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