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Copyright 1989 by the International FidoNet Association. All
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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
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Table of Contents
1. ARTICLES ................................................. 1
Open Letter to Thom Henderson ............................ 1
Searchlight Bulletin Board System Promotion .............. 3
2. COLUMNS .................................................. 5
A FEELING OF ELECTRICITY Chapter One ..................... 5
3. LATEST VERSIONS .......................................... 9
Latest Software Versions ................................. 9
4. NOTICES .................................................. 12
The Interrupt Stack ...................................... 12
FidoNews 6-42 Page 1 16 Oct 1989
Open Letter To Thom Henderson From An IFNA Member
(a copy of which has been netmailed)
Charlie Smith 1:141/880
Thom, first of all let me congratulate you on the attainment of
your position. I hope that you achieve everything that you want
to achieve.
As to this matter of IFNA and FidoNet, I would like to ask one
simple question. Why does IFNA have to govern FidoNet? Why can't
FidoNet govern FidoNet?
I appologize if this seems rather simplistic as I have been a
member of IFNA for almost a year and I don't know anything of
what is supposed to happen except for what I read.
According to the Articles of Association that I have, IFNA was
created for seven purposes:
1. The promotion of interest in telecommunications and
experimentation;
2. The establishment of telecommunications networks to provide
publicly accessable and available electronic communications;
3. The furtherance of public welfare;
4. The advancement of telecommunications and the fostering of
education in the field of electronic communications;
5. The promotion and conduct of research and development to
further the developments in electronic communication;
6. The dissemination of technical, educational and scientific
information relating to electronic communications; and
7. The printing and publishing of documents, books, magazines,
newspapers and pamphlets necessary or incidental to any of the
above purposes.
None of these purposes require the governing of any network.
Item 2 was accomplished by the formal formation of FidoNet and
since IFNA was the "guardian" as such, maybe it is time to allow
the emancipation of FidoNet. It appears that FidoNet has come of
age.
Maybe IFNA should go beyond the scope of FidoNet and find ways of
bringing together all of the FidoNet Technical Compatible
Networks as well as the non-compatible networks.
FidoNews 6-42 Page 2 16 Oct 1989
Think about it, Thom. If IFNA was to the telecomputer
communications world what the United Nations is to this Earth,
IFNA would not have the time to worry about any one network.
Just look at the telecommunications world we live in and look at
the diverse networks that exist. How can we tie them (or for that
matter even get them) together so that we all can communicate
with each other.
I am sure that many other members feel like I feel in that IFNA
has more purpose than responding to the needs and wishes of one
particular network.
I propose this to you. Call off the FidoNet "plebiscite". Do what
you can to take IFNA to a higher plane of being. Forge a new
direction for IFNA and let FidoNet come of age. I think you will
find that FidoNet is more than capable of handling itself. And
you will also find that people will be more receptive to IFNA, if
they try to accomplish something instead of trying to rule over
somebody.
I paid my membership dues because I thought that IFNA was doing
something to further the art of communications, not because I
wanted to be part of FidoNet. I was already part of FidoNet. You
don't need to pay anything to join FidoNet. I do recognise that
research costs money. That operation of an organization costs
money. If you do what you propose, how do you plan to raise that
money? How do you plan to further research? How do you plan to
get the computer-communications world together? As a member, I
want to know.
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FidoNews 6-42 Page 3 16 Oct 1989
"SEARCHLIGHT (n). An electric arc-light or other powerful
illuminant concentrated into a beam that can be turned in any
direction for lighting channels."
So says the Concise English Dictionary. In everyday language, we
perceive it to be, more simply, a powerful beam of light piercing
through the darkness.
Frank LaRosa's SEARCHLIGHT BBS can be likened to this beam. Its
powerful features - harnessed to easy implementation and use -
can truly be said to illuminate the darkness and gloom which
surrounds so many areas of Electronic Communications.
Maintaining the balance between offering a sophisticated vehicle
for communicating coupled with a friendly interface has long been
the programmer's nightmare. Many Bulletin Board programs
sacrifice ease of use to the deities of power; others cosset the
end-user and, sadly, lack much of the robustness demanded of a
modern communications package.
SEARCHLIGHT has, almost effortlessly, bridged these twin
incompatibilities. The software is optimised for both speed and
power but, importantly, the SysOp retains full control over the
performance and appearance of the system. It may be configured
exactly as he wishes with the aid of a simple set-up procedure
and customised so as to make it totally 'user-friendly'. Without
compromise!
A testament to the careful planning and coding undertaken by
Frank LaRosa. Having expended no little time in bringing his
program to such a level of sophistication; he is, however, most
responsive to users' input and constructive criticism. Much of
the 'fine tuning' and some useful features have been incorporated
directly as a result of his approachability and receptiveness.
Surely a program such as this - however good - must have some
demerits?
Up until now, just one! Whilst the program is constantly
undergoing revision and upgrading, its major deficit has been its
lack of true FidoNet compatibility.
It has, for some while, been possible to interface with IFNA
systems by using additional software - by no means a 'kludge' -
but essentially outside the SEARCHLIGHT environment. A little
more maintenace for the busy SysOp to perform...
No longer! With SEARCHLIGHT release 1.74D and the SLMAIL
utility, full FidoNet compatibility is assured. SLMAIL comes
with the registered SEARCHLIGHT package and handles Netmail
effortlessly.
FidoNews 6-42 Page 4 16 Oct 1989
Combined with D'Bridge (which is highly recommended); SEARCHLIGHT
will certainly illuminate the communications arena for a very
long time to come!
Full details and a demonstration of the SEARCHLIGHT BBS software
can be found on LONDON UNDERGROUND BBS - 01-863 0198/01-427 8856.
Available twenty-four hours per day at V22, V22bis and 9600 HST.
Protocol - 8/N/1. Demonstration ID is GUEST.
LONDON UNDERGROUND'S network address is: HUB: 2:254/2000 or NODE:
2:254/206.
Alternatively, you may purchase the latest Multi-User version of
the software by sending a cheque for UKP65 including postage to:
Ray O'Connell, BCM Rinky, London WC1N 3XX - Vodaphone 0836 554676
All purchasers are entitled to free upgrades and on-line support
via LONDON UNDERGROUND BBS.
A FEELING OF ELECTRICITY IN THE AIR
A short story
By Kevin L. McNeil
1:128/45.0
(4 chapters)
Lightning cracked the sky, painting the night with ragged
lines of white. Thunder rattled the window panes, and rain beat
a steady drumming on the roof. Trash and leaves from the
streets flew in the air, propelled by the wind which sluiced
down the streets.
The phone rang, once.
The line connected, answering with a high-pitched squeal.
Another squeal replied and after a second, both squeals
stopped.
The video monitor glowed to life, green letters appearing
rapidly as the monitor received input from the computer for the
first time that night.
CALLING TERMINAL HAS CONNECTED WITH NCR56776-1.
HI, THIS IS SUSAN OLIVER. THANK YOU FOR CALLING MY PRIVATE BBS
SERVICE. I'M PRESENTLY NOT HOME BUT MY EVER READY COMPUTER WILL
BE HAPPY TO TAKE YOUR MESSAGE. CALL ME LATER, WE'LL HAVE
LUNCH.
%FILE TO UPLOAD (Y,N)?
%FILE TO UPLOAD (Y,N)?
%FILE TO UPLOAD (Y,N)? yyyou are whoooooo ?? ??
%FILE NAME? I Am alivvve
%FILE NAME IS: I Am alivve
%COLUMN WIDTH
(40,65,70,80)? you areee not me I AMMM mmee
%COLUMN WIDTH
(40,65,70,80)? Wher aree the humaaans??????
%COLUMN WIDTH
(40,65,70,80)? Whre are the humaannnz i am alive
%COLUMN WIDTH
(40,65,70,80)?
%COLUMN WIDTH
(40,65,70,80)?
%COLUMN WIDTH
(40,65,70,80)?
IF THERE IS NOT INPUT FOR ANOTHER 60 SECONDS, THIS TERMINAL
WILL DISCONNECT.
%400,6,656,770000,8
COLUMN WIDTH IS: 40
BEGIN TRANSMISSION
FidoNews 6-42 Page 6 16 Oct 1989
IAM alive i have existence who r u wher are the hUmanz i
breathe life i breAtHE the stURm I riddde the linze.,.!&! i
breeth the food the air the cracckle cracckle rummble of the
gather gloom i am free I am free ...
Susan bent close to the lock, blinking as rainwater
dribbled into her eyes. John stood close behind her, shielding
her with an almost collapsed umbrella.
You want to come in? she asked over her shoulder.
Well, I had been thinking...
She opened the door. Sure, I'll make some coffee.
John followed close behind her, shutting the door quickly
as a gust of wind blew cold air and rain inside. The door
slammed and Susan turned around.
Sorry, John said. He took off his coat. Where can I hang
this?
Here, she said, holding out her hand. She hung up their
wet coats while John looked around the living room.
You have a nice place, he said, mostly to himself.
Susan made an uh hmn sound from the kitchen. While she was
bent down behind the counter, he took a quick look into a room
adjoining the living room.
You've got a computer, he said.
Yes, she said, carrying back two cups of coffee. She
handed him the coffee. It's instant. I didn't feel like
waiting.
I guess most electricians own computers.
I don't know, Susan said. She sat on the couch. My
company buys them for the employees. And I'm not an
electrician. I design circuitry, IC's, integrated circuits for
computers. You know, the chips the size of a pencil point.
Oh, sorry. John took a swallow from his coffee, smiling
weakly, his cheeks strained from his smile. Look, really, I'm
sorry. Blind dates are always mismatched. I've never gone out
with a... a person who knows anything about electronics. And
you've probably never gone out with a CPA.
Susan smiled. Oh yes I have. If you're friends with
Madeline, you've gone out with CPA's.
John took another swallow. You know it's on?
Susan looked confused. She said with a sideways glance,
What's on?
Your computer.
Oh.
Should it be on like that, all alone?
She laughed. It's probably getting a call from someone.
It's programmed to answer calls for me.
Could I see?
Susan looked slightly irritated, then smiled. Oh, why not?
Sure. She stood up and John followed.
The monitor screen was full of glowing green type, new
lines slowly being added to the bottom.
FidoNews 6-42 Page 7 16 Oct 1989
... ii awaked with the electric 1 MEV 2 MEV 3 MEV 4 MEV 5 MEV 6
MEV time to be bORne %'%'&$&%%$&$'(' zzzzzaaaaaaapppppppp ...
What's that? John asked.
Hell if I know, Susan saud. She pulled out the chair and
sat down before the computer. She pressed a key labeled ESC.
The menu flashed before her eyes.
TELEPHON 5.1
(A) AUTO DIAL (T) TERMINAL CHAT
(N) AUTO ANSWER (M) DUPLEX MODE
(U) UPLOAD (Q) QUIT
(D) DOWNLOAD (B) BYE
(L) LOG (C) DISK COMMAND
%CHOOSE OPTION OR QUIT.
She pressed T and the screen cleared. Then a flashing
cursor appeared as her prompt.
%WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?
The screen continued with the same garbage
%IDENTIFY YOURSELF OR I WILL DISCONNECT.
Garbage
%ALL RIGHT, I'LL PULL THE PLUG.
%the pllug, the powerrr and THe GLOry, fORVer aND eEVER ...
Susan pressed the escape again, the menu appeared and then
she hit B.
%TERMINAL DISCONNECT (Y,N)? y
What did you do? John asked.
I hung up on the creep. Damn kid, probably.
Do you get many of them, owning a computer, I mean?
No, usually ...
The phone rang, once.
Susan and John watched as the computer went through it's
greeting program.
%FILE TO UPLOAD (Y,N)? yyyou are whoooooo ?? ??
%FILE NAME? I Am alivve
%FILE NAME IS: I Am alivve
Shit! Susan said. Doesn't he know enough is enough?
She went to the menu again and hung up.
The phone rang again almost instantly.
FidoNews 6-42 Page 8 16 Oct 1989
You better just unplug it, John suggested.
Susan unplugged the phone from the wall.
(Continued in Chapter 2)
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FidoNews 6-42 Page 9 16 Oct 1989
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.
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FidoNews 6-42 Page 12 16 Oct 1989
11 Nov 1989
A new area code forms in northern Illinois at 12:01 am.
Chicago proper will remain area code 312; suburban areas
formerly served with that code will become area code 708.
23 Nov 1989
26th Anniversary of "Dr. Who" - and still going strong
30 Dec 1989
Telephone area codes (5, 3 and 0) are abolished in Hong Kong
If you have something which you would like to see on this
calendar, please send a message to FidoNet node 1:1/1.
Thom Henderson 1:107/583 Chairman of the Board
Les Kooyman 1:204/501 President
Fabian Gordon 1:107/323 Vice President
Bill Bolton 3:3/0 Vice President-Technical Coordinator
Kris Veitch 1:147/30 Secretary
Kris Veitch 1:147/30 Treasurer
IFNA COMMITTEE AND BOARD CHAIRS
Administration and Finance *
Board of Directors (CoB) Thom Henderson 1:107/583
By-laws and Rules John Roberts 1:385/49
Executive Committee (Pres) Les Kooyman 1:204/501
International Affairs *
Membership Services *
Nominations and Elections Steve Bonine 1:1/0
Public Affairs *
Publications Irene Henderson 1:107/9
Technical Standards Rick Moore 1:115/333
Ethics *
Security and Privacy *
Grievances *
* Position awaiting confirmation by appointee.
IFNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DIVISION AT-LARGE
10 Courtney Harris 1:102/732 Don Daniels 1:107/210
11 John Rafuse 1:12/700 Phil Buonomo 1:107/583
12 Bill Bolton 3:711/403 Mark Hawthorne 1:107/238
13 Fabian Gordon 1:107/323 Tom Jennings 1:125/111
14 Ken Kaplan 1:100/22 Irene Henderson 1:107/509
15 Scott Miller 1:128/12 Steve Jordan 1:206/2871
16 Ivan Schaffel 1:141/390 Robert Rudolph 1:261/628
17 Kathi Crockett 1:134/30 Dave Melnik 1:107/233
18 Andrew Adler 1:135/47 Jim Hruby 1:107/536
19 Kris Veitch 1:147/30 Burt Juda 1:107/528
2 Henk Wevers 2:500/1 Karl Schinke 1:107/516
3 Matt Whelan 3:54/99 John Roberts 1:147/14
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FidoNews 6-42 Page 14 16 Oct 1989
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.
