\input tex
\twelvepointsanserif
\font\hl=bs0003 scaled\magstep3	% headline font

\def\declare{\begingroup\obeylines\parindent=1em\parskip=0pt}
\def\enddeclare{\endgroup}	% end of ...
\def\program#1{{\bf #1}\quad}	% PROGRAMs stand out
\def\section#1{\bigskip\goodbreak{\hl #1}\vskip4pt\nobreak}
\def\subheading#1{\medskip\goodbreak{\bf #1}\ }
\def\fido{Fido\slash FidoNet}	% simplicity
\hyphenation{jennings fido fidonet data-base data-bases}

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
\vskip.25in
\declare
 \leftskip=4.5in
 Tom Jennings
 Fido Software\hfill June 1991
 Box 77731
 San Francisco 
 CA 94107 USA
 bbs: (415)-863-2739
 FidoNet: 1:125/111
 Internet: tom.jennings@fidosw.fidonet.org
\enddeclare
\vskip.25in
\bar

\fido\ 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.

\bar
\begindoublecolumns

Fido\trademark\ Bulletin Board System:

\declare
\item{\blob}Absolute security
\item{\blob}Complete caller access controls
\item{\blob}Multiple-language and graphical interfaces
\item{\blob}200 independent message \& file areas
\item{\blob}Complete Email and message commands
\item{\blob}Fully error correcting file transfer protocols
\item{\blob}Supports all DOS/MSDOS Personal Computers
\enddeclare

Fido is a full-featured Computer Bulletin Board System. 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.

\goodbreak
FidoNet\trademark\ Electronic Mail Network:

\declare
\item{\blob}Completely automatic Electronic Mail
\item{\blob}Full error correction protocol
\item{\blob}Extensive time-of-day event scheduling
\item{\blob}Powerful message routing language
\item{\blob}Automatic message routing
\enddeclare

FidoNet is an automatic ``store-and-forward'' mail system that¨
transfers messages and files with other Fido\-Net-equipped computers.¨
It is completely integrated with Fido, and completely transparent in¨
operation, and if you don't use it, you won't even know it's there.

\enddoublecolumns
\bar

\section{System Description}
\subheading{\fido} 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. You can have up to 16 different languages or graphical¨
interfaces installed at once.

\subheading{Reliability:} \fido\ 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.

\subheading{Performance:} \fido\ makes excellent use of ordinary¨
computers; with a high-performance modem such as a US Robotics Courier¨
Dual Standard, you will get kilobyte/second throughput on a so-called¨
``turbo'' PC XT. 

\subheading{More than one modem:} While \fido\ supports only one¨
modem, you can run more than one copy of \fido\ per computer using a¨
multitasker program. \fido\ prevents file and message ``collisions''¨
when more multiple users are accessing the same messages and files.¨
Performance degradation is negligible. See ``Supported Operating¨
Systems'' for the current list of supported multitaskers.

\subheading{Low disk space overhead:} A 20 Megabyte hard disk is¨
essentially unlimited space; room for thousands of messages, files, a¨
10,000+ node FidoNet network, with 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\ 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, would be¨
considered very ``tight''.

\subheading{Modem Handling:} \fido\ achieves extremely high¨
reliability with ordinary modems. During idle periods, \fido\  ``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 bad modem design, and newer-model¨
modems frequently have firmware bugs. \fido\ takes care of these¨
things automatically. Almost all problems reported 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) can take advantage of¨
busy detect, no-dial-tone, and other features if provided by the¨
modem.

\subheading{Caller DataBase:} Each caller to the system has a record¨
in a database that maintains each callers name, password, 
terminal-specific settings, language selection, privilege levels and¨
controls, and various statistics. Tools provided manipulate these¨
records both manually and automatically. There can be up to 65,535¨
callers in the database.

\subheading{System Messages and Bulletins:} \fido\ uses ordinary text¨
files for system messages and bulletins, which are meant to be¨
customized by you. 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.

\subheading{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 {\tt¨
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. 

\subheading{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.

\subheading{Message Areas:} There can be up to 200 separate message¨
areas, each with access controls as described above. There can be up¨
to 65,535 messages in each area. 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. (Command availability depending on privilege levels and¨
locks of course.) Help is available at all decision points. 

\subheading{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.

My ``FidoTerm'' program works well with \fido\ or any other modem¨
based system.

\subheading{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\ 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 execute ``background'' FidoNet network activity while no¨
caller is otherwise occupying the system.)

\subheading{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. Technical¨
information is available in the manual. (External ``shell'' support¨
programs are not supplied by me.)

\section{FidoNet}
Using Fido, you enter messages, choosing the destination computer(s)¨
from a list; later, FidoNet automatically transfers those messages to¨
the destination computers. You can ``attach'' files to a message to¨
transfer files of any kind, and \fido\ will transfer hten along with¨
the messages. \fido\ will inform you when the message (and files, if¨
any) has been successfully sent. There can be any number of¨
messages\slash files 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\footnote*{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''\footnote{**}{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\ software, or compatibles, one of which is¨
designated Host for the Net. A Host receives mail for the entire Net,¨
and distributes the mail to its local FidoNet computers. 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 or larger than the hobbiest FidoNet network, which is up to¨
10,000 systems as of March 1991.

\subheading{Incoming FidoNet mail at any time:} \fido\ can receive¨
mail from other \fido\ systems at any time a caller is not occupying¨
the system, not just during scheduled FidoNet events. Optionally,¨
\fido\ can execute external programs via a DOS Batch File to do¨
special processing of unscheduled Incoming Mail.

\section{Customization}
\fido\ parameters, lists of events, command names, and message and¨
file area definitions are contained in text files you can change with¨
your own text editor program. All message and file areas are defined¨
in one text file; the \fido\ system takes care 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.

\subheading{Multiple Languages:} \fido\ supports up to 16 languages¨
and/or graphical interfaces. Interfaces accomodate both ANSI/color¨
variations of one language (eg. all english, but color, monochrome,¨
standard Fido interface) or multiple languages (English, German,¨
Dutch, Spanish, etc) or any combination. 

When a caller selects a language, the any or all parts of the¨
interface can be changed; all runtime messages, command names, help¨
files, system bulletins. (For example, when running ANSI/color¨
variations of one language, the command names should not change; when¨
changing languages changing command names may be part of the goal.)

The following interfaces are available at this time:
\smallskip

\begindoublecolumns
\declare
\item{\blob} American English
\item{\blob} American English Color \#1
\item{\blob} American English Color \#2
\item{\blob} ANSI Monochrome
\item{\blob} Bahasa Malay
\item{\blob} Chinese BIG-5
\item{\blob} Danish
\item{\blob} Dutch
\item{\blob} Dutch color
\item{\blob} German
\item{\blob} German color
\item{\blob} Spanish
\enddeclare
\enddoublecolumns

Chinese BIG-5 requires a special BIG-5 CODE ROM and programs, not¨
available from me. The master American language files are available¨
for custom translations; please contact me for details.

\section{Programs Supplied with \fido}
The following are some of the programs supplied as part of the¨
standard \fido\ system package. In addition, there are many¨
``aftermarket'' programs from other authors that make using and¨
maintaining \fido\ easier and more powerful. 

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

\program{MSGMGR.EXE} (the Message Manager) performs routine¨
maintenance on messages within \fido\ 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. 

\program{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.

\program{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 FidoMail put them into the FidoNet message¨
system.

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

\newpage

\section{Requirements and Specifications}
\subheading{Computers:} \fido\ works on all¨
IBM\trademark\footnote*{``IBM'' is a trademark of IBM Corp.} 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.)

\smallskip
Your computer must have at least the following:

\declare
\item{\blob}192K available memory
\item{\blob}At least 700K of disk storage
\item{\blob}One Serial Port (or internal modem)
\item{\blob}Modem as described below
\enddeclare

It is strongly recommended that you have a hard disk, and an internal¨
clock.

\subheading{Modems:} The following are explicitly supported by \fido.¨
Though models not listed below are not guaranteed to work, no one has¨
come up with a Hayes-type modem that can't be made to work properly my¨
simply entering the necessary initialization commands into Fido's¨
initialization file.

\declare
\item{\blob}U.S. Robotics Courier HST and Dual Standard
\item{\blob}Telebit TrailBlazer series
\item{\blob}U.S. Robotics Courier 2400
\item{\blob}Hayes SmartModem V-series
\item{\blob}Hayes SmartModem 1200
\item{\blob}Everex Internal \& External models
\item{\blob}Multi-Tech 2400
\item{\blob}Nearly all ``Hayes compatible'' modems
\item{\blob}``Dumb'' modems$^*$
\item{\blob}Direct connect to PBX or special serial device$^*$
\enddeclare

%
% To avoid having the footnote take on characteristics if the \item
% above, we've fudged it.
\footnote{\ }{However, FidoNet cannot originate calls without an 
auto-dial modem.}

\subheading{Operating Systems Supported:} MSDOS\slash 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\ is specifically DoubleDOS and DESQView aware. 

\newpage

\section{Software Policy}

This is the software policy for the \fido\  package. Please read it¨
carefully.

First:

Hobbyists run Bulletin Boards for their own personal reasons. Their¨
Bulletin Board is not associated with their employer or any business.¨
How they run their Bulletin Board 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:

\subheading{Hobbyists and Individuals:} \fido\ is shareware; the¨
latest version of the software, minus documentation, can always be¨
found on the Fido Software BBS. There is no downloadable¨
documentation. (If you thought the version 11 docs were unwieldy\dots)¨
You must register the software for \$39.95; in return you will receive¨
the latest version on diskette plus printed and bound documentation.¨
If you later desire updates via diskette instead of download, send¨
\$15 plus the original diskettes or other proof of purchase.

\subheading{Commercial Users:} \fido\ is a usual licensable product;¨
the license fee is \$199.95. You will receive the latest software¨
version, complete documentation, and support via the Fido Software¨
BBS. (This has proved to be more than adequate for over two years.)¨
Updates can be obtained by downloading, or via diskette for \$25 plus¨
the original Fido Software diskette or other proof of purchase.

\subheading{BBS System Operators:} Besides being a {\bf Hobbyist} as¨
defined above, you may have the software available for download, as¨
you would any other program. Please keep READ.MEs and POLICY files,¨
along with the basic files as supplied by me, together as a unit to¨
avoid confusion frustration for all of us.

\subheading{Shareware Distributors,} clubs, etc: Please order the¨
complete package as a {\bf Commercial User}; for small hobbyist clubs,¨
as a {\bf Hobbyist} or {\bf Individual}. This will assure you the¨
latest correct and complete version, and the manual will help your¨
club members get things going easily. Such a deal. Look, I'm not¨
getting rich off this (or even breaking even!) so let's scratch each¨
others backs, OK?

Special arrangements can always be made on a case by case basis.  In¨
all cases, bugs are fixed promptly, as they have been for six years. 

\newpage
\section{Ordering}
\declare
\parindent=3.5in
 Tom Jennings
 Fido Software
 Box 77731
 San Francisco 
 CA 94107 USA
 bbs: (415)-863-2739
 FidoNet: 1:125/111
 Internet: tom.jennings@fidosw.fidonet.org
\enddeclare

\medskip
\bar

\def\product#1#2{\medskip\line{{\bf #1} \leaderfill\ {\bf #2}}}

{\parskip=0pt
\product{\fido\ Version 12}{Commercial price: \$199.95}
\line{\hfill\bf Hobbyist price: \$39.95}
}
Complete \fido\ system license, including support programs, diskette,¨
manuals, and access to the Fido Software customer support bulletin¨
board.

\product{\fido\ Version 12 program update}{\$25}
\line{\hfill\bf Hobbyist price: \$15}
When enhancements to \fido\ version 12 are made (bugs fixed, features¨
added) customers may upgrade their current licensed Version 12¨
software to the latest revision. Errata sheets are provided as¨
necessary.

\product{\fido\ upgrade from Version 11 (or earlier)}{\$50}
Customers who purchased any previous version of \fido\ can upgrade to¨
version 12 for this price; proof of purchase must be returned. NOTE:¨
This is not a normal ``program update'', as described above, because¨
of the new materials that must be provided.

\product{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; it may be invoked from Fido's¨
local console by a single keystroke, and will ``know'' about the¨
installed modem type and port, and commands let you dial from a¨
FidoNet nodelist.

\medskip
\boxit{1pt}{NOTE: Unless you say otherwise, the integral IBM Async¨
driver version of \fido\ and FidoTerm will be shipped. A FOSSIL¨
version is also available. FOSSIL drivers are not supplied by Fido¨
Software.\vadjust{\vskip\baselineskip}}
\medskip

\vfill

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

\subheading{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. 

\subheading{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.

\vfill
\vskip\parskip\tenpointsanserif
Fido\trademark, FidoNet\trademark, and the dog-with-diskette are¨
registered U.S. trademarks of Tom Jennings. \fido\ and all support¨
programs are copyright \copyright\ by Tom Jennings 1991

\supereject\end
