Copyright 1990, Fido Software. All rights reserved. Duplication
and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only.
For use in other circumstances, please contact Fido Software.
FidoNews is published weekly by the System Operators of the
FidoNet (r) International BBS Network. It is a compilation of
individual articles contributed by their authors or authorized
agents of the authors. The contribution of articles to this
compilation does not diminish the rights of the authors.
You are encouraged to submit articles for publication in
FidoNews. Article submission standards are contained in the file
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used with permission.
Opinions expressed in FidoNews articles are those of the authors
and are not necessarily those of the Editor or of Fido Software.
Most articles are unsolicited. Our policy is to publish every
responsible submission received.
Table of Contents
1. EDITORIAL ................................................ 1
2. ARTICLES ................................................. 2
Fight-O-News! ............................................ 2
A View From the Edge ..................................... 4
Long Distance Competition Comes to Canada? ............... 6
MYBEEF.ART ............................................... 8
Networking the U.S.S.R ................................... 10
3. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR .................................... 16
Letter to the Editor ..................................... 16
4. LATEST VERSIONS .......................................... 22
Latest Software Versions ................................. 22
And more!
FidoNews 7-33 Page 1 13 Aug 1990
This week, I gave the whole archiving issue some serious thought.
As usual, I went through the gamut of emotions and kept vacillating
between wanting to write the flame of the century, and just quietly
pulling the plug. All foolish thoughts. I think that's what friends
are for. To help keep foolish thoughts from becoming foolish deeds.
I should probably consult them even more often than I do.
I have pretty much decided what I am going to do vis-a-vis
compression methods for FidoNews. But I'm not up to composing the
entire explanation right now. Besides, between Isaac Aziza and Saddam
Hussein, I think we're busy enough for this week.
On another front, we're trying something different this week. We're
publishing an article that includes a picture. This picture is in GIF
format. The filename syntax I have decided on is based on the current
FidoNews issue and picture number, so the one picture this week will
be named FN073301.GIF, which means the first picture in FidoNews
Volume 7 Number 33.
I don't know how all this is going to work out. It might be the only
time I ever try this. We might find a format other than GIF that
makes more sense for FidoNews. But it seems relatively harmless to
try it once and see what happens. Besides, the story it accompanies
is funny enough anyway!
Cheers,
Vince
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 7-33 Page 2 13 Aug 1990
[Editor's Note: This article was found, in leaflet format, at
the recent Conclave '90 convention. With our usual efficiency,
we located the responsible parties and arranged for permission
to republish it here. After all, why shouldn't those of you who
didn't get to Jersey have to miss out? I hope it goes without
saying that this is all tongue-in-cheek. Please try to take it
that way.]
Fight-O-News!
Volume 1, No. 6 Fidocon '90 Edition August 1, 1990
MORAVSIK TAKES OVER FIGHT-O-NET!!!
----------------------------------
[Photograph in File FN073301.GIF]
Morristown, NJ -- in an unexpected turn of events, Robert J.
Moravsik, an attorney from Morris Plains, NJ has been named
International Coordinator of Fight-O-Net, taking office
immediately, according to wire services. Moravsik replaces
Waylon & Madam as IC, and has already begun work on the tedious
task of restoring control of the network to the general
membership.
In a press conference scheduled for later today, Moravsik is
expected to announce the first phase of his "power monger"
purge, naming several Fight-O-Criminals to face the
excommunication squad. Reliable sources indicate that several
persons have been arrested by the Echomail Police and will face
prosecution for serious socioecho violations committed over the
last several years. Moravsik is also expected to announce the
lifting of the Iron Curtain that has kept most Fight-O-Net
members in New Jersey under the heavy handed rule of the
Deathnet Group Censor.
A Moravsik spokesman, shortly after the IC appointment
announcement, was quoted as saying "It's Bob-O's intention to
liberate Nyet 107, the last bastion of totalitarianist rule in
New Jersey, and possibly in all of Fight-O-Net North America."
Moravsik is expected to announce his new cabinet later in the
week.
FidoNews 7-33 Page 3 13 Aug 1990
SSS WORRIED
-----------
The Secret Sissy's Society (SSS), the governing body of DeathNet,
issued a statement shortly after being informed of the Moravsik
appointment. SSS Spokesthing Lord Dimwit Buonozo the Excessive
stated that no democratic takeover of Fight-O-Net would be
tolerated while the SSS says it's in control. "The appointment of
Moravsik is meaningless. Any attempt at democracy that is not
drafted or at least approved by the SSS will not be permitted and
will not be tolerated. If Moravsik thinks he can have democracy
without our approval, then we'll just have to invent enough nodes
to cast enough votes to vote him out."
When informed of possible opposition by the SSS, the Moravsik
camp simply responded that "excommunicated nodes have no say in
matters that concern the network."
According to insiders, one of the first people to be charged with
serious socioecho violations will be Emperor Fabozo Gordinski.
Gordinski has been charged with doctoring origin lines and node
numbers in order to deceive conference participants. It is not
known at this time if Gordinski is actually in custody.
Moravik's rise to power began with his uncontested election to
the post of Moderator of the SYSOP conference, his hard-hitting
investigation of the ConGate scandal, and his revelation of
echomail profiteering in the network. Once an unwilling member
of the DeathNet regime, Moravsik defected in May of 1989 and
devoted his energies to uncovering rampant abuses, censorship,
and coverups in that organization.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 7-33 Page 4 13 Aug 1990
Preston McMurry
A Sometime Sysop
A View From the Edge
Is it just me, or does it seem like there is a general lack
of tolerance in some echoes? Specifically, the HUMOR echo and
some of the adult echoes. Users seem to take the controversial
nature of those echoes as an license to violate the FidoNet
rule against flaming. Constantly. With great vehemance.
Granted, some people are going to be offended by the very nature
of certain echoes (GAYNEWS, for example). But that is not an
excuse to join an echo just to criticize it. Nor is THAT an
excuse to turn on full afterburners in response. You don't need
to respond to twits. You shouldn't respond to twits.
If you see an attack on something you believe in, or on
someone you like, it is human nature to want to answer the
challenge. Instead, think about whether you really should
reply. If you violently disagree with what you just read,
a reply may not be the best idea ...
Chances are if you don't respond, the twit will not continue
his/her disruption. The only reason twits do twit-like things
is to get attention. Call them 'Terro-twits.' Remember, humor
is the best response. And a string of expletives isn't, despite
what Eddie Murphy might believe, funny.
I can deal with 'terro-twits.' I know what their game is, and I
don't let it bother me. But what really gets me is those folks
who respond to 'terro-twits': They cause the problem to get
blown up out of all proportion to the original damage done and,
in my opinion, are even more annoying than the original dummy
who started the whole fracas.
USERS, if you feel that another user has been 'excessively
annoying,' let your sysop know. S/he can do something about it.
You can't. Especially not by escalating the verbal war. Let the
moderators and sysops handle the twits - it's their job.
SYSOPS, if the twit is on another board, let the twit's home
sysop know - not the whole echo. Try to deal with the problem
at the lowest level possible.
MODERATORS, keep a closer eye on your echoes. If a 'terro-twit'
strikes, don't try to reason with him/her. Just send netmail
to the originating board letting the sysop know that one of
his/her users is being a weenie. If the behavior continues to
occur (and don't forget the inherent delays in echo - there may
still be some twit garbage in the system), cut that board off.
FidoNews 7-33 Page 5 13 Aug 1990
As a user, it bugs me when I have to wade through a single
'terro-twit' incursion, and several dozen indignant responses,
just to get a few on-topic messages. As a sometime sysop, it
costs me.
I now return you to your regularly scheduled newsletter ...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 7-33 Page 6 13 Aug 1990
Jack Decker
1:154/8
LONG DISTANCE COMPETITION COMES TO CANADA?
An article in the August 6, 1990 issue of _Communications Week_
(a U.S. telecommunications industry publication) tells how
Toronto-based Unitel (a company jointly owned by the Canadian
Pacific Railway and Rogers Cable) wants to build a long
distance voice network and link it to the networks of the local
exchange carriers owned and operated by Bell Canada. Of
course, Bell Canada is opposed to this, saying that Canada is
too small in terms of population (25 million as opposed to some
250 million in the U.S.) to support two networks carrying long
distance traffic. Unitel feels that competition would force
Bell Canada to lower its rates and improve its network.
What's interesting and potentially important to Canadian sysops
is one statement in the article: "Unitel ... already competes
with Bell Canada for long distance data traffic."
A previous article, in the January 29, 1990 issue of _Network
World_ (another U.S. telecommunications industry publication)
clarifies the situation: "Although [CNCP Telecommunications,
the predecessor to Unitel] provides some switched services
today on its long-haul, fiber-optic, microwave network, it is
prohibited from dumping switched voice onto the public
network."
Later in the same article: "If CNCP was able to enter the
switched voice market ... the company would follow the same
tack it has taken with facsimile service, which it began
offering in 1989 at prices 25% to 30% below those available
through the public switched network.
"CNCP offers fax service over a network of several Northern
Telecom, Inc. DMS-250 switches, which also handle the
company's private switched voice traffic."
Stop and think about this for a moment... don't fax machines
use plain old ordinary garden variety telephone lines to
communicate with each other? So the question arises, if CNCP
(now Unitel) can handle fax transmissions, why couldn't someone
sign up for that service, then unplug the fax machines, plug in
a couple of telephones, and carry on a conversation at rates
30% below the rates offered by their local phone company?
Well, apparently, the answer is that they could, except that
it's not "legal", and some equipment has been installed to
prevent this. To further quote from the Network World article:
"Users access the fax network by dialing into their local
carriers, which maintain dedicated links to the CNCP long-haul
network. Although this network could be used to transmit
switched voice to the local exchange, CNCP is currently
required to install devices that shut down a circuit if voice
traffic is transmitted for more than a minute."
FidoNews 7-33 Page 7 13 Aug 1990
If I were a Canadian sysop, and were moving any volume of mail
via long distance within Canada, I'd sure want to investigate
the availability and pricing of access to that Unitel fax/data
network. After all, modem tones are modem tones, whether they
come from the modem within a fax machine or the modem attached
to a personal computer. Their network should be able to handle
either one perfectly well. If the folks at Unitel aren't
currently courting personal computer users as customers, it's
probably only because they don't realize that there's a market
out there.
Personally, I live about two miles south of the border, so this
service is of no real use to me. But since most Canadian
sysops probably don't have access to these U.S. publications, I
thought I'd at least pass the word on this.
If you'd like to have competition in voice long distance
traffic as well (and get some of the lower long distance rates
that we in the states have enjoyed for the last few years),
this might be a good time to let the CRTC know about it. The
CRTC has already rejected competition in switched voice
services once, back in 1985, but if you want it now, perhaps
you can convince them that the time is right. In the meantime,
let me know if you have any success in getting your echomail
via Unitel's network, and if the savings are as good as
claimed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 7-33 Page 8 13 Aug 1990
Richard Bash
1:161/357
MY BEEF
Dear whomever:
OK, I read with considerably less than glowing
enthusiasm the comments of the person who wrote the
editorial in FIDO731.NWS. That genius did not leave a name
for all his/her efforts. Perhaps that name is familiar to
more senior SysOps (I have played this Fido game for about
a year). I presume that because there was no name that
he/she decided to hide behind the skirt of obscurity.
So much for the niceties. I have a major beef about
the use of the LZH style archive. Regardless of whatever
possible merits it may have (meaning that it is in the
public domain, it's free to all the cheapos in Fido, etc.),
the LHARC routine and its LZH tag on files archived with it
are anything BUT standard. Look, folks, there are two
standards: ARC and ZIP. If you don't like ARC, go to ZIP.
Another point (you folks'll love this one) is that
LHARC is a Japanese product. Frankly, I'm fed up to my
eyeballs with Japanese products! So, show a little
patriotism and pick an American archiver, for Pete's sake.
All right, you say, this bozo's upset about our
Japanese cousins, doesn't understand the love-hate
relationship the gurus of Fido have with SEA, doesn't
understand that an amatuer network requires a free software
package, and doesn't understand that Phil Katz (author of
the ZIP method of archiving) requires registration.
Wrong on all counts, sweetheart. I am certain there
are far more articulate SysOps out there than this tired,
greying head. Those who are can better phrase this:
frankly, I don't care about your romance or lack of it with
SEA. They seem to be a barrier here, so let's go around
them. Fido should have dropped ARC a zillion years ago in
favor of ZIP. Katz has a good product. Let's use it and
move on. Enough of this LZH nonsense.
Dear leaders of Fido, either ARC the files or ZIP the
files. But do one or the other and do it now, please. No
more surprises. Thanks for your apt attention.
FidoNews 7-33 Page 9 13 Aug 1990
Love and kisses,
Richard Bash
Combat Arms BBS - 1:161/357
2869 Grove Way
Castro Valley, CA 94546
BBS: 415-537-1777
Voice: 415-538-6544
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 7-33 Page 10 13 Aug 1990
Dennis McClain-Furmanski
Fido 1:275/2.1
Networking The Soviet Union
Since the Iron Curtain has been pulling aside, communications
with what was the Eastern Bloc has been on the increase. This
is due to the relaxation of what's called security restrictions
on both sides, and to the interest and commitment of some of the
just plain people involved. Already, there has been a regular
Aeroflot flight scheduled across the Bering Straits to Nome,
Alaska, carrying visitors and mail between newfound friends.
Several Soviet citizens involved in that nation's computer
community have been travelling here regularly for conferences,
and last June held one of their own in Moscow.
The time is right for the opening of the East, and its
introduction into our network. As Fido grew, the idea that it
was for everybody to be able to communicate with everybody else
has been maintained. We are now at the point where we can act to
expand that principle significantly. As they said in "The Six
Million Dollar Man", we have the technology. First, some
background.
I'm the senior editor for an international newsletter for Apple
users called The Road Apple. Last summer, the publisher, Al
Martin of Portland, OR was at an Apple conference in Kansas
City, MO where he met Vladimir Federov of Moscow. Vladimir is
the chief of a Soviet company called LIDAR which produces laser
spectrography equipment for pollution research, that runs on
their Apple //e clone, the Pravetz-82. Last January, Al made a
visit to the Soviet Union to visit LIDAR and the Pravetz
factory, and asked Vladimir to act as our Soviet Union editor.
Vladimir is also part of the International Computer Club in
Moscow, and helped to arrange a conference in Moscow last June
for any hardware and software companies to introduce themselves
to the Soviet marketplace, and make connections with Soviet
outlets so we may import what is produced there. With currency
still not convertable, business arrangements are slow going. But
the personal contacts are booming.
The International Computer Club consists of users of the Soviet
computers, the Apple clone - Pravetz-82, and the IBM clone,
Pravetz-86. (Pravetz is the birthplace of the president of
Bulgaria, where the original computer factory was built. The
number is the year of that model's introduction). There's also
some western computers that have found their way there, and a
domestic CP/M machine, but these are vastly outnumbered by the
Pravetz models.
FidoNews 7-33 Page 11 13 Aug 1990
The Pravetz-86 is given primarily to engineers and scientists,
while the Pravetz-82 is distributed to the schools around the
country, and to the Red Army. (The Red Army's administration
uses a Cyrillic alphabet version of the thrice superseded
AppleWorks 1.3 to take care of things, meaning either that
program is much more powerful that most suppose, or else that we
have little to fear from the Red Army in terms of organization).
There are enough of these machines in use that many people are
familiar enough with them to perform their own modifications,
and to undertake tasks other than what were originally planned
for the machine. As yet, the machines are not available for
private ownership, but that may change along with everything
else, and there are enough of them installed and used for
hobbyists to have access at the workplace.
Those hobbyists have banded together, and are taking every step
they can to expand their computing horizons beyond their
national borders. I propose that the time is right for us to
reach towards an already outstretched hand, and offer our
expertise and especially our existing software, so that we can
form a bond with these fellow computerists.
To accomplish the extension of the network to the Soviet Union,
we first of all need to transfer software to them. Since there
is no Apple compatible Fidonet software available (I'm working
on rewriting PUPPY, with Tom Jenning's blessings, but it's slow
going) they would need to have MS-DOS compatible versions of
BBSs, mailers and FOSSILS. All of their computers use 5.25 inch
drives, the IBM compat drives being 360 K only.
I have already sent them a series of disks from a local sysop,
with the complete Technical Standards and Policy statements,
Remote Access, X00 and Front Door. The SPACE Echo moderator, Bev
Freed, has offered to send me a complete version of OPUS. What
I would ask of the members of this network is that they send
complete working copies (unconfigured, of course) of the
available software of all sorts, so that it can be transferred
to them for use. Also, any technical assistance and advice that
can be written down and passed along would be appreciated.
To get this to them, couriers must be used. The Soviet postal
systems has taken it upon themselves to protect the Motherland
from subversive elements, by promptly losing packages containing
disks, or X-raying them into oblivion. Hand carrying them is
allowed, and no problems have been encountered with Soviet
customs over bringing disks into the country. Security
restrictions have been lifted, but only in person it seems.
Micromanagement appears to be an international concept.
To get this software to them, then, I would ask everybody
interested in participating to send the disks to me. I am in
contact through business and hobby with several people who make
trips between us, from either origin. I can arrange for the
packages to be at the appropriate place for delivery to the
person who will in turn get them to Moscow. This is STRICTLY due
to the problem with the postal service there, and not to any
FidoNews 7-33 Page 12 13 Aug 1990
security situation. Baggage is often checked, as many of the
people who make the trip can attest. They can also attest that
they have no questions asked of them by customs concerning the
content of the disks. Besides, I'm not asking for anything that
isn't available publically already. If the KGB wanted it, they
would have logged on to our systems long ago and downloaded it.
Shareware fees are somewhat of a problem. Since the currency
isn't convertable from the Soviet Union (in fact even *within*
the Soviet Union) payment arrangements are tough. The I.C.C. is
dedicated to honoring all copyrights and fees for software, as
opposed to most of the rest of the USSR, since there's no
copyright adherence agreement between them and anyone. I can't
speak for the I.C.C., but I do know that they would try to make
any arrangement possible with software authors. I will go out on
a limb, and request that in the interest of this project,
shareware fees be forsaken. This would of course be entirely
voluntary, but this is after all a good will gesture. Please
consider it. If you can figure out how to create a trade
agreement with them, I'm certain it will be honored. Money
saide, copyrights and anti-piracy measures are strictly enforced
by the I.C.C.
Lest someone get the idea that this is a (not so) clever ruse to
obtain software for my own use, let me state that my own MS-DOS
compatibility is in the form of a daughterboard in my Apple
IIgs, called a PC/Transporter. It has no BIOS, but only a
translator program to allow the Apple side to take care of all
the details. I do not have the ability to run *any* FOSSIL, so
this software will do me absolutely no good. If I could run
something myself, would I be rewriting PUPPY for the Apple? If
you wish, sealed packages with description on the outside can be
sent. I have no intention of opening or inspecting any package
addressed to them.
(A thought occurs to me here, that this would be the optimal
time to create a network library of the available software. If
there's enough response, it could be started at this time. Y'all
decide that.)
Once sufficient software is in the hands of the people from the
I.C.C., they can go to work building a network of their own, and
learning what is necessary to keep it running. From what I've
seen of their work, that will take nearly no time at all.
The next step, of course, will be for the net to make the
arrangements as to where they will fit in. I.E., will they be an
extension to Zone 2? (Unlikely. Ground line communications in
the U.S.S.R. is notoriously bad. Calling out to western Europe
probably won't work). Will they be a Zone of their own? What is
needed here is (1) educating them as to how to work with a gate,
and (2) setting one up on this end. These details are beyond my
humble comprehension, being a mere User and Moderator. I defer to
the FidoPowers to forge this concept. [Sorry, I didn't finish
this in time for the New Jersey meeting. I trust you all found
enough to argue about anyway. ;) ].
FidoNews 7-33 Page 13 13 Aug 1990
With the administration of the network connection decided, the
final step will be to create a stable and consistent network
signal feed. There's been some investigation done along these
lines. I've been working with NASA on a volunteer basis, trying
to arrange network access information for all the schools
involved in the S.E.E.D.S. project (the tomato seed growth
experiment with seeds kept on the Long Duration Exposure
Facility satellite for 6.5 years), and the Video Teleconference
project. Our plans are to augment these projects with
information on how to access the net, and therefore the SPACE
Echo, so that participants, children, educators, scientists,
administrators and astronauts/cosmonauts alike, can carry on
follow-up conversations pertaining to the subjects they're
involved in.
The SPACE Echo moderator, Bev Freed, has already agreed to offer
her services to administrate the traffic through her National
Space Society BBS (1:129/104). Tom Jennings has given his
copyright release for the public distribution of NODELIST
divided up into area codes (contingent on the concurrent
availability of the unaltered NODELIST), for the use by the
schools to find their nearest available nodes. NASA has been
deeply interested in the project, to the point of assigning a
representative of the Educational Services division at Langely
Research Center to act as point of contact. NASA Administrator
Admiral Richard Truly has expressed personal interest in this
project, and requested a synopsis of the structure and operation
of Fidonet, which I subsequently provided.
The majority, but not the entirety, of my involvement of this
project has been altrusitic. One of the Video Teleconference
projects was to be a link between Johnson Space Center and
Moscow, to reunite the Apollo-Soyuz cosmonauts and astronauts.
There was talk of including computer communications with this,
and subsequent conferences. It occured to me that if they can
make it happen whne they want to, then perhaps with enough
reason, they would maintain one measley voice channel over their
satellite network for an hour a night, so that all of us might
benefit from the connection. To this end, I'm still working on
the project, and doing my best to give NASA reason for gratidue
enough to do this.
An alternate technology that could be used is amateur
packet-switched radio. Although I've been given contacts to
discuss this with, I've not yet persued it. It's a more likely
channel to work out for the connection, but I have a personal
habit of persuing the pipe dreams first. They're more imbued
with "neatism" when they work out.
What I am proposing then, is a three part involvement in this
project by the members of Fidonet.
FidoNews 7-33 Page 14 13 Aug 1990
(1) Collection and shipping of software to the Soviet Union,
specifically the International Computer Club, that will give
them the ability to form a network, with the expressed intention
of joining Fidonet. As I am already involved doing this, I
offer my services as the collection and distribution center.
Other offers of people heading over there, to carry software to
the I.C.C., would be gratefully accepted. The point is to get it
there, not who is to do it.
(2) Network arrangement as necessary to link the Soviet Union's
net into our own. You've done it before, although the process is
beyond me. You can do it again.
(3) Electronic communication to be established by whatever means
available, with a signal to noise ratio able to handle modem
quality transmission, and with a consistency to allow regular
network mail. I have some ideas and running projects, and am
quite open to any suggestions and/or offers on this matter.
The final message I have is to answer those who might ask why
I'm doing this, and what my underlying concerns are. The answer
is very simple.
World peace.
I figure that if enough just plain old citizens become friends,
and learn to communicate with each other, then ultimately, their
respective governments will do the same. The sooner we do this,
the sooner it will come about. Sure, it's a corny reason to
some. This is what happens when a hippie grows up, but doesn't
grow out of it. If my intentions are still suspect, then by all
means, question them. Even cut me off for being excessively
idealistic and weird. But if you do, please, somebody carry out
this project. The means is unimportant. The end is very
important. Don't confuse the government with the people.
Fidonet has always been for the people to communicate through.
We have a power to change things that's not often considered,
since it's very much a background operation.
Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, the most
successful self-help organization in the world, once said "No
group will ever change the world by setting out to do so. If
there is any hope for our troubled world, it will be from those
groups who merely give each of us the ability to change our own
little part of it." We can change our own little part of it. We
already have. Let's help some others change their own little
part of it, and join with our part. We've nothing to gain,
except friends.
Dennis McClain-Furmanski
Moderator, APPLE Echo, and Computer Hippie
1:275/2.1
1:275/32 (netmail)
2565 Shore Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
FidoNews 7-33 Page 15 13 Aug 1990
(804) 496-3839 (voice)
Al Martin, Publisher
The Road Apple
1121 NE 177th
Portland, OR 97230
(503) 254-3874
International Computer Club, and Vladimir Federov:
103813, Moscow, Centre, CCCP
PROEZD Serova, 4
"ZNANIE" Building
V. Federov / ICC - A2 LINK
USSR
Phone Moscow, 921-0902, Fax 1500 to 0500 Greenwich Mean Time
voice at other times.
Telex, 411630 (prefered).
A SASE will get you an I.C.C. brochure. Snail mail is
notoriously slow.
My thanks to Bev Freed, George Peace and Tom Jennings for all
the assistance and encouragement I've received.
Peace.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 7-33 Page 16 13 Aug 1990
=================================================================
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
=================================================================
Jack Decker
1:154/8
Letter to the Editor:
This is my response to Steve Bonine's "Letter to the Editor"
regarding the use of LHARC as a compression method for
FidoNews. Normally, I would not jump on someone who's only
expressing their opinion, even if I disagree. But for some odd
reason, Steve felt the need to drag my name into the issue by
making the comment: "Considering the content, I was led to
wonder why Jack Decker had been asked to write a guest
editorial for FidoNews."
Now, it should be fairly obvious to anyone who knows anything
about FidoNews that I had nothing to do with that editorial.
For one thing, the writer begins the article by saying, "Vince
foolishly keeps handing me the keys to FidoNews." I can think
of a few people that Vince might hand the "keys to FidoNews"
to, but somehow I doubt that I'm one of them. For another
thing, the writer later goes on to say: "Systems requesting
FidoNews, FNews*.Arc, or anything similar WILL have their
requests honored, but with LHArc flavored files. If this means
my system will no longer be listed as 1/1, so be it. There's
nothing special about having a 1/ listing; it's actually a pain
in the butt, done only because someone I respect greatly
asked." Now Steve knows that I am not now and never have been
listed as 1/1. In fact, if you look in the nodelist for the
listing for 1/1, and then do a search for the same phone number
elsewhere in the nodelist, you quickly discover that this node
is operated by Randall Greylock.
For some reason, Steve Bonine seems to feel the need to drag my
name into conversations that I'm not participating in, and that
have nothing to do with me. He made a rather nasty (and
totally uncalled-for) crack about me in the REGION11 conference
shortly after he stepped down as ZC, and was rather roundly
castigated for it by other participants of the echo. On the
other hand, it's true that I have been a rather outspoken
proponent of using a more efficient archiving method than ARC,
first for echomail and then for FidoNews and the Nodediffs, so
perhaps this comment was intended as sort of a backhanded
compliment. Or maybe it's just that Steve and I rarely agreed
on anything, but more often that not, the opinions of the
"fellow sysops" that Steve seems so concerned about (so
concerned that he would keep sticking them with higher phone
bills than are really necessary by forcing everyone to keep
shipping stuff around that has been compressed with ARC) tended
to side with my opinions rather than his (it was a close call
sometimes, but I think Steve's opinions were more
representative of the old-line Fidonet power structure than of
the "average sysop").
FidoNews 7-33 Page 17 13 Aug 1990
Much as I hate to under the circumstances, I do have to agree
with Steve that it would have been nice to have at least one
week's warning that a change was coming. My batch file was
"broken" by the change, too. On the other hand, this was one
time when I was happy to have to fix my batch file! It's now
set up to receive and process FidoNews in LHARC format, and I
have no desire to change it back to using ARC.
Steve make the comment: "I was amazed, upon reading the
editorial, to find that I had been forced to use products of
SEA. Silly me! All these years I've been unpacking FidoNews
using non-SEA products, and that was wrong!" Well, in
re-reading the editorial I didn't find any statement saying
that anyone had been forced to use a SEA product. What I do
find is a statement that the creators of ARC are making
statements to the effect that ARC has become "the industry
standard." I disagree with that notion, since many sysops have
abandoned ARC for newer, better, and (in some cases) more
freely-available compressors. If ARC is making the claim to
being "the industry standard" in part because it's still seen
as the "official" compression method for Fidonet, then I feel
it is our duty to stop showing favoritism to the products of
one company when most of the sysops in Fidonet rarely use ARC
for any reason other than to unARC FidoNews and Nodediffs.
Please note carefully: I have been accused in the past of
being anti-SEA. I am NOT. In fact, I wish that the latest
version of GroupMail (which overcomes most of the deficiencies
of earlier versions) was more widely used in Fidonet. I just
happen to feel that Fidonet should not be lending "official
support" to the products of any one company over that of
another.
Steve concludes with: "I can remember when the editor of
FidoNews CARED about FidoNet." That's a cheap shot. Actually,
I think the editor of FidoNews cares a lot about Fidonet. He
cares enough to be part of a team that has released one of the
finest pieces of software available in Fidonet (BinkleyTerm), a
program that is superior to some of the commercial programs,
and has made it freely available, without requesting any
payment at all from non-commercial users. I think that shows
that he cares plenty about Fidonet. What software have you
given to the net, Steve? What have you ever done for the net
besides trying to find new and creative ways to kick people out
of it? (Okay, that's MY cheap shot for the day... but from my
vantage point, it was very true that Steve expended far more
energy trying to get certain people, me especially, kicked out
of the net than he ever spent in giving anything to the net as
a whole. I understand that he has some ardent supporters
within Net 115, but relatively few outside that net. Of
course, one could always take the view that anyone who was not
a supporter of Steve probably didn't last long in Net 115.
Steve was one of the most vocal proponents of keeping
geographic restrictions in Fidonet, and I still have to wonder
why).
FidoNews 7-33 Page 18 13 Aug 1990
I would like to conclude this article with the letter that I
sent to Randall Greylock on this issue:
Message #123, Area "NetMail"
From: Jack Decker
To: Randall Greylock Tue 07 Aug 90 10:52
Subject: FidoNews compression
cc: Vince Perriello 132/491
cc: George Peace 270/101
I just wanted to let you know that I for one very much
appreciate the fact that you have started using LHARC for
compression of FidoNews. I feel that it is highly appropriate
to do this for three reasons:
1) LHARC is about as close to a public domain product as you
can get, and is therefore highly suitable for use in an amateur
communications network,
2) LHARC compresses much better than ARC, and is sometimes even
better than ZIP (especially on text-based files), thus saving
everyone money on transfer times,
3) LHARC decompressors are available for just about every type
of computer for which Fidonet-compatible software is available,
due to the wide availability of source code.
I know that you know all of the above (indeed, I think you made
essentially the same points in your editorial) but it bears
repeating. Besides all of that, the fact is that the ONLY
reason that many sysops even keep a copy of ARC around anymore
is to have the ability to decompress fidonet-related files and
the OCCASIONAL ARC file that a user may upload (which is often
promptly converted to some other format, such as LZH, ZIP, or
PAK).
It's also worth pointing out that many of us had to change our
batch files to accommodate the .LZH format FidoNews... I did
not mind doing that a bit, since I realize the savings
involved! But if I have to change my batch files to go back
and handle FidoNews in the inefficient ARC format again, I
don't think I'll bother.
I would truly like to see the NODEDIFF's distributed in .LZH
format also. I think the time has come to make this change,
which would probably collectively save the sysops of Fidonet
several hundred dollars each year.
You will probably get a few complaints from those who basically
say "but we've never done it this way." Please ignore them.
If Fidonet had never changed, we'd still all be using 1200 bps
modems, XMODEM derivatives for file transfers, and ARC only for
compression of echomail (hardly any major echomail distributor
uses ARC as the primary compression method anymore). In the
near future I suspect we will be looking at a new nodelist
FidoNews 7-33 Page 19 13 Aug 1990
format, a new format for message packets, and other changes
that will make Fidonet more efficient (and give it greater
ability to interconnect with other networks). The only things
that don't change are DEAD. The change to the use of a more
efficient compression method for FidoNews and Nodediffs is LONG
overdue, and I'm glad to see that you've taken this initiative.
THANK YOU!
Jack
[end of copied message]
One afterthought... here's a suggestion for Fidonews: It would
be nice if there were a piece of software running on 1:1/1 that
could scan the netmail area for messages starting with a
certain keyword sequence, and if such a message is found,
convert the text of the message to an article file. For
example, if the message started with the line:
ARTICLE: MYTEXT.ART
...and ended with the line:
ARTICLE END
...then the text found between those keywords would be
converted to an article file for Fidonews! This would make
submission of short articles much easier for some (especially
those in other Zones, who may be reluctant to attempt a file
attach to 1:1/1), since it would allow those short articles to
be submitted via netmail. I don't know if Vince or Randall
would be open to using such a piece of software, though... what
do you think, guys?
[Editor's Response:
I find myself in the interesting situation of agreeing with you.
Harry thinks that's about the funniest thing that has happened
to me this year. Maybe he's right.
I do have two comments to make on your message, however. I think
that you slammed Steve just a trifle harder than was necessary,
and I believe that, in retrospect, his time at the helm in Zone
1 was about as good as it could have been. I see no need to spit
on his grave now. We can wait and see how it all looks in about
a year, when it's easier to look at his tenure in the proper
perspective. Maybe you'll be surprised at how you feel then.
As for your submission idea, Send Code <chuckle>.]
FidoNews 7-33 Page 20 13 Aug 1990
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 7-33 Page 21 13 Aug 1990
From: Bob Beilstein of 260/369.0
To: Vince Perriello of 1/1.0
Subj: Please don't change things yet AGAIN (please?)!
I just read your Fidonews editorial, Vince.
While I was NOT happy with the change to LHARC, I would be even
less happy with having to change my batch files yet again!
I really hope you will just leave things as they now are, and
continue to use LHARC.
I just wish the nodelist came LHARC'ed!
/ Bob
[Thanks for the support. We'll have an editorial next week in
which we'll announce our decision. -- Vince]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 7-33 Page 22 13 Aug 1990
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 7-33 Page 25 13 Aug 1990
17 Aug 1990
Start of first ever Searchlight SysOps convention in Chicago, IL.
Contact Marge Robbins at 1:283/120 for details.
5 Oct 1990
21st Anniversary of "Monty Python's Flying Circus"
6 Nov 1990
First anniversary of Van Diepen Automatiseert, 2:500/28
14 Nov 1990
Marco Maccaferri's 21rd Birthday. Send greetings to him at
2:332/16.0
1 Jan 1991
Implementation of 7% Goods and Services Tax in Canada. Contact
Joe Lindstrom at 1:134/55 for a more colorful description.
16 Feb 1991
Fifth anniversary of the introduction of Echomail, by Jeff Rush.
7 Oct 1991
Area code 415 fragments. Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
will begin using area code 510. This includes Oakland,
Concord, Berkeley and Hayward. San Francisco, San Mateo,
Marin, parts of Santa Clara County, and the San Francisco Bay
Islands will retain area code 415.
1 Feb 1992
Area code 213 fragments. Western, coastal, southern and
eastern portions of Los Angeles County will begin using area
code 310. This includes Los Angeles International Airport,
West Los Angeles, San Pedro and Whittier. Downtown Los
Angeles and surrounding communities (such as Hollywood and
Montebello) will retain area code 213.
1 Dec 1993
Tenth anniversary of Fido Version 1 release.
5 Jun 1997
David Dodell's 40th Birthday
If you have something which you would like to see on this
calendar, please send a message to FidoNet node 1:1/1.
The Arizona Civil Liberties Union, an affiliate of the national
ACLU, sponsors the new CIVLIB echo. Focusing on the Constitution
and Bill of Rights, CIVLIB is a no-holds barred forum for
conservative and liberal viewpoints on subjects including, but
not limited to abortion, gun control, free speech, separation of
church and state, capital punishment, privacy rights, search and
seizure, drug laws, victimless crime, and more.
CIVLIB is moderated by Arizona Attorney Bob Hirschfeld, and is
distributed (until it achieves backbone status) by direct poll
of NCM BBS 1:114/74, HST, 24 hrs/day.
(AzCLU BBS, (602) 271 9357 evenings/weekends only, operates as
point 74.6 from NCM BBS; therefore please send all inquiries,
netmail and Areafix requests regarding CIVLIB to moderator/Sysop
Bob Hirschfeld at the distributing node, 1:114/74.)
The new VFALSAC Echo focuses on the growing phenomenon of false
allegations of child abuse, especially in the context of
domestic relations custody battles. Subjects include the
McMartin preschool case, the Elizabeth Morgan/ Eric Foretich
matter, excessive actions by Child Protective Services, whether
"children never lie about molestation", the SAID Syndrome
(Sexual Allegations In Divorce), etc.
While not directly connected with the nationwide VOCAL
organization (Victims of Child Abuse Laws), VFALSAC deals with
most of the issues addressed at VOCAL meetings.
This is NOT an echo condoning actual child abuse; rather it
seeks to enlighten and inform about the horror of innocent
persons being FALSELY accused of physical or sexual abuse.
VFALSAC is distributed via direct poll from NCM BBS, 1:114/74,
HST. Please address netmail inquiries, Areafix requests, etc. to
Sysop/Moderator Bob Hirschfeld.
