1453 lines
61 KiB
Plaintext
1453 lines
61 KiB
Plaintext
fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:16:36 Page 1
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Volume 2, Number 2 16 Jan 85
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+----------------------------------------------------------+
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| / \ |
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| - FidoNews - /|oo \ |
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| Fido and FidoNet _`@/_ \ _ |
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| Users Group | | \ \\ |
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| Newsletter | (*) | \ )) |
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| ______ |__U__| / \// |
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| / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / |
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| (________) (_/(_|(____/ |
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| (jm) |
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+----------------------------------------------------------+
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Editor: Tom Jennings
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Publisher: Fido #1
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Chief Procrastinator: Tom Jennings
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.........................................
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Disclaimer or dont-blame-me:
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The contents of the articles contained here are not
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my responsibility, nor do I necessarily agree with them;
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everything here is subject to debate. I publish EVERYTHING
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received.
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You can take this to mean anything you want, but
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hopefully as an invitation to comment, make suggestions, or
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write articles of your own.
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.........................................
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HOT NEWS
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Sorry this issue is so late; I got back from Boston
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Monday night, was too overwhelmed Tuesday to do it, trying
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to catch up from the lost week.
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The Fido List is no longer included in the
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newsletter. It's just too big. This issue is very large,
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partly because this was a long week (Monday to Wednesday) so
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there were a lot of articles. (Note that one very lengthy
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article was not included this issue; it will be included
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next week.)
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Bumper stickers are complete; they look pretty good.
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The artwork is a bit crude (the same doggie, about 4 times
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larger than the one on the manual cover) but it's simple and
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to the point.
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I have 500 stickers; they cost me about $95.00, so
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here's the deal:
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$1.00 three stickers
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fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:16:42 Page 2
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$5.00 twenty stickers
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Plus a SASE. (I'm soooo lazy ...) If I run out, it
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will take me another week or two to have more made; I'll
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inform you here if I do. My address is:
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Tom Jennings
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2269 Market St. #118
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San Francisco CA 94114
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fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:16:43 Page 3
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NEWS
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ARTICLE SUBMISSION
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The format of FidoNews is totally ad hoc; please
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make recomendations as to formats, sections needed, liked,
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or hated, columns you'd like to see, or see removed,
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anything at all. If you want to submit something regularly,
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we can start a column for you.
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You are ENCOURAGED to send things in for the
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newsletter. ANYTHING is fit for the newsletter, such as a
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description of your board, problems found, questions, jokes,
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fixes, horror stories about wrong FidoNet numbers, things
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for sale, etc etc etc.
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SUBMITTING AN ARTICLE
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An article should have your name, node number (if
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applicable), followed by the text. Text can be any ASCII
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derivative; WordStar, soft paragraphs, 8th bit set, etc are
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all OK.
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Articles can be uploaded at either Fido #1, #27 or
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#51, or by sending it by FidoNet. Make sure the file name is
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unique, especially if you send it by FidoNet, so you dont
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overwrite another article.
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-------------------------
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From: Jon Tara on FIDO 92
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Subject: Distribution of the newsletter & misc. comments
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1) I think that the concept is *great*. Before Tom
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started the newsletter, I toyed with the idea, even sent out
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a couple of flocks of messages suggesting it. *Somebody*
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has to eventually *do* something, rather than just talk
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about it, and I aplaud Tom for doing it!
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2) However, to be sucessful, the newsletter has to have
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wide, and automatic circulation. My thought was that the
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net is just too big for free distribution - thus I had
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envisioned it as a commercial newsletter, maybe .50/issue.
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I would still like to see a subscription service for
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those of us who would like regular delivery without having
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to call one of the major nodes manually and pick it up.
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I am willing to provide this service, at cost. (12-16
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cents per minute.) All I ask is that *somebody* see to it
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that I get the newsletter FIDOmailed to me (preferably Tom).
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If you aren't in a major local net that already gets the
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newsletter, but would like to get it automatically, just
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send a $10 check to:
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Jon Tara
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fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:16:50 Page 4
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1300 E. Lafayette #2808
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Detroit, Michigan 48207
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This should get you about 20 issues, if the size of the
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newsletter doesn't increase too much. (Users! Sponsor
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receipt of the newsletter for your node...)
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I will return your checks if I don't get enough to make
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it worth-while to have Tom mail the newsletter to me. (Like
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4 or 5.)
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Of course, if somebody wants to mail it out free to
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everyone: never mind!
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I do think that the newsletter (and the offshoots it
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may spawn) will be an incentive for further FIDOnet
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development, low-cost links, etc. which will reduce the need
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for such "commercial" services.
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3) Personally, I think that commercial ads that appear
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every week should be paid-for. The revenue would allow Tom
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to send the newsletter to more nodes. (It would be nice to
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see the newsletter automatically sent to all local nets over
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a certain size.)
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4) I think that the paginated format is over-kill. How
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many people print these things out on paper? I'd rather see
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an ARPAnet or Usenet (article next week!) type format, where
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articles simply follow each other, seperated by dashes.
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-------------------------
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Lane Fowler
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Sysop
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Fido of the South
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Fidonode 3
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Atlanta Ga.
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404-938-4808
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semi restricted
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Fido of the South has been running for about 2 years of
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which I have been running it for about a year. During this
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past year I have seen a lot of versions of Fido come and
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go. In the past 9 months I have had a very secure board,
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and I would like to share to other Fido sysops what I do and
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how well it works.
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I have my system set for private message system /M but any
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one who calls can log on and take a limited look around.
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I have used the Questionaire no password 'qnopwd' option.
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Which will interrogate any user who can not be found or has
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entered an incorrect password. The questionaire follows:
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This questionaire is designed to allow us to screen our
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potential users to provide the most productive environment
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for all.
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fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:16:56 Page 5
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Do you wish to fill out this questionaire ?
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(NOTE: YOU MUST FILL OUT THIS QUESTIONAIRE TO GAIN FULL
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ACCESS TO THIS SYSTEM)
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+2 (1) Yes (2) No
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!
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Question -1-
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What is your REAL NAME? (You must use your real name on
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Fido)
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/
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Question -2-
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What is your address ( Number, Street, City, State, ZIP )
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You have 2 lines of text for this information.
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/
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/
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Question -3-
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What is your age?
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/
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Question -4-
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What is your phone number?(voice phone)
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/
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Question -5-
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When can you be reached?
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(enter one line of text)
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/
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Question -6-
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What would you like your password to be?
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( Must be ONE word )
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/
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Question -7-
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What TYPE of computer do you use?(Apple,Ibm,Trs-80...)
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(enter one line of text)
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/
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Question -8-
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DO you use your computer for business or pleasure?
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/
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Question -9- (The last one...)
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fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:16:59 Page 6
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Where did you hear about this BBS?
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(1) A local IBM BBS. (2) A non-local BBS (not in Atlanta)
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(2) A local non-IBM BBS (4) A non-local non-IBM BBS
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(5) Somewhere else
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+5(1-5)?
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?Where did you hear about us (enter 1 line of text)?
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Thank you for taking the questionaire!
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Access considerations generally within a week.
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If you need to tell the purpose of your bbs you can put it
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in NOPWD.BBS which can tell new people that you are only a
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C board or what ever.
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The only hard part is having to sit down and type in the new
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users using the sysop command, or you could always put this
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questionaire in the answer-Questionaire section on Fido and
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set the /P switch so that new users will have limited
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access until you read the answers to their questionaire and
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give them normal access.
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All first time callers and people waiting for access can
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also access Fido by a special name and password which is
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listed in the WELCOME1.BBS file just before the bbs prompts
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for First Name:. I use;
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First name FIDO
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Last Name GUEST
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Password FIDO
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Do Not put colons in the Welcome1.bbs file because some
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people who have auto log on will have problems.
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Fido Guest has twit level access and I have carefully set
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the 3 command to allow the Guest to look at messages but
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not be given a chance to enter a message even though they
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can't anyway. I also leave them a message to greet them to
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Fido. You may also do this with the /P switch and the
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internal questionaire by setting the privilege of most of
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the board to normal and one message base and a file area to
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Disgrace will allow them to look around.
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I Do Not allow Handles on my BBS at all. I feel if they can
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not use their real name then they don't need to be on my
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board.
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Now that you have their Name and address, What do you do
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with it? Well I have written several programs to collect
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this data and put into a small data base where if there are
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any problems I can quickly call the user up and solve them
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them.
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fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:17:06 Page 7
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In the past few months Bulletin Boards here in Atlanta have
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been victims of full-scale war from BBS crashers. Fido 53,
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a close neighbor to Fido 3, Abandoned the Fido Software
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because of a BBS crasher who was using a handle and had
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access to the board and the sysop had no address for him.
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We have had only a few bad messages on Fido 3 at which time
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I was able to call the user that night and find that some
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one had gotten his password, which I changed quickly. If
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you are worried about bad messages on your BBS it is very
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simple to find your self a good BBS'er who would be glad to
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notify you about any wrong messages.
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Here at Fido of the South I have 4 other Sysops who help me
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oversee the message base and more importantly the file area.
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Since I have many files which I can not run in the IBM I
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need someone who can screen new files and supply the board
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with new files. This is my reason for so many Sysops. In
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Atlanta we have lots of Software manufacturers who would
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not appreciate it if I had Copyrighted software on my board
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so all uploaded files go into the NEWFILES directory. Then
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one of the sysop, depending on the computer, downloads it
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and sees what it is; then it is transferred to the right
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section if no copyright is being violated.
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There is one other thing that you can do with Fido's
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privilege options and that is start a Club level. On Fido
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of the South I have two clubs who have their own message
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base and file section. I have given the Club members
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privileged access and then set the higher systems of the
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board to allow only privileged users into their area. This
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works fine as long as you have someone watch to be sure
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that a privileged user does not overstay their welcome on
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the BBS, since Privileged users have double the access time.
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This is the method I use to protect my board and it works
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great. Please don't except Handles and lets be careful out
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their.
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If you are calling long distance you may access Fido of the
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South by entering;
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First Name:Sysop
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Last Name:Guest
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Password:Fido3
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Please leave me a message when you log off.
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Lane Fowler Sysop Fido of the South Atlanta Ga.
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404-938-4808
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(C)opyright 1984 by Richard Levey
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"PLEASE...GET ME A MODEM FOR CHRISTMAS." This is the
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most common phrase I hear from children in the store around
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Christmas time. It seems that every child that has a
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computer wants or needs a modem, and often the parents go
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out and purchase a modem believing it to be "just another
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fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:17:14 Page 8
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program for the computer."
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For those of you who don't know what a modem is, or
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more importantly, what a modem does, read on and discover
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the fascinating world of telecommunications that opens once
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you own a modem. To get the technical jargon out of the
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way, a modem is a modulator- demodulator, hence the term
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modem. Simply put, a modem translates signals from your
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computer and changes them into signals your phone line can
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accept, and takes signals from the phone line, and changes
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them back so your computer can accept them. Actually, it is
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nothing more than an interface between the computer and a
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phone line.
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Once you own a modem, and a suitable communications
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software package you may then start exploring the wide
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world of computer communications that becomes available to
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you. Some modems come packaged with software and some do
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not, this being a choice of the manufacturer.
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One of the nice features that become available are the
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thousands of COMPUTER BULLETIN BOARDS that exist around
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the country. These BBS's are usually called at no charge to
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you other than Ma Bell's standard telephone charges as in
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any local call. No matter where you live, there is a BBS
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close to you, that you can call. As I write this article,
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there are new BBS's opening around the country. A BBS is a
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service run by the owner of the computer, usually know as
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the SYSOP, which stands for system operator. The sysop is
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the owner, and for the most part, the final authority when
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it comes to questions or problems that occur on the system
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that he runs. Most BBS's have all or some of the following
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features.
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1) Public Message base allowing all callers to exchange
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messages.
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2) Private Electronic Mail (EMAIL) for private messages.
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3) Downloading and Uploading of PUBLIC DOMAIN software.
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4) On-Line interactive programs for the caller to use.
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5) Private conferences on varying subjects.
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6) Telex and Ecom services for business use.
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Again, the features provided by each system differ as
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to the locality and the desire of the sysop to provide
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extra services. As a new caller to a BBS, you will probably
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be allowed to read the messages, leave messages, and view
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the available download files. After you register with the
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sysop you will usually receive more services on your next
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call.
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Some sysops require registration before you can even
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enter their system's. This usually comes about due to
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pranksters who have annoyed the sysop into running a closed
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BBS.
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I would like to remind all callers to any BBS, that
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access to a BBS is a privilege, granted by the sysop. A
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similar analogy might be that of a visitor coming into the
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sysop's home. If you behave, you are welcome to return.
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Behave poorly and you might not be allowed back in. Even
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the commercial services, like Compuserve have standard
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system rules for all callers to observe, so please accept
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fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:17:23 Page 9
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the rules, or do not call.
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All bulletin boards that accept software for uploading
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and downloading request that you upload ONLY public domain
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software, or software that you personally hold the
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copyright on. This is for your protection as well as the
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sysop's protection. BBS's have been closed down due to the
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distribution of copyrighted software, so please abide by
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this.
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If you have a problem with the BBS, or don't understand
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a feature, leave a note or comment for the sysop. He will
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gladly explain the features involved, and correct the
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problem if need be. As the sysop of a popular bbs, I
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appreciate a caller telling me about a system error, and
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usually reward the caller with a higher access level, for
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taking the time to leave me a note.
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The first thing you must do to communicate with another
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computer is connect the modem to your computer. I would
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STRONGLY suggest you study the manuals for both the modem
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and the computer before you attempt this. The next step
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would be to load and run your communications software
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commonly known as terminal software. Below you find a table
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with the most commonly used settings for most types of
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Bulletin Boards.
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SPEED PARITY LENGTH STOP BITS
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=======================================
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300 EVEN SEVEN ONE
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1200 NONE EIGHT ONE
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Almost every terminal package comes pre configured to
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one of these settings, so you should now be set and ready
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to.
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Now dial up the local BBS number or call my BBS at
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914-352-6801 and lets get you onto a BBS. If you are using
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a manual connect modem, listen for a high pitched tone in
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the phone and then switch the modem from phone to data. If
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you have an automatic modem, this will be done for you. NOW
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SLOWLY HIT AT LEAST THREE CARRIAGE RETURNS. Most people do
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not do this and end up with problems. This procedure allows
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the BBS to recognize your transmission speed and type of
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data being sent so it can match it for reliable
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communications.
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At this point you should get some type of welcome
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message on the screen, or in some cases just a request for
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you to enter your ID, PASSWORD, or ACCOUNT NUMBER. Read the
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message and see what it says for a NEW CALLER to do. In
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most cases it says type NEW or NONE. You will now be asked
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for your first and last name and in most cases, the city
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and state you live in. On my BBS you will also be asked for
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a phone number, so you can be verified and your access
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level raised. It is in your best interests to supply
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|
COMPLETE, ACCURATE, and VERIFIABLE information to the
|
|
sysop. Private information is held in confidence by most
|
|
sysops, so I would not be worried about leaving this type of
|
|
information as the sysop needs it for verification purposes.
|
|
Now, if all is well, you should start seeing more of
|
|
the BBS. Usually the menu will appear with all the
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:17:32 Page 10
|
|
|
|
commands, that make the system run. At this point I would
|
|
recommend you go ahead and explore the system. There is
|
|
little you can do to hurt a BBS, so go ahead and try all
|
|
the different functions to see what does what. A note here
|
|
about the CPC RRBS system. If you attempt to access a
|
|
function that you are not authorized for, you will get a
|
|
message similar to, "Sorry..your name..Authorization needed
|
|
from the sysop." With the RBBS system each one of these
|
|
attempts is logged, and the system will disconnect you, and
|
|
lock you out if you go over a number know only to the
|
|
sysop. I ask my steady callers to let me know if they cannot
|
|
access something they have in the past, instead of making
|
|
many tries and getting logged of the system. Some times it
|
|
is just a file error, or an oversight by the sysop, and I
|
|
correct these as soon as they are brought to my attention.
|
|
At some point in time, you might want to speak to the
|
|
sysop. Most systems have some type of CHAT feature which
|
|
allows interactive conversation between the caller and the
|
|
sysop, so again read the menu and examine all the options
|
|
available. If you like the BBS then you might want to leave
|
|
a COMMENT or FEEDBACK to the sysop telling him so. It helps
|
|
when the sysop is there at 3 in the morning working on a bug
|
|
in the system to know that the callers appreciate his work
|
|
and effort.
|
|
When it comes to uploading and downloading many systems
|
|
differ in the features used, so we will cover only the two
|
|
most commonly used methods.
|
|
Uploading is when you transfer a file to the host
|
|
computer. The host computer is in this case the computer
|
|
that you called. Downloading is when the host transfers a
|
|
file to your computer.
|
|
The most common transfer method is know as XMODEM or
|
|
MODEM 7. This is a method developed several years ago by
|
|
Mr. Ward Christiansen a pioneer in the field of
|
|
telecommunications. Xmodem came about as a need developed
|
|
to be able to transfer files between DIFFERENT types of
|
|
computers without having a programmer convert the program
|
|
for each machine. Of course you still cannot run a
|
|
commodore program on an apple, but Xmodem allows you to
|
|
transfer files between them with no problem at all.
|
|
Xmodem sends files in small segments and then checks to
|
|
see that
|
|
the segment sent was the exact image of the segment
|
|
received. If it is not the same it sends the same segment
|
|
again until it gets a valid transfer. This continues until
|
|
the file is sent correctly. The error rate for an Xmodem
|
|
transfer is less than 1/10 of one percent ! Of course there
|
|
is a small price to pay for this accuracy. Due to the
|
|
nature of the transfer at 1200 baud, you still only realize
|
|
at the highest a baud rate of 600, but most people feel it
|
|
is worth it. Xmodem is usually chosen when the file is a
|
|
machine language file or some other type of file that
|
|
cannot be easily edited by the caller.
|
|
The second type of transfer is know as an ASCII
|
|
transfer. This is used when the file is a text file with no
|
|
control characters or other system characters in it. ASCII
|
|
transfers are much faster, but are subject to errors in the
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:17:42 Page 11
|
|
|
|
reception due to noise, surges, etc; in the phone lines.
|
|
With an ASCII transfer, you must manually open your
|
|
buffer and then close it again at the end of the transfer.
|
|
Once your level has been raised to allow file
|
|
transfers, I would suggest you read any and all help files
|
|
in that area BEFORE you attempt to do your first transfer.
|
|
Again, I would like to remind you that the fastest way
|
|
to get thrown off a BBS is to upload commercial or
|
|
copyrighted software. There are thousands of public domain
|
|
and user supported programs out there, some of which are
|
|
easier to use than commercial software and many are more
|
|
powerful in their features than commercial software. I
|
|
would say 50% of the over 400 Sanyo programs we have on our
|
|
BBS are public domain programs, which I have collected and
|
|
put here for your use.
|
|
Remember to log off any system you call properly, as
|
|
indicated in the menu. This allows two things to occur. The
|
|
first is very important if you are a new caller, as when
|
|
you log off your information is saved in the users file for
|
|
future reference. The second thing that occurs is that the
|
|
BBS resets itself to get ready for the next caller. NEVER
|
|
end a session by just shutting down the modem UNLESS the BBS
|
|
asks you to disconnect that way.
|
|
One other item you should be aware of is system
|
|
maintenance. A BBS takes many hours of work to maintain,
|
|
and there will be times when you call expecting the modem
|
|
to answer you, and you get a voice answer. This usually
|
|
means that the system is being worked on, and will return
|
|
to service soon. If you get a voice answer, you might want
|
|
to speak to the person answering the phone. In most cases it
|
|
is the sysop, and he can tell you what is going on, and
|
|
when he expects the BBS to return to service. Also you
|
|
might want to ask him questions, and since you have him on
|
|
the phone, go ahead..ask away.
|
|
Once you are comfortable with the local services, then
|
|
you can start to check into the larger commercial services,
|
|
such as Compuserve, The Source, Delphi, and many of the
|
|
other services available. Some modems come with free
|
|
connect time for either Compuserve or The Source and this
|
|
time can be used to explore the various services available
|
|
to you on each of the services. You should examine the rate
|
|
structure on a commercial system, and understand fully the
|
|
charges involved, which range from $6 per hour in the
|
|
evening to $12.50 per hour during prime time. If you decide
|
|
to subscribe to a commercial system guard your password and
|
|
change it on a regular basis, to prevent use by un-
|
|
authorized people, for which you might be responsible.
|
|
Compuserve uses several different protocols for
|
|
transferring files on their system. Xmodem has now been
|
|
implemented as is available in all areas of the system.
|
|
Compuserve also supports their own protocol's know as
|
|
Protocol A and Protocol B. In order to use these you must
|
|
purchase a copy of Vidtex software for your computer.
|
|
Although similar in nature to Xmodem, Vidtex also has other
|
|
features. The most often used feature is one that is
|
|
invisible to the user. When you run Vidtex it sets aside a
|
|
certain portion of memory as a 'send-a- a-head buffer' which
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:17:52 Page 12
|
|
|
|
the Vidtex host computer, in this case Compuserve will fill
|
|
with as many menu's as possible. This allows you to select
|
|
menu items without the host constantly resending the menus
|
|
to you, allowing the system to operate faster. Another nice
|
|
feature of Vidtex is the color and graphics displays that
|
|
can be produced ONLY if both the host and the caller are
|
|
running Vidtex compatible software. As an example of this
|
|
in the weather menu on Compuserve there is a selection for
|
|
Vidtex weather maps. When you access this area, you receive
|
|
a graphic map displayed on your screen. Several of the
|
|
games also use this feature, and can be viewed by going to
|
|
the games menu. A local BBS called Mnematics also runs
|
|
Vidtex, and can be reached at 914-365- 0183, 24 hours a day
|
|
at both 300 and 1200 baud. Mnematics offers many services
|
|
to both their home and professional user alike, and is well
|
|
worth a call.
|
|
Some of the many other features on Compuserve are
|
|
Email, Telex and Ecom messages, Special Interest Groups
|
|
(SIGS), and personal programming areas that allow you the
|
|
use of many languages such as Cobol, Fortran, Basic, and
|
|
many others.
|
|
A special note on SIGs. A SIG is a group of people with
|
|
a common interest, such as the IBM PC SIG. While the SIG is
|
|
neither sponsored or run by IBM, there are an incredible
|
|
amount of PC/XT and AT users involved in this area. In my
|
|
opinion, more technical knowledge can be gained from this
|
|
SIG, than from any other source of IBM information. A
|
|
special feature is the ability to follow a message
|
|
'thread', which is simply a reply to a reply to a reply to a
|
|
message, thus allowing you to read the original message and
|
|
all the replies, comments, etc; that the message generated.
|
|
It is in this manner which I picked up more information in
|
|
the use of 1-2-3 than from the manuals which were good to
|
|
begin with.
|
|
The sysops on the IBM SIG are the finest on Compuserve,
|
|
and are very experienced in the use of IBM equipment and
|
|
programming. Any time you have a question, they provide
|
|
accurate, reliable answers, quickly!
|
|
The SIGs also contain databases knows as ' XAs'. An XA
|
|
contains public domain software, or commercial software
|
|
that the authors have given explicit permission to be
|
|
merged into the database, thus supplying a caller with over
|
|
1000 programs to choose from. Their are SIGs for most
|
|
common types of computers and most SIGs contain programs
|
|
for those types of computers. To get to the IBM SIG type GO
|
|
PCS-131 at any system prompt.Conferencing on the SIGs is
|
|
also another good way for all callers to share their ideas,
|
|
with CO's being scheduled on a regular basis. Check the
|
|
bulletin area of your favorite SIG for the time schedules.
|
|
Since I started this article, I understand that a
|
|
second IBM sig has been added at PCS-129. The second SIG is
|
|
for people just getting started into computing, and has
|
|
different software in it's databases. Best of all 90% of
|
|
the SIGs on Compuserve charge nothing to join or download
|
|
software.
|
|
One other fascinating feature of Compuserve is the CB
|
|
simulator, which allows callers to communicate in 'real
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:18:01 Page 13
|
|
|
|
time' with each other. Real time means that what you type
|
|
is seen by all other people on the channel with little or
|
|
now delay. This allows callers from all across the country
|
|
to get together, just like they were on a real CB radio.
|
|
With two bands to choose from and at least 36 channels on
|
|
each band there is more than enough room for everyone.
|
|
All of the commercial services offer many different
|
|
services and you are the only one who can decide which is
|
|
right for you.
|
|
If you have children who might be using the modem, sit
|
|
down and explain to them about the telephone charges and on
|
|
line charges and monitor them while they use the modem.
|
|
An item that must be discussed here is accessing
|
|
databases that normally do not allow the public access,
|
|
such as TRQ credit, Los Alamos lab's and many others. The
|
|
government is taking a serious attitude about these types
|
|
of illegal entries, and the MINIMUM fine is usually
|
|
confiscation of equipment. Now, you might be able to afford
|
|
to hand over better than $1000 to the government, but I
|
|
can't.
|
|
So, I feel the second rule in purchasing a modem would
|
|
be to understand exactly what a modem is, and provide
|
|
ADEQUATE adult supervision when it is in use.
|
|
A fine example of a multi purpose BBS is the system we
|
|
run known as the ELECTRONIC STORE. After trying many
|
|
programs we have settled on the NOCHANGE BBS program written
|
|
by Jim Kloss. We had a need to try and accommodate many
|
|
varied interests so we could get the maximum amount of
|
|
callers possible. I feel we offer more features than any
|
|
other BBS running on a micro/mini system. For the serious
|
|
programmers we offer over 1000 programs to chose from when
|
|
downloading. For the not so serious caller we offer over 15
|
|
interactive games, some of which rival Vidtex for color
|
|
graphics capability. Due to the unique modular design of
|
|
the BBS software, we add modules on a weekly basis. Any
|
|
basic program can be converted very simply to run over the
|
|
system thus allowing callers to have many various utilities
|
|
at their disposal and still not have to buy a bigger
|
|
computer. Right now we have several applications programs
|
|
on line and plan on adding more as we go along. With this
|
|
type of design the number of available programs for a caller
|
|
to access in limited only by disk space, not memory
|
|
available.
|
|
We offer all callers the chance to take a booth in our
|
|
FLEA MARKET area, thus allowing them to advertise
|
|
merchandise for sale in an orderly fashion, with all
|
|
callers getting a fair share of the available market space.
|
|
In our BBS watch area, the caller has a listing of over
|
|
5000 bbs numbers to choose from, and can produce a
|
|
customized report selecting various criteria such as
|
|
state,type of computer, baud rate, area code and many other
|
|
criteria. A caller can also rate any system that is listed
|
|
and enter comments about the particular system he is
|
|
familiar with. All in all we offer a wide range of services
|
|
for all callers. Lately, we have been running an average of
|
|
80 to 100 callers per night, with most callers running one
|
|
of the many available programs. As time goes by we hope to
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:18:13 Page 14
|
|
|
|
add multi user capability thus allowing multiple callers on
|
|
line at the same time to double the capacity of the system.
|
|
Some of the more popular BBS's are now running under an
|
|
operating system that allows multiple users into the system
|
|
at one time. A fine example of this is the Central Core
|
|
Information Service, which can be reached at 914-221-0774,
|
|
24 hours a day. The sysop, John Giberson, is a tolerant
|
|
individual, who works with the callers to make the most out
|
|
of his system. C.C.I.S. now supports three callers at one
|
|
time, and who knows, it might be four before very long.
|
|
System Description - Fido 64, The Graf Spee
|
|
Jay Maynard, SysOp
|
|
|
|
The Graf Spee is a system I set up on my Compaq Plus computer
|
|
to allow folks I know, and folks I don't know who ask me nicely,
|
|
to get access to my collection of public domain utilities and
|
|
interesting information. I originally got it when I needed to set
|
|
up a method for a friend who lives 45 miles away (no, Houstonians
|
|
don't drive 45 miles regularly to swap disks!) to send me files
|
|
for programming projects I was helping him with. I originally got
|
|
RBBS-PC for the purpose, but I had to spend a fair amount of time
|
|
just getting the darn thing to work...it kept telling me I had a
|
|
'fixed disk error 1701', when everything else worked fine. I
|
|
fiddled around with that for a while, and then Paul Wells
|
|
introduced Fido to the Houston area on El Dorado (Fido 48). I was
|
|
hooked...although the user interface was different, it was much
|
|
easier to use after a period of readjustment, and the type-ahead
|
|
buffer was sheer heaven! I got it from him and it ran first time
|
|
on the Compaq. I have since used it as an intelligent unattended
|
|
file download host, and put it up nightly for FidoNet. It now
|
|
occupies the second major block on my hard disk, right behind my
|
|
utilities subdirectory.
|
|
|
|
Hardware Configuration:
|
|
I am running it on a Compaq Plus portable (like a 25 inch color
|
|
TV) computer, with 640k of main memory, one floppy, and the
|
|
standard 10Mb hard disk. In addition to the standard complement,
|
|
my Plus has an AST SixPak Plus board, loaded, and a Hayes
|
|
Smartmodem 1200B. (By the way, I would not recommend this
|
|
configuration to Compaq fans out there...I have eaten one power
|
|
supply already!) I also have a miscellaneous collection of other
|
|
stuff, including an S-100 bus Z-80 computer on which I run my
|
|
real BBS, The Packet Board (713-530-8596), two printers, three
|
|
other machines, and a partridge in a pear tree.
|
|
|
|
Software Configuration:
|
|
My Compaq came with MS-DOS version 2.02, and I also have a real
|
|
hodge-podge of other stuff resident in the machine from my normal
|
|
AUTOEXEC.BAT, including a 159 byte keyboard buffer (v-e-r-y
|
|
nice), DPATH.COM (extends PATH support to data files, sort of),
|
|
Seaware's Extended Batch Language version 2.01b, and Sidekick. So
|
|
far, my system has worked flawlessly...
|
|
|
|
Fido Configuration:
|
|
I set up two message areas and two file areas, largely because I
|
|
was playing around. Message area 1 is a general area, where all
|
|
of the normal messages go, and message area 2 is the FidoNet
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:18:23 Page 15
|
|
|
|
area. It is restricted to SYSOP level users only, as there are
|
|
other Fidos in the area and I don't want to soak up long distance
|
|
bills. File area 1 is a general file area, and file area 2 is the
|
|
FidoNet files area...separated for the same reason. I have the /M
|
|
switch set in my RUNBBS.BAT file, and set the other parameters
|
|
pretty well the way the distributed file does (although I do have
|
|
the limits turned up). I decided not to have a new-user
|
|
questionnaire (QNOPWD.BBS), because I'm not going to validate
|
|
anyone I don't know...so the option to leave a comment is
|
|
sufficient.
|
|
|
|
Installation Notes:
|
|
Setting up Fido for this application was ridiculously simple...I
|
|
simply ran SETUP.BAT, and then played around with the
|
|
subdirectories (mainly deleting them). From startup to running
|
|
system was about 2 hours, and that includes a lot of manual-
|
|
flipping.
|
|
|
|
I think that Fido is probably the neatest BBS running...and I've
|
|
seen quite a few. The user interface could use some work, and the
|
|
RBBS-PC bigots in town complain about the lack of graphics
|
|
ability, but all in all, it's the best one I've met.
|
|
|
|
If you have any questions, please send them via FidoNet...my
|
|
system is up nightly for that very purpose, and that's probably
|
|
the most reliable way to get me a message. Any other time, either
|
|
the phone'll ring and ring or you'll get to hear my melodious
|
|
voice (snicker!).
|
|
|
|
Now that I've broken the ice, how about the rest of you? I'm
|
|
dying to see how everyone else is doing it.
|
|
|
|
I would like to make the following recommendations:
|
|
1) Allow a line of text in QNOPWD.BBS to be longer than 80
|
|
characters. At least extend it to 132. I'd like to do some
|
|
fancy screen displays with my Rainbow but am limited by that
|
|
constraint. Most escape sequences take an extra 6-8
|
|
characters each. (I know that limits my user base to only
|
|
RB users, but thats fine with me).
|
|
|
|
[ If I ever get around to it ... a valid suggestion. ]
|
|
|
|
2) If you have FIDO's for different machines (FIDO_DEC,
|
|
FIDO_IBM, etc.) why not incorporate more of the machine
|
|
dependent controls in them (e.e., use the <HELP> key for
|
|
help instead of "?" and use the function keys to make File
|
|
Area or Msg Area selection.
|
|
|
|
[ ... because its hardware independent. In order to do that,
|
|
Id need a "universally" defined way to specify non-ASCII
|
|
keys; I dont. Also, since many of these keys generate odd
|
|
code sequences (DEC: escape codes; IBM; null followed by an
|
|
8 bit byte) they often get filtered out by comm. programs. ]
|
|
|
|
3) I'd like to see the menu options displayed 'frozen' in
|
|
the top or bottom 1 or 2 rows of the screen, highlighted or
|
|
whatever. Watching a scrolling display is poring $
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:18:31 Page 16
|
|
|
|
primative. I'd like to see Fido use more of the display
|
|
capabilities of the Rainbow.
|
|
|
|
[ Again, hardware dependent, and most comm. programs do not
|
|
supprot it. It has to be done in the users comm. program;
|
|
Fido cannot do anything. Note that a Minitel and Fido
|
|
combination will be able to do this sometime this summer.
|
|
You can do it now on DECs by putting the scrolling region
|
|
stuff into the help files. ]
|
|
4) How come the word privilege is misspelled throughout the
|
|
program and documentation?
|
|
|
|
[ Cause I dont own a dictionary ]
|
|
5) What did you do to the S/W between v10a & v10a1/2. I use
|
|
to be able to direct output to my printer out of RUNBBS.BAT
|
|
(ctty prn). Now I can't.
|
|
|
|
[ Thats should not happen ... will look at it. ]
|
|
6) How do I input additions to the Oper. Manual. I have a
|
|
Racal Vadic 3451P modem. It took some strap cuttings on
|
|
one of the boards to get it to work right. It also bugs me
|
|
to see RV212 come up when I start Fido_dec. How about a
|
|
param for the 3451?
|
|
|
|
[ In order to support any hardware, I need access to the
|
|
hardware for testing. I also need manuals. I cannot code for
|
|
something I didnt even knew existed. ]
|
|
7) It would also be nice to know if any msgs have been left
|
|
for you when you first log on instead of having to go into
|
|
each msg area & look. Couldn't that kind of status be kept
|
|
in USER.BBS where you verify the login. At least a
|
|
'MESSAGE(S) WAITING' prompt after log on would let you know
|
|
to look or not. Ideally, would be to see the msg areas & #
|
|
of msgs waiting in each area.
|
|
|
|
[ I coded that into a test version; for 8 message areas, it
|
|
took over 5 minutes ... quickly removed it. There will be
|
|
some changes in that dept. soon ... ]
|
|
Like I said above, I love the Fido program. I've been
|
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hooked on it since I got a copy at DECUS in Anaheim. I'd
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be happy to enhance it to use more of the RB functions.
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I'm sure you don't want anyone mucking around with your
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S/W, but maybe you could send me the subroutines that do
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the displays and I could send submit them to you for your
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acceptance. I've been in the computer field since '66 and
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have an extensive background in the industry. I work for a
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Navy research lab in DS & teach part time at UCSD. I also
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am chairman of the Rainbow LUG in San Diego.
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[ Fido uses a very large set of hardware independent
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libraries; it is a major project to add things like function
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keys. The main problem functionally is that I have no
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control over comm programs, and most computers dont have a
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consistent way of addressing the cursor remotely, if they
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have one at all. One absolute design rule I use is that Fido
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must be compatible with EVERYONE; about the only machines it
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is hard to work with are ones with less than 10 lines and 20
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fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:18:40 Page 17
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columns. Until things are more consistent, changes in screen
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handling will be made very slowly. The future
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Minitel/Telink/Fido screen support is going to be complex
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internally, and only possible because I have control at both
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ends. ]
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I RUN THE FOLLOWING BATCH FILE EVERY MORNING WHEN I COME IN
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AND IT MAKES LIFE MUCH SIMPLER FOR ME AS A FIDO SYSOP.
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I CALL THIS FILE SYSOP.BAT
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COPY SYSOP.LOG LPT1
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ERASE SYSOP.LOG
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COPY MAILER.LOG LPT1
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ERASE MAILER.LOG
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COPY ASNWERS.BBS LPT1
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ERASE ANSWERS.BBS
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FIDOUSER.EXE
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THIS TAKES CARE OF NINETY NINE PERCENT OF THE WORK
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As a young puppy (new Fido Sysop) I have just started
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to enter the fascinating world of FIDO. In case you do not
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know, FIDO is the world's first BBS network. BBS network,
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you ask ? Yes, FIDO is a complete BBS program complete with
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the normal Electronic user to user mail, multiple bulletin
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boards, file transfers, and FIDO NET Mail.
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Fido is the brain child of Mr. Tom Jennings of San
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Francisco, California. Tom did the original programming, and
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|
still produces all the updates as needed to keep FIDO error
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|
free and running properly. FIDO is written in the C
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|
language, and as such is about as fast as I have ever seen a
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BBS run. FIDO requires 256k of memory, MSDOS 2.0 or higher
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|
and at least 2 floppies to run on. It is recommended that
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|
you use a hard disk whenever possible.
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At this point in time FIDO is available for the IBM PC,
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XT, AT, and PC Junior, as well as the Dec Rainbow 100, 100+,
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100B, and the Otrona Attache 8:16. A Sanyo version is almost
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|
ready for release and by press time should be ready for
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distribution.
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Let us now explore FIDO one section at a time, and see
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|
what makes this program the ULTIMATE in BBS software.
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The message area can consist of up to 99 separate
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boards with each board devoted to a different subject
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|
matter. Each area can have it's own access level thus
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|
allowing any caller any combination of boards that you the
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Sysop desire that caller to be able to access. When you set
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|
up the board initially you have 2 message areas that callers
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|
can enter, read and write to, and a special area devoted to
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replies from the Sysop to feedback messages left by your
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callers. In the message area are the usual commands as well
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|
as two special ones the merit attention. The first is the
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|
REPLY command. This is used when a caller wishes to reply to
|
|
a message left by someone else. It sets up a message thread
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fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:18:47 Page 18
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that is managed by the program. If a message in the thread,
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|
or at the beginning or end of the thread is deleted the
|
|
thread remains intact and can still be accessed. The second
|
|
command is the READ REPLY command which allows the caller to
|
|
read the entire thread from beginning to end. These two
|
|
commands come in very handy, especially when the messages
|
|
are about a newly released hardware or software item, and
|
|
the users comments pertaining to the use, and or problems
|
|
with such products. This is the least used command, and it
|
|
is really a shame to let that much power goto waste.
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|
The second area is the file transfer area. Here the
|
|
Sysop can set up to 99 separate areas for the transfer of
|
|
software, text and documentation files, or whatever his
|
|
users need to have access to. As before each area can have
|
|
different security levels, thus allowing many possible
|
|
combinations for each caller. At last count there were 9
|
|
different transfer protocols built into the program thus
|
|
allowing a multitude of different computers to upload and
|
|
download software.
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The Sysop has many choices in this area in setting the
|
|
security levels thus preventing un-authorized access and use
|
|
of software. If a caller does not have a high enough level,
|
|
he just never sees a particular area, and thus will not even
|
|
know of it's existence. This feature I make use of while I
|
|
am out on the road visiting a client. I can call in and
|
|
access any or all of my own software, WITH no other caller
|
|
even know where it is, or how to get to it. The people who
|
|
wrote the security portions of this BBS certainly deserve a
|
|
lot of credit for their insight into potential problems that
|
|
might occur.
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|
|
The caller can change many of his attributes at any
|
|
time thus allowing him to customize the program to benefit
|
|
him the most. This is the CHANGE area on the main menu.
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|
FIDONET or FIDO Mail is actually a program inside a
|
|
program. This is perhaps the most powerful aspect of the
|
|
entire system. FIDONET allows a caller the capability to
|
|
send messages to any of the other FIDO BBSs in the world,
|
|
just by calling into his local FIDO system. The first
|
|
INTERCONTINENTAL FIDO message was recently sent from FIDO
|
|
number 117 in Jakarta, Indonesia to FIDO number 51 in St.
|
|
Louis. FIDO boards operate at this time in the United
|
|
States, England, Sweden, and of course Indonesia, with one
|
|
to open in Israel in the near future.
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|
FIDONET collects the messages left on the BBS in the
|
|
FIDONET area, and groups them into packets for transmission
|
|
to each FIDO there is a message waiting to be transmitted
|
|
to. Then during the National Mail Slot, each FIDO initiates
|
|
calls to the other FIDO systems it has messages for and
|
|
transmits them. Expensive you might wonder ? The answer has
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fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:18:55 Page 19
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to be a definite NO !! Each FIDO has it's own node number
|
|
which makes it unique in the network. In our case all of our
|
|
incoming mail is routed thru our host in New York City. This
|
|
allows the individual FIDO systems to group together in one
|
|
packet many messages for all the systems served by my host
|
|
and make ONE transmission thus cutting down the number of
|
|
calls each system makes. When the message packet is received
|
|
it is decoded and new packets are then assembled for each of
|
|
the systems the host serves. Then in the second local time
|
|
slot all of these message packets are then sent on to their
|
|
destinations. The routing system also helps to keep costs
|
|
very low. Many times your callers enter 35 messages to let's
|
|
say a total of 12 different FIDO systems. However of these
|
|
35 messages perhaps 25 of them are routed thru 6 host
|
|
systems. This cuts the number of calls your system makes
|
|
that night from 35 down to 12 calls in all. As you can see
|
|
this makes for a definite savings.
|
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|
The network is totally synchronized so that all of
|
|
these transfers can take place with no Sysop intervention.
|
|
It is automatic and totally transparent to the average user
|
|
of your system.
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|
|
Tom and all the other programmers have got this working
|
|
so well now that the average cost to send a message and/or
|
|
program of 7000 characters is a mere 25 cents. Where else
|
|
can can you get overnight service for that low of a price.
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|
The Sysop program allows you to set up each user with
|
|
an account and this account is charged each time a message
|
|
is successfully sent. Some Sysops only allow people to send
|
|
FIDONET mail when they have first made a deposit to cover
|
|
the costs, and others give callers FIDONET credit when they
|
|
upload software, thus allowing the user to make full use of
|
|
FIDONET and the system to grow with each upload.
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|
The support given behind this software is perhaps the
|
|
best in the industry. As each new Sysop comes online, he
|
|
finds an experienced Sysop to help him with the initial
|
|
setup of his system. Of course a new new Sysop can also send
|
|
FIDONET mail to Tom at FIDO number 1, and get help in that
|
|
fashion. The documentation is perhaps the only sore point of
|
|
the entire system. Copious as it is, the doc's leave a
|
|
little to be desired by the average first time Sysop.
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As each new system gets ready to run, the Sysop must
|
|
send a FIDONET message to FIDO 51 requesting a node
|
|
assignment. This serves a dual purpose of making sure
|
|
FIDONET is working on his system, and allowing each new
|
|
system to be properly placed in the Node list and the route
|
|
list which are updated with additions, deletions, and
|
|
changes EVERY Friday night which keeps the lists as current
|
|
and as up like no other BBS list.
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fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:19:04 Page 20
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In fact if a master update was needed a Sysop could
|
|
send a message to every node, and as each was received the
|
|
message would be deleted. At the end of a week or so, as all
|
|
the messages are delivered or not delivered (allowing for
|
|
hardware problems, etc;) one could get a complete ACCURATE
|
|
list of all the nodes not taking messages at that time.
|
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|
Sounds good you say. Where do I purchase this system
|
|
from ? Well that's the best part of FIDO. If you are a die
|
|
hard, it must be in a book type of person, then you may
|
|
purchase the program, complete with printed manuals and
|
|
binder from the author. Tom's address is as follows.
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|
Fido Software
|
|
2269 Market Street # 118
|
|
San Francisco, California 94114
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|
|
If you are willing to experience the joy of doing it
|
|
yourself then FIDO may be obtained at NO CHARGE simply by
|
|
downloading it from almost any of the FIDO systems. Most
|
|
systems that have the software for downloading have a file
|
|
called GETFIDO. Read this file first to see exactly what
|
|
files you need to download for your computer system.
|
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|
|
Make sure you get the get the Documentation file and
|
|
the Sysop program for your type of computer. I can't speak
|
|
for any other Sysop but if you need help in setting up,
|
|
please feel free to call voice from 9 am to 5 pm at (914)
|
|
352-6801 or if you desire to see FIDO in action call the
|
|
above number from 6 pm to 9 am. We accept 300 and 1200 baud
|
|
and use the normal parameters for the speed you select.
|
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|
All in all, this is perhaps the best BBS system around,
|
|
and I have run several other systems. I am one of the many
|
|
Sysops who changed over from RBBS to FIDO. This system will
|
|
also run under Multi-Link thus allowing multiple users to
|
|
access the system.
|
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|
Richard Levey-Sysop Electronic Store-(914)352-6801
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NOTICES
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FOR SALE
|
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|
|
----The Pacesetter Company----
|
|
11118 Cripplegate Road
|
|
Potomac, Md. 20854
|
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|
|
" 7% over Wholesale "
|
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|
|
You got it ! The Pacesetter sells computer software and
|
|
hardware at 7 % over wholesale. No club memberships, no come
|
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fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:19:11 Page 21
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ons, just good, low prices. All the time including such
|
|
popular items as Hayes modems, Alloy Hard Disks, and AST
|
|
6-Paks. Come on -- call us -- (301) 299 - 3228 (Our BBS)
|
|
Thanks again... Brian Driscoll
|
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|
|
From Enrique Mora on Fido 314
|
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|
|
Creative Computer Consulting
|
|
4900 Ledgestone Dr.
|
|
Fort Worth Texas
|
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76132
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|
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Special offer to all FIDO sysops
|
|
--------------------------------
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All FIDO sysops will receive discounts of cost plus ten
|
|
percent (plus s/h) on all orders over $100.00.
|
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|
CCC is a dealer of hardware, software, accessories and books
|
|
for a number of micro computers, including:
|
|
IBM PC and Compatibles
|
|
DEC
|
|
Xerox
|
|
Apple
|
|
Commodore
|
|
Atari
|
|
Victor
|
|
cp/m 5 1/4" and 8"
|
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|
|
If you are thinking of purchasing some computer related
|
|
equipment call or send a message via FIDONET to FIDO#314. We
|
|
will be glad to give you a quote.
|
|
|
|
Creative Computer Consulting - Sponsoring FIDO#314
|
|
voice (817)346-2653
|
|
data (817)294-7383
|
|
I HAVE 2 NEW 20 MEG HARD DRIVES WHICH ARE EXTERNAL
|
|
WITH CASE AND POWER SUPPLY, CABLES AND CONTROLLER CARDS.
|
|
COVERED BY ONE YEAR WARRANTY.
|
|
DRIVES MADE BY CMI. CONTROLLER-DTC CARD.
|
|
EACH UNTIL IS SELLING FOR $1375.00
|
|
ALL ARE BRAND NEW IN THE BOX WITH FULL DOC'S
|
|
CONTACT RICHARD LEVEY VIA FIDO 79.
|
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|
|
I HAVE THE FOLLOWING FOR SALE AT THIS TIME.
|
|
1 D.S.D.D. DRIVE BRAND NEW NEVER USED
|
|
2 S.S.D.D. DRIVES BRAND NEW NEVER USED
|
|
ALL COVERED BY MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY.
|
|
PACKAGE PRICE IS $200 (AMERICAN)
|
|
CONTACT ME VIA NODE 79 UNTIL I GET MY
|
|
NODE NUMBER.....RICHARD LEVEY
|
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WANTED
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WANTED TO BUY: One used Gavilan computer.
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fidonews -- 16 Jan 85 23:19:15 Page 22
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|
Send details (accessories, condition and price) to:
|
|
Andy Meyer, FidoNet, Fido #317 - or contact Sysop of
|
|
SMC-70 Citadel: (201) 930-6483 [24 hours, 300 baud]
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