FidoNews · Vol 3, No 1 · 6 January 1986
Volume 3, Number 1 6 January 1986
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| _ |
| / \ |
| - Fidonews - /|oo \ |
| (_| /_) |
| Fido and FidoNet _`@/_ \ _ |
| Users Group | | \ \\ |
| Newsletter | (*) | \ )) |
| ______ |__U__| / \// |
| / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / |
| (________) (_/(_|(____/ |
| (jm) |
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Publisher: Fido 1/1
Editor in Chief: Thom Henderson
Review Editor: Allen Miller
Chief Procrastinator Emeritus: Tom Jennings
Fidonews is published weekly by SEAboard, Fido 1/1. You are
encouraged to submit articles for publication in Fidonews.
Article submission standards are contained in the file
FIDONEWS.DOC, available from Fido 1/1.
Disclaimer or don't-blame-us:
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
FidoNet Policy Guide released
2. NEWS
Running Fido with a Cermetek 1200 SPC Modem
Fido Related Ramblings
Computer Group Association Formed
3. COLUMNS
Fido Utilities, What, Where and When part 1 by Henk Wevers
Rainbow Corner
4. NOTICES
The Interrupt Stack
Special notice to Jim Filgo
Special notice to Henk Wevers
============================================================
EDITORIAL
============================================================
A New Year, A New Net
Well, not really a new net. Maybe just one that's a little
easier to figure out.
FidoNet has grown a lot over the past few years. Its
organization has changed a few times to accommodate its
increased size. The latest change was when multinet
operation was added, distributing control of the net to
dozens of people scattered all over the place.
Sometimes this has caused confusion. A plaintive sysop
demanding "Who's in charge here?" might have a hard time
finding out. Many people seem unsure just how to get a node
number, or how form a net, or where to turn when things
don't seem to be working right.
Some policies have been developed since multinet operation
was established, but not much has been said about what they
are. A new coordinator or net host has a hard time figuring
out how everything works.
So a FidoNet Policy and Procedures Guide has been compiled,
and is being distributed with this issue of Fidonews. The
guide doesn't set any new policies, it just describes the
ones we already have. We think you'll find it a useful
reference.
------------------------------------------------------------
Fidonews Page 2 6 Jan 1986
============================================================
NEWS
============================================================
Robert Plamondon
Fido 10/624
Running Fido with a Cermetek 1200 SPC Modem
I just bought a Cermetek half-card modem for my Fido system.
This is a more-or-less Hayes-compatible 1200 baud modem
which sells for $199 at Fry's Electronics in Sunnyvale (and
probably at similar prices elsewhere).
The modem seems very nice so far. The obvious differences
from a stand-alone modem are the lack of indicator lights
and the terrible speaker. I don't find these to be much of
a problem. The main problem was that the generic Hayes
setup for Fido doesn't work.
Fortunately, there is a simple fix. On the command line for
Fido, you need to specify 16/v instead of the more common
128/v. This will get Fido to look at the correct bit for
carrier detect.
You need to set up the modem for auto-answer (DIP switch 4
off), and set up the modem for numeric codes. Numeric codes
can be had by default by setting DIP switch 3 on, or you can
leave it off and create a FIDOMDM.BBS file with the line
ATV0
in it. This will turn off the English-language status
messages and use the Hayes numeric codes.
All other settings can be left at their defaults.
------------------------------------------------------------
Fidonews Page 3 6 Jan 1986
John Plocher
Fido 121/90
Fido Related Ramblings
Ever since I started using Fido about a year and a half
ago, I have been bothered a bit about the way FidoNet is set
up. Why must FidoNet be a synchronous event? Namely, why
is there a distinction between a person calling your Fido
and another Fido calling it? There is already a
verification scheme in Fido which makes sure that it is
talking to a Fido and not a user, so why restrict the times
when systems can access each other?
If I want to send mail to you, I need to generate your
outgoing packet, call up your machine, send the packet. You
don't need to do anything with that packet till you want to.
If you wait till after the national mail slot to unpack it,
so what. Things would still run as they do now. If,
however, you set up your event schedule so that the unpack
routine got called every 2 or 3 hours, your system could
have a faster 'message response time'.
This would also remove a bottleneck which exists right now:
the mail slot can run out before you got done sending all
your outgoing mail.
Allowing a Fido to make outgoing calls anytime wouldn't
mean that you would have to make changes in your current
routing setup if you didn't want to change your habits. All
that this would do is remove the restriction that the Fido
you want to talk to has scheduled a mail event at the same
time you do. Remember, routing files only effect SENDING
mail!
Also, why can't (?shouldn't?) I be able to tell the local
"Fido" system to call a remote "Fido" and request info from
it like:
FORWARD MY MAIL
LIST DIRECTORIES
LIST FILES IN directory
DOWNLOAD file
UPLOAD file
I could then leave a "message" on my local machine which
would result in my getting the latest version of RENUM from
Bob's system or a list of the file areas on one of the St.
Louis systems. I could also allow normal users (if they
have credit) easy access to files on other systems.
All right, I know Fido will never allow this since Tom J.
has said that 10l, will be his last version (I haven't the
foggiest who did 11a), but if Bob Hartman reads this, it
might rub off onto Rover. If it does, I'll provide a flea
collar!
Thanx for 'listening' to my ramblings!
Fidonews Page 4 6 Jan 1986
John Plocher
User on 121/90 - MidNet
Madison, WI
------------------------------------------------------------
Fidonews Page 5 6 Jan 1986
Computerists Form
International Computer Users Groups Association
Incorporation papers will be filed next week in
Lexington, Kentucky for a new non-profit scientific,
literary, educational and charitable organization to be
known as the International Computer Users Groups
Association, Inc. (ICUGA).
The organization, being incorporated by computerists
from four states, is designed to aid local computer users
groups in promoting use of computers and themselves and to
allow computer users groups to share information.
"The idea is to allow computer users groups to speak to
one another, to know more of the trends of the computer
industry and to help them better serve their members,"
explained David Reed, one of the founders of ICUGA and
president of the Central Kentucky Computer Society, Inc. "We
are writing to all known computer users groups inviting them
to join with us in forming this organization. We want to
have as much input as possible from the various users groups
and are offering them the opportunity to have a role in the
formation of policy and direction for this organization."
Charter dues for ICUGA will be only $25 per users group
and will enable member organizations to help form the future
plans of the international organization.
Among the ideas being considered by ICUGA is an 800
number to allow new computerists to call to find out about
member users groups in their area; a newsletter for user
group presidents; a clearing house of information for those
wishing to form new users groups; a speakers' bureau to help
users groups learn of those willing to make presentations to
groups; working with computer manufacturers and suppliers to
obtain user group discounts for ICUGA-member organizations;
to provide an exchange service for newsletter articles for
local user group publications; to provide a liaison between
member users groups and other non-profit organizations to
allow computer groups to perform public service activities;
and to explore other aspects of the organization which will
benefit the local users groups.
"We've just gone through 15 months of growing pains
with our new local computer society and realize how
difficult it is for a local group to gain information about
how to form a group and what is needed to obtain non-profit
tax and mailing status and suggested by-laws for such a
group," Reed explained. "After talking with various user
group presidents around the country, it appears an
organization such as ICUGA is needed. We don't want to be a
parent organization for users groups -- just a support
service for them, allowing them to use whichever services we
offer as they decide locally."
ICUGA will incorporate as a non-profit corporation
Fidonews Page 6 6 Jan 1986
under Kentucky law and will seek 501 (3) (c) tax-exempt
status from the Internal Revenue Service and non-profit
mailing rights from the U.S. Postal Service.
Founders and members of the initial board of directors
of ICUGA are:
* David Reed, president of the Central Kentucky
Computer Society, Inc., Lexington, KY. Reed is
Director of Library Services for the Lexington
Herald-Leader Co., a Knight-Ridder newspaper.
* Bob Van Cleef, former president of the San Diego
Computer Society, the nation's second-largest
computer users group.
* Charles Bowen, a Huntington, WV, freelance writer and
one of the authors of "How To Get The Most Out Of The
Source" and "How To Get The Most Out Of CompuServe."
He is also a contributing editor of CompuServe's
OnLine Today publication and electronic service.
* Wendy Woods, San Francisco based freelance writer and
editor of Newsbytes(tm), an computer news weekly
available online on The Source.
* Mike Guffey, an Arlington, Texas, computer user and
editor of the Kaypro Knews, a user publishing service
on The Source.
* Arthur A. Abshire, a Lexington, KY, attorney and
computer user and treasurer of the Central Kentucky
Computer Society, Inc.
* John Newby, an internationally known combustion
engineer, computer user and immediate past vice
president of the Central Kentucky Computer Society,
Inc.
The ICUGA board of directors will also appoint an
advisory committee comprised of well known computer users,
movers and shakers of the industry.
Users groups interested in ICUGA and not wishing to
wait for their informational mailing may contact the
organization at:
International Computer Users Groups Association, Inc.
c/o Abshire & Abshire, attorneys
Suite 100
Security Trust Building
Lexington, Kentucky 40507
For more information contact David Reed at (606) 269-6431
evenings.
------------------------------------------------------------
Fidonews Page 7 6 Jan 1986
============================================================
COLUMNS
============================================================
Fido utilities, part 1 : The "complete" list
--------------------------------------------
by Henk Wevers Fido 3101/1
Many times I wished there was a complete list of available
Fido utilities with a short description of what each utility
does and where to find it. If you know that I live in
Holland, Europe you will understand my point. Its awfully
expensive to browse through the software of many Fido sys-
tems. Well, the list is here now for the same reason that a
lot of Fido software is "popping" up: if it doesn't exist,
do it yourself. I hope this list will help you, especially
if you are rather new to the Fido scene. I will try to make
this a three part article with the different parts published
about a month after each other. This first part merely lists
all Fido utility software I am aware of, the second part
explains how to use a lot of these utilities in a batch file
letting Fido taking care of most of its maintenance (THAT's
different from a real dog!) and the third part talks about
how to use some of these freestanding utilities to make the
life of a Fido dog owner much easier.
The list of available Fido utilities following this intro
and the upcoming articles will be distributed as three files
so new sysops can pickup easely from there. I hope to keep
the first file called FIDOUTIL.DC1 current, but I need your
help here. Note that I have only included programs I have
tried out. There may be a lot of other utilities I am not
aware of. Please let me know if you use some other utility.
I really wouldn't mind if you attach it to the message you
are going to send to me. Beware, the message and files go
straight to europe, it may cost you a little here. If you
tell me where I can find it, and the program looks interes-
ting I will probably pick it up some day. And oh yes, the
comments on the programs are mine and very personal. I
don't try to be offensive here, I really appriciate all the
work done to make a Fido utility. It just happens that we
have some duplicates here and that some programs do the job
in a better way for my situation. Anyway, If you object or
want to add something to my comments, just let me know.
FILE: FIDOUTIL.DC1
------------------------------------------------------------
FIDO UTILITIES PART ONE : THE "COMPLETE" LIST
See also FIDOUTIL.DC2 : How to set up Fido batch files
See also FIDOUTIL.DC3 : Free standing Fido utilities
------------------------------------------------------------
This list is compiled on December 23, 1985 by Henk Wevers
Fido 3101/1. Please forward all updates, changes and
additions to me on Fido_nl1, (3101/101, try Europe for a
Fidonews Page 8 6 Jan 1986
change), and I will distribute the updated list through
Fidonews as need arises. Please attach the new/changed Fido
utility so I can include short comments about it.
Comments are personal and in now way mean to criticize all
those people contributing Fido utilities. They are only
included to give a short personal impression on this growing
number of programs. If I have seen things wrong, just let me
know and I will correct them as soon as you convinced me.
============================================================
See also the text files FIDOUTILS.DC2 and FIDOUTILS.DC3 if
you need a tutorial on how to use these utilities in the
Fido setup.
============================================================
Note: Most fees are for commercial use only. Please check
with the programmer.
Utility version date programmer Fee ? net/node
======== ======= ======== ================= ======= ========
DAYNBR 1.0 85/10/26 Ben Baker 100/76
---------------------------------------------------
Edits a DOS command to contain reference(s) to
julian day-of-year and then executes command. Hosts
and other major Fidoforces use it all the time. It
can help you too.
---------------------------------------------------
EDIFIDO 1.09 85/09/26 Bob Klahn 107/50
---------------------------------------------------
Edits about everything in a Fido message including
"SEND" bit, attached file field etc. Does not (yet)
edit the message body. Most useful when the body
editing is been added.
---------------------------------------------------
EVENT 85/11/19 Ben Baker $ 25 100/76
---------------------------------------------------
An alternative method of maintaining Fido's
schedule file with features not provided by Fido
(Gosh, why don't I use this ?)
---------------------------------------------------
FIDOUSER 1.0 84/12/21 Allen Miller 108/10
---------------------------------------------------
To print last name, first name, times called, last
date, password and security from the USER.BBS file
to screen/printer/file in a fixed or comma
delimited format.
---------------------------------------------------
FIDOXREF 1.0 85/10/13 Bill Becker 16/209
---------------------------------------------------
Lists differences between real directory and
FILES.BBS Basically OK, but SHUFFLE can do this
also and more.
---------------------------------------------------
FILELIST 1.3 109/602
---------------------------------------------------
Makes a list of all files in your FILES.BBS files.
Output goes to printer, console or a user download-
able file. Includes size and download time for
Fidonews Page 9 6 Jan 1986
every file. Useful switches to keep some files a
secret. Be nice to your long distance callers,
make an external event running this program, arcing
the result and placing the arced file in an
accessible area. They'll bless you.
---------------------------------------------------
FILER 2.0 85/08/11 Vincent. E. Perriello 110/491
---------------------------------------------------
REMARK: use FILELIST instead, except if you have a
space problem, Filer makes a more comprehensive
list with but with less features (no download times
for instance.
---------------------------------------------------
LISTGEN 2.00 85/09/08 John Warren $ 20 102/401
---------------------------------------------------
Nobody can run Fido without this neat program. It
must be run on the distributed node list to get a
working node list and route files for Fido
---------------------------------------------------
PRGUSERS 1.0 85/08/03 David Horowitz 107/2
---------------------------------------------------
User files can become big, especially with one time
callers. With TJ's SYS_XXX user file maintenance
program you can purge the users you want, but that
means leaving Fido and manually starting the pro-
gram. PRGUSERS does the same, but automatically
from batch using an external event. Keen sysops use
this.
---------------------------------------------------
READMSG 2B 84/11/25 Kurt Reisler 109/483
---------------------------------------------------
Read messages outside Fido. The only reason to use
this one instead of several others is that you can
print the message to a file. As soon as Rover can
print messages you can delete this one.
---------------------------------------------------
READQ 1.1f Robert Lederman 16/42
---------------------------------------------------
If your users get a low first time privilege then
you must upgrade them manually by reading the
ANSWERS or ANEWUSER file and then updating them
with TJ's SYS_XXX. A long and time consuming way.
Well this program does all that and you can append
the answer file to a XX.SAV file, so you can start
with a fresh file next time. The program is OK and
saves a lot of time, but the speed of the program
could use a lot of improvement.
---------------------------------------------------
RENUM 1.1 85/08/28 Bob Hartman 101/101
---------------------------------------------------
A companion to PRGUSERS. This one can renumber and
delete messages from batch (actually simulating
sysop's 2 and 8 commands). I don't see how you can
do without this one.
---------------------------------------------------
RESEND 1.1 85/07/25 Ben Taylor 102/411
---------------------------------------------------
And then it happened, the message was marked SEND
Fidonews Page 10 6 Jan 1986
but it got lost somewhere and never arrived. If you
are like me, you hate to type in things twice. Use
RESEND instead. If you marked your message to be
killed after sending, you have run out of luck.
You can do some little tricks with this one, like
regular distribution of files, but most of us use
ROBOT for these kinds of things.
---------------------------------------------------
ROBOT 3.30 85/09/27 System enhancement $ 20 107/8
---------------------------------------------------
Used to distribute messages and files on a regular
basis, like Fidonews, node list updates, route
files, etc. Hosts must have it, and will probably
use it together with DAYNBR.
---------------------------------------------------
ROVERMSG 2.14 85/12/03 Bob Hartman $ 15 101/101
---------------------------------------------------
What can I say? I use it every day. It's a mimicry
of Fido's message base but has some cute extensions
like editing already saved files and editing with
your favorite word processor. Will grow into a
complete Fidoclone (with sources I hope). The only
thing I miss is the ability to send messages read
to the printer or a file (like twix, but for all
areas as a sysop only command). Get this one !
---------------------------------------------------
ROVERTWX 1.00 85/08/13 Oscar Barlow 104/56
---------------------------------------------------
Should be better than the original TJ's TWIX, that
doesn't know about nets. Yeach... this one mixes
up the nets too, so no big deal (yet). Still you
must get this one or TWIX, they both will print all
unread message in the mail area. Run it every mor-
ning to get a hard copy of your new mail.
---------------------------------------------------
RSYSOP 1.62 Dave Purks 109/456
---------------------------------------------------
Emulates the SYS_XXX file to maintain the user
list. You can start this from inside Fido with the
0 command. Good for remote sysops (you should have
one during the holidays anyway). If you're gonna
use this make sure you run watchdog too !
---------------------------------------------------
SHIPUSER 1.0 85/05/21 David Horowitz 107/2
---------------------------------------------------
In an effort to make a list of all Fido users, you
are asked to run this program on your user list and
ship the result to 107/1. They will compile a
nationwide (worldwide ??) "Fido" book so you can
look up where to send someone a message. Personally
I think this is a goal that can't be achieved as
Fido grows as fast as it does now. Most likely it
will gobble up all available disk space next year
or so. Still, if Fido's too big we'll probably
split up the book in different parts for different
countries and regions, so keep sending the files to
107/1.
---------------------------------------------------
Fidonews Page 11 6 Jan 1986
SHUFFLE 2.00 85/11/17 Robert Lederman 16/42
---------------------------------------------------
Yep, another goldie. You MUST get this one. It's
for maintaining your files and FILES.BBS files
(thats a lot of files in this sentence, do you
Americans have another word ?). Just get it and use
it!
---------------------------------------------------
SYSOP 2.07 Mark. W. Buse $ 5 206-634-0122
---------------------------------------------------
An cute alternative for the sysop user maintenance
SYS_XXX. Full screen. A matter of taste if you
use this one or TJ's.
---------------------------------------------------
SYSREPT 1.43 85/11/14 Allen Miller 108/10
---------------------------------------------------
Another Fido Classic. (What Classic? Fido is still
a puppy!) I run this one as a batch file every week
at 23:59 on Saturday. It provides me with a
comprehensive sysop log, utilization report and a
report on up and downloads. If you want to analyze
your system's usage this program can also make an
import file for DBII and others.
---------------------------------------------------
SYS_XXX 85/01/26 Tom Jennings 125/1
---------------------------------------------------
Just for reference here, it comes with Fido. Used
to maintain the user list.
---------------------------------------------------
TESTLIST 1.2 85/10/23 Ben Baker 100/76
---------------------------------------------------
Ok, only for hosts and region coordinators. Tests
your local node list and reports errors.
Optionally updates the distributed World node list
locally.
---------------------------------------------------
TWIX 85/09/08 Tom Jennings 125/1
---------------------------------------------------
See ROVERTWX. Everybody seems to have this one, but
the program keeps telling me it's not public
domain.
---------------------------------------------------
USERLIST 1.0 85/07/08 Ben Baker 100/86
---------------------------------------------------
Another "print the users" program.
---------------------------------------------------
USERLIST 1.0 Jim Ryan 141/400
---------------------------------------------------
What the name says. We got more of these, will try
to report the differences in the future. I NEVER
print the user list so I am not sure which one to
use.
---------------------------------------------------
USERSORT 1.22 Lennart Svensson 101/4602
---------------------------------------------------
First European contribution. I use it as an exter-
nal event once a day just before mail. Sorts the
user list and puts the last callers first. Users
Fidonews Page 12 6 Jan 1986
can see now with the "U" command if somebody called
in lately.
---------------------------------------------------
WATCHDOG 84/08/15 James R. Reinders don't know
---------------------------------------------------
If you are going to use the "0" command you MUST
use watchdog. Otherwise if you get disconnected the
next caller can drop into DOS. Watchdog reboots the
system after the carrier is lost. With an
appropriate AUTOEXEC.BAT file Fido will restart.
---------------------------------------------------
WEEKDAY 85/11/13 Ben Baker 100/76
---------------------------------------------------
Like DAYNBR and ROBOT, useful in batch files. Exits
with error level set to the day number. You can
control the flow of events in your batch file with
this one.
---------------------------------------------------
WHATSNEW 1.1 85/11/28 David Stickler 101/45
---------------------------------------------------
Converts an uploaded file (whatsnew.txt) into a
message to all. Tried it, and it works, but why
should I use it. Anybody out there who knows?
---------------------------------------------------
WRITEMSG 1.3 Net Systems $ 10 115/396
---------------------------------------------------
Makes a text file into a message (AHA now we can
make Loooooong messages without files attached).
---------------------------------------------------
Well that completes the list. I have thought about including
the World famous ARC in this list, but that's not really a
FIDO utility. It's a utility for all MS-DOS computer users.
It's available on ALL Fido systems. Oh well, here we go:
ARC 4.45 System Enhancement 107/7
---------------------------------------------------
Archives, squeezes, crunches and god knows what
other kind of compression techniques it uses now.
If you don't have it either go get it NOW or stop
running a Fido board.
---------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
Fidonews Page 13 6 Jan 1986
Rainbow Corner
by Theodore Needleman
Reader Mail...
As usual, first order of business is reader mail. B.R.
McMahon, a volunteer instructor for the Senior Citizen
Activities Program in Colorado Springs, calls me to task
about April's column. He has some questions about (and
criticisms on the use of) computer jargon. Well, Mr.
McMahon, I apologize. Not for the use of jargon, after all
every discipline has its own vocabulary, but for not
defining some terms as I went along. Sometimes I forget how
frustrating it is to be just starting out and have everyone
talking over your head. To address your questions, Terminal
Mode is the Rainbow's built in Terminal Emulation program.
When you turn on the system, after the self-test is
completed, you are provided with a screen which asks which
drive you wish to boot from. If you choose "T" from this
menu, you will be in "Terminal Mode".
Mr. McMahon's letter goes on to ask where in DEC's
documentation the information about Terminal Mode and Print
Screen is located, and requests a definition of "Screen
Dump". Well, sir, "Screen Dump" is jargon for transferring
whatever's on the CRT into hardcopy via the printer. In
other words, performing a "Print Screen". The information
about Terminal Mode is to be found in the Rainbow 100 User's
Guide in Chapter 4 ("Communicating with Another Computer"),
and the description of the "Print Screen" function is on the
last page of that chapter under "Using a Printer". Granted,
you do have to hunt a bit for it, but it is in there (and in
the index to the User's Guide). I do agree with you that it
is not particularly easy to "zero-in" on a specific piece of
information. A "Master" index, covering the "Owner's" Guide,
"User's" Guide, and CPM/86-80 and MS-DOS manuals would seem
to be a good idea. This would direct you not only to a
particular page, but also a specific manual. This wouldn't
be any big deal to do (just merge the four current indexes),
but I don't see anyone at DEC being particularly anxious to
do it.
Next letter is from Michael Victoroff M.D. who writes (in
part) "Please continue all possible sarcasm, jibes,
needling, and other taunting of the (...people) at DEC who
don't see the importance of PC's".
You've got it, Mike. But it's important that you and the
other "Corner" readers realize that I don't do this simply
to be vile-tempered or curmudgeonly. The simple fact is
that I, like the rest of you, own a Rainbow, and I want to
use it as something more than a expensive paperweight (hell,
I already have an Apple /// for that!) So it tends to get me
a bit upset when DEC blows a beautiful piece of hardware out
of the water with inept marketing (for DEC's latest gaff,
see this week's Business Software Beat). It's easy to use
(or misuse) these forums as a vehicle to vent some spleen,
but that's not really the point of my tirades and rantings.
Fidonews Page 14 6 Jan 1986
The object is to express both (from the letters I've been
receiving,) your, and my own, displeasure at the way DEC has
been handling the Rainbow. There's an old adage that "the
squeaky wheel gets the grease". Maybe if we all "squeak"
loud enough...
Reader John Wheeler writes in asking about a port of
Sublogic's (and Microsoft's) Flight Simulator. Sorry, John,
there are two factors precluding a port of this particular
program to the Rainbow. The first of these is that the
program is copy-protected. To copy the software onto RX-50
diskettes, you'd first have to break, and take out, the copy
protection. Even if it was possible to get the Flight
Simulator onto a DEC format disk, it still wouldn't run on
the Rainbow. The reason this particular package is used as
a test of IBM-PC compatibility is that it makes extensive
use of the PC graphics mode. And, as we all know, graphics
on the IBM, and graphics on the Rainbow, are two very
different animals.
John also goes on to ask what kind of support and assistance
a software vendor can expect to receive in porting a program
over to the Rainbow. Actually, John, this is one area where
DEC is doing a good job. DEC is prepared to offer not only
marketing assistance, but technical assistance as well. A
special ISV (Independent Software Vendor) support group has
been formed for this purpose. Jim Alosi, who has been
mentioned several times before here at the "Corner", has
been named ISV Support & Development Manager. I speak to
Jim fairly often, and I believe that he is committed to
getting as much software as possible up on the Rainbow. All
my jibes at the DEC bureaucracy aside, Jim and his team did
a tremendous job on the Referral Guide, and I expect that
his Support & Development group will be an invaluable
resource in getting software ported over to the Rainbow. He
requests that any software vendors interested in getting
their programs ported on the Rainbow contact him (by mail
ONLY, please!) His address is: Jim Alosi, ISV Support &
Development Manager, LJ02/14, Digital Equipment Corp., 30
Porter Road, Littleton, MA. 01460.
Speaking of porting software, my "Project Transport" (May
issue) proposal has generated a bit of mail, most of it in
favor of the project. However, at this writing, not enough
input has come in to make worthwhile the enormous investment
in time required for such an undertaking. Now granted, not
a lot of time has passed. Due to the "publishing lag", the
May issue of Hardcopy has only been out about 3 weeks as
this is being written. The "powers that be" at the magazine
tell me we have over 30,000 Rainbow owners reading Hardcopy.
I'd like to see input from at least 1% of you before I make
a decision. I know most of you never write to a magazine,
after all, I very rarely write to magazines either. But I'm
asking you to make an exception in this case. I'll hold off
making a "go/no-go" decision on "Project Transport" until
August 1st. If you haven't already given me your "two cents
worth", please take a moment to do so now. The addresses
are: paper mail to IDEA TECHNOLOGY, P.O. Box 668, New City,
Fidonews Page 15 6 Jan 1986
NY 10956, MCIMail to "Theodore Needleman", and SourceMail to
TCA920. A good turn-out will be impressive not only to the
software producers I'll approach if "Project Transport"
takes off, but will demonstrate to DEC that there is
considerable interest in keeping the Rainbow alive and well.
I'm about out of room for this week, though not out of
reader mail. Oh well, maybe there will be a bit of extra
room next week! One last thing before I sign off. Several
readers have taken me to task about the sparse mention I
made of the FIDONET system. No slight was intended. I hope
to sign on a few more FIDO BBS around the country during the
next week. I'll report on this, and the "FIDONET
Philosophy" in a bit more detail next week. Also coming up
next week are "mini-reviews" on a public domain program
called DAC, and on "DO-IT" from VU-SOFT. And, of course,
reader mail! See you then.
(c)opyright 1985 by Ted Needleman-all rights reserved
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Fidonews Page 16 6 Jan 1986
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NOTICES
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The Interrupt Stack
24 Jan 1986
Voyager 2 passes Uranus.
9 Feb 1986
Halley's Comet reaches perihelion.
9 Feb 1986
Diana Overholt (109/74) has another birthday.
11 Apr 1986
Halley's Comet reaches perigee.
19 May 1986
Steve Lemke's next birthday.
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 Fido 1/1.
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Will Jim Filgo, node 131/445, please call node 1/1 to pick
up his mail?
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Will Henk Wevers, node 3101/1, please call node 1/1 to pick
up his mail?
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