F I D O N E W S -- | Vol. 8 No. 25 (24 June 1991)
The newsletter of the |
FidoNet BBS community | Published by:
_ |
/ \ | "FidoNews" BBS
/|oo \ | (415)-863-2739
(_| /_) | FidoNet 1:1/1
_`@/_ \ _ | Internet:
| | \ \\ |
[email protected]
| (*) | \ )) |
|__U__| / \// | Editors:
_//|| _\ / | Tom Jennings
(_/(_|(____/ | Tim Pozar
(jm) |
----------------------------+---------------------------------------
Published weekly by and for the Members of the FidoNet international
amateur network. Copyright 1991, Fido Software. All rights reserved.
Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes
only. For use in other circumstances, please contact FidoNews.
Paper price: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.00US
Electronic Price: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . free!
For more information about FidoNews refer to the end of this file.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents
1. EDITORIAL ..................................................... 1
Editorial from afar (temporally) .............................. 1
2. FIDONET NEWS .................................................. 3
3. ARTICLES ...................................................... 4
Zone 1 Nodelist Comments Revisited ............................ 4
Message Spelling Checker! Finally! ............................ 5
SOFTWARE REVIEW: InterMail 2.0 ................................ 6
A Word from the Bible - Christ in you (the Power) ............. 8
A Draft Elections Policy ...................................... 9
4. RANTS AND FLAMES .............................................. 25
5. CLASSIFIEDS ................................................... 26
6. NOTICES ....................................................... 27
The Interrupt Stack ........................................... 27
7. LATEST VERSIONS ............................................... 28
Latest Software Versions ...................................... 28
FidoNews 8-25 Page 1 24 Jun 1991
======================================================================
EDITORIAL
======================================================================
Editorial from afar (temporally)
by Tom Jennings
This is a canned editorial that will repeat every week like a bad cold
unless Tim Pozar stops it. (Written 19 June 91)
I will be out of town until 1 Aug 1991. Tim Pozar is acting as editor
(he's on the masthead, in case you didn't notice). He can be reached
at 1:125/555. Articles etc still go to 1:1/1. Probably most of the
projects I initiated are on hold until I return. 'Salright, we lasted
this long without them.
Oh yes, about the price on the "cover" --
If you remember the PHRACK electronic-newsletter bust, it was claimed
that it was not protected under the First Amendment of the U.S.
Constitution, because it was not a print publication!! Which is
patently absurd, of course, but there you go.
As a short-term solution, until the perpetrators of such nonsense
get straightened out, I offer the following short-term solution:
offer your "electronic" newsletter in print. I have done this to
FidoNews, as an example of how to implement it (see the boilerplate
in the back for a sample), rather than because there is anything of
interest to law-enforcement types.
To state the obvious, FidoNews is still completely without cost
of any kind. The "price" simply covers the cost of manually printing
and mailing the thing. No one has taken me up on it yet.
Hey! Bye! Have a nice trip! (Wait... that's your line!)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
One more thing:
PGP ("Pretty Good Privacy") has been the single most popular
download/filerequest I've ever had on my board (See FidoNews 8/24)
short of Fido/FidoNet itself.
Aargh. I'm so embarrassed I am glad I'm out of town ... the
compression method is back to LHARC, but 1.13-level compatibility.
Before you seriously consider conspiracies, consider this: not one
single person offered that (1) LHARC 1.13 is considered the
"universal" compression method or that (2) that is what I should have
been using all along for FidoNews.
FidoNews 8-25 Page 2 24 Jun 1991
OK, so it was two. Sue me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-25 Page 3 24 Jun 1991
======================================================================
FIDONET NEWS
======================================================================
################################################################
FidoNetNews -- a weekly section devoted to technical and factual
issues within the FidoNet -- FidoNet Technical Standards Committee
reports, *C reports, information on FidoNet standards documents
and the like.
################################################################
----------------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-25 Page 4 24 Jun 1991
======================================================================
ARTICLES
======================================================================
Zone 1 Nodelist Comments Revisited
George Peace
1:1/0
Hi! I saw the [zone 1] nodelist comments in the latest F'News and
thought I'd offer a tidbit. Those nodelist comments are rather
imposing when imported en masse (as ;S ...). When I took on the
Z1C job I started installing a unique prefix on the announcements
section to [try to] make extraction and distribution a bit
easier. I never offered any official statement as to intent or
application because I was concerned that a few would demand that
FTS-0005 be updated in order to make the practice "official".
Well, they've lasted [informally] a year now so maybe they'll
last yet another.
All announcements I insert in the Zone 1 nodediff will be on
lines prefixed with
;S |
That's actually a 5 character sequence including a trailing
blank. That sequence carries forward through blank lines as well.
So a rather elementary script might be used to extract the
comments into a reproducable and perhaps even publishable format.
Here's a starter script using tools the MS-DOS users among us
already have available. This is a manually entered script.
Automation requires a few changes...
FIND ";S | " NODELIST.172 >COMMENTS.172
EDLIN COMMENTS.172
R;S | ^Z
E
The ^Z is a a CTRL-Z character followed by <Enter>.
I'll do my best to limit comment lines to 65 characters for
easier extraction and publishing.
Considering the international flair of today's FidoNet I believe
any comments reposted in F'News should be identified by Zone. The
nodelist is published independently in each zone and as such Z1C
shouldn't pretend or appear to represent any other zone.
Thanks for listening...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-25 Page 5 24 Jun 1991
Fredric L. Rice
FidoNet 1:102/901.0
Getting tired of being flamed for your spelling mistakes? I sure the
hell was so I did something about it! No, I didn't educate myself!
I've asked my computer to think a little more for me: The MsgSpell
project!
This program will scan through the message areas you describe in the
configuration file and will check each message it finds for spelling
errors.
The configuration file determines if the project is to be run as an
automated process or as an interactive process. Usually, you would
run the program after answering your mail or entering messages into
a conference. -- You and your users, perhaps. But you _could_ run it
automatically.
If run as an automated process, all unknown words are placed within
brackets [] and the messages are moved to a holding directory until
it's been examined by the operator. A lot of work, perhaps, for the
SysOp. -- I should say a lot of _additional_ work. (The problem with
automated mode is that if you are checking more than one AREA:, the
messages would need to be tossed to the correct directory again
after you corrected the spelling errors. Very time wasteful.
If run as an interactive session, the unknown words will cause the
operator to be prompted to (A)dd the word to the dictionary, (E)dit
the word so that it's replaced in the text, (I)gnore the word, or
(M)ark the word with brackets []. In any event, the message that had
been corrected is destroyed and then re-created with the corrections
you requested. The message number isn't changed, and neither is the
date; only the message text.
Kludge lines are _not_ looked upon as something to test for spelling
errors! Neither are the subject lines. Origin lines _are_ as are
tear lines.
The project will mark each message as having been spell checked;
messages will not be selected to be checked for spelling if it has
already been checked once. (This is done by using the times-read flag
in the message header and is documented better in the document file
that comes with the project.)
If you don't want to correct the spelling of everyone's mail, you
can configure a list of names of everyone (or just yourself) you wish
to correct spelling for. Messages that are entered locally, have not
been sent yet, and were entered by either of the personal names you
describe, will be checked for spelling.
If you want all messages that were entered locally to be checked for
spelling, you simply don't configure anyone's name and all local
messages which have not been sent yet will be checked.
FidoNews 8-25 Page 6 24 Jun 1991
The dictionary is the work of Samuel H. Smiths's project 'EZSPELL.'
The File EZSPELL.DCT was used for initial spelling checking and then
later added to by taking FidoNews issues, running them through
commercial spelling checks, and then importing FidoNews into network
messages. Then the MsgSpell project was run on those FidoNews
messages and new words were added. In this way, the dictionary is
tailored towards the BBS community -- Well, FidoNet anyway. (The
Group Mail documentation was also used to add words to the dictionary
in this same way.)
As with most of the software projects that come from my keyboard, the
sourCe code comes with the project. The file is called MSGSPELL.LZH
and can be requested with the magic file name of SPELL. Source code
is provided so that if faster routines are developed, the updates may
be disseminated through-out the network. In addition, you may not
like the way I did some things so you're free to correct them. It
would be nice if the project offered suggested spellings in the
future.
Fredric.
1:102/901.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------
by Alan Gilbertson
An (almost) Unsolicited Testimony
What can I say about InterMail, other than that it's about the best
communication program I've ever used? -- And I've used them all. For
the last several months, I've been beta testing the now released
InterMail 2.0x. I can talk about it from a number of different
perspectives.
As a telecom professional, I'm delighted by the fact that InterMail
not only works as advertised, but has the first real, honest-to-
goodness MANUAL I've seen for a powerful communications package.
It's thorough, understandable, easy to use, and (all too scarce in
the computer world) well written. In the world of Fido technology,
especially, manuals seem to be things written in afterthought,
preferably in Ancient Greek, translated into English by anyone who
happened to be standing around at the time. Some authors even brag
about their hatred for docs.
As a Sysop, I'm delighted that the program works. If that seems a
strange thing to say, consider all the software you've tried that
"almost" works, or "mostly" works. InterMail just... works. First
time, out of the package, it works. Watched, unwatched, during
mail runs, outside of mail runs, in events and between events, it
works. It is also truly tweak-resistant, which will be good news
to the many who can't resist trying *that* setting... oops! And to
those whose mailers then spend hours trying to send to a system
that's down and out.
FidoNews 8-25 Page 7 24 Jun 1991
And it's not just the mailer: the editor is a dream; the nodelist
manager (yay, nodelist manager!) is simple, elegant and complete --
no other program lets you pop into the routing and control files
and tweak them on the fly -- with ASCII editor and import/export
facilities; the terminal emulator is fast (scripts run at such
blazing speed I'm convinced Peter has snuck in a compiler without
telling anyone) and bug free. Under DesqView, the program is so
well-behaved it seems to add clock speed to the CPU when it's
running - no more bleed through, jerky screen updates, or grinding
my teeth because my editor only runs at half speed with the mailer
up in the background.
As a computer professional, enthusiast, and long-time "power user"
(hate that term), I enjoy software that's bug free. I beta test
many types of programs, and I do know how to stress-test a package
to see where it will break. InterMail doesn't break. In the years
I've been a beta tester I have never seen a more boring program to
test: it doesn't even crack at the seams a little. Oh, there were
a few nit-picky items here and there that were fixed almost before
the netmail reply reached me, but as of the release date, bang on
it any way you like, the program has no known bugs. (Read my bits:
"No known bugs.")
As a user, I'm in love with the editor, which is such a pleasure to
use. It's unobtrusive, so I don't get distracted by bells and
whistles, but it has depth and power enough that I have never been
unable to set up a message just the way I wanted it. (Don't get me
wrong -- I like bells and whistles as much as the next guy, but not
when I'm trying to answer mail.) Like the rest of the program, it
runs like a jackrabbit - fast.
As all of the above, and above all, I'm thrilled by the tech
support: Netmail a question (it doesn't seem to matter what time
of the day or night), and the reply comes back speedily. Peter
Stewart has help from his fiance and partner, Michele Hamilton.
They've answered the dumbest and the most pointed questions I could
throw at them, always with patience, wit, and interest. How can
you ask for more than that? As one who has endured some of the
worst, and enjoyed much of the best tech support out there, I know
a good thing when I see it, and if InterMail had nothing else going
for it I would still use it just to have that support line.
There are few programmers who produce consistently reliable code.
Fewer still who can then document it for users. Fewest of all who
can then support the user and still find time to turn out more and
more stuff and document that, too. Peter is one.
InterMail is a magnificent piece of work by any standards. From a
Fido perspective, it's thoroughly professional; utterly unique.
(Okay, Peter, you can stop blushing now. Come out from under the
desk...)
FidoNews 8-25 Page 8 24 Jun 1991
Alan Gilbertson
1:3603/230@Fidonet
50:5020/2@Echonet
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Winter
FidoNet 1:151/208 209 210
Preface: The purpose of my writings here is not to necessarily
"convert" or hassle anyone who is content in their current
lifestyle or religion; but rather, to show what the real Biblical
criteria for Christianity is, and thereby expose those who are
conning others. Whether they are conning people financially,
socially, or on the FidoNet echos that allow religious discussion;
false preachers and false Christians are doing great harm to their
fellow man.
Just a basic elementary Bible knowledge could keep current and
future "Jim & Tammy" types from conning anyone on or off of
FidoNet or other Network.
(J & T weren't even teaching the real Bible message, EVER).
Christ in you (the Power)
Jesus told His apostles and disciples to WAIT for POWER that
they did not yet have (even though they had been with Jesus as
His disciples and Apostles).
Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father
upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye
be endued with power from on high.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy
Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me
both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and
unto the uttermost part of the earth.
When they received the POWER they ALL spoke in tongues.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and
began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance.
Speaking in tongues is the sign of a true believer, and is
repeatedly referred to in the Bible as the evidence that
the apostles accepted that a person had been "born again"
of the Spirit. (remember John 3:5)
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe;
In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak
with new tongues;
FidoNews 8-25 Page 9 24 Jun 1991
The Bible predicted that many would prefer false preachers
instead of wanting the truth, this also explains the
popularity of anti-Biblical teachings in FidoNet echos that
"claim" to be "Bible" oriented.
II Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not
endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they
heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
The Bible also warned that there would be those that would
have the form (church services, appearing "good", etc.), but
deny "tongues" (denying the POWER).
II Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the
power thereof: from such turn away.
The Bible teaches that those who don't have the real Spirit
of Christ (POWER), are "none of His".
Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if
so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man
have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Jesus declaring HIMSELF to be the Spirit of Truth (the
Holy Ghost, the "Power"). Please look carefully.
John 14:17 [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot
receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but
ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
The Spirit of Truth (the Holy Ghost) is the form that
Jesus is manifesting Himself in, in this dispensation. Those
that deny tongues, deny Christ. They are only holding to the
form of religion, but they don't have the real thing, they
don't have the "POWER".
When someone rejects the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues;
they are rejecting Jesus Christ.
Steve Winter - [moderator HOLY_BIBLE]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Draft FidoNet Election Policy Revision: 21-Jun-91
Luke Kolin, 1:250/
[email protected]
As a recognition that FidoNet is based on democratic principles, the
positions of the NC and RC shall be made elective. The following is
an election policy that intends to fulfill the democratic intent of
FidoNet.
FidoNews 8-25 Page 10 24 Jun 1991
1) Glossary of Terms
"Close of the The time when the ballots are counted. No ballots
Election" will be accepted after this date/time.
"Elected Officer" Any elected NC or RC.
"Immediate The administrator one level higher in the FidoNet
Superior" hierarchy. For example, an NC's immediate superior
would be the RC, a ZC's would be the IC.
"Returning System" The equivelant of Chief Electoral Officer. It is
the sysop of this system who will post notices
advising eligible sysops as to who is running and
the close of the election, will count the ballots
and announce a winner.
"Semi-Secret This is a ballot where a voter's choice is known
Ballot" only by the returning system, and by any routing
systems that the returning officer may designate.
A voter sends his ballot in with a password. At
the close of the election, the returning system
will post a list of passwords and the votes asso-
ciated with them. Voters may then check to see
that their password and votes have been received.
2) Calling of an Election
a) An election for a position shall be required by notice of one of
the following events being given:
i) Resignation of an elected officer;
ii) An elected officer seeking a renewed mandate.
b) An elected officer who has resigned may appoint another sysop to
act in his stead during the election; however, this interim
officer must be ratified by the interim officer's immediate
superior. He may act as a returning system, as outlined in
sections 1c) and 1d).
c) Within three (3) days of this occurring, a formal call of election
must be given by the immediate superior of the position that shall
be voted upon, stating:
i) The date of the election;
ii) The name of the returning system.
d) An election must take place within thirty-two (32) days of the
formal call of election, and every reasonable effort must be made
to select a returning system acceptable to all.
FidoNews 8-25 Page 11 24 Jun 1991
3) Voter Eligibility
a) All sysops listed in the FidoNet nodelist as of twenty-one (21)
full days before the close of the election are entitled to vote.
b) All sysops get one (1) vote only.
c) In network-specific elections, only sysops listed in that network
and meeting requirement 2a) are entitled to vote.
4) Voter Notification
a) All elections shall be conducted via a semi-secret ballot. The
identity of the voter shall be known only to the returning system.
b) The returning system must post a public message in the regional
sysop EchoMail conference informing all systems of:
i) The date of the vote;
ii) The position being voted on;
iii) The returning system's address;
no less than thirty (30) days before the close of the election.
c) All eligible sysops will receive a netmail message from the
returning system informing them of:
i) The date/time ballots must be received by;
ii) The position being voted on;
iii) The candidates;
iv) The returning system's address;
v) Valid systems to route their ballot through.
no less than ten (10) full days before the close of the election.
After this message is sent out, ballots will be accepted by the
returning system.
d) Systems unable to receive the message in 3c) will have a message
of notification placed in the regional sysop EchoMail conference
no less than seven (7) full days before the close of the election.
5) Candidate Eligibility
a) All candidates for the position being voted on must have been
listed in the FidoNet nodelist as of twenty-one (21) days before
the close of the election.
b) Candidates must register by sending a message of intent to the
returning system's address no less than fourteen (14) full days
before the close of the election.
FidoNews 8-25 Page 12 24 Jun 1991
c) All candidates have the right to post up to three (3) messages
per week about their candidacy in the regional sysop EchoMail
conference and the sysop EchoMail conference of each Net that
has any eligible voters.
d) No one may prevent any candidate from posting an equal number of
messages about their candidacy than another.
6) Voting Procedure, Election Results, and Enforcement
a) All ballots must be in by the closing date and time specified in
all the notices given.
b) All ballots must have a sysop name, FidoNet address, and an
alphanumeric password of nine (9) characters or less.
c) To avoid toll charges, ballots may be routed through any system
listed in the notice specified in 3c).
d) The returning system must acknowlege the receipt of each ballot,
but since this receipt can be routed, it should not indicate either
the password or choice given in the ballot.
e) The returning system must acknowledge the results of the election
by providing a message:
i) Listing all the nodes who voted;
ii) Providing a list of passwords and their vote;
iii) Providing a total for each candidate;
iv) Providing a total of abstentions;
v) Providing the total number of eligible systems.
to be posted in the regional sysop EchoMail conference, as well as
forwarded to all the NCs of Nets that have any eligible voters, no
more than three (3) days after the close of the election.
f) To be declared the winner, a candidate must receive a simple
plurality of all the votes cast.
g) Any complaints or violations of this elections policy should be
reported to the returning system. The returning system and the
immediate superior of the position being voted upon shall rule
on any complaints. They have the option of anulling any results
and calling a new election.
7) Ratification Votes
Ratification votes shall be conducted in a similar matter to the
election of a *C with the following differences:
a) The RC shall designate a sysop as returning officer, and shall
FidoNews 8-25 Page 13 24 Jun 1991
issue a formal notice of a ratification vote which shall be the
same as in Section 3c) of this policy, except that the name of
the candidates shall be replaced by the name of the document
being ratified. This shall be issued no less than fourteen (14)
days before the close of the election.
b) Eligibility requirements, ballots, and tabulation are the same as
for any other election.
8) Miscellaneous
a) In this document, the male implies the female, the singular implies
the plural, etc., etc., except where it wouldn't make sense.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Original Message Date: Sat 15 Jun 91 16:18
From: Fidocon '91 on 1:104/69
To: Tom Jennings on 1:125/111
Subj: FidoCon '91 Schedual
For Immediate Release
Denver will be the host of an International BBSing Conference to be
held August 16-18, 1991 at the Lakewood Sheraton Hotel and Conference
Center. Called FidoCon '91, all BBS System Operators, Users, and
those interested in electronic communications and networking are
invited to attend.
This three day conference will include manufacturers, software
suppliers, writers, and dealers, and will be both educational and fun.
Special events include a "mud-pie" throw for charity (Friday night,
for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation) - with some SPECIAL guests, A
Banquet, and a drawing for a full, multi-line BBS System, complete
with modems, hardware and software.
Special guests include: Tom Jennings (arriving via natural-gas powered
auto) - the "inventor" of Fido; Steve Jackson (CEO of Steve Jackson
Games, and GURPS CYBERPUNK) - speaking on BBSing and what to do when
your system is seized; Phil Becker (CEO of eSoft) and many others.
FOR MORE DETAILS - PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ATTACHMENT
For Immediate Release
FidoCon '91
P.O. Box 486
FidoNews 8-25 Page 14 24 Jun 1991
Louisville, CO 80027-0486
* Zone 1 FidoCon '91 Update
FidoCon '91 Committee
1:1/91
FidoCon '91
August 16th through 18th, 1991
fidocon_'
[email protected]
FidoCon '91 VIP Membership $104 US* Rate Changes July 15th Banquet
25 US
===
$129 US
FidoCon '91 VIP Membership $104.00 US*
Significant Other** 9.69
2 Banquet tickets 50.00
=======
$163.69
* After July 15, $169
*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
360 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
FidoCon '91 is a limited attendance event.
FidoNews 8-25 Page 15 24 Jun 1991
Guests of Honor:
Tom Jennings -- FidoCon '91 Guest of Honor. Tom is credited
with starting FidoNet
Tim Pozar -- Gateway Guru
Vince Perriello -- President of Bit Bucket Software & publisher
of FidoNews, Co-Author of Binkley and TIMS.
Kibitzer at large.
Alan Applegate -- VICE-President of Bit Bucket, Writer of the
infamous Binkley Docs & Technical Support for
eSoft.
Bob Hartman -- Author of ConfMail, ReMapper. Co-Author of
Binkley and TIMS. Major asset of eSoft's
program development team.
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.
Those indicating they will be attending:
Tom Tcimpidis The first to have his BBS seized by the law
enforcement community.
Several notable writers of computer columns
Several popular Science fiction authors
Several distinguished members of the broadcast community.
Mitch Kapor Founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Ray Gwinn The Fossil master his self
Invited and not yet committed:
Steve Wozniack The WOZ, one of the founders of Apple Computer
Convention Hospitality Suite by:
Kevin "DOC" McNeil and the FidoNet COOKING echo {newsgroup}
Featuring: Seadog Casserole, Zip-Tarts, Pak-Man Cookies,
Roast Opus
Seminars: Tentative Schedule
Friday 16 August
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
09:00 Bergen Park Ballroom
Opening Ceremonies
Meet the commitee, learn about the event. Opening Address
FidoNews 8-25 Page 16 24 Jun 1991
10:00 Green Mountain Conference Room
For this I gave up my Love Life?
Discussions involving the paybacks or coping with the pains of
being a SYSOP.
Moderators: Karen and Jim Burt
10:00 Mt. Vernon Conference Room
The Ethical Software Hacker
Discussions involving modifying and distributing shareware.
Moderators: Chris Anderson, Craig Baker and Marshall Barry
11:30 Green Mountain Conference Room
Dealing with SYSOP burnout
Things you can do when the frustration of running a BBS is too
much.
Moderators: Jim and Karen Burt
11:30 Lookout Mountain Conference Room
How to moderate an Echo
What techniques work best in moderating an echo. Where to draw the
line, and when.
Moderators: Michele Hamilton
11:30 Mt. Vernon Conference Room
Copyrights demystified
What is a copyright and how does it impact distribution of
software. What are the rights of the copyright holder. What are
the consumer rights and responsibilitys. (c) is NOT a copyright
where Copyright is.
Moderators: Mike Ratledge, Marshall Barry and a cast of thousands
13:00 Bergen Park Ballroom
Hackers, BBS's and the Media
Panel discussion with media types about perceptions of BBS Systems
operators and other Hackers. What motivates the media.
Moderators: Dave Hughs, Mitch Kapor, John Perry Barlow, Jack
Rickard
13:00 Green Mountain Conference Room
QM -- What's Next?
FidoNews 8-25 Page 17 24 Jun 1991
QM Status review and dialogue with alpha/beta testers
Moderators: George Peace
13:00 Lookout Mountain Conference Room
BBSing in the 90's and beyond
Legal issues pertaining to running a BBS. Explore the Electronic
Communications and Privacy act of 1986, and other Federal Acts,
Regulations and laws.
Moderators: EFF Representitives, Steve Jackson
13:00 Mt. Vernon Conference Room
How to Start a Communications Network
Discussion of what is necessary to start a network .. what
hardware, communications equipment and software.
Moderators: Chris Anderson
14:00 Green Mountain Conference Room
Modem Developers Roundtable
Discussions pertaining to the implementation of various standards
.. or Why doesn't my XX talk to a YY.
15:00 Green Mountain Conference Room
Modem Protocols Demystified
Just what is a v.32 modem and why is a v.22 modem only $49
Moderators: Alan Applegate
17:15 Bergen Park Ballroom
Mapping Session
Introduce yourself and let others know why you are attending and
what you have gained from the convention.
Moderators: Jack Rickard
Saturday 17 August
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
09:00 Bergen Park Ballroom
The Electronic Communications Act of 1986, Security, Hacking and
You
Panel discussion and Question and answer session - 1:30 in duration
Moderators: Phil Becker -- John Perry Barlow, Dave Hughs, Steve
FidoNews 8-25 Page 18 24 Jun 1991
Jackson, Mitch Kapor
10:15 Bergen Park Ballroom
Protection from Electronic Vandals
Discussion of methods that reduce incidence of electronic
vandalism, breaking and entering, password theft.
10:15 Green Mountain Conference Room
Security and Virus Protection
Discussion of steps to prevent the spread of Virii and infected
programs.
Moderators: McAffey
10:15 Lookout Mountain Conference Room
What is the Best Software for Me
Selecting software to present the best possible BBS
Moderators: Panel Discussion
10:15 Mt. Vernon Conference Room
Make your Net Work for YOU
What is required to get the best possible return on investment from
your time, effort and money.
10:15 Union Square Theatre
TBBS 2.2\TDBS\TIMS
How eSoft products can enhance your Bulletin Board.
Moderators: eSoft Representitives
11:30 Bergen Park Ballroom
Surviving Government Scrutiny
What to do if and when the officials come knock, knock, knocking on
your door.
Moderators: Steve Jackson, John Perry Barlow, Mitch Kapor
11:30 Green Mountain Conference Room
Remote Access system design and implementation.
How to install Remote Access (tm) to meet your or your company's
needs.
Moderators: Remote Access Representitives
FidoNews 8-25 Page 19 24 Jun 1991
11:30 Mt. Vernon Conference Room
File your own copyrights for $20
Learn how to protect your BBS, Text files, and software at a
reasonable cost, by filing your own copyrights.
Moderators: Mike Ratledge
11:30 Union Square Theatre
TBBS 2.2 System Design Considerations
How to use TBBS 2.2 to run a Bulletin Board System. What hardware
is required. How to use the Menu Editor, Userlog Editor, CEDIT and
System Development Language.
Moderators: eSoft Representitives
13:00 Green Mountain Conference Room
Gateways - the internetwork connection
Overview on communicating between FTC and other networks OR "Just
how do I make my messages do that?"
Moderators: Tim Pozar
13:00 Lookout Mountain Conference Room
XRS/RAX/QMX/SeX/XOR/OREO/MORE/XRS (the Universal Off-Line Reader
Editor)
Discussions include what benifits is there to an off-line reader
editor, how to install XRS on your BBS. Supporting your users,
common questions answered.
Moderators: Mike Ratledge
13:00 Mt Vernon Conference Room
AMAX made easy
Learn what AMAX is and how to install and use AMAX.
Moderators: Alan Applegate
13:00 Union Square Theatre
Getting the most from BinkleyTerm
Technical discussions as to how you can hone the performance of
your BinkleyTerm to a razors edge.
Moderators: Bit Bucket Software Representitives
14:00 Green Mountain Conference Room
FidoNews 8-25 Page 20 24 Jun 1991
DOS 4/5, Windows
Operating system considerations when running a Bulletin Board
14:15 Lookout Mountain Conference Room
Designing TDBS Applications
Learn from the masters how to design TDBS applications. Tips on
avoiding the common design traps and errors.
Moderators: Various
14:15 Mt. Vernon Conference Room
Software Development Roundtable
Of import to anyone developing BBS and utility software.
Moderators: Various
14:15 Union Square Theatre
BBS Business Sense
Setting your BBS up to support itself and you.
Moderators: Phil Becker and Jack Rickard
15:30 Green Mountain Conference Room
The Ultimate BBS/BBSing in the future.
Various Software developers will sit on this panel, and you can
make suggestions for features in their software, or BBS software in
general.
15:30 Lookout Mountain Conference Room
Your BBS and Doors
Find out what a door is and how to select the right door for your
users needs. Discussions include what doors are available and from
where.
15:30 Mt. Vernon Conference Room
Promoting your BBS
Drawing the users you WANT to your system, Basics in advertising
Moderators: Phil Becker and Jack Rickard
16:45 Lookout Mountain Conference Room
Network Ethics
What can you expect from a network? What is expected of you?
Moderators: Various
FidoNews 8-25 Page 21 24 Jun 1991
16:45 Mt. Vernon Conference Room
Artisoft Network and your BBS
Overview of how Aritisoft Networking Products can enhance your BBS
and make your job easier.
Moderators: John W. Gould, Artisoft
17:15 Bergen Park Ballroom
Mapping Session
Introduce yourself and let others know why you are attending and
what you have gained from the convention.
Moderators: Jack Rickard
Sunday 18 August
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
11:00 Lookout Mountain Conference Room
Association of Shareware Professionals
What is the Association of Shareware Professionals and how it can
benifit the shareware developer.
Moderators: Mike Ratledge
11:00 Mt. Vernon Conference Room
CD-ROMS - Beyond Mass Storage - Databases at your users fingertips.
Learn what databases are availble, their costs and benifits.
Moderators: Bob Hall
13:00 Green Mountain Conference Room
How to setup multi-node QuickBBS QuickBBS; the new frontier
System design considerations for your multi-node QuickBBS system.
Menu control language and operating system considerations.
Moderators: The QuickBBS Group
17:15 Bergen Park Ballroom
Closing Session
Wrap it all up and plan next years attendence
Moderators: Marshall Barry, Michelle Weisblat, Terry Travis
BBS Users Groups Activities:
TBBS Users Group will be convening as FidoTUG '91 during the
FidoNews 8-25 Page 22 24 Jun 1991
convention.
AlterCon will be sharing the facilities.
AlterNet Costume Banquet Royal Court
Meeting of the Dukes
Fun Activities:
WEDDING:
We are pleased to announce the wedding of Peter Stewart & Michele
Hamilton, Sunday 18 August, 1991 at FidoCon '91. Michele and Peter
met with the aid of the INTERUSER Echo, and Cupid found their
hearts. Peter is author of InterMail, co-author of FrontDoor with
Joaquim Homrighausen.
Come share in the union.
Traditional Hard Diskus Throw Floppy Fling
The Big Three Brewery Bash National SYSOP Mud Pie
Fight -- Proceeds to
go to the MS Society
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.
*** 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
Confirmed dealers
Bit Bucket Software CDB Systems eSoft
Mustang Software, Inc. CompuCom U.S.
Robotics
Online Communications, Inc. Boardwatch Magazine DECUS
Clark Development Company Exactus
Drawings & Prizes
Including:
16 Line TBBS/TDBS/TIMS Sysop Dream SYSTEM CPU with a 486 with
sufficient power to run a multi-line system 700+Meg of fixed or
hard disk, 4 port Digiboard and up to 4 9600 bps modems, who
FidoNews 8-25 Page 23 24 Jun 1991
knows, maybe a CD ROM Drive .. depending on number of attendees.
A portion of the memberships and vendor fees go to purchasing
this system.
Autographed copies of the books that made Steve Jackson a household
name, GURPS CYBERPUNK.
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
Boardwatch Magazine
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 #: ___________ Data #: _____________ Net Address: _______
Name: ___________________ Membership Type: ____ Amount: _______
Name: ___________________ Membership Type: ____ Amount: _______
No. of T-Shirts: __ Sizes(S/M/L/XL): _____ @ $15/ea = _______
Complaints: _ Banquet Tickets: ___ @ $25/ea = _______
TOTAL $_______
Visa/Mastercard Number ___________________ Expire Date: _______
Signature: _______________________ Date: ________
Please make checks payable (in U.S.A. Dollars) to FIDOCON '91 and Mail
To:
FidoNews 8-25 Page 24 24 Jun 1991
FidoCon '91
P.O. Box 486
Louisville, CO 80027-0486
Any suggestions as to how I can shorten this little beasty up?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-25 Page 25 24 Jun 1991
======================================================================
RANTS AND FLAMES
======================================================================
_(*#$_(*@#(* (*^$+)#(%&+| #$)%(&*#_$ @_#( @$
^@#+)(#&%$*+)$%&*+$*%&#@(@#_|)*%|)#%&)#*%&+(@#&*_+(@#*^&@###
*&#_($*&#$_(*#&$_(#*$&$ _(#$*#$+)#($&*+#)$ &#+$*&#
()*&#$_(&^#$_(#*$_#($^&#_$(^&#_$(&^#$_(&#^ damn right _(#^&$_(#^&
$*&#$_+(* #)$&(%($%+)($%*+$)%($* it's ugly _#&%^# &
#($_*#$_ FidoNet (*$&%_@#_(*&@#_(@*#&_ @#_(*&@#_(*
)*&#$ Flames *^$+)#(% (not for the timid) @_#(
(*#$_(*^@#+) and #_|)*% &+(@#&*_+(@#*^&@###
(#$*&#_($*&#$_(*#&$_(#* Rants *&+#$*&#+$*&#
)*&#$_(a regular feature)^&#_$(&^#$_ $^&#$_(#^
(*^#$_*#^&$)*#&$^%)#*$&^_#($*^&#_($ Section #&%^_
_(*#&$_(#* #($*& #$* _(*&@#_(@*# *&@#_(*&
)&*+_)*&+)*&+))&*(*&
(*&_(*&_(*&
----------------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-25 Page 26 24 Jun 1991
======================================================================
CLASSIFIEDS
======================================================================
ADVERTISEMENT POLICY: Submissions must be 20 lines or less each,
maximum two ads per advertiser, 70 characters per line maximum. No
control codes except CR and LF. (Refer to contact info at the end of
this newsletter for details.)
Please notify us if you have any trouble with an advertiser. FidoNews
does not endorse any products or services advertised here.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-25 Page 27 24 Jun 1991
======================================================================
NOTICES
======================================================================
The Interrupt Stack
26 Jul 1991
WORLDCON '91 -- July 26-28 -- The First Global Fidonet Conference -
London England. Details From 2:25/102 or 1:103/158 freq magic name
WORLDCON.
15 Aug 1991
8 Sep 1991
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 8-25 Page 28 24 Jun 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 12t+ 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 1.01* TPBoard 6.1
Maximus 1.02 SLBBS 1.77A Wildcat! 2.55
Opus 1.14+ Socrates 1.10 WWIV 4.12
PCBoard 14.5a SuperBBS 1.10 XBBS 1.17
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 2.00 Prune 1.40 ConfMail 4.00
InterMail 2.01* SysNL 3.14 Crossnet v1.5
PRENM 1.47 XlatList 2.90 DOMAIN 1.42
SEAdog 4.60* XlaxDiff 2.40* EMM 2.02
TIMS 1.0(Mod8) XlaxNode 2.40* 4Dog/4DMatrix 1.18
Gmail 2.05
GROUP 2.16
GUS 1.30
HeadEdit 1.18
IMAIL 1.10
InterPCB 1.31
LHARC 1.13
MSG 4.1
MSGED 2.06
MSGTOSS 1.3
Oliver 1.0a
PK[UN]ZIP 1.10
PolyXarc 2.1a*
QM 1.0
QSORT 4.03
ScanToss 1.28
Sirius 1.0x
SLMAIL 1.36
StarLink 1.01
FidoNews 8-25 Page 29 24 Jun 1991
TagMail 2.41
TCOMMail 2.2
Telemail 1.27
TMail 1.21
TPBNetEd 3.2
TosScan 1.00
UFGATE 1.03
XRS 4.50*
XST 2.3e
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 2.1a*
Qsort 2.1
Raid 1.0
Remapper 1.2
Tick 2.0
VPurge 2.07
Xenix/Unix 386
--------------
BBS Software Mailers Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
BinkleyTerm 2.32B Unzip 3.10
ARC 5.21
ParseLst 1.32
Vpurge 4.08
[Contact: Jon Hogan-Duran 3:711/909, Ommm 1.42
Willy Paine 1:343/15, Eddy van Loo Msged 2.06
2:285/406] Zoo 2.01
FidoNews 8-25 Page 30 24 Jun 1991
C-Lharc 1.00
Omail 1.00
MSGREN
MSGLNK 1.01
Apple II
----------
Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
GBBS Pro 2.1 Fruity Dog 2.0* ShrinkIt 3.23
DDBBS + 7.4* ShrinkIt GS 1.04
deARC2e 2.1
ProSel 8.69*
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 0.41
Hermes 1.5 StuffIt Classic 1.6
FBBS 0.91 Compact Pro 1.30
Precision Systems 0.95b* TImport 1.92
TeleFinder Host 2.12T10 TExport 1.92
Timestamp 1.6
Tset 1.3
Import 3.2
Export 3.21
Point System Software Sundial 3.2
FidoNews 8-25 Page 31 24 Jun 1991
PreStamp 3.2
Name Version OriginatorII 2.0
AreaFix 1.6
Copernicus 1.0 Mantissa 3.21
CounterPoint 1.09 Zenith 1.5
Eventmeister 1.0
TSort 1.0
Mehitable 2.0
UNZIP 1.02c
Zip Extract 0.10
Amiga
-----
Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
Falcon CBBS 0.45 BinkleyTerm 1.00 AmigArc 0.23
Paragon 2.082+ TrapDoor 1.50 AReceipt 1.5
TransAmiga 1.07 WelMat 0.44 booz 1.01
ConfMail 1.12
ChameleonEdit 0.10
ElectricHerald1.66
Lharc 1.30
Login 0.18
MessageFilter 1.52
oMMM 1.49b
ParseLst 1.64
PkAX 1.00
PolyxAmy 2.02
RMB 1.30
Roof 44.03
RoboWriter 1.02
Rsh 4.06
Skyparse 2.30
Tick 0.75
TrapList 1.12
UNZIP 1.31
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 2.3.2* 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 5.50
LED ST 1.00
MSGED 1.96S
FidoNews 8-25 Page 32 24 Jun 1991
Archiver Msg Format Other
Utilities Version Converters Version Utilities Version
LHARC 0.60 TB2BINK 1.00 ConfMail 4.03
LHARC2 3.18 BINK2TB 1.00 ComScan 1.02
ARC 6.02 FiFo 2.1n* Import 1.14
PKUNZIP 1.10 OMMM 1.40
Pack 1.00
FastPack 1.20
FDrenum 2.2.7
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.
/* NOTE: Until 1 Aug 1991 versions are on "hold" til the editor gets
back and finds a volunteer to maintain this file. -- tomj */
----------------------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews 8-25 Page 33 24 Jun 1991
------- FIDONEWS MASTHEAD AND CONTACT INFORMATION ----------------
Editors: Tom Jennings, Tim Pozar
Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell, Vince Periello
Special thanks to Ken Kaplan, 1:100/22, aka Fido #22
"FidoNews" BBS
FidoNet 1:1/1
Internet
[email protected]
BBS (415)-863-2739 (9600 HST/V32)
(Postal Service mailing address)
FidoNews
Box 77731
San Francisco
CA 94107 USA
Published weekly by and for the Members of the FidoNet international
amateur electronic mail system. It is a compilation of individual
articles contributed by their authors or their authorized agents. The
contribution of articles to this compilation does not diminish the
rights of the authors. Opinions expressed in these articles are those
of the authors and not necessarily those of FidoNews.
FidoNews is copyright 1991 Fido Software. All rights reserved.
Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes
only. For use in other circumstances, please contact FidoNews (we're
easy).
OBTAINING COPIES: FidoNews in electronic form may be obtained from
the FidoNews BBS via manual download or Wazoo FileRequest, or from
various sites in the FidoNet and via uucp. PRINTED COPIES mailed
may be obtained from Fido Software for $5.00US each PostPaid First
Class within North America, or $7.00US elsewhere, mailed Air Mail.
(US funds drawn upon a US bank only.)
Periodic subscriptions are not available at this time; if enough
people request it I will implement it.
SUBMISSIONS: You are encouraged to submit articles for publication in
FidoNews. Article submission requirements are contained in the file
ARTSPEC.DOC, available from the FidoNews BBS, or Wazoo filerequestable
from 1:1/1 as file "ARTSPEC.DOC".
FidoNews 8-25 Page 34 24 Jun 1991
"Fido", "FidoNet" and the dog-with-diskette are U.S. registered
trademarks of Tom Jennings of Fido Software, Box 77731, San Francisco
CA 94107, USA and are used with permission.
-- END
----------------------------------------------------------------------
