F I D O N E W S -- | Vol. 8 No. 24 (17 June 1991) The newsletter of the | FidoNet BBS community | Published by: _ | / \ | "FidoNews" BBS /|oo \ | (415)-863-2739 (_| /_) | FidoNet 1:1/1 _`@/_ \ _ | Internet: | | \ \\ | fidonews@fidonews.fidonet.org | (*) | \ )) | |__U__| / \// | Editors: _//|| _\ / | Tom Jennings (_/(_|(____/ | Tim Pozar (jm) | ----------------------------+--------------------------------------- Published weekly by and for the Members of the FidoNet international amateur network. Copyright 1991, Fido Software. All rights reserved. Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances, please contact FidoNews. Paper price: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.00US Electronic Price: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . free! For more information about FidoNews refer to the end of this file. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Table of Contents 1. EDITORIAL ..................................................... 1 A smorgasbord of possibilities ................................ 1 2. FIDONET NEWS .................................................. 6 3. ARTICLES ...................................................... 12 The 2nd Asian BBS Sysops' Conference in Taipei, 1991 .......... 12 By Vince...and Thanks ......................................... 14 Who *are* these guys? ......................................... 16 Public Key Encryption Standard Anyone? ........................ 20 Message Master - a Classic Window's Message Editor ............ 21 SIGN FRIENDS PROGRAM-New Version Released ..................... 22 WorldCon 1991 Important Announcement .......................... 23 A Draft Elections Policy ...................................... 32 A Word from the Bible - The Re-Birth of Water IS Baptism ...... 35 4. RANTS AND FLAMES .............................................. 38 Fidocult: Occult Mania Hits FidoNews .......................... 38 Speaking In Verse: Desired Editorial Policy for FNews ........ 39 5. CLASSIFIEDS ................................................... 42 6. NOTICES ....................................................... 43 The Interrupt Stack ........................................... 44 7. LATEST VERSIONS ............................................... 46 Latest Software Versions ...................................... 46 FidoNews 8-24 Page 1 17 Jun 1991 ====================================================================== EDITORIAL ====================================================================== A smorgasbord of possibilities ... by Tom Jennings This editorial is kinda long, so I've broken it into sections: I MADE A MISTEAK: FidoNews compression method UNPLEASANT DIGRESSION: Content, policy, censorship in FidoNews BACK TO FIDONEWS: Suggestions to authors on content MY TRAVEL PLANS: I'll be out of town for 6 weeks PROGRAM VERSION LIST: It should be split off as a separate project NEW SECTIONS: ... added to FidoNews UNFINISHED PROJECTS: Things we need in FidoNews ---------------- I MADE A MISTEAK: Between taking over a new, complex system on short notice, and not asking the right questions, I managed to create FidoNews in a compression format that a signifigant portion of the net could not decompress. My sincere apologies! It was definitely not intentional. Starting with this issue, FidoNews will again be compressed in the near-universal ARC format. Again, my apologies to all the non-MSDOS systems out there. (And oooh are we touchy -- with few exceptions, I was informed of my mistake by being accused of all sorts of conspiratorial wrong doing, which is very exciting, but unfortunately wrong. "Thank you" to the two or three who informed me in a civilized manner.) --------------------- UNPLEASANT DIGRESSION: This will be the only time I'll directly address this, so it's OK to read. I'm getting lots of complaints regarding Steve Winter's articles. Some were simply flames that didn't qualify as articles except the filename convention. I think it's funny (and depressing in oh so many ways) that I'm the one defending a fundie christian's writings. Does it mean I like it or agree with him? Nope. I might even have rude things to say about it, if I wasn't editor of this rag (sic). (You think that's contradictory? Maybe you should find out what an editor is for.) The "reasonable" rules you would use to strike his writings from FidoNews are the same ones that you'd use to strike anything else that some person or group complaining loud enough didn't like. The proposed "rules" received in the mail would turn FidoNews into a somewhat less dry version of COMPUTERWORLD or DATAMATION. FidoNews 8-24 Page 2 17 Jun 1991 Policies involving people's personal/social aspects should be determined by setting very broad limits of acceptable behavior, not by defining a "norm" and making things adhere to it. (I agree that the stuff in question is an extreme.) It's a slippery slope -- if by policy you eliminate "extreme stuff", you'll find that there were things less-extreme that are now under scrutiny; and so on ad infinitum. A dangerous long-term policy for a vehicle that changes hands periodically. We are setting precedent here for the future. Fact: I am not going to give in to censorious types (even though you insist you are not, you are). * * * * * I found this Letter to the Editor in the S.F. Bay Guardian, a weekly newspaper in the Bay Area. [Regarding the inclusion of a weekly horoscope column in the S.F. Bay Guardian) "[...] "Some people no doubt read them because they know good advice when they see it, and of course, a few really believe. A lot more, like me, just think they're fun -- like fortune cookies. "Then there are the few tiresome cranks who object, wanting to censor our newspapers. I hope you simply ignore them. "These people never see how they damage their own cause. They come across as anti-free speech, generate sympathy for those they would censor, make it easy to dismiss them as dogmatists pushing a different belief system, don't change any minds, and worst of all, implicitly suggest they can only address the matter by gagging the opposition." Rick Moen Secretary, Bay Area Skeptics Rick, by the way, happens to be FidoNet 1:125/41. I don't believe in a right to convenience. "Convenience" has become the unspoken universal goal for Middle America; we'll give up anything for it, even basic rights, let any power monger who comes along make any decision for us as long as it's convenient in the short term. Sorry, not from me. Enough said on this subject. Which brings me to what was originally my FIRST item: ---------------- BACK TO FIDONEWS: FidoNews 8-24 Page 3 17 Jun 1991 I request that authors try to limit themselves to issues related to communications. FidoNet is a communications medium, with which we can discuss anything that gives us pleasure or fills a need. FidoNews is sort of a meta-FidoNet, a thing about a thing. It should relate to the FidoNet as a whole, which of course means it will contain things from the FidoNet's members, which of course may be on any subject. FidoNews is of limited size and scope. Things within it should somehow relate to communications, the closer to the workings of FidoNet the better, but obviously anything related to computer networking, legal and ethical issues, technologies, etc are especially welcome. To reiterate, the written policy has not changed; FidoNews will continue to run most everything received. However I request that you try to keep to issues related to *communicating* electronically. FidoNews will change. It will take time. Have patience. Are you beginning to see the pattern yet? I will gladly spell out my intent and goals and methods in as much detail as I have them -- but for now I'll just let you think this over. Which brings me to the next item: --------------- MY TRAVEL PLANS: I will be out of town by the time you read this, and will not return until the last week of July. Yup, about 6 weeks (possibly less). Camping in the deserts of New Mexico, somewhat aimlessly, though I'll visit friends in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Driving my propane-powered white 1963 Rambler Classic 550 Cross Country Station Wagon [whew], probably the only one about, with Fornicalia license plates that say "FIDONET". Say hi if you see me, and be warned if you shoot at me I may shoot back (I shoot 3-gun combat competition regularly so watch out). I've been planning this trip since last year. The editorship came up at the last minute, so this conflict couldn't be helped. Tim Pozar will be taking over in the mean time. He may be less willing to put up with flaming so be warned :-) Probably he will place tempests in teapots on the back burner until I return. I'll probably call in to see how things are going (I think I have production automated) and possibly editorialize from afar, as I'll be taking my Tandy 200 with me. (I wrote a terminal program with CRC XMODEM in 8085 assembly language; about 200 more instructions and I'll have an FSC-0001 packeter for it. Probably will be the smallest FidoNet interface (1800 bytes) around!) But I'm off subject here. FidoNews 8-24 Page 4 17 Jun 1991 -------------------- PROGRAM VERSION LIST: A list of FidoNet utility versions appears in the back of every FidoNews. It has become an important and popular feature of FidoNews. (I think Vince Perriello (the previous editor) came up with it.) To make a long story short -- the utility-version-list has become a project unto itself. Editing FidoNews is enough work by itself. It needs to be done by someone else, and shipped here for inclusion in FidoNews. FidoNews will run the most recently-received version; when changes are made, I'll replace the old file with the new. I will warn you now, it's a responsibility, and needs to be taken seriously. Whoever does it will receive a dozen or more messages a week, and you will need to edit the FIDONEWS.VER file accordingly (and request additional information where required, etc) and mail a copy here for inclusion. It's complicated by the fact that I'll be out of town. Think about it however in the mean time. ------------------------ NEW SECTIONS IN FIDONEWS: Date: Sun, 09 Jun 91 18:23:38 pdt From: Bob.Davis@f114.n106.z1.FIDONET.ORG (Bob Davis) Subject: Fidonews To: kumr!pozar Dean Lachan told me you are involved in reworking the layout of Fidonews. We've been having a lively discussion in ZEC conference on a number of topics, among which is the viability of Fidonews as a communications medium of official news in Fidonet. Fidonews has historically been filled with a wide range of diatribe that causes a lot of people to skip it. Some have said that you can look in the table of contents and figure out what's important. I disagree. Look at the TOC for Fidonews.817. Its not obvious that Tony published the Backbone Procedures in there. May I suggest that future Fidonews incorporate a section or chapter devoted strictly to fidonet business commmunication? It would be clearly labeled as FIDONET BUSINESS or something similar and not include any political comment or rebuttal. [...] Bob FidoNews 8-24 Page 5 17 Jun 1991 You've got it -- a new section in FidoNews called "FidoNet News". "FidoNet News" contains only items pertaining to technical and policy issues of operating FidoNet -- technical standards, policy changes, vote results, that sort of thing. This section will appear even when empty -- to allow scanning the Table of Contents for net-related news and facts. ------------------- UNFINISHED PROJECTS: There are a number of things I want to start or change in FidoNews. Since I won't get to do them until I return, I'll list them here so you can think about them ahead of time. ABSTRACTS: Called "reviews" in magazines, but they are really "abstracts", brief descriptive mentions of other publications, electronic and otherwise, of potential interest to FidoNews readers -- EFF's Effector, BOARDWATCH Magazine, Computer Underground Digest, and such like. What they cover, how to get, publication schedule, etc, rather than pass judgment good vs. bad (you're all grown up kids and can make your own decisions on that). FIDOCON: FidoCon '91 is about to happen -- I will be there, but I'm only one person, so -- we need reporters!!! Don't try to cover it all, just pick one thing and write even just one or two paragraphs. You'd be surprised how interesting and effective VERY SHORT reports are! It would be great to have a few dozen 2 - 3 paragraph reports on things happening at FidoCon, rather than a few long overviews. Don't worry about duplication; two people covering the same event can be interesting. Don't worry about your writing, I'm not your grade school english teacher -- it's content that counts! Bye! Have a good trip! (hey, that's your line...) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 8-24 Page 6 17 Jun 1991 ====================================================================== FIDONET NEWS ====================================================================== ################################################################ FidoNetNews -- a weekly section devoted to technical and factual issues within the FidoNet -- FidoNet Technical Standards Committee reports, *C reports, information on FidoNet standards documents and the like. ################################################################ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- /* Probably a lot of you have never seen it -- the junk in the nodelist meant for us huminz to read. Here an excerpt from NODELIST.158. Somebody bug 'em and get the /0's to send me copies of this sort of junk -- PROPERLY FORMATTED AS AN ARTICLE (see ARTSPEC.DOC) -- for inclusion. (Unlike this one, which rquried a lot of editing on my part.) It's your network ... --tomj */ ;A FidoNet Nodelist for Friday, June 7, 1991 -- Day number 158 : 27592 ;A ;A The FidoNet(r) NodeList, a listing of the systems within FidoNet. ;A ; /* Boring copyright clipped. */ ; ;S NOTICE -- NOTICE -- NOTICE -- NOTICE -- NOTICE -- NOTICE ;S -------------------------------------------- ;S ;S | Vote Result: Proposed New Policy ;S | -------------------------------- ;S | ;S | Matt Whelan ;S | International Coordinator ;S | ;S | Voting has closed on the proposed new FidoNet policy. The ;S | "WorldPol" proposal was ignored by a majority of eligible voters ;S | (non-votes outnumbered votes by 229 to 195), and rejected by a ;S | majority of the remainder. ;S | ;S | To be accepted as FidoNet policy, the proposal needed a 'Yes' ;S | from at least half of the votes cast. It received slightly less ;S | than 40 percent. 'No' votes accounted for nearly 50 percent, and ;S | the remainder were 'Abstain' votes -- effectively a vote against ;S | any change. ;S | ;S | Three FidoNet zones voted against the proposal, two voted for it, ;S | and one failed to vote. ;S | ;S | Final vote tally: FidoNews 8-24 Page 7 17 Jun 1991 ;S | ;S | Zone YES NO ABSTAIN ;S | ;S | 0 -- 1 -- (IC, in accordance with world totals) ;S | 1 17 65 -- ;S | 2 46 12 23 ;S | 3 3 14 -- ;S | 4 11 -- -- ;S | 5 -- 3 -- ;S | 6 -- -- -- ;S | ;S | Total 77 95 23 ;S | ;S | %Vote 39.5 48.7 11.8 ;S | ;S | ------------------------------------------------------------- ;S | ;S | Date: Fri May 31 1991 19:21:03 ;S | From: Harry Lee ;S | To: All ;S | Subj: Here's The Big Secret ;S | ;S | The following is the current state of the voting for Z1C: ;S | ;S | Rgn Pwd ;S | 10 Shark ;S | 11 Marduk ;S | 12 EastCan ;S | 13 Spyders ;S | 14 Compendium ;S | 15 WildWest ;S | 16 AnotherTerm ;S | 17 Eileen ;S | 18 NoWay ;S | 19 LakeParty! ;S | ;S | George Peace has been unanimously elected Zone Coordinator. ;S | ;S | Congratulations to George, and thanks to Jesse and John for caring ;S | enough to run. ;S | ;S -------------------------------------------- ;S ;S You can request from 1:1/0 the most recent nodelist/nodediff by using the ;S "magic name" of NODELIST or NODEDIFF. ;S Please request from your local network or region coordinator if possible. ;S ;S Please check the END of the nodelist for additional technical information. ;S ;S ; /* One bazillion lines of nodes clipped out here. */ ;S FidoNews 8-24 Page 8 17 Jun 1991 ;S ;S ;S The following flags define special operating conditions: ;S ;S Flag Meaning ;S ;S CM Node accepts mail 24 hours a day ;S MO Node does not accept human callers ;S ;S ;S The following flags define modem protocols supported: ;S ;S Flag Meaning ;S ;S V21 CCITT V21 300 bps full duplex ;S V22 CCITT V22 1200 bps full duplex ;S V29 CCITT V29 9600 bps half duplex ;S V32 CCITT V32 9600 bps full duplex ;S V32b CCITT V32bis 14400 bps full duplex ;S V33 CCITT V33 ;S V34 CCITT V34 ;S V42 CCITT V42 ;S V42b CCITT V42bis ;S H96 Hayes V9600 ;S HST USR Courier HST ;S MAX Microcom AX/96xx series ;S PEP Packet Ensemble Protocol ;S ;S NOTE: Many V22 modems also support Bell 212A. ;S ;S If no modem flag is given, Bell 212A is assumed for 1200 bps ;S systems, CCITT V22bis is assumed for 2400 bps systems. ;S ;S ;S The following flags define type of error correction available. A ;S separate error correction flag should not be used when the error ;S correction type can be determined by the modem flag. For instance, ;S a modem flag of HST implies MNP. ;S ;S Flag Meaning ;S ;S MNP Microcom Networking Protocol error correction ;S V42 LAP-M error correction w/fallback to MNP ;S ;S ;S The following flags define the type(s) of compression of mail ;S packets supported. ;S ;S Flag Meaning ;S ;S MN No compression supported ;S NOTE: The only compression method standard in ;S FidoNet is archiving, using the standard SEA ARC ;S format, with archive names defined by the ;S specification for ARCMail 0.6. The absence of the ;S MN flag indicates that ARCMail 0.6 compression is FidoNews 8-24 Page 9 17 Jun 1991 ;S supported by this node. ;S ;S ;S The following flags indicate the types of file/update requests ;S supported. ;S ;S |----------------------------------------------------------| ;S | | Bark | WaZOO | ;S | |-------------------------|-------------------------| ;S | | File | Update | File | Update | ;S | Flag | Requests | Requests | Requests | Requests | ;S |------|------------|------------|------------|------------| ;S | XA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ;S | XB | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ;S | XC | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | ;S | XP | Yes | Yes | No | No | ;S | XR | Yes | No | Yes | No | ;S | XW | No | No | Yes | No | ;S | XX | No | No | Yes | Yes | ;S |----------------------------------------------------------| ;S ;S ;S The following software is qualified to use the ;S appropriate file request flag: ;S ;S |---------------------------------------| ;S | File Req Flag Software Package | ;S |---------------------------------------| ;S | XA Frontdoor <1.99b | ;S | Dutchie 2.90c | ;S | Binkleyterm >2.1 | ;S | D'Bridge <1.3 | ;S | TIMS | ;S |---------------------------------------| ;S | XB Binkleyterm 2.0 | ;S | Dutchie 2.90b | ;S |---------------------------------------| ;S | XC Opus 1.1 | ;S |---------------------------------------| ;S | XP Seadog | ;S |---------------------------------------| ;S | XR Opus 1.03 | ;S |---------------------------------------| ;S | XW Fido >12M | ;S | Tabby | ;S |---------------------------------------| ;S | XX D'Bridge 1.30 | ;S | Frontdoor 1.99b | ;S |---------------------------------------| ;S | | ;S | None QMM | ;S |---------------------------------------| ;S ;S ;S ;S The following flag defines gateways to other domains (networks). FidoNews 8-24 Page 10 17 Jun 1991 ;S ;S Flag Meaning ;S ;S Gx..x Gateway to domain 'x..x', where 'x..x` is a string ;S of alphanumeric characters. Valid values for 'x..x' ;S are assigned by the FidoNet International ;S Coordinator. This flag is not authorized for use by ;S any node unless specifically authorized by the IC or ;S FidoNet Inter-Network Coordinator. Registered ;S domain gateways include: ;S uucp to be used only by nodes in a list of ;S authorized fidonet.org sites available at ;S 1:1/31. ;S ;S ;S The following flags define the dedicated mail periods supported. ;S They have the form "#nn" or !nn where nn is the UTC hour the mail ;S period begins, # indicates Bell 212A compatibility, and ! ;S indicates incompatibility with Bell 212A. ;S ;S Flag Meaning ;S ;S #01 Zone 5 mail hour (01:00 - 02:00 UTC) ;S #02 Zone 2 mail hour (02:30 - 03:30 UTC) ;S #08 Zone 4 mail hour (08:00 - 09:00 UTC) ;S #09 Zone 1 mail hour (09:00 - 10:00 UTC) ;S #18 Zone 3 mail hour (18:00 - 19:00 UTC) ;S #20 Zone 6 mail hour (20:00 - 21:00 UTC) ;S ;S NOTE: When applicable, the mail period flags may ;S be strung together with no intervening commas, eg. ;S "#02#09". Only mail hours other than that standard ;S within a node's zone should be given. Since ;S observance of mail hour within one's zone is ;S mandatory, it should not be indicated. ;S ;S ;S The following flag defines user-specific values. If present, this ;S flag MUST be the last flag present in a nodelist entry. ;S ;S Flag Meaning ;S ;S Ux..x A user-specified string, which may contain any ;S alphanumeric character except blanks. This string ;S may contain one to thirty-two characters of ;S information that may be used to add user-defined ;S data to a specific nodelist entry. The character "U" ;S should NOT be repeated, eg, "UXXX,YYY" not "UXXX,UYYY". ;S ;S This flag is NOT to be used for advertisements, or ;S non-essential information. If you have questions ;S concerning the use of this flag, please contact your ;S Regional Coordinator, or request the file USERFLAG. FidoNews 8-24 Page 11 17 Jun 1991 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 8-24 Page 12 17 Jun 1991 ====================================================================== ARTICLES ====================================================================== By : Yoshi Mikami The 2nd Asian BBS Sysops' Conference in Taipei, 1991 /* AARGH!! This article had no title, and was filled with tab characters! Soon I'll get tired of manually editing and will just ignore them. Please make sure your articles conform to ARTSPEC.DOC! -- tomj */ This is the official report by the Organizing Committee of the 2nd Asian BBS Sysops' Conference held in Taipei, Taiwan, in June, 1991. The 2nd Asian BBS Sysops' Conference in Taipei, 1991 ---------------------------------------------------- Date: June 12, 1991 By: Yoshi Mikami, representing the Organizing Committee, Taipei, c/o FidoNet 6:720/13 The 2nd Asian BBS Sysops' Conference was held on Saturday, June 8, 1991, in Taipei, Taiwan, ROC, at the Taipei Office of Tsing Hua University. Sixty-six people registered themselves as participants of the conference: 50 from Taiwan, 9 from Japan, 6 from Korea and one from Hongkong. Several jounalists were covering the conference, as they were expected to write about this conference in the computer and BBS magazines in Japan, Korea and Taiwan, just like last year. These and other unregistered participants made the total number of attendees close to 90. Honlin Lue of the Organizing Committee kicked off the meeting at 1:45 PM with the explanation in Chinese (*) of the objective of the conference: free exchange of the information and experience of using computers to communicate with the people of the world. Honlin, Jimmy Tsai and Yoshi Mikami were the moderators of this year's conference. The abstracts of all speakers were available in both hard copy and soft copy formats. This year's organizing committee consisted of Mathew Hsia, Bandit Ho and Tad Sekineh as well as the people mentioned in this paragraph. Toshiyuki Omi, Soon Pack Park and Jim Lin were the Country Coordinators for Japan, Korea and Taiwan, respectively. (*) Jimmy had set up two mini-FM transmitters to provide simultaneous Chinese/English and Japanese/English translations for the audience to hear via their portable FM radios. The translation team, headed by Tad Sekineh, consisted of Alexandre Chang, Franke Ojeda and Tad himself. Our conference policy was to let the speakers use the language that they feel comfortable with. Shuichi Fujita first spoke of the BBS Scene in Japan. He covered the broad areas of both amateur BBSes and commercial networks (NIFTY-Serve, PC-VAN, etc.), the statistical data by region of the amateur BBSes, the most frequently used BBS host programs, and his experience of participating in bringing up the International Fido Network in Japan last year. Joji Sawai added his comments about the PC Tokyo (PCT) User FidoNews 8-24 Page 13 17 Jun 1991 Group activities and distributed the PCT Newslatters. Sang Kil Lee of Korea then described the Korean BBS Scene. Citing a recent Sysops' meeting sponsored by POS-Serve (starting its service later this summer under license from NIFTY-Serve) in Seoul, he mentioned that they were excited over a possibility of coordinating a future Asian BBS Sysops' conference in Korea. His speech and abstract gave the audience a detailed look at the use of computers by the Korean people. Ray Tracy of Taiwan as a third speaker made a powerful speech about the Taiwan BBS Scene in Chinese. He introduced the wide use of FidoNet here, the multiplicity of various echo boards and TTN-Serve, Taiwan's first commercial system. Tracy spoke of Taiwan's BITNET, UUCP connection and radio packet network also. It was a good, comprehensive analysis of the Taiwan network status. One-hour intermission from 3:00 PM was meant for the participants to freely meet with each other. Books and magazines on BBSing from Taiwan and Japan were displayed on the side tables inside the conference hall. It was also a "Sing Along" time for those who cared to participate. A children's song, originally from Germany ("Hanschen klein, Hanschen klein, ..."), was sung in Japanese ("Butterfly, butterfly, stop by the rape flowers! ..."), in Chinese ("Buzzy bee, buzzy bee, ...") and in Korean (it sounded more like a cicada than a bufferfly or buzzy bee). China's Tang Dynasty 5- and 7-character line poems ("Spring slumber cannot be awaken by the dawn" and "The moon has fallen, the crows have become inactive and the sky is full of frost") were also recited and sung by the volunteers. Those who had brought notebook PCs with them demonstrated the Chinese, Japanese and Korean systems that were placed in one computer. Paticipants were surprised to get donations: "2nd Asian BBS Sysops' Conference" yellow vests by Actyiu Yiu, "Chinese poem reciting" cassette tapes by Claude Shen, and "I Love Taipei" bumper stickers from IBM Taiwan. The second half of the BBS conference started at 4:00 PM. From the other Asian countries and regions, Daniel Mok of Hongkong and Charlie McDermott of Okinawa spoke of their experiences in their respective areas. Hongkong and Okinawa are Taiwan's dearest neighbors, important for international communi- cation links. Julie Chu of Taiwan was the only female speaker of the day. Julie talked enthusiastically about her experience of running a Fido BBS in Taipei since last year. She expects more female users and sysops to join the BBSing world in the future. There were about ten female participants in the conference. There apparently was ample interest among the Korean commercial BBS operators to participate in this conference. Dong Soo Lee of the Korea Economic Daily's KETEL and Byung Gyu Chung of DACOM's PC-Serve gave a 15-minute talk each about their services. There were a great deal of technical questions asked of the Korean personal computers and answered. Completion (Wansung) vs. combination (Johab) methods of representing Korean Hangeul characters, 2-bul vs. 3-bul types of keyboards, Iyagi and Nambuktongil ("Unity of South and North") terminal emulator FidoNews 8-24 Page 14 17 Jun 1991 programs, etc., were all discussed. Toshiyuki Omi made closing remarks of the conference in Japanese, thanking the participants and the Organizing Committee members. Our Asian countries using the double-byte character sets are entering an interesting period of time, with the availability of ETen in Taiwan, DOS/V in Japan and Saedong Gilshi in Korea. We are now more interested in each other's activities. A suggestion of having the next meeting in Korea is a good sign of having more people interested in what we know we do best: helping others to communicate with the people of the world. After the formal part of the conference was over, a free discussion was held regarding the next conference. Several opinions were expressed openly, including the desires to have the next meeting in Korea, to keep the June conference in Taipei (because of the COMPUTEX Taipei computer show) and to hold a fall meeting elsewhere, etc. A hesitency was noticed among the Korean participants because they were not sure at this time if a good organizing committee of several interested people can be set up in Seoul, while the names of the BBS conference participants from Korea entirely changed from last year to this year. The Japanese participants seemed to be more interested in travelling to other countries than holding the BBS conference in Japan. For those who had paid for dinner, there were all kinds of opinion and business card exchanges, and private meetings during the 6:00-8:00 PM dinner party time. The late afternoon squall, typical of the Taipei weather, had almost stopped for all participants to take taxis or busses to go back to their hotels or homes, in the warm summer evening. It was again a good BBS conference in Taipei for the Asian sysops, full of fun. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sir Dep aka Jim Deputy 69:1300/6969 1:103/158 By Vince...and Thanks Thanks for the memories Vince...I think you've done a excellent job riding herd on FIDONEWS. In thinking back over the time you discussed, we've had 3 ZC's, we are working on our 3rd ZEC, P4 has been implemented, I tempo rarily removed SYSOP from the domain of FidoNet for FidoNet's *C conference rules violation, until an equitable agreement could be worked out. I've taken a group of 5 adult oriented local echoes, and parlayed them into a fully blown private network with links listed in 8 countries, and well over 300 discreet nodes. Sometimes I wonder how it keeps going. FidoNews 8-24 Page 15 17 Jun 1991 We've seen the demise of IFNA, something I was not very happy over. Mostly because of the apathy involved in its demise. IFNA had some really good things it could have done for FidoNet and Networking in general had it been allowed to do them. We've seen Echopol 1 abandoned, but still technically enforced, and then finally thrust upon us by command. We've seen Gateway Poll put in place by dictatorial edict. And in the same FidoNews it was violated by the same person who is today our ZEC. We've seen elections that would make the Democrats and Republi cans green with envy! Especially because they didn't think anyone could get any dirtier at it that they could. I hadn't realized that there was even a draft of WorldPol ready, let alone an election was being held on it. I've tried to get out of main-stream FidoNet Politics because of health and finances. But, even trying to stay out, it seems that it's impossible. For example I've just picked up FidoNews 821. Today is June 10. I like alot of what I seen in WorldPol. I have a couple of points of contention with it. One is what about a part of policy for "minor" sysops? I'm not advocating not allowing them in, but I am definitely advocating some sort of parental responsibility clause, and possibly agreement. I've seen several networks nearly taken apart by kids with no parental supervision. Speaking of kids, P4 pushed for the removal of the PVT systems, and for them to either go to points, or become fully listed nodes. I see that now the BACKBONE is getting ready to declare the Off-Line readers that were developed to help with this are about to become illegal. Real progress. More on kids, last month I got a message from my 1:103 NEC stat- ing that he knew I was linking echoes to 1:202, and that I should not use my Zone 69 connections to 'illegally' send them fidonet echoes, and by-pass their Echomail Cost Recovery Scheme. After advising him that the business of Adult Links was not the busi ness of the Net 103 NEC, I demanded he show proof of his accusa tions, or retract his statement and apologize. To date he has done neither. At the time, I was linking Net 103 to SDS, and also linking the NEC to several echoes. I've since talked to several Net 202 sysops and they would also like to know more about the Echomail Recovery Plan that they are supposed to be under. The other part is the discrimination clause. I like alot of what I see there. P4 gives the local networks some rights to a local policy. This allows for variations as to how a system applies for a node number, it allows for probably 400 different variations on how various networks allow "minors" into them, and it allows for variations to keep people out of local Networks. FidoNews 8-24 Page 16 17 Jun 1991 For example, the use of Handles/Alias'. There is nothing in P4 the denies a person the right to use a handle and or alias. Last summer, I got a call from our local NEC who had convinced the NC that it was improper for a person to use a handle, and they had removed a node from the nodelist based on the fact that one of the CO-SYSOP's regularly used a handle, and refused to use his real name, even though he is better known by his handle than by his name. The system was removed from the nodelist without notice to the SYSOP as to why or for what reason. I also discussed the probable results of a PC against both of them if the sysop were so inclined. The system magically reappeared in the nodelist. I know they understand it. Shucks, I sent my NC a message on May 13th asking for both my system name and the sysop name to be changed. I sent a follow-up message on May 28th, and I see my system name got changed in Nodelist.158. I've just sent my NC a note reminding him that he missed the sysop name change. It's becoming a problem, because most people now try and contact me as SIR DEP and not Jim Deputy. But, it's also been a nice time. TJ are you sure you're ready for this again? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Who *are* these guys? Another Cautionary tale by Charles Herriot (1:163/110) (Special Note to Editor-Being: This article has absolutely nothing to do with Crunch 'N Munch, God, or the ruinously high cost of Jolt. For those who wish to benefit from the full effect of this article; either play sappy violin music as you read about the pathetic demise of the COMMODORE echo; or else put Ina Gada Da Vida on autorepeat on your CD player. There is little in this article that would give a Technoid wet dreams. Roll da flick, Tom.) Corresponding from a secure hiding place deep within the uncharted recesses of Policy3 and Policy4, "Doc Logger" lashes another missive into the jaws of the high speed paper tape punch and then throws untold thousands of toggle switches to get the Imsai 8080 to transmit to Visage's Church of The Dayglo Black Velvet Paintings. Dear Reverend Visage, FidoNews 8-24 Page 17 17 Jun 1991 Your secretary is shrieking at me concerning the small problem with the Porsche we borrowed to deliver last night's echomail. How were we supposed to know that the drawbridge was up and that we would land six counties away in the middle of a sheep pasture? I hate to tell you this, but she's gonna be in a king hell rage when you show up again with lanolin on your breath. I'm sure you can remember the movie "Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid". I have been reminded of that movie in the recent past concerning the sad plight of the Commode D'Or echo. As Butch & Sundance traversed sagebrush and mountains they were pursued relentlessly, and they kept asking each other: "Who *are* those guys?". As you are well aware, we've made a few underestimations in our time, not the least of which was the time you bet almost our entire stuffed armadillo collection on the recent ZEC election, but I don't think we missed hearing the speeding train as badly as we did when the California Spam 'N Timmies invaded the Commode D'Or echo. Okay, so maybe using an areatag name like COMMODORE in recognition of the fact that the afformentioned piece of hardware was adopted as our mascot and is also the boat anchor of serious sport fisherman everywhere. And maybe, just maybe, if we'd been firmer with the mongol hordes who descended on the echo and attempted to talk techie to us... perhaps we wouldn't be in serious echomail withdrawal at the moment. Perhaps I wasn't paying as much attention to the messages as I should have... and this has almost nothing at all to do with the fact that I played AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" on the other serial channel as I patiently waited for the cassette deck to load the echomail into my trailing-edge technology BBS running on the Sinclair ZX81. I saw the first couple of messages and pondered to myself: "Who *are* these guys?" and left it at that. When was it that we started the Commode D'Or echo? It must have been at least four years ago and possibly longer because I recall you foolishly losing our entire dental floss ranch on a silly bet concerning the longevity of disco music. We started the echo as a local effort so that we could discuss the more serious issues facing computer users in the frozen tundra... the high cost of whale blubber to keep the hard drives lubricated was a frequent topic of debate. The echo gained a loyal following and by some act of NEC/REC magic it found it's way onto the International Backbone. FidoNews 8-24 Page 18 17 Jun 1991 Nine months after the echo was placed on the backbone, the very first non-local message arrived. It was from some guy in New Jersey who quoted *everything* and appended very little of his own. Remember how riled he got when it was suggested that he book into the Betty Ford Clinic For The Criminally Uninspired to cure his rampant Quotaholism? In no time, he had marshalled more of his buddies to join the echo and, again, I asked myself: "Who *are* these guys?" As politely as we could, we pointed the New Jersoids to the CBM echo where *serious* Commodore techies could do whatever it is that consenting Commodore users do... and I really don't wanna know. We could tell they were a repressed and unhappy bunch when they chose to disbelieve us when we mentioned that most of our echomail traffic was carried by dog-teams across the frozen ice-flows. The Commode D'Or echo took on a special meaning when one of our parka pals actually operated a Fidonet BBS (163/227) on his C128, using software written by himself in Basic. (Basic is a programming language preferred by C programmers who have learned how to count, and thus don't get confused by line numbers...ahem.) Even Nanook's pet seal clapped her flippers in admiration that a C128 could be browbeaten into Fidonet mailer compliancy. Alas (please note: not "a lass"), the universe never seems to unfold as it should and the echo was soon invaded by the California Spam 'N Timmies. These new participants in the echo, if they had any reading comprehension at all, quickly announced that it was a "Commodore" echo. "No. No." we said "Commode D'Or... Commode D'Or... as in Golden Toilet." but they wouldn't listen. The reared up on thier hindpaws and *demanded* that we cease talking about 'frivolous' things immediately, or else. Now up here in the frozen north we've always been a friendly bunch and willing to accomodate almost anyone. (Tell Nanook that I'll return his wife later this week.) We figured that the California Spam 'N Timmies bunch could co-exist in the echo with us. We'd ignore their techie-talk, and they could ignore our exchanges about edible underwear, Caribou migrations, and the occasional C128 Fidonet mailer test message. One fellow, who was linked into the net via one of the gateways, announced that he would either change the echo, or destroy it. As usual, we didn't take him all that seriously since he kept signing his name by appending "President, Commodore User's Club". I mean really, a Commodore User's Club... it is to snicker. What we missed in our good hearted attempts to humour these fire-breathing intruders, was that Commodore users are probably the larval stage of Amiga users. You *know* how touchy the Amagatroids are about their toy computers. FidoNews 8-24 Page 19 17 Jun 1991 I guess it must have been Nanook who suggested that they either needed to have more fibre in their diet, or at least to get out and play on the freeway more often. Remember how excitable everyone got that time you brought your pet skunk to the wedding reception? Well, this situation wasn't much different. The California Spam 'N Timmies went hypercritical. We're talkin' major modem meltdown here. One of them, in an effort to show us what *real* Commodore messages looked like, cross-posted about 50 messages from the CBM echo and then proceeded to use some words that had something to do with an act of self-procreation. Another one of them, a fellow who identified himself as the NC of a Fidonet BBS, keep bleating for a ruling from the moderator. I spoke to the moderator and his response was as laid back as could be expected from someone whose front lawn is covered with snow for 11 1/2 months of the year. "No problem" he said, "The dweebs who are whining all live in California. We'll just be patient and let continental drift take care of them." It seemed like a wise course of action, and hey, if an earthquake took them out earlier then that was all the better. In an effort to make them feel welcome I participated in their new game of cross-posting messages. The one I chose happened to be about a yuppie-babe on a date with some vegetables.... a completely on topic and appropriate message for the Commode D'Or echo. I have no idea why a paragraph such as: "She poured a small splash of Genadine into the juicer followed by an over-ample dash of white rum. The pineapples which had rested upon smooth linen napkins winked up at her. She grasped a cherry by it's stem and gently teased the seed from it's depths with her tongue. Using both hands, she plunged the cherry pitter deep into a second cherry and carefully allowed the juices to run across her wrist before she raised her arm and sucked the delicate drops." ... could cause these people to be driven to near-apoplexy. As they went variously insane, they also netmailed all parts of the known Fidonet admin structure with whimpers of outrage. I don't know about you Visage, but it strikes me that these people must have suffered horribly as children by being forced to remain at the supper table until they'd finished all their vegetables. Faster than you could say "There's a skunk in the fridge", incoming WhineMail(tm) from *serious* *C-beings was filling my netmail directory. "Excuse me?" I rejoined, "You want to do what?" I asked incredulously. "You want all of us who have fun in the Commode D'Or echo to desist?" And just for old times sake, I asked myself: "Who *are* these guys?" I didn't worry all that much because as far as I knew at the time, no *EC in his right mind would blunder into an echo and try to enforce content rules, particularly since we were breaking no laws. FidoNews 8-24 Page 20 17 Jun 1991 But, and you'll be amazed by this, those *EC-beings have suddenly gotten religion in a major way. So much religion, in fact, that godlike powers have descended upon their able shoulders. Some of them, and this would have *really* impressed the crowds a coupla thousand years ago, some of them can actually walk and chew gum at the same time. I know, I know... we couldn't really expect any *ECs to read the echo which they were poised to incinerate... the comprehension levels alone would have precluded that, but surely one of them could have asked a few questions of us? Without the courtesy of a message entered in the echo telling us, the echo was taken out behind the ZEC's computer and quietly garrotted. They didn't even return the corpse for a decent burial. I don't really fault the *EC-beings, they're as likely to join a lynch mob as any other mortal, but the people I just cannot understand, are the ones who rode into the echo with their Policy4 Six-guns blazing for no real purpose. So I guess, if I were to ask myself again, "Who *are* these guys?", I'd have to respond that they are humourlous savages... more inclined to destroy than to create. They're the pioneers of a new era and their Policy-legimitimized thuggery is making a real mess of FidoNet. I must go, Visage. I was due at the studio an hour ago. "Dread Zeppelin" is doing a reggae version of "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and I've been hired to play the tuba solo. Regards, Doc Logger ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fredric L. Rice 1:102.901.0 Just a quick note to suggest a bit of a standard when applying the Pretty Good Privacy program described in FidoNews 823. I've had many downloads from my system since it was mentioned and the general consensus after viewing the project was that a magic file name should be selected by which anyone may request of a system its SysOps Public Key. FidoNews 8-24 Page 21 17 Jun 1991 Typically, PGPKEY was suggested, with Public Key identification of the SysOps last name, a comma, a space, and then the first name. Of course, the identification is easilly viewed using the -v option of PGP so that's not an important item to standardize. Fredric. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- by Will Schlichtman (1:350/59) MsgMstr - A Window into FidoNet Microsoft Windows v3.0 seems to have taken the country by storm and has become quite a viable platform for BBS operation and routine message manipulation. A major problem though seems to be a lack of FidoNet specific programs that take full advantage of Windows. Most current programs and utilities that evolved for FidoNet were developed before Windows was ever considered a feasible system. Hopefully, this situation will turn around soon and major components for FidoNet will be released as the advantages of running in the Windows environment become more apparent. To help kick off this boon to the FidoNet way of operations, I have written a message editor that should intrigue anyone interested in switching to the GUI interface, and to some that have yet to even consider it. Message Master (MsgMstr) is in its infancy at version 1.21 but contains a number of features normally found only in programs that have been around for a number of years. It exhibits a seasoned feel in that it utilizes not only the standard Windows-user interface techniques, but incorporates keystrokes that have become the standard among most *.MSG editors such as OpMed and MsgEd -- two respected DOS- based message editors of long standing. If you have become dependent upon the left/right arrow combination for message reading, then you are looking in the right direction when considering switching to MsgMstr. Some of MsgMstr's most prominent features include: - Very simple setup operation. Virtually effortless for those running BinkleyTerm. Great for point-operation too. - Full zone/point addressing. - Complete configuration of defaults for echo/matrix/local message areas, path and file locations/names, Origin lines. - Instant mail scanning. FidoNews 8-24 Page 22 17 Jun 1991 - Group message deletion and a feature called the Copy Machine, which is a powerful utility for sending mass mail. - Easy message forward/move/copy/delete. - File merge with automatic text replacement. - Complete message editing including header info and flag settings. - Control of echo area high-water marks. - Easy and intelligent freqing/file attach/update request options. - Automatic special storage area to place items for archiving. - Quick-Access buttons for the most common operations, available at all times on screen. Does not interfere with message observation and manipulation. - Complete documentation. All of these features are provided in the standard, easy-to-use interface that Windows 3.0 is noted for. Utilizing menus, dialog- boxes, buttons, and an editor with scrollbars, MsgMstr makes for a pleasant environment to spend your time in. Messages may be created up to 32,000 characters in length and employ quoted lines, tear and origin lines, ANSI or ASCII characters; cut and paste using the clipboard, and a whole array of interesting and useful features not included here. Message Master's future holds a bright light in features never before seen in message editors. Due to Window's flexibility, more can be accomplished and aid the user in message manipulation than could ever have been imagined in DOS-based programs. Plans are in place to add even more features that take advantage of this flexibility. MsgMstr is a formidable editor and very easy to use. It makes reading a 1000 messages a joy, not a task. In its current configuration, it has the features expected of any message editor for use in FidoNet. As I've demonsrated here, it holds much more. Just imagine what it will be once it has matured. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Anthony Grillo Fido 1:272/94 SIGN FRIENDS-NEW VERSION INFORMATION FidoNews 8-24 Page 23 17 Jun 1991 The author of SIGN FRIENDS, Fran O'Gorman, has issued a new version with additional chapters and even a special version for theatrical use. Sign Friends is a Sign Language Tutorial with a dictionary of 512 words, the alphabet, numbers and fingerspeller. The files are file requestable from 1:272/94 at US Robotics HST, V32bis, V42bis speeds at all times except Zone 1 Zone Mail Hour. FILES TO REQUEST: SF40-HD.ZIP 204898 06-16-91 Full 4.0 Version of Sign Friends designed for hard disk. SF40-1.ZIP 104217 06-16-91 Part 1 of program for Floppy Systems SF40-2.ZIP 103384 06-16-91 Part 2 of program for Floppy Systems SF4TH-E.ZIP 142880 06-04-91 Special Mini Version of Sign Friends for theatrical use. PROGRAM AUTHOR Just to clarify the situation. Fran O'Gorman is the author of Sign Friends. All program questions, suggestions, nice letters etc. should be addressed to Fran. Fran can be reached here by Netmail or on the SILENTTALK Echo. Anthony Grillo is the sysop of The Monroe Electronic Mall, one of the BBSs that carries the latest versions of SIGN FRIENDS. Any problems with downloading or file request should be addressed to Anthony. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Noel Bradford FidoNet 2:2/999 /* AARGH!!!! THIS article was submitted TWICE and was filled with ASCII HT characters -- 9 decimal!!!! Please, read ARTSPEC.DOC and follow it! -- tomj */ WORLDCON 1991 -- an Important Announcement WorldCon '91, the European Fidonet Convention, has had to change the venue, due to circumstances out of the control of the organisers. Fortunately, an alternative has been located after scouring the UK for a suitable location. FidoNews 8-24 Page 24 17 Jun 1991 Xenon Management Ltd (XML), the organisers, are pleased to announce the new venue will be:- Hatfield Polytechnic's Wall Hall Campus which is just outside Watford in Hertfordshire. As this is a campus the accommodation will be relatively basic (ie no TV or Phones in rooms or en-suite bathrooms) but cheap. Prices are from 25GBP per night (see below for details) The Current List of CONFIRMED VIP's includes:- Andrew Milner Author of Remote Access Daniel Kalchev RC Bulgaria David Doyle RC Ireland Felix Kasza ZC2 and European end of TAP Jim Deputy IC ADult Links Joaquim Homrighausen Author of Frontdoor & Tosscan Nik Bombelli REC Switzerland Orlando Castillo REC Spain Peter Janssens SDS ZC2 Subjects for discussion include:- Apathy in Fidonet - Is it a serious threat and do we care? Echomail Policy - Do we need it? A Sysops responsiblity for the contents of their system SDS/ADS/SDN/WINNET/DVNET - What are they all? Echomail - Cost Sharing BBS Subscriptions - the way forward or a step back? Bulletin boards & the Disabled Community Mail Routing - How does it work? Requirements for joining fidonet - Do these need reviewing? Users - How do I Attract them? Other things that will be going on........ A Full Non-delegate program including a full day guided sightseeing tour of London. The Traditional Disk throwing competition. A Fund raising banquet - All proceeds to the TAP project. Prize draws and Door Prizes You can keep up with all the latest news by hooking into WORLDCON.91 echo. The booking form follows and can be requested as magic name WORLDCON from the following nodes:- FidoNews 8-24 Page 25 17 Jun 1991 2:25/102 2:2/999 2:512/1 2:310/11 __ / \ /|oo \ - Worldcon '91 - (_| /_) - Including Eurocon V - _`@/_ \ _ | | \ \\ At Hatfield Polytechnic | (*) | \ )) Wall Hall Campus ______ |__U__| / \// Aldenham / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / Hertfordshire (________) (_/(_|(____/ (jm) ************************** * CONFERENCE INFORMATION * ************************** Worldcon '91 is to be held at Hatfield Polytechnic's Wall Hall Campus on July 26/27/28 1991. For your convenience the organisers have managed to negotiate some very good packages that include accommodation, all meals, & Conference fees. There is also a very special deal available for those who would like to bring their partner, or for those who have to bring their spouse (See PLAN C for details). Hatfield Polytechnic is renowned as a centre of academic excellence. The main subjects being Engineering, Computer Science, Business Studies, Educational and Natural Sciences. The Wall Hall campus site is based round a magnificent Gothic Mansion set in splendid grounds that include an open air heated swimming pool, tennis courts, Football and hockey pitches. There is a large gymnasium, and extensive grounds for games and walks. The adjacent golf course may be used (at additional cost) by delegates. The All Inclusive Deal covers the following:- Conference Fee. Morning coffee and shortbread Buffet Lunches Afternoon Tea & Cakes 2 x Dinner FidoNews 8-24 Page 26 17 Jun 1991 2 Nights Accommodation 2 x English Breakfast. ** Plan C includes the above plus room only accommodation for partner/spouse. There will also be further charge of 100.00 GBP to cover the cost of meals and the widow/widower program. ** * NON-DELEGATES' PROGRAM * This program has been specially designed for the ladies. This program includes a full day guided tour on Saturday. The tour includes :- * A unique look around the Royal Albert Hall * A Tour of Westminster Abbey * See the Changing of the Guard * Three course lunch on the river Thames * Tour of the Tower of London * See the Crown Jewels * Visit to St Pauls Cathedral Also included in the program is a Reception Buffet, the Banquet, and a Traditional British Sunday Lunch. ********************** * BOOKING CONDITIONS * ********************** You will notice that those who book early will benefit from our Early booking discounts. Please note -- the closing date for bookings is JULY 14th, 1991. Any bookings received after the closing date will be subject to a further 20% surcharge, payable at the time of booking. Please note when using the following tables of charges that the relevant date of the booking will be the actual date that the payment is made to the organisers' bank account, so please try to allow time for the funds to be cleared by the bank. ************************ * Cancellations Policy * ************************ Cancellations made prior to July 1st will receive a refund of 50% of the value of the booking. Cancellations made up to July 15th will receive a refund of 25% of the value of the booking; cancellations made thereafter will receive no refund whatsoever. CLOSING DATE FOR BOOKINGS IS July 14th!!! FidoNews 8-24 Page 27 17 Jun 1991 ************** * How to pay * ************** In order to process your booking correctly, we request that when make your booking, you indicate the mode of payment you will be using. * By Cheque (Euro-cheque or cheques drawn on a UK bank ONLY). Non European registrations please send a certified Bankers Cheque or Money Order . Please complete this form and send it with a cheque or money order for the total amount to: Worldcon '91 C/O Xenon Management Ltd 152 Lonsdale Drive, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 7NF Great Britain All Cheques and Money Orders should be made payable to XENON MANAGEMENT LTD. ALL FUNDS MUST BE IN POUNDS STERLING! * Bank Transfers * Money Must be transferred to account number 0209766 of XENON MANAGEMENT LTD and MUST include the reference "WORLDCON 91" At Lloyds Bank PLC 1 Silver Street Enfield Middlesex EN1 3EE ENGLAND UK SORTING CODE 30-93-07 PLEASE NOTE: You are responsible for any bank charges that may be incurred; please inform your bankers of this fact. You may register by Netmailing this completed form to 2:2/999 as well, which is the official Worldcon '91 for processing. Rename it to ZNNNXXXX.PPP where : FidoNews 8-24 Page 28 17 Jun 1991 "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 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. All Bookings will be confirmed by e-mail as soon payment has cleared the bank. +------ NOTICE - NOTICE - NOTICE - NOTICE - NOTICE -------+ | | | We are setting up several regional or national | | registration sites so you can register in your local | | currency. National registration sites have already been | | established in the following regions / countries: | | | | Zone 1 - USA / Canada - 1:103/158 - Jim Deputy | | Region 20 - Sweden - 2:201/329 - Mats Wallin | | Region 23 - Denmark - 2:231/91 - Jens Fallesen | | Region 24 - Germany - 2:244/8501 - Joerg Dassler | | Region 25 - UK - 2:2/999 - Noel Bradford | | Region 26 - Eire - 2:263/151 - David Doyle | | Region 28 - Netherlands - 2:512/1 - Peter Janssens | | Region 23 - Belguim - 2:295/49 - Ward Dossche | | | Pricing information in local currency will be made | | available a.s.a.p. as magic request name WORLDCON. | | | | If you are prepared to setup a national registration | | site for your country or region then please contact | | Noel Bradford at 2:2/999 as soon as possible. | +---------------------------------------------------------+ ************************ * The Pricing Schedule * ************************ All Prices in GBP ( pounds sterling) +--------+--------+ |Bookings|Bookings| |Before |After | |July 1 |July 1 | +------------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | Plan A. | 110.00 | 132.00 | | All inclusive Package | | | FidoNews 8-24 Page 29 17 Jun 1991 | Single Room | | | | 2 Nights | | | | Per Person | | | +------------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | Plan B | 100.00 | 120.00 | | All inclusive Package | | | | Twin room Shared | | | | 2 Nights | | | | Per Person | | | +------------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | Plan C | 125.00 | 150.00 | | All Inclusive Package | | | | Double Room | | | | 2 Nights | | | | * Special Deal * | | | | Delegate gets full inclusive package and | | | | partner gets room-only accommodation. | | | +------------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | Plan D | 55.00 | 66.00 | | All inclusive Package | | | | Single Room | | | | 1 Night ( Saturday ) | | | | Per Person | | | +------------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | Plan E | 50.00 | 60.00 | | All inclusive Package | | | | Twin room Shared | | | | 1 Night ( Saturday ) | | | | Per Person | | | +------------------------------------------+--------+--------+ +--------+--------+ |Bookings|Bookings| |Before |After | |July 1 |July 1 | +------------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | Plan F | 25.00 | 30.00 | | Conference only | | | | (Includes Tea/Coffee) | | | +------------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | Plan G | 45.00 | 55.00 | | Conference only | | | | (Includes Tea/Coffee AND LUNCH) | | | +------------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | Plan H | 100.00 | 110.00 | | Non-delegate Program | | | | (Includes Sunday lunch | | | | Banquet and Coach Trips) | | | +------------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | Plan I | 25.00 | 30.00 | FidoNews 8-24 Page 30 17 Jun 1991 | Banquet | | | | (Saturday Night) | | | +------------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | Plan J | 35.00 | 40.00 | | Bed & Breakfast ONLY | | | | Single Room | | | | Per night | | | +------------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | Plan K | 25.00 | 30.00 | | Bed & Breakfast ONLY | | | | Twin Room (Shared) | | | | Per Person Per Night | | | +------------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | Plan L | 50.00 | 60.00 | | Bed & Breakfast ONLY | | | | Double Room | | | | 2 persons per night | | | +------------------------------------------+--------+--------+ | Plan M | 40.00 | 45.00 | | Coach Trip Only | | | | (includes Lunch & all Admission Charges) | | | +------------------------------------------+--------+--------+ ********************* * THE BOOKING FORMS * ********************* PLEASE NOTE -- THE CLOSING DATE FOR BOOKINGS IS JULY 1st ! ********************************************* * Conference & Accomodation Booking Details * ********************************************* Name: ______________________________________________________ Address: __________________________ Apt. or Suite: ________ City: ______________________ State or Province: ___________ Postal Code: __________________ Country: __________________ Voice Phone: ____________________ Data: ___________________ Zone:Net/Node.Point@Domain: ________________________________ Payment by Cheque/Euro-Cheque/Money Order/Bank Transfer +--------+--------------+---+------+-------+-------+-------+ | Option | Full Name |Qty|Day in|Day out|Pricing| Total | +--------+--------------+---+------+-------+-------+-------+ | PLAN A | | | 26/7 | 28/7 | | | FidoNews 8-24 Page 31 17 Jun 1991 +--------+--------------+---+------+-------+-------+-------+ | PLAN B | | | 26/7 | 28/7 | | |(1) +--------+--------------+---+------+-------+-------+-------+ | PLAN C | | | 26/7 | 28/7 | | |(2) +--------+--------------+---+------+-------+-------+-------+ | PLAN D | | | 26/7 | | | | +--------+--------------+---+--------------+-------+-------+ | PLAN E | | | 26/7 | | | | +--------+--------------+---+--------------+-------+-------+ | PLAN F | | | N / A | | |(3) +--------+--------------+---+------+-------+-------+-------+ | PLAN G | | | N / A | | |(4) +--------+--------------+---+------+-------+-------+-------+ | PLAN H | | | 26/7 | 28/7 | | | +--------+--------------+---+------+-------+-------+-------+ | PLAN I | | | N / A | | |(5) +--------+--------------+---+------+-------+-------+-------+ | PLAN J | | | | | | | +--------+--------------+---+--------------+-------+-------+ | PLAN K | | | | | | | +--------+--------------+---+--------------+-------+-------+ | PLAN L | | | | | | | +--------+--------------+---+--------------+-------+-------+ | PLAN M | | | | | | |(6) +--------+--------------+---+--------------+*******========| | Total | | ----------------- * Special requirements: _____________________________________ * Arrange a room under plan-B for me, I am : male / female My roommate should be : smoker / no-smoker / no preference I prefer to share my room with : ________________________ * For my meals, I prefer : vegetarian / non-vegetarian * Plan G/L participants name is: ____________________________ (1) Plan B is based on two people sharing a Twin Room. (2) Plan C includes accommodation on a room-only basis for a NON delegate ie Wife/Partner. All meals for the Non- Delegate are their own responsibility. (however all meals except Breakfast are included in Plan G). (3) Plan F is for those delegates who wish to arrange their own accommodation and lunches and so just includes Tea/coffee, and Conference Fees. (4) Plan G is for those delegates who wish to arrange their own FidoNews 8-24 Page 32 17 Jun 1991 accommodation and so just includes Lunches/tea/coffee, and Conference Fees. (5) Plan I is for those who are on Plan F or Plans J/K/L that wish to attend the Banquet on Saturday Evening (This is included in Plans A/B/C/D). (6) Plan M is just the Coach tour element of Plan H including Lunch. This tour departs from the hotel at 10am. ************************ * Booking Confirmation * ************************ I wish to confirm this as a FIRM BOOKING and that it is subject to the cancellation conditions as set out above, to which I agree to be bound. I understand that the booking wi ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Draft FidoNet Election Policy Revision: 31-Mar-91 Luke Kolin, 1:250/714@fidonet.org As a recognition that FidoNet is based on democratic principles, the positions of the NC and RC shall be made elective. The following is an election policy that intends to fulfill the democratic intent of FidoNet. 1) Glossary of Terms "Elected Officer" Any elected NC or RC. "Immediate The administrator one level higher in the FidoNet Superior" hierarchy. For example, an NC's immediate superior would be the RC, a ZC's would be the IC. "Returning System" The equivelant of Chief Electoral Officer. It is the sysop of this system who will post notices advising eligible sysops as to who is running and the close of the election, will count the ballots and announce a winner. "Semi-Secret This is a ballot where a voter's choice is known Ballot" only by the returning system, and by any routing systems that the returning officer may designate. A voter sends his ballot in with a password. At the close of the election, the returning system will post a list of passwords and the votes asso- ciated with them. Voters may then check to see that their password and votes have been received. FidoNews 8-24 Page 33 17 Jun 1991 2) Calling of an Election a) An election for a position shall be required by notice of one of the following events being given: i) Resignation of an elected officer; ii) An elected officer seeking a renewed mandate. b) An elected officer who has resigned may appoint another sysop to act in his stead during the election; however, this interim officer must be ratified by the interim officer's immediate superior. He may act as a returning system, as outlined in sections 1c and d. c) Within three (3) days of this occurring, a formal call of election must be given by the immediate superior of the position that shall be voted upon, stating: i) The date of the election; ii) The name of the returning system. d) An election must take place within thirty-two (32) days of the formal call of election, and every reasonable effort must be made to select a returning system acceptable to all. 3) Voter Eligibility a) All sysops listed in the FidoNet nodelist as of twenty-one (21) full days before the close of the election are entitled to vote. b) All sysops get one (1) vote only. c) In network-specific elections, only sysops listed in that network and meeting requirement 2a) are entitled to vote. 4) Voter Notification a) All elections shall be conducted via a semi-secret ballot. The identity of the voter shall be known only to the returning system. b) The returning system must post a public message in the REG12 echo informing all systems of: i) The date of the vote; ii) The position being voted on; iii) The returning system's address; no less than thirty (30) days before the close of the election by the counting of the ballots. c) All eligible sysops will receive a netmail message from the returning system informing them of: FidoNews 8-24 Page 34 17 Jun 1991 i) The date/time ballots must be received by; ii) The position being voted on; iii) The candidates; iv) The returning system's address; v) Valid systems to route their ballot through. no less than ten (10) full days before the end of the election by the counting of the ballots. After this message is sent out, ballots will be accepted by the returning system. d) Systems unable to receive the message in 3c) will have a message of notification placed in the REG12 echo no less than seven (7) full days before the end of the election by the counting of the ballots. 5) Candidate Eligibility a) All candidates for the position being voted on must have been listed in the FidoNet nodelist as of twenty-one (21) days before the close of the election. b) Candidates must register by sending a message of intent to the returning system's address no less than fourteen (14) full days before the end of the election by the counting of the ballots. c) All candidates have the right to post up to three (3) messages per week about their candidacy in the REG12 area and the admin- istrative area of each network. d) No one may prevent any candidate from posting an equal number of advertising messages than another. 6) Voting Procedure, Election Results, and Enforcement a) All ballots must be in by the closing date and time specified in all the notices given. b) All ballots must have a sysop name, address, and an alphanumeric password of nine (9) characters or less. c) To avoid toll charges, ballots may be routed through any system listed in the notice specified in 3c). d) The returning system must acknowlege the receipt of each ballot, but since this receipt can be routed, it should not indicate either the password or choice given in the ballot. e) The returning system must acknowledge the results of the election by providing a message: i) Listing all the nodes who voted; FidoNews 8-24 Page 35 17 Jun 1991 ii) Providing a list of passwords and their vote; iii) Providing a total for each candidate; iv) Providing a total of abstentions; v) Providing the total number of eligible systems. to be posted in the REG12 echo, as well as forwarded to all the NCs in Region 12, no more than three (3) days after the close of the election. f) To be declared the winner, a candidate must receive a simple plurality of all the votes cast. g) Any complaints or violations of this elections policy should be reported to the returning system. The returning system and the immediate superior of the position being voted upon shall rule on any complaints. They have the option of anulling any results and calling a new election. 7) Ratification Votes Ratification votes shall be conducted in a similar matter to the election of a *C with the following differences: a) The RC shall designate a sysop as returning officer, and shall issue a formal notice of a ratification vote which shall be the same as in Section 3c) of this policy, except that the name of the candidates shall be replaced by the name of the document being ratified. This shall be issued no less than fourteen (14) days before the close of the election. b) Eligibility requirements, ballots, and tabulation are the same as for any other election. 8) Miscellaneous a) In this document, the male implies the female, the singular implies the plural, etc., etc., except where it wouldn't make sense. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Steve Winter FidoNet 1:151/208 209 Preface: The purpose of my writings here is not to necessarily "convert" or hassle anyone who is content in their current lifestyle or religion; but rather, to show what the real Biblical criteria for Christianity is and thereby expose those who are conning others. Whether they are conning people financially or socially, false preachers and false Christians are doing great harm to their fellow man. Just a basic elementary Bible knowledge could keep current and future "Jim & Tammy" types from conning anyone or stealing a penny (they weren't even teaching the real Bible message, EVER). FidoNews 8-24 Page 36 17 Jun 1991 The 'Re-Birth of water' IS Jesus name baptism. I hope to herein expose one of the major lies that false preachers are teaching these days. If I seem emotional, it's just that I hate to see people being conned. In John 3:5, Jesus told a full grown man that he needed to be born again of a spiritual birth which consisted of water and spirit. (notice two distinct elements WATER and SPIRIT). Satan has many misinformed, and some knowingly deceiving false preachers that teach that the "birth of the water" refers to a man's physical birth (since there is a watery fluid involved at birth). That teaching is one of the cheapest, cop out, deceptions in Satan's arsenal to deceive people about the IMPORTANCE of baptism. John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Notice that Jesus was declaring what a MAN had to do (not a baby), and that Jesus was referring to a RE-BIRTH; being BORN AGAIN. He could not have been referring to the fluids of a baby's birth. He was telling a grown MAN how to be BORN AGAIN. Oh, it sounds real convincing to look at it as "physical birth", unless you consider that he was talking to a grown MAN telling him how to be RE-BORN. If that isn't enough to convince you, then just look at how WATER and SPIRIT are BOTH elements in the plan of salvation that was preached by Peter at the beginning of the new testament church: Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. According to the Bible, Jesus name Baptism is what washes away sins, (remission of sins). Let's notice carefully this next verse: Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Then, if you are still not convinced let's look at another verse that Jesus spoke (and I certainly pray that you will not suggest that a non-believer would even consider Jesus name water baptism). Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Seek how the same God that said Water was part of the RE-BIRTH also declared "and is baptized", how could the Bible be any clearer? Remember, Jesus was talking to a GROWN MAN telling him about a RE-BIRTH, and, as a matter of fact, babies are born IN water, NOT 'OF' Water.. Don't be Deceived. FidoNews 8-24 Page 37 17 Jun 1991 Steve Winter - [moderator HOLY_BIBLE] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 8-24 Page 38 17 Jun 1991 ====================================================================== RANTS AND FLAMES ====================================================================== _(*#$_(*@#(* (*^$+)#(%&+| #$)%(&*#_$ @_#( @$ ^@#+)(#&%$*+)$%&*+$*%&#@(@#_|)*%|)#%&)#*%&+(@#&*_+(@#*^&@### *&#_($*&#$_(*#&$_(#*$&$ _(#$*#$+)#($&*+#)$ &#+$*&# ()*&#$_(&^#$_(#*$_#($^&#_$(^&#_$(&^#$_(&#^ damn right _(#^&$_(#^& $*&#$_+(* #)$&(%($%+)($%*+$)%($* it's ugly _#&%^# & #($_*#$_ FidoNet (*$&%_@#_(*&@#_(@*#&_ @#_(*&@#_(* )*&#$ Flames *^$+)#(% (not for the timid) @_#( (*#$_(*^@#+) and #_|)*% &+(@#&*_+(@#*^&@### (#$*&#_($*&#$_(*#&$_(#* Rants *&+#$*&#+$*&# )*&#$_(a regular feature)^&#_$(&^#$_ $^&#$_(#^ (*^#$_*#^&$)*#&$^%)#*$&^_#($*^&#_($ Section #&%^_ _(*#&$_(#* #($*& #$* _(*&@#_(@*# *&@#_(*& )&*+_)*&+)*&+))&*(*& (*&_(*&_(*& ---------------------------------------------------------------------- David Rice Last Known Whereabouts: 1:103/903.0 The Astro-Net IIII deplore and condemn such programs as EDMEESE and EXCLUDE, which II nukes or otherwise removes or restricts =LOCAL= message traffic on IIII a BBS. It is my opinion that when a user sends or posts a message, it "should" be available for the rest of the users to view. Of course what messages exists on a SysOps' BBS is her / his business; they are quite autarchic; what messages they choose not to post for THAT NODE'S users is their choice. The other scenario, where a SysOp might remove =Echo Mail= is, of course, immoral, unethical, and should be dealt swiftly and sternly by the FidoNet hierarchy; it is not the lone SysOp's right, let alone "duty," to censor material destined for other nodes without DAMN GOOD reason (also just my opinion-- not FidoLaw (tm) "yet"). Fortunately, the cases of the later have been few. That said (and I hope clearly), I also applaud the new editor of FidoNews, Tom Jennings, for choosing to publish "all" articles that are submitted (within very broad specifications, most being technical and not political--- thank Goddess!). Which is why I also applaud Jenning's publications of Steve Winter's occult diatribes (and in the case of FNews 8-23, Winter's paranoid tirade concerning "religious persecutions"). One person's "spreading the word(s)" is another person's "excessively annoying behavior," and Tom wisely left it up to us, the readers, to decide which is which. FidoNews 8-24 Page 39 17 Jun 1991 He also leaves it up to the System Operators to pay good money to spread Winter's occultism, even when it is against their ethical and moral principles. Take for an instance the article on "speaking in tongues," which I'm very sure 96% of the system operators who had to foot the bill spreading such sophistic, irrational tripe would rather avoid. I could choose to be almost as annoying as Winter and post some facts about glossolalia, and how studies demonstrate that such speakers are actually speaking their native languages modified only by severe guttural stops, and in passing note the fact that many people "speak in tongues" when they orgasm; but then it may be just as excessively annoying as Winter's occult harangues. Which makes me wonder something. Since Winter is the moderator of a Christian occultism echo, which presumably is available to all interested parties--- why does he subject his occultism on those who have no interest in it? Surely if someone were interested, one would just get the echo. I again applaud the policy of FidoNews publishing "everything." I do not wish to see this policy change, even though this means Steve Winter will probably continue burdening us with his vivid hallucinations and public bible masturbations. Please file these comments from me under "food for thought." To summarize. Censorship is "wrong" in my opinion. And yet it is also "wrong" to have several thousand system operators ship material around that they feel is against their principles. We have a stake in promoting rational, logical thinking, and yet we also have a stake in allowing illogical, irrational thinkers like Winter to speak as they please. This right is a two-edges sword, that must cut both ways. Do you object to Steve Winter's occult hysteria in FidoNews? Send a letter to HIM instead of the editor, complaining. It is Winter's job to restrain his fevered rants, not Ton Jennings' job to censor them. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Speaking In Verse: Proposed change to editorial policy in regards to articles of questionable merit to FidoNews. Brennan O'Brien Sysop: Palomar's Halo BBS 1:105/302 (503)641-9476 I've been reading FNews for about a year now, off amd on. Usually, I don't have any guff with anything that is said, but there was an article in Fnews823 that really got to me. FidoNews 8-24 Page 40 17 Jun 1991 It is my personal belief that FidoNews is one of the most useful means of transmitting data "from above" to "the masses" that is available to us. It serves as an information piece, a forum, and a platform to ballon new policies. FNews823 was filled with useful commentary and discussion, as usual. There was, however, one piece that did bother me. The article by Steve Winters in Re: Speaking in Tounges. I believe firmly in religious freedom of expression, in the correct place. There was no part of the article that I could find that was of any value in regards to FidoNet as a community and technology (Sidebar: Not to say that the article lacked any value, just not that which I felt contributed to the knowledge of FidoNet operators in regards to our State of The Net.). I would ask formally that the editors loosely examine articles for relevence to FidoNet as a whole. I don't expect FNews to become a forum for debate of topics that don't effect the operations or future of FidoNet. There are places aplenty in modemland and FidoNet to take up these discussions (Religion, Sexual Affinity, Abortion, and Politics to name a few). Fnews CERTAINLY does not need to deal with these issues in order to insure proper coverage. I say loosely examine the articles because there are many that surely come in that have limited merit. Essentially, I am requesting a clarification be made towards an article with LIMITED apparent merit and NO apparent merit. This distinction is much like that of "excessively annoying" in that it is difficult to codify. But, there are some obvious guidelines: Topics related to telecommunications, FidoNet, and the history and future thereof, including the social, cultural, economic and political dynamics of modeming are always of reasonable merit. Topics related to "Adventures in Modemland", inclusive of troubles, difficulties, heartwarming moments, etc. are of reasonable merit. Topics related to ethics, mores, behavior and other aspects of psychology and sociology, when related to telecommunications/FidoNet, are of reasonable merit. Topics which are not related to (except by a stretch of the imagination) any of the above qualifiers are to be considered without merit, and their publication may be restricted at the decision of the FNews editor(s). FidoNews 8-24 Page 41 17 Jun 1991 Now, you may be asking why I want to make this sort of distinction. Do I want to "BAN" articles such as "Speaking" from Fido? No. Not at all. What I do want is a place where I can read the "What's Going On" stuff WITHOUT having to read the "hard moral issues" of religion, politics, abortion, etc. There are a mass of places on my BBS, on other BBS', and on FidoNet in general, where I can CHOOSE to go someplace and read these hard hitting issues. Please, give me a place where I don't have to. --- /* "Please, give me a place where I don't have to [choose]." Pretty much says it all. Sorry, I don't let people off that easy :-) -- tomj */ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 8-24 Page 42 17 Jun 1991 ====================================================================== CLASSIFIEDS ====================================================================== ADVERTISEMENT POLICY: Submissions must be 20 lines or less each, maximum two ads per advertiser, 70 characters per line maximum. No control codes except CR and LF. (Refer to contact info at the end of this newsletter for details.) Please notify us if you have any trouble with an advertiser. FidoNews does not endorse any products or services advertised here. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 8-24 Page 43 17 Jun 1991 ====================================================================== NOTICES ====================================================================== ICDM HQ 1:352/777 77:1/0 PUBLIC APOLOGY I apologize to anyone who has been inconvenienced by an emergency change in my phone number. The nodelist has not been updated, but my phone number has been changed. At the same time that this happened, I advertised that you can call my system and file request ICDM for info on the ICDM Network. Well, since the nodelist is incorrect, you can't file request. (You can Host- Route a netmail, though, direct to 352/0). If you desire to file request info, you may want to override the nodelist for this week. The old number for 1:352/777 is 1-206-666-9113. The new number is 1-206-866-3621. In case you do not know what info I am refering to, here is a summary: Notice: Invitation to Carry ICDM Net There has begun a new, auxiliary network, which has as a purpose the linking of persons interested in religion. This is a specialized Network, aimed at bridging cultures, and enlightening participants on the faiths of others. It is open to any board that is FidoNet compatible. It is compiled as a separate Zone (77), so your software must be Zone aware. It is open to any faith, any person, regardless of sex, creed, color, etc. etc. The HOST is Tomas Hood, 1:352/777, the Zone 77 Co-ordinator. There may be connections close to you, and as we grow, there will surely be! For more information, send netmail to 1:352/777, and request ICDM, which is an information packet. Thanks for your interest and we look forward to hearing from you. And, thanks for understanding the problem with my phone number chages. -=Tomas Hood=- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 8-24 Page 44 17 Jun 1991 The Interrupt Stack 26 Jul 1991 WORLDCON '91 -- July 26-28 -- The First Global Fidonet Conference - London England. Details From 2:25/102 or 1:103/158 freq magic name WORLDCON. 15 Aug 1991 8 Sep 1991 7 Oct 1991 Area code 415 fragments. Alameda and Contra Costa Counties will begin using area code 510. This includes Oakland, Concord, Berkeley and Hayward. San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, parts of Santa Clara County, and the San Francisco Bay Islands will retain area code 415. 1 Nov 1991 Area code 301 will split. Area code 410 will consist of the northeastern part of Maryland, as well as the eastern shore. This will include Baltimore and the surrounding area. Area 301 will include southern and western parts of the state, including the areas around Washington DC. Area 410 phones will answer to calls to area 301 until November, 1992. 1 Feb 1992 Area code 213 fragments. Western, coastal, southern and eastern portions of Los Angeles County will begin using area code 310. This includes Los Angeles International Airport, West Los Angeles, San Pedro and Whittier. Downtown Los Angeles and surrounding communities (such as Hollywood and Montebello) will retain area code 213. 1 Dec 1993 Tenth anniversary of Fido Version 1 release. 5 Jun 1997 David Dodell's 40th Birthday If you have something which you would like to see on this calendar, please send a message to FidoNet node 1:1/1. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Please add this entry to the FidoNet utilities section of FidoNews. Message Master (refered to as MsgMstr) is a FTSC-type message editor for Windows v3.0 and PC-based machines. It is at v1.21. Please list it as: MsgMstr v1.21 in the appropriate format for FidoNews. FidoNews 8-24 Page 45 17 Jun 1991 Thanks...Will Schlichtman 1:350/59 the author ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Tomas Hood FidoNet 1:352/777 ICDM Network 77:77/1 FINEARTS ECHO NOW AVAILABLE! FINEARTS is a conference for anyone who enjoys the Fine Arts, from Theatre to Poetry, Painting or Sculpure, and all in between. This is for the person who performs, or simply enjoys. This is an open conference. We pass on film festival info, talk about Longfellow, or discuss oil painting. Join us! It is, at present, a non-backbone Echo Hosted and Moderated by Tomas Hood [1:352/777]. Initial links will be provided from this system to any and all who request same. However, it is about to become part of Region 17's available echoes. If there is enough of a demand, it can possibly be negotiated onto the backbone. The Echo is open to anyone who desires to discuss the topic of the Fine Arts. A sample of the first few messages and the statement of purpose of the Echo is available as FNART (majyk name for FNART.ARJ) from this system anytime. The ARJ archive utility is also available as "ARJ," if you wish to get an idea of whether to commit disk space to the Echo. I hope you will join us or ask your Sysop to request a link via Netmail to 1:352/777. Cheers! Tomas Hood ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 8-24 Page 46 17 Jun 1991 ====================================================================== LATEST VERSIONS ====================================================================== Latest Software Versions MS-DOS Systems -------------- Bulletin Board Software Name Version Name Version Name Version DMG 2.93 Phoenix 1.3 TAG 2.5g Fido 12t+ QuickBBS 2.66 TBBS 2.1 GSBBS 3.02 RBBS 17.3B TComm/TCommNet 3.4 Lynx 1.30 RBBSmail 17.3B Telegard 2.5 Kitten 2.16 RemoteAccess 1.01* TPBoard 6.1 Maximus 1.02 SLBBS 1.77A Wildcat! 2.55 Opus 1.14+ Socrates 1.10 WWIV 4.12 PCBoard 14.5a SuperBBS 1.10 XBBS 1.17 Network Node List Other Mailers Version Utilities Version Utilities Version BinkleyTerm 2.40 EditNL 4.00 ARC 7.0 D'Bridge 1.30 MakeNL 2.31 ARCAsim 2.30 Dutchie 2.90C ParseList 1.30 ARCmail 2.07 FrontDoor 2.00 Prune 1.40 ConfMail 4.00 InterMail 2.01* SysNL 3.14 Crossnet v1.5 PRENM 1.47 XlatList 2.90 DOMAIN 1.42 SEAdog 4.60* XlaxDiff 2.40* EMM 2.02 TIMS 1.0(Mod8) XlaxNode 2.40* 4Dog/4DMatrix 1.18 Gmail 2.05 GROUP 2.16 GUS 1.30 HeadEdit 1.18 IMAIL 1.10 InterPCB 1.31 LHARC 1.13 MSG 4.1 MSGED 2.06 MSGTOSS 1.3 Oliver 1.0a PK[UN]ZIP 1.10 PolyXarc 2.1a* QM 1.0 QSORT 4.03 ScanToss 1.28 Sirius 1.0x SLMAIL 1.36 StarLink 1.01 FidoNews 8-24 Page 47 17 Jun 1991 TagMail 2.41 TCOMMail 2.2 Telemail 1.27 TMail 1.21 TPBNetEd 3.2 TosScan 1.00 UFGATE 1.03 XRS 4.50* XST 2.3e ZmailH 1.14 OS/2 Systems ------------ Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version Maximus-CBCS 1.02 BinkleyTerm 2.40 Parselst 1.32 ConfMail 4.00 EchoStat 6.0 oMMM 1.52 Omail 3.1 MsgEd 2.06 MsgLink 1.0C MsgNum 4.14 LH2 0.50 PK[UN]ZIP 1.02 ARC2 6.00 PolyXarc 2.1a* Qsort 2.1 Raid 1.0 Remapper 1.2 Tick 2.0 VPurge 2.07 Xenix/Unix 386 -------------- BBS Software Mailers Other Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version BinkleyTerm 2.32B Unzip 3.10 ARC 5.21 ParseLst 1.32 Vpurge 4.08 [Contact: Jon Hogan-Duran 3:711/909, Ommm 1.42 Willy Paine 1:343/15, Eddy van Loo Msged 2.06 2:285/406] Zoo 2.01 FidoNews 8-24 Page 48 17 Jun 1991 C-Lharc 1.00 Omail 1.00 MSGREN MSGLNK 1.01 Apple II ---------- Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version GBBS Pro 2.1 Fruity Dog 2.0* ShrinkIt 3.23 DDBBS + 7.4* ShrinkIt GS 1.04 deARC2e 2.1 ProSel 8.69* Apple CP/M ---------- Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version Daisy v2j Daisy Mailer 0.38 Nodecomp 0.37 MsgUtil 2.5 PackUser v4 Filer v2-D UNARC.COM 1.20 Macintosh --------- Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version Red Ryder Host 2.1 Tabby 2.2 MacArc 0.04 Mansion 7.15 Copernicus 1.0 ArcMac 1.3 WWIV (Mac) 3.0 LHArc 0.41 Hermes 1.5 StuffIt Classic 1.6 FBBS 0.91 Compact Pro 1.30 Precision Systems 0.95b* TImport 1.92 TeleFinder Host 2.12T10 TExport 1.92 Timestamp 1.6 Tset 1.3 Import 3.2 Export 3.21 Point System Software Sundial 3.2 FidoNews 8-24 Page 49 17 Jun 1991 PreStamp 3.2 Name Version OriginatorII 2.0 AreaFix 1.6 Copernicus 1.0 Mantissa 3.21 CounterPoint 1.09 Zenith 1.5 Eventmeister 1.0 TSort 1.0 Mehitable 2.0 UNZIP 1.02c Zip Extract 0.10 Amiga ----- Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version Falcon CBBS 0.45 BinkleyTerm 1.00 AmigArc 0.23 Paragon 2.082+ TrapDoor 1.50 AReceipt 1.5 TransAmiga 1.07 WelMat 0.44 booz 1.01 ConfMail 1.12 ChameleonEdit 0.10 ElectricHerald1.66 Lharc 1.30 Login 0.18 MessageFilter 1.52 oMMM 1.49b ParseLst 1.64 PkAX 1.00 PolyxAmy 2.02 RMB 1.30 Roof 44.03 RoboWriter 1.02 Rsh 4.06 Skyparse 2.30 Tick 0.75 TrapList 1.12 UNZIP 1.31 Yuck! 1.61 Zippy (Unzip) 1.25 Zoo 2.01 Atari ST/TT ----------- Bulletin Board Network Node List Software Version Mailer Version Utilities Version FIDOdoor/ST 2.3.2* BinkleyTerm 2.40l ParseList 1.30 QuickBBS/ST 1.02 The BOX 1.20 Xlist 1.12 Pandora BBS 2.41c EchoFix 1.20 GS Point 0.61 sTICK/Hatch 5.50 LED ST 1.00 MSGED 1.96S FidoNews 8-24 Page 50 17 Jun 1991 Archiver Msg Format Other Utilities Version Converters Version Utilities Version LHARC 0.60 TB2BINK 1.00 ConfMail 4.03 LHARC2 3.18 BINK2TB 1.00 ComScan 1.02 ARC 6.02 FiFo 2.1n* Import 1.14 PKUNZIP 1.10 OMMM 1.40 Pack 1.00 FastPack 1.20 FDrenum 2.2.7 Trenum 0.10 Archimedes ---------- BBS Software Mailers Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version ARCbbs 1.44 BinkleyTerm 2.03 Unzip 2.1TH ARC 1.03 !Spark 2.00d ParseLst 1.30 BatchPacker 1.00 + Netmail capable (does not require additional mailer software) * Recently changed Utility authors: Please help keep this list up to date by reporting new versions to 1:1/1. It is not our intent to list all utilities here, only those which verge on necessity. /* NOTE: Until 1 Aug 1991 versions are on "hold" til the editor gets back and finds a volunteer to maintain this file. -- tomj */ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 8-24 Page 51 17 Jun 1991 ------- FIDONEWS MASTHEAD AND CONTACT INFORMATION ---------------- Editors: Tom Jennings, Tim Pozar Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell, Vince Periello Special thanks to Ken Kaplan, 1:100/22, aka Fido #22 "FidoNews" BBS FidoNet 1:1/1 Internet fidonews@fidonews.fidonet.org BBS (415)-863-2739 (9600 HST/V32) (Postal Service mailing address) FidoNews Box 77731 San Francisco CA 94107 USA Published weekly by and for the Members of the FidoNet international amateur electronic mail system. It is a compilation of individual articles contributed by their authors or their authorized agents. The contribution of articles to this compilation does not diminish the rights of the authors. Opinions expressed in these articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of FidoNews. FidoNews is copyright 1991 Fido Software. All rights reserved. Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances, please contact FidoNews (we're easy). OBTAINING COPIES: FidoNews in electronic form may be obtained from the FidoNews BBS via manual download or Wazoo FileRequest, or from various sites in the FidoNet and via uucp. PRINTED COPIES mailed may be obtained from Fido Software for $5.00US each PostPaid First Class within North America, or $7.00US elsewhere, mailed Air Mail. (US funds drawn upon a US bank only.) Periodic subscriptions are not available at this time; if enough people request it I will implement it. SUBMISSIONS: You are encouraged to submit articles for publication in FidoNews. Article submission requirements are contained in the file ARTSPEC.DOC, available from the FidoNews BBS, or Wazoo filerequestable from 1:1/1 as file "ARTSPEC.DOC". FidoNews 8-24 Page 52 17 Jun 1991 "Fido", "FidoNet" and the dog-with-diskette are U.S. registered trademarks of Tom Jennings of Fido Software, Box 77731, San Francisco CA 94107, USA and are used with permission. -- END ----------------------------------------------------------------------