FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:35:47 Page 1 Volume 2, Number 8 1 April 1985 +----------------------------------------------------------+ | _ | | / \ | | - FidoNews - /|oo \ | | (_| /_) | | Fido and FidoNet _`@/_ \ _ | | Users Group | | \ \\ | | Newsletter | (*) | \ )) | | ______ |__U__| / \// | | / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / | | (________) (_/(_|(____/ | | (jm) | +----------------------------------------------------------+ Publisher: Fido #375 Chief Procrastinator: Thom Henderson 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. ARTICLE SUBMISSION All articles you see in this issue are written by users and sysops, and have one way or another managed to consume disk space on Fido #375. In order to get rid of them, and free up my precious disk space, I include them here, then quickly delete them. Then they are YOUR problem. EDITORIAL CONTENT: Totally up to you; I publish anything at all. Articles are generally Fido or BBS related; this is by no means a decision on my part, nor a requirement. FOR SALE, WANTED, NOTICES: Pretty much self explanatory. Commercial ads are welcomed, if of reasonable length. SUBMITTING AN ARTICLE: Manage to get a copy of your article to Fido #375, preferably by Fidonet mail, or by uploading. The name of the file you send MUST have one of the following extensions: .ART An article .SAL A "For Sale" notice .WAN A "Wanted" item FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:35:50 Page 2 ARTICLE FORMAT: VERY IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ! The requirements are a little tighter in this department, due to purely practical constraints. I cannot devote hours to converting every text format in the world to the one I use. 1. NO LEFT MARGINS! Flush left please. We will do the indenting at our end, thank you. 2. RIGHT MARGIN AT COLUMN 60 OR LESS! Less is OK, more is definitely not. This includes fancy boxes, dotted lines, etc. 3. NO FUNNY CHARACTERS! This includes formfeeds and other oddities. 4. NO GRAPHIC CHARACTERS! Believe it or not, not every one in the world has an IBM PC. My computer understands printable characters from 20 hex to 7e hex. (Space to tilde) This is ASCII; "American Standard Code for Information Interchange". We are "Interchanging Information". Everything else is GARBAGE. ASCII is universal; Graphics are not. 5. TOTAL ARTICLE LENGTH: Up to you; note, however, that I will probably avoid publishing dictionaries, bibles translated into NAPLPS, and ASCII encoded LANDSAT pictures of Russian wheat farms. 6. WHERE ON EARTH IS THIS ARTICLE FROM? Well ... good question! A good idea to identify yourself somewhere, unless you wish to remain anonymous. Thats okay too, but I may balk at publishing rude or otherwise racy submissions. 7. You don't need to put in separator lines at the top or bottom. They are added automatically when Fidonews is assembled. Any article that doesn't meet the above criteria will get bounced, and will not be published until someone gets around to fixing it. I might go over it and fix it up in time for the next issue, or I might ask you to try again, or I might just forget about it. In any event, you must meet these standards if you expect your article to be published promptly. FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:35:51 Page 3 The New Kid on the Block That's me. This is my first issue as editor of Fidonews. Since you are reading this, then obviously I've at least figured out how to put the paper together. So far, so good. I've already made a few changes, but almost all of them are internal things, dealing with how Fidonews is assembled, and shouldn't really affect anyone but me. No big deal, really. Everyone develops their own methods for doing things. Tom Jennings and I have developed different methods, is all. My short range goal is to totally automate the production of Fidonews, so that it will get out on time even if I'm out of touch for awhile. This should be no big problem, as long as contributors abide by the submission standards (above). This is really more your newsletter than mine, anyway. I just put together the pieces and send it out, maybe with a little note from me to you tucked away somewhere. So don't think of this as "my" paper, or even as Fido's paper (pun NOT intentional). Think of it as YOUR paper. * * * I've seen at least four different methods of naming Fidonews. The one I've decided to go with is: FIDOvnn.NWS Where "v" is the volume number, and "nn" is the issue number. I've renamed all my back copies this way, and I plan on naming all future issues this way. What you will do, I have no idea. But speaking of issue numbers, there seems to have been some confusion on this in the past. Here's the record for 1985, as best as I've been able to determine: Old New Vol, Publication Issue Vol, Num Date Date Num ==== ======= ======= ==== 2, 1 06 Jan 85 06 Jan 85 2, 1 2, 2 16 Jan 85 16 Jan 85 2, 2 2, 3 21 Jan 85 21 Jan 85 2, 3 2, 3 04 Feb 85 04 Feb 85 2, 4 2, 4 19 Feb 85 19 Feb 85 2, 5 2, 5 06 Mar 85 01 Mar 85 2, 6 2, 6 18 Mar 85 15 Mar 85 2, 7 The publication date is the date the issue was actually assembled, as given in the page headers. The issue date is the nominal "date of issue", as given just above the picture of the doggie. These are never required to match, which is FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:35:53 Page 4 why you get the March issue of a magazine in January. The "old" issue number is the number given in the issue itself. As you can see, there was a trivial error in the issue numbering, so I numbered my back copies according to the "new" issue numbers. So, by my count, this should now be volume 2, number 8. And so it is. ============================================================ NEWS ============================================================ From FIDO #66 Orange County, California UPGRADE YOUR FidoBBS SYSTEM TO MULTI-TASKING FOR LESS THAN $160 OR TO MULTI-TASKING AND MULTI-USER FOR LESS THAN $255. By Robert Bosche', Jr. Co-SYSOP Fido #66 (714) 642-4408 - 24-Hours If you are like most SYSOPS, you probably run your Fido BBS during the hours you're not using the computer for local tasks. One computer is not just enough to handle FIDO BBS 24 hours a day and run your other programs at the same time. Until recently we found ourselves in the same situation, and disappointed many of our faithful callers while we burned the midnight oil. We now run Fido #66 on a 24-Hour basis on our only computer and plan to add a second Fido to the same computer in the near future. During working hours we run other programs such as R:Base 4000, Microrim's XRW, Wordstar, 1-2-3, PC-TALK III, and various editors and DOS files in the `foreground' while Fido #66 runs in the `background', on the same computer. To say there is no noticeable degradation would be stretching the truth, but I will say that the degradation is acceptable, even with three tasks/programs running at the same time. Over the past three months, we tested a number of multi- tasking/multi-user packages for compatibility with Fido and other popular packages, as well as for speed, degradation, other quirks, and finally cost. We can recommend two of them, one for about $160, and one for about $495. Most users can get by well with the $160 package. At these prices, it certainly beats buying another computer for the present. I will explain the differences later. Let's call them p$160 and p$495 for short. P$160 turns your PC-DOS 2.10 & 3.x (not MS-DOS) compatible computer into a true timesharing system running up to 9 PC- DOS compatible programs concurrently. FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:35:55 Page 5 Up to 9 separate jobs can be run at the same time, but this really depends on the CPU and RAM demands of each program you run. For our purposes, we find 2 or 3 jobs to be the reasonable maximum for our own application mix. You don't have to bring FIDO down any more to run other programs, or get out of your wordprocesssor to copy a file in another directory, just switch back and forth between jobs. It's like switching between computers. With p$160 the keyboard and screen can be assigned to any job, and all other jobs continue to run unattended. P$160 requires no additional hardware. An additional $90 buys the Multi-user version of the package. It uses one standard serial port for each additional user (NOT BAD for a MULTIUSER SYSTEM). Remote users can be connected either by modem or direct via a null modem cable. Direct connection yields transmission rates up to 19.2K baud. RAM size may need to be increased according to program requirements. We recommend 640K, which is the maximum directly accessable memory for the IBM-PC/XT & Compatable. P$160 is simple to install, and requires only a one-line addition to your AUTOEXEC.BAT to allocate memory to each job's partition. Once booted, any program compatible with IBM PC-DOS may be loaded. Simple keystrokes can then cause any job/program to appear on the foreground screen, while the other jobs/programs continue to run in the background partition. Additional p$160 parameters allow you to assign processing priorities/time to specific jobs according to your needs. We have been and continue to work with the developers of this package to enhance its capabilities even further. P$495 surpasses p$160 in a few respects which may be requisites of your system. P$495 allows use of many IBM compatible computers running under PC-DOS in a multitasking and multiuser environment. P$495 also allows you to implement a number of background routines which actually control the way certain `unfriendly' software packages manipulate video RAM. The unfriendly software then performs normally from the user's vantage point, but in such a way that it cannot interfere with or overwrite allocated portions of video RAM. The best example of an unfriendly program is one that manipulates screen memory. P$495 supports remote access to DOS, so you can run programs from a remote location. P$495 also supports a memory expansion card which allows DOS FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:35:58 Page 6 to direct-access up to 4 megabytes of memory. Think about the capabilities and use of these package(s). The 4 megabyte memory expansion card and multi-port (4 to 8) serial cards are also available. Please give us a call for additional information. We'll be more than happy to work with you to resolve any questions and supply any of the required software or hardware at very reasonable prices. For your information, Fido #66 runs on a Compaq portable packed with 640K, 2 DSDD floppies, a 33.5 meg hard disk, a ProModem 1200, 3 serial ports, a Kimtron (PC lookalike) terminal, a Heathkit/Zenith terminal, a Citizen MSP-15 printer and a few other `put-togethers'. Bob Bosche' The ASC/US Group The ASC/US Computer Price Club Fido #66: (714) 642-4408 24-Hours Voice lines: (714) 642-7949 10:00AM - 6:00PM PST (714) 642-2582 " " " ------------------------------------------------------------ From: Jon Tara on FIDO #92 Subject: AT hard disk rumors Disclaimer: This is pure conjecture. I've take a few slips of the tongue from various sources, and put them together to make a viable rumor... IBM will soon announce the availabilty of a "40MB" PC-AT. Because consumer confidence in the ill-fated 20MB AT drive is so low, IBM may even offer the 40MB AT at the same price as the current 20MB model, and offer to upgrade existing 20MB drives. The new drive is actually a 33MB (formatted) drive from CMI - the same company that makes the 20MB drive. Some marketing genius at IBM decided, though, to follow the lead of the sleazier end of the micro industry, and use the unformatted capacity of 40MB in the company's literature. Many theories have been offered about the cause of the problems with the 20MB drive. One is that the controller leaks write current during reads, resulting in the slow erasure of data. But users have experienced no problems using non-CMI drives on the AT. The problem is actually with the 20MB CMI drive. The thermal stability of the case is insufficient to maintain head alignment, resulting in all sorts of havoc, as tracks get recorded and re-recorded at different locations. The 33MB drive is of a completely different design, FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:35:59 Page 7 which avoids the thermal problems of the 20MB drive. The other difference is that the 33MB drive is (currently) made in the U.S., while the 20MB drive is made in the orient. ------------------------------------------------------------ MIKE HAMILTON SYSOP FIDO #313 & 370 I'm sure that all Rainbow owners have found as I have that there is a bottleneck in system recovery between programs. This is generally caused by having to reread COMMAND.COM from the disk. Following is the procedure I use for moving COMMAND.COM into memory in a RAMDISK. Two programs are used RAMDISK and COMSPEC, both of which are avaliable on numerous boards around the country. In CONFIG.SYS add the following: RAMDISK.SYS 21K (This will create a ramdisk of 21k in size) In AUTOEXEC.BAT add the following (G: is used for reference only the real drive will be the next one avaliable) COPY COMMAND.COM G: SET COMSPEC=G:\COMMAND.COM COMSPEC G:\COMMAND.COM PATH=G:\;E:\ (THE E:\ SHOULD BE WHAT EVER DRIVE IS YOUR PRIMARY) This procedure works for me and inproves system performance about 10%. ------------------------------------------------------------ Mike Hamilton SYSOP FIDO #313 & 370 I have several scare stories lately about using reinforced center floppies. In my company we have over 100 RAINBOWS and use exclusively DYSAN disks (they have a re-inforced center) to the tune of 1000 per quarter for the past 6-9 months. We have experienced no problems excpet with people who insist in jerking the disks out of the machine when there is a little resistance to removal. I don't know where the information got started but it sounds like the NY Times article about DEC and their RAINBOWS. Anyone else have any experience that can be documented about the ???problem???. ------------------------------------------------------------ FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:36:01 Page 8 Article from Kent Leonard Fido #77, Boulder, CO. First of all thanks to Tom Jennings for all the Newsletters until now, and thanks to Thom Henderson for his accepting the editorship of the Newsletter. I hope that everyone has heard all about the dismissal of the Tom Tcimpidis vs PacTel case. What is still very unclear to me is just what should be the lessons learned by this case, and what practical actions should Sysops take as a result? I am seeing many boards become a registration/ subscription system, i.e. first time in, you only get to leave your name address and phone number. The Sysop will then allegedly verify your information before allowing real access. I for one am not willing to undertake that kind of overhead to keep a Board running, and I really fail to see its value in protecting oneself against legal liability from abusive users. I would appreciate comments from anyone in this matter, privately or in this newsletter. THANKS. I might relate one or two interesting comments that I heard regarding this case: The first was from a lawyer who was incredulous when told about it. Ever since the Greeks has a public posting been considered Free Speach and the property owner could not possibly be held liable. He thought the case would collapse immediately upon submittal to any court. The second comment I got was "What if I go over to the Kiosks on the Mall and start posting Credit Card numbers? Will the city be held liable? The merchant who owns the store that it's in front of? How about the bulletin board that's in the local supermarket?" Food for thought. ============================================================ FOR SALE ============================================================ NOTICE FROM FIDO #66 Orange County, California A S C / U S C O M P U T E R P R I C E C L U B BBS: (714)642-4408 VOICE:(714)642-2582 or 642-7949 Although we've spent the last two months down more than up, FIDO #66 is back and better than ever. Try it and let us know what you think. FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:36:03 Page 9 We not only offer a FIDO BBS setup which we are proud of, but excellent prices on all of your hardware and software needs. Download our HOTLIST for current specials, and our ".CAT" file(s) for a more comprehensive listing. Call (714)642-CLUB for current pricing. We carry over 20,000 items, and specialize in items for IBM and compatibles at very fair prices. We also pay referral fees for consulting gigs. Please give us a call!! ------------------------------------------------------------ We have a confession to make. We've been holding out on you. For several years now we've been using a program called MACRO to boost our productivity. But we've been keeping it a closely guarded secret. Even our most intimate clients have been unaware of it's existence. Now, however, we've decided to release it to the PC user community. If you have ever used a macro assembler, then you already know how useful macros can be. For the rest of you, well, a good macro processor can do half of your work for you. MACRO works with any normal text file, and hence can be used as a powerful front-end to almost any language. MACRO can help you create programs that: 1. Put parameters in your programs, allowing you to easily change table sizes, ranges of values, and so forth. 2. Put conditional code in your programs, allowing you to write one program, and then "switch" parts on and off easily for different customers and applications. 3. Perform integer arithmetic and string manipulation before your program is compiled, saving run time. 4. Write programs that customize themselves when you compile them, based on commands given and questions answered during the macro scan. MACRO is available for only $100 through SEAboard, Fido 375. You can order by either leaving a comment to the sysop when you log off of SEAboard, or by sending a PRIVATE message to the sysop of Fido 375. Be sure to give your name, mailing address, and VISA or MasterCard number and expiration date. Also be sure to download our electronic catalog, which will run on any IBM PC, XT, or AT, and which gives details of our complete line of products for the IBM user. ------------------------------------------------------------ MIKE HAMILTON SYSOP FIDO #313 & 370 FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:36:05 Page 10 Seems like everyone and their cousins are in the chip selling business these days. So I figured Mike why don't you join the crowd. Since I frequently listen to myself here is the deal. 9 chip set of 256k chips for $125. 3 sets for $115 apeice 5 sets for $105 apiece larger orders call for prices. I realise that these prices are below what others are offering. I have no excuse for them. My prices will come down as the market drops its prices. Contact me at fido #313 for arrangements. ------------------------------------------------------------ FROM FIDO 357-------SPRING VALLEY, NEW YORK------------- ADS answering service is the FIRST service to run TOTALLY ON COMPUTER. ADS uses state of the art IBM hardware assuring you of continued service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We offer service with UNLIMTED CALLS per month, NO CONNECTION FEE, and NO MONTHLY FEE to the phone company. Here at ADS the computer answers your call, greeting your caller with a message you compose, IN YOUR OWN VOICE, asking them to please leave a message. Since there are NO operators involved ALL MESSAGES ARE 100% PRIVATE !! When you call in from any touch tone phone in the world, you can INSTANTLY retrieve your messages, and if the caller also is a subscriber to our service, you may then leave an answer for him on the system. You can at any time delete your messages, and when this occurs the message file is filled with random characters and then deleted from the disk directory ASSURING YOU THAT NO ONE WILL EVER HAVE ACCESS TO THE MESSAGE AGAIN! You may at any time change your greeting message to reflect changes in your location, status of availability, etc; In fact your message may be anything YOU desire ! You may also leave messages for any other subscriber at any time. ADS is the ultimate in answering services!! For more information or to arrange a demonstration of the newest form of telecommunications please call 914-352-6801 from 9 am to 5 pm (EST) FIDONEWS -- 01 Apr 85 01:36:07 Page 11 ============================================================ WANTED ============================================================ WANTED Does anyone know of any utilities for converting RBBS user lists to Fido user lists? I understand the reluctance of some sysops to convert their RBBS systems to Fido just because of this one task. Thanks. ---Kent Leonard, Sysop Fido 77 ============================================================ NOTICES ============================================================ *** UPCOMING EVENTS *** 14 Apr 85 - Submission deadline for next issue of Fidonews. 20 Apr 85 - New York/New Jersey sysop meeting.