Volume 7, Number 20 14 May 1990 +---------------------------------------------------------------+ | _ | | / \ | | /|oo \ | | - FidoNews - (_| /_) | | _`@/_ \ _ | | FidoNet (r) | | \ \\ | | International BBS Network | (*) | \ )) | | Newsletter ______ |__U__| / \// | | / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / | | (________) (_/(_|(____/ | | (jm) | +---------------------------------------------------------------+ Editor in Chief: Vince Perriello Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell Chief Procrastinator Emeritus: Tom Jennings Copyright 1990, Fido Software. All rights reserved. Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances, please contact Fido Software. FidoNews is published weekly by the System Operators of the FidoNet (r) International BBS Network. It is a compilation of individual articles contributed by their authors or authorized agents of the authors. The contribution of articles to this compilation does not diminish the rights of the authors. You are encouraged to submit articles for publication in FidoNews. Article submission standards are contained in the file ARTSPEC.DOC, available from node 1:1/1. 1:1/1 is a Continuous Mail system, available for network mail 24 hours a day. Fido and FidoNet are registered trademarks of Tom Jennings of Fido Software, Box 77731, San Francisco CA 94107, USA and are used with permission. Opinions expressed in FidoNews articles are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Editor or of Fido Software. Most articles are unsolicited. Our policy is to publish every responsible submission received. Table of Contents 1. ARTICLES ................................................. 1 My Wife's New Couch ...................................... 1 EuroCon IV at Antwerp Belgium on july 14-15th 1990 ....... 3 Announcing: The Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) echo ......... 17 RUMOURS ABOUND . . . in Region 17 ........................ 19 FIDOCON 1990 REGISTRATION FORM ........................... 20 2. COLUMNS .................................................. 23 Talk Me Through It, Honey ................................ 23 3. LATEST VERSIONS .......................................... 26 Latest Software Versions ................................. 26 4. NOTICES .................................................. 29 And more! FidoNews 7-20 Page 1 14 May 1990 ================================================================= ARTICLES ================================================================= John Pickens 1:205/33 My Wife's New Couch "They also serve, who only stand and wait." Certainly this is true of the wives of FidoNet Sysops. While some spouses endure the much fabled Wednesday night Poker game, the sports addicted couch potato, or antique automobile restoral, the wife of a FidoNet Sysop finds that she is sharing her husband with that most demanding of mistresses, The Bulletin Board System! Yes, the BBS sings her siren song to the Sysop. Enticing, seducing, entreating him to spend more time at the task of attaining that ever elusive goal (that is more a state of mind than an actual state of being) which can be summed up in the words, "There! I've finally gotten it the way I want it, now I don't have to do any more, it can run itself!" The wife of a FidoNet Sysop (ok, ok, EVERY Sysop, but I like to indulge myself in the small conceit that FidoNet Sysops are far more dedicated in their task, the creme de la creme if you will) finds that she must come to terms with one of life's simple truths: No matter how much time, no matter how much money her husband spends on his Bulletin Board, it will NEVER be enough. There will always be one more screen to create, a little more tweaking to do, another hard drive to buy, another (insert favorite BBS activity here). Picture the following, fellow Sysop, and tell me honestly this hasn't happened in your home: It's late at night and you are working on the board. It may be a new utility you're trying to install, or perhaps catching up on your mail. It doesn't really matter what you're doing, the point is you are INVOLVED! The last thing you want at this point is to be interrupted or have to stop what you're doing. Your wife is on her way to bed (after spending the entire evening alone in front of the tube, after all, you've been busy) and she asks when you're coming to bed. Granting that your brain registers the fact that someone has said something, you reply absently that you'll be to bed in a few minutes. When you actually do get to bed you silently hope that your wife doesn't wake up to see you hitting the sack at 2:30 am - 3 hours after you last spoke to her. FidoNews 7-20 Page 2 14 May 1990 Sound familiar? How about this? Your powers of persuasion and creativity are pushed to the limit as you explain to your wife just exactly why you need to spend several hundred dollars for an HST modem, a VGA card & monitor, or any of the score of goodies that immediately come to mind. No, the conscientious Sysop does not have an easy life, but the wife of a Sysop has an even more difficult task. She gives up time with her husband, abandoning him to an avocation which, in most cases, she understands very little and cares about even less. Not easy to do, but done out of love. This is not to say that there are not women who share their husbands interest. Au contraire! As a matter of fact in Net 205 there is one wife who has developed such an interest in the BBS hobby that she now runs the slickest and most popular board in the area and is the NEC to boot! She has a real passion to make her BBS the very best it can be and you can see that care from the moment you log on (and our hats are off to ya, Sam!). My heartfelt thanks to the wives of the FidoNet Sysops, and to my own wife in particular, for putting up with this strange preoccupation which borders on obsession. You smile bravely and encourage us in this expensive and time consuming hobby. My own wife has never asked once why in the world I want to spend thousands of dollars and devote an endless amount of time to entertain total strangers. No doubt she's wondered, but has never asked. Without the support of our spouses in this odd and delightful hobby, the boards would be a far less interesting place to be. About the title: My friend sits, admiring my new system. I won't bore you with the details, but it is a superfine machine which anyone would be proud to own. My friend turns to me and says, "This is a really nice setup!" My wife, in the dining room, is watching us. Upon hearing my friend's comment she pulls on her mask of patient long-suffering and informs our guest, "That's my new couch." Lastword: OK, before I'm flamed to death by the female Sysops out there let me say that I wrote this from a man's perspective and that's the way it is. There are a lot of BBS's run by the fair sex and without exception I have found them to be first rate. But tell me, if your husband, boyfriend or whatever does not share your interest, don't they sometimes resent the time you spend with your system? I'm outta here. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 7-20 Page 3 14 May 1990 B-)-NET, the Belgian Sysop Association presents ... __ **************** / \ * EUROCON-IV * /|oo \ **************** (_| /_) _`@/_ \ _ Antwerp, Belgium | | \ \\ July 14-15, 1990 | (*) | \ )) ______ |__U__| / \// / Fido \ _//|| _\ / (________) (_/(_|(____/ (tm) Payment Rate Plan Schedule: Full Rate Before June 15th --------- ---------------- A. Single Occupancy per day ..... Bfr 3.250 Bfr 3.000 B. Double Occupancy/person per day. Bfr 2.150 Bfr 1.800 C. Youth Hostel.................... pm D. Camping-site tent............... pm E. Camping-site trailer............ pm F. Camping-site mobil-home......... pm G. Conference/incl. lunch (2 days). Bfr 2.000 Bfr 1.800 H. Dinner/Cruise 1st evening....... Bfr 2.500 I. Computer Widow-programme........ pm J. Children programme.............. pm K. Infant-care..................... pm The following registration and payment forms must be completed and mailed to: B-)-NET vzw c/o Ward Dossche Drabstraat 142 2510 Mortsel Belgium or fax it to +32-3-455.16.55 You may register by Netmailing this completed form to 2:2/999 as well, which is the official Eurocon-IV-node, for processing. Rename it to ZNNNXXXX.PPP where Z is your Zone number, N is your Net number, X is your Node number and P your point-number. If you are a sysop, then PPP should be '000'. If you are a user, then PPP should be 'USR'. E-mailed and faxed registrations must be confirmed by regular mail within 14 days, after this period the registration becomes void unless full payment is received in the meantime. FidoNews 7-20 Page 4 14 May 1990 Hotel reservations and participation in the programme must be paid in advance to the EUROCON-IV-team. Cancellations prior to June 15th will receive a full refund minus 20% service charge. Cancellations on June 15th or between June 15th and July 1st will receive a 50% refund, cancellations on or after July 1st will not be refunded. All valid registrations will be confirmed by e-mail. E U R O C O N - IV R E G I S T R A T I O N F O R M ********************************************************* Name: _________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________ Apt. or Suite: ________ City: _________________________ State or Province: ___________ Postal Code: __________________ Country: _____________________ Voice Phone: ______________________ Data: ____________________ Zone:Net/Node.Point@Domain: ___________________________________ +--------+---------------+---+------+-------+-------+-------+ | Option | Full Name |Qty|Day in|Day out|Pricing| Total | +--------+---------------+---+------+-------+-------+-------+ | PLAN A | | | | | 3.200 | | +--------+---------------+---+------+-------+-------+-------+ | PLAN B | | | | | 2.000 | | +--------+---------------+---+------+-------+-------+-------+ | PLAN C | | | | |xxxxxxx| 0 |(1) +--------+---------------+---+------+-------+-------+-------+ | PLAN D | | | | |xxxxxxx| 0 |(1) +--------+---------------+---+------+-------+-------+-------+ | PLAN E | | | | |xxxxxxx| 0 |(1) +--------+---------------+---+------+-------+-------+-------+ | PLAN F | | | | |xxxxxxx| 0 |(1) +--------+---------------+---+------+-------+-------+-------+ | PLAN G | | | V O I D | 2.000 | | +--------+---------------+---+--------------+-------+-------+ | PLAN H | | | V O I D | 2.500 | |(2) +--------+---------------+---+--------------+-------+-------+ | PLAN I | | | V O I D | pm | |(3) +--------+---------------+---+--------------+-------+-------+ | PLAN J | | | V O I D | pm | |(4) +--------+---------------+---+--------------+-------+-------+ | PLAN K | | | V O I D | pm | |(4) +--------+---------------+---+--------------+=======********* FidoNews 7-20 Page 5 14 May 1990 | Total = * +=======********* o Special requirements: ________________________________________ o Arrange a room under plan-B for me, I am : male / female (5) My roommate should be : smoker / no-smoker / no preference (5) I prefer to share my room with : __________________________ o For my meals, I prefer : vegetarian / non-vegetarian (5) o My main interest is for : EUROCON-IV / TECHCON-I (5) (1) = Reservations accepted, but payment must be performed by customer on-site. (2) = Event subject to enough participants (3) = To be paid at the conference at a cost-covering fee (4) = Subject to enough participants at a cost-covering fee (5) = Strike-out whichever is inappropriate E U R O C O N - IV P A Y M E N T F O R M ************************************************ In order to process your registration properly and book your conference fees accordingly, we request you to indicate below your mode of payment. Please check one and follow the instructions listed : O Cheque (Euro-cheque only! Non-European participants can send a certified bankers cheque) Cheques must be made payable to "B-)-NET vzw" and mailed to B-)-NET vzw c/o Ward Dossche Drabstraat 142 2510 Mortsel Belgium O Bank-transfer Money must be transferred into account number 001-1995049-29 FidoNews 7-20 Page 6 14 May 1990 of B-)-NET vzw at the ASLK-Bank O Credit-Card Card-holders name ______________________________ (as it appears on the card) American Express _____ MC _____ Visa _____ Card Number: ________________ Expiration: ______ Signature ______________________________________ ( Credit card registrations require valid signature ) For your own security, do not route any message with your credit card number on it. Crash it directly to 2:2/999. You must pay by Cheque, Money Order, or Credit Card. Please send no cash! ALL PAYMENTS MUST BE IN BELGIAN CURRENCY OTHERWISE EXTRAS WILL BE CHARGED. (We are not making one penny of profit, so ... we prefer to avoid losses as well). E U R O C O N - IV : R E G I S T R A T I O N I N F O ******************************************************** Registrations for which no payment was received one month before the conference will forfeit their reduction. Registrations for which no payment was received 7 days prior to commencement of the conference will become void. It is possible to register at the conference-desk in the VIP-room subject to availability of accommodation in the conference-room and -hotel. (Please be aware that by that time the youth hostel and the camping ground will be full) Planning your own way? Participants can decide however to organise their whole stay themselves. For this reason, we are giving the address of the municipal tourist-office in the main Flanders cities as well as the conference addresses : Hotel & Conference venue : Pullman Hotel Desguinlei 94 2018 Antwerp FidoNews 7-20 Page 7 14 May 1990 Ph.: +32-3-216.48.00 Fx.: +32-3-216.47.12 Tx.: 33368 Youth Hostel : "Op Sinjoorke" VJH Eric Sasselaan 2 2020 Antwerpen Ph.: +32-3-216.29.32 Camping ground : Municipal Camping Ground Jan Van Rijswijcklaan 2020 Antwerpen Ph.: +32-3-238.57.17 Municipal tourist offices : --------------------------- Antwerp : Dienst voor Toerisme Bruges : Promotie Toerisme vzw Gildekamerstraat 7 Stationsplein 3 2000 Antwerpen 8000 Brugge +32-3-232.01.03 +32-50-38.80.83 Brussels : Dienst voor Toerisme Ghent : Dienst voor Toerisme Grote Markt Meersstraat 138 1000 Brussel 9000 Gent +32-2-513.89.40 +32-91-25.36.41 Mechelen : Dienst voor Toerisme Ostend : Toerismebureel Grote Markt Wapenplein 2800 Mechelen 8400 Oostende +32-15-21.18.73 +32-59-70.11.99 Ypres : Dienst voor Toerisme Grote Markt 8900 Ieper +32-57-20.26.26 E U R O C O N - IV : T R A V E L - I N F O ******************************************** 1) VISA : --------- There are no visa requirements for people coming from EEC-countries. Residents from non-EEC west European countries such as Norway, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, etc ... do not require any special documents if they have a valid travel passport or appropriate ID. People coming from the former eastern bloc must apply for a visa at the Belgian embassy in the capital of the respective countries. FidoNews 7-20 Page 8 14 May 1990 To do so, we'll send an official invitation on letter-headed paper to all eastern European registrations which can then be used for your visa- application. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assured that the long waiting-lines are over and that the document can be obtained in a very short period, however we suggest you play it from the safe side. All other nationalities, please check with the Belgian embassy in your capital as soon as possible. 2) CURRENCY : ------------- The going currency is the BELGIAN FRANC. At this time the exchange rate is about as follows : 1 US$ = 35,08 B-francs USA 1 ECU = 42,2975 " EEC 1 FFR = 6,155 " France 1 PST = 57,48 " U.K. 1 IRP = 55,42 " Ireland 1 DM = 20,684 " Germany 1 SFR = 23,407 " Switzerland 1 HFL = 18,3765 " The Netherlands 100 LIT = 2,815 " Italy 1 DKR = 5,41 " Denmark 1 SKR = 5,716 " Sweden 1 NOK = 5,345 " Norway 100 PTA = 32,53 " Spain 1 FMK = 8,761 " Finland People from former eastern bloc countries, please be advised that under normal conditions you still are not allowed to export local currencies from your countries. Should you bring local currencies anyway, please be advised that banks take from 7 to 14 days to exchange them, if they do so at all (Hungarian Forints can be exchanged, others are unsure). The rate is also very unfavorable (and there is no black market). It is strongly advised you obtain a non-eastern European currency. 3. Electricity : ---------------- Should you bring electronic appliances, please check the required voltage. In Belgium 220V alternating current at 50 Hz is universal. Plugs are standard as in The Netherlands, Germany and some other European countries (not U.K., Ireland, Switzerland, ...). FidoNews 7-20 Page 9 14 May 1990 4. Traffic-jams : ----------------- The week-end of 14/15 July has major movements of masses of people all over Europe leaving on or just returning from their holiday. Please take this into account when planning your travel by car. Also, if you're intending to cross France on your inbound and/or outbound journey, the 14th is their national holiday. So the day prior to that week-end (Friday 13th) or just after it (Monday 16th) you could experience difficulties due to the unavailability of certain services. 5. For your reference, here are the prices of some commodities in Belgium : -------------------------------------------------------------- * A package of cigarettes : 84 Bfr (*L*'s brand) * 1/2 pint of Lager : 30 Bfr (but there's better stuff) * Portion of fries with mayonnaise : 55 Bfr * McDonnalds' "Big Mac" : 97 Bfr * 1 litre of unleaded gas : 27 Bfr * 1 litre of leaded gas : 29 BFr * 1 litre of diesel-oil : 17 Bfr * 1 litre of milk : 22 Bfr * A loaf of white bread (+/-1kg) : 50 Bfr * 1/2 pound of butter : 50 Bfr E U R O C O N - IV : C O N F E R E N C E A G E N D A ******************************************************** Day-1 : Friday July 13th 14:00 Registration opens in VIP-room Pullman Hotel 17:30 Reception Town Hall by the mayor of Antwerp 19:00 Social get-together in the Pullman-hotel Day-2 : Saturday July 14th 09:15 Opening-address by the mayor of Antwerp 09:30 Start session-1 : "Political Politics" 09:30-09:40 = Introduction 09:40-10:15 = Changing-policy in the great internal market 10:15-10:30 = FidoNet into the former Eastern Bloc 10:30-10:45 = Coffee-break 10:45-11:15 = Auto-censoring, privacy and ownership of public electronic mail information 11:15-11:45 = The private computer-communication market after 1992 FidoNews 7-20 Page 10 14 May 1990 11:45-12:00 = Questions and answers 12:00-13:30 Lunch 13:30 Start session-2 : "FidoNet Politics" 13:30-14:00 = Telephone companies and future European approval standards for telecommunications hardware 14:00-14:45 = Democracy within FidoNet 14:45-15:00 = Coffee break 15:00-15:30 = FidoNet in the world - or how to survive without IFNA 15:30-16:30 = Complaint procedure 16:30-17:00 = Questions and answers 17:00-18:00 = Blowing-off steam 18:00-22:00 = Dinner/Cruise 22:01-..... = Let's hit town (But please be back before 9 am on Sunday) Day-3 : Sunday July 15th 09:15 Start session-3 : "Workshops" 09:15-10:15 = Workshop session-A - E-mail routing - E-mail policy - European Fidonet Association - Technical standards committee - ................ 10:15-10:30 = Coffee-break 10:30-11:30 = Workshop session-B 11:30-12:00 = Plenary session with working-party chairmen reporting. 12:00-13:30 = Lunch 13:30 : Start session-4 : "Questions & answers, conclusions & solutions" 13:30-14:30 = Creation European FidoNet Association 14:30-14:45 = Coffee-break 14:45-15:30 = Elections Board EFNA 15:30-16:00 = Appointing Eurocon-V site 16:00-17:00 = Unfinished business 17:00-17:15 = Closing statement(s) 17:15-18:00 = Closing reception at Pullman Hotel FidoNews 7-20 Page 11 14 May 1990 19:00 : "Olympic hard-disc throwing trials" Day-4 : Monday July 15th 08:00-12:00 = Office in VIP-room is available for people needing assistance. 12:00:01 you're on your own ... see you next year in ??? E U R O C O N - IV : WELCOME Z O N E-1 PARTICIPANTS ******************************************************* Dear friends from the USA, Why not spend your summer vacation in Europe and attend EUROCON-IV? After extensive contacts with American Airlines and with the cooperation of the Fidocon-US organising committee, very advantageous fares can be offered if you plan to come to Europe. Some examples for round-trip fares between Brussels and ... Atlanta, GE 762 US$ (ex ATL) Chicago, IL 698 US$ (ex ORD) Dallas/Fort Worth, TX 794 US$ (ex DFW) Denver, CO 758 US$ (ex DEN) Los Angeles, CA 778 US$ (ex LAX) Miami, FL 738 US$ (ex MIA) Minneapolis/St.Paul, MN 658 US$ (ex MSP) New York, NY 656 US$ (ex JFK) Portland, OR 778 US$ (ex PDX) Salt Lake City, UT 758 US$ (ex SLC) San Francisco, CA 778 US$ (ex SFO) Seattle, WA 778 US$ (ex SEA) Only Chicago and New York are direct flight, all other points of departure will necessitate a change of plane in New York or Chicago, whichever is the more appropriate. Booking and payment must be accomplished 30 days prior to departure. Travel may not be on a Saturday nor Sunday (unless small surcharge). Minimum stay 7 days, maximum 21 days (except small surcharge). Reservations can be handled by the EUROCON-IV organization team, but in such case must be prepaid. If such an arrangement interests you, please send a netmail to 2:2/999. FidoNews 7-20 Page 12 14 May 1990 E U R O C O N - IV : T E C H C O N - I ********************************************** And now for something completely different ... To make this European-meeting of FidoNet participants more attractive, we've taken the initiative to organize parallel to EUROCON-IV another international event. Whereas EUROCON looks more at the political and organizational point of view of communicating in our net, TECHCON-I will be THE thing not to miss if you're interested in the technical aspects of our pass-time. We believe a very good programme is being put together, the main items are being listed below, though proper scheduling over the two days still has to take place : * V42/V42bis * FTSC * European Standards * Virus * Data-compression * New products * FidoNet Compatible Architecture * Mailers * Fido-software for non-IBM PC's * Message-fossils Apart from this we are trying to organize, as part of TECHCON-I, a mystery-event which at this time we are still calling "The clash of the titans" Further announcements on this will follow later ... E U R O C O N - IV : O T H E R E V E N T S ********************************************** You ain't seen nothing yet ... 1) Wheelin' 'n dealin' : ------------------------ At the same time of anything else, a mini-market for conference-attenders alone will be available to strike deals on computer- and communication equipment. Modems and other stuff will be available at special sysop-prices. FidoNews 7-20 Page 13 14 May 1990 ... if a good deal is the name, then Eurocon-IV is your game... 2) Other amateur PC-uses : -------------------------- There will be constant demo's of other amateur and non-commercial PC-use. Some of the demo's will be : - Packet-radio transmissions - Satellite-photo composition - Waste-water-currents modelling in the Northsea - Transforming WordPerfect text to braille-text for the visually impaired on a special braille-printer - ... 3) USERCON-I : -------------- During Euro/Tech-con there will be a 3rd conference dedicated especially to Belgian users and points. It will deal with the beginners-aspects of communicating via FidoNet. This conference is exclusively in Dutch and will only take place on the 14th. Further announcements about it will follow. 4) Computer-Widows : -------------------- A special programme is being put together for the computer-widows accompanying their male life-partner. Computer-widowers are very welcome as well of course. The programme will consist of touristical and leisure points of interest as well as shopping bargains. The programme will run at a modest fee covering costs only. Further announcements about it, as well as the cost, will be published shortly. 5) Children programme : ----------------------- If parents bring their children along and would like us to organize a special programme for kids while they (=the parents) attend EUROCON-IV, then please indicate so on the registration form, as well as their languages spoken, their age and their sex. Depending upon the number of children subscribed, activities will be organized for them by qualified people. FidoNews 7-20 Page 14 14 May 1990 The programme will run at a modest fee covering costs only. Further announcements about it, as well as the cost, will be published when it becomes clear enough children will be attending. 6) Infant care : ---------------- Young parents wanting to bring their infant children along and not having to bother about them during conference-hours may indicate this wish, as well as the age of the child on the registration form. If enough infant children and/or babies are subscribed, then a nursery will be set up in the conference-hotel by qualified staff. The programme will run at a modest fee covering costs only. Further announcements about it, as well as the cost, will be published when it becomes clear enough infant children and or babies will be attending. 7) General remark : ------------------- It must be well understood that the children- and/or infant-care-programme will be cancelled if the organization-committee considers that too few subscriptions were entered to offer it. E U R O C O N - IV : A C C O M O D A T I O N ********************************************** 1) Hotel : ---------- Accommodation is in the "Pullman Hotel" in Antwerp, it is the same hotel where EUROCON-IV takes place. It is a *****-hotel, but we managed to negotiate with them ***-prices for hotel-rooms as well as renting the conference-rooms. These rates are only possible because the organization-committee is handling reservations and payments themselves. So when registering, please do not wait too long with your payment. 2) Youth-Hostel : ----------------- We have reserved a number of sleeping-places at the International Youth Hostel of Antwerp. It is 5-10 minutes walking from the conference-hotel. FidoNews 7-20 Page 15 14 May 1990 The Youth Hostel Rates are : - Bed & breakfast : ................... 295 Bfr - Lunch : ............................. 100 Bfr - Dinner : ............................ 210 Bfr - Renting sheets : .................... 100 Bfr You have to be a member of the International Youth Hostel Federation. If you are not a member, 80 Bfr extra will be charged per night. If you are interested in staying overnight at the Youth Hostel, we will make the reservations for you but in no case will we handle the payments as bank-charges on international transfers would nearly double that amount. Please be advised that these reservations are on a "first come/first served" basis and the number of beds is limited. 3) Municipal camping-ground : ----------------------------- If you bring your camping-equipment we can arrange a place for you at the municipal camping ground. If you wish, we will make these reservations for you, but in no case will we handle the payments, that is completely up to you. The municipal camping ground is 5-10 minutes walking from the conference- hotel. 4) General remark : ------------------- Please keep in mind that for each valid registration, 4 coffee-breaks and 2 lunches are included in the conference-fee. E U R O C O N - IV : F U R T H E R A N N O U N C E M E N T S ************************************************************** Participants to EUROCON-IV will have free access to TECHCON-I and vice- versa. However, in order to prepare for the number of people who will attend, we would like to ask you to state a preference as mentioned on the registration-form. A special insurance will be taken out to cover attenders and their families present for accidents that could happen to them while at the premisses of EUROCON-IV. At regular intervals further announcements about EUROCON-IV will be made via the special echo "EURO4" which is now being distributed via usual echomail-channels. FidoNews 7-20 Page 16 14 May 1990 Please tune-in if you want to be kept informed. All announcements will also be published in EMBBS and FidoNews, as well as in ENET.SYSOP. Should there be any further questions you have about this years EUROCON, please do not hesitate to contact me at 2:2/999. It's a CM-system with HST-modem. (I'm also in the nodelist on 2:295/49, but only at 1200 baud and not-CM, so not to be advised because during the day there will be a voice answering!). Ward Dossche EUROCON-IV COORDINATOR ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 7-20 Page 17 14 May 1990 Jack Decker 1:154/8 ANNOUNCING: THE MULTI-LEVEL MARKETING (MLM) ECHO We have started a new echo called MLM, the echo for those involved or interested in Multi-Level Marketing (sometimes also known as "network marketing"). For those of you who are not familiar with the phrase "Multi-Level Marketing", this is the method by which a large number of products and services are sold nowadays. Some of the better-known firms in this field are Amway (home care and other products), and A.J. Williams (insurance), but there are literally hundreds of firms that utilize this method of marketing their products. The need for this echo arose from the fact that messages relating to Multi-Level Marketing were appearing with increasing frequency in echoes such as FOR-SALE and JOBS. The moderators of such echoes consider MLM discussions as "off-topic" and therefore, it is difficult to have a discussion about the real benefits or the pitfalls of any such plans. The MLM echo is being introduced to provide a place where such discussions will be "on-topic." We expect that those who particiapte in the MLM echo will agree that Multi-Level Marketing is a valid and responsible method of marketing products. HOWEVER, we also recognize that there are irresponsible people who try to use MLM as a "cover" for illegal pyramid schemes, but that does not detract from the fact that MLM itself is a very valid method of selling products or services direct to the customer, that has been utilized for years. Those who disagree, or who feel that _all_ MLM activity is a scam of some type, should not be participating in this echo. The main purpose of this conference is for those engaged in Multi-Level Marketing (MLM), or those interested in MLM, to discuss various tips, techniques, methods, warnings, legal matters, and other information of general interest to those engaged in MLM. Obviously, this will also be a place where some of the scams and less-than-honorable operations will also be exposed, though the primary purpose of this echo is not to "bash" competitive products or services. All participants in this conference will be expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. If you read (or participate in) other Fidonet echomail conferences, you may have the idea that it's okay to flame people or otherwise act like a jerk. That is definitely NOT the case in this echo. Participants are encouraged to read the rules of the echo (which will be made available for file request on 1:154/9 under the filename "MLM.RUL") before linking in. We really want to try and keep this a high-quality echo that is worth reading (particularly since "time is money" to those involved in MLM). FidoNews 7-20 Page 18 14 May 1990 If you (or the users of your BBS) would be interested in picking up the MLM echo, please consult first with your Net or Regional Echomail Coordinator since the echo is carried on the Fidonet backbone. If he absolutely cannot link you in, then please send me netmail at 1:154/8 and I will see if there is some way that we can arrange a feed for you (please let me know your maximum modem speed in this case). ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 7-20 Page 19 14 May 1990 Janet Murray Fido 1:105/23 RUMOURS ABOUND! about the REGION 17 FIDONET(r) CONVENTION Because this will be the only FidoNet convention on the West Coast this summer, a number of Famous Fido Folks from outside Region 17 are considering attending. DOUG BOONE has promised to take a "short" vacation from Opus 1.20 development, VINCE PERRIELLO will robot the FidoNews that weekend, and ROD BOWMAN will meander north from Region 10. Sorry we can't reveal any other names until they've confirmed their plans. A major international electronics firm located in Portland, Oregon, has asked permission to make a "significant" announcement at the Regional FidoNet convention to be held July 27-29, 1990. They will also be providing some of their products for prizes! (The unidentified firm is neither Nike nor a bungee-cord producer!) However, the traditional Curmudgeon toss _has_ been replaced this year with "Curmudgeon bungee diving" - an event more suited to the unique natural setting of the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center, high on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. * * * * * * THIS IS IMPORTANT!! * * * * * * The reason Net105 chose Menucha as the site (aside from its obvious attractions of seclusion and natural beauty) was because of its exceptionally reasonable prices! In return, Menucha requires con- firmation re: the number of attendees and a substantial deposit sixty days prior to the convention. That's why we designed the registration form with "late fees" - to encourage early registration. IF you are considering attending the Region17 Convention, please send NetMail to Ken Zwaschka at 1:105/54 - THIS WEEK! Otherwise, we cannot guarantee that there will be enough places available for late (and especially) last-minute registrants. I know who the unnamed FidoFamous Folks are - and I'll be there! ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 7-20 Page 20 14 May 1990 The Secret Sysop Society presents __ *** Conclave '90 *** / \ The SYSOPS Convention /|oo \ Home of FidoCon 1990 (_| /_) Lyndhurst, New Jersey _`@/_ \ _ August 1-5, 1990 | | \ \\ | (*) | \ )) ______ |__U__| / \// / Fido \ _//|| _\ / (________) (_/(_|(____/ (tm) Rate Plan Schedule: Before 6/1/90: Before 5/1/90: -------------- -------------- A. Single Occupancy.......$595.00 $545.00 $495.00 B. Double Occupancy.......$450.00 $400.00 $350.00 C. Conference w/ meals....$300.00 $250.00 $200.00 D. Conference w/ Banquet..$205.00 $155.00 $105.00 E. Conference only........$175.00 $125.00 $ 75.00 F. Banquet only...........$130.00 $80.00 $ 30.00 G. Registrant & Spouse....$720.00 $670.00 $620.00 (All rate plans except plan F include all conference and hotel fees. Those registering before 5/1/90 get a $100.00 discount, those registering before 6/1/90 get a $50.00 discount.) You must pay by Check, Money Order, or Credit Card. Please send no cash. All monies must be in U.S. Funds. Checks should be made out to: "Conclave '90" The following registration form must be completed and mailed to: PO Box 12 Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 You may register by Netmailing this completed form to 1:1/90 for processing. Rename it to ZNNNXXXX.REG where Z is your Zone number, N is your Net number, and X is your Node number. US Mail confirmation is required within 72 hours of electronic filing. If you are paying by credit card, please include the required information. For your own security, do not route any message with your credit card number on it. Crash it directly to 1:1/90. The official Conclave '90 airline is American Airlines. American offers a 5% discount the lowest applicable round-trip fare, including 1st class travel, subject to availability of inventory. All fare rules and restrictions apply. In addition, American offers 40% off their round trip unrestricted day coach fare. International travelers qualify for special benefits, including complimentary admittance to the Admiral's Club Lounge at any American Airlines terminal. Newark is an American Air- lines city with direct flights to most major cities. When making reservations, you must call American's Toll-free reservation number at 800-433-1790, and reference Star number 13704F. FidoNews 7-20 Page 21 14 May 1990 C O N C L A V E '90 R E G I S T R A T I O N F O R M Name: __________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________ Apt. or Suite: _________ City: _________________________ State or Province: ____________ Postal Code: __________________ Country: ______________________ Voice Phone: ______________________ Data: _____________________ Zone:Net/Node.Point@Domain: ____________________________________ Special requirements: __________________________________________ +---------------+---------------------+-----+----------+-------+ | Option | Full | | Pricing | Line | |(Choose 1: A-G)| Name | Qty | Thru 5/1 | Total | +---------------+---------------------+-----+----------+-------+ | PLAN A* | | | $495.00 | | +---------------+---------------------+-----+----------+-------+ | PLAN B* | | | $350.00 | | +---------------+---------------------+-----+----------+-------+ | PLAN C* | | | $200.00 | | +---------------+---------------------+-----+----------+-------+ | PLAN D* | | | $105.00 | | +---------------+---------------------+-----+----------+-------+ | PLAN E* | | | $ 75.00 | | +---------------+---------------------+-----+----------+-------+ | PLAN F | | | $ 30.00 | | +---------------+---------------------+-----+----------+-------+ | PLAN G* | | | $620.00 | | +===============+=====================+=====+==========+=======+ | NJ Beach Trip | | | $ 24.50 | | +---------------+---------------------+-----+----------+-------+ | Eve. NYC Tour | | | $ 37.50 | | +---------------+---------------------+-----+----------+-------+ | Broadway Show | | | $ 75.00 | | +---------------+---------------------+-----+----------+-------+ | NYC Shop Tour | | | $ 36.50 | | +---------------+---------------------+-----+----------+-------+ | Costume Ball* | | | $ 50.00 | | +---------------+---------------------+-----+----------+-------+ * includes all conference fees & Hotel | Total $ | | ** includes dinner, show, and costume +==========+=======+ MC _____ Visa _____ Card Number: _____________________________ Expiration: ___________ Signature _____________________________ ( Credit card registrations require valid signature ) FidoNews 7-20 Page 22 14 May 1990 ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 7-20 Page 23 14 May 1990 ================================================================= COLUMNS ================================================================= Henry Clark 124/6120 The Electronic Pyramid Scam -- Makecash, Cash-4u, Fastbuck, Easy$, etc. I have DELETED several of these from my upload area recently. I am even seeing the text files included in otherwise innocuous uploads such as BBS lists. These are nothing more than PYRAMID MARKETING schemes outlawed years ago. To be fair, these modern electronic chain letters avoid the rules related to the postal chain letters because they offer a product for sale. However, there is no direct mechanism in place to avoid the 4th level of a 'network marketing' structure, which is illegal. NETWORKING is the modern name for a controlled pyramid organization. Pyramid organizations are quite legal out to the 3rd level, but not the fourth. Short of calling the police, I can't imagine a way to stop this kind of abuse. I'd love to here your ideas on the subject. ( But only if they agree with mine ! ) 486 On the March -- There seems to be quite a rush of 486 PCs coming out this year. It's always fun to see your old computers become more worthless all the while doing more than they ever did. The trend towards faster PCs has followed pretty closely an old rule about microprocessor development, ie. that micros double in speed and density every two years. My particular case is a perfect example. In July 1985 I purchase my first AT, a Compaq 286 8Mh portable, for $5000. It's still in service, running 24 hours a day as 124/6119. Of course, it's got 8 times the original disk space. In July 1987 I purchased my first 386, a Compaq 386 16Mh for, yes $5000. Now I did add lots of memory to it, but it's still running, in fact, I'm writing this on it while it runs 124/6120. This trend ( '85 286-8, '87 386-16 ) would lead me to believe that in 1989 I could purchase a 386 33Mh for $5000. This was, in fact, true. However, due to the imminent release of the 486, I determined that a wait was in order. I now see that a 1990 486-25 for $5000 is possible. FidoNews 7-20 Page 24 14 May 1990 Following the trend further, 1991 should bring a 486-33 at our benchmark price, and 1993 must be the year of the 586 or better at some 60 Mh. Since I've skipped a year, I'm due a hot new machine ! MS C 6.0 -- Representative of the goodies which arrived recently, MS C 6 is in use here. I've been reading about _fastcall, the advisor, new Codeview options and better optimization options. True to Earth day, Microsoft sent quite a bit less paper, although it seems complete and concise. "Just use the old binders" ! I have been looking at the /W4 maximus warnings switch, whew, what a mess I have. Oracle 5.1C arrived with VPIC support. This should mean I can run Oracle's protected interface along with expanded memory drivers, even Desqview. It works. I have to get Oracle's library and MS' new C libraries integrated at work. Finger's crossed. QEMM 5.0 is a welcome addition. Comes with a really interesting SYSTEM STATUS program, Manifest. I have a Compaq 386, but I have to run the NOCOMPAQFEATURES switch ?!? Don't even know why, but I do and it works. I do run Desqview constantly. Math Rabbit ( what, a game ) got installed immediately. My son really liked Reader Rabbit, and he loves this. When you win a round with the rabbit on the tightrope, he does one of three dances. In the third dance, he does this Michael Jackson 'Reverse Moon Walk Glide' that can't be adequately described. Terrible graphics ( CGA ) but Kevin loves it. Clean That Office, or Else -- Honey threw a fit. It really was a mess. I started Saturday afternoon by purchasing a couple of nice chairs and another table top. The rolling chair made it possible to put computers behind and in front of me, and the additional work space will be taken up by a new machine coming in for a client. I started Sunday morning, carrying everything out to the living room floor. Honey grabbed the kid disappeared for a few hours. By 11 ( right on schedule ) the computers went off line, and the room was nearly empty. A quick clean and it was time to bring it all back in. Done by 1. Do you have many stacks of old papers on your floor ? Each one, no matter the topic, containing some obscure BBS utility document printout, usually 50 pages long ? Do you have thousands of diskettes that you have no idea of the contents ? Here is another summer job for computer literate kids. Pay em a few bucks an hour to catalog all those disks. FidoNews 7-20 Page 25 14 May 1990 Honey returned home and was quite pleased. She let me put up the swimsuit calendar that her grandmother gave me for Christmas. I can't wait for July ! ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 7-20 Page 26 14 May 1990 ================================================================= LATEST VERSIONS ================================================================= Latest Software Versions MS-DOS Systems -------------- Bulletin Board Software Name Version Name Version Name Version Fido 12s+ Phoenix 1.3 TAG 2.5d1 Lynx 1.30 QuickBBS 2.64* TBBS 2.1 Kitten 2.16 RBBS 17.2B TComm/TCommNet 3.4 Maximus 1.00 RBBSmail 17.2 TPBoard 6.1* Opus 1.12+* RemoteAccess 2.0* Wildcat! 2.10 PCBoard 14.2* SLBBS 1.76* Network Node List Other Mailers Version Utilities Version Utilities Version BinkleyTerm 2.30 EditNL 4.00 ARC 6.02 D'Bridge 1.30 MakeNL 2.20 ARCAsim 2.30* Dutchie 2.90C ParseList 1.30 ARCmail 2.0 FrontDoor 1.99c* Prune 1.40 ConfMail 4.00 PRENM 1.47 SysNL 3.01 Crossnet v1.5* SEAdog 4.51b XlatList 2.90 EMM 2.02 XlaxDiff 2.35* Gmail 2.05 XlaxNode 2.35* GROUP 2.16 GUS 1.30 LHARC 1.13 MSG 4.0 MSGED 1.99 PK[UN]ZIP 1.10* QM 1.0 QSORT 4.03 SLMAIL 1.35* StarLink 1.01 TagMail 2.20 TCOMMail 2.2 TMail 1.14* TPBNetEd 3.2 TosScan 1.00* UFGATE 1.03 XRS 3.20* ZmailQ 1.10 Macintosh --------- Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities FidoNews 7-20 Page 27 14 May 1990 Name Version Name Version Name Version Red Ryder Host v2.1b10 Tabby 2.2 MacArc 0.04 Mansion 7.15 Copernicus 1.0d* ArcMac 1.3 WWIV (Mac) 3.0 StuffIt 1.51 FBBS 0.91* TImport 1.331 TExport 1.32 Timestamp 1.6 Tset 1.3 Import 3.2 Export 3.21 Sundial 3.2 PreStamp 3.2 OriginatorII 2.0 AreaFix 1.6 Mantissa 3.21 Zenith 1.5 UNZIP 1.02b Amiga ----- Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version Paragon 2.06+ BinkleyTerm 1.00 AmigArc 0.23 TrapDoor 1.50* AReceipt 1.5* WelMat 0.35 booz 1.01 ConfMail 1.10 ChameleonEdit 0.10 ElectricHerald1.66* Lharc 1.10 MessageFilter 1.52* oMMM 1.49b ParseLst 1.30 PkAX 1.00 PK[UN]ZIP 1.01 PolyxAmy 2.02* RMB 1.30 TrapList 1.12* UNzip 0.86 Yuck! 1.61* Zoo 2.00 Atari ST -------- Bulletin Board Software Network Mailer Other Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version FidoNews 7-20 Page 28 14 May 1990 FIDOdoor/ST 1.5c* BinkleyTerm 1.03g3 ConfMail 1.00 Pandora BBS 2.41c The BOX 1.20 ParseList 1.30 QuickBBS/ST 0.40 ARC 6.02* GS Point 0.61 LHARC 0.51 PKUNZIP 1.10 MSGED 1.96S SRENUM 6.2 Trenum 0.10 OMMM 1.40 + Netmail capable (does not require additional mailer software) * Recently changed Utility authors: Please help keep this list up to date by reporting new versions to 1:1/1. It is not our intent to list all utilities here, only those which verge on necessity. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 7-20 Page 29 14 May 1990 ================================================================= NOTICES ================================================================= The Interrupt Stack 26 May 1990 First anniversary of Net 269, Northern New Jersey 3 Jun 1990 Comdex/Spring, which will run from June 3-6 in Atlanta, will be held at the World Congress Center and other locations. 5 Jun 1990 David Dodell's 33rd Birthday 12 Jun 1990 Fifth anniversary of FidoNet's switch to multiple nets. 14 Jul 1990 Start of Eurocon / Techcon conference in Antwerp, Belgium. Please note that the date has changed: The conferences are one day later than originally planned ! 27 Jul 1990 The beginning of the REGION 17 Convention at Menucha Resort in the Columbia Gorge, Oregon. For details contact Ken Zwaschka, 1:105/54. 1 Aug 1990 Start of FidoCon '90. Contact Bill Vanglahn at 1:1/90 for details. 5 Oct 1990 21st Anniversary of "Monty Python's Flying Circus" 6 Nov 1990 First anniversary of Van Diepen Automatiseert, 2:500/28 14 Nov 1990 Marco Maccaferri's 21rd Birthday. Send greetings to him at 2:332/16.0 1 Jan 1991 Implementation of 7% Goods and Services Tax in Canada. Contact Joe Lindstrom at 1:134/55 for a more colorful description. 16 Feb 1991 Fifth anniversary of the introduction of Echomail, by Jeff Rush. FidoNews 7-20 Page 30 14 May 1990 7 Oct 1991 Area code 415 fragments. Alameda and Contra Costa Counties will begin using area code 510. This includes Oakland, Concord, Berkeley and Hayward. San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, parts of Santa Clara County, and the San Francisco Bay Islands will retain area code 415. 1 Feb 1992 Area code 213 fragments. Western, coastal, southern and eastern portions of Los Angeles County will begin using area code 310. This includes Los Angeles International Airport, West Los Angeles, San Pedro and Whittier. Downtown Los Angeles and surrounding communities (such as Hollywood and Montebello) will retain area code 213. If you have something which you would like to see on this calendar, please send a message to FidoNet node 1:1/1. -----------------------------------------------------------------