Volume 8, Number 15 15 April 1991
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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. EDITORIAL ................................................ 1
Just Checking In ......................................... 1
2. ARTICLES ................................................. 3
World Policy - U.S. Constitution ......................... 3
Just a few words about WorldPol .......................... 22
Comments on the WorldPol Debate .......................... 23
When and how to switch LD carriers for each call ......... 25
New Consumer Advocate Echo ............................... 26
Why do we need a WorldPol? ............................... 28
FidoCon '91 Update ....................................... 30
From Down Below .......................................... 37
And more!
FidoNews 8-15 Page 1 15 Apr 1991
=================================================================
EDITORIAL
=================================================================
Notes on the Editor's blotter --
Boy oh boy oh boy. I've gotten a lot of mail regarding the
Worldpol submission. Lots of mail and a number of articles.
The one I like the best is an effort you'll be reading here
which makes an attempt to adapt the United States Constitution
to FidoNet. I think it's not such a bad idea, actually. There
are flaws in it as it stands, but I see it as fixable.
I also think that Worldpol is fixable. Many of its supporters
agree with me that it's not perfect. The only area in which we
seem to disagree is whether it's best to gene-splice now or
cut off the extra arm and add the missing eye later.
Regardless of how you feel about Worldpol -- I can't encourage
you enough to get involved in the process. And make good and
sure that your NC votes one way or the other. He/She is YOUR
voice in this ratification process.
We have brought a new program online here called AutoNews. It
takes netmail addressed to AutoNews, and creates a file which
contains the body of the message. You specify the name of the
file in the subject line. We're still feeling our way out with
this, but ultimately this should provide a neat way of allowing
article submissions to be sent through FidoNet routing. ARTSPEC
restrictions still apply. Wordwrap hasn't been implemented yet.
We hear that Henry Clark is an RC now. We think that means that
under the Freedom of Information Act, we can demand that .GIF
file of Honey now. C'mon, Henry! We want to see who is talking
you through it!
I know that a few version updates came in this week. I'm just
running too far behind deadline to get them in this week.
Could the person who sent me an article under the name "Joe
SysOp" please contact me via netmail? I'll publish your article
under that name if you insist, but I have to know who you are.
Vote early. Vote often. Vote against Worldpol. It needs work.
And it needs that work NOW. Not later.
Have a good week. We'll see you here again next Monday.
Vince
FidoNews 8-15 Page 2 15 Apr 1991
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FidoNews 8-15 Page 3 15 Apr 1991
=================================================================
ARTICLES
=================================================================
Bob Dervishian, SysOp
Richmond Computer BBS
FidoNet 1:264/170
To whom it may concern:
FidoNet World Policy should not look like something more than it
is, people simply having "access" to each other. Anything more
than mere "access", might cause a casual observer to think that
FidoNet is some kind of club, legal entity, or organization.
In order to preserve the open "access" we all enjoy, it seems
appropriate for words like "members" and "membership" to be
avoided. It also seem imperative, that any FidoNet powers be
expressly eliminated, and a clear statement be made, that all
participants are independent unpaid volunteers.
"Access" is the keyword, and it should continue to be the
foundation upon which FidoNet rests. Nodes are simply computer
systems, and should not be seen as anything more significant.
Otherwise, as worldwide electronic mail expands, FidoNet might
innocently blunder into conflicts with the Laws of Nations and
the complexity of world politics.
On the other hand, it does not seem wise to think of FidoNet
World Policy as some kind of academic or inconsequential matter,
since the policy could become critical for open "access" to
FidoNet in the future. It seems necessary and appropriate, at
this stage of FidoNet's development, to make a definitive and
complete statement of FidoNet World Policy, in precise and
appropriate terms, in order to insure "access" to FidoNet in
today's world.
The question, then becomes, "How does one draft a world policy
document that can maintain free and open access to worldwide
electronic mail?"
Well, it appears that while establishing the framework for free
"access" to the open interchange of information and
communication, FidoNet World Policy could specifically adopt, as
well as, encourage the individual rights and principles setforth
in the Constitution of the United States, and encourage peace
and freedom and democracy throughout the world. If FidoNet
World Policy, used the language of the Constitution of the
United States, it could accomplish all of these goals and still
preserve the rights and customs of peoples in the various Zones,
and avoid conflicts with the Laws of Nations throughout the
world.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 4 15 Apr 1991
I was pleasantly surprised to discover, that with simple
modification, the Constitution of the United States, nicely
lends itself to the needs of a FidoNet World Policy.
Actually, the problems that might confront a FidoNet World
Policy are of such a magnitude, that it probably couldn't be
stated in a more simplified manner. I hope no one will get
upset because I have incorporated some language from the
proposed POLVOTE.TXT, along with the modifications, as a
proposed FidoNet World Policy document, for your consideration,
as setforth below:
*************
WORLD POLICY
of
FidoNet
adopted: ../../19..
effect: ../../19..
PREAMBLE
We the Nodes of FidoNet, in Order to form a more perfect
Network, establish Justice, insure Tranquility, promote the
general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to
ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this World
Policy for FidoNet.
Article I.
Section 1.
FidoNet is a private amateur electronic mail system which
exists only to provide electronic mail services, and all Nodes
are unpaid volunteers.
FidoNet is not a common carrier or a value-added service
network and is public only to the extent the independent,
constituent Node Operators may individually allow public access
to the network on their system.
Zone Mail Hour, which is the heart of FidoNet, shall be one
hour of each day, which is reserved within a Zone, for the
exclusive purpose of passing FidoNet mail between FidoNet Nodes.
The English Language is the official language of FidoNet.
All official FidoNet documents shall exist in English. Zones
may adopt a secondary language for convenience. Translation
into all languages is encouraged.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 5 15 Apr 1991
Access to FidoNet is open to any computer system,
consistent with FidoNet World Policy, which fulfills the
requirement of reserving Zone Mail Hour for the exclusive
purpose of passing FidoNet mail between FidoNet Nodes during
Zone Mail Hour, using the protocol defined in the current
FidoNet Technical Standards Committee publication. (FTS-0001 at
this writing).
Node status shall be established by a computer system being
shown as having the privilege of access to FidoNet in the
Official FidoNet List of Nodes (NodeList), which is issued by
FidoNet on a weekly basis.
FidoNet is collection of volunteer Nodes which are
addressed by Zone, Region, Network, Node, [and Point]. (i.e.
1:125/111.5)
The Seat of FidoNet shall be the Zone, wherein the World
Coordinator resides.
A Zone shall be a collection of Regions, which are located
in a geographic area containing one or many regions, which may
cover one or more countries.
A Region shall be a collection of Networks, which are
located in a well-defined geographic area containing Nodes which
may or may not be combined into Networks. A typical Region will
contain many Nodes in Networks, and a few computer systems which
are not part of the Network.
A Network shall be a collection of Nodes, normally but not
exclusively in a local geographic area.
Node Operators (NodOp) shall formulate policy for the
running their respective Nodes and dealing with their Bulletin
Board Users. The independent Node Operator voluntarily
cooperates with the FidoNet Policy in order to access FidoNet,
and to receive and send FidoNet mail consistent with FidoNet
Policy.
A Point shall not be a FidoNet Node, but is a computer
system that is able to have access to FidoNet, through a FidoNet
Node acting as a host. A Point Operator (PtOp) may be any age,
and the Point shall be addressed, by using the host Node's
address shown in the NodeList, with a Point number affixed.
(i.e. 1:125/111.6)
System Operators (SysOp) presently existing in the Fido
Network are hereby established as Node Operators (NodOp) of
FidoNet, in the Zone wherein they reside.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 6 15 Apr 1991
The right of Node Operators, who have attained the Age of
eighteen Years, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by
FidoNet or by any Zone on account of nationality, race, color,
sex, age, or otherwise.
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, shall exist
within the FidoNet.
The Right of Node Operators to vote in any election for
World Coordinator or Vice World Coordinator, for Electors for
World Coordinator or Vice World Coordinator, for Zone Senator or
Node Representative, shall not be denied or abridged.
No Node shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house,
without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a
manner to be prescribed by FidoNet.
FidoNet shall make no Policy respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging
the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of Node
Operators to peaceably assemble, or to petition for a redress of
grievances.
It being necessary to the security of a free world, the
right of Persons to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
The right of Persons to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures,
shall not be violated and shall not be infringed.
All Policy Powers herein granted shall be vested in a
Congress of FidoNet, which shall consist of a Zone Senate and a
Node House of Representatives.
The enumeration in FidoNet World Policy, of certain rights,
shall not be construed to deny or disparage any other Right
retained, by the Node Operators.
The powers not delegated to FidoNet by FidoNet World
Policy, nor prohibited to it by the Zones, are reserved to the
Node Operators or to the Zones respectively.
FidoNet Congress shall not make or enforce any policy which
shall abridge the privileges or immunities of Node Operators of
FidoNet; nor shall FidoNet Congress deprive any person of life,
liberty, or property, without due process of Law, FidoNet or
otherwise; nor deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal
protection of the Law, FidoNet or otherwise.
No Node Operator shall be a Zone Senator or Node
Representative in FidoNet Congress, or Elector of World
Coordinator and Vice World Coordinator, or hold any office,
under FidoNet, or under any Zone, who, having previously taken
an oath, as a member of FidoNet Congress, or as an Officer of
FidoNet, or as a Member of any Zone Legislature, or as an
Executive or Judicial officer of any Zone, to support the World
FidoNews 8-15 Page 7 15 Apr 1991
Policy of FidoNet, who shall have engaged in insurrection or
rebellion against any Nation, or given aid or comfort to the
enemies thereof. But FidoNet Congress may by a vote of
two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
Section 2.
The Node House of Representatives shall be composed of
Members chosen every second Year by the Node Operators of the
several Zones, and the Electors in each Zone shall have the
Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous
Branch of the Zone Legislature.
Node Representatives shall be apportioned among the several
Zones which may be included within this Network, according to
their respective Numbers, counting the whole Number of Node
Operators in each Zone, excluding none. But when the right to
vote at any election for the choice of Electors for World
Coordinator and Vice World Coordinator of FidoNet,
Representatives in FidoNet Congress, the Executive and Judicial
officers of a Zone, or the members of the Legislature thereof,
is denied to any of the Node Operators of such Zone, being
eighteen years of age, and Node Operators of FidoNet, or in any
way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other
violation, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced
in the proportion which the Number of such Node Operators shall
bear to the whole Number of Node Operators in such Zone.
The actual Enumeration shall be made within one Year after
the first Meeting of the Congress of FidoNet, and within every
subsequent Term of two Years, in such Manner as they shall by
Policy direct. The Number of Node Representatives shall not
exceed one for every Hundred Nodes, but each Zone shall have at
Least one Node Representative.
When vacancies happen in the Node Representation from any
Zone, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of
Election to fill such Vacancies.
The Node House of Representatives shall chose their Speaker
and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of
Impeachment.
Section 3.
The Zone Senate of FidoNet shall be composed of two
Senators from each Zone, elected by the Node Operators thereof,
for six Years; and each Zone Senator shall have one Vote.
No Node Operator shall be a Zone Senator who shall not have
attained to the Age of twenty-one Years, and been three Years a
Node Operator of FidoNet, who shall not, when elected, be a Node
Operator of that Zone for which he shall be chosen.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 8 15 Apr 1991
The Electors in each Zone shall have the qualifications
requisite for Electors of the most numerous branch of the Zone
legislatures. When vacancies happen in the representation of
any Zone in the Zone Senate, the executive authority of such
Zone shall issue Writs of Election to fill such vacancies:
Provided, That the legislature of any Zone may empower the
executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the Node
Operators fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may
direct.
Immediately after the Zone Senators shall be assembled in
Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as
equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Zone
Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration
of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the
fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the
sixth Year, so that one-third may be chosen every second Year;
and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the
Recess of the Legislature of any Zone, the Executive thereof may
make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the
Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.
The Vice World Coordinator of FidoNet shall be President of
the Zone Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally
divided.
The Zone Senate shall chose their other Officers, and also
a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice World
Coordinator, or when he shall exercise the Office of World
Coordinator of FidoNet.
The Zone Senate shall have the sole Power to try all
Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on
Oath or Affirmation. When the World Coordinator of FidoNet is
tried, the FidoNet Chief Justice shall preside: And no Node
Operator shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two
thirds of the Members present.
Judgement in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further
than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and
enjoy any Office of honor or Trust under FidoNet.
Section 4.
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Zone
Senators and Node Representatives, shall be prescribed in each
Zone by the Legislature thereof: but the FidoNet Congress may at
any time by FidoNet Policy make or alter such Regulations,
except as to the Place of Chosing Zone Senators.
FidoNet Congress shall assemble at least once in every
Year, and such Meeting shall begin at noon on the 3rd day of
January, unless they shall by FidoNet Policy appoint a different
day.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 9 15 Apr 1991
The terms of Zone Senators and Node Representatives shall
end at noon on the 3rd day of January, of the years in which
such terms would have ended; and the terms of their successors
shall then begin.
Section 5.
Each FidoNet House shall be the Judge of the Elections,
Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of
each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller
number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to
compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and
under such Penalties as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings,
punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the
Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and
from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may
in their Judgment require Secrecy to preserve the security of
FidoNet or it's Node Operators; and the Yeas and Nays of the
Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of
one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither FidoNet House, during the Session of FidoNet
Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for
more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which
the two Houses shall be sitting.
Section 6.
The Zone Senators and Node Representatives shall receive no
Compensation for their Services. They shall in all Cases of
Violation, until convicted, be privileged from censorship or
expulsion during their Attendance at the Session of their
respective Houses, and in going to and returning from same; and
for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be
questioned in any other Place.
No Zone Senator or Node Representative shall, during the
Time for which he was elected, be appointed or elected to any
Fido Office nor Public Office under the Authority of any Nation,
which shall have been created, and no Node Operator holding any
Office under the FidoNet, shall be a Member of either House
during his Continuance in Office.
Section 7.
No Policy for raising Revenue shall originate in either
FidoNet House.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 10 15 Apr 1991
Every Bill which shall have passed the Node House of
Representatives and the Zone Senate, shall, before it become a
FidoNet Policy, be presented to the World Coordinator of
FidoNet; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall
return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall
have Originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on
their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such
Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the
Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the
other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if
approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a FidoNet
Policy. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be
determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Node Operators
voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal
of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned
by the World Coordinator within ten Days (Sundays excepted)
after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a
FidoNet Policy, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless
the FidoNet Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in
which Case it shall not be a FidoNet Policy.
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence
of the Zone Senate and Node House of Representative may be
necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be
presented to the World Coordinator of the FidoNet; and before
the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being
disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Zone
Senate and Node House of Representatives, according to the Rules
and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.
Section 8.
The FidoNet Congress shall have No Power:
To make any Policy, in violation of the Laws of any Nation.
To enforce any Policy in any Zone wherein a FidoNet Node
resides, that is contrary to the Law of a Nation, that is
embraced by that Zone.
To establish any Policy impairing the Obligation of Contracts.
To Censor any communication, Article, or otherwise.
To establish Post Offices and post Roads.
To provide for the common defense.
To declare War or engage in any War among Nations.
To raise or support any Army, Navy, or any other Militia.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 11 15 Apr 1991
To suppress or engage in and/or repel Insurrections or
Invasions.
To provide for the quartering of FidoNet Nodes in any place
designed for the prosecution of War or Law Enforcement.
(i.e. any Fort, Magazine, Arsenal, dock-Yard, installation,
or any place military oriented or otherwise.)
To provide for any Punishment.
No capitation, or Tax shall be laid.
To lay a Tax or Duty on Articles imported or exported from any
Zone.
To lay or collect taxes on Node Users.
To lay or collect taxes on Node Operators or Point Operators.
To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises.
To borrow money on the credit of FidoNet.
To regulate Commerce with Nations, or among the several Zones.
To establish any Rule of Naturalization.
To coin Money, or regulate the Value thereof.
To establish ex post facto FidoNet Policy.
To enter into any Agreement or Compact with any Zone, or with
any Nation, or engage in any War, unless actually invaded, or
in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
To assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of or
against FidoNet, or any claim, and all such debts,
obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.
No Preference shall be given by any Policy of one Zone over
those of another: nor shall any Article bound to, or from, one
Zone, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by FidoNet: And no
Node Operator holding any Fido Office shall accept of any
present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from
any Nation, King, Zone, Individual, Commercial Business, or
otherwise.
Section 9.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 12 15 Apr 1991
The FidoNet Congress shall have the Power.
To promote the Progress of Computer Science and useful Arts, by
securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the
exclusive FidoNet Right to their respective Writings and
Discoveries.
To define Software Piracies and infringements.
To constitute FidoNet Tribunals inferior to the FidoNet Supreme
Court.
To make policy which shall be necessary and proper for carrying
into Execution the foregoing World Policy.
Section 10.
Each zone has the right to adopt a secondary Language as
its own official language, as a convenience.
No FidoNet Zone shall adopt any Policy contrary to FidoNet
World Policy.
No FidoNet Zone shall, without the Consent of FidoNet
Congress, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another Zone,
or with any Nation, or engage in any War, unless actually
invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
Article II.
Section 1.
The executive Power shall be vested in a World Coordinator
of FidoNet. He shall hold his Office during the Term of two
Years, and, together with the Vice World Coordinator, chosen for
the same Term, be elected, as follows.
No Node Operator except a Node Operator of FidoNet at the
time of the Adoption of this World Policy, shall be eligible to
the Office of World Coordinator; neither shall any Node Operator
be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the
Age of twenty-five Years, and been five Years a Node Operator
within FidoNet.
No Node Operator shall be elected to the office of the
World Coordinator more than twice, and no Node Operator who has
held the office of World Coordinator, or acted as World
Coordinator, for more than one year of a term to which some
other Node Operator was elected World Coordinator shall be
elected to the office of the World Coordinator more than once.
But this shall not prevent any Node Operator holding the office
of World Coordinator when this World Policy was proposed, and
shall not apply to any Node Operator who may be holding the
office of World Coordinator, or acting as World Coordinator,
during the term within which this World Policy becomes operative
FidoNews 8-15 Page 13 15 Apr 1991
from holding the office of World Coordinator or acting as World
Coordinator during the remainder of such term.
Each Zone shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature
thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole
Number of Zone Senators and Node Representatives to which the
Zone may be entitled in the FidoNet Congress: but no Zone
Senator or Node Representative, or Node Operator holding an
Office of Trust under FidoNet, shall be appointed an Elector.
The Electors shall meet in their respective Zones, and vote
by Ballot for World Coordinator and Vice World Coordinator, of
whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same Zone
with themselves. And they shall name in their ballots the Node
Operator voted for as World Coordinator, and the Node Operator
voted for as Vice World Coordinator, and they shall make
distinct Lists of all Node Operators voted for as World
Coordinator, and of all Node Operators voted for as Vice World
Coordinator, and of the number of votes for each, which Lists
they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of
FidoNet, directed to the President of the Zone Senate. The
President of the Zone Senate shall, in the Presence of the Zone
Senate and Node House of Representatives, open all the
Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Node
Operator having the greatest Number of Votes for World
Coordinator, shall be the World Coordinator, if such Number be a
Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if no
Node Operator have such a Majority, then from the Node Operators
having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the List of
those voted for as World Coordinator, the Node House of
Representatives shall choose immediately, by Ballot, the World
Coordinator. But in choosing the World Coordinator, the votes
shall be taken by Zones, the representations from each Zone
having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a
member or members from two-thirds of the Zones, and a majority
of all the Zones shall be necessary to a Choice. And if the
House of Representatives shall not choose a World Coordinator
whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the
fourth day of March next following, then the Vice World
Coordinator shall act as World Coordinator, as in case of the
death or other disability of the World Coordinator. The Node
Operator having the greatest number of votes as Vice World
Coordinator, shall be the Vice World Coordinator, if such number
be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if
no Node Operator have a majority, then from the two highest
numbers on the List, the Zone Senate shall choose the Vice World
Coordinator; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of
two-thirds of the whole number of Zone Senators, a majority of
the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no Node
Operator ineligible to the office of World Coordinator shall be
eligible to that of Vice World Coordinator of FidoNet.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 14 15 Apr 1991
FidoNet Congress may determine the Time of chosing the
Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes;
which Day shall be the same throughout FidoNet.
In Case of the Removal of the World Coordinator from
Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge
the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve
on the Vice World Coordinator, and the FidoNet Congress may by
FidoNet Policy, provide for the Case of Removal, Death,
Resignation or Inability, both of the World Coordinator and Vice
World Coordinator, declaring what Officer shall then act as
World Coordinator, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until
the Disability be removed, or a World Coordinator shall be
elected.
The World Coordinator shall not receive for his Services,
any Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor
diminished during the Period for which he shall have been
elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other
Emolument from FidoNet, or any of them.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall
take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear
(or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of World
Coordinator of FidoNet, and will to the best of my Ability,
preserve, protect and defend the World Policy of FidoNet."
Section 2.
The World Coordinator may require the Opinion in writing,
of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments,
upon any subject relating to the Duties of their respective
Offices, and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons
for Offences against FidoNet, except in Cases of Impeachment.
He shall not have Power, except by and with the Advice and
Consent of the Zone Senate, to make Treaties, provided
two-thirds of the Fido Senators present concur; and he shall
nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Zone
Senate, shall appoint Fido Ambassadors, other Fido Ministers and
Fido Consuls, Judges of the Fido Supreme Court, and all other
Officers of FidoNet, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise
provided for, and which shall be established by FidoNet Policy:
but the FidoNet Congress may by FidoNet Policy vest the
Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in
the World Coordinator alone, in the Courts of FidoNet, or in the
Heads of Departments.
The World Coordinator shall have Power to fill up all
Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Zone Senate,
by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their
next Session.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 15 15 Apr 1991
Section 3.
He shall from time to time give to the FidoNet Congress
Information of the State of FidoNet, and recommend to their
Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and
expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both
Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between
them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn
them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive
Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that
the FidoNet Policy be faithfully executed, and shall Commission
all the Officers of FidoNet.
Section 4.
The World Coordinator, Vice World Coordinator and all
Officers of FidoNet, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment
for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high
Violations and Misdemeanors.
The terms of the World Coordinator and Vice World
Coordinator shall end at noon on the 20th day of January,
If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the
World Coordinator, the World Coordinator elect shall have died,
the Vice World Coordinator elect shall become World Coordinator.
If a World Coordinator shall not have been chosen before the
time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the World
Coordinator elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice
World Coordinator elect shall act as World Coordinator until a
World Coordinator shall have qualified; and the FidoNet Congress
may by FidoNet Policy provide for the case wherein neither a
World Coordinator elect nor a Vice World Coordinator elect shall
have qualified, declaring who shall then act as World
Coordinator, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be
selected, and such Node Operator shall act accordingly until a
World Coordinator or Vice World Coordinator shall have
qualified.
The FidoNet Congress may by FidoNet Policy provide for the
case of the death of any of the Node Operators from whom the
Node House of Representatives may choose a World Coordinator
whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and
for the case of the death of any of the Node Operators from whom
the Zone Senate may choose a Vice World Coordinator whenever the
right of choice shall have devolved upon them.
In case of the removal of the World Coordinator from office
or of his death or resignation, the Vice World Coordinator shall
become World Coordinator.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 16 15 Apr 1991
Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice World
Coordinator, the World Coordinator shall nominate a Vice World
Coordinator who shall take office upon confirmation by a
majority vote of both Houses of FidoNet Congress.
Whenever the World Coordinator transmits to the President
pro tempore of the Zone Senate and the Speaker of the Node House
of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to
discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he
transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such
powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice World
Coordinator as Acting World Coordinator.
Whenever the Vice World Coordinator and a majority of
either the principal officers of the executive departments or of
such other body as FidoNet Congress may by FidoNet Policy
provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Zone
Senate and the Speaker of the Node House of Representatives
their written declaration that the World Coordinator is unable
to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice World
Coordinator shall immediately assume the powers and duties of
the office as Acting World Coordinator.
Thereafter, when the World Coordinator transmits to the
President pro tempore of the Zone Senate and the Speaker of the
Node House of Representatives his written declaration that no
inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his
office unless the Vice World Coordinator and a majority of
either the principal officers of the executive department or of
such other body as FidoNet Congress may by FidoNet Policy
provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore
of the Zone Senate and the Speaker of the Node House of
Representatives their written declaration that the World
Coordinator is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his
office. Thereupon FidoNet Congress shall decide the issue,
assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in
session. If the FidoNet Congress, within twenty-one days after
receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if FidoNet
Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after FidoNet
Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote
of both Houses that the World Coordinator is unable to discharge
the powers and duties of his office, the Vice World Coordinator
shall continue to discharge the same as Acting World
Coordinator; otherwise, the World Coordinator shall resume the
powers and duties of his office.
Article III.
Section 1.
The judicial Power of FidoNet, shall be vested in one
supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the FidoNet
Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The
Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall be Node
Operators of FidoNet and shall hold their Offices during good
Behavior, and shall not receive for their Services, a
FidoNews 8-15 Page 17 15 Apr 1991
Compensation, which shall not be increased or diminished during
their Continuance in Office.
No Node Operator shall be a Judge who shall not have
attained to the Age of twenty-one Years, and been three Years a
Node Operator of FidoNet.
FidoNet judicial philosophy can be summed up in three rules:
1) Thou shalt not lie, cheat or steal.
2) Thou shalt not excessively annoy others.
3) Thou shalt not become excessively annoyed.
Section 1a.
The parties involved in a dispute are encouraged to solve
their problems directly, without the intervention of a FidoNet
Court.
Any of the parties involved may request the intervention of
the respective Coordinator: Network Coordinator (NC) if a
dispute between members of the same network; Region Coordinator
(RC) if a dispute between members of different networks on the
same region; Zone Coordinator (ZC) if a dispute between members
of different regions on the same zone; World Coordinator (WC) if
a dispute between members of different zones.
The Coordinator requested as "mediator", will ask each
party to provide all the information before two weeks from the
request and will make a decision within forty-five days after he
received all the information from the involved parties.
A Coordinator, unable to resolve a dispute, may name a
third party who is a Node Operator of FidoNet to act as
"mediator", provided the parties involved in the dispute agree.
A mediator's decision may be appealed to the FidoNet Court
immediately superior level if considered unfair: Region Courts
handle appeals from decisions made by Network Courts; Zone
Courts handle appeals from decision made by Region Courts; The
FidoNet Supreme Court handles appeals from decisions made by the
Zone Courts; and appeals from decisions made by the World
Coordinator.
Section 2.
The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in FidoNet
Policy and Equity, arising under this World Policy, the FidoNet
Policy of Zones, and FidoNet Treaties made, or which shall be
made, under their Authority; to all Cases affecting FidoNet
Ambassadors, other public FidoNet Ministers and FidoNet Consuls;
to Controversies to which FidoNet shall be a Party; to
Controversies between two or more Zones; between a Zone and a
Node Operator of another Zone; between Node Operators of
FidoNews 8-15 Page 18 15 Apr 1991
different Zones; between Node Operators of the same Zone
claiming right under Grants of different Zones, and between a
Zone, or the Node Operators thereof, and foreign Zones, Node
Operators, or Subjects.
In all Cases affecting FidoNet Ambassadors, other public
FidoNet Ministers and FidoNet Consuls, and those in which a Zone
shall be a Party, the supreme Court shall have original
Jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the
supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to
FidoNet Policy and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such
Regulations as the FidoNet Congress shall make.
The trial of all violations of FidoNet Policy, except in
Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be
held in the Zone where the said violations shall have been
committed; but when not committed within any Zone, the Trial
shall be at such Place or Places as the FidoNet Congress may by
FidoNet Policy have directed.
Section 3.
Treason against FidoNet, shall consist only in levying War
against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid
and Comfort. No Node Operator shall be convicted of Treason
unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act,
or on Confession in open Court.
The FidoNet Congress shall have Power to declare the
Punishment of Treason, but no conviction shall work Corruption
of Blood, or Forfeiture, or be punishable or enforceable under
the Laws of any Nation.
No Node Operator shall be held to answer for a otherwise
infamous FidoNet Policy violation, unless on a presentment or
indictment of a FidoNet Grand Jury, except in cases arising when
in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any
Person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in
jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any case to
be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty,
or property, without due process of FidoNet Policy; nor shall
private property be taken for use, without just compensation.
In all prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a
speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the Zone and
region wherein the violation shall have been committed, which
region shall have been previously ascertained by FidoNet Policy,
and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to
be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory
process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the
Assistance of Counsel for his defense.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 19 15 Apr 1991
In suits, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved,
and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in
any Court of the FidoNet, than according to the Policy of
FidoNet.
No bail shall not be required, nor fines imposed, nor cruel
and unusual punishment inflicted, nor imprisonment held.
The Judicial power of FidoNet shall not be construed to
extend to any suit in Law or Equity of any Nation, commenced or
prosecuted against one of FidoNet by Node Operators of another
Zone or by Node Operators or Subjects of any Foreign Zone.
Article IV
Section 1.
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each Zone to the
public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other
Zone. And the FidoNet Congress may by general FidoNet Policy
prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings
shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
Section 2.
The Node Operators of each Zone shall be entitled to all
Privileges and Immunities of Node Operators in the several
Zones. A Node Operator charged in any Zone with FidoNet Policy
violation, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another
Zone, shall on demand of the executive Authority of the Zone
from which he flee, be delivered up, to and have the case
removed to the Zone having Jurisdiction of the violation.
No Node Operator held to be in violation of Policy in one
Zone, under the FidoNet Policy thereof, escaping into another,
shall, in Consequence of any FidoNet Policy or Regulation
therein, be discharged from such Zone Policy violation, but
shall be delivered up on Claim of the Zone, to such Zone, as may
be due.
Section 3.
New Zones may be admitted by the FidoNet Congress into this
Network; but no new Zone shall be formed or erected within the
Jurisdiction of any other Zone, nor any Zone be formed by the
Junction of two or more Zones, or parts of Zones, without the
Consent of the Legislatures of the Zones concerned as well as of
the FidoNet Congress.
The FidoNet Congress shall have Power to dispose of and
make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory
or other Property belonging to FidoNet; and nothing in this
World Policy shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of
FidoNet, or of any particular Zone.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 20 15 Apr 1991
Section 4.
FidoNet shall guarantee to every Zone in this Network a
Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them
against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of
the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against
domestic Violence.
Article V.
The FidoNet Congress, whenever two-thirds of both House
shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this World
Policy, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two-thirds
of the several Zones, shall call a Convention for proposing
Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid, to all
Intents and Purposes, as part of this World Policy, when
ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several
Zones, or by Conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or
the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the FidoNet
Congress: Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to
the Year Two Thousand shall in any Manner affect the First,
Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Section of the first Article or affect
the First and Third Section of the third Article; and that no
Zone, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal
Suffrage in the Zone Senate.
Article VI.
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before
the Adoption of this World Policy, shall not be as valid against
FidoNet under this World Policy.
This FidoNet World Policy, and FidoNet World Policy which
shall be made in Pursuance thereof, and all Treaties made, or
which shall be made, under the Authority of FidoNet Policy,
shall be the supreme FidoNet Policy of the Network; and the
Judges in every Zone shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the
World Policy or FidoNet Policy of any Zone to the contrary
notwithstanding.
The Zone Senators and Node Representatives before
mentioned, and the members of the several Zone Legislatures, and
all executive and judicial Officers, both of FidoNet and of the
several Zones, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to
protect, and support this World Policy; but no religious Test
shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or
public Trust under FidoNet.
Article VII.
The Ratification of the Conventions of two Zones shall be
sufficient for the Establishment of this World Policy between
the Zones so ratifying the Same.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 21 15 Apr 1991
Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the Zones
present the ___________ Day of ________ in the Year of our Lord
One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety One and of the Fido Network
the Eighth.
In Witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names.
North America / Zone 1 Date:
Europe / Zone 2 Date:
Oceania / Zone 3 Date:
Latin America / Zone 4 Date:
Africa / Zone 5 Date:
Asia / Zone 6 Date:
Ratified: 4/11/91 - ../../19..
*************
Thanks - Bob Dervishian, NodOp Submitted: 4/11/91
Richmond Computer BBS
FidoNet 1:264/170
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-15 Page 22 15 Apr 1991
Alexander Bochmann
2:247/12@fidonet
In the last issues of FidoNews, I saw a lot of people
complainig about the new WorldPol - proposal...
I just want to give them one thing to think about (and I hope I
do not contradict the purposes of the writers of WorldPol, but
that's what _I_ think about it).
I see WorldPol as a document creating the background for the
Zone/Region - policies, and not more.
WorldPol has not to be proof against all the circumstances it's
critics invent at the moment -- the future Zone/Region -
policy-documents have to be!
That's what WorldPol is all about: There can not be one single
document defining the exact guidelines for several thousand
Nodes in _completely_ different regions of the world. The
guidelines given in WorldPol are flexible enough to make it
possible to create new policy-documents for each zone and/or
region that can exactly meet the local requirements.
Policy4 is as flexible as a block of granite, that's why there
are many people out of the US that just do not use it - but
some folks in Zone 1 do not seem to realize that...
Alex.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-15 Page 23 15 Apr 1991
Mike Riddle
1:285/27
MY COMMENTS ON THE WORLDPOL DEBATE
We have seen a LOT of discussion of WorldPol in the last several
"Snoozes." We have also seen (in Volume 8, Number 14) a thoughtful
article by Jack Decker on "The Unfulfilled Promise of Fidonet."
Let me suggest that the Unfulfilled Promise is real (although I
might not agree completely with Jack on the reasons), and that
WorldPol addresses the major shortcomings that have brought the
network to this point. Let me share with you what I submitted to
my NC when he {gasp} asked his net sysops for their input, and ask
that you remember Jack Decker's comments as you consider this and
other WorldPol discussion.
> I recommend voting FOR adoption.
>
> 1. This document explicitly recognizes the equality of the other
> zones. North America is not the only place with Fido technology,
> and other countries/continents have different concerns.
>
> 2. Within the framework established by WorldPol, each zone may
> prescribe its own policy. WorldPol explicitly provides that
> current intra-zonal procedures (i.e., Policy 4) remain in place
> until changed.
>
> 3. Once WorldPol is in effect, all elections are really
> elections, until a policy is established that changes that.
> This means no more top-down dictates by the infamous *Cs.
>
> 4. IMHO, our hobby network is better served by established zones
> within a network, rather than by the ill-defined and poorly
> thought-out domain system. Maybe it can work someday, but right
> now it's not.
>
> 5. Some folks have criticized ambiguous language. (1) They
> didn't participate in the process of writing this thing, and
> (2) some ambiguity is better in a document like this, since it
> can be flexible. I didn't see anything obnoxious in it.
>
> 6. While WorldPol clearly anticipates geography as a major
> factor in zone/region/net placement, it also clearly allows other
> factors to influence the decision. I think we know of an ex-node
> or two that should have been in different nets/regions.
>
> That's enough for now.
>
> Mike
>
> "And that's the way it is, Monday, March 18, 1991. Say good
> night, Chet."
FidoNews 8-15 Page 24 15 Apr 1991
I have tried carefully to read the criticisms of WorldPol, and many
of them are valid. In my opinion, however, they are not persua-
sive. The two biggest difficulties with Policy 4 are its inflexi-
ble administration and its North-American bias. WorldPol would fix
those problems, and would let Zone 1 retain those parts of Policy
4 that seemed to fit.
Pablo and others have pointed out the problems of geography in
Germany and Holland. Well, its not just Zone 2. We had a member
in our "local" (Omaha) network. (He since removed himself from the
nodelist. More support for Jack Decker's latest comments?) His
physical (geographic) location was several hundred miles away from
the Omaha area, on the edge of a different time zone, he obtained
all of his net traffic long-distance, and telephone costs were
/much/ cheaper if he were assigned to a net in Denver. OOPS!
Different region, different state, so sorry, geography rules! The
problem can exist right here in Zone 1, and I have seen it.
But, you say, what about *C discretion? Couldn't "they" have done
something?
Yes, even under Policy 4 "they" could have. They didn't, and I'm
not privy to their reasons. From where I saw the action, it was
another case of King Geography and Emperor Regional Boundaries,
enforced by a *C structure that had no reason to be responsive to
the sysops who form the network.
WorldPol would have made it much easier to fix. WorldPol would
have given the *Cs more reason to be responsive to the valid needs
of a sysop.
There's nothing magic about Policy 4. It grew from Policy 1 in an
evolutionary process. (Many of us thought the manner Policy 4 was
"approved" was flawed, but it now has the blessings of time and
usage). There's no reason to stagnate now with Policy 4. We can
and must change for the good of the network that is our mutual
hobby.
Adopt WorldPol. Zones, rewrite a Zone.Pol.n that will fill your
needs, and get the sysops to approve. Let's move on and try to
expand and fulfill the potential of the network,
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-15 Page 25 15 Apr 1991
Dave Appel
A user on 1:231/30
WHEN AND HOW TO SWITCH LONG DISTANCE CARRIERS FOR EACH CALL
Remember when AT&T sort of crashed a year or so ago? Many
businesses were out of business that day because their long
distance calls wouldn't go through. What the operators didn't
tell you that day was that you could have *easily* used MCI or
Sprint to complete your long distant calls, even if AT&T was
your "default" or "dial 1" long distance carrier. You sysops
probably already know this, but this might make a good bulletin
for your users or your local user group newsletter.
If MCI is your long distance carrier you can easily switch
to AT&T or Sprint on a call by call basis. Ditto for any long
distance carrier.
Just remember these 3 simple numbers:
ATT = 10288
MCI = 10222
Sprint = 10333
No matter who your "default" LD carrier is, you can specify
that your call be carried by an alternate carrier by dialing one
of the above numbers as a prefix. Example: I have MCI as my
"dial 1" or "default" carrier. If I want to call my US senator
using AT&T, perhaps because I want to see how AT&T's rate
compares to MCI's, I would dial "10288 1-202-224-3121." When I
get my monthly bill from Indiana Bell, there would be an
additional page at the end that bills me for all the calls I
made via AT&T. No surcharges, no special fees or additional
costs. It would be the same charge as if I had AT&T as my LD
carrier, not taking into account any special calling plans.
Suppose I am at a customer's site. The customer has AT&T
as their "dial 1" or "default" LD carrier. I want to call
home, and not have it billed to my customer. I have an MCI
calling card, not an AT&T calling card. I have 3 options:
Dial 950-1022 and use the instructions on my MCI card.
Dial 1-800-950-1022 and use the instructions on my MCI
card.
Dial 10222 0-(area code + number) and use my card number at
the beep, or wait for the operator and make it a collect call.
Another reason for switching carriers on a call by call
basis is line quality. At one time MCI had a lot of line noise
on its link between here and Louisville. Customer support via
modem was critical. MNP was not available. The best solution
at the time was to use the 10288 prefix and use AT&T's lines for
that particular connection. It worked.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-15 Page 26 15 Apr 1991
Doug Wittich
1:261/1082
The Consumer Advocate Echo is now available for distribution
as noted below.
This echo is a sibling of the Consumer Report echo. It can be
used for such things as discussing consumer rights and
responsibilities. This can be a far-reaching topic, including
discussion of boycotts, letter-writing campaigns, and any
other topic related to consumerism, but not directly related
to the selection of products and services. There is already a
lively debate of the Buy American topic going on.
The moderator for Consumer Advocate is Al Thorley. He may be
contacted via netmail at 1:261/1056 or 1:261/1082.
The Consumer Report echo, which has existed for over four
years will continue to be devoted to the discussion of
products and services, including the sharing of information
for supporting purchase decisions, and helpful hints and tips
for getting the most out of any product or service.
Be sure to leave a message for your sysop in the private
message area on the BBS you are using, asking to be connected
to this new and useful echo. Refer him or her to this message
for the following details they will need.
The new echo, Consumer Advocate, is available from the
following systems. Please request a connection via the method
indicated. Note that this distribution method is temporary,
until the volume can justify a request to put it on the Zone 1
backbone.
NODE SYSOP Name Connect to echo via Delivery Mode
==== ========== =================== =============
261/1082 Doug Wittich request via netmail Continuous Mail
(Baltimore, Md)
106/113 Rick Edwards Areafix Held for Polling
(Houston, Tx) (CM for locals)
228/26 Glen Davis request via netmail Held for Polling
(Grand Rapids, Mi)
1:106/1555 is at 9600 and will serve as distributor to the
NETWORK folks. His NETWORK address is: 8:7105/1555 or just
7105/1555. This of course is available to ANY sysop who
participates in NETWORK echos.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 27 15 Apr 1991
BIG NOTE: We are looking for someone to perform hubbing
services in the Mountain and Pacific time zones. Contact
Doug Wittich at 1:261/1082 if you are interested. This
should only be necessary for a couple of weeks until the
volume allows us to go on the backbone.
The echo tag is C_ADVOCAT. All bundles from 1:261/1082 will
be done via ARCmail. Those from 1:228/26 can be done by ARC
or ZIP, 1:106/113 by any compression. Specify your choice in
Netmail to the sysop.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-15 Page 28 15 Apr 1991
Don Benson
Tribute Test Point 1:157/603
Why do we need a WorldPol?
I have read with interest the debate in Fidonews since the
publication of WorldPol. The arguments fly back and forth, and
both sides seem set in their decisions, yet one issue that I
think is important has yet to come up. Do we need an
international "Policy" like WorldPol or Policy4?
Fidonet has grown to encompass most of the world. In doing so,
it has absorbed people and technologies from many cultural and
technological backgrounds. To ask for one policy document which
will satisfy all is an insurmountable task. Yet this is what is
being attempted in WorldPol.
There are only two directions to move with such a document,
either toward anarchy or dictatorship. Some people complain that
Policy 4 was too much like a dictatorship. The opposite side
claims the proposed WorldPol is too vague, and will promote
anarchy. A prime example of this is the debate over "western
democratic standards." If left in its vague form, it would
prmote anarchy as people interpreted it as they liked. However,
changing the language to specific operational procedures would be
forcing some people to adopt methods which aren't ideal for them.
The crux of the situation seems to be that WorldPol tries to do
too much. Policy 4 had the same problem as Zones 2 through 6
developed and flourished. What needs to be done is to simply
throw out anything that is not necessary on an international
level.
For example, the issue of geographical nets comes to mind. What
difference does it make to Joe Sysop in Anytown, USA if Jurgen
Sysop in Jeneburg, Germany is not in a geographical net?
Especially when sending netmail? This is something that should
be decided on the zone or even regional level, not
internationally.
Concerning elections, perhaps WorldPol should only decree how the
IC is elected. It should have no say or take any position on how
any other *C's are elected. This still leaves room for debate,
since the specific method of an IC election will never please
everyone. However, it also doesn't place any weight on elections
at lower levels.
The trickiest area I see in defining a WordPol is handling
international disputes. In fact, this should be the main body of
WorldPol, and have the most meaning. Everything else should only
be minimal procedural definitions for the sake of structure, which
is necessary to keep the organization together.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 29 15 Apr 1991
One final point for anybody who is or wants to have an input on
WorldPol. I never knew one was being developed (mostly because I
am a fairly new Fidonet node) until I saw it in the Snooze. For
those who are sending in suggestions, how about this one: Try to
make any Policy reflect how things are actually working.
In sum, I think that WorldPol could probably be reduced to a
third of the current size, and we would end up with a smaller,
more effective document. Take a few moments and look at WorldPol
again. Ask yourself if each section is absolutely necessary to
be controlled at the international level? If not, why include
it?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-15 Page 30 15 Apr 1991
FidoCon '91
August 16th through 18th, 1991
1:1/91@Fidonet {or something like that}
FidoCon '91 Membership
P.O. Box 486
Louisville, CO 80027
Contact telephone (303) 426-1847
FidoCon '91 VIP Membership: $104 US* Rate Changes July 15th
Banquet 25 US
===
$129 US
* Membership After July 15, and at the door
* $169
* Banquet 25
* ====
* $194
*NEW*
A "No Frills", good from 9am to 6pm, for Seminar and
Dealers Rooms ONLY membership (no Convention Hospitality
Suite access or ticket for the SuperSystem Drawing) is
available for $45 US for the three days or $20 US per
day. Full credit can be applied to a VIP membership if
you elect to upgrade.
*NEW*
A "Supporting Membership" for those unable to attend, is
available for $25 US. Supporting members Will receive
the progress reports and program book.
Hotel: Sheraton Lakewood
690 Union Blvd
Lakewood, CO
(303) 987-2000
Rooms:
Single/Double $59 US per night
Adjoining Rooms (Pseudo-Suite) 118 US
Triple/Quad 78 US
Adjoining Rooms (Pseudo-Suite) 156 US
Suites from 450 US
Guests of Honor:
Tom Jennings -- FidoCon '91 Guest of Honor
Tim Pozar -- Gateway Guru
Ray Gwinn -- The Fossil master his self
Vince Perriello -- THE REAL President of Bit Bucket Software &
FidoNews 8-15 Page 31 15 Apr 1991
publisher of FidoNews.
Alan Applegate -- VICE-President of Bit Bucket, Writer of the
infamous Binkley Docs & Technical
Support for eSoft.
Bob Hartman -- From Bloom County to you.
Phil Becker -- CEO of eSoft .. publisher of TBBS/TDBS/TIMS
Steve Jackson -- CEO of Steve Jackson Games .. Publisher of
GURPS CYBERPUNK and center of Secret
Service attention for over 8 months.
John Perry Barlow -- Internet Guru and one of the founders of
the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Guests of Dishonor:
Terry Travis -- Vince and Alan's prime target in the SYSOP
Mud pie Fight
Those indicating they will be attending:
Tom Tcimpids
Several notable writers of computer columns
Several popular Science fiction authors
Mitch Kapor Founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation
Invited and not yet committed:
Steve Wozniack The WOZ, one of the founders of Apple
Convention Hospitality Suite by:
Kevin "DOC" McNeil and the FidoNet COOKING echo.
Featuring: Seadog Casserole, Zip-Tarts, Pak-Man Cookies,
Roast Opus
Paid Memberships:
George Peace & Cheryl Whiston
Christine Keefer William M. Van Glahn &
Eric L. Smith & Janet Van Glahn
Diane B. Smith Steven G. See &
Marshall Barry & Pam See
Michelle Weisblat Steve Jackson
Jim Burt & Charlie Bass
Karen Burt Rodney A. Aloia
Scott Munhollon & Girard Westerberg
Tammy Munhollon Daniel D. Segard
Peter N. White & Russell Anderson
Cheryl Gordon Brian P. Bartee
Thomas Pat Nefos & Tom Jennings
Judy Nefos Ray Gwinn
FidoNews 8-15 Page 32 15 Apr 1991
Peter Stewart & Tim Pozar
Michele Hamilton Terry Travis
Daniel L. Bonner & Phil Becker
Linda L. Bonner Bob Hartman
Terry N. Rune' & Alan Applegate
Wayne A. Rune' Chris Anderson
James H. Dunmyer & Jeff P. Brothers
Janice L. Dunmyer Andrew Milner
Mike Ratledge & James F. Smith
Donna Ratledge Joaquim Homrighausen
Michael Kanavy & Joe Dehn
Elizabeth Kanavy Bruce H. Kirschner
Bob Whiston & Sam Saulys
Ken Zen George R. Cornell
Ben Cunningham Bill Bacon
John P. Roberts Jr. Zhahai Stewart
Chris Rand Michael Pratt
Norman B. Henke John Johnson
Stanley A. Hirschman Brenda Donovan
John R. Souvestre Ed Moore
Steven L. Rusboldt Mike Eckles
Emmitt W. A. Dove Don Marquart
Fabian R. Gordon Jeff Tensly
Don Daniels Thomas Lange
Tony Goggin Mark K. Kreutzian
Steve Raymond
Attending Banquet
Jim Burt & Charlie Bass
Karen Burt Rodney A. Aloia
Peter N. White & Girard Westerberg
Cheryl Gordon Daniel D. Segard
Daniel L. Bonner & Russell Anderson
Linda L. Bonner Brian P. Bartee
James H. Dunmyer & Tom Jennings
Janice L. Dunmyer Ray Gwinn
Mike Ratledge & Tim Pozar
Donna Ratledge Terry Travis
Michael Kanavy & Phil Becker
Elizabeth Kanavy Bob Hartman
William M. Van Glahn & Chris Anderson
Janet Van Glahn Jeff P. Brothers
Steven G. See & Andrew Milner
Pam See James F. Smith
Ed Moore Joaquim Homrighausen
Don Marquart Ben Cunningham
Mark K. Kreutzian John P. Roberts Jr.
Fabian R. Gordon Norman B. Henke
Don Daniels John R. Souvestre
Brenda Donovan John Johnson
FidoNews 8-15 Page 33 15 Apr 1991
Seminars:
Surviving Government Scrutiny The Ultimate BBS/BBSing
in the future
TBBS\TDBS\TIMS Getting the most from
BinkleyTerm
AMAX made easy Gateways - the
internetwork connection
Dealing with SYSOP burnout BBSing in the 90's and
beyond
The Ethical Software Hacker For this I gave up my
Love Life?
How to moderate an Echo Copyrights demystified
Software Development Roundtable DOS 4/5, Windows
Developers Roundtable Modem Roundtable
File your own copyrights for $10 XRS/RAX/QMX/SeX/XOR/
OREO/MORE
Association of Shareware XRS (the Universal
Professionals Offline Reader Editor
BBS Role Playing Gaming Forum Promoting your BBS
BBS Business Sense MASS Storage/CD ROM's
BBS Users Groups Activities:
TBBS Users Group will be convening as FidoTUG '91 during the
convention.
AlterCon will be sharing the facilities.
AlterNet Costume Banquet Royal Court
Meeting of the Dukes
Fun Activities:
Traditional Hard Diskus Throw Floppy Fling
The Big Three Brewery Bash National SYSOP Mud Pie
Fight
Air Force Academy Tour Garden of the Gods
Psychic and Physical Tours Golfing Tours of
of Colorful Colorado Colorado
We are scheduling additional seminars and social activities.
Fire off a message letting us know what you'd like to see and
do. If you would like to see someone special, let us know as
well.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 34 15 Apr 1991
*** FidoCon '91 Dealers Room will be open from 9:00 am to
*** 6:00 pm Friday and Saturday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Sunday
Manufacturers Invited:
AAC Telecomm Adaptec, Inc.
Alloy Computer Products, Inc. American MiTAC
Corporation
Anchor Automation Artisoft
AST Research, Inc. ATI Technologies Inc.
Bit Bucket Software BIX
Borland Chesterfield
Financial Corp.
Clark Development Company, Inc Coconut Computing,
Inc.
Compucom Connect Tech, Inc
DigiBoard Everex Systems, Inc.
Fujitsu Galacticomm, Inc.
Gates Distributing GVC Technologies Inc.
GW Associates Hayes Microcomputer
Products
Hitachi Microcom, Inc.
Microsoft Motorola Computer
Group
Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. Online Communications
Inc.
Practical Peripherals Prodigy Services
Quarterdeck Office Systems Searchlight Software
Supra Corporation Surf Computer Services
System Enhancement Associates Telebit Corporation
U.S. Robotics, Inc. VSI Telecommunications
Inc.
Western Digital Zoom Telephonics, Inc.
Confirmed dealers
Bit Bucket Software CDB Systems eSoft
Mustang Software, Inc.
Drawings & Prizes
Including:
16 Line TBBS/TDBS/TIMS Sysop Dream SYSTEM CPU with a 486 or
a 386 at least 3/4 Gig disk, 16 ports and several modems
.. depending on number of attendees. A portion of the
memberships go to purchasing this system.
Autographed copies of the books that made Steve Jackson a
household name, GURPS CYBERPUNK.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 35 15 Apr 1991
For the SYSOP that has everything
300 baud acoustic Sysop Nightmare System
All kinds of donated equipment and software, some even
working.
Hospitality Suites
eSoft Bit Bucket Software
More as it comes to being. Subscribe to the FIDOCON_91 Echo.
This will be THE BBSing Event of '91, BE THERE.
================== FidoCon '91 Registration Form ===============
Name: __________________________________________________________
Street Address: ________________________________________________
City: ________________________ State/Province: _________________
Postal Code: ________________________ Country: _________________
Voice #: ___________ Work #: ____________ Net Address: _________
Domain (FidoNet/AlterNet/RIME) _________________________________
Membership types VIP $104 No Frills $45 Day $20 Supporting $25
Name: ___________________ Membership Type: ______ Amount: ______
Name: ___________________ Membership Type: ______ Amount: ______
No. of T-Shirts: ___ Sizes(S/M/L/XL): _____ @ $15/ea = ______
Complaints (Print Legibly): _ Banquet Tickets: _ @ $25/ea= _____
TOTAL $ _______
Visa/Mastercard Number ____________________ Expire Date: _______
Signature: _______________________ Date: ________
Please make checks payable (in U.S.A. Dollars) to FIDOCON '91
and Mail To:
FidoCon '91
P.O. Box 486, Louisville,
CO 80027-0486
FidoNews 8-15 Page 36 15 Apr 1991
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-15 Page 37 15 Apr 1991
Dick Augustsson
2:203/119
A word from down below
========================
Not until recently did I discover something called 'FidoNews'.
I hooked on the echo, and have now automated printing of it.
Once having read my first issue, it occurred to me that this
thing was mandatory.
- Does the blood really reach the capillaries?
And what, to begin with, do I mean by this question? Well,
you COULD say that this article is directed to the
'management' of FidoNet, to point out some problems. For
instance, it was not until VERY recently (before I took a
stand in a local issue) that I even LOOKED at Policy4. Things
had been working perfectly well without it, so why bother?
And, it was not until I read it, that I understood I should
have read it even before I received my node number.
The same goes for FidoNews, and God knows how many FTS-* and
FSC-*. Of course, it WAS listed at some place that having read
Policy4 was an imperative to even be considered a node, but,
as I said, who cares? There are rather often grudging about
rules in some of the local echos, and these disputes more
often than not ends when someone (a SysOp!) asks 'What does
Policy say?'
As recently as yesterday, I received a letter from a Hub
Coordinator in net 2:201, who complained about my Origin Line
in one of the less serious echos (My origin was "Well,
<name>, there is some blood on the sheet...", a quotation
which will be remembered for a long time for reasons I won't
discuss here). He wrote, "How about using the Origin like it's
supposed to, according to Policy?" And that's even a person
in the coordinator structure! I replied, 'As far as I know,
Policy [Policy4] does not mention Origin Lines. I assume
you are referring to FTS-0004.' I still have no idea whether
or not FTS-0004 deals with Origin Lines, I just know it deals
with the basics of Echomail. One thing I DID know, was that
all Policy4 mentions about Echomail is in section 9.9, where
it is, in short, stated that echomail shall be considered
equivalent to netmail when disputes arise. But again, this
is not relevant, other than to show how little I know (and
how little I CARE).
So, what I mean by that question is this: Just how effectively
does information from the 'top' reach the 'bottom' of the
organisation (ie, FidoNet)?
FidoNews 8-15 Page 38 15 Apr 1991
My response is 'poorly indeed'.
When I upgraded from point to node in Feb '91, I had dealt
with most of the technical problems. THOSE were something I
cared about, something I tried to straighten out. At such a
point, who really does care about what an IEC does? (I still
do not know this. It wasn't until today I discovered there
was a document called "echopol1" - I am now searching for it,
and will have read it by the time this gets published.)
Most of the sysops I know don't deal with this kind of stuff
at all. Their attitude is, basically, "What's that to me?"
And that is a VERY good question. Exactly what benefit
comes to the reader of the official documents, apart from
being able to refer to a particular section when someone
comes with a Policy inquiry?
People at root level are today expected to actively search
for new information. It is not reasonable to demand this.
The overall lack of knowledge regarding Policy demonstrates
this in a perfectly simple and straightforward manner. What
FidoNet needs is something that forwards information to THEM,
and not the other way around. OK, we have FidoNews. But to be
honest - how many people read FidoNews more actively than
they read the morning paper? OK, I do, because I haven't seen
so much of it yet. But I don't read the articles over and
over, give them some thought, and then read them again -
something that's needed if the information is to be passed
down to root level effectively.
But, to make myself clear - I am by no means saying NOBODY
in my surroundings know what rules to follow. What I say
is MOST, or at least MANY people don't. For example, I know
one person in R20 whom I practically ALWAYS turn to when I
need some TechRefs, and I know in advance he will give me
the names of the needed FSCs and FTSs.
- All this talk about WorldPol
I haven't seen the thing. And the articles on it suggest to
me I shouldn't. My first impression of FidoNews (much derived
from the article on WorldPol, page 1, issue 8:13) was that it
was something for the Elite, something that I needed not be
concerned about. The article discussed various aspects of
things I'd never heard about, and referred to things I didn't
know existed. This, of course, further weakens the information
chain.
- Other, similar experiences
I used to be engaged politically. In that organisation, we had
a structure quite similar to the one of FidoNet: we had the
(main) council (ZCC), districts (Regions), local associations
(Nets) and individuals (nodes). For information to be passed
down to EVERY (active) individual in the organisation, the
following was required:
o Lots of information in the magazine (of the organisation).
FidoNews 8-15 Page 39 15 Apr 1991
o A literal bombardment of information AND STIMULATION! from
every level above to the one immediately below.
When compared to FidoNet's info chain, this would have meant
every individual would have had to contact his 'superior', or
participate in lots of administrative discussions, to get
some information (FidoNews excepted) in my political
parallel. It definitely wouldn't work - and it doesn't in
FidoNet, either.
Another example: When I added something to my NEWS file, it
was rarely noticed by my users. They had the habit of
impatiently pressing 'S' (for "Stop") to get to the main menu.
So, having realised the problem (the News file wasn't an
effective medium), I created an alternate information route:
individual messages. Every time I have something to say, I
write a letter and feed it into a program I wrote, 'NewsGen',
which posts the message to all my users. And I must say, they
really read it, the problem has been solved. And this
is my suggestion for FidoNet as a whole, as well.
- What to do?
As I said, I suggest that every concerned individual get a
personal message over the Net when something (say, an
election) is about to take place. This is a fairly simple
solution, yet easy to implement (more on this later), and it
doesn't give anybody anything more to do, and only marignally
increases phone bills - systems with Echomail won't know
the difference.
To be precise, if there is an election for a new REC in region
2:20 (which is the case), let the RC write a message about it,
and have it distributed to all persons involved. This way
the information WILL reach them. And another thing, it would
be everything but sane to publish such a thing in FidoNews,
for such obvious reasons I won't even mention them. By
'persons involved', I mean (depends on the situation) every
SysOp, every point, every NC, HC...
I will suggest a technical solution for this in the following
section...
- The BOMBRUN kludge: a proposal
Syntax: <ascii 1>BOMBRUN [ Z | R | N | H | P [ ZE | RE | NE ]]
Purpose: To effectively spread information throughout concerned
parts of FidoNet.
Explanation: When this kludge is intercepted by a mailer,
it will make copies of the message and distribute it as a
personal message to every sysop downlink from the mailer's
system.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 40 15 Apr 1991
Exception: If a letter is specified after the kludge, the
message will never be distibuted below the corresponding
organisational level, where Z = Zone Coordinator, R =
Region Coordinator, N = Net Coordinator and H = Hub
Coordinator. If no letter is specified, it will go to all
nodes. If P is specified, it will go to points also.
Exception to exception: If a second argument is used, the
message will, before it is 'stopped' at the level indicated
by the first letter, be copied to ZECs, RECs and NECs,
respectively (for the arguments ZE, RE and NE).
Further comments: It should be possible to remove the BOMBRUN
kludge when the final copy is made, as to reduce processing
at the level below (if the kludge needn't be intercepted, why
send it?)
Example: Suppose IC wants to announce an election of a new
REC in R2:20. It should go to all NCs, plus the NECs and REC.
What he does is to write a message to RC2:20, adding the
BOMBRUN kludge with arguments N and NE. At RC level, it will
be noted that this is the last copying level (the next level,
ie NCs, do not need the BOMBRUN kludge), so it is removed
on all outgoing copies. Furthermore, since the message is
stopped here (BOMBRUN kludge removed), the second argument
is taken into account, and a copy is also sent to all NECs
and the REC in the region.
Another example: A new policy has been adopted. IC writes
a message to himself, and adds a plain BOMBRUN kludge. It is
(from there) copied to the ZCs, where the kludge is
intercepted, and the message is distributed to the RCs, and
so on down to NC level, where the final copy (for the nodes)
is made and the kludge removed from the copied messages.
It should be considered, when writing a message about an
election for a new REC or ZEC, for example, that everybody
might not know the meaning of the term REC/ZEC.
- Some final words
The above proposal most certainly will meet lots of resistance,
but I just could not sit here, watching on one hand the Elite
in FidoNews discussing things I hadn't dreamed of, and on the
other people down here who don't know who's IC. (I don't.)
The two ought to discover each other. That was the purpose
of this article. And, I wanted to supply a means as well.
Comments are welcome to Dick Augustsson at 2:203/119.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 41 15 Apr 1991
// Dick "Wur:Palainen" Augustsson, 2:35am, 10-Apr-91
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-15 Page 42 15 Apr 1991
Christopher Baker
1:374/14, Titusville_FL_USA
MENSANS_ONLY Echo
MENSANS_ONLY is open to any verified member, past or
present, of any Mensa organization.
MENSANS_ONLY is not connected with American Mensa, Ltd.
[The High IQ Society], or any other Mensa organization
anywhere. MENSANS_ONLY has no opinions. Any opinions
expressed are those of the writer and any replier.
MENSANS_ONLY exists solely to provide a convenient forum
for electronic conversation between accepted members of any
Mensa organization. Any other inference you may glean from
perusing this Echo is all in your head, which is where it
should stay.
It is Hosted and Moderated from Rights On! in
Titusville_FL_USA at 1:374/14. It is intentionally withheld
from the FidoNet Backbone distribution system and is
offered for point-to-point links only. Any Backbone system
discovering this Echo traversing their system should
immediately remove it and notify anyone sending or
receiving it through them to desist unless said Backbone
system is an active and verified participant of
MENSANS_ONLY.
Anyone may read the traffic in this Echo but only verified
members may post in this Echo. Non-members interested in
more information about Mensa are directed to the general
Mensa Echo of the same name [MENSA] available from the
FidoNet Backbone and Moderated by Dave Aronson of
1:109/120.
Sysops who link into MENSANS_ONLY agree to abide by the
access restrictions above. The content of that Echo is not
restricted to any single topic or idea.
The number of systems linked to this Echo and the volume of
traffic in this Echo varies. Traffic is generally light
which is typical of non-Backbone, special interest Echos.
Anyone interested in linking into MENSANS_ONLY, should send
Netmail to: Christopher Baker at 1:374/14 {Rights On!,
Titusville_FL_USA}.
The following is a list of primary links for M_O:
[Zone 1:] 109/120 109/506 109/508 114/18 114/70 114/72
114/74 114/800 374/14 135/71 250/416 266/71 380/7 3610/98.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 43 15 Apr 1991
The Sysops of the above systems may link others into
MENSANS_ONLY based on the acceptance of the restrictions,
imposed above, by the link requesting Sysop.
Anyone requiring a direct feed or further information
should send Netmail to me at 1:374/14. Rights On! is a 24
hour system currently at 9600+ bps. It is now at 9600+ on a
USR Courier HST dual standard courtesy of their Sysop
Purchase Plan.
TTFN.
Chris
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-15 Page 44 15 Apr 1991
Jack Decker
1:154/8 Fidonet
The Unfulfilled Promise of Fidonet (Part 2)
In case you're wondering; no, this didn't start out to be a
"mini-series". It's just that after I sent in my article for
last week's Fidonews, I realized that I had omitted one very
important point.
One of the main reasons I see Fidonet as an "unfulfilled
promise" is due to the nature and quality of our echomail
conferences. I've sure we've all been sneered at by UseNet
devotees at one time or another because they feel their
conferences are of a much higher caliber, but there is some
justification to their claims. Read a Fidonet conference and a
UseNet conference on the same topic, and in most cases the
UseNet conference will contain much more "meat" and a lot less
noise.
Now, in part this is because almost anyone can get into
Fidonet, while not everyone can access UseNet. For various
reasons, the typical high school kid is often going to find it
easier to get into a Fidonet conference than a UseNet
conference. Our accessibility is a strength, since we make
information available to those who otherwise couldn't access an
information service, and I think few would want to change that.
But there are other things about echomail that could be changed
to our advantage. Please consider that in many ways our
current echomail technology is locked in at the "dancing bear"
stage of development (you've heard the saying: "The wonder of
a dancing bear is not how well he dances, but that he dances at
all." The wonder of echomail is not how well or how
efficiently it moves messages around the country, but that it
does so at all? Maybe that was true three or four years ago,
but I think we're ready to improve the design now).
One need only consider certain facts about echomail the realize
that it's already a bit of a technological dinosaur. When you
see nine or ten lines of SEEN-BY's, and four or five "IFNA
kludge lines" in a typical echomail message, you know there's a
problem. When you see all sorts of political restrictions
being imposed to keep from creating echomail "dupe loops", you
know there's a problem. When you see a message in a very
active conference saying, "Is this echo dead? Nobody in our
region has seen a message in this echo in two months!", you
know there's a problem.
Before I go on, I should point out that echomail doesn't always
come out on the short end of the balance. We've developed some
highly effective ways of compressing and sending echomail
bundles to other nodes. The mailer programs developed for use
in Fidonet are probably years ahead of any similar software
developed for commercial purposes (on the IBM-compatible
platform, at least). Our problems are not so much with the
FidoNews 8-15 Page 45 15 Apr 1991
transmission of echomail (except when you get two mailers from
different authors that won't talk to each other due to a lack
of standards, or enforcement of standards, as I discussed last
week) as with the actual format of the echomail packets and
messages that are sent, and the software used to import and
export echomail messages.
As I've pointed out, in many ways GroupMail technology is
superior to echomail, although it has some deficiencies of its
own (such as an 8K maximum message size). But I did not really
explain why. One major reason is that you don't run into the
"is this area turned on to us?" problem. Consider that with
echomail, every node in the path of an echomail conference must
have the conference "turned on" to both the nodes that it
feeds, and the node that it gets its feed from. If the echo
isn't turned on to the nodes it is supposed to be feeding, then
those nodes (and the nodes they feed) won't receive any
messages in the conference. If the echo isn't turned on to the
node it gets its feed from, then any messages entered on that
node or any of the nodes it feeds won't make it out into the
conference. Now, some major conferences may touch several
hundred nodes, all of which must have their AREAS.BBS (or
equivalent) file set up correctly in order for every message
entered in the conference to be received by every node in the
conference. Would it surprise you if I said that in many
cases, this level of perfection is not achieved, and some
messages don't get out?
What is needed, and is only partially achieved in GroupMail, is
a way to get a complete feed in both directions without too
much chance of an improperly constructed control file
disrupting everything.
Another, much larger problem is twofold: The difficulty of
getting a new conference carried by many nodes, coupled with
the inability to split existing conferences into subgroups.
Let's take a hypothetical example. Suppose you are a
participant in the MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) conference and
you discover that there are a number of Amway distributors
there, and you'd like to talk about topics specific to Amway
but not MLM in general. However, the majority of participants
in MLM aren't interested in Amway and would doubtless resent
having to wade through 20 or 30 Amway-specific messages per day
in order to find the general MLM messages. On the other hand,
if those folks interested in Amway tried to start an echomail
conference called AMWAY, chances are that few systems would
carry it, and the backbone nodes might even have some
reluctance to carry it. Now the point is not that I'm pushing
for an Amway conference (which I'm not!) but rather that this
is how MANY echo conferences become uninteresting to the
original participants. Consider the following scenario, which
is the generic outline of the specific situation hypothesized
above:
FidoNews 8-15 Page 46 15 Apr 1991
1) An echomail conference on a general topic is formed.
2) As time goes by, a number of people interested in one or
more sub-topics of the general topic are attracted to the
conference.
3) Some of the original participants of the general conference
decide that they don't have the time to keep up with the added
message traffic generated by the sub-topic(s), and either
complain or just drop out of the conference.
4) Some of those interested in the sub-topics (perhaps with
prompting by the conference moderator and/or other
participants) attempt to form one or more new echomail
conferences on the sub-topics. However, the problem in this is
that first of all, it is sometimes difficult to get a new
conference on the backbone, and even if you succeed in that,
there is no guarantee that the systems that carried the
original conference will also carry the new one.
5) Because in many cases the conferences on the sub-topics will
not be carried by most of the boards carrying the original
conference, those same sub-topics will continue to appear in
the original conference, only now, in addition to the
conversations on those sub-topics, there will also be the
additional messages of "Why don't you take this conversation to
the XXX echo?", and the responses such as "Because my sysop
doesn't carry the XXX echo" or "Because the XXX echo isn't
available in my Net/Region/Zone" or "Because there are no BBS's
in my local calling area that carry the XXX echo".
6) If a sub-topic conference happens to become successful, it
will probably spawn some sub-topics of its own. Recursively
GOTO to #2.
7) If a sub-topic conference becomes only moderately successful
(not dead, but carried on far fewer boards than the original
conference that spawned it), people will cross-post messages in
BOTH conferences just to make sure they're seen by anyone who
might be remotely interested, and thereby actually increasing
overall echo traffic.
Now, the real negative effect of all of this is that as the
traffic in a conference (the number of messages per day) rises,
the number of people who have limited time to read and
participate in the conference decreases. Furthermore, when a
high percentage of participants in a conference are those who
seem to have all the time in the world to read echoes, the
number of messages with no significant content tends to
increase (if their time isn't valuable to them, they probably
tend to figure it isn't valuable to you, either). Also,
off-topic messages beget more off-topic messages, and there are
those will post in certain messages in specific echoes simply
because they are large echoes (the "please excuse this
off-topic message but this is of such earth-shaking importance
that I knew you wouldn't mind" type message... which, of
FidoNews 8-15 Page 47 15 Apr 1991
course, promptly generates about twenty royal flame-type
messages from those who DID mind).
We sometimes describe such a conference as having an
unacceptable "signal to noise" ratio... that is, there is too
much "noise" (messages of no real interest to the reader) and
far to little "signal" (messages that contain at least
SOMETHING worth reading).
UseNet tends to get around this problem by having subgroups
attached to the original conference. As I understand it (and I
could be wrong about this, so don't quote me) if you get a
particular conference, you also automatically get all subgroups
attached to it. The reverse is not necessarily true, you can
get a subgroup without taking the parent group, but not the
other way around. So, if someone wants to form a subgroup, all
the nodes taking the parent conference automatically get the
subgroup, yet users of a BBS can select whether they wish to
read just the parent group, just the subgroup, or the parent
and all subgroups combined. The point is that you don't have a
situation where you are told to "take this conversation to the
XXX conference" but cannot because it isn't available on the
BBS you are using (or, if you're a sysop, from the original
node feeding the conference to you).
Some sysops might object to this because they would see it as
being forced to carry a conference they don't want. That's the
wrong way to look at it. It really should be viewed as that
you are carrying ONE large conference on a general topic, but
the software gives users the ability to "categorize" their
messages into a particular sub-topic so that those reading the
conference don't have to read about certain sub-topics that are
of no interest to them. Think of it as pre-defined message
threads within a topic, if that helps.
Of course, this ability to subdivide conferences is totally
beyond the capabilities of echomail. And THAT, folks, is why
some of our conferences are not of as high a quality as
UseNet's. Yes, the inability to have fully-moderated
conferences is also a factor, as is the fact that Fidonet users
sometimes come from slightly different backgrounds. But, I
feel that the inability to subdivide an existing conference,
coupled with the difficulty in getting a new conference onto
the backbone (and from there, onto BBS's around the network)
tends to keep a lot of unrelated topics going in the larger
conferences, and that causes some readers and participants to
leave those conferences.
The other related problem is that often someone will have a
good idea for an echo conference, but unless you're the
promoter type, it's far too difficult to get it started. The
biggest problem is getting it onto the backbone and then onto
other BBS's. Sometimes you just know that if a particular
conference were carried on numerous BBS's it would be very
popular, but sysops won't take it because it's not popular now,
and it won't ever get popular if nobody carries it. Catch 22.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 48 15 Apr 1991
If you can get an echo popularized in Fidonet, you've either
managed to pick a really hot topic, or you should consider a
career in sales!
Part of my reason for getting into Fidonet in the first place
was because I saw it as a way to learn more about topics of
interest to me. Trouble is, it seems that all the topics I am
interested in fall into one of three categories: 1) There's no
echo covering it, 2) There's an echo covering it but it's a
dead (or nearly dead) echo, 3) There's an echo covering it but
it's so large and has so many off-topic or "useless" messages
that I just don't have the time to keep up with it.
This is a problem that clearly cries out for a technical
solution... a new format for echomail messages and/or packets,
that allows fully-moderated conferences, and sub-topics (to as
many levels deep as necessary) within the main conference. But
will our software authors ever be able to agree on any new
standard that might be proposed along these lines? I hope so,
but only time will tell. I do think that if this can be
achieved it would make a major difference in the quality of
echomail conferences, and perhaps some of the real promise of
Fidonet would then be realized.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-15 Page 49 15 Apr 1991
=================================================================
COLUMNS
=================================================================
Henry Clark
1:124/6120
EPROM Programmer --
Not merely content with regular old C programming, I decided to
purchase an EPROM programmer from Modular Circuit Technology.
This is a hot item ! I have used it to modify disk drive
tables so that an exact match is available for newer, larger
disk drives. The software is good, and I can write and verify
an EPROM in 1 minute. I also got a UV light Eprom eraser (
that takes about 3 minutes ).
That's right, a lot of manufacturers' BIOS do not allow for a
user defined disk drive type ( heads/cylinders/sectors ) ! They
do that to inhibit 3rd party upgrades. HA ! There are endless
other possibilities for changing your own bios in your own out
of warranty machine.
The last byte of the BIOS is a checksum byte. When you add all
the bytes in BIOS including the checksum byte, the result is
zero. The summation is kept as a 1 byte value, without regard
to the overflow above 255. I noticed that with memory managers
and shadow ROM facilities active ( I use QEMM myself ), that a
look at the BIOS addresses with a program like DEBUG can be
misleading.
Tape Drive --
As a result of the new programmer, a tape drive was secured to
do the backup and restore of data from the old drive to the
new. The Mountain FS-8000 with Mach-2 board backs up at about
2.6 megs per minute on my machine, and each tape holds about
160 megabytes of my ( already ) compressed files.
I haven't seen a tape error yet, and it's a pretty good buy. I
got the internal with controller kit to save money, but I
mounted the drive in an external cabinet ( separate power
supply ) and put the controller into which even machine I want
to backup.
I had a bug doing a backup in a Desqview task. After writing
all the files, the program rewound to update the volume info,
and locked up on the next write. Probably not a good idea to
do tape backups in a multitasking environment anyway.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 50 15 Apr 1991
Disk Drive --
I don't know diddly about Disk Drives, ask Bo.
We looked around for a 3.5 inch size drive to replace a Conner
100 in a Compaq Portable 386. We found the Plus Development
200 meg IDE drive to be compatible and fast. Plus is coming
with a 425 meg drive this fall ( seein's believin' ). I run
bulletin boards on ESDI, SCSI and MFM. That's all I know about
disk drives.
We used FDISK and FORMAT on the new drive. I don't like device
drivers and especially device drivers for disk drives, and
really especially don't like device drivers for >32 Meg.
volumes that are boot drives.
I got an extra 61 cylinders out of my Seagate drive, thank you.
Taxing Situation --
This 'snooze' arrives to most of the US on April 15th, so I will
plug a tax package that I used, and you guys can say "Oh I paid
$200 bucks to some accountant." or "I don't look at it, I don't
know."
AM TAX ( typically found as AMTAX90.huh ) has served me well for
some 3 years now, and I have a moderately complex return.
Ever since I started MY first BBS in 1987 I have had a bulletin
#4 called "What's hot and what's Not". This lists the cool
programs you should use, and the crap I don't want uploaded
onto my board. One of those unwanteds is GAMES. So to
reinforce this point, I coined the phrase :
"The best PC game is Tax Spreadsheet,
and the winning score is 0.00."
Back in the mid-evil days, I did have a Supercalc spreadsheet,
developed in 1985, that handled all the forms, including the
Foreign Tax Credit and Foreign Earned Income Deduction. These
are the number one tax AVOIDANCE plans allowed by the US IRS.
They're hell to calculate, though. I used the modified "DeLux,
Hasbeen and Sales" method (C) 1978; wawl, I never been awdited
yet.
Here's what wrong with tax law : when it gets into odd detail,
it's a religious decision as to which method to use. We try to
keep religion out of politics.
AM TAX does everything for me except the modified gross income
on the Passive Loss Limitation schedule, ( it doesn't pull from
S corp. income ), but that's a simple change and it doesn't
affect anything else cause my passive losses are not that high
anyway.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 51 15 Apr 1991
God forbid I should have to limit my losses.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-15 Page 52 15 Apr 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 1.00* 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 4.60* 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 2.10
MSG 4.1
MSGED 2.06
MSGTOSS 1.3
Oliver 1.0a
PK[UN]ZIP 1.20
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 8-15 Page 53 15 Apr 1991
TMail 1.15
TPBNetEd 3.2
TosScan 1.00
UFGATE 1.03
XRS 4.10*
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 8-15 Page 54 15 Apr 1991
Apple II
----------
Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
GBBS Pro 2.1 Fruity Dog 1.0 ShrinkIt 3.2
DDBBS + 4.0 ShrinkIt GS 1.04
deARC2e 2.1
ProSel 8.65
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
FidoNews 8-15 Page 55 15 Apr 1991
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
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/TT
-----------
Bulletin Board Network Node List
Software Version Mailer Version Utilities Version
FIDOdoor/ST 2.12* BinkleyTerm 2.40l* 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 sTICk/Hatch 5.10*
LED ST 1.00
MSGED 1.96S
Archiver Msg Format Other
Utilities Version Converters Version Utilities Version
FidoNews 8-15 Page 56 15 Apr 1991
LHARC 0.60 TB2BINK 1.00 ConfMail 4.03
ARC 6.02 BINK2TB 1.00 ComScan 1.02
PKUNZIP 1.10 FiFo 2.1j* Import 1.14
OMMM 1.40
Pack 1.00
FastPack 1.20
FDsysgen 2.16
FDrenum 2.10
Trenum 0.10
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
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 8-15 Page 57 15 Apr 1991
=================================================================
NOTICES
=================================================================
The Interrupt Stack
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 Nov 1991
Area code 301 will split. Area code 410 will consist of the
northeastern part of Maryland, as well as the eastern shore.
This will include Baltimore and the surrounding area. Area 301
will include southern and western parts of the state,
including the areas around Washington DC. Area 410 phones will
answer to calls to area 301 until November, 1992.
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.
FidoNews 8-15 Page 58 15 Apr 1991
-----------------------------------------------------------------
