F I D O N E W S Volume 17, Number 13 27 Mar 2000

F I D O N E W S Volume 17, Number 13 27 Mar 2000
+----------------------------+---------------------------------------+
| The newsletter of the | ISSN 1198-4589 Published by: |
| FidoNet community | "FidoNews" |
| _ | 1-717-732-6820 1:270/720 |
| / \ | |
| /|oo \ | |
| (_| /_) | |
| _`@/_ \ _ | |
| | | \ \\ | Editor: Douglas Myers, 1:270/720 |
| | (*) | \ )) | [email protected] |
| |__U__| / \// | |
| _//|| _\ / | |
| (_/(_|(____/ | |
| (jm) | Newspapers should have no friends. |
| | -- JOSEPH PULITZER |
+----------------------------+---------------------------------------+

Table of Contents
1. ARTICLES ................................................. 1
The Dash ................................................. 1
The Future of Fidonet on the Internet! ................... 2
2. COLUMNS .................................................. 5
Ol'WDB: Correction ....................................... 5
This Weeks Web Page ...................................... 6
3. NET HUMOR ................................................ 8
Golf Humor ............................................... 8
Coincidences ............................................. 8
4. COMIX IN ASCII ........................................... 10
cool cows ................................................ 10
5. FIDONEWS INFO ............................................ 11
Masthead ................................................. 11
FIDONEWS 17-13 Page 1 27 Mar 2000

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ARTICLES
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Note: The January 31st issue of Fidonews contained a poem derived
from the original below. At the time, we did not know that Linda
Ellis was the original author, nor that her fine poem was
copyrighted material. Linda has looked on our inadvertant copyright
infringement graciously, asking only that we reprint her original
poem with the copyright notice and properly credited. We are proud
to reprint the original below (taken from her web site noted below
and converted to ASCII format).

The Dash (1998)
(Original copyright 1996)
by Linda Ellis
www.lindaslyrics.com

I read of a reverend who stood to speak
at the funeral of his friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars the house the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left.
(You could be at "dash mid-range.")

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.

FIDONEWS 17-13 Page 2 27 Mar 2000

If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your dash?

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The Future of Fidonet on the Internet!
Ed Williams

Internet security seems to be a big buzz word these day's. I'm left
wondering, what if... What if in a year or maybe less, Internet
Security was addressed as a major issue, and only secure connections
were allowed on browsers because to allow otherwise was a security
breach? The industry is moving toward an era where software will be
licensed or accessed via the Internet, so that you won't have to
purchase Word to use Word, you'll just pay for it when you use it.
Where ISP's will eventually offer specials in their networks where
"With the cost of Internet Connection you get unlimited Word For
Windows access, 3 open Access projects, and 2 free Shockwave
Projects per month!" how far can the offer of "Secure Web Hosting
for your web page" be behind? And what would that mean for the
content you have there already?

Is the Internet really about free speech? Or is it about money, of
money, and solely about money? Is the structure used by people to
exchange that free speech something that lies in the interests of
those with the money who run it? Or is it more likely that such
activities are some of the very first mentions at DotCom's Internet
Security Briefing? If Microsoft licenses Word to every ISP who
provides only secure connections, how likely is that ISP to host
your IP address or the web page that you have which links to your
BBS? How likely is it that we will suddenly see a change which
could be called SecureIP which could be easily added (at least on
the users side, not the providers) with software patches and
drivers? How much as well would these companies be to making
SecureIP compatible with old TCP/IP connections with Telnet and FTP
compatiblities if they are the very reason for the SecureIP change?

And with those secure connections, and their requisite browser
changes, will Telnet fall the way of UUCP? Try to find Shell
Internet Access from an ISP in your area, and you'll end up in the
same boat as if you looked for UUCP. How much farther down the road
is basic FTP and Telnet access? Isn't Telnet access one of the most
common forms hackers use to attack other systems? Isn't FTP access
how many oversights on individual PC's allow information to be
leaked and organizations to be hacked? Would a company be more or
FIDONEWS 17-13 Page 3 27 Mar 2000

less inclined to "Secure itself" by going SecureIP and blocking
these common attack forms completely and thus securing all inbound
and outbound connections?

Is all this attention on the Internet more or less likely to
associate the individual provider with the content acquired from
their service? How many more times does AOL have to be linked with
some horrific content on their service before they take measures to
combat it? And would those efforts to control the content be based
on a technological basis wherein Telnet like services were suddenly
no longer available because this new SecureIP connection denies all
Telnet access? Or would AOL be more likely to have machines or even
real people sift through each individual bit of information
available to protect their customers at the same level a SecureIP
connection would?

When all the software on your machine is now licensed and rests
physically on another server, where does the data itself lie? Much
is now being discussed about having your data lie on a secure site,
where it can be encoded, encrypted, and locked up to a degree where
with a SecureIP connection you have nothing to fear. With
BroadBand connections arriving daily, is the computer you work on
more likely or less likely to actually hold data itself to include
the Operating System? Is it possible that someday shortly here you
will literally boot your WorkStation to the Network itself?

If that happens, I wonder, what will become of the price of Hard
Drives? Would the sudden and dramatic decrease in Hard Drive
technology make them more or less affordable? Or would the demands
of these now Secure ISP's create Hard Drive technology that is no
longer affordable or usable to someone with a PC? What about
modems? Will there be some technology to allow continued direct pc
to pc access which will be easily affordable to the common man or
will all their intellectual efforts be confined to the limits of the
Internet and it's ever changing rules and standards making
information obsolete unless carried in a certain fashion?

What would all of this mean to FidoNet? Would there be a sudden
outcry to allow Telnet accesses to BBS's or would there be some
FidoNet Sysop's who forked out the money to have SecureIP BBS's who
would proclaim it as the wave of the future and how in a few years
Telnet BBS's would all be dead? Would that help Fidonet or would it
continue to reduce the Amateur nature of the network itself? Are
those BBS's that can run in a SecureIP nature more or less likely to
promote the rest of Fidonet? Or will they more likely shut it off
entirely insisting that anyone who is left in Fidonet is backwards,
clueless, and unconnected from reality.

And what of those that say "This is the future man, it is a place of
change! There will be another way for us to run our BBS's." I am
so well reminded of the early day's of Windows. When one of the
largest complaints was the "Ease of Use. Everything you ever need to
do with your PC has been pre-determined and optimized for Windows"
nature of this new "unconfigurable, and reduced option software
trend." I wonder at what point of reducing your options does it
become blatantly apparent you have lost control over your BBS or
FIDONEWS 17-13 Page 4 27 Mar 2000

your "Free Speech"

Is it before or after it is already too late to fix it?

What if there was another way?

Ed Williams
The Goblin's Reach BBS
1:128/148

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FIDONEWS 17-13 Page 5 27 Mar 2000

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

Ol'WDB COLUMN
Correction Please Note:

The modified poem I presented in a previous newsletter is
copyrighted. Although I received it in one of several "Joke" type
echoes, labeled as "Author Unknown", the true author has contacted
me to make known her authorship. I visited her web page :
http://www.lindaslyrics.com , and am completely satisfied that she
is the author. As an author myself, I do understand her concern
about her work being distributed and possibaly decreasing her book
of poems sales on her web site.

I hope most sincerely that all Fidofolks who read my column
containing the poem,will visit her web site and inspect the many
things she has to offer for your Mothers, Sweethearts, and friends.
You will be very pleasantly surprised at some of her
"Signed/autographed" heirloom presents for special calender events.
I feel I owe this announcement to all FidoNews readers, to correct a
accidental wrong to Linda Ellis, and correct the record. Copy below
of e-mail Linda sent to me. I don't yet know what she may charge me
for modifying her poem, hoping to pull Fido Sysops closer as a
family. I hope she will be kind to Ol'WDB.

===============8<--------------her e-mail notice to me-------------

To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 5:26 PM
Subject: The Dash poem is copyrighted

> Hello,
>
> I am the author and copyright owner of "The Dash" poem that
> was in your January 31, 2000 column, I believe. I found it on
> the web site: http://www.fidonews.org/prev/1705/columns.html
>
> There is a charge to reprint or distribute this poem in any way.
>
> Please contact me regarding the unauthorized use of my
> copyrighted poem "The Dash."
>
> Thank you.
>
> Linda Ellis
> Linda's Lyrics
> http://www.lindaslyrics.com
>
=================8<-----------------------------------------------

Editor's Note: The message below was recieved from Linda Ellis by
Warren Bonner after he sent his column for publication. It is
appended here to complete the story, and as a tribute to Linda's
FIDONEWS 17-13 Page 6 27 Mar 2000

grace :)

> Sorry I'm late responding! I understand your mistake was
> unintentional. If we could just repost the poem in this newsletter
> with proper credit and www.lindaslyrics.com, all will be fine.
>
> Thank you for writing me back.
>
> Linda Ellis
> Linda's Lyrics
> http://www.lindaslyrics.com

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

This Weeks Web Page
by Frank Vest
1:124/6308(.1)

What: Welcome to Fidonet Zone 3

Where: http://www.z3.fidonet.org

What's there?:

If you haven't figured out yet... This is the Fidonet Zone 3 web
page. Here's the description from the page:

"This is the home page for Fidonet Zone 3 (Oceania) which covers
Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea."

The page starts out with an animated picture of a dog wagging it's
tail and a diskette in it's mouth. Opposite this is the "Welcome to
Fidonet Zone 3" graphic. The page goes on to give a short
description of what Fidonet is and then list Zones 1 - 6 with links
where available. Next, it gives the E-Mail address of the Zone 3
coordinator (nice idea) and then lists the Regions covered by Zone
3. Under each Region are Nets in that Region with links where
available.

There is a section for "Other Fidonet links" that include "The Zone3
Fidonet IP Web Site", "What is FidoNet?", "FidoNet Standards and
Protocols", "Old Fidonet Papers", "FidoNet Nodelists and Node
difference files", "FidoNet Zone 3 Nodelisting", "FidoNews Homepage"
and more. I looked at some of these links and they have some
interesting stuff in them.

All in all, this is a good web page for a Zone. It has information
for the Zone first and other Fidonet stuff later. A good thought for
getting information "up front" to someone interested in the Zone.

I did notice this note at the bottom of the page:

"Note: I am finally returned from hospital after a very long stay
FIDONEWS 17-13 Page 7 27 Mar 2000

and am not aware of all the changes in Zone 3. Please let me know
everything that needs fixing on this page."

I assume this means that changes and updates will be forthcoming.
The page indicates that it was last updated on Dec. 31, 1999.

Check this page out and give some encouragement to Zone 3 and Peter
Lane-Collett 3:640/306

Till next time,

Frank - [email protected]

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FIDONEWS 17-13 Page 8 27 Mar 2000

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

Golf Humor
Repeated by Ol'WDB

Once upon a time a guy was talking with his girlfriend and she
invited him over to dinner the next night. He graciously accepted
and then she proclaimed after this big event she would make love to
him.

So before dinnertime, he was out getting a golf lesson at the club,
but he couldn't concentrate at all. The pro asked him what was on
his mind. So he told him that his girlfriend wanted to make love
with him tonight. The pro was excited for the young man, and instead
of giving him golf lessons he gave him lessons on making love. He
taught him everything and by the end of the lesson he was an expert.

So later that evening the boy arrived at his girlfriends' house.
They sat down for dinner and the girl said grace.

The boyfriend just kept his head down. Finally after 20 minutes the
girlfriend whispered "I never knew you were so religious", and the
boy whispered back, "I never knew your dad was a golf pro."

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

Coincidences
As told to Ol'WDB

A father put his three year old daughter to bed, told her a story
and listened to her prayers - which she ended by saying "God bless
mommy, God bless daddy, God bless grandma, and good-bye grandpa."
The father said, "Why did you say good-bye grandpa?" The little girl
said "I don't know daddy, it just seemed like the thing to do."

The next day grandpa died. Father thought it was a strange
coincidence. A few months later the father put the girl to bed and
listened to her prayers,which went like this - "God bless mommy, God
bless daddy and good-bye grandma.

Next day the grandmother died. My gosh, thought the father, this kid
is in contact with the other side. Several weeks later when the girl
was going to bed the dad heard her say "God bless mommy and good-bye
daddy."

He practically went into shock. Couldn't sleep all night and got up
at the crack of dawn to go to his office. He was nervous as a cat
all day, had lunch sent in and watched the clock. He figured if he
could get by until midnight he would be OK. He felt safe in the
office, so instead of going home at the end of the day he stayed
there, drinking coffee, looking at his watch and jumping at every
sound. Finally midnight arrived, he breathed a sigh of relief and
FIDONEWS 17-13 Page 9 27 Mar 2000

went home.

When he got home his wife said "I've never seen you work so late,
what's the matter?" He said "I don't want to talk about it, I've
just spent the worst day of my life." She said "You think you had a
bad day, you'll never believe what happened to me. This morning the
mailman dropped dead on our porch."

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FIDONEWS 17-13 Page 10 27 Mar 2000

=================================================================
COMIX IN ASCII
=================================================================

cool cows....

(__( .-<
(oo) |
(______) ___\/___|
( o o ) | | |
/-----\ / | | |
/ | |\/ >-' | |
* ||----|| *----/\
^^ ^^ / \
/ \
Conceited ^ ^
Cow Egyptian Cow

(__)
(oo) ____________________
/-------\/ | |
/ | |\ / | o o o o o o |
* ||----| / ======================
^^ ^ || ||
Cowncillor his cowch

\___/
(O O)
\ /
O

Cow exclaiming
"Holy Cow"

(__) |====|
(oo) \oo/
/-------\/ /-------\/
/ | ||----> / | ||
* ||----|| * ||----||
___/ ___/ ^^ ^^
Cowcatcher
Cow waterskiing (Major league)

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FIDONEWS 17-13 Page 11 27 Mar 2000

=================================================================
FIDONEWS INFO
=================================================================

Masthead

+ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- FIDONEWS STAFF - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- +
| |
| Editor: Douglas Myers, 1:270/720, [email protected] |
| Webmaster: Jim Barchuk, [email protected] |
| Columnist: Joe Jared, 1:103/0, [email protected] |
| (Fido Via Internet Hubs column) |
| Columnist: Warren D. Bonner, 1:103/401, [email protected] |
| (Warren uses the pen name "Ol'WDB") |
| Humor: Roy Reed, [email protected] |
| Features: Frank Vest, 1:124/6308.1 |
| |
+ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- +

+ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - EDITORS EMERITI - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- +
| |
| Tom Jennings, Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell, Vince |
| Perriello, Tim Pozar, Sylvia Maxwell, Donald Tees, |
| Christopher Baker, Zorch Frezberg, Henk Wolsink |
| |
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"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.

Fidonews is published weekly by and for the members of Fidonet.
Fidonews is Copyright (C) 2000 by Douglas Myers, though authors
retain rights to their contributed articles. Opinion expressed by
the authors is strictly their own. Noncommercial duplication and
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addresses above.

The weekly edition of Fidonews is distributed through the file area
FIDONEWS, and is published as echomail in the echo FIDONEWS. These
sources are normally available through your Network Coordinator.
The current and past issues are also available from the following
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FIDONEWS 17-13 Page 12 27 Mar 2000

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