Volume 7, Number 25 18 June 1990 +---------------------------------------------------------------+ | _ | | / \ | | /|oo \ | | - FidoNews - (_| /_) | | _`@/_ \ _ | | FidoNet (r) | | \ \\ | | International BBS Network | (*) | \ )) | | Newsletter ______ |__U__| / \// | | / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / | | (________) (_/(_|(____/ | | (jm) | +---------------------------------------------------------------+ Editor in Chief: Vince Perriello Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell Chief Procrastinator Emeritus: Tom Jennings Copyright 1990, Fido Software. All rights reserved. Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances, please contact Fido Software. FidoNews is published weekly by the System Operators of the FidoNet (r) International BBS Network. It is a compilation of individual articles contributed by their authors or authorized agents of the authors. The contribution of articles to this compilation does not diminish the rights of the authors. 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. Fido and FidoNet are registered trademarks of Tom Jennings of Fido Software, Box 77731, San Francisco CA 94107, USA and are used with permission. Opinions expressed in FidoNews articles are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Editor or of Fido Software. Most articles are unsolicited. Our policy is to publish every responsible submission received. Table of Contents 1. ARTICLES ................................................. 1 Why the Restrictions on Public Domain Software? .......... 1 SIGN FRIENDS UPDATE-Echo Tie in and File Info ............ 3 Tiffany & Debbie Gibson Echo ............................. 5 UNITEX SEMINAR AT CONCLAVE '90 ........................... 6 2. COLUMNS .................................................. 9 Talk Me Through It, Honey ................................ 9 3. NOTICES .................................................. 12 The Interrupt Stack ...................................... 12 FIDONEWS 7-25 Page 1 18 Jun 1990 ================================================================= ARTICLES ================================================================= John Herro 1:3610/38 Why the Restrictions on Public Domain Software? Some of the VERY BEST software around is public domain, and that's especially true of communications programs. But unfortu- nately, some of this excellent software isn't available from the shareware/PD houses, because the authors forbid anyone to earn money by distributing their software. As a result, the software has to be downloaded or file requested. Now don't get me wrong. The authors have every right to place whatever restrictions they want on their programs, because they own the software. What I don't understand is their MOTIVE for not allowing others to sell the SERVICE of copying these programs. For example, there's an EXCELLENT program that serves as a commu- nications terminal as well as a front end mailer. As a terminal program, it has X-, Y-, and Z-modem built in, along with Sealink and Telink. (More than one commercial program lacks Zmodem!) Although the PD program doesn't have a dialing menu quite like some shareware and commercial products, it uses the whole Fido NodeList for a dialing directory! Just type a net/node number and the rest is automatic! I don't know of any other terminal program that does that. And as a front end mailer, the PD pro- gram saves many a sysop from spending $100 on a commercial mail- er. And this excellent program isn't even shareware; it's FREE! Then there's a superb bulletin-board program, one of the most commonly used in FidoNet. It's very user friendly, and it pro- vides Continuous Mail capability even WITHOUT a front-end mailer! Phone it with a mailer program, and it recognizes the mailer and lets you request files and send and receive messages with or without files attached. Phone the same program with a terminal program, and you're welcomed to the BBS without delay! Now THAT'S software! The price of this state-of-the-art BBS system? That's right, FREE! But for some reason, you can't get these programs from the share- ware/PD houses; you have to find them yourself. On many bulletin boards, you have to wait to be validated before you can even look to see if the board has the files you want. The files for these programs take quite a while to download, unless you're lucky enough to own a high speed modem. You better have something GOOD to upload, or the large downloads won't endear you to the host sysops. Also, the bulletin board program is spread over a large number of files, and you may have difficulty determining when you have all the files you need. Now please don't misunderstand me. The trouble of finding and downloading these files is a VERY SMALL PRICE to pay for such excellent programs, and we should be truly grateful to the authors for providing them. But I would gladly pay some shareware/PD house a few bucks per disk to go to FIDONEWS 7-25 Page 2 18 Jun 1990 this trouble for me. Believe it or not, I'm lucky enough to live near a shareware/PD RETAIL STORE! Yes, on my way home from work I can walk into the store and get a copy of any program in their catalog, instantly, for $3 a disk! The catalog has a whole paragraph describing each program, providing much more detail than the single line descrip- tions found on most bulletin boards. It also explains clearly about paying for shareware. I turn to the Telecommunications section of the catalog and find several terminal programs and several bulletin boards, but none as good as the PD programs men- tioned above. THANK YOU, programmers, for providing such wonderful software! But why do some of you dislike these shareware/PD houses? You have every right to say that you don't want anyone earning money by handling YOUR programs, but why not give your users a choice: to download your programs or to pay someone else to download them instead? ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 7-25 Page 3 18 Jun 1990 Anthony Grillo Fido 1:272/94 SIGN FRIENDS-ECHO & FILE INFORMATION The response to SIGN FRIENDS has been overwhelming and a few developments have occured since the article was released in FIDONEWS. We had planned to form our own echo for SIGN FRIENDS but we had an invitation from the SILENTTALK Echo and we are taking them up on the offer. SIGN FRIENDS will be supported on the SILENTTALK echo which is available on the backbone. Check with your NEC for a tie in. I also had a few requests about the file sizes. Well I decided not only to list the sizes but to give you the complete file info so you know you have the real thing. Please note that SIGN37-3.XXX has been updated. If you have a version dated prior to 5-27-90 all you need to do is FILE REQUEST MENUII3.BAS and you'll have the latest version. SIGN FRIENDS FILES SIGN37-1.EXE 67617 5-17-90 SIGN37-1.ZIP 54832 5-17-90 SIGN37-2.EXE 63034 5-17-90 SIGN37-2.ZIP 50250 5-17-90 SIGN37-3.EXE 82237 5-27-90 Just Updated SIGN37-3.ZIP 69453 5-27-90 Just Updated MENUII3.BAS 1408 5-27-90 Upgrades older Version of SIGN37-3.XXX SIGN37-4.EXE 66474 6-10-90 NEW RELEASE SIGN37-4.ZIP 53690 6-10-90 NEW RELEASE PLEASE NOTE!!: You may file request the above files from the Electronic Mall anytime except 3am-6am EDT (0700-1000 GMT). PROGRAM AUTHOR Just to clarify the situation. Fran O'Gorman is the author of Sign Friends. All program questions, suggestions, nice letters etc. should be addressed to Fran. Fran can be reached here by Netmail or on the SILENTTALK Echo. Anthony Grillo is the sysop of the host BBS for the SIGN FRIENDS program. Any problems with downloading or file request should be addressed to Anthony. FIDONEWS 7-25 Page 4 18 Jun 1990 ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 7-25 Page 5 18 Jun 1990 Tiffany & Debbie Gibson Echo by Daniel Tobias 1:380/7 Despite popular demand, I have inaugurated an echo devoted to the young singers, Debbie Gibson and Tiffany. This echo, TIFF&DEB, is being distributed as a non-backbone echo to participating sysops for the purpose of discussing Tiff and Deb in an atmosphere free of the obnoxious flaming that ensues when their names come up in the general MUSIC echo. Any sysop interested in carrying TIFF&DEB should send me netmail. You can take a peek at it in message area 14 of my system, reachable 24 hours at (318) 424-9260, up to 2400 bps. More Tiffany scoops can be had by file-requesting or downloading TIFFANY.ZIP, which includes a full chronology of her life and career among other things. [Yep, that's Tiffany on the cover of the Spy Magazine "Separated At Birth II" book, twinned with Julian Lennon, of all people. And it's her voice you hear in the "Jetsons" movie coming attraction now seen in theaters; she does three songs there as well as the voice of Judy Jetson. Regrettably, her good friend Debbie Gibson has to wait a bit longer for her own silver screen debut; her "Skirts" movie was scrubbed due to studio politics. What are they up to next? Read the TIFF&DEB echo to find out!] DISCLAIMER: This echo is not endorsed by Deborah Gibson, Tiffany or their respective management. Let's hope they don't sue... ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 7-25 Page 6 18 Jun 1990 James Waldron 1:107/501 The UNITEX Communications BBS published a feature story in FIDONEWS and ALTERNEWS in the summer of 1988, in which we described the concept of operating a specialized information and news system using data and information from 'internal' United Nations databases and selected news services. A lot of new developments have occurred since then. The results and findings of this pilot project will be discuused at a seminar in the upcoming CONCLAVE '90. Below is an abstract highlighting some of the key areas of discussion: ABSTRACT UNITEX: Specialized Information and Technology Transfer Participants: James Waldron, Ph.D Senior Director and Research Associate Dorothy Nicklus, International NGO Representative to the UN Dr. James Waldron has formal training and degrees in chemical engineering, chemical physics, computer science and the philosophy of science and has taught at Rutgers Medical School, New Jersey Institute of Technology and New York University as Associate Professor. Seven years industrial experience at a major petroleum corporation as a senior systems scientist and research specialist. Publisher of specialized software for the typography and printing industry (GAMS and CHROMOS). Recipient of several NSF and NIH grants and awards. Ms. Dorothy Nicklus, UN NGO, has been an International Non-Governmental Organization Representative for more than nine years. An extensive background at the United Nations starting from the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space Conference (1981-1982), including the recipient of an INTELSAT-PROJECT SHARE grant and other awards. Background includes formal training in graphic arts and design, advertising, video production and typography. Owner of the REGENT GROUP Corporation, specializing in publishing and financial printing. Subject: UNITEX (United Nations Information Transfer Exchange) has been pioneering the use and application of wide area network technology in the areas of specialized information transfer, using micro computers, since 1984. Starting as a pilot project, with the cooperation of UN Department of Public Information (UN DPI), UNITEX went on-line in New York City with Fido 11w. Custom software was designed to aid and implement the acquisition of data and information from several UN international databases maintained on FIDONEWS 7-25 Page 7 18 Jun 1990 mainframes in New York, Geneva and Africa. UNITEX added other news agencies and related information sources to augment what was to become the International UNITEX ECHO Conference which became a FidoNet backbone conference in September 1987, with worldwide distribution. Unitex was the first organization that distributed, worldwide, special sessions of the United Nations General Assembly, along with, regular scheduled meetings anof the UN General Assembly, UN press Releases, UN Radio News, news and special bulletins from UNICEF What started out as a simple stand-alone BBS with no network capability became a networked host and gateway for a conference that was ported to over two dozen major networks in several countries and was available on more than ten thousand machines worldwide. UNITEX was highlighted in August 1989 on CNN News - Science and Technology Section and has been a source of information for international correspondents and journalists as well as a host system (WorldTalk Network) to receive articles from journalists around the globe. UNITEX has been an advocate of publishing and transferring unabridged and uncensored news, data and information for social benefit. UNITEX spearheaded a major effort to open-up an international body of information maintained by the United Nations, which previously had very limited distribution. This was done in the general public interest and to encourage debate, to exchange ideas and to transfer technology between the industrialized nations and the developing nations. The platform for this exchange grew to include other related newsworthy and related international events, such as the United Nations Environmental Programme; health and medical news, concerning crisis intervention, treatment of rare diseases, epidemics, worldwide treatment and disease prevention programs; United Nations Disaster Relief, concerning aid to hurricane victims, natural occuring disasters, chemical and radiation accidents; Department of Defense news briefings, DOD press releases and other related news which can concern a society at-large. UNITEX is presently running on a PS/2 Model 60, 3 MB ram, 160 MB storage, Telebit PEP 9600 Baud. SEAdog 4.51b/GROUPmail 2.18/OPUS 1.12/KITTEN describe the software interfaces. The 'gating' of UNITEX has demonstrated some remarkable technical feats that would be unheard of only a few years ago but has also returned some invaluable data that we will discuss in more detail at the UNITEX Seminar. FIDONEWS 7-25 Page 8 18 Jun 1990 Highlights: A. The age-old dilemma of performing good science in the face of political posturing. The role politics can play and it's effect on research and development. B. The role of the University InterNet, Research Networks, Commercial Networks and the FidoNet. C. Democratization of information D. Specialized Information Services and Wide Area Networks. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 7-25 Page 9 18 Jun 1990 ================================================================= COLUMNS ================================================================= Henry Clark 124/6120 Hackers -- In my early days of programming, circa 1977, we did not have the tools for program development that we have today. I wasn't using a full screen source editor until around 1981. When we tested our software, it was in the test bed, since we didn't develop software on the 'target' machine. Those were the days of 'punch cards' and 'listings'. When you tested, and found problems, you didn't stop and edit/recompile/relink/load because that cycle could take up to a full day. What you did was PATCH the problem using the binary representation of the instructions you needed. Then you could continue testing. By the end of your test session, you might have several patches, which you would then use to rewrite the source in preparation for your next testing session. Your ability to quickly patch the machine code, and get the program working was favorably noted by your supervisors and peers. The art and science of testing under these conditions was valuable knowledge and contributed to your reputation as a software developer. As I look at Webster's Ninth, (C) 1989, I see several definitions for the words 'hack' and 'hacker'. First HACK. Most common ( and in use since before the 12th century ) is "to cut with repeated irregular or unskillful blows". In reference to program testers, this is a wonderful metaphor, like calling the 300 pound man 'Tiny'. Compared to the source code, a patch is a rather unskillful blow to a program. Other definitions for the verb form include words like "reshape", "rough cuts" and "cutting blows". These typify the standard procedure of program patching where a problem was fixed in the most simple way, or entire sections of code are branched around in order to get as much code tested in the time frame allowed. A second definition : hack is short for hackney, a horse suitable for riding or driving. This usage, ( from around 1745 ) implies a work for hire attitude, with loose professionalism. Taxicab drivers are known as hacks because taxis were once horse drawn ( haven't you seen the Sherlock Holmes shows ? ). This analogy clearly fits the good programmer, who works like a horse and never wears a tie ! FIDONEWS 7-25 Page 10 18 Jun 1990 Hackwork, ( 1851 ), is "literary, artistic or professional work done on order according to formula and in conformity with commercial standards. Clearly applicable in the 1970s to programming, created according to specifications. There seems to be a fit with the appearance of contract programmers, not unusual with respect to the artistic nature of programming. This brings us now to the word HACKER. There are two definitions. The first ( from 1620 ) one that hacks, a person who is inexperienced or unskilled at a particular activity. The second, ( from 1976 ) AN EXPERT AT PROGRAMMING AND SOLVING PROBLEMS WITH A COMPUTER. It's obvious that HACKER is an endearing term, full of metaphor as the hard working, easy going individualist. At least until the early 1980s when two things happened : 1) computers became affordable to a wide group of people, and 2) computers became widely usable by all types of commercial and governmental endeavors. Voyeurs, Burglars and Vandals -- Voyeurism - visual stimulation; burglary - theft; vandal - to deface. Today's definition for HACKER probably stems from the person who used his microcomputer to communicate with someone else's computer, gained entry to that computer's application or operating system command interpreter, and 1) was proud of the successful attempt to see what was not supposed to be seen, 2) by seeing, stole information and procedures, and 3) may even have gone so far as to alter or destroy the information in the computer system, or disrupt it's operation. Let's call a rose and rose, and a criminal a criminal. Where It Hurts Most -- Since I clearly fit the original ( and positive ) definition of hacker, I am a little miffed at this new negative connotation. Nearly everyone in this network, who has worked to fit together the programs necessary to function with this Network, usually without documentation ( trial and error approach ), is a hacker in the most positive sense. When this modern criminal of the computer variety starts giving my hobby a bad name, I can do little but try to educate the uninformed. Like with the VIRUS scares of late, it's hard to set the record straight about the merits of a BBS. FIDONEWS 7-25 Page 11 18 Jun 1990 PREACHING TO THE CHOIR mode on : The real problem now is that in trying to stamp out criminal activities, the law enforcement and regulatory groups are going to affect my hobby. Not, as some would suggest, by confiscation of equipment or outright banishment, but in increased costs and hassle. When my pocketbook gets hit, I start yelling. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 7-25 Page 12 18 Jun 1990 ================================================================= NOTICES ================================================================= The Interrupt Stack 14 Jul 1990 Start of Eurocon / Techcon conference in Antwerp, Belgium. Please note that the date has changed: The conferences are one day later than originally planned ! 27 Jul 1990 The beginning of the REGION 17 Convention at Menucha Resort in the Columbia Gorge, Oregon. For details contact Ken Zwaschka, 1:105/54. 1 Aug 1990 Start of FidoCon '90. Contact Bill Vanglahn at 1:1/90 for details. 5 Oct 1990 21st Anniversary of "Monty Python's Flying Circus" 6 Nov 1990 First anniversary of Van Diepen Automatiseert, 2:500/28 14 Nov 1990 Marco Maccaferri's 21rd Birthday. Send greetings to him at 2:332/16.0 1 Jan 1991 Implementation of 7% Goods and Services Tax in Canada. Contact Joe Lindstrom at 1:134/55 for a more colorful description. 16 Feb 1991 Fifth anniversary of the introduction of Echomail, by Jeff Rush. 7 Oct 1991 Area code 415 fragments. Alameda and Contra Costa Counties will begin using area code 510. This includes Oakland, Concord, Berkeley and Hayward. San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, parts of Santa Clara County, and the San Francisco Bay Islands will retain area code 415. 1 Feb 1992 Area code 213 fragments. Western, coastal, southern and eastern portions of Los Angeles County will begin using area code 310. This includes Los Angeles International Airport, West Los Angeles, San Pedro and Whittier. Downtown Los Angeles and surrounding communities (such as Hollywood and FIDONEWS 7-25 Page 13 18 Jun 1990 Montebello) will retain area code 213. If you have something which you would like to see on this calendar, please send a message to FidoNet node 1:1/1. -----------------------------------------------------------------