F I D O N E W S -- Vol.12 No. 8 (20-Feb-1995) +----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | A newsletter of the | ISSN 1198-4589 Published by: | | FidoNet BBS community | "FidoNews" BBS | | _ | +1-519-570-4176 | | / \ | | | /|oo \ | Small animal psychology and | | (_| /_) | Spiritual guidance Department: | | _`@/_ \ _ | Rev. Richard Visage 1:163/409 | | | | \ \\ | | | | (*) | \ )) | Editor: | | |__U__| / \// | Donald Tees 1:221/192 | | _//|| _\ / | Sylvia Maxwell 1:221/194 | | (_/(_|(____/ | Tim | | (jm) | Newspapers should have no friends. | | | -- JOSEPH PULITZER | +----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Submission address: editors 1:1/23 | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | MORE addresses: | | | | Don -- don@exlibris.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca | | Max -- max@exlibris.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca | | Tim Pozar -- pozar@kumr.lns.com | | David Deitch -- 1:133/411.411, deitch@gisatl.fidonet.org | | | submissions=> editor@exlibris.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | For information, copyrights, article submissions, | | obtaining copies of fidonews or the internet gateway faq | | please refer to the end of this file. | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ ======================================================================== Table of Contents ======================================================================== 1. Editorial..................................................... 2 2. Articles...................................................... 2 Advertisements in FidoNews.................................. 2 Dear Reverend Visage,....................................... 3 MindNet -- A new type of erotic network..................... 5 ScoutNet - A New Scouting Network........................... 5 INTERFAITH -- A Better Kind of Religious Echo............... 6 Subject: File 7--Cu In The News............................. 7 A response to Mikhail Ramendik.............................. 8 GAMEDEV - The Game Development Echo......................... 10 Hey everyone,............................................... 10 Reply to article in Fidonews of 1/5/95 by Pablo Kleinman.... 11 3. Fidonews Information.......................................... 12 FidoNews 12-08 Page: 2 20 Feb 1995 ======================================================================== Editorial ======================================================================== Elections seem to be breaking out all over. Here in region 12, we had the privilege of seeing one of the most anal compulsive election procedures ever posted last week. Three messages worth of fine print on the do's and don't's. One would think we were electing the regent of the world rather than a nodelist clerk. I read a lot of sysop echos. Because of the snooze, I make a real attempt to get "the feel" or the mood of the net at any given time, and I have been getting a rather bad taste in my mouth about our friend Steve Winter. Now, I am not condoning the type of behaviour and rudeness that has brought all this to pass. However, what I am seeing comes as close to mob hyteria and lynch-the-bugger mentality as is possible in an online environment. There seem to be a large number of fidonet members determined to be heros by causing as much ill as is possible to Mr. Winter. Maybe it is time for everybody to take a deep breath. We have a good snooze this week, with several excellent articles covering a wide variety of topics. Here they are: p.s. from a very embarassed dominatrix, i'm sorry about the phone bill last issue, oh, . ======================================================================== Articles ======================================================================== Advertisements in FidoNews by Jerry Schwartz 1:142/928 Advertisements in FidoNews In the 1205 edition of FidoNews, the editor(s) in essence posed the question "Should advertisements for commercial software be allowed." The editors seem to feel that ads for shareware should, for historical reasons if no other, be allowed; but that commercial software is different enough to merit separate consideration. Quite simply, my opinion is that there should be no difference in treatment. Some products which begin as shareware become commercial; some might go the other direction; and some exist in both forms. Some shareware products are more expensive than some commercial products. There is a golden aura of nobility which surrounds freeware, and shareware seems to benefit from this by association. While commercial software is somehow seen as vulgar, I personally don't think that FidoNews should make that distinction. A product is a product, and its utility is paramount in determining how FidoNews 12-08 Page: 3 20 Feb 1995 "newsworthy" it is; whether it is over- or underpriced is up to each of us to decide. However, I recognize the potential for abuse: nobody would be happy to see the Snews expand to 3mb of repetitious puff pieces or outright offers for sale. In my role as moderator of an echo, I have given this matter some thought. The approach which I've taken is that actual buying and selling is out of bounds; so is the repeated posting of advertisements. Announcements of new products (or new releases of existing products) are allowed. I suggest that the Snews adopt a similar stance. Does it involve judgement? Yes. Do most people understand and comply with the intent? Absolutely. In a conference which runs 300+ messages per day, and in which there are always flame wars going on, and which by its nature seems to attract hit-and-run attacks of the "You dweebs are all losers" variety, this is one rule which has been universally obeyed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Editorbeings, Please indicate that the following article was submitted by Charles Herriot (1:163/110) who is still puzzled by what sort of furry monster was eating the bottom of Heather Locklear's skirt during the Billboard Music Awards. Roll 'da flic, Sylvia... Swamp Swine Magazine, Shuckmagosh, Ohio Dear Reverend Visage, Will wonders never cease? Our Regional Coordinator's patterning sessions were obviously successful enough for him to wake up the returning officer and an election is underway. Tony "PeeFour & Prunes" Bearman posted a most amusing set of election rules. What made the rules such a giggle was that poor Tony led off with a disclaimer that even though creeping democracy had infested our region, the ZC could still "appoint" the next RC. A nice warm hand job to Tony, I say, and may the farce be with him. The man obviously lives in the delirious past where Dinosaurs attempted to turn Fidonet into an oligarchy. It appears that in addition to Bob "Bob" Satti, there is much deadwood to be unclogged from the arteries of Fidonet. Amazing facts department: I read with the usual amount of amazement, the article by Mikhail Ramendek who asserted that atheism led to Communism. I *knew* there had to be a more compelling reason than mere superstition for having nailed a plastic Jesus to my monitor. Poor Mikhail was prevented from "reading the Snooz to his girlfriend" because he discovered FidoNews 12-08 Page: 4 20 Feb 1995 the dreaded "f" word in the text. Let's all just pause a moment to grasp the concept of *anyone* reading the Snooz to their girlfriend. Okay... hold that thought and please try to suppress the snickering while we move on to the concept of *anyone's* girlfriend being affronted by the "f" word. Just how in heck do they procreate in Russia? Save us from Communism, Mikhail, send us your nuns immediately. Speaking of godly things, how much longer do you think it will take George Peace to render a decision on the Stein vs. Kolin policy complaint? Do you suppose the delay has been caused by a need to engage semantic scholars to interpret the minimalist grunting contained in Bob "Bob" Satti's appeal decision? Of course, the hitherto sterling reputation of Matthew Stein has suffered a grievous blow with the news that Matty was "backing up" his copy of WordPerfect onto a friend's computer... for purely, cough, archival purposes...wheeze. What makes Matty's little foible even more delicious is that he tendered as an excuse, a series of events which have a remarkably similar odour to that which he had accused Kolin. The mind boggles at such coincidences. I note with approval the new Snooz policy of quoting all of the pathlines for each article. It adds fibre and improves regularity...not to mention that fact that it often makes more compelling reading than the article which it follows. I can only hope that Don & Sylvia find the time to include page after page of those dumb-assed Internet signature macros. A Snooz that looks like an antfarm can surely be counted as a Western Art Treasure. I must go, Visage, your secretary is raving again. This really has nothing at all to do with the fact that she is distraught over the frequent phone calls from someone named "Sheila." As a good and decent gesture, I think she should be sent to Newt Gingrinch's home for the Constitutionally Abused. P.S. I don't know how legions of defense lawyers and prosecutors have missed this obvious conclusion, but after watching a week of the O.J. Voyeurism Show; I am quite certain that the Akita did it. Eat my dust, Greta Van Cistern and fergawdsake *do* something with that hair. Regards, Doc Logger FidoNews 12-08 Page: 5 20 Feb 1995 MindNet -- A new type of erotic network MindNet: Because your most important sexual organ is your mind! I've been looking for an adult network for quite some time--something that could match the quality of posts I see on the Internet. I have not seen anything that even comes close. Most "adult" Fidonet-style networks seem to be created and used by people with the mentality of horny 15-year-olds. I'm not normally one to do spelling flames, but in one network's information packet, I saw "menage a trois" spelled "Manage A Twa." That would not have been so horrible by itself, but the entire packet was mangled that badly. If their packet was that poorly written, how good could the content of their network be? MindNet was formed with the understanding that your most important sexual organ is your mind. That's what we want to stimulate! I want MindNet to be an erotic network with class. In MindNet, you can participate in discussions about various aspects of sexuality, or you can post your steamy fantasies and read other people's. Both are welcome. People of all sexual practices and preferences are welcome on MindNet. We subscribe to the idea that if something you read bothers you, you probably shouldn't read it--but other people may enjoy it. MindNet is just getting started--if you'd like to be a part of it, you are more than welcome! I hope you'll give MindNet a try. I think you'll find that it's well worth the trouble! To join MindNet, send Fidonet Netmail to John Schofield at 1:102/903, or file request MINDNET.ZIP from 1:102/903 for a complete information packet and application. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ScoutNet - A New Scouting Network by Dave Tracewell ScoutNet - Scouting Around the World After many years on the FidoNet in the successful SCOUTER & SCOUTING Echo conferences, Scouting via your modem is expanding! BOTH of these great FidoNet conferences remain a valuable resource and means of com- municating, and will continue to grow and be a vital part of Scouting telecommunications, but in an World Wide effort to link the many dif- ferent Scouting programs around the world, ScoutNet was formed and is now serving hundreds of Scouts & Scouters from 15 different countries on virtually every continent. ScoutNet is the culmination of efforts by Scouters in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, and the United States to FidoNews 12-08 Page: 6 20 Feb 1995 bring together Scouting programs from all countries into one area. It will allow Scouts & Scouters from around the world to help each other, share experiences, and keep current on the world's largest Youth organization. In addition to the 24 Intl. Echo Mail conferences, Scout- Net will have many Regional and Language specific conferences that will deal with local issues. With millions of Scouts & Scouters world wide, this new Scouting Network will really help promote friendship between nations and the World Brotherhood of Scouting! To join ScoutNet, you can freq the information file, SCOUTNET.ZIP from any of the regional hubs listed below, or contact Dave Tracewell in either the SCOUTER or SCOUTING echo mail conferences. ScoutNet International Headquarters: The Starbase International BBS - Sysop: Dave Tracewell (209) 339-0220 Lodi, California USA The Eagle's Nest BBS - Sysop: Wade Martin (415) 386-0124 San Francisco, CA (Pacific) USA The Outdoor Store BBS Sysop: Lionel Fowler (204) 669-1774 Winnipeg, MB, (Western) Canada Scouts Canada Sysop: Don Poaps (905) 333-5216 Burlington, Ont. (Eastern) Canada ASCII TIPI BBS - Sysop: Bob Morris (203) 934-9852 West Haven, CT (North East) USA Battlefield District BBS Sysop: Curtis Womble (804) 559-2818 Mechanicsville, VA (Eastern) USA On My Honor BBS Sysop: Michael Manning(615) 674-8741 White Pine, TN (South East) USA The Dart Board BBS Sysop: Dart Nielson (303) 882-2360 Dolores, CO (western) USA ---------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERFAITH -- A Better Kind of Religious Echo ---------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERFAITH -- A Better Kind of Religious Echo By: Jason Steck, 1:285/424@FIDONET ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "Talk about what you are FOR rather than what you may be AGAINST." That is the founding creed of the INTERFAITH conference and it has stood up very well over the three years of the conference's existance in wide private distribution. Now, INTERFAITH is available on the FidoNet backbone. Have you ever noticed how most of the religious conferences are mostly dominated by negative people condeming this or "exposing" that? An awful lot of attention in those areas seems devoted to finding groups which can be slurred as a "cult" or condemned as "non-Biblical" according to somebody's peculiar prejudices. "False Christian scum" is another of the unpleasant terms which many of you have seen coming from one of these other religious conferences. FidoNews 12-08 Page: 7 20 Feb 1995 As a result of such attitudes, many of those conferences quickly turn into a pseudo-spiritual bloodbath where a select group persecutes all others. Not much room for good exchange of views or spiritual experiences in such an atmosphere, is there? INTERFAITH was originally formed specifically as a response to those disasters. In INTERFAITH, we invite all religions, faiths, paths, and philosophies into an atmosphere of mutual respect. In INTERFAITH, religious views, doctrinal discussions, and spiritual experiences can be shared openly and honestly without fear of "meltdown" into bashing, name-calling, and slurs. To protect against even vestiges of unconscious discrimination or prejudice, the INTERFAITH moderator is assisted by a diverse panel of co-moderators, each representing a distinct religious or spiritual classification which is distinct from that of the senior moderator. This provides all participants with direct representation on the moderator staff. However, all moderators are equally dedicated to the principles of openness and tolerance upon which INTERFAITH is built. So if you would like respite from the "war zones" of other religious conferences, would like first-hand information about a faith you may have heard about, or would just like to discuss religious subjects in an accepting and respectful atmosphere, pick up the INTERFAITH conference from your FidoNet backbone feed! Jason Steck 1:285/424@FIDONET INTERFAITH Senior Moderator ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Gordon Meyer <72307.1502@COMPUSERVE.COM> Subject: File 7--Cu In The News Most Computer Intrusions Unreported =================================== The Pentagon's Center for Information Systems Security (CISS) attempts to penetrate DoD systems worldwide, via the Internet. The govt hackers were able to gain entry to systems 95% of the time, and only 5% of the break-ins were detected. Of those, only 5% were reported to higher-ups in the organizations. ComputerWorld. Jan. 30, 1995 pg.12 Spoofing and Hijacking ====================== In a related story to the above, Computerworld ran a story about CERT's alert concerning IP Spoofing and Session Hijacking. The story includes comments from several security specialists, who express concern about continued attacks of this type. ComputerWorld. Jan. 30, 1995 pg.12 InfoTerrorism FidoNews 12-08 Page: 8 20 Feb 1995 ============= Sure, hackers are a problem, but what are you going to do about high- tech military-style assualts on your datacenter? The miltary-industrial complex has several weapons that could (in theory) be used by a disgruntled employee or info-terrorist. Items such as high-energy guns that emit data destroying pulses, and EMF bombs that paralize your systems, are some the technologies that threaten your system. Yet another reason to lay awake at night, worrying. ComputerWorld. Jan. 30, 1995. pg.1 Deadbeat BBS, Beat & Dead ========================= Novell and Microsoft have reached an agreement that will close the Deadbeat BBS, located in New Jersey. The teenage-sysop will pay $25,000. in damages to the software giants, in restitution for the 60+ Novell and MS products that were allegedly available for downloading on the board. ComputerWorld. Feb. 6, 1995. pg.8 Big Brother *is* Watching ========================= Analytic Concept's "GameCop" software is just what the overseer ordered. The program watches active windows on a PC to see if a game is running. If one is, a customizable message displays a stern warning for the employee to get back to work. GameCop can also, optionally, sound an alarm to embarass the slackard in front of their cellmates..err co-workers. ComputerWorld. Feb. 6, 1995. Daddy always said to kick the boy when he's down Rick Simms No Name No Slogan Acid Horse Don't just eat a cheesburger, eat the hell out of it. tjm ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A response to Mikhail Ramendik Rev. Shawn McMahon 1:19/34 smcmahon@cyberspace.com In volume 12, issue 7, Mikhail Ramendik asserted that Fidonet was becoming "atheist only" on the flimsy justification that he saw some articles by atheists in the 'snooze. Mr. Ramendik, I suggest that in the future, you read a few more issues before you make a statement that could portray you in a foolish light. The 'snooze editors have made a great effort to not let their own personal religious beliefs control their submission policies, and I for one think they've done a bang-up job. I realize that, like many theists, you feel that allowing *ANYTHING* into the 'snooze that personally offends you indicates an editorial FidoNews 12-08 Page: 9 20 Feb 1995 bias, but I would like to point out that they printed *YOUR* article, complete with your religious graphical image and prayer. This is hardly indicative of an atheist-only newsletter, much less an atheist-only network. I remind you that this is the network that has found room for *ALL* religions in it's membership. Even David Koresh's Branch Davidians have had a node. BTW, I think most educated people, including clergymen, would agree that the problems in your country were predominantly caused by Communism, not atheism. In my country, the USA, we've seen the result of religious freedom. State-sponsored atheism is bad, yes; but then, it's no worse than state-sponsored Christianity, or state-sponsored Judaism. Anytime the state tells you how to think, the society is doomed. Replacing one kind of thought repression with another that is opposite in some one point is not progress, it's just "same shit, different day" as we say here in the US. Last but not least, you complain about someone else's use of language preventing you from reading the 'snooze to your girlfriend, with an implication that replacing some of the characters with different ones would somehow make it possible for you to read it. Mr. Ramendik, what would you have said if you were reading the article and came across "f#(k?" And, what's preventing you from saying that exact same thing when you come across "fuck?" (Which, after all, means EXACTLY the same thing as "f#(k.") Bottom line; if you think the policy of the state restricting people's religious beliefs was a disaster in your country, you certainly shouldn't be attempting to get Fidonet, Fidonews, or anybody else to implement that heinous policy. To the best of my knowledge, Fidonet has never denied anyone a nodelisting on the basis of their religious beliefs. Some "notoriously religious" folks have been denied on the basis of their ACTIONS TOWARD OTHERS, but that is a very different thing than the "atheists only club" you portray us as. I wish you a long and enjoyable life, Mr. Ramendik, free of people trying to tell you how you have to think. FidoNews 12-08 Page: 10 20 Feb 1995 GAMEDEV - The Game Development Echo From: Sunir Shah (1:241/11) Are you interesting in writing a game? Have you found a certain lack of support in FidoNet for game development? Well, look no further, GAMEDEV is here! GAMEDEV, The Game Development Echo, is interested in every aspect of Game Development -- from programming, to making graphics, to making sound, to making music, to coming up with ideas, to publishing, to design. You'll no longer have to splinter your discussions across echoes, and finally you can talk about certain aspects of game development that have no home anywhere. If you are at all interested, netmail Sunir Shah at 1:241/11. Include your name, your FidoNet address, your calling location and good times to pick up mail (include time zone information, and convert to EST if you can). This echo is pretty new, so it's not on the backbone quite yet, but we can change that with your help. You can poll as frequently (or infrequently) as you want. It would be nice to gate this echo into other zones/networks as well. If you are interested in that, please say so. Remember -- Game development is a special type of programming/application development. Maybe you should get a special echo for it... Maybe you should get GAMEDEV. Sunir Shah (1:241/11), Moderator of GAMEDEV ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey everyone, From: Greg Peterson (1:250/607) I'd like to tell you a bit about my fast-growing net called DidoNet. It is based in Toronto with one board in Indiana, and hopefully more to follow. The net doesn't have an exact theme in it, but it has lots of FUN things to do, such as RPGs, a friendly hockey pool (currently), an IP BRE game, with 5 boards in it, so far. There are also bases for just fun stuff, like a trivia base, for just people making up trivia questions, and other people try and answer them... just for fun. There is also a base for Canadian/American discussions... There are bases for lots of things, and I gladly add new bases that are requested, if I think it'd be worth five of my minutes. A bit more specific stuff now... The net allows aliases/handles, but you CAN use FidoNews 12-08 Page: 11 20 Feb 1995 real names, if your BBS program doesn't have alias support, or if you just want to... why? Well, all bases allow ansi. Also, if you plan to connect to the RPG bases you must allow users to post netmail, for their character sheets, or they'll have to ask you to send it yourself. the IP BRE game is being reset Feb. 27, `95, so if you'd like to join it, you may want to hurry. The BRE game is ANY version you like, but when v0.970 comes out, the net will change to it. Important: If you are long distance and would like to join, you must call long distance to send/receive mail, etc., 'cause I can't afford to call long distance to a whole bunch of Long Distance Hubs. Also, I'm looking for hubs for ANYWHERE, except I already have hubs for 219 area code (Indiana), 416 area code (Toronto), and 905 area code (Metro Toronto). You are asked to please call at least once a week. Also, it's a Fido- style net, but if you're reading this, I'm assuming you have a FrontEnd setup... Well, don't want to bore you with stuff about my net... so all just tell you how to join. You can join by: F'REQing "DIDOAPP" from 1:250/607, (In Toronto...) and sending the application back through netmail, or InterNet: Greg@tor250.org Netmail OR file is preferred. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Reply to article in Fidonews of 1/5/95 by Pablo Kleinman Juan Perez, 1:3609/5@fidonet I never figured that a member of the FidoNet would try to use FidoNews to violate the laws of the U.S. On his article Pablo Kleinman is asking the members of the Fidonet to violate the Laws of the U.S by requesting donations of computer equipment to the Government of Cuba, Mr Kleinman wants to aid the same government that just recently through its actions, caused the USA to put in Concentration camps over 30,000 cubans who scaped from the same government that now he is so generously want to assist to obtain computers. Those so called "machines at the general public's reach" are kept in governmental agencies where only those who are trusted by Fidel Castro's regime are allowed to use them. Hopefully no member of the FidoNet has been dupped into believing that their donations would end in the hands of private citizen within Cuba, they will be distributed as Mr Kleinman states by a member of the "National Academy of Science" in other words by a member of the Government of Cuba. This is a violation of the Torricelli Act, this can lead to the arrest and conviction of those attempting to send computer equipment FidoNews 12-08 Page: 12 20 Feb 1995 to the Island of Cuba. Hopefully this reply will deter a member of the Fidonet to comit a criminal act that will cause him or her harm in the future. Mr Kleinman seems to be aware of this fact since very conveniently lives in Spain while asking for US citizens to risk imprisoment. Juan Perez, 1:3609/5@fidonet ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ======================================================================== Fidonews Information ======================================================================== ------- FIDONEWS MASTHEAD AND CONTACT INFORMATION ---------------- Editors: Donald Tees, Sylvia Maxwell Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell, Vince Perriello, Tim Pozar Tom Jennings "FidoNews" BBS FidoNet 1:1/23 BBS +1-519-570-4176, 300/1200/2400/14400/V.32bis/HST(DS) more addresses: Rev. Richard Visage -- 1:163/409 Don -- 1:221/192, don@exlibris.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca Sylvia -- 1:221/194, max@exlibris.tdkcs.waterloo.on.ca Tim -- pozar@kumr.lns.com (Postal Service mailing address) FidoNews 128 Church St. Kitchener, Ontario Canada N2H 2S4 voice: (519) 570-3137 Fidonews is published weekly by and for the members of the FIDONET INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR ELECTRONIC MAIL system. It is a compilation of individual articles contributed by their authors or their authorized agents. The contribution of articles to this compilation does not diminish the rights of the authors. Opinions expressed in these articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of FidoNews. Authors retain copyright on individual works; otherwise FidoNews is Copyright 1995 Donald Tees. All rights reserved. Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For use in other circumstances, please contact the original authors, or the eds. Articles by Madam emilia may be retransmitted freely through cyber-space. FidoNews 12-08 Page: 13 20 Feb 1995 OBTAINING COPIES: The most recent issue of FidoNews in electronic form may be obtained from the FidoNews BBS via manual download or Wazoo FileRequest, or from various sites in the FidoNet and Internet. PRINTED COPIES may be obtained by sending SASE to the above paper-mail address, or trade for copy of your 'zine. INTERNET USERS: FidoNews is available via FTP from ftp.fidonet.org, in directory ~ftp/pub/fidonet/fidonews. Anyone interested in getting a copy of the INTERNET GATEWAY FAQ may freq GISFAQ.ZIP from 1:133/411.0, or send an internet message to fidofaq@gisatl.fidonet.org. No message or text or subject is necessary. The address is a keyword that will trigger the automated response. People wishing to send inquiries directly to David Deitch should now mail to fidonet@gisatl.fidonet.org rather than the previously listed address. SUBMISSIONS: You are encouraged to submit articles for publication in FidoNews. Article submission requirements are contained in the file ARTSPEC.DOC, available from the FidoNews BBS, or Wazoo filerequestable from 1:1/23 as file "ARTSPEC.DOC". Please read it. "Fido", "FidoNet" and the dog-with-diskette are U.S. registered trademarks of Tom Jennings, and are used with permission. "the pulse of the cursor is the heartbeat of fidonet"... -- END ----------------------------------------------------------------------