calls to area code 303 will only work for 30 days after the
    change, if you are calling the new code area. After which, you may
    be surprised if you get a wrong number, or a non working number.


    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FidoNews 5-09                Page 2                   29 Feb 1988


          DASNet - Linking FidoNet to Commercial E-Mail Systems
                               David Dodell
                        FidoNet 1:114/15 or 1:1/0


    I have been in contact with a  commercial  firm  which  links  up
    various  electronic  mail  systems  with  each  other.  They have
    expressed an interest in linking into FidoNet.  This  would  give
    commercial  electronic mail users the ability to send and receive
    mail from FidoNet addresses.

    While many would say that FidoNet should  not  be  exploited  for
    commercial gain, it would allow FidoNet users the ability to send
    mail  to commercial e-mail systems without having to subscribe to
    the multiple various systems out there.

    I am not saying that we  should  do  so,  but  rather  soliciting
    comments if we should pursue this further.  If you are interested
    please  send  mail  to either myself or to the marking manager of
    the DASNet system, Anna Lange.

    Anna can be contacted via my node by sending  mail  to  the  user
    "Usenet" at FidoNet node 114/15 and placing the following in  the
    first line of the body of the message:

    To: asuvax!noao!decvax!sun!11.DAS.NET!AnnaB

    Below  is  a  description  and information I received about their
    system.  Again, I am only interested in comments at this time.


               The DASnet(R) Network--DASnet Subscriptions:

    WHEN YOU ASK SOMEONE FOR AN  ELECTRONIC  MAIL  ADDRESS,  YOU  CAN
    PROBABLY REACH THEM--REGARDLESS OF THE SYSTEM THEY USE !!


    A  DASnet Subscription allows you to exchange electronic mail (e-
    mail)  with  anyone  on  more  than  20  systems  and   networks,
    INCLUDING:

        ATT Mail, DASnet(R) Network, DCMETA, Dialcom(SM), EIES,
        EasyLink(R), Envoy 100(TM), FAX, GeoMail, MCI Mail(R), NWI(R),
        PeaceNet/EcoNet, Portal Communications(TM), The Source(R),
        Telemail(R), ATI's Telemail (Japan), Telex, TWICS (Japan),
        UNISON(R), UUCP, The WELL, Domains e.g. ".COM" and ".EDU".

    If you currently use one of the systems mentioned above,  you can
    order a DASnet Subscription now.  For  more  information,  please
    call 408-559-7434.

    ADVANTAGES:

      * NOTHING NEW TO JOIN OR LEARN.  You continue to use the e-mail
        or conference system you already use on a regular basis--your
        home  system.  There's  no need to join another system for e-
    FidoNews 5-09                Page 3                   29 Feb 1988


        mail.  All you need is your DASnet Subscription.

      * EXCHANGE E-MAIL with nearly 3 MILLION  people--even  if  they
        use systems to which you are not a member.

      *  JUST  CHECK  ONE MAILBOX--EVER.  Your e-mail is delivered to
        your mailbox at your home system on a daily  basis  (on  some
        systems,  more  often).  Your home system is the only one you
        ever need to check for electronic mail.

    To send e-mail through DASnet, you send the message to the DASnet
    account on your home system.  You receive e-mail at your mailbox,
    as you do now.

    YOU ALWAYS  USE  YOUR  HOME  SYSTEM,  with  which  you've  become
    familiar  and  comfortable.  You  never  need to learn new menus,
    editors, or commands.


         HOW MUCH DOES A SUBSCRIPTION TO THE DASnet NETWORK COST?

    A Subscription costs only only $4.50/month ($5.50/mo.  for  hosts
    located outside of the U.S.).

    You  are also charged for each message that you send.  If you are
    corresponding with someone who is not a  DASnet  Subscriber,  you
    also pay to receive e-mail they send you.  (Sorry, it costs us so
    we have to bill you.  This is the only way that  we  could  offer
    you the service of making all of these systems available to you.)

    For example, here are charges for a couple of messages.

    1.  Jane  (on  UUCP)  sends a 2000-character message to John (who
        uses The Source).  The message will cost her 74 cents.
    2.  Robert (on MCI Mail  in  the  U.S.)  sends  a  2000-character
        message  to  Rachel  (using GeoMail in England).  The message
        costs only $1.70.

    -  Also,  consider the value of receiving e-mail on a daily basis
      at your  home  system--no  more  worry  about  urgent  messages
      waiting for you at the system you check only weekly.


    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FidoNews 5-09                Page 4                   29 Feb 1988


                   --+--  FIDOCON '88 NEWS FLASH  --+--


    Cincinnati -  DELTA Airlines in cooperation with The
    International Fidonet Association announced today they will
    provide special air travel rates to the meeting August 25-28 here
    in Cincinnati.   "Travelers can expect to save 40%-75% off
    regular coach fares", Delta spokesperson Laverne Wright said.
    "Delta has set up a toll free 800 registration number for the
    event".

    "We are very excited about Delta's commitment", said Tim
    Sullivan, Chairperson of this year's conference. "I think that
    this will help to make Fidocon more accessible to Fidonet
    members".

    Delta is offering a 5% discount off ALL Delta's published
    round-trip fares INCLUDING SUPER SAVERS.  Delta also said for
    those passengers NOT qualifying for any published discounts, a
    40% discount will be offered on Delta's domestic system for
    travel to Fidocon '88.

    To take advantage of all these discount conference attendees need
    only follow these simple steps:

    1. Call 1-800-241-6760 for your reservations 8:00am-8:00pm
       eastern time - Daily.  Refer to FILE NUMBER N0059.
    or
       have your travel agent call Delta's tool free number to
       obtain the same advantages for you.

    2. Travel within the USA and San Juan only. (a 35% discount is
       applicable for travel from Canada)

    Delta noted that in order to take advantage of these discounts
    reservations must be made at least seven days in advance and must
    be made through Delta's toll free number.

    For more information contact your travel agent, Delta airlines at
    the toll free number, or Tim Sullivan at 108/62.  Cincinnati has
    also set up a special registration node 1/88 for information and
    on-line registration.


    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FidoNews 5-09                Page 5                   29 Feb 1988


    INTERNATIONAL FIDONET ASSOCIATION

    The accompanying treasurer's report of International FIDONET
    Association as of December 31, 1987 has been prepared by me.

    This report is the representation of the International FIDONET
    Board of Directors.  I have not audited or reviewed this report
    and, accordingly, do not express an opinion or any other
    assurance on it.

    The International FIDONET Association Board of Directors has
    elected to omit substantially all of the disclosures (the
    Statements of Financial position, Results of Operations and
    Changes in Financial Position) required by generally accepted
    accounting principles.  If the omitted disclosures were
    included in this report, they might influence the readers'
    conclusions about the association's financial position, results
    of operation, and changes in financial position.  Accordingly,
    this report is not designed for those who are not informed
    about such matters.


    Leonard Mednick, MBA, CPA
    February 25, 1988


                     INTERNATIONAL FIDONET ASSOCIATION
                             TREASURER'S REPORT
                            YEAR ENDING 12/31/87


    RECEIPTS/DEPOSITS
      Membership fees, sales,                  17,515.59
      Interest earned                               8.11
      Purchases                                (5,108.50) See Note 1
      Returned Checks                             (50.00)
                                             ------------
    NET RECEIPTS/DEPOSITS                      12,365.20

    DISBURSEMENTS
      Telephone                       3,182.79
      Postage & Freight                 590.96
      Legal & Accounting              2,210.50
      Bank Service Charges              156.28
      Office Expenses                   499.56
      Meetings & Travel               3,471.40          See Note 2
      Licenses, Dues, etc.              259.95
      Refund of Overpayments             65.00

           Total Disbursements                 10,436.44
                                             ------------
    EXCESS OF RECEIPTS OVER DISBURSEMENTS       1,928.76
    ADD: BEGINNING BALANCE OF ACCOUNT           2,749.28
                                             ------------
    BALANCE                                     4,678.04 See Note 3
                                             ============
    FidoNews 5-09                Page 6                   29 Feb 1988


    Note 1 - Item includes purchases of FIDO (tm) & SEAdog (tm)
             Software

    Note 2 - Item includes all disbursements for FidoCON4

    Note 3 - Balance in St. Louis Account      $2,019.93
             Balance in Honolulu Account        2,658.11
                                              -----------
                                               $4,678.04
                                              ===========


    ---------------------------------------------------------------

    Any questions regarding the above report should be directed
    to IFNA at 1:1/10 or at P.O Box 41143, St. Louis MO 63141.
    All questions received become the property of IFNA and may
    be published by IFNA, at will, in its various forums.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FidoNews 5-09                Page 7                   29 Feb 1988


    Greg Glynn
    The Airlock Hermitage
    3:712/502

                               What's in a Name?

    *HOT MUDDY DUCK* Now there's a great name for a bulletin board! I
    don't know who he is but he gets my vote for Most Original Name for a
    bulletin board. Mind you, he's got plenty of competition in the
    originality department.  I had a browse through the Nodelist recently
    (a little light reading) and found about 200 names which really
    standout as 'Above Average' in my opinion. Here's what I found.

    Some of these guys sound as if they had read headaches in trying to
    get their boards going! The Nervous System; Pipe Dream; The Town
    Cryer; Nightmare; Wits End; Krash #2; Mental Ward and Apocalypse.

    Once these next guys got started it seems that they formed their own
    secret societies: The Magic Unicorn; The Gathering; The Inner Circle
    and Magic Forest.

    These next names were a bit hard to classify. In one sense they're
    pretty obvious and in another way they're quite clever, I like the
    first one though: "I Have Decided"; Another Node; The Other BBS.

    A couple of these systems sound as if they're running MVS/XA rather
    than DOS 3.1: Deep Thought (Now there's a big computer!); Colossus;
    The Forbin Project; The IO Board; Mega Systems Online; Project Forty-
    Two and The Mega Monster. No shortage of MIPS there!

    Some quite clever "Play on words" too: The Ozone; Opus Pocus;
    Kat(h)'s Meow; NetMeg; Little Blue; Castle Opustein; Mobius Trip; Now
    & Zen; Log-on-the-Tyne and the Last Byte to name a few.

    And with a little imagination, a guy could get really carried away
    withthe next catagory - Dare I say it, Erotica: LoveLine; Sensual
    Encounter; Opus Orgy; Anything Goes; The Blow Torch; Pain Frame and
    finally The Gas Passer. Sounds like an episode of Dynasty.

    No shortage of Sci-Fi either! Forget about ALTERNET & SOUTHERNET,
    here comes CYBERNET: Cyber Zone; Cyber Space; Cyber Punk City; Cyber
    Babble; Cyber Foundation and CyberCom. A few more "cybers" and
    they'll have enough nodes to start Zone 4!

    Other Sci-Fi names too, like: Cygnus; House Adtreides; Moon Shadow;
    Forbidden Planet; SpaceNet; Starship Excalibur; Starlink; Entropy;
    Mind Meld; Time Traveller and Wally World (which isn't really Sci-Fi,
    I just wanted to see if you were paying attention).

    There are many BBS names which conjure up great mental images too.
    These are the boards which you might dial from 3,000 miles away out
    of shear curiosity: Dr Lizardos (expect an International Call in the
    near future Doc!); Family Skeletons; Whack!; The Bat Cave; The Toilet
    Seat (Great name! Gave *HOT MUDDY DUCK* a run for its money); The
    Fort Knox Files (If thats not a challenge to all you Hackaholics out
    there then I dont know what is!); 99 miles to somewhere; Ole Tin
    FidoNews 5-09                Page 8                   29 Feb 1988


    Brain; This End up; Quagmire; Hard Weird; Radio KAOS and the Poison
    Door.

    There's no shortage of "Animal SysOps" either: Swamp Buzzard; Shark
    Sandwich; Big Black Poodle; The Sleeping Gnome; Old Frogs Swamp;
    Stallion Data (A "Hung" System?).

    I've always had my own mental picture of what Fido (the dog) looks
    like in real life. It seems from the next set of names that my
    opinion is not universally shared by other users of the net: Mad Dog
    Fido; Green Fido; Orange Fido; Warped Dog; Soft Fido. But we do learn
    some interesting things about or four-legged friend: Fido's Kennel
    (Well at least he's got somewhere to sleep); Fido's Partner (and
    someone to sleep with); Poor Mans' Fido ; Fido's One Dish (but gets
    hungry alot); Fido's Dawn Patrol (and gets plenty of exercise);
    Bionic Dog (by doing a lap of the block at 60 miles per hour);
    DogStar (and gets three or four movie offers each week).

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FidoNews 5-09                Page 9                   29 Feb 1988


    Ben Mann
    151/2

                 Informed Consent

     To say a bill of rights is needed in FidoNet
    is like saying a drain plug is needed in the
    swamp. "Sir, I have no time to drain the swamp,
    I'am to busy fighting the aligators." Region 18
    has a new EchoMail coordinator. Located in a non-
    PCP city. Good thinking. At least he has a 9600
    baud HST and a sence of humor. The sence of humor
    is more important.
     Every NC in Region 18 cast their vote (pun intended)
    and the outcome was a new EC.
     Can anyone anywhere tell me why and how this happens?
    Does a friend of a friend call someone late in the night
    and make the change? Are there greater forces (farses)
    at work?
     Maybe I'am just missing the whole point. I'am sure
    there will be those who quickly agree. I'am having fun,
    right? I'am doing it out of love of my community and
    country, right? There must be some big dark echomail
    alley where good sysops fear to tread. In this alley
    big decisions are made late at night. This is done
    to keep from confusing the lowly sysop.
     Can someone humor me? Can I have a vote on something?
    The color of the FidoNet T-shirt? What the letters IFNA
    really mean? Anything would be a start. How about a
    dollar a vote? That way you get my dollar, I get a vote and
    all is right with the world. [offer limited to the state
    of North Carolina, February 20th. between the hours of
    midnight and 00:00:01 in the morning] Or more in keeping
    with tradition. You pay me a dollar for my vote.
     Come on you sysops. Do you want a vote? Do you even care?
    "Landrew lead me..." This beast we call FidoNet is neither
    fish or fowl. Let's make decisions based on information.
    "Informed Consent" is what it's called.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FidoNews 5-09                Page 10                  29 Feb 1988


    Jonathan Rickard
    151/2

                           TRAIN Echo

     I am starting this new Model Railroad Echo in the interest
    of providing help to Model Railroaders and furthering the
    interest in Model Railroading. TRAIN will be supported
    partially by members of the Carolina Model Railroad club
    in Greensboro, NC. It will also, hopefully, be picked up by
    The Train Board in Ohio wich will provide enourmous help to
    users.
     I will work hard as the TRAIN echo's coordinator to make
    sure that it is run properly and I will be as helpful as
    possible.
     I hope that you will pick up this Echo on your node and
    allow the Model Railroaders of the world to help each other
    in this field. It can be picked up through REDCON at
    151/1000 and will be hosted out of Alert Data TBBS, 151/2,
    in Greensboro, NC. I will try to get information published
    in a few newsletters and magazines which should get Model
    Railroaders to ask their sysops for it.
     Please give it a try on your BBS.


    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FidoNews 5-09                Page 11                  29 Feb 1988


    =================================================================
                                 COLUMNS
    =================================================================

    The Apple Core, Number 2
    Alan Applegate
    The Short Line, 1:104/36 (Fido 11w/BinkleyTerm)

          Security Series: Introduction, Session-Level Security

    Security is a growing concern within FidoNet.   Security can take
    many different forms, and mean many different things to different
    people.  In this and in future columns,  I'll talk a little about
    security related issues.

    Sysops   everywhere  are  concerned  with  destructive   software
    (viruses, trojans, worms, tapeworms, et al), breaches of password
    security, system infiltration by crackers/hackers, and so on.  Of
    more focused concern within FidoNet is session-level integrity of
    mail transmissions, packet integrity,  and the like.  This column
    addresses those concerns localized to FidoNet.

    Opinions  within FidoNet differ about how severe the problem  is,
    how  much potential there is for increased problems,  and how  to
    handle the situation now and in the future.  Some people are very
    passive,  with the attitude "it won't happen to me."  Some people
    insist  on  going  to  great  extents  to  protect  everything  -
    borderline paranoia.   But to say that the problem  doesn't exist
    today, right now, is to fool yourself.

    The  increased availability of NetMail interface packages such as
    BinkleyTerm  and  Dutchie has much to do with the problem.    The
    positive effect is that FidoNet is getting closer to becoming the
    tool  of  free  and open  communication  that  it  was  initially
    envisioned  to be.   Widely distributed software,  available with
    little  or  no charge,  is encouraging the  creation  of  FidoNet
    systems,  broadening our reach and resource base,  and increasing
    awareness of our network.

    The  negative  side effect is that this software is  more  openly
    available to people who are ready to abuse and misuse it to cause
    harm  and wreak havoc upon other FidoNet systems.   Don't get  me
    wrong -  as  part of the team  behind  BinkleyTerm,  I   strongly
    believe  that the  positives far outweigh the negatives with  the
    wide  and open availability these packages offer.   In  addition,
    the  potential  for  abuse has existed  since  the  inception  of
    FidoNet;   the  "new generation"  of FidoNet software  cannot  be
    blamed for this problem.

    The  key  here is to identify the potential for abuse,   make  an
    intelligent  decision  based  on our own situation,  and use  the
    powerful  tools  that  our software provides  to  avert  possible
    violation  of   our  systems  and  breaches of  the  confidential
    information which can often be found there.

    Session  level security is the most important of  the  protection
    FidoNews 5-09                Page 12                  29 Feb 1988


    methods  available  to  FidoNet,  and it guards against  what  is
    probably the most pernicious of the violations that can occur.

    The  ability exists today for someone to set-up their  system  to
    "look" like a system with which you regularly transact mail.  The
    bogus system polls you for mail that may be waiting for the  real
    system,  and unless the session requires a password,  the mail is
    handed  over  to  the bogus  system  without  hesitation.    Your
    outgoing mail,  which may  well be of a confidential nature,  has
    been effectively, privately and quietly "stolen."

    Most  modern  FidoNet  implementations  provide  some  method  of
    password protecting NetMail sessions.   With the packages that  I
    am personally familiar with, the protection methods are available
    and compatible with one another.

    Obviously,  the system with which you transact mail will need  to
    support session-level passwords,  and will need to have the  same
    password  implemented  on  both  ends.    This  requires  advance
    planning on the  part of both sides,  and some synchronization of
    "cutover" times.

    Security  is  a smaller concern with systems with which you  only
    sporadically transact mail.   The chances of someone knowing  the
    information  and timing required are very slim.   There has  been
    talk   about  implementing  some  sort  of   public/private   key
    encryption  system  within  FidoNet.   This would be  nice,   but
    normally  systems don't send mail on a regular basis except to  a
    handful  of  other systems.   Sufficient protection is  currently
    afforded by existing password protection schemes.

    With so many systems operating continuous mail,  mail doesn't sit
    around as much as it used to.  This reduces risk, but it does NOT
    eliminate it.   In addition,  in most cases the worst damage that
    can occur is that the perpetrator snags an EchoMail packet,   but
    occasionally, personal mail can also fall into the wrong hands.

    Implementing  password   protection  of  NetMail   sessions  with
    regularly  contacted  systems is simple and painless.   The  work
    involved  is easily offset by the peace of mind that will  result
    from  knowing  that  your  mail is  much  safer  protected  by  a
    password, rather than open and available to a "cracker."

    One  of  the  keys  to successful  passwording  is  changing  the
    password periodically.   Doing so reduces the chance that someone
    casually attempting to "guess"  the password will be  successful.
    Make the password something cryptic, not something common.  Use a
    random array of characters, instead of using a word or name.

    How  big is this problem?   Right now,  it's limited.   The  more
    broad-based  cases of breaching system  integrity,   viruses  and
    trojans for example, are a  much  bigger problem for FidoNet (and
    other) Sysops.   But with FidoNet awareness growing, availability
    and spread of FidoNet interfaces also growing - this problem will
    get worse before it gets better.

    FidoNews 5-09                Page 13                  29 Feb 1988


    Security  tools  are not provided on someone's whim.    They  are
    provided to solve real world problems.   These tools can be of no
    help if they are not used.  You may believe that you'll never get
    hit;   all it takes is once for someone to "steal"  your  private
    mail to someone else, and you'll be sold.  Protect yourself now.

    In  my  next  column,  I'll deal with two more  security  related
    issues.  See you in another couple weeks...


    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FidoNews 5-09                Page 14                  29 Feb 1988


                                   YACK
                     Yet Another Complicated Komment

                           by Steven K. Hoskin
                       ( STEVE HOSKIN at 1:128/11 )

                           Episode 2:  AlterNet


         Yes, I'm still beating around this old thing about AlterNet.
    I can see that there is a massive diversity of opinion about what
    to do about AlterNet and  all  that  happy  stuff, so I figured I
    might as well be  a  good  columnist  and  get  in on the action.

         AlterNet is a FidoNet  spin-off;  the  same  technology with
    new ideals in administration and  management.  Somehow, new ideas
    are never taken well and always  meet with resistance.  Even when
    they're better than whatever is currently available.

         I'm not saying AlterNet is  right.  Personally, I think they
    were wrong to leave FidoNet.    Going  multi-net is only going to
    cause problems in communication,  and  communication is what it's
    all about.  Or, at least, that's  the rose-colored picture I have
    of FidoNet.

         I base this article on  the  assumption  that we (Fido/Alter
    Net) want to communicate.    We  WANT  to  provide  services that
    include   communication   between  the  nets.    We  WANT  to  be
    reasonable.  But we're having problems.

         FidoNet is run by PolicyX  (at  time  of  writing, Policy3).
    So procedures to accomplish  this  desired  link with AlterNet is
    currently limited.  Policy3  covers  no policy concerning linking
    with other Nets;  FidoNet  is  the  highest  entity recognized by
    Policy3.

         Side note:  Perhaps  Policy4  should  recognize the World as
    the largest entity, followed by  individual Networks, followed by
    FidoNet as one of the many...

         In any case, FidoNet MUST be  run under current PolicyX.  So
    how do we communicate with AlterNet?

         Either selected individuals  will  have  to go dual-identity
    and act as "gateways", making it  fairly incumbent on the user to
    select the closest gateway to  AlterNet, or everybody in AlterNet
    will have to  go  dual  identity  as  FidoNodes,  making for some
    serious changes to  SysOp  setups.    This  would also have to be
    done by all SysOps  into  AlterNet  in  order  to  provide a FULL
    two-way communication link.

         I don't think ALL  FidoNet  SysOps  are  going to go through
    the hassle of going  dual-identity.    Besides, what happens when
    another Net breaks away?   Everybody  goes tri-identity?  I think
    not.

    FidoNews 5-09                Page 15                  29 Feb 1988


         If you read my recent article  on linking with AlterNet, you
    understand that you were reading  a dreamer's hope.  Making cheap
    calls  is  beneficial,   but   administrative  work  involved  in
    implementing that plan  isn't  something  I  see an easy fix for.
    That was merely a technical  viewpoint for others to expand upon.
    I was hoping others would  take  that  idea further, perhaps to a
    workable point in the FidoNet structure.

         There is a way I see that might make the Fido/Alter Net link
    work on that level, but it would  require cooperation of NodeList
    structure between  the  two  organizations.    A program could be
    written  (perhaps  Xlatlist   does   this  already)  to  read  in
    AlterNet's NodeList  and  convert  all  those  nodes  into a zone
    inside the FidoNet NodeList.  It COULD be done - it's TECHNICALLY
    possible.  If Policy4 permitted  it, it would be ADMINISTRATIVELY
    possible.  And then there wouldn't  be a lot of work for anybody,
    as the NodeList compilation procedures should be NEARLY automatic
    by now.  This takes a little  of  the hassle out of the link, and
    perhaps this would make it even more feasible.

         This is a technical tidbit.   But the point of my article is
    quite simply this:

         AlterNet should never  have  broken  away;  they should have
    stayed here and helped  to  clear  up  this jungle.  But they did
    break away, and I feel that  FidoNet  has a responsibility to its
    users  to   try   to  make  a  connection   to  AlterNet,  and  a
    responsibility to its  SysOps  to  make  this  connection without
    requiring a change in software  or  setup.  I feel these problems
    can be overcome, and I, for one, want to see it.


    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FidoNews 5-09                Page 16                  29 Feb 1988


    =================================================================
                                 NOTICES
    =================================================================

                         The Interrupt Stack


    16 Jul 1988
       A new areacode, 508, will form in eastern Massachusetts and
       will be effective on this date. The new area code will be
       formed from the current areacode 617. Greater Boston will
       remain areacode 617 while the rest of eastern Massachusetts
       will form the new areacode 508.

    25 Aug 1988
       Start  of  the  Fifth  International FidoNet Conference, to be
       held  at the Drawbridge Inn  in Cincinnatti, OH.  Contact  Tim
       Sullivan at 108/62 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.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

                         Latest Software Versions

    BBS Systems            Node List              Other
    & Mailers   Version    Utilities   Version    Utilities   Version

    Dutchie        2.80    EditNL          3.3    ARC            5.21
    Fido            12e*   MakeNL         1.10    ARCmail         1.1
    Opus          1.03a    Prune          1.40    ConfMail       3.31*
    SEAdog         4.10    XlatList       2.86*   EchoMail       1.31
    TBBS           2.0M                           MGM             1.1
    BinkleyTerm    1.30*
    QuickBBS       1.02

    * 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 5-09                Page 17                  29 Feb 1988


                                     __
                The World's First   /  \
                   BBS Network     /|oo \
                   * FidoNet *    (_|  /_)
                                   _`@/_ \    _
                                  |     | \   \\
                                  | (*) |  \   ))
                     ______       |__U__| /  \//
                    / Fido \       _//|| _\   /
                   (________)     (_/(_|(____/ (tm)

           Membership for the International FidoNet Association

    Membership in IFNA is open to any individual or organization that
    pays  a  specified  annual   membership  fee.   IFNA  serves  the
    international  FidoNet-compatible  electronic  mail  community to
    increase worldwide communications.

    Member Name _______________________________  Date _______________
    Address _________________________________________________________
    City ____________________________________________________________
    State ________________________________  Zip _____________________
    Country _________________________________________________________
    Home Phone (Voice) ______________________________________________
    Work Phone (Voice) ______________________________________________
    Zone:Net/Node Number ____________________________________________
    BBS Name ________________________________________________________
    BBS Phone Number ________________________________________________
    Baud Rates Supported ____________________________________________
    Board Restrictions ______________________________________________
    Your Special Interests __________________________________________
    _________________________________________________________________
    _________________________________________________________________
    In what areas would you be willing to help in FidoNet? __________
    _________________________________________________________________
    _________________________________________________________________
    Send this membership form and a check or money order for $25 in
    US Funds to:
                  International FidoNet Association
                  c/o Leonard Mednick, MBA, CPA
                  700 Bishop Street, #1014
                  Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-4112
                  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 to this Conference.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FidoNews 5-09                Page 18                  29 Feb 1988


                    INTERNATIONAL FIDONET ASSOCIATION
                                ORDER FORM

                               Publications

    The IFNA publications can be obtained by downloading from Fido
    1:1/10 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

       Fido Software's Fido/FidoNet               $100.00    _____
       Fido/FidoNet price as of November 1, 1987
       ONLY 1 copy Fido/FidoNet per IFNA Member

       International orders include $10.00 for
              surface shipping or $20.00 for air shipping    _____

                                                 SUBTOTAL    _____

                   HI. Residents add 4.0 % Sales tax         _____

                                                 TOTAL       _____

       SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN US FUNDS:
       International FidoNet Association
       c/o Leonard Mednick, MBA, CPA
       700 Bishop Street, #1014
       Honolulu, HI.  96813-4112
       USA

    Name________________________________
    Zone:Net/Node____:____/____
    Company_____________________________
    Address_____________________________
    City____________________  State____________  Zip_____
    Voice Phone_________________________

    Signature___________________________

    -----------------------------------------------------------------