Volume 8, Number 9 4 March 1991 +---------------------------------------------------------------+ | _ | | / \ | | /|oo \ | | - FidoNews - (_| /_) | | _`@/_ \ _ | | FidoNet (r) | | \ \\ | | International BBS Network | (*) | \ )) | | Newsletter ______ |__U__| / \// | | / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / | | (________) (_/(_|(____/ | | (jm) | +---------------------------------------------------------------+ Editor in Chief: Vince Perriello Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell Chief Procrastinator Emeritus: Tom Jennings Copyright 1991, Fido Software. All rights reserved. Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances, please contact Fido Software. FidoNews is published weekly by and for the Members of the FidoNet (r) International Amateur Electronic Mail System. It is a compilation of individual articles contributed by their authors or authorized agents of the authors. The contribution of articles to this compilation does not diminish the rights of the authors. You are encouraged to submit articles for publication in FidoNews. Article submission standards are contained in the file ARTSPEC.DOC, available from node 1:1/1. 1:1/1 is a Continuous Mail system, available for network mail 24 hours a day. Fido and FidoNet are registered trademarks of Tom Jennings of Fido Software, Box 77731, San Francisco CA 94107, USA and are used with permission. Opinions expressed in FidoNews articles are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Editor or of Fido Software. Most articles are unsolicited. Our policy is to publish every responsible submission received. Table of Contents 1. ARTICLES ................................................. 1 Zone 1 Echomail Coordinator Election ..................... 1 New Conference: COTSS .................................... 3 2. COLUMNS .................................................. 18 Getting it there, YAPPPIII ............................... 18 3. FOR SALE ................................................. 22 80387/41256x100's For Sale ............................... 22 4. LATEST VERSIONS .......................................... 23 Latest Software Versions ................................. 23 5. NOTICES .................................................. 28 The Interrupt Stack ...................................... 28 FidoNews 8-09 Page 1 4 Mar 1991 ================================================================= ARTICLES ================================================================= Zone 1 Echomail Coordinator Election Interim Results George Peace 1:1/0 Well, we made it through the election. But that's only half of the story. We had so much fun that we're going to do it again. Before I go on, I'll present the votes by region: Davis Nissan Lachan Walker Roberts Region ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- 10 5 - 3 10 1 11 8 - 12 3 - 12 1 - 2 1 - 13 7 - 2 1 - 14 2 1 1 7 1 15 - - 1 2 - 16 9 - 7 4 - 17 4 5 3 1 - 18 1 43 - - 2 19 35 - 3 4 2 total 72 49 34 33 6 I extend my sincere Thanks to all five candidates for your continuing efforts on all our behalf. According to the parameters of the election, no one candidate received more than 50% of votes cast. As a result, Tony Davis and Amnon Nissan, the two candidates who received the most votes, will slug it out in a runoff election. Eligibility and vote collection rules for the runoff remain nearly the same as for the first election. A maximum of two votes -- NC and NEC -- will be accepted from each Zone 1 network. If the NC and NEC of any net are the same person only one vote will be accepted for that net. Votes will be accepted and tallied by the same good folks as in the first election. The voting period will begin 7 days after this article appears in FidoNews and will extend for 14 days. If this article appears in the 4 March issue the voting period will commence on 11 March and continue until 25 March. I hope the tallies will be forwarded to me in time to be published in the first FidoNews issue following my receipt of all votes from the 10 Zone 1 RECs. FidoNews 8-09 Page 2 4 Mar 1991 Peace to All, George ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 8-09 Page 3 4 Mar 1991 by John Passaniti, Fidonet 1:260/201 Two years ago, I started the echo conference ICGAL (Issues Concerning Gays And Lesbians) by submitting an article to Fidonews. ICGAL was intended to be the Fidonet equivalent of the Usenet soc.motss newsgroup, and has largely succeeded. ICGAL started with only a handful of systems across the United States which I polled. Response was too large for my system to handle, so I put the conference on the Fidonet backbone. Since then, ICGAL has grown larger than I ever expected, reaching into Fidonet zones two and three. ICGAL (which is now moderated by Robert Bayron) has served many purposes during the two years it has existed. One great benefit (for me at least) was finding other gay and lesbian couples. My husband and I had been together for two years at that point, and the various advice and insight given by others really helped us along (and I'm sure others too). With that in mind, I'm starting a new echo conference. COTSS is a new echo conference that has a specific function in mind. COTSS (Couples Of The Same Sex) is for committed gay and lesbian couples to talk about their relationships, with the problems and solutions they have discovered. My intention is to have the conference cover a range of issues, from emotional to financial to political to social. For example, I'd like to see a discussion on how "domestic partnership" laws will change gay and lesbian relationships. I'd like to see how wills, joint finances, and various other money issues should be handled. I'd want to hear about problems homosexual couples who are also parents face. COTSS is open to anyone (regardless of sexuality or relationship status), but it is intended for committed gay and lesbian couples. It isn't a "dating" conference (there are other conferences in and out of Fidonet to fill that need). COTSS will initially be available through 1:260/228, where interested parties should send netmail. Like ICGAL, I expect COTSS to grow, and eventually, if there is enough demand, I'll place it on the backbone. Thanks, John Passaniti, 1:260/201 ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 8-09 Page 4 4 Mar 1991 __ / \ /|oo \ - Worldcon '91 - (_| /_) - Including Eurocon V - _`@/_ \ _ | | \ \\ At The Croydon Park Hotel | (*) | \ )) ______ |__U__| / \// July 26/27/28 / FIDO \ _//|| _\ / (________) (_/(_|(____/ Organised By Xenon Management LTD (jm) in association with P & O European Ferries and The Croydon Park Hotel ************************** * CONFERENCE INFORMATION * ************************** Worldcon '91 is to be held at the Croydon Park Hotel, Croydon, England. on July 26/27/28 1991. For your convenience the organisers have managed to negotiate some very good packages that include accommodation, all meals, & Conference fees. There is also a very special deal available for those who would like to bring their partner (See PLAN C for details). The Croydon Park Hotel is conveniently situated in the centre of Croydon, 10 miles south of Central London and just 5 min walk away from East Croydon Station, which provides a 24-hour service to Central London and Gatwick Airport, each approximately a 20 minute journey. The Hotel has 214 bedrooms, each with private bath and shower, radio, colour TV with in-room movies, Individually controlled heating and air conditioning, mini-bar and direct dial telephone. The Hotel also has an extensive Leisure Complex which includes an indoor heated swimming pool, Whirlpool bath, squash courts, saunas, solarium beds and poolside gym equipment. To reduce the cost of the weekend the organisers have managed to negotiate a special deal with P&O European Ferries for European delegates who can get to either Calais, Ostend or Zeebrugge. The sav- ings represent about 11% off normal prices. See below for details. The All Inclusive Deal covers the following:- FidoNews 8-09 Page 5 4 Mar 1991 Conference Fee. Morning coffee and shortbread Buffet Lunches Afternoon Tea & Cakes 2 x Dinner (Reception Buffet & Banquet) 2 Nights Accommodation 2 x English Buffet Breakfast. ** Plan C includes the above plus room only accommodation for partner/spouse. There will also be further charge of 100.00 GBP to cover the cost of meals and the widow/widower program. ** * NON-DELEGATES' PROGRAM * This program has been specially designed for the ladies. This program includes a full day guided tour on Saturday. The tour includes :- * A unique look around the Royal Albert Hall * A Tour of Westminster Abbey * See the Changing of the Guard * Three course lunch on the river Thames * Tour of the Tower of London * See the Crown Jewels * Visit to St Pauls Cathedral Also included in the program is a Reception Buffet, the Banquet, and a Traditional British Sunday Lunch. ********************************************************** W O R L D C O N - '91 : C O N V E N T I O N P R O G R A M ********************************************************** Day One : Friday July 26th 1991 14:00 Registration Desk Opens 19:00 Reception Buffet 23:00 Registration Desk Closes Day Two : Saturday July 27th 1991 07:00 Restaurant Opens for Breakfast 08:00 Registration Desk Opens 09:15 Offical Opening in Room A 09:30 Session 1 Starts in Rooms A & B FidoNews 8-09 Page 6 4 Mar 1991 {See room programs below for details} 09:45 Computer Widows Program Depart on Coach Trip 10:30 Coffee Served Outside Rooms A & B 11:00 Whistlers Bar Opens 12:00 Buffet Lunch is Served in 'Oscars' Restaurant 13:45 Session 2 Starts in Rooms A & B 14:45 Afternoon Tea & Coffee served outside Rooms A & B 18:00 Session 2 Closes in Rooms A & B 17:00 - 18:30 Wait & See........... 19:00 Banquet Starts in Centennial Suite 22:00 Watch out Croydon here we come......... Day 3: Sunday 28th July 1991 07:00 Oscars Restaurant Opens for Breakfast 09:15 Session 3 Starts in Rooms A & B 10:15 Coffee Served Outside Rooms A & B 12:00 Traditional English Sunday Lunch Served in Oscars Restaurant 13:00 Last Check Out Times 13:30 Session 4 Starts in Rooms A & B 16:00 Afternoon Tea is Served Outside Rooms A & B 16:30 Final Session in Room A. 18:00 Worldcon 91 Closes 20:00 Organisers Office Closes 20:01 You're on Your Own...... Room A Program Politics & Policy FidoNews 8-09 Page 7 4 Mar 1991 09:30 Start session-1 : Introductions 09:30-09:40 = Amendments to the agenda 09:40-10:15 = The Conclusions of Eurocon IV 10:15-10:30 = Matters Arising 10:30-10:45 = Coffee-break 10:45-11:15 = EFNA - What is it 11:15-11:45 = EFNA - Do we need it 11:45-12:00 = Matters Arising 13:45 Start session-2 : Echomail & File Distribution 13:45-14:00 = What is Echomail 14:00-14:45 = Who is Responsible for it? 14:45-15:00 = Coffee break 15:00-15:30 = What are File Distribution Systems? 15:30-16:30 = SDS/SDN/DVNET/PDN/WINNET/ADS etc..... 16:30-17:00 = Matters Arising Day-3 : Sunday July 28th 09:15 Start session-3 : Policy Matters 09:15-10:15 = WorldPol. 10:15-10:30 = Coffee Break 10:30-11:30 = Local Networks (For & Against) 11:30-12:00 = Matters Arising 13:30 : Start session-4 : Any other Business 13:30-14:30 = Routing - Do we need OGATE/IGATEs? 14:30-15:30 = Nodelist Flags - Private or Point? 15:30-16:00 = Worldcon 93 & Eurocon 93 Tender Presentations 16:00-16:30 = Tea Break 16:30-17:00 = The Worldcon 93 & Eurocon 93 Debate 17:00-17:15 = The Worldcon 93 & Eurocon 93 VOTE 17:15-18:00 = Final Session Room B Program Presentation Theatre 09:30 Start session-1 : Mailer Demo's 10:30-10:45 = Coffee-break 13:30 Start session-2 : Bulletin Board Software Demos FidoNews 8-09 Page 8 4 Mar 1991 14:45-15:00 = Tea Break Day-3 : Sunday July 15th 09:15 Start session-3 : Communications Technology 10:15-10:30 - Coffee Break 13:30 : Start session-4 : Security Matters (Hackers & Virii) 16:00-16:30 = Tea Break 16:30 - 18:00 Final Session in Room A **************************************************************** ********************** * BOOKING CONDITIONS * ********************** You will notice that those who book early will benefit from our Early booking discounts. Please note -- the closing date for bookings is JUNE 1st, 1991. Any hotel bookings received after the closing date will be subject to a further 20% surcharge, payable at the time of booking. It will not be possible to book a place on the ferries after that date via the organisers of the conference, so delegates who want to book after June 1st. will have to apply directly to the ferry companies. The specially discounted prices obtained from P & O European Ferries only apply to the specified services and not to another others which may be made available at any time; they apply only to the sailing times and routes specified, and not to another other sailing times or routes. These prices are only available at the time of booking the conference and must be fully paid in advance. All ferry bookings MUST be Received by MAY 31st, to qualify for the special discounts. Please note when using the following tables of charges that the relevant date of the booking will be the actual date that the payment is made to the organisers' bank account, so please try to allow time for the funds to be cleared by the bank. ************************ FidoNews 8-09 Page 9 4 Mar 1991 * Cancellations Policy * ************************ Cancellations prior to May 1st will receive a full refund minus 25% service charge. Cancellations on May 1st or between May 1st and June 14th will receive a 50% refund, cancellations on or after June 14th will not be refunded. Our Standard Cancellation policy applies to all ferry bookings with one EXCEPTION; Cancellations after JUNE 1st will NOT be refunded. CLOSING DATE FOR BOOKINGS IS JUNE 1st ************** * How to pay * ************** In order to process your booking correctly, we request that when make your booking, you indicate the mode of payment you will be using. * By Cheque (Euro-cheque or cheques drawn on a UK bank ONLY) Non European registrations please send a certified Bankers Cheque or Money Order . Please complete this form and send it with a cheque or money order for the total amount to: Worldcon '91 C/O Xenon Management Ltd P.O Box 288, Croydon, Surrey CR9 3XW All Cheques and Money Orders should be made payable to XENON MANAGEMENT LTD. ALL FUNDS MUST BE IN POUNDS STERLING! * Bank Transfers * Money Must be transferred to account number 0209766 of XENON MANAGEMENT LTD FidoNews 8-09 Page 10 4 Mar 1991 and MUST include the reference "WORLDCON 91" At Lloyds Bank PLC 1 Silver Street Enfield Middlesex EN1 3EE ENGLAND UK SORTING CODE 30-93-07 PLEASE NOTE: You are responsible for any bank charges that may be incurred please inform your bankers of this fact. You may register by Netmailing this completed form to 2:2/999 as well, which is the official Worldcon '91 for processing. Rename it to ZNNNXXXX.PPP where : "Z" is your Zone number, "N" is your Net number, "X" is your Node number and "P" your point-number. If you are a sysop, then PPP should be '000'. If you are a user, then PPP should be 'USR'. E-mailed registrations must be confirmed by regular mail within 14 days, after this period the registration becomes void unless full pay- ment is received in the meantime. All Bookings will be confirmed by e-mail as soon payment has cleared the bank. ************************ * The Pricing Schedule * ************************ All Prices in GBP ( pounds sterling) +--------+--------+--------+--------+ |Bookings|Bookings|Bookings|Bookings| |Before |Before |Before |After | |April 1 |May 1 |June 1 |June 1 | +------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+ | Plan A. | 200.00 | 210.00 | 220.00 | 260.00 | | All inclusive Package | | | | | | Single Room | | | | | | 2 Nights | | | | | | Per Person | | | | | +------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+ | Plan B | 180.00 | 190.00 | 200.00 | 240.00 | | All inclusive Package | | | | | FidoNews 8-09 Page 11 4 Mar 1991 | Twin room Shared | | | | | | 2 Nights | | | | | | Per Person | | | | | +------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+ | Plan C | 180.00 | 190.00 | 200.00 | 240.00 | | All Inclusive Package | | | | | | Double Room | | | | | | 2 Nights | | | | | | * Special Deal * | | | | | | Delegate gets full | | | | | | inclusive package | | | | | | and partner gets | | | | | | room only accom. | | | | | +------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+ | Plan D | 170.00 | 180.00 | 190.00 | 230.00 | | All inclusive Package | | | | | | Single Room | | | | | | 1 Night ( Saturday ) | | | | | | Per Person | | | | | +------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+ | Plan E | 150.00 | 160.00 | 170.00 | 210.00 | | All inclusive Package | | | | | | Twin room Shared | | | | | | 1 Night ( Saturday ) | | | | | | Per Person | | | | | +------------------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+ +--------+--------+--------+ |Bookings|Bookings|Bookings| |Before |Before |After | |May 1 |June 1 |June 1 | +---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+ | Plan F | 80.00 | 90.00 | 108.00 | | Conference only | | | | | (Includes Lunch/Tea/Coffee) | | | | +---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+ | Plan G | 100.00 | 110.00 | 132.00 | | Non-delegate Program | | | | | (Includes Sunday lunch | | | | | Banquet and Coach Trips) | | | | +---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+ | Plan H | 35.00 | 40.00 | 48.00 | | Banquet | | | | | (Saturday Night) | | | | +---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+ | Plan I | 70.00 | 80.00 | 95.00 | | Bed & Breakfast ONLY | | | | | Single Room | | | | | Per night | | | | +---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+ FidoNews 8-09 Page 12 4 Mar 1991 | Plan J | 55.00 | 65.00 | 75.00 | | Bed & Breakfast ONLY | | | | | Twin Room (Shared) | | | | | Per Person Per Night | | | | +---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+ | Plan K | 100.00 | 110.00 | 130.00 | | Bed & Breakfast ONLY | | | | | Double Room | | | | | 2 persons per night | | | | +---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+ | Plan L | 40.00 | 45.00 | 55.00 | | Coach Trip Only | | | | | (includes Lunch & all Admission | | | | | Charges) | | | | +---------------------------------+--------+--------+--------+ ***************** * FERRY DETAILS * ***************** P & O European Ferries have agreed to the following discounted prices on the specified services. These prices are only available at the time of booking the conference and must be fully paid in advance. On all sailing P & O offer a club class upgrade option which costs an extra 5 GBP per person each way. The Club Class lounge is "a haven of relaxation and rest for travellers", where you will be offered free tea, coffee and newpapers. All ferry bookings MUST be Received by MAY 31st, to qualify for the special discounts. Crossings Times. Zeebrugge - Dover 4.5 Hours Ostend - Dover 4 Hours Calais - Dover 75 Mins From Belgium. (All times are quoted in Belgian TIme) The 12:30 saling from Zeebrugge to Dover and the 13:45 sailing from Ostend to Dover are on the 26/7/91 returning to Belgium within 60 hours of arrival in the UK. Car (up to 6.5m) and Driver - 86.50 - Return Additional Adult - 11.50 - Return Children (4 to Under 14) - 7.50 - Return FidoNews 8-09 Page 13 4 Mar 1991 Footpassengers. Adult - 18.50 - Return Children (4 to Under 14) - 10.00 - Return From France (All times are quoted in French Time) The 15.15 or the 16.45 sailings are from Calais to Dover and returning to France within 60 Hours of arrival in the UK Car (up to 6.5m) and Driver - 98.00 - Return Additional Adult - 11.50 - Return Children (4 to Under 14) - 7.50 - Return Footpassenger. Adult - 18.70 - Return Children (4 to Under 14) - 10.00 - Return --------------------< CUT HERE >---------------------- ********************* * THE BOOKING FORMS * ********************* PLEASE NOTE -- THE CLOSING DATE FOR BOOKINGS IS JUNE 1st ! ************************************** * Conference & Hotel Booking Details * ************************************** Name: _________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________ Apt. or Suite: ________ City: _________________________ State or Province: ___________ Postal Code: __________________ Country: _____________________ Voice Phone: ______________________ Data: ____________________ Zone:Net/Node.Point@Domain: ___________________________________ Payment by Cheque/Euro-Cheque/Money Order/Bank Transfer +--------+---------------+---+------+-------+--------+-------+ | Option | Full Name |Qty|Day in|Day out|Pricing | Total | +--------+---------------+---+------+-------+--------+-------+ | PLAN A | | | 26/7 | 28/7 | | | +--------+---------------+---+------+-------+--------+-------+ | PLAN B | | | 26/7 | 28/7 | | |(1) FidoNews 8-09 Page 14 4 Mar 1991 +--------+---------------+---+------+-------+--------+-------+ | PLAN C | | | 26/7 | 28/7 | | |(2) +--------+---------------+---+------+-------+--------+-------+ | PLAN D | | | 26/7 | | | | +--------+---------------+---+--------------+--------+-------+ | PLAN E | | | 26/7 | | | | +--------+---------------+---+--------------+--------+-------+ | PLAN F | | | N / A | | |(3) +--------+---------------+---+------+-------+--------+-------+ | PLAN G | | | 26/7 | 28/7 | | | +--------+---------------+---+------+-------+--------+-------+ | PLAN H | | | N / A | | |(4) +--------+---------------+---+------+-------+--------+-------+ | PLAN I | | | | | | | +--------+---------------+---+--------------+--------+-------+ | PLAN J | | | | | | | +--------+---------------+---+--------------+--------+-------+ | PLAN K | | | | | | | +--------+---------------+---+--------------+--------+-------+ | PLAN L | | | | | | |(5) +--------+---------------+---+--------------+========********* | Total | | ------------------ * Special requirements: ________________________________________ * Arrange a room under plan-B for me, I am : male / female My roommate should be : smoker / no-smoker / no preference I prefer to share my room with : ______________________ * For my meals, I prefer : vegetarian / non-vegetarian * Plan G/L participants name is: __________________________ (1) Plan B is based on two people sharing a Twin Room. (2) Plan C includes accomodation on a room-only basis for a NON delegate ie Wife/Partner. All meals for the Non-Delegate are their own responsibility. (however all meals except Breakfast are included in Plan G). (3) Plan F is for those delegates who wish to arrange their own accomodation and so just includes Tea & Coffee, Lunch and Conference Fees. (4) Plan H is for those who are on Plan F or Plans I/J/K that wish to attend the Banquet on Saturday Evening (This is included in Plans A/B/C). (5) Plan L is just the Coach tour element of Plan G including FidoNews 8-09 Page 15 4 Mar 1991 Lunch. This tour departs from the hotel at 10am. ********************** * Ferry Booking Form * ********************** All ferry crossings covered by this form are on the Specified Sailing on FRIDAY 26th of July 1991 ONLY. Our Standard Cancellation policy applies to all ferry bookings with one EXCEPTION; Cancellations after JUNE 1st will NOT be refunded. * Travelling with Car * Drivers Name:________________________________________________ Drivers Address:_____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ Drivers Telephone Number (Voice) ____________________________ Car Make & Model:____________________________________________ Car Registration Number:_____________________________________ Car Length:_____________ (Max 6.5m) Number of Passengers: Adults:____________ (excluding Driver) Children:__________ (4 - 14yrs) Please Indicate which Crossing you require: Route Sailing ------------------------------- | Zeebrugge - Dover| 12:30 | | |------------------+-------+--| | Ostend - Dover | 13:45 | | |------------------+-------+--| | Calais - Dover | 15:15 | | |------------------+-------+--| | Calais - Dover | 16:45 | | ------------------------------- ( For cost please see the details above) Total Cost:______________ * Footpassengers * FidoNews 8-09 Page 16 4 Mar 1991 Passenger Names: (1)__________________________________________ (2)__________________________________________ (3)__________________________________________ (4)__________________________________________ Number of Adults:_____ Children (4 - 14yrs):______ Please Indicate which crossing you require: Route Sailing ------------------------------- | Zeebrugge - Dover| 12:30 | | |------------------+-------+--| | Ostend - Dover | 13:45 | | |------------------+-------+--| | Calais - Dover | 15:15 | | |------------------+-------+--| | Calais - Dover | 16:45 | | ------------------------------- (For cost please see the details above) Total Cost:______________ ************************ * Booking Confirmation * ************************ I wish to confirm this as a FIRM BOOKING and that it is subject to the cancellation conditions as set out above, to which I agree to be bound. I understand that the booking will only be confirmed by the organisers upon receipt of payment in full. Signed:_______________________ Date:________________ **************** * Payment Form * **************** Confernce and Hotel Total : _________________ GBP Ferry Total : __________________ GBP Grand Total : __________________ GBP +-----------------+ | Payment Method: | +-----------------+--+ | UK-Cheque | | FidoNews 8-09 Page 17 4 Mar 1991 +-----------------+--+ | Euro-Cheque | | +-----------------+--+ | Money Order | | +-----------------+--+ | Bank Transfer | | (1) +-----------------+--+ Notes: (1) Please ask your bankers to use your Node Number, Surname and WORLDCON 91 as a reference when paying by Bank Transfer. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 8-09 Page 18 4 Mar 1991 ================================================================= COLUMNS ================================================================= Bruce Gingery FidoNet 1:310/5.1 YAPPPIII (Yet another packet proposal - part 3) Last week, I introduced the 32 bit type-4 flags meanings. Here is the rest of the proposed packet header, and how it relates to the type-2 packet currently in standard use, and the type-3 which was proposed in FSC-0007.TXT. The FIRST sixteen bits of every packet or segregated message is the header id. Only the first 8 bits are actually used. This allows superficial compatibility with the FTS-0001, type-2 and FSC-0007, type-3 packets. This is the limit of exact compat- ibility, however. This may be treated in ANY of the following manners: C Pascal Modula-2 ID byte unsigned char byte SHORTCARD plus waste unsigned char byte SHORTCARD or ID word int integer INTEGER or ID word unsigned int word CARDINAL with equal facility, as the second 8-bits are predefined as a zero, as in current type-2 use (note intel format LL HH) The primary difference between the type-4 and type-5 is the "Ultimate address" versus the "Echo information" covering the packet. CASE MsgID : MessageFormat OF (* Constant 0 or 2..5 -- Format 1 is obsolete *) | 0 : (* End-of-File -- no other fields *) | 2 : (* FTS-0001 standard -- 32 bytes + to, from, & subject *) OrigNode, (* 0..32767 *) DestNode, (* 0..32767 *) OrigNet, (* 0..32767 *) DestNet : CARDINAL; (* 0..32767 *) MsgAttr : Type2Flags; CostCharge : CARDINAL; DateTimePkt : ARRAY [0..20-1] OF CHAR; (* DayOfWk " " Day " " Month " " FidoNews 8-09 Page 19 4 Mar 1991 two-digit-year " " Hour ":" Minute ^- SeaDog format or *) (* Day " " Month " " two-digit-year " " Hour ":" Minute ":" Second which is ^- Standard fmt *) (* "Day" may be one or two digit, Hour should be 0 filled *) toUserName, (* these fields VARIABLE LENGTH! *) fmUserName :(ARRAY [0..36] OF CHAR); subject :(ARRAY [0..72] OF CHAR); (* and SHOULD be null terminated *) | 3 : (* FSC-0007, 18-byte plus ascii header *) OrigZone, (* 0..65535 *) OrigNetNum, (* 0..65535 *) OrigNodeNum, (* 0..65535 *) OrigPoint : CARDINAL; (* 0..65535 *) DestZone, DestNetNum, DestNodeNum, DestPoint : CARDINAL; (* 0..65535 *) MsgAttrb : Type2Flags; (* see ascii headder in FSC-0007 *) | 4 : (* header = 74 bytes NetMail & `file attach' *) Flags : Type4Attribute; (* see last week's FNews*) OrgPoint, OrgNode, OrgNet, OrgZone : CARDINAL; DateBin : LONGCARD; ExtraHeaderType : CARDINAL; (* needed for ease in compatiblity *) TimeBin : LONGCARD; OrgTimeZone, IntrPoint, IntrNode, IntrNet, IntrZone : CARDINAL; Accounting : LONGCARD; (* Defined by local system *) CreatedBy, PackedBy : CARDINAL; (* product code *) ForwardLink, BackwardLink : LONGCARD; UDestPoint, UDestNode, (* Ultimate (or Boss) destination *) UDestNet, UDestZone : CARDINAL; ExpansionFill4 : ARRAY [0..5] OF WORD; (* 0000H *) Content4Length : LONGCARD; FidoNews 8-09 Page 20 4 Mar 1991 | 5 : (* Group/Echo/Conference Mail and `Tick' files *) Flags : Type4Attribute; (* flags as above *) OrgPoint, OrgNode, OrgNet, OrgZone : CARDINAL; DateBin : LONGCARD; ExtraHeaderType : CARDINAL; (* needed for ease in compatiblity *) TimeBin : LONGCARD; OrgTimeZone, IntrPoint, IntrNode, IntrNet, IntrZone : CARDINAL; Accounting : LONGCARD; (* Defined by local system *) CreatedBy, PackedBy : CARDINAL; (* product code *) ForwardLink, BackwrdLink : LONGCARD; ExpansionFill5 : ARRAY [0..5] OF WORD; (* 0000H *) SeenBySize, PathSize : LONGCARD; Content5Length : LONGCARD; AreaNameSize : SHORTCARD; Null5Filler : SHORTCARD; END (* CASE of MsgID *); The "Extra Header Type" in each case, aligns with the Message- Type in an FTS-0001 .MSG format. This allows for simplified processing, as a processing program dealing exclusively with packets will use the leading packet-type byte or word value to identify the packet, and the processing program dealing exclus- ively with unpacked messages may jump directly to the MESSAGE type identifier. All addresses are arranged with bytes in sequential order from least to most significant, for numeric longword or reverse byte by byte comparison, and the Origin and immediate destination addresses are ALSO aligned between the type 4 & 5 headers. Message timestamping is maintained in Microsoft format, as in MS-DOS directory timestamping, with bit shift compression and the 1980 base date offset for the year. The point-of-origin timezone is also included. In our global FidoNet, with inter- zone mailing and conferencing, the time-zone differential may be used by BBS or other mail processing software to give a display of both WHEN a message was written, and also how old it is. Comparison to a specified time and date may be handled as a flag numeric compare in Intel longword format. When the message is tossed, the LOCAL receipt time may be placed to re- use a portion of the interim routing address fields to allow accurate purging by display duration instead of merely by "how old is it?" In any case, the ZONE of the Interxxxx address should be zeroed when a message is tossed. FidoNews 8-09 Page 21 4 Mar 1991 When the Type-4 or Type-5 header is used on a message, the link fields, forward and backward are pointers to related messages. In the message headers within a packet, they are relative offset values. When used on a packet, however, they assume slightly different meanings. The forward link is zeroed unless a packet has been deliberately split into smaller packets for transmission over noisy lines or unstable datalinks. More on this later. The NORMAL Type-4 or Type-5 packet has the forward link as a zero. The Backward link is a sequential "transaction" number which is assigned by each sender from a counter with the immediate receiver, allowing for easy detection of any missed trans- missions. Note that there are 12 bytes of contiguous expansion area in each of the headers which do not fully overlap. This allows for careful later implementation of any points which may have been missed here. More explanations next time. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 8-09 Page 22 4 Mar 1991 ================================================================= FOR SALE ================================================================= 1 80387-16mhz Math Coprocessor: $200.00 or Best Offer 48 41256x100ns Memory Chips: $1.20/ea. Reply to Phil Buonomo, 107/582@fidonet 520/583@alternet ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 8-09 Page 23 4 Mar 1991 ================================================================= LATEST VERSIONS ================================================================= Latest Software Versions MS-DOS Systems -------------- Bulletin Board Software Name Version Name Version Name Version DMG 2.93 Phoenix 1.3 TAG 2.5g Fido 12s+ QuickBBS 2.66 TBBS 2.1 GSBBS 3.02 RBBS 17.3B TComm/TCommNet 3.4 Lynx 1.30 RBBSmail 17.3B Telegard 2.5 Kitten 2.16 RemoteAccess 0.04a TPBoard 6.1 Maximus 1.02 SLBBS 1.77A Wildcat! 2.55 Opus 1.14+ Socrates 1.10 WWIV 4.12 PCBoard 14.5 XBBS 1.15 Network Node List Other Mailers Version Utilities Version Utilities Version BinkleyTerm 2.40 EditNL 4.00 ARC 7.0 D'Bridge 1.30 MakeNL 2.31 ARCAsim 2.30 Dutchie 2.90C ParseList 1.30 ARCmail 2.07 FrontDoor 1.99c Prune 1.40 ConfMail 4.00 PRENM 1.47 SysNL 3.14 Crossnet v1.5 SEAdog 4.51b XlatList 2.90 DOMAIN 1.42 TIMS 1.0(Mod8) XlaxDiff 2.35 EMM 2.02 XlaxNode 2.35 4Dog/4DMatrix 1.18 Gmail 2.05 GROUP 2.16 GUS 1.30 HeadEdit 1.15 InterPCB 1.31 LHARC 1.13 MSG 4.1 MSGED 2.06 MSGTOSS 1.3 Oliver 1.0a PK[UN]ZIP 1.10 QM 1.0 QSORT 4.03 Sirius 1.0x SLMAIL 1.36 StarLink 1.01 TagMail 2.41 TCOMMail 2.2 Telemail 1.27 FidoNews 8-09 Page 24 4 Mar 1991 TMail 1.15 TPBNetEd 3.2 TosScan 1.00 UFGATE 1.03 XRS 4.10* XST 2.2 ZmailH 1.14 OS/2 Systems ------------ Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version Maximus-CBCS 1.02 BinkleyTerm 2.40 Parselst 1.32 ConfMail 4.00 EchoStat 6.0 oMMM 1.52 Omail 3.1 MsgEd 2.06 MsgLink 1.0C MsgNum 4.14 LH2 0.50 PK[UN]ZIP 1.02 ARC2 6.00 PolyXARC 2.00 Qsort 2.1 Raid 1.0 Remapper 1.2 Tick 2.0 VPurge 2.07 Xenix/Unix ---------- BBS Software Mailers Other Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version BinkleyTerm 2.30b Unzip 3.10 ARC 5.21 ParseLst 1.30b ConfMail 3.31b Ommm 1.40b Msged 1.99b Zoo 2.01 C-Lharc 1.00 Omail 1.00b FidoNews 8-09 Page 25 4 Mar 1991 Apple CP/M ---------- Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version Daisy v2j Daisy Mailer 0.38 Nodecomp 0.37 MsgUtil 2.5 PackUser v4 Filer v2-D UNARC.COM 1.20 Macintosh --------- Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version Red Ryder Host 2.1 Tabby 2.2 MacArc 0.04 Mansion 7.15 Copernicus 1.0 ArcMac 1.3 WWIV (Mac) 3.0 LHArc 0.33 Hermes 1.01 StuffIt Classic 1.6 FBBS 0.91 Compactor 1.21 TImport 1.92 TExport 1.92 Timestamp 1.6 Tset 1.3 Import 3.2 Export 3.21 Sundial 3.2 PreStamp 3.2 OriginatorII 2.0 AreaFix 1.6 Mantissa 3.21 Zenith 1.5 Eventmeister 1.0 TSort 1.0 Mehitable 2.0 UNZIP 1.02c Amiga ----- Bulletin Board Software Network Mailers Other Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version Paragon 2.082+ BinkleyTerm 1.00 AmigArc 0.23 TransAmiga 1.05 TrapDoor 1.50 AReceipt 1.5 FidoNews 8-09 Page 26 4 Mar 1991 WelMat 0.42 booz 1.01 ConfMail 1.10 ChameleonEdit 0.10 ElectricHerald1.66 Lharc 1.30 MessageFilter 1.52 oMMM 1.49b ParseLst 1.30 PkAX 1.00 PK[UN]ZIP 1.01 PolyxAmy 2.02 RMB 1.30 RoboWriter 1.02 Skyparse 2.30 TrapList 1.12 Yuck! 1.61 Zippy (Unzip) 1.25 Zoo 2.01 Atari ST/TT ----------- Bulletin Board Network Node List Software Version Mailer Version Utilities Version FIDOdoor/ST 2.12* BinkleyTerm 2.40l* ParseList 1.30 QuickBBS/ST 1.02 The BOX 1.20 Xlist 1.12 Pandora BBS 2.41c EchoFix 1.20 GS Point 0.61 sTICk/Hatch 5.10* LED ST 1.00 MSGED 1.96S Archiver Msg Format Other Utilities Version Converters Version Utilities Version LHARC 0.60 TB2BINK 1.00 ConfMail 4.03 ARC 6.02 BINK2TB 1.00 ComScan 1.02 PKUNZIP 1.10 FiFo 2.1j* Import 1.14 OMMM 1.40 Pack 1.00 FastPack 1.20 FDsysgen 2.16 FDrenum 2.10 Trenum 0.10 Archimedes ---------- FidoNews 8-09 Page 27 4 Mar 1991 BBS Software Mailers Utilities Name Version Name Version Name Version ARCbbs 1.44 BinkleyTerm 2.03 Unzip 2.1TH ARC 1.03 !Spark 2.00d ParseLst 1.30 BatchPacker 1.00 + Netmail capable (does not require additional mailer software) * Recently changed Utility authors: Please help keep this list up to date by reporting new versions to 1:1/1. It is not our intent to list all utilities here, only those which verge on necessity. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FidoNews 8-09 Page 28 4 Mar 1991 ================================================================= NOTICES ================================================================= Jeffrey Harrington 1:281/782 Fidonet 10:15/0 Brigadoon I am interested in Netmailing with person(s) who are interested in the following topics: Robert A. Heinlein Home Schooling Science Fiction in General Mother Earth News Mag Religion (Old, New, Alternative) CountrySide Small Stock Genealogy Homesteading Star Trek (old and new) If you have an interest in any of these topics please let me know. Or if you know of an Echo on these subjects I would like to hear about it. Thank You, Jeffrey Harrington ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Interrupt Stack 30 Mar 1991 Jim Grubs (W8GRT) was issued his first ham radio license forty years ago today. His first station was made from an ARC-5 "Command Set" removed from a B-17 bomber. 12 May 1991 Fourth anniversary of FidoNet operations in Latin America and second anniversary of the creation of Zone-4. 15 Aug 1991 5th annual Z1 Fido Convention - FidoCon '91 "A New Beginning" Sheraton Denver West August 15 through August 18 1991. 8 Sep 1991 25th anniversary of first airing of Star Trek on NBC! 7 Oct 1991 Area code 415 fragments. Alameda and Contra Costa Counties will begin using area code 510. This includes Oakland, Concord, Berkeley and Hayward. San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, parts of Santa Clara County, and the San Francisco Bay Islands will retain area code 415. FidoNews 8-09 Page 29 4 Mar 1991 1 Feb 1992 Area code 213 fragments. Western, coastal, southern and eastern portions of Los Angeles County will begin using area code 310. This includes Los Angeles International Airport, West Los Angeles, San Pedro and Whittier. Downtown Los Angeles and surrounding communities (such as Hollywood and Montebello) will retain area code 213. 1 Dec 1993 Tenth anniversary of Fido Version 1 release. 5 Jun 1997 David Dodell's 40th Birthday If you have something which you would like to see on this calendar, please send a message to FidoNet node 1:1/1. -----------------------------------------------------------------