424 lines
18 KiB
Plaintext
424 lines
18 KiB
Plaintext
Fido/FidoNet Specifications & Prices, June 89
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Fido Software
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164 Shipley
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San Francisco CA 94107
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voice: (415)-764-1688
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data: (415)-764-1629
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Fido/FidoNet is a software package for DOS based Personal<61>
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Computers that contains a complete Bulletin Board System plus a<>
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fully automatic Electronic Mail system.
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Fido is the most popular Bulletin Board system in the world<6C>
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because of its flexibility, reliability, and features; FidoNet is<69>
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the software that defined the FidoNet protocol now in use around<6E>
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the world. The worlds largest privately-owned computer network is<69>
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based upon the FidoNet communications protocol.
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Fido(r) Bulletin Board System:
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Absolute security
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Complete caller access controls
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200 independent message & file areas
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Complete Email and message commands
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Fully error correcting file transfer protocols
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Supports all major DOS/MSDOS Personal Computers
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Callers, commands, message and file areas can all have separate<74>
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privilege levels and Locks & Keys applied to them; these let you<6F>
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limit callers' access to any part of the Fido system to fit your<75>
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needs.
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FidoNet(r) Electronic Mail Network:
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Completely automatic Electronic Mail
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Full error correction protocol
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Extensive time-of-day event scheduling
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Powerful message routing language
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Automatic message routing
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FidoNet is an automatic "store-and-forward" mail system that uses<65>
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modems to transfer messages and files between
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FidoNet-equipped computers. Using Fido, you enter messages,<2C>
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choosing the destination computer(s) from a list; later, FidoNet<65>
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automatically transfers those messages to the destination<6F>
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computers. Fido/FidoNet will inform you when the message has been<65>
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successfully sent. There can be any number of messages pending to<74>
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any number of destination computers. FidoNet's routing language<67>
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and other resources let you control exactly how and when FidoNet<65>
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messages are sent. All transfers use error correction for<6F>
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absolute reliability (Fido supports both the original and<6E>
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universal FidoNet protocol, as well as the WaZoo protocol,<2C>
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developed by Wynn Wagner).
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FidoNet networks can be organized into "Nets" and "Regions"<22>
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(FidoNet also has "Zones", groups of Nets and Regions, that<61>
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handle the problems of intercontinental traffic; differences in<69>
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time zones, incompatible modems, outgoing "gateways" for lowest<73>
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cost, and so on), each of which can contain any number of<6F>
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computers running the Fido/FidoNet software, or compatibles,<2C>
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(nodes) one of which is designated Host for the Net. A Host<73>
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receives mail for the entire Net, and distributes the mail to its<74>
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local nodes. FidoNet is intelligent enough to send all messages<65>
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for a given net in one phone call; you can get further efficiency<63>
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with the routing language.
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FidoNet networks can be as small as two or three computers, or as<61>
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large as 5,000 spread over five continents, the size of the<68>
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amateur hobbyist IFNA Network as of January, 1989.
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System Description
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Ease of use: Fido/FidoNet is extremely easy to use, and is<69>
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compatible with just about any users terminal program or<6F>
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computer. The user interface does not get in the way of<6F>
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communicating; there are only two levels of menus. Users see only<6C>
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what they need; novices find an easy to understand selection of<6F>
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simple commands, and experts can choose a brief prompt. Context<78>
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sensitive help is available at all decision points.
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Reliability: Fido/FidoNet is designed first and foremost for<6F>
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reliability, meaning it will run 24 hours a day for months at a<>
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time with no human intervention. (Obviously this doesn't include<64>
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responding to callers questions or other such things.) Tools are<72>
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provided that handle all routine maintenance tasks automatically.
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Performance: Fido/FidoNet makes excellent use of ordinary<72>
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computers; "PC class" computers are all that's needed. ("AT<41>
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class" or better are recommended at 9600 baud and above.)
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More than one modem: While Fido/FidoNet supports only one modem,<2C>
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you can run more than one copy of Fido/FidoNet per computer using<6E>
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multitasker programs. Fido/FidoNet prevents file and message<67>
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"collisions" when there are other users reading and writing the<68>
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same messages and downloading or uploading files, and for some<6D>
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multitaskers will give unused CPU time to the other Fido/FidoNet.<2E>
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See "Supported Operating Systems" for the current list of<6F>
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supported multitaskers.
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Low disk space overhead: A 20 Megabyte hard disk means<6E>
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essentially unlimited space; room for thousands of messages,<2C>
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files, a 4,000+ node FidoNet network, and plenty of disk space<63>
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left over.
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For a sample "small scale" system, with only two 360K floppies<65>
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and 256K of memory, there is room for all of the basic<69>
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Fido/FidoNet system utilities plus your text editor and other<65>
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tools, over 200 messages, and close to 100K bytes free. The same<6D>
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system with a 1,600 node FidoNet Network can have approximately<6C>
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80 messages.
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Modem Handling: Fido/FidoNet achieves extremely high reliability<74>
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with ordinary modems. During idle periods, Fido/FidoNet "talks<6B>
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to" the modem to make sure it is ready and working. (While of<6F>
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course modems are not supposed to misbehave, in real life they<65>
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can get confused by callers' strange and incompatible modems,<2C>
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improper operation, bad phone lines, and the very cheap modems<6D>
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frequently have firmware bugs. Fido/FidoNet generally takes care<72>
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of all of these things. Almost all problems reported to Fido<64>
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Software are modem-related problems!) Incoming callers' baud rate<74>
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is determined automatically; callers do not have to hit the<68>
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"ENTER" key to get the systems attention. Outgoing calls made by<62>
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FidoNet (if so enabled) watch for busy, no-dial-tone, and other<65>
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features as supported by each modem.
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Caller DataBase: Each caller to the system has a record in a<>
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database that maintains each callers name, password, terminal
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specific settings, privilege levels and controls, and various<75>
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statistics. Tools provided manipulate these records both manually<6C>
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and automatically. The number of callers is limited only by disk<73>
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space.
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System Messages and Bulletins: Fido/FidoNet uses ordinary text<78>
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files for most system messages and bulletins, that are meant to<74>
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be customized for your installation. When displaying and entering<6E>
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text, the Fido takes into account each callers terminal settings,<2C>
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such as screen width and length, and performs on-screen<65>
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formatting for a clean display.
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Access Controls: There are six privilege levels that callers can<61>
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be assigned. You can specify minimum privilege levels needed to<74>
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access commands and message and file areas.
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In addition to privilege levels, there are 32 "locks" with<74>
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matching "keys". Locks are be applied to things such as commands<64>
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and message and file areas; callers may be given any number of<6F>
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keys. Callers can access only those things for which they have<76>
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all of the matching keys, plus meet the privilege level<65>
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requirements. For example, if the E)nter-Message command has lock<63>
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#20 applied, only callers that have Key #20, plus any necessary<72>
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minimum privilege levels, can use, see or get help with that<61>
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command.
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Limits can be placed on each callers' connect-time on the system<65>
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per-call and per-24-hour period, and on file downloads. Time<6D>
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limits are enforced at all times, including file download and<6E>
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upload, so that scheduled Events are not preempted by caller file<6C>
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downloads or uploads. ("Optional" events, described elsewhere,<2C>
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may be preempted by human callers.)
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Context-Sensitive Help System: Help is
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context-sensitive, taking into account what commands the caller<65>
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has access to because of privilege levels or locks and keys. Help<6C>
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is available on every command in the system. The Help files are<72>
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text files that can be customized to fit your specific needs.
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Message Areas: There can be up to 200 separate message areas,<2C>
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each with access controls as described above. The number of<6F>
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messages in each area is limited only by disk space. Callers can<61>
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enter new messages, modify existing saved messages, search for<6F>
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messages by keyword or as addressed to or from them, and perform<72>
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many other operations upon messages. Help is available at all<6C>
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decision points.
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File Areas: There can be up to 200 independent file areas, with<74>
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access controls as described earlier. There are a number of ways<79>
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in which to make files available (or not) to callers. Commands<64>
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and functions have been added to make remote maintenance of file<6C>
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areas and other parts of the disk easier for the system operator.<2E>
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Files can be uploaded and downloaded in ASCII, ZMODEM, XMODEM,<2C>
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Telink, "MODEM BATCH" or Kermit protocols. XMODEM is nearly<6C>
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universal, and can handle binary files; ZMODEM has performance to<74>
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match high-performance modems; Kermit and ASCII are used between<65>
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otherwise-incompatible computers.
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Fido Software's "FidoTerm" program works well with Fido/FidoNet<65>
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(or any other modem based system).
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Programmed events: There can be up to 100 "Events", scheduled to<74>
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run at any time of the day and any day of the week. Events allow<6F>
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Fido/FidoNet to run FidoNet network mail, execute external<61>
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programs via DOS Batch Files, and other events for various<75>
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special purposes. The events system can handle simultaneous<75>
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and/or overlapping events, special "optional" events, and<6E>
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combinations of events and special characteristics. ("Optional"<22>
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events can be used, for example, to simulate "background" FidoNet<65>
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network activity while no caller is otherwise occupying the<68>
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system.)
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FidoNet mail at any time: Fido/FidoNet can send or receive mail<69>
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to and from other Fido/FidoNet systems at any time a caller is<69>
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not occupying the system, as well as during scheduled FidoNet<65>
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Network Events. Optionally, Fido/FidoNet can execute external<61>
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programs via a DOS Batch File to do special processing of<6F>
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unscheduled Incoming Mail.
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Other Features & Enhancements: You can sign in to the system from<6F>
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the local keyboard, as if you had called in remotely with a<>
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modem, without "taking down" the system. Upcoming events can be<62>
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listed, and previously-run events can be reenabled from the local<61>
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keyboard.
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Fido works with external "shell" programs to allow programmers<72>
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and "aftermarket" add-on programs to work with Fido/FidoNet.<2E>
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Technical information is available in the manual. (External<61>
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"shell" support programs are not supplied by Fido Software.)
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Customization
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Fido/FidoNet parameters, lists of events, command names, and<6E>
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message and file area definitions are contained in ordinary text<78>
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files you can display and change with your own text editor<6F>
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program. Message and file areas are defined in one text file;<3B>
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the Fido/FidoNet system takes care of all the work of creating<6E>
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and verifying the actual DOS subdirectories used. Commands are in<69>
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their own text file, along with any privilege levels and locks.<2E>
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You can change command names to any single word you choose.
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Programs Supplied with Fido/FidoNet
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The following are some of the programs supplied as part of the<68>
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standard Fido/FidoNet system package. In addition, there are many<6E>
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"aftermarket" programs from other authors that make using and<6E>
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maintaining Fido/FidoNet easier and more powerful.
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You can schedule Events in Fido/FidoNet to execute these or other<65>
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programs at any time, using an MSDOS Batch File you create to<74>
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make your system completely or partially automatic.
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MSGMGR.EXE: (the Message Manager) performs routine maintenance on<6F>
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messages within Fido/FidoNet Message Areas, such as purging<6E>
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messages by age, and renumbering messages so they are sequential.<2E>
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MSGMGR has it's own text file of commands that tells it what to<74>
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do.
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SYSOP.EXE: is a database-like tool for managing the caller<65>
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database that contains the names, passwords and statistics and<6E>
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other information on each caller. You can enter new callers,<2C>
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delete existing callers one by one or by time since last logged<65>
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in; set caller privilege level and assign Keys; force callers<72>
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into specific message and file areas; and many more functions.<2E>
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There is also an "undo" feature and context sensitive help.
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FIDOMAIL.EXE: lets you create FidoNet network messages with your<75>
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own text editor or word processor. For example, during the day<61>
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you can create text files destined for other FidoNet network<72>
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nodes, and via an Event, have AutoMail put them into the FidoNet<65>
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message system.
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TWIX.EXE: prints FidoNet network mail newly received on your<75>
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printer or in a disk file you specify.
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Requirements and Specifications
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Computers: Fido/FidoNet works on all IBM(r) Personal Computers;<3B>
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PC, XT, AT, all PS/2 models, and all compatible "clones", whether<65>
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8088, 8086, 80286, 80386. (A "FOSSIL" version is available for<6F>
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other non-compatible MSDOS computers.)
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Your computer must have at least the following:
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192K available memory
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At least 700K of disk storage
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One Serial Port (or internal modem)
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Modem as described below
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The following are strongly recommended:
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Hard disk
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Internal Clock
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Modems: The following are explicitly supported by Fido/FidoNet;<3B>
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other "Hayes compatible" (The phrase "Hayes compatible" is just<73>
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about meaningless, "AT" command compatibility is not enough;<3B>
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there are other more important and subtle variables.) modems<6D>
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usually work, but models not listed below are not guaranteed by<62>
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Fido Software to work. (Fido/FidoNet does allow you to customize<7A>
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modem installations.)
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Hayes SmartModem 1200
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Everex Internal & External models
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U.S. Robotics Courier 2400
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U.S. Robotics Courier HST
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Hayes SmartModem V-series
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Telebit TrailBlazer and Plus
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Multi-Tech 2400
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Prentice POPCOM 1200 or 2400
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Most other "Hayes compatible" modems
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"Dumb" modems (FidoNet cannot be used)
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Direct connect to PBX or special serial device
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Operating Systems Supported: MSDOS/PCDOS versions 2.00 and up,<2C>
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with most Local Area Networks (ViaNet, Novell Netware, etc) most<73>
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multitasker programs (DoubleDOS, DESQView, Multilink, etc) and<6E>
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multiprocessor hardware products (Alloy Computer Products' Slave<76>
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Cards); please contact the manufacturers of those products for<6F>
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details.
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Fido/FidoNet is specifically DoubleDOS and DESQView aware.
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Software Policy
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This is the new (June 1989) software policy for the Fido/FidoNet<65>
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package. Please read it carefully.
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First, some definitions:
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Hobbyists run BBSs for their own personal reasons. Their BBS is<69>
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not associated with their employer or any business. How they run<75>
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their BBS is none of my business, ie. private, public,<2C>
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subscription or chattel slavery.
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Commercial users are companies, corporations, proprietorships or<6F>
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any other business entities that run a BBS, either publicly or<6F>
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privately, associated with their business. "Non-profit" and "not<6F>
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for profit" organizations are included in this category.
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And here's the deal:
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Hobbiests and Individuals: Fido/FidoNet is shareware; you can<61>
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download the software itself, minus documentation, from the Fido<64>
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Software BBS. There is no downloadable documentation. (If you<6F>
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thought the version 11 docs were unwieldy...) I will provide no<6E>
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direct support. Hobbyists can receive the complete package<67>
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(diskettes and documentation) for a reduced price, as listed on<6F>
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the price sheet.
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Commercial Users: Fido/FidoNet is an ordinary licensable product,<2C>
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the license fee is as it has been for two years. You will receive<76>
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the complete package of diskettes, complete documentation, and<6E>
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support via the Fido Software BBS and voice telephone. (This has<61>
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proved to be more than adequate for over two years.)
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It is common practice that commercial users "try out"<22>
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Fido/FidoNet as "shareware" first. There is nothing wrong with<74>
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this as long as if the software has been or will be useful to<74>
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you, the product is licensed immediately.
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Special arrangements can be made on a case by case basis. In all<6C>
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cases, bugs are fixed promptly, as they have been for five years.<2E>
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This is basically the policy that was in force 1985 through 1987,<2C>
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and worked very well; people appreciate being trusted, and<6E>
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Fido/FidoNet is an extremely high quality system.
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"Shareware" Distributors: I do not wish Fido/FidoNet to be<62>
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distributed by "shareware distributors", "libraries" or other<65>
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similar organizations. The problems are too numerous to count:<3A>
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shipping ancient, incomplete versions; missing critical files;<3B>
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giving out incorrect information regarding support; giving bad<61>
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operating advice, etc. Never mind the fact that they are using<6E>
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the software for profit, regardless of claims to the otherwise<73>
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and suggesting that their customers pay instead.
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Ordering
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Fido/FidoNet Version 12 Commercial price: $175
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Hobbiest price: $50.00
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Complete Fido/FidoNet system license, including support programs,<2C>
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diskette, manuals, telephone support and extended access to the<68>
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Fido Software customer support bulletin board.
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Fido/FidoNet Version 12 program update $25
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When enhancements to Fido/FidoNet version 12 are made (bugs<67>
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fixed, features added) customers may upgrade their current<6E>
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licensed Version 12 software to the latest revision; the original<61>
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diskette must be returned to in order to qualify. Errata sheets<74>
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are provided as necessary.
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Fido/FidoNet upgrade from previous versions $50
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Fido Software customers who licensed any previous version number<65>
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of Fido/FidoNet directly from Fido Software can upgrade to<74>
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version 12 for this price; the original diskette must be<62>
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returned. NOTE: This is not a normal "program update", as<61>
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described above, because of the new materials that must be<62>
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provided.
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FidoTerm Terminal Program $12
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The FidoTerm program is a simple, powerful and easy to use<73>
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terminal program. You can view the last few hundred lines that<61>
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scrolled off the top of your screen; supports powerful file<6C>
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transfer protocols (ASCII, Xmodem, Zmodem), and has a true script<70>
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language with true programming language constructs: a switch()<29>
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statement, local variables, subroutining and recursion. Comes<65>
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complete with printed manual.
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FidoTerm is well integrated into Fido/FidoNet; it may be invoked<65>
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from Fido's local console, and will "know" about the installed<65>
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modem type and port, and recently-added commands let you dial<61>
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from a FidoNet nodelist.
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All orders: The software is available directly from Fido Software<72>
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or authorized distributors only. Terms: Prepaid with order, or<6F>
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invoices accepted from rated companies, payment Net 30 days. No<4E>
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credit cards accepted.
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US/Canada: All orders are shipped U.S. Postal Service First Class<73>
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(Priority Mail). Prices listed include shipping and taxes, where<72>
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applicable. For Federal Express next-
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day service add $25.
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Outside US/Canada: For checks written outside U.S., add $20.00<EFBFBD>
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per order; please, only checks "drawn upon a US bank". All orders<72>
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shipped Air Mail.
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Fido, FidoNet, and the dog-with-diskette are registered<65>
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trademarks of Tom Jennings. Fido/FidoNet and all support programs<6D>
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are copyright by Tom Jennings 1989
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