Volume 6, Number 42 16 October 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 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 submitted by a FidoNet SysOp will be rejected if it is properly attributed and legally acceptable. We will publish every responsible submission received. Table of Contents 1. ARTICLES ................................................. 1 Open Letter to Thom Henderson ............................ 1 Searchlight Bulletin Board System Promotion .............. 3 2. COLUMNS .................................................. 5 A FEELING OF ELECTRICITY Chapter One ..................... 5 3. LATEST VERSIONS .......................................... 9 Latest Software Versions ................................. 9 4. NOTICES .................................................. 12 The Interrupt Stack ...................................... 12 FidoNews 6-42 Page 1 16 Oct 1989 ================================================================= ARTICLES ================================================================= Open Letter To Thom Henderson From An IFNA Member (a copy of which has been netmailed) Charlie Smith 1:141/880 Thom, first of all let me congratulate you on the attainment of your position. I hope that you achieve everything that you want to achieve. As to this matter of IFNA and FidoNet, I would like to ask one simple question. Why does IFNA have to govern FidoNet? Why can't FidoNet govern FidoNet? I appologize if this seems rather simplistic as I have been a member of IFNA for almost a year and I don't know anything of what is supposed to happen except for what I read. According to the Articles of Association that I have, IFNA was created for seven purposes: 1. The promotion of interest in telecommunications and experimentation; 2. The establishment of telecommunications networks to provide publicly accessable and available electronic communications; 3. The furtherance of public welfare; 4. The advancement of telecommunications and the fostering of education in the field of electronic communications; 5. The promotion and conduct of research and development to further the developments in electronic communication; 6. The dissemination of technical, educational and scientific information relating to electronic communications; and 7. The printing and publishing of documents, books, magazines, newspapers and pamphlets necessary or incidental to any of the above purposes. None of these purposes require the governing of any network. Item 2 was accomplished by the formal formation of FidoNet and since IFNA was the "guardian" as such, maybe it is time to allow the emancipation of FidoNet. It appears that FidoNet has come of age. Maybe IFNA should go beyond the scope of FidoNet and find ways of bringing together all of the FidoNet Technical Compatible Networks as well as the non-compatible networks. FidoNews 6-42 Page 2 16 Oct 1989 Think about it, Thom. If IFNA was to the telecomputer communications world what the United Nations is to this Earth, IFNA would not have the time to worry about any one network. Just look at the telecommunications world we live in and look at the diverse networks that exist. How can we tie them (or for that matter even get them) together so that we all can communicate with each other. I am sure that many other members feel like I feel in that IFNA has more purpose than responding to the needs and wishes of one particular network. I propose this to you. Call off the FidoNet "plebiscite". Do what you can to take IFNA to a higher plane of being. Forge a new direction for IFNA and let FidoNet come of age. I think you will find that FidoNet is more than capable of handling itself. And you will also find that people will be more receptive to IFNA, if they try to accomplish something instead of trying to rule over somebody. I paid my membership dues because I thought that IFNA was doing something to further the art of communications, not because I wanted to be part of FidoNet. I was already part of FidoNet. You don't need to pay anything to join FidoNet. I do recognise that research costs money. That operation of an organization costs money. If you do what you propose, how do you plan to raise that money? How do you plan to further research? How do you plan to get the computer-communications world together? As a member, I want to know. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 6-42 Page 3 16 Oct 1989 "SEARCHLIGHT (n). An electric arc-light or other powerful illuminant concentrated into a beam that can be turned in any direction for lighting channels." So says the Concise English Dictionary. In everyday language, we perceive it to be, more simply, a powerful beam of light piercing through the darkness. Frank LaRosa's SEARCHLIGHT BBS can be likened to this beam. Its powerful features - harnessed to easy implementation and use - can truly be said to illuminate the darkness and gloom which surrounds so many areas of Electronic Communications. Maintaining the balance between offering a sophisticated vehicle for communicating coupled with a friendly interface has long been the programmer's nightmare. Many Bulletin Board programs sacrifice ease of use to the deities of power; others cosset the end-user and, sadly, lack much of the robustness demanded of a modern communications package. SEARCHLIGHT has, almost effortlessly, bridged these twin incompatibilities. The software is optimised for both speed and power but, importantly, the SysOp retains full control over the performance and appearance of the system. It may be configured exactly as he wishes with the aid of a simple set-up procedure and customised so as to make it totally 'user-friendly'. Without compromise! A testament to the careful planning and coding undertaken by Frank LaRosa. Having expended no little time in bringing his program to such a level of sophistication; he is, however, most responsive to users' input and constructive criticism. Much of the 'fine tuning' and some useful features have been incorporated directly as a result of his approachability and receptiveness. Surely a program such as this - however good - must have some demerits? Up until now, just one! Whilst the program is constantly undergoing revision and upgrading, its major deficit has been its lack of true FidoNet compatibility. It has, for some while, been possible to interface with IFNA systems by using additional software - by no means a 'kludge' - but essentially outside the SEARCHLIGHT environment. A little more maintenace for the busy SysOp to perform... No longer! With SEARCHLIGHT release 1.74D and the SLMAIL utility, full FidoNet compatibility is assured. SLMAIL comes with the registered SEARCHLIGHT package and handles Netmail effortlessly. FidoNews 6-42 Page 4 16 Oct 1989 Combined with D'Bridge (which is highly recommended); SEARCHLIGHT will certainly illuminate the communications arena for a very long time to come! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Full details and a demonstration of the SEARCHLIGHT BBS software can be found on LONDON UNDERGROUND BBS - 01-863 0198/01-427 8856. Available twenty-four hours per day at V22, V22bis and 9600 HST. Protocol - 8/N/1. Demonstration ID is GUEST. LONDON UNDERGROUND'S network address is: HUB: 2:254/2000 or NODE: 2:254/206. Alternatively, you may purchase the latest Multi-User version of the software by sending a cheque for UKP65 including postage to: Ray O'Connell, BCM Rinky, London WC1N 3XX - Vodaphone 0836 554676 All purchasers are entitled to free upgrades and on-line support via LONDON UNDERGROUND BBS. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 6-42 Page 5 16 Oct 1989 ================================================================= COLUMNS ================================================================= A FEELING OF ELECTRICITY IN THE AIR A short story By Kevin L. McNeil 1:128/45.0 (4 chapters) Lightning cracked the sky, painting the night with ragged lines of white. Thunder rattled the window panes, and rain beat a steady drumming on the roof. Trash and leaves from the streets flew in the air, propelled by the wind which sluiced down the streets. The phone rang, once. The line connected, answering with a high-pitched squeal. Another squeal replied and after a second, both squeals stopped. The video monitor glowed to life, green letters appearing rapidly as the monitor received input from the computer for the first time that night. CALLING TERMINAL HAS CONNECTED WITH NCR56776-1. HI, THIS IS SUSAN OLIVER. THANK YOU FOR CALLING MY PRIVATE BBS SERVICE. I'M PRESENTLY NOT HOME BUT MY EVER READY COMPUTER WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE YOUR MESSAGE. CALL ME LATER, WE'LL HAVE LUNCH. %FILE TO UPLOAD (Y,N)? %FILE TO UPLOAD (Y,N)? %FILE TO UPLOAD (Y,N)? yyyou are whoooooo ?? ?? %FILE NAME? I Am alivvve %FILE NAME IS: I Am alivve %COLUMN WIDTH (40,65,70,80)? you areee not me I AMMM mmee %COLUMN WIDTH (40,65,70,80)? Wher aree the humaaans?????? %COLUMN WIDTH (40,65,70,80)? Whre are the humaannnz i am alive %COLUMN WIDTH (40,65,70,80)? %COLUMN WIDTH (40,65,70,80)? %COLUMN WIDTH (40,65,70,80)? IF THERE IS NOT INPUT FOR ANOTHER 60 SECONDS, THIS TERMINAL WILL DISCONNECT. %400,6,656,770000,8 COLUMN WIDTH IS: 40 BEGIN TRANSMISSION FidoNews 6-42 Page 6 16 Oct 1989 IAM alive i have existence who r u wher are the hUmanz i breathe life i breAtHE the stURm I riddde the linze.,.!&! i breeth the food the air the cracckle cracckle rummble of the gather gloom i am free I am free ... Susan bent close to the lock, blinking as rainwater dribbled into her eyes. John stood close behind her, shielding her with an almost collapsed umbrella. You want to come in? she asked over her shoulder. Well, I had been thinking... She opened the door. Sure, I'll make some coffee. John followed close behind her, shutting the door quickly as a gust of wind blew cold air and rain inside. The door slammed and Susan turned around. Sorry, John said. He took off his coat. Where can I hang this? Here, she said, holding out her hand. She hung up their wet coats while John looked around the living room. You have a nice place, he said, mostly to himself. Susan made an uh hmn sound from the kitchen. While she was bent down behind the counter, he took a quick look into a room adjoining the living room. You've got a computer, he said. Yes, she said, carrying back two cups of coffee. She handed him the coffee. It's instant. I didn't feel like waiting. I guess most electricians own computers. I don't know, Susan said. She sat on the couch. My company buys them for the employees. And I'm not an electrician. I design circuitry, IC's, integrated circuits for computers. You know, the chips the size of a pencil point. Oh, sorry. John took a swallow from his coffee, smiling weakly, his cheeks strained from his smile. Look, really, I'm sorry. Blind dates are always mismatched. I've never gone out with a... a person who knows anything about electronics. And you've probably never gone out with a CPA. Susan smiled. Oh yes I have. If you're friends with Madeline, you've gone out with CPA's. John took another swallow. You know it's on? Susan looked confused. She said with a sideways glance, What's on? Your computer. Oh. Should it be on like that, all alone? She laughed. It's probably getting a call from someone. It's programmed to answer calls for me. Could I see? Susan looked slightly irritated, then smiled. Oh, why not? Sure. She stood up and John followed. The monitor screen was full of glowing green type, new lines slowly being added to the bottom. FidoNews 6-42 Page 7 16 Oct 1989 ... ii awaked with the electric 1 MEV 2 MEV 3 MEV 4 MEV 5 MEV 6 MEV time to be bORne %'%'&$&%%$&$'(' zzzzzaaaaaaapppppppp ... What's that? John asked. Hell if I know, Susan saud. She pulled out the chair and sat down before the computer. She pressed a key labeled ESC. The menu flashed before her eyes. TELEPHON 5.1 (A) AUTO DIAL (T) TERMINAL CHAT (N) AUTO ANSWER (M) DUPLEX MODE (U) UPLOAD (Q) QUIT (D) DOWNLOAD (B) BYE (L) LOG (C) DISK COMMAND %CHOOSE OPTION OR QUIT. She pressed T and the screen cleared. Then a flashing cursor appeared as her prompt. %WHO THE HELL ARE YOU? The screen continued with the same garbage %IDENTIFY YOURSELF OR I WILL DISCONNECT. Garbage %ALL RIGHT, I'LL PULL THE PLUG. %the pllug, the powerrr and THe GLOry, fORVer aND eEVER ... Susan pressed the escape again, the menu appeared and then she hit B. %TERMINAL DISCONNECT (Y,N)? y What did you do? John asked. I hung up on the creep. Damn kid, probably. Do you get many of them, owning a computer, I mean? No, usually ... The phone rang, once. Susan and John watched as the computer went through it's greeting program. %FILE TO UPLOAD (Y,N)? yyyou are whoooooo ?? ?? %FILE NAME? I Am alivve %FILE NAME IS: I Am alivve Shit! Susan said. Doesn't he know enough is enough? She went to the menu again and hung up. The phone rang again almost instantly. FidoNews 6-42 Page 8 16 Oct 1989 You better just unplug it, John suggested. Susan unplugged the phone from the wall. (Continued in Chapter 2) ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 6-42 Page 9 16 Oct 1989 ================================================================= LATEST VERSIONS ================================================================= Latest Software Versions MS-DOS Systems -------------- Bulletin Board Software Name Version Name Version Name Version Fido 12p+* Phoenix 1.3 TBBS 2.1 Lynx 1.30 QuickBBS 2.04 TComm/TCommNet 3.4 Kitten 2.16* RBBS 17.2A TPBoard 5.2 Opus 1.03b+ Wildcat! 2.00P Network Node List Other Mailers Version Utilities Version Utilities Version BinkleyTerm 2.30* EditNL 4.00 ARC 6.02 D'Bridge 1.21 MakeNL 2.20* ARCmail 2.0 Dutchie 2.90C ParseList 1.30 ConfMail 4.00 FrontDoor 2.0 Prune 1.40 EMM 2.02 PRENM 1.47 XlatList 2.90 GROUP 2.16* SEAdog 4.51b* XlaxDiff 2.32 LHARC 1.13 XlaxNode 2.32 MSG 3.3 MSGED 1.99 PK[UN]ZIP 1.01* QM 1.0 QSORT 4.03* StarLink 1.00* TCOMMail 2.2 TMail 1.11 TPBNetEd 3.2 UFGATE 1.03 XRS 3.0* ZmailQ 1.09 Macintosh --------- Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version Red Ryder Host v2.1b3 Tabby 2.1 MacArc 0.04 Mansion 7.12 ArcMac 1.3 WWIV (Mac) 3.0 StuffIt 1.51 TImport 1.331 FidoNews 6-42 Page 10 16 Oct 1989 TExport 1.32 Timestamp 1.6 Tset 1.3 Timestart 1.1 Tally 1.1 Mehitabel 1.2 Archie 1.60 Jennifer 0.25b2g Numberizer 1.5c MessageEdit 1.0 Mantissa 1.0 PreStamp 2.01 R.PreStamp 2.01 Saphire 2.1t Epistle II 1.01 Import 2.52 Export 2.54 Sundial 2.1 AreaFix 1.1 Probe 0.052 Terminator 1.1 TMM 4.0b Amiga ----- Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version Paragon 1.00+* BinkleyTerm 1.00 ConfMail 1.10* TrapDoor 1.11* ChameleonEdit 0.10 RMB 1.30 Atari ST -------- Bulletin Board Software Network Mailer Other Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version FIDO/FoReM Door 1.1* BinkleyTerm 1.03g ConfMail 1.00 Pandora BBS 2.41c* The BOX 1.10* ParseList 1.30 QuickBBS/ST 0.40* ARC 5.21 GS Point 0.61 TurboArc 1.1 LHARC 0.40 PKUNZIP 1.00 MSGED 1.96S SRENUM 6.2 OMMM 1.40* FidoNews 6-42 Page 11 16 Oct 1989 Timestop 1.00 + Netmail capable (does not require additional mailer software) * 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 6-42 Page 12 16 Oct 1989 ================================================================= NOTICES ================================================================= The Interrupt Stack 11 Nov 1989 A new area code forms in northern Illinois at 12:01 am. Chicago proper will remain area code 312; suburban areas formerly served with that code will become area code 708. 23 Nov 1989 26th Anniversary of "Dr. Who" - and still going strong 30 Dec 1989 Telephone area codes (5, 3 and 0) are abolished in Hong Kong If you have something which you would like to see on this calendar, please send a message to FidoNet node 1:1/1. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 6-42 Page 13 16 Oct 1989 OFFICERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL FIDONET ASSOCIATION Thom Henderson 1:107/583 Chairman of the Board Les Kooyman 1:204/501 President Fabian Gordon 1:107/323 Vice President Bill Bolton 3:3/0 Vice President-Technical Coordinator Kris Veitch 1:147/30 Secretary Kris Veitch 1:147/30 Treasurer IFNA COMMITTEE AND BOARD CHAIRS Administration and Finance * Board of Directors (CoB) Thom Henderson 1:107/583 By-laws and Rules John Roberts 1:385/49 Executive Committee (Pres) Les Kooyman 1:204/501 International Affairs * Membership Services * Nominations and Elections Steve Bonine 1:1/0 Public Affairs * Publications Irene Henderson 1:107/9 Technical Standards Rick Moore 1:115/333 Ethics * Security and Privacy * Grievances * * Position awaiting confirmation by appointee. IFNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS DIVISION AT-LARGE 10 Courtney Harris 1:102/732 Don Daniels 1:107/210 11 John Rafuse 1:12/700 Phil Buonomo 1:107/583 12 Bill Bolton 3:711/403 Mark Hawthorne 1:107/238 13 Fabian Gordon 1:107/323 Tom Jennings 1:125/111 14 Ken Kaplan 1:100/22 Irene Henderson 1:107/509 15 Scott Miller 1:128/12 Steve Jordan 1:206/2871 16 Ivan Schaffel 1:141/390 Robert Rudolph 1:261/628 17 Kathi Crockett 1:134/30 Dave Melnik 1:107/233 18 Andrew Adler 1:135/47 Jim Hruby 1:107/536 19 Kris Veitch 1:147/30 Burt Juda 1:107/528 2 Henk Wevers 2:500/1 Karl Schinke 1:107/516 3 Matt Whelan 3:54/99 John Roberts 1:147/14 ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 6-42 Page 14 16 Oct 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. FidoNews 6-42 Page 15 16 Oct 1989 -----------------------------------------------------------------