FidoNews is published weekly by the International FidoNet
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standards are contained in the file ARTSPEC.DOC, available from
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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.
Fido and FidoNet are registered trademarks of Tom Jennings of
Fido Software, 164 Shipley Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94107 and
are used with permission.
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
Twas The Byte Before Computing ........................... 1
2. COLUMNS .................................................. 3
RegComm - Communications From RegCon ..................... 3
3. FOR SALE ................................................. 5
MSO 80386-SX System on Sale .............................. 5
4. NOTICES .................................................. 6
The Interrupt Stack ...................................... 6
Telephone Professional Related Echos ..................... 6
Latest Software Versions ................................. 6
5. COMMITTEE REPORTS ........................................ 8
And more!
FidoNews 5-51 Page 1 19 Dec 1988
Twas The Byte Before Computing
by Bert Happel
(with apologies to Clement C. Moore)
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a circuit was working not even in my mouse;
The files were all loaded on the hard disc with care,
In hopes that the FAT would list them as there.
The backups were nestled all snug in their sleeves,
To keep the bytes from dropping off them like leaves;
And the disc drive was quiet, taking a rest
Just waiting to run the next boot-up test.
When out of the speaker there arose such a clatter
I sprang to my desk to see what was the matter.
Away to the keyboard I flew like a flash,
Threw open the drive-door and heard a loud crash.
The lights on the breast of the new-fallen dust
Gave a luster of mid-day to a CRT covered with crust.
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and the eight data registers I fear.
With a little old driver, so lively and gloss
I knew in a moment he was a master of DOS.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled out and called them by name
"Now Fido! Now Opus! Now QuickBBS and TBBS!
On, ConfMail! On, XlatList! On, Bark and WaZoo!
To the top of the memory! To the top of the stack!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As leaves before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle mount to the sky,
So up on the screen the coursers they flew,
With a sleigh full of utilities, and DOS commands too.
As I drew back my head and was turning around,
Out the RS-232 port he came with a bound.
He was dressed all in ROM, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with bytes and some soot;
A bundle of data he had flung on his back,
And he looked like he had a program he wanted to crack.
His eyes -- How they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose was a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a round little belly
That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A flash of the CRT and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had lost programs to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
FidoNews 5-51 Page 2 19 Dec 1988
And filled all the RAM; then turned, the big jerk,
And laying a finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, in the RS-232 port he goes.
He sprang to the sleigh, his team they all whistled,
And away they all flew like they had sat on a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he faded out of sight,
"Bug-free programs to all and to all a good night!"
Best wishes for the Holidays to everyone.
Bert Happel
Sysop, The I.O. Board
1:231/60
Recently one of the nodes within FidoNet was excommunicated twice
within a very short period of time. In both cases there were
definite policy violations, there was more than sufficient
warning given before action was taken and everything was done by
agreement between the RC and NC involved. Sounds like a pretty
simple case history, but nothing ever is.
The node filed an appeal to the second excommunication, and
during the appeal process the RC became quite ill. As there had
been some delay in the appeal process prior to the illness the
ZC, in all fairness, requested the NC reinstate the node until
the appeal could be completed. The NC refused the request. The
ZC restated the request a little more strongly and the NC again
refused the request. The ZC was forced to change the request to
an order. (Keep in mind that at ANY time the ZC could have
removed the node himself!) The order was ignored and when the
nodediff was sent in by this NC it was accompanied by a message
that the change had still not taken place. Now with regret, but
little choice, the ZC had to remove the NC from the nodelist and
because there was now no NC for the net the entire net was placed
on hold.
Our present policy was followed to the letter. Evidently the NC
in question did not understand the management structure within
FidoNet and thought, with the RC responsible incapacitated by
illness, there was no management. The ZC, well aware of every-
thing that had transpired and feeling that there could be no
success in the appeal of the node STILL followed due process and
asked for reinstatement until policy could be followed. But
failure to recognize the management chain resulted in an entire
net being placed in limbo.
We all need to realize there is a management chain within this
network. That chain starts at the IC/ZC level and ends at the
node level. Oh, yes, the node is a part of management. The
management of one's own node is an important part of net manage-
ment as an error in software implementation at the node level can
impact the local net, the region and even the entire network. As
in any organization, there is a need for management within
FidoNet and the *C structure IS that management. Failure to
follow the requests of management within FidoNet will result in
the same actions you might expect for failure to follow the
requests of management in any business or organization.
Now that our regional management team has improved their communi-
cations you can expect to see actions taking place much more
quickly than in the past. We will do all we can to enforce
present policy while we continue to work towards updating that
policy to better address the problems created by a network that
is expanding at the rapid rate that FidoNet is demonstrating.
FidoNews 5-51 Page 4 19 Dec 1988
We don't ask you to follow blindly, as in any management team we
still have the infamous `middle management' and we have managers
who have had little training. All the problems of the *C team
and all problems we will constantly be addressing. We do ask
that you communicate with management, let us know problems as you
perceive them and give us the opportunity to act on your
requests. But please do not make our job more difficult by
failing to recognize the requests of the management team, as to
do so leaves that team little choice as to the course of action
it must follow.
("RegComm" will be a weekly column in FidoNews and your comments
are welcome. Please address your concerns and comments via
NetMail to your Net or Regional Coordinator, you should receive
an answer within a few days. It's your net and we are in need of
your input in order for us to fairly represent you.)
=================================================================
FOR SALE
=================================================================
Jim Deputy (aka Sir Dep)
204/40 204/386
MSO Computers is announcing special pricing on their Jet-386/SX
System. The system includes:
Intel 80386-SX Microprocessor, 1 MB of 100ns SIM Modules,
2 Serial/1 Parallel Ports, 1:1 Interleave (FD/HD) Controller,
Either a 1.2 MB or a 1.44 MB Floppy Drive, 230 Watt Power
Supply, Real-time CMOS Clock/Calendar, 101-key tactile key-
board, Amber monitor with mono video card.
The System Features are:
Full 32-Bit Internal Architecture, Runs under MS-DOS, OS/2,
UNIX, or PICK. Virtual Memory Support (EEMS 4.0), Page Mode
Interleave Support, Mother board will handle up to 8MB in 1MB
SIM Modules. Fully IBM Compatible. 20 MHz operating speed. On
204/386 this machine (286 version) does a complete nodediff
update (using Xlaxnode) in less than 1.5 minutes.
The price is: $2386.00 (plus applicable tax)
This price is for a limited time. Those interested should con-
tact me at either 204/40 or 204/386, or call either 408-945-
4270 or 800-YES-4MSO, and mention my name.
I am attempting to organize two Echos for those who work in
the Telephone Industry. I am in a PC-Pursuitable area.
The first Echo, Telephone Professionals (TELEPRO) for those
who are actively working in the telephone industry in any
capacity from telemarketing to system sales. Where informa-
tion can be passed between users on various topics of inter-
est.
The second Echo, Telephone Consultants, (TCONSULT) for those
who are selling, consulting etc on various types of telephone
systems. A place to pick-up tips, locate equipment, etc.
Let me know if you would like to link into either of these
echos.
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Latest Software Versions
BBS Systems Node List Other
& Mailers Version Utilities Version Utilities Version
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.
Three of IFNA's Committees are presently in need of additional
volunteers. There is need for both workers and leaders. If
interested, review the material below and, if you are prepared to
take on part of the effort described, please send a message to
Don Daniels at 1:107/210.
Nominations and Election Committee - IFNA BYLAW 34: "The
Nomination and Elections Committee shall be responsible for:
a) finding and qualifying candidates;
b) reviewing voting procedures and recommending modifications
as necessary;
c) performs other duties as described in applicable By-Laws."
As indicated, this committee runs and oversees the entire
election process. It has various tasks to do between now and
FidoCon relative to the election. The Chairman will present
the election results to the BoD at FidoCon.
Bylaws and Rules Committee - BYLAW 35: "The By-Laws and Rules
Committee shall be responsible for review and any suggestion
of changes to these by-laws."
There still is a fair amount of work that needs to be done to
bring our by-laws into shape. Also, it can be expected that
the current by-laws election may produce a few inconsistencies
which will require revisions, and changes in IFNA's direction
may also have to be provided for. If you can write well and
have a feel for how things should be, this might be for you.
Most of the committee's work will have to be done before
mid-June.
Security and Individual Rights - This is a new committee, in the
process of being formed at this time. It will be concerned
with any and all matters related to security and to privacy.
As many conflicts between individuals typically occur when
their respective individual rights come in conflict, this
committee will look at such areas and provide guidelines as
they deem best. Work on this committee could continue
throughout the year, but there are concerns related to the
Security and Privacy Committee of the Electronic Mail
Association which this committee will need to address prior to
meetings Feb 28 - Mar 1 in Scottsdale AZ and in late June in
San Francisco.
Sorry that we can't promise fame, wealth or glory - just work
towards the common good! Again, if interested in helping, please
FidoNews 5-51 Page 9 19 Dec 1988
Hal DuPrie 1:101/106 Chairman of the Board
Bob Rudolph 1:261/628 President
Matt Whelan 3:3/1 Vice President
Ray Gwinn 1:109/639 Vice President - Technical Coordinator
David Garrett 1:103/501 Secretary
Steve Bonine 1:115/777 Treasurer
IFNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DIVISION AT-LARGE
10 Courtney Harris 1:102/732? Don Daniels 1:107/210
11 Bill Allbritten 1:11/301 Hal DuPrie 1:101/106
12 Bill Bolton 3:711/403 Mark Grennan 1:147/1
13 Rick Siegel 1:107/27 Steve Bonine 1:115/777
14 Ken Kaplan 1:100/22 Ted Polczyinski 1:154/5
15 Larry Kayser 1:104/739? Matt Whelan 3:3/1
16 Vince Perriello 1:141/491 Robert Rudolph 1:261/628
17 Rob Barker 1:138/34 Steve Jordan 1:102/2871
18 Christopher Baker 1:135/14 Bob Swift 1:140/24
19 David Drexler 1:19/1 Larry Wall 1:15/18
2 Henk Wevers 2:500/1 David Melnik 1:107/233
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
PO 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 second elected Board of Directors
was filled in August 1988. The IFNA Echomail Conference has been
established on FidoNet to assist the Board. We welcome your
input to this Conference.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 5-51 Page 12 19 Dec 1988
INTERNATIONAL FIDONET ASSOCIATION
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