F I D O  N E W S --         |        Vol. 8 No. 34 (26 August 1991)
  The newsletter of the     |
  FidoNet BBS community     |        Published by:
          _                 |
         /  \               |       "FidoNews" BBS
        /|oo \              |          (415)-863-2739
       (_|  /_)             |          FidoNet 1:1/1
        _`@/_ \    _        |          Internet: 
       |     | \   \\       |           fidonews@fidonews.fidonet.org
       | (*) |  \   ))      |
       |__U__| /  \//       |        Editors:
        _//|| _\   /        |          Tom Jennings
       (_/(_|(____/         |          Tim Pozar
             (jm)           |
----------------------------+---------------------------------------
Published weekly by and for the Members of the FidoNet international 
amateur network. Copyright 1991, Fido Software. All rights reserved. 
Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes 
only. For use in other circumstances, please contact FidoNews.

Paper price:   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.00US
Electronic Price:  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  free!

For more information about FidoNews refer to the end of this file.
--------------------------------------------------------------------


                          Table of Contents
1. EDITORIAL  .....................................................  1
   Editorial: Huh?!  ..............................................  1
2. FIDONET NEWS  ..................................................  2
   FidoNet <-> uucp Approved Gateways -- Dated 8-15-91  ...........  2
3. ARTICLES  ......................................................  5
   Region 16 Mourns  ..............................................  5
   The Fort Worth Revision  .......................................  5
   by Frederick Lo,  .............................................. 14
   A Correction Concerning the Suggested Change in Nodelist Fla  .. 15
4. RANTS AND FLAMES  .............................................. 17
5. CLASSIFIEDS  ................................................... 18
6. NOTICES  ....................................................... 19
   The PRIME Network  ............................................. 19
   The Interrupt Stack  ........................................... 19
7. LATEST VERSIONS  ............................................... 21
FidoNews 8-34                  Page 1                      26 Aug 1991


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


It is surprisingly quiet this week. Absolutely no reports came in on last
week's FidoCon '91! I have not had time to write anytthing at all. I will
say, it was a great time. Hardly any flames at all. I'll try to elaborate
on it for next week's issue. I assume everyone else was swamped and a bit
tired after three days of non-stop talking and drinking bad coffee.

It seemed to me the biggest influence, content-wise, was Mitch Kapor and
John Barlow of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, explaining the goings on
in the electronic communication world outside FidoNet. I think it was an
eye-opener for a lot of sysops, which is good. Response was quite positive.

Well, it's nearly midnight Sunday, and this has gotta ship out now, so
until next week...


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

FidoNews 8-34                  Page 2                      26 Aug 1991


======================================================================
                             FIDONET NEWS
======================================================================

################################################################

FidoNetNews -- a weekly section devoted to technical and factual
issues within the FidoNet -- FidoNet Technical Standards Committee
reports, *C reports, information on FidoNet standards documents
and the like.

################################################################


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

FidoNet <-> uucp Approved Gateways -- Dated 8-15-91
    (Authorized to use Guucp in Fidonet nodelist)

Corrections to:
                 Hostmaster (David Dodell)

                 Fidonet  = 1:114/15
                 Internet = hostmaster@fidonet.fidonet.org

SiteName    Node        Gateway for Net

afitamy     1:110/300   [ 110 ]
arma        1:139/670   [ none ]
blkcat      1:109/401   [ 109, 261, 265, 276 ]
bmug        1:161/445   [ none ]
branch      1:369/11    [ 135, 369, 3609 ]
buscard     1:324/121   [ 324 ]
busker      1:105/14    [ 17, 40, 105, 345 ]
business    1:363/42    [ 363 ]
casino      2:515/800   [  2:220,  2:221,  2:222,  2:227, 2:490 ]
camphq      1:143/42    [ none ]
catpe       5:7104/2    [ none ]
ccfcc       1:205/42    [ 205 ]
cmhgate     1:226/20    [ 226 ]
dawggon     1:105/6     [ none ]
eddysf      2:285/406   [ none ]
egsgate     1:250/98    [ 250 ]
ehsnet      1:233/13    [ 233 ]
eilc        1:3610/60   [ none ]
emdisle     1:300/14    [ 300 ]
fidogate    1:125/777   [ 125 ]
fidosw      1:125/111   [ none ]
fquest      1:19/23     [ none ]
gisatl      1:133/411   [ 133 ]
gnfido      2:254/70    [ 2:254, 2:25]
halluc      1:109/345   [ none ]
hlthnt      1:381/68    [ 305, 381]
hndymn      1:114/30    [ none ]
hnews       1:141/420   [ none ]
idic        1:104/424   [ 104 ]
FidoNews 8-34                  Page 3                      26 Aug 1991


ijcr        1:130/49    [ none ]
isengard    1:234/15    [ 234 ]
isishq      1:163/162   [ none ]
jadpc2      1:202/723   [ 202 ]
kcufgat     1:280/500   [ 280 ]
kennel      1:143/8     [ none ]
kisbbs      1:3624/11   [ 360, 3624 ]
klbbs       1:141/370   [ 141 ]
lansend     1:143/3     [ 143 ]
linn        2:320/101   [ 2:320 ]
lri         1:105/126   [ none ]
malymi      1:102/463   [ none ]
masnet      1:259/404   [ 259 ]
mcastl      1:107/528   [ none ]
mcws        1:102/851   [ 102, 103, 206, 207 ]
mdf         1:382/39    [ 382 ]
memco       1:139/610   [ 139 ]
neis        1:267/201   [ 267 ]
newport     1:107/820   [ 107, 278 ]
nss         1:129/104   [ none ]
nwark       1:391/1060  [ 391 ]
oamicus     1:367/9     [ 367 ]
ofa123      1:103/302   [ none ]
ohiont      1:157/512   [ 157 ]
orioneb     1:141/705   [ none ]
pacifier    1:105/101   [ none ]
palind      1:124/3107  [ none ]
paranet     1:104/422   [ none ]
psycho      1:3610/75   [ 374, 3610 ]
puddle      1:105/42    [ 2,3,4,5,17,134,138,153,340,342,343,344,


                            346,347,348,349,350,351 ]
quadrant    1:105/209   [ none ]
redstar     1:115/639   [ none ]
resq        1:269/133   [ none ]
rochgte     1:260/222   [ 260  ]
royaljok    1:120/183   [  11,108,115,120,121,154,159,201,227,228,
                           230,231,232,236,237,238,239,2200,2201,
                           2210,2220,2222,2230,2240,2250,2260,2270
                           2280,2290 ]
rrgate      1:101/660   [ none ]
shire       1:114/55    [ none ]
slinky      1:147/63    [ 147 ]
spuzz       1:143/642   [ none ]
srrt        1:322/337   [ none ]
sscreen     1:141/9     [ none ]
stjhmc      1:114/15    [ 1, 114, default gateway for all un-gated nets ]
sunbrk      1:343/15    [ none ]
tdkt        1:282/31    [ none ]
terrabit    1:282/341   [ 282 ]
therip      1:228/24    [ none ]
tinylk      1:170/500   [ 170 ]
umagic      1:373/12    [ 373 ]
urchin      1:106/88    [ none ]
w8grt       1:234/1     [ none ]
FidoNews 8-34                  Page 4                      26 Aug 1991


weyr        1:140/22    [ 140 ]
yantar      1:129/128   [ none ]
zorro9      1:16/390    [ 16, 101, 322 ]
--

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
          St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona
        uucp: {gatech, ames, rutgers}!ncar!asuvax!stjhmc!ddodell
    Bitnet: ATW1H @ ASUACAD                    FidoNet=> 1:114/15
    Internet: ddodell@stjhmc.fidonet.org       FAX: +1 (602) 451-1165




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

FidoNews 8-34                  Page 5                      26 Aug 1991


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

Cheryl Buzzell 322/200


                                Region 16 Mourns


     Well I hope this article does not hit the streets. I hope someone
who knew Steve a little better than I writes in but if not at least this
much has been said.

     On Tuesday August 13th region 16 lost a loved and valued member
of it's community. Steve Ahola our beloved REC (and just about everything
else) coordinator died unexpectedly.

     Little did we know it when our echomail was interrupted that a few
days later we would find that our lives will never again be the same.
The fidonet node numbers of 322/1 and 322/210 would no longer take
us to Steve. That yes our echomail will return but Steve will not.

     I am sure that anyone and everyone who knew Steve even the sloghtest
would agree with me when I say his death will leave a big empty spot in
all our lives. The good times and the bad will be foever in our memories.

     I hope that this horrible event will instill in each and every one
of you the fact that we are mortal. That our time on this planet is number
and that we should all take the time to smell the roses. To appreciate
those who love us and show our love to others.

     In parting. I wish each and every one of you reading this article
to take a moment and say a prayer/wish or good though to Steve as he
journeys onto the next phase of existence and to his family who need
all the good wishes etc that they can get.

                                     Cheryl Buzzell
                                     Fidonet 1:322/200
                                     Ournet 65:713/0
                                     TC-Trader 508-840-8017

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

Aaron Goldblatt
1:130/32.1             FidoNet
20:491/110.0           MailNet
50:5817/9999 (pending) EchoNet

   The Fort Worth Format Nodelist - A Proposal v2.0

FidoNews 8-34                  Page 6                      26 Aug 1991


A number of discussions have taken place on the state of the
nodelist, both within and outside FidoNet.  In FidoNews 820
I outlined a proposal for a new, smaller nodelist format.
In FidoNews 826, after a lot of thought and discussion with
others, I published a short revision (it was short because I
was going on vacation two days after it came out, and I felt
pressed to get it out before I left for six weeks).

This is the third submission of this format.  It still isn't
a full FSC-type document, but in due course I expect it will
be.  I've elected to do another full-length draft and call
it Fort Worth Version 2.0.

I wrote this article using NODELIST.228, with a length of
1,019,934 bytes.  I don't use any nodelist pre-processors to
delete zones for me because that makes applying the NODEDIFF
much harder, in my opinion.  However, I do compile a full
Zone 1 nodelist and can add the rest in under 10 minutes if
I want to.

Several ideas have been proposed, such as changing the
format, splitting the nodelist into sections, etc.  I find
myself supporting a combination of both - change the format
and then segment.  I am still in favor of a pure ASCII
nodelist.

A couple weeks ago in FidoNews the gentleman from 3:680/828
(I'm sorry - I don't remember the name) asked why there was
no software for any of the current proposals, the Fort Worth
nodelist format included.  I can not answer for others, but
with respect to the Fort Worth format, the primary reason
there is no software is that the specifications aren't
complete.  You can not write a software package if you don't
know what you want it to do.  You must first define the
problem to be solved, and the method used to solve it, and
finally write the implementation of the solution.  The
problem is already well defined, but not the method to
solve.

On I ramble.  Anyway, here it is.  Comments are, of course,
welcome sent any way you want to send them, letter-bombs
excepted.  :-)

Again, let's start at the top.

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

 o   Each line in the nodelist will still be CR/LF terminated.
 o   CRC calculation and notation on the first line of the nodelist
         will remain the same.
 o   Each comment flag now in use will remain the same, with
FidoNews 8-34                  Page 7                      26 Aug 1991


         current comment formats remaining, as well.
 o   The nodelist must still be a pure ASCII file, with
         characters between 32 and 127 (space to tilde)
         allowed.
 o   The nodelist will be organized along the same lines we
         see today - that is, Zone/Region/Net/Hub/Node
         organization.
 o   Each Zone number must still be unique to a nodelist.
         Each Region and Net number must be unique to a Zone,
         and each node number must be unique to a Net.
 o   Each field in the nodelist is still divided by a comma (,)
         character, ASCII 44, hex 0x2C.  Spaces (ASCII 32, hex
         0x20) are not allowed except in comments.  Underscore
         (_) characters (ASCII 95, hex 0x5F) represent spaces in
         nodelist entries.
 o   Current maximum integers for Zone, Region, Net, and node
         numbers will apply.

   *   *   *   * Normal Nodelist Entries *   *   *   *   *   *

For a normal public node a listing is as follows:

num,sys_name,sysop,phone,bps,mtype,hrs,Uxflag,mailcap

The NUM field is the individual node address, unique to a
        net, assigned according to current policy.

SYS_NAME is the system name, such as "Shadowdale_BBS". Maximum
        field length is 20 characters.

SYSOP is the sysop name, such as "Mike_Wilson".  Maximum
        field length is 20 characters.

PHONE is the phone number of a BBS, without extra dialing
        information such as an area code.  The number placed
        in this field is the same one you would dial if you
        were calling from right next door.  For example,
        "732-6157" is a valid value, while "1-817-732-6157"
        is not.  Because phone systems vary there is no field
        maximum.

        In order to faciliate nets without a standard
        dialing scheme (such as those which cover more than
        one area code), a dash "-" may be added in front of
        the phone number, like so:

        -1-817-...

        This will indicate that the DIAL_TRANS field
        (defined below) should not be added to the front of
        the phone number.

FidoNews 8-34                  Page 8                      26 Aug 1991


BPS is a one character representation of the maximum
        transmission rate of the node.  Valid values are:

            3  - 300 bps         9 - 9600 bps
            1  - 1200 bps        4 - 14,400 bps
            2  - 2400 bps        5 - 19,200 bps

        Other values may be added as technology becomes
        available.

MTYPE is a one or two character representation of modem type.
        Valid values include:

        M  - MNP error correction
        H  - USRobotics HST
        V3 - CCITT V.32
        P  - Telebit Packet Ensamble Protocol
        H9 - Hayes V-Series
        3B - CCITT V.32bis
        V4  - CCITT V.42
        4B - CCITT V.42bis

        Redundant listings should be avoided.  For example,
        because HST implies MNP error correction no MNP flag
        should be present.  More than one flag may be present if
        the modem type warrants it.  For example, a USRobotics
        Dual Standard with V.42bis could be listed as:

        ...,9,H,V3,4B,...

HRS is a two or nine character representation of the hours during
        which a node accepts mail.  If a node runs 24 hours this
        flag should be "CM".

        A nine character representation should be used for nodes
        that don't run the entire day but are up for part.  The
        format is:

        HHMM-hhmm

        "HH" is the 24-hour representation of the hour in which a
        node goes online to accept mail, translated to Greenwhich
        Mean Time (GMT).  Valid values are 00 - 23 (midnight to
        11:xx pm).

        "MM" is the two digit representation of the part of the
        hour in which the node goes online.  Valid values are
        00 - 59.

        "hh" is the 24-hour representation of the hour in which a
        node goes offline, and ceases to accept mail, translated
FidoNews 8-34                  Page 9                      26 Aug 1991


        to GMT.  Valid values are still 00 - 23.

        "mm" is the two digit representation of the part of the
        hour in which the node goes offline and ceases to accept
        mail.  Valid values are still 00 - 59.

        Thus, a node with this flag, listed as 0600-0900 is able
        to accept mail for three hours, from 06:00 to 09:00 GMT.
        A node listed as 1330-1800 is able to accept mail from
        1:30 pm to 6:00 pm GMT.

        If the flag is "CM" the node is able to accept mail 24
        hours a day.

        Absence of this flag indicates that a node only accepts
        mail during ZMH.  ZMH shuld not be indicated by this flag
        because all nodes are required to accept mail during ZMH.
        Only mail times different than ZMH should be noted in
        this field.

        This field is optional and may be left out.

UXFLAG is an informational flag used for special comments.
        The International Coordinator is the ultimate authority
        over what goes into the nodelist, and it is up to that
        person to decide upon valid values for this flag, as
        well as their meaning.  Suggested values include:

        UNEC - Net Echomail Coordinator
        UREC - Region Echomail Coordinator
        UZEC - Zone Echomail Coordinator
        USDS - SDS Distribution point
        USDC - SDS Distribution Coordinator

        This field is optional and may be omitted.

MAILCAP is the "mailer capability" flag.  In the current
        nodelist format an X preceeds a second letter.  In
        the Fort Worth format, the mailer capability flag is
        reduced to one letter, dropping the X.  Second
        letters remain the same (A for Bark/WaZoo
        update/requests, X for WaZoo update/requests, etc.).
        If a node does not use a front-end mailer or
        software with mailer capability (such as Fido or
        Opus) this flag is ommitted.


  *   *   *   *  Pvt and Hub System Notation  *   *   *   *   *

Two optional flags may be used at the beginning of a nodelist
entry.  These flags, P and H, are abbreviations of the Pvt
and Hub flags, and retain these meanings.

FidoNews 8-34                  Page 10                     26 Aug 1991


If one of these flags is used it placed before the node number,
with a comma (,) ending the field, like this:

H,num,sys_name,sysop,phone,bps,mtype,Uxflag,mailcap

If the P flag is used the PHONE, BPS, and MTYPE fields are left
blank, and the MAILCAP flag is ommitted, like this:

P,sys_name,sysop,,,Uxflag

   *   *   *   *   *   * Host System Notation  *   *   *   *   *

For net coordinators a different set of fields is used, preceeded
by the N flag (for Net) as follows:

N,net_num,net_name,area_admin,sysop,phone,dial_trans,
        bps,mtype,hrs,Uxflag,mailcap

Field names duplicated from the previous section remain the same
except as noted below.

NET_NUM is the number of the network, assigned according to
        current policy.  A valid value of this is "130".

NET_NAME is the name of the network, created according to policy.
        A valid value of this might be "FTW_Gateway".  Maximum
        field length is 20 characters.

AREA_ADMIN is the name of the region administered.  A value for
        this field might be "Ft_Worth_Metro".  Maximum field
        length is 20 characters.

SYSOP is the person holding the NC position.  "Tom_Dobbins" is a
        valid value.

DIAL_TRANS is a portion of a phone number added to the beginning
        of the PHONE field on a call outside your local net.
        An example of this would be "1-817-" for all nodes in Net
        130.  If you must dial something special to call long
        distance (for example, from New York City to Fort Worth)
        put that here.  This does not include 011- for
        international calls, nor does it include special
        sequences to get an "outside line" on office phones, or
        strange digit codes not used by a normal phone network.

  *   *   *   *  Region and Zone System Notation  *   *   *   *

Each Region and Zone coordinator listing will be be preceeded by
either keyword "R" or "Z", as appropriate.

The formats for Zone and Region Coordinators are as follows:

FidoNews 8-34                  Page 11                     26 Aug 1991


R,reg_num,area_admin,sysop,fphone,bps,mtype,hrs,Uxflag
Z,zon_num,area_admin,sysop,fphone,bps,mtype,hrs,Uxflag

Unless defined below, each flag retains the meanings given in the
previous sections.

"R" and "Z" are unchanging flags, in the same manner as P,
N, and H are unchanging flags.

REG_NUM and ZONE_NUM are Region and Zone numbers, respectively.
        Each Region number must be unique to a Zone, and each
        Zone number must be unique to a nodelist.

AREA_ADMIN means the area contained within that section of the
        nodelist, such as "North_America" (for Zone 1) or
        "TX.AR.OK.LA" (for Region 19).

FPHONE is the full phone number of the system, including area
code.  A valid value would be "1-817-732-6157" while "732-6157"
would not.


  *   *   *   *   *   *  Down Nodes  *   *   *   *   *   *   *

The D flag preceeds a down node's number, in the following
formats.

For a standard node (a net member):

D,num,sys_name,sysop,phone,bps,mtype,hrs,Uxflag,mailcap

For a Zone Service Node (1:1/x) or Regional Independant Node
(1:19/x):

D,num,sys_name,sysop,fphone,bps,mtype,hrs,Uxflag,mailcap

  *   *   *  Zone Service and Regional Independants  *   *   *

For Zone service nodes (1:1/x, 2:2/x, etc.) and regional
independant nodes (1:19/x, 2:23/x, etc.) one last format is used.

num,sys_name,sysop,fphone,bps,mtype,hrs,Uxflag

The only difference between this flag and a normal (networked)
node is that there is a full phone number, not a partial one.

  *   *   *   *   *   *  NODEDIFFs  *   *   *   *   *   *   *

The current system of NODEDIFF production using the A, C, and D
commands will not change.

FidoNews 8-34                  Page 12                     26 Aug 1991


   *   *   *   *   *   *  Explanation  *   *   *   *   *   *   *

Here's the part you've been waiting for, but the one that I
dread.  Here are my reasons for the suggested changes.

There's no preceeding comma before a node number because there's
no need for one.  It's just an extra byte to transmist and keep
around.  If it doesn't need to be there, zap it.  If it's not a
keyword it's a node number, and there's no need to create a field
to tell it that.

Fields are limited to 20 characters because that encourages
sysops and coordinators comments succinct.  It discourages extra
information that doesn't need to be there.  For example,
"The_Shadowdale_BBS" and "Shadowdale" in the SYS_NAME field
convey exactly the same information but one is shorter, thus
taking less disk space.

Sysop names are included in the nodelist to make sure that
someone is responsable for what goes on at a node, so that it's
not just an address with nobody on the other end.  Some may argue
that if you don't know who the sysop is you don't need to be
sending mail there (and thus you don't need to list the name in
the nodelist), but it must be clear who is responsable for the
actions of a node.  Including the name seems the reasonable way
to go.  Since it's limited to 20 bytes per entry anyway, that's
not too hefty.  Drop the first name if necessary.

Phone numbers have been shortened because it just carries
redundant information.  There are about 60 nodes in Net 130 and
all carry 1-817- before their real phone numbers, which, on my
system, gets deleted anyway.  In net 124 there are over 100
nodes, and most had 1-214- in front of the number.  Assuming
125 nodes that's 750 bytes of information that can be cut to 6
bytes.  Do that for every net in FidoNet and we might just have a
good size cut.

BPS is cut to one characters because the trailing zeros just
aren't needed, and one character can convey the required
information.  Every listing has those two zeros, so it can be
universally understood that they're there.  Zap them and, at
10,000 nodes that's 20k saved.  Less disk space, less
transmission time, less money.

Mtype is included because some mailers allow the capability to
modify how a calling modem will react to the called modem's
carrier.  For example, if you have a Dual Standard and you call
another Dual Standard you can choose if you want an HST or V.32
connection.  Also, some modems require special commands be sent
to be able to connect with modems that offer different
communications protocols, and identifying the type of modem
present is a good way to facilitate this.

FidoNews 8-34                  Page 13                     26 Aug 1991


Hours online allow someone to send mail outside of ZMH to a node
that isn't CM.  If the node is online 24 hours CM is used to
indicate this.  Some say that since most nodes are CM, only
systems which do not support CM should be flagged, instead
of using a CM flag.  I believe that, because every FidoNet
member is required to operate during ZMH only that any
capabilities outside of this hour require a flag.`

Uxflags allow the conveyance of additional information to sysops
and (maybe) mailers, such as who is the local NEC or SDS
distributor.  Elections have been conducted using this flag and
it could be helpful.

Dropping the location field in the current nodelist eliminates
much of the redundant information, as does dropping area codes.
Does anybody really care what city 1:130/28 is in, so long as the
mail gets through?  If it's that important you can send a netmail
message rather than have it sit on everybody's system.

Some have suggested dropping private (Pvt) systems from the
nodelist.  However, because they currently exist I feel
obligated to support their inclusion.  Removal of private
systems is a matter left to policy, not to technical
specifications.  Ditto for Down nodes.

I have retained the current net/node system (Z:NNN/nnn.pt)
because all current mailer software supports some version of it.
Thus, mailers won't have to be completely rewritten to use a new
addressing scheme.  Besides, would you remember that Shadowdale,
sysop Mike Wilson, is node 1-817-732-6157 if node numbers were
phone numbers?  Everything would have to be rewritten.  With this
change relatively minor modifications would have to be made to
nodelist compilers and mailers.

Most of the changes suggested here are designed to save space.
To see if it works, let's use a large net in Zone 1 - Net 1:124,
Dallas, Texas.  I chose it because it's large, has several
private nodes, some which are down, and a hub-based mail
distribution system.  Because Net 124 is SO large, however, I
chose only to use the 1000 and 2000 hub series, as well as the
first two lines from the 3000 nodes.  All line formats except
Zone and Region are represented in these three sections.

N,124,The_Hat,Dallas_TX,Robert_Eskridge,416-2162,,1-214,9,H,CM,X
H,1000,Friendly_Hub,RC_Gorman,289-2668,9,H,3b,4b,CM,A
1001,Carrier_Pigeon,James_Marple,530-5526,9,H,CM,X
1002,Texas_Trails,Randy_Gorman,289-2668,9,H,3b,4b,CM,A
1005,Polar_Den,Darrel_Exline,361-8992,2,CM,A
1006,Castle,Jack_Schofield,988-1053,9,H,4b,CM,X
1007,Kimball_Video_Tech,Stan_Carman,869-2857,2,CM,X
1009,Mac_Exchange,Tom_Fitzsimmons,394-9324,9,H,3b,4b,CM,W
1010,User-To-User,William_Pendergast,394-1929,9,H,3b,4b,CM,A
1011,Camelot,Jim_Stanford,339-8283,2400,CM,XX
1012,IEEE_DeVRY_Branch,Dave_Johnson,257-0125,9,H,4b,CM,C
1013,UTD_Student_Connect,Craig_Olson,437-3247,9,H,3b,4b,CM,XA
1014,The_Critical_Mass,Glenn_Heights_TX,Tim_Herum,617-0617,9,CM,A
FidoNews 8-34                  Page 14                     26 Aug 1991


1015,Hot_Tub_Club,Brian_Housley,960-2464,2,CM,X
1016,Psychlo_Empire,Mark_Corona,251-1175,9,H,CM,A
1017,Omnia_Vincet_Amor,Pamela_Mikos,285-4393,2,CM,X
D,1107,Mainframe_Exchange,Doug_Light,221-8931,9,H,CM,A
1113,Nibbles_&_Bytes,231-3841,9,H,CM,A
1213,DFW_Freq_Coord,Gerry_Dalton,647-0670,2,CM,R
1701,NCC-1701,Bill_Bailey,771-3226,9,H,3b,4b,CM,A
Hub,2000,DFW_124,Tom_Haycraft,437-2906,9,H,4b,CM,C
2101,Software_Mechanics,Lewis_Sheriff,422-0632,9,H,CM,R
2103,Magna_Carta_Technica,Andrew_Chalk,226-8088,2,CM,R
2105,Amiga_LANd,Eric_Fisher,222-2510,9,H,CM,R
2107,Firing_Line,Tom_Haycraft,437-2906,9,H,CM,C
2108,County_Line,Don_Click,475-3610,9,H,CM,A
2109,Hobby_Hut,Ed_Underwood,462-9124,9,CM,B
2110,INOVAtronics,Martin_Murray,357-8511,2,CM,R
2112,System_Control,Bob_Wolverton,709-4056,2,CM,X
2121,Psychology_Forum,Gary_Lefkof,368-5474,2,CM,X
2122,ACCESS,Trey_Reeves,315-0420,9,H,V3b,4b,CM,A
2124,DeadHead's,John_Gresham,988-0124,9,H,3b,4b,CM,A
2203,Biz_Link,Jerry_Mawhinney,227-8040,2,CM,A
2204,Writers_Block,Thomas_Drone,259-3700,2,CM,A
2206,The_Interocitor,Steve_Rainwater,258-1832,9,3b,4b,CM,A
2211,Amiga_Scope,Mark_McBreen,288-1537,9,H,CM,R
2213,The_Chess_Board,Ken_Givens,641-1136,9,H,USDS,UDDS,UWIN,U...
2221,Night_Lights,Robert_Williams,298-7909,2,CM,A
2222,J._R.'s_Palace,John_Reynolds,299-5425,9,H,CM,A
H,3000,DFW_108,Baxter_Banowsky,340-6393,9,H,CM,X
P,3006,Firing_Line,Steve_Oglesby

All but one of these nodes fits within the FidoNews specs, less
than 65 characters per line.  Only 124/2113 had to be cut short.
In the nodelist ALL lines exceeded 65 characters.  Some went past
80 characters.  There is a very signifigant space savings.

Please consider this proposal.  If you'd like to suggest changes
you may netmail me at any address listed at the beginning of this
article.  Of not, well, okay.  :-)  It's not final, I'm not done,
it's not an FSC yet.  Take a look and see what you think.

Aaron

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

  6:700/159.

A proposal of new nodelist formating
------------------------------------

I propose to use following method to save the volume of nodelist.

The baud rate and flags are now represented by using a 32-bit flag
type and written on the nodelist by hexdecimal.

FidoNews 8-34                  Page 15                     26 Aug 1991


bit 1           1200                  bit 17           V34
bit 2           2400                  bit 18           V42
bit 3           4800                  bit 19           V42b
bit 4           9600                  bit 20           H96
bit 5           14400                 bit 21           HST
bit 6           19200                 bit 22           MAX
bit 7           38400                 bit 23           PEP
bit 8           MN                    bit 24           CSP
bit 9           CM                    bit 25           MNP
bit 10          MO                    bit 26           XA
bit 11          V21                   bit 27           XB
bit 12          V22                   bit 28           XC
bit 13          V29                   bit 29           XP
bit 14          V32                   bit 30           XW
bit 15          V32b                  bit 31         [reserved]
bit 16          V33                   bit 32         [reserved]

For example, a BBS with using a V32 modem with MNP V42B accept
Crash Mail should be:

,1,Example_BBS,Hong_Kong,Some_One,852-123-4567,04108108
  (^ the 32bit number in HEX)


Hope this can help!


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


by Danny Mingle @ 1:116/9
A Correction Concerning the Suggested Change in Nodelist Flags



I overlooked something in my previous article:  all flags after the
baud_rate field in the nodelist are lumped together in one field
called the "Flags" field.  I mistakenly thought there were separate
fields for special operating conditions, modem capabilitites, etc.

The changes proposed in last week's article about converting from the
current multi-character flags to one-character flags can still be
implemented because by using the numbers "0" through "9" and the
letters "A" through "Z", you will get 36 possible flags.


So, to recap my thoughts on reducing the size of the nodelist:

1)  Change all baud rates to single-character codes:
    "300" would become "0"
    "1200" would become "1"
FidoNews 8-34                  Page 16                     26 Aug 1991


    "2400" would become "2"
    "4800" would become "3"
    "9600" would become "4"

2)  Change all flags to single-character codes.  For example:
    "CM" would become "0"
    "MO" would become "1"
    "LO" would become "2"
    "V21" would become "3"
    .
    .
    .
    "V42" would become "9"
    "MNP" would become "A"
    "H96" would become "B"
    etc. etc.


I do apologize for any confusion last week's article may have caused.
I hope this helps clear things up somewhat.

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

FidoNews 8-34                  Page 17                     26 Aug 1991


======================================================================
                           RANTS AND FLAMES
======================================================================

            _(*#$_(*@#(*     (*^$+)#(%&+|      #$)%(&*#_$   @_#(  @$
       ^@#+)(#&%$*+)$%&*+$*%&#@(@#_|)*%|)#%&)#*%&+(@#&*_+(@#*^&@###
   *&#_($*&#$_(*#&$_(#*$&$ _(#$*#$+)#($&*+#)$            &#+$*&#
  ()*&#$_(&^#$_(#*$_#($^&#_$(^&#_$(&^#$_(&#^  damn right   _(#^&$_(#^&
 $*&#$_+(*             #)$&(%($%+)($%*+$)%($*   it's ugly   _#&%^#  &
#($_*#$_   FidoNet        (*$&%_@#_(*&@#_(@*#&_           @#_(*&@#_(*
)*&#$           Flames        *^$+)#(%  (not for the timid) @_#(
(*#$_(*^@#+)             and     #_|)*%         &+(@#&*_+(@#*^&@###
(#$*&#_($*&#$_(*#&$_(#*                   Rants    *&+#$*&#+$*&#
   )*&#$_(a regular feature)^&#_$(&^#$_              $^&#$_(#^
        (*^#$_*#^&$)*#&$^%)#*$&^_#($*^&#_($   Section   #&%^_
       _(*#&$_(#*   #($*&   #$*   _(*&@#_(@*#           *&@#_(*&
                                        )&*+_)*&+)*&+))&*(*&
                                               (*&_(*&_(*&



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

FidoNews 8-34                  Page 18                     26 Aug 1991


======================================================================
                             CLASSIFIEDS
======================================================================

ADVERTISEMENT POLICY: Submissions must be 20 lines or less each,
maximum two ads per advertiser, 70 characters per line maximum. No
control codes except CR and LF. (Refer to contact info at the end of
this newsletter for details.)

Please notify us if you have any trouble with an advertiser. FidoNews
does not endorse any products or services advertised here.


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

FidoNews 8-34                  Page 19                     26 Aug 1991


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

Steve Winter
FidoNet 1:151/208 209

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+  __________  __________  ___                      ________  +
+  |        |  |        |   |    |\            /|   |         +
+  |        |  |        |   |    |  \        /  |   |         +
+  |________|  |________|   |    |    \    /    |   |______   +
+  |           | \          |    |      \/      |   |         +
+  |           |   \        |    |              |   |         +
+  |           |     \      |    |              |   |         +
+  |           |       \   _|_   |              |   |_______  +
+                                                             +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+       PreRapture(tm) International Message Exchange         +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  Both Religious (Christian) and non-religious conferences.
      Strict policy against profanity, lewdness, etc..
   Supporting FidoNet, PCRelay, and QWK message networking.
    + Intense Bible Debate + False Preachers Exposed +
   + Popular Cults Unmasked in the light of the Bible +
        919-286-3962 + 919-286-3606 + 919-286-3266
 Using USRobotics Dual Standard Modems HST/V.32bis 14,400bps
           FidoNet Nodes 1:151/208 209 & 210

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

The Interrupt Stack


 8 Sep 1991
 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.
FidoNews 8-34                  Page 20                     26 Aug 1991


 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 8-34                  Page 21                     26 Aug 1991


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

Latest Greatest Software Versions
Last Update: 08/15/91

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

BBS Software            Network Mailers         Other Utilities
Name         Version    Name         Version    Name         Version
--------------------    --------------------    --------------------
DMG             2.93    BinkleyTerm     2.40    2DAPoint        1.10*
Fido/FidoNet   12.21+   D'Bridge        1.30    ARCAsim         2.30
Genesis Deluxe   3.1*   Dutchie        2.90c    ARCmail         2.07
GSBBS           3.02    FrontDoor       2.00    ConfMail        4.00
Kitten          2.16    InterMail       2.01*   Crossnet         1.5
Lynx            1.30    PRENM           1.47    DOMAIN          1.42
Maximus         1.02    SEAdog          4.60*   EEngine         0.30*
Opus            1.71*   TIMS       1.0(Mod8)    EMM             2.02
PCBoard        14.5a                            4Dog/4DMatrix   1.18
Phoenix          1.3                            FNPGate         2.70
QuickBBS        2.66                            GateWorks      3.06c*@
RBBS           17.3b    NodeList Utilities      Gmail           2.05
RBBSmail       17.3b    Name         Version    GMD             2.00*
RemoteAccess    1.01    --------------------    GROUP           2.16
SLBBS          2.15b*   EditNL          4.00    GUS             1.30
Socrates        1.10    MakeNL          2.31    HeadEdit        1.18
SuperBBS        1.10    Parselst        1.30    IMAIL           1.10
TAG             2.5g    Prune           1.40    InterPCB        1.31
TBBS             2.1    SysNL           3.14    MSG              4.1
TComm/TCommNet   3.4    XlatList        2.90    MSGED           2.06
Telegard         2.5    XlaxNode/Diff   2.52*   MsgMstr         1.21*
TPBoard          6.1                            MSGTOSS          1.3
TriTel          1.11*@                          Oliver          1.0a
Wildcat!        2.55                            PolyXarc        2.1a*
WWIV            4.12                            QM               1.0
XBBS            1.17                            QSort           4.04
                                                ScanToss        1.28
                                                Sirius          1.0x
Compression                                     SLMAIL          1.36
Utilities                                       StarLink        1.01
Name         Version                            TagMail         2.41
--------------------                            TCOMMail         2.2
ARC             7.00                            Telemail        1.27
ARJ             2.20*                           TMail           1.21
HYPER           2.50                            TPBNetEd         3.2
LHA             2.13*                           Tosscan         1.00
PAK             2.51                            UFGATE          1.03
PKPak           3.61                            XRS             4.50*
PKZip           1.10                            XST             2.3e
FidoNews 8-34                  Page 22                     26 Aug 1991


                                                ZmailH         1.16a*

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

BBS Software            Network Mailers         Other Utilities
Name         Version    Name         Version    Name         Version
--------------------    --------------------    --------------------
Maximus-CBCS    1.02    BinkleyTerm     2.40    ARC2            6.00
                                                ConfMail        4.00
                                                EchoStat         6.0
                                                LH2             0.50
                                                MsgEd           2.06
                                                MsgLink         1.0c
                                                MsgNum          4.14
                                                oMMM            1.52
                                                Omail            3.1
                                                Parselst        1.32
                                                PKZip           1.02
                                                PolyXarc        2.1a*
                                                QSort            2.1
                                                Raid             1.0
                                                Remapper         1.2
                                                Tick             2.0
                                                VPurge          2.07


                        Xenix/Unix 386
                        --------------

BBS Software            Network Mailers         Other Utilities
Name         Version    Name         Version    Name         Version
--------------------    --------------------    --------------------
                        BinkleyTerm    2.32b    ARC             5.21
                                                C-LHARC         1.00
                                                MsgEd           2.06
 |Contact:  Jon Hogan-uran 3:711/909,|          MSGLNK          1.01
 |Willy Paine 1:343/12or Eddy van Loo|          oMMM            1.42
 |2:285/406                          |          Omail           1.00
                                                Parselst        1.32
                                                Unzip           3.10
                                                Vpurge          4.08
                                                Zoo             2.01


                        Apple II
                        --------

BBS Software            Network Mailers         Other Utilities
Name         Version    Name         Version    Name         Version
--------------------    --------------------    --------------------
DDBBS +          7.4*   Fruity Dog       2.0*   deARC2e          2.1
GBBS Pro         2.1                            ProSel          8.69*
FidoNews 8-34                  Page 23                     26 Aug 1991


                                                ShrinkIt        3.23
                                                ShrinkIt GS     1.04


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

BBS Software            Network Mailers         Other Utilities
Name         Version    Name         Version    Name         Version
--------------------    --------------------    --------------------
Daisy             2j    Daisy Mailer    0.38    Filer            2-D
                                                MsgUtil          2.5
                                                Nodecomp        0.37
                                                PackUser           4
                                                UNARC.COM       1.20


                        Macintosh
                        ---------

BBS Software            Network Mailers         Other Software
Name         Version    Name         Version    Name         Version
--------------------    --------------------    --------------------
FBBS            0.91    Copernicus       1.0    ArcMac           1.3
Hermes           1.5    Tabby            2.2    AreaFix          1.6
Mansion         7.15                            Compact Pro     1.30
Precision Sys. 0.95b*                           Eventmeister     1.0
Red Ryder Host   2.1                            Export          3.21
TeleFinder                                      Import           3.2
  Host       2.12T10                            LHARC           0.41
                                                MacArc          0.04
                                                Mantissa        3.21
Point System                                    Mehitable        2.0
Software                                        OriginatorII     2.0
Name         Version                            PreStamp         3.2
--------------------                            StuffIt Classic  1.6
Copernicus       1.0                            SunDial          3.2
CounterPoint    1.09                            TExport         1.92
                                                Timestamp        1.6
                                                TImport         1.92
                                                Tset             1.3
                                                TSort            1.0
                                                UNZIP          1.02c
                                                Zenith           1.5
                                                Zip Extract     0.10


                        Amiga
                        -----

BBS Software            Network Mailers         Other Software
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
FidoNews 8-34                  Page 24                     26 Aug 1991


                                                ChameleonEdit   0.10
                                                ConfMail        1.12
                                                ElectricHerald  1.66
                                                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
                        -----------

BBS Software            Network Mailers         Other Utilities
Name         Version    Name         Version    Name         Version
--------------------    --------------------    --------------------
FIDOdoor/ST    2.4.0*   BinkleyTerm    2.40l    BINK2TB         1.00
GS Point        0.61    The BOX         1.20    ComScan         1.02
LED ST          1.00                            ConfMail        4.03
MSGED          1.96s                            EchoFix         1.20
                                                FastPack        1.20
                                                FDrenum        2.4.0*
Compression                                     FiFo            2.1n*
Utilities                                       Import          1.14
Name         Version                            oMMM            1.40
--------------------                            Pack            1.00
ARC             6.02                            Parselst        1.30
LHARC           1.32*                           sTICK/Hatch     5.50
PKZip           1.10                            TB2BINK         1.00
STZIP           0.80*                           Trenum          0.10
                                                Xlist           1.12


                        Archimedes
                        ----------

BBS Software            Network Mailers         Other Utilities
Name         Version    Name         Version    Name         Version
--------------------    --------------------    --------------------
ARCbbs          1.44    BinkleyTerm     2.03    ARC             1.03
FidoNews 8-34                  Page 25                     26 Aug 1991


                                                BatchPacker     1.00
                                                Parselst        1.30
                                                !Spark         2.00d
                                                Unzip          2.1TH

--  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --
Key:  + - Netmail Capable (Doesn't Require Additional Mailer Software)
      * - Recently Updated Version
      @ - New Addition
      # - Commercial SoftWare(Not In Use Yet)
--  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --  --

Utility Authors:  Please help keep this list up to date by reporting
                  all new versions to 1:103/950.

Note:  It is not our intent to list all utilities here, only those
       which verge on necessity.  If you want it updated in the next
       FidoNews, get it to me by Thursday evening.

--David French, 1:103/950

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

FidoNews 8-34                  Page 26                     26 Aug 1991


------- FIDONEWS MASTHEAD AND CONTACT INFORMATION ----------------

Editors: Tom Jennings, Tim Pozar
Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell, Vince Periello
Special thanks to Ken Kaplan, 1:100/22, aka Fido #22

"FidoNews" BBS
    FidoNet  1:1/1
    Internet  fidonews@fidonews.fidonet.org
    BBS  (415)-863-2739  (9600 HST/V32)

(Postal Service mailing address)
    FidoNews
    Box 77731
    San Francisco
    CA 94107 USA

Published weekly by and for the Members of the FidoNet international
amateur electronic mail system. It is a compilation of individual
articles contributed by their authors or their authorized agents. The
contribution of articles to this compilation does not diminish the
rights of the authors. Opinions expressed in these articles are those
of the authors and not necessarily those of FidoNews.




FidoNews is copyright 1991 Fido Software. All rights reserved.
Duplication and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes
only. For use in other circumstances, please contact FidoNews (we're
easy).



OBTAINING COPIES: FidoNews in electronic form may be obtained from
the FidoNews BBS via manual download or Wazoo FileRequest, or from
various sites in the FidoNet and via uucp. PRINTED COPIES mailed
may be obtained from Fido Software for $5.00US each PostPaid First
Class within North America, or $7.00US elsewhere, mailed Air Mail.
(US funds drawn upon a US bank only.)

Periodic subscriptions are not available at this time; if enough
people request it I will implement it.


SUBMISSIONS: You are encouraged to submit articles for publication in
FidoNews. Article submission requirements are contained in the file
ARTSPEC.DOC, available from the FidoNews BBS, or Wazoo filerequestable
from 1:1/1 as file "ARTSPEC.DOC".


FidoNews 8-34                  Page 27                     26 Aug 1991


"Fido", "FidoNet" and the dog-with-diskette are U.S. registered
trademarks of Tom Jennings of Fido Software, Box 77731, San Francisco
CA 94107, USA and are used with permission.

-- END

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

