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F I D O N E W S -- Volume 13, Number 33 12 August 1996
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| The newsletter of the | ISSN 1198-4589 Published by: |
| FidoNet community | "FidoNews" |
| _ | 1-407-383-1372 [1:1/23] |
| / \ | |
| /|oo \ | |
| (_| /_) | |
| _`@/_ \ _ | |
| | | \ \\ | Editor: |
| | (*) | \ )) | Christopher Baker 1:374/14 |
| |__U__| / \// | |
| _//|| _\ / | |
| (_/(_|(____/ | |
| (jm) | Newspapers should have no friends. |
| | -- JOSEPH PULITZER |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Submission address: FidoNews Editor 1:1/23 |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| MORE addresses: |
| |
| submissions=> cbaker84@digital.net |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| For information, copyrights, article submissions, |
| obtaining copies of FidoNews or the internet gateway FAQ |
| please refer to the end of this file. |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
STOP THE PRESSES! - I ALWAYS WANTED TO SAY THAT
Table of Contents
1. EDITORIAL ................................................ 1
FidoNews on the Internet and other stuff ................. 1
2. ARTICLES ................................................. 2
Creating Network Wide Bulletins [II] ..................... 2
FidoNews Available in HTML Format ........................ 4
FidoNews Internet -Text- Format Archive .................. 4
Addicted to Fidonet, but not the Internet ................ 5
Fido - Advancing the Technology and moving to the Futur .. 8
A view from Russia: Fidonet is alive and not competing ... 10
3. FIDONET HISTORY .......................................... 12
FidoNet History - Before Echomail ........................ 12
4. COORDINATORS CORNER ...................................... 19
Nodelist-statistics as seen from Zone-2 for day 222 ...... 19
5. NET HUMOR ................................................ 20
Answer this and qualify for Sysop? ....................... 20
6. COMIX IN ASCII ........................................... 23
Does this mean FidoNet is dead? .......................... 23
7. QUESTION OF THE WEEK ..................................... 24
Are there other versions of FidoNews out there? .......... 24
8. NOTICES .................................................. 25
Future History ........................................... 25
9. FIDONET SOFTWARE LISTING ................................. 27
Latest Greatest Software Versions ........................ 27
10. FIDONEWS PUBLIC-KEY ..................................... 34
And more!
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 1 12 Aug 1996
=================================================================
EDITORIAL
=================================================================
jim barchuk of 1:141/355 [jbarchuk@worldnet.att.net] has moved the
FidoNews into the world of Internet HTML access. He has an article
in this Issue describing access information. I've checked it out and
it's cool. [grin]
Thanks, jim, for the effort!
The FidoNews public-key is not working here so please throw out any
copies you may have of it produced prior to 10 Aug 96. I messed up the
password somehow and cannot access it or revoke it. A new public-key
is now available here that does work. My apologies to all who have
previously freqed it or tried to send in articles using it. If you
have already added the old one to your personal keyring, USE the -d
DISABLE feature to disable the old one before adding in the new one.
DO NOT delete it from your keyring! Disabling the old one will keep
a bad copy of the old one from getting into your keyring in the future
from some other keyring contents you might add.
See the Masthead info section for details on obtaining the FidoNews
public-key. It is also published regularly in the FIDONEWS Echo and
the PKEY_DROP Echo.
Zone 3 has a new Zone Coordinator in David Nugent but we still do not
have an updated Zone 3 section in our Nodelist in Zone 1. Does Zone 3
show updated in Zones 2? 4? 5? 6? ZC3: do you want to tell us what's
new down there?
NOTE: FIDONEWS Echo is now moving over the Planet Connect part of
the Zone 1 Backbone. Everyone should be able to get a link
to that Echo as soon as you read this.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 2 12 Aug 1996
=================================================================
ARTICLES
=================================================================
Creating Network Wide Bulletins [II]
Damian Walker, 2:2502/666
This article continues my two-part tutorial on creating network-wide
bulletins accessible from other Fidonet systems via netmail.
Last week's article covered the technical aspects of setting up
your choice of three pieces of software, Netmgr, FDInt or InfoMail.
This week I will take a look at the bulletin text file itself.
Needless to say, this article will be better read after that in
FidoNews 1332.
Now that our bulletin is set up in the document server software,
it is time to enter the bulletin itself. All three pieces of software
deal with straight text files, so you will create the bulletin using
your regular text editor.
First, let's look at the technical aspects of bulletin writing,
such as limits imposed by the document server software. InfoMail
limits bulletins to 16k, whilst FDInt allows larger bulletins, but
gives the option to split messages above a size which you may specify.
NetMgr mentions no message size limits.
Both InfoMail and the registered version of NetMgr allow you to
include macros in your bulletin text, allowing you to personalise a
bulletin; the actual text of the posted message will change based upon
the bulletin and the requesting user's name and address. The
following table gives the macros:
Macro Purpose NetMgr InfoMail
------------------------------------------------------------
Name which the request was addressed to %to {I}
As above, but only the first name %fto -
Name of the user who posted the request %from {N}
As above, but only the first name %ffrom {F}
As above, but only the last name - {L}
Subject of the original message [1] %subj {D}
Subject of the outgoing message [1] %subj {S}
Requesting user's address %orig {U}
Document server's address %dest {A}
Time the message was written %time -
Year the message was written %year -
Month the message was written %mon -
Day of the month the message was written %day -
Day of the week the message was written %dow -
Number of bulletin accesses - {C}
Program name and version (document server) - {P}
------------------------------------------------------------
[1] NetMgr uses the same subject on inbound and outbound messages.
So, to make your posted bulletins more friendly and personalised, you
could include "Hi %ffrom!" or "Hi {F}!" at the top of your bulletin,
or you can make use of the other macros in the table.
As an added feature, InfoMail allows you to specify the minimum
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 3 12 Aug 1996
length of an expanded macro by including a number in the brace {}
characters. For example, {D16} would give the document name, expanded
to 16 characters. This is useful for including macros in tables or
other forms of formatted text.
Be careful to ensure that the message text does not include brace
characters {} if you are using InfoMail, or that if it does, the
document list editor has macros set to 'no' for that particular
document (this prevents macros from being expanded and leaves brace
characters in the bulletin text alone).
If you take a look at a stored netmail message (or an echomail
message for that matter), you will see that not every line is marked
by a carriage return. This is because Fidonet messages are
reformatted by your message reader in real time, so the message can be
displayed in the best way to suit your screen. Only a paragraph needs
to end with a carriage return.
This is particularly useful for GUI-based systems with
proportional fonts. You can take advantage of this capability in your
own bulletins, by only adding a linefeed at the end of a paragraph.
This looks a little ugly in most text editors, but it will look much
better to the recipient of your bulletin. It also solves the problem
of expanded macros, which can cause ugly reformatting of a message if
they cause the remote message editor's line length to be exceeded.
This tip applies to all three document servers.
Now for the less technical aspects of bulletin writing. The first
point is in line with message size limits. Although InfoMail is the
only program here which limits messages, there are some mail
processors which also have a limit.
Even if you are using NetMgr or FDInt, you may encounter problems
if outgoing bulletins exceed the maximum size that can be handled by
your uplink's mail processor, or the mail processor of some other
system along the bulletin's route. Bear in mind costs when creating
your bulletin as well; other systems might object to routing large
netmails, especially if the number of requests for a large bulletin is
high.
Publicity for your bulletin is a matter for some thought, and I
covered the issue tentatively in my more general article in FidoNews
1330. In my own bulletins I now include a little section at the end,
which gives details of who maintains the bulletin, who to address
comments and suggestions to, and how to obtain more information on the
same subject-- including bulletins by myself and others.
Further, more general, advice could be offered on bulletin
writing, such as presentation and clarity, but that is beyond both the
scope of this article and my level of experience as an amateur writer,
so I'll leave such things to your own judgement or to other sources.
From this tutorial you should have a better idea of what creating
a bulletin involves. For the sysop, it need not be much more complex
than offering local bulletins to the users of that sysop's BBS. Even
for points, the procedure is no great difficulty.
If you do take up the challenge of offering bulletins via netmail,
I strongly suggest you let us know about it in FidoNews, or if you
don't think that the bulletin is of wide enough interest, let me know
via netmail.
Some Final Notes
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 4 12 Aug 1996
I have tried to make sure the information in this tutorial is
complete and correct, but in the event of any ambiguity or plain
stupid mistakes, I take no responsibility :-) If you don't want your
computer faithfully crashmailing bulletins to all and sundry around
the world, make sure you test your setup!
On a more general and less negative note, I remind anyone wishing
to access a bulletin via routed netmail to include something in the
message body, even if the message body is ignored by the document
server. As Colin Turner reminds us in the documentation for FDInt,
some systems along the route may delete empty netmails.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hmmm... Would you believe FidoNews in HyperText format?
jim barchuk 1:141/355
jbarchuk@worldnet.att.net
====
Why Not!? [G]
Think about it... Margins, proportional font, hyperlinks. :)
Would this be FidoHyperNewsText? "I don't think so, Tim".
I will not be doing 'back issues', and it may take me a day or two to
mark up current issues as I receive them, but it sure Looks Good.
For a sample, see:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/6894/
...and 'follow the links'. Use the 'HTTP', -not- the 'FTP' link.
As there are quite a handful of files involved, each issue resides in
it's own subdirectory, such as '1332'.
====
Have a :) day!
jB-)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
=======================================================
Text format FidoNews back issues available via Internet
=======================================================
jim barchuk 1:141/355
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 5 12 Aug 1996
jbarchuk@worldnet.att.net
All back issues of FidoNews are available via:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/6894/
Files are in individual -text- format for casual online reading,
unlike fidonet.org and sstar.com which offer compressed/bulk files.
Available are HTTP/web browser interface and FTP/no frills interface.
====
A few limitations:
1) This is a somewhat 'part time' site, available appx. 8AM-11PM EST,
(-0500 GMT). Why? Right now I don't trust this sucker to run too
unattended, and I don't want to push AT&T Worldnet 'unlimited access'
-too- hard. :)
2) Presently limited to 14k4 bandwidth of my modem, but I don't think
anyone can read quite that fast. :)
3) Above, I wrote 'via:'. The files do not -reside- at Geocities, but
on my home server, linked via dynamic IP. This means you -can't-
-bookmark- the server itself because the address is liable to change
at any time. But bookmarking the Geocities page is fine.
====
New features coming as soon as I work out some CGI details:
1) Search engine; look for names/topics.
2) Online article editor; write and mail your article.
Any other frills anyone would like to see, feel free to ask. Yeah, I
know, 28k8 would be nice. :)
====
Another notes, MsgedSQ fans can find the current version at:
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/2423/
====
Have a :) day!
jB-)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Addicted to Fidonet, but not the Internet.
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 6 12 Aug 1996
Jonathan Ah Kit
3:771/160
Well, seeing some people have been lamenting about the apparent
decline of Fidonet, I thought I might write about as close I as I can
get to the opposite, by writing briefly about how I got into modeming,
and the advantages I see in Fidonet over the Internet. BTW no
disrespect meant to those people.
Yes, everyone time seems to fly everywhere. Don't tell me if I'm
wrong, but my brother tells me that Einstein once said that when one
is moving, time moves (albeit an very immeasurable amount) faster.
Maybe I should stay still all my life! ;-) Maybe that's why time seems
to be faster since I discovered Fidonet.
Anyway, I can't quite remember when I got onto Fidonet. I recall I got
suckered into buying a 2400 modem for NZ$125 in Oct. '94. Then I found
a copy of a respected Wellington BBS list compiled by a local sysop
and started my BBSing on an ancient comms program, both left over when
a friend of mine brought around his modem.
No more than about a year later, after getting hold of a better comms
program, I discovered Fidonet, as accidental as Charles Goodyear when
he discovered the process for vulcanised rubber. After discovering an
unusual program that craved .QWK files my new comms program apparently
installed, I logged onto a local BBS, and off it went.
OK. Enough about myself. Back to the subject I was meant to write
about... :)
IMHO, one 'thing' about Echomail from my teen view on life is (and has
been repeated trillions of times no doubt) that it has a more
refreshing atmosphere than the Internet's Usenet. While I'm still
stuck with a 2400 modem, which gets a bit of a problem if you haven't
downloaded mail for more than a week. Please don't flood my mailbox
with "CORRECTION!" but from what I understand it's a bit hard to reply
to postings on Usenet, because as far as I'm aware you don't have a
"TO:" line, making it I guess all that harder to follow a discussion.
At least that's all I understood when I used Usenet for a few times.
Earlier this year as the local freenet (WCC City Net) was due to
close, Fidonews came to my attention while viewing the new files list.
Great publication, and I've learnt a lot since I file-requested my
first 'copy'. Naturally, this is my first article writing something
for Fidonews. I am willing to admit I've never read an Internet e-zine
so I can't speak on that, but because we're (no offence intended to
anyone BTW) smaller, we can have one newsletter/magazine/e-zine that
can cover more easily quite a lot of items, and with a few extras like
the Calendar, and the ASCII Comix, other than an e-zine that has the
opportunity to cover at least ten million 'things' on the Internet.
I'm definitely not trying to bump up sysops' phone bills by the size
of our 80s national debt, let alone sending unnecessary netmail but I
myself am surprised by the speed of Fidonet. For example, I had a
NetMail from 1:270 at exactly Wed Jul 31 at 0628UTC, arriving in Zone
3 at 1358, arriving in N.Z. on Aug 01 at 0415. Got to my favourite BBS
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 7 12 Aug 1996
no more than twelve hours later at 1617. That's around 34 1/2 hours,
and IMHO because I check my mail once every couple days, that's no
problem for me, though I guess some people need virtually instant
e-mail. But for some people, and I hope there's some people like me,
don't usually need this sort of urgency, as is kind of available on
the Internet. But it does help when you need it.
I still use that Internet e-mail box primarily for sending mail to
relations because they have no idea what Fidonet is. Here may be a
place for more awareness. Personally, I like the idea of Fido-to-
Internet gateways, but equally if people keep abusing the gateways as
some people have been telling me has happened, I don't blame the
gateway operators for closing them. If people stay away from Fidonet,
my quick guess would be maybe we need to set up a more stable gateway
for Internet mail and guard against abuse, like ftpmail, et cetera.
Unfortunately, I guess I must mention costs. But with more Internet
Service Providers offering Fidonet access and BBS operators offering
apparently low-cost Internet mailboxes, my point may become an
unnecessary one.
If somehow we can capitalise on these points, I think we might just
have something great here. I guess that is what my personal opinion is
of Fidonet, especially Echomail, is at the moment. Fidonet itself may
be appearing to decline in popularity looking at the Zone2-view
nodelist stats in each Fidonews issue, but that definitely doesn't
matter. Internet has WWW in graphics, Internet has telnet, but we
still have our advantages, which we can use to our advantage.
How time flies in a year--maybe it's time for me to make it go by
faster by thinking about a new modem. ;-) Hope this long article
didn't put anyone off. Unfortunately my favourite BBS (GenBOARD/2)
doesn't appear to carry the Fidonews echo, so I won't hear much of the
discussion on this (maybe an article in reply in a future issue?), but
this is the positive side I see of Fidonet at the moment.
Thanks everyone,
Jonathan.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Why PRIME? Lots of good echos with nice people with both religious
and technical interests that prefer to converse without profanity
and obscenity. PRIME is not just for Christians only.
Please spread this info around. Thanks!!
As featured in Aug '93 BBS Caller's Digest and Dec '93 Online Access
***************************************************************
* __________ __________ ___ ________ *
* | | | | | |\ /| | *
* | | | | | | \ / | | *
* |________| |________| | | \ / | |______ *
* | | \ | | \/ | | *
* | | \ | | | | *
* | | \ | | | | *
* | | \ _|_ | | |_______ *
* *
* 'The sun never sets on the PRIME network' *
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 8 12 Aug 1996
***************************************************************
* PreRapture(tm) International Message Exchange *
***************************************************************
(A ministry of the Jesus Name Apostolic Holiness Church Inc.)
Hubs in NORTH AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA, EUROPE, and ASIA, including
BRAZIL, HONG KONG, SINGAPORE, NORWAY, BELGIUM, ITALY, KOREA
TEXAS (and Growing!)
PRIME really is the Only True Christian worldwide network on earth.
* Both Religious (Christian) and non-religious conferences. *
A wholesome, family oriented network with a strict policy
against profanity, lewdness, obscenity etc..
Features echos on educational and technical topics.
* Elaborate Bible Discussion and Debate * False Preachers Exposed *
919-286-2100 * 919-286-3606 * 919-286-3962
Using USRobotics Dual Standard Modems V.32bis V34-33,600
* FREQ PRIME.ZIP from 1:18/98 or 1:2245/104 for network kit *
**** Telnet to PRIME.ORG ***** http://www.prime.org
-={ HOLY_BIBLE Echo Conference }=-
Available through the PRIME Network and
on the FidoNet Zone 1 and Zone 2 Backbone
* The only true Christian Conference in FidoNet *
********
Acts 2:38 *++++++* John 3:5
*+ ** +*
**************+ ** +*************
*+++++++++++ ++++++++++*
*+ ******* HOLY_BIBLE ****** +*
*+++++++++++ ++++++++++*
**************+ ** +*************
*+ ** +*
Gal 1:8 *+ ** +* Mark 12:29
*+ ** +*
I Tim 3:16 *+ ** +* Acts 2:4
*+ ** +*
Isa 45:21 *+ ** +* Mark 16:16
*+ ** +*
Acts 10:46 *++++++* Acts 19:5
********
Hebrews 5:9 Acts 22:16 James 1:22
HOLY_BIBLE and WHOLLY_BIBLE (C)(tm)(sm) 1988-96 Steve Winter,
All rights reserved worldwide (with contributers
retaining all rights to their contributions)
A very strict conference designed to expose fakes
by requiring that doctrines be proven with scripture.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Fido - A Revolution?
By Damian Stamm
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 9 12 Aug 1996
1:273/406
A lot has been made in the past couple of weeks about the future
of Fidonet. Interestingly enough, this was a topic in the past
Fidonews' prior to going to detention for a couple of months.
However, the latest articles have clearly been more upbeat. After
reading several messages of "unless we do something Fido will die"
back in May, we are finally seeing people come through with solutions
and ideas.
But is anyone going to do anything about it? Will the people who
can best coordinate such an effort, the Z1C and ZEC, care enough to
put together such a plan? How will they be implimented? Are we doing
nothing more than advancing our state of CTS?
Certainly I was one who was published, worried about the future of
Fidonet and how the technology we are using today may cause us to
eventually fall to the hands of the Internet. The person I most
criticized, Z1C Bob Satti (referred amorously throughout the article
as B.S.) did not take too kindly to the article. But dear Robert, the
message was not just about attacking you personally for no good
reason. It's about doing something, ANYTHING, to help advance
Fidonet, other than sit there, read PC's and vote in favor of the RC
who votes for you (in this wonderful Cuban voting procedure we have in
Fidonet), and spend your time worrying about petty things such as
whether the Fidonews has a PGP signature because of a totally
insignificant section of P4.
But it is time to move forward. There have been several issues
brought up, one most interestingly being a standard graphical BBS that
Fidonet would use, updated message technology, and other ideas that
would help move Fidonet forward. Such a procedure would require
massive amounts of work with people around Fidonet, something that
hasn't been done since Tom Jennings creating Fido BBS.
In my opinion, the best people to take on such a task would be the
Z1C and the ZEC, Bruce Bodger. To gather a group of people around the
country, those who would be most qualified to take on such a task, and
to produce totally new software and technical standards for Fidonet.
If that means leaving someone who runs a TRS-80 with a 300 baud modem
out of the dark, SO BE IT. It's about damn time we started moving
forward instead of worrying about some poor schmuck who is so out of
date because he won't upgrade. I have heard repeatedly, beit in
Fidonews or the regional echo, how the *.msg format could easily be
replaces with a faster, more efficient technical standard. Why don't
we?
To do so would revolutionize and re-energize Fidonet. I agree
with Gregg Jennings in the past Fidonews that the source code be made
freely available, and make the new software freeware so that EVERYONE
can enjoy it, and that more hobby-sysops will join the network. This
can only benefit Fido.
To see the Z*'s put together some commission to take on such a
task would be a great positive for Fidonet. I hope I get a response
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 10 12 Aug 1996
from Bruce (the only one who has the balls to stay in touch with the
sysops of Fidonet,) in the ZEC echo, which I carry, or via netmail.
It is my belief that they are the ones who have the resources, and the
knowledge, as well as the position, to best impliment this idea. If
Bob Satti answers, that would be more than welcome too, as much of a
suprise it would be.
Let's see what happens - and hopefully, Fido will be around for at
least another 12 years.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A view from Russia: Fidonet is alive - a community of friends.
By Mikhail Ramendik,
2:5020/230.4, ramen@pccross.msk.su
In several issues of Fidonews, a certain topic is constantly
discussed. It is whether Fidonet will live or not, and if it will,
how it is going to compete with the Internet. Some of the proposed
'solutions' are, I believe, simply destructive and can result in real
death of Fidonet.
First of all, what IS Fidonet? Damian Walker has listed many options
in Fidonews #31, but IMHO he has missed the main one - as a Russian
saying goes, 'failed to notice the elephant'. He proposes various
USES of Fidonet rather than describing what it IS - which means that
it IS simply a certain technology (Fido Technology Net - FTN) and a
global nodelist.
Of course, FTN is a good technology (we'll return to this later) and
Fidonet certainly has the advantage of the global nodelist, making
crashmail possible. It is true that the technology has certain uses
(but some of them, like document/FAQ distribution by routed mail, are
simply not for Fidonet and cause great flame by overloaded hubs). But
all of the uses can be done via the Internet; one can make in
Internet BBS (what else is Compuserve anyway?). So some are inclined
to look at Fidonet as an 'amateur, free-of-charge Internet'.
To me this resembles calling the ham radio community an 'amateur CNN'.
Now look at the header of the very snoozie I'm writing for. It does
not say 'The newsletter of the FidoNet networking system', but 'of
the FidoNet BBS *community*'. (BTW to the Editor: why not remove the
long-obsolete 'BBS'?)
WE ARE A COMMUNITY! Not just a set of wirez and warez: the Internet
is much better at this. But if two Internetters (not writing to same
newsgroups) from the same town meet, they have nothing in common. But
if I, a Fidonetter from Russia, ever happen to meet a Fidonetter from
Africa or Australia, it will probably be a good beering and hours of
pleasant net-talk.
And we have the near perfect technology for a community. From fixed
links to personal echomail, FTN makes the thing that those who know
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 11 12 Aug 1996
each other, trust each other, talk to each other (personally or
electronically) love to use. The archived mail bundles may be
transferred not only by modem, but by everything from LAN to floppies
- enabling friends to overcome troubles.
And if some people want to make a community of their own, usually
smaller and with rules different from Fidonet - FTN is good for them
too, just number your own zone and go ahead. If within Fidonet you
want an echo of your own just for the few who are interested, you can
do it without the troubles of a mailing list. A filebone - just
install AllFix. I can not think of anything friends would want that
FTN does not provide.
And what about the Internet? It *is* wirez and warez. It is a good,
low-cost communication system. It might mostly replace routed
netmail, but who cares - in fact, I would like a standard FTN message
kludge for the email address to reply there if needed. But it will
never be, and is not intended to be, a community like us.
It has all the methods to transfer files (UUencode if you can't
afford FTP). It has speed and reliability far above that of
long-distance calls. We should not compete with it, but use it! In
fact, VMODEM has provided an excellent way for such use, and I know
of several IP FTN links feeding independent nodes and even nets in
remote Russian towns. But even without VMODEM, just via UUE and FTP,
we can take great advantage of the Internet's capability - while
using the same FTN, and therefore being able to revert to phone calls
in an hour or two if necessary.
Now I think I have made my point. But there is a trend which may
destroy the community. It is the promotion of 'cheaper than the
Internet' Fidonet communication to commercial and such users.
The Net should be, of course, open for everyone who wishes to join us.
But it should be because one wants to be in the community, not
because one wants cheaper email. We MUST NOT promote the Net semi-
commercially! We MUST NOT give out or sell 'BBS user starter
diskettes' of the kind that will make the user think it's a free
Compuserve! Otherwise, we will become just another set of wirez and
warez. And the Internet, with prices falling, will completely
eliminate us.
Let us remain friends!
Mikhail Ramendik,
Moscow, Russia
2:5020/230.4
ramen@pccross.msk.su
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 12 12 Aug 1996
=================================================================
FIDONET HISTORY
=================================================================
[This what we did in the 'old days' before there was Echomail. It is
provided here for its historical context in our continuing series of
articles relating the history of FidoNet. NOTE: the telephone numbers
and addresses have been struck from the text due to age.] Ed.
[original filedate 29 Aug 85]
SEARCH FOR DATA-CAPABLE
FIRE DEPARTMENTS
RELENTLESSLY CONTINUES
By Christopher Baker, Sysop,
Metro-Fire Fido, 18/14
==============================
Somewhere, among the countless 25,000+ readers of FidoNews,
there must be a few computer enthusiasts that are also involved with
their local Fire departments in some way (other than litigation, that
is). Even if it's only to buy a ticket to the Fireman's picnic.
Perhaps, you have a relative in the business? Maybe, you're a vendor
of goods and/or services to your local smoke-eaters? Or, perish the
thought, YOU might be one of the men/women in gray/blue/black/etc.!?
However you may be connected, I need your help. It is my intention
(and fondest hope) to bring together as many departments as I can find
into a national Fire network. The purpose of which will be to share
ideas, programs, tips, warnings, techniques, etc., and to provide a
common forum for the dissemination of information to as broad a base
as possible.
To begin this Herculean task, I need some input. If you belong to or
know of or work for a Fire/Rescue department, paid or volunteer, that
has telecommunication/data equipment, please give them a copy of this
article and urge them to contact me through FidoNet or U.S. Mail.
Send FidoMail to: Sysop, Fido 18/14. If you wish to sign-on as a user
of the board, make the message PRIVATE and include your sign-on name
(no handles, please), your City and State, the name and address and
phone number of your department, and the password you would like to
use. Please be sure to make the message PRIVATE when including
password information. All FidoMail requests for access will be
granted within 24 hours (usually, except for requests received on
Monday and Tuesday - my days off).
If you wish to send information via U.S. Mail, send to:
Christopher Baker
Metro-Dade Fire Communications
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Miami, FL 33173
Attention: Metro-Fire Fido.
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 13 12 Aug 1996
The results of this preliminary survey will determine the direction of
my grand design, so don't let this task languish, if you can help it.
I know most of you are very busy with your own operations, but this
could be the start of something big (where's Steve Allen, when you
need him?)!
Thank you, in advance. I'll be waiting to hear from all
of you.
[original filedate 30 Aug 85]
THE CONTINUING STORY OF
LINKING FIRE DEPARTMENT
OPERATIONS EVERYWHERE
INTO ONE COHESIVE
MASS
(What a Dream!)
By Christopher Baker, Sysop,
Metro-Fire Fido, 18/14
==============================
Our primary function, in the beginning, will be to assemble as many
depts as possible into a sub-net or a number of sub-nets to establish
a base for communication between depts across the country that would
not otherwise be aware of each other. While that is being accomplished
and once it is in force, our function will be to provide net
coordination and a central locus for collection and dissemination of
information of interest to all.
As you may or may not know, fire department operations bear little
resemblance to any other form of endeavor. This uniqueness begs (it
seems to me) for a common mode of communication to share ideas and
experiences as well as computer programs specific to fire dept ops.
For example, we have a dept of 1200+ members. We are writing a
specific program to automate the calling of overtime, which is now
done manually, that will automatically sort, file, compare
qualifications and produce an updated listing of who is next eligible
and qualified for overtime. With this many people and with all the
different levels and types of qualifications, calling overtime is a
genuine pain! Programs of this type could be shared with other
depts via the sub-net we are proposing. I also hope to get a tie-in to
the F.E.M.A. and National Fire Academy systems for bulletins and other
info.
Metro-Dade Fire & Rescue is in the process of setting up an
administrative data network consisting of this 3270 set-up and a
number of IBM ATs. This network will handle the daily, routine
paperwork and allow for individual site E-mail and program
development. This network will operate outside of the Dade County Data
Processing system and be exclusively for the use of our Dept. The
program development will be managed by a central office but the
programming efforts will come largely from volunteers from within the
Dept who work at it in their spare time or time allotted from their
normal duties for this purpose.
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 14 12 Aug 1996
The in-house AT network should develop some interesting applications
for this Dept that may be of use or interest to other depts,
regardless of size. These developments would be available to other
depts through the Fido sub-net I propose.
This is, generally, what I have in mind at present for the Fire Net. I
hope this information will be of assistance to those of you trying to
convince your departments that computers and data links are the future
and are beneficial for all concerned.
I appreciate the many responses to my article. If I can be of
further assistance to you, please do not hesitate to ask. FidoMail
sent on Mondays & Tuesdays is not processed until Wednesday (Mon-
Tue=my days off), otherwise any mail will be replied to on the next
FidoMail day.
If you would like access to our board, please send the name you wish
to sign on under and the password you would like to use by PRIVATE
FidoMail. Please include the name of your department, your city and
state, and a data or voice phone number you can be reached at. Your
access will be granted upon receipt. Send all requests marked PRIVATE
to Sysop, 18/14. If you wish to call the board and fill out a
verification questionnaire, please fell free to do so but be advised
that this method may slow down your access considerably. Our data
number is xxx-xxx-xxxx. If you have a question that needs a direct or
immediate answer, our voice line is xxx-xxx-xxxx. Voice contact is
only possible from 1430-2230, Wednesday through Sunday. (I'm off on
Monday and Tuesday.)
Thanks.
[original filedate 18 Oct 85]
==============================
WE'VE CHANGED OUR NET/NODE
BUT NOT OUR STRUGGLE!
By Christopher Baker, Sysop,
Metro-Fire Fido, 135/14
==============================
This is just to let everyone know that Metro-Fire Fido has moved to a
new net/node location in your trusty nodelist.
We are now part the Miami Area Network, Net 135. This too is
temporary, since we intend to form a Special Interest Region for Fire
Departments. Several departments are now studying the possibilities of
linking up with Fido and FidoNet. As soon as one or two more come
together, I will be applying for a Region number assignment.
You in FidoLand can continue to assist me in my endeavor by passing
these articles to anyone you know in any Fire Department anywhere.
(See also FidoNews 227 & 229.)
As an update, Metro-Fire Fido now has two doctors on-line for
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 15 12 Aug 1996
questions and answers related to EMS, Trauma Networks, Hyperbaric
Medicine, Diving Trauma, and General surgery and other medical
questions. We are looking for an Expert-in-Residence to take up the
gauntlet of Hazardous Materials, Water Rescue, Apparatus, Training,
Safety, and any other areas of interest to the Fire/Rescue Services.
Please feel free to lend your support/assistance/expertise or to
contribute information to our system. Verification for access to our
system can be made by FidoMail or call xxx-xxx-xxxx and leave
information to the Sysop. The board runs in the private mode from 2230
Sunday till 1800 Friday and in the semi-private mode from 1800 Friday
till 2230 Sunday.
If you want to communicate in writing, address your questions/requests
to:
Sysop
Metro-Fire Fido
Metro-Dade Fire & Rescue Department
Communications Bureau
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Miami, FL 33173
We'll be looking forward to your interest. Thank you.
C.B., 135/14
[original filedate 13 Nov 86]
*FireNet IS a Reality!
Christopher Baker
Metro-Fire Fido, 135/14(0)
East Coast Hub for FireNet
FireNet Meets Echomail
and
The Dream is Realized!
I have been writing articles for FidoNews since early 1985. One of my
goals, through these articles, has been to unite Fire and Rescue
Departments through FidoNet and generate some kind of meaningful
exchange of information. It has not been easy to get departments to
join in for one reason or another.
Many departments, only now, are becoming capable of supporting Fido
systems. Those that can are beginning to understand the potential.
Many others are unaware that Fido exists. It is my intention to keep
at it until EVERYONE knows about Fido, et al, and the possibilities
for mass communication of vital data (e.g. Hazardous Material
warnings, equipment updates, program availability, conference notices,
new services, etc.) within the Fire/EMS community.
Toward that end, a NEW Echomail conference has been established. The
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 16 12 Aug 1996
FireNet Echo, hosted by Colorado's FireNet Leader (128/16), is a
reality and available to any Node who wants to hook in.
This Echo is available from 128/16 in the West and from 135/14 in the
East. It encompasses the following Nodes: 128/16, 135/14, 104/610,
138/411, and 17/38. (Colorado's FireNet Leader, Metro-Fire Fido,
DIVE_LINK, The Dalmatian and 65' North, respectively.)
Anyone with an interest in the technical aspects of the Fire/EMS
services is welcome to participate in this Echo. At the moment, we are
discussing HazMat databases, hydraulic friction loss, wilderness
Search & Rescue, and a new CHEMTREC service via modem to registered
subscribers.
If you or someone you know is involved in Fire or EMS, paid or
volunteer, and has a PC and a modem and a desire to become part of a
new idea in inter-departmental communications, please give them a copy
of this article and have them call me or send Net mail to 135/14. If
anyone would like an ARC containing all of my previous Fire-related
articles to spread around to their local departments, let me know via
Net mail and I will file-attach it to you as soon as I receive your
request. (GET FIRENET.ARC)
If you prefer the U.S. Mail (and who would?), send requests to:
Christopher Baker
Metro-Fire Communications
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Miami, FL 33173
Telephone: xxx-xxx-xxxx (voice)
1430-2230, Mon-Fri
xxx-xxx-xxxx (data).
I would be happy to assist any department or organization in setting
up a Fido system. Join us!
[original filedate 19 May 88]
*FireNet Revisited
Christopher Baker
MetroFire - 135/14
FireNet Echo Recap for the Neophyte
Those of you new to FidoNet may have heard of FireNet but may not be
sure what FireNet is or what it does. Herein lies a brief synopsis.
Shortly after getting into FidoNet back in early 1985, it occurred to
me that the FidoNet structure was such that it could lend itself very
well all sorts of spin-off sub-nets. Having set up this system for
the fire department I work for (Metro-Dade Fire & Rescue in greater
Miami) as an experiment, I began to toy with the idea that a private
Net could be created that would allow direct and convenient message
communication between participating departments. The software was
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 17 12 Aug 1996
readily available, operated on most standard machines and modems, and
could be configured specifically for fire department use.
I began to write articles for FidoNews on the subject and began
contacting other departments and fire service types who might be
cajoled into participating in such a venture.
At that time, special interest Nets existed in FidoNet (since
abandoned as redundant) so I applied for and received the number Net
911 (now operating as a private Net) and started gathering interested
systems.
It wasn't until the advent of Jeff Rush's famous Echomail programs
that the real potential of the original idea began to emerge. Woody
Wood and Chuck Sanders of the Colorado Springs Fire Department and I
began to exchange ideas and plans and Woody and Chuck got Echomail
installed on their system and began to link-in other FidoNet systems.
Echomail was much easier to hook into for established systems and
gave a new dimension to the original concept of a sub-Net or private
Nodelist. For one thing, Echomail allowed users to participate without
having to set up a system, first. All anyone had to do was find a
system carrying FireNet and enter messages. This is how many
departments first became aware of the Echo. Many of those departments
went on to set up full-fledged FidoNet systems.
FireNet is now carried on the Echomail Backbone and has many
participating systems and even more users. A detailed account of the
structure of FireNet is in the works and will be related in this forum
by Chuck and Woody in a future article.
Basically, FireNet is an Echo conference devoted to the Fire, EMS
(Emergency Medical Services) and Public Safety sector. We discuss
equipment, procedures, service related software, hazardous materials,
service related legislation and other topics directly related to the
Fire Services. It has been a valuable tool in communication and
dissemination of bulletins and warnings.
FireNet is available to anyone who has an interest in the Fire/ Rescue
Services. It is available from the Host and western Hub (FireNet
Leader, 128/16), from the eastern Hub (MetroFire, 135/14), or from the
Echo Backbone. It is a moderated conference that anyone may read or
post Fire/Rescue Service messages of international interest. A list of
the systems carrying FireNet will appear in the Sanders/Wood article
soon to be published.
If you get a link into FireNet from the Backbone or your Regional Echo
Coordinator, please let Woody or Chuck know about it by sending a
Netmail message to 128/16. We are trying to compile a current list of
participating systems.
Try it. You'll like it. If you'd like to take a look at the Echo, you
can call MetroFire at xxx-xxx-xxxx or FireNet Leader at xxx-xxx-xxxx
or St. Joe's Hospital at xxx-xxx-xxxx or SoundingBoard at xxx-xxx-xxxx
for starters.
If you have any questions or comments, you may send them to me via
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 18 12 Aug 1996
Netmail to 135/14. I'll be happy to assist you in convincing YOUR
department to set up a system and get into the FireNet Echo. For a
complete ARC of all my previous FireNet articles and other FireNet
material, you may GET via SEAdog or other Bark request type program
the file FIRENET.ARC or just FIRENET. If you are unable to GET it, I
will send it upon receipt of a Netmail request.
FireNet. It's here. It works and it's growing.
[end of FireNet history]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 19 12 Aug 1996
=================================================================
COORDINATORS CORNER
=================================================================
Nodelist-statistics as seen from Zone-2 for day 222
By Ward Dossche, 2:292/854
ZC/2
+----+------+------------+------------+------------+------------+--+
|Zone|Nl-194|Nodelist-201|Nodelist-208|Nodelist-215|Nodelist-222|%%|
+----+------+------------+------------+------------+------------+--+
| 1 | 13092|12897 -195 |12786 -111 |12691 -95 |12622 -69 |40|
| 2 | 16486|16471 -15 |16462 -9 |16462 0 |16426 -36 |52|
| 3 | 1040| 1023 -17 | 1023 0 | 1023 0 | 1023 0 | 3|
| 4 | 648| 635 -13 | 636 1 | 637 1 | 637 0 | 2|
| 5 | 99| 99 0 | 99 0 | 99 0 | 99 0 | 0|
| 6 | 1228| 1228 0 | 1018 -210 | 1018 0 | 1020 2 | 3|
+----+------+------------+------------+------------+------------+--+
| 32593|32353 -240 |32024 -329 |31930 -94 |31827 -103 |
+------+------------+------------+------------+------------+
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 20 12 Aug 1996
=================================================================
NET HUMOR
=================================================================
Can you be a Sysop if you pass this test?
From: "Mike Riddle" <mriddle@monarch.papillion.ne.us>
To: "Baker, Christopher" <cbaker84@digital.net (Christopher Baker)>
Date: Tue, 23 Jul 96 08:58:00 -0500
Reply-To: "Mike Riddle" <mriddle@monarch.papillion.ne.us>
Subject: Re: [Fwd: Selections from the SAP]
On Mon, 22 Jul 1996 18:27:29 -0500, jenniferrose wrote:
From: Humor Net <rustin@prolog.net>
Subject: Selections from the SAP
SELECTIONS FROM THE SYSOP APTITUDE
PREPARATORY TEST (the S.A.P.)
ENGLISH
1. Which of the following is the correct answer to this question?
a. b. c. d. e. none of the above
2. ingot:bleak :: ingot:_______
a. tepid b. gold c. oak d. bologna e. bleak
3. pork:algae :: green:_______
a. six b. five c. ten d. marble e. red
4. mugger:park :: king:_______
a. castle b. burger c. queen d. Jacuzzi e. bleak
READING COMPREHENSION
Read the following carefully and answer the questions below.
In addition to the obvious effects of solar activity on the upper
atmosphere, some scientists contend that it also affects the weather.
These contentions, however, are for the most part unconfirmed and some
are very dubious. Even further afield, a British researcher on
epidemiology claimed last year that "the periods of world dominance of
successive major subtypes of influenza A virus have synchronized
closely with the periodicity of sunspots." Correlations of biomedical
phenomenon with solar activity, such as this one, are generally not
taken seriously by most Western scientists. Many researchers in the
Soviet Union, however, do believe in such possibilities, including
even a correlation of sunspots with outbreaks of plague-spreading
rodents in central Asia.
1. In what language is the British researcher speaking?
a. Japanese b. Urdu c. Bengali d. British e. Media
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 21 12 Aug 1996
2. The term "most Western" means
a. Hawaii b. John Ford's longest film c. nothing d. correct
3. A conclusion that could be drawn from this passage is
a. Russian scientists are idiots and Russia is full of rats
b. The sun has sunspots
c. Don't ask a question of a British researcher if you want an
answer
d. all of the above
MATHEMATICS
1. Which of the following is a number?
a. blue b. Jacques Cousteau c. watermelon d. John Doe e. 5
2. If Juan is fourteen and weighs 150 pounds, and Grover is nine and
weighs 70 pounds, what is the probability that Juan can get anything
he wants from Grover?
a. 0% b. 100% c. a and b d. a only e. b only
3. Delbert McBumm wants to pawn a hundred-dollar watch. The
pawnbroker gives him eleven dollars for it and then sells it for a
hundred and twenty-five.
What was the relative rate of mark-up in the watch in relation to
half of its worth, if the worth is calculated at three-quarters the
difference between the pawnbrokers's offer and 78% of Delbert's
assessment of the watch's value?
a. 100 b. 50 c. 75 d. 115 e. none of the above
/\50 6/\
5. Calculate the shaded area 6/ \__/ \2
of the figure at the right. / 2 |
a. 0 b. 50% c. c. only \ /\ |
d. the answer is a. 9\ /7 \ |10
e. go back, it's a. \/ 8\__|
>6. Grant McSwine is a repairman. If he tells Mr. White that it will
take him about 10 hours to do a specific job, how long will it really
take him?
a. six weeks b. half an hour c. about three hundred dollars
longer
d. not enough information because the type of repair is not
indicated
QUANTITATIVE COMPARISON
In the following questions you are asked to compare two quantities.
These quantities may be equal, or one may be bigger, or neither. On
your answer sheet choose a if b is bigger, choose b if a and b are
equal, choose c if a is bigger, choose d if neither one is bigger,
choose e if both are bigger, choose f if the answer cannot be
determined from the information given, choose g if you have no idea.
a. 2 b. 15
a. the area of a circle b. the area of a square
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 22 12 Aug 1996
whose area is 10 whose area is 10
a. my dad b. your dad
a. New York City b. Limpid, Iowa
a. something b. nothing
a. a mountain b. a molehill
* Courtesy of: 'Here Comes Treble'-Diverse Stuff For Diverse People *
/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\
/~\ /~\ Compliments of: "WEIRD THINGS" /~\ /~\
/~~~\ /~~~\ `````````````````````````````````` /~~~\ /~~~\
_/~~~~~\_/~~~~~\____Yet Another HUMOR NET Mailing!___/~~~~~\_/~~~~~\_
| ~~~~~~~ A Time Wasting Service of Rustin Kreider~~~~~~~ |
Direct SUBSCRIPTION and other /~~\ HUMOR NET is a daily humor service
\ information requests to: / Ho \ Your comments and submissions /
\ rustin@prolog.net / Hooo \ of HUMOR are very welcome. /
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 23 12 Aug 1996
=================================================================
COMIX IN ASCII
=================================================================
[With all the talk in FidoNews lately about the imminent demise of
FidoNet, here's something the doomsayers might want to adopt as their
naysaying logo. [snicker]] Ed.
--- Following message extracted from HOLYSMOKE @ 1:374/14 ---
By Christopher Baker on Wed Sep 06 21:36:20 1995
From: Christopher Baker
To: Dan Ceppa
Date: 06 Sep 95 21:36:08
Subj: Re: Re: Dead Dogs?
In a message dated: 04 Sep 95, Dan Ceppa stated:
DC> Found this on another Echo. Had to do a double-take on it,
DC> as it's rather subtle.....
DC> .--~~x__
DC> Darn ....,-------`~~x._.'
DC> That `-,,, ,_ ;'~U'
DC> Nietzsche! _,-' ,'`-__; '--.
DC> (_/'~~ ''''(;
okay. now, he's dead. [grin]
TTFN.
Chris
Origin: Rights On! - Titusville_FL_USA (1:374/14)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 24 12 Aug 1996
=================================================================
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
=================================================================
There is only one FidoNews [tm] but I hear there may be other local
newsletters published in other Zones.
The Question of the Week is:
Do you publish [read] a locally produced Fidonews and why and when
can we see one here?
Answers may be made via Netmail, email, or as submissions to FidoNews.
Thanks.
C.B.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 25 12 Aug 1996
=================================================================
NOTICES
=================================================================
Future History
15 Aug 1996
Liberation Day, South Korea
12 Oct 1996
General Elections, New Zealand.
29 Oct 1996
Republic Day, Turkey.
5 Nov 1996
Election day, U.S.A.
5 Nov 1996
Guy Fawkes Day, England.
1 Dec 1996
Twelfth Anniversary of FidoNews Volume 1, Issue 1.
12 Dec 1996
Constitution Day, Russia
26 Jan 1997
Australia Day, Australia.
6 Feb 1997
Waitangi Day, New Zealand.
16 Feb 1997
Eleventh Anniversary of invention of Echomail by Jeff Rush.
29 Feb 1997
Nothing will happen on this day.
11 Jun 1997
Independence Day, Russia
26 Jul 1997
FidoNews Editor turns 48.
6 Dec 1997
Gallileo takes close-ups of Europa to resolution
of 11 meters at the north pole.
1 Dec 1998
Fifteenth Anniversary of release of Fido version 1 by
Tom Jennings.
15 Sep 2000
Sydney (Australia) Summer Olympiad opens.
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 26 12 Aug 1996
-- If YOU have something which you would like to see in this
Future History, please send a note to the FidoNews Editor.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 27 12 Aug 1996
=================================================================
FIDONET SOFTWARE LISTING
=================================================================
Latest Greatest Software Versions
by Peter E. Popovich, 1:363/264
Hello again from sunny Orlando, where things are odd, except when
they're even. I got about 6 netmails with info for updates, more than
I expected for my first week. Most of the info I got is summarized
below.
While I'm overjoyed to see the response -- at least 6 people actually
noticed the column -- a lot of the messages raised more questions than
they answered. I want to provide complete info in my updates, but
that means I have to get complete info from submitters or I have to
go search out the info. To help ease this, I'm including a form below.
Most important: Where possible, I plan to verify everything with the
author. Don't assume I know who wrote what. Being sure you include
the author's name and node number can save me as much as an hour per
package. Multiply by 100 packages and you can understand why I'm
interested in getting complete info the first time... ;-)
A bit of insight: My goal is to see this column again become a
recognized standard. Hopefully, authors will issue updates directly
as a matter of habit. I'll be happy to return the favor by including
a leading blurb about their new releases.
A note about ifmail: Eugene Crosser writes ifmail, but doesn't run
CM; publishing his node in the list would be inappropriate. Pablo
Saratxga maintains a set of patches to the ifmail source, called 'tx'.
Pablo was kind enough to offer to keep the vanilla ifmail source up
for FREQ so I could list it as well. Kudos, Pablo.
-=- Snip -=-
Submission form for the Latest Greatest Software Versions column
OS Platform :
Software package name :
Version :
Function(s) - BBS, Mailer, Tosser, etc. :
Freeware / Shareware / Commercial? :
Author / Support staff contact name :
Author / Support staff contact node :
Magic name (at the above-listed node) :
Please include a sentence describing what the package does.
Please send updates and suggestions to: Peter Popovich, 1:363/264
-=- Snip -=-
MS-DOS (pending verification or other work on my end):
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 28 12 Aug 1996
Remove Tritel 2.0; Add TriBBS 10.0, TriToss 10.0, and TriDog 10.0
Update: D-Bridge 1.58, Intermail 2.29, BinkleyTerm 2.60, ARJ 2.50,
ARC 6.02 (7.12 commercial), PKZIP 2.04g
Investigate: FrontDoor 2.20 or 2.30 (varies: 2.02.nc, 2.12.sw, etc.)
Xlax 2.54 (need clarification, XlaxDiff is up to 2.57)
Add: Announcer by Peter Karlsson, 2:204/145.42
MS-DOS:
Program Name Version F S Contact Name Node Magic Name
----------------------------------------------------------------------
InfoMail 1.11 O F Damian Walker 2:2502/666 INFOMAIL
Unix:
Program Name Version F S Contact Name Node Magic Name
----------------------------------------------------------------------
ifmail 2.8e M G Pablo Saratxga 2:293/2219 IFMAIL
ifmail-tx 2.8e-tx7.6 M G Pablo Saratxga 2:293/2219 IFMAILTX
F: B-BBS, M-Mailer, N-Nodelist, T-Tosser, C-Compression, O-Other
Note: Multifunction will be listed by the first match.
S: F-Freeware, S-Shareware, C-Commercial, X-Crippleware, G-Source
Old info from: 01/27/92
---------------------------------------------------------------------
MS-DOS Systems
--------------
BBS Software NodeList Utilities Compression
Name Version Name Version Utilities
-------------------- -------------------- Name Version
ADTBBS 1.50@ EditNL 4.00 --------------------
Aurora 1.32b FDND 1.10 ARC 7.12
DMG 2.93 MakeNL 2.31 ARJ 2.20
DreamBBS 1.05 Parselst 1.33 LHA 2.13
Fido/FidoNet 12.21 Prune 1.40 PAK 2.51
Genesis Deluxe 3.2 SysNL 3.14 PKPak 3.61
GSBBS 3.02 XlatList 2.90 PKZip 1.10
Kitten 1.01 XlaxNode/Diff 2.53
Lynx 1.30
Maximus-CBCS 2.00
Merlin 1.39n Other Utilities(A-M) Other Utilities(N-Z)
Opus 1.73a* Name Version Name Version
Oracomm 5.M.6P@ -------------------- --------------------
Oracomm Plus 6.E@ 2DAPoint 1.50* Netsex 2.00b
PCBoard 14.5a 4Dog/4DMatrix 1.18 OFFLINE 1.35
Phoenix 1.07* ARCAsim 2.31 Oliver 1.0a
ProBoard 1.20* ARCmail 3.00* OSIRIS CBIS 3.02
QuickBBS 2.75 Areafix 1.20 PKInsert 7.10
RBBS 17.3b ConfMail 4.00 PolyXarc 2.1a
RemoteAccess 1.11* Crossnet 1.5 QM 1.00a
SimplexBBS 1.05 DOMAIN 1.42 QSort 4.04
SLBBS 2.15C* DEMM 1.06 RAD Plus 2.11
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 29 12 Aug 1996
Socrates 1.11 DGMM 1.06 Raid 1.00
SuperBBS 1.12* DOMAIN 1.42 RBBSMail 18.0
SuperComm 0.99 EEngine 0.32 ScanToss 1.28
TAG 2.5g EMM 2.11* ScMail 1.00
TBBS 2.1 EZPoint 2.1 ScEdit 1.12
TComm/TCommNet 3.4 FGroup 1.00 Sirius 1.0x
Telegard 2.7* FidoPCB 1.0s@ SLMail 2.15C
TPBoard 6.1 FNPGate 2.70 SquishMail 1.00
TriTel 2.0* GateWorks 3.06e StarLink 1.01
WildCat! 3.02* GMail 2.05 TagMail 2.41
WWIV 4.20 GMD 3.10 TCOMMail 2.2
XBBS 1.77 GMM 1.21 Telemail 1.5*
GoldEd 2.31p TGroup 1.13
GROUP 2.23 TIRES 3.11
Network Mailers GUS 1.40 TMail 1.21
Name Version Harvey's Robot 4.10 TosScan 1.00
-------------------- HeadEdit 1.18 UFGATE 1.03
BinkleyTerm 2.50 HLIST 1.09 VPurge 4.09e
D'Bridge 1.30 IMAIL 1.20 WEdit 2.0@
Dreamer 1.06 InterPCB 1.31 WildMail 2.00
Dutchie 2.90c ISIS 5.12@ WMail 2.2
FrontDoor 2.02 Lola 1.01d WNode 2.1
InterMail 2.01 Mosaic 1.00b XRS 4.99
Milqtoast 1.00 MailBase 4.11a@ XST 2.3e
PreNM 1.48 MSG 4.5* YUPPIE! 2.00
SEAdog 4.60 MSGED 2.06 ZmailH 1.25
SEAmail 1.01 MsgLnk 1.0c ZSX 2.40
TIMS 1.0(mod8) MsgMstr 2.03a
MsgNum 4.16d
MSGTOSS 1.3
OS/2 Systems
------------
BBS Software Other Utilities(A-M Other Utilities(N-Z)
Name Version Name Version Name Version
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Kitten 1.01 ARC 7.12 oMMM 1.52
Maximus-CBCS 2.00 ARC2 6.01 Omail 3.1
SimplexBBS 1.04.02+ ConfMail 4.00 Parselst 1.33
EchoStat 6.0 PKZip 1.02
EZPoint 2.1 PMSnoop 1.30
Network Mailers FGroup 1.00 PolyXOS2 2.1a
Name Version GROUP 2.23 QSort 2.1
-------------------- LH2 2.11 Raid 1.0
BinkleyTerm 2.50 MSG 4.2 Remapper 1.2
BinkleyTerm(S) 2.50 MsgEd 2.06c SquishMail 1.00
BinkleyTerm/2-MT MsgLink 1.0c Tick 2.0
1.40.02 MsgNum 4.16d VPurge 4.09e
SEAmail 1.01
Xenix/Unix 386
--------------
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 30 12 Aug 1996
BBS Software Network Mailers Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
ARC 5.21
C-LHARC 1.00
MsgEd 2.06
|Contact: Willy Paine 1:343/15,| MSGLINK 1.01
|or Eddy van Loo 2:285/406 | oMMM 1.42
Omail 1.00
ParseLst 1.32
Unzip 3.10
VPurge 4.08
Zoo 2.01
QNX
---
BBS Software Network Mailers Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
QTach2 1.09 QMM 0.50s Kermit 2.03
QCP 1.02
NodeList Utilities Archive Utilities QSave 3.6
Name Version Name Version QTTSysop 1.07.1
-------------------- -------------------- SeaLink 1.05
QNode 2.09 Arc 6.02 XModem 1.00
LH 1.00.2 YModem 1.01
Unzip 2.01 ZModem 0.02f
Zoo 2.01
Apple II
--------
BBS Software Network Mailers Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
DDBBS + 8.0* Fruity Dog 2.0 deARC2e 2.1
GBBS Pro 2.1 ProSel 8.70*
ShrinkIt 3.30*
|Contact: Dennis McClain-Furmanski 1:275/42| ShrinkIt GS 1.04
Apple CP/M
----------
BBS Software Network Mailers Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Daisy 2j Daisy Mailer 0.38 Filer 2-D
MsgUtil 2.5
Nodecomp 0.37
PackUser 4
UNARC.Com 1.20
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 31 12 Aug 1996
Macintosh
---------
BBS Software Network Mailers Other Software
Name Version Name Version Name Version
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
FBBS 0.91 Copernicus 1.0 ArcMac 1.3
Hermes 1.6.1 Tabby 2.2 AreaFix 1.6
Mansion 7.15 Compact Pro 1.30
Precision Sys. 0.95b EventMeister 1.0
Red Ryder Host 2.1 Export 3.21
Telefinder Host Import 3.2
2.12T10 LHARC 0.41
MacArd 0.04
Mantissa 3.21
Point System Mehitable 2.0
Software OriginatorII 2.0
Name Version PreStamp 3.2
-------------------- StuffIt Classic 1.6
Copernicus 1.00 SunDial 3.2
CounterPoint 1.09 TExport 1.92
MacWoof 1.1 TimeStamp 1.6
TImport 1.92
Tset 1.3
TSort 1.0
UNZIP 1.02c
Zenith 1.5
Zip Extract 0.10
Amiga
-----
BBS Software Network Mailers Other Software
Name Version Name Version Name Version
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
4D-BBS 1.65 BinkleyTerm 1.00 Areafix 1.48
DLG Pro. 0.96b TrapDoor 1.80 AReceipt 1.5
Falcon CBCS 1.00 WelMat 0.44 ChameleonEdit 0.11
Starnet 1.0q@ ConfMail 1.12
TransAmiga 1.07 ElectricHerald 1.66
XenoLink 1.0 Compression FFRS 1.0@
Utilities FileMgr 2.08
Name Version Fozzle 1.0@
NodeList Utilities -------------------- Login 0.18
Name Version AmigArc 0.23 MessageFilter 1.52
-------------------- booz 1.01 Message View 1.12
ParseLst 1.66 LHARC 1.30 oMMM 1.50
Skyparse 2.30 LhA 1.10 PolyXAmy 2.02
TrapList 1.40 LZ 1.92 RMB 1.30
PkAX 1.00 Roof 46.15
UnZip 4.1 RoboWriter 1.02
Zippy (Unzip) 1.25 Rsh 4.07a
Zoo 2.01 Tick 0.75
TrapToss 1.20
|Contact: Maximilian Hantsch 2:310/6| Yuck! 2.02
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 32 12 Aug 1996
Atari ST/TT
-----------
BBS Software Network Mailers Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
FIDOdoor/ST 2.5.1 BinkleyTerm 2.40n9 ApplyList 1.00@
FiFo 2.1v The Box 1.95* Burep 1.1
LED ST 1.00 ComScan 1.04
MSGED 1.99 ConfMail 4.10
QuickBBS/ST 1.06* NodeList Utilities Echoscan 1.10
Name Version FDrenum 2.5.2
-------------------- FastPack 1.20
Compression ParseList 1.30 Import 1.14
Utilities EchoFix 1.20 oMMM 1.40
Name Version sTICK/Hatch 5.50 Pack 1.00
-------------------- Trenum 0.10
ARC 6.02
LHARC 2.01i
PackConvert
STZip 1.1*
UnJARST 2.00
WhatArc 2.02
Archimedes
----------
BBS Software Network Mailers Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
ARCbbs 1.61 BinkleyTerm ARC 1.20
Odyssey 0.37 2.06f-wimp !AskFor 1.01
RiscBBS 0.9.85m BatchPacker 1.00
DeLZ 0.01
MailED 0.95
NetFile 1.00
ParseLst 1.30
Raul 1.01
!Spark 2.16
!SparkMail 2.08
!SparkPlug 2.14
UnArj 2.21
UnZip 3.00
Zip 1.00
Tandy Color Computer 3 (OS-9 Level II)
--------------------------------------
BBS Software Compression Utility Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
RiBBS 2.02+ Ar 1.3 Ascan 1.2
DeArc 5.12 AutoFRL 2.0
OS9Arc 1.0 Bundle 2.2
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 33 12 Aug 1996
UnZip 3.10 CKARC 1.1
UnLZH 3.0 EchoCheck 1.01
FReq 2.5a
LookNode 2.00
ParseLST
PReq 2.2
RList 1.03
RTick 2.00
UnBundle 1.4
UnSeen 1.1
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Key to old info:
+ - Netmail Capable (Doesn't Require Additional Mailer Software)
* - Recently Updated Version
@ - New Addition
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Please send updates and suggestions to: Peter Popovich, 1:363/264
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 34 12 Aug 1996
=================================================================
FIDONEWS PUBLIC-KEY
=================================================================
[this must be copied out to a file starting at column 1 or
it won't process under PGP as a valid public-key]
-----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----
Version: 2.6.2
Comment: Clear-signing is Electronic Digital Authenticity!
-----END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----
Pending a formal decision about including 'encrypted' material inside
FidoNews from the Zone Coordinator Council, the guts of the FidoNews
public-key have been removed from this listing.
File-request FNEWSKEY from 1:1/23 [1:374/14] or download it from the
Rights On! BBS at 1-407-383-1372 anytime except 0100-0130 ET and Zone
1 ZMH at 1200-9600+ HST/V32B.
This section will contain only this disclaimer and instructions until
a ZCC decision is forwarded to the Editor.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 35 12 Aug 1996
=================================================================
FIDONEWS INFORMATION
=================================================================
------- FIDONEWS MASTHEAD AND CONTACT INFORMATION ----------------
Editor: Christopher Baker
Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell,
Vince Perriello, Tim Pozar,
Tom Jennings, Sylvia Maxwell,
Donald Tees
"FidoNews Editor"
FidoNet 1:1/23
BBS 1-407-383-1372, 300/1200/2400/14400/V.32bis/HST(ds)
more addresses:
Christopher Baker -- 1:374/14, cbaker84@digital.net
cbak.rights@opus.global.org
(Postal Service mailing address)
FidoNews Editor
P.O. Box 5921
Titusville, FL 32783-5921
U.S.A.
voice: 1-407-264-2994 [1400-2100 ET only, please]
[1800-0100 UTC/GMT]
------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews is 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 1996 Christopher Baker. All rights reserved. Duplication
and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For
use in other circumstances, please contact the original authors, or
the Editor.
=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=
OBTAINING COPIES: The most recent issue of FidoNews in electronic
form may be obtained from the FidoNews Editor via manual download or
file-request, or from various sites in the FidoNet and Internet.
PRINTED COPIES may be obtained by sending SASE to the above postal
address. File-request FIDONEWS for the current Issue. File-request
FNEWS for the current month in one archive. Or file-request specific
back Issue filenames in distribution format [FNEWSDnn.LZH] for a
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 36 12 Aug 1996
particular Issue. Monthly Volumes are available as FNWSmmmy.ZIP
where mmm = three letter month [JAN - DEC] and y = last digit of the
current year [6], i.e., FNWSMAY6.ZIP for all the Issues from May 96.
Annual volumes are available as FNEWSn.ZIP where n = the Volume number
1 - 12 for 1984 - 1995, respectively. Annual Volume archives range in
size from 48K to 1.2M.
INTERNET USERS: FidoNews is available via:
http://www.fidonet.org/fidonews.htm
ftp://ftp.fidonet.org/pub/fidonet/fidonews/
STAR SOURCE for ALL Past Issues via FTP and file-request:
Available for FReq from 1:396/1 or by anonymous FTP from ftp.sstar.com
in the FIDONET\FNEWS directory:
FNEWSTOC.ZIP FidoNews, Table of Contents, all issues (1984 - 1995)
FNEWS1.ZIP FidoNews, Vol. 1, all issues (1984)
FNEWS2.ZIP FidoNews, Vol. 2, all issues (1985)
FNEWS3.ZIP FidoNews, Vol. 3, all issues (1986)
FNEWS4.ZIP FidoNews, Vol. 4, all issues (1987)
FNEWS5.ZIP FidoNews, Vol. 5, all issues (1988)
FNEWS6.ZIP FidoNews, Vol. 6, all issues (1989)
FNEWS7.ZIP FidoNews, Vol. 7, all issues (1990)
FNEWS8.ZIP FidoNews, Vol. 8, all issues (1991)
FNEWS9.ZIP FidoNews, Vol. 9, all issues (1992)
FNEWSA.ZIP FidoNews, Vol. 10, all issues (1993)
FNEWSB.ZIP FidoNews, Vol. 11, all issues (1994)
FNEWSC.ZIP FidoNews, Vol. 12, all issues (1995)
FNEWSD01.ZIP FidoNews, Vol. 13, Nr. 01 (January 1, 1996)
FNEWSD02.ZIP FidoNews, Vol. 13, Nr. 02 (January 8, 1996)
(etc)
FNEWSD31.ZIP FidoNews, Vol. 13, Nr. 31 (July 29, 1996)
FNEWSD32.ZIP FidoNews, Vol. 13, Nr. 32 (August 5, 1996)
(etc)
Each yearly archive also contains a listing of the Table-of-Contents
for that year's issues. The total set is currently about 11 Megs.
=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=
A PGP generated public-key is available for the FidoNews Editor from
1:1/23 [1:374/14] by file-request for FNEWSKEY or by download from
Rights On! BBS at 1-407-383-1372 as FIDONEWS.ASC in File Area 18. It
is also posted twice a month into the PKEY_DROP Echo available on the
Zone 1 Echomail Backbone.
*=*=*=*=*
Anyone interested in getting a copy of the INTERNET GATEWAY FAQ may
file-request GISFAQ.ZIP from 1:133/411.0, or send an internet message
to fidofaq@gisatl.fidonet.org. No message or text or subject is
necessary. The address is a keyword that will trigger the automated
response. People wishing to send inquiries directly to David Deitch
FIDONEWS 13-33 Page 37 12 Aug 1996
should now mail to fidonet@gisatl.fidonet.org rather than the
previously listed address.
*=*=*=*=*
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 Editor, or file-requestable
from 1:1/23 as file "ARTSPEC.DOC". ALL Zone Coordinators also have
copies of 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.
"Disagreement is actually necessary,
or we'd all have to get in fights
or something to amuse ourselves
and create the requisite chaos."
-Tom Jennings
-30-
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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