F I D O N E W S Volume 18, Number 20 14 May 2001

F I D O N E W S Volume 18, Number 20 14 May 2001
+--------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| The newsletter of the |Fido, Fidonet and dog-with-diskette are |
| FidoNet community | Registered Trademarks of Tom Jennings |
| Copyright through | San Francisco, California, USA |
| 2007 | |
| _ | Crash Netmail Attach Articles To: |
| / \ | Editor@1:1/23 (1-972-562-8064) |
| /|oo \ | [email protected] |
| (_| /_) | or |
| _`@/_ \ _ | Frank Vest@1:124/6308 |
| | | \ \\ | |
| | (*) | \ )) | Editor: Frank Vest |
| |__U__| / \// | |
| _//|| _\ / | |
| (_/(_|(____/ | |
| (jm) | Newspapers should have no friends. |
| | -- JOSEPH PULITZER |
+--------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
Copyright 2001 by Frank L. Vest, Editor for Fidonews Globally.

Table of Contents
1. FOOD FOR THOUGHT ......................................... 1
2. HEADLINE NEWS ............................................ 2
!! Happy Mothers Day !! .................................. 2
3. EDITORIAL ................................................ 3
International "Fidonet" Trademark/Copyright .............. 3
4. GUEST EDITORIAL .......................................... 5
Setting a Good Example ................................... 5
5. QUESTION OF THE WEEK ..................................... 8
Is an International Coordinator needed in Fidonet? ....... 8
6. ANSWERS OF THE WEEK ...................................... 9
Answer to: Copyright or Trademark? From Lawrence Garvin .. 9
Followup to "Why not carry" .............................. 9
7. INTERVIEWS ............................................... 11
Interview with Bryan Turner of Vagabond Software ......... 11
8. OL'WDB'S COLUMN .......................................... 13
Ol' WDB's Column ......................................... 13
9. EDITOR'S CORNER .......................................... 14
Backup Editor and Co-Moderator ........................... 14
10. GETTING TECHNICAL ....................................... 16
Windows - Hyper Terminal ................................. 16
11. HUMOR IN A FIDO VEIN .................................... 17
Policy of Non-Rights :) .................................. 17
12. COMIX IN ASCII .......................................... 19
Owls ..................................................... 19
13. CLEAN HUMOR & JOKES ..................................... 20
Just do it and don't cheat! :) ........................... 20
14. FIDONET BY INTERNET ..................................... 21
Fidonet-related sites .................................... 21
15. FIDONEWS INFORMATION .................................... 25
How to Submit an Article ................................. 25
Credits, Legal Infomation, Availability .................. 26
FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 1 14 May 2001

=================================================================
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
=================================================================

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can't change, Courage
to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.

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FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 2 14 May 2001

=================================================================
HEADLINE NEWS
=================================================================

!! Happy Mothers Day !!

On Sunday May - 13, in the USA, we took time to honor mothers. You
know, that person that gave you birth, nursed you, made sure you
washed behind your ears and taught you how to behave in public, amoung
other things.

I don't know if other countries or nations have such a day for
honoring mothers, but if you do or if you don't, I'll still say on
behalf of myself and the Fidonews to all the mothers in the world;

!!! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY !!!

I hope it was a wonderful day for all of you, even if it isn't
celebrated in your country.

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FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 3 14 May 2001

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

International "Fidonet" Trademark/Copyright

I've seen the discussion in the Fidonews echo over the copyright and
trademark of Fidonet as regards Zones other than Zone 1. Thoughts and
beliefs all around seem to feel that either, the copyright and/or
trademark are for the U.S.A. only and don't mean anything outside of
the U.S.A., or that, due to some legal convention of some sort, the
copyright and/or trademark is international.

I'm not going to get into the legal aspects of this. I am going to
present it in this light:

Fidonet is an International community. As such, it spans the
bounderies of nations and requires some thought in regards to laws in
other countries and just plain old consideration for our neighbors.

True, the trademark and copyright might not mean anything in
countries other than the U.S.A.

Does that mean that it should not be there?

True, the Nodelist and other documents are the work of the individual
authors or people that wrote them.

Does that mean that some recognizition of the founder of Fidonet
should not be in these documents?

In another discussion in the Fidonews echo, there was concern over
copyright of articles submitted to the Fidonews Publication. Part of
an explaination of the concern mentioned that a person, not in the
USA, had written a program that he failed to copyright and that
program was "stolen" from him when he loaned it to a company he worked
for.

This brought up the question, in my mind, of "What if the program had
been copyright in the persons own country and not in the USA and the
company that 'stole' the program had been a USA company?". This might
not seem to matter in this editorial, but hang in there.

Fidonet is a "global" cummunity. As such, we must interact in order
to survive in one piece. True, we could split off into different
parts... maybe we already are in regards to Zones... but we still have
to interact in order to be Fidonet in the global sense.

So, just because it isn't copyright in one part of Fidonet, does that
mean that it shouldn't be kept in other parts of Fidonet? What I'm
referring to, in case you haven't figured it out, is the statements in
the Nodelist that vary from Zone 1 to Zone 2 and maybe other Zones.

Some in Zone 2 state that the copyright for Fidonet is only in Zone 1
and doesn't mean anything in other Zones. Some in Zone 1 claim that
the copyright does mean something in other Zones.
FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 4 14 May 2001

Who's right? I really don't care.

All I'm asking is, "Does it really matter?!?".

Let's pull all this together:

As mentioned earlier, a person wrote a program. Let's forget that the
program could have made the person some money. Let's assume that the
program was freely given for use and was copyright in that person's
country only. Would it be legal for the USA company to not give
copyright credit to the author? Of course it would be legal. Would it
be proper?

Now, let's look at Fidonet. Fidonet was brought into being by a
person in the USA. The copyright and/or trademark are copyright in
the USA. Would it be legal for other countries to not include the
copyright in their Fidonet related documents that would require such
in the USA? Of course it would be legal. Would it be proper?

What I'm really saying here is simple. Legally, there might not be
anything that can be done about what a country does in regards to a
copyright or trademark from another country.

On the other hand, in regards to relations between the countries,
there are things to be considered.

Maybe, instead of asking ourselves "Is it legal?" or arguing the "My
Zone against your Zone". Maybe, just maybe, what we should ask is:

"What does it hurt to give and respect this copyright or trademark
from another country?" and "What would I want if the 'shoe was on the
other foot'"?

Regards,

Frank

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FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 5 14 May 2001

=================================================================
GUEST EDITORIAL
=================================================================

Setting a good example
By Frank Robbins

All Fido SysOps should strive to set a GOOD example for everyone to be
proud of and work fairly within the Fido policy, to do things that are
right to other fellow SysOps, no matter what country you are from,
whether you are male or female, whether you can speak a little of the
language to communicate with other fellow SysOps.

Those SysOps who rise on occasion to elected positions are expected to
do GOOD for Fido, foster goodwill and promote a healthy environment
for this to occur. In fact, every SysOp should attempt to practice
this!

The person who registered the Fido Trademarks, namely Tom Jennings,
caused global communications in 1984 to be afforded to mostly anyone
with a computer, a few files, a few rules, a little investment and
freedom to spand the continents "in search of" new friends at home and
internationally, learning about people and countries without barriers
or boundaries!

Have we learned anything in those 17 years of Fido existence?

It has been a long-time tradition to place the Fido trademark info in
the nodelist, the fidonews and other related fido items, to properly
credit Tom Jennings.

Just because Tom Jennings is not here actively now, does NOT diminsh
the importance of running Fido with good common sense and integrity.
Tom paid his dues in the Fido root movement and moved onto to other
things in life to occupy his time. This is life. He left behind a
hobby that has been able to run itself after he contributed his time
and expertise to promoting Fido.

As many of you know, Tom Jennings is just an email away. I however
would not recommend contacting him for trival matters. You might get
surprised. I have been lucky to have some correspondence with Tom. Not
everyone gets a reply!

I have been searching and collecting Fido related info for over 5
years and have visited several hundred Fido websites, some do give
credit to Tom Jennings and many do not. Many Fido websites have been
abandoned and left in place on the internet. What a shame!

Fido SysOps come and go for what ever reason, some political, some get
burned-out, some of them die. Many just hang-in there because they
like the hobby.

I agree with Tom Jennings when he saids his trademarks are verificable
and are valid, and there is no room to argue about them. Maybe the
people who argue about them should check their facts out more closely
FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 6 14 May 2001

and set a fine example as a Fido SysOp no matter what position you
maintain in Fido. Maybe they might not want to set the record
straight.

No one should go unchallenged when they attempt to bring discredit
upon Fido for any reason. If you are a Fido SysOp, you should set a
good example for others to follow, not just today, but for always.

No matter who registered the trademark first or which country did it,
it would be reasonable for everyone to respect a legal trademark no
matter where you live, as provided by law.

Some of the same people who have enjoyed the benefits of this BBS
hobby are the ones who have decided to tear down what Fido stands for.
This cannot go unchallenged. These kinds of SysOps are NOT loyal to
the common cause of the SysOp or to Fido.

Steps should be taken to make sure that these kinds of SysOps after
their real colors "show through", be removed by normal accepted Fido
policy at the most appropriate time possible. If you are one of the
people who may have voted for this person, do not feel bad. But when
you find out that this has occurred, you should attempt to be one of
the first to correct the problem using acceptable Fido policy!

When we look the other way for something we might have caused,
directly or indirectly to occur which is not acceptable, we tend to be
part of that problem instead of being part of the solution. Stand-up,
take responsiblity, fix it and move on. We all make mistakes, but some
will never admit it.

Fido needs loyal SysOps to the Fido cause, NOT SysOps loyal to hidden
agendas or hungry for power and let no man stand in their way!

Setting the example by the "ones voted in" and all others, also
includes not using derogatory slurs to describe people from other
countries. No country is better than the next. Every country is
different.

Everyone has an opinion. This exchange of information can be healthy
for all who engage in it. But when the discussion becomes abusive, it
should stop. We are NOT here to be targets of abuse.

As SysOps in Fido, we are here to enjoy this hobby that was brought
about by Tom Jennings and we should not have to continually put up
with those SysOps who are NOT loyal to the common Fido cause, let no
man take your hobby away from you!

If a SysOp cannot live with being loyal to the common Fido cause and
cannot foster goodwill to other SysOps worldwide, then that SysOp
needs to find another hobby, they are NOT welcomed in Fido!

It is evident in Fido history that we repeat much of the same history
in the good and the bad that occurs, sometimes the level of distaste
rises to such a point that reasonable people STAND-UP to challenge the
disservice to Fido. Those people who stand-up for Fido sometimes get
blasted by those who are doing the disservice and from others who
FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 7 14 May 2001

really may not understand the full issue and only got one side of the
story and it sounded good to them.

Everyone was created with a brain, how you use it is up to you,
mileage may vary!

When we see a SysOp "raising a leg" to Fido to bring discredit, we
should exercise our right to challenge that SysOp. This unacceptable
behavior must be stopped.

When the time comes, will you STAND-UP for what is right?

Frank Robbins <[email protected]> The FidoNet Showcase Project
at: http://winramturbo.com/fnsp/

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FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 8 14 May 2001

=================================================================
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
=================================================================

Is an International Coordinator needed in Fidonet?

Sometimes one post in an echo can raise a question that sticks in
one's mind. In a recent post in the Fidonews echo, a comment was made
to the effect: `We don't even need an IC'.

Question of the Week;

From a technical point without consideration of what former or
present IC's have done or not done,

Does Fidonet need an International Coordinator?

Why or why not?

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FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 9 14 May 2001

=================================================================
ANSWERS OF THE WEEK
=================================================================

Answer to "Copyright or Trademark"
From Lawrence Garvin

In response to last week's "Question of the Week", I offer this simple
reply.

As is correctly posted in the nodelist, Fidonews, and other sources
from time to time:

;A Fido, FidoNet and the dog-with-diskette are registered trademarks
;A of Tom Jennings, San Francisco California, USA.

The "dog with diskette" is registered under serial number 73665098 and
registration number 1503643 and was registered on 9/13/1988.
The registration document may be viewed at:

http://tess.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=doc&state=qt7asi.3.3

The name "Fido" is registered under serial number 73665097 and
registration number 1498374 and was registered on 8/2/1988.
The registration document may be viewed at:

http://tess.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=doc&state=qt7asi.3.4

The name "Fidonet" is registered under serial number 73591035 and
registration number 1452977 and was registered on 8/18/1987.
The registration document may be viewed at:

http://tess.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=doc&state=qt7asi.3.5

All trademark registrations have a registration period of 20 years and
are renewable indefinitely.

The words "Fido" and "Fidonet" are not copyrighted, as it's generally
held in U.S. copyright law that words cannot be copyrighted. The image
of the dog-with-diskette should be presumed to be copyrighted, as
copyright does generally extend to works of art.

Lawrence Garvin
1:106/6018

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

Followup to "Why not carry"
From Lawrence Garvin

Bob Seaborn expressed in this column last week some valid reasons for
not distributing Zone 2 echos, carte blanch, within the auspicies of
the North American Backbone.

He offered an excellent suggestion to resolve this potential conflict.

FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 10 14 May 2001

I would like to describe at least one situation in which this
suggestion has contributed successfully in the placement of a
non-Zone-1 echo on the Zone 1 distribution systems, and encourage
other Zone 1 sysops to contribute, each according to their interests.

The Echolist entry for IP_CONNECT reads as follows:

IP_CONNECT
[ * * * ]
Moderators: Ward Dossche, 2:292/854
Lawrence Garvin (Z1 Custodian), 1:106/6018,
Last changed: 10-Apr-2001 by Lawrence Garvin, 1:106/6018

And, as anybody who frequents that echo can attest, I'm only
infrequently a participant, much less anything resembling a moderator.
In fact, I'm generally at odds with Ward's policies concerning
Fidonet, though we have had civil exchanges of interest on non-Fido
topics in other echos. However, I did see a beneficial interest to the
sysops of Zone 1 to Echolist this echo and ensure it continues to be
distributed in Zone 1 according to the Zone 1 policies and rules. So,
I volunteered to get it listed and distributed.

It's not my intent to 'toot my own horn' here... but to encourage
others to get involved. The concept does work and it's an excellent
way to get an out-of-zone echo transported on the Zone 1 systems
without asking those systems to compromise their legitimate policies.

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FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 11 14 May 2001

=================================================================
INTERVIEWS
=================================================================

Interview with Bryan Turner of Vagabond Software
By Frank Vest

Q: Tell us a little about Bryan Turner. Just who are you? :)

Well in the real world I am a Support Rep at that company that made
Duke 3D (3D Realms) so when I am not on my computer at home I am on it
at work playing games. When I am at home I am the owner of Vagabond
Software (Used to be SMYC) and my "Baby" Pegasus Flight BBS.

Q: What got you first interested in BBS?

I got a 300bps modem from a friend in a bet. Then when I was tring to
figure out what to do with it I called a BBS in Dallas called Might
and Magic. All I would do is download games. Not BBS games. Games like
Kroz, Duke 1, and a lot that I can not even remember. The SysOp over
there said that since I spend all night on the BBS anyway I should try
his on-line games. I fell in love and then decided that I wanted to
run a BBS so that I did not have to worry about my time on line. If I
am not mistaken that was in 85. I joined Fido (Again if I am not
mistaken)in 87 with the help of a GREAT guy James Ray. Although there
were more people involved I do not think I would have joined with out
him.

Q: How long have you been programming?

I started in 92 for my self. Actually turning batch files into EXE
using Basic. Then in 93 a programmer made an EXE for a Subnet called
Linearnet. I needed to update it and he told me to get a compiler and
he would help. That was Visual Basic (1.0 Dos) and I still use it for
smaller things that I do.

Q: What prompted you to begin writing Doors and other utilities?

Actually the news of my wife being pregnant. My first Door was called
Baby Bowl were users would guess the weight and date of a baby. I
started playing with that and once Brianna was born, I put it away.
Then when Glen O'Gorman (Yet another Dallas SysOp) was about to have
another child, He reminded me of Baby Bowl. So I cleaned it up and
released it. That is when Ruth Argust (DDS DOORS File Echo) and I
became Friends. She pushed me to write utilities that people needed.
So I did.

Q: What do you see as the strong points of your programs? Give us a
quick review.

About 2 years ago I would have answered with 2 points. One they are
Cheep. 2 that any bugs are fixed on about 2 days. Although now I have
to answer that 1 they are Free. And there is not another. :) Honestly
I have had no time over the last year to really get back into the
Programming part of my life. Between Working and trying to get a
business up and running (Another personal project)
FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 12 14 May 2001

Q: Where do you see door games going in the future?

In the future I see more authors knowing that this is not a money
making market anymore. And not trying to release software that is
going to make them money. So many times I grab a new door and read the
register.txt and want to write to the door author and tell him what
will happen. 10 Years ago you could retire on what you could make. But
not any more. Yet people still try.

Also I I see a lot more new author's with old software.
(OOII, BRE, and LORD for Example) I really think that the
old authors will give there code to someone and and we will see a lot
more of this in the future. (I would like to see this with
Arrowbridge)

Q: Where do you see BBS systems going in the future?

Well The Internet. Although I have not moved there, that is where it
is heading. IMHO Telenet BBS's are not that fun. When you are on a
Dial up Connection it always looks as thought you are logged in at
2400 BPS. I still call up BBS's and do stuff. And I think as long as
there is a modem that will answer my calls then I will still make
them. (Face it I am still just a user at heart)

Q: Anything else you want to add or tell the readers?

There is a bunch of stuff that I would like to say but it has all been
said before. So I guess I would like to just tell the Future door
authors that if you do it for the love of the hobby and not the love
of money you will like it a hell of a lot more.

Oh and I get asked this now and again. When I released my first few
doors that were not freeware, the reg form always stated that I wanted
to get money just enough to get my daughter a Swing. Yes I did that.
And although it took 3 years, that is the one reason that I went to
postcardware. And now that she has a little over 2000 Postcards we are
going to Freeware. :) All the next releases of my software will be
100% Free.

Best regards,
Vagabond mailto:[email protected]

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FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 13 14 May 2001

=================================================================
OL'WDB'S COLUMN
=================================================================

Ol' WDB's Column
[email protected]

Dear friends,

First, thank you all so very much for your understanding and your
sympathies in communications regarding my visual complications. It is
a great comfort and satisfaction to know so many really care. The
caring makes the bonds of friendship ever stronger and more heart felt
in a time of bewilderment and despair. Thank goodness for Frank Vest
and his devotion to Fidonet/news/echo. He had helped me a lot with
his column every week, plus rewriting Makenews program controls to
make it work properly. His first edition proves the wisdom in making
him first choice as editor.

Secondly, I wish to thank Janis Kracht, Brenda Donovan, Joe Jared,
Carol Shenkenburger, Bob Seaborn, Gary Gilmore, Ross Cassell, in fact
all of the RCC and many others like Jim Barchuck, also Z2's Ward,
Michiel van der VList, Z3's Miles and Z4's David; all of whom have
contributed their time and effort in support of the Snooze. (Please
excuse any misspelled names, my time is still limited on computer and
don't have time to look them all up).

Lastly, my eyesight is improving slowly, still read with only one eye
and hate those eyedrops every six hours. Good news is they don't make
my head hurt for an hour any more. Just a few minutes. Time on
computer still limited to 30 minutes morning and again evening mail
runs.

Again my thanks to all you beautiful people, my friends in FidoLand.

Ol' wdb

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FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 14 14 May 2001

=================================================================
EDITOR'S CORNER
=================================================================

Backup Editor and Co-Moderator

One thing I have learned in life is to try to learn and know my
strengths and weaknesses.

I knew when I accepted the position as Fidonews Editor that one of the
problems I would have is being the Moderator of the Fidonews Echo.

Another thing that I have learned is to try to plan for the future.

In learning from the past, I do not want to repeat the problems that
came when the Editorship was vacated with no clear replacement in
place.

In these lights, I'm doing the following:

1. Backup Editor:

Lawrence Garvin is now the backup Editor for me. In the event that I
should have to be absent for a time or that I should die or leave
unexpectedly, he will take over production of the Fidonews.

Lawrence has stated that at this time he does not want the Editorship
of the Fidonews. In the event that I should not be able to return as
Editor and have not picked a replacement. Lawrence will choose my
replacement. If I have chosen a replacement, Lawrence will, of course,
honor that choice. Of course, if at that time I have not chosen a
replacement and Lawrence decides that he wants to continue as Editor,
he may do so.

2, Co-Moderator:

Lawrence Garvin has agreed to be the Co-Moderator of the Fidonews
Echo. He will take over the "day to day" operation of the Echo. I ask
that you respect him as Moderator of the Fidonews Echo.

Reasoning:

The Editor of the Fidonews is in the position of Moderating an Echo,
Producing the Fidonews and trying to keep a balance between the two so
that people will feel free to submit articles and yet there will be
some "control" over the Echo. If that sounds like a "Three Ring
Circus" to you, it is. :)

I see the Fidonews Publication and the Fidonews Echo as two separate
things. To me, the Fidonews Publication is the top priority. The Echo
didn't exist when Fidonet was founded and if it was not here today,
the Fidonews Publication would still continue. On the other hand, If
FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 15 14 May 2001

the Publication stopped, there would be little need for the Echo.

Honestly, I can't see myself juggling all these things alone.
Something will suffer and I don't want it to be the Fidonews
Publication.

Kind regards,

Frank Vest - Fidonews Editor

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FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 16 14 May 2001

=================================================================
GETTING TECHNICAL
=================================================================

Windows 95 - Hyper Terminal

This may also work in Windows 3.1 or above.

You must first have installed the Hyper Terminal program when you
installed Win95 and setup your modem in Win95.

To setup your modem in Windows, go to the "My Computer-> Control
Panel-> Modems".

Go to "Start->Programs->Accessories->Hyper Terminal" "Click" on the
Hyper Terminal Folder. You will see a window open that has several
files.

"Double click" on the "Hypertrm.exe" icon (the one with the computer
and phone). Hyper Terminal will load and ask you for a name of the
new connection. Type a name for the connection (generally the name of
the BBs you are calling) and an Icon.

Next, you will see a window Showing your country code, area code and
"connect using". There will be a blank for the phone number to the BBs
you want to call. Be sure that the "connect using" is to your modem.
Type in the phone number to the BBs and click on the "Ok".

A new window will appear. It should have the phone number, Your
location (default) and Calling Card None. Click on the "Dial" and
you're on your way.

You can "maximize" the window for better viewing and change the fonts
for better viewing as needed. I like the Terminal or Fixed System
fonts. They seem to show the Ansi better.

NOTE: Do Not use the "Terminal Window" option. If you are asked or
find a place in Hyper Terminal to bring up the Terminal Window after
connecting, answer No.

For the latest version of Hyper Terminal, point your browser at:
http://www.hilgraeve.com/

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FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 17 14 May 2001

=================================================================
HUMOR IN A FIDO VEIN
=================================================================

Policy of Non-Rights :)

The base text for the following was written by State Representative
Mitchell Kaye from Cobb County, GA. in reference to the United States
"Bill of Rights".

The theme and wording has been adapted and completely torn apart for
Fidonet and submitted thus;

We, the sensible people of Fidonet, in an attempt to help everyone get
along, restore some semblance of reason, avoid flames, keep our hobby
functional, promote positive behavior and secure the blessings of our
hobby for ourselves and our great-great-great grandchildren, hereby
try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines
for the terminally whiny, guilt-ridden, delusional and other
complaining bedwetters.

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that a whole lot of people
are confused by Fidonet Policy and are so dim that they require a
Policy of Non-Rights.

I: You do not have the right to access a BBS, have a Node number or
any other access to Fidonet. More power to you if you can acquire them
within Fidonet Policy and/or the policy of the BBS you call, but no
one is guaranteeing anything.

II: You do not have the right to never be offended. Fidonet is based
on communication and opinions, and that means communication and
opinions from everyone - not just you! You may leave, change echos,
express a different opinion, create your own echo, etc., but the world
is full of idiots, and probably always will be.

III: You do not have the right to post whatever you wish in any echo
you choose. If you post off topic, learn the rules of the echo before
posting again. Do not expect the Moderator, your Sysop or your mail
feed to just accept that you are a jerk and ignore you.

IV: You do not have the right to have your software set up for you.
Fidonet Sysops are the most friendly people to be found and will
gladly help anyone in need, but we do grow weary of the new generation
of professional couch potatoes that expect everything to be "Plug &
Play, don't or can't read the Docs and who achieve nothing more than
the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes who
expect the same thing.

V: You do not have the right to free software keys. That would be
nice, but if you spent the time and effort required to write the
programs, you might understand.

VI: You do not have the right to abuse other people in Fidonet. If you
FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 18 14 May 2001

do intentionally abuse someone don't be surprised if the rest of us
want to see your Node number, access or status removed from Fidonet,
or worse.

VII: You do not have the right to "hack" other people's computers. If
you hack, illegally access or coerce access to other's systems, don't
be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you out of all
the systems that we can.

VIII: You don't have the right to demand that Policy be followed "to
the letter" in order to soothe your aching conscience or enact revenge
for some perceived wrong done to you. We hate oppressiveness and won't
stop you from following Policy to the letter if you like. However, we
do not enjoy parenting all of you whiners that want it all your way
and battling each and every little tyrant or would be tyrant with a
title.

IX: You don't have the right to vote on every position or all aspects
of Fidonet. It might be nice if you did, but it just isn't that way.
If you want such rights, take advantage of the language in Fidonet
Policy, learn how to change it and do something about it. Otherwise,
shut up!

X: You do not have the right to happiness in Fidonet. Being in
Fidonet, you can pursue happiness - which by the way, is a lot easier
if you are unencumbered by an overabundance of idiotic thoughts and
beliefs about rights and precedence created by those of you who were
confused by Fidonet Policy.

Another dream that failed. There's nothing sadder.-Kirk, Star Trek

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

FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 19 14 May 2001

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

Owls

___ v v v ___ ___
<*,*> <*,*> <*,*> <`,'> <*,*>
[`-'] [`-'] [`-'] [`-'] =^`-'^=
-"-"- -"-"- -"-"- -"-"- " "
owl punk owl owl with antlers chinese owl flying owl

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

FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 20 14 May 2001

=================================================================
CLEAN HUMOR & JOKES
=================================================================

<< Just do it - don't cheat !!!!!!!!!!!!>>
Submitted By Warren Bonner

Try this its actually quite good.
But don't cheat !
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Count the number of `F's in the following text:

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE-
SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIF-
IC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE
EXPERIENCE OF YEARS
Managed it?

... Scroll down only after you have counted them!

OK?
How many?
Three?

Wrong, there are six - no joke!

Read again!
^^^^^^^^^^

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE-
SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIF-
IC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE
EXPERIENCE OF YEARS

The reasoning is further down...

The brain cannot process the word "OF".
Incredible or what?

Anyone who counts all six 'F' on the first
go is a genius, Three is normal

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

FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 21 14 May 2001

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

. -- -- -- -- --- -- -- -- -- .
| FIDONET-RELATED SITES |
` -- -- -- -- --- -- -- -- -- '
Last update: March 3, 2001

FidoNet
Homepage: http://www.fidonet.org
FidoNews: http://www.fidonews.org [HTML]
ftp://ftp.nwstar.com/fidonet/fidonews/
Echolist: http://www.tlchost.net/echolist/
Echomail links: http://www.osirusoft.com/fidonet/fidoip.html
SDS Files: http://fidobbs.dk/download (Web Access to SDS)
FTSC page: http://www.ftsc.org/
General: http://www.writebynight.com/fidonet.html

Zone 1: http://www.z1.fidonet.org
Region 10: http://www.r10.org
Net 102 http://home.earthlink.net/~kayshapero/net102.htm
Net 103: http://www.webworldinc.com/club103/
Net 203: http://www.geocities.com/Area51/8687/net203index.html
Region 11: http://oeonline.com/~garyg/region11/
Net 2410: http://www.vector.11.com/net2410/
Region 12: http://sparkys.dyndns.org
Region 13: http://www.net264.org/r13.htm
Net 264: http://www.net264.org/
Net 275: http://www.homershut.net/~mahoover/net275/
Region 14: http://www.ouijabrd.com/region14
Net 282: http://www.rxn.com/~net282/
Region 15: <vacant>
Region 16: <vacant>
Region 17: http://www.region17.net
Net 140: http://www.nwstar.com/~net140
Region 18: http://techshop.pdn.net/fido/

Region 19: http://bise.tzo.com/r19
Net 124: http://www.dallasinet.com/net124
http://texoma.net/~flv
Net 130: http://www.startext.net/homes/net130
Net 393: http://www.chatter.com/~wb/

Zone 2: http://www.z2.fidonet.org
Region 20: http://www.fidonet.pp.se (in Swedish)
Region 23: http://www.fido.dk (in Danish)

Region 24: http://www.swb.de/personal/flop/gatebau.html (German)
http://www.was-ist-fido.de/
Fido-IP: http://home.nrh.de/fido/ (English/German)
Region 25: http://www.literary.freeserve.co.uk/net2502/
Region 26: http://www.nemesis.ie
REC 26: http://www.nrgsys.com/orb
Region 27: http://telematique.org/ft/r27.htm
Region 29: http://www.rtfm.be/fidonet/ (French)
FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 22 14 May 2001

http://Welcome.to/skynetbbs/
Region 30: http://www.fidonet.ch (German)
? Region 33: http://www.fidoitalia.net (Italian)
Region 34: http://www.pobox.com/cnb/r34.htm (Spanish)
REC34: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/4552/
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 (Greek/English)
Region 42: http://www.fido.cz
! Net422: http://www.fido.sk (Slovak/English)
Region 50: http://www.fido7.com/ (Russian)
Net 5010: http://fido.tu-chel.ac.ru/ (Russian)
Net 5015: http://www.fido.nnov.ru/ (Russian)
Net 5028: HTTP://5028.nordnet.ru/
Net 5030: http://kenga.ru/fido/ (Russian & English)
Net 5049: http://www.n5049.z2.fidonet.org (English/Russian)
Net 5074: http://www.z2.n5074.fidonet.net
?? Net 5085: http://www.fidonet.uz/ (Russian)

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

Zone 4:
Region 80: http://fidobrasil.8m.com (Portuguese)
Region 90:
Net 904: http://members.tripod.com/~net904 (Spanish)

Zone 5: http://www.eastcape.co.za/fidonet/

Zone 6: http://www.z6.fidonet.org
Region 65: http://www.cfido.com/fidonet/cfidochina.html
(Chinese)

Fidonet Via Internet Hubs

See also: http://www.osirusoft.com/fidoip.html

a @ preceding an individual's name implies a virtual email
address. The email is translated as follows
[email protected] will automatically route to the
appropriate individual's email. Anyone in this list will
also receive routed notice of this feature. In my case, it
would still be [email protected], but you get the idea.

Also, as information is provided to me, I will be adding a
latency field to each node, which is defined as the maximum
time between when the message is received, and when it is
sent on to other nodes, or available to be sent onward,
defined in minutes. A latency of ! implies that there is an
immediate response, and an attempt to deliver immediately
after processing, or a "MinuteMail System", as it were.

v-email flag [email protected]
| email address or
Node# | Operator | Facilities (*) | Speed,| Basic Rate
| | |latency|
FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 23 14 May 2001

-----------+-------------------+----------------+-------+------------
Zone 1 | | | |
10/3 | Brenda Donovan | FTP,UUE,BinkP | 384K,30| n/c
10/345 @ Todd Cochrane | FTP,BinkP,VMOT | T1,! | n/c
13/25 @ Jim Balcom | FTP | 56k | $20mo.
18/500 @ Ross Cassell | FTP, BinkP |128K+,!| n/c
103/5 @ Mark Luetger | BinkP | 384k,!| n/c
103/153 @ Michael Box | BinkP | aDSL,!| n/c
103/301 @ Joe Jared | BinkP,FTP,NFS | 384k,!| n/c
103/401 @ Warren Bonner | BinkP | aDSL,!| n/c
105/8 | Russ Johnson | FTP,BinkP,VMoT | 384k | n/c
105/72 @ Larry James | FTP, BinkP | aDSL | $50/yr
106/1 @ Steve Loupe | BinkP, FTP | 128k | ???
106/6018 | Lawrence Garvin | FTP, VMoT | aDSL,60| n/c
107/453 @ Jeffrey Estevez| FTP,BinkP,VMoT,UUE| 56k,60| $10 mo.
140/1 @ Bob Seaborn | FTP,BinkP | T3,30 | $5/$16
167/133 | Stephen Monteith | BinkP | 128k+ | n/c
211/417 @ Korombos | BinkP,UUE,FTP | T1 | n/c
220/10 | [email protected] |BinkP,FTP,UUE|1.5M+ | n/c
218/109 @ Matt Munson | BinkP,UUE | 33.6k | n/c
246/160 @ Mason Vye | FTP, UUE | 56K | n/c
249/116 | Carl Austin Bennett | FTP, UUE |ADSL,60 | n/c
280/169 | Brian Greenstreet | FTP | 33.6 | $2mo.
342/3 @ Richard Dodsworth | BinkP,FTP | 128K+ | n/c
395/670 | Arthur Stark | BinkD,FTP | CABLE | n/c
379/1 @ Dale Ross | FTP, BinkP,UUE | 256K+,! n/c
396/45 | Marc Lewis | UUE | 33.6 | $26/yr
396/48 | Ben Ritchey | UUE:BFDS | 33.6k | n/c
2604/104 @ Jim Mclaughlin | FTP,VMoT,UUE | 33.6 | $1mo
2613/404 @ David Moufarrege | BinkP,FTP,VMoT | 128k+,!| n/c
2624/306 | David Calafrancesco | VMoT | 33.6 | n/c
3407/4 @ [email protected] | UUE,FTP | 28.8 | n/c
3632/84 | Robert Todd |FTP,VMoT,UUE,BinkP | 57.6k | n/c
3651/9 @ Jerry Gause | FTP,VMoT | 33.6 | $3/$6
--------------------------------------------------------------
Zone 2 |
20/11 | Henrik Lindhe | BinkP | ??? | n/c
31/1 | Gabriel Plutzar | BinkP | T1+ | n/c
203/600 | Mikael Karlsson | UUE | 64k | n/c
221/360 @ Tommi Koivula | BinkP,UUE | ??? | n/c
236/205 @ Michael Kaaber | BinkP | ??? | n/c
246/2098 | Volker Imre | BinkP | ??? | n/c
280/1601 @ Jeroen VanDeLeur | FTP,UUE | 64k | n/c
292/620 | Eddy Missoul | VMoT, UUE,BinkP| 64k |N/C
292/624 | Steven Leeman | UUE | 64k | N/C
292/907 | Bart Verhaeghe | BinkP,VMoT,UUE | 64K | n/c
292/2003 | Eric Vaneberck | BinkP | 768k | n/c
301/1 | Peter Witschi | BinkP | 768k | n/c
332/807 | Roberto Mascolo | BinkP | ??? | n/c
335/535 @ Mario Mure | BinkP,VMot,UUE | 64k | n/c
335/610 | Gino Lucrezi | UUE | 33.6 | n/c
344/201 | Julio Garcia | BinkP | ??? | n/c
346/3 @ Carlos Navarro | UUE | ??? | n/c
382/100 | Sinisa Burina | BinkP,ifcico | ??? | n/c
406/555 | Ofir Michaeli & | BinkP | ??? | n/c
406/555 | Marius Kaizerman | BinkP | ??? | n/c
FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 24 14 May 2001

423/81 | Milos Bajer | BinkP | ??? | n/c
465/204 | Va Milushnikov | BinkP | 33.6k | n/c
469/84 | Max Masyutin | VMoT | 256k | n/c
480/112 | Adam Sarapata| FTP, VMoT, UUE,BinkP| 128k | n/c
550/4077 | Serguei Trouchelle| UUE | ----- | n/c
2411/413 @ Dennis Dittrich | UUE,BinkP | 64k | n/c
2446/301 @ Lothar Behet | BinkP,VMoT,UUE,FTP | 64K | n/c
2474/275 | Christian Emig | UUE | 64k | unkn
5030/115 | Andrey Podkolzin | BinkP | ??? | n/c
5100/8 | Egons Bush | BinkP | ??? | n/c
5020/1159 | Gennady Kudryashoff | UUE | 33.6 | n/c
--------------------------------------------------------------
Zone 3
633/260 @ Malcolm Miles | FTP,BinkP | 64K | n/c
640/954 | Rick Van Ruth | FTP,VMot,UUE,BinkP| 56K| n/c
774/605 @ Barry Blackford|BinkP,VMoT:10023,ifcico,FTP |33.6| n/c

--------------------------------------------------------------
Zone 4
801/161 @ Renato Zambon | UUE | 33.6 |n/c
905/100 | Fabian Gervan | VMoT,UUE,BinkP | 128k | n/c
902/18 | Javier Tejedor | UUE | 33,6 | n/c

--
* FTP = Internet File Transfer Protocol
* VMoT = Virtual Mailer over Telnet (various)
* UUE = uuencode<->email type transfers
* BinkP = front end mailer for TCPIP networks
* NFS = Linux Networking
----------------------------------------------
Fidonet oriented news servers

news.osirusoft.com
news.tardis.net

Fidonet oriented chat rooms.

room #fidonet 5PM (PDT 11AM GMT) Sundays
irc.osirusoft.com (Peers wanted)

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

Please send updates, corrections and suggestions to
Joe Jared, 1:103/301, [email protected]. All email addresses
here for purpose of corresponding with fidonet members about
obtaining a feed. Improper use of the virtual email addresses, and
most especially, email addressed to [email protected]
will be considered a request to be blocked by my open relay spam
stopper at http://relays.osirusoft.com

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

FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 25 14 May 2001

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

How to Submit an Article

If you wish to submit an article for inclusion in the Fidonews, here
are the guidelines:

No more than 70 characters per line. This includes spaces.

No right or left margins.

Plain ASCII text _only_. Good rule is: If you can't type it on a plain
typewriter, don't use it.

Put a title to the article and your name.
1. Put the title in two time. The first time should be with an *
before it and the second time without the *. This will help in the
format since the title with the * is removed and used in the index
and the other one will remain and show what the article is about.

Articles that contain vulgar language will not be accepted.

Deadline for article submission is 12:00 midnight (24:00 hours)
according to _my_ clock. I'm in the Central Time Zone in the U.S.A.
That's GMT-6. Articles received after the deadline will appear in the
next Fidonews.

Help the Editor by following the above guides. Below are some subjects
and the file extension for the article as set in the configuration
file for the making of the Fidonews. The file name can be anything up
to 8 characters. Please help by putting the file extension of the
correct subject on the file name..

Ideas for Subject areas:

Subject File | Subject File
--------------------------------|---------------------------------
Software Reviews (Fido) *.rev | Getting Technical *.ftc
Web Page Reviews *.web | General Articles *.art
Fidonet Current Events *.cur | Clean Jokes & Humor *.jok
Ascii Comix *.cmx | From the *Cs *.css
Rebuttals *.reb | Guest Editorial *.gue
Advertise *.ads | Recipes *.rec

Details:

Software Reviews (Fido): Reviews of software for Fidonet and BBS.

Getting Technical: Tech articles about Fidonet. How-to and such.

Web Page Reviews: Reviews of Fidonet (maybe other) Related Web Pages.

General Articles: These don't seem to fit in other places.
FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 26 14 May 2001

Fidonet Current Events: Elections relating to Fidonet, new Nodes
coming in and other such articles.

Clean Jokes & Humor: Funny stories and jokes that are not vulgar.

Ascii Comix: Those wonderful Ascii Comics that we used to have in the
Fidonews.

From the *Cs: Letters from the *Cs about what is going on in Fidonet.

Rebuttals: Didn't like an article, want to say something in reply to
an article? Say it here

Guest Editorial: Don't let the Editor get all the glory. Write your
own editorial and submit it.

Advertise: Advertise your free Fidonet service, Fidonet event or
whatever to do with Fidonet that you offer. If you are a
Fidonet Service provider such as a "Fido<>Internet", Star
Hub or some other such service provider, we can arrange to
run your ad on a rotating basis. Ask the Editor.

Recipes: Recipes from Sysops, readers or interested parties.

If you follow these simple guidelines, there should be little problem
in getting your article published. If your submission is too far out
of specs for the Fidonews, it will be returned to you and/or a message
sent informing you of the problem.

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

Credits, Legal Infomation, Availability

+ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- FIDONEWS STAFF - -- -- -- -- -- -- +
| |
| Editor: Frank L. Vest, 1:1/23, [email protected] |
| Crash mail attached: Editor@1:1/23 |
| E-Mail Attach [email protected] |
| Webmaster: Jim Barchuk, [email protected] |
| Columnist: Joe Jared, 1:103/0, [email protected] |
| (Fido Via Internet Hubs column) |
| Columnist: Frank Vest - Frank's Column |
| Columnist: Warren Bonner - Ol'WDB's Corner |
| Columnist: Jack Yates when in the Gawga mood |
+ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- +

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

FIDONEWS 18-20 Page 27 14 May 2001

"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) 2001 by Frank L. Vest, though authors
retain rights to their contributed articles. Opinions expressed
by the authors is strictly their own. Noncommercial duplication
and distribution within Fidonet is encouraged. Authors are
encouraged to send their articles in ASCII text to:
Frank Vest at one of his 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 sources:

+ -- -- -- -- -- -- - FIDONEWS AVAILABILITY - -- -- -- -- -- -- +
| |
| Freq FIDONEWS @ 1:140/1 |
| ftp://ftp.nwstar.com/fidonet/fidonews/ |
| http://www.fidonews.org |
| email subscription: [email protected] |
| (subject: help body: list) |
| ftp mail: [email protected] (subject: help) |
| |
+ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- +

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