Volume 4, Number 39 12 October 1987 +---------------------------------------------------------------+ | _ | | / \ | | /|oo \ | | - FidoNews - (_| /_) | | _`@/_ \ _ | | International | | \ \\ | | FidoNet Association | (*) | \ )) | | Newsletter ______ |__U__| / \// | | / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / | | (________) (_/(_|(____/ | | (jm) | +---------------------------------------------------------------+ Editor in Chief: Thom Henderson Chief Procrastinator Emeritus: Tom Jennings Contributing Editors: Dave Lovell, Al Arango 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 at (314) 576-4067. Table of Contents 1. ARTICLES ................................................. 1 FidoNews Generator is Offline ............................ 1 2. COLUMNS .................................................. 2 3. NOTICES .................................................. 2 Special Notice ........................................... 2 The Interrupt Stack ...................................... 2 Latest Software Versions ................................. 3 4. COMMITTEE REPORTS ........................................ 4 IFNA Status Report for October, 1987 ..................... 4 FidoNews 4-39 Page 1 12 Oct 1987 ================================================================= ARTICLES ================================================================= Thom Henderson FidoNews Editor Region 13 Coordinator Sysop, SEAboard FidoNews Generator is Offline The system that creates FidoNews every week has suffered a hardware attack. We are engaged in major surgery to revive it, but the prognosis is not good. In other words, my system died and I have been unable to get it up and running reliably. Plans made long ago call for my being away for the next two weeks, and I have no time left to get it fixed before I leave. This unfortunate timing of events means: 1) It will be AT LEAST three weeks before I can publish another issue of FidoNews. 2) The files mentioned in last week's FidoNews as being requestable from 107/6 or downloadable from our BBS will probably not be available for at least another two weeks. 3) Nodes in Region 13 may experience difficulties in getting their node list updates in, or in receiving new node lists over the next two or three weeks. I will endeavor to get the problems fixed as soon as possible upon my return. Until then, you have my apologies in advance for whatever inconveniences may occur. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Substitute Editor's note: Rather than publish absolutely nothing for a 3-week period, Thom has arranged for one of his underlings to pinch-hit with this abbreviated edition. However, we don't know yet what we'll do next week. Maybe it'll be "The Best of FIDONEWS." ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 4-38 Page 2 5 Oct 1987 ================================================================= COLUMNS ================================================================= (Editor's Note: There will be no columns published until the return of both Thom and his hard drive.) ================================================================= NOTICES ================================================================= Many Happy Returns of the Day, Ken! The Interrupt Stack 16 Oct 1987 Ken Kaplan's 40th birthday. 14 Nov 1987 The First New England Sysop Conference, to be held at the Lederle Graduate Research Center, 16th Floor, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Contact Mort Sternheim at 1:321/109 for details. 7 Dec 1987 Start of the Digital Equipment Users Society meeting in Anaheim, CA. Contact Mark Buda at 1:132/777 for details. 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------ FidoNews 4-38 Page 3 5 Oct 1987 Latest Software Versions BBS Systems Node List Other & Mailers Version Utilities Version Utilities Version Dutchie 2.70a* EditNL 3.3 ARC 5.21 Fido 12 MakeNL 1.10 ARCmail 1.1* Opus 1.03a Prune 1.40 ConfMail 3.10 SEAdog 4.10 XlatList 2.84 EchoMail 1.31 TBBS 2.0M MGM 1.1* * Recently changed Utility authors: Please help keep this list up to date by reporting new versions to 1:1/1. It is not our intent to list all utilities here, only those which verge on necessity. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 4-38 Page 4 5 Oct 1987 ================================================================= COMMITTEE REPORTS ================================================================= Don Daniels, President International FidoNet Association FidoNet 1:107/210 IFNA Status Report for October 1987 This is the first of what should be a monthly status report from me to the membership of IFNA. It is my intention to publish these reports here in FidoNews the first week of each month from now until the end of my term in August. My apologies for this report being a week late - this was due to technical difficulties experienced with both my machine and the one supporting FidoNews. I have requested that all of the Committee Chairmen provide me with Status Reports outlining their Progress for the past month, current Problems, and Prognosis for the coming month. My status report to you, which will take the same general format, will be based on their reporting and on additional material from the various officers of the Association. PROGRESS DURING THIS PERIOD General Well, we're underway! We may not have a full head of steam up yet, but at least we seem to be moving a bit - and much of it is in the same general direction for a change! Administration and Finance We still do not have an official Chairperson for this committee so Ken Kaplan continues as Acting Chairman. He and Treasurer Leonard Mednick have been in contact and intend to meet in St. Louis in order to perform a turnover of responsibilities. Board of Directors The BoD has formed its own echo and has discussed a variety of concerns. To date, however, progress on any one these items has been stymied by a lack of structure. One question that appears to have been resolved is the question of whether a new node in South Africa should be allowed to join FidoNet. The consensus appears to be that, as FidoNet is dedicated to the free and open exchange of information, it may prove beneficial (even in some small way) to admit any node that ascribes to those precepts. FidoNews 4-39 Page 5 12 Oct 1987 By-laws and Rules The primary activity of this commmittee this month has just been the manning of the committee. Executive Committee This committee has formed its own Echo and has begun discussion on a variety of topics. No specific decisions have been made to this point, however. International Affairs This committee has not "met" as of yet, although Henk Wevers has provided some assistance to Switzerland which has scheduled its first National Sysop Meeting for the first weekend in October. Membership Services Phil Ardussi sent in a very nice report which I've summarized. Committee organization included the formation of several sub-committees: FidoCon Site Selection (Jim Cannell), Echolist (Gene Coppola), Help Node (David Dodell), New Sysop Help (David Bonine), and Membership List (Norm Henke). Several other projects are under way including requests for proposals for the site of the next FidoNet Conference. Nominations and Elections Dave Dodell informs me that he has formed his commmittee but they have tabled any action at this time as it is too early to gear up for the next elections. Publications No detailed report has been received from this committee. Technical Standards Ryugen Fisher says that the following sub-committees have been formed (or established liaison) and been manned: New Protocols, Documentation, Beta Testing, 9600 Modems, FOSSIL. FidoNews 4-39 Page 6 12 Oct 1987 PRESENT PROBLEMS General The main problems with which we are presently faced appear to be of the start-up variety. For most of us (Techies primarily) running an organization is something that does not come naturally - particulary when you consider that most of our interaction must be performed via electronic mail. To give you just one example of the effect of geography on our endeavors, consider the case of the eight-member Executive Committee: one each from New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Illinois, Oklahoma, California, and Washington. And this group is suppossed to "meet at least quarterly" according to the By-laws. "So `meet' electronically!" you reply. Well, it appears that its not so simple. Having checked with our lawyers, we find that there does not appear to be any state which will legally allow for official business to be conducted via an electronic medium. It seems that we're victims of being more progressive than the legislative process. What we are attempting to do to resolve this dilemma is to go ahead and conduct our business via electronic mail, but augment our actions either with USMail signature cards or by meeting at various times where, in person, we can "ratify" the decisions we've made previously. Administration and Finance One problem Ken reports is that, with the official IFNA address and phone number existing in St. Louis, he is still overwhelmed at times with new business. Changing the address every year with a new administration, however, does not make sense. Board of Directors The large size of this group and its geographical disparity makes it very difficult for business to be effectively handled in the BoD EchoCon. Another concern is the resignation of Ben Baker as Vice President - Technical Coordinator. By-laws and Rules Steve indicates that without specific direction from either the BoD or Executive Committee, it is difficult for them to proceed on fixing some of our organizational problems. Executive Committee The fact that there is so much to be done by a few disjointed volunteers has really been brought home in this, the front-line committee. Additional mechanisms are required to structure the work in ways that will allow it to be efficiently handled. International Affairs It goes without saying that distance here has a considerably detrimental effect on progress. We need to establish a really effective way of maintaining a responsive EchoCon before much business can be done by this committee as a whole. FidoNews 4-39 Page 7 12 Oct 1987 Membership Services Some of the volunteers have not been contacted yet. They will be as the sub-committee work get underway. Phil wonders how to get the committee members together in order to "get done in a couple of hours what it takes in two months of EchoMail." Nominations and Elections The only problem that has cropped up so far is the question of a conflict of interest in the case of members of this committee who wish to seek office in the next election. Tom Marshall has been asked to comment on this. Publications Brian Hughes has indicated to me that he may be transferred. Such concerns have resulted in essentially no time left over for this committee. Brian, although he does not wish to leave the committee, may be forced to drop the chaimanship. Technical Standards There have been a few problems with various assignments of some individuals to the sub-committees as some people either did not feel qualified or lacked required background or skills for a particular group. It is hoped that most of this has been or will be resolved. PROGNOSIS FOR THE COMING MONTH General It is hoped that the use of Richard's Rules of Electronic Order may provide the infra-structure that will help several of the committees become more efficient through ECHOMAIL. Hopefully, our present wheel-spinning trying to get underway will decrease and we'll see more things getting done next month. Administration and Finance Leonard is planning to make a stop in St. Louis this month to take over much of what Ken does in this area. Board of Directors If Richard's Rules of Electronic Order appear to work in the Executive Committee, they will be applied to this committee as well. By-laws and Rules Activity in this committee will mostly be tabled until we have a chance to see what works and what doesn't. Executive Committee It is expected that this committee will be the guinea pigs for Richard's Rules of Electronic Order. This, or some other form of structure, is the primary requirement to resolve so that the rest of the work can be more effectively attacked. FidoNews 4-39 Page 8 12 Oct 1987 International Affairs No specific plans have been made for this coming month. Membership Services In addition to ongoing sub-committee work, it is expected that all proposals for the 1988 FidoNet conference will be received during this month. Nominations and Elections No activities are planned for the coming month. Publications Brian Hughes is to resolve the chairmanship problem this month. Technical Standards It is expected that this month will primarily be involved with the internal organization and operation of the various sub- committees. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 4-39 Page 9 12 Oct 1987 __ The World's First / \ BBS Network /|oo \ * FidoNet * (_| /_) _`@/_ \ _ | | \ \\ | (*) | \ )) ______ |__U__| / \// / Fido \ _//|| _\ / (________) (_/(_|(____/ (jm) Membership for the International FidoNet Association Membership in IFNA is open to any individual or organization that pays an annual specified membership fee. IFNA serves the international FidoNet-compatible electronic mail community to increase worldwide communications. ** Name _________________________________ Date ________ Address ______________________________ City & State _________________________ Country_______________________________ Phone (Voice) ________________________ Net/Node Number ______________________ Board Name____________________________ Phone (Data) _________________________ Baud Rate Supported___________________ Board Restrictions____________________ Special Interests_____________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Is there some area where you would be willing to help out in FidoNet?_______ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Send your membership form and a check or money order for $25 to: International FidoNet Association P. O. Box 41143 St Louis, Missouri 63141 USA Thank you for your membership! Your participation will help to insure the future of FidoNet. ** Please NOTE that IFNA is a general not-for-profit organization and Articles of Association and By-Laws were adopted by the membership in January 1987. The first elected Board of Directors was filled in August 1987. The IFNA Echomail Conference has been established on FidoNet to assist the Board. We welcome your input on this Conference. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 4-39 Page 10 12 Oct 1987 INTERNATIONAL FIDONET ASSOCIATION ORDER FORM Publications The IFNA publications can be obtained by downloading from Fido 1/10 or other FidoNet compatible systems, or by purchasing them directly from IFNA. We ask that all our IFNA Committee Chairmen provide us with the latest versions of each publication, but we can make no written guarantees. IFNA Fido BBS listing $15.00 _____ IFNA Administrative Policy DOCs $10.00 _____ IFNA FidoNet Standards Committee DOCs $10.00 _____ Special offers for IFNA members ONLY: System Enhancement Associates SEAdog $60.00 _____ ONLY 1 copy SEAdog per IFNA Member. Fido Software's Fido/FidoNet $65.00 _____ ONLY 1 copy Fido/FidoNet per IFNA Member. As of November 1, 1987 price will increase to $100. Orders including checks for $65 will be returned after October 31, 1987. SUBTOTAL _____ Missouri Residents add 5.725 % Sales tax _____ International orders include $5.00 for surface shipping or $15.00 for air shipping _____ TOTAL _____ SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO: IFNA P.O. Box 41143 St. Louis, Missouri 63141 USA Name________________________________ Net/Node____/____ Company_____________________________ Address_____________________________ City____________________ State____________ Zip_____ Voice Phone_________________________ Signature___________________________ -----------------------------------------------------------------