 Fido/FidoNet Specifications & Prices, June 89

 Fido Software 
 164 Shipley
 San Francisco CA 94107
 voice: (415)-764-1688
 data: (415)-764-1629

Fido/FidoNet is a software package for DOS based Personal¨
Computers that contains a complete Bulletin Board System plus a¨
fully automatic Electronic Mail system. 

Fido is the most popular Bulletin Board system in the world¨
because of its flexibility, reliability, and features; FidoNet is¨
the software that defined the FidoNet protocol now in use around¨
the world. The worlds largest privately-owned computer network is¨
based upon the FidoNet communications protocol.

Fido(r) Bulletin Board System:

	Absolute security
	Complete caller access controls
	200 independent message & file areas
	Complete Email and message commands
	Fully error correcting file transfer protocols
	Supports all major DOS/MSDOS Personal Computers

Callers, commands, message and file areas can all have separate¨
privilege levels and Locks & Keys applied to them; these let you¨
limit callers' access to any part of the Fido system to fit your¨
needs.

FidoNet(r) Electronic Mail Network:

	Completely automatic Electronic Mail
	Full error correction protocol
	Extensive time-of-day event scheduling
	Powerful message routing language
	Automatic message routing

FidoNet is an automatic "store-and-forward" mail system that uses¨
modems to transfer messages and files between 
FidoNet-equipped computers. Using Fido, you enter messages,¨
choosing the destination computer(s) from a list; later, FidoNet¨
automatically transfers those messages to the destination¨
computers. Fido/FidoNet will inform you when the message has been¨
successfully sent. There can be any number of messages pending to¨
any number of destination computers. FidoNet's routing language¨
and other resources let you control exactly how and when FidoNet¨
messages are sent. All transfers use error correction for¨
absolute reliability (Fido supports both the original and¨
universal FidoNet protocol, as well as the WaZoo protocol,¨
developed by Wynn Wagner).

FidoNet networks can be organized into "Nets" and "Regions"¨
(FidoNet also has "Zones", groups of Nets and Regions, that¨
handle the problems of intercontinental traffic; differences in¨
time zones, incompatible modems, outgoing "gateways" for lowest¨
cost, and so on), each of which can contain any number of¨
computers running the Fido/FidoNet software, or compatibles,¨
(nodes) one of which is designated Host for the Net. A Host¨
receives mail for the entire Net, and distributes the mail to its¨
local nodes. FidoNet is intelligent enough to send all messages¨
for a given net in one phone call; you can get further efficiency¨
with the routing language. 

FidoNet networks can be as small as two or three computers, or as¨
large as 5,000 spread over five continents, the size of the¨
amateur hobbyist IFNA Network as of January, 1989.

System Description

Ease of use: Fido/FidoNet is extremely easy to use, and is¨
compatible with just about any users terminal program or¨
computer. The user interface does not get in the way of¨
communicating; there are only two levels of menus. Users see only¨
what they need; novices find an easy to understand selection of¨
simple commands, and experts can choose a brief prompt. Context¨
sensitive help is available at all decision points.

Reliability: Fido/FidoNet is designed first and foremost for¨
reliability, meaning it will run 24 hours a day for months at a¨
time with no human intervention. (Obviously this doesn't include¨
responding to callers questions or other such things.) Tools are¨
provided that handle all routine maintenance tasks automatically.

Performance: Fido/FidoNet makes excellent use of ordinary¨
computers; "PC class" computers are all that's needed. ("AT¨
class" or better are recommended at 9600 baud and above.)

More than one modem: While Fido/FidoNet supports only one modem,¨
you can run more than one copy of Fido/FidoNet per computer using¨
multitasker programs. Fido/FidoNet prevents file and message¨
"collisions" when there are other users reading and writing the¨
same messages and downloading or uploading files, and for some¨
multitaskers will give unused CPU time to the other Fido/FidoNet.¨
See "Supported Operating Systems" for the current list of¨
supported multitaskers.

Low disk space overhead: A 20 Megabyte hard disk means¨
essentially unlimited space; room for thousands of messages,¨
files, a 4,000+ node FidoNet network, and plenty of disk space¨
left over.

For a sample "small scale" system, with only two 360K floppies¨
and 256K of memory, there is room for all of the basic¨
Fido/FidoNet system utilities plus your text editor and other¨
tools, over 200 messages, and close to 100K bytes free. The same¨
system with a 1,600 node FidoNet Network can have approximately¨
80 messages. 

Modem Handling: Fido/FidoNet achieves extremely high reliability¨
with ordinary modems. During idle periods, Fido/FidoNet "talks¨
to" the modem to make sure it is ready and working. (While of¨
course modems are not supposed to misbehave, in real life they¨
can get confused by callers' strange and incompatible modems,¨
improper operation, bad phone lines, and the very cheap modems¨
frequently have firmware bugs. Fido/FidoNet generally takes care¨
of all of these things. Almost all problems reported to Fido¨
Software are modem-related problems!) Incoming callers' baud rate¨
is determined automatically; callers do not have to hit the¨
"ENTER" key to get the systems attention. Outgoing calls made by¨
FidoNet (if so enabled) watch for busy, no-dial-tone, and other¨
features as supported by each modem.

Caller DataBase: Each caller to the system has a record in a¨
database that maintains each callers name, password, terminal­
specific settings, privilege levels and controls, and various¨
statistics. Tools provided manipulate these records both manually¨
and automatically. The number of callers is limited only by disk¨
space.

System Messages and Bulletins: Fido/FidoNet uses ordinary text¨
files for most system messages and bulletins, that are meant to¨
be customized for your installation. When displaying and entering¨
text, the Fido takes into account each callers terminal settings,¨
such as screen width and length, and performs on-screen¨
formatting for a clean display.

Access Controls: There are six privilege levels that callers can¨
be assigned. You can specify minimum privilege levels needed to¨
access commands and message and file areas.

In addition to privilege levels, there are 32 "locks" with¨
matching "keys". Locks are be applied to things such as commands¨
and message and file areas; callers may be given any number of¨
keys. Callers can access only those things for which they have¨
all of the matching keys, plus meet the privilege level¨
requirements. For example, if the E)nter-Message command has lock¨
#20 applied, only callers that have Key #20, plus any necessary¨
minimum privilege levels, can use, see or get help with that¨
command.

Limits can be placed on each callers' connect-time on the system¨
per-call and per-24-hour period, and on file downloads. Time¨
limits are enforced at all times, including file download and¨
upload, so that scheduled Events are not preempted by caller file¨
downloads or uploads. ("Optional" events, described elsewhere,¨
may be preempted by human callers.)

Context-Sensitive Help System: Help is 
context-sensitive, taking into account what commands the caller¨
has access to because of privilege levels or locks and keys. Help¨
is available on every command in the system. The Help files are¨
text files that can be customized to fit your specific needs.

Message Areas: There can be up to 200 separate message areas,¨
each with access controls as described above. The number of¨
messages in each area is limited only by disk space. Callers can¨
enter new messages, modify existing saved messages, search for¨
messages by keyword or as addressed to or from them, and perform¨
many other operations upon messages. Help is available at all¨
decision points. 

File Areas: There can be up to 200 independent file areas, with¨
access controls as described earlier. There are a number of ways¨
in which to make files available (or not) to callers. Commands¨
and functions have been added to make remote maintenance of file¨
areas and other parts of the disk easier for the system operator.¨
Files can be uploaded and downloaded in ASCII, ZMODEM, XMODEM,¨
Telink, "MODEM BATCH" or Kermit protocols. XMODEM is nearly¨
universal, and can handle binary files; ZMODEM has performance to¨
match high-performance modems; Kermit and ASCII are used between¨
otherwise-incompatible computers.

Fido Software's "FidoTerm" program works well with Fido/FidoNet¨
(or any other modem based system).

Programmed events: There can be up to 100 "Events", scheduled to¨
run at any time of the day and any day of the week. Events allow¨
Fido/FidoNet to run FidoNet network mail, execute external¨
programs via DOS Batch Files, and other events for various¨
special purposes. The events system can handle simultaneous¨
and/or overlapping events, special "optional" events, and¨
combinations of events and special characteristics. ("Optional"¨
events can be used, for example, to simulate "background" FidoNet¨
network activity while no caller is otherwise occupying the¨
system.)

FidoNet mail at any time: Fido/FidoNet can send or receive mail¨
to and from other Fido/FidoNet systems at any time a caller is¨
not occupying the system, as well as during scheduled FidoNet¨
Network Events. Optionally, Fido/FidoNet can execute external¨
programs via a DOS Batch File to do special processing of¨
unscheduled Incoming Mail.

Other Features & Enhancements: You can sign in to the system from¨
the local keyboard, as if you had called in remotely with a¨
modem, without "taking down" the system. Upcoming events can be¨
listed, and previously-run events can be reenabled from the local¨
keyboard.

Fido works with external "shell" programs to allow programmers¨
and "aftermarket" add-on programs to work with Fido/FidoNet.¨
Technical information is available in the manual. (External¨
"shell" support programs are not supplied by Fido Software.)

Customization

Fido/FidoNet parameters, lists of events, command names, and¨
message and file area definitions are contained in ordinary text¨
files you can display and change with your own text editor¨
program.  Message and file areas are defined in one text file;¨
the Fido/FidoNet system takes care of all the work of creating¨
and verifying the actual DOS subdirectories used. Commands are in¨
their own text file, along with any privilege levels and locks.¨
You can change command names to any single word you choose.

Programs Supplied with Fido/FidoNet

The following are some of the programs supplied as part of the¨
standard Fido/FidoNet system package. In addition, there are many¨
"aftermarket" programs from other authors that make using and¨
maintaining Fido/FidoNet easier and more powerful. 

You can schedule Events in Fido/FidoNet to execute these or other¨
programs at any time, using an MSDOS Batch File you create to¨
make your system completely or partially automatic.

MSGMGR.EXE: (the Message Manager) performs routine maintenance on¨
messages within Fido/FidoNet Message Areas, such as purging¨
messages by age, and renumbering messages so they are sequential.¨
MSGMGR has it's own text file of commands that tells it what to¨
do. 

SYSOP.EXE: is a database-like tool for managing the caller¨
database that contains the names, passwords and statistics and¨
other information on each caller. You can enter new callers,¨
delete existing callers one by one or by time since last logged¨
in; set caller privilege level and assign Keys; force callers¨
into specific message and file areas; and many more functions.¨
There is also an "undo" feature and context sensitive help.

FIDOMAIL.EXE: lets you create FidoNet network messages with your¨
own text editor or word processor. For example, during the day¨
you can create text files destined for other FidoNet network¨
nodes, and via an Event, have AutoMail put them into the FidoNet¨
message system.

TWIX.EXE: prints FidoNet network mail newly received on your¨
printer or in a disk file you specify.

Requirements and Specifications

Computers: Fido/FidoNet works on all IBM(r) Personal Computers;¨
PC, XT, AT, all PS/2 models, and all compatible "clones", whether¨
8088, 8086, 80286, 80386. (A "FOSSIL" version is available for¨
other non-compatible MSDOS computers.)

Your computer must have at least the following:

	192K available memory
	At least 700K of disk storage
	One Serial Port (or internal modem)
	Modem as described below

The following are strongly recommended:

	Hard disk
	Internal Clock

Modems: The following are explicitly supported by Fido/FidoNet;¨
other "Hayes compatible" (The phrase "Hayes compatible" is just¨
about meaningless, "AT" command compatibility is not enough;¨
there are other more important and subtle variables.) modems¨
usually work, but models not listed below are not guaranteed by¨
Fido Software to work. (Fido/FidoNet does allow you to customize¨
modem installations.)

	Hayes SmartModem 1200
	Everex Internal & External models
	U.S. Robotics Courier 2400
	U.S. Robotics Courier HST
	Hayes SmartModem V-series
	Telebit TrailBlazer and Plus
	Multi-Tech 2400
	Prentice POPCOM 1200 or 2400
	Most other "Hayes compatible" modems
	"Dumb" modems (FidoNet cannot be used)
	Direct connect to PBX or special serial device

Operating Systems Supported: MSDOS/PCDOS versions 2.00 and up,¨
with most Local Area Networks (ViaNet, Novell Netware, etc) most¨
multitasker programs (DoubleDOS, DESQView, Multilink, etc) and¨
multiprocessor hardware products (Alloy Computer Products' Slave¨
Cards); please contact the manufacturers of those products for¨
details.

Fido/FidoNet is specifically DoubleDOS and DESQView aware. 


Software Policy

This is the new (June 1989) software policy for the Fido/FidoNet¨
package. Please read it carefully. 

First, some definitions:

Hobbyists run BBSs for their own personal reasons. Their BBS is¨
not associated with their employer or any business. How they run¨
their BBS is none of my business, ie. private, public,¨
subscription or chattel slavery.

Commercial users are companies, corporations, proprietorships or¨
any other business entities that run a BBS, either publicly or¨
privately, associated with their business. "Non-profit" and "not¨
for profit" organizations are included in this category. 

And here's the deal:

Hobbiests and Individuals: Fido/FidoNet is shareware; you can¨
download the software itself, minus documentation, from the Fido¨
Software BBS. There is no downloadable documentation. (If you¨
thought the version 11 docs were unwieldy...) I will provide no¨
direct support. Hobbyists can receive the complete package¨
(diskettes and documentation) for a reduced price, as listed on¨
the price sheet.

Commercial Users: Fido/FidoNet is an ordinary licensable product,¨
the license fee is as it has been for two years. You will receive¨
the complete package of diskettes, complete documentation, and¨
support via the Fido Software BBS and voice telephone. (This has¨
proved to be more than adequate for over two years.)

It is common practice that commercial users "try out"¨
Fido/FidoNet as "shareware" first. There is nothing wrong with¨
this as long as if the software has been or will be useful to¨
you, the product is licensed immediately.

Special arrangements can be made on a case by case basis. In all¨
cases, bugs are fixed promptly, as they have been for five years.¨
This is basically the policy that was in force 1985 through 1987,¨
and worked very well; people appreciate being trusted, and¨
Fido/FidoNet is an extremely high quality system.

"Shareware" Distributors: I do not wish Fido/FidoNet to be¨
distributed by "shareware distributors", "libraries" or other¨
similar organizations. The problems are too numerous to count:¨
shipping ancient, incomplete versions; missing critical files;¨
giving out incorrect information regarding support; giving bad¨
operating advice, etc. Never mind the fact that they are using¨
the software for profit, regardless of claims to the otherwise¨
and suggesting that their customers pay instead.

Ordering


Fido/FidoNet Version 12 Commercial price:		$175
Hobbiest price: 					$50.00

Complete Fido/FidoNet system license, including support programs,¨
diskette, manuals, telephone support and extended access to the¨
Fido Software customer support bulletin board.

Fido/FidoNet Version 12 program update			$25

When enhancements to Fido/FidoNet version 12 are made (bugs¨
fixed, features added) customers may upgrade their current¨
licensed Version 12 software to the latest revision; the original¨
diskette must be returned to in order to qualify. Errata sheets¨
are provided as necessary.

Fido/FidoNet upgrade from previous versions		$50

Fido Software customers who licensed any previous version number¨
of Fido/FidoNet directly from Fido Software can upgrade to¨
version 12 for this price; the original diskette must be¨
returned. NOTE: This is not a normal "program update", as¨
described above, because of the new materials that must be¨
provided.

FidoTerm Terminal Program				$12

The FidoTerm program is a simple, powerful and easy to use¨
terminal program. You can view the last few hundred lines that¨
scrolled off the top of your screen; supports powerful file¨
transfer protocols (ASCII, Xmodem, Zmodem), and has a true script¨
language with true programming language constructs: a switch()¨
statement, local variables, subroutining and recursion. Comes¨
complete with printed manual.

FidoTerm is well integrated into Fido/FidoNet; it may be invoked¨
from Fido's local console, and will "know" about the installed¨
modem type and port, and recently-added commands let you dial¨
from a FidoNet nodelist.

All orders: The software is available directly from Fido Software¨
or authorized distributors only. Terms: Prepaid with order, or¨
invoices accepted from rated companies, payment Net 30 days. No¨
credit cards accepted.

US/Canada: All orders are shipped U.S. Postal Service First Class¨
(Priority Mail). Prices listed include shipping and taxes, where¨
applicable. For Federal Express next-
day service add $25. 

Outside US/Canada: For checks written outside U.S., add $20.00¨
per order; please, only checks "drawn upon a US bank". All orders¨
shipped Air Mail.

Fido, FidoNet, and the dog-with-diskette are registered¨
trademarks of Tom Jennings. Fido/FidoNet and all support programs¨
are copyright by Tom Jennings 1989
