Volume 6, Number 13 27 March 1989 +---------------------------------------------------------------+ | _ | | / \ | | /|oo \ | | - FidoNews - (_| /_) | | _`@/_ \ _ | | International | | \ \\ | | FidoNet Association | (*) | \ )) | | Newsletter ______ |__U__| / \// | | / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / | | (________) (_/(_|(____/ | | (jm) | +---------------------------------------------------------------+ Editor in Chief: Vince Perriello Editors Emeritii: Dale Lovell Thom Henderson Chief Procrastinator Emeritus: Tom Jennings Contributing Editors: 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. 1:1/1 is a Continuous Mail system, available for network mail 24 hours a day. Copyright 1989 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. IFNA may also be contacted at PO Box 41143, St. Louis, MO 63141. Fido and FidoNet are registered trademarks of Tom Jennings of Fido Software, 164 Shipley Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94107 and are used with permission. We don't necessarily agree with the contents of every article published here. Most of these materials are unsolicited. No article will be rejected which is properly attributed and legally acceptable. We will publish every responsible submission received. Table of Contents 1. ARTICLES ................................................. 1 Bimodem: Yet Another File Transfer Protocol ............. 1 Hackers Are Human ........................................ 3 ZOW, Yet Another Fantastically New File Packer! (Part 1 .. 6 2. COLUMNS .................................................. 8 A new column: The Veterinarian's Corner! ................. 8 Rogel's Corner: Panasonic Laser Partner, LaserTORQ ....... 10 3. LATEST VERSIONS .......................................... 24 Latest Software Versions ................................. 24 4. NOTICES .................................................. 25 And more! FidoNews 6-13 Page 1 27 Mar 1989 ================================================================= ARTICLES ================================================================= John Whitson 1:160/200.0 BiModem: A testimonial While snooping around the network a few days ago (looking for PD/ShareWare software fonts for a lucky friend with a new LaserJetII), I came across a curious entry in a file list: BIMOD103.PAK Full Duplex Xfer Protocal (Sd/Rcv at same time) (^sic) Naturally, I was curious, so I downloaded it and looked at the documentation. The .DOC file promised even more than the BBS listing. "Imagine the time savings if you could upload with Zmodem(tm) and YmodemG efficiencies while downloading at the same efficiency at the same time." Right. No way. Zmodem is pushing the limits of technology as it is. Where are we going to do this other transfer, another phone line? But wait, there's more! "If that feature is not enough to get you really excited, how about the ability to chat while the transfer is going on? Chatting, of course, will impact your throughput, but since most of us are slow typists, when compared to the speed of even a 1200 baud modem, the impact is usually minimal." Right. This sounds like some of the vaporware you read about in the funny pages of Byte or Dr. Dobb's. Erik Labs wanted $25.00 for registration. Sounds about par for ShareWare. The claims so far: 1) Two way transfer 2) Zmodem(tm) or YmodemG transfer efficiency BOTH WAYS 3) Chatting while this goes on with 'minimal' effect 4) And it would only cost $25.00 By following the instructions, I installed it (in a period of about 5 minutes) to run with Binkley. So far, it was too easy. They claimed there was a protocol for Opus that allowed Opus SYSOPS to support BiModem users. If so, the source BBS should have it. So I found out where it came from, Sun Valley BBS in Phoenix, AZ (1:114/42.0), and I called them. I found B)iModem as an option under the F)iles menu, and hit Alt-J to jump to DOS. I entered BIMOD, and things happened. It asked me what I wanted to do: U/D. I chose U. It asked FidoNews 6-13 Page 2 27 Mar 1989 for a file, so I picked a big one. No use sending a little file, since I wanted some big ones. I entered my description, then hit . That was easy. I selected U, and downloaded BIMOD107.ARC and BIOPUS16.ARC, then chose Alt-X to continue. A few seconds later, a window popped up offering two chat and three transfer status sub- windows. It informed me that this (roughly) 140K file would take nearly 10 minutes (9:46 sec) to upload at 2400 baud. It did, but it did so while simultaneously downloading 94K in two other files. Total transfer time, 9 min, 54 sec (including file name overhead). Very impressive. I wouldn't have believed it if anyone had told me. In fact, a friend of mine STILL doesn't believe me. I believe though, and I've already sent my $25.00. For more information, and the latest versions of all the BiModem software, contact: Valley of the Sun. Fido 1:114/42.0. Tell them you read about it here and don't believe them. Download BIMOD107.ARC, set it up, and call back for a test run. BIMODEM currently comes with scripts for Procomm+, Telix, and Qmodem. Batch files are included for other terminal emulators such as Binkley, which can shell to DOS. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 6-13 Page 3 27 Mar 1989 Wes Brewer The Think Tank, Memphis TN OPUS 1:123/7 Random notes at a HAH Party by Trixie Highborn as told to Wes Brewer I answered the phone. It was Wes. "Would you like to go with me to a HAH party Saturday?" he asked. "What's a HAH party?" I asked. "A Dutch treat for members of HAH," he told me. "A bunch of computer friends getting together for a little fun." Nothing would please me less than getting together with computer people all talking in that strange out-of-space language that they use. But I could not tell Wes this. He is so firmly stuck in his mistaken belief that computers are here to stay that if I said anything against computers or their users his feelings would be hurt. So I said "yes". I knew that I was in for a rough time, but I did not realize just how rough until we arrived at the Pizza Hut where the party was to be held. In addition to the HAH party, they had booked two other parties to be held in this building which was about the size of my walk-in closet. After fighting our way to the cashier's station, Wes screams "Hey, where's the HAH party?" "Dunno exactly," the cashier replied. "Either over there or back yonder, I think." We fought our way over there, but these were obviously not computer people. They were carrying on intelligent conversations. So we fought our way to "back yonder". "See anyone you recognize?" I asked. "Never saw any of them before in my life," Wes replied. "We have come to the wrong Pizza Hut," I suggested. "Let's get out of here." "No, this is it. Let's find a spot of wall to lean against and order something to eat." We squeezed in and waited until a couple with chairs had to go to the bath room and grabbed their chairs. Soon a young man came by, extended his hand and said, "Welcome, strangers. I am Harry Blake." Wes grabbed his hand and replied, "Hi Harry. I'm Wes Brewer. Glad to see you. How are things in school?" What could have led Wes to believe that this young man was a student? But Blake began to tell about things at school. "How did you get here?" Wes continued. "I drove," Harry replied. "Last I heard, you were grounded until you pull your grades up." "I pulled them up," Harry replied. Then the two of them started discussing conversations that they had had two or three years ago. Several others came by and introduced themselves with similar results. Somehow this did not seem right. "Wes," I finally said "What are you trying to pull? These FidoNews 6-13 Page 4 27 Mar 1989 are all old friends but you said that you had never seen any of them before." "Yes, it is true that these are old friends and it is equally true that I have never seen them before. We met and talked on bulletin boards and became friends, but this the first time we have seen one another." "Bulletin boards?" I asked. He tried to explain this to me, but I am still in the dark. I have a mental picture of a landscape dotted with cork boards with hundreds of notes pinned to them and people willy nilly walking from one board to another reading the notes and posting their own boards. I was reminded of my schoolroom sixty years ago when boys would hit girls in the head with wadded mash notes. And Wes thinks that this will get me interested in computers. I asked several people what HAH stood for and got several different answers. The answer that I got most often was "Hackers are Human." "What's a hacker?" I asked Wes. "A hacker is a computer. . ." "Now, there you go, trying to endow those infernal machines with human personalities," I said. "Before I was so rudely interrupted, I was saying, "A hacker is a computer buff," Wes replied. "Now, there you go, trying to endow those infernal people with human personalities." I said. While Wes was occupied with his friends (strangers), I saw a little boy wandering around. "Sonny," I asked, "Is your daddy a computer buff?" "Nah, He hates computers." "Then your mommy is a computer buff?" "Nah, she's scared of computers." "Oh, I see. You are not part of this party. You just got separated from your parents and ended up in here," I said. "Nah. I belong in here." "How could you if neither of your parents are computer buffs?" "I'm a computer buff," he informed me. Next, I engaged an attractive young lady in conversation. "I hear a lot about this beautiful lady who is scheduled to perform a table top dance. All the men seem to be excited about it." I said. "I didn't hear about this until we got here. I wonder when the lady will arrive." "I also didn't hear about it until I got here. Yes, the lady has arrived. I am the lady. I hope these dirty old me do not hold their breaths until I dance," she told me. Well, obviously the table top dance was canceled, but the party was not entirely without its exciting moments. The highlight of the party was probably when this matron with two hungry and crying children finally reached the conclusion that Pizza Hut was never going to serve her and her hungry children. So she went to the phone and called Domino's Pizza and ordered three pizza to be delivered to her at Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut's manager took a dim view of this solution to her problem. A great time was had by all. FidoNews 6-13 Page 5 27 Mar 1989 ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 6-13 Page 6 27 Mar 1989 Jeff Sheese, JStek BBS Fidonet 1:109/116 (Netmail HOST routed via 1:109/100) EggNet 99:9200/1 (Netmail HOST routed via 99:9200/0) ZOW, Yet Another Fantastically New File Packer! (Part 1 of 2) Yes, yet ANOTHER fantastically new file packer is about to hit the public domain software scene! But before I describe this new file packing software package I'll talk about the events that led up to my discovery of it's algorithms. The teaser is that I offer it free of charge, the formats are public domain, and I PERSONALLY will allow anyone to duplicate it's structure. Just don't steal my source code. I check the spelling of comments. ;-) After reading the SYSOP conference, which I co-moderate, I was sort of disgusted with the politics of all these packing programs. I remembered the days of CP/M which brought the old gems of SQUEEZE (SQZ files) and Library (LBR files). Remember the one program, NULU, which combined them both, AND allowed you to work with the individual members of the library file? I don't currently know of a packer that does this. Mine doesn't. ;-) At any rate, we all know the packer politics (no reference to Green Bay intended). So whilst laying awake late at night, I tried to think of a way to pack a file, regardless of size, down to the barest minimum allowed on a 360k IBM 9 sector, DSDD floppy disk. 2048 bytes! The next morning it dawned on me! I finally figured it out! The result was ZOW. The current version (in alpha test) does this, but it only works on floppy disks. Yes, I know. But you'd have to see the source code to know why. It's not crippleware. It makes low level DOS calls to the floppy disk controller. Strange but true, it will take any file (less than 200k) copied to a formatted floppy disk and reduce it to a ZOW formatted file that takes up only one disk cluster! Sounds to good to be true? Well you have to see it to believe it. There's another catch. You can only put one data file in each ZOW file. And if you copy the ZOW file off the floppy disk it won't work. You can ZOW as many files on a floppy as the floppy can hold. Aha, another question from someone out thar' in bbs land. Why did I announce this new breakthrough in Fidonews instead of echomail? Well I just want to demonstrate my unwillingness to participate in the packer politics. The other packers are VERY fine software products and do represent a lot of good hard work! However I refuse to discuss my new product in the echomail forum. I've seen too many arguments from different people regarding the performance of the different packers, using different test files and different hardware. I will, however, discuss it in netmail. FidoNews 6-13 Page 7 27 Mar 1989 I'll again mention the pluses and minuses of the current alpha test version of ZOW. These are: Good Points: 1. A ZOW format file only takes up ONE cluster of a 360k, formatted 9 sector DSDD floppy disk, regardless of the size of the original data file. 2. You can have as many ZOW files on a floppy disk as it will *hold*. 3. It does NOT use Huffman coding or Lempil Zev W packing. 4. Because of the previous point, I am IRREVOCABLY going to release ZOW's algorithms and formats into the public domain. 5. I do not plan on using the shareware concept to distribute ZOW. Bad Points: 1. Only one data file may be packed into a ZOW formatted file. But who cares, the ZOW file only takes 2k! 2. The current size limit for a data file is about 200k. 3. The current version of ZOW will only work on floppy disks. 4. Files may not be packed across drives, I.E. source data files to be packed MUST be on the same disk as the destination ZOW file. 5. ZOW formatted files will not work when copied to another disk. That means until I figure out how to get past a few problems it CANNOT be used in any mailers. 6. It won't be released until *after* I make sure that it will cause no harm to other disk drives on the system. During the development stage I ran into this problem a lot. But there are already a lot of people helping me with this, so beta testers are NOT needed. 7. Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware). In next week's article, I'll reveal the exact algorithms used in order to pack the data file and retrieve it. Again, the formats and algorithms are public domain. Irretrievably public domain! In the meantime, happy packing! ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 6-13 Page 8 27 Mar 1989 ================================================================= COLUMNS ================================================================= The Veterinarian's Corner Excerpts from the ANIMED GroupMail Conference by Don Thomson, 1:102/1005 Chocolate and Animals "A springer spaniel weighing 46 lbs developed generalized seizures and died about 15 hours after ingestion of two pounds of cholocate.... Serum samples.... pointed to this.... as the cause of death..." [excerpt taken from Journal American Animal Hospital Assoc. Mar/Apr 1983] Over the past several years, chocolate poisoning has been increasingly recognized as a source of pet poisoning, even death, in the US. The caffeine-like principle in chocolate, Theobromine, is the agent responsible for these severe reactions. In man, theobromine is rapidly metabolised and removed from the circulation. While most of the theobromine is removed from the bloodstream of people within 8-10 hours, in the dog it takes much more than SIX DAYS, and possibly up to more than two WEEKS! Ever had your heart race, or develop tremors, even diarrhea from too much coffee? Imagine a racing heart, jittery muscles, and diarrhea cramps for a week. That racing heart, prolonged for days on end, may easily result in a fatal arrhythmia. Those muscle jitters may actually progress to convulsions. Yes, dogs die from getting into that Easter basket. Worse yet, some well meaning owners actually give chocolate to their pets! Please be careful over the coming Easter Holidays with that chocolate. If you do find that your pet has gotten into it, please see you veterinarian IMMEDIATELY. The time to treat this poisoning is BEFORE the chocolate is digested and absorbed. By inducing vomitting, and placing activated charcol in the dogs stomach we can limit the amount of theobromine absorbed into the bloodstream and hopefully head the problem off..... Treating the symptoms after the chocolate is absorbed.... Well.... My fingers are crossed..... ---------- On a lighter note: A dog's nails should be kept short enough so that they do not touch the ground when walking. If you hear the nails 'clicking' as your pet walks across a hard floor or surface then they are too long. Untrimmed nails are a potential source of a number of problems: splayed feet, sore nailbeds, or even a torn nail exposing the nail bed itself! Ouch! FidoNews 6-13 Page 9 27 Mar 1989 Make sure too, that you regularly check the dewclaws (or "thumb claws") as they do not wear and may grow so long they actually curl and dig into the paw itself. If unsure of how to trim nails, ask your vet or groomer, it really is simple to do. And makes life so much more pleasant for your pet. DB Thomson, DVM 1:102/1005 9:871/16 ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 6-13 Page 10 27 Mar 1989 ---------------------------------------------- Rogel's Corner December, 1988 Electronic Edition ---------------------------------------------- Panasonic's Laser Partner: A Dual-Bin Wunderwerk No question about it, the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet II is the standard in laser printers. Perhaps that is why I was so surprised to learn that the LaserJet II comes equipped with only one paper bin. Any serious business use of a laser printer requires two paper bins: one bin for the letterhead and a second bin to hold the non-letterhead stationery. True, you could print your own letterhead with a laser printer but the quality (at 300 dpi) is just not the same as you will get with commercially printed stationery (at 600, 1,250, or 2,450 dpi). An alternative suggested by some merchants stacking simply is not practicable in a busy office. What happens to your stack if two pages instead of one get pulled through the printer? Pages that should have printed on the letterhead paper will instead print on your non-letterhead stationery and vice-versa. How do you stack if you are sharing printers? Besides, who has the time to lay out stacks? Surely a second paper bin must be available as an option for the LaserJet II. Well, I asked several dealers and they were unaware of such an option. I then called Hewlett- Packard and learned that while they don't offer a second bin option, there are one or two third-party vendors who sell such a device at about the same cost as the LaserJet II, itself. [HP recently rolled out the HP LaserJet IID, which comes with 2 200-sheet paper trays and features duplex printing; it's list price is $4,295 and there is an optional envelope feeder for $350] So I took my search for a laser printer elsewhere. That's when I met the Panasonic Laser Partner. The Paper Tale -------------- On paper, the Panasonic Laser Partner looks FidoNews 6-13 Page 11 27 Mar 1989 terrific (pun intended). It comes standard with a two-bin sheet feeder and a 500-page capacity compare this with 200 pages for the HP LaserJet II and the Brother HL-8, and 400 pages for the HP LaserJet IID. The Laser Partner is a speed demon. It is rated at 11 ppm and, according to the October 31, 1988 issue of PC Magazine, was timed at ``10.1 high enough to place it in the top ranks of all tested machines regardless of price.'' The LaserJet II and IID as well as the Brother HL-8 are rated at 8 ppm. This is a heavy duty machine, with a high duty cycle of 5,000 pages per month. Even the life span of its consumables (i.e., toner, drum, developer) is higher than that of the LaserJet II standard-bearer; compare: 5,000 sheets for Panasonic's toner, 13,000 sheets for the drum, and 20,000 sheets for its developer vs. 4,000 sheets for the LaserJet II's toner/developer/drum cartridge. When Panasonic's toner runs out, you simply replace the toner (available for about $35); when the LaserJet II's (or IID's or Brother HL-8's) cartridge runs out, you must replace the entire cartridge (at a cost of from $85-$115; you also can recharge the cartridge about 2 times, at a cost of approximately $45 each time). Also consider that when the Panasonic's toner is running low, a light on the control panel advises you of this status; when the LaserJet II's toner runs low, it leaves an ugly and very noticeable streak across your paper. The Panasonic's specifications list a number of other goodies: it features 5 emulations (including the HP LaserJet Plus); 11 resident fonts; and all of the printer's controls are located on an accessible and easy to use front panel (there are no dip switches), which includes a 15-charac- ter LCD display for plain English status and error messages. Finally, the price was right. It lists for $2,595 but can be purchased for less than $1,500. The Proof is in the printing ---------------------------- So how did the Panasonic fare? Quite honestly, I purchased the Panasonic with substantial reservation. Above all else, I needed a FidoNews 6-13 Page 12 27 Mar 1989 reliable printer for my legal practice. Judges and clients simply will not wait for ill-tempered prin- ters. Dare I choose something other than the LaserJet II? My concerns were heightened by several mixed reviews of the Laser Partner. As discussed in more detail below, most of the criticism is simply unfounded and one of the Panasonic's big selling points, the dual-bin paper trays, was given far less credit than it deserved. My first experience with the Laser Partner was horrifying. The output was inconsistent some pages were great and, then, other pages would contain garbage and distorted fonts. I noticed that the problems became particularly severe when I tried to print more than one page where multiple fonts were present. Then there were the error messages; these messages were not even explained in the manual's error message section. I tried contacting Panasonic's toll-free customer support but their telephone was incessantly busy. When I finally got through, I was greeted by a friendly support representa-tive. He suspected that my printer's memory board was malfunctioning but was unable to recommend a means for quickly remedying this problem. I then spoke with Customer Support Manager Joe Carney a true gem of a human being who enlisted the aid of the Panasonic marketing group in having a replacement printer sent to me by express delivery. Panasonic's prompt help and courtesies are sincerely appreciated but I wonder what would have happened if an ordinary professional or businessman (i.e., someone who was not writing a review of the Laser Partner) had called and reported the problems I was experiencing. By copy of this review, I am inviting Panasonic to respond to this inquiry. [Panasonic's Laser Partner Product Manager responded as follows: He believes that if you cannot get the kind of service that the Panasonic name implies, then perhaps Panasonic does not deserve your business. Consistent with this philosophy, Panasonic has approached customer service from several angles. They have increased the number of full- time customer support personnel. Xerox Americare Service Centers are available to Panasonic FidoNews 6-13 Page 13 27 Mar 1989 customers (an on site service agreement also is available from Xerox for $150). Dealers and resellers are also encouraged to make service available. Finally, if you live out in the sticks or are otherwise dissatisfied with the service you are receiving, Panasonic will do whatever it reasonably takes to help you out this might entail flying a field engineer out to your place or, as in my situation, sending a replacement unit by express delivery. He also pointed out that whether a person is reviewing the Laser Partner or owns several of these units should not make a difference in the type of service they receive; he proceeded to offer anecdote after anecdote of extraordinary service provided mom & pop outfits with one Laser Partner. You know what? I believe this guy. He was very candid about the Laser Partner's pros and cons. He also was very proud of the Laser Partner. It's his baby and he speaks as a man determined to see that the Laser Partner be well received in this world, regardless of how much work it takes.] I do not hold my first printer's malfunctioning against Panasonic. Rocks are hard, water is wet, and malfunctions will happen to the best of us. The real question is how does a properly functioning Panasonic Laser Printer operate? The answer: like a wonderful dream come true. Let's start with setting the printer up. Panasonic's manual contains a simple installation section, complete with helpful illustrations and well written and concise instructions. Following their paint-by-the-numbers approach, I was able to complete installation and get my Laser Partner operational in about 15 minutes. According to PC Magazine's October 31, 1988 review of the Laser Partner, the installation was criticized because ``when it comes time to add the toner, you are confronted with a large bottle that is topped with a spring-loaded cap. You hold the top open while gently waving the bottle over the toner bin, rolling the bottle back and forth in the air, until all the toner is in the bin.'' I suppose that if you experience difficulty FidoNews 6-13 Page 14 27 Mar 1989 putting toothpaste on your toothbrush, then adding the toner would be a problem. As to the spring-loaded cap, we are talking here about the dexterity required to light a butane lighter and not to move mountains. But this is academic since Panasonic has replaced the spring-loaded cap with a plain vanilla cap (I saved my spring-loaded cap). The remaining consumable items the drum and developer come in cartridges and are easy to install, even for the weak-thumbed among us. The front panel contains push buttons for each printer operation. It is well thought out and intuitive. Although the printer manual rarely is needed, it is a model of clarity and organization. The manual not only contains a general index but also includes an index for each printer emulation. WordPerfect 5.0 and the Panasonic Laser Partner work well together (Panasonic advises me that most major programs now have a Laser Partner driver). The output is superb. The printed edition of this review, for instance, was printed on my Panasonic. Today one of my clients even complimented me on the print quality of a document I had prepared for his company (something that has never happened to me before) and wanted to know what I used to accomplish this (he guessed that I used a MacIntosh and PostScript printer). Some reviewers have complained about the Laser Partner's inability to properly print varying degrees of gray scale. Panasonic advises me that this was due to a bug in the pre- production models supplied reviewers. Try as I might, I simply could not duplicate these supposed gray-scale problems and, accordingly, must assume that Panasonic is correct in claiming that their production models have corrected this problem. Set out below are graphics boxes with gray-scale ranging from 10% to 100% [unfortunately I cannot duplicate these graphics boxes for those of you who are receiving the electronic version of this column]: One well-founded criticism concerns FidoNews 6-13 Page 15 27 Mar 1989 Panasonic's lack of a manual feed and the absence of a straight-through paper path for transparencies, other heavy stock, and envelopes. The Laser Partner's Product Manager explains that the lack of a manual feed is the result of a necessary trade off for the Panasonic's many other features and its low price; as long as the print material meets spec, the Laser Partner can handle it. I have not tried printing with transparencies yet and must therefore wait to see if this will be a problem. I also am waiting for an optional envelope cassette, which I suspect will provide an acceptable alternative to the straight-through paper path, at least for envelopes. The Panasonic Laser Partner has several options available, such as a 1 MB RAM expansion, legal paper cassette, en- velope cassette, and two font cartridges (KX-P470 & 471; compatible with the HP "F" & "T" cartridges, respectively). I am using the 1 MB RAM expansion, giving my Panasonic 1.5 MB of RAM. Each day I initialize my printer through WordPerfect 5.0 by downloading approximately 1.3 MB of fonts. It takes some time and surely is overkill but then I am able to use various fonts in the many documents I must produce and still have each document print within seconds of issuing the print command. When I was limited to 512 K, each print job would generally take several minutes in order for the necessary fonts to be downloaded into the printer's limited memory. The expansion saves a substantial amount of time in this regard and would be a real plus for a busy office. I have not yet had an opportunity to review the cassettes or Panasonic's recently released font cartridges. Due to an unexpected demand for the envelope cassette, Panasonic was caught with an inadequate supply but has assured me that they will be able to meet demand in December. I will over these options as well as provide a follow-up in a future Rogel's Corner. Panasonic Laser Partner's top-of-the-line features and low price make it the perfect choice for automating a business. Indeed, if Panasonic can untangle their customer support problems, I suspect that the Laser Partner FidoNews 6-13 Page 16 27 Mar 1989 will become the laser printer standard. ============================================== Rogel's Wrap-Up # 1 ============================================== Product: Panasonic KX-P4450 Laser Partner, v.2 Price: $2,595 list Product description: Laser printer Features Cartridge slots: 1 Consumables/Life: Toner: 5,000 sheets Drum: 13,000 sheets Developer: 20,000 sheets Dimen (HWD): 14.5" x 28" x 17" Duty Cycle: 5000 pages per month Emulations (5): HP LaserJet+ Diablo 630 Epson FX-286 IBM Proprinter Panasonic KX-P1092i Fonts (resident)(11): Courier & Courier Italic (10, 12, 15, & 16.66 cpi); Courier 20 cpi (sub- & superscript); and Century 702 & Century 702 italic Max. Paper Size: 8.5" x 14" Paper capacity: 250 sheets x 2 bins RAM: 512 K Resolution: 300 dpi Speed: 11 PPM (text) Warranty: 1 yr./printer; 90-days/consumables Weight.: 59.6 lb. Options: Legal cassette; envelope cassette; 1 MB RAM expansion; Font Cards KX-P470 & 471 (compatible with HP "F" & "T" cards, respectively) Comments: Panasonic's Laser Partner represents an unbeatable value for the office: an affordable price, dual-bin sheet feeders, well-written documentation, easy operation, and excellent output make this the printer of choice for business applications. On the negative side, it lacks a manual feeder and a straight- through paper path. The most serious criticism: they have toll-free customer support but it is largely inaccessible. For more information, contact: Panasonic Industrial Co., 2 Panasonic Way, Secaucus, NJ 07004 (800) 742-8086; (201) 348-7000 ============================================== ============================================== FidoNews 6-13 Page 17 27 Mar 1989 LaserTORQ --------- There is nothing new about print spoolers or buffers. Rather than wait for your printing task to be completed before resuming use of your computer, you dump your print job into a software or hardware buffer, which then prints in the background, so that you can proceed with your foreground computing. Unfortunately, in the past there were significant trade-offs: hardware systems offered excellent performance but at a preimium; software systems cost less but also offered lesser performance. All of that has changed, thanks to LaserTORQ, a software print spooler/accelerator from LaserTools. Using LaserTORQ with WordPerfect 5.0, I regained my cursor almost immediately after issuing the print command. Then, while my document printed at an accelerated speed in the background, I resumed computing without any degradation of foreground performance. LaserTORQ does its thing through a combination of an efficient use of your computer's interrupt system and high-speed buffering. The interrupt-based printing feature sends characters to the printer as soon as the printer is ready to receive them. This means that you can print in the background without suffering any noticeable slowdown of your foreground processing speed and, as an added bonus, the actual printing speed will be accelerated. The buffering feature allows you to regain use of your keyboard almost instantly after giving the "print" command. According to LaserTools, there are several print spooling benchmarks: 1. Buffering speed: the rate at which a device (printer; spooler; LaserTORQ) can accept data to be printed. Performance: The developers of LaserTORQ claim that its product accepts data at over 100,000 cps versus 2,000 cps for other print spoolers versus 500 cps for laser printers (text) and 200 cps for dot-matrix printers (draft). They further claim that it took competing print spookers 5.3 minutes to accept a full page of 300 dpi graphics whereas FidoNews 6-13 Page 18 27 Mar 1989 LaserTORQ took only 7 seconds. 2. Printing speed: the rate at which printed pages are produced. Performance: LaserTORQ's developers claim that competing print spoolers take 7.4 minutes to print a full page 300 dpi graphics file where LaserTORQ required only 1.9 minutes. 3. CPU overhead: the percentage of your PC's time required to use the printer utility (i.e., spooler; LaserTORQ). Performance: LaserTools claims that competing print spoolers have a 40% CPU overhead factor versus 2% for LaserTORQ. 4. Ease of use 5. Costs Operation --------- The documentation is short, sweet, and helpful. Frankly, installation is so simple that you don't need the documenta-tion. LaserTORQ allows you to set up a print buffer on your conventional RAM memory, hard disk, expanded memory (LMS or EEMS), or extended memory. Once installed, LaserTORQ operates transparently and efficiently. If you want to make adjustments (i.e., activate the graphics compression feature), hit the hot-key and then point-and-shoot. It's as simple as that. I did have one problem, initially. The installation test of my printer did not work. LaserTORQ informed me that the problem was with my parallel port: early IBM parallel ports and those of several clones cannot generate the signal LaserTORQ needs. LaserTools sells a $15 parallel-port adaptor that corrects the problem (you could also command LaserTORQ to operate on a timer basis rather than on an interrupt basis but this results in a degradation of both printing and foreground processing speeds). I tried the adaptor; it fully corrected the problem. Another nice LaserTORQ feature is its flexibility. Unlike a hardware buffer which requires you to choose the buffer size at the time of purchase, you can adjust the LaserTORQ FidoNews 6-13 Page 19 27 Mar 1989 buffer to suit your changing needs and you can even change the type of buffer LaserTORQ uses (i.e., expanded or extended memory) so that you can use LaserTORQ to take full advantage of your growing computer needs without any additional costs. Downloading fonts typically takes a considerable period of time. Users have reported that their downloading time of over 10 minutes has been reduced, when using LaserTORQ, to under 10 seconds. Another problem is an inadequate amount of printer memory to produce full page 300 dpi graphics. Printers such as the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet Plus, LaserJet II, and Panasonic Laser Partner, which come standard with 512K memory, can only print 1/3 page of 300 dpi graphics. There are memory boards for these printers but they typically cost between $300-$400. LaserTORQ's nifty graphics-compression feature allows HP compatible laser printers with only 512K to print a full page of 300 dpi graphics. Let's not forget price. There are many hardware and software fixes for the slow printer blues but they ordinarily cost much more and offer less flexibility than LaserTORQ, which costs $99 and there is no shipping charge. What's more, LaserTORQ comes with a 30-day unconditional, money-back guarantee. Finally, there is toll-free technical support. When I called their support staff, I was greeted by an answering machine. However my calls were almost always returned within 1-2 hours and I find the support staff to be courteous, informed, and helpful. Although not reviewed here, mention should also be made of TORQ, LaserTools' version of LaserTORQ for dot-matrix, daisywheel, and inkjet printers. TORQ is a memory-resident program, requires 15K RAM, and you need an IBM PC, XT, AT, or compatible as well as DOS 2.0+. Lasertools recently released another software product, Trading Post, which makes non-PostSript speaking software (i.e., dBase III, Lotus 1-2-3) compatible with PostScript printers. Trading Post, which is not reviewed here, sells for $79.00. Both programs have the same consumer benefits offered with LaserTORQ: no shipping charge, toll-free technical FidoNews 6-13 Page 20 27 Mar 1989 support, and a money-back guarantee. ============================================== Rogel's Wrap-Up # 2 ============================================== Product: LaserTORQ Version 1.04 Price: $99 list price (with free 2-day shipping). TORQ and Trading Post, which are not reviewed here, each list for $79} Product description: Laser printer print spooler/accelerator System Requirements: 19K free ram; 128K system; HP-compatible or PostScript laser printer; DOS 2.0+ Comments: This program pays for itself every day. I regain use of my keyboard within seconds after I issue the print command. Perhaps more important, I am able to resume the use of my computer while my documents are printing and there is no noticeable degredation in either the background printing or the foreground processing. In the past my work would be interrupted while I impatiently waited on my printer to complete its task; now my printer must wait on me. I wonder if Lasertools has any solution for that problem. For more information, contact: LaserTools Corp., 3025 Buena Vista Way, Berkeley, CA 94708; (800) 346-1353; (415) 843-2234 ============================================== ============================================== Books ----- I often find that the quality of a book reflects the exacting standards (or lack thereof) of the publisher. Peachpit Press is no exception: they have published the two gems reviewed here. For those who are interested, Peachpit Press also publishes: Ventural Tips and Tricks, 2nd Edition by Ted Nace ($22.95; 448 pp.); The Macintosh Font Book by Erfert Fenton ($21.95; 300 pp.); IBM AT Clone Buyer's Guide and Handbook ($24.95); and, 386 Computer Buyer's Guide and Handbook ($29.95). To order, you may contact the publlisher at the address or telephone number set out in Rogel's Wrap-Up # 3 or # 4 below. FidoNews 6-13 Page 21 27 Mar 1989 LaserJet Unlimited, Edition II by Ted Nace & Michael Gardner The authors do an excellent job of covering everything you need to know about laser printers, including: setting up and maintaining a laser printer; operating the control panel as well as printer commands (for more advanced users); coordination of the printer with word processing software, spreadsheets, databases, and forms; desktop publishing, graphics, and fonts; special effects and tricky operations like envelope/label printing; and laser printer upgrades. I particularly liked the individual sections the authors devoted to special hardware and software (including shareware & public domain) utilities for the subjects under discussion. Don't let the title fool you. There is very little in this book that does not apply to all HP LaserJet compatible printers. Considering that any serious non-PostScript laser printer will emulate the LaserJet, the book has a wide application, indeed. Armed with this book even a novice can quickly and easily learn to use the laser printer proficiently. ============================================== Rogel's Wrap-Up # 3 ============================================== Product: LaserJet Unlimited, Edition II by Ted Nace & Michael Gardner Price: $24.95 list Product description: Book re laser printers and, in particular, the HP LaserJet Comments: This book is a must for people who use or are considering the use of a HP LaserJet compatible printer. It is well written, thoroughly covers the fundamentals of using a laser printer, and offers countless suggestions on how to get the most out of a laser printer. For more information, contact: Peachpit Press, 1085 Keith Ave., Berkeley, CA 94708 (415) 527-8555 ============================================== ============================================== WordPerfect 5: Desktop Publishing in Style FidoNews 6-13 Page 22 27 Mar 1989 by Daniel Will-Harris Daniel Will-Harris covers every conceivable aspect of desktop publishing with WordPerfect 5.0 in exacting but easy to understand detail. In short, this book demystifies WordPerfect's formidable desktop publishing features. My only criticisms deal more with style than substance. First, the author provides the bare minimum of information about the keystrokes required to perform a certain operation. I would have preferred a bit more explanation so that I would not have to go to my computer to see what the author meant by "ALT-F9 T C". Second, the author is rather heavy handed in his use of humor. Humor can be nice as a seasoning for a technical book but becomes annoying, at least to me, when it becomes one of the main courses. This is probably the best technical book I have ever read. There is hardly a paragraph that does not contain some new and innovative suggestion. In fact, I was so eager to learn what marvellous suggestions the author would make next, that I found it difficult to put the book down. ============================================== Rogel's Wrap-Up # 4 ============================================== Product: WordPerfect 5: Desktop Publishing in Style by Daniel Will-Harris Price: $21.95 list (476 pp.). A supplementary "Designer Disk 5 for WordPerfect", containing 30 style sheets duplicating all of the examples in the book, is available directly from the author for $35.95 (not reviewed here). To order: write Will-Harris Designer Disks, Box 480265, Dept B, LA, CA 90048 Product description: Book re WordPerfect 5.0 and desktop publishing Comments: Will-Harris' book should be required reading for anyone using WordPerfect 5.0. I have never read a book so packed with truly helpful suggestions. In fact, there is hardly a paragraph that does not contain some new and exciting idea. Once you open this book up, it's hard to put down. For more information, contact: Peachpit FidoNews 6-13 Page 23 27 Mar 1989 Press, 1085 Keith Ave., Berkeley, CA 94708 (415) 527-8555 ============================================== ============================================== Do you have any comments or questions about anything covered in Rogel's Corner? Are there any subjects you would like to see covered in future Rogel's Corner columns? Let me and the other readers hear from you. Please send your letters to: Rogel's Corner c/o Todd S. Rogel 5418 Wayne Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27606 You can reach me by telephone at the following numbers: Office 851-2103 Home 851-2103 You also may leave a message for me on the BBSs listed below: MMS 779-6674 [151/102] NCC 851-8460 [151/100] Z-Board 833-7435 Sincerely, Todd S. Rogel Raleigh, North Carolina November 24, 1988 Copyright @ 1988, by Todd S. Rogel. [Permission is granted to copy this article for noncommercial purposes only. Any other reproduction or use is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the author, Todd S. Rogel] ============================================== January, 1989 Rogel's Corner Review of Softview's FormSet ============================================== ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 6-13 Page 24 27 Mar 1989 ================================================================= LATEST VERSIONS ================================================================= Latest Software Versions Bulletin Board Software Name Version Name Version Name Version Fido 12k* Opus 1.03b TBBS 2.1 QuickBBS 2.03 TPBoard 5.0 TComm/TCommNet 3.4* Lynx 1.22 Phoenix 1.3 RBBS 17.1D Network Node List Other Mailers Version Utilities Version Utilities Version Dutchie 2.90C* EditNL 4.00 ARC 6.01* SEAdog 4.50* MakeNL 2.12 ARCmail 2.0* BinkleyTerm 2.10* Prune 1.40 ConfMail 4.00 D'Bridge 1.18* XlatList 2.90* TPB Editor 1.21 FrontDoor 2.0 XlaxNode 2.32* TCOMMail 2.1* PRENM 1.40 XlaxDiff 2.32* TMail 8901* ParseList 1.30 UFGATE 1.02* GROUP 2.04* EMM 1.40 MSGED 1.99* XRS 1.2* * 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 6-13 Page 25 27 Mar 1989 ================================================================= NOTICES ================================================================= The Interrupt Stack 8 May 1989 Digital Equipment Corporations User Society (DECUS) will be holding its semi-annual symposium in Atlanta, GA. Runs through May 12. As usual sysop's will get together and chat. 19 May 1989 Start of EuroCon III at Eindhoven, The Netherlands 24 Aug 1989 Voyager 2 passes Neptune. 24 Aug 1989 FidoCon '89 starts at the Holiday Inn in San Jose, California. Trade show, seminars, etc. Contact 1/89 for info. 5 Oct 1989 20th Anniversary of "Monty Python's Flying Circus" If you have something which you would like to see on this calendar, please send a message to FidoNet node 1:1/1. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Tim Pozar Fido 1:125/406 Telebit Trailblazer Modem Offer Due to the UFGATE project and our registration of FidoNet as an INTERNET domain (fidonet.org), FidoNet qualifies for this offer. If you are interested in applying, you need to supply your INTERNET domain name. For FidoNet it is: @p.f.n.z.FIDONET.ORG For example, my FidoNet node number is 1:125/406. My INTERNET domain address is: Tim.Pozar@f406.n125.z1.FIDONET.ORG If you are interested in further info on the INTERNET or UFGATE, drop me a line at 1:125/406. - Tim --- ================================================================== FidoNews 6-13 Page 26 27 Mar 1989 Telebit Corporation Revision 1.00 01 JAN 1989 ================================================================== /*** TELEBIT/UUNET INTERNET DOMAIN NAME DISCOUNT PROGRAM ***/ (IDNDP) The Telebit Corporation, in conjunction with UUNET Communications Services, is offering a special 50% promotional discount off the list price of TrailBlazer Plus modems to qualified organizations using Internet domain names. Networks like Usenet and BITNET where domain names may not be the precise addressing scheme may also qualify. Telebit has demonstrated its commitment to the UNIX marketplace with its specific support for the UUCP protocol and the support of TrailBlazer modems on the USENET. This announcement signals Telebit's extended support for the use of its products in dialup TCP/IP environments. UUNET Communications Services will be assisting Telebit with the program's administration as well as the distribution of dialup TCP/IP software. /*********************** * WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? ***********************/ Any autonomous organization legitimately participating on the Internet by use of Internet domain names can qualify. The organization must be physically located within the 50 United States or Canada. One or two Telebit TrailBlazer Plus modems may be purchased at a 45% or 50% discount off the US or Canadian list price. Discount levels are determined by payment method and will be explained below. PTT restrictions and distribution contracts prohibit Telebit from directly selling modems outside the United States. Telebit Technologies of Canada, has agreed to extend the terms of the Internet discount program to all Canadian sites. Other international users are encouraged to contact Telebit Inc. for local distributor information. A similar program may be offered through local distribution on a per country, per demand basis. For the sake of this program, Internet participation will be defined by an organization's participation in the Domain Name Service. Any organization with a registered domain name advertised by a network name server will be immediately qualified to purchase a total of two Telebit TrailBlazer Pluses. In addition all UUNET members immediately qualify to purchase modems as long as they have not previously purchased 2 modems on the Telebit Usenet Discount Program. Autonomous organizations residing as third level sub-domains, nodes or some other form of demarcation not directly reachable via an Internet Domain Name Server may also qualify for the program by FidoNews 6-13 Page 27 27 Mar 1989 demonstrating on their applications the nature of their autonomy and their relationship to a second level domain reachable via a domain name server. /************* * For example: **************/ A large university may list a single second level domain (foou.edu) as the only way to reach all campus machines. However, within that campus domain there potentially exist multiple autonomous organizations, i.e. College of Computer Science (cs.foou.edu), Dept. of Engineering (eng.foou.edu), Department of Foo (foo.foou.edu), etc. In the case of a very large company with internal, autonomous divisions, each could qualify under the program rules. However, it must be shown that the division operates as a completely separate entity. For instance, the Chevrolet and Pontiac divisions of General Motors, (chevrolet.gm.com, pontiac.gm.com). Two pseudo domains exist on the Internet that do not fit exactly into the Domain Name structure. They are Usenet (UUCP) and BITNET. In the case of BITNET, individual node sites that constitute an autonomous organization would qualify under the program. In the case of Usenet, organizations that HAVE NOT previously purchased 2 modems on the Telebit Usenet Discount Program may qualify by reporting their existing domain name or by registering a domain name for their site. UUNET provides a low, fee based service for the the registration of a domain name. If you are a UUCP site without a domain name and would prefer registration be taken care of for you, contact UUNET at the below addresses. The program is designed as a promotion. This allows individual organizations an opportunity to experience Telebit's TrailBlazer Plus high speed modems at an attractive price. It is not designed as a mechanism to fulfill an organization's entire modem requirements. If your organization resides as a third or lower level domain and gains access to the Internet indirectly via a higher level organization you must supply the nature of your organization's autonomy and describe the relationship to that higher level domain. A brief explanation of your organization's autonomous relationship to a second level domain should suffice. Telebit reserves the right to validate each application using the criteria described herein, granting or refusing sale accordingly. A total limit of four (4) modems per second level domain may be enforced if it is deemed by Telebit that all autonomous organizations within that domain have been satisfied. /****************************** * THE TELEBIT TRAILBLAZER PLUS FidoNews 6-13 Page 28 27 Mar 1989 *******************************/ The Telebit TrailBlazer is the most advanced dialup communications technology on the market today. TrailBlazer offers compatibility at 300, 1200 (V.22 and Bell 212), and 2400 bps. In high speed (PEP mode), the TrailBlazer can operate at 18,000 bps on ordinary dialup phone lines, (over 16,000 bps throughput). TrailBlazer's patented multicarrier technology dynamically adapts to phone line quality and delivers the highest throughput possible for each individual line. In August 1987, Telebit announced enhanced features that are designed to allow the TrailBlazer to work optimally with UUCP, Kermit, XMODEM, and YMODEM protocols. In addition, the modem may be configured, by use of an S register, to perform the compress/decompress algorithms (based on Unix's 4.0 compress) in real time, WITHIN the modem. /************************ * Standard Dialup TCP/IP *************************/ With the release of Berkeley 4.3, a framing protocol known as Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP) has spread throughout the Internet. Several System V, VMS, MAC and PC vendors have picked up on the protocol and are supporting it as well. The protocol is documented in RFC 1055. Basically the protocol specifies a method for framing IP packets with a magic character and escaping that character and the escape character in the data stream. The protocol does not address issues of connection establishment, host authenticity, or things like data integrity or data compression techniques. However, execution of SLIP across high speed dialup modem links has proven very useful to a number of IP users. FTPs can deliver 1000-1600 characters per second (cps). Performance depends on your system and the version of TCP that you are running. SMTP runs quite well. Interactive applications, telnet and rlogin, perform with noticable character delay, the result of very large packet sizes associated with each character typed. /******************* * New Dial Up TCP/IP ********************/ The good news accompanying this announcement is about the recent work to produce a new dialup IP protocol that employs header prediction and compression techniques. This code dramatically reduces the packet overhead associated with small, interactive packets like those produced by telnet or rlogin. At the time of Release 1.0 of this document the public availability of this new code is undefined. However, it is the intention of Telebit and UUNET to make available all known working versions of standard SLIP. In addition it is our intention to demonstrate and serve to distribute all new dial-up IP source code as soon as it FidoNews 6-13 Page 29 27 Mar 1989 becomes available. Further we will provide documentation and installation instructions for all versions that we distribute. Please mail to Telebit or UUNET as instructed below to acquire the latest information regarding these developments. /************************************************** * TRAILBLAZER PRICES, DISCOUNTS AND RESTRICTIONS: ***************************************************/ PRODUCT NAME MODEL# LIST PRICE PREPAY/COD PRICE NET 30 PRICE TrailBlazer Plus T2SAA $1345 $672.50 $739.75 Those purchasing the modems on COD or pre-payment terms are eligible for a 50% discount off the list price. Those who wish to pay on 30 day payment terms will receive a 45% discount off list price. Each autonomous site may purchase a maximum of two (2) units at this special promotional price. Government or Educational institutions with tax exempt status will be excused from sales taxes. However, as these units are not designed for resale, no resale numbers can be accepted in lieu of sales tax. Sales tax must be collected in all states where Telebit has sales offices. These include MASSACHUSETTS, NEW YORK, VIRGINA, GEORGIA, ILLINOIS, MICHIGAN, TEXAS, and CALIFORNIA. A $20.00 shipping and handling charge per unit is added to all orders. Delivery is 30 days ARO. Telebit reserves the right to substitute functionally equivalent products for those ordered on this program. /***************************************************************** ****************************************************************** ************ THIS OFFER WILL EXPIRE APRIL 30, 1989 ************ ****************************************************************** ******************************************************************/ /************************ * HOW TO PLACE YOUR ORDER *************************/ Orders are accepted by filling out the enclosed order form along with one of the following: FidoNews 6-13 Page 30 27 Mar 1989 1) your purchase order indicating Net 30 terms OR 2) your purchase order and indication of type of prepayment (check, credit card or indication to pay C.O.D.) This option enters the order, but if it is not C.O.D., the modem(s) will not ship until prepayment has been received. OR 3) your prepayment or indication to pay C.O.D. (this option enters the order and will ship as soon as modems are ready) and mailing it to: Telebit Corporation ATTN: IDNDP Program Coordinator 1345 Shorebird Way Mountain View, California 94043-1329 Voice phone: (415) 969-3800 FAX Number: (415) 969-8888 or sending a copy of the form below, via email, to: Internet mail address: idndp@telebit.com UUCP mail address: {uunet,sun,pyramid,ames,hoptoad}!telebit!idndp Orders will be shipped 30 days ARO. ORDERS SHOULD NOT BE SENT TO UUNET COMMUNICATIONS. However, information about this program or other UUNET services may be requested from: UUNET Communications Services P.O. Box 2685 Fairfax,VA 22031-0685 +1 703 876 5050 idndp@uunet.UU.NET or uunet-request@uunet.UU.NET uunet!idndp or uunet!uunet-request ------------------------------------------------------------------ INTERNET DOMAIN NAME DISCOUNT PROGRAM (IDNDP) ORDER FORM COMPANY NAME:________________________________________________ YOUR NAME: __________________________________________________ STREET ADDRESS: _____________________________________________ FidoNews 6-13 Page 31 27 Mar 1989 CITY: _____________________STATE:_______________ZIP:_________ VOICE PHONE NUMBER:_____________________________ CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS ADDRESS AND PHONE (if different from above) STREET ADDRESS: _____________________________________________ CITY: _____________________STATE:_______________ZIP:_________ VOICE PHONE NUMBER:_____________________________ YOUR ORGANIZATION'S INTERNET DOMAIN NAME:_____________________________________________ (If not a second level domain, please provide a brief explanation as to your organization's autonomy and relationship to the second level domain). __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ YOUR INTERNET MAIL ADDRESS (for email): __________________________________________________________________ METHOD OF PAYMENT:(Check one) C.O.D.____ Prepay ____ Net 30____ Product Name Model# Qty. IDNDP Price Total Price _____________________ ________ ____ ___________ ____________ _____________________ ________ ____ ___________ ____________ Tax ____________ Shipping (Qty x $20.00) ____________ Total Balance Due ____________ -------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 6-13 Page 32 27 Mar 1989 OFFICERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL FIDONET ASSOCIATION Mort Sternheim 1:321/109 Chairman of the Board Bob Rudolph 1:261/628 President Matt Whelan 3:3/1 Vice President Bill Bolton 3:711/403 Vice President-Technical Coordinator Linda Grennan 1:147/1 Secretary Kris Veitch 1:147/30 Treasurer IFNA COMMITTEE AND BOARD CHAIRS Administration and Finance Mark Grennan 1:147/1 Board of Directors Mort Sternheim 1:321/109 Bylaws Don Daniels 1:107/210 Ethics Ivan Schaffel 1:141/390 Executive Committee Bob Rudolph 1:261/628 International Affairs Rob Gonsalves 2:500/1 Membership Services David Drexler 1:147/1 Nominations & Elections David Melnick 1:107/233 Public Affairs David Drexler 1:147/1 Publications Rick Siegel 1:107/27 Security & Individual Rights Jim Cannell 1:143/21 Technical Standards Rick Moore 1:115/333 IFNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS DIVISION AT-LARGE 10 Courtney Harris 1:130/732 Don Daniels 1:107/210 11 Bill Allbritten 1:11/301 Mort Sternheim 1:321/109 12 Bill Bolton 3:711/403 Mark Grennan 1:147/1 13 Irene Henderson 1:107/9 (vacant) 14 Ken Kaplan 1:100/22 Ted Polczyinski 1:154/5 15 Scott Miller 1:128/12 Matt Whelan 3:3/1 16 Ivan Schaffel 1:141/390 Robert Rudolph 1:261/628 17 Neal Curtin 1:343/1 Steve Jordan 1:206/2871 18 Andrew Adler 1:135/47 Kris Veitch 1:147/30 19 David Drexler 1:147/1 (vacant) 2 Henk Wevers 2:500/1 David Melnik 1:107/233 ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 6-13 Page 33 27 Mar 1989 __ The World's First / \ BBS Network /|oo \ * FidoNet * (_| /_) _`@/_ \ _ | | \ \\ | (*) | \ )) ______ |__U__| / \// / Fido \ _//|| _\ / (________) (_/(_|(____/ (tm) Membership for the International FidoNet Association Membership in IFNA is open to any individual or organization that pays a specified annual membership fee. IFNA serves the international FidoNet-compatible electronic mail community to increase worldwide communications. Member Name _______________________________ Date _______________ Address _________________________________________________________ City ____________________________________________________________ State ________________________________ Zip _____________________ Country _________________________________________________________ Home Phone (Voice) ______________________________________________ Work Phone (Voice) ______________________________________________ Zone:Net/Node Number ____________________________________________ BBS Name ________________________________________________________ BBS Phone Number ________________________________________________ Baud Rates Supported ____________________________________________ Board Restrictions ______________________________________________ Your Special Interests __________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ In what areas would you be willing to help in FidoNet? __________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Send this membership form and a check or money order for $25 in US Funds to: International FidoNet Association PO 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 second elected Board of Directors was filled in August 1988. The IFNA Echomail Conference has been established on FidoNet to assist the Board. We welcome your input to this Conference. -----------------------------------------------------------------