F I D O N E W S -- | Vol. 9 No. 31 (3 August 1992) The newsletter of the | FidoNet BBS community | Published by: _ | / \ | "FidoNews" BBS /|oo \ | (415)-863-2739 (_| /_) | FidoNet 1:1/1 _`@/_ \ _ | Internet: | | \ \\ | fidonews@fidonews.fidonet.org | (*) | \ )) | |__U__| / \// | Editors: _//|| _\ / | Tom Jennings (_/(_|(____/ | Tim Pozar (jm) | | | Newspapers should have no friends. | -- JOSEPH PULITZER ----------------------------+--------------------------------------- Published weekly by and for the Members of the FidoNet international amateur network. Copyright 1992, Fido Software. All rights reserved. Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances, please contact FidoNews. Electronic Price: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . free! Paper price: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10.00US For more information about FidoNews refer to the end of this file. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Table of Contents 1. EDITORIAL ..................................................... 1 Editorial: Here comes trouble ................................. 1 2. ARTICLES ...................................................... 3 FidoCon '92 September 4-6 Dallas, TX .......................... 3 IBECC '92 Press Release ....................................... 5 Fidosnooze back-issues ........................................ 7 More Useless Bureaucrats? What For?! .......................... 7 Teens and FidoNet ............................................. 9 BBS and sysop survive near miss by tornado .................... 10 SEAmail version 1.10 revision G ............................... 11 Incorrect article format ...................................... 12 SCI&TECH -- On the Backbone! .................................. 13 New Fitness Echo .............................................. 14 OPENDOORS Programming Echo! ................................... 15 This New Echo, STDSN - What Is It? ............................ 15 SKEPTIC Echo now on the Zone 1 Backbone! ...................... 16 New Echo for Those Interested in Florida_USA! ................. 17 MENSANS_ONLY Echo Notice ...................................... 18 The telecom wonder, {COMMO}, gets its own conference .......... 19 3. LATEST VERSIONS ............................................... 20 Software Versions List ........................................ 20 4. FIDONEWS INFORMATION .......................................... 21 FidoNews 9-31 Page 1 3 Aug 1992 ====================================================================== EDITORIAL ====================================================================== Editorial: Here comes trouble by Tom Jennings (1:1/1) Well, it's Monday morning. Upon checking my mail, the first thing I see is that somehow my machine has delivered last week's newsletter disguised as this weeks. THen when I go to look, I find I have all of this week's articles (except one, see below) and no editorial. And the file that contains the issue number (9-31 in this case) is wrong. Files I know were there that I was saving for next week are also gone. This is all very puzzling, as I not only watched it make the right newsletter, I always look at the first few pages (though I certainly could have missed the wrong issue number). Then I watched it launch everything. This AM also I noticed my LAN node seems to have forgotten how to talk to the BBS node. Maybe I can blame NOVELL NETWARE LITE. I just switched text editors, from MATE to FREEMACS. I wonder if this has anything to do with it. I hope not! Well a day late, but what else is new. * * * * * Now, what was I saying? Oh yes. I received in the email this past week two unusual things. One a flame so absurd and ridiculuous that at first I thought it was a joke. It wasn't. I also received an incredibly bizarre response to a recent editorial that had me howling with laughter. I am certain it was not funny to the author. I don't make fun of people, period. But these two are such gems that I will edit them into obscurity, including grammar, to protect the authors. They are that good. (They received personal replies, believe me.) So I decided -- the next FidoNews, 9-32, will be the FIDONET IS FUNNY issue. A one-time HUMOR issue (some will argue that it is always funny; kick them out of the net now). I will hold off on running my amusements so that you can send me yours. Humor relevant to FidoNet would be nice but maybe too much to ask for. Cynical incisive smart(ass) humor is generally better received than obscenities, or jokes at someones expense, such as bigot jokes, which I will not run. Let's take a chance and see what we get. I'll dig out some of the few decent computer-related jokes and aphorisms I've collected in the last ten years (maybe a page's worth). FidoNews 9-31 Page 2 3 Aug 1992 * * * * * A TERRIBLE THING HAS HAPPENED -- I lost one article in this odd accident. I received a "funny" article, poking fun at FidoNet practices. To tell the truth, I hate computer jokes. They are amongst the stupidest and unfunniest. But this was actually funny... and might even Annoy someone. So I set it aside (renamed it) and mentioned it in the (now lost) editorial. It's gone! And I don't even know the authors name! Please, please, send me your article again. It won't be the same without it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 9-31 Page 3 3 Aug 1992 ====================================================================== ARTICLES ====================================================================== FidoCon '92 "Gateway Networking" September 4-6 Summit Hotel Dallas, Texas FidoCon '92 is only a month away. If you get your registration form mailed before the end of the month, you'll save $10 over the late registration price. Registrations received after August 10th may be subject to an additional late charge imposed by the Summit hotel. The FIDOCON92 conference is now on the FidoNet echomail backbone. If it's not available in your area, ask your REC about it. We have reserved one of our two large conference rooms for vendor displays, and are still actively soliciting vendors to show their wares, as well as provide some of our door prizes. The schedule is getting firmed up. We hope to have discussions by the major phone service providers about new technology, Caller*ID, and how these changes relate to our use of the phone system. We're working on getting the major modem vendors in attendance, where they can show their new stuff, as well as discuss the V.32, V.42, and new V.fast standards. There will be discussions about echomail cost sharing, as well as talks on the operation of some of the zone and network gateways. And we should have lots of demonstrations of network software, OS/2 V2.0, Windows/NT, etc. Vendor space is available for $200 for a 10'x10' area for both days. Hospitality suites are also available for $100 plus $49 for each of up to three attached sleeping rooms. These are per night charges. For more information, file request ADVERTIS.TXT from 1/92. If you've got an idea for a discussion session, or know of a vendor that might be interested in attending, let us hear from you as soon as possible. Oh, and don't forget to bring your swimming suit for the net -vs- net water volleyball tournament! Registration Form ------------------------------------------------------------- Price schedule -------------- FidoNews 9-31 Page 4 3 Aug 1992 Single occupancy for 2 nights, airport transportation, conference with breaks, lunch each day, Saturday banquet ..................... $182.80 Double occupancy for 2 nights, airport transportation, conference with breaks, lunch each day, Saturday banquet ..................... $254.80 2 Double Beds King-size Bed No sleeping room, conference with breaks, lunch each day, Saturday banquet ...................... $74.00 Thursday night early arrival .......................... $49.00 Conference and breaks only ............................ $20.00 Saturday banquet ...................................... $30.00 Credit Card fee ....................................... $10.00 Registration postmarked after July 31 ................. $10.00 Official FidoCon '92 T-Shirt .......................... $12.00* At the door ...................................... $15.00 Size: S M L XL Official FidoCon '92 Mug .............................. $8.00* At the door ...................................... $10.00 Official FidoCon '92 Cap ............................... $6.00* At the door ...................................... $7.00 Galleria Mall Day Bus Trip ............................. $1.00 ------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Network address: Mailing address: Voice phone number: Please circle the items from the above list that you desire, and indicate quantity if applicable. FidoNews 9-31 Page 5 3 Aug 1992 If you wish to split the cost of a double occupancy room and want us to find you a roommate: You must pay the full price for a single occupancy room at the time you register. We will refund the difference at the conference if we are able to find you a match. Please indicate if you have any preferences about your roommate (i.e. smoking/non-smoking). If you will be sharing a double occupancy room, please give us the name of the other person: Would you like a room with a modular phone jack? Do you require any special (i.e. wheelchair) facilities? Do you desire information about rental cars? What date/time do you plan to arrive in Dallas? What date/time do you plan to leave? * If you're not planning to come to the conference, souvenirs may be shipped to you if you include appropriate shipping and handling charges. Any surplus will be refunded. However, these souvenirs will be available only in limited quantity, and people showing up to claim them in person will have first choice. If you miss out, we will refund your money. ------------------------------------------------------------- Please make your check or money order out to "FidoCon 92". Note the July 31st deadline and associated late charge above. If you wish to pay by credit card, please contact 1:1/92 for more information. Mail your payment to: FidoCon '92 PO Box 550542 Dallas, TX 75355-0542 For more information, send netmail to Ron Bemis (1:1/92) or Henry Clark (1:124/6119), or call John Summers at the FidoCon '92 Hotline 1-800-899-3585. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Terry Travis (1:104/69) or Michelle Weisblat (1:104/969) Telephone: (303) 426-1847 -- Fax: (303) 429-0449 FidoNews 9-31 Page 6 3 Aug 1992 Do you want to know how to get thousands of computer programs free - LEGALLY? Does being able to send messages around the world, and receive replies, for the price of a local phone call interest you? Are you confused by the terms "Hacker", "Phreak", "BBS", or "Baud"? Do you want to know how to help keep the homebound or handicapped from feeling cut off from society? The answers to these questions, and much more, can be had by attending the Second Annual International BBSing and Electronic Communications Conference, IBECC'92, August 13-16 at the Sheraton Denver West in Lakewood, CO. IBECC'92 is an intensive three-day conference and workshop covering topics ranging from "Staying Alive" (Handicapped Computing and Accessing the World) to "Safe Computing" (Controlling the Spread of Computer 'Infection'), and from "Why Kelly CAN Read" (Education and the Computer) to "What IS a MODEM anyway?" (An Introduction to the World of TeleCommunication). At IBECC'92 you will be able to: * Join Author and Lecturer Dr. Jerry E. Pournelle, Ph.D. for his unique and critical views on life in the electronic future. * Sit and discuss the electronic classroom and NREN - the National Public SuperComputer Highway - with Telecommunications and Education Pioneer David Hughes, Sr. * Interact with Thom Foulks and his Award-Winning Radio Program, "Computing Success", Live. * Be a part of Denver's Only Live Computer Call-In Show, "Komputer Knus" with Marshall Barry and Michelle Weisblat. * Learn the tricks of the trade with Internationally Famous Software Designer Andrew Milner, * and much, much more. You will have the chance to visit with vendors like U.S. Robotics (modems), OnLine Communications (Remote Access and FrontDoor), MICRO (The Users' Group for Users' and Groups), CDB Systems (Computers and BBSes), Clark Development (PCBoard), Star Enterprises (Systems Sales and Service), Artisoft (LANs), Second Sight (Blind and Handicapped Systems and Software), the Electronic Frontier Foundation (Electronic Rights) and, of course, hundreds of SySops, Users, Educators and Enthusiasts. IBECC'92 will truly be the Educational and Social Event of the Year! It is designed for the beginner, the curious, the handicapped, and educators interested in learning about tomorrow's technologies, today. There will even be special sessions and seminars for those who are already deeply involved in the "mysteries" of computer communications. FidoNews 9-31 Page 7 3 Aug 1992 For full details, schedules, conference rates and information, please contact the sponsor, IBECC (a non-profit educational, scientific, and literary society) at (303) 426-1847 (voice), or (303) 429-0449 (fax). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- By Joe Jared of 1:125/1212 (Formerly 103/200) Recently with the assistance of 102/138 I have obtained almost all of the Fidonews articles to date. Part of this was out of boredom, but there's also a need to keep the history of Fidonet alive, and the best historical document of Fidonet I've seen to date is Fidonews itself. Sure there's plenty of ranting and raving, and most of the motivators in fidonet's growth have flown the coop, but by reading these articles, one can see how as the net grew, growing pains and would be power mongers would try to push the will of the net onto lesser beings, and how fidonet has grown into the gigantic political and technical nightmare that it is. Anyway, enough rambling. For request purposes, the articles prior to 1992 are available by file request using the following numbering sequence or by name if you want specific files. FNews_## where ## is the year's worth of fidonews. There are a few stray areas that I'm looking for to complete the set, and if anyone has the missing pieces or an explaination as to the gaps, either would be appreciated. Year 1: This is all I have. FNEWS_84.ARJ FNEWS103.ARJ Fidonews Vol. 1, No. 03 FNEWS104.ARJ Fidonews Vol. 1, No. 04 FNEWS105.ARJ Fidonews Vol. 1, No. 05 Year 2: Were there any issues prior to Vol 2. No. 10? FNEWS210.ARJ Fidonews Vol. 2, No. 10 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pablo Kleinman 1:102/631@fidonet --- MORE USELESS BUREAUCRATS? WHAT FOR?! --- Just got back to California after a 5-week-long absence. During the time, I had the opportunity to attend two excellent FidoNet events: MainzCon '92 in Munich, Germany, and CataCom/EuroCon '92 in Lleida, Spain. Both events deserve a separate review on FidoNews that I promise to write very soon. In the meantime, let me talk about something more urgent: FidoNews 9-31 Page 8 3 Aug 1992 After reading the FidoNewses I missed, I got to the last two where I read with revulsion the last of the unneeded and indeed despicable proposals to expand the most useless of the bureaucratic layers of the administration of the most undemocratic of the zones, my own, Zone 1. My shock not only derived from the proposal, but from WHOM was writing about it: Tom Jennings. If my memory is still clear, it was none other than Tom Jennings who said that the region coordinators were a fuck-up of Policy4 with absolutely no technical value. At the time, I agreed with reservations, but one thing that has always been pretty clear to me is that nowhere but in zones 1 and 3 are the RCs more useless and have less technical utility. In the rest of the zones (that is, all but Zones 1 and 3), that contain several different countries, a region represents a country. Since there are radical differences from country to country in terms of communication costs, usually linguistic differences, and many times political problems that FidoNet cannot simply overcome, the structure one_region_one_country is effective and useful. Most regions outside Zones 1 and 3 have In/Out gates that route at the regional level (i.e. REGION/999 nodes in Zone 2), but here in Zone 1, they don't even serve for that. Indeed, over here, calling outside one's state is usually cheaper than within the state, and regions have no technical utility whatsoever. What difference does it makes if one is in California and belongs to region 10, and in Oregon and belongs to region 17? There is no reason to have regions in Zone 1, other than dividing a bit the collection of nodelist segments from the nets... and that could be arranged in a way-less-painful manner. I was happy to see that in Zone 2, from where I just returned, all the region coordinators are elected by the sysops in their regions... What about here? Nothing. At least in my region (the same as TJ's), there are no elections for nothing. So what positive thing would derive from simply having a larger structure of region DICTATORS? What difference does it make? Why are regions too big and for what are they too big? Why do region coordinators exist here in the first place? Geez, it is real hard for me to hide my disappointment, once again, with the maneuvers that are attempted that do no good to us, FidoNet sysops. I'm tired of the political bullshit and this is political bullshit. I'm more disappointed even, to see Tom Jennings supporting this... Maybe himself, Josh, and Vince can explain how FidoNet would benefit from having more regions in Zone 1? What about the new region coordinators? Will they add to the general self-appointed oligarchy that administrates this zone or do they present us with a democratic alternative, at last? FidoNews 9-31 Page 9 3 Aug 1992 /* Note from Tom Jennings: Thom Henderson pointed out that this "editorializing on the fly" can be very rude, by getting in "the last word". But that's not my goal here, and besides, it mentions me by name, so... Basically Pablo -- there is not a conspiracy under every rock. I would like to see RCs become what they were intended to be -- *exactly* equivelant to NCs, no more, no less. To do all of the functions an NC does *except* route incoming netmail. That was all I ever intended. In fact however no one *I* know is in a position to push some magic button and make them all go away. In fact also, as Dick Gladden points out, the region encompassing El Paso TX (I simply don't remember the number) is actually over 1300 nodes, not "1000" like I guessed. So acknowledging the actual, factual existence of RCs, the more the merrier. At the least it would be dilution of existing power from a handful to "many". Not quite the same as, or as desirable as, going from a handful to "lots!" ie. each net a sovereign entity as intended. Just because I don't spout revolutionary rhetoric at every point doesn't mean I have "sold out to the enemy". The world is not black and white, and I won't be force-fit into anyone's "camp" no matter how righteous... */ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Regarding teenagers in FidoNet By: Andrew Gray @ 1:231/590 on July 20th 1992 FidoNet is a wonderful network full of informational echos, well-organized (some might disagree with that one), and well thought out. All one has to do is either become a point off a node or become a node. Supposedly. Recently, an article has been published about troubles someone was having joining FidoNet because he owns a non-standard (read non-IBM) computer. Now I can understand this, for I own an Amiga, and the echos I pull are a good 300K compressed a day from FidoNet alone (not to mention the UseNet gateway). But as the echos I wanted were already being pulled by the hub (we have a couple other nodes here in Net 231 who also pull them) there was no problem. But, has any one given a thought to the problem of being "discriminated" on their age? Here it is not that big of a problem, but I have heard tales of teenagers not being able to get a node number because of their age and the other nodes afraid they will "disrupt" their net. I'm personally a teenage SysOp and had no troubles whatsoever. But in someplaces the stereotypes placed on us are incredible. Some people seem to think SysOp, teenager and FidoNet do not go together. Some people think that all we teenagers are going to do is be unruly, rude, and not follow (or care) about the rules. Some people think the only reason we have a BBS is so we can make our own rules. All the adults here in FidoNet including the ones I talk FidoNews 9-31 Page 10 3 Aug 1992 to frequently have no problem what-so-ever with me being a teenager, but, referring back to my friend, he was trying to get help setting up a BBS program and got absolutely no response, even though five sysops in the net were running it, and he is certain the message went out. He finally figured it out on his own a couple weeks later. So what am I getting at? Well, there are people in FidoNet who think IBMs should be the only computers allowed, there are people who want the rules more strict or more loose, and then there are those who want an "adults-only" sign put on all of it. I have seen this type of thinking before on a BBS, although not in FidoNet, for I was home sick one day and was calling a BBS and generally received comments like "Why don't you go to school were you belong" and other things that should not be repeated. On the other hand there are people who have special echos set up for teens to talk, etc. The first one that comes to mind is a local-only echo called ITEEN (Indiana Teens), but also the other network YouthNet. These are the type of things that help us teenagers talk about the things we like to talk about without "disrupting" the others. There are boards who don't let teenagers on because of adult material, and other things that they can't let us at because of laws. But there are those that just ban us before we can say a word in our defense. Now, true, the SysOps can restrict users on any basis, BBSes are considered private clubs, and I'm not suggesting we take out that right, but we do deserve to be able to go through the same protocol as someone else in FidoNet by being able to join and then being kicked out if there is a problem. Not just be stereotyped "Oh (s)he's a teenager, (s)he will just cause trouble.". Basically what I'm saying is that not all teenagers are devils. We want to learn, and be able to share our thoughts. FidoNet is a good way for us to do this, but we keep running to these stereotypes. We are the future generation. Don't we deserve to be able to freely use FidoNet subject to your same laws? Are we so different that we must be forbidden from Fido? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Smith At 236/28, Esprit Descalier Tornado's are enough to wreck your day Two weeks ago today, Kendallville Indiana was hit by a small tornado. It formed just over the west edge of town and procedure to damage downtown Kendallville, lots and lots of trees east of downtown, the town's bowling alley and the local Wal-Mart, Scott's foods and the pet store. Then it continued into a new housing development and damaged about 25 to 30 houses. A house about a mile south of the BBS lost about half of its structure. There was the county fair going on at the time and the tornado missed causing lots of injuries there by only a few hundred yards. There were no fatalities (except for businesses that are defunct) and no serious injuries. FidoNews 9-31 Page 11 3 Aug 1992 I was downtown at the time the tornado hit. There was no warning because the tornado did not show up on radar. (I think the reason it hit was that I was talking to the owner of a mobile home park about moving into a mobile home. :-) There was a loud bang! and the one door flew open from the air pressure change and had it's return mechanism broken. Since our building was the tallest in Kendallville (a generous three stories) we were lucky that the next block north took most of the damage. The emergency procedures were not impressive because it took a long time to find the keys to the basement, flash lights, and to evacuate second and third floor. By the time everyone was safe, there wasn't any more danger. The BBS lost its power for about 3 hours and its clock got reset. Other than that, there wasn't any damage to the BBS. The phones were working (sortof) immediately. After reading all the talk of damage to computers from lightning in TECH, I'm glad to report that tornadoes are not a threat to computers. (Mine was in the basement, thank you!) To commemorate the event, my Windows computer now uses a "Tornadoes" screen saver. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- System Enhancement Associates, Inc. 520/519@AlterNet 1:107/519@Fidonet SEAmail 1.10 Revision G 09 July 1992 Revision G to SEAmail version 1.10 has been released, and incorporates the following changes: * A bug was fixed that caused delivered processes to interfere with file requests in the same session. * KITTEN now keeps track of how many messages a caller reads or enters. This information can be viewed in the REVIEW command, and is accessible via the following system macros: Total Today ===== ===== Messages read %MSGSREAD% %MSGSREADTDY% Messages written %MSGSWROTE% %MSGSWROTETDY% * MAIL now prohibits zero-level users from adding echomail or supergroup folders, or from using crash priority or requesting return receipts. * The F10 "ead - elect message" display in MAIL now highlights the subject text of any message that is marked crash priority. FidoNews 9-31 Page 12 3 Aug 1992 * RTS was not being properly managed in some situations. This should now be fixed. * The file transfer status box in DIAL and KITTEN now has a somewhat more informative title. * It was detected that the WAZOO session handler was not sending an extra TSYNC when processing a ".REQ" file during a DietIFNA session where no mail was being picked up. This has been fixed. * The TELL program was always routing as per window S, regardless of what routing window is in force at the moment. This has been fixed. * Two new routing directives, DEFAULT and MATCH, have been added. See the updated ROUTE.DOC for details. * A bug was discovered that could cause GRPIN to hang under certain circumstances when importing messages into an echomail folder. This has now been fixed. Those with SEAmail 1.10 revision F for MS-DOS can upgrade to revision G by going to their SEAmail directory and giving the command: upgrade sm110g Those with the OS/2 version should give the command: upgrade sm110gp ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello World ! My name is Patrick Dobeson, I'm the Sysop of STigma BBS (2:341/15 y /13) since 25 December 1990. I think FidoNet is an extraordinary way to find/give information, to make friends or just to have some fun ! During the last 18 months, I've made a lot of friends... really good friends. We share some common interests, help each other to find a way to solve a problem, to find a bargain, to make that little utility, to organize a dinner, to meet each other at a local pub, to give a message from a distant friend, and so and so .... Day by day we are knowing better, perhaps better than usual... Oh yes ! FidoNet is great for all these things and more.. just as the real world... but slightly different. Through echo or net mail you have more time to think, to put the right words to say the right things. You are closer to other person's thoughts. FidoNews 9-31 Page 13 3 Aug 1992 Why I'm saying this... well... er... um... I will marry a point of my system next Saturday (11th of July) =:-) She (Ana Maria Beirao) is a friend's sister. Ana Maria was a point in his brother's node. We write each other a lot of messages by echo mail... then by net mail. One day the amount of net mail was so "enormous" that she ask me a point number. :-) (2:341/15.69) ;-) Through these mail I could know Ana Maria a lot, how she thinks about this or that, I had the oportunity to "dive" into her intimity more than face-to-face. One day I had the oportunity to travel to her city (700 Kms apart) and Cupid do the rest =;-) She was exactly as I had "seen" her by net mail... Next Saturday we will marry =:-) (Glups !) ;-) A lot of FidoNet users will come to the wedding.... a lot of friends made with the help of Fido..... Great ! Patrick Dobeson Sysop de STigma BBS 2:341/15 ========================= cut cut cut ==================== Best Regards Patrick Dobeson ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Science & Technology Echo Is On The Backbone David Bloomberg, 1:233/12 "Science is best defined as a careful, disciplined, logical search for knowledge about any and all aspects of the universe, obtained by examination of the best available evidence and always subject to correction and improvement upon discovery of better evidence." -- James Randi This definition probably best describes the thoughts and ideals of the moderators of the SCI&TECH echo. Some other so-called "science" echos have been "invaded" by psuedo- science and religion posing as science. Those who are actually interested in discussing the amazing changes in science and technology that are occurring all around us are being relegated to the background in those echos. It seems there are more messages about transcendental meditation and religion than any actual SCIENCE! FidoNews 9-31 Page 14 3 Aug 1992 Well, we have a solution. It's the SCI&TECH echo. You may recall an article about SCI&TECH here in the FidoNews a few months ago. Since then, we have become a backbone echo. Anybody who is interested should be able to obtain a feed through their normal backbone sources. We already span the coasts of the US! This means that even more people who are interested in discussing science and technology can now participate. From scientists to students, if you have a question, if you'd like to share your knowledge, if you want to discuss the latest findings in scientific journals or the popular press, or if you just want to talk to others with similar interests, without all the "noise" you may find elsewhere, SCI&TECH is the place for you. If you're interested, just call up your regular backbone source! -- David Bloomberg, Hector Mandel, Melissa Woo, and Eric Larson ---------------------------------------------------------------------- by Mike Griffin, 1:106/5999 Fitness Echo After a few trips to the doctor and discovering that the only reason I was having back problems was due to the fact I didn't exercise enough, I decided to start working out again. I soon was so involved with pumping iron, I started feeling guilty when I didn't make a daily trip to the gym. I wanted an Echo that dealt with all aspects of physical fitness, but none were available. So I have decided FIDO needs to have an echo dedicated to the health and fitness of the human body. The "FITNESS" echo is currently available locally in the NET 106 area. Some topics of the echo are.. aerobics, nutrition, weight control, weight lifting, body building, running, biking, heart fitness, sports medicine and home exercise just to name a few. We hope to spread the echo to the national backbone soon. If you would like to receive the FITNESS echo, please send netmail to your NEC or ZEC requesting the "FITNESS" echo. If you can't wait for it to go nationally, please netmail me at 1:106/5999@Fidonet and I will be happy to arrange distribution. The "FITNESS" echo is now available here locally to about 10 sites and we are hoping to expand to the national backbone soon. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 9-31 Page 15 3 Aug 1992 by Scott Burkett 1:3613/12@fidonet OPENDOORS ECHO NOW AVAILABLE! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= OPENDOORS is an internationally distributed echo designed for discussion of BBS door/utility programming, and in particular, Brian Pirie's OpenDoors C Library! The OpenDoors door programming toolkit and BBS interface package is used by Turbo C(++) / Borland C++ programmers, to write doors and utilities that are compatible with RA, Maximus, QuickBBS and many other BBS systems. The OPENDOORS Echo was created by a group of dedicated BBS door and utility programmers and designers, in order to promote discussions on BBS utility programming techniques, tasks, standards, and trends. This echo is not just for BBS door authors! Discussion of practically any aspect of BBS programming is encouraged. Brian Pirie, the author of OpenDoors is available for tech support, as are his beta-testers. The echo is not currently on the FidoNet backbone, but a feed is available from the following nodes: Scott Burkett 1:3613/12 9600v.32 Columbus, GA Mike Gurski 1:261/1062 2400 Baltimore, MD Brian Pirie 1:243/8 2400 Ottawa, Ontario Jim Imrie 2:259/14 9600v.32 Glenrothes, Scotland ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A New Star Trek Echo - STDSN By Ray Brown, Moderator SysOp, SpacePort Miami, 1:135/70 Greetings and salutations, fellow Trekkers/Trekkies! I'd like to announce a new echo, called STDSN. This echo is for discussion of the upcoming new Star Trek television series, "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine". This new series, which is not yet in production as of this writing, is still committed to being shown over the airwaves, starting in January, 1993, and continuing for at least 22 episodes. This new show will, in most cases, be seen just before, or just after, "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (now starting its' Sixth Season) in your area. The topic of discussion will be all things that relate to this new series, including, but not limited to, the actors & actresses that'll appear, the screenplays, and any "cross-over" of characters between the new series and the "ST:TNG" series (some is expected, more is anticipated). Discussion of The Original Series (TOS) of Star Trek will be off-limits. FidoNews 9-31 Page 16 3 Aug 1992 This new echo is currently seen on eight BBS's, with a request in the works to place it on at least two FidoNet Regions as Regional Echos. And, if traffic continues to increase, the echo will be elgible for requesting "Backbone" status in a short length of time. But, for now, STDSN is privately distributed on the east side of the Mississippi by me (1:135/70, North Miami, FL), and on the west side by Cindy Hill, of 1:104/43 (Denver, CO). Anybody is welcome to call and request the echo on HOLD for them to poll any time (except ZMH, of course!) from either location. The rules of the echo are f'able from me as STDSN.RUL, if anyone is interested (and a copy will be sent to Mike Fuchs' system for inclusion into the EchoList). The echo has been duly noted as being in the EchoList as of EList.207. Thank you, and keep on Trekkin'!! Ray Brown Cindy Hill Moderator Co-Moderator 1:135/70 1:104/43 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Christopher Baker Rights On!, 1:374/14 SKEPTIC Echo is alive and well! SKEPTIC is now a Backbone Echo that originally sprang forth from the San Francisco area. It now originates from Zone 3 in Adelaide, Australia under the Moderatorship of Jackson Harding at 3:681/857 and is Hubbed into Zones 1 and 2 by 1:374/14. It is Hubbed into Zone 6 from 3:681/857. The Zone 2 Hub is Dieter Hummel at 2:241/6001. If any of you or your Sysops are interested in obtaining this Echo, you or they should contact their regular, Backbone Echo source! SKEPTIC now appears in FIDONET.NA as of 2 May 92. SKEPTIC is devoted to examination and report of paranormal and fringe-science claims. It has NO official or unofficial connection to CSICOP {Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal} but has a similar philosophy. Claims are not rejected on a priori grounds but rather are investigated by objective and critical inquiry. FidoNews 9-31 Page 17 3 Aug 1992 The Echo is now fully activated and waiting for those with an interest in the mission stated above. Complete information about the Echo may be found in the current issue of the EList and the ELRules files. Come and join us in the pursuit of knowledge! [grin] TTFN. Chris Zone 1 Hub for SKEPTIC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Christopher Baker Rights On!, 1:374/14, Titusville_FL_USA Ronnie Toth SOX!, 1:135/71, Miami_FL_USA [PC Pursuitable] Larry Squire Jolley Trolley BBS, 1:3620/9, St._Augustine_FL_USA FLA_COOKS Echo We are running a Florida-wide Echo [FLA_COOKS] that deals with cooking and eating throughout the state. Use of native ingredients and regional specialties will be included as well as restaurant reviews and anything else that pertains to food in Florida. FLA_COOKS is Hubbed and Moderated by Christopher Baker at 1:374/14 in Titusville_FL, by Ronnie Toth at 1:135/71 in Hialeah_FL [which is a PC Pursuitable town {part of Greater Miami}], and by Larry Squire at 1:3620/9 in St. Augustine FL. Contact any for a link into this new conference. It is also being carried on the Region 18 Backbone at 1:151/1003. That's the general idea. [grin] The Echo tag is FLA_COOKS. In addition, Florida systems should have their Florida city in their origin line so everyone knows what part of Florida you are talking about and if you mention a specific place or area, you should define it as if people outside your immediate area are reading it [as they will be]. This ain't a 'local' Echo anymore! [grin] TTFN. Chris & Ronnie & Larry FidoNews 9-31 Page 18 3 Aug 1992 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Christopher Baker 1:374/14, Titusville_FL_USA MENSANS_ONLY Echo MENSANS_ONLY is open to any verified member, past or present, of any Mensa organization. MENSANS_ONLY is not connected with American Mensa, Ltd. [The High IQ Society], or any other Mensa organization anywhere. MENSANS_ONLY has no opinions. Any opinions expressed are those of the writer and any replier. MENSANS_ONLY exists solely to provide a convenient forum for electronic conversation between accepted members of any Mensa organization. Any other inference you may glean from perusing this Echo is all in your head, which is where it should stay. It is Hosted and Moderated from Rights On! in Titusville_FL_USA at 1:374/14. It is intentionally withheld from the FidoNet Backbone distribution system and is offered for point-to-point links only. Any Backbone system discovering this Echo traversing their system should immediately remove it and notify anyone sending or receiving it through them to desist unless said Backbone system is an active and verified participant of MENSANS_ONLY. Anyone may read the traffic in this Echo but only verified members may post in this Echo. Non-members interested in more information about Mensa are directed to the general Mensa Echo of the same name [MENSA] available from the FidoNet Backbone and Moderated by Dave Aronson of 1:109/120. Sysops who link into MENSANS_ONLY agree to abide by the access restrictions above. The content of that Echo is not restricted to any single topic or idea. The number of systems linked to this Echo and the volume of traffic in this Echo varies. Traffic is generally light which is typical of non-Backbone, special interest Echos. Anyone interested in linking into MENSANS_ONLY, should send Netmail to: Christopher Baker at 1:374/14 {Rights On!, Titusville_FL_USA}. The following is a list of primary links for M_O: FidoNews 9-31 Page 19 3 Aug 1992 [Zone 1:] 109/120 114/15 114/74 135/71 250/416 374/14 374/98 380/7 387/31. Zone 2 is also connect thru Holland courtesy of Bob Hirschfeld at 1:114/72. [thanks, Bob!] The Sysops of the above systems may link others into MENSANS_ONLY based on the acceptance of the restrictions, imposed above, by the link requesting Sysop. Anyone requiring a direct feed or further information should send Netmail to me at 1:374/14. Rights On! is a 24 hour system currently at 9600+ bps. It is now at 9600+ on a USR Courier HST dual standard courtesy of their Sysop Purchase Plan. TTFN. Chris ---------------------------------------------------------------------- By Shad Muegge @ 1:125/185, "Node Zero," HST/V.32 A new conference for the support of the telecommunications program {COMMO} is now on the backbone. This conference is being moderated by Tim Spofford at 1:105/99. Fred Brucker, the author of {COMMO}, monitors the conference regularly. Listed in the E-List as {COMMO}. Request it today! For those of you unfamiliar with {COMMO}: {COMMO} is a very powerful full-featured telecommunications program. It is small in size but large in function (written in .ASM). Comprehensive macro programming language is capable of automating any process. Handles high speed modems with ease, fully DESQview aware, plain text Dialing Directory and Macro File. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 9-31 Page 20 3 Aug 1992 ====================================================================== LATEST VERSIONS ====================================================================== Software Versions List Please refer to the article in this issue... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 9-31 Page 21 3 Aug 1992 ====================================================================== FIDONEWS INFORMATION ====================================================================== ------- FIDONEWS MASTHEAD AND CONTACT INFORMATION ---------------- Editors: Tom Jennings, Tim Pozar Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell, Vince Perriello "FidoNews" BBS FidoNet 1:1/1 Internet fidonews@fidonews.fidonet.org BBS (415)-863-2739 (2400 only until further notice!) (Postal Service mailing address) (have patience) FidoNews c/o World Power Systems Box 77731 San Francisco CA 94107 USA Published weekly by and for the Members of the FidoNet international amateur electronic mail system. It is a compilation of individual articles contributed by their authors or their authorized agents. The contribution of articles to this compilation does not diminish the rights of the authors. Opinions expressed in these articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of FidoNews. FidoNews is copyright 1992 Fido Software. All rights reserved. Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances, please contact FidoNews (we're easy). OBTAINING COPIES: FidoNews in electronic form may be obtained from the FidoNews BBS via manual download or Wazoo FileRequest, or from various sites in the FidoNet and via uucp. PRINTED COPIES mailed may be obtained from Fido Software for $10.00US each PostPaid First Class within North America, or $13.00US elsewhere, mailed Air Mail. (US funds drawn upon a US bank only.) BACK ISSUES: Available from the following sources (and possibly others), via filerequest or download (consult a recent nodelist for phone numbers). Back issues are *NOT* available from FidoNews 1:1/1. FidoNet 1:102/138 FidoNet 1:216/21 FidoNet 1:125/1212 FidoNet 1:107/519.1 2400 bps: +1-201-473-1991 9600 bps HST: +1-201-473-2853 FidoNews 9-31 Page 22 3 Aug 1992 Internet ftp.ieee.org, in directory ~ftp/pub/fidonew/fidonews SUBMISSIONS: You are encouraged to submit articles for publication in FidoNews. Article submission requirements are contained in the file ARTSPEC.DOC, available from the FidoNews BBS, or Wazoo filerequestable from 1:1/1 as file "ARTSPEC.DOC". "Fido", "FidoNet" and the dog-with-diskette are U.S. registered trademarks of Tom Jennings of Fido Software, Box 77731, San Francisco CA 94107, USA and are used with permission. Asked what he thought of Western civilization, M.K. Gandhi said, "I think it would be an excellent idea". -- END ----------------------------------------------------------------------