F I D O N E W S -- Volume 14, Number 14 7 April 1997 +----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | The newsletter of the | ISSN 1198-4589 Published by: | | FidoNet community | "FidoNews" | | _ | 1-904-409-7040 [1:1/23] | | / \ | | | /|oo \ | | | (_| /_) | | | _`@/_ \ _ | | | | | \ \\ | Editor: | | | (*) | \ )) | Christopher Baker 1:18/14 | | |__U__| / \// | | | _//|| _\ / | | | (_/(_|(____/ | | | (jm) | Newspapers should have no friends. | | | -- JOSEPH PULITZER | +----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | Submission address: FidoNews Editor 1:1/23 | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | MORE addresses: | | | | submissions=> cbaker84@digital.net | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | For information, copyrights, article submissions, | | obtaining copies of FidoNews or the internet gateway FAQ | | please refer to the end of this file. | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ POLICY 5 - WILL IT EVER EXIST? Table of Contents 1. EDITORIAL ................................................ 1 Censorship story a misunderstanding ...................... 1 2. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR .................................... 2 Fido commercials? ........................................ 2 3. COLUMNS .................................................. 3 Lock and Load: Guerilla Marketing for BBSes .............. 3 4. GETTING TECHNICAL ........................................ 6 FSC-0055 - Security Passwords in Nodelist updates ........ 6 FSC-0056 - EMSI/IEMSI Protocol Definitions ............... 7 5. COORDINATORS CORNER ...................................... 29 Nodelist-statistics as seen from Zone-2 for day 094 ...... 29 6. WE GET EMAIL ............................................. 30 Echomail problems in Region 35 ........................... 30 7. NET HUMOR ................................................ 31 Signs your Webmaster is in a cult ........................ 31 8. NOTICES .................................................. 34 Future History ........................................... 34 9. FIDONET SOFTWARE LISTING ................................. 35 Latest Greatest Software Versions ........................ 35 10. FIDONEWS PUBLIC-KEY ..................................... 40 FidoNews PGP public-key listing .......................... 40 11. FIDONET BY INTERNET ..................................... 41 12. FIDONEWS INFORMATION .................................... 43 FIDONEWS 14-14 Page 1 7 Apr 1997 ================================================================= EDITORIAL ================================================================= A report last week that FidoNews had been censored by an unnamed ZC turned out to be a difference of opinion on what constitutes a case of censorship. When I first started editing FidoNews, I added a FidoNews public-key section to the newsletter for those who wanted to send things to the FidoNews privately or clear-signed. ZC1, to whom I feed FidoNews for worldwide distribution, suggested such an addition be removed due to the possibility that such an addition might compromise laws in other countries. I removed the key segment itself and replaced it with the note about the removal pending a decision by the ZCC on its inclusion. This was a voluntary act on my part in response to the request by ZC1. After polling the ZCs, personally, via direct Netmail and receiving a majority having no problem with the key segment being included in the FidoNews, I returned the segment to each Issue without fanfare or complaint. While the segment was missing from the FidoNews it was available on FidoNews webpage. I never considered it censorship of any kind. I may have thought it overly sensitive but I understood the intent and complied voluntarily. So, no blood, no foul. Case closed. Speaking of the dreaded Internet, there are several additions to the Regional listings in today's Issue. The R19 page has changed from the inactive listing to the working one and R41 [Greece] has been added as well our first listing in Zone 4 at Net 904 in Argentina. Normally, Net level listings appear only on the FidoNews webpage but since Zone 4 has no listings at all, Net 904 is there to see if it can stimulate some action in that area of FidoNet. [grin] The only Regions missing in Zone 1 are Region 12 and Region 13. Does anyone out there know if they have webpages? Please point them in this direction. Thanks. For those who hate the technical history section, you're really going to dislike this one. It contains the EMSI standard proposal in toto. History is good. There are less than 40 to go and all of them are a lot smaller. These things that repeat are here in each Issue because any one Issue may be the only one a newbie sees that might bring them into the fold. C.B. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 14-14 Page 2 7 Apr 1997 ================================================================= LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ================================================================= From Pete Snidal, 1:354/910 - Grand Forks, BC Canada Excellent ideas expressed in the last FNEWS over redundancy in technobabble which most of us never read, and also in this great new letters-to-ed idea. I write in query to whether anyone else has noticed a disturbing trend I've been watching going down on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting System) TV from Montreal. (I get it on my sat dish, and consequently get to watch CBC Montreal and Toronto as well as Vancouver, even though I live out West.) Since I live out west, all I've seen of this trend is a few commercials on Montreal TV, but it looks like it could be sticky. What I'm referring to is what appears to be a CelTel provider calling itself, of all things, FIDO! That's right! FIDO! The ads started late last summer, just little shorties, saying nothing but stuff like: "FIDO IS COMING!" Now, though, they're right into it, announcing how they provide a multitude of _Communications_ services, of all things! CelTel, voicemail, ISP perhaps, what's next - AOL-style bulletin board? Hey, that'd be nice! A little confusing, perhaps, what with their coverage area - whatever it is (Montreal? Quebec? Canada? North America?) - sure to have a whole mess of existing FIDO bulletin boards already. (In fact, I think I saw the word NET in there somewhere in the last FIDO ad or two.) So what's happening here? I thought there was a copyright/trademark/whatever on the FIDO name. Apparently not; they seem to have gotten past whomever you apply to for corporate monikers. Do they even know about Fidonet? I don't imagine so. What are they going to have to say when they discover this upstart network of computer hobbyists using "their" name? They've obviously spent too much money already and are too committed to the name to change themselves. How did this happen? Where's it going to lead? Has anyone else noticed this? What the (*&(% is going on? Sincerely, Confused. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 14-14 Page 3 7 Apr 1997 ================================================================= COLUMNS ================================================================= Lock and Load: Guerilla Marketing for BBSes Robert Parson 1:3822/1 After mulling over the idea for several weeks, I have decided, for the second time in my career, to write a column. I really should have learned my lesson the first time. At one time, Fidonet stood on the brink of being THE Network for international computer based communications. Let's face it, that opportunity has been lost because of the dynamic growth of the Internet. So what. In my previous column, I wrote something along the lines of "BBSs will become the convenience stores of electronic information. They'll be useful for getting some quick information, but you'll have to go to one of the commercial services if you need if you need to get serious." That comment was made about two years before the breakout of the Internet, but I generally still hold to it, except you probably should change "commercial services" to "the Internet." Be that as it may, and I'm sure you agree with me, BBSs still provide a useful and vital communications link. There's no reason why BBSs should continue to do their work in obscurity and be considered the shadowy side of electronic information. To that end, I'm offering to help through this column. With "Lock and Load," I hope to give you the ammunition you need to raise public awareness of your BBS. You cannot compete with AOL or even your local Internet Service Provider. You don't have the money or the manpower. I'm going to look at helping you market your BBS in your community using just a few hours and less than 20 dollars a month (with a target of Zero dollars a month!) What makes me audacious enough to think I should write this column? That's a fair enough question. First of all, I am a broadcast journalist with nearly 20 years experience. Secondly, I wrote The "BBS Guide to Public Relations" some years ago (by the way, it's still available for download at Jackalope Junction BBS (1:3822/1), but is no longer being actively supported. Among other things, I need to completely overhaul the file. Perhaps I'll get to it one day). Thirdly, I want to be of help. Now the groundrules. I am going to deal only with Public Relations and Public Image issues in this column. If you contact me in E-mail or somehow track down my home phone, I will be happy to discuss particular issues or problems at no cost. If you send me snail mail, FIDONEWS 14-14 Page 4 7 Apr 1997 please include a self addressed stamped envelope if you expect a response (Hint: I love getting BBS newsletters.). I'll print my mailing address in this column occasionally. Any discussions or correspondence could become fodder for this column. Unless specifically requested, your name, BBS name, and node number could be included in the article. I will NOT be writing this column weekly. but it will be in every other issue of Fidonews. At least until I run out of things to say. These groundrules are subject to change. But I will let you know in advance. Okay, now with all that out of the way, let's roll up our sleeves and get to work. Order some business cards. Nothing fancy. Just the name of your BBS, your name and title (I suggest System Operator since the average Joe on the street is not going to know what a Sysop is.), the number of the BBS and your voice phone. Sample Business Card: _______________________________________ Newsbob BBS Robert Parson System Operator XXX XXX XXXX Data Voice XXX XXX XXXX ________________________________________ You can probably get these pretty cheap at the printshop or you can make your own using a desktop publisher. If you decide to make your own, you can get blank card stock at just about any office supply store. While you're at it, get some letterhead. Order it at the same time you order your business cards. Again, though, if you decide to make your own letterhead, you can usually turn it into a template in your desktop publisher or wordprocessor. Your BBS may be "Just a hobby." But at the same time it's bit of a profession. You should present a professional image in any dealings with the "outside world," even if your BBS is primarily a gaming BBS. Keep in mind "professional" doesn't mean "not fun." Now I want you to get out your phone book and get the phone numbers of the newsrooms for all the newspapers and television and radio stations. Over the next couple weeks I want you to collect from newspapers: the names of the Business Editor (if they have one) and the Editor, the fax number to their newsroom, e-mail address and their mailing address. From radio and tv stations: the names of the News Director, Assignment Editor, and Public Service Director (if they have them), the fax number, e-mail address and their mailing address. FIDONEWS 14-14 Page 5 7 Apr 1997 In most cases, they will be happy to provide you with the information, although they may want to know who you are and why you want it. Be honest. Tell them your name and you would like to send them some information soon. In two weeks, we'll discuss what sort of information to send them. Robert Parson 2501 Phoenix Fort Smith, AR 72901 Fidonet: 1:3822/1 Net-Tamer V 1.09 Beta - Test Drive ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 14-14 Page 6 7 Apr 1997 ================================================================= GETTING TECHNICAL ================================================================= [These FTSC docs are published as part of the FidoNet History series. They have been reformatted to 70 columns where required. Any tables included may be askew. Node numbers phone numbers listed may no longer be accurate.] Ed. Document: FSC-0055 Version: 001 Revision: 31-Mar-1991 Security Passwords in Nodelist Update Files Luke Kolin, 1:250/714@fidonet.org, 89:480/210@imex March 31st, 1991 Status of this document: