1320 lines
61 KiB
Plaintext
1320 lines
61 KiB
Plaintext
Volume 5, Number 15 11 April 1988
|
||
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
|
||
| _ |
|
||
| / \ |
|
||
| /|oo \ |
|
||
| - FidoNews - (_| /_) |
|
||
| _`@/_ \ _ |
|
||
| International | | \ \\ |
|
||
| FidoNet Association | (*) | \ )) |
|
||
| Newsletter ______ |__U__| / \// |
|
||
| / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / |
|
||
| (________) (_/(_|(____/ |
|
||
| (jm) |
|
||
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
|
||
Editor in Chief Dale Lovell
|
||
Editor Emeritus: Thom Henderson
|
||
Chief Procrastinator Emeritus: Tom Jennings
|
||
Contributing Editors: Al Arango
|
||
|
||
FidoNews is published weekly by the International FidoNet
|
||
Association as its official newsletter. You are encouraged to
|
||
submit articles for publication in FidoNews. Article submission
|
||
standards are contained in the file ARTSPEC.DOC, available from
|
||
node 1:1/1.
|
||
|
||
Copyright 1988 by the International FidoNet Association. All
|
||
rights reserved. Duplication and/or distribution permitted for
|
||
noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances,
|
||
please contact IFNA at (314) 576-4067. IFNA may also be contacted
|
||
at PO Box 41143, St. Louis, MO 63141.
|
||
|
||
The contents of the articles contained here are not our
|
||
responsibility, nor do we necessarily agree with them.
|
||
Everything here is subject to debate. We publish EVERYTHING
|
||
received.
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
Table of Contents
|
||
|
||
1. EDITORIAL ................................................ 1
|
||
2. ARTICLES ................................................. 5
|
||
Did You See THAT? ........................................ 5
|
||
WARNING TO LAP-TOP OWNERS ................................ 11
|
||
3. COLUMNS .................................................. 12
|
||
Let's YACK about Starting a FidoNode ..................... 12
|
||
4. NOTICES .................................................. 14
|
||
The Interrupt Stack ...................................... 14
|
||
Region Coordinator Position Open For Region 10 ........... 15
|
||
Latest Software Versions ................................. 15
|
||
5. COMMITTEE REPORTS ........................................ 16
|
||
IFNA Request for BoD Candidates .......................... 16
|
||
IFNA Organizes a "Job Bag" ............................... 17
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 1 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
EDITORIAL
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
|
||
Well, things look a little better this week. I'm over the
|
||
depression that lead to last week's editorial. However, I am
|
||
somewhat disappointed in the number of submissions still arriving
|
||
not matching ARTSPEC.DOC. If you need a copy of this, it is
|
||
available for SEAdog style file requests from 1/1 and it is also
|
||
available to first time callers for downloading. It is not my
|
||
responsibility to get the specifications to you, it is your
|
||
responsibility to get the document yourself. I am going to make
|
||
it easy to match the specs.
|
||
|
||
First off the specs are easy to match. There aren't that
|
||
many rules. The first rule is no characters below space or above
|
||
tilde ("~"). This includes the tab character and characters with
|
||
high bit flags (which I associate with Wordstar in the document
|
||
mode). The second major rule is your line length can not go
|
||
beyond 65 columns. Your text should have a flush left. MakeNews
|
||
(the program that puts FidoNews together) will indent the text
|
||
for you. If you have a chart or graphic picture, by all means
|
||
indent it. MakeNews just inserts a few spaces before every line.
|
||
The reason you shouldn't put in the spaces as a general rule is
|
||
because different people would indent a different number of
|
||
spaces and that would result in a poor looking FidoNews. If you
|
||
want an entry in the table of contents, your first line should
|
||
start with an asterisk. This tells MakeNews to use this line as a
|
||
table of contents entry. This line will not appear in your
|
||
article. If you want a title in the article as well, you will
|
||
have to have another line that tells the readers what this
|
||
article is about. It is also suggested that you include your name
|
||
and a network address either at the beginning or end of your
|
||
article. That's all you really need to worry about inside your
|
||
article.
|
||
|
||
The filename you submit your article under is also
|
||
important. MakeNews uses the file extension to determine the type
|
||
of submission. "ART" extensions are articles, "COL" extensions
|
||
are columns, "NOT" means a notice and "SAL" is a for sale ad. If
|
||
you have a series of articles or columns you want to run in a
|
||
certain order, you can easily number your articles so that they
|
||
run during consecutive weeks. If you named your articles
|
||
SAMPLE1.ART, SAMPLE2.ART and SAMPLE3.ART; SAMPLE1.ART would run
|
||
the first week, SAMPLE2.ART the second and SAMPLE3.ART the third
|
||
week. This allows you to send in a collection of related articles
|
||
(or columns) and not have to worry about sending a different
|
||
article each week. Instead you can send the whole batch at once
|
||
and not have to worry about the order.
|
||
|
||
The grand finale to all of this is a short submission tester
|
||
I almost wrote. I have been thinking about doing something like
|
||
this since Bob Arnold (editor of the Opus Gazette) suggested a
|
||
program to do this some time ago. Due to the number of
|
||
submissions not matching specs, I decided to write such a program
|
||
last week. While it doesn't test for everything I'd like it to at
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 2 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
this point. It does make for a start. Since I had the full source
|
||
code to MakeNews, and could easily find the section that tests
|
||
article submissions I decided to try it the easy way. I called up
|
||
Thom Henderson at System Enhancement Associates (who wrote
|
||
MakeNews) and asked him if it would be alright if I "borrowed" a
|
||
piece of his program and explained the reasons why. He was kind
|
||
enough to let me do this, so I really didn't write that much of
|
||
this program. Following this editorial, you will find a complete
|
||
source code listing for TESTART, the submission tester. In it's
|
||
present state, all it tests for is that the file you specify
|
||
contains no illegal characters and that no line is longer than 65
|
||
columns. Sometime in the future, I hope to put in sections that
|
||
will check for a title line as well as try and check for a
|
||
netmail address. If you write these sections yourself, please
|
||
send me a copy and I'll reprint the source code. Many thanks to
|
||
Thom for saving me a few hours work (and hopefully a few hours
|
||
every week!). If you don't have access to a C compiler, you can
|
||
file request (SEAdog style) the executable program from 1/1 under
|
||
the magic filename of TESTART. If you can't make a SEAdog style
|
||
file request, it is available for download to first time callers
|
||
in the recent uploads and FidoNews directories.
|
||
|
||
Over the next few weeks, my editorials are going to vanish
|
||
again. I'm working on a new MakeNews which may make much of this
|
||
unnecessary. I'm trying to make more easily configured as put in
|
||
some punitive formatting for those of you who seem to be having
|
||
problems matching specs. This is unfortunately going to take some
|
||
time away from FidoNews, so try and keep to the specs I've
|
||
outlined. Until the next time I have some words of wisdom to
|
||
impart....
|
||
|
||
|
||
Your Editor,
|
||
Dale Lovell
|
||
1:1/1 (1:157/504)
|
||
216/642-1034 (data)
|
||
|
||
Home Work
|
||
3266 Vezber Drive Parma Computer Center
|
||
Seven Hills, OH 44131 5402 State Road
|
||
216/524-1875 (voice) Parma, OH 44134
|
||
216/661-1808
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
/* TESTART - Article submission tester
|
||
|
||
Version 1.0
|
||
|
||
Portions copyrighted by System Enhancement Associates
|
||
and used with permission.
|
||
|
||
Description:
|
||
|
||
This program attempts to test a file to see if it matches
|
||
the specifications for FidoNews. Hopefully this will cut
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 3 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
down the number of bad submissions that have been
|
||
annoying this editor.
|
||
|
||
Please try and test your own submissions before submitting
|
||
them to FidoNews. If you do not have access to a C
|
||
compiler, it should be available from 1/1 under the
|
||
"magic" filename "TESTART"
|
||
|
||
Note: This program has been tested with Microsoft Quick C and
|
||
C version 5.0 as well as Computer Innovations C86 Plus ver 1.1.
|
||
|
||
*/
|
||
|
||
#include <ctype.h>
|
||
#include <stdio.h>
|
||
|
||
main(argc,argv)
|
||
int argc;
|
||
char *argv[];
|
||
|
||
{
|
||
FILE *art; /* file with article to test */
|
||
int c; /* one character of file */
|
||
int peek; /* another character of file */
|
||
int wid = 0; /* width counter */
|
||
int len = 0; /* length counter */
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
if (argc!=2)
|
||
{
|
||
printf("Incorrect usage. Correct usage is:\n\n");
|
||
printf("testart <filename>\nWhere <filename> is the file ");
|
||
printf("you are submitting.\n");
|
||
exit(5);
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
if ((art=fopen(argv[1],"r"))==NULL)
|
||
{
|
||
printf("Can not open the file: %s",argv[1]);
|
||
exit(5);
|
||
}
|
||
c=fgetc(art);
|
||
|
||
for( ; c!=EOF; c=fgetc(art)) /* scan the article */
|
||
{
|
||
printf("%1c",c);
|
||
if(c=='\n') /* new line */
|
||
wid = 0; /* reset width */
|
||
|
||
else if(c>=' ' && c<='~' || c==0xfa || c==0xf6)
|
||
wid++;
|
||
|
||
else if(c==0x1d)
|
||
{
|
||
ungetc(peek=fgetc(art),art);
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 4 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
if(isspace(peek)) /* these don't always add width */
|
||
wid++;
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
else
|
||
{
|
||
printf("\n -- Illegal character (%02x hex)\n",c);
|
||
exit(10);
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
if(!isspace(c)) /* check width */
|
||
{
|
||
if(wid>65)
|
||
{
|
||
printf("\n -- Line too long\n");
|
||
exit(10);
|
||
}
|
||
}
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
fclose(art);
|
||
printf("\nFidoNews Submission appears good.\n");
|
||
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 5 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
ARTICLES
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
|
||
Chuck Allen
|
||
FIdoNet 1:129/41 Maltese Alien AlterNet 7:522/1
|
||
|
||
Did You See THAT?
|
||
|
||
"Did You See THAT"? An appropriate title for this article, based
|
||
on a running joke on my BBS, started by Keith Vogt, I believe.
|
||
The object of the joke is: there was nothing to see!
|
||
|
||
Last November, Thom Henderson asked me to do a guest editorial
|
||
for FidoNews on why "FidoNet isn't fun anymore". Here it is,
|
||
Thom. Greatly late. I plead it is no fun to write about not
|
||
having fun.
|
||
|
||
The article I composed the first time around was so damned
|
||
depressing I destroyed it. In this rewrite, I will be quoting
|
||
from recent FidoNews editorials and articles. I have done this
|
||
as I know no other way to convey the sense of what I feel. I
|
||
have made no attempt to quote in completeness, the selection is
|
||
arbitrary. If I have quoted someone out of context, it is
|
||
unintentional.
|
||
|
||
"As alot of you know region 18 went thru alot of flexing
|
||
and turnoil in the last several months. For those who don't
|
||
know, our regional coordinator was replaced without hardly a
|
||
wisper in the middle of the night. We had no say. The zone
|
||
coordinator said it and it was done."
|
||
|
||
"The new region 18 coordinator is a nice guy. Means well
|
||
and all that, but I have to wonder if FIDO would have wanted
|
||
it that way. I mean you know what happened in Boston some
|
||
years ago. Something about the rights of the governed."
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-05, Page 12, 1 Feb 1988 by Ben Mann
|
||
|
||
|
||
"Why do I bring this up? Because FidoNet is based on RELIABLE
|
||
communication between systems. While many may only be concerned
|
||
about EchoMail, there is much more to FidoNet than EchoMail. This
|
||
isn't to say that EchoMail isn't important these days, because it
|
||
is. EchoMail may be one of the most important concepts ever
|
||
introduced to FidoNet. But EchoMail is only a part of FidoNet,
|
||
and even it is based on reliable communication. While catching up
|
||
on some EchoMail conferences this past weekend, I noticed how
|
||
this idea seems to be fading. If it ever does vanish, we may very
|
||
well see the end to FidoNet. After all, if I can no longer count
|
||
on my mail getting through, why bother sending it at all."
|
||
|
||
"Another idea that seems to be vanishing is RESPONSIBILITY.
|
||
FidoNet is not a right. When you joined FidoNet you were
|
||
accepting the responsibility for several things. Primarily to
|
||
"not excessively annoy others," "not be easily annoyed," and most
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 6 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
important of all to make your node available only to other nodes
|
||
during National Mail Hour (NMH). While NMH may be a little
|
||
outdated these days with so many running continuous mail programs
|
||
like SEAdog and BinkleyTerm, it is still important to observe
|
||
NMH. Many nodes are unable to process mail at anytime of the day,
|
||
and can only send and receive mail at specified times. To these
|
||
people, NMH is the only way they can reliably send and receive
|
||
mail. When the nodes they're trying to contact are always busy
|
||
due to receiving a large batch EchoMail or allowing users, it
|
||
only serves to annoy others. In time, it could even be classed as
|
||
excessively annoying."
|
||
|
||
"New software could easily cause the net to come apart in days.
|
||
The base FidoNet protocol is very important. Any program meant
|
||
for use in FidoNet NEEDS to be able to fall back and use this
|
||
original. Without this, no one would ever know where it was safe
|
||
to try sending mail. While this may be considered archaic by
|
||
some, it is the basis of this network. Without complete
|
||
compatibility, we are endangering something that many of us have
|
||
worked hard to see continue. I ask that all network software
|
||
authors keep this in mind, lest they become known as the
|
||
destroyer of FidoNet just because they need the ego trip of a
|
||
"title" like creator of whateverNet."
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-08, Pages 1 and 2, 22 Feb 1988, by Dale Lovell
|
||
|
||
|
||
"To say a bill of rights is needed in FidoNet is like saying a
|
||
drain plug is needed in the swamp. "Sir, I have no time to drain
|
||
the swamp, I'am to busy fighting the aligators." Region 18 has a
|
||
new EchoMail coordinator. Located in a non-PCP city.
|
||
Good thinking. At least he has a 9600 baud HST and a sence of
|
||
humor. The sence of humor is more important."
|
||
"Every NC in Region 18 cast their vote (pun intended) and the
|
||
outcome was a new EC."
|
||
"Can anyone anywhere tell me why and how this happens? Does a
|
||
friend of a friend call someone late in the night and make the
|
||
change? Are there greater forces (farses) at work?"
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-09, Page 9, 29 Feb 1988, by Ben Mann
|
||
|
||
|
||
"It used to be you could trust what you read in EchoMail, not to
|
||
mention FidoNews. Everyone treated FidoNet (and it's users and
|
||
sysops) with respect and decency. If you received a netmail
|
||
message from someone, you knew it was legitimate. Likewise, no
|
||
one would have thought of impersonating anyone in EchoMail. What
|
||
brings all this up? Let me tell you..."
|
||
|
||
"I thought it very odd when some messages supposedly written by
|
||
Thom Henderson popped up in the sysop echomail conference. I
|
||
thought it very odd because they didn't sound like Thom, besides
|
||
which I was under the impression he was leaving FidoNet alone.
|
||
Well, the other day I received a phone call at work. Even though
|
||
Thom is now in AlterNet, we keep in touch. This was unusual only
|
||
because I was the one who usually placed the call. Thom's main
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 7 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
reason for the call was to find out if I had seen any messages
|
||
from him in the sysop echomail conference. After a long
|
||
discussion with Thom, I am convinced that he isn't the one who
|
||
sent those messages. If you've received a nasty message from
|
||
Thom, odds are you've been hit by someone with a juvenile
|
||
mentality and no respect for FidoNet."
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-10, Page 1, 7 Mar 1988, by Dale Lovell
|
||
|
||
|
||
"I've gotten a few people upset by referring to FidoNet as a
|
||
"mature technology". Those of you who would dearly love to "play
|
||
games" with the protocols (like the late, unlamented Yahoo
|
||
experiment) rail at that designation, but in few (if any) cases
|
||
have I been allowed to explain. By "mature" I mean that it is no
|
||
longer solely (or even mainly) a province of the hackers. Few on
|
||
your network either know or care how the stuff works. All they
|
||
care about is that it does. And THAT is the true strength of
|
||
your network, if you would only realized it. A percent or two of
|
||
performance, or a widget or two that maybe three out of three
|
||
thousand will use, is of little import compared to the mighty
|
||
throng to whom your network is a powerful tool for COMMUNICATION.
|
||
It is for them that Tom Jennings, Randy Bush, Ben Baker, and
|
||
myself saw the need for a standards committee, because for THEIR
|
||
needs stability is more important than widgets."
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-11, Pages 1 and 2, 14 Mar 1988, by Thom Henderson
|
||
|
||
|
||
"--- A Resolution --- Cut here ---"
|
||
"AREA:DISINC"
|
||
" The corporation of the International FidoNet Association <tm>
|
||
has claimed to represent the FidoNet and it has been trying to
|
||
function in this capacity for some time now. We've gone through
|
||
IFNA's birth, its growing pains and have struggled to make it
|
||
grow. Now after it has been in power and has shown us what type
|
||
of organization IFNA is, we, the Sysops of the FidoNet call on
|
||
the IFNA Board of Directors to disband and disincorporate the
|
||
International FidoNet Association."
|
||
"Signed,"
|
||
"<Name>, <Net/Node>"
|
||
"--- Cut here ---"
|
||
"Let the sysops of the FidoNet decide IFNA's fate."
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-12, Page 12, 21 Mar 1988, by Randy Edwards
|
||
|
||
|
||
"One of the people who has benefitted most through this approach
|
||
now believes that the time has come to get rigorous. To only
|
||
implement to published standards. To not "make a big deal of
|
||
any random group that meets at a wide spot in the road". Pardon
|
||
me while I cough my lungs up into my handkerchief."
|
||
|
||
"Okay, I'm back. Now, why do I disagree with this point of view?
|
||
As a netmail author and a member of the FidoNet Technical
|
||
Standards Committee I should be cheering this, right? Wrong.
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 8 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
We still have work to do. To limit what we can do in the
|
||
network to published specifications would be very wrong at this
|
||
point. We still need to properly implement direct interzone
|
||
mail. To add other protocols to our abilities, particularly
|
||
such things as the Janus protocol and the X.25 code that is
|
||
apparently working out so well in Europe, neither of which would
|
||
have happened if we only allowed our mail transfers to take
|
||
place using protocols documented by the FTSC. Why did I cough
|
||
(an impolite thing to do while someone else is talking)? Well,
|
||
to my knowledge there is no FTSC document describing SEAlink
|
||
protocol, SEAlink Overdrive, passwords in packet headers,
|
||
procedural guidelines for password mismatching, the so-called
|
||
"BARK" method of requesting files from a remote system, or even
|
||
the addressing method used by the author of the previous article
|
||
(the address was in the form "net1/node1-net2/node2" where
|
||
apparently you need to send mail for net2/node2 to net1/node1
|
||
but who can tell without a document?)."
|
||
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-12, Pages 15 and 16, 21 Mar 1988, by Vince Perriello
|
||
|
||
"But the net as a whole cannot just stand by and "let IFNA do it"
|
||
or hope that perhaps someone else will speak out against
|
||
injustices. If you believe in the perpetuation of FidoNet you
|
||
must now take a stand against any and all such practices as have
|
||
been directed against Randy and others. Each and every one of
|
||
you should call for a stop of these blatant violations of rights
|
||
and should demand that those in positions of authority take all
|
||
necessary steps to see that the individuals responsibile for such
|
||
acts be removed from FidoNet and that clear guidelines exist to
|
||
prevent reoccurrences."
|
||
|
||
"This stand must be taken NOW, before it's too late -- if,
|
||
indeed,
|
||
it's not too late already."
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-13, Pages 1 through 3, 28 Mar 1988, by Don Daniels
|
||
|
||
|
||
"BBSs have escalated in complexity way out of proportion to their
|
||
usefulness; most BBSs are used by highly skilled people with lots
|
||
of resource$ to talk to people like themselves. This is fine, but
|
||
most of the world isn't in the position to sit $1,000 (or more!)
|
||
in a corner of the room for one special purpose only.
|
||
|
||
Also, the trend is towards larger, more complex systems, wide
|
||
area networking, extremely high throughput data transfers and
|
||
other things that just push the likes of Fido, Opus, TBBS an
|
||
order of magnitude or two out of the range of many (if not most)
|
||
people who might benefit from them.
|
||
|
||
Seems we've forgotten that the original intent of BBSs was to
|
||
communicate with other people. It is not obvious to me that
|
||
talking to more people is better. The best BBSs I've ever used,
|
||
of any type, were all very small systems; RCP/Ms, Apple][/GBBS,
|
||
etc. Most used awful software, but were still the best (meaning
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 9 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
most useful or most amusing) systems I've run across. There's a
|
||
hint there, I think."
|
||
|
||
From Puppy's Documentation by Tom Jennings.
|
||
|
||
|
||
Dear FidoNet Leadership, Echomail Leadership, and IFNA:
|
||
|
||
I have quoted above from several recent issues of FidoNews. I
|
||
did not quote from SYSOP, IFNA, or POLICY4; I try to limit my of
|
||
depression to the Minimum Recommended Daily Allowance. I had to
|
||
go back to FNEWS3xx to regain mental balance before continuing
|
||
this missive.
|
||
|
||
Gentlemen, we have a problem in FidoNet. You, as leaders
|
||
(elected, appointed, self-appointed), have failed miserably. The
|
||
time came and went to exert any sort of control over the anarchy
|
||
reigning in FidoNet. You have allowed distrust to permeate the
|
||
very heart of FidoNet. Hang your heads in shame.
|
||
|
||
There, I feel better.
|
||
|
||
Should we blame the leadership (actually, the lack thereof)? No.
|
||
If we must place blame, look into a mirror. We, the sysops of
|
||
FidoNet, have allowed this to happen. We have allowed this to be
|
||
done to us. We can stop it. Without destroying the net.
|
||
|
||
Step number 1 - join another net. This eliminates any control
|
||
the IC, ZC, and RC have over you. Dave Dodell, as IC and ZC, or
|
||
Ray Gwinn, as RC, can delete my node number from the nodelist and
|
||
Maltese Alien wouldn't skip a beat. Things might be delayed
|
||
while my friends changed mail destined here from one node number
|
||
to the other, it would be minimal.
|
||
|
||
Step number 2 - don't join IFNA. Without members or membership
|
||
dues, IFNA is nothing.
|
||
|
||
Step number 3 - Assume tyrants run the backbone and stars.
|
||
Decide how to pick up echoes if the tyrant gets out of hand.
|
||
These days, control of echomail is often control of the net.
|
||
Some of you are using echomail as weapons, withholding it from
|
||
nodes you don't like. Or in an attempt to usurp power from your
|
||
net coordinator. You remind me of slugs and cockroaches.
|
||
|
||
Step number 4 - Quit reading the "sysop" echoes. There are two
|
||
sorts of people who participate in them. People who care and
|
||
irresponsible egomaniacs bound and determined to bend the net to
|
||
their will. You can tell the difference by who supports
|
||
elections for net positions and those who crave "back room"
|
||
politics. I say to the people who care, "Quit talking and DO IT
|
||
NOW". Would Dave Dodell or Don Daniels stand in the way of an
|
||
elected IC who received 2000 votes? For that matter, who would
|
||
care if they did try to stand in the way?
|
||
|
||
Step number 5 - Ignore the egomaniacs. These people enjoy
|
||
arguing. Some don't even use their real name. Like spoiled
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 10 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
children, they will sulk home crying if ignored. Too bad, eh?
|
||
|
||
Step number 6 - What do your USERS (remember them?) want from a
|
||
BBS? Could it be that TJ is right? Do we need ten terabit per
|
||
second transfer rates, full screen color Word Star compatible
|
||
message editors, multiple options on questionnaires, and all the
|
||
other bells or whistles? Before you answer, ask your users for a
|
||
candid evaluation of what is important on your BBS. What do they
|
||
enjoy? Are you a "good sysop?" You may be surprised. I was.
|
||
|
||
Step number 7 - Ignore the people who abuse echomail by trying to
|
||
tarnish someone's name. These people are the lowest scumwads
|
||
around, seeking attention like the naughty spoiled rotten
|
||
children they are.
|
||
|
||
Step number 8 - If all else fails, pull the plug on FidoNet. If
|
||
we are worth anything as sysops, our users will NOT abandon us.
|
||
They are our friends first and users second, right?
|
||
|
||
Step number 9 - Ignore this article. Thinking about solutions to
|
||
problems and acting on them is much harder than sitting back;
|
||
waiting for the nodelist and echomail to arrive. If you take an
|
||
active part in shaping FidoNet's future, you can't blame someone
|
||
else. Be an Ostrich sysop, do nothing except take and take and
|
||
take and take......
|
||
|
||
Now I go back to being happy. You see, I don't read the "sysop"
|
||
echoes. I don't acknowledge Dave Dodell's authority, the worst
|
||
he can do is delete my node from the nodelist. Who cares? I
|
||
won't renew my IFNA membership. I won't lose any sleep if
|
||
FidoNet comes crashing to a halt because of improperly designed
|
||
or incompatible software.
|
||
|
||
Don't get me wrong. Dave Dodell, Don Daniels, Butch Walker, Bob
|
||
Hartman, Thom Henderson, Vince Perriello, and others too numerous
|
||
to mention are fine people. We owe a great deal to many people.
|
||
However, it does not follow that fine people make fine leaders.
|
||
Nor does it follow net developers make fine leaders. In simple
|
||
terms, all of the current problems can be traced to absent or
|
||
inept leadership.
|
||
|
||
I will help anyone I can. I will do what I can to assure mail
|
||
moves from here to my friends. I will ask my USERS (remember
|
||
them?) what they like. I will treat honest people honestly and
|
||
ignore the ignoble slobs abusing echomail. I will test new
|
||
software to make sure it doesn't break anything on another's
|
||
system (the egomaniac net developers might not test it too well,
|
||
if at all). I will ignore flames and messages from anyone
|
||
ashamed to use their given names in echomail (hear that you
|
||
sleaze bags hiding behind pseudonyms?). And I will end this
|
||
article to go cough up a lung by the random group that meets at a
|
||
wide spot in the road.
|
||
|
||
Quote for the day: "Really big turds float to the top."
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 11 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
Don Daniels
|
||
1:107/210
|
||
|
||
|
||
WARNING TO LAP-TOP OWNERS
|
||
|
||
The other night while walking home with my lap-top slung over on
|
||
my back as usual, the plastic D-ring connecting the strap to the
|
||
bag suddenly snapped and, before I even realized I had a problem,
|
||
my Zenith 183 crashed to the concrete.
|
||
|
||
Incredibly enough, when I checked it all out on the train, it
|
||
seemed to still be functioning fine although the case was broken
|
||
and the latches don't work. (When I expressed surprise of its
|
||
survival to a Zenith official he was less so, saying that they
|
||
are specially engineered, well, not for that exactly, but
|
||
certainly for the odd bump or two).
|
||
|
||
However, if this can happen once it can happen again and as I
|
||
know of several other Zeniths in the Net I thought a word to the
|
||
wise would be in order. Note that this happened with no apparent
|
||
wear whatsoever -- the ring just gave out. Zenith (which BTW has
|
||
been very responsive on this and an earlier software incompat-
|
||
ability I experienced) has requested the D-ring for analysis.
|
||
|
||
I'd suggest that ALL lap-top owners regulary check their cases
|
||
and rig up some kind of a back-up to protect from failure of the
|
||
weakest link and the sickening feeling I experienced.
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 12 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
COLUMNS
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
|
||
YACK
|
||
Yet Another Complicated Komment
|
||
|
||
by Steven K. Hoskin
|
||
( STEVE HOSKIN at 1:128/31 )
|
||
|
||
Episode 6: Starting a FidoNode
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
I've wanted to start a FidoNode since I first heard of
|
||
FidoNet. I've been intensely interested in FidoNet and its
|
||
survival and expansion as long as I can remember knowing about
|
||
it.
|
||
|
||
Well, the time was drawing near; Money just isn't the
|
||
problem now that it once was. This is the time to do all those
|
||
things that one just never gets around to, for whatever reasons.
|
||
|
||
I don't want to go part-way into FidoNet; when my time
|
||
comes, I want to dedicate a system to the FidoNet. So now's the
|
||
time to buy that spare computer (prices on XT compatibles are
|
||
incredible right now!), put one of my hard disks into it and get
|
||
that FidoNode going.
|
||
|
||
My housemate just put a damper on my enthusiasm. He's put
|
||
his system up as a part-time BBS and - lo and behold - has
|
||
joined the FidoNet. I am now an assistant SysOp on EagleTech BBS
|
||
(1:128/31). But my foot's in the door to FidoNet, and someday
|
||
I'll have my own Node.
|
||
|
||
But just what is it like to bring up a FidoNode these days?
|
||
Most of you know, since most of you are FidoNet SysOps. But for
|
||
the future FidoNet SysOp out there, here's a little heads-up on
|
||
our experiences.
|
||
|
||
First, we were fairly convinced we were going for Opus or
|
||
Opus/Binkley as our setup. Most of the boards around town here
|
||
run Opus, some with SEADog or Bink as a front-end. Well, we may
|
||
be better off than we were, but we're not rich. $100 for Fido
|
||
and $60 for SEADog just didn't cut it for starters. I
|
||
personally planned to go to SEADog after awhile because I've
|
||
seen it run and I like the way it interacts with human users.
|
||
So I was biased to pay the $60 for SEADog after we were up and
|
||
running.
|
||
|
||
Then a friend suggested QuickBBS, commenting that he was
|
||
HIGHLY impressed with it. So we borrowed a copy of it, being
|
||
shareware and only $25 if you go for it. Seemed like a good
|
||
price.
|
||
|
||
So my housemate loaded QBBS and got the DOCs printed and
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 13 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
started to set it up. We were almost there - minor problems
|
||
getting the modem to behave properly with QBBS - when the
|
||
computer came up with "Internal Stack Failure - System Halted".
|
||
My home-built system gets that a lot if you hold down on a key
|
||
with the keyboard in fast-repeat mode. The keyboard flat
|
||
outprocesses the system and blows it open (custom BIOS is the
|
||
culprit, I believe). But his system NEVER gets that error.
|
||
|
||
His system refused to boot, and the dual-colored LED on the
|
||
second hard disk was red and flashing instead of green and being
|
||
happy. We disconnected the culprit drive and the system booted.
|
||
|
||
After farting around with the drive, we found an arm inside
|
||
the chassis which said "DO NOT TURN" on it, we turned the arm,
|
||
replaced the drive and all was fine - except all the data was
|
||
gone. Somehow we'd overwritten the 809 cyl/6 head format with
|
||
information that it was 615 cyl/4 head. We just re-did the
|
||
low-level format, then reformatted the drive and went on our way.
|
||
|
||
The main drive had been backed up, but QBBS was being
|
||
installed on the drive that went bye-bye on us, so it wasn't
|
||
backed up. Unfortunately, all my housemate's archives were on
|
||
that drive. No backup. You'd think we'd known better, being
|
||
programmers. Hmm. Perhaps a message here...
|
||
|
||
I still had his nearly-fully-configured QBBS on my system,
|
||
but by this time, for a multitude of reasons, he decided to take
|
||
Opus from the Net Host's board and grab a PC FOSSIL driver from
|
||
a PC user in the Net. So it was like starting over.
|
||
|
||
We hacked through the setting up of Opus, and eventually
|
||
found that, for whatever reason, using a 9-pin serial port to
|
||
the modem didn't work right, while using a 25-pin serial worked
|
||
just fine. That could easily have been what was keeping QBBS
|
||
from working; we may never know. Armed with a 25-pin RS-232 COM
|
||
port, my housemate got Opus up and running, and proceeded
|
||
to try to test it both local (keyboard) and remote modes. We'd
|
||
though ahead in this area; we already had two phone lines.
|
||
|
||
Good to go on February 29, 1988. Need I say what happened
|
||
on March 1st? You guessed it - good old Opus 1.03a had its
|
||
little date problem, and another day or two was lost getting
|
||
upgraded to 1.03b using FIXDATE.COM.
|
||
|
||
Now armed with 1.03b, my housemate sent a Network Mail
|
||
message to the Net Host requesting a node number, which has been
|
||
approved, and by the time you read this in FidoNews should be a
|
||
part of the National NodeList.
|
||
|
||
I'd like to thank all the people that helped get EagleTech
|
||
BBS up and running cleanly, especially Richard Evers, Net Host
|
||
of Net 128 and Joe Rock (128/15), whose technical assistance
|
||
reduced the headaches of starting a FidoNet BBS to a mere
|
||
irritating itch. It's really not as bad as it seems. :-)
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 14 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
NOTICES
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
|
||
The Interrupt Stack
|
||
|
||
|
||
16 May 1988
|
||
Digital Equipment Corporations Users Society Spring Symposium.
|
||
Will be held May 16-May 20 in Cincinnati, OH.
|
||
|
||
25 Jun 1988
|
||
EuroCon II starts in Tiel, Holland. Sponsored by the Dutch
|
||
Hobby Computer Club. Will run for 2 days. Contact Hans
|
||
Lichthelm at 2:2/999 for information.
|
||
|
||
16 Jul 1988
|
||
A new areacode, 508, will form in eastern Massachusetts and
|
||
will be effective on this date. The new area code will be
|
||
formed from the current areacode 617. Greater Boston will
|
||
remain areacode 617 while the rest of eastern Massachusetts
|
||
will form the new areacode 508.
|
||
|
||
25 Aug 1988
|
||
Start of the Fifth International FidoNet Conference, to be
|
||
held at the Drawbridge Inn in Cincinnati, 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.
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
Just a follow up on the January 12, 1988 article titled
|
||
"FidoNet Cuts Across BBS Borders" by Christopher Johnson
|
||
that appeared in "PC Magazine" in the After Hours Section.
|
||
The article included a reader service card follow up and
|
||
IFNA has just received the 500th inquiry. The article
|
||
seems to have made its way across Europe, Africa and the
|
||
Middle East and today we received our first inquiry from
|
||
India at the PO Box. Anyone know how to flame a budhist? ;-)
|
||
|
||
Ken Kaplan
|
||
1:1/10
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 15 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
Region Coordinator Position Open
|
||
for Region 10
|
||
David Dodell
|
||
FidoNet Node 1:1/0 or 1:114/15
|
||
|
||
|
||
Steve Jordan has tendered his resignation as the Region
|
||
Coordinator for Region 10. I am therefore asking individuals
|
||
interested in serving in this position to please contact me by
|
||
netmail.
|
||
|
||
I would appreciate a short message telling me a little about
|
||
yourself, including your experiences in FidoNet (i.e. Net
|
||
Coordinator, Echomail Coordinator, etc.)
|
||
|
||
Steve would like to transfer the responsibilities on May 1, 1988.
|
||
Therefore, please contact me as soon as possible.
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
Latest Software Versions
|
||
|
||
BBS Systems Node List Other
|
||
& Mailers Version Utilities Version Utilities Version
|
||
|
||
Dutchie 2.81* EditNL 3.3 ARC 5.21
|
||
Fido 12g* MakeNL 2.03 ARCmail 1.1
|
||
Opus 1.03b Prune 1.40 ConfMail 3.31
|
||
SEAdog 4.10 XlatList 2.86* EchoMail 1.31
|
||
TBBS 2.0M MGM 1.1
|
||
BinkleyTerm 1.40*
|
||
QuickBBS 2.00*
|
||
|
||
* Recently changed
|
||
|
||
Utility authors: Please help keep this list up to date by
|
||
reporting new versions to 1:1/1. It is not our intent to list
|
||
all utilities here, only those which verge on necessity.
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 16 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
COMMITTEE REPORTS
|
||
=================================================================
|
||
|
||
Nominations and Elections Committee
|
||
1:103/501
|
||
|
||
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
|
||
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
|
||
* * U R G E N T ! ! * *
|
||
* * * *
|
||
* * Time is running out for you to announce your candidacy * *
|
||
* * for a position as a Director of IFNA. Candidates are * *
|
||
* * required for Divisions 2, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18. In * *
|
||
* * addition, five more directors are required to fill at- * *
|
||
* * large positions. If you are interested in campaigning * *
|
||
* * for one of these positions, please send a message to * *
|
||
* * 1:103/501 immediately. * *
|
||
* * * *
|
||
* * Once you have announced your candidacy you only have * *
|
||
* * until April 25th to get your nominating petition, which * *
|
||
* * must be endorsed by ten (10) voting members, to the * *
|
||
* * above address or to the Secretary of IFNA. (If your * *
|
||
* * only problem is getting the ten endoresements, let us * *
|
||
* * know and we'll see if we can be of help). * *
|
||
* * * *
|
||
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
|
||
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 17 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
Administration and Finance Committee
|
||
1:148/122
|
||
|
||
CREATION OF AN IFNA "JOB BAG"
|
||
|
||
Being volunteers, there just isn't enough time available to do
|
||
many of the things that we would like. Either we don't have the
|
||
time to adequately define a job or, when we need something in a
|
||
hurry, we can't seem to find anyone to help out, and end up doing
|
||
it all ourselves, perpetuating the cycle in the process.
|
||
|
||
There are a couple approaches to addressing this concern. One
|
||
will be the establishment of what has been called an IFNA
|
||
'head-hunter' -- essentially an internal 'personnel office' that
|
||
maintains resumes of candidates for certain IFNA posts.
|
||
|
||
Leading up to (or concurrent with) that, we are establishing the
|
||
IFNA Job Bag. Any IFNA officer or Committee Chairman will be
|
||
able to submit jobs to the Job Bag. These will then be
|
||
advertised here and volunteers will be able to respond to a
|
||
centralized clearing-house. Actually, we're not 100% sure as to
|
||
how this will all work because, as can be seen below, one of our
|
||
first jobs is that of running this effort for the Administration
|
||
an Finance Committee.
|
||
|
||
Please respond to 148/122 if you are interested in taking on one
|
||
of these jobs. And please don't be upset if it turns out you are
|
||
not selected -- there should be plenty more to come!
|
||
|
||
IFNA JOB BAG
|
||
|
||
JOB EST.
|
||
NO. JOB TITLE TYPE FOR EFFORT
|
||
|
||
001 IFNA Job Bag Manager Perpetual Admin Comm. 3hrs/wk
|
||
This person will establish the procedures for the IFNA Job
|
||
Bag, post qualified requests received, accept and screen
|
||
applicants, and make the assignments in some cases.
|
||
|
||
002 IFNA Statistician Perpetual Admin Comm. 3hrs/wk
|
||
This person will collect and maintain various historical
|
||
data relative to FidoNet and will provide services to the
|
||
other areas of IFNA. Should have the expertise to answer
|
||
questions like "What is the projected rate of growth for
|
||
FidoNet in 1989?" "How many nodes will there be in 1990?"
|
||
|
||
003 NodeList Editor Perpetual President 3hr/mo
|
||
The Nodelist which IFNA licenses to DAK will be replaced
|
||
periodically. Each time, it will have to be edited to
|
||
remove non-applicable entries (a list of these will have to
|
||
be maintained) and shipped to them in an appropriate format.
|
||
When required, turn-around time must be immediate.
|
||
|
||
PLEASE, do not bother to respond to any of these unless you are
|
||
sure you have the resources to do a good job!
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 18 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 19 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
Don Daniels, President
|
||
International FidoNet Association
|
||
FidoNet 1:107/210
|
||
|
||
|
||
IFNA Status Report for April 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
PROGRESS DURING THIS PERIOD
|
||
|
||
General
|
||
|
||
One of the major problems facing IFNA is the fact that, as an
|
||
all-volunteer organization, we are all subject to many outside
|
||
influences on our limited time to which we attach higher
|
||
priority. As a result, our good intentions for IFNA are not
|
||
realized. This is very apparent to the officers of IFNA, but,
|
||
because we don't adequately report this to our membership (that
|
||
time bugaboo again) the membership feels free to create its own
|
||
reasons for our setbacks.
|
||
|
||
This is an area which we are now trying to address. To begin
|
||
with, I'm making reporting to the membership my highest concern.
|
||
I've instructed the Committee Chairman to restructure their
|
||
committees so that each includes its own Executive Board. The
|
||
intent is that they will run each committee while the Chairman
|
||
need only be responsible for general direction, management, and
|
||
reporting.
|
||
|
||
There are so many things that we are trying to undertake to do
|
||
that there is no way to get it all done. We could/should cut
|
||
back on our scope of effort, but the membership keeps rightly
|
||
clamoring for services which they feel are needed. It is our
|
||
intention to make a reality of IFNA's original goal: to make
|
||
it and FidoNet equivalent by expanding IFNA's operations
|
||
throughout the entire membership. Expect to see quite a few
|
||
opportunities for this in the future.
|
||
|
||
This is not a "we vs. them" situation, despite misconceptions to
|
||
the contrary by a few. It is only all of US struggling to do
|
||
what's best for FidoNet.
|
||
|
||
|
||
In order to cut-down on the length of this report, the usual
|
||
PROGRESS/PROBLEMS/PROGNOSIS format has been combined.
|
||
|
||
|
||
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
|
||
|
||
Under the brand new Chairmanship of Greg Small in Canada, this
|
||
committee spent most of this period trying to get itself
|
||
organized. There are quite a few ideas underway whereby this
|
||
committee will truly provide the needed administrative services
|
||
the rest of IFNA requires, such as committee operating
|
||
procedures, information repositories and services, and job
|
||
handling and personnel functions.
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 20 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
|
||
|
||
The BoD has experienced quite a few technical difficulties with a
|
||
recent change of topology and the resignation of its moderator
|
||
Bob Hartman who feels that he no longer can give the level of
|
||
effort required.
|
||
|
||
|
||
BY-LAWS AND RULES
|
||
|
||
I was expecting a verbal report from Steve Jordan on some
|
||
concerns relative to this committee but it has not been received
|
||
by press time. Work is underway trying to make the By-laws
|
||
reflect the desires of the membership, but its almost impossible
|
||
to know what their concensus is. We are looking into taking some
|
||
straw votes on certain issues in order to write modifications for
|
||
presentation in time for the summer voting. It appears that
|
||
other pressures are calling upon those most active in this
|
||
committee and that they will have to augmented, if not replaced.
|
||
|
||
|
||
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
|
||
|
||
Essentially, our tie-ups with other concerns have left little
|
||
time for efforts here. However, it was decided to proceed with a
|
||
member's offer to provide an independent report on IFNA's books
|
||
for the period prior to 1988. The process of copying all the
|
||
necessary information and forwarding it on to the CPA has begun.
|
||
|
||
|
||
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS N
|
||
|
||
For the most part, this Committee is only operating in Europe as
|
||
there are too many obstacles yet to be resolved for full
|
||
international involvement. There are still very real concerns
|
||
relative to the ZoneGates. Not so much in the technical sense,
|
||
but the financial. This is a very expensive undertaking which
|
||
IFNA would like (but is presently unable) to be better able to
|
||
address. Europe will be having their FidoCon in southern Holland
|
||
the last weekend of June.
|
||
|
||
|
||
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
|
||
|
||
This is one of the committees that has been involved in
|
||
discussions regarding the missions of various committees and how
|
||
we might better define and structure them to meet all our goals.
|
||
As this committee is so important to our future support and
|
||
success, particularly from the user community, it is a prime
|
||
candidate for reorganization and expansion. Part of these
|
||
discussions have been consideration of such items as the IFNA
|
||
"Head Hunter" for pre-qualifying individuals for certain jobs so
|
||
that we don't go into panic mode everytime an xC or committee
|
||
chairman steps down. NOTE: this would be a SERVICE which any
|
||
authority in the Net could ELECT to utilize.
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 21 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
There appears to be a need for some regional FidoCons. This
|
||
would help to get more people involved and, through direct
|
||
interaction, aware of our true situation and objectives. The
|
||
problem with this is the work getting it to happen. Essentially,
|
||
it must be left to the various regions to provide the necessary
|
||
level of effort required, but we could provide some expertise and
|
||
general support.
|
||
|
||
A lot of people have worked hard to produce audio and VCR tapes
|
||
at two of the FidoCon meetings. We are still struggling to find
|
||
a way to get them out to the folks who want them.
|
||
|
||
|
||
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
|
||
|
||
This committee has suffered from a recent change of chairmanship
|
||
but appears to be making necessary efforts to meet the By-laws
|
||
requirements for this summer's elections. David Garrett has just
|
||
stepped right into the firing line on this one. No status
|
||
report was received for this period.
|
||
|
||
|
||
PUBLICATIONS
|
||
|
||
The committee has reviewed the existing FidoNews publication
|
||
policies and has determined that they should be confirmed for the
|
||
present. There are still quite a few issues to be resolved
|
||
relative to the format of FidoNews and any possible additional
|
||
publications.
|
||
|
||
Tim Sullivan says, "I must reiterate that neither this committee
|
||
nor the BoD decides what is/is not published in FidoNews on a day
|
||
to day basis, that is the job of the Editor. The Editor does
|
||
what an editor is supposed to do: manage and run the day to day
|
||
affairs of the newsletter.
|
||
|
||
"We still receive article submissions that don't even come close
|
||
to specs. This is resulting in Dale spending much more time than
|
||
should be necessary preparing each week's issue."
|
||
|
||
He also report the problems with lack of time.
|
||
|
||
|
||
TECHNICAL STANDARDS
|
||
|
||
No written report was received. I did have a chat with Randy who
|
||
described a few happenings and concerns but, frankly, it was so
|
||
late at night that I can't remember them, let alone repeat them.
|
||
Hopefully, we'll have a report next month.
|
||
|
||
|
||
ETHICS COMMITTEE
|
||
|
||
This is a new Committee just getting underway. No report was
|
||
received from its Chairman Bill Allbritten.
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 22 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
VP-TC
|
||
|
||
Dave Dodell (with his IC hat on) reports, "Still trying to get
|
||
South America on line on their own. Granted them Region status
|
||
so they could have a little more independence, but that has not
|
||
come about. Every time I give them a block of node numbers to
|
||
use, they reinvent the wheel with numbers that they want to use.
|
||
|
||
"Also will be breaking the eastern half of Canada into a new
|
||
region within the next couple of weeks. This is also to give
|
||
them some independence on a national level.
|
||
|
||
"Have been working with Randy Bush and FTSC to develope an
|
||
assignment scheme for nets/region numbers. At the moment,
|
||
there is no clear formula to assignment of regions to zones,
|
||
and nets to regions."
|
||
|
||
|
||
FIDOCON LIAISON
|
||
|
||
This report did not come through the Vice-President (liaison
|
||
according to the By-laws) but was received directly from Tim
|
||
Sullivan.
|
||
|
||
"Monies have been received from IFNA to aid in start-up costs.
|
||
We have spent much time organizing and assessing future
|
||
directions. Early registration has been opened up. Vendor and
|
||
Attendee information packets are being developed. The business
|
||
of putting on an international conference is progressing on
|
||
schedule [although] there never seems to be enough time or
|
||
resources available.
|
||
|
||
"Because the SYSOP of our registration node 1/88 moved, accessed
|
||
to this board was interrupted and should be back on-line shortly.
|
||
We are still soliciting speakers for the conference. We have not
|
||
yet found an appropriate guest speaker for the banquet.
|
||
|
||
"Registration will be in full swing and we will try to
|
||
accommodate most special requests. The attendee information
|
||
packets we hope to have ready for mailing by mid-May. We may
|
||
delay this if registration is slow. Site preparation and planing
|
||
will also be an area of concentration.
|
||
|
||
"After a rough start planning and preparation for this event is
|
||
in full swing. We are VERY optimistic about the quality of this
|
||
year's conference. Much effort is going into this event to
|
||
ensure a success. However, net participation is the key to great
|
||
time. IFNA can help by encouraging participation by all members
|
||
of FidoNet. I would like to see more discussion about FidoCon'88
|
||
in Echo areas just to bring about more awareness. Any help along
|
||
these lines would be appreciated."
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 23 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
__
|
||
The World's First / \
|
||
BBS Network /|oo \
|
||
* FidoNet * (_| /_)
|
||
_`@/_ \ _
|
||
| | \ \\
|
||
| (*) | \ ))
|
||
______ |__U__| / \//
|
||
/ Fido \ _//|| _\ /
|
||
(________) (_/(_|(____/ (tm)
|
||
|
||
Membership for the International FidoNet Association
|
||
|
||
Membership in IFNA is open to any individual or organization that
|
||
pays a specified annual membership fee. IFNA serves the
|
||
international FidoNet-compatible electronic mail community to
|
||
increase worldwide communications.
|
||
|
||
Member Name _______________________________ Date _______________
|
||
Address _________________________________________________________
|
||
City ____________________________________________________________
|
||
State ________________________________ Zip _____________________
|
||
Country _________________________________________________________
|
||
Home Phone (Voice) ______________________________________________
|
||
Work Phone (Voice) ______________________________________________
|
||
Zone:Net/Node Number ____________________________________________
|
||
BBS Name ________________________________________________________
|
||
BBS Phone Number ________________________________________________
|
||
Baud Rates Supported ____________________________________________
|
||
Board Restrictions ______________________________________________
|
||
Your Special Interests __________________________________________
|
||
_________________________________________________________________
|
||
_________________________________________________________________
|
||
In what areas would you be willing to help in FidoNet? __________
|
||
_________________________________________________________________
|
||
_________________________________________________________________
|
||
Send this membership form and a check or money order for $25 in
|
||
US Funds to:
|
||
International FidoNet Association
|
||
c/o Leonard Mednick, MBA, CPA
|
||
700 Bishop Street, #1014
|
||
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-4112
|
||
USA
|
||
|
||
Thank you for your membership! Your participation will help to
|
||
insure the future of FidoNet.
|
||
|
||
Please NOTE that IFNA is a general not-for-profit organization
|
||
and Articles of Association and By-Laws were adopted by the
|
||
membership in January 1987. The first elected Board of Directors
|
||
was filled in August 1987. The IFNA Echomail Conference has been
|
||
established on FidoNet to assist the Board. We welcome your
|
||
input to this Conference.
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FidoNews 5-15 Page 24 11 Apr 1988
|
||
|
||
|
||
INTERNATIONAL FIDONET ASSOCIATION
|
||
ORDER FORM
|
||
|
||
Publications
|
||
|
||
The IFNA publications can be obtained by downloading from Fido
|
||
1:1/10 or other FidoNet compatible systems, or by purchasing
|
||
them directly from IFNA. We ask that all our IFNA Committee
|
||
Chairmen provide us with the latest versions of each
|
||
publication, but we can make no written guarantees.
|
||
|
||
Hardcopy prices as of October 1, 1986
|
||
|
||
IFNA Fido BBS listing $15.00 _____
|
||
IFNA Administrative Policy DOCs $10.00 _____
|
||
IFNA FidoNet Standards Committee DOCs $10.00 _____
|
||
|
||
SUBTOTAL _____
|
||
|
||
IFNA Member ONLY Special Offers
|
||
|
||
System Enhancement Associates SEAdog $60.00 _____
|
||
SEAdog price as of March 1, 1987
|
||
ONLY 1 copy SEAdog per IFNA Member
|
||
|
||
Fido Software's Fido/FidoNet $100.00 _____
|
||
Fido/FidoNet price as of November 1, 1987
|
||
ONLY 1 copy Fido/FidoNet per IFNA Member
|
||
|
||
International orders include $10.00 for
|
||
surface shipping or $20.00 for air shipping _____
|
||
|
||
SUBTOTAL _____
|
||
|
||
HI. Residents add 4.0 % Sales tax _____
|
||
|
||
TOTAL _____
|
||
|
||
SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN US FUNDS:
|
||
International FidoNet Association
|
||
c/o Leonard Mednick, MBA, CPA
|
||
700 Bishop Street, #1014
|
||
Honolulu, HI. 96813-4112
|
||
USA
|
||
|
||
Name________________________________
|
||
Zone:Net/Node____:____/____
|
||
Company_____________________________
|
||
Address_____________________________
|
||
City____________________ State____________ Zip_____
|
||
Voice Phone_________________________
|
||
|
||
Signature___________________________
|
||
|
||
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
|