%%% This is the cold hard truth about the often misinformed 416/905 scene. A truly non-biased, honest, and informative perspective into the heart of the Canadian pirate community. Previous such manifesto's or lists have been totally wrong, juvenile, corrupt, politically correct, or just lame shit. The top noteworthy systems have been examined over a lengthy period of time. They are in no order or rank or speed, but are in alphabetical succession. The following information is 100% true, and has been gathered and collected from various voice and chat conversations with sysops, as well as inside staffers. Nothing reported in this chronicle has the intention or hope to create any hard feelings among the Canadian elite. Become informed! The Renegade Chemist ________ .____. _______/\___________ _______ \ \| |/ / \__ ___ \\ \ /\ \ _/ _/ | | _//\ \ / \ \ \| | | \/ \\ // /\ \ \ \_ || | \ /\ \ /___ /________\_|\_____/___|_____|\____ /________\'95 =======\/==================================\/============= ==================== [X] Beyond Akira [X]==================== Sysop: Pharoah(Owner) Staff: Devious Doze(Founder) Fallen Angel(Console Sysop) The Roamer(PC Nuker Sysop) Lunatic Genius/Razor/Risc(PC Courier Sysop) Star Gazor(Toothpaste)/Razor/Ex-Prophecy(PC Courier Sysop) The Dutchmen/Razor(PC Courier Sysop) Maverick/Razor(PC Courier Sysop) Midnight Rain(phreaking/Code supplier) Mike! The Key Lady Onyx(advertiser) Sir Aragon Rebel(Macintosh Sysop) Fireflash(Amiga Sysop) Big Bird .etc Affilations: Razor 1911 Canadian HQ RiSC Canadian HQ OTT World HQ Sneakers Canadian HQ Edge World HQ Background: The famous Akira Project of 1992(TDT CHQ) has been reborn under the continued guidance of the founder Devious Doze, and the current sysop Pharoh. Originally a two node Beyond Infinity, Pharoh has converted the system into a ten node mecca for Canadian and American traders. System: The board is run off one Amiga system using Ami-Express software. The board has 3 gigs of online storage. The board only has three 28.8 modems which are locked at 24000. Six nodes are 14.4 modems, and the remaining private node is a 9600hst modem for a certain staff courier. The board supports conferences for Amiga, Macintosh, IBM, and has a secret console and staff/traders section. Online CD-ROM's provide older files. No message nets or reset online games can be found here. The board has ringdown on its 28.8 nodes, and the 14.4 nodes. Files: For files this system is number 1 in Canada, no question. Internationally, Beyond Akira is a rising contender. The board has a marginal number of locals, along with a growing number of LD traders. A weekly CD-ROM give away( files uploaded that week on CD ) is awarded to the top trader during a grueling 7 day competition. On average 1 Gig of new files are uploaded per week(100-200 megs a day). No foreign files are accepted except foreign games that are not already out in English. No Unix or networking software is permitted. =====================[X] Akira's Regular Supporters [X]==================== No# Username (Handle) Uploaded Bytes No# Username (Handle) Uploaded Bytes ===-===================-==============-===-===================-============ 1. LuNatIc gEnIUs 3.750.743.013 16. Dark Soul 525.210.051 2. The Dutchmen 2.415.133.718 17. LoLo 470.155.764 3. Star Gazor 2.255.021.244 18. FIREFLASH 467.292.485 4. MaVeRiCk 1.603.389.555 19. ViViD 462.155.895 5. Devious doZE 1.435.105.532 20. YaNKee RoSe 442.012.377 6. Pasha 1.090.515.115 21. The Cardinal 433.183.271 7. Criminal Overlord 968.455.015 22. Deadly Influence 403.406.640 8. Gumby 929.102.410 23. RaJ! 403.077.425 9. ToothPaste 780.482.872 24. Fallen Angel 397.844.862 10. Cyndre 680.906.929 25. General Wolf 388.369.589 11. HAStUR 672.981.529 26. Artful Dodger 384.182.053 12. Dark Rider 655.156.119 27. ARTIC CAT! 381.155.256 13. King Lear 625.330.685 28. Captain Willy 373.590.904 14. EWOG 542.208.977 29. The Roamer 355.031.648 15. Photon Torpedo 526.444.082 30. CityHunter 349.835.630 ===-===================-==============-===-===================-============== Total Uploaded Bytes (42.395.072.193) Total Downloaded Bytes (54.171.865.615) Total Uploaded Files (59.517 ) Total Downloaded Files (98.579 ) Atmosphere: Beyond Akira is strictly a file oriented board, concerned with files by the hour. The IBM conference is filled with the arrogant gloating of various traders, along with the odd remark from pay users. For the longest time, an extremely sacred new user password has prevented Akira from being flooding with applications. However, it has been speculated that ever since a mysterious call to Bell(resulted in commercial line costs for Pharoah) a need for new donators has arisen which has opened the doors to Akira for new users. Keep in mind this is merely an assumption as to why all of a sudden, a very secretative board has begun "an all out advertising campaign to draw new blood". You have to wonder when users start posting "What is CompuServe?" on Razor 1911 Canadian HQ. The NUP can be found on any respective system or simply ask Lady Onyx. Sorry we won't tell you. Overall, the general feeling of this system is harsh and cold, a loney place for lamers. Critic's Corner: Few 28.8 Nodes(only 3) make it difficult to get a good speed. The userlist on Akira is so numerous, the board is constantly busy even with 10 node ringdown. This poses a severe problem for LD callers. With a Gig a week uploaded, its very difficult for the board to keep older files online (Only 3 gigs online space). Sure, there is a 640meg CD rom online, however that generally only has a few utilites from the previous month. Overall, Akira is an excellent system for the fastest files around, none-the-less the system is in desperate need of more hardware. A quick observation the board has more sysops, that it does nodes and needs some organization and direction. Hopefully, the board will continue to dominate and stay afloat for a long time to come. Support: As stated the board accepts donations. Rates vary from user to user, but generally its $190-$200 for one month of unlimited download at 2 hrs a day. Yearly rates range from $400+ depending on the PC/MAC/SNES/AMIGA files you desire, and the hours online a day. Sysop: Union Jack Staff: Frenzy(Console Sysop) Mr.Warez(Paid Uploader) Star Gazor(Paid Uploader) Affiliations: None Background: The File Factory has been in operation for two years. Previous to that, the board was called The Black Hole. It was, and continues to be a pay only system. Currently, there is some space reserved for file traders. System: The File Factory's setup has always been a very suspicious setup. The board runs PCBOARD and boasts 14 nodes. Oddly enough, all networking commands have been disabled, including multinode chat. The board claims to have all 28.8 USR nodes, and 5 gigs online. In reality, according to the board's technician, the board has 7 nodes and 4 gigs. Files: The board gets most of the new files a little later than most other systems(3-7 days). It does get the files eventually, just takes a little waiting. Atmosphere: The feel of the File Factory is one of isolation. The sysop seems to have died and left his board to be run by users. Union Jack hasn't posted a message or replied to public e-mail in almost four months. The board supports PC, PC requests, Snes, and hosts a classic games section. File Factory is a system for adults, not in the XXX.Gif sense, but in the sense there is no room for immature kids. The users mainly consist of donating older businessmen, PD users, and pirate wanabee's who can't earn credit elsewhere by uploading. Critic's Corner: Its really hard when making a comparison of bbs's to mention something nice about the File Factory. The only reason this "CRS of Pirate boards", is mentioned is for "token" representation(ie. Union Jack is considered the token black person in this wonderful multicultural and politically correct pirate scene). It does have 7 nodes. The board is good, for "wana be pirates", but holds no water if you've ever seen another pirate board. Apparently, the PCBoard menu's and fonts were all ripped from the Hood. I would say something nice about the File Factory, but since Union Jack, couldn't pay me enough, i won't. However you have to respect the only pirate Sysop in Canada who drives a corvette, courtesy of his users(No-shit he's never around). Donations: During the Christmas season Union Jack offered a present many File Factory users could not resist, $300 for 3 gigs credit! Currrently, the board charges a non-refundable $50 validation fee, and its $200 for 2 Gigs or .50 cents a meg. Keep in mind all File Factoy users, have 999 minutes on line(if you thought you were special, think again).