F I D O N E W S --       Volume 15, Number  4          26 January 1998
    +----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
    |  The newsletter of the     |   ISSN 1198-4589 Published by:          |
    |    FidoNet community       |   "FidoNews"                            |
    |          _                 |        1-904-409-7040    [1:1/23]       |
    |         /  \               |                                         |
    |        /|oo \              |                                         |
    |       (_|  /_)             |                                         |
    |        _`@/_ \    _        |                                         |
    |       |     | \   \\       |   Editor:                               |
    |       | (*) |  \   ))      |        Christopher Baker  1:18/14       |
    |       |__U__| /  \//       |                                         |
    |        _//|| _\   /        |                                         |
    |       (_/(_|(____/         |                                         |
    |             (jm)           |     Newspapers should have no friends.  |
    |                            |                    -- JOSEPH PULITZER   |
    +----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
    |               Submission address: FidoNews Editor 1:1/23             |
    +----------------------------------------------------------------------+
    |  MORE addresses:                                                     |
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    +----------------------------------------------------------------------+
    |    For  information,   copyrights,   article   submissions,          |
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    |    please refer to the end of this file.                             |
    +----------------------------------------------------------------------+


              DENVER Broncos WIN the Super Bowl!


                       Table of Contents
    1. EDITORIAL  ................................................  1
       ZEC1 Election, Missing in Action - Z6?  ...................  1
    2. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR  ....................................  2
       Election issues: Candidate Answers  .......................  2
       Page Three, FidoNews - a response  ........................  4
       Sorry for the SPAM, just trying to help  ..................  6
       What is annoying behavior?  ...............................  7
    3. ARTICLES  .................................................  9
       ZEC1 Candidate, Bob Kohl, Platform statement  .............  9
       Proposal to merge Internet and Fidonet mailers  ........... 13
       Netscape is FREE NOW!  .................................... 13
       Zone 1 Echomail Coordinator Election Voting Procedure  .... 16
    4. COLUMNS  .................................................. 24
       I'm a BBSaholic, Part I  .................................. 24
    5. COORDINATORS CORNER  ...................................... 26
       Nodelist-statistics as seen from Zone-2 for day 023  ...... 26
    6. NET HUMOR  ................................................ 27
       What the Organization Chart doesn't tell you  ............. 27
    7. ADVERTISE YOUR FREE SERVICE/EVENT  ........................ 29
       Announcing the WRESTLING_CHAT Echo  ....................... 29
    8. NOTICES  .................................................. 30
       Future History  ........................................... 30
    9. FIDONET SOFTWARE LISTING  ................................. 31
       Latest Greatest Software Versions  ........................ 31
    And more!
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 1                   26 Jan 1998


    =================================================================
                                EDITORIAL
    =================================================================

    Zone 1 Echomail weenies are into their election with a vengeance in
    this edition. If you don't follow the admin Echos, you're missing a
    swell slugfest of verbal abuse. This Issue which up to a couple days
    ago was going to be one of the shortest in history has swollen to
    gargantuan proportions with that stuff.

    Speaking of Zones, what in the hell is going on with Zone 6? Anybody
    noticed that it's just about disappeared? Why do we still have NO
    International Coordinator? Do we, the Sysops, have to take over the
    Zone Coordinator jobs en masse with a palace coup to get some kind of
    REAL coordination going? Remember, ZCs, that Tom Jennings, under whose
    auspices you use the name FidoNet has always been in favor of
    wholesale overthrow when the procedure interferes with the process.
    WAKE UP and smell the electrons before you ALL find yourselves out of
    your VOLUNTEER [which doesn't mean permanent OR inactive] jobs in
    FidoNet. Nobody is indispensable or irreplaceable. Think about it and
    then DO SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE before WE do it for you.

    Other than that, there is news in cyberspace. Netscape is now FREE!
    There are also a couple new programs available in the Internet that
    make interconnectivity a snap! More on those next week since this
    edition is already huge. AOL Instant Messenger and ICQ for those
    anxious to start searching. [grin]

    This is a late edition due to computer probs on the other system and
    the SuperBowl activities. Who'd a thunk it? Denver not wiped out? It's
    tied! Oh, there's only 1 minute and 47 seconds to go. Might as well
    wait for the outcome and be the first press to get out the news.
    YIKES! Denver scores the lead with 1 minute and 45 seconds to go!

    Final score: DENVER WINS! AMAZING! 31 to 24!!  2149!

    C.B.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 2                   26 Jan 1998


    =================================================================
                          LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
    =================================================================

    --- Following message extracted from NETMAIL @ 1:18/14 ---
        By Christopher Baker on Sat Jan 24 18:39:32 1998

    From: Andrea Santos @ 1:135/382
    To: Christopher Baker @ 1:18/14
    Date: 24 Jan 98  18:07:08
    Subj: Election issues: Candidate Answers

    Hi Chris!

                         -------- Forwarded Message ---------
    Original: DATE..... 24 Jan 1998,  04:38p
    Original: FROM..... ANDREA SANTOS
    Original: TO....... ALL
    Original: SUBJECT.. Election issues: Candidate Answers
    Original: FORUM.... Z1_ELECTION
    Original: NETWORK.. FIDONET  ECHO: Z1_ELECTION

    The following revised and final table is a summary of the election
    issues and the pro and con positions candidates have toward the issues
    or questions presented in the Z1_ELECTION echo.  The revisions are
    incorporated as requested by candidates who missed questions the first
    time around, or wished to change their positions.  One additional
    question has also been added to the original list.  There are also
    several brief notes from the candidates, following the table, to
    clarify why no answer, or definitive yes/no response, was provided.

    The issues and questions were selected by going through the message
    base questions posted to the candidates by various participants in the
    Z1_ELECTION echo.  A sampling of 20 key issues or questions were
    selected.

    I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the candidates for
    their participation in this election and for their time in answering
    the many questions posed throughout the campaign period.

    And to all other Fidonet members in Zone 1, get out there and vote!


     Answer Legend:

       Y       Yes/Agrees to question/Issue
       N       No/Disagrees to question/Issue
       U       Undecided, Yes/No wasn't provided
       ?       No answer was received

     Candidate Abbreviation:

       JB      Jim Balcom
       DC      David Calafrancesco
       WL      Wayne DeLisle
       JG      John Glinski
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 3                   26 Jan 1998


       BK      Bob Kohl
       ML      Mike Luther
       JS      Jeff Smith

                  Election Issues Candidate Position Summary
     +===================================================================+
     |Questions/Issues                | JB | DC | WL | JG | BK | ML | JS |
     |===================================================================|
     |How long have you been a        |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
     |Fidonet Sysop (answer in years) | 8+ | 8+ | ?  | 3  | 10+| 10+| 6  |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Would you continue with other   | Y  | Y  | Y  | Y  | Y  | N  | N  |
     |FTN positions if elected ZEC?   |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Support an echomail policy?     | Y  | Y  | N  | Y  | Y  | Y  | Y  |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Support a Z1 Ombudsman?         | N  | N  | U  | N  | N  | N  | N  |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Echo Appeal Court for users     | N  | N  | N  | N  | N  | N  | N  |
     |abused by Moderators?           |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Prefer elections for echomail   | Y  | Y  | Y  | Y  | N  | Y  | Y  |
     |positions versus appointments?  |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Experience moving large         | Y  | Y  | Y  | N  | ?  | N  | Y  |
     |volumes of mail?                |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Have you ever been an REC?      | Y  | Y  | N  | N  | Y  | N  | N  |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Have you ever been a RC?        | N  | N  | N  | N  | Y  | N  | N  |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Should # of hats worn be        | Y  | Y  | Y  | Y  | ?  | Y  | Y  |
     |limited?                        |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Any axes to grind?              | Y  | N  | Y  | N  | ?  | N  | N  |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Elimination of *EC chain?       | N  | N  | N  | N  | N  | N  | N  |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Does Zone 1 NEED a ZEC?         | Y  | Y  | ?  | Y  | Y  | Y  | Y  |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Do you want an Assistant?       | N  | U  | U  | N  | ?  | Y  | U  |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Support CRP BAN of Software?    | Y  | Y  | ?  | N  | ?  | N  | N  |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Support CRP BAN of Sysops?      | Y  | Y  | ?  | N  | ?  | N  | N  |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Mail Tampering before export?   | Y  | U  | ?  | N  | ?  | N  | N  |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Conflict of interest for *C,    | N  | U  | N  | Y  | N  | N  | Y  |
     |*EC to create, operate          |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
     |distribution system?            |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Should *C's be involved with    | ?  | Y  | Y  | Y  | U  | Y  | ?  |
     |file distribution?              |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
     |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----|
     |Does REC/ZEC have control over  | Y  | N  | U  | Y  | ?  | Y  | N  |
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 4                   26 Jan 1998


     |NEC/REC?                        |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |
     +-------------------------------------------------------------------+

    Candidate notes:

    J. Balcom:         Stated he would not stand for R13EC election if
                       elected ZEC, unless requested by R13C.

                       Stated number of hats worn be limited, dependent
                       on voters.

    D. Calafrancesco:  Supports echomail policy which guards against
                       excommunication.

    J. Glinski:        Stated he would seek a replacement for his NEC
                       post but would continue on with Hub duties.

    B. Kohl:           Stated it would be a conflict of interest for a
                       ZEC to create/operate distribution system, but
                       would not be a conflict for other *C, *EC
                       positions.

                       Did not provide an answer on *C's being involved
                       with file distribution as he states it's not a
                       ZEC issue.

    J. Smith           Views ZEC position as working with REC rather
                       than controlling, but acknowledges that ZEC
                       Chairs RECC.

    ANDREA SANTOS
    [email protected]
    http://www.santronics.com

                         ----- End of Forwarded Message -----

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    --- Following message extracted from NETMAIL @ 1:18/14 ---
        By Christopher Baker on Sun Jan 25 20:48:51 1998

    From: Bob Kohl @ 1:102/861
    To: Christopher Baker @ 1:18/14
    Date: 25 Jan 98  14:12:53
    Subj: Re: Page Three, FidoNews

    Anytime a person takes on the responsibility of gathering data on an
    election, the data should be presented in a format to properly address
    the correct views of the candidates and not placed into a format to
    mislead the readers intentionally or otherwise.


    If indeed there is a question of not receiving an answer given the
    occasional quirk of echomail. The person gathering the data should
    request the data either in the echo or via netmail.

    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 5                   26 Jan 1998


    The below information was incorrect as noted by at least 3 candidates.
    I will only address those notations that concern me personally.


    > Answer Legend:

    > Y       Yes/Agrees to question/Issue
    > N       No/Disagrees to question/Issue
    > U       Undecided, Yes/No wasn't provided
    > ?       No answer was received

    > Candidate Abbreviation:

    > JB      Jim Balcom
    > DC      David Calafrancesco
    > WL      Wayne DeLisle
    > JG      John Glinski
    > BK      Bob Kohl
    > ML      Mike Luther
    > JS      Jeff Smith

    > Election Issues Candidate Position Summary
    > +==================================================================
    > =+
    > |Questions/Issues                | JB | DC | WL | JG | BK | ML | JS
    > |
    > |==================================================================
    > -|
    > |Prefer elections for echomail   | Y  | Y  | Y  | Y  | N  | ?  | Y
    > |
    > |positions versus appointments?  |    |    |    |    |    |    |
    > |

    My views are that I'd prefer to see the best person for the job in the
    job, be it by appointment or election. I've seen problems with both
    means.


    > |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+---
    > -|
    > |Experience moving large         | Y  | Y  | Y  | N  | ?  | N  | Y
    > |
    > |volumes of mail?                |    |    |    |    |    |    |
    > |

    Yes I have experience as a mail mover.

    > |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+---
    > -|
    > |Have you ever been an REC?      | Y  | Y  | N  | N  | Y  | N  | N
    > |

    Somewhat misleading, one was a temp or interim REC.

    > |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+---
    > -|
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 6                   26 Jan 1998


    > |Any axes to grind?              | Y  | N  | Y  | N  | ?  | N  | N
    > |
    > |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+---

    No. My answer to this was approached on a humorous basis.


    > -|
    > |Elimination of *EC chain?       | N  | N  | N  | N  | ?  | N  | N
    > |

    No.


    > |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+---
    > -|
    > |Do you want an Assistant?       | Y  | U  | U  | N  | ?  | Y  | ?
    > |
    > |--------------------------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+---


    No, I do not.



    > -|
    > |Support CRP BAN of Software?    | Y  | Y  | ?  | N  | ?  | N  | N
    > |

    No, we've worked through all the problems we've seen with software
    without a "Ban", excom's, PC's, or whatever.


    Chris, thanks for giving me the opportunity to correct this
    "information".

                                      BK

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    Reply-To: "Ed Koon" <[email protected]>
    From: "Ed Koon" <[email protected]>
    To: <[email protected]>
    Subject: Re Populating Fidonet.
    Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 20:37:45 -0500

    Chris.

    I just wanted to comment on my mass advertisement in the Fidonet
    backbone.

    With our net dropping nodes like roaches from raid & down to just One
    Caller, I thought I would try and attract new callers through the
    Internet.  I honestly didn't mean to rile so many moderators!  And I
    hope they can accept my apology!

    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 7                   26 Jan 1998


    You have no idea how many folks out there don't have a local BBS
    anymore to call.  Lots are calling long distance.  Others were told by
    friends about my service.  Even several moderators have praised my
    service & hope it will help repopulate their echos.  I honestly
    believe Telnet Bbs's will become the Fidonet of the next century.

    I have been in Fidonet since '91 & hope to help take FidoNet into the
    millennium!

    Sincerely,

    Ed Koon  1:3603/140

    ======================================================================
    Cheers From The Droolers!  Ed Koon -=DOC=- Sysop & General Website
    Slave.  Doc's Place Online. Free Adult Access. In Sunny Clearwater Fla
    (USA!)
    Email: [email protected]  We toss the Complete Fidonet
    Backbone!!
    ======================================================================
    Fidonet=1:3603/140  Droolnet=85:360/50  Catnet=169:360/140 Icq=2248697
    Internet Access http://docsplace.dyn.ml.org |
    telnet://docsplace.dyn.ml.org Inbound Ftp is also available for Fast
    File Access ftp://docsplace.dyn.ml.org
    ======================================================================

     -30-

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    --- Following message extracted from NETMAIL @ 1:18/14 ---
        By Christopher Baker on Sat Jan 24 00:58:13 1998

    From: Nic Boie @ 1:282/3043
    To: Editor @ 1:18/14
    Date: 21 Jan 98  19:58:05
    Subj: Letter to the Editor

          This would be my second Letter to the Editor of FidoNews :)
    Please place  this in the next issue of FidoNews.


            What is annoying behavior?  Is it deliberately attacking
    someone?  Is it bad spelling?  Maybe it's just stupidity.  Since the
    decline of BBS usage in the past year, I have noticed a major drop in
    intelligence also.  I really think you, being a node, should call some
    local BBS's not in FidoNet, and encourage growth.  There are some
    groups around the world trying to promote BBSing and FidoNet.  Maybe
    we, the members of FidoNet, could start a collective cause to promote
    this.  Get donations from members, and run commercials on national
    T.V.  Remember, in the end, we are all in this together, the more BBS
    callers, the more posts, the more posts, the more interest, the more
    interest the more BBS's, the more NODES!

                            -Nic Boie '98

    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 8                   26 Jan 1998


     -30-

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 9                   26 Jan 1998


    =================================================================
                                ARTICLES
    =================================================================

    ZEC1 Election Platform Statement
    Bob Kohl
    1:102/861

    For the first time in the history of Zone 1 you the sysop now have
    the ability to vote for a zone Admin position, the ZEC. This
    unprecedented election allows the sysop to finally have a say in the
    matters of echomail and the direction Fidonet takes in the years to
    come in regards to echomail issues.

    I feel that the next ZEC can have a positive influence on the state
    of Fidonet since echomail is such an important part of Fidonet in
    Zone 1.

    As a candidate for the ZEC position I'd like to take a moment to
    present my platform to you. No matter which candidate you prefer
    I sincerely hope that you will make the effort to get out and vote
    this election, it IS important for all of us as sysops in Zone 1.

    ==========================================

    * To work to ensure that FidoNet remains a sysop/hobbyist network.
      There will be no special or political interests served during
      my watch.

    * To work to insure that there will be no "official" FidoNet
      echomail feed that controls or influences any other feed.

      The sysops will remain free to get echomail wherever they wish to
      without restriction in Z1, and that there will not be an "ECHOTAX"
      or Zone CRP, or anything remotely resembling this on my watch.
      Sysops will also be encouraged to develop new software and Fidonet
       Technology.

    * To work to insure that the *ECs remain the coordinators of
      echomail and the people responsible for echomail issues.

    * To work for a "hub standard", in the areas of tampering with the
      mail flow, removal of echo areas from distribution, adding areas
      for distribution  as well as that of moderator rights.

      With the established standard, the moderators and echo areas will
       be treated equally and consistently.

       It is my belief that the use of GMD and other such utilities used
       against specific individuals or for personal agendas should cease.

       Work with the *ECs, hubs and sysops to forge out a program to
       deal with the hubs that will not respect these standards, which
       might range from public postings that denote this to
       possibly requesting that the ZC grant the ZEC the option of
       issuing the hub flags to those nodes that wish to work within
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 10                  26 Jan 1998


       these standards. Any hub that does not agree to work within these
       standards will not be issued a hub flag for their nodelist entry.

       That a standard be established for any removals of echo areas
       beyond the scope of Fidonet policy and these standards shall be
       published in Fidonews regularly.

       That any distribution systems, FAQs, policy and/or pledges shall
       not exist contrary to these standards. It is not the intention of
       the ZEC to micromanage distribution systems, but to make sure
       that all echomail services are consistent and treated fairly.

    * To encourage and work to maintain an active and responsible
       group of RECs in Zone 1.

       To ensure all regions equal representation to the RECC. My first
       action will be a request to replace R16EC.

      The RECs will be tasked with maintaining the flow of information
      on important issues from the RECC to the sysops of their respective
       regions. They will do the same with the feedback from the sysops
       on these issues. The sysops will be represented.

       I will make use of FidoNews to keep the sysops updated on all
       issues currently being worked on.

    * The RECC echo WILL be moderated to maintain the echo as a
       environment conducive to getting work done in a positive and/or
       constructive manner and not as a platform for any one agenda or
       for abuse.  Representatives from all major distribution systems
       will be invited to participate as needed if they do not currently
       have access.

       I do not now, nor will I view the RECs as helpers or assistants,
       nor do I view the ZEC as "The Boss".  I view that the ZEC is
       much like the chairman of the board when dealing with the
       RECC, facilitating cooperation rather dictating or manipulating
       it.  No pontificating, no edicts from Mount Olympus, etc.

      Although the RECC has taken it's share of abuse over the past
      couple of years, we worked well to get the Z1EC election going
      again and I'd like to make sure this continues.

      I also feel that it would be appropriate for the RECs to also
      participate in the ZEC echo to their discuss the point of view as
      well as those of their regions on any given issue, as well as
      having access to the ZEC in the ZEC echo.

    * I would appoint a Z1 Webmaster to maintain a Z1 echomail web site
      and coordinate the Z1 web site links.  I realize that there are
      already people working on this, however I would like to see
      someone more aggressively coordinate this effort. The Z1 Webmaster
      would also be there to help those folks that do not have but would
      like to have web sites for their nets and regions.

      The Z1 Web site would maintain information of echomail services,
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 11                  26 Jan 1998


      rates, the distribution services "pledges and FAQs", information
      on FidoNet itself and what echomail is about; basically, a full
      service FidoNet site with the emphasis on echomail.

    * On the issue of EchoPol:

      The effort to get an EchoPol established in Z1 will be done on
      several levels.

      First, with the moderator's permission, I will use the FIDOECHOPOL
      echo for public discussions. These discussion will be segmented
      into time periods as announced in FidoNews and in the echo.

      This will not be a free for all, but an organized effort.

       The admin discussion will take place on two levels: the RECC echo
       with the aforementioned crossposting to the regional echo's and in
       the C2C echo that was put in distribution for the all R* level
       admin personnel to discuss issues across the board.  Since both
       these echoes are restricted, updates will be sent to FidoNews and
       the FIDOECHOPOL echo as they develop.

       Bringing the RCs into the discussion is imperative as I see
       it, to establish guidelines on what they feel they can enforce
       under an EchoPol as well as what should not be enforced. On this
       basis was can more clearly define those gray areas as they pertain
       to echomail and echopol. It is crucial that both sides are
       involved in this, since echomail concerns the *ECs and yet it's
       the *Cs that enforce Fidonet policy issues. This will also help
       prevent any possible conflicting portions of EchoPol and help to
       resolve across the board such issues as hubs removing or modifying
       echomail either manually through the abuse of GMD and other
       utilities, etc.

       I will also get the *ECs, distribution systems and moderators that
       care to participate in a discussion echo to resolve the issues of
       UUEncoded files being posted in echo areas, a set of standardized
       parameters for adding echoes to the distribution systems, removing
       echoes and dropping echoes for low traffic.

       Lastly, I'd like to get the moderators involved in one of the
       moderator echoes to deal with issues that concern all of us: those
       of moderator rights and of the hub standards on these issues. I
       will most likely use the MODR8TR echo, since it is not restricted
       and  allows sysop input.  This will of course depend on the
       permission of the moderator of MODR8TR. A discussion of a cut
       request
       standard will also be addressed.

      EchoPol will be developed with sysop level input as the election
    was.

     *My views on specific points:*

    * Sysop level input is as crucial as it was to this election.

    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 12                  26 Jan 1998


    * Mail moving:

       I do not believe that the hubs moving the mail should be tampering
       with it without justification.  *If* there is a concern about
       legal issues, then it's time to work out a standard to deal with
       this concern.

       I do not believe that a distribution system should jeopardize
       their safety and operation over a potential legal liability
       regarding traffic passing in any given echo. At the same time
       I believe that the distribution systems should inform the ZEC of
       the specific legal issues before dropping an echo from
       distribution, so that the issue can be taken up with all
       distribution systems and hopefully a resolution be arbitrated.

    * Moderator rights:

       I am an old-time moderator since just after the single echo was
       split into the many that have evolved to where we are now.  I
       believe that a moderator should have the final say how the
       moderator runs their echo.  Period.

      *If* during discussions on EchoPol someone comes up with a
      better alternative to "vote with your feet", then I am willing to
      listen.  However, it will be up to the *ECs, sysops, moderators
      and hubs to work through this for a mutual agreement.

       I do believe that the moderators should have a standard for a feed
       cut request. This is a simple issue that will be suggested to
       the moderators.

    * The EchoList:

      This is an entity that should remain separate and uninvolved in
      any affiliations, politics, etc. If there is a backup set up
      passwords, it should remain with the *ECs.

    My qualifications:

       Sysop for well over 10 years.
       Moderator since just after the split of the echoes.
       An NEC for 2-3 years.
       An REC for over 3 years.
       An RC for over 2 years, reviving and rebuilding Region 10 in the
       process after years of neglect. Region 10 has always been properly
       represented, including helping to restore some of the "U" flags
       that the user wanted.  There have been no EXCOMs on my watch and
       only one PC that was denied. I have NEVER filed a PC nor have I
       felt the need to.

    I've put in an exceptional amount of time into FidoNet, both
    promoting it and helping whenever I could. I fully intend to continue
    to do so as your ZEC, making sure that *YOU* the sysop can now have
    a voice in the matters of echomail beyond take it or leave it.

    On a non-Fidonet level, I have been in management for over the past
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 13                  26 Jan 1998


    20 years in normal and also in environments that were very political.

    In my other hobby, I've also been a national director for a major
    horse breed association, the equivalent to an RC in Fidonet.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposal to merge Internet-based FTS mailers into Fidonet
    by William Herrera, Node 1:307/1
    (mailto:[email protected], telnet:166.93.38.14)

    As a longtime Fidonet Sysop and past NC, now NEC of 1:307, may I
    propose that:

    1. A NEW zone be made up, say zone 10 or whatever.

    2. This ZONE allows ANY geographic base. Its nets can be countries,
       whatever.

    3. This ZONE uses, indeed REQUIRES TCP/IP addresses for telephone
       numbers.  (or internet domain based addresses, I suppose)

    4. This ZONE requires the ability to do FTS type mailing OVER TELNET
       on a standard port for telnet.

    I could set this up here right now (telnet:lookout.com).

    I think the original reason for zones was calling costs and
    restrictions for calls across zones. Mail could be sent via a
    ZoneGate.  This makes sense for mail across the regular zones and a
    new Internet zone, too!

    This might finally help the nodelist GROW a bit, too. It is easy to
    set up a ZMH TCP/IP mailer on telnet, if you have internet access.

    So what do ye think?

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    X-Sender: [email protected]
    X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.2 (32)
    Date: Fri, 23 Jan 1998 07:50:44 -0500
    To: [email protected]
    From: karen tiede <[email protected]>
    Subject: Netscape News
    Sender: [email protected]
    Reply-To: [email protected]

    Rec'd from the PRGrrl for www.trianglewebgrrls.com this morning--


              NETSCAPE ANNOUNCES PLANS TO MAKE NEXT-GENERATION
             COMMUNICATOR SOURCE CODE AVAILABLE FREE ON THE NET

        BOLD MOVE TO HARNESS CREATIVE POWER OF THOUSANDS OF INTERNET
        DEVELOPERS; COMPANY MAKES NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR AND COMMUNICATOR
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 14                  26 Jan 1998


          4.0 IMMEDIATELY FREE FOR ALL USERS, SEEDING MARKET FOR
                    ENTERPRISE AND NETCENTER BUSINESSES

     MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (January 22, 1998) -- Netscape Communications
    Corporation (NASDAQ: NSCP) today announced bold plans to make the
    source code for the next generation of its highly popular Netscape
    Communicator client software available for free licensing on the
    Internet. The company plans to post the source code beginning with the
    first Netscape Communicator 5.0 developer release, expected by the end
    of the first quarter of 1998. This aggressive move will enable
    Netscape to harness the creative power of thousands of programmers on
    the Internet by incorporating their best enhancements into future
    versions of Netscape's software. This strategy is designed to
    accelerate development and free distribution by Netscape of future
    high-quality versions of Netscape Communicator to business customers
    and individuals, further seeding the market for Netscape's enterprise
    solutions and Netcenter business.

    In addition, the company is making its currently available Netscape
    Navigator and Communicator Standard Edition 4.0 software products
    immediately free for all users. With this action, Netscape makes it
    easier than ever for individuals at home, at school or at work to
    choose the world's most popular Internet client software as their
    preferred interface to the Internet.

    "The time is right for us to take the bold action of making our client
    free - and we are going even further by committing to post the source
    code for free for Communicator 5.0," said Jim Barksdale, Netscape's
    president and chief executive officer. "By giving away the source code
    for future versions, we can ignite the creative energies of the entire
    Net community and fuel unprecedented levels of innovation in the
    browser market. Our customers can benefit from world-class technology
    advancements; the development community gains access to a whole new
    market opportunity; and Netscape's core businesses benefit from the
    proliferation of the market-leading client software."

    Netscape plans to make Netscape Communicator 5.0 source code available
    for modification and redistribution beginning later this quarter with
    the first developer release of the product. The company will handle
    free source distribution with a license which allows source code
    modification and redistribution and provides for free availability of
    source code versions, building on the heritage of the GNU Public
    License (GPL), familiar to developers on the Net. Netscape intends to
    create a special Web site service where all interested parties can
    download the source code, post their enhancements, take part in
    newsgroup discussions, and obtain and share Communicator-related
    information with others in the Internet community.  Netscape will also
    continue to develop new technologies and offer periodic certified,
    high-quality, supported releases of its Netscape Communicator and
    Navigator products, incorporating some of the best features created by
    this dynamic community.

    The ubiquity of Netscape's client software facilitates Netscape's
    strategy of linking millions of individuals to businesses. Today's
    announcements will help to further proliferate Netscape's award-
    winning client software which today has an installed base of more than
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 15                  26 Jan 1998


    68 million, providing a ready market for businesses using Netscape's
    Networked Enterprise software solutions and Netscape Netcenter
    services. Netscape's research indicates that in the education market
    where Netscape's products are free, the Netscape client software
    commands approximately 90 percent share, indicating that users tend to
    choose Netscape when the choice is freely available. Making its
    browser software free also will enable Netscape to continue to drive
    Internet standards, maximize the number of users on the Internet, and
    expand the third-party community of companies and products that take
    advantage of the Netscape software platform.

    Netscape has successfully shifted its business over the past year
    toward enterprise software sales and to revenues from its Web site
    business, and away from standalone client revenues. In the third
    quarter of 1997, standalone client revenues represented approximately
    18 percent of Netscape's revenue, with the rest coming from enterprise
    software, services and the Web site.  Preliminary results for the
    fourth quarter of 1997, which Netscape announced January 5, show
    standalone client revenues decreased to approximately 13 percent in
    the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter of 1996 by comparison,
    standalone client revenue represented approximately 45 percent of
    Netscape's revenue.

    In conjunction with its free client, Netscape separately announced
    today that it is launching a host of enhanced products and services
    that leverage its free client software to make it easy for enterprise
    and individual customers to adopt Netscape solutions. The new products
    and services reinforce Netscape's strategy of leveraging market
    penetration of its popular client software and its busy Internet site
    to seed further sales of Netscape software solutions in the home and
    business markets. The new products and services include enhanced
    subscription and support packages, an investment protection program
    for Netscape Communicator users, new reduced pricing on Netscape's
    retail and enterprise client products, new Premium Services on its
    Netscape Netcenter online service and Netscape SuiteSpot server
    software upgrades featuring Netscape client software.

    In addition, the company separately announced the launch of an
    aggressive new software distribution program called "Unlimited
    Distribution" to broadly distribute its market-leading Internet client
    software for free.  Unlimited Distribution enables Original Equipment
    Manufacturers (OEMs), Internet Service Providers (ISPs),
    telecommunications companies, Web content providers, publishers and
    software developers to download and redistribute Netscape Communicator
    and Netscape Navigator easily with "no strings attached." In addition,
    beginning immediately, individual users can download Netscape
    Communicator or Navigator for free, register for Netscape Netcenter
    and, beginning tomorrow, enter the Choose Netscape Sweepstakes to win
    exciting travel-related prizes including a grand prize of two all-
    inclusive, seven-night tropical resort vacations.

    Individuals can download a free copy of Netscape Communicator client
    software or the Netscape Navigator browser from the Netscape home page
    at http://home.netscape.com, or by clicking on any of the thousands of
    "Netscape Now" buttons on the Internet. Netscape Communicator
    Professional Edition, which adds features for enterprise customers,
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 16                  26 Jan 1998


    will be available for US$29.

    Netscape Communications Corporation is a premier provider of open
    software for linking people and information over enterprise networks
    and the Internet.  The company offers a full line of Netscape
    Navigator clients, servers, development tools and commercial
    applications to create a complete platform for next-generation, live
    online applications. Traded on NASDAQ under the symbol "NSCP,"
    Netscape Communications Corporation is based in Mountain View,
    California.

    Additional information on Netscape Communications Corporation is
    available on the Internet at http://home.netscape.com, by sending
    email to [email protected] or by calling 650/937-2555 (corporate
    customers) or 650/937-3777 (individuals).

    Netscape is a trademark of Netscape Communications Corporation, which
    is registered in the United States and other jurisdictions. Netscape
    Communications, the Netscape Communications logo, Netscape Navigator,
    Netscape SuiteSpot, Netscape Composer, Netscape Messenger and Netscape
    Communicator are trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation.


    Corporate Sales: 650/937-2555 - Corporate Renewal Sales: 650/937-2929
    -Personal Sales: 650/937-3777 - Government Sales: 650/937-3678 -
    Education Sales: 650/937-2810

    If you have any questions, please visit Customer Service, or contact
    your nearest sales office.

    Copyright  1998 Netscape Communications Corporation.


    When your only tool is Notepad.exe, the world looks like a *.txt file.
    ________________________________________
    Karen Tiede
    919-784-8478
    http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Cafe/1812/

     -30-

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    Zone 1 Echomail Coordinator Election Voting Procedure
    by Martin Belcke 1:232/10, 1:232/16, [email protected]

    To The Members of Fidonet, Zone 1.

    In compliance with a directive from the Zone 1 Coordinator, an
    election for the position of Zone 1 Echomail Coordinator has
    been underway.  The first phase, nominations, has concluded.
    The second phase, campaigning has concluded (as of 1-22-98).
    The third phase, voting, will commence 1-26-98 and end 2-15-98.

    The following list of candidates (listed by date of acceptance)
    are the only valid candidates for this election.
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 17                  26 Jan 1998


    Wayne DeLisle Sr      1:379/33    ACCEPTED  12/11/97
    David Calafrancesco   1:2624/0    ACCEPTED  12/13/97
    Mike Luther           1:117/3001  ACCEPTED  12/14/97
    Jeff Smith            1:282/1     ACCEPTED  12/20/97
    Jim Balcom            1:109/334   ACCEPTED  12/22/97
    John Glinski          1:320/237   ACCEPTED  12/24/97
    Bob Kohl              1:102/861   ACCEPTED  12/28/97

    Because there are more than two candidates, a process called
    preferential balloting is being used to prevent the need for any run-
    off elections.  Preferential balloting is explained below:


                         PREFERENTIAL BALLOTING PROCEDURE

    Preferential balloting allows for casting of multiple votes, listed in
    order of preference of candidates.  Through this method, run-off
    elections are usually not necessary.  At all times, the highest ranked
    name is used for each ballot, unless that name has been eliminated in
    any round of tallying.  During each round of tallying, the candidate
    that receives the least number of votes is eliminated.  If that is the
    only candidate listed on a ballot, then that ballot is also eliminated
    and the number of votes needed to win is also reduced accordingly.

    The order goes like this.

    Step 1  -  Count the total number of ballots and determine what the
               number of ballots needed to win would be.

    Step 2  -  Sort the ballots according to the top candidate listed on
               each ballot skipping any names that were eliminated.

    Step 3  -  Tally the votes for each candidate according to the sorted
               order of ballots.

    Step 4  -  Did any candidate receive the necessary number of votes to
               win?  If NO, goto Step 4a.  If YES, goto Step 5.  If no
               further rounds will determine a winner goto Step 6.

    Step 4a -  Eliminate the name of the candidate that received the least
               number of votes scratching off that name from each ballot.
               If that is the only name on a ballot, eliminate that
               ballot.

    Step 5  -  Determine the winner.

    Step 6  -  Send results to the Z1C for further action.


    The process is explained below by example.

    CANDIDATE #1
    CANDIDATE #2       Based on number of ballots, it takes 3 votes
    CANDIDATE #3       to win.
    CANDIDATE #4

    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 18                  26 Jan 1998


     BALLOT #1     BALLOT #2     BALLOT #3     BALLOT #4     BALLOT #5

    Candidate 1   Candidate 1   Candidate 2   Candidate 4   Candidate 4
    Candidate 2   Candidate 3   Candidate 1   Candidate 1   Candidate 3
    Candidate 3   Candidate 4   Candidate 3   Candidate 2   Candidate 2
    Candidate 4   Candidate 2   Candidate 4   Candidate 3   Candidate 1

    On the first tally, the following results occur:

       CANDIDATE # 1   2 votes
       CANDIDATE # 2   1 vote
       CANDIDATE # 3   0 votes
       CANDIDATE # 4   2 votes

    No winner declared...

    Candidate # 3 is eliminated.

    Votes now look like this:

     BALLOT #1     BALLOT #2     BALLOT #3     BALLOT #4     BALLOT #5

    Candidate 1   Candidate 1   Candidate 2   Candidate 4   Candidate 4
    Candidate 2                 Candidate 1   Candidate 1
                  Candidate 4                 Candidate 2   Candidate 2
    Candidate 4   Candidate 2   Candidate 4                 Candidate 1

    Re-tallying votes, first choice must be used when possible, the
    results are:

       CANDIDATE # 1   2 votes
       CANDIDATE # 2   1 vote
       CANDIDATE # 4   2 votes

    No winner declared...

    Because candidate # 2 receives the least number of votes, candidate #2
    is eliminated.

    Votes now look like this:

     BALLOT #1     BALLOT #2     BALLOT #3     BALLOT #4     BALLOT #5

    Candidate 1   Candidate 1                 Candidate 4   Candidate 4
                                Candidate 1   Candidate 1
                  Candidate 4
    Candidate 4                 Candidate 4                 Candidate 1


    Re-tallying votes, first choice must be used when possible, the
    results are:

      CANDIDATE # 1  3 votes    (Ballot #3's first choice was eliminated)
      CANDIDATE # 4  2 votes

    Candidate # 1 is declared winner as there are the required number of
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 19                  26 Jan 1998


    votes cast to receive a majority vote of all ballots.

    If, for some reason, a voter has put Candidate #2 or Candidate #3 for
    all votes, that ballot would have been eliminated at the same time the
    candidate was eliminated as the votes would then be considered as cast
    for an invalid candidate.  At the same time, the number of votes
    needed to win would have been adjusted.  This could have caused a
    problem in our example, as it may have resulted in a tie-vote. At that
    time, the rules of the election would have been used concerning action
    to take in event of a tie vote.

                 ***** END PREFERENTIAL BALLOTING *****

    The voting requirements, taken from the election rules are:

    3) VOTING PERIOD

    Following the campaign period, a period shall be allowed for each
    eligible voter to cast his/her vote. Votes must be sent via direct
    netmail to the election coordinator, or by any other method at the
    discretion of the election coordinator. Votes must be sent during the
    voting period and must include a keyword/password, name and node of
    the person voting (as it appears in the Fidonet nodelist) and the name
    of one of the candidates on the election slate.  If preferential
    balloting is being used, then more than one candidate may be listed in
    order of preference.  Any vote received that does not contain the
    above information will be declared invalid and the ballot will not be
    counted.  Any vote cast that uses a method not approved will be
    declared invalid and the ballot will not be counted.

    Any vote received prior to or after the voting period shall be
    disallowed.  The election coordinator shall acknowledge each vote by
    netmail (direct or routed), or by any other method at the discretion
    of the election coordinator, with a simple statement that the vote has
    been received and recorded.

    In the event there are more than two candidates, the voting method
    shall be that of preferential balloting.

    Any member of Fidonet, Zone 1 is eligible to vote, under the following
    criteria.  Nodes beginning with the keyword of ZONE, REGION, HOST,
    HUB, or DOWN or nodes that are redundant entries are not eligible.
    One vote for sysops with more than one node.  One vote for nodes with
    more than one person listed at that node.  Nodes listed as PVT or HOLD
    are eligible.

    The Fidonet nodelist published prior to the beginning of the voting
    period shall be the primary nodelist to determine eligible voters.
    Allowance for errors in the nodelist may be made by the election
    coordinator, but at all times a valid Fidonet nodelist must be used.

                         *** END VOTING RULE ***

    Sample ballots are listed below:

              VOTING PERIOD IS  January 22, 1998 to February 15, 1998.
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 20                  26 Jan 1998


                           DO NOT use this as your ballot.

    In this election, there are 7 candidates running for the position of
    Zone 1 Echomail Coordinator (Z1EC).  As such, a procedure called
    preferential balloting is being used to prevent the need for run-off
    elections should no candidate receive a majority vote.  Preferential
    balloting simply means you rank the candidates in order of your
    preference.  If there is a candidate you do not want to vote for,
    simply do not list that candidate on your ballot.  However, understand
    that if all of those candidates that you did list are eliminated in
    any round of tallying, so would your ballot be eliminated. (see
    examples).

    The basic information that is REQUIRED in order for your ballot to be
    counted is as follows:

                      ***** REQUIRED INFORMATION *****

    1)  Your name as it appears in the Fidonet nodelist and your
        node number as it appears in the Fidonet nodelist.

          NOTE:  This information will be posted for verification purposes
                 after the close of the voting period in a list of those
                 who voted listed numerically by node number.  This list
                 will NOT contain the vote or keyword used.

    2)  A password/keyword that is to be used to verify your vote.

          NOTE:  The password/keyword will be posted along with your vote
                 for verification after the close of the voting period in
                 a list containing all of the passwords/keywords and vote
                 associated with that password/keyword listed
                 alphabetically by password/keyword.  This list will not
                 contain voter name or nodenumber.

                 Try to keep the password under 15 characters.  8
                 characters is preferred.  Passwords used that are
                 considered "vulgar" are not acceptable passwords.  What
                 is considered "vulgar" is at my discretion.  In the event
                 that you choose to send an unacceptable password, the
                 password will be changed and I will send you the new
                 password either my routed netmail or e-mail.

    3)  Your Vote - A list of one or more valid candidates names.
                NOTE:  The first valid candidate name listed on the ballot
                is first choice, followed by the next valid candidate for
                second choice and so forth.  Any extraneous ordering
                information will be ignored.
                EXAMPLE:  Any numbers listed or other information other
                than the name of a candidate.  Please list candidates
                names on separate lines.

                  *****  END OF REQUIRED INFORMATION  *****

    You may send your vote via any of the following methods:
      NOTE:  Please use VOTE for the subject line.  It will make it easier
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 21                  26 Jan 1998


             on me.  The subject line is NOT a requirement for a valid
             ballot, simply a courtesy to the vote counter.

    DIRECT NETMAIL to Martin Belcke 1:232/10 or 1:232/16
    DIRECT NETMAIL to Election Coordinator 1:232/10 or 1:232/16
    ROUTED NETMAIL to Martin Belcke 1:232/10 or 1:232/16
    ROUTED NETMAIL to Election Coordinator 1:232/10 or 1:232/16
    E-MAIL to [email protected]
        NOTE:  The other e-mail addresses listed in Fidonews 1449 are not
               working correctly, so if you send your vote by e-mail, you
               will need to send it to the above address.

    SAMPLE BALLOTS:
    The following are several types of ballots.  The examples are NOT the
    only types of valid ballots.  Any ballot that contains the REQUIRED
    information, as per the election rules, is considered a valid ballot.
    If the election coordinator is unable to understand your ballot, you
    will receive a netmail (or e-mail) message asking for clarification.

    For these examples, we are going to use the following names as
    candidates:  George Washington, Henry Adams, James Kirk, Joan of Arc,
                 Mary Shepherd, Joe Public, Pat Paulsen

    SAMPLE BALLOT #1 - This voter is listing only 1 candidate. The name
    and node number information is contained in the header of the netmail
    message.
    =====================================================================
    From    :   Joe Voter (1:222/333)
    To      :   Martin Belcke (1:232/10)
    Subject :   VOTE
    =========================BODY OF MESSAGE=============================
    PASSWORD -  XXXPPPTTTBBB

    George Washington

       Joe Voter

     =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- END SAMPLE #1 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

    SAMPLE BALLOT #2 - This voter is listing 3 candidates, listed in order
    of preference.  The order the names are entered will be used as the
    order of preference.  Any numbers that appear next to the names will
    be ignored. The name and node number information is contained in the
    header of the netmail message.
    =====================================================================
    From    :   Joe Voter (1:222/333)
    To      :   Election Coordinator (1:232/10)
    Subject :   VOTE
     ===========================BODY OF MESSAGE==========================
    PASSWORD -   BYTRENMPOIM

    George Washington
    Henry Adams
    James Kirk

       Joe Voter
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 22                  26 Jan 1998


    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- END SAMPLE #2 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

    SAMPLE BALLOT #3 - This voter is listing 7 candidates, listed in order
    of preference.  The order the names are entered will be used as the
    order of preference.  Any numbers that appear next to the names will
    be ignored.  The name and node number information is contained in the
    header of the netmail message.
    =====================================================================
    From    :   Joe Voter (1:222/333)
    To      :   Election Coordinator (1:232/10)
    Subject :   VOTE
     ===========================BODY OF MESSAGE==========================
    PASSWORD -   BYTRENMPOIM

    George Washington   6
    Henry Adams         5
    Jimmy Durante       4
    Joe Public          3
    Pat Paulsen         2
    James Kirk          1
    Mary Shepherd       7

       Joe Voter
    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- END SAMPLE #3 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

    SAMPLE BALLOT #4 - - This voter send their vote through the internet.

     ====================================================================
    From    : [email protected]
    To      : [email protected]
    Subject : VOTE
     =========================BODY OF MESSAGE===========================
    NAME          :   Joe Voter
    NODE NUMBER   :   1:222/333
    PASSWORD      :   XXXCCCMMMBB

    The rest of this ballot could look like any of the other ballots shown
    above.
    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- END SAMPLE #4 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

    SAMPLE BALLOT # 5 - This voter listed the candidates names on the same
    line.  The order listed is the order of preference.  Any numbers
    listed will be ignored.
    =====================================================================
    From    : Joe Voter (1:222/333)
    To      : Election Coordinator (1:232/10)
    Subject : VOTE
    ===========================BODY OF MESSAGE===========================
    PASSWORD:  XCVBYN

    George Washington, Henry Adams, Joan of Arc, Pat Paulsen, James Kirk

      Joe Voter
    =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- END SAMPLE # 5 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

    EXPLANATIONS:
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 23                  26 Jan 1998


    In SAMPLE BALLOT #3, the numbers that appear next to the names are
    ignored and the names as listed are used as the order of preference.

    In SAMPLE BALLOT #5, the names are used in order listed.  It will be a
    LOT easier on the tallying if each candidate is listed on a separate
    line.

    In preferential balloting, the first valid name that is listed is the
    "preferred" name in counting the ballot. After the votes are tallied,
    if no candidate receives the necessary number of votes to win, the
    candidate that receives the LEAST number of votes is eliminated and
    the votes are then recounted using the first valid name listed.  If a
    candidate has been eliminated, then that name is no longer a valid
    name.  In SAMPLE #1, if George Washington had been eliminated, then so
    would that ballot be eliminated, thus reducing the number of ballots
    by 1.  The number of votes needed to win would also be adjusted.

    In SAMPLE #3, there is an invalid name listed (Jimmy Durante).  This
    name would be considered to be an invalid vote and would not be used.
    If George Washington and Henry Adams were eliminated in any round of
    tallying, then the next valid candidate (Joe Public) would be used as
    the preferred name for SAMPLE #3.  In SAMPLE #2, if George Washington,
    Henry Adams AND James Kirk are all eliminated in any round of
    tallying, then so would the ballot be eliminated, thus reducing the
    number of ballots by 1.  The number of votes needed to win would also
    be adjusted.

    In SAMPLE #4, the voter chose to send the ballot via the internet in
    an e-mail message addressed to [email protected].  Since the
    header information does not contain the NAME and NODE NUMBER of the
    voter as it appears in the Fidonet nodelist, that information --must--
    be listed in the BODY of the e-mail message.

                   **** END SAMPLE BALLOTING EXAMPLES ****

    This announcement is respectfully submitted to you, the members of
    Fidonet, Zone 1, and serves as the official announcement of the voting
    phase of this election process.  Thank you for your time and look
    forward to seeing you participate in the election.

    --Martin Belcke--
      Election Coordinator, Z1EC election
      Fidonet Node 1:232/10
      Fidonet Node 1:232/16
      primary e-mail  [email protected]

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 24                  26 Jan 1998


    =================================================================
                                 COLUMNS
    =================================================================

       This is the first part of a serial touching tale to which,
    to some degree or another, I'm sure we can all relate.  It
    originally started out as a gag to entertain my fellow addicts
    in net 354, but by the end of the first episode, the idea struck
    that it may be entertaining to the readers of the snooze as
    well.  So, assuming that it passes the stringent standards of the
    editorial staff of that august body, herewith is part 1 of the
    ongoing story of a BBSaholic:

    Area: SOK.SYSOP

    Date : Jan 22 '98, 09:07
    From : Pete Snidal                              1:354/910.1
    To   : All                                      0:0/0.0
    Subj : I'm a BBSaholic

    Hi, All!

       My name is Pete S., and I'm a BBSaholic.

       It started the first time I got my first taste.  I can still
    remember the day I walked into a friend's apartment in Burnaby,
    while down there on a semi-annual junket.  He was hunched over this
    amber screen, typing away like a fiend, and I looked over his
    shoulder to see what was going on in there.  Well, he was replying
    to what looked to me like a very interesting discussion about
    something or other, and I instantly wanted to know where the input
    was coming from, did somebody send him a disk to reply to, or did
    the guy send it to him modem to modem, or what.

       Well, he explained to me about Fidonet, echoes, and stuff.  This
    was about 1988, and it was the first I'd ever heard about it.  We
    sucked up a box of beer that afternoon, and he basically hooked me
    on his habit then and there.  I'd never heard of Fidonet, or for all
    that matter, any computer network at all, and as he explained how it
    had evolved, and what it had come to by that time, I just got more
    and more into the idea.  I was fascinated.  This was something that
    my genes had programmed me for from the day I was born.  I know it
    isn't really contagious; that I had the incipient dependence since
    birth, so I don't blame him for my trouble, but just the same, that's
    the day I became a BBSaholic.

       Of course, as soon as I got home, I started shopping for a modem
    for the ol' Kaypro II, and once I had it in place, I started looking
    for a BBS to connect to.  I called my friend in Burnaby, and he dug
    into his nodelist and suggested Bob Shiels' board in Kelowna as my
    closest fix.

       So for a few months, there, I was calling Kelowna LD to support
    my habit. This was with an old Kaypro CP/M computer, with a very
    basic sort of software available.  No .QWK packets or offline
    reading with this baby; I'd get into a message area, start it
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 25                  26 Jan 1998


    scrolling messages at 2400 baud, and use text capture to write as
    much as I could get onto a 190K floppy, watching the clock tick
    them minutes by till I couldn't stand it any more, and then terminate
    the connection.  You can imagine how I felt the first few times,
    when I forgot to save the buffer to disk after 6 or 8 minutes online!
    Fortunately, Bob was using good ol' bulletproof Binkleyterm, so
    when I dropped carrier by turning off my external modem (I couldn't
    make the software exit graciously from capture mode,) it didn't
    lock his system up or otherwise get me in trouble.

       Then, I'd ignore friends and family for hours on end, while I
    read this fresh intelligence from all over the planet, on such
    esoteric subjects as to be found in EDUCATOR or ALTMED.  I was
    _fascinated_ with this connectivity!  With seeing people in Australia
    respond to questions from people in Arizona!  It was all I could talk
    about with anybody who would listen.  But soon, BBSaholics start
    talking a language that's all their own, and the more you get into
    it, the more your friends are out of it.  I'm sure you all know what
    I mean.

       I know this is a sad tale already, but it's only starting.  This
    was when I was just chippin' - I was only a User at this point.  Just
    partying on weekends, so to speak.  In further episodes, I'll tell
    you how I got hooked on the Hard Stuff - setting up my own BBS.
    Where we ALL ended up - God Help Us!

    Origin:  KETTLE VALLEY FORUM BBS - Grand Forks BC CANADA (1:354/910)

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 26                  26 Jan 1998


    =================================================================
                           COORDINATORS CORNER
    =================================================================

    Nodelist-statistics as seen from Zone-2 for day 023
    By Ward Dossche, 2:292/854
       ZC/2

     +--------+-------+----------+----------+----------+----------+--+
     !Zone/Jul!Ndl-360!Nodel.-002!Nodel.-009!Nodel.-016!Nodel.-023!%%!
     +--------+-------+----------+----------+----------+----------+--+
     !  1/023 !  6199 ! 6199    0! 6142  -57! 6053  -89! 6020  -33!28!
     !  2/023 ! 14523 !14538   15!14501  -37!14439  -62!14406  -33!66!
     !  3/016 !   580 !  580    0!  570  -10!  570    0!  573    3! 3!
     !  4/016 !   435 !  435    0!  435    0!  425  -10!  424   -1! 2!
     !  5/353 !    91 !   91    0!   91    0!   91    0!   91    0! 0!
     !  6/016 !  1091 ! 1091    0! 1091    0! 1091    0!  322 -769! 1!
     +--------+-------+----------+----------+----------+----------+--+
              ! 22919 !22934   15!22830 -104!22669 -161!21836 -833!
              +-------+----------+----------+----------+----------+

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 27                  26 Jan 1998


    =================================================================
                                NET HUMOR
    =================================================================

    From: "Mike Riddle" <[email protected]>
    To: "Baker, Christopher" <[email protected] (Christopher Baker)>
    Date: Thu, 22 Jan 98 14:40:02 -0600
    Reply-To: "Mike Riddle" <[email protected]>
    Subject: Fwd: WHAT THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART DOESN'T TELL YOU

    ==================BEGIN FORWARDED MESSAGE==================

    WHAT THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART DOESN'T TELL YOU

    In the lower ranks of the MIS world, sorting out job titles is a
    nearly impossible task.  Some folks are called Analysts.  Some are
    called Programmers. Some are called Engineers.  None of them has
    window offices.

    So I have listed -- from lowest to highest in order of prestige -- and
    described the 10 most commonly used job titles in a data processing
    shop.

    A truly experienced high-tech professional has held five or even six
    of these positions . . . usually all at the same time.

    10.  Programmer:
         This person holds the lowest rank in the DP field.  Manages no
         one.  Answers to everyone.  Approximately 50% of the Programmer's
         time is scheduled for testing.  Another 50% is spent filling out
         time cards and progress reports.  Any time left over is spent
         attending classes on technologies that will never be used in the
         shop.

         The Programmer is appraised on code quality and reliability.
         Never has time to write any.  Hopes to, someday, be promoted to
         Systems Analyst.

     9.  Systems Analyst:
         The Systems Analyst refuses to code anymore.  Designs new
         systems. Writes specs for new systems.  Devises procedures and
         work flows for new systems but ends up training users on how to
         get by with the old ones.  Next in line for Team Leader position.

     8.  Team Leader:
         A Team Leader manages one project.  Doesn't know why he's not
         called Project Leader;  that's what he has on his resume.

     7.  Project Leader:
         Manages several projects at once.  Analyzes Gantt charts from the
         Team Leaders' projects.  Coordinates schedules from the Team
         Leaders' projects.  Monitors deliverables from the Team Leaders'
         projects. Has absolutely no idea what any of the Team Leaders'
         projects are about. Wants to be a programmer again.

     6.  Operator:
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 28                  26 Jan 1998


         The Operator wields powers that the Project Leader can only dream
         about.  Makes Programmers beg for tape drives.  Makes Analysts
         beg for disk space.  Makes Team Leaders beg for printouts.  Has
         an uncanny understanding of career potential in the data
         processing industry. Going to law school at night.

     5.  Systems Programmer:
         Even an Operator wants to be a Systems Programmer.  A Systems
         Programmer has the authority to wipe out disk packs without
         warning.  Crash the system during user demos.  Make new releases
         appear, then disappear, then reappear again, especially during
         month-end processing.

     4.  DBA:
         No one really knows what the Database Administrator does, and no
         one is smart enough to know if the DBA is doing it or not.  But
         every shop must have one DBA, because no place can afford two of
         them.

     3.  Manager:
         The Manager is sometimes called a Director.  Or an Assistant
         Vice-President.  Or an Account Manager.  Has completely lost
         touch with any facsimile of technology.  Wants to finish next
         year's budget.  Wants to finish last year's appraisals.  Wants to
         learn the names of some of the Programmers.  But instead, only
         has time to interview job applicants, especially DBAs.

     2.  Department Secretary:
         The Programmers have word processing.  The Managers have
         electronic mail.  Everyone has automatic phone messaging.  This
         leaves the Department Secretary with all kinds of time to
         manipulate, control and dispense the three most basic employee
         needs:  paychecks, rumors and supplies.  Can make copier self-
         destruct just by going to lunch.

     1.  Contract Programmer:
         A Contract Programmer doesn't have to wear a nice suit.  Or go to
         meetings.  Or fill out time cards.  Or keep complaints to
         himself.  He can make all the mistakes he wants.  He doesn't get
         benefits.  He doesn't get training.  He doesn't get respect.

         But after years in the trenches, the Contract Programmer will
         finally achieve the ultimate goal in the profession:  He will be
         able to make impossible deadlines with inadequate resources for
         desperate managers by putting in all kinds of extra hours... and
         will be paid overtime for every one of them.


    ===================END FORWARDED MESSAGE===================

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 29                  26 Jan 1998


    =================================================================
                    ADVERTISE YOUR FREE SERVICE/EVENT
    =================================================================

    Emanuel Edwards
    1:348/963
    [email protected]
                   __       __ ___ __
                    \ \  /\ / // __\\ \  /\ / /
                     \ \/ // /| |    \ \/ // /
                      \  // / | |___  \  // /                <WCW>
                       \/ \/   \___/   \/ \/

                      _____    __    ___
                       \  \ \  /  \  / _____/
                        \  \ \/ /\ \/ /_____                 <WWF>
                         \  \  /  \  / ____/
                          \  \/ /\ \/ /
                           \___/  \__/

    Hello All Sysops & Co_Sysops:

    If you can't afford Internet access and want to get all the latest
    news, Scoops and upcoming events in Wrestling and Boxing I suggest you
    request the WRESTLING_CHAT on your BBS.

    The WRESTLING_CHAT not only offer you all the latest news in boxing
    and wrestling but we also offer you a friendly atmosphere to chat with
    other great wrestling and boxing fans around the world.

    The WRESTLING_CHAT also started carrying rec.spot.pro-wrestling on the
    echo.  Don't miss out on this great opportunity.  I suggest you
    request that great sport conference on your BBS.  You won't regret it.
    Lots of Sysops are requesting that great conference.  If you need
    additional information about the WRESTLING_CHAT please us in one of
    those two addresses.

                       SEE YOU ALL ON THE ECHO.

    Emanuel  Fidonet 1:348/963
    Internet  [email protected]

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 30                  26 Jan 1998


    =================================================================
                                 NOTICES
    =================================================================

                               Future History

     6 Feb 1998
       Waitangi Day, New Zealand.

    30 Apr 1998
       Queens Day, Holland.

    17 May 1998
       Independence Day, Norway.

    22 May 1998
       Expo '98 World Exposition in Lisbon (Portugal) opens.

    14 Sep 1998
       Start of International BBS Week [thru 20 Sep 98].

    22 Sep 1998
       First anniversary of the FidoNews domain of www.fidonews.org.

     1 Dec 1998
       Fifteenth Anniversary of release of Fido version 1 by
       Tom Jennings.

    24 Jul 1999
       XIII Pan American Games [through 8 Aug 99].

    31 Dec 1999
       Hogmanay, Scotland. The New Year that can't be missed.

     1 Jan 2000
       The 20th Century, C.E., is still taking place thru 31 Dec.

     1 Jun 2000
       EXPO 2000 World Exposition in Hannover (Germany) opens.

    15 Sep 2000
       Sydney (Australia) Summer Olympiad opens.

     1 Jan 2001
       This is the actual start of the new millennium, C.E.

    -- If YOU have something which you would like to see in this
       Future History, please send a note to the FidoNews Editor.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 31                  26 Jan 1998


    =================================================================
                        FIDONET SOFTWARE LISTING
    =================================================================

    [from 1449. Ed.]
    Latest Greatest Software Versions
    by Peter E. Popovich, 1:363/264

    New entry: Tornado, a BBS from Konstantin Klyagin. Welcome to the
    list... ;-)

    -=- Snip -=-

    Submission form for the Latest Greatest Software Versions column

    OS Platform                             :
    Software package name                   :
    Version                                 :
    Function(s) - BBS, Mailer, Tosser, etc. :
    Freeware / Shareware / Commercial?      :
    Author / Support staff contact name     :
    Author / Support staff contact node     :
    Magic name (at the above-listed node)   :

    Please include a sentence describing what the package does.

    Please send updates and suggestions to: Peter Popovich, 1:363/264

    -=- Snip -=-

    MS-DOS:
    Program Name   Version  F C Contact Name      Node        Magic Name
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Act-Up         4.6      G D Chris Gunn        1:15/55     ACT-UP
    ALLFIX         5.00     T S Harald Harms      2:281/415   ALLFIX
    Announcer      1.12     O S Peter Karlsson    2:206/221   ANNOUNCE
    BGFAX          1.60     O S B.J. Guillot      1:106/400   BGFAX
    Binkley Docs   2.60     M F Bob Juge          1:1/102     BDOC_260.ZIP
    BinkleyTerm    2.60     M F Bob Juge          1:1/102     BDOS_260.ZIP
    BinkleyTerm-XE XR5      M F Thomas Waldmann   2:2474/400  BTXE_DOS
    CFRoute        0.92     O G C. Fernandez Sanz 2:341/70    CFR
    CheckPnt       1.0a     O G Michiel vd Vlist  2:500/9     CHECKPNT
    FastEcho       1.46.1   T S Tobias Burchhardt 2:2448/400  FASTECHO
    FastEcho/16    1.46.1   T S Tobias Burchhardt 2:2448/400  FEX
    FastLst        1.36     N S Alberto Pasquale  2:332/504   FASTLSTD
    FidoBBS (tm)   12u      B S Ray Brown         1:1/117     FILES
    FrontDoor      2.12     M S JoHo              2:201/330   FD
    FrontDoor      2.20c    M C JoHo              2:201/330   FDINFO
    GEcho          1.00     T S Bob Seaborn       1:140/12    GECHO
    GEcho/Plus     1.11     T C Bob Seaborn       1:140/12    GECHO
    GEcho/Pro      1.20     T C Bob Seaborn       1:140/12    GECHO
    GIGO           07-14-96 G S Jason Fesler      1:1/141     INFO
    GoldED         2.50     O S Len Morgan        1:203/730   GED
    GoldED/386     2.50     O S Len Morgan        1:203/730   GEX
    GoldED Docs    2.50     O S Len Morgan        1:203/730   GEM
    GoldNODE       2.50     O S Len Morgan        1:203/730   GEN
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 32                  26 Jan 1998


    Imail          1.75     T S Michael McCabe    1:1/121     IMAIL
    ImCrypt        1.04     O G Michiel vd Vlist  2:500/9     IMCRYPT
    InfoMail/86    1.21     O F Damian Walker     2:2502/666  INFOMAIL
    InfoMail/386   1.21     O F Damian Walker     2:2502/666  INFO386
    InterEcho      1.19     T C Peter Stewart     1:369/35    IEDEMO
    InterMail      2.29k    M C Peter Stewart     1:369/35    IMDEMO
    InterPCB       1.52     O S Peter Stewart     1:369/35    INTERPCB
    IPNet          1.11     O S Michele Stewart   1:369/21    IPNET
    JD's CBV       1.4      O S John Dailey       1:363/277   CBV
    Jelly-Bean     1.01     T S Rowan Crowe       3:635/727   JELLY
    Jelly-Bean/386 1.01     T S Rowan Crowe       3:635/727   JELLY386
    JMail-Hudson   2.81     T S Jason Steck       1:285/424   JMAIL-H
    JMail-Goldbase 2.81     T S Jason Steck       1:285/424   JMAIL-G
    MakePl         1.9      N G Michiel vd Vlist  2:500/9     MAKEPL
    Marena         1.1 beta O G Michiel vd Vlist  2:500/9     MARENA
    Maximus        3.01     B P Tech              1:249/106   MAX
    Max User Ed.   0.18     O F Larry Cooke       1:300/53    MUE
    McMail         1.0      M S Michael McCabe    1:1/148     MCMAIL
    MDNDP          1.18     N S Bill Doyle        1:388/7     MDNDP
    Msged          4.10     O G Andrew Clarke     3:635/728   MSGED41D.ZIP
    Msged/386      4.10     O G Andrew Clarke     3:635/728   MSGED41X.ZIP
    NEF            2.38     O S Alberto Pasquale  2:332/504   NEFD
    NorthStar      3.31.29  B S A&B Darin         1:285/82    NSTAR
    Opus CBCS      1.79     B P Christopher Baker 1:374/14    OPUS
    O/T-Track      2.66     O S Peter Hampf       2:241/1090  OT
    PcMerge        2.8      N G Michiel vd Vlist  2:500/9     PCMERGE
    PlatinumXpress 1.3      M C Gary Petersen     1:290/111   PX13TD.ZIP
    QuickBBS       2.81     B S Ben Schollnick    1:2613/477  QUICKBBS
    RAR            2.01     C S Ron Dwight        2:220/22    RAR
    RemoteAccess   2.50     B S Mark Lewis        1:3634/12   RA
    Searchlight    4.5      B S Paul Casey        1:343/117   DEMO450.ZIP
    Searchlight    5.02     B C Paul Casey        1:343/117   SLBBS50.TXT
    Silver Xpress
      Door         5.4      O S Gary Petersen     1:290/111   FILES
      Reader       4.4      O S Gary Petersen     1:290/111   SXR44.ZIP
    Spitfire       3.51     B S Mike Weaver       1:3670/3    SPITFIRE
    Squish         1.11     T P Tech              1:249/106   SQUISH
    StealTag UK    1.c...   O F Fred Schenk       2:284/412   STEAL_UK
    StealTag NL    1.c...   O F Fred Schenk       2:284/412   STEAL_NL
    T-Mail         2.600    M S Ron Dwight        2:220/22    TMAIL
    Telegard       3.02     B F Tim Strike        1:259/423   TELEGARD
    Terminate      5.00     O S Bo Bendtsen       2:254/261   TERMINATE
    Tobruk         0.33     T G Paul Edwards      3:711/934   TOBRUK
    Tornado        1.50g    B F Konst Klyagin     2:461/22    TORNADO
    TosScan        1.01     T C JoHo              2:201/330   TSINFO
    TransNet       1.00     G S Marc S. Ressl     4:904/72    TN100ALL.ZIP
    TriBBS         11.0     B S Gary Price        1:3607/26   TRIBBS
    TriDog         11.0     T F Gary Price        1:3607/26   TRIDOG
    TriToss        11.0     T S Gary Price        1:3607/26   TRITOSS
    WaterGate      0.93     G S Robert Szarka     1:320/42    WTRGATE
    WWIV           4.24a    B S Craig Dooley      1:376/126   WWIV
    WWIVTOSS       1.36     T S Craig Dooley      1:376/126   WWIVTOSS
    xMail          2.00     T S Thorsten Franke   2:2448/53   XMAIL
    XRobot         3.01     O S JoHo              2:201/330   XRDOS

    OS/2:
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 33                  26 Jan 1998


    Program Name   Version  F C Contact Name      Node        Magic Name
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    ALLFIX/2       5.00     T S Harald Harms      2:281/415   AFIXOS2
    BGFAX          1.60     O S B.J. Guillot      1:106/400   BGFAX
    Binkley Docs   2.60     M F Bob Juge          1:1/102     BDOC_260.ZIP
    BinkleyTerm    2.60     M F Bob Juge          1:1/102     BOS2_260.ZIP
    BinkleyTerm-XE XR5      M F Thomas Waldmann   2:2474/400  BTXE_OS2
    CFRoute        0.92     O G C. Fernandez Sanz 2:341/70    CFR
    FastEcho       1.46.1   T S Tobias Burchhardt 2:2448/400  FE2
    FastLst        1.36     N S Alberto Pasquale  2:332/504   FASTLST
    FleetStreet    1.21     O S Michael Hohner    2:2490/2520 FLEET
    FP-OS/2        97-03-21 O F Mike Bilow        323/107     FPOS2
    GEcho/Pro      1.20     T C Bob Seaborn       1:140/12    GECHO
    GIGO           07-14-96 G S Jason Fesler      1:1/141     INFO
    GoldED         2.50     O S Len Morgan        1:203/730   GEO
    GoldED Docs    2.50     O S Len Morgan        1:203/730   GEM
    GoldNODE       2.50     O S Len Morgan        1:203/730   GEN
    ImCrypt        1.04     O G Michiel vd Vlist  2:500/9     IMCRYPT
    Maximus        3.01     B P Tech              1:249/106   MAXP
    Max User Ed.   0.18     O F Larry Cooke       1:300/53    MUEP
    Msged/2        4.10     O G Andrew Clarke     3:635/728   MSGED41O.ZIP
    NEF            2.38     O S Alberto Pasquale  2:332/504   NEF
    PcMerge        2.3      N G Michiel vd Vlist  2:500/9     PCMERGE
    RAR            2.01     C S Ron Dwight        2:220/22    RAR2
    Squish         1.11     T P Tech              1:249/106   SQUISHP
    T-Mail         2.600    M S Ron Dwight        2:220/22    TMAIL2
    Tobruk         0.33     T G Paul Edwards      3:711/934   TOBRUK
    Tornado        1.50g    B F Konst Klyagin     2:461/22    TORNADO2
    WaterGate      0.93     G S Robert Szarka     1:320/42    WTRGATE
    XRobot         3.01     O S JoHo              2:201/330   XROS2

    Windows (16-bit apps):
    Program Name   Version  F C Contact Name      Node        Magic Name
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    BeeMail        1.0      M C Andrius Cepaitis  2:470/1     BEEMAIL
    FrontDoor APX  1.12     P S Mats Wallin       2:201/329   FDAPXW

    Windows (32-bit apps):
    Program Name   Version  F C Contact Name      Node        Magic Name
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Argus 95/IP    2.704    M S Max Masyutin      2:469/77    A9I
    Argus NT/IP    2.704    M S Max Masyutin      2:469/77    ANI
    BeeMail        1.0      M C Andrius Cepaitis  2:470/1     BEEMAIL
    Binkley Docs   2.60     M F Bob Juge          1:1/102     BDOC_260.ZIP
    BinkleyTerm    2.60     M F Bob Juge          1:1/102     BW32_260.ZIP
    BinkleyTerm-XE XR5      M F Thomas Waldmann   2:2474/400  BTXE_W32
    CFRoute        0.92     O G C. Fernandez Sanz 2:341/70    CFR
    FastLst        1.36     N S Alberto Pasquale  2:332/504   FASTLSTW
    GoldED         2.50     O S Len Morgan        1:203/730   GEO
    GoldED Docs    2.50     O S Len Morgan        1:203/730   GEM
    Maximus        3.01     B P Tech              1:249/106   MAXN
    Msged/NT       4.10     O G Andrew Clarke     3:635/728   MSGED41W.ZIP
    NEF            2.38     O S Alberto Pasquale  2:332/504   NEFW
    PlatinumXpress 2.00     M C Gary Petersen     1:290/111   PXW-INFO
    Searchlight    5.02     B C Paul Casey        1:343/117   SLBBS50.TXT
    T-Mail         2.600    M S Ron Dwight        2:220/22    TMAILNT
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 34                  26 Jan 1998


    WinFOSSIL/95   1.12 r4  F S Bryan Woodruff    1:343/294   WNFOSSIL.ZIP
    WinFOSSIL/NT   1.0 beta F S Bryan Woodruff    1:343/294   NTFOSSIL.ZIP

    Unix:
    Program Name   Version  F C Contact Name      Node        Magic Name
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    ifmail         2.12     M G Eugene Crosser    2:293/2219  IFMAIL
    ifmail-tx      ...tx8.6 M G Pablo Saratxaga   2:293/2219  IFMAILTX
    ifmail-tx.rpm  ...tx8.6 M G Pablo Saratxaga   2:293/2219  IFMAILTX.RPM
    Msged          4.00     O G Paul Edwards      3:711/934   MSGED
    Tobruk         0.33     T G Paul Edwards      3:711/934   TOBRUK

    Amiga:
    Program Name   Version  F C Contact Name      Node        Magic Name
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    CrashMail      1.31     T X Rene Laederach    2:301/133   CRASHMAIL
    CrashTick      1.2      O F Rene Laederach    2:301/133   CRASHTICK
    DLG Pro BBOS   1.15     B C Holly Sullivan    1:202/720   DLGDEMO
    GMS            1.1.85   M S Mirko Viviani     2:331/213   GMS
    Msged          4.00     O G Paul Edwards      3:711/934   MSGED
    Tobruk         0.33     T G Paul Edwards      3:711/934   TOBRUK
    TrapDoor       1.86.b2  M S Maximilian Hantsch
                                                  2:310/6     TRAPDOOR
    TrapToss       1.50     T S Rene Hexel        2:310/6     TRAPTOSS

    Atari:
    Program Name   Version  F C Contact Name      Node        Magic Name
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    ApplyList      1.00     N F Daniel Roesen     2:2432/1101 APLST100.LZH
    BinkleyTerm/ST 3.18pl2  M F Bill Scull        1:363/112   BINKLEY
    BTNC           2.00     N G Daniel Roesen     2:2432/1101 BTNC
    JetMail        0.99beta T S Joerg Spilker     2:2432/1101 JETMAIL
    Semper         0.80beta M S Jan Kriesten      2:2490/1624 SMP-BETA

    Function: B-BBS, P-Point, M-Mailer, N-Nodelist, G-Gateway, T-Tosser,
              C-Compression, F-Fossil, O-Other. Note: Multifunction will
              be listed by the first match.

    Cost: P-Free for personal use, F-Freeware, S-Shareware, C-Commercial,
          X-Crippleware, D-Demoware, G-Free w/ Source

    Please send updates and suggestions to: Peter Popovich, 1:363/264

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 35                  26 Jan 1998


    =================================================================
                           FIDONEWS PUBLIC-KEY
    =================================================================


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    File-request FNEWSKEY from 1:1/23 [1:18/14] or download it from the
    Rights On! BBS at 1-904-409-7040 anytime except 0100-0130 ET and Zone
    1 ZMH at 1200-9600+ HST/V32B. The FidoNews key is also available on
    the FidoNews homepage listed in the Masthead information.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 36                  26 Jan 1998


    =================================================================
                           FIDONET BY INTERNET
    =================================================================

    This is a list of all FidoNet-related sites reported to the Editor as
    of this appearance.

    ============

    FidoNet:

      Homepage     http://www.fidonet.org
      FidoNews     http://ddi.digital.net/~cbaker84/fidonews.html
      HTML FNews   http://www.fidonews.org
      WWW sources  http://www.scms.rgu.ac.uk/students/cs_yr94/lk/fido.html
      FTSC page    http://www.portal.ca/~awalker/ftsc.htm
      Echomail     http://www.portal.ca/~awalker/index.html
      WebRing      http://ddi.digital.net/~cbaker84/fnetring.html

    ============

    Zone 1:       http://www.z1.fidonet.org

      Region 10:  http://www.psnw.com/~net205/region10.html

      Region 11:  http://oeonline.com/~garyg/region11/

      Region 13:  http://www.smalltalkband.com/st01000.htm

      Region 14:  [disappeared?]

      Region 15:  [disappeared?]

      Region 16:  http://www.tiac.net/users/satins/region16.htm

      Region 17:  http://www.portal.ca/~awalker/region17.htm
          REC17:  http://www.westsound.com/ptmudge/

      Region 18:  http://www.citicom.com/fido.html

      Region 19:  http://www.compconn.net

    ============

    Zone 2:       http://www.z2.fidonet.org

    ZEC2:         http://www.proteus.demon.co.uk/zec.htm
    Zone 2 Elist: http://www.fbone.ch/z2_elist/

      Region 20:  http://www.fidonet.pp.se (in Swedish)

      Region 24:  http://www.swb.de/personal/flop/gatebau.html (in German)

      Region 25:
                  http://www.trak-one.co.uk/net254

    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 37                  26 Jan 1998


      Region 27:  http://telematique.org/ft/r27.htm

      Region 29:  http://www.rtfm.be/fidonet/  (in French)

      Region 30:  http://www.fidonet.ch  (in Swiss)

      Region 33:  http://www.fidoitalia.net (in Italian)

      Region 34:  http://www.pobox.com/cnb/r34.htm  (in Spanish)
          REC34:  http://pobox.com/~chr

      Region 36:  http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/7207/

      Region 38:  http://public.st.carnet.hr/~blagi/bbs/adriam.html

      Region 41:  http://www.fidonet.gr (in Greek and English)

      Region 48:  http://www.fidonet.org.pl

    ============

    Zone 3:       http://www.z3.fidonet.org

    ============

    Zone 4:       (not yet listed)

      Region 90:
        Net 904:  http://members.tripod.com/~net904 (in Spanish)

    ============

    Zone 5:       http://w3.eastcape.co.za/fidonet/index.htm

    ============

    Zone 6:       http://www.z6.fidonet.org

      Region 65:  http://www.cfido.com/fidonet/cfidochina.html (China)

    ============

    -----------------------------------------------------------------

    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 38                  26 Jan 1998


    =================================================================
                          FIDONEWS INFORMATION
    =================================================================

    ------- FIDONEWS MASTHEAD AND CONTACT INFORMATION -------

    Editor: Christopher Baker

    Editors Emeritii: Tom Jennings, Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell,
                      Vince Perriello, Tim Pozar, Sylvia Maxwell,
                      Donald Tees

    "FidoNews Editor"
        FidoNet  1:1/23
        BBS  1-904-409-7040,  300/1200/2400/14400/V.32bis/HST(ds)

     more addresses:
        Christopher Baker -- 1:18/14, [email protected]
                                      [email protected]
                                      [email protected]
                                      [email protected]

    (Postal Service mailing address)
        FidoNews Editor
        P.O. Box 471
        Edgewater, FL 32132-0471
        U.S.A.


    voice:  1-904-409-3040 [1400-2100 ET only, please]
                           [1800-0100 UTC/GMT]

    ------------------------------------------------------

    FidoNews is 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.

    Authors retain copyright on individual works; otherwise FidoNews is
    Copyright 1998 Christopher Baker.  All rights reserved.  Duplication
    and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only.  For
    use in other circumstances, please contact the original authors, or
    the Editor.

                           =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=

    OBTAINING COPIES: The most recent issue of FidoNews in electronic
    form may be obtained from the FidoNews Editor via manual download or
    file-request, or from various sites in the FidoNet and Internet.
    PRINTED COPIES may be obtained by sending SASE to the above postal
    address.  File-request FIDONEWS for the current Issue.  File-request
    FNEWS for the current month in one archive.  Or file-request specific
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 39                  26 Jan 1998


    back Issue filenames in distribution format [FNEWSFnn.ZIP] for a
    particular Issue.  Monthly Volumes are available as FNWSmmmy.ZIP
    where mmm = three letter month [JAN - DEC] and y = last digit of the
    current year [8], i.e., FNWSJAN8.ZIP for all the Issues from Jan 98.

    Annual volumes are available as FNEWSn.ZIP where n = the Volume number
    1 - 15 for 1984 - 1998, respectively. Annual Volume archives range in
    size from 48K to 1.4M.


    INTERNET USERS: FidoNews is available via:

                         http://www.fidonews.org
                         http://www.fidonet.org/fidonews.htm
                         ftp://ftp.fidonet.org/pub/fidonet/fidonews/
                         ftp://ftp.aminet.org/pub/aminet/comm/fido/
                         ftp://ftp.irvbbs.com/fidonews/

                                     *=*=*

    You may obtain an email subscription to FidoNews by sending email to:

                         [email protected]

    with a Subject line of: subscribe fnews-edist

    and no message in the message body. To remove your name from the email
    distribution use a Subject line of: unsubscribe fnews-edist with no
    message to the same address above.

                                       *

    You may retrieve current and previous Issues of FidoNews via FTPMail
    by sending email to:

                         [email protected]

    with a Subject line of: help

    and FTPMail will immediately send a reply containing details and
    instructions. When you actually make a file request, FTPMail will
    respond in three stages. You find a link for this process on
    www.fidonews.org.

                                     *=*=*

    You can read the current FidoNews Issue in HTML format at:

                         http://www.fidonews.org

    STAR SOURCE for ALL Past Issues via FTP and file-request -
    Available for FReq from 1:396/1 or by anonymous FTP from:

                         ftp://ftp.sstar.com/fidonet/fnews/

    Each yearly archive also contains a listing of the Table-of-Contents
    FIDONEWS 15-04               Page 40                  26 Jan 1998


    for that year's issues.  The total set is currently about 13 Megs.

                                =*=*=*=

    The current week's FidoNews and the FidoNews public-key are now also
    available almost immediately after publication on the Editor's new
    homepage on the World Wide Web at:

                 http://ddi.digital.net/~cbaker84/fidonews.html

    There are also links there to jim barchuk's HTML FidoNews source and
    to John Souvestre's FTP site for the archives. There is also an email
    link for sending in an article as message text. Drop on over.

                           =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=

    A PGP generated public-key is available for the FidoNews Editor from
    1:1/23 [1:18/14] by file-request for FNEWSKEY or by download from
    Rights On! BBS at 1-904-409-7040 as FIDONEWS.ASC in File Area 18.  It
    is also posted twice a month into the PKEY_DROP Echo available on the
    Zone 1 Echomail Backbone.

                               *=*=*=*=*

    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 Editor, or file-requestable
    from 1:1/23 [1:18/14] as file "ARTSPEC.DOC".  ALL Zone Coordinators
    also have copies of ARTSPEC.DOC. Please read it.

    "Fido", "FidoNet" and the dog-with-diskette are U.S. registered
    trademarks of Tom Jennings, P.O. Box 410923, San Francisco, CA 94141,
    and are used with permission.

            "Disagreement is actually necessary,
             or we'd all have to get in fights
             or something to amuse ourselves
             and create the requisite chaos."
                               -Tom Jennings

     -30-

    -----------------------------------------------------------------