     Volume 8, Number 18                                    6 May 1991
     +---------------------------------------------------------------+
     |                                                  _            |
     |                                                 /  \          |
     |                                                /|oo \         |
     |        - FidoNews -                           (_|  /_)        |
     |                                                _`@/_ \    _   |
     |         FidoNet (r)                           |     | \   \\  |
     |  International BBS Network                    | (*) |  \   )) |
     |         Newsletter               ______       |__U__| /  \//  |
     |                                 / FIDO \       _//|| _\   /   |
     |                                (________)     (_/(_|(____/    |
     |                                                     (jm)      |
     +---------------------------------------------------------------+
     Editor in Chief:                                  Vince Perriello
     Editors Emeritii:                    Thom Henderson,  Dale Lovell
     Chief Procrastinator Emeritus:                       Tom Jennings
     
     Copyright 1991, Fido Software.  All rights reserved.  Duplication
     and/or distribution permitted  for  noncommercial  purposes only.
     For use in other circumstances, please  contact  Fido Software.
     
     FidoNews  is  published  weekly by and for  the  Members  of  the
     FidoNet (r) International Amateur Electronic Mail System.   It is
     a compilation of individual articles contributed by their authors
     or authorized agents of the authors. The contribution of articles
     to this compilation does not diminish the rights of the authors.
     
     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.
     
     Fido and  FidoNet  are  registered  trademarks of Tom Jennings of
     Fido Software, Box  77731,  San  Francisco  CA 94107, USA and are
     used with permission.
     
     Opinions expressed in  FidoNews articles are those of the authors
     and are not necessarily  those of the Editor or of Fido Software.
     Most articles are unsolicited.   Our  policy  is to publish every
     responsible submission received.


                        Table of Contents
     1. EDITORIAL  ................................................  1
        Home Again  ...............................................  1
     2. ARTICLES  .................................................  2
        Wide beta KITTEN  .........................................  2
        FidoCon '91 Countdown  ....................................  4
        Through The Wire  ......................................... 10
        Prodigy Accused of Electronic Spying  ..................... 20
        New Wholly Bible Conference HOLY_BIBLE  ................... 25
        FidoCon Membership List  .................................. 26
     3. COLUMNS  .................................................. 28
        A Word from the Bible - The Gospel  ....................... 28
     And more!
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 1                    6 May 1991


     =================================================================
                                 EDITORIAL
     =================================================================


     Hello. It's nice to be back.

     From the look of things, most everything we got went out last
     week. I've reformatted the offending article (keep in mind that
     I reserve the right to not publish any article that MAKENEWS
     kicks out, and some night I'll get pissed and delete everything
     that doesn't make the cut!) and you'll see it this week.

     Click your heels together three times and say "There's no prez
     like Quayle... There's no prez like Quayle..." ARRRRRRGGGHHHH!

     I'm sorry you didn't like my sense of humor, Jack. Frankly, I
     found the metaphor extremely apropos. One of your most annoying
     traits, in my opinion, is your propensity for looking at things
     from the most negative possible viewpoint and throwing the baby
     out with the bathwater. You don't actually see yourself in the
     role of an optimist, do you?

     Sorry about the version updates. I'll get them in next week.


     I hope you all had a good Cinco de Mayo. I sure did.


     Enjoy your week!
     Vince



     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 2                    6 May 1991


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

     Thom Henderson
     BBS: (201) 473-1991


                              Wide Beta KITTEN


     I can't stand it.  I just finished catching up on  a  few  week's
     worth  of  FidoNews,  and  it  seems  to be nothing but political
     wrangling.  Doesn't anyone ever talk about FUN stuff anymore?

     So okay,  I can bitch and moan and be part of the problem,  or  I
     can  write  about  something  else.   So  I  will.  (Write  about
     something else, that is!)

     Do sysops still get a charge out of tearing  their  whole  system
     apart  and  putting it together differently?  Now that you've got
     your system fully debugged and huming along  nicely,  aren't  you
     about  ready  to  break  it  again?  Is  the humdrum existence of
     running debugged software starting to get to you?

     If so, then why not try a beta test BBS system?

     That's right,  the latest KITTEN is now available for  wide  beta
     test.  It can be downloaded or freqed (BETACAT1.ARC) from our BBS
     at (201) 473-1991 (Hey!  This is *THE YEAR* for SEAboard!)

     So  what is KITTEN,  you ask?  (Even if you didn't,  I'm going to
     tell  you  anyway,  so there!)  KITTEN is a programmable bulletin
     board program.  How it acts and what it does  are  controlled  by
     menu scripts that you can create and modify however you like (two
     sample setups are provided).

     Waitasec!  Programming?  Ugh!  Isn't that what those weirdo nerds
     do in dimly lit back rooms?  Well,  yes,  but it isn't  hard.  If
     you can write a batch file, you can program KITTEN.

     There  is  almost  no  end  to KITTEN's flexibility,  and the new
     KITTEN has been substantially beefed up.  New features include:

       * Twenty six string variables and twenty six numeric variables.

       * If we have variables, we have to be able to use them, and you
         can.  Variables can be read from and written to files,  input
         from the user, calculated on the fly, and used in conditional
         expressions.  They can also be displayed in  menus,  used  in
         commands,  and  they  can even be used in text files and file
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 3                    6 May 1991


         lists.

       * If that's not enough,  there are forty two system macros  for
         everything  from  the  caller's name to how many minutes he's
         been connected.  Wait,  let's expand that a bit -- that's how
         many  minutes he's been connected in the current session,  or
         all in all today, or in total since he first joined.

       * Just in case that isn't enough either,  you can  also  define
         your  OWN  macros  for  whatever  you  like.  You can make up
         things like "@ansi(green)" and then use them in menus,  text,
         file lists, et cetera.

       * KITTEN now supports external protocols (such as DSZ) for file
         uploading and downloading.

       * KITTEN  now  (ta  daaa!) directly supports Caller*ID.  KITTEN
         can know who is calling  your  board  before  she  even  gets
         carrier!  She  can  handle either restricted logins (user can
         only call from one number) and/or  fast  logins  (user  isn't
         asked  for  a  name),  and  their  is  a system macro for the
         caller's phone number,  so you can make use of it directly in
         menus and commands however you like.

         That  "fast login" can be a bit spooky the first time you see
         it.  Riiiing!  Connect -- "Hello,  Joe!"  But I'll  warn  you
         now,  once you get used to it you'll start getting annoyed at
         boards that have to ask you who you are!

       * Direct door support for PC Board, RBBS, QuickBBS, and RA door
         programs.

       * And lots more neat stuff.

     So,  are you ready to stir up your disk a bit?  If  so,  consider
     giving KITTEN a whirl.

     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 4                    6 May 1991


                           For Immediate Release

      Denver will be the host of an International BBSing Conference
      to be held August 16-18, 1991 at the Lakewood Sheraton Hotel
      and Conference Center.  Called FidoCon '91, all BBS System
      Operators, Users, and those interested in electronic
      communications and networking are invited to attend.

      This three day conference will include manufacturers, software
      suppliers, writers, and dealers, and will be both educational
      and fun.

      Special events include a "mud-pie" throw for charity (Friday
      night, for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation) - with some
      SPECIAL guests, A Banquet, and a drawing for a full, multi-line
      BBS System, complete with modems, hardware and software.

      Special guests include: Tom Jennings (arriving via natural-gas
      powered auto) - the "inventor" of Fido; Steve Jackson (CEO of
      Steve Jackson Games, and GURPS CYBERPUNK) - speaking on BBSing
      and what to do when your system is seized; Phil Becker (CEO of
      eSoft) and many others.


            FOR MORE DETAILS - PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ATTACHMENT



                             For Immediate Release
                                  &Date&

                                FidoCon '91
                               P.O. Box 486
                        Louisville, CO  80027-0486


      * Zone 1 FidoCon '91 Update

      FidoCon '91 Committee
      1:1/91

                          FidoCon '91
                 August 16th through 18th, 1991
                fidocon_'91@z1.n1.f91.fidonet.org

      FidoCon '91 VIP Membership $104 US* Rate Changes July 15th
      Banquet                      25 US
                                   ===
                                  $129 US

       FidoCon '91 VIP Membership $104.00 US*
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 5                    6 May 1991


       Significant Other**           9.69
       2 Banquet tickets            50.00
                                   =======
                                   $163.69

       * After July 15,       $169

                                   *NEW*
         A "No Frills", good from 9am to 6pm, for Seminar and Dealers
         Rooms ONLY membership (no Convention Hospitality Suite
         access or ticket for the SuperSystem Drawing) is available
         for $45 US for the three days or $20 US per day.  Full
         credit can be applied to a VIP membership if you elect to
         upgrade.

                                   *NEW*
         A "Supporting Membership" for those unable to attend, is
         available for $25 US.  Supporting members Will receive the
         progress reports and program book.

         Hotel:   Sheraton Lakewood
                  360 Union Blvd
                  Lakewood, CO
                  (303) 987-2000

         Rooms:

          Single/Double                      $59 US per night
          Adjoining Rooms (Pseudo-Suite)     118 US
          Triple/Quad                         78 US
          Adjoining Rooms (Pseudo-Suite)     156 US

      FidoCon '91 is a limited attendance event.

      Guests of Honor:

       Tom Jennings      --   FidoCon '91 Guest of Honor. Tom is
                              credited with starting FidoNet
       Tim Pozar         --   Gateway Guru
       Ray Gwinn         --   The Fossil master his self
       Vince Perriello   --   President of Bit Bucket Software &
                              publisher of FidoNews, Co-Author of
                              Binkley and TIMS.  Kibitzer at large.
       Alan Applegate    --   VICE-President of Bit Bucket, Writer of
                              the infamous Binkley Docs & Technical
                              Support for eSoft.
       Bob Hartman       --   Author of ConfMail, ReMapper.
                              Co-Author of Binkley and TIMS.  Major
                              asset of eSoft's program development
                              team.
       Phil Becker       --   CEO of eSoft .. publisher of TBBS,
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 6                    6 May 1991


                              TDBS, TIMS
       Steve Jackson     --   CEO of Steve Jackson Games ..
                              Publisher of GURPS CYBERPUNK and center
                              of Secret Service attention for over 8
                              months.
       John Perry Barlow --   Internet Guru and one of the founders
                              of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

      Those indicating they will be attending:

       Tom Tcimpidis          The first to have his BBS seized by the
                              law enforcement community.
       Several notable writers of computer columns
       Several popular Science fiction authors
       Several distinguished members of the broadcast community.
       Mitch Kapor Founder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

      Invited and not yet committed:

       Steve Wozniack The WOZ, one of the founders of Apple Computer

      Convention Hospitality Suite by:

      Kevin "DOC" McNeil and the FidoNet COOKING echo {newsgroup}

      Featuring: Seadog Casserole, Zip-Tarts, Pak-Man Cookies,
                 Roast Opus

      Seminars: Tentative Schedule

      Friday 16 August
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      The Ethical Software Hacker      Copyrights demystified

      For this I gave up my Love       Dealing with SYSOP burnout
      Life?

      How to moderate an Echo          BBSing in the 90's and beyond

      BBS Role Playing Gaming Forum


      Saturday 17 August
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      TBBS\TDBS\TIMS                   Software Development
                                       Roundtable

      Getting the most from            DOS 4/5, Windows
      BinkleyTerm

      Designing TDBS Applications      File your own copyrights for
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 7                    6 May 1991


      Remote Access system design      $20
      and implementation.

      AMAX made easy                   XRS/RAX/QMX/SeX/XOR/OREO/MORE-
                                       /XRS (the Universal Off-Line
                                       Reader Editor

      Gateways - the internetwork      Association of Shareware
      connection                       Professionals

      Surviving Government Scrutiny    Promoting your BBS Drawing the
                                       users you WANT to your system,
                                       Basics in advertising

      The Ultimate BBS/BBSing in the   BBS Business Sense Setting
      future.  Network evolution       your BBS up to support itself
                                       and you.
      Network Ethics

      Sunday 18 August
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      How to setup multi-node          CD-ROMS - Beyond Mass Storage
      QuickBBS QuickBBS, Menu          - Databases at your users
      control language                 fingertips

      BBS Users Groups Activities:

      TBBS Users Group will be convening as FidoTUG '91 during the
      convention.
       AlterCon will be sharing the facilities.
            AlterNet Costume Banquet          Royal Court
            Meeting of the Dukes

      Fun Activities:

      WEDDING:

      We are pleased to announce the wedding of Peter Stewart &
      Michele Hamilton, Sunday 18 August, 1991 at FidoCon '91.
      Michele and Peter met with the aid of the InterMail/InterUser
      Echo, and Cupid found their hearts.  Come share in the union.

      Traditional Hard Diskus Throw         Floppy Fling

      The Big Three Brewery Bash            National SYSOP Mud Pie
                                            Fight -- Proceeds to
                                            go to the MS Society

      Air Force Academy Tour                Garden of the Gods

      Psychic and Physical Tours            Golfing Tours of
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 8                    6 May 1991


      of Colorful Colorado                  Colorado

      We are scheduling additional seminars and social activities.
      Fire off a message letting us know what you'd like to see and
      do.  If you would like to see someone special, let us know as
      well.

      *** FidoCon '91 Dealers Room will be open from 9:00 am to
      *** 6:00 pm Friday and Saturday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Sunday

      Confirmed dealers

        Bit Bucket Software          CDB Systems             eSoft
        Mustang Software, Inc.       CompuCom                U.S.
                                                             Robotics
        Online Communications, Inc.  Boardwatch Magazine

      Drawings & Prizes

        Including:

         16 Line TBBS/TDBS/TIMS Sysop Dream SYSTEM CPU with a 486
         with sufficient horsepower to run a multiline system 700+Meg
         of fixed or hard disk, 4 port Digiboard and up to 4 9600 bps
         modems, who knows, maybe a CD ROM Drive .. depending on
         number of attendees.  A portion of the memberships and
         vendor fees go to purchasing this system.

         Autographed copies of the books that made Steve Jackson a
         household name, GURPS CYBERPUNK.

         For the SYSOP that has everything 300 baud acoustic Sysop
         Nightmare System

         All kinds of donated equipment and software, some even
         working.

      Hospitality Suites

         eSoft                   Bit Bucket Software
         Boardwatch Magazine

      More as it comes to being.  Subscribe to the FIDOCON_91 Echo.

      This will be THE BBSing Event of '91, BE THERE.

      ================= FidoCon '91 Registration Form ===============

      Name: _________________________________________________________

      Street Address: _______________________________________________

     FidoNews 8-18                Page 9                    6 May 1991


      City: _______________________ State/Province: _________________

      Postal Code: _______________________ Country: _________________

      Voice #: ___________ Data #: _____________ Net Address: _______

      Name: ___________________ Membership Type: ____ Amount: _______

      Name: ___________________ Membership Type: ____ Amount: _______

      No. of T-Shirts: __ Sizes(S/M/L/XL): _____  @  $15/ea = _______

      Complaints: _ Banquet Tickets: ___ @ $25/ea = _______

                                                       TOTAL $_______



      Visa/Mastercard Number ___________________ Expire Date: _______

      Signature: _______________________ Date: ________

      Please make checks payable (in U.S.A. Dollars) to FIDOCON '91
      and Mail To:

       FidoCon '91
       P.O. Box 486
       Louisville, CO 80027-0486

     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 10                   6 May 1991


                             THROUGH THE WIRE
              Commentary and News Concerning the Other World
                            by Michael A. Banks

     Copyright (c), 1990, 1991, Michael A. Banks

          Well, I was going to talk about the United States Government
     and telecomputing this time out, but I've decided to cut that in
     favor of expanding info and commentary on international
     telecomputing.  (There's not much happening in that area at the
     moment; you've read everything there is to know in the news
     magazines, or caught it on TV or radio news.)  I'll still cover
     online elitism, and give you the reading list--all as promised.
     And I'll give you something to think about regarding online
     security.
          First, let's take a look at what's happening with
     international telecomputing, on two levels.

     International Telecomputing, Level One: "The Walls Come Tumbling
     Down"
          If you're over 35 or so, you probably felt the same awe and
     sense of history as I did when you saw the Berlin Wall and all it
     symbolized come crashing down earlier this year.  After all, we
     grew up with that symbol of what was known as the Communist
     menace and--far, far worse--of the sad legacy handed Eastern
     Europe in the wake of World War II.  (My God--remember when those
     emergency broadcasting system tests used to be followed by "Had
     this been an attack ... "?)
          (In footnote to "the Communist menace," you may assume that
     I concur with Dr. Jerry Pournelle's statement on returning from
     Russia in April: "I have seen the fourth world, and it doesn't
     work.")
          Now, in less than a year, we've seen four decades of
     oppression slough away like the rotting husk of a fallen fruit,
     revealing the seeds of a new world.  Even Mother Russia is
     loosening her hold (though not too much) on satellite nations,
     and there are echoes of freedom in South and Central America.
          What does this have to do with being online?  Well, I've
     stated often enough that the online world tends to mirror the
     "real" world.  This is no less than true where the growing
     freedom of long-oppressed (politically or otherwise) nations are
     concerned.  Now that the political walls blocking free trade and
     communication in many parts of the world are coming down, so are
     the barriers to telecomputing.
          For example, U.S. Sprint has commenced setting up a quality
     data communications service for the U.S.S.R.  The Moscow-based
     service, which should be up and running by the end of the year,
     will see the installation of state-of-the-art data communications
     switching equipment, making it easier for Soviet citizens to
     telecommunicate with the rest of the world.  The service will be
     a joint venture with Russia, called "Telenet USSR" (although the
     name could change, since Telenet has been renamed "SprintNet"
     here in the U.S., in the wake of its acquisition by U.S. Sprint).
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 11                   6 May 1991


          But in this instance, the online world has been and is
     anticipating as well as mirroring real-world events.  Telenet
     USSR is not the first Soviet data link with the Western world.
     The famed Washington/Moscow "Hot Line" has been a data link for
     quite a few years.  Nor is it the first commercial link: an
     existing data communications center in Moscow routes commercial
     telecomputing traffic via SprintNet/Telenet through Vienna,
     Austria (a similar link can be made via Helsinki, Finland, though
     that route cannot handle heavy traffic).  Other links with Russia
     are made circuitously via Tymnet and, it has been rumored, over
     Internet.  Still another link, the cleverly titled San
     Francisco/Moscow Teleport (SFMT), leases time on a comsat to link
     Moscow to packet-switching networks in the U.S. via San
     Francisco.  (And now, users on the majority of American online
     services can, for a fee of perhaps five bucks for 150 words, send
     E-mail to Russia via SFMT, courtesy of DASnet, an inter-service
     E-mail carrier.  DASnet ties in to almost all major online
     services.  For more info phone 415-559-7434 voice and speak with
     Anna Lange.)
          Those links will be much in the public eye over the next 12
     to 18 months, but they are only half the story where the
     "opening" of Communist and Third-World nations are concerned.  A
     public, international BBS opened in Estonia (one of the Soviet
     Baltic states) in mid-1989, and DELPHI and CompuServe have forged
     data links with South and Central American countries.  (Text from
     sessions on some of DELPHI's links--actually, local versions of
     the DELPHI online service--are shown on these pages.  If you read
     Spanish, enjoy!)
          In these developments, the online world anticipated
     developments in the real world, as stated a few paragraphs back.
     And, there are some developments online that are unique to the
     online world.  For example, on ConnectEd (an online university
     operated in conjunction with New York's New School for Social
     Research), you'll find a service that provides essays from Soviet
     writers and commentators on all manner of topics.  (Freely
     written, I might add, and with a surprising undercurrent of
     Russian patriotism.)  (For information about ConnectEd, telephone
     212-548-0435 voice and ask for Paul Levinson.)

     International Telecomputing, Level Two: Commercial Expansion
          On a less sensationalistic plane, the three largest
     commercial online services in the U.S. are expanding into Europe
     and Japan in a big way--shrinking the global tent city (a term I
     prefer to "global village," because we all go home after those
     international interactions ... ) still more.  Here's a summary:
          CompuServe in Europe.  CompuServe is offering limited (and
     expensive) service in Europe via the CompuServe Forum.  (The
     service is lower in cost than previous means of accessing
     CompuServe via Europe, however.)  A special TOP menu has been
     created for European subscribers, and there are plans for various
     CompuServe computer forums to add sections for European users.
     Additional plans call for "CompuServe software" (whether this is
     front-end software or the service itself is not known) to be
     offered in several European languages.
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 12                   6 May 1991


          CompuServe already has access from Japan via a joint venture
     that offers CompuServe access or a mirror of same, called "Nifty-
     SERVE."
          DELPHI Introduced in Japan.  General Videotex Corporation
     (GVC), parent company of DELPHI, has created a partnership with
     Japan's ASCII Corporation to distribute DELPHI services in Japan.
     ASCII Corp., which operates one of the three largest online
     services in Japan and publishes books and magazines on computing,
     among other topics, is creating a "regional" version of DELPHI
     called ASCII NET in Japan.  According to GVC, the ASCII NET Japan
     will "supplement DELPHI's current regional partners in Buenos
     Aires, Argentina; Miami, Florida; Kansas City, Missouri; and
     Boston, Massachusetts."
          GVC and ASCII Corp. expect to sign up more than 5,000
     members during the first year of distribution.  Presumably, there
     will be an extra-charge gateway service between ASCII NET and
     DELPHI, as is the case with DELPHI in the U.S. and
     DELPHI/Argentina.   There is talk of sub-licenses to Singapore
     and/or Taiwan.
          GEnie in Europe.  GEnie is now officially online in Europe.
     The service can be dialed up directly in Austria, Germany, and
     Switzerland via networks operated by distributors of General
     Electric Information Services (GEIS), GEnie's parent company.
     Unlike CompuServe's European service, GEnie is making almost all
     the features that are available to North American subscribers
     available to European callers.  This augments international
     access from Japan, and will presumably be expanded to include
     other European countries (including the U.K.) in the near future.
          BIX Clones.  In footnote, it's worth mentioning that clones
     of BIX exist in Japan and the U.K.  These are totally without
     connection (data links or business connection) with BIX (which is
     an online service sponsored by Byte Magazine).  In Japan, the
     service is called "Nikki-MIX" and runs the same basic UNIX
     software as BIX, but with Kanji (written graphic character)
     capability.  In the U.K., the clone is called CIX; I don't know
     whether it uses the same operating system, but the structure is
     close enough.
          (You'll find screens from some Japanese services on
     accompanying pages.)

     Online Elite?
          Back on the topic of new-found telecom riches, it is worth
     noting that not everyone in Russia or in Central or South America
     has access to international telecom services--just as not
     everyone in newly "free" nations has access to the tools of
     capitalism (money and contacts.)  For example, any Soviet citizen
     can walk into the Moscow data communications center and dial up
     Europe or America--in theory.  In practice, however, access is
     limited to those who have a need to telecompute (certain
     scientists would constitute one such group), and perhaps to the
     more privileged or those with the proper contacts.  And in
     countries with little "hard currency," there is a definite upper
     limit to how much international telecomputing activity can go on
     in any event.  It's all on a "need to telecompute" basis.
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 13                   6 May 1991


          But, before you jump to conclusions about totalitarian
     telecomputing and elitism in Communist-controlled or third-world
     nations, consider the fact that telecomputing is new in Russia,
     and computer literacy is not widespread.  The same is true in
     Central and South American nations.  And in most of the countries
     to which I've alluded here, the economic situation is such that
     only a minority of those who are computer literate have the
     wherewithal to obtain the prerequisite hardware and software.
          Then consider the fact that telecomputing in the U.S. (and
     in Japan and the U.K.) is not something to which everyone has
     access; though the cost of telecomputing in both money and
     knowledge has dropped, the online world is still populated
     largely by elitists--either the techno-elite or a subset of the
     financially elite.  Those who are online otherwise remain a
     minority.
          That's going to change, however, as telecomputing becomes
     more and more a "legitimate" product/service.  And telecomputing
     will indeed become legitimate.  The majority will adopt it over
     the next decade, in the same manner as we adopted cable TV, VCRs,
     FAX machines, and telephones.  Why?  Because, like those other
     technologies, telecomputing is information exchange ... and with
     information exchange comes freedom--not to mention the desire to
     have access to everything.  (For more on the online elite, see
     the accompanying sidebar.)
          All in all, it looks as if telecomputing outside the Western
     world is merely a decade or so behind us--and catching up fast.

     Things to Come
          All this talk about what's happening with international
     telecomputing has me thinking about what the future holds.  So
     I've put together some of my thoughts on what's likely to be
     happening in the global online world (mainly involving its
     interfaces with the real world) over the next few years.
          Note that these are not straight predictions (that's a con
     game), but extrapolations to which we can assign fairly high
     probabilities.  Too, I've deleted a couple of them since I began
     writing this last month--because they came true, two or three
     years before the time I'd assigned to them.

                                1990 - 1991
          Soviet special-interest groups spring up on various online
     services.
          A few American BBS freaks dial into Eesti BBS #1 in Tallin,
     Estonia and copy off message bases and files, which are then
     uploaded to various online services and BBSs in the U.S.  Similar
     material snakes its way westward via Internet.
          Eesti BBS #1 is joined by other non-commercial Baltic and
     Eastern European BBSs.

                                1992 - 1993
          CompuServe is the first computer network to offer TASS, the
     official Soviet news service, online; the surcharged service is
     provided to CompuServe on a one-year exclusive basis for an
     undisclosed sum.
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 14                   6 May 1991


          As topics covered by Russia's American-distributed Soviet
     Life magazine continue to mirror those in various American
     cultural and news magazines, the magazine runs a special feature
     on Soviet hackers, focusing on underground BBSs in Baltic nations
     and in Leningrad and Moscow.  The tone is one of mild rebuke.
          More and more Russian citizens sign on to American online
     services under the auspices of various institutions like the
     Soviet Academy of Sciences.
          A few Eastern Europeans and residents of former Soviet
     states begin showing up on American online services, some as
     individual citizens but more under the auspices of governmental
     agencies.
          Russian and Eastern European hackers begin working the new
     packet network and other links to the West, and show up on
     Internet as well as various commercial online services and
     private BBSs.  They are particularly ingenious in their
     techniques, which require that they use relatively ancient and
     unprotected telephone technology to gateway into more
     sophisticated systems in the Western world.  They quickly
     discover that they are easily tracked and nailed, and their
     successors devise still more ingenious techniques to cover their
     trails.

                                1993 - 1995
          A cosortium consisting of General Electric, the now British-
     owned BT Tymnet, and unnamed investors vies with the combined
     forces of IBM and AT&T to win the right to provide commercial
     data communications links with Leningrad and Moscow via X.400
     communications links through Austria and Germany.  (This will
     offer links mainly with western Europe, with limited availability
     to North America and Asia.)
          GEnie, via its GEIS international X.25 service, offers
     limited service to residents of Moscow and Leningrad, as well as
     to various former Soviet states.  The links are into Western
     Europe, with packet-switching networks like U.S. Sprint and GE/BT
     Tymnet as record carriers.
          With the increasing availability of hard currency in Russia,
     a relatively large number (scores) of individual Russian citizens
     open accounts on American and British commercial online services.
     These will be professionals, intent on establishing information
     businesses and/or enhancing their own professional activities
     with information from the West.  (Behind the scenes, an arm of
     the Russian internal security service--your guess--notices the
     information interchange and begins monitoring it, with no
     expressed or real intent.)

     Online Security
          Speaking of hackers (and I was, a few dozen lines back) I've
     another bomb (well, a grenade in this case) to drop, along the
     lines of the unknown threat Wall Street and the money-heads
     mentioned in my first column.  This time it has to with computer
     data security.
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 15                   6 May 1991


          You all know what hackers are, how they break into systems
     and steal data for fun and/or profit, etc.  This, thanks to the
     mainstream news media, which portrays them in a somewhat
     glamorous vein, like modern-day counterparts of corsairs in
     historical novels.  The threat to data posed by real hackers has
     been missed, in large part, because the media prefers to focus on
     hackers who get caught, and on soi-disant computer security
     experts who emphasize the sensationalistic and speak knowingly of
     viruses.
          (Compare John xxxxx getting literally hours of air time and
     gallons of ink in the national media with FLU_SHOT+ author Ross
     Greenberg getting maybe ninety seconds on CNN.  The disparity
     comes from Ross' providing a level-headed, step-by-step approach
     to virus protection.  No blood-and-guts there ... but I digress--
     as I shall whenever I can take a shot at media airheadedness.
     After all, is not the implied purpose of the news media to inform
     rather than entertain?  Or am I inferring too much and is the
     avowed purpose of the media to not only sway but dictate public
     opinions, topple governments, and the like?)
          That's not the only threat to data and privacy that's been
     missed.  An equally dangerous threat, that of accidental data
     sharing or disclosure, has been mentioned not once in any book or
     article on computer security.
          And what constitutes accidental data sharing?  Easy: Someone
     mistakenly includes your E-mail address in a distribution list,
     or sends E-mail intended for someone else to you because your
     online ID is similar to that of the intended addressee.  I've had
     it happen several times on one system in particular.  I've
     received corporate-confidential information that conceivably
     could have been sold to a certain mega-corporation's competitors
     (something, I hasten to add, I didn't do; my ethics run counter
     to accepted Yuppie and pirate practices.  If they didn't, I
     wouldn't be scrambling to make car payments.)  I've received even
     more sensitive information.  All because someone didn't pay
     attention to what he or she was typing.  (Where this happened is
     your guess; I'm now on 31 networks with 36 IDs.)
          The hell of it is, it's something that's easily fixed.  And,
     no, I won't warn the service of it.  Not at the moment, anyway.
     Why?  I mentioned ethics a few lines back; in addition to what I
     said there, I have ethics that say "No" to professional rape.  To
     keep it short, I won't give away my knowledge and expertise to a
     large corporation when said corporation is paying kilobucks to
     employees and "consultants" who are supposed to catch this stuff.
          But, be warned; a typo, a tired person sending E-mail, or
     someone who's inattentive or untrained--any of these can result
     in sensitive data being given to those who shouldn't have it.
          (Hm ... there's a story in this, perhaps.  Let's see ... Big
     Bucks Corp. is losing big bucks because of a data leak.  The data
     leak is an accident, but it means Someone's job, so Someone
     covers his ass by inventing a hacker.  Hm ... could be
     particularly interesting if it were a national security leak ...)

     FidoNews 8-18                Page 16                   6 May 1991


     The Reading List (at last!)
          Okay, here's the skinny: Whether you're new to this stuff or
     not, buy and read any of the books on this list that you haven't
     read (yes--even mine), with the exception of those branded as
     technical if you're not of a technical bent.  I've intentionally
     left out some books that you've probably already read.
          The bottom line: Each of these is worth ordering if you
     can't find it in your favorite bookstore.

          Communications and Networking for the IBM PC and
     Compatibles, by Larry Jordan and Bruce Churchill (good if you
     want to learn the tech-hardware end of things; Brady Books/Simon
     & Schuster)
          The Cuckoo's Egg, by Clifford Stoll (you know--the
     bestseller; Bantam Books)
          The Hacker, by Chet Day (interesting horror novel involving
     hackers--ignore the reviews and judge for yourself; Pocket Books)
          The Matrix, by John S. Quarterman (non-fiction, explains
     computer networks around the world; Digital Press)
          The Modem Reference, 2nd edition by Michael A. Banks (Brady
     Books/Simon & Schuster; has everything you need to know about
     buying and using a modem, getting online, what's online, etc.)
          Synners, by Pat Cadigan (a novel, from Bantam/Spectra)
          True Names, by Vernor Vinge (a collection of short stories
     that also contains the novelette, "True Names," which is required
     reading; currently in print in a Baen Books edition)
          Understanding Data Communications (good reference for tech-
     heads; pick it up at your local Radio Shack store)
          That's a start.  I'll add books to this list under an In
     Print header next edition and each time thereafter.
                                     #
          That's it for now.  Next edition: the much-overrated compu-
     sex phenomenon, copyright theft (a bit of a scandal revealed),
     more international stuff, and whatever looks interesting.  In the
     meantime, have fun!
                                     #

                                  SIDEBAR

     The Online Elite Revisited
          Some leftover comments on online elitism ... .
          I spoke earlier in this issue (and in the previous issue)
     about an "online elite."  We networkers in the Western world are
     an elite (which I'll attempt to prove by example in a couple
     paragraphs).  But we'll become less so over the next three years
     as the cost of going online--in cash and knowledge--continue to
     drop and modem communication becomes as "legitimate" in the
     marketplace as VCRs and pizzas.
          In the meantime, a lot of people are smearing us with the
     same brush as the ubiquitous "rich man" and "Illuminati."  The
     "lot of people" are those who hear about what goes online but
     aren't online.  I've seen this happen time and again.  Basically,
     those who aren't online are afraid they're missing something
     (they are), and that they're being barred from information and
     contacts (they aren't).
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 17                   6 May 1991


          I first grappled with this issue a couple of years ago, when
     I was asked by some people in a national writers' organization of
     which I'm a member (okay, it was the Science Fiction Writers of
     America, aka SFWA) to try to quell a flap over someone not online
     misunderstanding what "goes on" online.  The best I could do (and
     it was and is legitimate) was to explain that the public,
     private, and semi-private exchange of information about which the
     offline person was paranoid was in its net effect nothing more
     than what went on via "street mail" letters, voice telephone
     conversations, and in-person chats.
          It wasn't accepted then, and it's not being accepted now.
     In my capacity as Online Committee chairperson for SFWA, I set up
     a panel at a recent SFWA event, at which one or two offline
     people in the audience made accusations of conspiracies and
     power-plays and information control on the part of those online.
     If such exist (attempts at these things exist, anyway), it is no
     more than goes on in the physical world, albeit faster at times.
          But we'll never convince those offline of that.  So the
     offline "lots of people" brand those online as an elite group,
     simply because they have access to communications channels
     knowledge (and gossip) faster.
          Interestingly enough, it has been my experience that those
     offliners who cry "Elitists!" are those who are most able but
     least likely gain access to online services.  Which is to say,
     they're the kind of people who either misunderstand things,
     and/or like to have problems.  (I'm not certain this is true in
     the latter instance, but in general it is.)
          On the other side of the coin, I should re-emphasize that
     the people you and I meet online who are not in the U.S., where
     telecom costs are low, are an elite group, indeed.  For it costs
     much in money and knowledge to get online if you're living in
     Tokyo or Buenos Aires.  It's not unlike (to haul out the realtime
     metaphor again) foreigners visiting or moving to the U.S.--you
     will rarely, if ever, meet someone from another country who was
     without money or power or special knowledge or training, or some
     special ability that enabled him or her to get here.  Thus, we
     don't really meet the "common man" via a virtual visit to other
     countries--not yet, anyway.
          But, what the heck--being part of an elite group isn't all
     bad.  (<SMIRK>, as we say online.)
                                     #
          Michael A. Banks is the author of 21 published non-fiction
     books and science fiction novels (including the definitive work
     on personal computer communications, The Modem Reference,
     published by Brady Books/Simon & Schuster).  He's also published
     more than 1,000 magazine articles and short stories, lively
     technical documents, and "... a few catchy slogans."
          He can be found online "almost anywhere," but if you want to
     reach him fast, try E-mail to KZIN on DELPHI, to MIKE.BANKS on
     GEnie, to BANKS2 on AOL, or to mike_banks on BIX.
                                     #
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 18                   6 May 1991


                         BOOKS BY MICHAEL A. BANKS
          "If a technical thing is troubling you, just wait a bit.
          Michael Banks is probably writing a book that will make it
          clear." --The Associated Press

          Do you use DeskMate 3?  Are you getting the most out of the
     program?  To find out, get a copy of GETTING THE MOST OUT OF
     DESKMATE 3, by Michael A. Banks, published by
     Brady Books/Simon & Schuster, and available in your local
     Tandy/Radio Shack or Waldenbooks store now.  Or, phone 800-624-
     0023 to order direct.  (The all-new 2nd edition is now
     available!)
          "GETTING THE MOST OUT OF DESKMATE 3 is more than a guide to
          DeskMate; it's an enhancement..."--Waldenbooks Computer
          NewsLink

          Interested in modem communications?  Check out THE MODEM
     REFERENCE, also by Michael A. Banks and published by Brady
     Books/Simon & Schuster.  Recommended by Jerry Pournelle in Byte,
     The New York times, The Smithsonian Magazine, various computer
     magazines, etc.  (Excerpts from this book accompany this file.)
     THE MODEM REFERENCE is available at your local B. Dalton's,
     Waldenbooks, or other bookstore, either in stock or by order.
     Or, phone 800-624-0023 to order direct.  (1st edition currently
     available; all-new 2nd edition available in January, 1991!)
         "I definitely recommend it." --Jerry Pournelle, BYTE Magazine
          Want the lowdown on getting more out of your word processor?
     Read the only book on word processing written by writers, for
     writers: WORD PROCESSING SECRETS FOR WRITERS, by Michael A. Banks
     & Ansen Dibel (Writer's Digest Books).  WORD PROCESSING SECRETS
     FOR WRITERS is available at your local B. Dalton's, Waldenbooks,
     or other bookstore, either in stock or by order.  Or, phone 800-
     543-4644 (800-551-0884 in Ohio) to order direct.

                      Other books by Michael A. Banks
     UNDERSTANDING FAX & E-MAIL (Howard W. Sams & Co.)
     THE ODYSSEUS SOLUTION (w/Dean Lambe; SF novel; Baen Books)
     JOE MAUSER: MERCENARY FROM TOMORROW (w/Mack Reynolds; SF novel;
                                                           Baen Books)
     SWEET DREAMS, SWEET PRICES (w/Mack Reynolds; SF novel;
                                                           Baen Books)
     COUNTDOWN: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO MODEL ROCKETRY (TAB Books)
     THE ROCKET BOOK (w/Robert Cannon; Prentice Hall Press)
     SECOND STAGE: ADVANCED MODEL ROCKETRY (Kalmbach Books)
          For more information, contact:
                             Michael A. Banks
                               P.O. Box 312
                            Milford, OH  45150

     Submitted in entirety with permission from the author, by
     Dennis McClain-Furmanski, 1:275/42, UMOD, Apple, Writing

     FidoNews 8-18                Page 19                   6 May 1991


     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 20                   6 May 1991


     Dennis McClain-Furmanski, 1:275/42
     UMOD, Apple Writing

          Prodigy Accused of Electronic Breach of Privacy

     This compilation of postings has been popping up in a few echos.
     If you haven't seen it, read on. Whenever someone as big as
     Prodigy gets fingered for something like this, the gummint can't
     be far behind. It could mean more meddling for all of us to have
     to deal with. And if you use Prodigy, I'd read REAL hard.

          D McC-F

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

     The following message was contained in another echo that sees
     limited distribution.  This is of concern to a great many of
     you.

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

      * Message originally:
          From: Steve Winter
          To  : All
          Date: 05-01-91
          Area: "PrNet : Net wide Chat Line"
      * Forwarded by Tomas Hood using RemoteAccess 1.01

      * Message originally:
          From: Steve Shapiro
          To  : All
          Date: 04-30-91
          Area: "SHAREWRE FIDO Shareware"
      * Forwarded by Steve Winter using RemoteAccess 1.01+

     While this is not exactly on-topic, I felt that it would be very
     important to many of you because I know that you are members of
     Prodigy. I know that there are also some of you thinking of
     becoming members.

     To reduce the traffic on this off-topic message, please do not
     respond to it at all here in the echo. Netmail only please. This
     is FYI so let's not let it take up any more space in this echo.
     Thanks.

     Regards, Steve.

     RE:     PRODIGY MAY BE STEALING PERSONAL INFO FROM YOUR COMPUTER!

     Gentlemen,

     FidoNews 8-18                Page 21                   6 May 1991


     The following file was sent to me today, April 29th.  I've read
     it twice and then had to try it out myself just to see if it was
     true.

     Whether it is a bug in the software, or a covert effort by Sears,
     IBM, and Prodigy to *STEAL* private and personal information
     from your computer, the fact remains that the STAGE.DAT file in
     the Prodigy Subdirectory digs up all sorts of information that
     would be absolutely meaningless to the operation of the
     software.

     ------------------CUT HERE - ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS------------

     Subject: Prodigy security warning

     While some of the enclosed article from comp.dcom.telecom is the
     usual bbs liver-chewing, the concerns about the STAGE.DAT file's
     grabbing of disk data is pretty serious.  If you have the
     Prodigy demo kit or, heaven forbid, the real thing, what do you
     find when you look in your STAGE.DAT file? -- Bob

      ### BEGIN BBS FILE ###

        218/250: Fraudigy
        Name: George J Marengo #199 @6974
        From: The Gangs of Vista (Southern California) 619-758-5920

     The L. A. County District Attorney is formally investigating
     PRODIGY for deceptive trade practices.  I have spoken with the
     investigator assigned (who called me just this morning, February
     22, 1991).

     We are free to announce the fact of the investigation.  Anyone
     can file a complaint.  From anywhere.

     The address is:

     District Attorney's Office
     Department of Consumer Protection
     Attn: RICH GOLDSTEIN, Investigator
     Hall of Records   Room 540
     320 West Temple Street
     Los Angeles, CA 90012

     Rich doesn't want phone calls, he wants simple written statements
     and copies (no originals) of any relevant documents attached. He
     will call the individuals as needed, he doesn't want his phone
     ringing off the hook, but you may call him if it is urgent at
     1-213-974-3981.

     PLEASE READ THIS SECTION EXTRA CAREFULLY.  YOU NEED NOT BE IN
     CALIFORNIA TO FILE!!

     FidoNews 8-18                Page 22                   6 May 1991


     If any of us "locals" want to discuss this, call me at the Office
     Numbers: (818) 989-2434; (213) 874-4044.  Remember, the next time
     you pay your property taxes, this is what you are supposed to be
     getting ... service.  Flat rate?  [laugh] BTW, THE COUNTY IS
     REPRESENTING THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.  This ISN'T limited to
     L.A. County and complaints are welcome from ANYWHERE in the
     Country or the world. The idea is investigation of specific Code
     Sections and if a Nationwide Pattern is shown, all the better.

     LARRY ROSENBERG, ATTY

       Prodigy: More of a Prodigy Than We Think?
       By: Linda Houser Rohbough

     The stigma that haunts child prodigies is that they are difficult
     to get along with, mischievous and occasionally, just flat
     dangerous, using innocence to trick us. I wonder if that label
     fits Prodigy, Sears and IBM's telecommunications network?

     Those of you who read my December article know that I was tipped
     off at COMDEX to look at a Prodigy file, created when Prodigy is
     loaded STAGE.DAT. I was told I would find in that file personal
     information form my hard disk unrelated to Prodigy.  As you
     know, I did find copies of the source code to our product
     FastTrack, in STAGE.DAT. The fact that they were there at all
     gave me the same feeling of violation as the last time my home
     was broken into by burglars.

     I invited you to look at your own STAGE.DAT file, if you're a
     Prodigy user, and see if you found anything suspect. Since then I
     have had numerous calls with reports of similar finds,
     everything from private patient medical information to
     classified government information.

     The danger is Prodigy is uploading STAGE.DAT and taking a look at
     your private business. Why? My guess is marketing research, which
     is expensive through legitimate channels, and unwelcomed by you
     and I. The question now is: Is it on purpose, or a mistake?  One
     caller theorizes that it is a bug. He looked at STAGE.DAT with a
     piece of software he wrote to look at the physical location of
     data on the hard disk, and found that his STAGE.DAT file
     allocated 950,272 bytes of disk space for storage.

     Prodigy stored information about the sections viewed frequently
     and the data needed to draw those screens in STAGE.DAT.  Service
     would be faster with information stored on the PC rather then
     the same information being downloaded from Prodigy each time.

     That's a viable theory because ASCII evidence of those screens
     shots can be found in STAGE.DAT, along with AUTOEXEC.BAT and
     path information. I am led to belive that the path and system
     configuration (in RAM) are diddled with and then restored to
     previous settings upon exit. So the theory goes, in allocating
     that disk space, Prodigy accidently includes data left after an
     erasure (As you know, DOS does not wipe clean the space that
     deleted files took on the hard disk, but merely marked the space
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 23                   6 May 1991


     as vacant in the File Allocation Table.)

     There are a couple of problems with this theory. One is that it
     assumes that the space was all allocated at once, meaning all
     950,272 bytes were absorbed at one time.  That simply isn't
     true.  My STAGE.DAT was 250,000+ bytes after the first time I
     used Prodigy. The second assumption is that Prodigy didn't want
     the personal information; it was getting it accidently in
     uploading and downloading to and from STAGE.DAT. The E-mail
     controversy with Prodigy throws doubt upon that. The E-mail
     controversy started because people were finding mail they sent
     with comments about Prodigy or the E-mail, especially negative
     ones, didn't ever arrive. Now Prodigy is saying they don't
     actually read the mail, they just have the computer scan it for
     key terms, and delete those messages because they are
     responsible for what happens on Prodigy.

     I received a call from someone from another user group who read
     our newsletter and is very involved in telecommunications. He
     installed and ran Prodigy on a freshly formatted 3.5 inch 1.44
     meg disk. Sure enough, upon checking STAGE.DAT he discovered
     personal data from his hard disk that could not have been left
     there after an erasure. He had a very difficult time trying to
     get someone at Prodigy to talk to about this.

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

     Excerpt of email on the above subject:

     THERE'S A FILE ON THIS BOARD CALLED 'FRAUDIGY.ZIP' THAT I SUGGEST
     ALL WHO USE THE PRODIGY SERVICE TAKE ***VERY*** SERIOUSLY. THE
     FILE DESCRIBES HOW THE PRODIGY SERVICE SEEMS TO SCAN YOUR HARD
     DRIVE FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION, DUMPS IT INTO A FILE IN THE
     PRODIGY SUB-DIRECTORY CALLED 'STAGE.DAT' AND WHILE YOU'RE
     WAITING AND WAITING FOR THAT NEXT MENU COME UP, THEY'RE
     UPLOADING YOUR STUFF AND LOOKING AT IT.

     TODAY I WAS IN BABBAGES'S, ECHELON TALKING TO TIM WHEN A
     GENTLEMAN WALKED IN, HEARD OUR DISCUSSION, AND PIPED IN THAT HE
     WAS A COLUMNIST ON PRODIGY. HE SAID THAT THE INFO FOUND IN
     'FRAUDIGY.ZIP' WAS INDEED TRUE AND THAT IF YOU READ YOUR ON-LINE
     AGREEMENT CLOSELY, IT SAYS THAT YOU SIGN ALL RIGHTS TO YOUR
     COMPUTER AND ITS CONTENTS TO PRODIGY, IBM & SEARS WHEN YOU AGREE
     TO THE SERVICE.

     I TRIED THE TESTS SUGGESTED IN 'FRAUDIGY.ZIP' WITH A VIRGIN
     'PRODIGY' KIT.  I DID TWO INSTALLATIONS, ONE TO MY OFT USED HARD
     DRIVE PARTITION, AND ONE ONTO A 1.2MB FLOPPY.  ON THE FLOPPY
     VERSION, UPON INSTALLATION (WITHOUT LOGGING ON), I FOUND THAT
     THE FILE 'STAGE.DAT' CONTAINED A LISTING OF EVERY .BAT AND SETUP
     FILE CONTAINED IN MY 'C:' DRIVE BOOT DIRECTORY.  USING THE HARD
     DRIVE DIRECTORY OF PRODIGY THAT WAS SET UP, I PROCEDED TO LOG
     ON.  I LOGGED ON, CONSENTED TO THE AGREEMENT, AND LOGGED OFF.
     REMEMBER, THIS WAS A VIRGIN SETUP KIT.

     FidoNews 8-18                Page 24                   6 May 1991


     AFTER LOGGING OFF I LOOKED AT 'STAGE.DAT' AND 'CACHE.DAT' FOUND
     IN THE PRODIGY SUBDIRECTORY.  IN THOSE FILES, I FOUND POINTERS
     TO PERSONAL NOTES THAT WERE BURIED THREE SUB-DIRECTORIES DOWN ON
     MY DRIVE, AND AT THE END OF 'STAGE.DAT' WAS AN EXACT IMAGE COPY
     OF MY PC-DESKTOP APPOINTMENTS CALENDER.

     CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF.

      ### END OF BBS FILE ###

     I had my lawyer check his STAGE.DAT file and he found none other
     than CONFIDENTIAL CLIENT INFO in it.

     Needless to say he is no longer a Prodigy user.

     [Moderator's Note: Thanks very much for sending along this
     fascinating report for the readers of TELECOM Digest. I've
     always said, and still believe that the proprietors of any
     online computer service have the right to run it any way they
     want -- even into the ground! --and that users are free to stay
     or leave as they see fit. But it is really disturbing to think
     that Prodigy has the nerve to ripoff private stuff belonging to
     users, at least without telling them. But as I think about it,
     *who* would sign up with that service if they had bothered to
     read the service contract carefully and had the points in this
     article explained in detail?    PAT]

     -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
     end of forwarded msg...
     Tomas Hood, The Mountain, 206-666-9113

     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 25                   6 May 1991


     Steve Winter
     FidoNet 1:151/208 209

                             HOLY_BIBLE

     I would like to announce that I have started a new conference
     called HOLY_BIBLE.  The TOPIC is Wholly Bible.

     There will not be a lot of rules other than basic rules,
     common decency (ie. no profanity, lewdness, etc), and rules
     to prevent censorship.

     Unlike the existing FIDO Bible conferences, we will not be
     practicing the censorship of doctrines or ideas.

     This will be a Christian Conference in the Biblical sense,
     but everyone is welcome regardless of religious orientation
     or lack thereof.

     This conference is "in progress" and is gated to the PRIME
     Network.

     If anyone is interested yet is unable to afford the phone
     costs, I am willing to work with people on a case by case
     basis as far as delivering the mail until we can get it on
     the backbone.

     Send netmail to 1:151/208 209 for more info.

     Please help spread the word about this new conference.

                             Steve Winter


     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 26                   6 May 1991


     Attending Convention:

       Marshall Barry &               Daniel L. Bonner &
       Michelle Weisblat              Linda L. Bonner
       Jim Burt &                     Brenda Donovan &
       Karen Burt                     Ed Moore
       James H. Dunmyer &             Michael Kanavy &
       Janice L. Dunmyer              Elizabeth Kanavy
       Scott Munhollon &              Thomas Pat Nefos &
       Tammy Munhollon                Judy Nefos
       George Peace &                 Mike Ratledge &
       Christine Keefer               Donna Ratledge
       Jack Rickard &                 Terry N. Rune' &
       Nancy Rickard                  Wayne A. Rune'
       Jeff Rush &                    Steven G. See &
       Mary Rush                      Pam See
       Eric L. Smith &                Peter Stewart &
       Diane B. Smith                 Michele Hamilton
       William M. Van Glahn &         Bob Whiston &
       Janet Van Glahn                Cheryl Whiston
       Peter N. White &               Rodney A. Aloia
       Cheryl Gordon                  Chris Anderson
       Russell Anderson               Bill Bacon
       Alan Applegate                 Charlie Bass
       Brian P. Bartee                Bruce Bodger
       Phil Becker                    George R. Cornell
       Jeff P. Brothers               Don Daniels
       Ben Cunningham                 Emmitt W. A. Dove
       Joe Dehn                       Brian Godette
       Mike Eckles                    Fabian R. Gordon
       Tony Goggin                    Bob Hartman
       Ray Gwinn                      Stanley A. Hirschman
       Norman B. Henke                Mark Howard
       Joaquim Homrighausen           Tom Jennings
       Steve Jackson                  Bruce H. Kirschner
       John Johnson                   Thomas Lange
       Mark K. Kreutzian              Andrew Milner
       Don Marquart                   Mark Peterson
       Vincent E. Perriello           Michael Pratt
       Tim Pozar                      Steve Raymond
       Chris Rand                     Steven L. Rusboldt
       John P. Roberts Jr.            Daniel D. Segard
       Sam Saulys                     James F. Smith
       Steven Sherwick                Zhahai Stewart
       John R. Souvestre              Roy Timberman
       Jeff Tensly                    Girard Westerberg
       Terry L Travis                 Ken Zen
       Jack Winslade

          259 Memberships available

     FidoNews 8-18                Page 27                   6 May 1991


     Attending Banquet:

       Marshall Barry &               Daniel L. Bonner &
       Michelle Weisblat              Linda L. Bonner
       Jim Burt &                     Brenda Donovan &
       Karen Burt                     Ed Moore
       James H. Dunmyer &             Michael Kanavy &
       Janice L. Dunmyer              Elizabeth Kanavy
       George Peace &                 Mike Ratledge &
       Christine Keefer               Donna Ratledge
       Jack Rickard &                 Jeff Rush &
       Nancy Rickard                  Mary Rush
       Steven G. See &                Eric L. Smith &
       Pam See                        Diane B. Smith
       William M. Van Glahn &         Peter N. White &
       Janet Van Glahn                Cheryl Gordon
       Rodney A. Aloia                Russell Anderson
       Chris Anderson                 Brian P. Bartee
       Charlie Bass                   Phil Becker
       Bruce Bodger                   Jeff P. Brothers
       Ben Cunningham                 Don Daniels
       Brian Godette                  Fabian R. Gordon
       Ray Gwinn                      Bob Hartman
       Norman B. Henke                Joaquim Homrighausen
       Mark Howard                    Tom Jennings
       John Johnson                   Mark K. Kreutzian
       Don Marquart                   Andrew Milner
       Vincent E. Perriello           Mark Peterson
       Tim Pozar                      John P. Roberts Jr.
       Daniel D. Segard               Steven Sherwick
       James F. Smith                 John R. Souvestre
       Roy Timberman                  Terry L Travis
       Girard Westerberg

           59 Banquet Tickets available

     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 28                   6 May 1991


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

     Steve Winter
     FidoNet 1:151/208 209


                          The Gospel

     The gospel is the death, burial, and ressurection of the
     Lord Jesus Christ. This gospel (good news) is to be preached
     in all nations (beginning at Jerusalem).
     The gospel was first preached at Jerusalem on the the day
     of Pentecost (Acts 2:38)

     We are commanded to OBEY the gospel.(2 Th 1:8) (1Pe 4:17)
     Now..how does one OBEY the death, burial, and ressurection?

     Of course if someone did not believe, they would have no
     desire to obey.  Jesus told Nicodemus a couple of very
     important things in John 3:16 and John 3:5, he said that
     those who believeth SHOULD not perish. He had just told
     Nicodemus that he HAD to be born AGAIN two ways. One water,
     one of Spirit.

     What does water and Spirit have to do with the gospel?

     Well, the first gospel sermon preached to sinners was
     Acts 2:38."....Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the
     NAME of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall
     receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

     Here we are: water (baptism) and Spirit (the gift of the Holy
     Ghost). IN repentance a person dies to sin; the 'old' man
     dies. The Bible says that we are "buried with Christ in
     baptism" (Romans 6:4) or baptised into his death.
     The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Christ living in the
     Christian, the hope of glory, the hope of ressurection.

     So there you have death, burial, and ressurection..the gospel.
     And the way that the apostles taught to obey it.
     Have you obeyed the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ?
     Gal 1:8, Acts 2:39, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 11:5, Acts 19:1-6.

              Steve Winter, (moderator HOLY_BIBLE)


     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 29                   6 May 1991


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

                         Latest Software Versions

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

                           Bulletin Board Software
     Name        Version    Name        Version    Name       Version

     DMG            2.93    Phoenix         1.3    TAG           2.5g
     Fido            12s+   QuickBBS       2.66    TBBS           2.1
     GSBBS          3.02    RBBS          17.3B    TComm/TCommNet 3.4
     Lynx           1.30    RBBSmail      17.3B    Telegard       2.5
     Kitten         2.16    RemoteAccess   1.00*   TPBoard        6.1
     Maximus        1.02    SLBBS          1.77A   Wildcat!      2.55
     Opus           1.14+   Socrates       1.10    WWIV          4.12
     PCBoard        14.5    SuperBBS       1.10    XBBS          1.17

     Network                Node List              Other
     Mailers     Version    Utilities   Version    Utilities  Version

     BinkleyTerm    2.40    EditNL         4.00    ARC            7.0
     D'Bridge       1.30    MakeNL         2.31    ARCAsim       2.30
     Dutchie       2.90C    ParseList      1.30    ARCmail       2.07
     FrontDoor     1.99c    Prune          1.40    ConfMail      4.00
     PRENM          1.47    SysNL          3.14    Crossnet      v1.5
     SEAdog         4.60*   XlatList       2.90    DOMAIN        1.42
     TIMS      1.0(Mod8)    XlaxDiff       2.35    EMM           2.02
                            XlaxNode       2.35    4Dog/4DMatrix 1.18
                                                   Gmail         2.05
                                                   GROUP         2.16
                                                   GUS           1.30
                                                   HeadEdit      1.18
                                                   IMAIL         1.10
                                                   InterPCB      1.31
                                                   LHARC         2.10
                                                   MSG            4.1
                                                   MSGED         2.06
                                                   MSGTOSS        1.3
                                                   Oliver        1.0a
                                                   PK[UN]ZIP     1.20
                                                   QM             1.0
                                                   QSORT         4.03
                                                   ScanToss      1.28
                                                   Sirius        1.0x
                                                   SLMAIL        1.36
                                                   StarLink      1.01
                                                   TagMail       2.41
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 30                   6 May 1991


                                                   TCOMMail       2.2
                                                   Telemail      1.27
                                                   TMail         1.15
                                                   TPBNetEd       3.2
                                                   TosScan       1.00
                                                   UFGATE        1.03
                                                   XRS           4.10*
                                                   XST           2.3e
                                                   ZmailH        1.14


                                OS/2 Systems
                                ------------

     Bulletin Board Software   Network Mailers     Other Utilities

     Name            Version   Name      Version   Name       Version

     Maximus-CBCS       1.02   BinkleyTerm  2.40   Parselst      1.32
                                                   ConfMail      4.00
                                                   EchoStat       6.0
                                                   oMMM          1.52
                                                   Omail          3.1
                                                   MsgEd         2.06
                                                   MsgLink       1.0C
                                                   MsgNum        4.14
                                                   LH2           0.50
                                                   PK[UN]ZIP     1.02
                                                   ARC2          6.00
                                                   PolyXARC      2.00
                                                   Qsort          2.1
                                                   Raid           1.0
                                                   Remapper       1.2
                                                   Tick           2.0
                                                   VPurge        2.07


                                 Xenix/Unix
                                 ----------

     BBS Software                  Mailers         Other Utilities
     Name             Version  Name      Version   Name       Version

                               BinkleyTerm 2.30b   Unzip         3.10
                                                   ARC           5.21
                                                   ParseLst     1.30b
                                                   ConfMail     3.31b
                                                   Ommm         1.40b
                                                   Msged        1.99b
                                                   Zoo           2.01
                                                   C-Lharc       1.00
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 31                   6 May 1991


                                                   Omail        1.00b


                                   Apple II
                                  ----------

     Bulletin Board Software   Network Mailers     Other Utilities

     Name            Version   Name      Version   Name       Version

     GBBS Pro            2.1   Fruity Dog    1.0   ShrinkIt      3.23*
     DDBBS +             5.0                       ShrinkIt GS   1.04
                                                   deARC2e       2.1
                                                   ProSel        8.66*



                                 Apple CP/M
                                 ----------

     Bulletin Board Software   Network Mailers     Other Utilities

     Name            Version   Name      Version   Name       Version

     Daisy               v2j   Daisy Mailer 0.38   Nodecomp      0.37
                                                   MsgUtil        2.5
                                                   PackUser        v4
                                                   Filer         v2-D
                                                   UNARC.COM     1.20


                                 Macintosh
                                 ---------

     Bulletin Board Software   Network Mailers     Other Utilities

     Name            Version   Name      Version   Name       Version

     Red Ryder Host      2.1   Tabby         2.2   MacArc         0.04
     Mansion            7.15   Copernicus    1.0   ArcMac          1.3
     WWIV (Mac)          3.0                       LHArc          0.41
     Hermes              1.5                       StuffIt Classic 1.6
     FBBS               0.91                       Compact Pro    1.30
     Precision Systems 0.95b*                      TImport        1.92
     TeleFinder Host 2.12T10                       TExport        1.92
                                                   Timestamp       1.6
                                                   Tset            1.3
                                                   Import          3.2
                                                   Export         3.21
     Point System Software                         Sundial         3.2
                                                   PreStamp        3.2
     Name            Version                       OriginatorII    2.0
     FidoNews 8-18                Page 32                   6 May 1991


                                                   AreaFix         1.6
     Copernicus          1.0                       Mantissa       3.21
     CounterPoint       1.09                       Zenith          1.5
                                                   Eventmeister    1.0
                                                   TSort           1.0
                                                   Mehitable       2.0
                                                   UNZIP         1.02c
                                                   Zip Extract    0.10

                                   Amiga
                                   -----

     Bulletin Board Software   Network Mailers     Other Utilities

     Name            Version   Name      Version   Name       Version

     Falcon CBBS        0.45   BinkleyTerm  1.00   AmigArc       0.23
     Paragon           2.082+  TrapDoor     1.50   AReceipt       1.5
     TransAmiga         1.07   WelMat       0.44   booz          1.01
                                                   ConfMail      1.12
                                                   ChameleonEdit 0.10
                                                   ElectricHerald1.66
                                                   Lharc         1.30
                                                   Login         0.18
                                                   MessageFilter 1.52
                                                   oMMM         1.49b
                                                   ParseLst      1.64
                                                   PkAX          1.00
                                                   PolyxAmy      2.02
                                                   RMB           1.30
                                                   Roof         44.03
                                                   RoboWriter    1.02
                                                   Rsh           4.06
                                                   Skyparse      2.30
                                                   Tick          0.75
                                                   TrapList      1.12
                                                   UNZIP         1.31
                                                   Yuck!         1.61
                                                   Zippy (Unzip) 1.25
                                                   Zoo           2.01

                                Atari ST/TT
                                -----------

     Bulletin Board         Network                Node List
     Software    Version    Mailer      Version    Utilities  Version

     FIDOdoor/ST   2.2.3*   BinkleyTerm   2.40l    ParseList     1.30
     QuickBBS/ST    1.02    The BOX        1.20    Xlist         1.12
     Pandora BBS   2.41c                           EchoFix       1.20
     GS Point       0.61                           sTICK/Hatch   5.50*
     LED ST         1.00
     MSGED         1.96S

     FidoNews 8-18                Page 33                   6 May 1991


     Archiver               Msg Format             Other
     Utilities   Version    Converters  Version    Utilities  Version

     LHARC          0.60    TB2BINK        1.00    ConfMail      4.03
     LHARC2         3.18*   BINK2TB        1.00    ComScan       1.02
     ARC            6.02    FiFo           2.1m*   Import        1.14
     PKUNZIP        1.10                           OMMM          1.40
                                                   Pack          1.00
                                                   FastPack      1.20
                                                   FDrenum      2.2.7*
                                                   Trenum        0.10


                                Archimedes
                                ----------

     BBS Software           Mailers                Utilities
     Name        Version    Name        Version    Name       Version

     ARCbbs         1.44    BinkleyTerm    2.03    Unzip        2.1TH
                                                   ARC           1.03
                                                   !Spark       2.00d

                                                   ParseLst      1.30
                                                   BatchPacker   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 8-18                Page 34                   6 May 1991


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

                          The Interrupt Stack


     12 May 1991
        Fourth anniversary of FidoNet operations in Latin America and
        second anniversary of the creation of Zone-4.

     15 Aug 1991
        5th annual Z1 Fido Convention - FidoCon '91 "A New Beginning"
        Sheraton Denver West August 15 through August 18 1991.

      8 Sep 1991
        25th anniversary of first airing of Star Trek on NBC!

      7 Oct 1991
        Area code  415  fragments.   Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
        will  begin  using  area  code  510.   This includes  Oakland,
        Concord, Berkeley  and  Hayward.    San  Francisco, San Mateo,
        Marin, parts of  Santa Clara County, and the San Francisco Bay
        Islands will retain area code 415.

      1 Nov 1991
        Area code 301 will split.  Area code 410 will consist of the
        northeastern part of Maryland, as well as the eastern shore.
        This will include Baltimore and the surrounding area. Area 301
        will include southern and western parts of the state,
        including the areas around Washington DC. Area 410 phones will
        answer to calls to area 301 until November, 1992.

      1 Feb 1992
        Area  code 213 fragments.    Western,  coastal,  southern  and
        eastern portions of Los Angeles  County  will begin using area
        code 310.  This includes Los  Angeles  International  Airport,
        West  Los  Angeles,  San  Pedro and Whittier.    Downtown  Los
        Angeles  and  surrounding  communities  (such as Hollywood and
        Montebello) will retain area code 213.

      1 Dec 1993
        Tenth anniversary of Fido Version 1 release.

      5 Jun 1997
        David Dodell's 40th Birthday


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

     FidoNews 8-18                Page 35                   6 May 1991


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

