1729 lines
79 KiB
Plaintext
1729 lines
79 KiB
Plaintext
F I D O N E W S -- Vol.11 No. 5 (31-Jan-1994)
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+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
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| A newsletter of the | |
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| FidoNet BBS community | Published by: |
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| _ | |
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| / \ | "FidoNews" BBS |
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| /|oo \ | +1-519-570-4176 1:1/23 |
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| (_| /_) | |
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| _`@/_ \ _ | Editors: |
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| | | \ \\ | Sylvia Maxwell 1:221/194 |
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| | (*) | \ )) | Donald Tees 1:221/192 |
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| |__U__| / \// | Tim Pozar 1:125/555 |
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| _//|| _\ / | |
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| (_/(_|(____/ | |
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| (jm) | Newspapers should have no friends. |
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| | -- JOSEPH PULITZER |
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+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
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| Submission address: editors 1:1/23 |
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+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
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| Internet addresses: |
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| |
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| Sylvia -- max@exlibris.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca |
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| Donald -- donald@exlibris.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca |
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| Tim -- pozar@kumr.lns.com |
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| Both Don & Sylvia (submission address) |
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| editor@exlibris.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca |
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+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
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| For information, copyrights, article submissions, |
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| obtaining copies and other boring but important details, |
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| please refer to the end of this file. |
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+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
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========================================================================
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Table of Contents
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========================================================================
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1. Editorial..................................................... 2
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2. Articles...................................................... 3
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Censorship - Sailing the Seas of Cheese..................... 3
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What Are Them SDN Extension Files?.......................... 4
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An Appeal For Proper Use of Language........................ 8
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A Review of Macintosh Graphical-Oriented (GUI) BBS's vs Herm 9
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Rune's Rag -- An Electronic MagaZine for the 90's........... 15
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Introducing................................................. 16
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An Introduction to Pascal-net............................... 17
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File 2--DEF CON ][ Initial Announcement..................... 18
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Does FidoNews accept pomes? If so: <smile>............. 23
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My note regarding questions on FidoNet...................... 23
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California Legislature online -- free....................... 24
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Users <hack spit!> can be real demons....................... 26
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Quick thinking electrical engineer.......................... 28
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3. Fidonews Information.......................................... 30
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FidoNews 11-05 Page: 2 31 Jan 1994
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========================================================================
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Editorial
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========================================================================
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Well, the inevitable policy complaints have arrived. Why am
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I not surprised? "Policy four says documents should be in
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English" ... "Please stop sending us Fidonews as the editors
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feel they are above policy four ...". Etc.
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First of all, let me make an important point. A letter to
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Max or I is *not* a "fido document". It is a letter. A letter
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to the editor, to be sure, but a letter nevertheless. Perhaps
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the case could be made that the snooze is an official "fido
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document", but it is stretching real hard. Documents are
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defined in my dictionary as written or printed matter that
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provide a legal record or agreement. The only Fido documents
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that I know of are policy four itself and the FSC documents. It
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makes a lot of sense to ask that they be in English.
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It also makes a lot of sense that we attempt to keep the
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snooze primarily in English, if only because that is the
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most common language. The articles are, howvever, *our* mail.
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Most of those articles come in in the form of letters to the
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editor, and for some backseat lawyer to claim that we cannot
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receive letters in any language but english is excessively
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annoying, to my mind.
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As to whether we should run them, that is the other
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question. Max and I look at the snooze a bit differently than
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"just a newsletter". The snooze has a special place in the net,
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also defined by policy. The snooze serves two purposes.
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Firstly, it serves as the official place to announce things, and
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secondly the snooze serves as a sort-of-court-of-final-opinion
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for net issues.
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That places some duties upon the snooze that are above and
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beyond the norm. It cannot exist as only a vehicle for the
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editors' sense of what is meaningfull. It must, to an extent,
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be an open forum for the renegade viewpoint, else it cannot
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fulfil its mandate. We have defended that purpose to the point
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that we have included tonnes of crap, articles that we
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personally consider repugnant, on occasion stupid, and often
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articles that are poorly written and boring.
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To now cut letters on the basis that they are not in english
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strikes me as provincial, small-minded, and derelict in our
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duty. Simply put, the answer is no.
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FidoNews 11-05 Page: 3 31 Jan 1994
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========================================================================
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Articles
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========================================================================
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Censorship - Sailing the Seas of Cheese
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Sailing the Seas of Cheese - CensorSHIP now boarding...
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(subtitle: Look, ma, my first Snooze article!)
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by Matt Ion
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Okay, let's try this again. First two times I've tried to write an
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article, something spooky (probably a renegade TSR) has caused a
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complete system lockup. <sigh> I hate this having-to-think stuff.
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Flamewars are so much more relaxing, requiring little actual thought.
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BTW, special wave to you Primus fans who get the title. Primus sucks.
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Heh heh heh heh heh.
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Anywho, on to the important stuff. Censorship. There's been a lot of
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talk about it lately in the Snooze, and it's really starting to sound
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like another one of those "politically correct" terms that everyone uses
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but no-one really knows what it means ("demeaning" for example...
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someone disagrees with something, and that thing then "demeans" some
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group of which this person is a (lunatic?) fringe element.)
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I think Dennis McClain-Furmanski hit it bang-on the proverbial head in
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"What An Editor Is For" in Snooze 1104. The editor of a publication,
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even an electronic one such as this, is saddled with the thankless job
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of having to make that publication "good." Usually, this means catering
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to the majority of the target audience. Items are typically rejected
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because they don't fit that criteria. This is NOT censorship.
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As Dennis pointed out, "censorship" is when content, editorial and
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otherwise, is controlled by an OUTSIDE force: government, for example.
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"Censorship" is what we'd have if any one of us FORCED the Editors to
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include or exclude something from the Snooze.
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Most of this talk has centered on certain bits and pieces of the
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language. What is or isn't a bad word, and so on. Certain four-letter
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words are often singled out. Let me clarify right away, I don't
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typically use such language myself, and only VERY rarely in very
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specific circumstances. Personally, I find it offensive and entirely
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unnecessary in the volume in which it's commonly used.
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Then again, let's consider just exactly what some of these bad words
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really mean. A few years ago, I had a fascinating textfile on the uses
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of the word "fuck." The gist of the whole thing was that this word
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denotes an apathetic attitude; ie. to "fuck" someone, as opposed to
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"making love." When someone says they "don't give a fuck," well, that
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pretty much fits, no?
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Likewise, "shit." Technically, it means exactly the same thing as
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feces, stool, excrement... all perfectly acceptable, technical terms.
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Other synonyms such as crap, dung, guano, doo-doo, etc. don't seem to
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garner such reaction as does "shit."
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FidoNews 11-05 Page: 4 31 Jan 1994
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I guess a lot of it depends on the context (the above two examples are
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hideously over-used, and in improper usage), or the attitude carried
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with such language. And a lot of it is societal. Heck, "fags" used to
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be cigarettes. Words' meanings, or at least acceptance of existing
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meanings, change over time. A few hundred years ago, Pilgrim parents
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were outraged at the blasphemous words their children had picked up in
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their everyday play. Shocking, how they could shorten the sacred
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benediction, "God be with you," into something as vile and filthy as
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"Good-bye."
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<long pause for effect>
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As Dennis mentioned, the limitations on what will make it into the
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Snooze are pretty lax as it is; there's very little basis for complaints
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of "censorship" by the Editors. Personally, I think we could do with a
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little less Steve Winter, as his presence here tends to initate all
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manner of flame wars. Or maybe the Editors should just not print flames
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anymore, merely stamp them "rejected" and return them to their senders,
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along with a form letter advising them to take it to netmail.
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That's not to indicate anything personal against Mr. Winter. I happen
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to be on "his side" on a very fundamental <snicker> level... however, I
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DO NOT agree with his tactics of spreading his version of "the Gospel".
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By the same token, I don't appreciate everyone who jumps all over him
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for stating and sticking to his beliefs. At times, it seems almost any
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belief in anything will pass unhindered, until someone brings
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Christianity or some related religeon into it. It's almost like there's
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an unwritten anti-Christian thing throughout Fido. Something doesn't
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seem quite fair here. Granted, some will try to shove their religeon
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down everyone else's throats... that doesn't mean someone else who
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casually admits to holding similar beliefs (ie. ME) should have YOUR
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non-religeon crammed down his/her/its (MY) throat. Capish?
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Anyways, enough of that. If I'm lucky, this won't make it into the
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Snooze until 1106, which'll give me plenty of time to recharge the fire
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extinguishers and get on my asbestos undies. To the Editors: thanks for
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doing an otherwise thankless job, and doing it well.
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See ya in the funny papers,
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Matt Ion -- 1:153/7106
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aka MATT@SHIP.NET
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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What Are Them SDN Extension Files?
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Ray Kaliss - SDN Project Manager
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1:141/840@fidonet
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WHAT ARE SDN FILES
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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SDN files are shareware author's programs that have been sent to SDN
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International for processing and distribution to bulletin boards and
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online services. Each .SDN file is a compression of individual program
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files into one file (.SDN) for easy downloading.
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FidoNews 11-05 Page: 5 31 Jan 1994
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As an example, you might see this type of listing on the BBS you log
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into.
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FILES SIZE DATE DESCRIPTION
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---------------------------------------------------------------------
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3MENU10.SDN 112987 02/15/93 Three-Menu 1.0 easy DOS menu system
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MYED410.SDN 648833 02/15/93 My Editor 4.10 programmers text editor
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OLCOM51.SDN 1290000 02/19/93 ON-Line COM 5.1 full featured terminal
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Each .SDN extension file contains an author's complete program in
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compressed form. When you download one .SDN file you have the complete
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program ready to be un-packaged. The file is named to reflect the
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program and version number it contains.
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SDN files, before the release of ARJ v2.41, could be decompressed with
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NoGate Consulting's PAK compression utility. .SDN files since 1993 can
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be decompressed using the ARJ 2.41 compression utility or a newer
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version. The compression utility named ARJ241.EXE can be found for
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downloading on most of the better bulletin boards where .SDN's are
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posted.
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Each .SDN file can be verified for authenticity. It has been secured
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with two tamper-proof seals. The first seal can be tested with the
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ARJ.EXE test feature.
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C:>ARJ T MYED50.SDN
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If it has verified you will see this banner on screen.
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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| *** Valid ARJ-SECURITY envelope signature: |
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| *** SDN International(sm) SDN#01 R#2417 |
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| |
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| This file is an SDN International(sm) Author-Direct Distribution. |
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| It should be verified for the SDN Security Seal by the FileTest |
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| utility available at The SDN Project AuthorLine BBS 203-634-0370. |
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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The second seal can be tested with the FileTest utility by PaceSoft
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posted at The SDN Project BBS and most BBS'es where you find .SDN
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files. If it passes both test you can be assured it is a genuine
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author-direct SDN distribution with contents exactly as the author
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intended.
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C:>FILETEST MYED50.SDN
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If the .SDN file also passes FileTest testing.. you can feel safe to
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decompress and use the packaged program files. Decompress like this..
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C:>ARJ E MYED50.SDN
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You may find that on some BBS'es the .SDN files may have been renamed
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in extension from .SDN to .ARJ (MYED50.ARJ) .. if this has been done
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the SDN security may still exists, ARJ will test the seal and verify
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it. FileTest may also be used.
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FidoNews 11-05 Page: 6 31 Jan 1994
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WHAT ARE SDA FILES
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Inside every .SDN there is a pure ASCII text file that you can read to
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get a description of the program. The files name is {SDA.ID}.
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XMENU EXE 60123 12-11-93 7:44p
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XMENU DOC 123564 12-13-93 12:00p
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MENUAPP1 DAT 2345 10-01-93 10:00a
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--> {SDA ID} 1200 10-12-93 1:00p
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UTILONE EXE 47567 2-04-93 2:00p
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On most BBS'es where you can find .SDN files you may also find a
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message area in the message base where copies of each program's SDA are
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posted. This makes for easy browsing of all the .SDN programs posted
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at the BBS. What's neat about this is most BBS'es save your place in
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the message base when you leave it.. so the next time you login - the
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messages in that area that you have not read yet are all new arrivals
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since the last time you were on.
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READING THE SDA
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Most of the SDA is a description of the program and it's features. The
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top lines however can give you some quick information.
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+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
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| X-Menu 2.1 fast GUI menu system for DOS uses popup menues and mouse|
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| 1-UTIL JAN93 MENU DOSSHELL GUI X-SOFTWARE |
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| FILES: xmenu21a.sdn xmenu21b.sdn |
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| |
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| Author: X-Software Inc. |
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| Registration: $50.00 |
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| |
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| A superVGA menu system that uses icons you create. |
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| Fantastic for the novice or the advanced power user. Menu pages |
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| can be stacked 100 deep. Programmable using script langu... |
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| etc.. etc.. etc..
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|
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The first line tells the name of the program and it's version number
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(X-Menu version 2.1 in our example). An author will usually initially
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release the program at version 1.00 and increment the version number
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each time he makes an improvement, a fix, or adds features. In general
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the higher the version number the more recent the release.
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The second line starts off with the distribution category. In this
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case it is a DOS character based utility (DOS based utilities are
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areatag 1-UTIL) and you may find the bulletin board has posted it in
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the 1-UTIL File area. The next words are keywords. The first keyword
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is the month/year this program was distributed by SDN (January 1993),
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the keyword on this line are related to features and uses of the
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program.
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The next line is the FILES: line. This gives the posted name of the
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archive or archives you need to download to obtain this program. In
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FidoNews 11-05 Page: 7 31 Jan 1994
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this case you must be sure to download XMENU21A.SDN and XMENU21B.SDN to
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obtain the entire program as it comes in two parts.
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Next it tells who the author is and the program registration amount.
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Read all the documentation included with the program to determine the
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full registration requirements.
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WHERE TO GET SDN
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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January 1st - SDN will be available from these sources.
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* Service: Fidonet nodes.
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Form: Fidonet TIC
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Contact: Nodelist USDN or SDN user flag or your net's Files_Coordinator
|
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Comment: Many SDNer's use the zone 1 USDN user flag.
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Most local nets are getting on the ball and appointing
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Files_Coordinator or Files_Distribution nodes. If your net
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does not yet have this - suggest it to your NC - it is the
|
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future. If you are importing SDN into your net let your net's
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Files_Coordinator know about it. Also let your net's sysops
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know they can get it from you - share.
|
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* Service: Planet Connect Service
|
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Form: Fidonet TIC
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Contact: Boyd Goodin at 1:3612/50@fidonet
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||
Address: Planet Systems Inc. 1065 Cosby Highway, Newport, TN 37821
|
||
Phone: 615-623-4694
|
||
Type: Satellite
|
||
Comment: You must have a fido node number. Planet Systems offers
|
||
a subscription service which downlinks fidonet and other
|
||
networks. The full Backbone and most of the Filebone
|
||
are available.
|
||
|
||
* Service: Internet
|
||
Form: Individual distribution files or TIC script. Both Tiers.
|
||
Contact: Burt Juda 1:107/309@fidonet
|
||
Address: E-mail msg to 'listproc@ftp.fidonet.org' with the first line
|
||
of 'subscribe filebone YOUR NAME'. Be sure to subscribe from
|
||
an Internet site and not from a fidonet system via gateway.
|
||
Comment: SDN areas are available via anonymous-FTP from 'ftp.fidonet.org'.
|
||
Each SDN area is in a subdirectory named the same as the AreaTag
|
||
below the directory '/pub/fidonet/sdn'. Be sure to use BINARY
|
||
mode when transferring files via 'ftp'. They are also
|
||
mirrored to 'ftp.halcyon'.
|
||
|
||
* Service: BIX
|
||
Form: Individual files only.
|
||
Contact: ibm.utils 'listings'
|
||
Address: BIX online
|
||
Comment: These are presently mostly the IBM DOS files. The moderator
|
||
sometimes does not post all the files, but most get posted.
|
||
This is a commercial online service. This is not in Fido format.
|
||
|
||
* Service: Fidonet Filebone
|
||
Form: First Tier Fidonet TIC
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 8 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
Contact: Local FB sites or obtain FILEBONE.NA listing.
|
||
Address: -
|
||
Comments: Many FB sites also carry SDN's Second Tier
|
||
|
||
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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An Appeal For Proper Use of Language
|
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by Chris Farrar - 1:246/20
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Letter, And What They Really Mean
|
||
|
||
For the last couple of weeks, I have been reading The Snooze and
|
||
wondering when anyone is going to catch some of the typos that are going
|
||
on in our beloved electronic magazine. As is printed in Artspec.Doc:
|
||
|
||
Please check for basic errors in spelling, grammar, and
|
||
punctuation. We're not publishing a textbook, but you don't
|
||
want it to embarrass yourself do you?
|
||
|
||
In the opening Editorial by our esteemed editor, there are typos and
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poor/improper capitalization of letters. In particular, the word "I" is
|
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mis-capitalized 11 times in only 39 lines of actual text. The most
|
||
glaring thing is that the errors aren't even consistent. In some places
|
||
"I" is properly written, others it isn't. Surely the editor/publisher
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||
should at least be setting the standard.
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If a teacher in anything above grade 3 was marking this, they'd use
|
||
up several red markers. The letter "i," when referring to yourself is
|
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_always_ capitalized, and as well, the first letter of a sentence is
|
||
always a capital letter. Going over the opening editorial, we have the
|
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following lines, and what they should actually read.
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What was written | What we should have
|
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---------------------------------------------------------------------
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else done, i can tolerate | else done, I can tolerate
|
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by adding some whine to | by adding some wine to (1)
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soup i was intensely | soup I was intensely
|
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so i thought about | so I thought about
|
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i'm | I'm
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Of sourse, i'll hear about | Of course, I'll hear about
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wrong i am. | wrong I am.
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sense to me, i want to print | sense to me, I want to print
|
||
i know there's lots of | I know there's lots of (2)
|
||
newsletter, i believe, is | newsletter, I believe, is
|
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What am i saying! | What am I saying!
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column. i'm hoping to hear | column. I'm hoping to hear (3)
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|
||
I don't know about everyone else, (1) but I always preferred putting
|
||
a drink made out of crushed and fermented grapes (wine) in my soup, than
|
||
putting a bunch of complaints (a la Peg Bundy's famous whine). At
|
||
points 2 and 3, we have sentences beginning with lower case letters, and
|
||
it is a letter that should be capitalized even if it isn't at the
|
||
beginning.
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||
|
||
In the newspapers (The Globe and Mail, The Windsor Star, The Toronto
|
||
Star, The Toronto Sun, and The Detroit News and Free Press), on TV (NBC,
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 9 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
ABC, and CBS's news magazines, as well as CTV's news show W-5) we see
|
||
constant complaints that the use of "proper" english is going down the
|
||
toilet, and just recently on the US stations, we have seen stories on
|
||
how kids want to use "street slang" in the classroom, and bastardize the
|
||
English language even more (and the French and French Canadians have
|
||
been making similar complaints about the "Anglicization" of their
|
||
language too, with "le hotdog, le snack" etc). "Le Snack" was actually
|
||
seen at the name of a snack bar in the Atlanta International Airport.
|
||
|
||
Kids today see and hear enough junk on the streets, isn't is
|
||
appropriate to at least make the _effort_ to spell and punctuate
|
||
properly here, and provide at least a semblance of "proper" form for
|
||
them to read and emulate?
|
||
|
||
Here in Canada, many of our newspapers already butcher "Canadian"
|
||
english, by using US spellings for colour, honour, neighbour, licence,
|
||
centre, metre etc. And then they wonder why education standards are
|
||
slipping. If I saw spelling and punctuation on a job application
|
||
similar to that of the FidoNews 11-04 editorial, I wouldn't hire that
|
||
person, would you? If I saw it on a University test paper/assignment,
|
||
the marks would be flying off so fast it wouldn't be funny, and I'd
|
||
start calling for english proficiency tests for all students enrolling,
|
||
and by God, by the time they were up accepting their degree and diploma,
|
||
they'd at least be able to write properly in english, or they simply
|
||
wouldn't graduate.
|
||
|
||
And catching most of the mistakes would only involve running the
|
||
text through a spell checking programme before submitting it. As spell
|
||
checkers exist for almost everything from the Commodore PET 4032
|
||
(PaperClip for the PET) to the Mac, the Amiga, Unix boxes, and PC's,
|
||
there is no real excuse for what we see turning up here week after week.
|
||
|
||
Getting down from my high horse,
|
||
|
||
Chris Farrar
|
||
Fido: 1:246/20
|
||
Fax: +1-519-256-6693
|
||
|
||
for internet users, mail may be sent to: farrar@insom.eastern.com
|
||
|
||
[Editor's note: Wine would also be preferable in the snooze.
|
||
Whine can result in the soup being thrown at the wall, as was
|
||
noted in the editorial.]
|
||
|
||
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
A Review of Macintosh Graphical-Oriented (GUI) BBS's vs Hermes BBS
|
||
|
||
by Glen Stewart, The Association Mac BBS
|
||
1:2240/174 (810) 695-6955 HST/v.32bis
|
||
|
||
Here is a preliminary set of requirements which I used to evaluate
|
||
Telefinder, Public Address, Hi-BBS, FirstClass, NovaLink and Public
|
||
Address. The scores for each software program are listed below the
|
||
feature description, along with the weighting factor (importance
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 10 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
multiplier) used. Hermes was also scored since it was the framework
|
||
from which many of these features were generated. Second Sight,
|
||
Mansion, and MUBBS were not reviewed. This was primarily an exercise to
|
||
see what Graphical User Interface BBS systems REALLY have to offer when
|
||
compared to a Command Line Interface (CLI) like Hermes.
|
||
|
||
KEY:HB=Hi-BBS,PA=Public Address,TF=Telefinder,FC=FirstClass,NL=Nova Link
|
||
v.1.08 v.0.8a3 v.3.01 v.2.0 v.3.0
|
||
|
||
HR=Hermes II v.1.01
|
||
|
||
SCORING: WF=Weighting Factor, 0=Poor/No Feature, 1="ok", 2=Well Done
|
||
A dash "-" indicates the feature could not be reviewed due to
|
||
lack of experience or documentation for the system.
|
||
|
||
Valuable features in a BBS:
|
||
--------------------------
|
||
|
||
good command-line interface for first-time callers without interface
|
||
software, as well as those who have incompatible computer platforms.
|
||
30% of my callers have non-Mac computers. Only 1% have neither IBM or
|
||
Mac (ie. the 29% are IBM).
|
||
WF=100 HB=0 PA=2 TF=2 FC=1 NL=2 HR=2
|
||
|
||
multi-node REAL-TIME chat - both for the sysop and inter-user chat.
|
||
Being able to see each character as it is typed is important, as this
|
||
conveys information about the writer's thought processes, as well as
|
||
whether he's still there or not!
|
||
WF=100 HB=0 PA=2 TF=0 FC=0 NL=2 HR=2
|
||
|
||
sysop availability should be noted to users, based on a time schedule
|
||
established by the sysop beforehand. Hours available on certain days is
|
||
prefered to a generic time block that applies to all days.
|
||
WF=1 HB=- PA=- TF=0 FC=0 NL=1 HR=1
|
||
|
||
the sysop should be able to log a user off if they are being a nuisance.
|
||
WF=100 HB=- PA=2 TF=2 FC=2 NL=2 HR=2
|
||
|
||
sysops like to customize menus, and add helpful information here and
|
||
there.
|
||
WF=10 HB=- PA=2 TF=1 FC=1 NL=2 HR=2
|
||
|
||
the BBS must have a terminal mode, where the sysop can call out to other
|
||
systems when necessary. This must be an ANSI-capable and proprietary
|
||
GUI-capable interface. Text capture must be available, as well as a
|
||
dialing directory. All popular file transfer protocols must be
|
||
supported. CTB tool support is very important, as new tools like
|
||
HS-Link are released for the Mac.
|
||
WF=10 HB=- PA=2 TF=0 FC=0 NL=2 HR=2
|
||
|
||
all user actions should be visible to the sysop. This is a valuable aid
|
||
in letting the sysop help new users around the BBS, and also provides a
|
||
handle to how the BBS is actually being used - what users like can
|
||
sometimes best be learned by watching them. This helps a BBS prosper.
|
||
Each node should be visible by selecting it from a menu.
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 11 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
WF=10 HB=- PA=1 TF=0 FC=0 NL=1 HR=2
|
||
|
||
all the standard Edit menu features should be available in any text
|
||
window - cut, copy, clear, paste, find, find-next.
|
||
WF=100 HB=1 PA=2 TF=2 FC=2 NL=2 HR=1
|
||
|
||
user access levels must be modifiable on-the-fly
|
||
WF=100 HB=- PA=2 TF=1 FC=2 NL=2 HR=2
|
||
|
||
logs of previous days activity must be preserved for a sysop-defined
|
||
number of days.
|
||
WF=1 HB=- PA=2 TF=2 FC=2 NL=2 HR=2
|
||
|
||
functional screen menus (CLI) should be held to a minumum - ie. message
|
||
and file.
|
||
WF=10 HB=- PA=2 TF=2 FC=1 NL=1 HR=2
|
||
|
||
message and file areas should be hierarchial, just like folders. The
|
||
actual file and message databases must be locateable on any HD of the
|
||
BBS.
|
||
WF=10 HB=2 PA=2 TF=2 FC=2 NL=2 HR=2
|
||
|
||
message area and file area access must be controllable within certain
|
||
age RANGES and security levels. Alphabetical flags are nice, but not
|
||
necessary.
|
||
WF=1 HB=- PA=1 TF=2 FC=2 NL=1 HR=2
|
||
|
||
The full 31 Mac characters must be visible for file names. Some areas
|
||
should be viewable, but not interacted with - no downloads, or no
|
||
posting messages. Other areas should be moderated such that a message
|
||
is not posted until approved by a given user, sysop, etc.
|
||
WF=10 HB=2 PA=2 TF=2 FC=2 NL=2 HR=2
|
||
|
||
messages should be purgeable by quantity and age. If BOTH are selected,
|
||
messages should be deleted by age until the quantity is reached.
|
||
WF=10 HB=- PA=1 TF=1 FC=1 NL=1 HR=1
|
||
|
||
information for all users on what folks have called that day is
|
||
valuable. Telling what speed, where they called from, how long they
|
||
were on, and what file & message activity they conducted is interesting
|
||
and useful as well.
|
||
WF=10 HB=0 PA=0 TF=0 FC=0 NL=0 HR=2
|
||
|
||
I enjoy presenting a random logon quote to users, as well as a short
|
||
message-of-the-day.
|
||
WF=1 HB=0 PA=0 TF=0 FC=0 NL=0 HR=2
|
||
|
||
it's VERY important to put new user help functions in a very obvious
|
||
place. A bulletin menu during the logon process is very helpful.
|
||
WF=100 HB=- PA=0 TF=0 FC=2 NL=2 HR=2
|
||
|
||
users should be notified of waiting e-mail just before they reach the
|
||
main menu - early in the logon process. It's also important for them to
|
||
know that a reply to a message awaits them in certain message areas.
|
||
Both e-mail and replies should be instantly accessible. Once read, they
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 12 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
should no longer be presented as 'unread' in subsequent calls. If
|
||
e-mail or replies are written to a user while they are online, they
|
||
should be notified immediately.
|
||
WF=10 HB=2 PA=2 TF=1 FC=1 NL=2 HR=2
|
||
|
||
message subjects and senders should be listable in a condensed form,
|
||
rather than being forced to view the entire message.
|
||
WF=100 HB=2 PA=2 TF=1 FC=2 NL=2 HR=2
|
||
|
||
users should be able to scan ALL messages, as well as NEW messages since
|
||
their last scan. A message threading function should allow a topic to
|
||
be followed to its conclusion, without reading extraneous topics
|
||
in-between. Messages and e-mail should be deleteable by the originator.
|
||
WF=100 HB=0 PA=2 TF=1 FC=1 NL=2 HR=2
|
||
|
||
Messages should be searchable along the hierarchy - global, by forum,
|
||
and by sub-forum. Subject, sender, receiver, and body must be
|
||
searchable selectably. A word-search function similar to that described
|
||
below would also be very useful - updated at least once each day.
|
||
WF=1 HB=1 PA=2 TF=0 FC=2 NL=0 HR=0
|
||
|
||
Files must be searchable by name and by description - both globally, and
|
||
by 'forum' and 'sub-forum'. Descriptions should be stored in the SitC
|
||
resource AS WELL AS a master index, which should be updated at least
|
||
once each day. The master-index should be indexed for high-speed
|
||
searches of both name and description (eg. all search matches found in 1
|
||
second, for 1Mb of index). The C-based indexing routines in TEX (now
|
||
Free Text, by Mark Zimmerman) are available and highly optimized.
|
||
WF=100 HB=- PA=2 TF=1 FC=2 NL=1 HR=2
|
||
|
||
It's valuable to see a text listing of new files after a certain date.
|
||
WF=1 HB=1 PA=- TF=1 FC=1 NL=1 HR=2
|
||
|
||
Wildcards should be useable in file searches. Matches should be put in
|
||
a cue for download, at the users discretion.
|
||
WF=100 HB=1 PA=2 TF=2 FC=2 NL=2 HR=2
|
||
|
||
Download ratios must be imposeable, as well as a method of crediting a
|
||
users account when they donate/pay for access to files. It would be
|
||
most useful to have a translation table where donation $'s equate to
|
||
certain online time increases, upload credit, etc.
|
||
WF=100 HB=- PA=2 TF=0 FC=2 NL=2 HR=2
|
||
|
||
Messages and files must be deleteable by the sysop - locally and remote,
|
||
through GUI and CLI (as must all BBS features).
|
||
WF=100 HB=- PA=2 TF=2 FC=2 NL=2 HR=2
|
||
|
||
a graphically-oriented scripting language should allow other functions,
|
||
as well as games and useful utilities like report generation of BBS use,
|
||
new files, and message import from networks.
|
||
WF=10 HB=0 PA=0 TF=0 FC=0 NL=2 HR=0
|
||
|
||
Tabby (and its successors) must be thoroughly integrated with the BBS.
|
||
Real-time message import, sub-launching, 24hr crashmail, file attaches,
|
||
etc. Sending files and messages to a remote site should be as easy as a
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 13 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
local message or f-mail if at all possible. Any existing databases
|
||
(nodelists, etc.) should be used to assist the user in selecting the
|
||
target of his message.
|
||
WF=10 HB=- PA=2 TF=2 FC=1 NL=1 HR=1
|
||
|
||
the sysop must have complete remote access to his system, including
|
||
files not within the normal BBS boundaries.
|
||
WF=100 HB=- PA=0 TF=2 FC=2 NL=2 HR=1
|
||
|
||
users must be warned several minutes before their online time runs out.
|
||
WF=1 HB=- PA=2 TF=- FC=2 NL=- HR=0
|
||
|
||
the CLI must support full-screen editing and quoting of previous
|
||
messages, as must the GUI.
|
||
WF=10 HB=- PA=0 TF=1 FC=1 NL=1 HR=0
|
||
|
||
a report on file transfer 'cps' is valuable information - makes
|
||
high-speed callers happy and helps diagnose setup problems.
|
||
WF=1 HB=- PA=2 TF=2 FC=0 NL=0 HR=2
|
||
|
||
InterNet and proprietary network functions are fine, however, I would
|
||
prefer a compatible full set of the FidoNet FTSC recommendations and
|
||
InterNet functions (most BBS's don't use the whole set).
|
||
WF=1 HB=- PA=1 TF=1 FC=1 NL=1 HR=1
|
||
|
||
Finally, the BBS must be VERY stable. If it senses that something is
|
||
awry, it should log users off and reset itself.
|
||
WF=100 HB=0 PA=0 TF=2 FC=2 NL=0 HR=1
|
||
|
||
Source code available.
|
||
WF=1 HB=0 PA=0 TF=0 FC=0 NL=0 HR=0
|
||
|
||
--------------------------
|
||
|
||
Score Cost - figures are to equip a BBS with 2 nodes, 300 users
|
||
------- ----
|
||
HB=462 several hundred
|
||
PA=2380 100 has been mentioned
|
||
TF=1955 425
|
||
FC=2527 500+
|
||
NL=2703 500
|
||
HR=2672 95
|
||
|
||
Other points to consider:
|
||
|
||
NovaLink is not stable. During several LONG DISTANCE demos, the server
|
||
locked up. In local demo mode, I experienced similar problems, as well
|
||
as bad screen updating. In one case, user data was corrupted while
|
||
online, but restored when I logged on again. RIPscrip (in which mode I
|
||
was calling during two of three lock-ups) is in its infancy, and not yet
|
||
dependable in the ResNova implementation. At first, I was VERY
|
||
impressed by NL's integration of CLI and GUI - it even uses CTB
|
||
(Communication Toolbox) tools. Future bug-fixed versions may be a fine
|
||
choice for many sysops.
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 14 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
Telefinder has a horrid message reading system. There's no simple way
|
||
to review the titles of all messages in an area. Searches for file
|
||
names was very slow, and descriptions of small file collections
|
||
basically couldn't be searched - I was online over 20 minutes seeing
|
||
little dots printed on the screen...(indicating the BBS was still
|
||
alive).
|
||
|
||
Hi-BBS uses Communication Toolbox tools - a plus. However, CLI logon
|
||
was a nightmare. Many features could not be evaluated since the
|
||
developers have not released a demo of the server.
|
||
|
||
FirstClass is truly impressive, if one ignores the non-intuitive CLI.
|
||
The "e-mail waiting" announcement (just a graphical flag) system could
|
||
be developed more, and SoftArc should open the utility (interface)
|
||
development doors to more than just Apple-certified developers. I also
|
||
have yet to experience a FC file transfer that comes _anywhere_ near the
|
||
speed of Zmodem...their advertisements are misleading in this regard.
|
||
|
||
Public Address is in its infancy. It, like NovaLink, will have an
|
||
integration of GUI and CLI that should be impressive. PA is difficult
|
||
to evaluate since alpha versions have been SO buggy. The author has a
|
||
lot of good features in mind, so this one is a "wait and see".
|
||
|
||
Reviews/scores are my opinion only, though they have been adjusted in
|
||
some areas with feedback from experienced users - they're my research
|
||
notes <g> as I look for the best BBS interface for myself and my users.
|
||
This is intended to provide a basis upon which others may evaluate these
|
||
programs, and to promote development of the more obvious defficiencies
|
||
by the developers.
|
||
|
||
Copies of the evaluation programs used are FREQable as:
|
||
|
||
hi-BBS Client 1.08. (yes, the "." is part of the name)
|
||
TELEFIND.301 (3.2.2 is out now)
|
||
NovaLink Pro 3.0.sea (3.1 should be out now)
|
||
PA v.9b7.sea (a newer version - no GUI yet)
|
||
FIRSTCLASS2.0DEMO (I've seen 2.4 mentioned)
|
||
|
||
01Jun93 -released first evaluation - corrected some figures w/feedback
|
||
from more experienced sysops.
|
||
|
||
26Jan94 -added versions of BBS's evaluated. Newer versions of FC, TF,
|
||
and NL have been released since this evaluation. I heard some
|
||
rumblings of excessive TF upgrade costs, and was on the new NL
|
||
BBS which STILL has some lockup/instability troubles in
|
||
RipScript mode. I visited one of the few (only?) BBS's running
|
||
PA and left without feeling I'd experienced anything new.
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 15 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
|
||
Rune's Rag -- An Electronic MagaZine for the 90's
|
||
|
||
To RUNE or not to RUNE . . .
|
||
by Rick Arnold
|
||
Contact: WRITERS BIZ BBS (412-LUV-RUNE) 1:2601/522; or
|
||
WRITING on FidoNet; EP-PUBLISH on EPubNet.
|
||
|
||
There are many E-mags disrupting the ether. RUNE'S RAG tries to
|
||
do so in a kinder, gentler fashion. This electronic magazine eases
|
||
through space and time bringing you reading material, which bursts
|
||
your synaptic gaps with pleasurable charges.
|
||
|
||
The magazine is dedicated to the *Free Exchange of Information and
|
||
Ideas* through vehicles of fiction, non-fiction, essay, and poetry
|
||
and virtually all sub-genres. New authors are welcome and encouraged
|
||
to submit material for *publication*. We've even accepted material
|
||
from inveterate authors of questionable ilk. This blend, of new and
|
||
experienced authors, provides you, the reader -- the most *important*
|
||
aspect of writing -- with a reading experience that you'll want to
|
||
share with others.
|
||
|
||
It provides you these pleasures with two versions, one -- all ASCII,
|
||
displayable on most computer types, in a format similar to FIDO NEWS.
|
||
The other, supporting ANSI/RIP graphics with reader included, is
|
||
in a BBS Doorable platform provided by EXHIBIT A COMMUNICATIONS. The
|
||
Door, FREQ as READROOM,(rdrm30.zip) at SDN file sites, also at WRITERS
|
||
BIZ @ 1:2601/522, presents text files prepared for READROOM.TOC format.
|
||
It's much easier than it sounds. Easy enough to make it your first shot
|
||
at installing a Door on your BBS.
|
||
|
||
Issues have presented works from T. Woodward, C. Thames, D. Havens
|
||
F. Kaltenbaugh, G. Willard, T. Francis, P. Curry, D. Bealer, and
|
||
others well known within the WRITING community. RUNE'S RAG is a
|
||
magazine for people who enjoy reading, and we enjoy seeing feed back
|
||
on the stories and articles presented for you. Netmail is welcome and
|
||
does have an influence on content, the E-Mag is for you, the reader.
|
||
|
||
RUNE'S RAG is found at most SDN sites, EPubNet file sites and is
|
||
obtained in the format: (RUNE9401.ZIP) RUNEYYmm.zip = ANSI version,
|
||
and RUNEmmYY.zip = ASCII version. During the first week of each month,
|
||
you will find RUNE'S RAG at a SDN or EPubNet file site.
|
||
|
||
1:261/1129 - The Puffin's Nest, home of Random Access Humor, allows
|
||
File Requests for RUNE'S RAG and is an Excellent companion magazine,
|
||
also in READROOM.TOC format. Random Access Humor is a great humor e-mag
|
||
covering On-line antics and the laughable aspects of computing. So,
|
||
crank up your modem, obtain both RUNE'S RAG (MAGIC Name: RUNER=ANSI
|
||
version, RUNE=Ascii version and Random Access Humor (RAH9401R.ZIP)).
|
||
Then begin pleasurable reading experiences; leave copies on the
|
||
bedstand and in the private reading room -- you'll be glad you did.
|
||
# # #
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 16 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
|
||
Introducing...
|
||
|
||
\[[[[[\ [[[[[[\ [[ \[[[[[\ [[[[[[[ ___ __ _______ ________
|
||
[[\\\\ [[\\\[[ [[ [[\\\[[ ^[] ____ __ __ __
|
||
____[[ [[____ [[ [[___[[ ^[] __ __ __ _____ __
|
||
_[[[[[_ [[ [[[[[[[ [[ [[ ^[] __ ____ __ __
|
||
Simulated, PaintBall Combat __ ___ _______ __
|
||
|
||
Attention [FIDONET] SysOps:
|
||
ZDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD?
|
||
3~ What is it? ~ 3
|
||
@DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDY
|
||
SplatNet is a new and unique echomail network devoted to the
|
||
fast growing sport of paintball. In less than two months of
|
||
operation, SplatNet has grown nation-wide and promises to spread
|
||
even further. Spring is approaching, and paintball is a great
|
||
way to enjoy the outdoors.
|
||
ZDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD?
|
||
3~ Description ~ 3
|
||
@DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDY
|
||
SplatNet currently offers a diverse range of conference areas.
|
||
Discussions include equipment overviews, updates, and
|
||
suggestions; technical advice from notable dealers across the
|
||
country, and from tournament winning professionals; strategical
|
||
methods and tactics; and exclusive electronic editions of the
|
||
premier paintball publication, Paintball News Magazine from New
|
||
Hampshire. There are currently 11 exciting message bases to
|
||
choose from, or select them all.
|
||
ZDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD?
|
||
3~ Where do I sign? ~ 3
|
||
@DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDY
|
||
You may FREQ an information packet, including the latest
|
||
nodelist, echos, and application from 1:2606/554 or 1:2606/537
|
||
at any time. Once you have completed the forms, simply send
|
||
them back and you will receive a node number.
|
||
ZDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD?
|
||
3~ What about LD bills? ~ 3
|
||
@DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDY
|
||
Don't worry. There is no red tape in the SplatNet network.
|
||
Feel free to poll as often or as little ask you like. All
|
||
messages will be available for up to one week after they are
|
||
received. You will also be assigned a hub in your area, or as
|
||
close as we can find one, to receive your feeds from.
|
||
Currently, SplatNet incorporates systems across the continental
|
||
US, so there should be no problems.
|
||
For more information, contact:
|
||
|
||
Kent Manno, Zone Coordinator, East Coast Region.
|
||
FidoNet 1:2606/537
|
||
|
||
Stephen Surman, Zone Echo Coordinator.
|
||
FidoNet 1:2606/554
|
||
|
||
John Lyon, Mid-West Region.
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 17 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
FidoNet 1:2380/400,401,402
|
||
|
||
Elijah Mayeux, West Coast Region.
|
||
FidoNet 1:161/514
|
||
|
||
|
||
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
An Introduction to Pascal-net
|
||
by Edwin Groothuis (2:284/205.1@fidonet
|
||
115:3145/102.1@pascalnet)
|
||
|
||
There are thousands of Pascal-programmers in the world. Most of them
|
||
need help at one time or the other. You could try asking a friend, but
|
||
what can you do when they can't help? You can call the product-support
|
||
line of the Pascal-compiler, but that's mostly meant for the support of
|
||
the *products*, not the *programs* and *language*... You can write to a
|
||
magazine, but that always takes a lot of time... You can post a message
|
||
in the international pascal-echo, but boy... have you seen that flow?
|
||
It's hard to follow the threads, it's hard to find the topics of the
|
||
messages and they seem to have only one thing in common: The Pascal
|
||
programming language.
|
||
|
||
Wouldn't it be nice to have an area for each topic of pascal-
|
||
programming? Like an area for Pascal_Under_Windows, Pascal_and_-
|
||
assembler, Pascal_and_TurboVision. It's not a difficult question and the
|
||
answer is even simplier: Yes! Forget the just_one_topic-area, create
|
||
several new areas, one for the TurboVision-programmer, one for the
|
||
Windows- programmer, one for the beginner, one for the Soundcard-
|
||
programmer, one for the fill_in your_favorite_pascal_programming_-
|
||
topic-programmer...
|
||
|
||
It's not easy getting this done in FidoNet. Let several thousands
|
||
people change their setup only because some pascal-programmer wants
|
||
it... It's not quite useful for FidoNet. FidoNet wants to be a carrier
|
||
for general topics, like 'all-the-msdos-problems', and not specified
|
||
'msdos-problems while using QEMM' and 'msdos-problems while using a
|
||
discache'...
|
||
It's easier to create a new network, only for Pascal-programmers, in
|
||
which they where they can ask their questions in an area which is
|
||
related to his/her problem.
|
||
|
||
This Pascal-Net was created by Marc van Leeuwen (2:285/228@fidonet)
|
||
somewhere in Autumn 1993. First it was only in the Netherlands, but more
|
||
countries followed fast: Belgium, Denmark, England, Finland, Germany,
|
||
Israel, Iceland, Sweden and Australia. But to have a reasonable flow and
|
||
to have the knowledge it needs more countries and more nodes. Pascal-Net
|
||
is not only echomail, but also has some fileecho's for distributing
|
||
Pascal-sources, utilities and so on. There are programmers in Pascal-Net
|
||
who release their programs first in Pascal-Net and wait a week of 2 a 3
|
||
before releasing them in other nets, or they keep Pascal-Net as their
|
||
only distributor. So if you're a Pascal-programmer and always want to
|
||
have the files as first: Join Pascal-Net.
|
||
|
||
Currently there are 16 echos:
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 18 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
ANNOUNCE.PAS For announcements of new files
|
||
ASSEMBLER.PAS Pascal & Assembler (Built-in Assembler,
|
||
Inline machine code)
|
||
BEGINNERS.PAS For beginners
|
||
COMMS.PAS For communication-related problems
|
||
FILESEARCH.PAS Filesearch-requests
|
||
GRAPHICS.PAS Graphics-programming
|
||
HARDWARE.PAS Programming of hardware (video, I/O)
|
||
OOP.PAS Object Oriented Programming
|
||
OTHERCOMPILERS.PAS For non-Borland Pascal compilers
|
||
OWL.PAS Object Windows Library
|
||
SOFTWARE.PAS Using Pascal in combination with other software
|
||
SOUND.PAS Programming of soundcards ed.
|
||
SOURCE.PAS Source-code contributions
|
||
TP60.PAS Turbo Pascal 6.0 specific
|
||
TP70.PAS Turbo/Borland Pascal 7.0 specific
|
||
TURBOVISION.PAS Turbo Vision-programming
|
||
UPTO55.PAS Turbo Pascal until version 5.5 specific
|
||
WINDOWS.PAS MS-Windows programming
|
||
|
||
New echos can be added if there is a need for them, some can be
|
||
removed if there is no need for them.
|
||
|
||
With 150 nodes the flow isn't that high: curruntly around 15 messages a
|
||
day. Join Pascal-Net, and you'll find it can play a major part in your
|
||
life as Pascal-Programmer.
|
||
|
||
If you want more info about Pascal-Net, complete with subscription-
|
||
form, nodelist and rules, request or download the file PASINFO from
|
||
Marc van Leeuwens BBS, known as 2:285/228@FidoNet, 111:397/308@TechNet
|
||
and 115:115/0@Pascal-Net or dial ++31-13-674745 (19k2/V42b)
|
||
|
||
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
From Computer Underground Digest #6.10:
|
||
Date: 22 Jan 94 19:32:19 -0500
|
||
From: Conal.Garrity@F8004.N282.Z1.FIDONET.ORG(Conal Garrity)
|
||
Subject:
|
||
File 2--DEF CON ][ Initial Announcement
|
||
|
||
Updated Last : 1.16.1994
|
||
|
||
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx DEF CON ][ Convention Initial Announcement
|
||
|
||
READ & DISTRIBUTE & READ & DISTRIBUTE & READ & DISTRIBUTE
|
||
|
||
=========================================================
|
||
|
||
What's this? This is the initial announcement and invitation to DEF
|
||
CON ][, a convention for the "underground" elements of the computer
|
||
culture. We try to target the (Fill in your favorite word here):
|
||
Hackers, Phreaks, Hammies, Virii coders, programmers, crackers,
|
||
Cyberpunk Wannabees, Civil Liberties Groups, CypherPunks, Futurists,
|
||
Artists, Etc..
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 19 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
WHO: You know who you are, you shady characters.
|
||
WHAT: A convention for you to meet, party, and listen to some speeches
|
||
that you would normally never hear.
|
||
WHEN: July 22, 23, 24 - 1994
|
||
WHERE: Las Vegas, Nevada @ The Sahara Hotel
|
||
|
||
So you heard about DEF CON I, and want to hit part ][? You heard
|
||
about the parties, the info discussed, the bizarre atmosphere of Las
|
||
Vegas and want to check it out in person? Load up your laptop muffy,
|
||
we're heading to Vegas!
|
||
|
||
Here is what Three out of Three people said about last years
|
||
convention:
|
||
|
||
"DEF CON I, last week in Las Vegas, was both the strangest and the
|
||
best computer event I have attended in years." -- Robert X. Cringely,
|
||
Info World
|
||
|
||
"Toto, I don't think we're at COMDEX anymore." -- Coderipper, Gray
|
||
Areas
|
||
|
||
"Soon we were at the hotel going through the spoils: fax sheets,
|
||
catalogs, bits of torn paper, a few McDonald's Dino-Meals and lots of
|
||
coffee grounds. The documents disappeared in seconds." -- Gillian
|
||
Newson, New Media Magazine
|
||
|
||
DESCRIPTION:
|
||
|
||
Last year we held DEF CON I, which went over great, and this year we
|
||
are planning on being bigger and better. We have expanded the number
|
||
of speakers to included midnight tech talks and additional speaking on
|
||
Sunday. We attempt to bring the underground into contact with
|
||
"legitimate" speakers. Sure it's great to meet and party with fellow
|
||
hackers, but besides that we try to provide information and speakers
|
||
in a forum that can't be found at other conferences.
|
||
|
||
While there is an initial concern that this is just another excuse for
|
||
the evil hackers to party and wreak havok, it's just not the case.
|
||
People come to DEF CON for information and for making contacts. We
|
||
strive to distinguish this convention from others in that respect.
|
||
|
||
WHAT'S NEW THIS YEAR:
|
||
|
||
This year will be much larger and more organized than last year. We
|
||
have a much larger meeting area, and have better name recognition.
|
||
Because of this we will have more speakers on broader topics. Expect
|
||
speaking to run Saturday and Sunday, ending around 5 p.m. Some of the
|
||
new things expected include:
|
||
|
||
> An INet connection with sixteen ports will be there, _BUT_ will only
|
||
provide serial connections because terminals are too hard to ship.
|
||
So bring a laptop with communications software if you want to
|
||
connect to the network. Thanks to cyberlink communications for the
|
||
connection.
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 20 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
> There will be door prizes, and someone has already donated a Cell
|
||
Phone to give away.
|
||
|
||
> Dr. Ludwig will present his virii creation awards on Sunday.
|
||
|
||
> A bigger and better "Spot The Fed" contest, which means more shirts
|
||
to give away.
|
||
|
||
> More room, we should have tables set up for information
|
||
distribution. If you have anything you want distributed, feel free
|
||
to leave it on the designated tables. Yes, this year there will be
|
||
a true 24 hour convention space.
|
||
|
||
> A 24 hour movie / video suite where we will be playing all type of
|
||
stuff. VHS Format. Mail me with suggested titles to show, or bring
|
||
your own.
|
||
|
||
> Midnight Tech Talks on Friday and Saturday night to cover the more
|
||
technical topics and leave the days free for more general
|
||
discussions.
|
||
|
||
WHO IS SPEAKING:
|
||
|
||
I was going to run a list of the current speakers we have lined up,
|
||
but at this point things are still fluid. In a few months when the
|
||
speakers list is more solidified I will release it. I'll name the
|
||
people who have committed to attending in the next announcement.
|
||
Trust me.
|
||
|
||
WHERE THIS THING IS:
|
||
|
||
It's in Las Vegas, the town that never sleeps. Really. There are no
|
||
clocks anywhere in an attempt to lull you into believing the day never
|
||
ends. Talk about virtual reality, this place fits the bill with no
|
||
clunky hardware. If you have a buzz you may never know the
|
||
difference. It will be at the Sahara Hotel. Intel as follows:
|
||
|
||
The Sahara Hotel: 1.800.634.6078
|
||
Room Rates: Single/Double $55, Triple $65, Suite $120
|
||
(Usually $200) + 8% tax
|
||
Transportation: Shuttles from the airport for cheap
|
||
|
||
NOTE: Please make it clear you are registering for the DEF CON ][
|
||
convention to get the room rates. Our convention space price is
|
||
based on how many people register. Register under a false name if
|
||
it makes you feel better, 'cuz the more that register the better for
|
||
my pocket book. No one under 21 can rent a room by themselves, so
|
||
get your buddy who is 21 to rent for you and crash out. Don't let
|
||
the hotel people get their hands on your baggage, or there is a
|
||
mandatory $3 group baggage fee. Vegas has killer unions.
|
||
|
||
OTHER STUFF:
|
||
|
||
If you check out Wired like 1.5 or 1.6 there was a blurb about the new
|
||
Luxor hotel with it's total VR experience. It looks like the first
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 21 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
true VR ride / experience for a group of people, it seats eight.
|
||
Intense. A friend was just over there, and tested out the various
|
||
rides. Not to be outdone the new MGM grand (Largest hotel in the
|
||
world) has a ride called the R360 which is basically a gyroscope they
|
||
trap you into with goggles. We should get a group together and make a
|
||
mass trek over there and check it out. If enough people are
|
||
interested I'll call and see if we can book a time to reserve space
|
||
for a bunch of us. Both are within walking distance.
|
||
|
||
I'll whip up a list of stuff that's cool to check out in town there so
|
||
if for some reason you leave the awesome conference you can take in
|
||
some unreal sites in the city of true capitalism.
|
||
|
||
MEDIA:
|
||
|
||
Some of the places you can look for information from last year
|
||
include:
|
||
|
||
New Media Magazine, September 1993
|
||
InfoWorld, 7-12-1993 and also 7-19-1993 by Robert X. Cringely
|
||
Gray Areas Magazine, Vol 2, #3 (Fall 1993)
|
||
Unix World, ???
|
||
Phrack #44
|
||
|
||
COST:
|
||
|
||
Cost is whatever you pay for a hotel room split however many ways,
|
||
plus $15 if you preregister, or $30 at the door. This gets you a
|
||
nifty 24 bit color name tag (We're gonna make it niftier this year)
|
||
and your foot in the door. There are fast food places all over, and
|
||
there is alcohol all over the place but the trick is to get it during
|
||
a happy hour for maximum cheapness.
|
||
|
||
============================================================================
|
||
|
||
UPDATE:
|
||
|
||
I wanted to thank whoever sent in the anonymous fax to Wired that was
|
||
printed in issue 1.5 Cool deal!
|
||
|
||
Dan Farmer posted his paper on unix security on the net, and I've put
|
||
a copy of it on the ftp site if you want to grab it and take a look.
|
||
It's called "zen.txt"
|
||
|
||
I've received more scanned images from last year, and they will be put
|
||
on the ftp site.
|
||
|
||
=============================================================================
|
||
|
||
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
|
||
|
||
For InterNet users, there is a DEF CON anonymous ftp site at
|
||
cyberspace.com in /pub/defcon. There are digitized pictures,
|
||
digitized speeches and text files with the latest up to date info
|
||
available.
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 22 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
|
||
For email users, you can email dtangent@defcon.org for more
|
||
information.
|
||
|
||
For non-net people call:
|
||
|
||
The Alliance BBS [612] 251.8596 16.8k speed Dual Standard
|
||
Open Access. 24 Hours. Users get full access on 1st call.
|
||
iirg disto site, Syncro Net, text files galore.
|
||
Sysop: Metal Head (The huge guy from last year)
|
||
A DEF CON directory is maintained here
|
||
|
||
For Snail Mail send to: DEF CON, 2709 E. Madison Street Suite #102,
|
||
Seattle, WA, 98112
|
||
|
||
For Voice Mail and maybe a human (me), 0-700-TANGENT on an AT&T phone.
|
||
|
||
A DEF CON Mailing list is maintained, and the latest announcements are
|
||
mailed automatically to you. If you wish to be added to the list just
|
||
send email to dtangent@defcon.org. We also maintain a chat mailing
|
||
list where people can talk to one another and plan rides, talk,
|
||
whatever. If you request to be on this list your email address will
|
||
be shown to everyone, just so you are aware.
|
||
|
||
[Note: We need some good list-serv software for BSD, if anyone knows
|
||
where to find some, please e-mail me.]
|
||
|
||
STUFF TO SPEND YOUR MONEY ON:
|
||
|
||
> Tapes of last years speakers (four 90 minute tapes) are available
|
||
for $20
|
||
|
||
> DEF CON I tee-shirts (white, large only) with large color logo on
|
||
the front, and on the back the Fourth Amendment, past and present.
|
||
This is shirt v 1.1 with no type-o's. These are $20, and
|
||
sweatshirts are $25.
|
||
|
||
> Pre-Register for next year in advance for $15 and save half.
|
||
|
||
> Make all checks/money orders/etc. out to DEF CON, and mail to the
|
||
address above.
|
||
|
||
If you have any confidential info to send, use this PGP key to
|
||
encrypt:
|
||
|
||
-----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----
|
||
Version: 2.3
|
||
|
||
mQCrAiyI6OcAAAEE8Mh1YApQOOfCZ8YGQ9BxrRNMbK8rP8xpFCm4W7S6Nqu4Uhpo
|
||
dLfIfb/kEWDyLreM6ers4eEP6odZALTRvFdsoBGeAx0LUrbFhImxqtRsejMufWNf
|
||
uZ9PtGD1yEtxwqh4CxxC8glNA9AFXBpjgAZ7eFvtOREYjYO6TH9sOdZSa8ahW7YQ
|
||
hXatVxhlQqve99fY2J83D5z35rGddDV5azd9AAUTtCZUaGUgRGFyayBUYW5nZW50
|
||
IDxkdGFuZ2VudEBkZWZjb24ub3JnPg==
|
||
=ko7s
|
||
-----END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 23 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
|
||
The next announcement will have more updated information. I'll hold off
|
||
on naming the speakers unless they commit to attending. It looks to be
|
||
a great line up.
|
||
|
||
- The Dark Tangent
|
||
|
||
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
Does FidoNews accept pomes? If so: <smile>
|
||
|
||
The wolves, they come to feed
|
||
the sheep, they stay and bleed
|
||
one's a service the other's need
|
||
and superstition plants the seed.
|
||
|
||
The bloodlust runs all through the night
|
||
and sheep, they tremble with their fright
|
||
sharp fangs crunch bones when they bite
|
||
they kick, they struggle, they fight.
|
||
|
||
The wolves they'll have it no other way
|
||
the sheep? well they've got nothing to say
|
||
and when they're done at moon they'll bay
|
||
and in cool shade of day they'll lay.
|
||
|
||
- Wolves and Sheep
|
||
- Fredric Rice (1:102/890.0), Sep. 1993.
|
||
--
|
||
: Fredric Rice - via mcws.fidonet.org - Public Access (213)256-8371
|
||
: ARPA/INTERNET: Fredric.Rice@f890.n102.z1.fidonet.org
|
||
: UUCP: ...!{elroy,oxy}!mcws!890!Fredric.Rice
|
||
: Compu$erve: >internet:Fredric.Rice@f890.n102.z1.fidonet.org
|
||
|
||
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
My note regarding questions on FidoNet
|
||
|
||
Organization: Galaxy Information System (GIS) Atlanta, Ga.
|
||
|
||
Sylvia, I recently re-read the lines regarding my answering status as a
|
||
question answerer. I think it is time I had that updated as follows:
|
||
|
||
INTERNET USERS: FidoNews is available via FTP from ftp.fidonet.org,
|
||
in directory ~ftp/pub/fidonet/fidonews. If you would like a FAQ, or
|
||
have questions regarding FidoNet, or UUCP<==>FidoNet gateways, please
|
||
direct them to David Deitch (1:133/411@fidonet) at
|
||
deitch@gisatl.fidonet.org.
|
||
|
||
I thank you for your assistance and encourage you to keep up the good
|
||
work. I could even go for a new Tom Jennings Skateboard epic!
|
||
|
||
David Deitch (GIS),
|
||
Net 133 FidoNet<==>UUCP Gateway Administrator
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 24 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
__
|
||
FidoNet <==> UUCP / \\ Galaxy Information System
|
||
Gateway / oo \\ (GIS) Atlanta
|
||
(_| /_)
|
||
David Deitch, _`@/_ \\
|
||
Administrator | | \\ \\\\ 1:133/411@fidonet
|
||
(404)252-1699 | (*) | \\_ )) gisatl.fidonet.org
|
||
______ |__U__| / \\//
|
||
/ FIDO \\ _//|| _\\ / Go Knights!
|
||
(________) (_/(_|(____/ (jm)
|
||
|
||
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
California Legislature online -- free
|
||
|
||
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 1994 17:11:30 -0800
|
||
From: Jim Warren <jwarren@WELL.SF.CA.US>
|
||
Subject: File 5--GOV-ACCESS--Cal Leg online; Minn PubInfo Net;
|
||
Cal Emg Serv
|
||
|
||
Jan. 22, 1994
|
||
|
||
On Friday, Jan. 21, 1994, the California Legislature began offering
|
||
global online access to almost-all public information about
|
||
legislation-in-process, all current state statutes, and the voluminous
|
||
California Constitution.
|
||
|
||
The state is prohibited from charging *anything* for access to or
|
||
re-use of this electronic information.
|
||
|
||
Access is by Internet ftp and ftpmail ["ftp" = file transfer
|
||
protocol]. Note: ftpmail allows anyone with access to the Internet
|
||
at least for email purposes to access these files (that are often
|
||
large). ftpmail provides access for users of FidoNet, CompuServe,
|
||
GEnie, Prodigy, etc., as well as offering Internet users an option to
|
||
direct ftp .
|
||
|
||
README and help files provide complete details.
|
||
|
||
FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL ...
|
||
To receive the help file, send the following email:
|
||
To: ftpmail@leginfo.public.ca.gov
|
||
subject: <optional, the system ignores the subject-line>
|
||
Message lines: connect leginfo.public.ca.gov
|
||
help
|
||
quit
|
||
|
||
To receive the two README files, send the following email:
|
||
To: ftpmail@leginfo.public.ca.gov
|
||
subject: <optional, the system ignores the subject-line>
|
||
Message lines: connect leginfo.public.ca.gov
|
||
get README_WELCOME
|
||
cd pub
|
||
get README_FIRST
|
||
quit
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 25 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
|
||
And await details of how you may finally participate in the process of
|
||
your own governance.
|
||
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures,
|
||
California is the first state in the nation to offer almost all of its
|
||
public legislative, statutory and constitutional information via the
|
||
Internet, *especially* without charge by the state.
|
||
|
||
================================================================
|
||
|
||
Subject--Cal.Emergency Svcs.online + Net-fax + MINN Pub Info Net
|
||
|
||
Jan. 22, 1994
|
||
|
||
CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES INFO AVAILABLE ONLINE
|
||
<a recent exchange of messages>
|
||
The state Emergency Digital Information Service is working fine
|
||
|
||
Telnet to telnet oes1.oes.ca.gov 5501
|
||
=====
|
||
Is the OES system open/intended to permit public use?
|
||
--jim
|
||
=====
|
||
It seems to be. No login at all is required. You telnet to that port
|
||
and get a menu listing the last 20 or so press releases.
|
||
|
||
SACRAMENTO INTERNET LOCALS: HOW 'BOUT LEGI-FAX ?
|
||
<from a gov-access list-member>
|
||
Are you familiar with the internet fax gateway service? You can send to an
|
||
internet address and IF that telephone exchange is covered by a fax server,
|
||
your mail will be delivered via fax. If it is not covered you get a bounce.
|
||
For more details send mail to:
|
||
tpc-faq@town.hall.org
|
||
|
||
A very cool service! Maybe someone in Sacramento would like to put up a
|
||
gateway that would transmit faxes to the legislators? :-)
|
||
|
||
<Also, how about local faxes to Washingtoontown? And, of course, anyone can
|
||
use this from and to anywhere. -JW>
|
||
|
||
MINNESOTA DRAFT ONLINE-ACCESS PROPOSAL <source pointer>
|
||
Date: Thursday, 20 January 1994 3:15pm CT
|
||
To: net-people@nic.state.mn.us, metronet@vm1.nodak.edu, libnet@mr.net,
|
||
net-people@mail.unet.umn.edu, tc-all@mail.unet.umn.edu, ednet@mr.net,
|
||
mcowork@vm1.nodak.edu, STEVEN.CLIFT
|
||
From: STEVEN.CLIFT@MNEMC2
|
||
Subject--Draft Legislative Proposal - Minn Public Info Network
|
||
|
||
This is a DRAFT proposal from the Electronic Access to Public
|
||
Information Task Force of the Information Policy Office, Minnesota
|
||
Department of Administration. This is probably the first time a
|
||
draft proposal of this nature has been released electronically within
|
||
government and to the public.
|
||
|
||
Please send us your comments and suggestions by February 4, 1994 as
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 26 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
indicated in the text of this document. As of January 20, this
|
||
proposal has been presented to the full Electronic Access Task Force
|
||
and the Information Policy Council. They are just beginning to
|
||
review this proposal. The one thing that is guaranteed is that this
|
||
proposal will change as it moves toward and through the legislature
|
||
process. This draft proposal is more of a concept paper and much of
|
||
this proposed activity does not require legislative action, but the
|
||
overall concept and funding will need legislative support.
|
||
|
||
While I have been researching and developing this proposal since
|
||
early fall, (I have been on the Internet for two years and run a
|
||
public policy (PUBPOL-L) electronic mail list at the Humphrey
|
||
Institute of Public Affairs) the timing of its release is very good.
|
||
It should be of interest to a number of people and gain some public
|
||
attention. On a lighter note, I think government interest was
|
||
illustrated by the good turnout we had at our Task Force meeting on
|
||
January 18 when it was about -20F. I have a new theory about why
|
||
Minnesota is known for having innovative government programs: we
|
||
spend our cold winters thinking up good ideas for public services
|
||
because there is little to distract us. If this is a relative theory
|
||
inversely related to how cold it is, the Minnesota Public Information
|
||
Network should be a great proposal. However, we need you feedback to
|
||
ensure that it is developed with broad government and public support.
|
||
|
||
Electronic Access to Public Information Task Force
|
||
c/o Steven Clift
|
||
Information Policy Office
|
||
Minnesota Department of Administration
|
||
320 Centennial Office Building
|
||
St. Paul, MN 55155 Telephone: (612)297-5561 Fax:(612)296-5800
|
||
Electronic Mail: steven.clift@state.mn.us
|
||
=====
|
||
Send a request to Steven Clift if you wish the full document.
|
||
|
||
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
Users <hack spit!> can be real demons
|
||
|
||
Fredric Rice, The Skeptic Tank 1:102/890.0
|
||
Park Ypenburg 'n', 2396 CS Koudekerk, Netherlands
|
||
Users <hack spit!> can be real demons
|
||
(Originally from some private mail)
|
||
|
||
... And, you know, I could tell you stories. <smirk>
|
||
|
||
When David Rice ran Astro-Net there was a user <hack spit!> who was
|
||
going from forum to forum getting ejected from each in turn for rants
|
||
about demons and Soviets beaming thoughts into his head -- no
|
||
_end_ of nonsense. And David took each Moderators' complaints one
|
||
by one and locked off the poor, misguided, honestly mistaken idiot.
|
||
<snicker>
|
||
|
||
Eventually the guy found that his access to most of the forums were
|
||
limited to "read only" and he found that someone named "David Rice"
|
||
was cutting him -- not knowing that he was refering to his SysOp god.
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 27 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
|
||
Eventually, this user <hack spit!> found the 'yell/chat' function and
|
||
David, being a dutyful god, always answers his subjects prayers.
|
||
Mister user <hack spit!> asked David if he knew any 'satanists' or
|
||
demons or all kinds of unusual, bizzare things to which David (thinking
|
||
the individual pulling both of his legs (and his tail) <-snort->)
|
||
responded much to the effect that he had not encountered any of the
|
||
afore mentioned personifications and/or manifestations lately.
|
||
|
||
Events progressed over a couple of days where the user <hack spit!>
|
||
and David (keeping copies of the chat log for his own safety, you
|
||
know) became buddies -- well, user <hack spit!> had thought so any way.
|
||
The user <hack spit!> had thought that David might be able to hook him
|
||
up to something called "the underground." No end to the nonsense was
|
||
forseeable and the future of handing the individual a clue looked dim.
|
||
David had realized that the user <hack spit!> was entirely serious in
|
||
his rants.
|
||
|
||
Eventually, being buddies, the user <hack spit!> had decided to confide
|
||
to David about his enemies. He specifically spelled out a few
|
||
individuals whos names he had written down from various echo mail
|
||
forums and, of course, David's name was also offered as his "arch
|
||
enemy." Some how, poor user <hack spit!> said, David Rice, through his
|
||
god-like powers, had managed to block his every move, read his every
|
||
thought, and _really_ had it out for him -- no reason specified, of
|
||
course, but that's the way with invisible enemies at times.
|
||
|
||
I would have liked to have seen the poor users' <hack spit!> face when
|
||
David finally pronounced that he, the SysOp, the one he was talking
|
||
to through the keyboard was the very evil presense stalking him.
|
||
After David typed, "David Rice, here" the characters from the other
|
||
end of the telephone line suddenly stopped for several minutes. David
|
||
was reaching for the keyboard to type something like "hello?" when
|
||
carrier was suddenly and mysteriously dropped.
|
||
|
||
Not being the brightest SysOp god around, David decided to keep the
|
||
individual in the user <hack spit!> list to see if the individual would
|
||
call back and to see if there might be any problems with the individual
|
||
later.
|
||
|
||
The next day, the user <hack spit!> had managed to work up enough
|
||
courage to face the evil denzines of the deep and he placed another
|
||
call to Astro-Net. The results of answering the yell/chat was entirely
|
||
expected, of course, as circumstances already outlined above could
|
||
doubtless predict.
|
||
|
||
David had been trying to explain the workings of Echo Mail,
|
||
Moderatorship, rules, and what "on topic" means for some time. Because
|
||
of this, the user <hack spit!> in his last post went on at some length
|
||
uninterrupted in his tirade about how "powerful" he (the user) <hack
|
||
spit!> was and that he (David) should never have messed with the forces
|
||
of 'Hell.'
|
||
|
||
Pages and pages of text were typed -- one could almost smell the
|
||
brimstone burning in the final opus -- nay, virtual encyclopedia of
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 28 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
demons, gods, goddesses, saints, Saturday cartoon characters, and,
|
||
strange as it might seem, CBS news persons who were aligned with the
|
||
user. <hack spit!>
|
||
|
||
Finally there was a pause. A couple of line feeds. Another pause. And
|
||
then, just before carrier was dropped, the user <hack spit!> told David
|
||
that he had better not fall asleep tonight but that he'll have to fall
|
||
asleep eventually. His very last words were about "unleashing the dogs
|
||
of 'Hell.' with the words
|
||
|
||
"Prepare to meet your DOOM!!!" $13&^%[] NO CARRIER
|
||
|
||
The individual never called back yet I highly suspect that he was
|
||
eventually elected to the office of President of the United States
|
||
in 1989.
|
||
--
|
||
: Fredric Rice - via mcws.fidonet.org - Public Access (213)256-8371
|
||
: ARPA/INTERNET: Fredric.Rice@f890.n102.z1.fidonet.org
|
||
: UUCP: ...!{elroy,oxy}!mcws!890!Fredric.Rice
|
||
: Compu$erve: >internet:Fredric.Rice@f890.n102.z1.fidonet.org
|
||
|
||
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
Quick thinking electrical engineer
|
||
(forwarded from THE SHIT-LIST)
|
||
==================================
|
||
|
||
The following text has been forwarded around enough that all trace
|
||
of its original author's identity has been lost.
|
||
|
||
- ------- Begin -------
|
||
|
||
My girlfriend always seemed to enjoy seeing how much she could
|
||
get away with doing some form of bondage stuff in public. She
|
||
does this partly because she finds it fun, mostly because she
|
||
knows it drives me out of my tree. Usually, I's able to fast-
|
||
talk my way out of potentially embarrassing situations with
|
||
Mundanes, but yesterday she very nearly got me fired.
|
||
|
||
Yesterday afternoon we had lunch together. Afterward, she
|
||
accompanied me back to work. I thought this slightly unusual,
|
||
since she had never before expressed in interest in my work
|
||
(electronic engineering), but it didn't occur to me that she
|
||
had something planned.
|
||
|
||
We arrived at my workbench, where I currently trying to figure
|
||
why the $&#%@^$ board on which I am working is not performing
|
||
the way it is designed. "Is this where you work?" she asked.
|
||
|
||
"At the moment," I replied.
|
||
I reached over to turn on the scope, thereby completely
|
||
failing to notice the huge black studded collar she had
|
||
produced from her purse. Before I could blink (it's amazing
|
||
the speed at which she can do this), she had locked the collar
|
||
snugly around my neck, and locked the end of the 6 foot jack
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 29 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
chain to the center of the bench ( where there just happened
|
||
to be a mounting hole, dammit). I turned to her in utter
|
||
disbelief, mouth agape.
|
||
|
||
"I'll be back for you at five," she said.
|
||
"HAVE YOU GONE COMPLETELY WACKO!??!?!", I yelled in a hushed
|
||
voice. "How the hell am I going to explain this!?!?!"
|
||
"You'll think of something", she said, dropping the keys into
|
||
her cleavage, "you always do".
|
||
"But suppose I have to go to the bathroom", I countered.
|
||
"Don't give me that", she hissed, "I've seen you go a whole
|
||
day without visiting the bathroom"
|
||
"But....," I tried to say.
|
||
"SHHH! The subject is closed. I'll be back at five. Bye"
|
||
|
||
She turned around and left, against my hushed protests. I sat
|
||
in panic and tried to think out my situation. I tried to think
|
||
of who might visit. Most of my co-workers were friends who
|
||
knew that my girlfriend and I were a bit odd, so this
|
||
shouldn't surprise them. But I had *no* idea what I was going
|
||
to do if one of my bosses came in. I checked my watch to see
|
||
how long I would have to endure this ignominy. 13:30 (I'm a
|
||
military time weenie). "Three and a half hours," I thought. I
|
||
heaved a heavy sigh, and got to work, such as I could.
|
||
|
||
As it happened, three of my co-workers visited for what-not.
|
||
All of them immediately noticed the collar (it would be hard
|
||
not to) and asked if it was my girlfriend's idea. I said yes.
|
||
They asked what I would do if my supervisor saw it. I told
|
||
them I hadn't the faintest idea.
|
||
|
||
One of the aforementioned colleagues took the bench next to
|
||
me, and after a few remarks (and a question as to where he
|
||
could get such a collar), settled down to work in silence.
|
||
|
||
After some time, I checked my watch. 16:40. "Gee, I just might
|
||
make it through this after all," I thought. I was even
|
||
beginning to get a handle on the problem with the $#%&&$#
|
||
board on which I was working. Murphy must have been standing
|
||
right behind me, reading my thoughts, for not two minutes
|
||
later one of my bosses entered the room. And not just any
|
||
boss. Noooooooo. This was Mr. Narrowminded himself. This was
|
||
the guy who took Lifespring *and* became a born-again funda-
|
||
mentalist. How he came to have the power of hire-and-fire over
|
||
us is one of the Great Mysteries of The Universe. We avoided
|
||
this guy at all costs.
|
||
|
||
His eyes fell upon me immediately. A few picoseconds later, he
|
||
saw the collar around my neck in all it's splendor. "My life
|
||
is over," I thought. I still hadn't thought of a plausible
|
||
explanation for this. Mr Solderbrain (the name we called him
|
||
behind his back; a corruption of his real name) started to
|
||
walk slowly and deliberately over to me, his eyes fixed on the
|
||
collar. Fifteen agonizing seconds later, he was standing next
|
||
to me. I thought the guy sitting next to me was going to have
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 30 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
seizures stifling all his giggles. I continued to work, acting
|
||
as though there were nothing the least bit unusual about my
|
||
predicament.
|
||
|
||
Finally, he spoke.
|
||
|
||
"What. the. HELL! is. THAT!?!?!" he said.
|
||
|
||
I don't know how I thought of what I said. In fact, I'm pretty
|
||
sure I didn't know what I was going to say until I was saying
|
||
it. I'm even more amazed that Solderbrain actually bought it
|
||
and didn't fire me on the spot.
|
||
|
||
I turned to face him calmly, with total nonchalance, exuding
|
||
complete confidence in what I was about to say, even though I
|
||
didn't know what it was yet. I didn't even miss a beat.
|
||
|
||
"Grounding strap," I said, and returned to work.
|
||
|
||
The guy next to me fell off his chair and nearly died
|
||
laughing.
|
||
|
||
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
========================================================================
|
||
Fidonews Information
|
||
========================================================================
|
||
|
||
------- FIDONEWS MASTHEAD AND CONTACT INFORMATION ----------------
|
||
|
||
Editors: Sylvia Maxwell, Donald Tees, Tim Pozar
|
||
Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell, Vince Perriello,
|
||
Tom Jennings
|
||
|
||
IMPORTANT NOTE: The FidoNet address of the FidoNews BBS has been
|
||
changed!!! Please make a note of this.
|
||
|
||
"FidoNews" BBS
|
||
FidoNet 1:1/23
|
||
BBS +1-519-570-4176, 300/1200/2400/14400/V.32bis/HST(DS)
|
||
Internet addresses:
|
||
Don & Sylvia (submission address)
|
||
editor@exlibris.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca
|
||
|
||
Sylvia -- max@exlibris.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca
|
||
Donald -- donald@exlibris.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca
|
||
Tim -- pozar@kumr.lns.com
|
||
|
||
(Postal Service mailing address) (have extreme patience)
|
||
FidoNews
|
||
128 Church St.
|
||
Kitchener, Ontario
|
||
Canada
|
||
N2H 2S4
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 11-05 Page: 31 31 Jan 1994
|
||
|
||
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.
|
||
|
||
Authors retain copyright on individual works; otherwise FidoNews is
|
||
copyright 1994 Sylvia Maxwell. All rights reserved. Duplication and/or
|
||
distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For use in
|
||
other circumstances, please contact the original authors, or FidoNews
|
||
(we're easy).
|
||
|
||
|
||
OBTAINING COPIES: The-most-recent-issue-ONLY of 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 Internet.
|
||
PRINTED COPIES 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.)
|
||
|
||
INTERNET USERS: FidoNews is available via FTP from ftp.fidonet.org, in
|
||
directory ~ftp/pub/fidonet/fidonews. If you have questions regarding
|
||
FidoNet, please direct them to deitch@gisatl.fidonet.org, not the
|
||
FidoNews BBS. (Be kind and patient; David Deitch is generously
|
||
volunteering to handle FidoNet/Internet questions.)
|
||
|
||
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 1:1/23 as file "ARTSPEC.DOC". Please read it.
|
||
|
||
"Fido", "FidoNet" and the dog-with-diskette are U.S. registered
|
||
trademarks of Tom Jennings, 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
|
||
----------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|