582 lines
23 KiB
Plaintext
582 lines
23 KiB
Plaintext
F I D O N E W S -- | Vol. 9 No. 27 (13 July 1992)
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The newsletter of the |
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FidoNet BBS community | Published by:
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/ \ | "FidoNews" BBS
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/|oo \ | (415)-863-2739
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(_| /_) | FidoNet 1:1/1
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_`@/_ \ _ | Internet:
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| | \ \\ | fidonews@fidonews.fidonet.org
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| (*) | \ )) |
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|__U__| / \// | Editors:
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_//|| _\ / | Tom Jennings
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(_/(_|(____/ | Tim Pozar
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(jm) |
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| Newspapers should have no friends.
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| -- JOSEPH PULITZER
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----------------------------+---------------------------------------
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Published weekly by and for the Members of the FidoNet international
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amateur network. Copyright 1992, Fido Software. All rights reserved.
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Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes
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only. For use in other circumstances, please contact FidoNews.
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Electronic Price: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . free!
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Paper price: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10.00US
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For more information about FidoNews refer to the end of this file.
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--------------------------------------------------------------------
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Table of Contents
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1. EDITORIAL ..................................................... 1
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Editorial: Still not here ..................................... 1
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2. ARTICLES ...................................................... 3
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Response to: Netmail and Echomail are Different? ............. 3
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Regarding the Commercialization of FidoNet via Support Echoe .. 5
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Home Wine Making Echo -- VIN_MAISON ........................... 8
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United Methodist Echo ......................................... 9
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3. LATEST VERSIONS ............................................... 11
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Software Versions List ........................................ 11
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4. FIDONEWS INFORMATION .......................................... 12
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FidoNews 9-27 Page 1 13 Jul 1992
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======================================================================
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EDITORIAL
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======================================================================
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Editorial: Still not here
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by Tom Jennings (1:1/1)
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Your intrepid reporter is still at his secret remote location
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somewhere in the Specific NorthWest.
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Things are relatively quiet, and I like it. No fires, assasination
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attempts, protests outside my door, etc. I'll have to try harder; it
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seems I haven't made anyone mad for a few months now.
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(Not quite: my one-sentence mention of falling in love invoked the
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usual in-passing "good luck!" responses (thanks!), and two amusing
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responses: a request that I keep my sexual activities out of FidoNews
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(huh?!); the other was CC:'ed to me, a network manager at NCR
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informing his clients that he will no longer distribute FidoNews
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because of, quote, "the fag and his boyfriend". Sheesh. Can't seem to
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please *anybody*.)
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This issue is very late, same as last week. I'm having hardware
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troubles, same as last week. My BBS/node is a cruddy 286 motherboard
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sitting on a phonebook, with the power supply on the shelf next to it,
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hard drive and floppy sitting on the modem. The CGA monitor and
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keyboard are on the shelf above. Kinda minimal. It looks like hell,
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but runs great -- normally. It has gone down four times since I left
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town. Murphy's Law or what?! Tim Pozar paid a visit to the ugly box
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this morning (Monday) to kick start it. It didn't last; by noon it was
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dead again (I'm typing this on my Tandy 200). Had a roommate turn it
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on and off. Still dead. Pozar will visit again tonight. I'm sure when
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I get home it will be fine again.
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FidoCon '92 is coming up; see enclosed article this issue.
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The Computers, Freedom and Privacy Conference is coming up in Spring
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of '93. I'll keep you posted.
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Well that's all for now. I'll be (physically) back in San Fran late
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July. Hopefully Pozar won't have to run out here this week again...
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PS: to PRIME98.ART author -- please resubmit your article after making
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it conform to ARTSPEC.DOC, specifically, remove large ASCII drawings.
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Articles should contain text only, not pictures drawn with spaces and
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stars. I am unable to contact you directly because you used a zone
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number not in FidoNet.
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FidoNews 9-27 Page 2 13 Jul 1992
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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FidoNews 9-27 Page 3 13 Jul 1992
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======================================================================
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ARTICLES
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======================================================================
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Response to: Netmail and Echomail are Different?
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by John Souvestre, 1:396/1, one of the Zone 1 Backbone Hubs
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This is a response to an article by Aaron Goldblatt in FidoNews 926.
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AG> Big deal. Mail is mail. If it gets there nobody cares, and
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AG> when it gets dropped in the bit bucket it may take months to
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AG> get noticed.
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Not net mail. For example, the main program that I run which "checks"
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net mail is Message Track, by Andrew Farmer. It returns "bad" net
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mail to the originator, as much as is possible.
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AG> Tom said a while back that netmail and echomail routing schemes
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AG> are different - they serve different purposes and one should not
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AG> be fed into the routing stream of the other. Sysops who do, he
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AG> implied, take their chances. One should simply pass the netmail
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AG> through the *C system.
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AG>
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AG> Fine as far as it goes.
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There really is no *C system to route net mail, except at the net
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level as per Policy 4. There was for a while, but the Backbone has
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pretty much replaced it. Why? Because it is easier, cheaper, faster
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and more reliable.
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AG> If there truly are two different systems to route mail (and
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AG> nothing I've seen indicates that there really is such), ...
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Bingo!
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AG> Most of the software commonly used is up to the job, so why does
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AG> the mail disappear?
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From what I have seen, there are two main problems: 1) It never
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leaves the net where it originated because one of the local Hubs
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doesn't understand how to route outgoing net mail. 2) It has a
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non-FidoNet destination address.
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AG> The answer may lie in the fallacy that software such as message
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AG> bouncers and Grunged Message Detectors are always bug-free.
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The GMD (Grunged Message Detector) program doesn't touch net mail at
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all. It only checks echo mail. Also, if it decides to not pass a
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message it returns it. It does *not* delete it without returning it.
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AG> Let's assume that most local routing systems are fairly reliable
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FidoNews 9-27 Page 4 13 Jul 1992
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AG> and mail doesn't get lost, at least at the net level.
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Bad assumption. See above.
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AG> Perhaps the sysops of systems that do (inter)national mail
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AG> transfers, such as Z1C George Peace at 1:13/13, should take a
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AG> look at their systems to make sure their automation doesn't
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AG> occasionally slip up. Software such as message bouncers,
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AG> Grunged Message Detectors, netmail routers, etc., can have bugs,
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AG> and mail can get fried because of these bugs.
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Bad assumption. We *do* check.
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AG> Perhaps instead of software that simply bounces, returns, or
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AG> deletes bad mail, what we need on the (inter)national level is
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AG> software that redirects bad or grunged mail to wait for human
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AG> intervention.
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Message Track does just that. So does GMD (for echo mail).
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AG> A perfect example is some echomail I sent recently with a bad
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AG> datestamp. It was formatted properly and everything, but my
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AG> system clock was set wrong. At the Zone 1 backbone level, the
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AG> GMD bounces any mail that has a datestamp of more than 30 days
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AG> in the past or more than 24 hours in the future. The sysop gets
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AG> a nice netmail message back about it.
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Bingo! By the way, your message was bounced by your Region Hub. It
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didn't
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get to the Zone level.
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AG> First, why did it go five or six systems up the chain before
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AG> getting bounced?
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Because not every Hub runs such software.
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AG> The netmail I got back was from the GMD at an echomail hub about
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AG> five systems up from my boss.
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The Region Hub that bounced it was one level above the Net Hub. Your
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net has an unusual arrangement in that it is fed by another semi-local
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net, hence your long path, mostly local calls, from the Net Hub who
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actually calls long-distance.
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AG> Presumably, PASCAL, INTERUSER, and POLITICS are fed to other
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AG> systems by the intervening four nodes, so why did I have to
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AG> resend the mail after it got that far up to make sure it went
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okay,
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AG> because, after all, by resending it, I duped the mail to every
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AG> system below the node with the GMD. Waste of my time, waste of
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AG> everybody's money.
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FidoNews 9-27 Page 5 13 Jul 1992
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No, not "everybody's", only those 2% or so of the nodes "close" fed by
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that Region Hub. In general, messages older than 30 days are dupes.
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Stopping them this same way saves money for 98% of the nodes. It's a
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clear win.
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AG> Maybe what should have happened was my mail should have been put
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AG> in a special place for the sysop to look at, ...
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Perhaps you don't realize the volume of such messages in a single day.
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That's why the process was automated.
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AG> I'm not saying that I'm sure the GMD, mail routers, or mail
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AG> bouncers, do have bugs that cause them to kill mail, but it's a
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AG> possibility. We've all had problems with computers where the
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AG> only possible explanation was that you weren't sticking your left
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AG> thumb in your right ear while typing with your big toes. But the
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AG> software deserves a closer look; SOMETHING is killing the mail,
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AG> and I doubt it's an Act of God.
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You have presented no evidence that any software is at fault.
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I suggest that you send a test message and then trace it. Most Hubs
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have programs that put "via" lines at the bottom of routed net mail
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messages. Most Hubs have logs that show what routed net mail went
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through their system. It's generally not that hard to find the source
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of the problem if you are willing to spend a little time looking for
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it.
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Regarding the Commercialization of FidoNet via Support Echoes
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By: Paul Harney @ 1:107/579
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Dated: June 29th 1992
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Greetings to you fellow FidoNet members,
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The last time I addressed you in this newsletter it was to express
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concern regarding an echo which purportedly was to require
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a fee paid prior to allowing FidoNet SysOps the ability to be
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active in it. I write this follow up to report to you that this
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seems to no longer be the case.
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Due in large part to those of you who read my first article and
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spoke your mind regarding your personal preference to keep echoes
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that required fees from the FidoNet backbone, I have received word
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from the echoes FidoNet side Moderator <the conference originates
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in the RIME network> Michele Stewert that she has received assurances
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from David Terry and CDC that there well not be any restrictions,
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as originally reported in the conference rules, by anyone at CDC.
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All FidoNet SysOps in good standing will be able to access the echo.
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Anyone may post or reply to a post. The only restriction still invoked
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is CDC's request to reserve the right to not reply to anyone their
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records show does not have a current account with them. As no has
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the right to tell someone they must respond to a post addressed to
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FidoNews 9-27 Page 6 13 Jul 1992
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them, this presents no problem that I can see. Others will, as I
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said, be free to reply or post as they see fit and an account with
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CDC or SaltAir BBS is no longer necessary to access the forum.
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I wish to thank Michele Stewert and Butch Walker for handling the
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situation in such a complete and comprehensive manner.
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I wish to thank those of you who became involved, made your feelings
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known, and helped bring this to a swift conclusion.
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I trust this proves that the system can work with a little communication
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between the users and those who administrate the system for them.
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Be well and pax.
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Paul Harney
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Registration Form
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FidoCon '92 "Gateway Networking"
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September 4-6 Summit Hotel
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Dallas, Texas
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-------------------------------------------------------------
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Price schedule
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--------------
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Single occupancy for 2 nights, airport
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transportation, conference with breaks,
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lunch each day, Saturday banquet ..................... $182.80
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Double occupancy for 2 nights, airport
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transportation, conference with breaks,
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lunch each day, Saturday banquet ..................... $254.80
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2 Double Beds King-size Bed
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No sleeping room, conference with breaks,
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lunch each day, Saturday banquet ...................... $74.00
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Thursday night early arrival .......................... $49.00
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Conference and breaks only ............................ $20.00
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Saturday banquet ...................................... $30.00
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FidoNews 9-27 Page 7 13 Jul 1992
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Credit Card fee ....................................... $10.00
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Registration postmarked after July 31 ................. $10.00
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Official FidoCon '92 T-Shirt .......................... $12.00*
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At the door ...................................... $15.00
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Size: S M L XL
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Official FidoCon '92 Mug .............................. $8.00*
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At the door ...................................... $10.00
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Official FidoCon '92 Cap ............................... $6.00*
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At the door ...................................... $7.00
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Galleria Mall Day Bus Trip ............................. $1.00
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-------------------------------------------------------------
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Name:
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Network address:
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Mailing address:
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Voice phone number:
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Please circle the items from the above list that you desire, and
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indicate quantity if applicable.
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If you wish to split the cost of a double occupancy room and want us
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to find you a roommate:
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You must pay the full price for a single occupancy room at the time
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you register. We will refund the difference at the conference if
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we are able to find you a match. Please indicate if you have any
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preferences about your roommate (i.e. smoking/non-smoking).
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If you will be sharing a double occupancy room, please give us the
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name of the other person:
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Would you like a room with a modular phone jack?
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Do you require any special (i.e. wheelchair) facilities?
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Do you desire information about rental cars?
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What date/time do you plan to arrive in Dallas?
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FidoNews 9-27 Page 8 13 Jul 1992
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What date/time do you plan to leave?
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Since the hotel rooms cannot receive direct-dialed calls without going
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through the hotel operator, we're considering installing an external
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line as a "FidoCon hub" to route netmail to the various hotel rooms.
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If you're planning to bring a portable computer with modem, do you
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have any interest in participating in this?
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* If you're not planning to come to the conference, souvenirs may be
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shipped to you if you include appropriate shipping and handling
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charges. Any surplus will be refunded. However, these souvenirs will
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be available only in limited quantity, and people showing up to claim
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them in person will have first choice. If you miss out, we will
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refund your money.
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-------------------------------------------------------------
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Please make your check or money order out to "FidoCon 92". Note the
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July 31st deadline and associated late charge above. If you wish to
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pay by credit card, please contact 1:1/92 for more information. Mail
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your payment to:
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FidoCon '92
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PO Box 550542
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Dallas, TX 75355-0542
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For more information, send netmail to Ron Bemis (1:1/92) or Henry
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Clark (1:124/6119), or call John Summers at the FidoCon '92 Hotline
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1-800-899-3585.
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Exhibitors and speakers are currently being sought. Please send your
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proposal to the address above.
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VIN_MAISON
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An Echo devoted to the home wine maker
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by Chris Grainger
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Exception #13 BBS - 1:163/518
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After several months in private distribution, I am quite happy to
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announce the availability of VIN_MAISON to all North American systems
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via the Zone 1 Backbone. VIN_MAISON started as a local message base
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on my BBS. Another local sysop noticed the area and asked if we could
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turn it to an echo and share the wealth so to speak.
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The echo quickly spread throughout systems in the Ottawa area. Soon,
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systems in British Columbia, Washington, and Montreal were
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participating. After several queries from nets in Dallas and Raleigh,
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I decided it might be time to apply for a more widespread distribution
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of the echo.
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FidoNews 9-27 Page 9 13 Jul 1992
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Why make your own wine? I once thought that. Why should I invest
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money and time into a hobby that's gonna turn out schlock? Believe
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me, I've tasted home made wine before and it was terrible. However,
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the kits you can buy now are practically foolproof. You can make just
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about any style of wine you want. If you like Bordeaux's, you can
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make them. If you prefer Beaujolais styles, by all means, buy the kit
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and make it. Italian, German, Yugoslavian.... the possibilities are
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endless. If you get really hooked, you can even search out your own
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fruits and make wine from scratch.
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I must say, I get particular pleasure in serving wine I have made to
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friends. I tend to go overboard at bottling time and design my own
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labels to fix on the bottles. Most don't realize they are drinking
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home made wine til they take a real close look at the bottle. Another
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thing that I've noticed is that I'm never short a bottle to bring to
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dinner. You know the feeling, dinner party, in a rush, get home from
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work, wash, change, rush out to the local grog shop only to discover
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it closed. [grin]
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I moderate VIN_MAISON but am by no means an expert in the art of
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making wine at home. However, several knowledgable people take part
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in the discussions and one can learn much from participation in the
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echo. So, if you are a rank beginner or a seasoned veteran with
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countless fine vintages to your credit, please consider picking up the
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echo from your local hub and having a peek.
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Chris Spray
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1:373/14
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How many people out in Fido land are members of the second largest
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Protestant denomination? If you are a United Methodist, keep reading!
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(if not, you are welcome to continue reading, too!)
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I have formed an echo called UNI_METH. This is an echo for members &
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non-members of the United Methodist Church to talk about what is going
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on in the Church, and to ask questions about things such as: beliefs,
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the Ritual, the Discipline etc etc.
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All people are more than welcome to use this conference. In keeping
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with the ecumenical spirit of the United Methodist Church, all people of
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any religion or non-religion are allowed to pick up this conference.
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So, if you are interested, send mail to Chris Spray at 1:373/14. We are
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operating on a USRobotics Dual Standard, so speed should not be a
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problem. Just tell me that you are interested in picking up the echo,
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and I'll go into TosScan and add you in to the fellowship!
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God bless!
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FidoNews 9-27 Page 10 13 Jul 1992
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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FidoNews 9-27 Page 11 13 Jul 1992
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======================================================================
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LATEST VERSIONS
|
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======================================================================
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|
|
Software Versions List
|
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|
|
Please refer to the article in this issue...
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
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FidoNews 9-27 Page 12 13 Jul 1992
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======================================================================
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FIDONEWS INFORMATION
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======================================================================
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------- FIDONEWS MASTHEAD AND CONTACT INFORMATION ----------------
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Editors: Tom Jennings, Tim Pozar
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Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell, Vince Perriello
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"FidoNews" BBS
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FidoNet 1:1/1
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Internet fidonews@fidonews.fidonet.org
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BBS (415)-863-2739 (9600 HST/V32)
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(Postal Service mailing address)
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FidoNews
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Box 77731
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San Francisco
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CA 94107 USA
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Published weekly by and for the Members of the FidoNet international
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amateur electronic mail system. It is a compilation of individual
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articles contributed by their authors or their authorized agents. The
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contribution of articles to this compilation does not diminish the
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rights of the authors. Opinions expressed in these articles are those
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of the authors and not necessarily those of FidoNews.
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FidoNews is copyright 1992 Fido Software. All rights reserved.
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Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes
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only. For use in other circumstances, please contact FidoNews (we're
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easy).
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OBTAINING COPIES: FidoNews in electronic form may be obtained from
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the FidoNews BBS via manual download or Wazoo FileRequest, or from
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various sites in the FidoNet and via uucp. PRINTED COPIES mailed
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may be obtained from Fido Software for $5.00US each PostPaid First
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Class within North America, or $7.00US elsewhere, mailed Air Mail.
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(US funds drawn upon a US bank only.)
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BACK ISSUES: Available from the following sources (and possibly
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others), via filerequest or download (consult a recent nodelist for
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phone numbers). Back issues are *NOT* available from FidoNews 1:1/1.
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FidoNet 1:102/138 (All issues)
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FidoNet 1:216/21 (All but 18 issues)
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Internet ftp.ieee.org, in directory ~ftp/pub/fidonew/fidonews
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SUBMISSIONS: You are encouraged to submit articles for publication in
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FidoNews. Article submission requirements are contained in the file
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ARTSPEC.DOC, available from the FidoNews BBS, or Wazoo filerequestable
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from 1:1/1 as file "ARTSPEC.DOC".
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FidoNews 9-27 Page 13 13 Jul 1992
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"Fido", "FidoNet" and the dog-with-diskette are U.S. registered
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trademarks of Tom Jennings of Fido Software, Box 77731, San Francisco
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CA 94107, USA and are used with permission.
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Asked what he thought of Western civilization,
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M.K. Gandhi said, "I think it would be an excellent idea".
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-- END
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