FidoNews · Vol 13, No 48 · 25 November 1996
F I D O N E W S -- Volume 13, Number 48 25 November 1996
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| The newsletter of the | ISSN 1198-4589 Published by: |
| FidoNet community | "FidoNews" |
| _ | 1-904-409-7040 [1:1/23] |
| / \ | |
| /|oo \ | |
| (_| /_) | |
| _`@/_ \ _ | |
| | | \ \\ | Editor: |
| | (*) | \ )) | Christopher Baker 1:18/14 |
| |__U__| / \// | |
| _//|| _\ / | |
| (_/(_|(____/ | |
| (jm) | Newspapers should have no friends. |
| | -- JOSEPH PULITZER |
+----------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
| Submission address: FidoNews Editor 1:1/23 |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| MORE addresses: |
| |
| submissions=> cbaker84@digital.net |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| For information, copyrights, article submissions, |
| obtaining copies of FidoNews or the internet gateway FAQ |
| please refer to the end of this file. |
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
HAPPY THANKSGIVING U.S. READERS!
Table of Contents
1. EDITORIAL ................................................ 1
A slow week in FidoNews .................................. 1
2. ARTICLES ................................................. 2
An open letter to the developers of fido message reader .. 2
3. GETTING TECHNICAL ........................................ 4
FTS-0006, The YooHoo Standard ............................ 4
4. COORDINATORS CORNER ...................................... 23
Nodelist-statistics as seen from Zone-2 for day 327 ...... 23
5. NET HUMOR ................................................ 24
Know your Unix admin ..................................... 24
Guide to Power Posting ................................... 33
6. COMIX IN ASCII ........................................... 37
Happy Thanksgiving America! .............................. 37
7. NOTICES .................................................. 40
Future History ........................................... 40
8. FIDONET SOFTWARE LISTING ................................. 41
Latest Greatest Software Versions ........................ 41
9. FIDONEWS PUBLIC-KEY ...................................... 48
This Space intentionally left blank? ..................... 48
10. FIDONEWS INFORMATION .................................... 49
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 1 25 Nov 1996
=================================================================
EDITORIAL
=================================================================
This week's FTS Standard [0006] does not have a counterpart proposal
to match. That saves a little space. [grin]
Here in the U.S., we will be stuffing ourselves on Thursday in our
annual Thanksgiving Day holiday. This generally involves a lot of
roasted fowl and other foods nobody ever eats any other time of the
year. This overeating is then followed by paroxisms of stomach pain
from overindulging for an hour or two and then the Question of This
Week will be: "What's for dessert?" [snicker]
Do other countries/cultures in FidoNetland [tm] have similar,
near-bulemic festivals of family gathering and cooking? I'd like to
read it about them in here next week. [hint, hint]
C.B.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 2 25 Nov 1996
=================================================================
ARTICLES
=================================================================
Suggestion of a new feature in message readers in form of an
open letter to the developers
by Jochen Tuchbreiter, 2:2457/620.22 | jobhunt@nether.net
Fido is shrinking a little at the moment and many users/sysops think
that one cause for this is that the software we are using is too old
and not interesting anymore. While reading articles discussing this
topic in some older fidonews issues I had the following idea, which
could help a tiny bit to make fidonet a bit more comfortable. I made
it an open letter to the developers of fido message readers.
------------------------ Mail starts ---------------------------
Dear fido message reader developers !
I have tested many fido message readers now and I have seen many
features, most of them very helpful and nice. But there is one thing
I missed and I am sure that many fido users would love it:
-> A feature to list messages in an echomail-area by threads.
I think of every thread as a 'folder' including answers to the same
subject (and answers to these answers as long as it has the same
subject - use reply-linking...).
You could sort these folders by the date of the latest unread message
in them, in this way the new and active threads (the threads with the
new mail...) would always appear before the old ones. Every user could
now just read the threads he is interested in and wouldn't get annoyed
by messages which belong to threads he doesn't care about.
I myself read messages in echos with lots of traffic by threads.
Of course most readers are able to follow the reply linking, but if
you keep using this in a long thread it gets kind of annoying and you
do not have the overview anymore.
So, if your message reader is already "perfect" and you don't know
what feature to add next, please think of this suggestion.
------------------------ Mail ends --------------------------------
All comments, critics etc. are welcome via netmail (2:2457/620.22) or
in the fidonews (as long as they are for the interest of everyone).
--VOTE--VOTE--VOTE--VOTE--VOTE--VOTE--VOTE--VOTE--VOTE--VOTE-VOTE--
I would also like to know *your* (the readers) opinion of the new
feature I suggested and if *you* would use it. To vote please send a
netmail to 2:2457/620.22 including "yes" (you would use such a
feature) or "no" (you would not use it) in the subject and an empty
message body (to keep traffic caused by this low). I will post the
results in one of the next issues...
--VOTE--VOTE--VOTE--VOTE--VOTE--VOTE--VOTE--VOTE--VOTE--VOTE-VOTE--
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 3 25 Nov 1996
Thanks for reading this, and thanks in advantage for *your* vote !
---
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 4 25 Nov 1996
=================================================================
GETTING TECHNICAL
=================================================================
[This is part of a continuing series of FidoNet Technical Standards
being published here as part of FidoNet History and for general
information. These standards have been reformatted where necessary
to meet the 70 column restriction. 80 column tables are disrupted.
You should file-request FTS-0006.ZIP for the full version which
also contains YOOHOO.C source.] Ed.
Document: FTS-0006
Version: 002
Date: 30-Nov-1991
YOOHOO and YOOHOO/2U2
The netmail handshake used by Opus-CBCS
and other intelligent Fidonet mail handling packages
Vince Perriello
FidoNet 1:2343/491
Status of this document:
This FTS (FidoNet(r) Technical Standard) specifies an optional
standard for the FidoNet community. Implementation of the
protocols defined in this document is not mandatory, but all
implementations of these protocols are expected to adhere to this
standard. Distribution of this document is subject to the
restrictions listed below.
Fido and FidoNet are registered marks of Tom Jennings and Fido
Software
LEGAL STUFF
-----------
The original protocol and documentation are by Wynn Wagner III.
Updates have been made to this document by Vince Perriello,
who also is responsible for most of the sample routine included with
this document.
They are released to the public for any use whatsoever as long as
you don't modify any transmitted structure or try to make money
hawking either the sample code or this document as if you owned them.
If you choose to use the method or the sample routines, you do
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 5 25 Nov 1996
so entirely at your own risk. It is possible that the routines will
cause physical damage to your equipment, an invasion of fire ants,
the plague, or an extended visit from in-laws. If any of that
stuff (or anything else) happens, you accept the consequences
totally.
CREDITS
-------
Fido and Fidonet are registered trademarks of Tom Jennings and
Fido Software.
ARCmail was originated by System Enhancement Associates.
The ZModem protocol was designed by Chuck Forsberg. The SEAlink /
SEAlink Overdrive protocols are copyrighted by System Enhancment
Associates. The TeLink protocol was designed and first implemented by
Tom Jennings.
The state charts in this document were done by Vince Perriello.
Rick Huebner designed and implemented the basic WaZOO file
request method. Update request functionality was added by Vince
Perriello. Bob Hartman is responsible for the addition of Domain
support.
FTS-0001, describing the base FidoNet protocol, was created by Randy
Bush.
FTS-0007, describing enhancement to FTS-0001 using SEAlink and/or
SEAlink Overdrive, was created by Phil Becker.
Overview
UPFRONT
-------
YOOHOO and YOOHOO/2U2 are the initial handshakes for the WaZOO e-
mail protocol. They are designed to let two systems establish a
common ground for a netmail session while making sure that non-WaZOO
software doesn't get upset by material it can't understand.
The YOOHOO procedure begins as a single byte (0xf1). If the system
on the other end doesn't reply to that byte, no further YOOHOO or
WaZOO transmissions are attempted. To a non-WaZOO netmail system,
the YOOHOO byte will simply seem like a byte of debris.
The calling system initiates the YOOHOO by sending the
attention character. If the receiving system seems interested, the
calling system sends a 128 byte packet containing such information
as system and sysop names as well as a "capability mask." A 16-bit CRC
protects the integrity of the 128-byte packet.
In response, the receiving system prepares a 128 byte packet to
send back. This is the YOOHOO/2U2 procedure.
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 6 25 Nov 1996
FEATURES
--------
The features of YOOHOO and YOOHOO/2U2 include
* non-interference with systems that don't understand the
handshake
* almost foolproof method for identifying a remote system
and establishing a common ground for transmission
* built-in room to expand the capabilities of WaZOO without
having to resort to a kludge
USAGE
-----
A calling system simply uses a routine that transmits both YooHoo
and TSYNC handshake initiating characters to the called system.
If the called system responds with an XMODEM 'NAK', an FTS-0001
session will be initiated. If an 'ENQ' is received, the
`YooHoo_Sender()' routine will be invoked to handle the session
negotiation.
A receiving system can call a routine like `YooHoo_Receiver()' if
it detects the YOOHOO character, or just drop into the FTS-0001 logic
if it sees a TSYNC.
This simple method allows a mailer to take care of both the TSYNC and
the YOOHOO handshakes.
WaZOO Protocols
PROTOCOLS
---------
Currently there are four WaZOO methods in use:
1. ZedZap
------
a Zmodem variant. The originator does a batch send then goes
into a receive batch mode. The called system does receive
then send. In the event of a file request (see description
below) made by the called system, one more turnaround is made
to service the request.
* Unlike the "True" Zmodem protocol described by Chuck Forsberg,
ZedZap routines must be able to handle a batch mode that has
no actual files. In other words, it is possible for there to
be a init sequence followed immediately by a ZFIN.
* The maximum packet size is 8192. This is usually varied based
on the baud rate. For example, at 2400 it might be 2048 bytes,
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 7 25 Nov 1996
then for 9600 baud and above the maximum of 8192 could apply.
Note that THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT VARIATION FROM STRICT ZMODEM
IMPLEMENTATION. (There's another WaZOO capability bit for
those systems which can not handle this block size)
* Netmail packets are transmitted as files with names in the
form "12345678.PKT". Because of this, multiple packets may be
sent in a single session.
* If the calling system transmits a .REQ file for file requests,
the receiving system can respond to it. See "WaZOO File
Requests" (below) for information on the .REQ file.
2. ZedZip
------
This capability is identical to ZedZap, but does not use
buffers greater than 1K in size (like "True" Zmodem). It is
also permissible to send a "null" packet in a ZedZip session.
This allows a system which must use a strict Zmodem
implementation to participate in a WaZOO session using Zmodem.
3. DietIFNA
--------
The session operates like FTS-0001/FTS-0007. The notable
exceptions are as follows:
* The same packet naming convention as ZedZap applies, allowing
more than one packet to be transmitted in a single session.
* Telink file transfers don't even attempt to exchange file
names using modem7. The receiving system extracts the file
name from the Telink or SEAlink header block.
* If SEAlink is used, run-ahead (the number of blocks to slide)
is based on the baud rate: BlocksToSlide = BaudRate / 400, up
to a max of 24 blocks.
* When there is nothing to send, a system should remain quiet.
In other words, the end of a session can be determined by a
timeout.
* Under no circumstances should "BARK" file request logic be
active during a DietIFNA session. File requests, if any,
should be transmitted using a .REQ file.
Many implementations of DietIfna have been accomplished by the
mere exchange of packets, followed by straight FTS-0001/0007
code. This is incorrect but probably not easily remedied at
this point. We have made an effort to document this change in
"reality" in this revision of the document.
4. Janus
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 8 25 Nov 1996
-----
Janus is a full-duplex simultaneous bidirectional file
transfer protocol. In other words, it can send and receive
files at the same time. It's very loosely derived from ZModem
and HDLC/X.25 protocol technology, in that it uses variable
length data-typed packets, and that transmission of file data
does not require ACKs.
The protocol is documented elsewhere; it is beyond the scope
of this document to do so.
Choosing WaZOO Methods
How to decide which WaZOO method to use
---------------------------------------
Since the called system has all the information necessary to decide
what WaZOO method to employ, the best way to implement the process is
for the calling system to send, in its capability mask, all the
bits which correspond to methods it can use (or wants to use) in
communicating with the called system. The called system then looks
at these bits and sends back only the bit which corresponds to the
method it wants to use.
If the called system sends back a mask which contains more than
one capability of the calling system, it can create a problem
situation if one system arrives at its choice of methods differently
from the other. Thus, when the called system doesn't make the choice,
both systems should choose as follows:
1. Janus
2. ZedZap
3. ZedZip
4. DietIFNA
The capability highest on the list which both systems indicate ability
to execute should be the one employed.
WaZOO Filename conventions
WaZOO FILENAMES
---------------
1. MESSAGE PACKETS ... xxxxxxxx.PKT
Normal (unarchived) messages are sent in a file name that has
a tag of .PKT. The "x" characters should be hex digits.
2. ARCmail ... xxxxxxxx.{MO|TU|WE|TH|FR|SA|SU}#
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 9 25 Nov 1996
Message packets are often shipped in an archive that has been
compressed with some LZ utility.
The file name consists of a name with hex digits. The tag is
one of seven two-character prefixes ("MO", "TU", "WE", "TH",
"FR", "SA" or "SU") and a number (0-9).
This particular naming convention was established by ARCmail
version 0.60, which is a defacto standard in FidoNet.
3. FILE REQUESTS ... xxxxxxxx.REQ
This is explained below.
In a nutshell, the file name consists of the receiving
system's Fidonet address expressed as two 4-digit hex numbers.
The file tag is .REQ.
In a Janus session, the .REQ file isn't actually sent. Janus
has a transaction system which sends the .REQ file one line at
a time and then accepts the file(s) which the request
generates.
Flow of a ZedZap or ZedZip Session
FLOW OF A ZEDZAP OR ZEDZIP SESSION
----------------------------------
The calling system:
* Send YooHoo
* Receive YooHoo/2u2
* In a single batch, send bundles, files, file request (.REQ)
files (in that order)
* In a single batch, receive bundles, files, file requests, and
requested files (in that order)
* If a file request (.REQ) file came in, send all requested
files in a single batch.
Receiving system:
* Receive YooHoo
* Send YooHoo/2u2
* In a single batch, receive bundles, files, file requests
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 10 25 Nov 1996
* In a single batch, send bundles, files, our file requests, and
respond to file requests that arrived from the remote system.
* If we sent a .REQ file in the preceding step, receive all
files in a single batch.
WaZOO File Requests
WAZOO FILE REQUESTS
-------------------
Rick Huebner, who adapted the ZModem routines for Opus, and the
architect of the Janus file transfer protocol, designed the ".REQ
file"-based file request system.
REQ FILE:
A WaZOO file request is based on a request file. The name of a
request file is similar to the .OUT and .FLO files used by Opus-CBCS
and similar mail products (such as BinkleyTerm).
TEMPLATE: netnode.REQ
EXAMPLE: 00010002.REQ ... a request being sent to 1/2
The .REQ file is simply a text file that contains the files we want
from the remote system. Those file names can include wildcards, but
should not contain a path. Optionally, there can be a password if the
sending system requires one.
The "netnode" part of the file name is built from the remote systems
net and node numbers. Both numbers become 4-character hex numbers in
the file name.
Let's say we're requesting THIS.ARC and all node lists from 12/2. The
file name would be 000C0002.REQ. The contents would look like this:
this.arc
nodelist.*
If the sysop of 12/2 requires a password of THAT to get the file
THIS.ARC, the REQ file contents would have to change:
this.arc !that
nodelist.*
Transaction-level passwords (of 6 or fewer characters) follow the file
name:
<filename><single-space-character>!<password><cr>
If the request is of the "update" genre, the type of update and the
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 11 25 Nov 1996
time, expressed as a UNIX-style long decimal ASCII number, follows the
name, or in the event that there is a transaction-level password, the
password. For example, an update request for file NEWOPUS.*, where you
already have a file dated 1-January 1989, 00:00 and you live on the
East Coast (GMT+06) would be:
NEWOPUS.* +599634000
The sign is required, it indicates the type of update request. A '+'
means that all files matching the filespec "NEWOPUS.*" newer than the
shown time will be sent, a '-' means that all matching files with
dates up to and including the indicated time will be sent.
The complete format of an action line in an REQ file is, then:
<filename>[<space>!<password>][<space><+/-><time>]<cr>
MECHANISM:
In a ZedZap or DietIfna session, the .REQ file is simply transmitted
to the other system. It goes "as is" like any other file. In a Janus
session, the .REQ file will be sent one line at a time and
individually serviced by the other end.
The other system can ignore the request, send some of the files, or
send all of the files. There is no accounting or responsibilities on
the part of the remote system.
If your implementation is unable to process the update information for
any reason, then you should process the line as a "regular" file
request.
NOTE:
In the YooHoo packet, there's a bit that lets you know if the remote
system currently accepts .REQ files. This will be a clue as to
whether a .REQ file would be a waste of time or not. Procedurally, you
just should not send a .REQ file to a system which indicates that it
won't process it.
Structures and Definitions
STRUCTURES AND DECLARATIONS
---------------------------
#define ACK 0x06
#define NAK 0x15
#define ENQ 0x05
#define YOOHOO 0xf1
#define TSYNC 0xae
struct _Hello
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 12 25 Nov 1996
{
word signal; /* always 'o' (0x6f)
*/
word hello_version; /* currently 1 (0x01)
*/
word product; /* product code
*/
word product_maj; /* major revision of the product
*/
word product_min; /* minor revision of the product
*/
char my_name[60]; /* Other end's name, will include
domain */
/* if DO_DOMAIN is set in capabilities
mask*/
char sysop[20]; /* sysop's name
*/
word my_zone; /* 0== not supported
*/
word my_net; /* out primary net number
*/
word my_node; /* our primary node number
*/
word my_point; /* 0 == not supported
*/
byte my_password[8]; /* This is not necessarily null-
terminated */
byte reserved2[8]; /* reserved by Opus
*/
word capabilities; /* see below
*/
byte reserved3[12]; /* for non-Opus systems with "approval"
*/
}; /* total size 128 bytes
*/
/*--------------------------------------------------------------------
----*/
/* YOOHOO<tm> CAPABILITY VALUES
*/
/*--------------------------------------------------------------------
----*/ #define Y_DIETIFNA 0x0001 /* Can do fast "FTS-0001" 0000 0000
0000 0001 */
#define FTB_USER 0x0002 /* Reserved by Opus-CBCS 0000 0000 0000
0010 */ #define ZED_ZIPPER 0x0004 /* Does ZModem, 1K blocks 0000
0000 0000 0100 */
#define ZED_ZAPPER 0x0008 /* Can do ZModem variant 0000 0000 0000
1000 */
#define DOES_IANUS 0x0010 /* Can do Janus 0000 0000 0001
0000 */
#define Bit_5 0x0020 /* reserved by FTSC 0000 0000 0010
0000 */
#define Bit_6 0x0040 /* reserved by FTSC 0000 0000 0100
0000 */
#define Bit_7 0x0080 /* reserved by FTSC 0000 0000 1000
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 13 25 Nov 1996
0000 */
#define Bit_8 0x0100 /* reserved by FTSC 0000 0001 0000
0000 */
#define Bit_9 0x0200 /* reserved by FTSC 0000 0010 0000
0000 */
#define Bit_a 0x0400 /* reserved by FTSC 0000 0100 0000
0000 */
#define Bit_b 0x0800 /* reserved by FTSC 0000 1000 0000
0000 */
#define Bit_c 0x1000 /* reserved by FTSC 0001 0000 0000
0000 */
#define Bit_d 0x2000 /* reserved by FTSC 0010 0000 0000
0000 */ #define DO_DOMAIN 0x4000 /* Packet contains domain 0100
0000 0000 0000 */
#define WZ_FREQ 0x8000 /* WZ file req. ok 1000 0000 0000
0000 */
Domain addressing in Hello Packet
Since the invention of the WaZOO handshake, nearly every change in the
FidoNet transport has been accessible by defining bits for new
protocols, using the point number field in the structure, etc.
With the advent of Domain addressing in FidoNet, this was no longer
the case. There was no place set aside in the hello packet where
domain info could be passed from one system to another.
We have addressed this requirement by using some of the space set
aside in the system name field for the domain. It is backward-
compatible with all systems which determine the end of a string by use
of a null.
WaZOO systems that support domains communicate that fact by setting
the DO_DOMAIN bit (hex 2000) in the capabilities mask. This tells the
other side that they can expect to find a domain address in the
packet.
The domain name is stored at the end of the 'my_name' field. It is
stored in its entirety (no abbreviations as in FSC-0045) after the
system name. If the length of the system name plus the null
terminator plus the length of the domain name plus terminator exceeds
60, the system name will be truncated (right to left) to make it fit.
So, for a system named "FUBAR" at address 1:234/567@fidonet.org, the
address and name fields in the header would look like this:
hello.my_zone = 1
hello.my_net = 234
hello.my_node = 567
hello.my_point = 0
hello.my_name = 'F','U','B','A','R', 0, 'f','i','d','o','n','e','t',
'.','o','r','g',0
hello.capabilities will contain the usual capabilities plus DO_DOMAIN.
A remote system receiving this packet should look past the null in
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 14 25 Nov 1996
my_name to get the domain name.
Caller State Tables
Calling System:
The parts of FTS-0001 and FTS-0007 which deal with synchronization of
calling and called system must be modified to deal with the reception
and processing of the YooHoo character and exchange of Hello packets.
The following state table may be used to initiate an FTS-0001 or a
WaZOO session by the calling system. It replaces state S3 in the FTS-
0001 table.
.-----+----------+-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----.
|State| State | Predicate(s) | Action(s)
| Next|
| # | Name | |
| Stat| |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| SS0 | SyncInit | | Prepare 3 sec Sync
timer| |
| | | | Prepare .5 sec NAK tmr
| |
| | | | Init NAK Count
| |
| | | | Start 60 sec master tmr
| SS1 | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| SS1 | SendSync | 1. Over 60 seconds |
| |
| | | or carrier lost | no response
| exit|
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 2. 3 sec elapsed | Clear Inbound buffer
| |
| | | or timer not started | Send YOOHOO, then TSYNC
| |
| | | | Start 3 sec Sync timer
| SS2 |
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 3. not elapsed |
| SS2 | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| SS2 | WaitResp | 1. Nothing received | require a response
| SS1 |
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 2. ENQ received | WaZOO Protocol selected
| exit|
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 15 25 Nov 1996
+-----|
| | | 3. 'C' received | probable FTS-0001
| SS3 |
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 4. NAK received | probable FTS-0001
| SS3 |
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 5. Debris (might include| Reset NAK timer
| |
| | | (YOOHOO|TSYNC) & 127)| if started
| SS1 | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| SS3 | NAKTmr | 1. Timer not expired | Zero NAK count
| |
| | | or timer not started | Start .5 sec NAK timer
| SS1 |
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 2. Timer expired | Bump NAK count
| SS4 | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| SS4 | NAKCount | 1. Count >= 2? | assume FTS-0001
| exit|
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 2. Count < 2 | Keep looking
| SS1 | `-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----'
Caller State Tables
Calling System (continued):
The FTS-0001 exits from the above table should operate using the FTS-
0001 state tables, starting at state S4. The "WaZOO detected" case
should proceed using the following state table:
.-----+----------+-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----.
|State| State | Predicate(s) | Action(s)
| Next|
| # | Name | |
| Stat| |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| YS1 | SndHello | Successful | Looks like WaZOO
| YS2 |
| | (state +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | SH1) | Not successful | Repeat whole thing
| exit| |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| YS2 | WaitResp | 30 sec timer expires | repeat whole thing
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 16 25 Nov 1996
| exit|
| | | or lost carrier |
| |
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | Received YOOHOO | Another WaZOO, go
| YS3 |
| | | | process receive
| |
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | Received debris | Repeat whole thing
| YS2 | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| YS3 | GetHello | Information | Report Success
| exit|
| | (state | Successfully |
| |
| | RH1) | Exchanged |
| |
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | Failure | Repeat whole thing
| exit| `-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----'
The failure cases in this table may be retried. The retry should be
from the point of synchronization. This means redoing the process in
the SendSync table on Page 11. A really smart mailer could therefore
do a YooHoo, exchange information, decide that it doesn't want to do
WaZOO, fail out, and attempt an FTS-0001 session.
If the packet exchange is successful, session method selection
proceeds and then the chosen session method should be employed to
exchange mail and files.
Called System State Tables
The following state table may be used to initiate an FTS-0001 or a
WaZOO session by the called system. It replaces states R1 and R2 in
the FTS-0001 table.
.-----+----------+-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----.
|State| State | Predicate(s) | Action(s)
| Next|
| # | Name | |
| Stat| |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| RS0 | SyncInit | | Start 5 second idle tmr
| RS1 | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 17 25 Nov 1996
| RS1 | IdleWait | 1. 5 sec tmr expired | Take the initiative
| RS2 |
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 2. Carrier lost | Session aborted
| exit|
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 3. Peek = YOOHOO | Looks like a live WaZOO
| RS3 |
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 4. Peek = TSYNC | Live FTS-0001, we think
| RS3 |
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 5. Peek = CR, LF, space | He looks alive
| RS2 |
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 6. Other character | Eat it
| RS1 | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| RS2 |SendBanner| 1. Error returned | Session aborted
| exit|
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 2. Banner sent OK |
| RS3 | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| RS3 |RecvInit | | Start 20 sec timer
| RS4 |
| | | | Init 10 sec timer
| | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| RS4 |SendSync | 1. Error returned | Session aborted
| exit|
| |(xmit sync+-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| |string) | 2. String sent OK | Watch for sender sync
| RS5 | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| RS5 | WaitSync | 1. Carrier lost | Session aborted
| exit|
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 2. YOOHOO received | WaZOO session selected
| exit|
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 3. TSYNC received | probable FTS-0001
| RS6 |
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 4. CR received | Still sync'ing
| RS4 |
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 18 25 Nov 1996
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 5. Other character rcvd | Get next input
character| RS5 |
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 6. 10 sec timer elapsed | FTS-0001 selected
| exit|
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 7. 20 sec timer elapsed | Not a mail session
| exit| |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| RS6 | TsyncTmr | 1. Timer not running | Start 10 second timer
| RS5 |
| | | | Reset 20 sec timer
| |
| | +-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----|
| | | 2. Timer running | Two TSYNCS = FTS-0001
| exit| `-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----'
Called System State Tables
The FTS-0001 exits from the above table should operate using the FTS-
0001 state tables, starting at state R3. The "WaZOO detected" case
should proceed using the following state table:
.-----+----------+-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----.
|State| State | Predicate(s) | Action(s)
| Next|
| # | Name | |
| Stat| |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| YR1 | GetHello | Information | Start 20 sec timer
| YR2 |
| | (state | Successfully | Initialize retry count
| |
| | RH1) | Exchanged | Send YooHoo
| |
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | Failure | Repeat whole thing
| exit| |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| YR2 | WaitResp | 20 sec timeout | try again
| YR3 |
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | Lost carrier | Failure
| exit|
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 19 25 Nov 1996
+- - -|
| | | Received ENQ | Go send hello
| YR4 |
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | Received debris | Keep looking
| YR2 | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| YR3 | PollPeer | More than 3 retries | Give it up
| exit|
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | Less than 3 retries | Bump retry count
| YR2 |
| | | | Clear input buffer
| |
| | | | Send YOOHOO
| |
| | | | Restart 20 sec timer
| | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| YR4 | SndHello | Successful | All done, report
success| exit|
| | (state +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | SH1) | Not successful | Repeat whole thing
| exit| `-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----'
The failure cases in states YR1, YR3 and YR4 of this table may be
retried. The retry should be from the point of synchronization. This
means redoing the process in the RecvSync table on Page 13, beginning
at state RS3. A really smart mailer could therefore do a YooHoo,
exchange information, decide that it doesn't want to (or cannot) do a
WaZOO session, fail out, and attempt an FTS-0001 session.
If the packet exchange is successful, session method selection
proceeds and then the chosen session method should be employed to
exchange mail and files.
Packet Exchange State Tables
The following state table describes the transmission of the "Hello"
packet from one system to its partner:
.-----+----------+-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----.
|State| State | Predicate(s) | Action(s)
| Next|
| # | Name | |
| Stat| |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 20 25 Nov 1996
| SH1 | InitSend | | Disable XON/XOFF
| SH2 |
| | | | Set retry count to 0
| | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| SH2 | SendHedr | | Send Hex 1f, then
| SH3 |
| | | | Send HELLO struct
| | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| SH3 | SendCRC | | Clear Input Buffer
| SH4 |
| | | | Send two-byte CRC of
pkt| |
| | | | MSB followed by LSB
| |
| | | | Start 40 second timer
| | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| SH4 | GetResp | 40 second timer expires | Failed to send packet
| exit|
| | | or carrier lost |
| |
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | ACK received | Successful transmission
| exit|
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | '?' received | Error, try retransmit
| SH2 |
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | ENQ received | Out of sync?
| SH2 |
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | other character recvd | Debris, keep watching
| SH4 | `-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----'
Packet Exchange State Tables
The following state table describes the reception of the "Hello"
packet sent to a system by its partner:
.-----+----------+-------------------------+-------------------------
+-----.
|State| State | Predicate(s) | Action(s)
| Next|
| # | Name | |
| Stat| |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| RH1 | SendENQ | | Start 2 minute timer
| RH2 |
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 21 25 Nov 1996
| | | | Send an ENQ character
| | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| RH2 | WaitHedr | 2 minute timer expires | Report failure
| exit|
| | | or carrier lost |
| |
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | Received Hex 1f | Got header, get packet
| RH5 |
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | Received other char | Debris, throw away
| RH3 |
| | | | Start 10 sec timer
| | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| RH3 | TossJunk | 10 sec timer expires | Too much noise
| RH4 |
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | Received Hex 1f | Got header, get packet
| RH5 |
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | Input buffer empty | Try to resynch
| RH4 |
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | Carrier lost | Report failure
| exit| |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| RH4 | ReSynch | | Clear input buffer
| RH2 |
| | | | Send ENQ
| | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| RH5 | HdrSetup | | Initialize CRC
| |
| | | | Set 30 second timer
| RH6 | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| RH6 | GetHChar | 30 sec timer expires or |
| |
| | | carrier lost | Report failure
| exit|
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | Character received | Process character
| RH7 |
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | 10 seconds with no char | Error, try resync
| RH9 | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 22 25 Nov 1996
| RH7 | StoHChar | Buffer and CRC filled | Compare CRC
| RH8 |
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | More characters needed | Reset 30 sec timer
| RH6 | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| RH8 | CheckCRC | CRC matches | Finish Receive
| RH10|
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | CRC doesn't match | Handle error
| RH9 | |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| RH9 | CountERR | Less than 10 errors | Send '?' (0x3f)
| RH2 |
| | +- - - - - - - - - - - - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - -
+- - -|
| | | 10 errors | Hang up, report failure
| exit| |-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----|
| RH10| HelloOK | | Clear inbound buffer
| exit|
| | | | Send ACK
| | `-----+----------+-------------------------+-----------------
--------+-----'
-30-
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 23 25 Nov 1996
=================================================================
COORDINATORS CORNER
=================================================================
Nodelist-statistics as seen from Zone-2 for day 327
By Ward Dossche, 2:292/854
ZC/2
+----+------+------------+------------+------------+------------+--+
|Zone|Nl-299|Nodelist-306|Nodelist-313|Nodelist-320|Nodelist-327|%%|
+----+------+------------+------------+------------+------------+--+
| 1 | 11555|11332 -223 |11332 0 |11127 -205 |11127 0 |37|
| 2 | 16324|16307 -17 |16157 -150 |16300 143 |16291 -9 |54|
| 3 | 954| 954 0 | 942 -12 | 929 -13 | 905 -24 | 3|
| 4 | 620| 624 4 | 620 -4 | 620 0 | 589 -31 | 2|
| 5 | 97| 95 -2 | 95 0 | 95 0 | 94 -1 | 0|
| 6 | 1020| 1007 -13 | 1007 0 | 999 -8 | 1008 9 | 3|
+----+------+------------+------------+------------+------------+--+
| 30570|30319 -251 |30153 -166 |30070 -83 |30014 -56 |
+------+------------+------------+------------+------------+
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 24 25 Nov 1996
=================================================================
NET HUMOR
=================================================================
From: "Mike Riddle" <mriddle@novia.net>
To: "Baker, Christopher" <cbaker84@digital.net (Christopher Baker)>
Date: Tue, 29 Oct 96 08:15:58 -0500
Reply-To: "Mike Riddle" <mriddle@novia.net>
Subject: Fwd: Know your unix sysadmin (LONG)
==================BEGIN FORWARDED MESSAGE==================
>Date: Thu, 24 Oct 1996 20:01:47 -0700
>To: geeks@shorty.com
>From: Ted Timmons <tedder@mailzone.com>
>Subject: Know your unix sysadmin (LONG)
There's a credit at the bottom... if that's who it is. I found it at:
http://home.cray.com/~btd/sys-adm.html
PLEASE don't mail me saying who it is :^)
KNOW YOUR UNIX SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR - A FIELD GUIDE
There are four major species of Unix sysadm:
1) The TECHNICAL THUG. Usually a systems programmer who has been
forced into system administration; writes scripts in a polyglot of the
Bourne shell, sed, C, awk, perl, and APL.
2) The ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST. Usually a retentive drone (or rarely, a
harridan ex-secretary) who has been forced into system administration.
3) The MANIAC. Usually an aging cracker who discovered that neither
the Mossad nor Cuba are willing to pay a living wage for computer
espionage. Fell into system administration; occasionally approaches
major competitors with indesp schemes.
4) The IDIOT. Usually a cretin, morpohodite, or old COBOL programmer
selected to be the system administrator by a committee of cretins,
morphodites, and old COBOL programmers.
HOW TO IDENTIFY YOUR SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR
SITUATION: Low disk space.
SITUATION: Excessive CPU usage.
SITUATION: New account creation.
SITUATION: Root disk fails.
SITUATION: Poor network response.
SITUATION: User questions.
SITUATION: *Stupid* user questions.
SITUATION: Process accounting management.
SITUATION: Religious war, BSD vs. System V.
SITUATION: Religious war, System V vs. AIX
SITUATION: Balky printer daemons.
SITUATION: OS upgrade.
SITUATION: Balky mail.
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 25 25 Nov 1996
SITUATION: Users want phone list application.
OTHER GUIDELINES
TYPICAL ROOT .cshrc FILE:
HOBBIES, TECHNICAL:
HOBBIES, NONTECHNICAL:
1992 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION:
1996 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION:
COMPOUND SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS
HOW TO IDENTIFY YOUR SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR
SITUATION: Low disk space.
TECHNICAL THUG:
Writes a suite of scripts to monitor disk usage, maintain a
database of historic disk usage, predict future disk usage via least
squares regression analysis, identify users who are more than a
standard deviation over the mean, and send mail to the offending
parties. Places script in cron. Disk usage does not change, since
disk-hogs, by nature, either ignore script-generated mail, or file it
away in triplicate.
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
Puts disk usage policy in motd. Uses disk quotas. Allows no
exceptions, thus crippling development work. Locks accounts that go
over quota.
MANIAC:
# cd /home
# rm -rf `du -s * | sort -rn | head -1 | awk '{print $2}'`;
IDIOT:
# cd /home
# cat `du -s * | sort -rn | head -1 | awk '{ printf "%s/*\n", $2}'` |
compress
SITUATION: Excessive CPU usage.
TECHNICAL THUG:
Writes a suite of scripts to monitor processes, maintain a
database of CPU usage, identify processes more than a standard
deviation over the norm, and renice offending processes. Places script
in cron. Ends up renicing the production database into oblivion,
bringing operations to a grinding halt, much to the delight of the
xtrek freaks.
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
Puts CPU usage policy in motd. Uses CPU quotas. Locks accounts
that go over quota. Allows no exceptions, thus crippling development
work, much to the delight of the xtrek freaks.
MANIAC:
# kill -9 `ps -augxww | sort -rn +8 -9 | head -1 | awk '{print $2}'`
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 26 25 Nov 1996
IDIOT:
# compress -f `ps -augxww | sort -rn +8 -9 | head -1 | awk '{print
$2}'`
SITUATION: New account creation.
TECHNICAL THUG:
Writes perl script that creates home directory, copies in
incomprehensible default environment, and places entries in
/etc/passwd, /etc/shadow, and /etc/group. (By hand, NOT with
passmgmt.) Slaps on setuid bit; tells a nearby secretary to handle new
accounts. Usually, said secretary is still dithering over the
difference between 'enter' and 'return'; and so, no new accounts are
ever created.
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
Puts new account policy in motd. Since people without accounts
cannot read the motd, nobody ever fulfills the bureaucratic
requirements; and so, no new accounts are ever created.
MANIAC:
"If you're too stupid to break in and create your own account, I
don't want you on the system. We've got too many goddamn sh*t-for-
brains a**holes on this box anyway."
IDIOT:
# cd /home; mkdir "Bob's home directory"
# echo "Bob Simon:gandalf:0:0::/dev/tty:compress -f" > /etc/passwd
SITUATION: Root disk fails.
TECHNICAL THUG:
Repairs drive. Usually is able to repair filesystem from boot
monitor. Failing that, front-panel toggles microkernel in and starts
script on neighboring machine to load binary boot code into broken
machine, reformat and reinstall OS. Lets it run over the weekend while
he goes mountain climbing.
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
Begins investigation to determine who broke the drive. Refuses to
fix system until culprit is identified and charged for the equipment.
MANIAC, LARGE SYSTEM:
Rips drive from system, uses sledgehammer to smash same to
flinders. Calls manufacturer, threatens pets. Abuses field engineer
while they put in a new drive and reinstall the OS.
MANIAC, SMALL SYSTEM:
Rips drive from system, uses ball-peen hammer to smash same to
flinders. Calls Requisitions, threatens pets. Abuses bystanders while
putting in new drive and reinstalling OS.
IDIOT:
Doesn't notice anything wrong.
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 27 25 Nov 1996
SITUATION: Poor network response.
TECHNICAL THUG:
Writes scripts to monitor network, then rewires entire machine
room, improving response time by 2%. Shrugs shoulders, says, "I've
done all I can do," and goes mountain climbing.
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
Puts network usage policy in motd. Calls up Berkeley and AT&T,
badgers whoever answers for network quotas. Tries to get xtrek freaks
fired.
MANIAC:
Every two hours, pulls ethernet cable from wall and waits for
connections to time out.
IDIOT:
# compress -f /dev/en0
SITUATION: User questions.
TECHNICAL THUG:
Hacks the code of emacs' doctor-mode to answer new users
questions. Doesn't bother to tell people how to start the new "guru-
mode", or for that matter, emacs.
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
Puts user support policy in motd. Maintains queue of questions.
Answers them when he gets a chance, often within two weeks of receipt
of the proper form.
MANIAC:
Screams at users until they go away. Sometimes barters knowledge
for powerful drink and/or sycophantic adulation.
IDIOT:
Answers all questions to best of his knowledge until the user
realizes few UNIX systems support punched cards or JCL.
SITUATION: *Stupid* user questions.
TECHNICAL THUG:
Answers question in hex, binary, postfix, and/or French until
user gives up and goes away.
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
Locks user's account until user can present documentation
demonstrating their qualification to use the machine.
MANIAC:
# cat >> ~luser/.cshrc
alias vi 'rm \!*;unalias vi;grep -v BoZo ~/.cshrc > ~/.z; mv -f ~/.z
~/.cshrc' ^D
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 28 25 Nov 1996
IDIOT:
Answers all questions to best of his knowledge. Recruits user to
system administration team.
SITUATION: Process accounting management.
TECHNICAL THUG:
Ignores packaged accounting software; trusts scripts to sniff out
any problems & compute charges.
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
Devotes 75% of disk space to accounting records owned by root and
chmod'ed 000.
MANIAC:
Laughs fool head off at very mention of accounting.
IDIOT:
# lpr /etc/wtmp /usr/adm/paact
SITUATION: Religious war, BSD vs. System V.
TECHNICAL THUG:
BSD. Crippled on System V boxes.
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
System V. Horrified by the people who use BSD. Places frequent
calls to DEA.
MANIAC:
Prefers BSD, but doesn't care as long as HIS processes run
quickly.
IDIOT:
# cd c:
SITUATION: Religious war, System V vs. AIX
TECHNICAL THUG:
Weeps.
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
AIX-- doesn't much care for the OS, but loves the jackboots.
MANIAC:
System V, but keeps AIX skills up, knowing full well how much Big
Financial Institutions love IBM...
IDIOT:
AIX.
SITUATION: Balky printer daemons.
TECHNICAL THUG:
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 29 25 Nov 1996
Rewrites lpd in FORTH.
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
Puts printer use policy in motd. Calls customer support every
time the printer freezes. Tries to get user who submitted the most
recent job fired.
MANIAC:
Writes script that kills all the daemons, clears all the print
queues, and maybe restarts the daemons. Runs it once a hour from cron.
IDIOT:
# kill -9 /dev/lp ; /dev/lp &
SITUATION: OS upgrade.
TECHNICAL THUG:
Reads source code of new release, takes only what he likes.
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
Instigates lawsuit against the vendor for having shipped a
product with bugs in it in the first place.
MANIAC:
# uptime 1:33pm up 19 days, 22:49, 167 users, load average: 6.49,
6.45, 6.31
# wall
Well, it's upgrade time. Should take a few hours. And good luck on
that 5:00 deadline, guys! We're all pulling for you!
^D
IDIOT:
# dd if=/dev/rmt8 of=/vmunix
SITUATION: Balky mail.
TECHNICAL THUG:
Rewrites sendmail.cf from scratch. Rewrites sendmail in SNOBOL.
Hacks kernel to implement file locking. Hacks kernel to implement
"better" semaphores.
Rewrites sendmail in assembly. Hacks kernel to . . .
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
Puts mail use policy in motd. Locks accounts that go over mail
use quota. Keeps quota low enough that people go back to interoffice
mail, thus solving problem.
MANIAC:
# kill -9 `ps -augxww | grep sendmail | awk '{print $2}'`
# rm -f /usr/spool/mail/*
# wall
Mail is down. Please use interoffice mail until we have it back up.
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 30 25 Nov 1996
^D
# write max I've got my boots and backpack. Ready to leave for Mount
Tam?
^D
IDIOT:
# echo "HELP!" | mail
tech_support.AT.vendor.com%kremvax%bitnet!BIFF!!!
SITUATION: Users want phone list application.
TECHNICAL THUG:
Writes RDBMS in perl and Smalltalk. Users give up and go back to
post-it notes.
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
Oracle. Users give up and go back to post-it notes.
MANIAC:
Tells the users to use flat files and grep, the way God meant man
to keep track of phone numbers. Users give up and go back to post-it
notes.
IDIOT:
% dd ibs=80 if=/dev/rdisk001s7 | grep "Fred"
OTHER GUIDELINES
TYPICAL ROOT .cshrc FILE:
TECHNICAL THUG:
Longer than eight kilobytes. Sources the output of a perl script,
rewrites itself.
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
Typical lines include:
umask 777
alias cd 'cd \!*; rm -rf ching *hack mille omega rogue xtrek >&
/dev/null &'
MANIAC:
Typical lines include:
alias rm 'rm -rf \!*'
alias hose kill -9 '`ps -augxww | grep \!* | awk \'{print $2}\'`'
alias kill 'kill -9 \!* ; kill -9 \!* ; kill -9 \!*'
alias renice 'echo Renice\? You must mean kill -9.; kill -9 \!*'
IDIOT:
Typical lines include:
alias dir ls
alias era rm
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 31 25 Nov 1996
alias kitty cat
alias process_table ps
setenv DISPLAY vt100
HOBBIES, TECHNICAL:
TECHNICAL THUG:
Writes entries for Obsfuscated C contest. Optimizes INTERCAL
scripts. Maintains ENIAC emulator. Virtual reality .
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
Bugs office. Audits card-key logs. Modifies old TVs to listen in
on cellular phone conversations. Listens to police band.
MANIAC:
Volunteers at Survival Research Labs. Bugs office. Edits card-key
logs. Modifies old TVs to listen in on cellular phone conversations.
Jams police band.
IDIOT:
Ties shoes. Maintains COBOL decimal to roman numeral converter.
Rereads flowcharts from his salad days at Rand.
HOBBIES, NONTECHNICAL:
TECHNICAL THUG:
Drinks "Smart Drinks." Attends raves. Hangs out at poetry
readings and Whole Earth Review events and tries to pick up
Birkenstock MOTAS.
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
Reads Readers Digest and Mein Kampf. Sometimes turns up car radio
and sings along to John Denver. Golfs. Drinks gin martinis. Hangs out
in yuppie bars and tries to pick up dominatrixes.
MANIAC:
Reads Utne Reader and Mein Kampf. Faithfully attends Dickies and
Ramones concerts. Punches out people who say "virtual reality." Drinks
damn near anything, but favors Wild Turkey, Black Bush, and grain
alcohol. Hangs out in neighborhood bars and tries to pick up MOTAS by
drinking longshoremen under the table.
IDIOT:
Reads Time and Newsweek-- and *believes* them. Drinks
Jagermeister. Tries to pick up close blood relations-- often
succeeds, producting next generation of idiots.
1992 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION:
TECHNICAL THUG:
Clinton, but only because he liked Gore's book.
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
Bush. Possibly Clinton, but only because he liked Tipper.
MANIAC:
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 32 25 Nov 1996
Frank Zappa.
IDIOT:
Perot.
1996 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION:
TECHNICAL THUG:
Richard Stallman - Larry Wall.
ADMINISTRATIVE FASCIST:
Nixon - Buchanan.
MANIAC:
Frank Zappa.
IDIOT:
Quayle.
COMPOUND SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS
TECHNICAL FASCIST:
Hacks kernel & writes a horde of scripts to prevent folk from
ever using more than their fair share of system resources. Resulting
overhead and load brings system to its knees.
TECHNICAL MANIAC:
Writes scripts that SEEM to be monitoring the system, but are
actually encrypting large lists of passwords. Uses nearby nodes as
beta test sites for worms.
TECHNICAL IDIOT:
Writes superuser-run scripts that sooner or later do an "rm -rf
/".
FASCISTIC MANIAC:
At first hint of cracker incursions, whether real or imagined,
shuts down system by triggering water-on-the-brain detectors and Halon
system.
FASCISTIC IDIOT:
# cp /dev/null /etc/passwd
MANIACAL IDIOT:
Napalms the CPU.
- Stephan Zielinski
--
-=TED=- O- JAPH tedder@mailzone.com
===================END FORWARDED MESSAGE===================
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 33 25 Nov 1996
From: "Mike Riddle" <mriddle@novia.net>
To: "Baker, Christopher" <cbaker84@digital.net (Christopher Baker)>
Date: Wed, 06 Nov 96 08:59:47 -0500
Reply-To: "Mike Riddle" <mriddle@novia.net>
Subject: Fwd: USENET guide to power posting
==================BEGIN FORWARDED MESSAGE==================
>Return-Path: geekapp@tomservo.mindspring.com
>Received: from tomservo.mindspring.com (tomservo.mindspring.com
>From: Robbie Honerkamp <robbie@tomservo.mindspring.com>
>Message-Id: <199611050400.XAA31005@tomservo.mindspring.com>
>Subject: USENET guide to power posting
>To: geeks@shorty.com, mob@shorty.com
>Date: Mon, 4 Nov 1996 23:00:00 -0500 (EST)
>Reply-To: robbie@mindspring.com
I remember making a scene in the lab at college when I first read this
from laughing so hard.. :)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The USENET Guide to Power Posting
1. Conspiracies abound: If everyone's against you, the reason
can't *possibly* be that you're a fuckhead. There's obviously
a conspiracy against you, and you will be doing the entire
net a favor by exposing it. Be sure to mention the CIA, FBI
Oliver North and the Army as co-conspiritors.
2. Lawsuit threats: This is the reverse of Rule #1. Threatening a
lawsuit is always considered to be in good form. "By saying
that I've posted to the wrong group, Charlie has libeled me,
slandered me, and sodomized me. See you in court, Charlie."
3. Force them to document their claims: Even if Jane Jones
states outright that she has menstrual cramps, you should
demand documentation. If Newsweek hasn't written an article
on Jane's cramps, then Jane's obviously lying.
4. Use foreign phrases: French is good, but Latin is the lingua
franca of USENET. You should use the words "ad hominem" at
least three times per article. Other favorite Latin phrases
are "ad nauseam", "vini, vidi, vici", "E Pluribus Unum" and
"fetuccini alfredo".
5. Tell 'em how smart you are: Why use intelligent arguments to
convince them you're smart when all you have to do is tell
them? State that you're a member of Mensa or Mega or Dorks of
America. Tell them the scores you received on every exam
since high school. "I got an 800 on my SATs, LSATs, GREs,
MCATs, and I can also spell the word 'premeiotic' ".
6. Be an armchair psychologist: You're a smart person. You've
heard of Freud. You took a psychology course in college.
Clearly, you're qualified to psychoanalyze your opponent.
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 34 25 Nov 1996
"Polly Purebread, by using the word 'zucchini' in her posting,
shows she has a bad case of penis envy."
7. Accuse your opponent of censorship. It is your right as an
American citizen to post whatever the hell you want to the net
(as guaranteed by the 37th Amendment, I think). Anyone who
tries to limit your cross-posting or move a flame war to email
is either a Communist, a fascist, or both.
8. Doubt their existence: You've never actually seen your opponent,
have you? And since you're the center of the universe, you
should have seen them by now, shouldn't you? Therefore, THEY
DON'T EXIST! Call'em an AI project, to really piss them off.
9. Laugh at whatever they write. A good
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" should intimidate just about
anyone.
10. When in doubt, insult: If you forget the other rules, remember
this one. At some point during your wonderful career on
USENET you will undoubtedly end up in a flame war with someone
who is better than you. This person will expose your lies,
tear apart your arguments, make you look generally like a
bozo. At this point, there's only one thing to do: insult
the dirtbag!!! "Oh yeah? Well, you do strange things with
vegetables."
11. And, if all else fails, remember that you can always fall back on
the favorite defense of Soc.women: "Who cares what YOU think
-- this is Soc.WOMEN!". Add "DAMMIT!" for effect.
12. Be sure to have a cute signature that proclaims that you are a
man basher. No one will respect you unless it's clear that
you hate men.
13. Call'em a "Pman" if you can't think of anything. Tell the
linguists to stuff it -- YOU know a diminutive when you see
it.
14. Make things up about your opponent: It's important to make your
lies sound true. Preface your argument with the word
"clearly." "Clearly, Fred Flooney is a liar, and a dirtball to
boot."
15. Cross-post your article: Everyone on the net is just waiting for
the next literary masterpiece to leave your terminal. From
rec.arts.wobegon to alt.gourmand, they're all holding their
breaths until your next flame. Therefore, post everywhere.
16. Use the smiley to your advantage. You can call anyone just about
anything as long as you include the smiley. On really nasty
attacks add "No flames, please". When they bitch, call them
an ass for not being able to recognize sarcasm when they see
it.
17. Threaten to destroy Soc.men if your opponent refuses to give up.
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 35 25 Nov 1996
This at least gives you an appearance of power, even if nobody
on the net gives a damn about what goes on in soc.men.
18. Should you post something exceedingly stupid and later regret it,
don't worry. You needn't cancel the article. That only shows
what a wimp you really are. Deny that you ever sent it. "It
must be a forgery!" (Yea, that's the ticket, it's a forgery!)
"Someone broke into my account and sent it!" "It's that damn
backbone cabal out to get me!" Take your pick, they've all
been used before.
19. A really cheap shot is to call you opponent a "facist". By
itself, it really does nothing. But, when used often, and in
enough articles, it can make you a net-legend.
20. And finally, never edit your newsgroup line when following up
(unless you're expanding it). This drives 'em wild. Be sure
to follow up as many articles as possible, even if you have
nothing to say. The important thing is to get "exposure" so
that you can be called a "regular" in your pet newsgroup.
Never change the ">" symbol when following up; that's for
wimps. Dump a hundred lines of "INEWS FODDER" in every
article.
Now that you know the ways to properly post on USENET, let's try
an example:
In article <1452@sab.ck>, Bill Netter writes:
> Dear Sally,
I object to your use of the word "dear". It shows you are a
condescending, sexist Pman. Also, the submissive tone you use shows
that you like to be tied down and flagellated with licorice whips.
> While I found your article "The Effect of Lint on Western Thought"
> to be extremely thought-provoking,
"Thought-provoking"? I had no idea you could think, you rotting piece
of swamp slime. :-) (No flames, please)
> it really shouldn't have been posted in Soc.women.
What? Are you questioning my judgment? I'll have you know that I'm
a member of the super-high-IQ society Menstruate. I got an 800 on my
PMS exam. Besides, what does a Pman like yourself know of such
things. This is Soc.WOMEN, DAMMIT!
Your attempts constitute nothing less than censorship. There is a
conspiracy against me. You, Colin, Charlie and the backbone cabal
have been constantly harassing me by email. This was an ad hominem
attack! If this doesn't stop at once, I'll crosspost a thousand
articles to soc.men.
> Perhaps you should have posted it in misc.misc.
It is my right, as granted in the Bill of Rights, the Magna Carta, the
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 36 25 Nov 1996
Bible and the Quran, to post where ever I want to. Or don't you
believe in those documents, you damn fascist? Perhaps if you didn't
spend so much time sacrificing virgins and infants to Satan, you would
have realized this.
> Your article would be much more appropriate there.
Can you document this? I will only accept documents notarized by my
attorney, and signed by you in your blood. Besides, you don't really
exist anyway, you Pseudo, you.
> If I can be of any help in the future, just drop me a line.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
> Bill.
Sally Sourpuss
"If we can send one man to the moon, why can't we send them all?"
Soc.women Women WOMEN, DAMMIT!
===================END FORWARDED MESSAGE===================
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 37 25 Nov 1996
=================================================================
COMIX IN ASCII
=================================================================
Various states of Turkeyness...
Date: 24 Nov 94 14:44:06
From: odin@gate.net
To: All
Subj: Happy Thanksgiving!
______________________________________________________________________
Date: Thu, 24 Nov 1994 17:44:06 -0500 (EST)
From: PNEWS <odin@gate.net>
[*********PNEWS CONFERENCES************]
From: Ribaud.@f360.n135.z1.fidonet.org
,+*^^*+___+++_
,*^^^^ )
_+* ^**+_
+^ _ _++*+_+++_, )
_+^^*+_ ( ,+*^ ^ \+_ )
{ ) ( ,( ,_+--+--, ^) ^\
{ (@) } f ,( ,+-^ __*_*_ ^^\_ ^\ )
{:;-/ (_+*-+^^^^^+*+*<_ _++_)_ ) ) /
( / ( ( ,___ ^*+_+* ) < < \
U _/ ) *--< ) ^\-----++__) ) ) )
( ) _(^)^^)) ) )\^^^^^))^*+/ / /
( / (_))_^)) ) ) ))^^^^^))^^^)__/ +^^
( ,/ (^))^)) ) ) ))^^^^^^^))^^) _)
*+__+* (_))^) ) ) ))^^^^^^))^^^^^)____*^
\ \_)^)_)) ))^^^^^^^^^^))^^^^)
(_ ^\__^^^^^^^^^^^^))^^^^^^^)
^\___ ^\__^^^^^^))^^^^^^^^)\\
^^^^^\uuu/^^\uuu/^^^^\^\^\^\^\^\^\^\
___) >____) >___ ^\_\_\_\_\_\_\)
^^^//\\_^^//\\_^ ^(\_\_\_\)
^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Ribaud
---
Origin: Usenet: (1:343/70)
Date: 23 Nov 95 18:57:07
From: Tom Mckeever
To: All
Subj: 'Appy 'Oliday!
______________________________________________________________________
Greetings, All!!
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 38 25 Nov 1996
__ __
_ _ _ _ ( ) ( )
_ - - _ / / / /
_- / _ / /
/ v / /
/ v _ / / \
| v / | \
|_ | / \
/ \ _ _ _ \_ _ / _ _ \ _ _
| | / \ _ _ / \ / \_ _/ \_ _ // \
\ _ / |__ _/ \/ |\ \_/| /
---=========================================================---
\=====================================================/
H A P P Y T H A N K S G I V I N G
From the MCKEEVER Family!!!!
Take care!!
Tom..
(tom.mckeever@mit.com)
(ksc_admin@ids.net)
SPACECON/BRAVEHEART BBS (1:374/22)
(407) 459-0969 452-8969 453-5393 (1200-28800 Baud)
(Home of INFOLOG, OTVIEW, & POST_POLIO and CARDIAC Echoes!!)
Origin: SPACECON Medical/Disabilities/Law Enforcement BBS!(1:374/22.0)
Date: 23 Nov 95 09:42:00
From: Peter Kling
To: all
Subj: ThanksGiving...
______________________________________________________________________
GOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBB
LEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGO
BBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLE
GOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBB
LEGOBBLEG EGOBBLEGO
BBLEGOBBL H A P P Y T H A N K S G I V I N G BLEGOBBLE
GOBBLEGOB OBBLEGOBB
LEGOBBLEG T O E V E R Y O N E EGOBBLEGO
BBLEGOBBL BBLEGOBBL
LEGOBBLEG F R O M EGOBBLEGO
EGOBBLEGO EGOBBLEGO
BBLEGOBBL INFO SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY, INC. BLEGOBBLE
GOBBLEGOB PALM BAY, FLORIDA GOBBLEGOB
BLEGOBBLE BLEGOBBLE
GOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBB
LEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGO
BBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLE
Origin: Info System Technology Inc.,Florida, U.S.A. (1:374/169)
-30-
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 39 25 Nov 1996
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 40 25 Nov 1996
=================================================================
NOTICES
=================================================================
Future History
1 Dec 1996
Twelfth Anniversary of FidoNews Volume 1, Issue 1.
12 Dec 1996
Constitution Day, Russia
26 Jan 1997
Australia Day, Australia.
6 Feb 1997
Waitangi Day, New Zealand.
16 Feb 1997
Eleventh Anniversary of invention of Echomail by Jeff Rush.
29 Feb 1997
Nothing will happen on this day.
25 May 1997
Independence Day, Argentina
11 Jun 1997
Independence Day, Russia
1 Dec 1998
Fifteenth Anniversary of release of Fido version 1 by
Tom Jennings.
31 Dec 1999
Hogmanay, Scotland. The New Year that can't be missed.
15 Sep 2000
Sydney (Australia) Summer Olympiad opens.
-- If YOU have something which you would like to see in this
Future History, please send a note to the FidoNews Editor.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 41 25 Nov 1996
=================================================================
FIDONET SOFTWARE LISTING
=================================================================
[Due to a system crash at Peter's system last week, the Software
Versions list was not published in FidoNews 1347. This is the
8 Nov edition repeated for continuity. All the listed deadlines
should be considered extended until 1:363/264 gets going again.] Ed.
Latest Greatest Software Versions
by Peter E. Popovich, 1:363/264
Wonder of wonders! Someone actually wrote in about a phase-out. I'll
be holding onto the Atari ST/TT Software section for the time being.
I'm still behind, and trying desperately to catch up. If you have
sent in a submission and haven't heard back, please feel free to bug
me about it... ;-)
Phase-out highlights:
This week: Lynx 1.30 Deadline for info: 22 Nov 1996.
Last week: Kitten 1.01 Deadline for info: 15 Nov 1996.
-=- Snip -=-
Submission form for the Latest Greatest Software Versions column
OS Platform :
Software package name :
Version :
Function(s) - BBS, Mailer, Tosser, etc. :
Freeware / Shareware / Commercial? :
Author / Support staff contact name :
Author / Support staff contact node :
Magic name (at the above-listed node) :
Please include a sentence describing what the package does.
Please send updates and suggestions to: Peter Popovich, 1:363/264
-=- Snip -=-
MS-DOS:
Program Name Version F C Contact Name Node Magic Name
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Act-Up 4.6 G D Chris Gunn 1:15/55 ACT-UP
ALLFIX 4.33 T S Harald Harms 2:281/415 ALLFIX
Announcer 1.1 O S Peter Karlsson 2:206/221 ANNOUNCE
BGFAX 1.60 O S B.J. Guillot 1:106/400 BGFAX
CheckPnt 0.5 beta O F Michiel van der Vlist
2:500/9 CHECKPNT
FidoBBS (tm) 12u B S Ray Brown 1:1/117 FILES
FrontDoor 2.12 M S JoHo 2:201/330 FD
FrontDoor 2.20c M C JoHo 2:201/330 FDINFO
GIGO 07-14-96 G S Jason Fesler 1:1/141 INFO
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 42 25 Nov 1996
Imail 1.75 T S Michael McCabe 1:297/11 IMAIL
ImCrypt 1.04 O F Michiel van der Vlist
2:500/9 IMCRYPT
InfoMail 1.11 O F Damian Walker 2:2502/666 INFOMAIL
InterEcho 1.19 T C Peter Stewart 1:369/35 IEDEMO
InterMail 2.29k M C Peter Stewart 1:369/35 IMDEMO
InterPCB 1.52 O S Peter Stewart 1:369/35 INTERPCB
IPNet 1.11 O S Michele Stewart 1:369/21 IPNET
Jelly-Bean 1.01 T S Rowan Crowe 3:635/727 JELLY
Jelly-Bean/386 1.01 T S Rowan Crowe 3:635/727 JELLY386
MakePl 1.8 N F Michiel van der Vlist
2:500/9 MAKEPL
Marena 1.1 beta O F Michiel van der Vlist
2:500/9 MARENA
Maximus 3.01 B P Tech 1:249/106 MAX
McMail 1.0g5 M S Michael McCabe 1:1/148 MCMAIL
MDNDP 1.18 N S Bill Doyle 1:388/7 MDNDP
MsgEd 4.00 O G Paul Edwards 3:711/934 MSGED
Opus CBCS 1.73a B P Christopher Baker 1:374/14 OPUS
O/T-Track 2.63a O S Peter Hampf 2:241/1090 OT
PcMerge 2.7 N F Michiel van der Vlist
2:500/9 PCMERGE
PlatinumXpress 1.1 M C Gary Petersen 1:290/111 PX11TD.ZIP
RAR 2.00 C S Ron Dwight 2:220/22 RAR
RemoteAccess 2.50 B S Mark Lewis 1:3634/12 RA
Silver Xpress
Door 5.4 O S Gary Petersen 1:290/111 FILES
Reader 4.3 O S Gary Petersen 1:290/111 SXR43.ZIP
Squish 1.11 T P Tech 1:249/106 SQUISH
StealTag UK 1.c... O F Fred Schenk 2:284/412 STEAL_UK
StealTag NL 1.c... O F Fred Schenk 2:284/412 STEAL_NL
T-Mail 2.599I M S Ron Dwight 2:220/22 TMAIL
Terminate 4.00 O S Bo Bendtsen 2:254/261 TERMINATE
Tobruk 0.33 T G Paul Edwards 3:711/934 TOBRUK
TriBBS 10.0 B S Patrick Driscoll 1:372/19 TRIBBS
TriDog 10.0 M S Patrick Driscoll 1:372/19 TRIDOG
TriToss 10.0 T S Patrick Driscoll 1:372/19 TRITOSS
WWIV 4.24a B S Craig Dooley 1:376/126 WWIV
WWIVTOSS 1.30 T S Craig Dooley 1:376/126 WWIVTOSS
XRobot 3.01 O S JoHo 2:201/330 XRDOS
OS/2:
Program Name Version F C Contact Name Node Magic Name
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BGFAX 1.60 O S B.J. Guillot 1:106/400 BGFAX
FleetStreet 1.18 O S Michael Hohner 2:2490/2520 FLEET
GIGO 07-14-96 G S Jason Fesler 1:1/141 INFO
ImCrypt 1.04 O F Michiel van der Vlist
2:500/9 IMCRYPT
Maximus 3.01 B P Tech 1:249/106 MAXP
MsgEd 4.00 O G Paul Edwards 3:711/934 MSGED
PcMerge 2.3 N F Michiel van der Vlist
2:500/9 PCMERGE
RAR 2.00 C S Ron Dwight 2:220/22 RAR2
Squish 1.11 T P Tech 1:249/106 SQUISHP
T-Mail 2.599I M S Ron Dwight 2:220/22 TMAIL2
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 43 25 Nov 1996
Tobruk 0.33 T G Paul Edwards 3:711/934 TOBRUK
XRobot 3.01 O S JoHo 2:201/330 XROS2
Windows (16-bit apps):
Program Name Version F C Contact Name Node Magic Name
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BeeMail 1.0 M C Andrius Cepaitis 2:470/1 BEEMAIL
Windows (32-bit apps):
Program Name Version F C Contact Name Node Magic Name
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BeeMail 1.0 M C Andrius Cepaitis 2:470/1 BEEMAIL
Maximus 3.01 B P Tech 1:249/106 MAXN
PlatinumXpress 2.00 M C Gary Petersen 1:290/111 PXW-INFO
T-Mail 2.599I M S Ron Dwight 2:220/22 TMAILNT
Unix:
Program Name Version F C Contact Name Node Magic Name
----------------------------------------------------------------------
ifmail 2.8f M G Eugene Crosser 2:293/2219 IFMAIL
ifmail-tx 2.8f-tx7.7 M G Pablo Saratxaga 2:293/2219 IFMAILTX
MsgEd 4.00 O G Paul Edwards 3:711/934 MSGED
Tobruk 0.33 T G Paul Edwards 3:711/934 TOBRUK
Amiga:
Program Name Version F C Contact Name Node Magic Name
----------------------------------------------------------------------
CrashMail 1.23 T X Fredrik Bennison 2:205/324 CRASHMAIL
CrashTick 1.1 O F Fredrik Bennison 2:205/324 CRASHTICK
MsgEd 4.00 O G Paul Edwards 3:711/934 MSGED
Tobruk 0.33 T G Paul Edwards 3:711/934 TOBRUK
Function: B-BBS, M-Mailer, N-Nodelist, G-Gateway, T-Tosser,
C-Compression, O-Other. Note: Multifunction will be listed
by the first match.
Cost: P-Free for personal use, F-Freeware, S-Shareware, C-Commercial,
X-Crippleware, D-Demoware, G-Free w/ Source
Old info from: 01/27/92
---------------------------------------------------------------------
MS-DOS Systems
--------------
BBS Software NodeList Utilities Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Kitten 1.01 EditNL 4.00 MailBase 4.11a@
Lynx 1.30 FDND 1.10 MSG 4.5*
Merlin 1.39n MakeNL 2.31 MsgLnk 1.0c
Oracomm 5.M.6P@ Parselst 1.33 MsgMstr 2.03a
Oracomm Plus 6.E@ Prune 1.40 MsgNum 4.16d
PCBoard 14.5a SysNL 3.14 MSGTOSS 1.3
Phoenix 1.07* XlatList 2.90 Netsex 2.00b
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 44 25 Nov 1996
ProBoard 1.20* XlaxNode/Diff 2.53 OFFLINE 1.35
QuickBBS 2.75 Oliver 1.0a
RBBS 17.3b Other Utilities OSIRIS CBIS 3.02
RemoteAccess 1.11* Name Version PKInsert 7.10
SimplexBBS 1.05 -------------------- PolyXarc 2.1a
SLBBS 2.15C* 2DAPoint 1.50* QM 1.00a
Socrates 1.11 4Dog/4DMatrix 1.18 QSort 4.04
SuperBBS 1.12* ARCAsim 2.31 RAD Plus 2.11
SuperComm 0.99 ARCmail 3.00* Raid 1.00
TAG 2.5g Areafix 1.20 RBBSMail 18.0
TBBS 2.1 ConfMail 4.00 ScanToss 1.28
TComm/TCommNet 3.4 Crossnet 1.5 ScMail 1.00
Telegard 2.7* DOMAIN 1.42 ScEdit 1.12
TPBoard 6.1 DEMM 1.06 Sirius 1.0x
WildCat! 3.02* DGMM 1.06 SLMail 2.15C
XBBS 1.77 DOMAIN 1.42 StarLink 1.01
EEngine 0.32 TagMail 2.41
Network Mailers EMM 2.11* TCOMMail 2.2
Name Version EZPoint 2.1 Telemail 1.5*
-------------------- FGroup 1.00 TGroup 1.13
BinkleyTerm 2.50 FidoPCB 1.0s@ TIRES 3.11
D'Bridge 1.30 FNPGate 2.70 TMail 1.21
Dreamer 1.06 GateWorks 3.06e TosScan 1.00
Dutchie 2.90c GMail 2.05 UFGATE 1.03
Milqtoast 1.00 GMD 3.10 VPurge 4.09e
PreNM 1.48 GMM 1.21 WEdit 2.0@
SEAdog 4.60 GoldEd 2.31p WildMail 2.00
SEAmail 1.01 GROUP 2.23 WMail 2.2
TIMS 1.0(mod8) GUS 1.40 WNode 2.1
Harvey's Robot 4.10 XRS 4.99
Compression HeadEdit 1.18 XST 2.3e
Utilities HLIST 1.09 YUPPIE! 2.00
Name Version ISIS 5.12@ ZmailH 1.25
-------------------- Lola 1.01d ZSX 2.40
ARC 7.12 Mosaic 1.00b
ARJ 2.20
LHA 2.13
PAK 2.51
PKPak 3.61
PKZip 1.10
OS/2 Systems
------------
BBS Software Other Utilities(A-M Other Utilities(N-Z)
Name Version Name Version Name Version
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
Kitten 1.01 ARC 7.12 oMMM 1.52
SimplexBBS 1.04.02+ ARC2 6.01 Omail 3.1
ConfMail 4.00 Parselst 1.33
EchoStat 6.0 PKZip 1.02
Network Mailers EZPoint 2.1 PMSnoop 1.30
Name Version FGroup 1.00 PolyXOS2 2.1a
-------------------- GROUP 2.23 QSort 2.1
BinkleyTerm 2.50 LH2 2.11 Raid 1.0
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 45 25 Nov 1996
BinkleyTerm(S) 2.50 MSG 4.2 Remapper 1.2
BinkleyTerm/2-MT MsgLink 1.0c Tick 2.0
1.40.02 MsgNum 4.16d VPurge 4.09e
SEAmail 1.01
Xenix/Unix 386
--------------
BBS Software Network Mailers Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
ARC 5.21
C-LHARC 1.00
|Contact: Willy Paine 1:343/15,| MSGLINK 1.01
|or Eddy van Loo 2:285/406 | oMMM 1.42
Omail 1.00
ParseLst 1.32
Unzip 3.10
VPurge 4.08
Zoo 2.01
Macintosh
---------
BBS Software Network Mailers Other Software
Name Version Name Version Name Version
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
FBBS 0.91 Copernicus 1.0 ArcMac 1.3
Hermes 1.6.1 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 Host Import 3.2
2.12T10 LHARC 0.41
MacArd 0.04
Mantissa 3.21
Point System Mehitable 2.0
Software OriginatorII 2.0
Name Version PreStamp 3.2
-------------------- StuffIt Classic 1.6
Copernicus 1.00 SunDial 3.2
CounterPoint 1.09 TExport 1.92
MacWoof 1.1 TimeStamp 1.6
TImport 1.92
Tset 1.3
TSort 1.0
UNZIP 1.02c
Zenith 1.5
Zip Extract 0.10
Amiga
-----
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 46 25 Nov 1996
BBS Software Network Mailers Other Software
Name Version Name Version Name Version
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
4D-BBS 1.65 BinkleyTerm 1.00 Areafix 1.48
DLG Pro. 0.96b TrapDoor 1.80 AReceipt 1.5
Falcon CBCS 1.00 WelMat 0.44 ChameleonEdit 0.11
Starnet 1.0q@ ConfMail 1.12
TransAmiga 1.07 ElectricHerald 1.66
XenoLink 1.0 Compression FFRS 1.0@
Utilities FileMgr 2.08
Name Version Fozzle 1.0@
NodeList Utilities -------------------- Login 0.18
Name Version AmigArc 0.23 MessageFilter 1.52
-------------------- booz 1.01 Message View 1.12
ParseLst 1.66 LHARC 1.30 oMMM 1.50
Skyparse 2.30 LhA 1.10 PolyXAmy 2.02
TrapList 1.40 LZ 1.92 RMB 1.30
PkAX 1.00 Roof 46.15
UnZip 4.1 RoboWriter 1.02
Zippy (Unzip) 1.25 Rsh 4.07a
Zoo 2.01 Tick 0.75
TrapToss 1.20
|Contact: Maximilian Hantsch 2:310/6| Yuck! 2.02
Atari ST/TT
-----------
BBS Software Network Mailers Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
FIDOdoor/ST 2.5.1 BinkleyTerm 2.40n9 ApplyList 1.00@
FiFo 2.1v The Box 1.95* Burep 1.1
LED ST 1.00 ComScan 1.04
QuickBBS/ST 1.06* ConfMail 4.10
NodeList Utilities Echoscan 1.10
Name Version FDrenum 2.5.2
Compression -------------------- FastPack 1.20
Utilities ParseList 1.30 Import 1.14
Name Version EchoFix 1.20 oMMM 1.40
-------------------- sTICK/Hatch 5.50 Pack 1.00
ARC 6.02 Trenum 0.10
LHARC 2.01i
PackConvert
STZip 1.1*
UnJARST 2.00
WhatArc 2.02
Tandy Color Computer 3 (OS-9 Level II)
--------------------------------------
BBS Software Compression Utility Other Utilities
Name Version Name Version Name Version
-------------------- -------------------- --------------------
RiBBS 2.02+ Ar 1.3 Ascan 1.2
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 47 25 Nov 1996
DeArc 5.12 AutoFRL 2.0
OS9Arc 1.0 Bundle 2.2
UnZip 3.10 CKARC 1.1
UnLZH 3.0 EchoCheck 1.01
FReq 2.5a
LookNode 2.00
ParseLST
PReq 2.2
RList 1.03
RTick 2.00
UnBundle 1.4
UnSeen 1.1
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Key to old info:
+ - Netmail Capable (Doesn't Require Additional Mailer Software)
* - Recently Updated Version
@ - New Addition
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Please send updates and suggestions to: Peter Popovich, 1:363/264
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 48 25 Nov 1996
=================================================================
FIDONEWS PUBLIC-KEY
=================================================================
[this must be copied out to a file starting at column 1 or
it won't process under PGP as a valid public-key]
-----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----
Version: 2.6.2
Comment: Clear-signing is Electronic Digital Authenticity!
-----END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK-----
Pending a formal decision about including 'encrypted' material inside
FidoNews from the Zone Coordinator Council, the guts of the FidoNews
public-key have been removed from this listing.
File-request FNEWSKEY from 1:1/23 [1:18/14] or download it from the
Rights On! BBS at 1-904-409-7040 anytime except 0100-0130 ET and Zone
1 ZMH at 1200-9600+ HST/V32B.
This section will contain only this disclaimer and instructions until
a ZCC decision is forwarded to the Editor.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 49 25 Nov 1996
=================================================================
FIDONEWS INFORMATION
=================================================================
------- FIDONEWS MASTHEAD AND CONTACT INFORMATION -------
Editor: Christopher Baker
Editors Emeritii: Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell,
Vince Perriello, Tim Pozar,
Tom Jennings, Sylvia Maxwell,
Donald Tees
"FidoNews Editor"
FidoNet 1:1/23
BBS 1-904-409-7040, 300/1200/2400/14400/V.32bis/HST(ds)
more addresses:
Christopher Baker -- 1:18/14, cbaker84@digital.net
cbak.rights@opus.global.org
(Postal Service mailing address)
FidoNews Editor
P.O. Box 471
Edgewater, FL 32132-0471
U.S.A.
voice: 1-904-409-3040 [1400-2100 ET only, please]
[1800-0100 UTC/GMT]
------------------------------------------------------
FidoNews is 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.
Authors retain copyright on individual works; otherwise FidoNews is
Copyright 1996 Christopher Baker. All rights reserved. Duplication
and/or distribution permitted for noncommercial purposes only. For
use in other circumstances, please contact the original authors, or
the Editor.
=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=
OBTAINING COPIES: The most recent issue of FidoNews in electronic
form may be obtained from the FidoNews Editor via manual download or
file-request, or from various sites in the FidoNet and Internet.
PRINTED COPIES may be obtained by sending SASE to the above postal
address. File-request FIDONEWS for the current Issue. File-request
FNEWS for the current month in one archive. Or file-request specific
back Issue filenames in distribution format [FNEWSDnn.LZH] for a
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 50 25 Nov 1996
particular Issue. Monthly Volumes are available as FNWSmmmy.ZIP
where mmm = three letter month [JAN - DEC] and y = last digit of the
current year [6], i.e., FNWSMAY6.ZIP for all the Issues from May 96.
Annual volumes are available as FNEWSn.ZIP where n = the Volume number
1 - 12 for 1984 - 1995, respectively. Annual Volume archives range in
size from 48K to 1.2M.
INTERNET USERS: FidoNews is available via:
http://www.fidonet.org/fidonews.htm
ftp://ftp.fidonet.org/pub/fidonet/fidonews/
ftp://ftp.aminet.org/pub/aminet/comm/fido/
You can read the current FidoNews Issue in HTML format at:
http://www.geocities.com/athens/6894/
STAR SOURCE for ALL Past Issues via FTP and file-request -
Available for FReq from 1:396/1 or by anonymous FTP from:
ftp://ftp.sstar.com/fidonet/fnews/
Each yearly archive also contains a listing of the Table-of-Contents
for that year's issues. The total set is currently about 11 Megs.
=*=*=*=
The current week's FidoNews and the FidoNews public-key are now also
available almost immediately after publication on the Editor's new
homepage on the World Wide Web at:
http://ddi.digital.net/~cbaker84/fidonews.html
There are also links there to jim barchuk's HTML FidoNews source and
to John Souvestre's FTP site for the archives. There is also an email
link for sending in an article as message text. Drop on over.
=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=
A PGP generated public-key is available for the FidoNews Editor from
1:1/23 [1:18/14] by file-request for FNEWSKEY or by download from
Rights On! BBS at 1-904-409-7040 as FIDONEWS.ASC in File Area 18. It
is also posted twice a month into the PKEY_DROP Echo available on the
Zone 1 Echomail Backbone.
*=*=*=*=*
Anyone interested in getting a copy of the INTERNET GATEWAY FAQ may
file-request GISFAQ.ZIP from 1:133/411.0, or send an internet message
to fidofaq@gisatl.fidonet.org. No message or text or subject is
necessary. The address is a keyword that will trigger the automated
response. People wishing to send inquiries directly to David Deitch
should now mail to fidonet@gisatl.fidonet.org rather than the
previously listed address.
FIDONEWS 13-48 Page 51 25 Nov 1996
*=*=*=*=*
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 Editor, or file-requestable
from 1:1/23 [1:18/14] as file "ARTSPEC.DOC". ALL Zone Coordinators
also have copies of ARTSPEC.DOC. Please read it.
"Fido", "FidoNet" and the dog-with-diskette are U.S. registered
trademarks of Tom Jennings, P.O. Box 410923, San Francisco, CA 94141,
and are used with permission.
"Disagreement is actually necessary,
or we'd all have to get in fights
or something to amuse ourselves
and create the requisite chaos."
-Tom Jennings
-30-
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