F I D O N E W S Volume 16, Number 22 31 May 1999 +----------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | The newsletter of the | ISSN 1198-4589 Published by: | | FidoNet community | "FidoNews" | | _ | +27-41-581-5913 [5:5/23] | | / \ | June Publication: 1:270/720 | | /|oo \ | | | (_| /_) | | | _`@/_ \ _ | | | | | \ \\ | Editor: | | | (*) | \ )) | Henk Wolsink 5:7104/2 | | |__U__| / \// | Editor Pro Tem (June 99) | | _//|| _\ / | Douglas Myers 1:270/720 | | (_/(_|(____/ | | | (jm) | Newspapers should have no friends. | | | -- JOSEPH PULITZER | +----------------------------+---------------------------------------+ | Submission address: Douglas Myers 1:270/720 | +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | MORE addresses: | | | | submissions for June: doug@mdtnbbs.com | | | +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | For information, copyrights, article submissions, | | obtaining copies of FidoNews or the internet gateway FAQ | | please refer to the end of this file. | +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ Table of Contents 1. EDITORIAL ................................................ 1 Why not Empires? ......................................... 1 2. GUEST EDITORIAL .......................................... 3 Farewell to Bob Satti by Dave Hallford ................... 3 3. ARTICLES ................................................. 4 Zone 1 Coordinator Election Begins Today! ................ 4 4. COLUMNS .................................................. 5 ECHO TALK - Clay's Diplomacy; Secret cabal exposed ....... 5 5. NET HUMOR ................................................ 7 Elvis is in the house .................................... 7 6. COMIX IN ASCII ........................................... 8 FidoCows ................................................. 8 7. NOTICES .................................................. 9 8. FIDONEWS INFORMATION ..................................... 10 FIDONEWS 16-22 Page 1 31 May 1999 ================================================================= EDITORIAL ================================================================= ANNOUNCEMENTS Henk Wolsink is on vacation for the month of June, and I've agreed to act as Editor Pro Tem until his return. This week's edition of FIDONEWS is smaller than usual as I've taken out two regular features: the listing of internet sites and the software listing. Both of these contain useful information, but I haven't seen an update for a while, so I'd only be printing what's already available in last week's edition. If I can get updates from the authors, these features will return to Fidonews. In the meantime, I invite YOU to fill the missing space with your Fidonews articles. For the month of June, just send your articles netmail to Douglas Myers at 1:270/720 or email to doug@mdtnbbs.com. During the month of June, I'm running an "Editor Pro Tem Special." If you have something to say but find ARTSPEC.DOC daunting, just send your article in some kind of readable form and I'll do the formatting for publication. Now for the actual editorial :) WHY NOT EMPIRES? I'm always fascinated by the use of the Internet to connect Fido. Todd Cochrane and Joe Jarad carried on a conversation recently in one of the echoes which set me to thinking about how we currently connect. TC> Personally if I could get away with it net 345 would be central TC> to Hawaii but would have about a 100 systems listed under it from TC> all over the world makes routing easier not to mention basic TC> setups. JJ> Given that most of your downlinks are TCPIP downlinks, it would JJ> make sense except that in order to insure that new technology JJ> takes off in fidonet, spreading the wealth is important. :) One JJ> such node came to me for a feed, and our RC wisely found a net JJ> within his region that would grant him a fidonet IP only node. JJ> If this technology were concentrated in one area it would not be JJ> widely accepted and seen to the world as a Cochranet rather than JJ> a new FTS protocol. Above all else, the newer technologies JJ> should enhance communication within fidonet, and not be used to JJ> develop a power base. Why not allow development of a power base here? We're not talking about the building of an "evil empire." We're not talking about exalting someone and then forcing nodes to connect to him. This kind of "empire building" may just be the thing which reverses the much lamented nodelist shrinkage. We're talking about the voluntary association of sysops. Sysops would be free to join Todd's empire FIDONEWS 16-22 Page 2 31 May 1999 or Joe's empire... or form their own. Fidonet sysops are already finding their net feeds wherever convenient. What a mess we make of things by requiring them to be listed according to a geographic format which no longer adequately reflects the organization of Fido. In a sense, we're perpetuating the old geographical "power bases" in denying nets to organize as they connect. Is it time to change our thinking? If a bit of benign empire-building can make it easier for Fido to grow, then let the empires begin! ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 16-22 Page 3 31 May 1999 ================================================================= GUEST EDITORIAL ================================================================= Farewell By Dave Hallford Bob Satti is 'retiring' as Zone 1 Coordinator. His retirement party was held on May 15th in Surrey British Columbia ( and a bang up party it was thanks to the Event Coordinator - Bill Herringshaw). I, like many others, have had differences of opinion with Bob thru the last 6 years, but I at least am grateful that he has cared enough about this shared hobby of ours to serve in the higher *C positions. I feel that whether we have agreed with him or not, that we owe him at least a "Thank you" for the work he has done on behalf of Zone 1. Thank you Bob and as we old sailors say " May you have fair winds and a following sea" as the International Coordinator. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 16-22 Page 4 31 May 1999 ================================================================= ARTICLES ================================================================= +---------------------------------------------+ | Zone 1 Coordinator Election Begins Today! | +---------------------------------------------+ Today, May 31, 1999 begins the Nomination Phase for selection of a Zone 1 Coordinator. Nominations may be done by any nodelisted Zone 1 Sysop in the echo Z1_ELECTION. The nominating process continues until June 12th. The election rules and timetable are published daily in Z1_ELECTION and frequent announcements are posted to other echoes. The Election Coordinator, Ross Cassell, has made a strong effort to ensure that all Zone 1 Sysops have this opportunity to participate in the selection of the next Z1C. Now it's time for the Zone 1 Sysops to reciprocate this effort, first by obtaining the Z1_ELECTION echo, making a nomination or seconding one if you know of a good candidate, and participating in the public discussion (theoretically starting June 13th, but ongoing right now). The Z1C election in previous years was a closed process among the Zone 1 Regional Coordinators, so this year's election represents an important departure from this practice. Some sysops have responded negatively, pointing out that policy still gives the actual vote to the RCs and that they will vote as they wish irregardless of what the sysops say. Nonetheless, the RCs have pledged to vote according to the input they gather from their regions... so it's not the time for sysops to remain silent. Some Net Coordinators have indicated that feedback from their own net is light, and the few responses they've had in attempting to publicize the election tell them to "use their judgement." Though this faith in their NC and ultimately RC is touching, it defeats the sincere wishes of the Coordinators to represent their constituency. Such a response is interpreted as apathy, that a sysop won't even take the time to familiarize with the candidates and issues and offer specific input. Informed voting _is_ a chore, to be sure. So much so that less than ten percent of sysops have participated in previous zone-wide elections. However, even if this ten percent is the most interest we can muster in the Z1C election, it's more reasonable than requiring just ten Regional Coordinators to make our decision for us. Please take the time to participate in this election. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 16-22 Page 5 31 May 1999 ================================================================= COLUMNS ================================================================= . -- -- -- -- -- ECHO TALK -- -- -- -- -- . | Food for thought from Fido's echomail. | | Purloined without permission by D Myers | ` -- -- -- -- -- -- - -- -- -- -- -- -- ' In this week's Echo Talk, Clay Tannacore returns to Fidonet and attempts to mediate between Alec Grynspan and Bob Morasvik. The secret cabal controlling Fidonet is explained to Jerry Schwartz. ------------------------- Area: Zone 1 Echo Coordinator From: Clay Tannacore To: Alec Grynspan *In a message to Bob Moravsik regarding "Your silly muscle-flexing", Alec Grynspan wrote: BM> Its the medication....slows down time !!!!! Misses the parade. BM> Wonders what happened....pure buffoonery ! AG> We already know about your meds, Bozo. That's why you were AG> elected buffoon-for-life! Jeez! I leave for three months plus, and find you two still in constant conflict, when I return. How about we officially divide The Buffoon Title in half, and bestow it equally between you two gentlemen? Fair enough????? . . . [g] Toodles, CT ------------------------- Area: Z1_ELECT From: Douglas Myers To: Jerry Schwartz JS> Let's see: you have been nodelisted since 1986 and you are an NC. JS> How do you define "Old Guard"? JS> This repeated assertion that there is a cabal holding FidoNet JS> back (and the underlying assumption that if things aren't working JS> out the way we like, SOMEBODY is at fault) should be backed up JS> with specifics or given a rest. Dear Jerry - I meant to mention this to you before, but sometimes things get forgotten in the press of echomail. Also, the Fidonet Elders don't take kindly to exposing their secrets, so I may have feared for my life at the time. FIDONEWS 16-22 Page 6 31 May 1999 Deep in the caverns of Fidonet lie the secret Chambers of the Fidonet Elders. It is within these Chambers where the Old Guard resides, protecting the Elders as they gather in Solemn Enclave and issue Grave Pronouncements. The Fidonet Elders go back much further than 1986 - they even predate Fido itself. They are dedicated to the preservation of Tradition, and secretly control Fidonet from their Commodore Computers and 110 Baud Modems. It is a little known fact that FTS-1 connection protocol contains a back door which enables any Fidonet Elder to seize control of the mailer session and modify nodelist segments or issue netmail in the receiving system's name. This is the mechanism of control which allows absolute, and yet secret, control of the mechanism which is Fidonet. The traditions of FTS-1 compatibility and ZMH keep each and every node in Fidonet open to their nefarious manipulations. Now that I've backed up this assertion with specifics, it's likely that the Fidonet Elders will frown upon me. Consequently, I will be abandoning my computer, my job, and my cat and seek to establish a new identity in some foreign port. The Fidonet Elders will likely send a member of the Old Guard to turn the computer back on again and replace me with a virtual sysop. Perhaps this virtual sysop will even conduct a successful campaign for the seat of Z1C and give the Fidonet Elders yet another avenue of Fidonet control. Respectfully Douglas Myers Displaced Freedom Fighter ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 16-22 Page 7 31 May 1999 ================================================================= NET HUMOR ================================================================= Father O'Mally has been preaching at his church in Ireland for so long, that he decides to take a vacation. He has never been overseas and he is curious as to what an American endures in everyday life. So, he decides to go to the States before it is too late. He hops on the plane bound for Nevada. He arrives in the Airport in Las Vegas. As he is exiting the plane, someone in the airport runs up to him and exclaims, "Elvis! Oh my God! It's Elvis! I knew you weren't dead Elvis! How have you been?" Father looks at her and says, "Get outta me face. Can't you see I'm not Elvis? I don't look a thing like Elvis." The father moves on to his cab waiting outside. He hops in his cab and he's a little upset so he tells the cabby, "Take me to my hotel and step on it." The cabby turns and says, "Sure thing sir - Oh my God! It's Elvis! I knew you weren't dead! I'm your number one fan! It's so great to see you!" "Shut up, you imbecile. I'm not Elvis! Now turn around and drive!" So, the cabby speeds up to the hotel. Father O'Malley gets his things and walks up to the hotel check-in counter. "Oh my God! Oh my God! It's you!" screams the hotel clerk. "You're back Elvis! I knew this day would happen. We saved everything just the way you like it! Free cheeseburgers, peanut butter and fried banana sandwiches, masseurs, complementary hookers and a full liquor bar! I'm so glad you're back!" Father O'Malley looks at the hotel clerk and says, "Thank you. Thank you very much!" ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 16-22 Page 8 31 May 1999 ================================================================= COMIX IN ASCII ================================================================= (__) (__) / oo ______ / @@ ______ | /\_| | \ | /\_| | \ | |___ | | | |___ | | | ---@ |_______| | ---@ |_______| * | | ---- | | | | ---- | | \ | |_____ | |_____ \|________| *____/|________| FidoCow FidoCow After an All-niter (__) (__) / -- ______ / .\/. ______ | /\_| | \ | /\_| | \ | |___ | | | |___ | | | ---@ |_______| | ---@ |_______| | | ---- | | * | | ---- | | | |_____ \ | |_____ *____/|________| \|________| FidoCow Asleep at the Keyboard FidoCow Discovers Bug in Batch File. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 16-22 Page 9 31 May 1999 ================================================================= NOTICES ================================================================= Future History 4 Jul - 10 Jul 1999 Z1C Election process 24 Jul 1999 XIII Pan American Games [through 8 Aug 99]. 9 Jun 1999 Tenth Anniversary of the adoption of FidoNet Policy 4.07. 10 Sep 1999 10th anniversary of Zone 5 operations. 26 Oct 1999 Thirty years from release Abbey Road album by the Beatles. 31 Dec 1999 Hogmanay, Scotland. The New Year that can't be missed. 1 Jan 2000 The 20th Century, C.E., is still taking place thru 31 Dec. 1 Jun 2000 EXPO 2000 World Exposition in Hannover (Germany) opens. 15 Sep 2000 Sydney (Australia) Summer Olympiad opens. 21 Sep 2000 10 years of FidoNet in +7 (xUSSR) 1 Jan 2001 This is the actual start of the new millennium, C.E. -- If YOU have something which you would like to see in this Future History, please send a note to the FidoNews Editor. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 16-22 Page 10 31 May 1999 ================================================================= FIDONEWS INFORMATION ================================================================= ------- FIDONEWS MASTHEAD AND CONTACT INFORMATION ------- During the month of June, 1999, the Fidonews Editor is on vacation. Editor Pro Tem during this period is Douglas Myers, 1:270/720, doug@mdtnbbs.com. Please address correspondence, article submissions, etc to the above addresses during this time. Editor: Henk Wolsink Editors Emeriti: Tom Jennings, Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell, Vince Perriello, Tim Pozar, Sylvia Maxwell, Donald Tees, Christopher Baker, Zorch Frezberg "FidoNews Editor" FidoNet 5:5/23 BBS +27-41-581-5913, 2400/9600/V34 more addresses: Henk Wolsink -- 5:7104/2, hwolsink@catpe.alt.za (Postal Service mailing address) FidoNews Editor P.O. Box 12325 Port Elizabeth, 6006 South Africa ------------------------------------------------------ FidoNews is 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 and/or the Editor. Authors retain copyright on individual works; otherwise FidoNews is Copyright (C) 1999 Henk Wolsink. All rights reserved. Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances, please contact the original authors, or the Editor. =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*= OBTAINING COPIES: The most recent issue of FidoNews in electronic form may be obtained from the FidoNews Editor via manual download or file-request, or from various sites in FidoNet and the Internet. PRINTED COPIES may be obtained by sending SASE to the above postal address. File-request FIDONEWS for the current Issue. File-request FNEWS for the current month in one archive. Or file-request specific FIDONEWS 16-22 Page 11 31 May 1999 back Issue filenames in distribution format [FNEWSGnn.ZIP] for a particular Issue. Monthly Volumes are available as FNWSmmmy.ZIP where mmm = three letter month [JAN - DEC] and y = last digit of the current year [9], i.e., FNWSJAN9.ZIP for all the Issues from Jan 99. Annual volumes are available as FNEWSn.ZIP where n = the Volume number 1 - 16 for 1984 - 1999, respectively. Annual Volume archives range in size from 48K to 1.4M. INTERNET USERS: FidoNews is available via: http://www.fidonews.org ** http://www.fidonet.org/fidonews.htm ** ftp://ftp.fidonet.org/pub/fidonet/fidonews/ ftp://ftp.irvbbs.com/fidonews/ ftp://ftp.nwstar.com/Fidonet/Fidonews And in non-English formats via: ** http://www.hvc.ee/pats/fidonews (Estonian) http://www.fidonet.pp.se/sfnews (Swedish) ** LINK HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED *=*=* You may obtain an email subscription to FidoNews by sending email to: jbarchuk@worldnet.att.net with a Subject line of: subscribe fnews-edist and no message in the message body. To remove your name from the email distribution use a Subject line of: unsubscribe fnews-edist with no message to the same address above. * You may retrieve current and previous Issues of FidoNews via FTPMail by sending email to: ftpmail@fidonews.org with a Subject line of: help and FTPMail will immediately send a reply containing details and instructions. When you actually make a file request, FTPMail will respond in three stages. You find a link for this process on www.fidonews.org. *=*=* You can read the current FidoNews Issue in HTML format at: http://www.fidonews.org FIDONEWS 16-22 Page 12 31 May 1999 and http://www.fidonet.dynip.com/public/fidonews/default.htm and in the FIDONEWS echo. STAR SOURCE for ALL Past Issues via FTP and file-request - Available for FReq from 1:396/1 or by anonymous FTP from: ftp://ftp.sstar.com/fidonet/fnews/ Each yearly archive also contains a listing of the Table-of-Contents for that year's issues. The total set is currently about 13 Megs. =*=*=*= The current week's FidoNews are now also available almost immediately after publication on the FidoNews Editor homepage on the World Wide Web at: http://209.77.228.66/fidonews.html There are also links there to jim barchuk's HTML FidoNews source and to John Souvestre's FTP site for the archives. There is also an email link for sending in an article as message text. Drop on over. =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*= 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 Editor, or file-requestable from 5:5/23 [5:7104/2] as file "ARTSPEC.DOC". ALL Zone Coordinators should have copies of ARTSPEC.DOC. Please read it. "Fido", "FidoNet" and the dog-with-diskette are U.S. registered trademarks of Tom Jennings, P.O. Box 410923, San Francisco, CA 94141, and are used with permission. "Disagreement is actually necessary, or we'd all have to get in fights or something to amuse ourselves and create the requisite chaos." -Tom Jennings -----------------------------------------------------------------