F I D O N E W S -- Vol.11 No.20 (16-May-1994) +----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | A newsletter of the | ISSN 1198-4589 | | 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..................................................... 2 2. Articles...................................................... 2 Language Is a Living Matter................................. 3 Hacker Barbie............................................... 4 COLUMN_5 echo............................................... 5 Announcement of RTSOFT echo................................. 6 Complaints in previous issues acknowledged!................. 6 Backbone Echo Changes [Feb-Apr]............................. 7 Scott Mccool Cries "Foul!".................................. 9 Infobahn Media Blues........................................ 10 A case for No .ARC!......................................... 12 A response to another would-be censor....................... 13 ECHO MANIA!!................................................ 14 Dear Emilia Postmadam....................................... 15 3. Fidonews Information.......................................... 16 FidoNews 11-20 Page: 2 16 May 1994 ======================================================================== Editorial ======================================================================== Hello dearest fidolanders! It's nice to see so much in the inbound this week. Thank you. If the mail we get reflects the general mood of Fidolanders [Fidoland: expanding association of sovereign states each containing one individual?], not too many of us like censorship. This makes me happy... but i do value being educationally upbraided by mail. The snooze needs to truly reflect all opinions. The thing in the boilerplate saying "newspapers should have no friends" is necessary. There's some people downstairs jamming with a tuba, a banjo, and a guitar, being eagerly watched by a little boy wearing a mask from the house toybox. I think it's neat when people just try things. They're not playing particular songs, they haven't played with each other before, they're not trying to prove anything; they're experimenting to see what happens. The little boy is accustomed to people being creative and non-judgemental around him, and happily plays by inventing his own games. I wonder what he would do with a computer. It's interesting when people play this way in echos. Has anyone gathered conversations from echos and/or chats, and edited them into play scripts? Multi-media stuff wouldn't necessarily have to be high-tech and expensive to be interesting. i don't understand the article about compression. i guess i'll keep learning, then eventually i'll get it. sigh. I like the article about "living languages". I think it is well expressed and sensitive, even though it wasn't written in the author's native tongue. I tried to "correct" small spelling and grammar "mistakes" in one article because its author asked us to. This should be simple, right? Nope. Language is full of nuances and syntax is as complicated as spiders' webs. I found it impossible to change anything without worrying that i was miscontruing intended meanings. It is not our job to tell you what to say. ======================================================================== Articles ======================================================================== FidoNews 11-20 Page: 3 16 May 1994 Language Is a Living Matter by Ronald Hass (2:240/5311) Hamburg, Germany I am now part of the FidoNet community for about 2 years and reading FidoNews for about one year. Although being just another user and thus not listed in the nodelist I hereby dare to throw in a few words which every now and then cross my mind when encountering another of "those articles". The articles meant are the ones that complain about the nasty bad language that certain people dare to use in FidoNews. Is it really that bad after all? And what is "bad language" anyway? Our language - and this means every mother tongue that is spoken on this planet - is a living matter and hence changing continuously. It reflects the culture with all its ups and downs and the people living within it. It cannot be clinical clean and I rather would not like it to be. There have been several attempts in history to force language into specific channels by certain governments. The reason was always to chain and brainwash the people. Ten years after Orwell's 1984 still nobody in the world brought it to that final scenario he outlined in his novel, thank God. So there still are four-letter-words and other stuff of that kind in it and there belongs a certain place to it. But I think the bare use of them does not make up a so called bad language. It is always the context and the way in which these words are used. In that one year of my readership of FidoNews I never found what I for my part would call really bad language. And to ban certain words does not make them disappear, does it? The most used reason for complaints is that FidoNews is read by children. People want a "family type" of FidoNews. Let me tell you a short story which explains best what I am going to say. I remember myself as a child of about three years coming from the playground and asking my father, what in the world an a**h**e is. I had been called one by another child but never heard the word before. Instead of shouting at me and forbidding to ever use this word again my father took time and explained not just the mere part of the body it stands for =:-) but the context in which it is usually used to give me a feeling for the word. Henceforth I knew when to use it and in which situations it is better to use a synonym with - lets say - more anatomical meaning. Much more important though was that in the future I was able to interpret the chatter of other people and react in the right way. Things like that happened quite often in my childhood and I still am thankful to my father having given me explanations instead of prohibitions. He rather teached me feeling for the language and the use of it. I sometimes suspect that parents fear to give those explanations FidoNews 11-20 Page: 4 16 May 1994 to their children. I promise you: they get into contact with so- called bad language anyway. It is a lot easier to say "You are too young, dear. This is nasty, you'd better forget it." than explaining the place of a word in the complicated system of a language with all its facettes. But on the other side in my opinion it is a lot easier to explain the word pussy in certain contexts than words like holocaust or genocide. Would you call those bad language? Give it a try, think about it! To make it clear: I am not encouraging people to use that type of language here in FidoNews or anywhere else. But the way it has been used in this publication up to now in my opinion is not that bad that it should be banned or censored. It sometimes just calls for explanation to younger children and parents should provide them with it. It always has been the type of eye-twinkling tease which normally does not hurt the addressed person. I just call for a bit more tolerance and fun in using language. There is a lot more to it than just placing bare words from a dictionary in one line forming a sentence. The sense in between the lines quite often is even more important. Teach your children proper use of the _whole_ of it rather than trying to leave the part out that you do not like. And please stop to call for censorship in FidoNews, may it be certain words or whole articles! I do not want to end up being allowed only to use the phrase "doubleplusungood" instead of "worst" or any other synonym of it (see Orwell's 1984). This strips language bare of any fine tunes condemning it to state mere facts without any emotional and personal nature. Finally I want to thank the editors for the good job they are doing against all criticism and well meant advices how it should be done. I apologize for any grammatical errors in this article for English is not my mother tongue. I am still practicing and learning from reading and writing on the FidoNet. =:-) Thanks for your attention. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Hacker Barbie [original source unknown] (LA, California) Mattel announces their new line of Barbie products, the "Hacker Barbie." These new dolls will be released next month. The aim of these dolls is to revert the stereotype that women are numerophobic, computer-illiterate, and academically challenged. This new line of Barbie dolls comes equipped with Barbie's very own xterminal and UNIX documentation as well as ORA's "In a Nutshell" series. The Barbie is robed in a dirty button-up shirt and a pair of worn-out jeans with Casio all-purpose watches and thick glasses that can set ants on fire. Pocket FidoNews 11-20 Page: 5 16 May 1994 protectors and HP calculators optional. The new Barbie has the incredible ability to stare at the screen without blinking her eyes and to go without eating or drinking for 12 hours straight. Her vocabulary mainly consists of technical terms such as "IP address," "TCP/IP," "kernel," "NP-complete," and "Alpha AXP's." "We are very excited about this product," said John Olson, Marketting Executive, "and we hope that the Hacker Barbie will offset the damage incurred by the mathophobic Barbie." A year ago, Mattel released Barbie dolls that say, "Math is hard," with condescending companions Ken. The Hacker Barbie's Ken is an incompetent consultant who frequently asks Barbie for help. The leading feminists are equally excited about this new line of Barbie dolls. Naomi Wuuf says, "I believe that these new dolls will finally terminate the notion that women are inherently inferior when it comes to mathematics and the sciences. However, I feel that Ken's hierarchical superiority would simply reinforce the patriarchy and oppress the masses." Mattel made no comment. Parents, however, are worried that they would become technologically behind by comparison to the children when the Hacker Barbie comes out. "My daughter Jenny plays with the prototype Hacker Barbie over yonder for two days," says Mrs. Mary Carlson of Oxford, Mississippi, "and as y'all know, she now pays my credit card bill. Ain't got no idea how she duz it, but she surely duz it. I jus don't wanna be looked upon as a dumb mama." Mattel will be offering free training courses for those who purchase the Hacker Barbie. The future Hacker Barbie will include several variations to deal with the complex aspects of Barbie. "Hacker Barbie Goes to Jail" will teach computer ethics to youngsters, while "BARB1E R1TES L1KE BIFF!!!" will serve as an introduction to expository writing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- COLUMN_5 echo from Anthony Grigor-Scott 3:711/933 @FidoNet I am seeking expressions of interest from Hubs outside Zone 3 who may be prepared to inport COLUMN_5 echo. COLUMN_5 is available fron the Fido backbone in Zone 3. Message volume is low. However the content is serious factual discussion on international and national political, banking, and business scams, UN affairs and their involvement is the New World Order, various conspiracies, LETs, organic farming, health/medicine, defence, crime, etc., The echo carries letters and in-depth messages on these matters from Australian Senators, Members of Parliament and relevant experts. FidoNews 11-20 Page: 6 16 May 1994 Much content is news-behind-the-news the press refuse to countenance. This echo inviting trivia, debate, or large volume, but is a venue for serious discussion and positive contribution from thinkers and doers. Potential Hubs are requested to FREQ COLUMN_5.ARJ (222,166Kb) so they may review the last 150 messages, and read COLUMN_5.RUL. One weekly poll would sufficient at this stage of activity. Thank you for your consideration. Thank you kindly. We appreciate your efforts in behalf of the Network. Kind regards, Anthony Grigor-Scott SysOp - Bible Believers BBS Moderator - COLUMN_5 echo ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement of RTSOFT echo by Carl Morris Announcing the Robinson Technology Software echo on fidonet compatible systems! This will soon to be the official support conference for Seth Able Robinsons games: LORD (the Legend Of the Red Dragon) and PLANETS: TEOS (PLANETS: The Exploration Of Space) door games. At current Seth is hooking up to FIDO, but I'm going to get this ECHO going now. The TAG of the echo will be RTSOFT. At current it will originate from me at 1:285/302. Please netmail your info, and when I get you setup I will route a netmail response back, so please let me know if you can't be routed back (just the netmail acknowledgement!) As the echo grows it will be available from other locations, and soon from Seth Able's board itself. This ECHO will contain, technical info on setting up the games, or any of Seth's software to come, players tips, bug reports, and maybe later a file echo which will bring the latest versions to you also. At current this ECHO does not have the author's (Seth Able) endorsement, but if I don't get it when available, I will bring in what ever echo the author decides to accept. Netmail Carl Morris at 1:285/302 about RTSOFT echo today! Carl Morris of Hooper Connections at 1:285/302. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Complaints in previous issues acknowledged! by Carl Morris I am writing in response to 1119. Let this be known now, I am a FidoNews 11-20 Page: 7 16 May 1994 member of NET_285. Another one, from the macintosh side of NET_285 was talking about older news, along with several others. I hate how you guys (and gals) give no task too easy to the programmer. I would love writing some interface programs for fidonet technology net- works, but like where do I go to get the info. Right now I have found I shall not go anywhere for this info 'cause it is nowhere! The FIDONET technology needs to be wrote up in one common place, and everybody adapt to it, even those CoCo users (I have one too). The 2.6mb nodelist IS TOO LARGE! It needs to be re-done at least. I see a lot of error messages in it, and other things wasting space, like duplicate entries just for description of a system (very few) and duplicate phone numbers (one nodenumber per phonenumber is enough!) For the person about rip, and used the |0?S|0?H|0?I|0?T|0?. Please never do that again, Renegade BBS uses the |?? codes for color, and the last one was | 00 and Renegade turned BLACK, and I could no longer read this wonderful, err, letter, err, newspaper, err, I don't know. I also have a feeling about compression (like who don't?) FIDONET is one of the few net technologies that can heavily use compression. All mail can be compressed offline, so what the hell, please compress! The compression of zip or arj is much better than modem compression. However, letting the modem compress that will provide even better compression, from the structure of ZIP files. I also don't care what compression, and would suggest that all compression programs that are worth their compression ratios be accepted. (this removes ARC from the list, its not worth its ratio!) Hey, its your time I'm wasting, what do you have to say? Carl Morris 1:285/302 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Backbone Echo Changes [Feb-Apr] by Lisa Gronke, 1:105/6 lisa@m2xenix.psg.com I have been making a "diff" of the backbone echo changes every couple of months for several years. It is a convenient reference when you get an inquiry about zero traffic in a echo that was renamed six months before :-) Dan Buda suggested that I publish it in FidoNews. Summary of backbone & quasi-backbone echo changes during February, March & April. Brought to you courtesy of (unix) diff. diff (fidonet.na + fidonet.no) 30-Jan-94 (ditto) 08-May-94 [edited]. FidoNews 11-20 Page: 8 16 May 1994 Added to the backbone --------------------- > ALTMED Alternative Medicine > ARTWARE TimEd, NetMgr, WIMM Support Conference > BABYLON5 Non-Trek SF-Television Discussion > BARDROOM BardRoom Authors' and Poets' virtual Get-Togeth > BBSPLUS BBS Plus Software Support Echo > CAROLINA_GEN CAROLINA GENEOLOGY SEARCHES AND ASSISTANCE > CHANNELS Channelled Messages From The Spirit Realm > CONCORD Concord BBS Software Support Conference > DOMINO Domino BBS Support Echo > EMBEDDED Embedded Systems Programming and Engineering. > FAN_SUPPORT FAN (File Announcement Utility) Support Echo > FREEMASON Freemasonry > HYPERWARE Hyperware Hyperdisk Technical Conference > I95 Interstate 95 Area BBS Chat Echo > I_UFO UFO Discussion Allowing Views That They Exist > JFK_ASSN JFK Assassination > LEGAL_LAW LEGAL_LAW Conference > LORA Lora BBS (DOS & OS/2) Support Conference > MEAL-MASTER Meal-Master Support Conference > MILHISTORY Military History > NIGHT_SHIFT Gramps Kiersarge - On Line Talk Show > POWERPC PowerPC/PowerMAC Topics & Discussion > POWER_BAS PowerBASIC Programmers Conference > RBBSPLUS_DEV RBBS Plus Development > RECIPES Recipes > REEF_KEEPING Saltwater/Reef Keeping Information > RUSH_FAN Internation Rush Fan (Music Group) Echo > TABBY Macintosh Mailer Support > TABLATURE Guitar Tablature Echo > TERMINAT Terminate, The Final Terminal Program > TRANSAMIGA TransAmiga BBS Support Echo > TREK_VOYAGER Star Trek: Voyager Echo > WIN_4_WRKGRPS Conference for Windows For Workgroups > ZOOM Zoom Modems Echo > Z1_POLITICAL ZONE 1 POLITICAL Echotag changes --------------- < [CHINESE] General Topic Chatting Chinese [old name] > !CHINESE General topic chatting in Chinese [new name] < FIDO FidoBBS Software Support & Topics [old name] > FIDOBBS FidoBBS Software Support & Topics [new name] Removed from the backbone or quasi-backbone ------------------------------------------- < BCSNET (not in EchoList since 9/1/92) < BEYOND_WAR (not in EchoList since 2/1/93) < GENESIS Genesis Deluxe BBS General Echo < GENESIS_BETA Genesis Deluxe BBS Echo for Beta testers only < GENESIS_SYSOP Genesis Deluxe Sysop Echo < HZ_ECHO (not in EchoList since 9/1/92) < MEDIA (not in EchoList since 4/1/92) FidoNews 11-20 Page: 9 16 May 1994 < PCBCOMM (not in EchoList since 7/1/93) < STARGAZE (not in EchoList since before 1/1/92) < VENTURA (not in EchoList since before 1/1/92) o There are 591 echos in fidonet.na [08-May-94] (up 10) o There are 61 echos in fidonet.no [08-May-93] (up 16) o for a total of 654 backbone & quasi-backbone echos (up 26) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Scott Mccool Cries "Foul!" Fredric Rice (1:102/890) sm> Well... I would just like to make a short comment that sm> hopefully you will take it in the mannor that it is sm> being sent. A demand for censorship. Lovely. Exactly what the world needs more of. (sic) sm> Anyone that lowers him self to useing 4 letter words in sm> anytype of publication only shows his ignorants, lack of sm> wisdome and knowledge to use the proper language to tell sm> his point. "Unless you have more than the usual fundie quorum of neurons still sparking, you probably won't comprehend this, yet the traditional insistence that so-called 'profanity' is the sole realm of the inarticulate is irredeemably flawed. Not only is it true that some of those who use what you consider foul language are in fact intelligent and articulate, but your very own post quoted above is a clear demonstration that some of those who refrain from using what you consider 'foul language' are rather limited themselves, not only in vocabulary but also in spelling, punctuation, and useage." - jonny vee sm> I would very much like it if you would remove such words sm> from future issues. This is not *TOO* much to ask. Just sm> something simple that would make quite a few people that sm> run G rated and family style BBSs happy. I would very much like to suggest that you leave FidoNet, Scott, and return to High School where you might _learn_ how to _spell_ such things as "wisdom." Then you might be capable of twigging to the fact that words are not this mystical, magical claptwaddle you have been programmed to believe they are. "In the meantime, you can take your petulant demands for prior restraint of expression and thrust them back through your anal orifice, with the greatest longitudinal dimension aligned perpendicular to the axis of insertion." - jonny vee Understand? Or shall I write to ask "Barney the Enpurpled Archosaur" ((tm)-Marty Leipzig) to sing it to you? FidoNews 11-20 Page: 10 16 May 1994 With all my love, Fredric Rice. 1:102/890.0. XOXOXOXOX ---------------------------------------------------------------- editor's note: you should have had "love and kisses" from Randy Bush in issue 11-16, but they got edited out by mistake... sorry about that. ----------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: RICK LITHGOW (1:2601/574) To: EDITOR (1:221/192) Subject: Recent Nightline Hey Editor I thought you might wan't to take a look at a letter we sent to some of our local news papers yesterday... I give permission to the newspapers to print this letter in whole if they wish. I seek no compensation for this article/letter. Infobahn Media Blues The recent media blitz concerning the "Super Information Highway", AKA. The Infobahn, has every newspaper, book, and TV. channel covering it. Unfortunately the main systems covered by the media are big systems such as CompuServe, America On-line, The Internet, MCImail, Prodigy, & Delphi just to name a few. The media, magazines, and all others tend forget about the BBS. The BBS(or Electronic Bulletin Board) was one of the first purveyors of public on-line access via modem. Lately the little attention BBS's have been getting have been extremely negative. BBS's have been touted as being havens for porn pushers and child molesters, which rather bothers me. Recently on an edition of Nightline, a story was done on BBS's that carry adult files called GIF's. GIF stands for Graphic Interface Format. They way the story was done on Niteline(as well as others done in the past), portrayed all BBS's in a bad light. This is a shame, as the local BBS has been a foothold in the on-line industry for well over 15 years. Granted, like any tool, a BBS or on-line system can be abused and misused, but a few bad apples don't spoil the bunch. I begin to wonder if anyone has ever taken a close look at the Internet? I also wonder if people who frequent big on-line systems realize that there is more Pornography, Piracy, and illegal on-line dealings going on there than you could find on all the BBS's running across the world. Has anyone ever checked out the alt.binary.pictures USENET group on the Internet? Approximately 500 "Adult" files float through there per day. There are several sites on the Internet that deal in nothing but commercial pirated programs, as well as codes and cheats for them. People should check out their local BBS. It can be entertaining and productive just like the big boys. Most BBS's offer something for everyone, some specialize in one area. Alot of BBS's are networked as well, via a network called FIDO. With FIDO(yes, like a dog's name), you can join in open and private conferences ranging anywhere from debating to chatting to in-depth computer discussions. There are well FidoNews 11-20 Page: 11 16 May 1994 over 800 areas(or Echoes) available on FIDO. But that's not all! You can also send private mail to anyone on FIDO , Internet, or prodigy or any other of the big on-line services. And usually for free! FIDO is also not the only network out there, there is RIMEnet, WDNET, and several others. Most of these conference networks span the globe as well. FIDO being the largest of the amateur networks, has well over 32,000 systems hooked up to it in the United States, Europe, Canada, Asia, South America, Puerto Rico, Australia, and other countries. All these systems are not commercial, they are run by people just like you and me who just want to enjoy the on-line world. They pay for phone costs, equipment maintenance, upgrades etc.. out of their own pockets just for the sheer joy of it. BBS's also carry alot of the same Shareware programs you find on the big systems. You can call up, download the available programs to your own computer and use it. You can also find alot of friends on these systems as well. BBS's are a virtual community of people getting together and sharing shareware, information, technical support and fun. Some systems are large, some are small, but every BBS has something to offer somebody at very little, or most often no cost except the phone call. But back to the point of this longwinded statement. The media has given the local BBS a bad name and it's time to let everyone know that most BBS's are good family entertainment for all ages. Yes some carry adult material and those areas are usually restricted to people over 18, and most System Operators(sysops) are aware of the possible ramifications of adult material being distributed to a minor. Most systems require you to fill out a waiver and ask for a copy of your ID. They also have security levels that completely block out the areas to minors and people who do not wish to see them. But other than that they are fun. So take a look at your local BBS. If you don't have a number for a BBS in your area(or anywhere else for that matter) call your local Computer Users Group, or your nearest computer store. They invariably have numbers for the BBS's in your area. So check it out, you might like it. Now you may be wondering why I wrote this, well, you see, I am the System Operator of Image Gallery BBS in Pulaski, Pa. and I am very concerned about my hobby being ruined by the media. I run a large BBS on a FIDO network and to it for the shear pleasure of serving our community as well as the surrounding areas. You are welcome to come check out our system and enjoy our services. You'll make alot of on-line friends and have alot of fun. But don't let the media fool you, not all BBS's are criminal. The Internet has a heck of alot more crime going on inside their systems than we do in ours. Don't crucify us. Rick Lithgow SYSOP of Image Gallery BBS (412)964-8819(MODEM) FIDO 1:2601/574 Internet rick.lithgow@f574.n2601.z1.fidonet.org FidoNews 11-20 Page: 12 16 May 1994 A case for No .ARC! By: Raul Almquist SysOp, WALK in the SHADOWs of the NIGHT BBS (612) 593-5100/5106/5107 FidoNet 1:282/105 ----------------------------------------- editor's note: 1:282/105 does not appear to be in the nodelist ??? ----------------------------------------- InterNet Raul.Almquist@SpareCom.MN.Org I would like to state a HEAVY complaint about the FidoNet policy of .ARC being the de-facto standard, what I would like to know is WHY?!! Then I would like to know is WHY is it STILL the de-facto standard?!! Especially since PLATFORM PORTABLE source for ARC newer than v5.2x is NOT available! I would also like to know why if ARC is the de-facto standard that FidoNews is sent out in a format other than ARC?!! Here IT is. I am a commercial developer of more years than I like to think about:-) and a couple of years ago I decided to embark on another shareware endeavor... a full-featured Mailer for the Macintosh, little did I know there would be a MAJOR road-block in the development of such. I am to the best of my knowledge the ONLY Mac developer licensed by SEA for ARC extraction source, and while I have received XARC source I have NEVER received PORTABLE XARC source nor have I received programming specifications for XARC, instead I received source code that was about 70% 80xxx specific ASSEMBLER which made the source less than useful. For over a year (going on two) now I have talked with a fairly nice person named Irene who has repeatedly stated that I would be receiving portable ARC source, and the last time I talked with her she said she would get the specs for the XARC, it has now been sometime and still nothing. Currently the largest portion of FidoNet ARE based on machines utilizing 80xxx MPU's, while at the same time that portion of Fido has available ARC v6.0x utilities as well as other ARC utilities, and the fact of the matter is, that many if not MOST of that portion of Fido IS using ARC v6.0x or newer (which is NOT Fido ARC spec compliant), while the other platforms are stuck with the LAST release of portable ARC which is ARC v5.2x, which means that those of you lucky enough to have access to the newer ARC v6.0x or even v7.xx CAN and DO compress files that the rest of us can NOT extract and it looks like we will NEVER be able to extract. I have even dealt with a SysOp or two that got indignant when I FidoNews 11-20 Page: 13 16 May 1994 requested that they go back to a more compatible/compliant ARC format, now this only happened a couple of times, but it did happen and even once is one time too many. Now shouldn't the de-facto compression format be one that has platform PORTABLE source available? I sure think so!!! Currently ZIP has easily available source (and specs) for both compress & extraction, and while I know ARJ has extraction source available I am not sure about compression. So how much longer are the rest of the platforms (other than 80xxx based) to remain in a "doghouse":-)??? how long do we continue to be stuck without the means of maintaining cross-platform mail compatibility, how long???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lastly a complaint that is and is not a complaint:-) Why is it that THE NEWSLETTER for Fido is distributed in a format that is non-compliant with stated Fido policy, or is FNEWS exempt from what the rest of us have to deal with? Not that I am REALLY complaining about this, as I KNOW I can extract .LZH files for reading, unlike any files compressed with ARC v6.xx or newer. -- SpareCom BBS 612-445-5655/5755 1:282/62 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A response to another would-be censor by Shawn McMahon, 1:19/34 smcmahon@infomail.com A response to would-be censor Scott Mccool In his recent letter attempting to insult everyone who uses words Mr. Mccool doesn't happen to personally like, he said the following: > Anyone that lowers him self to useing 4 letter words in anytype of > publication only shows his ignorants, lack of wisdome and knowledge > to use the proper language to tell his point. I'll ignore all questions of who the hell died and appointed him the arbiter of what is or is not "proper language" and go directly to the heart of the matter. Mr. Mccool, "himself" is one word. "Using" contains no "E." "Any type" is two words. "Ignorance" is spelled as I've demonstrated here. "Wisdom" also contains no "E." Semantically, your sentence states that using 4-letter words (note the hyphenation here) shows one's "knowledge to use the proper" etc. I believe this pretty much sums up how seriously we should take your attempts to "fix" our use of language. FidoNews 11-20 Page: 14 16 May 1994 Oh, BTW; I counted five words of exactly four letters in your above-quoted paragraph, counting "type" and excluding "self." Do try to use the proper language to tell your point next time, won't you? How does it feel being on the receiving end of insults regarding use of language, Scott? Perhaps you'll consider this next time you put figurative pen to page. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ECHO MANIA!! by Chris Cancilla, 1:375/64 "Welcome new SysOp! Enclosed in your welcome package is a current list of the FidoNet echo's, and the local echo's that you can pick up as a new node in net xxx." These are the words enclosed in the FIRST message that most of us received when we bacame SysOp's. Some a long time ago, some not so long ago. But this is the reason most become a SysOp of a BBS. Instantaneous access to message traffic, echomail, netmail; and the ability to discuss a wide variety of interests with others. There are a number of echos that everyone enjoys reading and utilizing; conversly, there are those echo's that are...not limited, but of interest...to a few. Each day someone comes up with a new topic to discuss, starts a local echo about it, sooner or later it ends up on the backbone. I realize this is a simplified process, but this is not an in depth review on creating your own echo. I belong to a few different networks: FidoNet, TrekNet, and AcNet. I started 3 echo's in TrekNet and quickly passed on two of the moderator positions to others. Sitting here thinking about it, I can come up with a few echo's that I am sure others have considered, but not acted on. For example, the SCUBA echo. Where hotel advertizments from places like the Caymen's and such, and other divers sharing their experiences world wide, came be the base for discussions. I have contemplated starting this echo, but do not think I have the time to moderate another echo. I want to share my experiences diving in Keflavik, Iceland; and how wonder, although chilly, the diving really is in the land of Fire and Ice. I can think of other, but this is my point exactly. If I created this echo, there would be a number of users on BBS's world wide that would be interested in what I had to say. Perhaps there is a BBS in Iceland that did not know about a spot I found there. My experiences in Iceland would enhance their experience, even though they may be a native, and I was there for 2 years with the Air Force. I am sure that you, the reader, are wondering if I am for or against creating new echo's and adding them to the backbone. Well, FidoNews 11-20 Page: 15 16 May 1994 I will not tell you. BUT, what I will tell you is this; 1) Creating new echo's is a priviledge and not a right. 2) It should not be abused. 3) The creation of a new echo should have a wide enough topic for nearly all audiences. 4) More echo's mean more money shelled out each month by SysOp's in long distance, or Cost Recovery, charges. 5) More echo's mean users can spend more time reading, or replying, on a topic that has their interest. I am neither for or against the current echo mania going on. New echo's are popping up all the time, and old echo's are going by the wayside. Perhaps I need to look at it in the sense of an evolution. New replaces the old, ect. I receive a number of echo's on, and not on, the FidoNet backbone; and I am always looking for something new to peak a hidden interest in this hobby of mine.....a BBS System Operator. Thanks you for taking the time to read this dissertation. I hope that I at least gave you something to think about. See you in the echo's......... --==>> CHRIS <<==-- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Emilia Postmadam Q: I've become addicted to net mail. If i have no mail, I go rangy. I need my mail. What should I do? A: Net mail socialization is similar to other forms of partying. You must remember that your correspondents are *people*, many of whom like to escape to their computers in a manner similar to relaxing in pleasant, physically present company. No-body likes to read rangy, imploring mail. Perhaps you should consider only writing letters when you have something to say that you think others want to hear, when you are corresponding socially. If you are in a rangy mood, either be creative and *happy*, or wait until you calm down and feel good to write letters or post messages, unless your correspondents are masochists and enjoy being tormented. Q: I'm very impatient to know everything about Fido Net. But things change so quickly, it seems that by the time I learn how to do something, the methods for doing things have changed. What should I do? A: Keep on truckin'. You will find that although details change, methodology is fairly consistent. Particular bits of software quickly become obsolete and new utilities emerge at a frantic pace, but basically the same tasks are accomplished. The mail still moves around. Even the way snail mail travels is similar to Fido Net mail routing. True, you have much to learn, but Fido Net is endlessly FidoNews 11-20 Page: 16 16 May 1994 fascinating and will entertain your mind for years to come. Q: My friends think I'm wierd because I spend all my time playing with my computer. They say that because I like computers, that I am anti-social. What should I do? A: Your friends may be afraid of computers. Not everyone is used to them. Do you think your friends are anti-social if they spend all their time using a telephone? It is a ridiculous that fascination with a machine used for enabling communications as well as other socially beneficial things, could be considered by anyone to be "anti-social". Stop worrying, and invite your friends to some BBS parties. Q: Why do governments spend our money on T1 lines, then censor newsgroups at some sites? Isn't "government" supposed to spend our money on us? A: Dear, it is not considered to be good judgement to ask such questions, although in some circumstances propriety has nothing to do with actual politelness so I do not have a professional opinion to offer you. I only know about ettiquette. Politics and etiquette are not the same. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ======================================================================== Fidonews Information ======================================================================== ------- FIDONEWS MASTHEAD AND CONTACT INFORMATION ---------------- Editors: Sylvia Maxwell, Donald Tees Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell, Vince Perriello, Tim Pozar Tom Jennings "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) FidoNews 128 Church St. Kitchener, Ontario Canada N2H 2S4 Published weekly by and for the members of the FidoNet international amateur electronic mail system. It is a compilation of individual FidoNews 11-20 Page: 17 16 May 1994 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 1994 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 would like a FAQ, or have questions regarding FidoNet, or UUCP<==>FidoNet gateways, please direct them to David Deitch (1:133/411@fidonet) at deitch@gisatl.fidonet.org. 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 ----------------------------------------------------------------------