1640 lines
76 KiB
Plaintext
1640 lines
76 KiB
Plaintext
Volume 5, Number 4 25 January 1988
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+---------------------------------------------------------------+
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| _ |
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| / \ |
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| /|oo \ |
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| - FidoNews - (_| /_) |
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| _`@/_ \ _ |
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| International | | \ \\ |
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| FidoNet Association | (*) | \ )) |
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| Newsletter ______ |__U__| / \// |
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| / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / |
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| (________) (_/(_|(____/ |
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| (jm) |
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+---------------------------------------------------------------+
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Editor in Chief Dale Lovell
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Editor Emeritus: Thom Henderson
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Chief Procrastinator Emeritus: Tom Jennings
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Contributing Editors: Al Arango
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FidoNews is published weekly by the International FidoNet
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Association as its official newsletter. You are encouraged to
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submit articles for publication in FidoNews. Article submission
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standards are contained in the file ARTSPEC.DOC, available from
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node 1:1/1.
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Copyright 1987 by the International FidoNet Association. All
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rights reserved. Duplication and/or distribution permitted for
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noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances,
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please contact IFNA at (314) 576-4067. IFNA may also be contacted
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at PO Box 41143, St. Louis, MO 63141.
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The contents of the articles contained here are not our
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responsibility, nor do we necessarily agree with them.
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Everything here is subject to debate. We publish EVERYTHING
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received.
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Table of Contents
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1. EDITORIAL ................................................ 1
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2. ARTICLES ................................................. 2
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The FidoNet Bill of Rights, part 2 ....................... 2
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POLICY4 Draft Proposal from Neal Curtin .................. 8
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REDCON An EchoMail Idea follow-up ........................ 20
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SOUTHERNET(tm) Another View of an old problem ............ 21
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Voyager 1's Problems ..................................... 22
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3. WANTED ................................................... 26
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4. NOTICES .................................................. 27
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The Interrupt Stack ...................................... 27
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Latest Software Versions ................................. 27
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FidoNews 5-04 Page 1 25 Jan 1988
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=================================================================
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EDITORIAL
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=================================================================
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Well, I think I've finally got things worked out here at
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FidoNews. There were a few problems at first, but I think I've
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finally got everything worked out. Hopefully everything will work
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again this week and I can count on everything working as it
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should.
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Some of you may have a received a miniature copy of FidoNews
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two weeks ago. I'd like to apologize for this, but for some
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reason the software that puts FidoNews together won't run
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properly off of a file server. I caught the error at about 2:00
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am, unfortunately some people had already gotten a copy. I
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quickly fixed the problem with the one being sent out, but missed
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a FNEWS502.ARC. A few more picked up the bad file and while I
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tried to send out a corrected version to everyone but may have
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missed someone in all the confusion.
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I'd like to thank all of you who have sent me mail and
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submissions. You've all helped make FidoNews what it is, and have
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helped keep the net together at the same time. What are some of
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the articles you can look forward to in the near future? Well,
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starting off this week there is the first of a proposed POLICY4
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document for FidoNet (not IFNA). These should be running over the
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next few weeks. In addition to the proposed documents, I'd like
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to see some discussion on them. If FidoNet appears to come to a
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consensus on a POLICY4.DOC, it will end up affecting everyone. So
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make sure you speak up now.
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We also have some articles on some of the new software being
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used in FidoNet. Programs like BinkleyTerm and the new Opus. I'd
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also like to see some articles on Fido version 12 and Dutchie
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while we're at it. I'm also still waiting for some new columns in
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FidoNews. It still seems a little empty knowing I won't be
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writing my old column for some time and I'd like to fill that
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spot in the near future.
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Oh well...It's approaching print time and I've got to get
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this over to the other machine here. Next time around I should
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actually have something to say about some of the recent events
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in FidoNet. Until then, read and enjoy!
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Your Editor,
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Dale Lovell
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1:1/1 (1:157/504)
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216/642-1034 (data)
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Home Work
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3266 Vezber Drive Parma Computer Center
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Seven Hills, OH 44131 5402 State Road
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216/524-1875 (voice) Parma, OH 44134
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216/661-1808
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-----------------------------------------------------------------
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FidoNews 5-04 Page 2 25 Jan 1988
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=================================================================
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ARTICLES
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=================================================================
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Randy Edwards
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132/555.1
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The Bill of Rights
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Follow Up
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Since I put out the FidoNet Sysop's Bill of Rights I've heard
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many comments and suggestions about it. I'd like to share a few
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thoughts about the idea.
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Some have thought that this proposal in some way 'threatens'
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IFNA. I couldn't disagree more. I see it as complimenting IFNA
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and in fact making IFNA more 'legit'. By this I mean with the
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Bill of Rights or something similar in place, we'll have a
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democratic, free for all FidoNet with elected coordinators
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managing the day to day operations. What could compliment IFNA
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more?
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Some have mentioned that the Coordinator elections will
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become a big political circus. I don't think so. You'll notice
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the election 'season' is limited to 30 days and for 90% of the
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elections there will be 50 or less votes to count. This should
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be fast and easy to manage and verify. I think most nodes in
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the Network are quite happy with their coordinators (I am) and I
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don't foresee any massive changes or radical swings. Even if
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that were to happen it'd be the _will_ of the net. I don't
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believe we'll have a lot of problems with new coordinators.
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A new coordinator can't have less than a year in the FidoNet,
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so we won't have a chance of a raw rookie as Zone Coordinator.
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And with an orderly system of replacement we'll have less
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'burnout' and we'll bring fresh blood into the system.
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The FidoNet is getting too large and powerful to have it keep
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running the way it was when it had 50 nodes. It's time for real
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netwide democracy.
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A few things to consider ...
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Do we have a consistent netwide policy of replacing
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coordinators and preventing 'burnout'? No.
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Do we have a consistent policy of having assistant or
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temporary coordinators in case of unexpected events? No.
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Does each node in the network have a fair and equal voice in
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FidoNews 5-04 Page 3 25 Jan 1988
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how it is being governed? No.
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Does each node have protection from software discrimination
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and unfair dues, taxes, or fees? No.
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Does each node have protection from others deleting echomail
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or automatically copying all of their incoming netmail? No.
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Here's one attempt at solving those and a few other problems.
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[*] THE FIDONET SYSOP'S BILL OF RIGHTS [*]
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version 0.10
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[1] Any new POLICYx document must be ratified by the
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same process as an amendment or deletion to this document.
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(see #10 below)
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[2] (a) No node may delete or modify (except modification by
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recognized netmail utilities) intransit netmail unless it
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is obviously illegal in nature. Copying or recording of
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intransit messages is forbidden. An exception to this right
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is prior agreement between all parties.
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(b) No node may delete or modify (except modification by
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recognized net/echomail utilities) intransit echomail unless
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it is obviously illegal in nature. An exception to this
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rule is an agreed-upon conference moderator. All nodes must
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do any local modification or deletion ('chopping' or 'ed-
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meeseing') of echomail after it is scanned.
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[3] (a) Every node has the right to choose to be listed in
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either the local geographic network, or as an independent
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node in the local geographic region.
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(b) No independent regional node will be subject to any
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mandatory dues, taxes, or fees of any kind.
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(c) Every node has the right to run any FTSC approved
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software and no network will restrict software types.
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[4] Every network will have an Election every 12 months.
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The election will be held in June (see {2} below), in honor
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of the month the original FidoNet converted nodelists. Every
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node in the network will have one vote towards the position of
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Network Coordinator. Elections are won by straight majority,
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but elections that are not won by more than 5% are submitted to
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an automatic revote within 30 days. This is to ensure the
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winner of an election has enough support to work effectively
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and to help prevent controversial election results.
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The Network Coordinator, upon election, will name an
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assistant. The Assistant Coordinator (at each level (Net,
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FidoNews 5-04 Page 4 25 Jan 1988
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Reg., Zone)) will act as Coordinator at any time the elected
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coordinator is unable to. Additionally, if a Coordinator
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resigns, the Assistant will take over until the following
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election (or recalled by a recall vote, see below). The newly
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elected Network Coordinator will serve until the following June
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when a new election will be held. The Network Coordinator will
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act as a combination 'Prime Minister' and 'Representative' of
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the Net in addition to any other duties outlined in Policy4.
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Additionally, if there are 10 or more independant nodes in
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a Region, (termed a Group, see {1} below) they are also
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encouraged to have similar elections as above selecting one
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person to be thier Representative, though since independent
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regional nodes are independent, the Representative's position
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will be in an unofficial capacity (see below).
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[5] If at any time during a Network Coordinators term of
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office, if 25% of the nodes in the network agree they can
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submit a Request for Recall to the Network and Regional
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Coordinators, who will have 2 weeks to verify the Request
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for Recall and respond to the plantiffs via netmail. Within
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60 days of the Request for Recall a new election will be held
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(unless the June election is within 60 days).
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[6] Every region will have an Election every 12 months.
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The election will be held in August (see {2} below), in honor
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of the month of the first FidoCon and the birth of IFNA and
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the start of democracy in the FidoNet. Every Network
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Coordinator in the Region will vote towards the position
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of Regional Coordinator. Additionally, if a Region has 10
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or more independant nodes in it and the nodes have elected
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a Representative (see above), then that Representative will
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vote in the Regional elections.
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Each Network Coordinator (and Group Rep) will cast votes
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toward the position of Regional Coordinator which total up to
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the total number of nodes that the Network Coordinator (Rep.)
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had in his Network (or Group) at the time he was elected. But,
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if the total number of nodes in any one net or group in any
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particular region add up to 50% or more of the total nodes in
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that region then that net must be broken up into two (or more)
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nets to prevent unfair elections.
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The Regional Coordinator, upon election, will name an
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assistant and serve until the following August when a new
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election will be held. The Regional Coordinator will act as
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a combination 'Prime Minister' and 'Representative' of the
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Region, in addition to any other duties outlined in Policy4.
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[7] If at any time during a Regional Coordinators term of
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office, if 25% of the Network Coordinators (plus one vote
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for a qualified 10+ elected independant regional Group
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Representative) in the region agree they can submit a
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Request for Recall to the Regional and Zone Coordinators,
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who will have 2 weeks to verify the Request for Recall and
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respond to the plantiffs via netmail. Within 60 days of the
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FidoNews 5-04 Page 5 25 Jan 1988
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Request for Recall a new election will be held (unless the
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August election is within 60 days).
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[8] Every zone will have an Election every 12 months. The
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election will be held in September (see {2} below), in honor
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of the month of the first St. Louis nodelist. Every Regional
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Coordinator in the Zone will vote towards the position of Zone
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Coordinator.
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Each Regional Coordinator will cast votes toward the
|
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position of Zone Coordinator which total up to the total number
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of nodes that the Regional Coordinator had in his Region at the
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time he was elected. If the total number of nodes in any one
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||
region in the zone add up to 50% or more of the total nodes in
|
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that zone then that region must be broken up into two (or more)
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regions.
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||
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||
The Zone Coordinator, upon election, will name an assistant
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and serve until the following September when a new election will
|
||
be held. The Zone Coordinator will act as a combination 'Prime
|
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Minister' and 'Representative' of the Zone in addition to any
|
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other duties outlined in Policy4.
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[9] If at any time during a Zone Coordinators term of office,
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if 25% of the Regional Coordinators (plus one vote for a
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qualified 10+ Group) in the zone agree they can submit a Request
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for Recall to the Zone and Int'l Coordinators, who will have 2
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weeks to verify the Request for Recall and respond to the
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plantiffs via netmail. Within 60 days of the Request for Recall
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a new election will be held (unless the August election is
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within 60 days).
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[10] An amendment or deletion to this Bill of Rights or
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ratification of a new Policy document is done by a Constitional
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Convention. The exact procedure is this:
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If a node wishes an amendment or deletion (which should be
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thought out carefully, for it is a very serious matter) he must
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write up a Proposal for the amendment or deletion stating the
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reasons for a change.
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The proposal is sent to the proposing nodes Net Coordinator (or
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RC for a Regional Ind.) who must verify it by responding in no
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more than seven days to the proposing node via netmail. The
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Network Coordinator then will put the proposal on the Net ballot
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for next election (whether it be recall or the June election).
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If the proposal does not win by more than 5% then is is a failed
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proposal and no further action is taken on it. If the proposal
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wins by more than 5% then the proposal is submitted to each of
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the Regional Coordinators and to the Zone Coordinator. Upon
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receipt the Regional Coordinators have 60 days to vote on the
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Proposal and notify the Zone Coordinator of their vote. The
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Zone Coordinator will then tally the votes and notify the RC's
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and the Node who submitted the proposal of the RC's vote via
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netmail. If the RC's vote 75% in favor For the amendment or
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deletion then the Proposal is submitted for a Zone
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FidoNews 5-04 Page 6 25 Jan 1988
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Constitutional Vote.
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The Zone Constitutional Vote (ZCV) is done in June. Every
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Node in the Network votes on a ZCV. The ZCV is done by placing
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the Proposal on each individual Network's (and qualified
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Regional Group) ballot for Network Coordinator. Each Network
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Coordinator will then tally his/her Network's ZCV vote and
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submit it to the Zone Coordinator who has 30 days to add up the
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total ZCV vote and report it to the RC's and NC's.
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The ZCV vote is won on a straight majority count of votes -
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but for a change to this Bill of Rights to take place the
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Proposal must 'win' the vote by at least 5% - if the proposal
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wins, but does not win by 5% then the Proposal is considered too
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controversial and is held over for an automatic ZCV revote the
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following June.
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---
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{1} GROUP = A Group consists of 10 or more independant nodes
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in any given regione. Some independent regional nodes don't
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directly vote in elections, but most large Groups organize
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themselves into unofficial 'mini-nets' for voting reasons, and
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elect a semi-official spokesman for the Group called a
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Representative to cast their vote in regional elections. Each
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Regional Group Representative election must take place
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in the same month and manner as other Regional elections.
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{2} ELECTIONS = A potential candidate for a Coordinator
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position must think long and hard before volunteering, the
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demands are many and the pay is nothing. A candidate must have
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already been a node in the particular net/region/zone for at
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least one year before you can volunteer to run. Before each
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election, candidates for the Coordinator position must volunteer
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six weeks before the actual election date to the current holder
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of the desired position. The current holder must verify the
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candidacy by replying via netmail to the candidate within 7
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days. The ballot is then made up of prospective volunteers. If
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there are no volunteers then the immediate superior coordinator
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is free to appoint any node to the position (who will be subject
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to recall), assume the position temporarily himself, repeat the
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election process at a specified date, or to disband the
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||
net/region in accordance with appropriate Policyx document.
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The ballot is then made up by the current coordinator of all
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the people volunteering for the position. This ballot should be
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posted as widely as possible by the current coordinator,
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candidates, and all net members beginning on the first day of
|
||
the election month. This is the beginning of the election
|
||
campaign. On the twenty-seventh of the election month the
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||
current coordinator will start accepting the actual ballots from
|
||
the appropriate voters. The polls close at midnight on the last
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||
day of the voting month. The current coordinator then has 7
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||
days to tally the votes and announce the results. If the
|
||
current coordinator is to be replaced, then this shall be done
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||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 7 25 Jan 1988
|
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within 7 days.
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[*] End of the FidoNet Bill of Rights [*]
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||
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||
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||
---
|
||
|
||
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Standard version numbers are in effect:
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||
1.23
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1 = Major change, 2 = Minor change, 3 = Tiny change
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||
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||
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||
Changes:
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||
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||
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Version 0.10
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||
* Added Policyx verification by ZCV. (Why not?!)
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* Defined/outlined the election process.
|
||
* Gave the NC's and RC's a "total vote" which is the total of
|
||
the nodes at the time of the NC or RC's election. Since the
|
||
FidoNet is made up of volunteers with limited time we cannot run
|
||
a 'two-house' democracy (it'd be big, slow and would further
|
||
hurt the effectiveness of the "dictatorship" of the various
|
||
coordinators). So to directly represent the will of the nodes
|
||
in the FidoNet we give the NC's and RC's voting power based on
|
||
the total number of nodes under them. Simple, effective, and
|
||
fair.
|
||
* Added rights for discrimenation of software, and for no
|
||
dues or fees to be placed on regional independents. Some
|
||
networks might want to charge a fee, so it'll be up to them.
|
||
The regional ind's will have the right never to be charged
|
||
(since all nodes can be reg ind's).
|
||
* Changes to recall and amendment percentages. Added net-
|
||
vote for amendments to the Bill of Rights, stressed netmail
|
||
verification, other minor spelling/wording changes ...
|
||
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||
|
||
Version 0.00
|
||
|
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* Original draft.
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||
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-----------------------------------------------------------------
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FidoNews 5-04 Page 8 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
Ed note: This is one of several proposals for the new POLICY4
|
||
document which is being published for review by
|
||
FidoNet Sysops and the subcommittee of Membership
|
||
Services. Publication of these proposals will take
|
||
place in FidoNews weekly until they have all been
|
||
seen.
|
||
|
||
Discussion regarding the new POLICY4 is taking place
|
||
in the POLICY4 EchoMail conference.
|
||
---------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
F I D O N E T
|
||
|
||
Policy and Procedures Guide
|
||
|
||
Version 4 Draft Proposal
|
||
|
||
Chapter 1
|
||
|
||
OVERVIEW
|
||
|
||
FidoNet is an amateur electronic mail system. As such, all of
|
||
its participants and operators are non-paid volunteers. Some
|
||
may be professionals in the computer field, but in the net, they
|
||
are volunteers. From its early beginnings as a few friends
|
||
swapping messages back and forth, it has now grown to (Date
|
||
later) over 1600 different systems on four continents. It
|
||
includes more than just Fido systems now. We have OPUS, Seadog,
|
||
TBBS, Dutchie, and there will be more to come.
|
||
|
||
FidoNet is large enough that it would quickly fall apart of its
|
||
own weight unless some sort of structure and control were
|
||
imposed on it. Multi net operation provides the structure.
|
||
Decentralized management provides the control. This document is
|
||
an attempt to describe the procedures which have been developed
|
||
to manage the network.
|
||
|
||
1.1 Definitions
|
||
|
||
FidoNet systems are grouped on several levels. These are as
|
||
follows:
|
||
|
||
o Point: A point is the smallest unit of the Fidonet. One or
|
||
more Points can be assembled under a node. These points are
|
||
visible only to the node over the point.
|
||
|
||
o Nodes: A node is a single FidoNet address, and is the
|
||
smallest recognized, addressable unit of FidoNet.
|
||
|
||
o Networks: A network is a collection of nodes, usually in a
|
||
relatively small geographic area. Networks coordinate their
|
||
mail activity to decrease cost and increase mail throughput.
|
||
|
||
o Regions: A region is a well defined geographic area
|
||
containing nodes which may or may not be combined into
|
||
networks. A typical region will contain many nodes in
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 9 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
networks, and a few independent nodes, which are not a part
|
||
of any network.
|
||
|
||
o Zones: A zone is a large geographic area containing many
|
||
regions, and covering one or more countries and/or
|
||
continents.
|
||
|
||
o FidoNet: This indicates the entire public amateur mail
|
||
network, as defined by the weekly node list.
|
||
|
||
o IFNA (International FidoNet Association): An association
|
||
formed by a group of FidoNet Sysops. It was formed as a
|
||
means to formalize some functions, such as nodelist
|
||
compilation, and to defray expenses incurred in promoting
|
||
FidoNet.
|
||
|
||
o Nodelist; A weekly file that contains the addresses of all
|
||
recognized nodes. This file is compiled on Friday by IFNA
|
||
and is made available in electronic form at no charge by
|
||
IFNA. It is not required to be a member of IFNA to be listed
|
||
in the nodelist.
|
||
|
||
o TechNet: Another nodelist compilation association. It,
|
||
unlike IFNA, is not a paid membership association.
|
||
|
||
1.2 The Levels of FidoNet
|
||
|
||
With the introduction of multi net Fido in early 1985, FidoNet
|
||
has developed a hierarchical structure, with the following
|
||
levels:
|
||
|
||
o The International Technical Coordinator; The International
|
||
Technical Coordinator compiles all of the node lists from all
|
||
of the regions and creates the master node list, which is
|
||
then distributed over FidoNet.
|
||
|
||
o The Zone Coordinator: In some cases the International
|
||
Technical Coordinator will appoint a Zone Coordinator to
|
||
oversee FidoNet operations in a given zone. The exact duties
|
||
and responsibilities of any given Zone Coordinator are
|
||
assigned by the International Technical Coordinator, and will
|
||
not be discussed here.
|
||
|
||
o The Regional Coordinator: The Regional Coordinator maintains
|
||
the list of independent nodes in his region and accepts node
|
||
lists from the Network Coordinators in his region. He
|
||
compiles these lists to create a regional node list for his
|
||
region, which he then sends to the International Technical
|
||
Coordinator. A Regional Coordinator does not perform routing
|
||
services for any nodes in his region.
|
||
|
||
o The Network Coordinator: The Network Coordinator is
|
||
responsible for maintaining the list of nodes for his
|
||
network, and for receiving and forwarding any mail coming to
|
||
the network from outside.
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 10 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
o The Network Routing Hub: Network Routing Hubs exist only in
|
||
three tiered networks. They generally share some or all of
|
||
the duties of the Network Coordinator, in order to ease the
|
||
management of a large network. The exact duties and
|
||
procedures are a matter for the Network Coordinator and his
|
||
hubs to settle, and will not be discussed here. The Network
|
||
Coordinator is still responsible for the maintenance of the
|
||
network.
|
||
|
||
o The system operator (sysop): The sysop formulates his own
|
||
policy for running his board and dealing with his users, so
|
||
that will not be discussed in this document. However, the
|
||
sysop must also mesh with the rest of the FidoNet system if
|
||
he is to send and receive mail, and that will be discussed here.
|
||
|
||
o The user: Policy and procedures for the individual user on
|
||
any given board is determined by the system operator of that
|
||
board, and will not be considered in this document.
|
||
|
||
These levels act to distribute the administration and control of
|
||
FidoNet to the lowest possible level, while still allowing for
|
||
coordinated action over the entire mail system. Administration
|
||
is made possible by operating in a strict top-down manner. That
|
||
is, a person at any given level is responsible to the level
|
||
above him, and responsible for the level below him.
|
||
|
||
For example, a Regional Coordinator is solely responsible to the
|
||
International Technical Coordinator for anything that may or may
|
||
not happen in his region. From the point of view of the
|
||
International Technical Coordinator, the Regional Coordinator is
|
||
totally and completely responsible for the smooth operation of
|
||
his region. Likewise, from the point of view of the Regional
|
||
Coordinator, the Network Coordinators are totally and completely
|
||
responsible for the smooth operation of their networks.
|
||
|
||
If a person at any level above sysop is unable for any reason to
|
||
properly perform his duties, then he can be replaced by the
|
||
person at the next level up. For example, if a Regional
|
||
Coordinator is failing to perform his duties, then the
|
||
International Coordinator can cause him to be replaced. In
|
||
addition, if a majority of the lower level are dissatisfied with
|
||
the performance of the next level, they may ask for a
|
||
replacement.
|
||
|
||
Chapter 2
|
||
|
||
SYSOP PROCEDURES
|
||
|
||
A sysop of an individual node can pretty much do as he pleases,
|
||
as long as he observes the mail events, is not excessively
|
||
annoying to other nodes on FidoNet, and does not promote the
|
||
distribution of pirated copyrighted software.
|
||
|
||
National Mail Hour is the heart of FidoNet, as this is when
|
||
network mail is passed between systems. Any listed system which
|
||
wishes to be a part of FidoNet must be able to receive mail at
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 11 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
this time. A system which is a member of a network may also be
|
||
required to observe additional mail events, as defined by his
|
||
Network Coordinator. The only exception to this rule is a
|
||
private node. A private node, for some reason between the node
|
||
and the network coordinator, is not required to list his phone
|
||
number in the node list. The reason for being listed as private
|
||
are of no concern to anyone, other than the network coordinator.
|
||
Private status is allowed on the following conditions;
|
||
|
||
1) The private node has satisfactory arrangements with the
|
||
network coordinator that any incoming mail will be handled
|
||
without delay.
|
||
|
||
2) There are not an excessive number of private nodes within the
|
||
net.
|
||
|
||
Failure to observe the proper mail events is sufficient grounds
|
||
for any node to be dropped from FidoNet without notice (since
|
||
notice is generally given by FidoNet mail).
|
||
|
||
Network mail systems generally operate unattended, and place
|
||
calls at odd hours of the night. If a system tries to call an
|
||
incorrect or out of date number, it could cause some poor
|
||
citizen's phone to ring in the wee hours of the morning, much to
|
||
the annoyance of innocent bystanders and civil authorities. For
|
||
this reason, a sysop who sends mail is obligated to obtain and
|
||
use the most recent edition of the node list as is practical.
|
||
With the current level of automation in the distribution of the
|
||
nodelist, using a nodelist more than two weeks out of date is
|
||
cause for concern by the network coordinator, and is reason for
|
||
excommunication.
|
||
|
||
A system which has been dropped from the network is said to be
|
||
excommunicated (i.e. unable to communicate). A node which has
|
||
been excommunicated may or may not be listed for a time in the
|
||
"dog house", which is included in the comments at the end of the
|
||
node list. If you find that you have been excommunicated
|
||
without warning, then that means that your coordinator was
|
||
unable to contact you. You should rectify the problem and
|
||
report back.
|
||
|
||
The exact timing of National Mail Hour is set for each zone by
|
||
the International Coordinator, or by his designated Zone
|
||
Coordinator. In the United States, National Mail Hour is
|
||
observed from 0900 to 1000 GMT every day, weekends included. In
|
||
each of the United States time zones, this would be as follows:
|
||
|
||
Eastern Standard Time 4 AM to 5 AM
|
||
Central Standard Time 3 AM to 4 AM
|
||
Mountain Standard Time 2 AM to 3 AM
|
||
Pacific Standard Time 1 AM to 2 AM
|
||
Hawaii Standard Time 11 PM to Midnight
|
||
|
||
FidoNet does not observe daylight savings time. In areas which
|
||
observe daylight savings time the FidoNet mail schedules must be
|
||
adjusted in the same direction as the clock change.
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 12 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
Alternatively, you can simply leave your system on standard
|
||
time.
|
||
|
||
2.1 How to get a node number
|
||
|
||
You must first obtain a current node list so that you can send
|
||
mail. You do not need a node number to send mail, but you must
|
||
have one in order for others to send mail to you.
|
||
|
||
The first step in obtaining a current node list is to locate a
|
||
Fido bulletin board. Each network and regional coordinator is
|
||
required to have a current, full nodelist available for
|
||
downloading. Most bulletin board lists include at least a few
|
||
Fido systems, and usually identify them as such, so this
|
||
shouldn't be too hard.
|
||
|
||
If the sysop of any Fido system does not have a node list
|
||
available for downloading, then he can probably tell you where
|
||
to get one.
|
||
|
||
Once you have a node list, you must determine which network or
|
||
region covers your area. Networks always have a three digit
|
||
number. Networks are more restricted in area than regions, but
|
||
are generally preferred since they provide more services to
|
||
their members.
|
||
|
||
If you cannot find a network which covers your area, then pick
|
||
the region which does. Regions always have a two digit number.
|
||
The United States is divided into ten regions, so that you are
|
||
certainly in a region even if you are not near a network.
|
||
|
||
Once you have located the network or region in your area, send a
|
||
request for a node number to node zero of that network or
|
||
region. The request must be sent by FidoNet mail, and must
|
||
include at least the following:
|
||
|
||
1) Your name.
|
||
2) The name of your system.
|
||
3) The city and state where your system is located.
|
||
4) The phone number to be used when calling your system.
|
||
5) Your hours of operation.
|
||
6) The maximum baud rate you can support.
|
||
|
||
Your coordinator may want additional information. If so, he
|
||
will contact you.
|
||
|
||
Please allow at least two weeks for a node number request to be
|
||
processed. If you send your request to a Regional Coordinator,
|
||
then he may forward your request to the Network Coordinator who
|
||
covers your area (if any), which may take longer.
|
||
|
||
2.2 If you are going down
|
||
|
||
If your node will be down for an extended period (more than a
|
||
day or two), then you should inform your coordinator as soon as
|
||
possible. If you do not do this, then other systems will still
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 13 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
try to reach you while you are down, much to the annoyance of
|
||
everyone. Do not under any circumstances put an answering
|
||
machine or similar device on your phone line while you are down.
|
||
If you do, then calling systems will get the machine repeatedly,
|
||
racking up large phone bills, which is very annoying. See the
|
||
section on Resolution of Disputes for details on what happens to
|
||
annoying people.
|
||
|
||
If your system goes down without warning, then you may be placed
|
||
in the dog house, or even removed from the node list completely.
|
||
|
||
If you will be leaving your system unattended for an extended
|
||
period of time (such as while you are on vacation), you should
|
||
notify your coordinator. Systems do have a tendency to "crash"
|
||
now and then, so you will probably want your coordinator to know
|
||
that it is a temporary condition if it happens while you are
|
||
away.
|
||
|
||
2.3 How to join a network
|
||
|
||
If you are an independent node and would like to join a network
|
||
in your area, you must contact the Network Coordinator. He can
|
||
be reached by sending FidoNet mail to node zero of the network.
|
||
He will inform you of any special mail schedules and/or routing
|
||
required by the network. Your Regional Coordinator will contact
|
||
you to confirm that you wish to join the network. Once you have
|
||
been placed in the network, you will be informed by the Network
|
||
Coordinator.
|
||
|
||
There are many advantages to being in a network. First and
|
||
foremost is that it helps reduce congestion of FidoNet during
|
||
National Mail Hour. Also, many networks are "outbound" as well
|
||
as "inbound", which can substantially reduce your phone bills.
|
||
In addition, network members receive regular updates of the node
|
||
list and FidoNews, while an independent node may not.
|
||
|
||
2.4 How to form a network
|
||
|
||
If there are several nodes in your area, but no network, then
|
||
you may wish to form your own. Again, this has several
|
||
advantages as outlined above.
|
||
|
||
Your first step is to contact the other sysops in your area.
|
||
You must decide which nodes will comprise the network, and which
|
||
of those nodes is going to be the Network Coordinator. Your
|
||
next step is to inform your Regional Coordinator. You must send
|
||
him a FidoNet message with the following information:
|
||
|
||
1) The region number(s), or network number(s) if a network is
|
||
splitting up, that are affected by the formation of your
|
||
network. The Regional Coordinator will inform the International
|
||
Coordinator and the coordinators of any affected networks that a
|
||
new network is in formation.
|
||
|
||
2) The name that you wish to call your network. Please try to
|
||
select a name that relates to your grouping. For example,
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 14 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
SoCalNet for nodes in the Southern California Area and
|
||
MassNet for Massachusetts Area. Remember if you call yourself
|
||
DOGNET it doesn't help others know what area of the country (or
|
||
even what country) your group is in.
|
||
|
||
3) A copy of the proposed network's nodelist. The nodelist file
|
||
should be named Frrr-nnn.NET where rrr is the proposed host's
|
||
current region or network number and nnn is his current node
|
||
number. For example, if the proposed host is currently listed
|
||
as node 5 in region 13, then you would name the file
|
||
F013-005.NET. This file should be sent attached to the message
|
||
of Application for a Network Number.
|
||
|
||
SAMPLE FORMAT OF A Frrr-nnn.NET FILE
|
||
|
||
(Ed note: St. Louis format NODELIST.BBS example goes here)
|
||
|
||
Granting of a network number is not automatic. Your Regional
|
||
Coordinator will review your application and inform you of his
|
||
decision.
|
||
|
||
Do not send a network number request to the International
|
||
Coordinator. All network number requests must be processed by
|
||
the Regional Coordinator.
|
||
|
||
Chapter 3
|
||
|
||
NETWORK COORDINATOR PROCEDURES
|
||
|
||
|
||
A Network Coordinator has the following responsibilities:
|
||
|
||
1) To receive incoming mail for nodes in his network, and to
|
||
deliver it to its recipients.
|
||
|
||
2) To assign node numbers to nodes in his network.
|
||
|
||
3) To maintain the node list for his network, and to send a copy
|
||
of it to his Regional Coordinator whenever it changes.
|
||
|
||
4) To pass along to his nodes new international node list
|
||
updates and new issues of FidoNews as they are received.
|
||
|
||
5) To forward newsletter submissions to the FidoNews publisher.
|
||
|
||
3.1 Routing inbound mail
|
||
|
||
It is your responsibility as Network Coordinator to receive all
|
||
inbound mail for nodes in your network and to forward it to its
|
||
recipients. You are left to your own discretion as to how best
|
||
to accomplish this.
|
||
|
||
There are certain exceptions to this, however. If a node in
|
||
your network is sending and receiving inordinately large volumes
|
||
of mail you can request that he cease and desist. If he refuses
|
||
to do so, then you can request your Regional Coordinator to
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 15 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
assign the node a number as an independent and drop him from
|
||
your node list.
|
||
|
||
There are two main reasons why a node might generate
|
||
exceptionally large volumes of mail. Once in awhile a node will
|
||
try to make a "bombing run" (sending one message to a great many
|
||
nodes). Bombing runs are considered to be the surest form of
|
||
self extinction. If any of your nodes make a bombing run
|
||
outside of your net, it is reason for removal or
|
||
excommunication. If a node in another Network is making bombing
|
||
runs on your nodes and routing them through your inbound host,
|
||
then you can complain to the network and/or Regional Coordinator
|
||
of the offending node. Bombing runs are considered to be more
|
||
than annoying, and should be dealt with accordingly.
|
||
|
||
The other common source of routing overload is EchoMail.
|
||
EchoMail is a nice invention, and offers great benefits, but it
|
||
cannot be allowed to degrade the ability of FidoNet to handle
|
||
normal message traffic. If a node in your network is routing
|
||
large volumes of EchoMail, or using more than a small amount of
|
||
quoted replies, you can ask him to either limit the amount of
|
||
EchoMail, or even to stop routing his EchoMail completely. The
|
||
design of EchoMail is such that it is a simple matter to do
|
||
either of these. Complaints regarding this matter, must be
|
||
acted on immediately. Complaints from other nets must be
|
||
answered immediately, and if sufficient in number, can and
|
||
should be used as a reason for excommunication.
|
||
|
||
If at all possible, routing of Echomail should be held to a
|
||
minimum during NMH. Setting up of separate schedules for
|
||
Echomail is to be encouraged.
|
||
|
||
3.2 Assigning node numbers
|
||
|
||
It is your responsibility to assign node numbers to new nodes in
|
||
your network. You may also change the numbers of existing nodes
|
||
in your network, though you should check with your member nodes
|
||
before doing so. You may assign any numbers you wish, so long
|
||
as each node has a unique number within your network.
|
||
|
||
You should not assign a node number to any system unless and
|
||
until you have received a formal request from that system by
|
||
FidoNet mail. This will ensure that the system is at least
|
||
minimally operational. In addition, you must make sure, by
|
||
means of testing, that each new node can receive can receive and
|
||
send both files and messages. The strict maintenance of this
|
||
policy has been one of the great strengths of FidoNet.
|
||
|
||
It is also required that you call a board which is applying for
|
||
a node number before assigning it a node number.
|
||
|
||
You should use network mail, during NMH, to inform a new node of
|
||
his node number, as this helps to insure that he is capable of
|
||
receiving network mail.
|
||
|
||
3.3 Maintaining the node list
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 16 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
You should attempt to implement name changes, phone number
|
||
changes, et cetera in your node list as soon as possible, and to
|
||
forward the revised node list to your Regional Coordinator
|
||
whenever a change occurs.
|
||
|
||
You should also on occasion send a message to every node in your
|
||
network to ensure that they are still operational. If a node
|
||
turns out to be "off the air" with no prior warning given to
|
||
you, then you can either mark the node as down, place it in the
|
||
dog house, or remove it from the node list completely, at your
|
||
own discretion.
|
||
|
||
If a node in your network is acting in an annoying manner, then
|
||
you can take whatever action you deem fit, according to the
|
||
circumstances of the case.
|
||
|
||
3.4 Passing along node lists and FidoNews
|
||
|
||
As a Network Coordinator you should obtain a new issue of
|
||
FidoNews and a new international node list update every week.
|
||
The node list update is posted weekly on Saturday, and FidoNews
|
||
is published weekly on Monday. Both will be made available to
|
||
you by your Regional Coordinator.
|
||
|
||
You should pass both of these along to your member nodes as soon
|
||
as is practical after you receive them. It is also required
|
||
that you make the Nodelist available for downloading by the
|
||
general user, but the FidoNews is not required, but is
|
||
encouraged.
|
||
|
||
FidoNews and the node lists are the glue that holds us together.
|
||
Without them, we cease to be a community, and become just
|
||
another random collection of bulletin boards.
|
||
|
||
3.5 Forwarding newsletter submissions
|
||
|
||
The node list gives us our structure, but FidoNews gives us our
|
||
character. FidoNews is the primary medium by which sysops hear
|
||
from each other. It is FidoNews which gives us the sense of
|
||
being a community of people with common interests. Also,
|
||
FidoNews is the means whereby matters of policy affecting
|
||
network organization are discussed and announced, and is
|
||
therefore of importance to every sysop.
|
||
|
||
Accordingly, you should encourage sysops and users in your
|
||
network to contribute to FidoNews. If you receive any
|
||
submissions, you should forward them to the FidoNews publisher.
|
||
Think of yourself as being a regional bureau chief on the
|
||
FidoNews editorial staff.
|
||
|
||
Chapter 4
|
||
|
||
REGIONAL COORDINATOR PROCEDURES
|
||
|
||
A Regional Coordinator has the following responsibilities:
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 17 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
1) To assign node numbers to independent nodes in his region.
|
||
|
||
2) To encourage independent nodes in his region to join existing
|
||
networks, or to form new networks.
|
||
|
||
3) To assign network numbers to networks in his region.
|
||
|
||
4) To compile a node list of all of the networks and
|
||
independents in his region, and to send a copy of it to the
|
||
International Coordinator whenever it changes.
|
||
|
||
5) To ensure the smooth operation of networks within his region.
|
||
|
||
6) To make new international node list updates and new issues of
|
||
FidoNews available to the Network Coordinators in his region as
|
||
soon as is practical.
|
||
|
||
7) To forward newsletter submissions to the FidoNews publisher.
|
||
|
||
4.1 Assigning node numbers
|
||
|
||
It is your responsibility to assign node numbers to new nodes in
|
||
your region. You may also change the numbers of existing nodes
|
||
in your region, though you should check with the respective
|
||
nodes before doing so. You may assign any numbers you wish, so
|
||
long as each node has a unique number within your region.
|
||
|
||
The procedures that apply to network coordinators apply fully to
|
||
you when assigning node numbers within the region. If the new
|
||
node is within the assigned region or is a local call for one of
|
||
the network coordinator, then you should pass the request to the
|
||
applicable network coordinator.
|
||
|
||
4.2 Encouraging the formation and growth of networks
|
||
|
||
One of your main duties as a Regional Coordinator is to promote
|
||
the growth of networks in your region.
|
||
|
||
You should try to avoid having independent nodes in your region
|
||
which are within the coverage area of a network. There are,
|
||
however, certain cases where a node should not be a member of a
|
||
network, such as a commercial system with a large volume of
|
||
traffic which would clog the network. The resolution of such
|
||
special cases is left to your own discretion.
|
||
|
||
If several independent nodes in your region are in a "clump",
|
||
then you should encourage them to form a network. Refer to the
|
||
sysop procedure on forming a network for details of what
|
||
information you should get.
|
||
|
||
Note that this does not mean to encourage the formation of
|
||
trivial networks. Obviously, one node does not make a network.
|
||
The exact number of nodes required for an effective network must
|
||
be judged according to the circumstances of the situation, and
|
||
is left to your own discretion.
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 18 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
4.3 Assigning network numbers
|
||
|
||
It is your responsibility to assign network numbers to new
|
||
networks forming within your region. You are assigned a pool of
|
||
network numbers to use for this purpose. This pool consists of
|
||
ten numbers starting at your region number plus ten, times ten.
|
||
For example, if you are the Regional Coordinator for region 13,
|
||
then your network number pool consists of the numbers 230
|
||
through 239. If you need more numbers than this, then you
|
||
should ask the International Coordinator for additional numbers
|
||
as they are needed.
|
||
|
||
4.4 Maintaining the node list
|
||
|
||
As a Regional Coordinator, you have a dual role in maintaining
|
||
the node list for your region.
|
||
|
||
First, you must maintain the list of independent nodes in your
|
||
region. You should attempt to implement name changes, phone
|
||
number changes, and so forth in this node list as soon as
|
||
possible. You should also on occasion send a message to every
|
||
independent node in your region to ensure that they are still
|
||
operational. If a node turns out to be "off the air" with no
|
||
prior warning given to you, then you can either mark the node as
|
||
down, place it in the dog house, or remove it from the node list
|
||
completely, at your own discretion.
|
||
|
||
Second, you must receive the node lists from the Network
|
||
Coordinators within your region. You should assemble a master
|
||
node list for your region every week and send it to the
|
||
International Coordinator no later than National Mail Hour on
|
||
Friday morning. It is suggested that you do this as late as is
|
||
practical, so as to accommodate any late changes.
|
||
|
||
You will need to maintain a set of node lists for each network
|
||
within your region, since you cannot count on getting an update
|
||
from each Network Coordinator every week.
|
||
|
||
4.5 Overseeing network operations
|
||
|
||
It is your responsibility as Regional Coordinator to ensure that
|
||
the networks within your region are operating in an acceptable
|
||
manner. This does not mean that you are required to operate
|
||
those networks; that is the responsibility of the Network
|
||
Coordinators. It means that you are responsible for seeing to
|
||
it that the Network Coordinators within your region are acting
|
||
responsibly.
|
||
|
||
If you find that a Network Coordinator within your region is not
|
||
properly performing his duties (as outlined above), then you
|
||
should take whatever immediate action you deem necessary to
|
||
correct the situation.
|
||
|
||
It is your obligation as Regional Coordinator to maintain direct
|
||
and reasonably frequent contact with the networks in your
|
||
region. The exact method of accomplishing this is left to your
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 19 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
discretion.
|
||
|
||
4.6 Passing along node lists and FidoNews
|
||
|
||
As a Regional Coordinator, it is your responsibility to obtain
|
||
the latest international node list updates and the latest issues
|
||
of FidoNews as they are published, and to make them available to
|
||
the Network Coordinators within your region. The node list is
|
||
posted weekly on Friday by node 1/0, and FidoNews is published
|
||
weekly on Monday by node 1/1. Contact them for more details on
|
||
how to obtain the latest copies each week.
|
||
|
||
It is your responsibility to make these available to any and
|
||
all Network Coordinators in your region as soon as is practical
|
||
after you receive them. The method of distribution is left to
|
||
your discretion. You are not required to distribute them to any
|
||
independent nodes in your region, though you may if you wish.
|
||
It is required that you make the Nodelist available for
|
||
downloading by the general user, but the Fidonews is not
|
||
required, but it must be available for forwarding by at least
|
||
one of the nodes within your region. .
|
||
|
||
4.7 Forwarding newsletter submissions
|
||
|
||
You should encourage sysops and users in your region to
|
||
contribute to FidoNews. If you receive any submissions, you
|
||
should forward them to the FidoNews publisher. Think of
|
||
yourself as being a regional bureau chief on the FidoNews
|
||
editorial staff.
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 20 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
Ben Mann / Amnon Nissan
|
||
OPUS 151/1000
|
||
|
||
[R]aleigh,NC [E]chomail [D]ata [CON]centrator
|
||
[G]reensboro,NC [E]chomail [D]ata [CON]centrator
|
||
|
||
REDCON/GEDCON have been going thru several changes
|
||
in recent months. REDCON now handles over 200 ECHO's.
|
||
It's a full time job keeping up with the changes. REDCON
|
||
is now running AUTOECHO to help with some of the work.
|
||
|
||
Because REDCON is in a PC Pursuit city the traffic
|
||
has been very heavy. All weekend long the machine sends
|
||
and receives traffic.
|
||
|
||
Thanks to the efforts of all the users feedback loops
|
||
in the echomail paths have been, for the most part, avoided.
|
||
|
||
GEDCON has been slower to develop. Because GEDCON's
|
||
users are billed for the time on the system monthly. An
|
||
accounting program had to be written. That is now done.
|
||
Also an automatic billing system is in place. So as time
|
||
permit we will be adding users again.
|
||
|
||
To other ECHOMAIL BACKBONE(tm) sysops. Please contact us
|
||
so we may better coordinate our efforts to provide ECHOMAIL
|
||
services to the nodes of an even stronger FidoNet.
|
||
|
||
A list of the ECHOMAIL handled by REDCON/GEDCON is in
|
||
a file REDCON.ARC which may be requested from 151/100 or
|
||
151/1000. Soon AUTOECHO will respond to the QUERY option
|
||
and send a message to any requesting system all the echo's
|
||
available.
|
||
|
||
Now let's see... A ten jewel lazer ...
|
||
Amnon got any spare 10 meter dishes ?????
|
||
Signals have been bounced off the moon before....
|
||
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 21 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
Ben Mann
|
||
OPUS 151/0
|
||
|
||
SOUTHERNET(tm)
|
||
|
||
When I saw the message (spelled flames) about the
|
||
formation of another net/node list I was both happy
|
||
and sad. Happy that there is going to be more than
|
||
just one net around and sad that AlterNet(tm) has
|
||
been met with such fear and distain by IFNA and the
|
||
higher ups in FidoNet.
|
||
|
||
I for one think it's time for ANOTHER(tm) net. I have
|
||
been sending net 151's net/nodes to ANOTHER(tm) net
|
||
for some time. It's called SOUTHERNET. It was set up
|
||
so the ECHO's could get thru in the event of a BROWN out
|
||
like happened with the FidoNet nodelist several times.
|
||
I'am sure alot of you have PRIVATE(tm) nodelists. They
|
||
might not have a name, but that's the only difference.
|
||
|
||
Why clutter the issue with ANOTHER(tm) net? Because
|
||
cream always rises to the top. And in America it's
|
||
competition NOT complacency that breeds the best.
|
||
|
||
Will the new nodelist hurt FidoNet? I think not. The
|
||
programs are there that support alternate nodelist now.
|
||
There are enough nodes to build several nets. So let
|
||
the games begin.
|
||
|
||
One final thing I would like to see. Is node licensing
|
||
like a HAM callsign. It's issued to a node and forever
|
||
belongs to him/her. It can then be listed by any nodelist.
|
||
It can't be revoked once it's issued. In this way each
|
||
node has an idenity of it's own. And NOT subject to the
|
||
whim (good or bad) of anyone. The node can then elect who
|
||
they want to be their leaders. That's why ARRL works
|
||
and IFNA doesn't. Leaders should work for the nodes, NOT
|
||
the nodes for the leaders.
|
||
|
||
The idea of a NMH (national mail hour) has gone by the
|
||
boards. Current software that supports CPD (call progress
|
||
detection) can tell if it's a voice answer and not redial.
|
||
So there no need for a certain mail hour.
|
||
|
||
If someone out there does take the licencing issue
|
||
seriously. How about the net being the area code of the
|
||
node? Then you would know where the node was your about
|
||
to call. Na! Sounds to simple to work.
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 22 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
Fredric Rice
|
||
(103/503)
|
||
|
||
And you thought your computer was flakey. Here is a story about
|
||
mans greatest probe ever launched into space and its flakes.
|
||
This is an actual account of Voyager 1 and the problems it
|
||
encountered December 13'th, 1979. Written by Fredric L. Rice,
|
||
August 1985. Original reference material may be found at
|
||
Griffith Observatory, located at 2800 East Observatorty Road,
|
||
Los Angeles, California. 90027. Request back issue of Griffith
|
||
Observer, May 1980. Page 11 for Stephen S. Fentress, "Lost In
|
||
Space". Direct requests to Dr. Edwin C. Krupp and staff. You may
|
||
aquire subscriptions to the Griffith Observer through the same
|
||
address. It provides a great quantity of understandable
|
||
information concerning astronomy.
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
There is a concept making the rounds describing the attitude of
|
||
electronic equipment when it desides to do something out of the
|
||
ordinary, by itself, without being asked to. The concept is
|
||
titled "Digi-nerds". It may include just about anything you care
|
||
to name. It strikes once, leaving much damage.
|
||
|
||
The cause of digi-nerds is not known. Perhaps cosmic rays, which
|
||
bombard us constantly, strike our equipment, mutating a zero
|
||
into a one, or a one into a zero. The result may never be
|
||
noticed, or it may spell disaster for your bank account.
|
||
|
||
When Voyager 1 completed its mid-course correction, December
|
||
13'th, 1979, it met up with a digi-nerd at 48,000 miles an hour,
|
||
and 619 million miles from home.
|
||
|
||
The course correction required a 37 minute burn to effect a
|
||
change in speed of eleven miles an hour. During that time, the
|
||
radio dish had to be turned away from its Earth-Line so that the
|
||
engine would be aligned according to its flight plan. The
|
||
Voyager vehicles were designed to carry out complicated
|
||
maneuvers like this without requiring any instructions from
|
||
Earth.
|
||
|
||
All went according to plan; Saturn had been treated to a rare
|
||
and beautiful sight of a new star tracking through its distant
|
||
skys. After the main burn, an inhabitant of Saturn, (if he had
|
||
had a good telescope), might have seen some additional flashes
|
||
as Voyager attempted to realign itself to its Earth-Line using
|
||
its attitude control thrusters.
|
||
|
||
Voyager 1 regains its Earth orientation by locating the Sun and
|
||
the star Canopus. When the Sun tracker is locked onto the Sun,
|
||
and the star tracker is locked onto Canopus, the radio disk is
|
||
aligned exactly at Earth. When contact was not restored at 3:13
|
||
p.m. P.S.T. on December 13, it was known that something had
|
||
gone wrong.
|
||
|
||
To find the Sun, the vehicle rotates itself a few degrees at a
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 23 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
time until the Sun tracker lockes onto the Sun. There is only
|
||
one stellar object that can be as bright at the Sun, (even at
|
||
711 million miles the Sun is an impressive sight). When the Sun
|
||
is positivly identified, the vehicle rotates itself along
|
||
another axis until the star tracker locates Canopus.
|
||
|
||
The Deep Space Network Antenna located in Madrid heard a faint
|
||
signal from Voyager. This gave the scientist the idea that the
|
||
probe was basicly healthy but somehow simply misaligned. Even if
|
||
this be the case, if the device was too badly misaligned, it
|
||
might not be able to read a command from Earth telling it how to
|
||
find Earth again.
|
||
|
||
Voyager 1 was on the verge of being lost forever. Adrift in the
|
||
heavens with no possibility of being recovered. Unable to report
|
||
its posistion and the cause of its ailments.
|
||
|
||
Dr. Jones and his Spacecraft Team knew that Alpha Centauri and
|
||
Rigel could deceive the star tracker. Based on the possibility
|
||
that one of these stars was locked onto, the team beamed
|
||
instructions through the Deep Space Network at Madrid to the
|
||
lost spacecraft in the hopes that a strong enough signal could
|
||
be read. Dr. Jones directed the spacecraft to align itself with
|
||
the assumption that it was locked onto Alpha Centauri.
|
||
|
||
Voyager 1 did receive the instructions, and it did attempt to
|
||
realign itself according to its new instructions. Alpha Centauri
|
||
was the wrong star. Radio contact was not improved after the
|
||
spacecraft completed its instructions.
|
||
|
||
Next, Voyager was instructed to realign itself base on the
|
||
assumption it was locked onto Rigel. This did not improve radio
|
||
reception, causing much disappointment to the Spacecraft Team.
|
||
|
||
Though they did not know what star Voyager was locked on, they
|
||
did know that from its point of view the Sun and Earth appeared
|
||
eight degrees apart. If the spacecraft could be made to wobble
|
||
out an eight degree cone, the signal from the spacecraft could
|
||
be made to sweep accross the Earth every now and then, and they
|
||
would be able to learn more information about where the
|
||
spacecraft was pointing.
|
||
|
||
The maneuver worked. On December 16'th, almost complete contact
|
||
was regained through the Canberra, Australia, tracking station.
|
||
Total loss of signal time exceeded 71 hours. In order to learn
|
||
why the spacecraft has gone astray, Dr. Jones and his team
|
||
ordered it to replay all information it had on what had happened
|
||
for the last three days. Records showed an error in
|
||
communications between two on board computers, and there was
|
||
nothing showing to restrict another attempt to regain normal
|
||
contact. The spacecraft was instructed to go through its
|
||
Earth-Find maneuver December 19'th, and on December 20'th,
|
||
Voyager was again in full contact with the Earth.
|
||
|
||
Reconstruction of the detailed data Voyager offered showed that
|
||
the spacecrafts master computer had ordered a secondary computer
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 24 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
to shut down the engines at the end of the course correction.
|
||
Commands such as this are requested twice, and it was the second
|
||
instruction that got garbled between the two computers. The
|
||
first instruction had indeed shut down the engines yet the
|
||
second corrupted instruction was not understood by the
|
||
secondary computer. This computer reported the strange
|
||
instruction to the master computer who declaired an abort.
|
||
|
||
When a spacecraft abort is executed, all operations are thrown
|
||
away and the Earth-Find maneuver is executed. Voyager did this,
|
||
and in fact did find the Sun. It was while the spacecraft was on
|
||
its search for Canopus that another emergency was detected.
|
||
|
||
The attitude control system reported a leak in the primary
|
||
thrusters. Actually, the master computer had requested from 1026
|
||
to 1094 "shots" from the attitude control thrusters, while the
|
||
attitude control computer interprets more than 1000 as evidence
|
||
of a leak. It reported a problem and the star search was
|
||
aborted.
|
||
|
||
So there it stood, with only a minimal contact with Earth; its
|
||
star tracker not pointing at any known object. The spacecraft
|
||
was compleatly healthy but for no known reason a garbled
|
||
transmission from the master computer to the slave had triggered
|
||
an emergency.
|
||
|
||
There had been more than five hundred thousand instructions to
|
||
cross its data bus, and it had already executed six previous
|
||
Earth Find maneuvers.
|
||
|
||
Sometimes our failures turn out to be our biggest triumphs. To
|
||
defeat a problem which might end our achievements is a better
|
||
boost to our moral than the defeating of a known hazard,
|
||
(Remember Apolo 13 and the problems circumvented by those
|
||
aboard).
|
||
|
||
The space shuttle will no doubt encounter digi-nerds on one of
|
||
its many scheduled flights. We can only hope it wont be over 600
|
||
million miles away when it does.
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
Additional information:
|
||
|
||
1) Voyager 1 was 56 light minutes away when the emergency
|
||
started.
|
||
|
||
2) Using the Earth-Find maneuver, the entire sky can be
|
||
searched in about four hours, eighteen minutes.
|
||
|
||
3) Voyager 2 will encounter Uranus in 1986, and Neptune in
|
||
1989.
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
Stephen S. Fentress suggests additional reading:
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 25 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
1) Edelson, R. E. et al. , "Voyager Telecommunications: The
|
||
Broadcast From Jupiter", Science, 204, 913, (June 1979).
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
For information on the Holmann transfer, read:
|
||
|
||
1) Melbourne, W. G., "Navigation Between the Planets",
|
||
Scientific American, 234, 58, (June 1976). [Authors note: If
|
||
you want to read "Navigation", don't forget your calculator
|
||
and paper. This article offers simple formula that is fun to
|
||
try].
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
Authors notes:
|
||
|
||
The Griffith Observer is a publication that everyone who is
|
||
interested in astronomy should subscribe to. At the time of
|
||
this articles release into the Public Domain, 12 issues of
|
||
the Griffith Observer were going for $5.00. This money, after
|
||
paying for the publication costs, goes towards the "Friends
|
||
of the Observatory" fund. Edwin C. Krupp, who manages the
|
||
building, (who also hosted the series "Project Universe" that
|
||
you have probibly seen on public television), uses the money
|
||
to maintain the observatory. If you want additional
|
||
information, contact Mr. Krupp by U. S. Snail, or send Fido-
|
||
Mail to Fredric Rice (103/503), and I can deliver informational
|
||
requests for you.
|
||
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 26 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
WANTED
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
|
||
-- VIRUS QUERY --
|
||
|
||
Reporter writing an article for the NY Times on the threat of
|
||
"virus' ("mole,) "worm" and/or trojan horse "attack code"
|
||
programs seeks reports of real experiences with these often
|
||
distructive, sometimes playful, devices. I'm interested in any
|
||
reports about incidents involving PCs, minis or micros.
|
||
|
||
Please forward replies to Vin McLellan at Fido 101/154, (voice)
|
||
617-426-2487, or Snail
|
||
: 125 Kingston St., Boston, Ma. 02111.
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-04 Page 27 25 Jan 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
NOTICES
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
|
||
The Interrupt Stack
|
||
|
||
|
||
19 Feb 1988
|
||
Start of the International FidoNet Associations Board of
|
||
Directors meeting in St. Louis. Meeting runs through the 21st.
|
||
|
||
25 Aug 1988
|
||
Start of the Fifth International FidoNet Conference, to be
|
||
held at the Drawbridge Inn in Cincinnatti, OH. Contact Tim
|
||
Sullivan at 108/62 for more information. This is FidoNet's big
|
||
annual get-together, and is your chance to meet all the people
|
||
you've been talking with all this time. We're hoping to see
|
||
you there!
|
||
|
||
24 Aug 1989
|
||
Voyager 2 passes Neptune.
|
||
|
||
|
||
If you have something which you would like to see on this
|
||
calendar, please send a message to FidoNet node 1:1/1.
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
Latest Software Versions
|
||
|
||
BBS Systems Node List Other
|
||
& Mailers Version Utilities Version Utilities Version
|
||
|
||
Dutchie 2.80* EditNL 3.3 ARC 5.21
|
||
Fido 12e* MakeNL 1.10 ARCmail 1.1
|
||
Opus 1.03a Prune 1.40 ConfMail 3.31*
|
||
SEAdog 4.10 XlatList 2.85* EchoMail 1.31
|
||
TBBS 2.0M MGM 1.1
|
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BinkleyTerm 1.30*
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* Recently changed
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Utility authors: Please help keep this list up to date by
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reporting new versions to 1:1/1. It is not our intent to list
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all utilities here, only those which verge on necessity.
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FidoNews 5-04 Page 28 25 Jan 1988
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__
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The World's First / \
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BBS Network /|oo \
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* FidoNet * (_| /_)
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_`@/_ \ _
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| | \ \\
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| (*) | \ ))
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______ |__U__| / \//
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/ Fido \ _//|| _\ /
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(________) (_/(_|(____/ (tm)
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Membership for the International FidoNet Association
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Membership in IFNA is open to any individual or organization that
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pays a specified annual membership fee. IFNA serves the
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international FidoNet-compatible electronic mail community to
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increase worldwide communications.
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Member Name _______________________________ Date _______________
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Address _________________________________________________________
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City ____________________________________________________________
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State ________________________________ Zip _____________________
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Country _________________________________________________________
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Home Phone (Voice) ______________________________________________
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Work Phone (Voice) ______________________________________________
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Zone:Net/Node Number ____________________________________________
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BBS Name ________________________________________________________
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BBS Phone Number ________________________________________________
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Baud Rates Supported ____________________________________________
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Board Restrictions ______________________________________________
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Your Special Interests __________________________________________
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_________________________________________________________________
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_________________________________________________________________
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In what areas would you be willing to help in FidoNet? __________
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_________________________________________________________________
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_________________________________________________________________
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Send this membership form and a check or money order for $25 in
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US Funds to:
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International FidoNet Association
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c/o Leonard Mednick, MBA, CPA
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700 Bishop Street, #1014
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Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-4112
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USA
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Thank you for your membership! Your participation will help to
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insure the future of FidoNet.
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Please NOTE that IFNA is a general not-for-profit organization
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and Articles of Association and By-Laws were adopted by the
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membership in January 1987. The first elected Board of Directors
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was filled in August 1987. The IFNA Echomail Conference has been
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established on FidoNet to assist the Board. We welcome your
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input to this Conference.
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FidoNews 5-04 Page 29 25 Jan 1988
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INTERNATIONAL FIDONET ASSOCIATION
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ORDER FORM
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Publications
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The IFNA publications can be obtained by downloading from Fido
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1:1/10 or other FidoNet compatible systems, or by purchasing
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them directly from IFNA. We ask that all our IFNA Committee
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Chairmen provide us with the latest versions of each
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publication, but we can make no written guarantees.
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Hardcopy prices as of October 1, 1986
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IFNA Fido BBS listing $15.00 _____
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IFNA Administrative Policy DOCs $10.00 _____
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IFNA FidoNet Standards Committee DOCs $10.00 _____
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SUBTOTAL _____
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IFNA Member ONLY Special Offers
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System Enhancement Associates SEAdog $60.00 _____
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SEAdog price as of March 1, 1987
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ONLY 1 copy SEAdog per IFNA Member
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Fido Software's Fido/FidoNet $100.00 _____
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Fido/FidoNet price as of November 1, 1987
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ONLY 1 copy Fido/FidoNet per IFNA Member
|
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International orders include $10.00 for
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surface shipping or $20.00 for air shipping _____
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SUBTOTAL _____
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HI. Residents add 4.0 % Sales tax _____
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TOTAL _____
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SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN US FUNDS:
|
||
International FidoNet Association
|
||
c/o Leonard Mednick, MBA, CPA
|
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700 Bishop Street, #1014
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Honolulu, HI. 96813-4112
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USA
|
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|
||
Name________________________________
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Zone:Net/Node____:____/____
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||
Company_____________________________
|
||
Address_____________________________
|
||
City____________________ State____________ Zip_____
|
||
Voice Phone_________________________
|
||
|
||
Signature___________________________
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