Volume 4, Number 22 8 June 1987 +---------------------------------------------------------------+ | _ | | / \ | | /|oo \ | | - FidoNews - (_| /_) | | _`@/_ \ _ | | International | | \ \\ | | FidoNet Association | (*) | \ )) | | Newsletter ______ |__U__| / \// | | / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / | | (________) (_/(_|(____/ | | (jm) | +---------------------------------------------------------------+ Editor in Chief: Thom Henderson Chief Procrastinator Emeritus: Tom Jennings FidoNews is published weekly by the International FidoNet Association as its official newsletter. You are encouraged to submit articles for publication in FidoNews. Article submission standards are contained in the file ARTSPEC.DOC, available from node 1:1/1. Copyright 1987 by the International FidoNet Association. All rights reserved. Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances, please contact IFNA. Ten Weeks to FidoCon! Table of Contents 1. EDITORIAL ................................................ 1 Shades of Grey ........................................... 1 2. ARTICLES ................................................. 2 Echomail Censorship: Con ................................. 2 Echomail Censorship: Pro ................................. 3 BBS Picnic -- You are invited ............................ 6 Tandy User Group Newsletter .............................. 7 3. COLUMNS .................................................. 12 The Regular Irregular Column ............................. 12 4. NOTICES .................................................. 16 The Interrupt Stack ...................................... 16 Notice: Echolist 102 now available! ...................... 16 Latest Software Versions ................................. 16 IFNA Board of Directors Ballot ........................... 18 International FidoNet Conference Registration Form ....... 21 FidoNews 4-22 Page 1 8 Jun 1987 ================================================================= EDITORIAL ================================================================= Shades of Grey This should be an interesting issue. Most of you are probably aware of the current controversy surrounding the creation and use of the EchoChop utility by yours truly. In this issue we have a pair of articles about EchoChop. One, written by myself, argues against it. The other, written by David Garrett (a noted opponent of EchoChop), argues in favor of it. At best this will be illuminating, and at worst it may serve to illustrate that no issue ever truly resolves itself into black and white, but only into shades of grey. For, opposed as we are, we both do realize that there are multiple sides to the issue. While we have come to different conclusions, both of us are quite capable of appreciating the other side. I personally feel that no one is able to rationally resolve any question unless that person is able to see it from more than one viewpoint. Remember, your opponent never thinks of himself as wrong. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 4-22 Page 2 8 Jun 1987 ================================================================= ARTICLES ================================================================= Thom Henderson, 107/6.1 Echomail Censorship: Con Censorship of echomail is a dangerous and deadly precedent. By and large FidoNet operates on trust, and trust is a fragile thing. If it is abused, then our entire network can fall to pieces about our ears. Echomail already carries about it a strong scent of anarchy. No one really knows what conferences exist and who carries them (in spite of the valiant efforts of Tom Kenney to track them). By its very nature echomail is not subject to any sort of central control, which is one of its greatest strengths. But if this anarchy is carried to extremes, if any given sysop along the path is allowed unlimited discretion regarding echomail content, then the entire structure becomes anarchical to the point of collapse. It only works, when it does work, because those who promote it have dedicated themselves to a higher purpose. Just as the various coordinators of FidoNet mail in general concern themselves only with the movement of messages and not their content, so have the various nodes of the echomail backbone dedicated themselves to the broadcast of messages without regard to content. Theirs is not to judge, but to distribute. This is the burden they knowingly accepted, and this burden they are free to lay down at any time if they are less than willing to abide by all of the consequences. One of the basic tenets of FidoNet is that any sysop is free to do pretty much as he or she wishes on his or her own board, but that no sysop may dictate to any other sysop. Censorship of echomail is contrary to this ethic. We are not children here. There is no need for any "Big Brother" to dictate tastes and choices to sysops at large. All sysops are presumed able to make their own decisions. They should be given the opportunity to do so. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 4-22 Page 3 8 Jun 1987 David Garrett, 103/504 Echomail Censorship: Pro Regulation of echomail content is long overdue. Those opposed to echomail regulation base their opposition on one of three primary arguments, namely, censorship, violation of trust, or that the time is not right to open this "can of worms". These arguments must be evaluated against Fidonet's controlling philosophy that all sysops have the right to control their own board so long as it does not adversely effect other sysops. It is becoming obvious that echomail must be cleansed of the defamatory messages which so frequently consume our time and disk space. When the arguments against echomail censorship are stripped of their emotional appeal, then these arguments become much less persuasive. An objective evaluation of the competing interests involved leads to the an obvious conclusion in support of echomail censorship. At the very heart of this hobby, for most of us, is the desire to run our own independent Bulletin Board over which the Sysop reigns supreme. Sysops defiantly maintain the right to control the nature of the files and messages on their individual boards. Should a sysop not wish to receive echomail on particular subjects or from particular individuals, he is entirely within his rights to do so. If a node wishes to receive an edited version of an echomail area then this is also well within the sysop's rights so long as he can find an echo feed which will accommodate him. Conversely, should an unadulterated version be desired then the sysop is under no compulsion to receive echomail from any particular source and is free to find a link that satisfies his own desires. Echomail censorship (echochop) is consistent with this philosophy. As Sysops we have the right to decide what to receive and what expenses to incur. A sysop should not be required to receive echomail that he does not want nor should he be required to incur costs in obtaining echomail that he has no desire to read and which will be immediately deleted. It has become apparent that there is an extreme need to be able to in someway limit the number of defamatory messages which often consume the echomail areas. These messages act like a cancerous growth in the echomail areas quickly choking out the enjoyment that we all seek to gain by participation in echomail. Initial attempts at ignoring the offending messages as well as requests to stop entering them have been futile. The situation has reached the point where numerous sysops have stopped participating in echomail altogether as a result of the offensive character of certain echomail areas. Obviously, when things deteriorate to the point that participation is discouraged then something must be done. Echochop is an acceptable solution. It does not go so far as to completely censor the offending nodes but rather merely seeks to reach an acceptable middle ground where those sysops that have been driven from the area can still feel free to participate without risking the exposure to FidoNews 4-22 Page 4 8 Jun 1987 offensive material. As such echochop seeks to protect the interests of all individuals since it gives an option as to the content of the messages received. In evaluating the allegation that echomail violates the trust upon which Fidonet is based, it is obvious that there exists different levels of "trust" within Fidonet. In this writers opinion, "trust" as it relates to echomail is much different than "trust" as it relates to netmail. In the case of netmail, both the sender and recipient trust the nodes in the stream of distribution to not delete the mail. However, echomail is a much different form of communication and should be treated differently. Echomail is primarily an open discussion forum where the intent to communicate with any one particular individual is not as critical as participating in the discussion with the group as a whole. As such, the sender of echomail generally is not that concerned that the mail reach any particular recipient and hence does not place the same level of trust on the delivery process. With regards to the recipient, there exists an element of trust with the feed that recipient is receiving and an unadulterated version of the conference. Where as in the case of net 107, the filtering is occurring with the knowledge and consent of the recipient then this trust is not being violated. As such echochop does not violate anyone's "trust" in the echomail system. The allegation of censorship is simply without merit. Censorship does not occur merely by creating two conferences from one. This is particularly true where both conferences are made available to all recipients. This situation is analogous to television where one has the ability to selectively view desired programs. Additionally, since there is not any effect on the ability to process replies the net result is that there is not an effect of censorship on the echomail area. With regards to not opening the "can of worms" at the present time, it becomes obvious that this argument looses its appeal under careful consideration. With the continual rise in the number of nodes in Fidonet it is much better to deal with growing pains such as the current censorship issue at the present time as opposed to later when the number of nodes has risen to the point of where there is no possibility of reaching a consensus. One must also keep in mind the fact that the only real effect that the filtering of the sysop area has is to change the location of where the messages are removed from a given echomail conference. Obviously, if a downstream node does not wish to read any messages from another individual then he won't do so. By allowing the offensive messages to be segregated upstream then a more cost effective allocation of resources occurs in that the downstream node does not have to receive mail that will be deleted anyway. This does not adversely effect the sender of the message since it would not have been read anyway. In conclusion, Echochop (censorship) appears to be the least restrictive method of protecting the interests of the sysops FidoNews 4-22 Page 5 8 Jun 1987 participating in echomail. It does not violate anyone's trust but rather allows sysops to be selective as to the message content of their message areas. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 4-22 Page 6 8 Jun 1987 John Kelley, 107/331 Sysops: If you could be so kind as to post this info on your system, it owuld be greatly appreeciated. We have had this event for several years and it never fails to be a great event. We would like to welcome you and your callers to our BBS Bash. Thank you so much ***************************************************************** BBS Picnic -- You are invited Planet Shadowstar BBS in co-operation with MicroFone MultiLine BBS takes pleasure in announcing the 3rd annual bbs picnic to be held from 11am - dusk in Roosevelt Park, Edison, NJ on Saturday August 1st. Price is $7 per adult, $4 each for ages 5-12. Under 5 is free. This includes hamburgers, hot dogs, soda and beer -- all you can eat. Attendees are asked to bring a covered dish to put on a table to be sampled by all. This can be a hot or cold dish. If you can bring some ice, that would be nice. There will be a baseball field, playground for kids, tennis & basketball courts. Please bring sports equipment if you have it. It will be a fun day. If you want to go, send a check made out to Larry Feldman PO Box 2052 Menlo Park, NJ 08818 Include a note to let me know how many adults & children. Deadline for the money is July 10th. There will be a minimum of 100 people in attendance. I hope you will add to that amount. Meet your fellow bbs-ers. Thank-You Larry Feldman - picnic control --- TBBS v2.0 ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 4-22 Page 7 8 Jun 1987 Bill Crawford, OpusNODE 362/1 Chattanooga, Tennessee (615) 892-7773 Tandy User Group Newsletter The day "full compatibility" became a myth! The MS-DOS standard is still intact, but IBM has joined the rest of us in being not quite hardware compatible. Actually, they made themselves a lot less compatible than many of us have been. The Model 30, IBM's new "low-end" product still uses PC and XT compatible expansion boards, but that's about where it stops. Our understanding is that most monitors won't work (the PC and XT used digital monitors while all the new products use analog units). Previous units used 5-1/4" drives, while the Model 30 (and the Convertible) use 760Kb 3-1/2" units... and the remainder of the new models use 1.44Mb 3- 1/2" drives! Remember the Tandy 1000 and 2000 "non-standard" keyboards with 12 function keys across the top (IBM had ten keys on the left end of the keyboard) and our separate cursor keypad??? Guess what. IBM now supplies their Enhanced Keyboard on all units with... yep, twelve function keys across the top and a separate cursor keypad. So, the bottom line is that IBM currently has at least three hardware configurations which are not compatible... their original PC, XT, and AT... the new Model 30 and the convertible... and the new Models 50, 60, and 80. IBM is offering improved graphics on all models, but the Model 30 is a subset of what's available on the 50, 60, and 80 series. Product literature I've seen indicates that if you want the new graphics on your PC or XT (or compatible), IBM will have an expansion board. RAINBOWFEST CHICAGO April 11 and 12 at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield, were wild days for CoCo enthusiasts! One hears about devoted Apple fans, Commodore devotees and others, but I've never seen a more enthusiastic and dedicated group of computer buffs anywhere. Fran McGehee (who is responsible for PR on our Color Computer) and I flew to Chicago for the show. We shared the hotel courtesy shuttle from the airport with a doctor from South Carolina who had flown in for the show. He owned one of the original silver CoCos. I saw our doctor friend several more times during the show. As of our last meeting, he hadn't succumbed to the temptation to pick up a new CoCo 3, but CoCo 2s, 3s, monitors, software and accessories were being carried out of the place in what at times looked like a bucket brigade. When the room became almost too crowded to move in, I looked FidoNews 4-22 Page 8 8 Jun 1987 at the registration line outside the door, and it was still at least three abreast around the corner, a hundred or so feet down the hall. A new addition this year, was CoCo Cat in person, greeting show attendees. At the CoCo Community Breakfast on Saturday morning, the room was packed. Dr. Marty Goodman gave a very entertaining talk on how he happened to get into the Color Computer business, and on the history (or rumored history) of the Color Computer. All in all, it was a great show, and Lonnie Falk and his crew are to be complimented on an outstanding effort. ONE THOUSAND MAGAZINE There's a new Tandy-specific magazine that I don't think I've told you about. It is devoted exclusively to owners of the Tandy 1000 family of computers. It's called "One Thousand", and it's published by Jeff Thurston and Michael Sakacsi. They've been around for about a year now, and report their intention to go on newsstands soon. The 58-page April issue made the offer to sendsubscription information and a sample issue to any Tandy 1000 owner who requests it. The address is Thursak Publishing, Inc., 2153 Muren Blvd., Suite A, Belleville, IL 62221-4136. Or call'em at (618) 277-3526. READER RESPONSE Robert Sullivan, president of the New England Coconuts club, recently sent some requests and suggestions that I would like to address. Mr. Sullivan complemented us on information like the software compatibility data in the January '87 issue. He hopes that type of information will be made available to stores. Actually, I took it from a monthly memo to the stores issued by our computer merchandising department, so es, they have it. He feels that I may have spent too much time recently on industry issues like the errors in PC Magazine's review of the 1000 EX and SX. He suggests that the magazine's "letters" column is the appropriate place for that type of response. That's a valid point. I did write. I had dinner with PC editor Bill Machrone and executive editors Paul Sommerson and Bill Howard, just three nights ago in New York, and he tells me my letter should appear very shortly. The reason I have also addressed some of those issues here is that every time something like that happens, I receive anywhere from 2 or 3 to more than a dozen letters from Tandy owners, calling it to my attention and saying they hope we will register a strong objection. My interpretation of those letters was that Tandy owners take real pride in their computers, and want to know that we make a strong effort to refute published FidoNews 4-22 Page 9 8 Jun 1987 misinformation. It's all part of the "behind the scenes" non- technical information we hoped to provide by this newsletter. I would welcome other comments, since I want to keep this publication valuable to you. Mr. Sullivan asked for an overview of what happens with a software product between the time a developer gives it to us and the time it reaches the stores for sale. I'll provide that below. He was especially interested in the story behind OS-9 Level II. He asks why, at Princeton Rainbowfest last Fall, developers were using OS-9 Lv II, before most of you could even get CoCo 3s. Simple... early versions of the CoCo 3 were supplied to applications developers, along with early copies of OS-9 Lv II, to encourage them to begin development of applications programs using OS-9 Lv II. Unfortunately, early hardware and software isn't always "bug free", and so developers' ability to get an early start can be hampered until "final" versions reach them. Those early versions are what you saw at Rainbowfest. He also asks what is and is not allowed in Radio Shack stores and Plus Computer Centers in relation to Tandy User Groups. The answer is we allow our stores to post notices for Tandy-specific clubs, listing the club name, contact person, along with times, dates and places of regular meetings. In most stores, we can post a single letter-size leaflet, but please don't ask us to distribute a quantity of leaflets or newsletters. Stores are not allowed to offer their location for meetings, due to insurance restrictions. SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT It's been quite a while since I've written about this issue, and Mr. Sullivan's question reminded me that it's probably time to do it again. We've learned a lot in our ten years in the computer business, so the problem isn't of the magnitude it was even 5 or 6 years ago. But when delays happen, it's a major irritation to those of you who are waiting for a product. Here's a simplified overview of what happens to a new software product. I think most of you know that now, Tandy relies almost entirely on third-party, name-brand software suppliers. We develop (in house) only three applications products... Scripsit, Quartet, and DeskMate. The question specifically related to third-party software. First of all, we have to divide those products into two categories. Number one is "strategic" software... those items we sell in our stores. Second is "express order" software, which is not stocked, but is electronically special ordered for you, and normally shipped to your store within 24 hours. Most new software enters our catalog through the express order system. When we decide to carry an item, it is tested by our quality assurance people, but not to the extent a "strategic" FidoNews 4-22 Page 10 8 Jun 1987 product is. Since the original intent of express order was to offer market-proven programs, those products have already achieved a high degree of market acceptance by the time they reach us. We don't feel it's necessary to go over them in such great detail. Express order products are supported by the author or publisher. "EOS" products generally reach the market quickly, unless our testing uncovers a serious defect or problem. Strategic products... like OS-9 Lv II... are another matter. When the vendor delivers to us, the work has just begun. It is not unusual for the software to undergo several hundred hours of exhaustive testing. Our software engineers have to become thoroughly familiar with it. Vendors make the required corrections, retest, and return the package so we can resume our testing. Fixing one software problem has been known to cause others. The test and correct process goes on until we're comfortable with the product's performance. hat's the way software is developed. Editors go over the manuals to try to make them as easily understandable as possible, often making extensive changes. Once the manual is edited, it goes out for typesetting. That can take weeks on an extensive manual. The typeset pages must be proofread, and corrections made. Then printing can take several weeks. Disks must be mastered, and the masters retested, before mass production can be started. When manuals are printed and master disks are approved, a few sample packages are assembled for final approval, and almost immediately production begins. When the plant ships to our warehouses our incoming Quality Assurance personnel must inspect and approve the packages. Then they go into warehouse inventory, available for shipment to stores. Depending on how initial distribution is planned, the time from warehouse stock to store shelves is 1 to 3 weeks, including shipping. It sounds complex, and it is. We'd like nothing better than to build and ship, without delays, but we can't do it and supply a quality product. If all our plans went like clockwork, you wouldn't see the delays. If it took two years to bring the product to market, you'd simply see the ads when it was ready, and walk into a store and take a copy home. We try to plan it that way. Magazine and newspaper ads are not normally placed until product is in the warehouse. Sometimes, ongoing testing uncovers a problem after that time, and we suspend shipments until it's fixed. Catalogs are another matter. They have very long lead times. Our August catalog is committed in April. If we aren't very confident of delivery, we don't include the product. But if only one new product out of 2 dozen is delayed, you and we forget the twenty-three that went according to plan, and that one becomes a major problem to us all. We just aren't willing to deliver a product with a known problem, in order to make a deadline. FidoNews 4-22 Page 11 8 Jun 1987 Specifically, in the case of OS-9 Lv II, remember that it took 3 years to develop OS-9. With Tandy's backing, the new windowing system included in Lv II was developed in about one year. My software gurus tell me that the windowing portion of OS- 9 Lv II is actually more code than OS-9 itself, and the Lv II manual is 1,200 pages! If you haven't been intimately involved in software development, it's hard to fathom the procedure. The bottom line is that Tandy tries very hard to produce quality software. Our normal policy is not to announce products until you can walk out of a store with them. If in a specific instance that doesn't happen, you can be assured of two things. One, there was a good reason; and two, a lot of folks are under considerable pressure to correct the situation. Thanks, Mr. Sullivan, for providing several subjects that should be of considerably widespread interest. TIP TO HARD CARD OWNERS Our technical support people have found that there is a significant possibility of damage to your system if you transport it with a 20Mb hard disk card installed. We strongly suggest that if you ship or transport it, you emove the card first. We recommend you save the hard card carton, in case you have to ship it anywhere at a later date. See you next month. Material contained herein may be reproduced in whole or in part in user group newsletters. Please quote source as Tandy Corporation/Radio Shack. Send questions/suggestions to: Ed Juge, director of market planning Radio Shack 1700 One Tandy Center Fort Worth, TX 76102 You can also join the Tandy EchoMail Conference by contacting Neal Curtin 343/1 or myself 362/1 for more information. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 4-22 Page 12 8 Jun 1987 ================================================================= COLUMNS ================================================================= -- The Regular Irregular Column -- Dale Lovell 157/504 Well, I seem to have gotten past the thirteenth column in one piece. I finally had some time this past week to take a look over some of the stuff that had been building up in my pile of "things that I should look at real soon now." While this may sound great, I didn't have the time to do any in depth testing of any of the products. I plan to keep exercising most of the programs and will keep you updated on anything new I find out. First up is Dennis Baer's Structured Programming Language. -- The Structure Programming Language (Pledge of $50-$100) -- SPL is not currently meant to be a stand alone programming language. It works with a BASIC interpreter or compiler. While it resembles Pascal, it has many of the functions you may have become accustomed to in BASIC. Overall I'm not that impressed with it and don't think I'll be using it much. I do think it could have a great use as a preprocessor for a BASIC compiler (or even an interpreter). If more people started off using SPL instead of straight BASIC, it would help avoid some of the problems I've seen with a few self-taught programmers. I don't mean to downplay BASIC, I've used it myself. The problem is too many people place too much importance on it. I've run into quite a few "programmers" who have had severe problems in trying to learn any new languages or write what I would consider acceptable code (and I'm not that picky) because of the bad habits they had picked up from BASIC. I think SPL could help stop some of these problems. Anyway, enough of my preaching. Since SPL translates its' code into BASIC, just about everyone should be able to run it (most people have BASIC for their MS-DOS machines compliments of Microsoft). The language itself is structured enough to meet with my approval, although it could use better support on nesting (it currently has a maximum of 10 nested statements) and recursion. Procedures are declared pretty much as they are in Pascal, so I felt right at home. While there wasn't that many different variable types allowed, I found them adequate for simple use (real, integer, string, and arrays of all types). I would have liked to seen data structures as well (it would have been a nice addition to the regular BASIC variable types), hopefully the next release will have them. The language isn't that bad, my only real complaint is that its' generated code runs so slow under GW-BASIC. This could probably be improved by using a BASIC compiler, but I haven't gotten around to purchasing one yet. I'd recommend it to someone just learning how to program. The extra steps involved in running a program should also help to acquaint a person with the real world (text editor, compiler, source level debugger, etc.). Since SPL has many of the FidoNews 4-22 Page 13 8 Jun 1987 functions in BASIC, you get the flexibility of BASIC (even full screen functions) without picking up many of BASIC's "bad habits" (GOTOs, needing line number, etc.). -- MacPaint pictures, READMAC, and more -- When the Apple Macintosh was first introduced, many of us cringed at the included drawing program (MacPaint). Not only was it very easy to impress your friends with the then beautiful pictures, it was easy to use. In short order scanners for the Macintosh were feeding their output into MacPaint. This left many of us PC users feeling mean and nasty (I remember when PC owners snarled at the mention of the Macintosh). There weren't any inexpensive mice or drawing programs for the PC and even if they appeared overnight on the marketplace, the Mac people still had a jump on us. The PC world did respond, and you can now get quality mice for a PC for about $100. Many of the mice even come packaged with a paint program and/or mice menu software. The problem was there still wasn't any way to bring the MacPaint pictures over to our PCs (and help us PC users catch up quick). These problems were overcome over a year ago with a program called READMAC. It allowed an IBM PC with a CGA adapter to display and print a MacPaint format picture. In short order there were READMAC programs for Hercules monochrome adapters (the EGA adapters would have worked with the original READMAC). I've seen programs to convert a MacPaint picture to a PC Paint Plus format picture, but not in the Public Domain. The program I saw was copyrighted by MicroTex (who makes many of the scanners for PCs and Macs). If anyone has a public domain equivalent, I'd appreciate it if you could pass the news of it onto me (and where I can file request it). The part I like is that a conversion program would allow me to bring these scanned images into a DeskTop Publishing System like Ventura Publisher. While this may not sound like much, I've seen several hundred scanned (or drawn) MacPaint pictures. Everything from an Escher style print to Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry. In many instances I don't need to find (or buy) a scanner. I can merely dig up the MacPaint picture that has already been scanned. This could be a big boom for us Bulletin Boards as many companies would start taking us seriously. After all, when you've got the files that they're looking for, they will take you seriously! The original idea of READMAC has already been copied many times. I've come across a very quick READMAC type program for an EGA card. It has many features that could not be implemented on a CGA card (or herc card for that matter) and only lacks the ability to print the picture. The program is called EGAMAC and is from Large Scale Computing (the suggested contribution is $5). First off this is the fastest MacPaint reader I've ever seen, and speed means a lot to me as I do not have a 10 mhz AT. The program uses the high resolution modes of an EGA adapter and displays the picture without ANY distortion (as far as I can tell). In addition it allows you to look at the inverse of the picture and allows you to set the background color. If this wasn't enough it FidoNews 4-22 Page 14 8 Jun 1987 also allows you to change to pictures characteristics. This doesn't mean that you can change the picture, it just means the colors used. You can shade it with any of 3 different levels on Red, Green, and Blue. This was very convenient for me, as I didn't enjoy looking at everything in black and white. Of course, it does invite some patented weirdness when trying it out, but I found it a nice change of pace from being serious. I'd heartily recommend anyone with an EGA system to take a look over this software and send in at least a ten dollar contribution. Software of this quality is getting hard to find and we all need to support those few people still writing it! -- Winding Down -- I just came across an update to Hack (I had 3.5 and found 3.6) and have been busy looking for changes. I haven't really noticed any differences, but they might have been at the lower levels. I have yet to get past the tenth level, but I'm still working at it. Since I was "busy" looking over this "update" (I've been told 3.6 has been out for awhile) I didn't have a chance to look over any of the newer games sitting around (as opposed to an update of an older game). I still like Hack and think it is one of the better Public Domain games available for PCs. Since it has no graphics it should run on any system with an ANSI.SYS driver (DEC Rainbows have it built into the machine). In case you missed my comments on awhile back, it's a Dungeon and Dragons type program. You attempt to recover the Amulet of Yendor out of a Dungeon, you start off with a trusty companion (a small dog, who does grow) and the minimal amount of provisions and equipment. Along the way you'll find deadly monsters, "playful" sprites, and a few shop keepers. The best book I've come across is "Assembly Language Primer for the IBM PC & XT" by Robert Lafore of The Waite Group (list price $24.95). It is a beginning book on assembly language for our beloved PCs. I had bought the Microsoft Macro Assembler some weeks ago for a program that had come across Usenet. Part of it was in assembler, and I really wanted to have it running. Since I had bought the assembler, I finally decided to learn how to program in assembly language. This book has taught me a lot about 8088 assembly language and seems to cover the necessary topics. You can enter all of the sample programs through the DEBUG program included with MS-DOS, so don't worry if you don't own an assembler. Robert Lafore has a wonderful writing style that works well with what would otherwise be a dry subject. Throughout the book you find subtle humor to help carry you through the tough subjects introduced. I won't go into assembly language here, as I've found it is a tough subject (for me at least). This book is one of most well written computer texts I've ever come across. Even if you aren't interested in assembly language, I would recommend buying this book in order to have a good standard of what computer books SHOULD be like. This paragraph is for an unknown individual who sent me a package with no return address. The enclosed note was signed "Ender Wiggin." Well Ender, how about letting me know who you are FidoNews 4-22 Page 15 8 Jun 1987 (and what's with the "four fighter starship?"). I'm hoping this will drag my shy friend out of the woodwork. If you know who he or she is, please drop me a line as I am getting VERY curious! That ties it up for this week. I'll get around to some of the other programs that have been piling up next week. As it is this may get into Thom a little late (please excuse any errors as I was rushed). I encourage you to write to me (electronic or otherwise) and let me know you views on anything I've written about (or something you think I should). Below you'll find my FidoNet address, Usenet address, and US Mail address. I try to answer all the mail that I receive. People sending me mail through FidoNet should route my mail through 157/0 or 157/1 (I'm a private node in the matrix). Dale Lovell 3266 Vezber Drive Seven Hills, OH 44131 uucp: ..!ncoast!lovell FidoNet: 157/504 ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 4-22 Page 16 8 Jun 1987 ================================================================= NOTICES ================================================================= The Interrupt Stack 22 Jun 1987 Submissions deadline for echolist #103. All updates should be sent to Tomas Kenny at 107/316. 1 Aug 1987 Third Annual BBS Picnic in Edison, NJ. Please register before July 10th. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for 12 and under, free for 5 and under. Contact Paul Kelley at 107/331 for details. 20 Aug 1987 Start of the Fourth International FidoNet Conference, to be held at the Radisson Mark Plaza Hotel in Alexandria, VA. Contact Brian Hughes at 109/634 for more information. This is FidoNet's big annual get-together, and is your chance to meet all the people you've been talking with all this time. We're hoping to see you there! 24 Aug 1989 Voyager 2 passes Neptune. If you have something which you would like to see on this calendar, please send a message to FidoNet node 1:1/1. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas Kenny, 107/316 It is finally true! Echolist 102 is now available from me under the name of "echolist.arc". I run SEAdog but no file requests from 8-10GMT (NMH-1hr to NMH+1hr). Please be certain to send me corrections and additions for the next echolist. The deadline for submissions to the next list is 6/22/87. Thanks and enjoy! ----------------------------------------------------------------- Latest Software Versions BBS Systems Node List Other & Mailers Version Utilities Version Utilities Version Dutchie 2.51* EDITNL 3.3 ARC 5.21* Fido 11w LISTGEN 05.25.86 ARCmail 0.60 Opus 0.00 Prune 1.40 EchoMail 1.31 SEAdog 4.00 RouteGen 2.81* FastEcho 2.00* TBBS 2.0S TestList 8.3* Renum 3.30 XlatList 2.81* FidoNews 4-22 Page 17 8 Jun 1987 * Recently changed Utility authors: Please help keep this list as current as possible by reporting new versions to 1:1/1. It is not our intent to list all utilities here, only those which verge on necessity. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 4-22 Page 18 8 Jun 1987 Bob Morris 141/333 Chairman, Elections and Nominations Committee The next two pages are your Official ballot for the Election of the IFNA Board of Directors. The following are the few rules which must prevail in this election: 1. You must send a legible copy of this ballot to the address listed on the ballot. It must be signed and bear your net/node number. 2. You may vote for any one person in your region for the position of Regional Director. This vote is to be cast in the LEFT column of the ballot. 3. You may vote for any eleven people in any regions for the position of Director at Large. These votes are to be cast in the RIGHT column of the ballot. 4. Voting will continue until the end of registration at the Conference in August. The results will be read during the opening of the business meeting on the first day of the conference. 5. Write-in Votes will be accepted and are requested during this election. FidoNews 4-22 Page 19 8 Jun 1987 IFNA Board Of Directors Ballot Regional At Large Region 10: Steve Jordan _________ ________ Region 11: Ryugen Fisher _________ ________ Theodore Polczynski _________ ________ Region 12: Region 13: Don Daniels _________ ________ John Penberthy _________ ________ Thom Henderson _________ ________ Gee Wong _________ ________ Brian Hughes _________ ________ Region 14: Ben Baker _________ ________ Ken Kaplan _________ ________ Brad Hicks _________ ________ Region 15: David Dodell _________ ________ Larry Wall _________ ________ Region 16: Bob Hartman _________ ________ Hal Duprie _________ ________ Region 17: Rob Barker _________ ________ Randy Bush _________ ________ Bob Swift _________ ________ Region 18: Wes Cowley _________ ________ FidoNews 4-22 Page 20 8 Jun 1987 Region 19: Mark Grennan _________ ________ Wynn Wagner _________ ________ Region 2: Henk Wevers _________ ________ Write-in candidates: ___________________ _________ ________ ___________________ _________ ________ Name ______________________________ Net/Node ___________ Signature______________________________ Date ___________ Please complete this and mail it to: Robert Morris IFNA Elections Committee 210 Church Street West Haven, Ct. 06516 or bring it with you when you come to the conference in August. These ballots will be counted by myself since with 200 members the charges for a CPA would be very high. Hard copies will be made available to anyone wishing to insure that their vote was included. Thank You Bob Morris Elections and Nominations Committee ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 4-22 Page 21 8 Jun 1987 OFFICIAL REGISTRATION FORM FOURTH INTERNATIONAL FIDONET CONFERENCE RADISSON MARK PLAZA HOTEL ALEXANDRIA, VA. AUGUST 20 - 23, 1987 Name _________________________________ Date _____________ Address ______________________________ City & State _________________________ Phone (Voice) ________________________ Net/Node Number ______________________ Phone (Data) _________________________ Number in Your Party _________________ Staying at the Radisson? _____________ Number of Rooms? _____________________ Arrival Date? ________________________ Departure Date? ______________________ Registration Fees: How Many Total Full Conference $60.00 each ________ $________ Late registration $10.00 each ________ $________ (after Aug. 1) Friday Night Banquet $30.00 each ________ $________ Saturday Luncheon $16.50 each ________ $________ Total Amount Included (Registration and Meals) $________ IFNA MEMBERS ONLY: How many in your party will be attending the Sunday morning Board of Directors meeting? ________ Send your registration form and a check or money order to: Fourth International FidoNet Conference 212 E. Capitol St., Washington, D.C. 20003 Attn: Brian H. Hughes -- voice: (202) 543-4200 This registration form does not include hotel accomodations. If you wish to stay at the Radisson Mark Plaza Hotel, please contact them directly and mention you are with the FidoNet Conference. Conference room rates are $80/night for single or double occupancy, and $20/night for an extra cot. Radisson Mark Plaza Hotel 5000 Seminary Rd., Alexandria, Va. 22311 1-800-228-9822 -----------------------------------------------------------------