Volume 7, Number 52 24 December 1990
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Editor in Chief: Vince Perriello
Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell
Chief Procrastinator Emeritus: Tom Jennings
Copyright 1990, Fido Software. All rights reserved. Duplication
and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only.
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FidoNews is published weekly by and for the Members of the
FidoNet (r) International Amateur Electronic Mail System. It is
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Most articles are unsolicited. Our policy is to publish every
responsible submission received.
Table of Contents
1. ARTICLES ................................................. 1
Math Co-processor Options ................................ 1
Aviculturists Wanted! .................................... 9
Some More about the 'GhostNET' Echo ...................... 10
PUBNET -- New Organization for Computer Publishing ....... 11
The Respectable SysOps Guide ............................. 12
NewStyle Packets ......................................... 15
2. COLUMNS .................................................. 25
The Captain's Log: Stardate Christmas 1990 ............... 25
3. LATEST VERSIONS .......................................... 27
Latest Software Versions ................................. 27
And more!
FidoNews 7-52 Page 1 24 Dec 1990
=================================================================
ARTICLES
=================================================================
MATH CO-PROCESSOR OPTIONS
by Dave Appel, USPA license # C-20451
Just a dumb ascii user on 1:231/30
C:\INTRO\MATH
Here is a list of "things you should know" about upgrading
your IBM or clone computer. I am going to focus on upgrading
with a numeric co-processor, a math chip. And, whether or not
you really need to upgrade to the latest 80486 system even if
you think you are maxed out on your 33 Mhz 80386.
Even if you are familiar with the 80x87 series read on. Now
there are alternative clone chips. One of these alternatives may
just save you the expense of upgrading your whole motherboard or
system.
The thing that got me interested in this topic was a July
1990 Byte article reviewing two 25 Mhz 486 systems. The big news
is that a 25 Mhz 486 CPU is no faster than a 33 Mhz 386 CPU. The
only benefit that you get for spending thousands of extra
dollars for the 486 system is that the 486's built-in floating
point unit (FPU) is about twice as fast as the 33 Mhz 80387
(that you can add to your 386 system for about $550 to $600.)
If you are maxed out with your current 80x86/80x87
combination you have several alternatives besides upgrading to a
faster motherboard or even the 486 system. Now that I've told
you what my thesis is, let me back up a bit and explain the
basics.
C:\BASIC\MATH
A "numeric co-processor" or "math chip" is an integrated
circuit chip that you can plug into your motherboard. Its sole
purpose is to speed up numeric calculations. This chip does
calculations which would otherwise be done with software running
on the CPU chip itself.
Numeric co-processors only benefit a small number of users
because there are two conditions that must be met in order for
these chips to make a difference. One is that a good portion of
your computer time is spent doing mathematical calculations. The
second is that the software doing these calculations must be
smart enough to detect the presence of a co-processor and use
it.
Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs such as AutoCad
usually require a co-processor in order to get anywhere near
acceptable response time. Lotus 1-2-3, QuickBasic, PageMaker and
Ventura are other common programs that can take advantage of the
co-processor. (Ventura and PageMaker only take advantage of it
when printing graphics.)
FidoNews 7-52 Page 2 24 Dec 1990
If you are running one of these programs, and you can
ascertain that the program is "compute-bound" as opposed to
"I/O-bound" (such determination is a whole science unto itself)
then ask yourself if the computations are "number crunching" or
"character crunching." If your application is compute-bound
while doing mostly numeric calculations, then adding a numeric
co-processor or upgrading to a faster alternative co-processor
will allow your programs to run much faster. If you are compute-
bound, but the application is just moving data around and not
doing actual numeric calculations then a co-processor will NOT
make it run faster.
One application where a co-processor is useless is a
dedicated file-server. Although the 80486 CPU is now touted
as "ideal" for file-servers, it is a waste of money for such an
application. The extra money you spend for the 80486 is better
spent on faster disk drives or more memory for buffers. File-
servers don't use the floating point unit.
The claim to fame of the Intel 80486 CPU chip is that it
has the numeric co-processor built-in. You don't need to add
one. If you have an 8088, or an 80286 or an 80386, there is
probably an empty chip socket on your computer's motherboard
where you could plug in the co-processor. The part number of the
co-processor depends on the part number of your CPU. The price
depends on the speed (Mhz rating) and the chip maker.
CPU NUMERIC PRICE RANGE(depends on speed)
CO-PROCESSOR
8088 8087 $ 80-$150
80286 80287 $170-$250 (AMD's=$99)
80386 80387 $280-$600
80386SX 80387SX $280-$400
80486 built into CPU chip
In addition to matching the part number, you also have to
match the speed. If you have a 10 Mhz 80286, you need a 10 Mhz
80827. If you have a 12 Mhz 80286, you need a 12 Mhz 80287. If
you have a 16 Mhz 80386 you need a 16 Mhz 80387, etc. (Assuming
you "need" one in the first place). If you have a 10 Mhz 80286
CPU and a 10 Mhz 80287 co-processor just swapping out one of
these 10 Mhz chips and replacing it with a 12 Mhz chip won't do
you any good. The timing controls are in the motherboard itself.
Adjusting the timing controls won't do any good either, because
the other chips on the motherboard are matched to the timing
too. (This is akin to those who think that swapping their 120 ns
memory chips with 80 ns chips will speed up their system. It
just doesn't work that way.)
C:\NEW\MATH
There are five options for those who would benefit from adding a
co-processor (compute-bound doing numeric calculations). They
are:
FidoNews 7-52 Page 3 24 Dec 1990
Vendor Parts
------ -----
Intel 8087, 80287(-XL(T)), 80387, 80387SX
IIT 80287, 80387, and 80387SX replacements
Cyrix 80387 and 80387SX replacements
AMD 80287 replacement
Weitek non-80x87-compatible co-processors for 386 & 486
Intel, IIT, AMD, and Cyrix co-processors can plug right
into the socket on your motherboard. Just be sure to choose the
part number and speed that corresponds to your CPU. The Cyrix
and IIT chips are about 2 to 3 times faster than their
corresponding Intel part.
Intel recently replaced their original 80827 chips with the
newer 80287-XL and 80287-XLT. They claim the 80287-XL is 50%
faster than the original 80287 of the same Mhz rating. But the
IIT chip is still faster. The 80287-XL will work with any 80286
CPU up to 12 Mhz.
According to Byte benchmarks, the AMD chip is slower than
the Intel chip but only 1/2 the cost. The AMD chip is plastic,
wheareas the other makers use ceramic chips.
The Cyrix and IIT co-processors are also slightly less
expensive depending on where you buy them.
In addition to being "pin compatible," the Cyrix, AMD, and
IIT chips are "code compatible" with the Intel chip. Your
hardware and software cannot tell them apart. Just plug them in
and go.
It's the same as the clone philosophy of marketing. You
have to be better and cheaper than the "big guy" in order to get
market share. Interesting side note: Intel didn't start
agressively advertising their numeric co-processors until IIT
and Cyrix came on the scene. Amazing what a little competition
will do.
If you already have an Intel 80x87 chip, then switching to
either the IIT or the Cyrix equivalent might get you the extra
number crunching power you need. This could save you the cost of
upgrading to a faster motherboard or a whole new system.
There are several "gotchas" here.
Gotcha #1: Intel somehow fixed or boosted their 33 Mhz
version of the 80387. While the Cyrix chip is at least twice as
fast as the Intel chip in the 16, 20, and 25 Mhz versions, the
33 Mhz version of the Cyrix is only marginally better than the
33 Mhz version of the Intel chip.
But... the 33 Mhz Cyrix is still 2.5 times as fast as the
33 Mhz Intel 80387 when doing transcendental functions such as
sine, cosine, etc. This makes it a rough equivalent of the 80486
at this specific type of calculation.
Gotcha #2: The Cyrix chip has a 90 bit internal
architecture whereas the Intel chip has an 80 bit internal
architecture. This means that on certain intensive double-
precision calculations, the Cyrix chip is SLIGHTLY more precise,
or better, than the Intel chip. Cross-machine consistency may be
more important to you than unnecessary extra precision. It is
possible that after thousands of iterations, the Cyrix will give
a result that is more precise than the Intel's result. Both
chips are IEEE compatible and give "accurate" results, but "more
FidoNews 7-52 Page 4 24 Dec 1990
precise" is still different.
Sidenote: This is the issue on which Intel charged that the
Cyrix chip is "not Intel compatible." This was a cheap shot
since the Cyrix chip is better in this regard.
But... very few applications require the precision where
the difference would be notable. Single-precision and most
double-precision calculations would not be affected at all.
So, if cross-machine conformity is an issue, and you
already have one vendor's co-processor installed on some
machines, you might want to stick with that vendor on others. If
you only have one machine, or haven't installed any co-
processors on your machines yet, or are going to upgrade all of
them at once, the Cyrix or IIT is still more bang for your buck.
Gotcha #3: This applies to all co-processors including
Intel. When motherboard manufacturers test their boards prior to
shipping, almost all of them neglect to test the co-processor
socket. This is probably because no motherboards are shipped
from the manufacturer with a co-processor already installed.
This results in some being shipped with defective sockets or
socket wiring. You might insert your co-processor chip and think
it is the fault of the chip if it doesn't work. It could be the
fault of the socket, its wiring, or the motherboard. One vendor,
Microway, offers a diagnostic program to help you pinpoint the
problem. Their address is at the end of the article.
Gotcha #4: Intel did not ship the 80387 co-processor at the
same time as the first 80386 CPUs. Therefore, manufacturers
equipped their first 80386 motherboards with an 80287 socket
instead of, or in addition to, the 80387 socket. The 80287 is
NOT pin compatible with the 80387. They require different size
sockets.
If you are going to add a co-processor to a 386 purchased
in 1988 or earlier, check the motherboard specifications before
making a purchase. It might even be a good idea to open the box
and inspect the motherboard to visually verify what kind of co-
processor socket is there.
An 80287 socket is rectangular and has holes for 40 pins in
2 rows of 20. An 80387 socket is square with round holes for 68
pins. It has 2 rows of holes on all four sides. A Weitek 3167
socket is square with round holes for 121 pins. It has 3 rows of
holes on all four sides, with one extra hole on an inside
corner. The co-processor socket is usually located adjacent to
the CPU chip.
Gotcha #5: Some of the very latest 286 laptop computers
don't use the 40-pin socket for the 80287. Some, such as the
Compaq 286/LTE and the Tandy 2800, use a square socket called a
PLCC. Intel's 80287-XLT is the only math chip currently made for
these sockets.
Gotcha #6: Some motherboards drive the co-processor at a
different clock rate than the CPU. It will be either the same
clock rate as the CPU, or a certain fraction of the CPU clock.
Some motherboards have jumper settings to determine the co-
processor clock rate. My ATTAK brand motherboard drives the CPU
at 10 Mhz. But I can jumper it to drive the co-processor at
either 10 or 6.66 Mhz.
FidoNews 7-52 Page 5 24 Dec 1990
If your motherboard uses one of the 16 or 20 Mhz 286 chips
from Harris or AMD, be sure to check the speed at which the co-
processor is driven, and if it is jumper-selectable. For
instance, JADO brand motherboards can drive the CPU at 20 Mhz
while driving the co-processor at jumper-selectable rates from 8
to 20 Mhz. IIT is the only manufacturer I could find that makes
a 20 Mhz 80287 compatible chip.
C:\ADVANCED\MATH
The Weitek co-processor is a unique and popular chip. It
has a dual 32 bit and 64 bit internal architecture. This makes
it much faster than the other co-processors. It is slightly less
accurate at double-precision than either the Intel or Cyrix. It
is still IEEE compatible, but just "different." Again, only the
pickiest of scientific applications need precision beyond what
the Weitek provides.
The Weitek chip is about twice the cost of the Intel chip
at each Mhz rating. But, it is even faster than the Cyrix and
IIT chips. It is 3 to 5 times faster than the 80387 of the same
Mhz rating. And here is the kicker, the 33 Mhz Weitek 3167,
coupled to the 80386, is FASTER than the 80486's internal FPU on
everything except double-precision matrix (vector) calculations.
The manufacturer claims that a Weitek 3167 coupled to a
80386 provides the floating point speed of DEC VAX 8650. If the
internal floating point unit (FPU) on the 80486, or the
80386/Weitek combination is still not enough power for you, you
could add the Weitek 4167 chip to a 486 system. The Weitek 4167,
coupled with the 80486, more than doubles the floating point
speed of the 80486 alone. (The Whetstone rating for the Weitek
4167 equals the speed of many of today's mainframes.)
The Weitek chips have their own gotchas.
Gotcha #1: The Weitek chips are NOT "pin compatible" with
the Intel co-processor chips. Most motherboard manufacturers
are now putting "Weitek sockets" on their motherboards in
addition to 80387 co-processor sockets. Acer, ALR, AST, AT&T,
Compaq, CompuAdd, Convergent, Dell, Everex, HP, NCR, Packard
Bell, Sun, Tandy, Wyse, and Zenith are some that provide this
feature. If you are buying a new computer system for number
crunching, this may be a feature you should consider.
Gotcha #2: The Weitek chip is NOT "code compatible" with
the Intel 80x87 chips. In order to get the screaming speed into
this chip Weitek had to change both its electrical interface
(hence the need for a separate socket) and the software
interface.
Like all the other "gotchas," this one also has a "but." A
growing number of software packages, that are popular among
users needing number crunching power, have Weitek compatibility.
CADKEY 3, Vericut, ANVIL-5000pc, CADMAX, VersaCAD/386, AT&T
Unix, 386/ix, SCO Unix, Phar Lap Virtual Memory Manager, Eclipse
Dos Extender OS/386, are some that are Weitek Compatible.
Microway also makes Fortran, C, and Pascal compilers, graphics
applications, and Math/Stat applications that support the Weitek
chip.
FidoNews 7-52 Page 6 24 Dec 1990
C:\OTHER\STUFF
If you are going to do a lot of number crunching, your
system has to get those numbers to the co-processor before they
can be crunched. Many factors go into the overall system speed
besides the Mhz rating of the CPU.
The major factors besides the CPU are the disk and main
memory. ESDI and SCSI disks are faster than MFM and RLL.
Controllers that support 1:1 interleaving (full track buffering)
are faster than controllers that are 2:1. Look for these
features when building a system for speed.
Memory on the motherboard is accessed a lot faster than
memory on an expansion card. Look for a motherboard that has the
capacity for all the memory that you expect to need. The amount
of memory supported directly on the motherboard varies a great
deal from one manufacturer to another. Memory on an expansion
board can take 2 to 4 extra cycles to read.
"Cache memory," "0 wait state memory," or "system cache" is
another feature to look for. This is not to be confused with
disk caching. Disk caching is performed by software, and buffers
data between the disk and main memory. "System cache" or "0 wait
state cache" is a special kind of memory that buffers code and
data between main memory (DRAM) and the CPU. This kind of cache
is implemented in hardware right on the motherboard. It has
nothing to do with disk caching or the disk controller.
CPUs are so much faster than dynamic ram (DRAM) memory that
"wait states" are used. This has the effect of throttling down
the CPU. Benchmarks published elsewhere have amply demonstrated
that systems with cache memory are considerably faster than
systems without cache memory when everthing else is equal.
System cache overcomes the problem of slow DRAM slowing
down the CPU. 80386 systems rated at 20 Mhz and up usually come
with some kind of cache. Common denominations are 32K, 64K, and
128K. The more main memory you have, the larger you want your
cache. To build a faster system, go with the largest cache
option. CPUs rated at 25 Mhz and up really NEED this cache or
else the speed of the CPU goes to waste.
How much cache is needed is a subject of debate. It depends
on the application, and the size of the portions of code that
get executed most often. Multi-tasking or multi-user systems
would need more than a non-multi-tasking system. Heavy CAD
graphics also benefit by having cache. Constant manipulation of
large matrices in memory, such as large spreadsheets, also
benefit by having cache.
The 80486 CPU chip has a built-in cache controller and 8K
of internal cache. This is one of the reasons that a 25 Mhz 486
can perform at the same speed as a 33 Mhz 386. However, 8K of
cache is no where near enough for a multi-tasking system that
has megabytes of main memory. So look for a system cache of 64K
and up when shopping for 486 systems too. Don't be fooled by
Intel's claims of "built-in cache" on the 486 chip. It's nice
that it's there, but it's not enough.
FidoNews 7-52 Page 7 24 Dec 1990
Here is a table of benchmarks of some of these co-
processors. A 33 Mhz Compaq 386 and a 25 Mhz 486/4167 were used:
(From the paper "The State of PC Numerics in 1990" by Stephen
Fried, Vice president, R&D, Microway, Inc. By permission.)
Benchmark Intel Cyrix Weitek Intel Weitek
80387 83D87 3176 80486 4167
scalar S 1611 1613 4050 3307 7635
D 1435 1543 3570 2942 6773
matrix S 866 875 2563 1877 3200
D 672 726 1127 1703 3074
trans S 910 2308 3084 1197 4942
D 1051 2983 1640 1291 2890
Whetstone 3720 5049 7574 5650 11450
"S" indicates single-precision, "D" indicates double-precision.
Figures are in "kflops," thousand floating point operations per
second.
C:\EXOTIC\MATH
If you are writing your own programs for in-house
scientific use there are even more esoteric options. Computers
based on the Inmos/SGS T800 transputer and the Intel i860 RISC
CPU chip are available in the form of expansion boards that fit
in your AT or 386 expansion slots.
The T800 operates at 10 MIPS and 1.5 megaflops. The i860 is
capable of from 8 to 20 megaflops. Microway offers these
"supercomputers-on-a-board" and the software (C, Fortran, and
utilities) to run them. A German company, DSM, phone 408-946-
0655, also offers an i860 computer on an expansion board.
C:\RECAP
If you need more number crunching speed:
1. If you don't have a numeric co-processor on your system,
see if your software applications support one. If they do
support one, consider adding a co-processor if you meet the
compute-bound criteria previously described.
2. If you already have a co-processor and applications that
use it, consider switching to a Cyrix, IIT, or Weitek (if your
applications can also support the Weitek) before upgrading to a
faster CPU.
3. If you are shopping for a new number crunching computer,
look for: a high Mhz rating of the CPU, lots of fast motherboard
memory, lots of memory cache (not just disk cache), and ESDI or
SCSI disks with a 1:1 controller. Then shop for the fastest co-
processor that both the motherboard and your applications
support.
FidoNews 7-52 Page 8 24 Dec 1990
4. Beware of the claims of the 486-25. It's not as fast as
a 386-33 with a Weitek 3167. The extra cost is not in proportion
to the extra power. Aside from the FPU, it's no faster than a
vanilla 386-33. But if you have the bucks to spend, the 486
combined with a Weitek 4167 is the current ultimate.
5. To shop for a co-processor check the chip distributors
who advertise in the back of magazines such as Byte and PC
Magazine. When you are ready to buy, be sure to tell the vendor
what kind of system you have in order to match the part # and
Mhz rating of the chip.
6. A company specializing in co-processors, add-in boards,
and number crunching, both software and hardware, is Microway,
P.O. Box 79, Kingston, Mass. 02364. (508)746-7341
7. Other chip distributors are:
JDR Microdevices 1-800-538-5000
I.C. Express 1-800-877-8188
R&R Electronics 1-800-736-3644
Microprocessors Unl. 1-918-267-4961
Ann & Anthony 1-408-988-5083
(These are just for reference. I'm not endorsing any.)
[end]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 7-52 Page 9 24 Dec 1990
AVICULTURISTS WANTED!!
I have noticed reading the echo's available to me in Region 12,
that there is not one dedicated to Aviculturists. For those that
are unfamiliar to this term, it relates to those interested in
the breeding of domestivated birds (ie Canaries, Parrots etc
etc). I've seen echo's devoted to those interested in Tropical
fish (the AQUARIUM echo) and thought of establishing one for
those involved in the breeding or just the keeping of birds.
If there is one already established, I would most certainly like
to hear about it. If not, I would appreciate hearing from anyone
that is interested in such an echo. If demand prevails, I am
considering setting up an echo area.
Any Sysops who are interested, either for themselves or for their
users, can contact me via Net Mail, 24 hrs, at 1:229/110 Durham
Systems (Online).
Paul Chantler
Durham Systems (Online) 1:229/110
Hopeful future host of the AVIARY echo
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 7-52 Page 10 24 Dec 1990
Chris Mayer, Ghostbusters Central (415) 933-4937
FidoNET 1:161/303 - GateNET 84:4101/303
The GhostNET Echo
Yes, another echo is out, and its called 'GhostNET'. This new
echo is a serious attempt at disscussing topics relating to
paranormal occurences, Extrasensory Perception, Psychokinesis,
Psychics, and more. Now that I've got you confused, here are
the basic requirements. It requires real names and ANSI codes
are to be stripped. To recieve this echo, send netmail to one
of the following nodes: (Please choose the node closest to you)
Chris Mayer @ 1:161/303 ------------------ 415-933-4937
Chris Mayer @ 84:4101/303 (From GateNET) - 415-933-4937
Cheryl Mathison @ 1:161/69 ------------------- 415-481-2806
Todd Looney @ 1:143/27 ------------------- 408-298-2740
Dan Hyman @ 1:205/45 ------------------- 209-661-5355
Dolores Jensen @ 1:142/999 ------------------ 203-742-7205
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 7-52 Page 11 24 Dec 1990
Robert Keown
FidoNet 1:273/718
RbbsNet 8:952/8
PUBNET: The International Publisher's Exchange
For those interested in electronic publishing, desktop
publishing, and computer graphics, a new organization has been
formed with telecommunications technology at its core. The
International Publisher's Exchange (PUBNET) is a not-for-profit
organization which serves as an information clearing house for
individuals involved in graphic communications.
Currently, PUBNET is carried by 200 BBS's throughout the U.S. and
Europe. Primarily implemented with Fido-based technology, PUBNET
is expanding its operations to include gateways to other networks
(i.e. InterNet & RIME).
PUBNET currently consists of 14 echoes focused on many aspects of
computer graphics and publishing including specific software
topics (i.e. PageMaker, Ventura, Quark, etc.), production
techniques, hardware technologies, and other such forums.
Additionally, PUBNET maintains a file distribution system as well
as a specific echo, called PUBNEWS, which carries late-breaking
news and press releases regarding the fast-moving graphic
communications market. Many times new product announcements
appear in PUBNEWS long before they appear in print.
Users of PUBNET include those with a casual interest or need, to
professional individuals and organizations involved in graphic
production, computer software and hardware, and corporate
communications. PUBNET provides a good way for all levels of
users to learn and share ideas and solutions in computer
publishing.
If you would to learn more about PUBNET, or would like to
establish echo feeds, you may contact Carl Dickson, 1:109/519,
Robert Keown, 1:273/718, or Gene Rodrigues, 1:143/25, for
additional information and the location of the nearest PUBNET
hub.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 7-52 Page 12 24 Dec 1990
Michael Rapp
FidoNet 1:106/12
/------------------------------\
| The Respectable SysOps Guide |
| by: Michael Rapp | LAST REVISED: 12/17/90
| aka: Captain Vizor |
| SysOp: USS Vulcanix |
| 713/774-0088 |
\------------------------------/
This is a guide that ALL SysOps should follow if they are
to be viewed by the modem world as "Respectable", and their
BBSes known a "Quality" BBS.
-----------------------------------------------------------
1. Respectable SysOps don't put up a board without a hard
drive. They already have a 20MB or greater one made by
a major company like Seagate.
2. Respectable SysOps have 2400 baud or greater. The one
exception is that chat boards may have 300 because of
the expense of 5 or more phone lines and modems.
3. Respectable SysOps do not run their BBS when the fan has
broken down.
4. Respectable SysOps turn off their monitor as often as
possible.
5. Respectable SysOps don't care if a user is going to put
up a board next week.
6. Respectable SysOps try to help the user get his/her
board started by offering hints and tips.
7. Respectable SysOps who operate boards that require money
for access do not give free validation to someone just
because they run "THE ULTIMATE BBS" and have a 250 MB
hard drive.
8. Respectable SysOps laugh when users say 'I have your voice
number' or 'I am a Phed'.
9. Respectable SysOps are very annoyed when users leave
numbers like 'CAN-NOT-TELL' or 'PRI-VAT-E!!!'.
10. Respectable SysOps do not make up excuses to leave a
person with whom they are chatting like 'My dad is
calling me'.
FidoNews 7-52 Page 13 24 Dec 1990
11. Respectable SysOps NEVER have pirated software on their
boards.
12. Respectable SysOps ALWAYS check uploaded software for
viruses before putting it online.
13. Respectable SysOps have a dedicated computer with a
dedicated phone line and modem for their board. They
never take it down except to run BBS maintinence or to
call a few BBSes that they like. They never tie up the
board for more than an hour calling other BBS systems.
14. Respectable SysOps don't say 'L8r', 'k-K00l','B@SS' or
any other related terms.
15. Respectable SysOps when on chat boards do not use macros
every five minutes saying "Call the SPECTRUM ELITE!
???/???-????".
16. Respectable SysOps NEVER leave mail to users asking them
to post.
17. Respectable SysOps get EXTREMELY angry if their boards
are crashed intentionally by other users. If
unintentionally, they go get a Pepsi and try to fix it.
18. Respectable SysOps ALWAYS make a backup of their user
list and other important files every week.
19. Respectable SysOps don't care about "improper sign-offs".
20. Respectable SysOps don't think that they are God and are
better than everyone else.
21. Respectable SysOps help the new users, not cut them down.
22. Respectable SysOps NEVER have a message base such as
"ABUSE THAT USER".
23. Respectable SysOps don't care what another user posts
about him/her on a "kid" or "looser" or "sleazy" board.
24. Respectable SysOps put up the BBS as a service.
25. Real SysOps don't get out their sector editor and put
their name on every piece of software they have in hopes
of gaining national recognition.
26. Respectable SysOps NEVER let users threaten them in any
way.
FidoNews 7-52 Page 14 24 Dec 1990
27. Respectable SysOps NEVER EVER answer their board line by
voice.
28. Respectable SysOps NEVER chat with users when they
themselves are in a bad mood.
29. Respectable SysOps know that users tend to like SysOps
who take the time to chat to work out a problem the user
is having online.
30. Respectable SysOps always wait at least 15 seconds before
breaking into chat.
32. Respectable SysOps never type their fastest. Users
respect SysOps who are accurate.
33. Respectable SysOps NEVER say "My board is the best" or "if
you're going to pay, make it my board", this will more
discourage users than attract them.
34. Respectable SysOps NEVER copy an obvious, original idea
from another board. Users admire SysOp that come up with
their own ideas.
35. Respectable SysOps try to modify the original BBS software
as much as possible. Users tend to get bored if they call
boards that just leave the software exactly in the
original "generic" condition.
Well....there you go! My first submission to FidoNews! If you
like it, or if you would like to add anything to it, just send me
netmail!
Thanks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 7-52 Page 15 24 Dec 1990
NewStyle Packets
A Proposal for the
Next Generation of
of FidoNet Mail Packers
Fourth Draft
19 December 1990
jim nutt
1:114/30@fidonet
Introduction
FidoNet has been using the Type II style packet for some
five years or more now with good results. However, at this
point, the Type II format has been extended an amazing number
of ways using the "Kludge" hidden line facility provided by a
leading ^A (ASCII SOH) on a line of text. It is my belief that
the time has come to move to a newer technology for handling
packets, one that is inherently extensible and easily handled by
a number of systems. Such a system should be able to handle such
varied things as integrated text/graphics and other special
attributes of messages.
Basic Format
Essentially, this format would break a message into a number
of "chunks". Each chunk would be a maximum of 4,294,967,306(!)
bytes long including its header and may contain any type of
data. A chunk header would be 21 bytes long and would consist of
a 4 byte chunk type tag followed by an 8 byte length field. The
length field does *not* include the 12 bytes of the chunk
header. Additionally, the length field is the the length of
the chunk *AS TRANSMITTED*, i.e., in ASCII. Chunks would be
unterminated. In C, a chunk structure would look like this:
struct chunk {
char type[4];
char len[8]; /* 32 bit length of data field, 8 hex
digits */
unsigned char data[len]; /* not really, this isn't
legal c, but it gets the
idea across */
};
Certain chunk types require that a FidoNet address be
represented in a binary hex format. This address would be
comprised of the domain, zone, net, node, and point expressed as
the following C structure:
struct address {
FidoNews 7-52 Page 16 24 Dec 1990
char point[4];
char node[4];
char net[4];
char zone[4];
char domain[];
};
The domain name is nul terminated and variable length. If absent
it defaults to the current domain.
All other fields are 4 hex digits with NO
terminating nul character. It was chosen to use an ASCII
representation of numbers (in hex) to avoid byte ordering
problems and to enhance portability across 7 bit transport
layers. For example, the author's address would be:
0000001E00720001FIDONET
See Appendix 6 for suggestions on generating this form of
address.
A line, as defined by this document, is a sequence of 7
bit ASCII characters terminated with a linefeed (0x0a).
Chunk Types
Chunk type names are exactly four characters long, padded
with spaces if necessary. Chunk types not recognized by a
program would be passed along and ignored. Chunk types that are
marked with an asterisk (*) must be recognized by a conforming
installation. Chunk types marked with a C are considered control
chunks, while those marked with D are data chunks. Unmarked
chunks are delimiters or informational. I would propose the
following base chunk types:
* BEGB A chunk indicating the beginning of a bundle.
This chunk may contain optional information
identifying the bundle.
CRTR Indicates the software and revision level used
to create this bundle. Applies only to entire
bundles.
* PSWD Password for the entire bundle, or if within
"BEGM"/"ENDM" a single message. If the password
in this chunk does not match a predefined
password on the receiving system one of two
actions occurs. If the receiving system is the
final destination of the bundle or message, the
bundle or message is discarded, optionally with
a message being sent back to the sender saying so.
FidoNews 7-52 Page 17 24 Dec 1990
If the bundle or message is only passing through,
it will not be made visible to the sysop of the
routing system, regardless of any options that
may be set to the contrary. Obviously, this is
lightweight security, but it is better than
nothing!
BEGA C This chunk indicates the conference the following
messages (up to the corresponding ENDA marker)
belong to. This could be multiple areas, one area
per line. BEGA/ENDA chunks may be nested.
* BEGM A chunk indicating the beginning of a message,
this chunk may contain optional information
identifying the message.
* ROUT C Binary address of next destination for this
message or bundle. In other words, if a message
from 123/456 is going to 456/789 but is routed
through an intermediary system (say 321/654) this
address would be that of the intermediary system.
This chunk may be applied to either a single
message or an entire bundle.
* TO C Name and address of receiver in ASCII. The
address in this field may be anything, so long
as the system at the "ROUT" address can make
sense of it. For split addresses (name and
address separated, such as a FidoNet address) the
address should be on two ASCII lines separated a
newline (ASCII 0x0a) with the address on the first
line and name on the second line. Integrated
addresses (name and address all in one, such as
Internet) should be on one line, with an
optional second line giving the recipient's
actual name.
* FROM C Name and address of sender in ASCII. This
may be anything so long as it is possible for
the receiver to reply via the address in this
field. The format of this should be the same as
for the TO chunk
* TIME D Timestamp of the message. Represented as a 32
bit integer counting the number of seconds from
January 1, 1970 0:00 UTC. 8 digit hexadecimal
field.
* SUBJ D Subject of the message
FidoNews 7-52 Page 18 24 Dec 1990
* ATTR C Attributes of the message. See Appendix 2 for
a complete list of message attributes.
* NUMB Serial number of this message on originating
system. This chunk is fixed as an 8 byte hex
word. Length is 8.
* RPLY Identifier of the message this is a reply to.
This is a two line field, with the address
of the system the message being replied to on
the first line and the serial number (from the
NUMB) chunk of the replied to message on the
second line.
* ATCH C Name of a file attached to this message
* FREQ C Name of a file requested from receiving system.
This would incorporate the same type of update
request logic as is currently used by WaZoo
mailers. A separate "FREQ" chunk is required
for each file requested.
DOMN C Echomail only, list of domains, one per line, of
the domains this message has passed through
ZONE C Echomail only, list, as four byte hex words,
of zones that have seen this message. This
chunk is cleared each time the message enters a
different domain and the name of the domain the
message is exiting is added to the "DOMN" chunk.
NET C Echomail only, list, as four byte hex words,
of all nets that have seen this message. This
chunk is cleared upon export to another zone and
the exporting node's zone number is added to the
"ZONE" chunk.
NODE C Echomail only, list, as four byte hex words,
of all nodes in the current net that have seen
this message. This chunk is cleared each time
the message enters a new net and the number of
the net the message is exiting is added to the
"NET " chunk.
PONT C Echomail only, list, as four byte hex words,
of all point systems that have seen this message.
This chunk is cleared upon export to another node
and the node number of the exporting system is
added to the "NODE" chunk.
* PATH List of the systems this message has passed
FidoNews 7-52 Page 19 24 Dec 1990
through to reach this system, in order. This
includes all systems in all zones and domains.
All addresses would be in hex as defined in the
section "Basic Formats" with one address per
line.
* TEXT D The text of a message. This is restricted to
seven bit ASCII characters. Prefixing a
character with an ASCII ESC (0x1b) indicates
that the following character has its high-order
bit set. ASCII ESC is recognized by the sequence
ESC ESC. Text lines are terminated with an ASCII
LF (0x0a). A message may contain as many TEXT
chunks as are necessary for the text of the
message. Adjacent TEXT chunks are logically
concatenated.
QUOT C Indicates that the following text chunk is quoted.
This field contains:
name of quoted person
address of quoted person
timestamp of quoted message (8 digit hex)
optional information
with each subfield on a separate line.
GRPH D A vector drawing. This is an HPGL image. Multiple
GRPH chunks may appear in a message. GRPH chunks,
like TEXT chunks, are logically concatenated when
adjacent.
SEEN C This is a list of the systems that have seen this
message. Address are in ASCII, one per line.
Omitted fields in an address are replaced by the
value of the corresponding field of the preceding
address.
* ENDM A chunk indicating the end of a message. This
chunk may optionally contain information
identifying the message it terminates.
ENDA This chunk terminates a list of message for a
particular conference(s). If the opening BEGA
chunk lists multiple conferences, then multiple
ENDA chunks may be used, each listing one or more
of the conferences in the BEGA. See Appendix 4 for
more details.
* ENDB A chunk indicating the end of the bundle,
anything after this can be safely ignored.
FidoNews 7-52 Page 20 24 Dec 1990
This chunk may optionally contain information
identifying the bundle it terminates.
NULL An empty chunk. This may never be needed, but
would conceivably be useful for separating
adjacent GRPH and TEXT chunks that should not be
concatentated.
Other Considerations
Chunk style packets could not be sent as *.PKT files as they
are not backward compatible with type II packets. I propose that
chunk style packets be called bundles and sent as *.BUN files,
with compressed bundles sent as *.B?? where ?? is the
compression method used (see Appendix 1 for extensions). Bundle
file names should be unique for at least a one week cycle, a 32
bit serial number expressed in hexadecimal should prove adequate
for most applications.
Experimental chunk types are provided for by the provision
that unrecognized chunk types be passed through and ignored.
Systems that know how to use a particular chunk type (say, BITS)
can, while systems that don't understand it may ignore it.
Chunks should appear in a bundle in roughly the same order
as they appear above, with control and informational chunks
(PATH, ROUT, etc) appearing before data chunks (TEXT, BITS,
GRPH).
Control
Chunk tag name assignments are controlled by Appendix 3 of
this document. New chunk tags may be added and old ones
revised by revision of this document. Message attribute
assignments are controlled by Appendix 2 of this document. New
attributes may be assigned by revision of this document.
Bundle file extensions are controlled by Appendix 1 of this
document. New extensions may be defined and old ones revised
by revision of this document.
Conclusion
I doubt I have covered all possible or desirable chunk types
in this document. I do believe however, that enough have been
defined to get started with. Chunks offer a highly flexible,
extensible system of bundling mail. New types of chunks may
defined as needed to accomodate advances in technology and
FidoNet. Additionally, this would further separate the
application and transport layers of FidoNet, yielding less
confusion as to their respective roles.
FidoNews 7-52 Page 21 24 Dec 1990
It may be noticed that this structure is extremely similar
to the IFF format as used on Amiga computers and introduced by
Electronic Arts Software. While inspired by IFF, this system
has been simplified somewhat and changed to be more easily
transportable between computers using different byte orders and
processors. All fields defined in this document are 7 bit
ASCII and should be easily parsed by any system.
Appendix 1 - Compression Extensions
Compressed bundles would indicate the type of compression
used by the following file extensions:
Extension Creator
--------- -------
.BUN Uncompressed
.BPK PKZip
.BLH LHarc
.BAR ARC
.BDW DWC
.BPA PAK
.BZO ZOO
.BPX PKXarc
Appendix 2 - Message Attributes
The following attributes have been assigned:
PRIV privileged message (sysop or recipient
only)
CRYP encrypted message
CRSH High priority message
DRCT Send directly to destination (no routing)
HOLD Hold this message for pickup
Attributes are listed one per line and may combined where
it makes sense to do so. (crash and hold makes no sense...)
Appendix 3 - Defined Chunk Tags
The following chunk tags are defined in this document:
BEGB TO RPLY NODE SEEN
CRTR FROM ATCH PONT ENDM
PSWD TIME FREQ PATH ENDA
BEGA SUBJ DOMN TEXT ENDB
BEGM ATTR ZONE QUOT NULL
ROUT NUMB NET GRPH
Appendix 4 - The BEGA/ENDA chunks
FidoNews 7-52 Page 22 24 Dec 1990
Messages may belong to multiple conferences (this is quite
common in UseNet). Therefore it is possible to nest both BEGA
and ENDA chunks. Additionally, it is possible to list multiple
conferences in either chunk. For example, ten messages come
through a system. The first five are crossposted to both c_echo
and c_plusplus, the next two are c_echo only and the next are
posted to c_echo and net_dev. Finally, the last message is to
net_dev only. The basic bundle structure (showing only the
BEGA/ENDA [with BEGM....ENDM indicating a message] chunks for
clarity) would be as follows (<lf> is a linefeed [ASCII 10]):
BEGA00000011C_ECHO<lf>C_PLUSPLUS
BEGM....ENDM
BEGM....ENDM
BEGM....ENDM
BEGM....ENDM
BEGM....ENDM
ENDA0000000AC_PLUSPLUS
BEGM....ENDM
BEGM....ENDM
BEGA00000007NET_DEV
BEGM....ENDM
BEGM....ENDM
ENDA00000006C_ECHO
BEGM....ENDM
ENDA00000007NET_DEV
In other words, BEGA/ENDA are cumulative. This should allow
greater flexibility in conferencing and should assist in porting
UseNet conferences over as it is common for a UseNet message to
posted across several conferences.
Appendix 5 - Echomail
This proposal contains two different possibilities for
controlling echomail flow. The first assumes a tree structured
topology and is represented by the DOMN, ZONE, NET, NODE and PONT
chunks. The second is similar to current echomail distribution
and uses the SEEN chunk to list the systems a message has been
seen by. This document does not attempt to judge either system
on its merits (or otherwise), they are simply presented.
Appendix 6 - Addresses and C
In C, chunk addresses can be generated using the sprintf()
function with parameters of the form:
sprintf(addrstr,"%04x%04x%04x%04x%s",point,node,net,zone,domain);
It may be read back with:
FidoNews 7-52 Page 23 24 Dec 1990
sscanf(addrstr,"%4x%4x%4x%4x%s",&point,&node,&net,&zone,&domain);
Appendix 7 - Contributors
The following people have contributed to this
specification in some way. If I've missed your name, please
forgive me... I get a lot of mail on this and have misplaced
some messages.
Alastair Rankine of 3:680/820@fidonet
Alexander Holy of 2:310/11.32@fidonet
Andreas Kaiser of 2:509/
[email protected]
Andy Lester of 1:115/934@fidonet
Baba Buehler of 1:233/4.0@fidonet
Brendan Morley of 3:640/297.3@fidonet
Charles Falconer of 1:141/209.1@fidonet
Clinton Adams of 1:273/101@fidonet
Daniel Kalchev of 2:359/1@fidonet
David Nugent of 3:632/348.65535@fidonet
Erik Seielstad of 1:260/231@fidonet
Fabian Gordon of 1:107/323@fidonet
Garth Kidd of 3:680/828@fidonet
Gerard van.der.Land of 2:283/1.5@fidonet
Henk Wevers of 2:500/1@fidonet
Ian McLaughlin of 1:353/
[email protected]
Jan Terpstra of 2:512/10.0@fidonet
Jan Vroonhof of 2:281/1.12@fidonet
Jeffrey Nonken of 1:273/715.2@fidonet
Joe Jared of 1:103/201.1@fidonet
Johan Zwiekhorst of 2:292/100@fidonet
Juergen Hermann of 2:507/642.7610@fidonet
Mark Howard of 1:260/340.1@fidonet
Maximilian Hantsch of 2:310/6@fidonet
Pieter Muller of 5:492/1.4@fidonet
Renald Loignon of 1:167/176.1@fidonet
Rob Tillotson of 1:201/40.302@fidonet
Robert Heller of 1:321/153.0@fidonet
Roger Mordin of 2:201/231.10@fidonet
Ronald Bruintjes of 2:281/600@fidonet
Russell McOrmond of 1:163/109.1@fidonet
Sico Bruins of 2:512/10.4@fidonet
Torben Paving of 2:231/16.9@fidonet
FidoNews 7-52 Page 24 24 Dec 1990
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 7-52 Page 25 24 Dec 1990
=================================================================
COLUMNS
=================================================================
"Captain's Log, Stardate 9012.25..."
by Phil Buonomo, 1:107/583@FidoNet 520/583@AlterNet 9:807/1@PNet
Since this is the last scheduled FidoNews of the year, and coin-
cidentally the last one before BOTH Christmas and New Year's, I
made a special effort of submitting something this week. I've a
few articles that have been on the back burner for a few weeks,
but just haven't had the time to get them in. Hopefully I'll be
able to write them down soon. In the meantime I wish all who read
this a very happy holiday season, regardless of religious belief,
color of skin, sexual preference, or even network affiliation:
A Christmas Poem (Author unknown)
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the shop,
The computers were whirring; they never do stop.
The power was on and the temperature right,
In hopes that the input would feed back that night.
The system was ready, the program was coded,
And memory drums had been carefully loaded;
While adding a Christmasy glow to the scene,
The lights on the console flashed red, white, and green.
When out in the hall there arose such a clatter,
The programmer ran out to see what was the matter.
Away to the hallway he flew like a flash,
Forgetting his key in his curious dash.
He stood in the hallway and looked all about,
When the door slammed behind him,and he was locked out.
Then, in the computer room, what should appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer;
And a little old man, who with scarcely a pause, Chuckled:
"My name is Santa... the last name is Claus."
The computer was startled, confused by the name,
Then it buzzed as it heard the old fellow exclaim:
"This is Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen,
And Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen."
With all these odd names, it was puzzled anew;
It hummed and it clanked, and a main ciruit blew.
It searched in its memory core, trying to "think";
Then the multi-line printer went out on the blink.
Unable to do its electronic job,
It said in a voice that was almost a sob:
"Your eyes--how they twinkle--your dimples so merry,
Your cheeks so like roses, your nose like a cherry,
Your smile--all these things, I've been programmed to know,
And at data-recall, I am more than so-so;
FidoNews 7-52 Page 26 24 Dec 1990
But your name and your address (computers can't lie),
Are things that I just cannot identify.
You've a jolly old face and a little round belly,
That shakes when you laugh like a bowlful of jelly;
My scanners can see you, but still I insist,
Since you're not in my program, you cannot exist!'
Old Santa just chuckled a merry "ho,ho,"
And sat down to type out a quick word or so.
The keyboard clack-clattered, its sound sharp and clean,
As Santa fed this "data" into the machine:
"Kids everywhere know me; I come every year;
The presents I bring add to everyone's cheer;
But you won't get a thing-- that's plain to see;
Too bad your programmers forgot about me."
Then he faced the machine and said with a shrug,
"Happy Christmas to all," as he pulled out its plug.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 7-52 Page 27 24 Dec 1990
=================================================================
LATEST VERSIONS
=================================================================
Latest Software Versions
MS-DOS Systems
--------------
Bulletin Board Software
Name Version Name Version Name Version
DMG 2.93 Phoenix 1.3 TAG 2.5g
Fido 12s+ QuickBBS 2.66 TBBS 2.1
GSBBS 3.01 RBBS 17.3A TComm/TCommNet 3.4
Lynx 1.30 RBBSmail 17.3B Telegard 2.5
Kitten 2.16 RemoteAccess 0.04a TPBoard 6.1
Maximus 1.02 SLBBS 1.77A Wildcat! 2.50
Opus 1.13+ Socrates 1.10 WWIV 4.12
PCBoard 14.5 XBBS 1.15
Network Node List Other
Mailers Version Utilities Version Utilities Version
BinkleyTerm 2.40 EditNL 4.00 ARC 7.0
D'Bridge 1.30 MakeNL 2.31 ARCAsim 2.30
Dutchie 2.90C ParseList 1.30 ARCmail 2.07
FrontDoor 1.99c Prune 1.40 ConfMail 4.00
PRENM 1.47 SysNL 3.14 Crossnet v1.5
SEAdog 4.51b XlatList 2.90 DOMAIN 1.42
TIMS 1.0(Mod8) XlaxDiff 2.35 EMM 2.02
XlaxNode 2.35 Gmail 2.05
GROUP 2.16
GUS 1.30
HeadEdit 1.15
InterPCB 1.31
LHARC 1.13
MSG 4.1
MSGED 2.00
MSGTOSS 1.3
PK[UN]ZIP 1.10
QM 1.0
QSORT 4.03
Sirius 1.0x
SLMAIL 1.36
StarLink 1.01
TagMail 2.41
TCOMMail 2.2
Telemail 1.27
TMail 1.15
TPBNetEd 3.2
FidoNews 7-52 Page 28 24 Dec 1990
TosScan 1.00
UFGATE 1.03
XRS 4.00*
XST 2.2
ZmailQ 1.12
OS/2 Systems
------------
Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
Maximus-CBCS 1.02 BinkleyTerm 2.40 Parselst 1.32
ConfMail 4.00
EchoStat 6.0
oMMM 1.52
Omail 3.1
MsgEd 2.00
MsgLink 1.0C
MsgNum 4.14
LH2 0.50
PK[UN]ZIP 1.02
ARC2 6.00
PolyXARC 2.00
Qsort 2.1
Raid 1.0
Remapper 1.2
Tick 2.0
VPurge 2.07
Xenix/Unix
----------
BBS Software Mailers Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
MaximusCBCS 1.02.Unix.B0 BinkleyTerm 2.30b Unzip 3.10
ARC 5.21
ParseLst 1.30b
ConfMail 3.31b
Ommm 1.40b
Msged 1.99b
Zoo 2.01
C-Lharc 1.00
Omail 1.00b
FidoNews 7-52 Page 29 24 Dec 1990
Apple CP/M
----------
Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
Daisy v2j Daisy Mailer 0.38 Nodecomp 0.37
MsgUtil 2.5
PackUser v4
Filer v2-D
UNARC.COM 1.20
Macintosh
---------
Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
Red Ryder Host 2.1 Tabby 2.2 MacArc 0.04
Mansion 7.15 Copernicus 1.0 ArcMac 1.3
WWIV (Mac) 3.0 LHArc 0.33
Hermes 1.01 StuffIt Classic 1.6
FBBS 0.91 Compactor 1.21
TImport 1.92
TExport 1.92
Timestamp 1.6
Tset 1.3
Import 3.2
Export 3.21
Sundial 3.2
PreStamp 3.2
OriginatorII 2.0
AreaFix 1.6
Mantissa 3.21
Zenith 1.5
Eventmeister 1.0
TSort 1.0
Mehitable 2.0
UNZIP 1.02c
Amiga
-----
Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
Paragon 2.07+ BinkleyTerm 1.00 AmigArc 0.23
TransAmiga 1.04 TrapDoor 1.50 AReceipt 1.5
FidoNews 7-52 Page 30 24 Dec 1990
WelMat 0.42 booz 1.01
ConfMail 1.10
ChameleonEdit 0.10
ElectricHerald1.66
Lharc 1.21
MessageFilter 1.52
oMMM 1.49b
ParseLst 1.30
PkAX 1.00
PK[UN]ZIP 1.01
PolyxAmy 2.02
RMB 1.30
Skyparse 2.30
TrapList 1.12
UNzip 0.86
Yuck! 1.61
Zoo 2.01
Atari ST
--------
Bulletin Board Software Network Mailer Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
FIDOdoor/ST 2.00* BinkleyTerm 2.40j* ConfMail 4.02
Pandora BBS 2.41c The BOX 1.30 ParseList 1.30
QuickBBS/ST 1.02 ARC 6.02
GS Point 0.61 FiFo 2.1c
LHARC 0.60
LED ST 0.10
BYE 0.25
PKUNZIP 1.10
MSGED 2.01
SRENUM 6.2
Trenum 0.10
OMMM 1.40
Archimedes
----------
BBS Software Mailers Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
ARCbbs 1.44 BinkleyTerm 2.03 Unzip 2.1TH
ARC 1.03
!Spark 2.00d
FidoNews 7-52 Page 31 24 Dec 1990
ParseLst 1.30
BatchPacker 1.00
+ Netmail capable (does not require additional mailer software)
* 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 7-52 Page 32 24 Dec 1990
=================================================================
NOTICES
=================================================================
=========== >>> PERNnet: Brigadoon Weyr <<< ==========
*********** >>> Gift Certificate <<< **********
Welcome to the planet PERN where one can play Pernese style of
life. With this Certificate you may get ONE link into PERNnet
regardless of the originating system's origin and network.
Brigadoon Weyr is devoted to the weirder things in life -- fringe
groups, nonstandard religions, Elvis searchers, cult movies, bad
audio and video, and certified maniacs and politicians. It is
the goal of The Brigadoon Weyr to allow the weird, the odd, the
huddled masses yearning to be free an electronic playpen in
which to espouse their varied belief systems. It is a network
of losers, winners, dreamers, screamers.
In time the Pernese conference where one will play out the roll
of a Pernese name and also be able to have (a) Fire Lazard(s) or
be a dragon rider to defend the planet Pern againsts the Red
Planet that visits every 400 years.
In closing, I point out that we are all of us doing this as a
hobby, and will tolerate no politics or powerplays. We make no
distinctions as to age, background, religion, sex, gender, et
cetera. We are an Equal Opportunity Network, limited solely by
the ability to move echomail around in a reasonably good manner.
Problems with offending nodes will be dealt with via the path
structure of the network until it reaches The Brigadoon Weyr
Central (1:325/101@FidoNet) where we will deal with it as need
be.
For your free information package you may file requet(FREQ) the magic
name of BRIGADOON from the following locations: Also you may FREQ
the magic name of PERNLIST and it will get you a list of systems
currently part of PERNnet.
1:325/101 @FidoNet
9:1010/11 @ParaNet
69:2700/1 @AdultLinks(or KinkNet)
also available at:
1:363/71 @FidoNet
3:712/634 @FidoNet
This should get you BRIGADON.ZIP. if you need a standard ARC version
FREQ `BRIGADON.ARC' instead.
FidoNews 7-52 Page 33 24 Dec 1990
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The Interrupt Stack
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.
31 Mar 1991
Jim Grubs (W8GRT) was issued his first ham radio license forty
years ago today. His first station was made from an ARC-5
"Command Set" removed from a B-17 bomber.
12 May 1991
Fourth anniversary of FidoNet operations in Latin America and
second anniversary of the creation of Zone-4.
8 Sep 1991
25th anniversary of first airing of Star Trek on NBC!
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.
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FidoNews 7-52 Page 34 24 Dec 1990
Greylock Software is seeking testers for for a multiple host
point system. If you are interested, particularly if you
use other mail systems such as MCI and CIS in addition to
FidoNet, send netmail to 1:321/202@fidonet.
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Michael Rapp
FidoNet 1:106/12
Notice To All Star Trek SysOps --
Looking for some new Star Trek Files? Why don't you FREQ the
magic file name "FILES" from my board and pick out the ones you
want!
You can FREQ a maximum of five files per session and 250KB per
session. Please only FREQ once per day. Thank you.
Also, I run a BBS list of Star Trek Related BBSes and I
distribute it regularly around Houston (I also make it
available for FREQ, "STBBS.LST"). If you would like
to be added to this list, please send me netmail with
the following information:
1. BBS Name
2. FidoNet Address and any other addresses you have (please
specify net name)
3. SysOp Name (Handle if desired)
4. Board Phone (with area code!)
5. Maximun Baud Rate
6. BBS Software and Version Number
7. Hours if part-time BBS
Thanks!
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