F I D O N E W S -- Vol.10 No.41 (10-Oct-1993) +----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | A newsletter of the | | | FidoNet BBS community | Published by: | | _ | | | / \ | "FidoNews" BBS | | /|oo \ | +1-519-570-4176 1:1/23 | | (_| /_) | | | _`@/_ \ _ | Editors: | | | | \ \\ | Sylvia Maxwell 1:221/194 | | | (*) | \ )) | Donald Tees 1:221/192 | | |__U__| / \// | Tim Pozar 1:125/555 | | _//|| _\ / | | | (_/(_|(____/ | | | (jm) | Newspapers should have no friends. | | | -- JOSEPH PULITZER | +----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Submission address: editors 1:1/23 | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Internet addresses: | | | | Sylvia -- max@exlibris.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca | | Donald -- donald@exlibris.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca | | Tim -- pozar@kumr.lns.com | | Both Don & Sylvia (submission address) | | editor@exlibris.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | For information, copyrights, article submissions, | | obtaining copies and other boring but important details, | | please refer to the end of this file. | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ ======================================================================== Table of Contents ======================================================================== 1. Editorial..................................................... 1 2. Articles...................................................... 2 Censorship in Fido (zzzzzzz)................................ 2 Electronic Magazines - Even More Information!............... 5 Privacy in FidoNet? [Yes, SecureMail!]...................... 6 3. Fidonews Information.......................................... 8 ======================================================================== Editorial ======================================================================== FidoNews 10-41 Page: 2 10 Oct 1993 I am astonished. Five minutes after the snooze went out the door last week, I realized that I had misnamed the archive due to a typo. I expected several hundred letters to the editor as is wont to happen when a technical change is made. But no. Zippo. Not one. Now I am wondering DOES ANYBODY READ THIS? C'est la vie. The Kitchener/Waterloo area, where we live, has a very large Mennonite population. The old order brethren have forsaken most of the modern amenities of life, and still farm with horses, live without electricity, and live the way most did a few hundred years back. I lived out on a farm in the heart of that country for a few years, and have many fond memories of sitting beside a woodstove with my neighbours and talking lifestyles, philosophies, and the trials af calving. I am a techno-freak, with a living-room heated by a network of computers ... that never seemed to matter much. We receive letters often that are addressed to us, not to the snooze, and often they take issue with an editorial. Something that often happens, and that I cannot understand, is the assumption that many make ... that because I believe in one thing for myself, that I must want others to believe the same thing for themselves. I believe the world works progressively when many people express many things. That I speak out on one issue does not mean that I agree with everything that I did not speak against, nor does it mean that I hold other viewpoints as being less valid than my own. I, this individual who is me, have chosen a specific viewpoint as my own, for this particular moment. i read a story about Ghandi and Neru. i'm probably misquoting, but this is how i remember it: Nehru took issue with Ghandhi because he said one thing one day, and another thing the next day. Gandhi explained that he had learned something since yesterday. There are two kinds of truth: one which is ultimate but ineffable, and another which is a tool for living that can be honed and refined by experience. On with the experiment... ======================================================================== Articles ======================================================================== Censorship in Fido (zzzzzzz) by Steven Haslam [Lord Cadvridoc The Haz] @ FidoNet#2:250/229 Censorship in Fido (yawn); you know where your PageDown key is ;-) I usually keep my mouth shut. On reading Snooze 10,40 I duly applied my extension of the five-minute rule (five days, like) but I *still* wanted to write. FidoNews 10-41 Page: 3 10 Oct 1993 "What got you, kid?" you may ask. (You may be either more or less polite at your own discretion). To confound the people who know me, and would predict otherwise, I'll tell you. Why why why do people get upset when people talk about things that offend them? "Why am I forced to listen to this?" "Why must I watch this?" Folks, if you had a *life* you wouldn't have to! Have you got nothing bettern to do then "cry and moan and complain?" As Mr. Dampier says: >We should be using the same approach we use with offensive TV >programs: if you don't like what you see, turn the channel. The people who can't agree with this fall in line with Manuel's image of the congresswoman in Free Luna (Robert Heinlein; "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress"). I'll quote it for some light relief: `Thing that got me was not her list of things she hated, since she was obviously crazy as a Cyborg, but fact that always somebody agreed with her prohibitions. Must be a yearning deep in human heart to stop other people from doing as they please. Rules, laws- always for _other_ fellow. A murky part of us, something we had before we came down out of trees, and failed to shuck when we stood up. Because +not one_ of those people said: "Please pass this so that I won't be able to do something I know I should stop." Nyet, tovaisschee, was _always_ something they hated to see neighbors doing. Stop them "for their own good"- not because speaker claimed to be harmed by it.` `Listening to that session I was almost sorry we got rid of Mort the Wart. He stayed holed up with his women and didn't tell us how to run private lives.` But we get: >And if your TeleVision receives nothing but smut and violence, do >you sell your T.V., or do you send a complaint to the offending >stations asking them to shape up? Mr. Butler, I watch TV incredibly rarely. I have far better, more productive things to do than slouch in front of the idiot box destroying my eyes. Last time I watched TV for more than an hour at a stretch was election night (April 9th 1992 (1992!)). You might consider this. And if it is just smut and violence (which I might be quite happy to watch ;}), I'd find something better to do. Even going for a walk is better than watching TV. Perhaps, Mr. Butler, could you please try and understand the argument presented more thoroughly. Mr Dampier is stating that although the people who *now* judge echoes are responsible, there is no guarantee that others, in the future, would be so. >If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. FidoNews 10-41 Page: 4 10 Oct 1993 But, people always misunderstand other people. After all, if they didn't, they wouldn't communicate as much; the most interesting part of communication is increasing your understanding of other people. This is the sort of thing that Manuel was annoyed about: >And yes, gay or lesbian talk is AUTOMATICALLY adult in nature. Why? >Because, IMHO, teens shouldn't be practicing homosexuality! What >kind of precedent does that set for our youth? That it's alright to >CHOOSE your sexual nature? (This is it. This is the paragraph that *REALLY* got on my wick.) Mr. Shirk. What else should people do? Yes, it is all right to choose. Why should it be otherwise? You are demonstrating perfectly exactly what myself and Mr. Dampier wish to illustrate; some people are self-important, officious and short-sighted. And if one of these people is given power (where they generally stay, since the three adjectives certainly apply to most "democratic" governments) ... I'm not homosexual. However, I bitterly resent *ANYONE* trying to tell me that I'm not allowed to be my way by choice, even if they try to tell me to be what I already am. It's the principle of the thing. Another quote, to illustrate ("Keys, Kings and Kompanies", Worm Runner's Digest; Robert Sommer): `Imagine that you receive a note in the morning's mail, "Sir, you can go anywhere in the world except Utica and Syracuse." How would you feel under those circumstances, assuming that you had no desire to visit Utica or Syracuse? I think you'd be quite angry and ask yourself why you were forbidden to visit these places. You'd probably forget that you didn't want to go there and being wondering "Why don't *they* trust me, and what is there in Syracuse and Utica that I shouldn't see? What right do they have to tell me not to go to Syracuse and Utica? Do they think I am going to steal something or kill the mayor?" You would also feel that you had lost something and actually you'd be correct. Basically, your _right_ to visit Utica and Syracuse had turned into a _privelege_ granted at someone else's discretion.` You might say "Being a backbone echo isn't a right", and I'd agree with you. It isn't. But it isn't a privelege to be granted and retracted at a whim, either. Certainly, in this region, there are three simple rules for an echo to qualify (At least moderate traffic level, three nodes in region, two nets in region AFAICR) and I haven't heard (and don' want to hear) of backbone status being refused or retracted for any reason other than loss of interest, causing traffic level/linked nodes to drop below a given threshold. >We could have focused our attention on the real problems in this >country instead of wasting our time on gay FidoNews 10-41 Page: 5 10 Oct 1993 >rights those first few months. If a government can not deal with a simple issue like the second, it has no chance on the first (which isn't, from my (admittedly limited) understanding of Yank politics). Yours etc., >> THE HAZ << ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Electronic Magazines - Even More Information! Written By: John Giannini 1:119/50 I wanted to inject some additional information concerning Todd Jacob's article on E-zines in Fnews issue 1039, and report one possible inaccuracy. In the article, Todd indicates that he knows of only one "commercial" electronic magazine, and reports it to be "Eeek-Bits". However, while Eeek-Bits is not PD or shareware, it isn't commercial either. The magazine is available free to anyone who calls the home board for that magazine. here is part of the "cover" screen for that publication: "This publication is protected by all U.S. & International Copyright Laws! NO Part may be changed or reproduced w/o express written permission from The Publishers! Eeeeks is FREE, BUT YOU MUST REGISTER to have it on a BBS!You may NOT upload it to any BBS on a regular basis without the express written permission of the Publishers. Eeeek BITS! is NOT PD or Shareware" The magazine is "copyrighted" as it says, but it is the automatic copyright granted to any electronic or print magazine, even if it is not submitted explicitly for copyright to the US Copyrights office. I believe it is called "implied copyright" or "works in progress" copyright. Anyhow, the fact it is copyrighted does not mean that it is automatically "commercial". A "commercial" E-zine would seem to me to be one that charges the sysop (or charges it's target market) for the product. By this definition, several important E-zines were not included in Mr. Jacobs list. BOARDWATCH MAGAZINE, BBS CALLER'S DIGEST, and USA TODAY are three examples of truly "commercial" electronic magazines. Each comes in an electronic flavor, or a print (newsstand) flavor. If a sysop wishes to carry one of these electronic magazines, he must pay for them, and usually the fee is quite high. Something like #395.00 a year for USA TODAY I think, and BOARDWATCH is close to that. Distribution by diskette is also a valid E-zine format. Daniel Tobias's company SOFTDISK (1:380/7) has been putting out THE BIG BLUE DISK commercially for quite a long time, since at least 1885. This magazine is not released via the net, but through book and magazine dealers. Local bookstores/magazine stores in our area used to carry it. There was no "print" equivalent, and I believe it is still in publication. Each issue comes in a plastic case, with a color insert FidoNews 10-41 Page: 6 10 Oct 1993 as it's "cover". Each issue contains two or three diskettes. There used to be at least 3 other electronic magazines distributed this way as well, from what I can remember. Some are still going. There is also an E-zine called MODEMNEWS, which used to be a nicely laid out ansi magazine. It used to come as one .EXE file, which when ran, would display the entire contents of the mag in spectacular ansi graphics. The (ansi) ads in this magazine were truly fascinating. ModemNews has recently changed it's look and focus, and is now a showcase for other not-so-widely-circulated electronic magazines, such as SUNLIGHT THROUGH THE SHADOWS, or SUB SPACE NEWS (a Star Trek e- zine), both of which are free. The new focus for the home BBS for ModemNews is now to features many issues of these magazines; it is a clearing house for any and all free electronic magazines, and I am looking forward to seeing how that board will grow. Finally, it should be noted that one of the first true national "general interest" E-zines (except for Fidonews, of course) was INFOMAT, beginning publication back in 1985. Each issue was devoted to computer news, communications, entertainment, and reviews. INFOMAT sadly ceased publication in late 1991. The second oldest E-mag I know of is K-SAT NEWS, a monthly devoted to the satellite SIG crowd. This has also been going since 1986. And locally, in California, we used to have the NOOSELETTER, which was published by one of the west coast "star" nodes, from way back in 1984, till about 1987. I forget the name of the person who put it out, (Ed something?) but he used to run Nerd's Nook in the Bay Area, and was very involved with Fido and Opus in those early years. Lastly, there used to also be the OPUS GAZETTE which came into existence in 1985, and was targeded for those folks who used to run OPUS. The Gazette was pretty widely distributed as I recall, back when OPUS was the most fancy BBS package around. (I still have back issues of all of these). Anyway, I thought the readers of Fidonews might be interested in this extra information concerning E-zines, and I am interested in any information that could augment this info. John Giannini, SysOp, Moonshadow BBS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Privacy in FidoNet? [Yes, SecureMail!] by: GK Pace Region 18 SecureMail Host 1:374/26 In a recent article, and various messages floating around, we in FidoNet recieved some criticism from "our InterNet cousins" for our lack of privacy in FidoNet. I share the concerns that those who deny this basic right are wrong, but none the less defend their right to run their respective systems as they (personally) deem appropiate. There are differences between the InterNet, and the Fidonet, not the least of which is our success in developing a substantial network based upon Anarchy and Volunteerism. (Stated with pride!) Before all of you who oppose privacy and/or the use of encryption in FidoNews 10-41 Page: 7 10 Oct 1993 FidoNet get the idea that I support you, keep in mind that I firmly disagree with you... I defend your personal right to make your own decisions, and to operate your system as you see fit, but I also disagree with any/all who fail to respect privacy. The rights to choose, and the rights to privacy are intertwined... we must protect both or risk the loss of both. Enough on that subject... now for the good news: There IS privacy in FidoNet... not universally (yet) but it does exist, and its acceptance/use is growing! It is being nurtured by those who are participating in the SecureMail Routing System. What, you ask, is the SecureMail Routing System? Perhaps the following extracts from the SecureMail Statement of Purpose can best provide the answers. ===================================================================== Definition: SecureMail can be defined as a group of FidoNet Sysops who have volunteered to provide an alternative E-Mail routing service within the FidoNet Network. The SecureMail System is a component of the FidoNet Network. SecureMail is not an alternative, separate, or distinct network. ===================================================================== Thats right folks, we are not an "AlterNet" or "OtherNet", we are FidoNet... Sysops running FidoNet Nodes who have volunteered to provide a service... A service? What service? ===================================================================== Statement of Purpose: The primary purpose of Securemail, and reason for its creation is the desire for providing increased privacy in the routing of FidoNet E-Mail. ===================================================================== Thats right... we provide an alternate means of routing E-Mail, routing thru those who have accepted the SecureMail principals. SecureMail principals? What are they? ===================================================================== Operational Practises: Each SecureMail Host has agreed to route E-Mail (referred to as In- Transit mail) in a manner which provides the highest degree of privacy technically possible. Some variances can be expected, as the technical characteristics of each system differ, however each SecureMail Host strives to provide the best service possible. FidoNews 10-41 Page: 8 10 Oct 1993 Specific operational practises include: - In-Transit mail shall not be read. Note that some systems do not provide the ability to restrict a Sysop from viewing In-transit mail. In such cases the Sysop makes every effort to avoid noticing the content of such E-Mail as they scan thru their message bases. - The content of In-Transit mail shall not be disclosed, or given to anyone but the addressee, except as required for routing thru the SecureMail System. - All SecureMail Hosts agree to route any In-Transit mail they receive. In-Transit mail that cannot be delivered shall be returned to the sender along with a brief explanation of why it could not be delivered. - In-Transit mail shall not be censored. Routing of In-Transit mail shall not be refused for any reason even remotely associated to the content of such E-Mail. Note: how could it be if it isn't read in the first place? ===================================================================== Ok... so how do I find SecureMail? Most of us who operate the SecureMail System have User Flags assigned to our respective FidoNet Nodelist entries. The flags used are: RSMH = Regional SecureMail Host. NSMH = Net SecureMail Host. There is also a SecureMail Routing Map available which lists the current SecureMail Hosts and the areas they serve. SecureMail is growing, but it is not complete. Volunteers to Host areas not presently covered are cheerfully accepted . For further information, Freq the file SECUREML.ZIP from my system, (1:374/26) or contact any SecureMail Host. Privacy... to fail to defend it, is to loose it... lets not lose it! -gk ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ======================================================================== Fidonews Information ======================================================================== FidoNews 10-41 Page: 9 10 Oct 1993 ------- FIDONEWS MASTHEAD AND CONTACT INFORMATION ---------------- Editors: Sylvia Maxwell, Donald Tees, Tim Pozar Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell, Vince Perriello, Tom Jennings IMPORTANT NOTE: The FidoNet address of the FidoNews BBS has been changed!!! Please make a note of this. "FidoNews" BBS FidoNet 1:1/23 BBS +1-519-570-4176, 300/1200/2400/14400/V.32bis/HST(DS) Internet addresses: Don & Sylvia (submission address) editor@exlibris.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca Sylvia -- max@exlibris.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca Donald -- donald@exlibris.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca Tim -- pozar@kumr.lns.com (Postal Service mailing address) (have extreme patience) FidoNews 172 Duke St. E. Kitchener, Ontario Canada N2H 1A7 Published weekly by and for the members of the FidoNet international amateur electronic mail system. It is a compilation of individual articles contributed by their authors or their authorized agents. The contribution of articles to this compilation does not diminish the rights of the authors. Opinions expressed in these articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of FidoNews. Authors retain copyright on individual works; otherwise FidoNews is copyright 1993 Sylvia Maxwell. All rights reserved. Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances, please contact the original authors, or FidoNews (we're easy). OBTAINING COPIES: The-most-recent-issue-ONLY of 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 Internet. PRINTED COPIES may be obtained from Fido Software for $10.00US each PostPaid First Class within North America, or $13.00US elsewhere, mailed Air Mail. (US funds drawn upon a US bank only.) INTERNET USERS: FidoNews is available via FTP from ftp.fidonet.org, in directory ~ftp/pub/fidonet/fidonews. If you have questions regarding FidoNet, please direct them to deitch@gisatl.fidonet.org, not the FidoNews BBS. (Be kind and patient; David Deitch is generously volunteering to handle FidoNet/Internet questions.) FidoNews 10-41 Page: 10 10 Oct 1993 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 1:1/23 as file "ARTSPEC.DOC". Please read it. "Fido", "FidoNet" and the dog-with-diskette are U.S. registered trademarks of Tom Jennings, and are used with permission. Asked what he thought of Western civilization, M.K. Gandhi said, "I think it would be an excellent idea". -- END ----------------------------------------------------------------------