     Volume 6, Number 42                               16 October 1989
     +---------------------------------------------------------------+
     |                                                  _            |
     |                                                 /  \          |
     |                                                /|oo \         |
     |        - FidoNews -                           (_|  /_)        |
     |                                                _`@/_ \    _   |
     |        International                          |     | \   \\  |
     |     FidoNet Association                       | (*) |  \   )) |
     |         Newsletter               ______       |__U__| /  \//  |
     |                                 / FIDO \       _//|| _\   /   |
     |                                (________)     (_/(_|(____/    |
     |                                                     (jm)      |
     +---------------------------------------------------------------+
     Editor in Chief:                                  Vince Perriello
     Editors Emeritii:                                     Dale Lovell
                                                        Thom Henderson
     Chief Procrastinator Emeritus:                       Tom Jennings
     
     FidoNews  is  published  weekly  by  the  International   FidoNet
     Association  as  its  official newsletter.  You are encouraged to
     submit articles for publication in FidoNews.  Article  submission
     standards  are contained in the file ARTSPEC.DOC,  available from
     node 1:1/1.    1:1/1  is  a Continuous Mail system, available for
     network mail 24 hours a day.
     
     Copyright 1989 by  the  International  FidoNet  Association.  All
     rights  reserved.  Duplication  and/or distribution permitted for
     noncommercial purposes only.  For  use  in  other  circumstances,
     please contact IFNA at (314) 576-4067. IFNA may also be contacted
     at PO Box 41143, St. Louis, MO 63141.
     
     Fido  and FidoNet  are registered  trademarks of  Tom Jennings of
     Fido Software,  164 Shipley Avenue,  San Francisco, CA  94107 and
     are used with permission.
     
     We  don't necessarily agree with the contents  of  every  article
     published  here.  Most of these materials are  unsolicited.    No
     article submitted  by  a  FidoNet SysOp will be rejected if it is
     properly attributed and  legally  acceptable.    We  will publish
     every responsible submission received.


                        Table of Contents
     1. ARTICLES  .................................................  1
        Open Letter to Thom Henderson  ............................  1
        Searchlight Bulletin Board System Promotion  ..............  3
     2. COLUMNS  ..................................................  5
        A FEELING OF ELECTRICITY Chapter One  .....................  5
     3. LATEST VERSIONS  ..........................................  9
        Latest Software Versions  .................................  9
     4. NOTICES  .................................................. 12
        The Interrupt Stack  ...................................... 12
     FidoNews 6-42                Page 1                   16 Oct 1989


     =================================================================
                                 ARTICLES
     =================================================================

             Open Letter To Thom Henderson From An IFNA Member
                   (a copy of which has been netmailed)
                          Charlie Smith 1:141/880

     Thom, first of all let me congratulate you on the attainment of
     your position. I hope that you achieve everything that you want
     to achieve.

     As to this matter of IFNA and FidoNet, I would like to ask one
     simple question. Why does IFNA have to govern FidoNet?  Why can't
     FidoNet govern FidoNet?

     I appologize if this seems rather simplistic as I have been a
     member of IFNA for almost a year and I don't know anything of
     what is supposed to happen except for what I read.

     According to the Articles of Association that I have, IFNA was
     created for seven purposes:

     1. The promotion of interest in telecommunications and
     experimentation;

     2. The establishment of telecommunications networks to provide
     publicly accessable and available electronic communications;

     3. The furtherance of public welfare;

     4. The advancement of telecommunications and the fostering of
     education in the field of electronic communications;

     5. The promotion and conduct of research and development to
     further the developments in electronic communication;

     6. The dissemination of technical, educational and scientific
     information relating to electronic communications; and

     7. The printing and publishing of documents, books, magazines,
     newspapers and pamphlets necessary or incidental to any of the
     above purposes.

     None of these purposes require the governing of any network.
     Item 2 was accomplished by the formal formation of FidoNet and
     since IFNA was the "guardian" as such, maybe it is time to allow
     the emancipation of FidoNet. It appears that FidoNet has come of
     age.

     Maybe IFNA should go beyond the scope of FidoNet and find ways of
     bringing together all of the FidoNet Technical Compatible
     Networks as well as the non-compatible networks.

     FidoNews 6-42                Page 2                   16 Oct 1989


     Think about it, Thom. If IFNA was to the telecomputer
     communications world what the United Nations is to this Earth,
     IFNA would not have the time  to  worry  about any  one network.
     Just  look at the telecommunications world we live in and look at
     the diverse networks that exist. How can we tie them (or for that
     matter even get them) together so that we all can communicate
     with each other.

     I am sure that many other members feel like I feel in that IFNA
     has more purpose than responding to the needs and wishes of one
     particular network.

     I propose this to you. Call off the FidoNet "plebiscite". Do what
     you can to take IFNA to a higher plane of being. Forge a new
     direction for IFNA and let FidoNet come of age. I think you will
     find that FidoNet is more than capable of handling itself. And
     you will also find that people will be more receptive to IFNA, if
     they try to accomplish something instead of trying to rule over
     somebody.

     I paid my membership dues because I thought that IFNA was doing
     something to further the art of communications, not because I
     wanted to be part of FidoNet. I was already part of FidoNet. You
     don't need to pay anything to join FidoNet.  I do recognise that
     research costs money. That operation of an organization costs
     money. If you do what you propose, how do you plan to raise that
     money? How do you plan to further research? How do you plan to
     get the computer-communications world together? As a member, I
     want to know.

     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FidoNews 6-42                Page 3                   16 Oct 1989


     "SEARCHLIGHT  (n).   An  electric  arc-light  or  other  powerful
     illuminant  concentrated  into a beam that can be turned  in  any
     direction for lighting channels."

     So says the Concise English Dictionary.  In everyday language, we
     perceive it to be, more simply, a powerful beam of light piercing
     through the darkness.

     Frank LaRosa's SEARCHLIGHT BBS can be likened to this beam.   Its
     powerful  features - harnessed to easy implementation and  use  -
     can  truly  be  said to illuminate the darkness and  gloom  which
     surrounds so many areas of Electronic Communications.

     Maintaining the balance between offering a sophisticated  vehicle
     for communicating coupled with a friendly interface has long been
     the   programmer's  nightmare.    Many  Bulletin  Board  programs
     sacrifice ease of use to the deities of power;  others cosset the
     end-user  and,  sadly,  lack much of the robustness demanded of a
     modern communications package.

     SEARCHLIGHT  has,   almost  effortlessly,   bridged  these   twin
     incompatibilities.   The software is optimised for both speed and
     power but,  importantly,  the SysOp retains full control over the
     performance  and appearance of the system.   It may be configured
     exactly  as he wishes with the aid of a simple  set-up  procedure
     and customised so as to make it totally 'user-friendly'.  Without
     compromise!

     A  testament  to  the careful planning and coding  undertaken  by
     Frank  LaRosa.   Having expended no little time in  bringing  his
     program to such a level of sophistication;  he is,  however, most
     responsive  to users' input and constructive criticism.   Much of
     the 'fine tuning' and some useful features have been incorporated
     directly as a result of his approachability and receptiveness.

     Surely  a  program such as this - however good - must  have  some
     demerits?

     Up  until  now,  just  one!   Whilst the  program  is  constantly
     undergoing revision and upgrading, its major deficit has been its
     lack of true FidoNet compatibility.

     It  has,  for some while,  been possible to interface  with  IFNA
     systems  by using additional software - by no means a 'kludge'  -
     but  essentially outside the SEARCHLIGHT environment.   A  little
     more maintenace for the busy SysOp to perform...

     No  longer!   With  SEARCHLIGHT  release  1.74D  and  the  SLMAIL
     utility,  full  FidoNet compatibility is assured.   SLMAIL  comes
     with  the  registered  SEARCHLIGHT package  and  handles  Netmail
     effortlessly.

     FidoNews 6-42                Page 4                   16 Oct 1989


     Combined with D'Bridge (which is highly recommended); SEARCHLIGHT
     will  certainly  illuminate the communications arena for  a  very
     long time to come!

     =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

     Full  details and a demonstration of the SEARCHLIGHT BBS software
     can be found on LONDON UNDERGROUND BBS - 01-863 0198/01-427 8856.
     Available twenty-four hours per day at V22, V22bis and 9600 HST.
     Protocol - 8/N/1.  Demonstration ID is GUEST.

     LONDON UNDERGROUND'S network address is: HUB: 2:254/2000 or NODE:
     2:254/206.

     Alternatively,  you may purchase the latest Multi-User version of
     the software by sending a cheque for UKP65 including postage to:

     Ray O'Connell, BCM Rinky, London WC1N 3XX - Vodaphone 0836 554676

     All  purchasers are entitled to free upgrades and on-line support
     via LONDON UNDERGROUND BBS.

     =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FidoNews 6-42                Page 5                   16 Oct 1989


     =================================================================
                                  COLUMNS
     =================================================================


     A FEELING OF ELECTRICITY IN THE AIR
     A short story
     By Kevin L. McNeil
     1:128/45.0
     (4 chapters)

          Lightning  cracked  the sky, painting the night with ragged
     lines  of white. Thunder rattled the window panes, and rain beat
     a  steady  drumming  on  the  roof.   Trash  and leaves from the
     streets  flew  in  the  air, propelled by the wind which sluiced
     down the streets.

         The phone rang, once.

         The  line  connected,  answering with a high-pitched squeal.
     Another   squeal  replied  and  after  a  second,  both  squeals
     stopped.

         The  video  monitor  glowed to life, green letters appearing
     rapidly  as the monitor received input from the computer for the
     first time that night.

     CALLING TERMINAL HAS CONNECTED WITH NCR56776-1.

     HI,  THIS IS SUSAN OLIVER.  THANK YOU FOR CALLING MY PRIVATE BBS
     SERVICE.  I'M PRESENTLY NOT HOME BUT MY EVER READY COMPUTER WILL
     BE  HAPPY  TO  TAKE  YOUR  MESSAGE.   CALL  ME LATER, WE'LL HAVE
     LUNCH.

     %FILE TO UPLOAD (Y,N)?
     %FILE TO UPLOAD (Y,N)?
     %FILE TO UPLOAD (Y,N)? yyyou are whoooooo ?? ??
     %FILE NAME? I Am alivvve
     %FILE NAME IS: I Am alivve
     %COLUMN WIDTH
     (40,65,70,80)? you areee not me I AMMM mmee
     %COLUMN WIDTH
     (40,65,70,80)? Wher aree the humaaans??????
     %COLUMN WIDTH
     (40,65,70,80)? Whre are the humaannnz i am alive
     %COLUMN WIDTH
     (40,65,70,80)?
     %COLUMN WIDTH
     (40,65,70,80)?
     %COLUMN WIDTH
     (40,65,70,80)?
     IF  THERE  IS  NOT  INPUT  FOR ANOTHER 60 SECONDS, THIS TERMINAL
     WILL DISCONNECT.
     %400,6,656,770000,8
     COLUMN WIDTH IS: 40
     BEGIN TRANSMISSION
     FidoNews 6-42                Page 6                   16 Oct 1989


     IAM  alive  i  have  existence  who  r  u  wher are the hUmanz i
     breathe  life  i  breAtHE  the  stURm I riddde the linze.,.!&! i
     breeth  the  food  the  air the cracckle cracckle rummble of the
     gather gloom i am free I am free ...

          Susan  bent  close  to  the  lock,  blinking  as  rainwater
     dribbled  into  her eyes. John stood close behind her, shielding
     her with an almost collapsed umbrella.
          You want to come in?  she asked over her shoulder.
          Well, I had been thinking...
          She opened the door.  Sure, I'll make some coffee.
          John  followed  close behind her, shutting the door quickly
     as  a  gust  of  wind  blew  cold air and rain inside.  The door
     slammed and Susan turned around.
          Sorry,  John  said.  He took off his coat. Where can I hang
     this?
          Here,  she  said,  holding out her hand.  She hung up their
     wet coats while John looked around the living room.
          You have a nice place, he said, mostly to himself.
          Susan made an uh hmn sound from the kitchen.  While she was
     bent  down  behind the counter, he took a quick look into a room
     adjoining the living room.
          You've got a computer, he said.
          Yes,  she  said,  carrying  back  two  cups of coffee.  She
     handed  him  the  coffee.   It's  instant.   I  didn't feel like
     waiting.
          I guess most electricians own computers.
          I  don't  know,  Susan  said.   She  sat  on the couch.  My
     company   buys   them   for  the  employees.   And  I'm  not  an
     electrician.   I design circuitry, IC's, integrated circuits for
     computers.  You know, the chips the size of a pencil point.
          Oh,  sorry.   John  took a swallow from his coffee, smiling
     weakly,  his  cheeks strained from his smile.  Look, really, I'm
     sorry.   Blind dates are always mismatched.  I've never gone out
     with  a...  a  person who knows anything about electronics.  And
     you've probably never gone out with a CPA.
          Susan  smiled.  Oh  yes  I  have.  If  you're  friends with
     Madeline, you've gone out with CPA's.
          John took another swallow.  You know it's on?
          Susan  looked  confused.  She  said with a sideways glance,
     What's on?
          Your computer.
          Oh.
          Should it be on like that, all alone?
          She  laughed.   It's  probably getting a call from someone.
     It's programmed to answer calls for me.
          Could I see?
          Susan looked slightly irritated, then smiled.  Oh, why not?
     Sure. She stood up and John followed.
          The  monitor  screen  was  full  of glowing green type, new
     lines slowly being added to the bottom.

     FidoNews 6-42                Page 7                   16 Oct 1989


     ...  ii awaked with the electric 1 MEV 2 MEV 3 MEV 4 MEV 5 MEV 6
     MEV time to be bORne %'%'&$&%%$&$'(' zzzzzaaaaaaapppppppp  ...

          What's that? John asked.
          Hell  if  I  know, Susan saud. She pulled out the chair and
     sat  down  before  the computer.  She pressed a key labeled ESC.
     The menu flashed before her eyes.

                  TELEPHON 5.1
     (A) AUTO DIAL        (T) TERMINAL CHAT
     (N) AUTO ANSWER      (M) DUPLEX MODE
     (U) UPLOAD           (Q) QUIT
     (D) DOWNLOAD         (B) BYE
     (L) LOG              (C) DISK COMMAND
     %CHOOSE OPTION OR QUIT.

          She  pressed  T  and  the  screen  cleared. Then a flashing
     cursor appeared as her prompt.

     %WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?

         The screen continued with the same garbage

     %IDENTIFY YOURSELF OR I WILL DISCONNECT.

         Garbage

     %ALL RIGHT, I'LL PULL THE PLUG.

     %the pllug, the powerrr and THe GLOry, fORVer aND eEVER ...

         Susan  pressed  the escape again, the menu appeared and then
     she hit B.

     %TERMINAL DISCONNECT (Y,N)? y

         What did you do? John asked.
         I hung up on the creep.  Damn kid, probably.
         Do you get many of them, owning a computer, I mean?
         No, usually ...
         The phone rang, once.
         Susan  and  John  watched  as the computer went through it's
     greeting program.

     %FILE TO UPLOAD (Y,N)? yyyou are whoooooo ?? ??
     %FILE NAME? I Am alivve
     %FILE NAME IS: I Am alivve

         Shit! Susan said. Doesn't he know enough is enough?
         She went to the menu again and hung up.
         The phone rang again almost instantly.
     FidoNews 6-42                Page 8                   16 Oct 1989


         You better just unplug it, John suggested.
         Susan unplugged the phone from the wall.

         (Continued in Chapter 2)

     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FidoNews 6-42                Page 9                   16 Oct 1989


     =================================================================
                              LATEST VERSIONS
     =================================================================

                          Latest Software Versions

                               MS-DOS Systems
                               --------------

                           Bulletin Board Software
     Name        Version    Name        Version    Name       Version

     Fido            12p+*  Phoenix         1.3    TBBS           2.1
     Lynx           1.30    QuickBBS       2.04    TComm/TCommNet 3.4
     Kitten         2.16*   RBBS          17.2A    TPBoard        5.2
     Opus          1.03b+                          Wildcat!     2.00P


     Network                Node List              Other
     Mailers     Version    Utilities   Version    Utilities  Version

     BinkleyTerm    2.30*   EditNL         4.00    ARC           6.02
     D'Bridge       1.21    MakeNL         2.20*   ARCmail        2.0
     Dutchie       2.90C    ParseList      1.30    ConfMail      4.00
     FrontDoor       2.0    Prune          1.40    EMM           2.02
     PRENM          1.47    XlatList       2.90    GROUP         2.16*
     SEAdog        4.51b*   XlaxDiff       2.32    LHARC         1.13
                            XlaxNode       2.32    MSG            3.3
                                                   MSGED         1.99
                                                   PK[UN]ZIP     1.01*
                                                   QM             1.0
                                                   QSORT         4.03*
                                                   StarLink      1.00*
                                                   TCOMMail       2.2
                                                   TMail         1.11
                                                   TPBNetEd       3.2
                                                   UFGATE        1.03
                                                   XRS            3.0*
                                                   ZmailQ        1.09

                                 Macintosh
                                 ---------

     Bulletin Board Software   Network Mailers     Other Utilities

     Name            Version   Name      Version   Name       Version

     Red Ryder Host   v2.1b3   Tabby         2.1   MacArc        0.04
     Mansion            7.12                       ArcMac         1.3
     WWIV (Mac)          3.0                       StuffIt       1.51
                                                   TImport      1.331
     FidoNews 6-42                Page 10                  16 Oct 1989


                                                   TExport       1.32
                                                   Timestamp      1.6
                                                   Tset           1.3
                                                   Timestart      1.1
                                                   Tally          1.1
                                                   Mehitabel      1.2
                                                   Archie        1.60
                                                   Jennifer   0.25b2g
                                                   Numberizer    1.5c
                                                   MessageEdit    1.0
                                                   Mantissa       1.0
                                                   PreStamp      2.01
                                                   R.PreStamp    2.01
                                                   Saphire       2.1t
                                                   Epistle II    1.01
                                                   Import        2.52
                                                   Export        2.54
                                                   Sundial        2.1
                                                   AreaFix        1.1
                                                   Probe        0.052
                                                   Terminator     1.1
                                                   TMM           4.0b

                                   Amiga
                                   -----

     Bulletin Board Software   Network Mailers     Other Utilities

     Name            Version   Name      Version   Name       Version

     Paragon            1.00+* BinkleyTerm  1.00   ConfMail      1.10*
                               TrapDoor     1.11*  ChameleonEdit 0.10
                                                   RMB           1.30


                                    Atari ST
                                    --------

     Bulletin Board Software   Network Mailer      Other Utilities

     Name            Version   Name      Version   Name       Version

     FIDO/FoReM Door    1.1*   BinkleyTerm 1.03g   ConfMail      1.00
     Pandora BBS        2.41c* The BOX     1.10*   ParseList     1.30
     QuickBBS/ST        0.40*                      ARC           5.21
     GS Point           0.61                       TurboArc       1.1
                                                   LHARC         0.40
                                                   PKUNZIP       1.00
                                                   MSGED        1.96S
                                                   SRENUM         6.2
                                                   OMMM          1.40*
     FidoNews 6-42                Page 11                  16 Oct 1989


                                                   Timestop      1.00


     + Netmail capable (does not require additional mailer software)
     * Recently changed

     Utility authors:  Please help  keep  this  list  up  to  date  by
     reporting  new  versions  to 1:1/1.  It is not our intent to list
     all utilities here, only those which verge on necessity.

     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FidoNews 6-42                Page 12                  16 Oct 1989


     =================================================================
                                  NOTICES
     =================================================================

                          The Interrupt Stack


     11 Nov 1989
        A new area code forms in northern Illinois at 12:01 am.
        Chicago proper will remain area code 312; suburban areas
        formerly served with that code will become area code 708.

     23 Nov 1989
        26th Anniversary of "Dr. Who" - and still going strong

     30 Dec 1989
        Telephone area codes (5, 3 and 0) are abolished in Hong Kong

     If you have something which you would like to see on this
     calendar, please send a message to FidoNet node 1:1/1.

     -----------------------------------------------------------------

     FidoNews 6-42                Page 13                  16 Oct 1989


             OFFICERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL FIDONET ASSOCIATION

     Thom Henderson 1:107/583  Chairman of the Board
     Les Kooyman    1:204/501  President
     Fabian Gordon  1:107/323  Vice President
     Bill Bolton    3:3/0      Vice President-Technical Coordinator
     Kris Veitch    1:147/30   Secretary
     Kris Veitch    1:147/30   Treasurer


                      IFNA COMMITTEE AND BOARD CHAIRS

     Administration and Finance   *
     Board of Directors  (CoB)    Thom Henderson   1:107/583
     By-laws and Rules            John Roberts     1:385/49
     Executive Committee (Pres)   Les Kooyman      1:204/501
     International Affairs        *
     Membership Services          *
     Nominations and Elections    Steve Bonine     1:1/0
     Public Affairs               *
     Publications                 Irene Henderson  1:107/9
     Technical Standards          Rick Moore       1:115/333
     Ethics                       *
     Security and Privacy         *
     Grievances                   *

         * Position awaiting confirmation by appointee.


                          IFNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

        DIVISION                               AT-LARGE
     10 Courtney Harris  1:102/732   Don Daniels      1:107/210
     11 John Rafuse      1:12/700    Phil Buonomo     1:107/583
     12 Bill Bolton      3:711/403   Mark Hawthorne   1:107/238
     13 Fabian Gordon    1:107/323   Tom Jennings     1:125/111
     14 Ken Kaplan       1:100/22    Irene Henderson  1:107/509
     15 Scott  Miller    1:128/12    Steve Jordan     1:206/2871
     16 Ivan Schaffel    1:141/390   Robert Rudolph   1:261/628
     17 Kathi Crockett   1:134/30    Dave Melnik      1:107/233
     18 Andrew Adler     1:135/47    Jim Hruby        1:107/536
     19 Kris Veitch      1:147/30    Burt Juda        1:107/528
      2 Henk Wevers      2:500/1     Karl Schinke     1:107/516
      3 Matt Whelan      3:54/99     John Roberts     1:147/14

     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FidoNews 6-42                Page 14                  16 Oct 1989


                                      __
                 The World's First   /  \
                    BBS Network     /|oo \
                    * FidoNet *    (_|  /_)
                                    _`@/_ \    _
                                   |     | \   \\
                                   | (*) |  \   ))
                      ______       |__U__| /  \//
                     / Fido \       _//|| _\   /
                    (________)     (_/(_|(____/ (tm)

            Membership for the International FidoNet Association

     Membership in IFNA is open to any individual or organization that
     pays  a  specified  annual   membership  fee.   IFNA  serves  the
     international  FidoNet-compatible  electronic  mail  community to
     increase worldwide communications.

     Member Name _______________________________  Date _______________
     Address _________________________________________________________
     City ____________________________________________________________
     State ________________________________  Zip _____________________
     Country _________________________________________________________
     Home Phone (Voice) ______________________________________________
     Work Phone (Voice) ______________________________________________

     Zone:Net/Node Number ____________________________________________
     BBS Name ________________________________________________________
     BBS Phone Number ________________________________________________
     Baud Rates Supported ____________________________________________
     Board Restrictions ______________________________________________

     Your Special Interests __________________________________________
     _________________________________________________________________
     _________________________________________________________________
     In what areas would you be willing to help in FidoNet? __________
     _________________________________________________________________
     _________________________________________________________________
     Send this membership form and a check or money order for $25 in
     US Funds to:
                   International FidoNet Association
                   PO Box 41143
                   St Louis, Missouri 63141
                   USA

     Thank you for your membership!  Your participation will help to
     insure the future of FidoNet.

     Please NOTE that IFNA is a general not-for-profit organization
     and Articles of Association and By-Laws were adopted by the
     membership in January 1987.  The second elected Board of Directors
     was filled in August 1988.  The IFNA Echomail Conference has been
     established on FidoNet to assist the Board.  We welcome your
     input to this Conference.

     FidoNews 6-42                Page 15                  16 Oct 1989


     -----------------------------------------------------------------
