Volume 8, Number 6 11 February 1991
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
| _ |
| / \ |
| /|oo \ |
| - FidoNews - (_| /_) |
| _`@/_ \ _ |
| FidoNet (r) | | \ \\ |
| International BBS Network | (*) | \ )) |
| Newsletter ______ |__U__| / \// |
| / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / |
| (________) (_/(_|(____/ |
| (jm) |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
Editor in Chief: Vince Perriello
Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell
Chief Procrastinator Emeritus: Tom Jennings
Copyright 1991, 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 and for the Members of the
FidoNet (r) International Amateur Electronic Mail System. 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
ARTSPEC.DOC, available from node 1:1/1. 1:1/1 is a Continuous
Mail system, available for network mail 24 hours a day.
Fido and FidoNet are registered trademarks of Tom Jennings of
Fido Software, Box 77731, San Francisco CA 94107, USA and are
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. ARTICLES ................................................. 1
Top Ten Prizes For the 10,000th FidoNet node ............. 1
A Word About "Alternative" Networks ...................... 2
How to upload a text file as a BBS message ............... 4
BACKBONE -- the file echo ................................ 10
BBS_UTIL Echo ............................................ 12
What the hey? This is FidoNews? .......................... 13
2. COLUMNS .................................................. 14
InterChange, Names 'N Roses .............................. 14
3. LATEST VERSIONS .......................................... 16
Latest Software Versions ................................. 16
And more!
FidoNews 8-06 Page 1 11 Feb 1991
=================================================================
ARTICLES
=================================================================
We're coming up on our 10,000th node. Its time to start
thinking about the prizes we might want to heap upon this
person as he enters the net. He or she will be surprised
at what gets heaped upon them later ...
Since there will be more than one 10,000th node (everyone in
the nodelist the week it breaks 10,000 can claim the honor),
we'll need more than one set of prizes! So contribute early
and often.
So, from our home office in International Falls, Minnesota,
here are the Top Ten Prizes for the 10,000th node in FidoNet!
A drumroll, Anton, if you please ...
10. Complete Echomail Sayings of Mahatma Ravsic (Along with the
terabytes of optical storage needed to hold them)
9. Lifetime Membership in IFNA
8. One Year's Supply of Aspirin and Maalox
(which will last about three weeks)
7. Nomex Body Stocking Styled By Frederics of Hollywood
6. Get Out of Excommunication Free Card
5. Letter of Sincere Appreciation Signed By all the
stockholders of the common carrier of your choice
personally thanking you for the BMW's you're going
to buy each and every one of them over the next 10
years (along with the number of that bar in Fiji)
4. Honorary Dobyns Award
3. Beta Test Access to the product of your choice
(be careful what you wish ... it might come true!)
2. A Free Lifetime Connection To John Richard's Echomail
star of the week (you have to track him down yourself)
1. A mikey Doll (complete with engineer's hat!)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-06 Page 2 11 Feb 1991
Aaron Goldblatt
FidoNet 1:130/20.1102
MailNet 20:491/223.0
RATnet 45:200/52.0
FidoNet and "Alternative" Networks
Recently, it seems, there has been a tremendous growth of
"alternative" networks using FidoNet technology. I think
this is great - I am a member of two of them. Alternate
networks can provide things that Fido, due to its sheer size,
can't. For example, while I am allowed to operate a private
(Pvt) system in MailNet and RATnet I am restricted to operating
a point system (with the inherent restrictions that come from
not being listed in the nodelist) in FidoNet. Alternate
networks can provide sysops flexibility in the way their systems
operate, how and when these operations take place, and a host of
other things that, for whatever reason, FidoNet can't.
The growing number of sysops in alternate networks presents
several technical problems, not the least of which is
addressing. Multiple zones have caused many a sleepless night
for sysops who try running echomail from Fido and their other
network(s) (as evidenced by the dark circles under my eyes).
The installation of alternate addresses on Fido nodes has caused
headaches for hubs and coordinators, as well. While there is a
period of learning for implementing one zone, there is a longer
one for implementing more than one (or should that be more than
1:?). :-) The effects of this period of learning are felt in
both (or, in my case, all three) networks. Bad AreaFix
messages, dupe echomail messages, wierd origin, seen-by, and
path lines, and other technical mishaps are part of learning how
to make a mail processing utility address your mail correctly.
I know - I've done it. Several times.
Until software is updated to take full advantage of domains these
problems will continue to exist and we will all suffer to some
extent. Unfortunately, some members of both the alternate
network and FidoNet are intolerant of this learning curve and
take out their frustration about technical mistakes on sysops
trying to eliminate glitches. Often they send harsh reprimands,
cut mail feeds, and even drop nodes from nodelists.
POLICY4 mentions this learning curve, and points out that all of
us are likely to be annoying at some time. It suggests that we
all follow the Second Law of FidoNet - "Thou shalt not be too
easily annoyed." However, it seems that some one-network Fido
sysops are breaking this rule (often without realizing they are
doing it). It's sad, in my opinion. I have messages on my
system which order echomail feeds cut to systems who send
messages using the wrong address, create an inadvertent dupe
loop, or even send a bad AreaFix (and I can tell you that I have
done all three of those).
FidoNews 8-06 Page 3 11 Feb 1991
Both you and I understand the problems of setting up a one-zone
system. If you're reading this, you've probibly done it. You
know that mistakes in batch files, command lines, etc., can
result in increased transmission time (and cost) because of
them. My problem is especially magnified because I use a 1200
bps modem, so for each dupe you transmit at 2400, double the
time it takes me to get it - and that time adds up. But since
I have set up two other addresses (with some but not complete
success) I think I am a little more tolerant than some of the
FidoNet "regulars" or "old-timers." Sure, dupes take up disk
space, increase transmission time and cost, and increase
processing time (I know - I use an 4.77 mHz machine, too).
But so do messages complaining about them. They are a fact of
life, no matter how much we would like to believe otherwise.
Technical problems will continue to exist until someone writes
a bug-free all-in-one package (that will still not satisfy
everyone) in which the sysop has only to select a pre-defined
modem type, enter the system name, sysop name, and any
Fido-style addresses to be used.
My message in all of this? Just to ask those of you who get mad
at people who have multiple addresses with technical problems
to be understanding. You had problems too - remember? I do.
Alternate networks, just like new technology, can only benifit
FidoNet. Communication, information and idea exchange - the
purpose of FidoNet. Right? We are not here to strong-arm
members who have accidental problems into single-minded
compliance with "the way."
So next time you have a feed cut for an annoying technical
glitch, think first. We all want FidoNet to be the vibrant
grandfather, not the senile old ostrich with our collective
head buried in the sand.
Responses are, of course, welcome at any of the above
addresses. For information about MailNet, contact Terry Day
at 1:106/800.0. For information about RATnet, contact Craig
Dobie at 1:130/27.0
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-06 Page 4 11 Feb 1991
HOW TO UPLOAD A TEXT FILE AS A BBS MESSAGE
by Dave "who likes to jump out of airplanes" Appel, C-20451
A user on 1:231/30
C:\INTRO>
This procedure describes how to prepare a text file on your
computer and how to upload it to a BBS (Bulletin Board system)
as a message instead of an upload file. I'm sure you sysops
already know all this, but this might make a good bulletin for
your users, or an article for your user group newsletter.
There are several reasons why you would want to do this. You
might not like the online message editor that the BBS uses. You
might want to include text from other files in the message. You
might want to send the same message to several people on the
BBS. You might want to send the same message to several BBSs.
(Gee, who do we know who does that?)
You might want to conserve BBS time by preparing the message
beforehand. This leaves you more time to do other things on the
BBS, or else frees the line up for someone else to call the BBS.
There are three steps to this process:
1. Create the text file.
2. Configure your communications program.
3. Upload the message.
C:\CREATE\MSG>
The first step is to create your message in a text file. You
can use your favorite word processor as long as it can save the
file as "plain ascii text." This means you can't have any
formatting characters like bold, underline, italics, font
changes, etc.
For best results, you should just use a "text editor" that
defaults to a plain ascii text file when you save the document.
If you do use a word processor like Word 5.0, you need to
specify "with line breaks" when you save it.
"Plain ascii text" also means that each line terminates with
the standard MS-DOS "CR/LF" (carriage return/line feed)
combination.
Text editors like Q-Edit, PC-Write, and AHED would do fine.
(In my opinion PC-Write is a text editor, not a word processor.)
There are some important formatting considerations when
composing your message. There are exceptions to most of the
following rules. However, I have researched this extensively,
and the following rules will work in the majority of situations
for most BBSs. If you change one formatting rule, you will have
to change several others, and then you will not get the desired
result.
Not everyone has the same text editor, and not all BBSs are
the same. So even if you change something, and it works for you,
it will not necessarily work for someone else.
1. No blank lines. If you want a blank line, put at least one
space character on the line, so it is not a true empty line.
FidoNews 8-06 Page 5 11 Feb 1991
2. Left margin should be 0 or 1. Some bulletin boards wrap
the lines of your message unless the first character of the line
is a space or a period. If the BBS to which you will upload the
message wraps messages, such as TBBS, use a left margin of 1.
When using a text editor: to make a left margin of one, it
can be easier to compose your message first with a left margin
of zero, and, when you are done, go back to insert spaces. This
can be done quickly by hitting <space bar><back-arrow><down-
arrow> repeatedly starting at the top left margin.
3. Make the right margin equal to the smallest right margin
of the BBSs that you call. Some have a line width of 72, some
65, some 60. I use a right margin of 60 on all BBSs because it
is easier to read.
4. Know the number of lines to which you are limited by the
BBS. Most BBSs allow messages to be up to 66 lines long. Some
only allow 19 lines. All BBSs that I've seen tell you at the
beginning of the message-entry procedure how many lines you are
allowed. If you never paid attention to that, call the bbs,
enter a test message, and cancel it before you save it.
If you want to write a message longer than the BBS limit, you
will have to break your message into smaller files.
5. You need to terminate the text file correctly. This means
no extra blank lines at the end of the file. There should be one
true blank line at the end of the file, with the line above it
being the last line of actual text.
To make sure you have no extra blank lines, execute the
keystrokes that place your cursor at the very last character of
your document. (For most text editors repeatedly pressing <down-
arrow> and <End> will do this.) Then press the backspace key
until your cursor is at the first column of the last line.
Here is what it should look like, the asterisk is where your
cursor should be:
|------Column 1
V
blah, blah, blah, blah, blah-blah
This is the last line.
*
This will cause some text editors to put a true blank line at
the end. Others will just put ONE CR/LF combination after "This
is the last line."
If it looks like this:
blah, blah, blah, blah, blah-blah
This is the last line.*
then it will not work for some text editors. Some text editors
will NOT put a CR/LF combination after that last line, and this
would cause your upload to hang, or freeze your system on the
last line.
It really doesn't matter where your cursor is when you save
the file from your text editor. I'm just using it as a method
for determining that there is a CR/LF at the very end of the
file no matter what text editor you are using.
FidoNews 8-06 Page 6 11 Feb 1991
C:\PROGRAM\SETUP>
I will describe the configurations for the two most popular
communication programs, Telix and Procomm. If you don't use one
of these programs, then I suggest that you switch to one of
them. These are the most common. Therefore, there are more
people to help you with any questions you might have.
Bitcom, Smartcom, PFS:First Choice, and Crosstalk are among
the worst. Don't even try this with those programs unless you
consider yourself an expert.
I use Telix version 3.12. I used to use Procomm 2.4.2.
TELIX:
(Use ALT-O to get to the setup menu)
A- Strip high bit off
B- Remote abort char 0
Uploads:
C- Local echo on or off
D- Expand blank lines off
E- Pace character 13 (Ascii)
F- Line pacing 3 (1/10 seconds)
G- Character pacing 10 to 60 depends on CPU
speed
H- CR translation none
I- LF translation strip
Downloads:
J- CR translation none
K- LF translation none
The local echo is not important. Your screen will most likely
look funny if you leave it on, but it won't hurt anything.
Expand blank lines must be off. You might think that turning
this on will let you put blank lines in your text file. But this
only messes up other stuff. Turning this ON will cause your
system to hang up at the end of an ascii upload.
A Pace character of 13 means that the program will wait until
the BBS returns a carriage-return (decimal 13 ascii) before
sending the next line. This is so your communication program
doesn't out-pace the BBS's capability to accept characters. A
value of 13 will work on most systems.
If you are uploading a message to GEnie, or a bbs using
Protree (such as "The Tardis") you will want to use decimal 62
ascii, which is the ">" character. GEnie and Protree won't
accept characters until the ">" character is sent. And there can
be a delay between the carriage-return and the ">".
The line pacing figure is in tenths of a second. This varies
according to the BBS you are calling. I find that a value of 3
works for most BBS's. Some very slow BBSs will require a longer
delay. If the first characters of every line get dropped, then
increase this number.
Character pacing for Telix depends on the speed of your CPU.
I am using a 10 Mhz 286 and I use a value of 10 here. Those who
use a 33 Mhz 386 need to use a value of 60 here. This is based
on a timing loop in Telix. The faster your computer, the larger
this number needs to be.
FidoNews 8-06 Page 7 11 Feb 1991
You can tell if you need to increase this number if there are
missing characters in your uploaded message. Increase this
number until there are no dropped characters.
This figure is also dependent on the slowest BBS that you
call. Some BBSs can't keep up at a full 2400 baud when you are
entering a message. BBSs are not as efficient at accepting a
text message as when you are uploading a file with the UPLOAD
command.
CR translation (upload) must be none.
LF translation (upload) must be strip. Otherwise, you could
get a blank line between every line of text.
For DOWNLOADS, you don't want to strip anything because DOS
needs both the carriage-return and the line-feed.
Press ESC to get back to the setup menu, and then "W" to
write the setup information to disk.
PROCOMM:
(Use ALT-S to get to the setup menu)
Uploads:
Echo locally yes or no
Expand blank lines no
Pace character 13
Character pacing 10 (1/1000 seconds)
Line pacing 3 (1/10 seconds)
CR translation none
LF translation strip
Downloads:
CR translation none
LF translation none
Procomm has the same setup as Telix except for character
pacing. The Telix character pacing is based on a timing loop,
whereas Procomm measures the actual milliseconds (1/1000th of a
second.) This is the only number that you should have to play
with in order to get it right for both YOUR computer, and the
BBS that you are calling.
Press ESC to get back to the setup menu then press "S" to
save the configuation.
C:\UPLOAD\MSG>
There are many ways to do this. I am going to explain what
works for me, and what works in most situations.
When you are ready to enter your message, it is easier to NOT
use the "full-screen editor" sometimes called a "visual editor."
These have a tendency to mess up when doing an ascii upload.
They also have the tendency of not keeping up when you are
sending them data at a full 2400 baud.
SIDE NOTE: If you are adventurous, and love to tinker, you
can "tweak" the numbers on the ascii upload setup menu to work
for a particular "full-screen editor." But, be aware that they
all work differently. (Hint: try setting the "pace character" to
0, and triple the character pacing and line pacing numbers over
what they normally are.) It's even harder if your message is
over one screen long when using a full-screen editor.
FidoNews 8-06 Page 8 11 Feb 1991
But my purpose here is to tell you the SIMPLEST way that
works for MOST people.
Depending on the BBS software, some of these items may be
entered in a different order, or even omitted.
Enter the command to begin entering a message. It's usually
"E" for enter, but could be "P" for post, or "W" for write on
some BBSs.
Enter the subject.
Enter the message security, such as "R" for receiver-only, or
"N" for none. Not used on all BBSs.
If the system asks if you want to use a "visual editor" or a
"full-screen editor" enter "N". You might have to change your
"user configuration" on the BBS to change this.
Wait until the message "header" is displayed on your screen.
This is usually a line of dashes indicating how long your lines
may be.
The BBS will usually number your lines for you.
Wait until the BBS places the cursor on the first line of the
message and is waiting for you to start typing.
At this point, press the "PgUp" key.
Press the key corresponding to the ASCII protocol.
Type in the name of the text file containing your message. If
the file is not in your upload directory you must specify the
full path name.
If you have everything set up properly, the message should
upload. When done, the BBS should be at the "end of message
command" menu, asking you to <l>ist the message, <s>ave it, or
<a>bort it.
If your text editor is funky, and did not put a true blank
line at the end of the file, then you may have to press ENTER to
terminate the message entry procedure and get the "end of
message command" menu.
If the ASCII UPLOAD hangs up, or freezes at the last line of
the message, it is probably because you didn't set "EXPAND BLANK
LINES" to "N", or off. It could also be because you didn't
terminate the text file correctly with your editor. See item #5
above on how to create the text file.
Until you become confident with the procedure type "L" at
this point to "list" your message. Some BBSs use "P" to "print
formatted" or "V" for "View."
Read your message and look for any dropped or missing
characters. If there are missing characters, abort this message,
change your setup menu (ascii upload section) to increase the
character pacing and/or the line pacing values, and try again.
On those BBSs that wrap the lines, check to see that it
didn't wrap where you didn't want it to. On TBBS, BBS-PC or
Citadel BBSs use the "P" or "V" command to do this. Go back to
your text editor and put a space at the beginning of the lines
if you don't want it to wrap.
When you are satisfied that your message was uploaded
correctly, type "S" to save it.
FidoNews 8-06 Page 9 11 Feb 1991
If you see the BBS displaying the "end of message command"
menu before you are done uploading the message, it is because
you had a blank line in your text file. Remember that you must
have NO blank lines, they must contain at least one space
character. Hit the ESC key to terminate the upload procedure,
wait for the BBS to calm down and stop beeping (this could take
a minute or two) and then abort the message. Go back and re-edit
your text file and try again.
Hint: Both Procomm and Telix allow you to "jump to DOS" so
you can quickly edit your text file while you are still on-line
with the BBS. Don't take too long, or the BBS will think you
went to sleep and log you off.
C:\RECAP>
There are a lot of things to configure and remember when
doing all this. But once it is set-up right, it sure makes
writing messages a lot easier. I especially like it when I am
uploading announcements to various BBSs.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-06 Page 10 11 Feb 1991
George Peace
1:13/13
BACKBONE -- the file echo -- is now available in a region near
you. It's a distribution mechanism for ASCII text lists that
identify conferences carried via "backbone" transport mechanisms.
The text files will be generated whenever backbone transport
conference lists change. This will [hopefully] offer more timely
and efficient backbone conference request routing.
Text files hatched into BACKBONE -- the file echo -- are named
<org>.<suborg>. For example, the FidoNet North American EchoMail
backbone conference list is named < FIDONET.NA >.
Text files for EchoMail conferences are in a format compatible
with the AreaFix v1.10+ automatic forwarding mechanism -- one
conference name per line. This is so AreaFix can be configured to
find the files in a fixed location such as the BACKBONE
subdirectory [as defined in the Tic.Cfg file]. The format also
allows us to provide additional information.
The advantage? I'm glad you asked. If all region and net level
"backbone" distributors maintain current BACKBONE conference
lists much of the difficulty and delay associated with new
backbone conferences might be reduced noticably. If BACKBONE --
the file echo -- follows backbone conference paths we might even
achieve "overnight" availability of new conferences.
Obligatory Technical 'Splanation
================================
Text files distributed via BACKBONE -- the file echo -- will
maintain a fixed name. That means Tick's CRC2DUP/DUPBYCRC
configuration option is recommended for unattended flow.
Tic.Cfg configuration parameters specific to BACKBONE would
include the global parameter...
CRC2Dup
and an AREA block something like...
AREA C:\Backbone BACKBONE
LOCAL DupByCRC
1:13/13 Passwrd1 *
1:396/1 Passwrd2 *
AreaFix.Ctl parameters might then look similar to...
FidoNews 8-06 Page 11 11 Feb 1991
List file: Fmt: Net/Node: Password
------------ ---------------------- ---- --------- --------
Forward_List C:\Backbone\FidoNet.NA Text 396/1 Mypasswd
Forward_Que Areafix.Que
Well, that's chapter 1 of the story. Let's see if this helps
streamline backbone distribution operations. If it does, both
Real SysOps and backbone operators will benefit. If it doesn't
catch on, at least I'll have had more fun than if I hadn't tried
at all.
Peace to all.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-06 Page 12 11 Feb 1991
John Bierrie
1:322/235
BBS_UTIL Echo
The BBS_UTIL Echo is for the support and development of
"utilities" (support programs) written for any BBS package
available. Whether you use RBBS, Remote Access, QuickBBS,
PCBoard, SBBS, Opus, Maximus or who knows what else, you are
welcome to join in the discussions. Utility authors and users
are welcome to discuss the programs they use, their features,
problems, and the like, no matter what BBS they are written for.
Many programs, though written for "one" BBS, will work (maybe
with some help) on other BBS packages, find out how... If you
are feeling a bit "limited" in only knowing what is available
for one particular BBS package, then here is a place to come to
find out what "others" are doing, what they have available, etc.,
without worrying about who is running what, where, why and
without having to pull in every BBS support echo there is. Share
your own knollege about what you use and maybe learn something in
return.
For those beginning and "older" programmers, who wish to
discuss their programs, how they do things, implementation
problems, etc... the discussions are welcome. Though not geared
"specifically" for programmers, their discussions concerning what
they are doing, how they are doing it, etc., will be more than
welcome, even encouraged!!. Some may find that by just
incorporating small changes, their programs will work (without a
kludge :-)) on some other BBS package, thus enhancing their work
and making it available to more people. If you need assistance
in getting something to work, need information concerning how
something is done with another BBS, just ask... who knows,
someone may actually have the answer!!
Overall, if you are interested in discussions concerning
"utility" software, without concern as to what BBS it is for,
join the echo.
The echo is presently being made available on the Backbone,
so just start asking for it. If you need any assistance in
getting a feed, or just want to know more about it, you may
contact either myself at: FidoNet 1:322/235 or Jim Hadfield,
at: FidoNet 1:11/717
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-06 Page 13 11 Feb 1991
Fredric Rice
1:102/901.0
What the hey? This is FidoNews?
Good grief! This is _Fido_ News? FidoNews 804 had probably the
worse collection of articles I've ever seen. We got the basic
fag spreading effluent throughout the issue and some additional
irrational sputterings from the _Christian_ cult!
How many people used to look forward to bringing up FidoNews on
the screen every week? Prior to the split of FidoNet and the
political reorganizations, there was some interesting stuff in
the years gone by.
Now we get to read about fags 'finding' each other through the
computer and about the religious cults doing the same. Is this
what FidoNews was intended for?
It's time to consider the print-it-all issue again, I think.
[ Editor's note: Since you asked -- frankly, this is about the
most offensive article which I have ever printed. I object to
your tone, your attitude and your obnoxious, self-indulgent
homophobic whining (and my wife doesn't approve of it either).
If we were to reconsider the print-it-all policy, submissions
like this would be the first to face the axe.
I don't see anything wrong with people reaching out to others
like themselves. For example, the type who thinks they spent
$5,000 on a computer so they could play some fool game like
Universal Mayhem. I *DO* happen to think that's what FidoNews is
for. Unfortunately, I have to put up with sick, hateful racist
crap like this in order to accomplish my goal. Hopefully, your
submission won't be the start of a rash of Aryan Nation or Ku
Klux Klan articles.
My advice to you is: Chill Out. And keep this in mind -- it's
real hard to stop restricting people's rights once you get off
to a running start. -- Vince ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-06 Page 14 11 Feb 1991
=================================================================
COLUMNS
=================================================================
Bruce Gingery
FidoNet 1:310/5.1
A Rose is a Roze is a Rqse
Altering a single letter of a filename to indicate it's com-
pressed status dates back, at least, to the original sQueeze
and Crunch(Z) when CP/M was THE small game going. We still
see it weekly as the NodeDiff makes its rounds in an .Axx.
As the compression and collection programs make their appear-
ance in the FidoNet community, various nodes choose favorites.
Most of these have a standard appendage we recognize as a three
letter "Extension" such as the venerable .ARC's and .ZOO's.
In the tradition of FidoNet, however, we seek to not exclude
the most limited participants, so for broadest compatiblity we
retain the 8+3 naming limitations, though these ARE quite the
limitations. In this naming schema, single letters begin to
have a lot of significance.
NOT AS LAW OR FORCED POLICY, I would like to propose the
following as a starting place for friendly interchange aids.
If others agree, perhaps the Signet letter ALSO can be included
with the companion archiver listings in the appendix of the
regular FidoNews distribution. (see table below)
Some of these letters are already being used pretty widely,
some not. There are already three contenders for "Z" of which
I am aware. In each case, the compression/librarian method(s)
indicated are mentioned as an aid to compatibility determina-
tion, and neither a promotion nor derrogation of the software.
+--------------------------------------------+
| Archiver Signet |
+--------------------------------------------+
| ARC (not including Squash) A |
| BLU (Apple) B |
| DWC D |
| BAGIT G |
| Various Librarian/non-compressed* I * |
| ARJ J |
| LZH/Lharc L |
| PAK/SDN P |
| Squeezed (single file) Q |
| Zoo (lettered for the author) R |
| CSARC (Commodore 8-bit) S |
| Crunched (single file) U |
FidoNews 8-06 Page 15 11 Feb 1991
| System-tied Binary data X * |
| Zip Z |
| Any single-system full-disk* letter-O * |
+--------------------------------------------+
Of course with a mere 26 letters to work with, this can quickly
become congested. I have probably inadvertantly missed one or
more with significant popularity. Fortunately, the writers of
many file librarian-and-compression utilities have allowed for
cross-system compatiblity, at least in the headers and specif-
ications, and those for which it would be nearly meaningless to
port any files, such as the Commodore 8-bit full-disk-zip, its
Amiga counterpart, or any non-compressing librarian's output, a
wide variety may be lumped under a single heading.
A NodeDiff file, then might be retained as NodeDiff.J39 in
the file area of one BBS, .A39 on another, and .Z39 on yet a
third, without confusion as to what is needed by the person
running late with NODELIST.032.
For comment, I can be reached at 1:310/5.1. I cannot guarantee
an immediate reply, but will appreciate any responses to this
InterChange column.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-06 Page 16 11 Feb 1991
=================================================================
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 3.02 RBBS 17.3B 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! 2.55
Opus 1.14+ 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 4Dog/4DMatrix 1.18
Gmail 2.05
GROUP 2.16
GUS 1.30
HeadEdit 1.15
InterPCB 1.31
LHARC 1.13
MSG 4.1
MSGED 2.06
MSGTOSS 1.3
Oliver 1.0a
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
FidoNews 8-06 Page 17 11 Feb 1991
TMail 1.15
TPBNetEd 3.2
TosScan 1.00
UFGATE 1.03
XRS 4.00*
XST 2.2
ZmailH 1.14
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 2.06
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
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 8-06 Page 18 11 Feb 1991
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 2.082+ BinkleyTerm 1.00 AmigArc 0.23
TransAmiga 1.05 TrapDoor 1.50 AReceipt 1.5
FidoNews 8-06 Page 19 11 Feb 1991
WelMat 0.42 booz 1.01
ConfMail 1.10
ChameleonEdit 0.10
ElectricHerald1.66
Lharc 1.30
MessageFilter 1.52
oMMM 1.49b
ParseLst 1.30
PkAX 1.00
PK[UN]ZIP 1.01
PolyxAmy 2.02
RMB 1.30
RoboWriter 1.02
Skyparse 2.30
TrapList 1.12
Yuck! 1.61
Zippy (Unzip) 1.25
Zoo 2.01
Atari ST
--------
Bulletin Board Network Node List
Software Version Mailer Version Utilities Version
FIDOdoor/ST 2.11* BinkleyTerm 2.40jt ParseList 1.30
QuickBBS/ST 1.02 The BOX 1.20 Xlist 1.12
Pandora BBS 2.41c EchoFix 1.20
GS Point 0.61
LED ST 1.00
MSGED 1.96S
Archiver Msg Format Other
Utilities Version Converters Version Utilities Version
LHARC 0.60 TB2BINK 1.00 ConfMail 4.03*
ARC 6.02 BINK2TB 1.00 ComScan 1.02
PKUNZIP 1.10 FiFo 2.12* Import 1.14
OMMM 1.40
Pack 1.00
FastPack 1.20
FDsysgen 2.16*
FDrenum 2.10
Trenum 0.10
Archimedes
----------
FidoNews 8-06 Page 20 11 Feb 1991
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
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 8-06 Page 21 11 Feb 1991
=================================================================
NOTICES
=================================================================
Jeff Galbraith
FidoNet 1:134/21.0
The SECRET C BBS
CXL and GUI_PROG Echoes
When I first started the CXL echo my main motivation was because
no one else was doing it, so I should. This came at a time when
it was getting extremely difficult to reach the author of the CXL
libraries for support. Little did we know at the time a process
was being fianlized for the sale of CXL to IDC (Innovative Data
Concepts) which in turn has now renamed the package to TCXL. So
be it. The tagname for the echo is still CXL, but covers all
phases of the package from past to present.
For those who are wondering, CXL is the C Xtended Language add-on
library that has given many C programmers (and wannabes) the
ability to manipulate windowing and data field entry while not
breaking any banks and no, I have nothing to gain by saying that
here. The CXL echo is a user supported echo, but we are fortunate
to have IDC available in the echo to answer our questions.
The CXL echo is available on the backbone.
The second echo I've started is tagnamed GUI_PROG. This may be
confusing to some because most of us believe that to be a true
GUI (Graphical User Interface) you have to be working with
bitmaps and interfaces such as Macintosh Finder or MicroSoft
Windows. But this is not the case. In this echo, even so-called
"text-based" interfaces are discussed. In fact, it's amazing to
see how many people don't realize that the DOS interface a lot of
users are used to is really a predefined bitmap of characters on
a grid layout (eg:25x80).
So there you have it. The GUI_PROG echo encompasses the
programming of interfaces. Whether be truly graphical in nature
or psuedo-graphical/text-based.
All environments, platforms, packages, compilers or languages are
welcomed to be discussed as long as it has to do with interface
programming. Currently, because the GUI_PROG is new, it's only
available from myself (1:134/21), or from the Region 17 REC (John
Souvestre - 1:396/1). If you want to get connected, netmail me
and I can put it on hold from here or there may be a node in your
area already getting it that I can get you connected with.
FYI, I am now running an HST 14.4, but remain MO. The system is
up from 5:00pm to 7:00am for now. I hope to be changing to
continuous mail capable sometime in the summer.
FidoNews 8-06 Page 22 11 Feb 1991
-----------------------------------------------------------------
James Pallack
1:325/101 @FidoNet
The Realm of Insanity *** Brigadoon
Brigadoon is devoted to the weirder things in life -- fringe
groups, nonstandard religions, cult movies, bad audio and video,
and certified maniacs and politicians. The goal of Brigadoon is
to allow the weird, the odd, the huddled masses yearning to free
an electronic playpen in which to espouse their varied belief
systems. It is a netswork of losers, winners, dreamers,
screamers, dragons, cats, witch's, whatever.
===> The Brigadoon Group <===
BW_A_PARLOR Auntie Bellums Parlour
BW_AUDIOACTIVE Punk Rap Heavy Metal Bouts
BW_GRAFWALL Great way to meet people
BW_GREEN_DRAGON Green Dragon Good Time Pub
BW_GUVMINT Whats wrong w/our government
BW_INSANITY Insanity, anything goes
BW_MAYBE Just say Maybe to drugs
BW_OPENFORUM What ever, open to all
BW_PAGANS_AN Pagans Against Normalcry
BW_PARACITY Where the Down boys go! (=>18)
BW_VIDEOACTIVE Cult Movies, Bad Films, tapes. etc.
BW_BOOKSACTIVE SciFi Books, Cult ,etc..
BW_DRUGINIT Talk Of the use of Drugs
BW_PREACHNIX Preach'n
WACKO as the name implies.
BRIGADOON Brigadoon City Hall
(aka SysOp's room)
Brigadoon postings is that they follow common-sense rules of
echo procedure, whatever those are. The big things are staying
on topic in the specific base. Your welcome to carry just one or
all of the echo's listed above. If you have something weird and
feel like you would like to add..feel free to speak your mind in
Brigadoon City Hall.
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 Brigadoon
Central (1:325/101) where we will deal with it as need be.
FidoNews 8-06 Page 23 11 Feb 1991
A rough topology map will be compiled monthly to give Brigadoon
users an idea of who gets the net from whom, and for new users to
have an idea where to plug in.
In closing, I point out that we are all of us doing this as a
hobby, and will tolerate no politics or powerplays. I hope to
keep Brigadoon open and free for all by dealing with problems as
they arise. It is my hope that official regulations and
policies will not be needed, to the enjoyment and betterment of
all concerned.
File Request BRIGADOON at 1:325/101 @FidoNet, 9:1010/11 @ParaNet,
69:2700/1 @AdultLinks
for a free information kit.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Interrupt Stack
16 Feb 1991
Fifth anniversary of the introduction of Echomail, by Jeff Rush.
30 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.
15 Aug 1991
5th annual Z1 Fido Convention - FidoCon '91 "A New Beginning"
Sheraton Denver West August 15 through August 18 1991.
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
FidoNews 8-06 Page 24 11 Feb 1991
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SysNL v3.20 Open Beta Test Program
Luke Kolin,
Constellation Software,
1:250/
[email protected]
With SysNL v3.20 beta_iii, SysNL is commencing what I consider
an "open" beta test program. This beta version will be freely
available to all that desire it, from 1:250/
[email protected], as
SYSBETA.
SysNL is an extremely fast nodelist compiler, supporting not
only the usual (Version 5/6, QuickBBS, text lists), but it also
supports SEAdog v4.51, RA v0.04, and it is the first compiler
to support the domain-aware Version 6 list as found in Binkley
v2.40 and up.
I invite everyone to join the SysNL team - to take part in the
development of a new piece of major FidoNet software. If you're
interested in SysNL itself, or want to experience and understand
the development of a software package, I invite you to join.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
