ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º º ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ º ɼ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ º º Û ÜÜÜ Û Û ÜÜÜ Û Û ÜÜÜÜÛ Û ÜÜÜÜÛ Û ÜÜÜ Û º ɼ Û ÜÜÜÜÛ Û ÜÜÜ Û ÛÜÜÜÜ Û Û ÛÜÜÜÜ Û ÛÜÛ Û º º ÛÜÛ ÛÜÛ ÛÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ º º º º ÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ º Éͼ Û ÜÜ ÛÜ Û ÜÜ ÛÜ Û ÜÜÜÜÛ º º Û ÜÜÜ Û Û ÜÜÜ Û ÛÜÜÜÜ Û º ɼ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ º º º ÉÍͼ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜ ÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÉÍÍͼ º Û Ü Ü Û Û ÜÜÜ Û Û ÜÜÜÜÛ Û ÜÜÜ Û ÛÜÜÜ ÜÛ ÛÜ ÜÛ Û ßÛÛ Û Û ÜÜÜÜÛ º ɼ Û Û Û Û Û ÜÜÜ Û Û ÛÜÜ Û Û ÜÜÜ Û ÜÛßÜÛÛÜ ÜÛ ÛÜ Û ÛÜß Û Û ÜÜÜÛÜ º ɼ ÛÜÛßÛÜÛ ÛÜÛ ÛÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ ÛÜÛ ÛÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÛ ÛÜÛßÛÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ º ÌÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÊÍÍÍ» º March 1997 Volume 5 Number 3 º ÇÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄĶ º Board of Trade BBS New Port Richey, Florida (813) 862-4772 º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ In This Issue ------------- þ id Software's Quake þ In His Own Image An original short story written by Tom Gordon þ Computer Basics Written by Ed Garwood þ DA BUCS Version 1.6 Released þ Shareware reviews and all the latest news + + + + + Editor's Welcome ---------------- Welcome to the Pasco BBS Magazine! After the last two issues, a Special Fourth Anniversary Issue and a Special Fiftieth Issue, some may have thought that we were doing a bit too much looking back. In the past, I have criticized publications that "regurgitate" old articles, but have to admit we have been a bit guilty of that too. I do think the issues were interesting reflections on what has gone before and an opportunity for this editor to catch his breath. I hope to make up for it this month with co-features and am working on what could be a very interesting article for next month. We have looked back, now it is time to forge ahead. This month we begin with a look at the exciting new 3D game Quake and it looks like the folks at id Software have another winner. That article is followed by an original short story called "In His Own Image." The story is written by Tom Gordon, who has previously written some hilarious computer definitions for this publication. This month also features an article on the latest release of DA BUCS, another installment of Ed Garwood's Computer Basics, some Shareware reviews and all the latest news. I really hope you enjoy this issue. Thanks for reading! + + + + + ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ PASCO BBS MAGAZINE ³ ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´ ³ Tampa Bay's Oldest Free On-line Magazine! ³ ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´ ³ EDITOR: Richard Ziegler ³ ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´ ³ HOME BBS: Board of Trade BBS (813) 862-4772 ³ ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´ ³ World Wide Web Home Page: http://www.sanctum.com/pasco ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ + + + + + id Software's Quake ------------------- It is dark. There are chain saw toting ogres lobbing grenades at you from above. A fiend comes at you like a charging bull. Yes, id Software's new game Quake can be downright scary. This latest effort, from the people that created Wolfenstein 3D and Doom, once again raises the standard in the 3D gaming world. Just like their past games, id Software has released Quake into the Shareware market. Let's take a look at this exciting new game. Here is how id Software describes Quake in their promotional literature. "Quake marks the next generational advancement of game play technology and design. Industry vanguards, John Carmack and Michael Abrash, developed Quake using a totally new engine, the first new core technology from id since DOOM, which allows gamers to rip through Quake's world at incredible speeds without sacrificing the game's intense graphics. Designed with multi-player gaming in mind, QUAKE uses client/server technology to maximize modem and network play, resulting in brutal and exhilarating deathmatches. Quake is a true 3D game, allowing players to explore, stalk and battle within the six degrees of freedom. Quake features id's trademark in-your-face lightening-fast action game play, intense weapons and monsters, amazing sound effects and mesmerizing environments for the most extreme battling experience possible on a computer." id is not just blowing smoke, as Quake features a true 3D environment with texture mapped polygons instead of the more traditional sprites found in earlier games. This new game engine features multiple levels and monsters who can be above or below the player. It is possible to jump down and stand on the head of one of your foes, however, this is not recommended. Quake also features improvements to the game's artificial intelligence and the monster's use their weapons more effectively. I had to play the game for many hours, but I finally saw it for myself. Yes, it is true that you may actually see monsters battling each other. I did not believe it, until I saw a death knight start swinging his sword at an ogre. In some cases, this can work to the player's advantage. On more than one occasion, I have set back and let the monsters kill each other. Why does the player find themselves in this dark world filled with all these bad guys? Well, an enemy code-named Quake has taken over a secret installation where a Slipgate device is being perfected. This Slipgate allows the transporting of people and cargo, but an evil foe has infiltrated the base using their own Slipgate contraption. It appears you are the lone survivor and Operation Counterstrike depends on your finding the Slipgate and going to Quake's dimension. The game begins with the Shareware episode called Dimension of the Doomed, followed by registered episodes called Realm of Black Magic, Netherworld and The Elder World. Quake uses typical keys for game control, but no longer has a "use" key. You do not have to push the space bar, or any other key, to open doors or activate switches. Just walk up to a door, panel, or switch and the action will take place. The player maneuvers around using the arrow keys and can run by using the shift key to increase speed. To fire your weapon, use the CTRL key and the number keys are used to switch between weapons. The F1 key provides a list of keyboard commands. Quake has buttons, doors, platforms and floorplates to be on the lookout for. Buttons and doors are activated with a touch, while platforms and floorplates need to be stepped on to activate. Some buttons may need to be fired at, especially if they are out of reach. There are also pressure plates and motion detectors, which may open secret doors or activate traps. You can swim in the water, but look out for the slime and lava. If you go under water, you will have to come up for air after about ten seconds, unless you have found the protective suit. The greenish slime and reddish lava will kill you quickly without the necessary protection. There are also teleporters, which send you to another part of the level. The rottweiler dogs and grunts are the easiest Quake foes to kill, but the game does have some real tough enemies to deal with. The registered version has upgraded grunts called enforcers. There are sword wielding knights to watch out for and the registered version adds the tougher death knights. If you go underwater in the registered version, you will have to watch out for the rotfish. There are also zombies, which can only be stunned with most weapons, but a properly placed grenade will blow them to bits. There are also the rather ugly, but relatively easy to kill, flying scrags. The chain saw toting ogre is one tough cookie, lobbing grenades in your direction. The registered version also features a blob known as a spawn. There are also deadly fiends, which come at the player like a charging bull. The registered version adds a fire throwing spider-like creature known as a vore. Quake's toughest enemy, which is as difficult to kill as most other game's boss monsters, is the shambler. Quake does provide a fair variety of weapons to use to take out your adversaries. The basic weapon is an Axe, but it is difficult to kill much of anything with it. There is a shotgun, and better yet, the double-barrelled shotgun. There is a nailgun dispensing armor-piercing darts and a perforator scattering spikes out of four cyclic barrels. The grenade launcher is an awesome weapon and the rocket launcher also tosses grenades at your foes. The game's top weapon is called the thunderbolt. During the game you can pick-up ammo, including shells, nails, grenades and cells for the thunderbolt. There is also armor, megahealth, the biosuit, the pentagram of protection and quad damage to pick-up. The ring of shadows will make you nearly invisible. Quake is also filled with an assortment of different deadly traps. There are spike shooters tossing out bits of metal, trapdoors and ceilings that fall and crush you. id Software created a new wave of gaming when they added the multi-player element to their previous game Doom. Over the Internet, or via a modem connection, people began playing deathmatches with others across the country. This new trend should only be accelerated with the multi-player features in Quake. The game allows up to sixteen people to play over a network server or the Internet. Players can participate in a cooperative, or co-op, game, and work with friends to complete the level. It is everyone for themselves in the popular deathmatch games and there is an option to play team games. id Software has also continued the innovation of letting people tinker with the game itself. One of the things that made Doom such a big hit were the levels created by players of the game. Thousands of additional levels are available for the registered version of Doom. With Quake, id took it a step further. They built a Quake C programming language into the program, which allows players unprecedented game customizing. While creating levels for Quake is more time consuming than Doom level creation, some levels are beginning to show up. But, what is getting more attention are some of the weapons that people have made for the game. Someone has created a Decent-like plane to fly around in, with stinger missiles and a cannon. Others have added flashlights, flamethrowers, grappling hooks, cluster bombs and a throwing axe. One of the more innovative items is a "Dog Launcher," which fires a live Doberman out of the missile launcher. There is also a "Cujo" patch, which gives the player a helper who attacks the throat of your foes and eats scattered body parts to increase its health. id Software is planning on using some these new weapons in Quake 2, which is scheduled for release in mid-1997. They will also be adding the "Frisbee of Death," Hellcube and Black Hole in the updated version. The best place to get information on current and future releases is on id Software's web site at http://www.idsoftware.com. + + + + + ÕÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑѸ ÆØØØØØØØØØØØ Board of Trade BBS ØØØØØØØØØص ÆØØØØØØØØØ New Port Richey, Florida ØØØØØØØص ÆØØØØØØØ (813) 862-4772 ØØØØØص ÆØØØØØ FidoNet: 1:3619/10 ØØØص ÆØØØ Øص ÆØ The Hobby BBS for the Entire Family! ص ³ ³ ³ Pasco County's Information Source ³ ³ Home of the Pasco BBS Magazine, DA BUCS and BBS Basics ³ ³ ³ ³ Call here FIRST for the BEST in Shareware ³ ³ Official Distribution Site for the Most Popular Authors ³ ÆØ Øµ ÆØØØ Supporting the Local Computer Community ØØص ÆØØØØØ Local Author Support File Directory ØØØØص ÆØØØØØØØ Official Support BBS for Pasco ComPats Computer Club ØØØØØØص ÆØØØØØØØØØ ØØØØØØØص ÆØØØØØØØØØØØ Member: AOP and EFF ØØØØØØØØØص ÔÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏϾ + + + + + In His Own Image ---------------- Written by Tom Gordon, New Port Richey, FL Wayne McNeal was sipping a bitter cup of coffee when Jack Henning joined him for breakfast at THE HUT. "I know that look," said Wayne, scrutinizing Jack. "Another part of your novel came true." "It's that obvious, huh?" A waitress appeared, took their order after pouring Jack a cup of coffee, and wiggled away. "Okay," said Wayne, "let's hear it." Jack sighed resignedly and said, "My hat's gone. You know, the brown RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK fedora I had. Disappeared just like in my book." "You lost it somewhere?" "No," said Jack, lighting a smoke. "When Rich--you know Rich--dropped me off last night he said I had it on. I walked fifty feet to my back door and that's where it must have vanished. It was nowhere around this morning." "Maybe you fell down outside and it came off." "Well, I had a few, but I wasn't that zonked." Wayne regarded him with knitted brows and a smirk, saying, "Oh?" Jack shook his head, saying, "Okay, let's say it fell off, I didn't know it, and somebody found it. Fine. The whole thing's a coincidence. But that isn't all that happened." "What else?" asked Wayne, making a disgusted face at his acrid cup of coffee. "Did you see the fight last night?" asked Jack. "The Hagler-Leonard rematch?" "Yes, unfortunately," said Wayne. "I lost ten bucks on it. I suppose you're going to tell me the fight was in your book. But that fight's been on the drawing board for years. It's like saying Mike Tyson's gonna fight for the title again. Nothing supernatural about it." "No, not just that the fight was in my book--which it was--but there's more. Remember in the fifth round when Hagler was cut?" "How can I forget? That's when my money starting inching its way out of my wallet. How's that for supernatural?" Jack frowned and leaned back in his chair. "Sorry," said Wayne. "Go ahead. Hagler was cut. Then what?" "So the fight announcer says, 'Hagler's got Juan Fuentes, one of the best cut- men in the business, in his corner.' Juan Fuentes is a character in one of my short stories. Can't you see? This thing's carried beyond my novel!" Wayne pursed his lips and shook his head. "Jack, look at this realistically. Juan Fuentes is most likely a common name, like John Smith in English. There are probably thousands of people with that name." "It isn't only the name," said Jack, getting frustrated. "The man looked like my character. Pot belly, a mouth full of yellow horse-teeth, the whole nine yards. He was my character." "I'd say it was a case of they all look alike. You told me yourself you couldn't tell one Jap from another in that Godzilla flick you watched last week." After breakfast, Jack and Wayne went to the office of their small-circulation, computer-related magazine of humor, TOUR DE FARCE. Being nearly a non-profit venture, they both held other jobs: Wayne managed the NIGHTTIME carwash; Jack worked part-time at a local computer store and wrote horror stories he sold to various magazines. There was also his soon-to-be-published novel. "Well, assistant editor, shall we get to work?" said Wayne. "If you say so, editor," smiled Jack. "I gotta leave about 11 to meet Gerry for an early lunch. Not that I'll want much after those concrete pancakes I had," and he rubbed his paunch. "By the way, I wonder if you could do me a favor?" "Taking off an hour early for lunch and you have the gall to ask a favor?" said Wayne, trying to look perturbed. "Terrible, ain't it? Anyway, I cut my finger on some glass. I was wondering if you could type up that autobiography I wrote that my agent's been pestering me for. It's only three pages and you can use my computer." "Cut yourself when you fell down last night and lost your hat?" "No, smart guy," said Jack. "I cut it washing dishes; a glass broke." Jack walked toward his desk, the neoprene soles on his new shoes squealing like chalk on a blackboard. "I guess I can handle three pages--Christ, why'd you buy those creaker sneakers?" "They were on sale. Now I know why... We could get a cheap rug." ***** Jack entered Community Hospital, the antiseptic smell churning his stomach as it always did. Making his way toward what he called the "nut ward," he smiled at a cute candystriper. While looking at the young girl, he nearly ran into an orderly pushing a gurney. Gerry Marsden was at her desk where she worked as charge nurse in the nonviolent or "open" ward of the psychiatric department. Here were the senile, the alzheimers and other assorted wackos. "Find any Steinbecks or Kings today?" asked Gerry in a language resembling English. "I'll be ready in a few minutes," said Gerry. "Barb had to go down to X-ray. Soon as she's back, we're off to lunch." Jack gazed around the room. An old black man, who fancied himself Jimi Hendrix, staggered around fingering an invisible Stratocaster while mouthing guitar sounds of the Star-Spangled Banner. "DAR-DA-DART-DAR! DAR-DA-DART-DAR!" he repeated incessantly. "Record seems to be stuck," said Jack. "I wish he knew another tune," said Gerry. "Or at least the rest of that one." "Maybe he really is Hendrix," said Jack. "He didn't die but just went nuts. Hmmm...If enough people believe it we could charge admission and-" "Shall I sign you in, Mr. Barnum?" interrupted Gerry. "We've got a nice soft room for you." An old fat woman suddenly yelled, "Give me a bird in the hand or give me death!" She then added in a lower voice, "Never count your chickens in the eye of the beholder." "I think she's got her proverbs a little twisted," said Jack. "She's a new patient, isn't she?" "Yes, the police just brought her in this morning. They found her ranting and raving on the street, yelling out all her mixed-up sayings at the top of her lungs. She had no ID so I call her Miss Quote." "Ask not what your country can do for you," continued Miss Quote, "but carry a big stick." Another patient, a Downs syndrome case, began shouting: "Chocolate milk! Chocolate milk in my pants!" "Great," said Gerry. "Jane Doe crapped her pants again." "At least you don't have to clean it, do you?" said Jack. "No. That's why God made CNA's and orderlies... By the way, did you hear the weather report?" "A tropical storm out in the gulf, headed this way." "You heard the weather report?" "No," said Jack. "I wrote it." ***** Jack entered the office of TOUR DE FARCE the next day over a half hour late. "You look like something the cat dragged in," said Wayne. "You're close," said Jack, sliding a hand through his unkempt hair. "Listen, Wayne, I gotta go get a drink. I gotta talk to you." "It's damn near lunchtime, anyway," said Wayne. "Let me get these things in order," and he began shuffling papers and banging on his keyboard. Jack headed toward the bathroom, which was off the small back room used for storage. His neoprene soles squeaked like a rusty door hinge in the wind. "A good thing I own this building," mused Wayne. "We'd never be able to pay the rent. Lately we've been working between breaks." They went to the BELLY UP bar, a seedy dive down the street that specialized in skunk-beer and rotgut wine (muscatel, Thunderbird, MD 20-20). The only other customers were an old man and old woman sitting at opposite sides of the bar. While Jack ordered, Wayne sat down at a smelly booth and looked around at the shabby interior. On the far wall hung a decadent, infantile oil painting that led one to believe the artist must have been a psychotic three- year-old. The felt on the nearest of the two pool tables was so torn up it appeared as if Jack the Ripper had been a steady player. The glass on top of the lone pinball machine had been smashed to bits and lay on the playing surface like a billion dollars' worth of diamonds. Jack received his drinks from the bartender, a woman with a face that made Margaret Hamilton a cover girl. As he started toward Wayne, he passed the old lady sitting at the bar and caught a whiff of her body odor. It was a mixture of batter-dipped fish and sour yogurt. Jack absently wondered if her name was Mrs. Paul Dannon. "Okay," said Wayne as Jack set down the beers, "what's the tragedy?" Jack told a deep breath and a large swallow of beer. Then he said, "Gerry's cat died and I buried it. That's why I was late." "Don't tell me," said Wayne. "The same cat died in your book." "Yup. Mitten, her favorite of all seven cats. Torn to shreds by the monster in the first chapter." "And the real cat was torn up too, no doubt," said Wayne, taking a sip of beer. "No, it's worse. The cat didn't die of anything. No marks, it wasn't sick, it wasn't old. Perfectly healthy. Gerry was petting it and it just dropped dead in her lap." "Maybe it was poisoned," said Wayne. "No, the other cats ate from the same can of food... Don't you understand? It shouldn't be dead but it has to be dead!" "Look," said Wayne, turning serious. "You're really going overboard with this obsession. I imagine what you're experiencing has happened to a lot of other writers. And the more stuff you write, the more parallel happenings will occur. Especially when you write about people you know. I'd say you better get used to it." He sighed and drank down his beer. He belched and said, "Look, I'm going over to the HOAGIE HEAVEN to get a sub. I sure wouldn't eat anything in this hole. You wanna come?" "...No, I don't think so. Think I'll stay here and drink lunch. I'll meet you back at the office." "Take it easy. If you're gonna float back you might as well take the rest of the day off." "I can't stomach much more of this skunk-beer. I'll be alright." "Okay. See you in a while," said Wayne, and he got up and left. Jack moved to the bar, sitting two stools down from the old man. Not having a taste for any more skunk-beer, he ordered a glass of muscatel. It was served by the ugly bartender along with a toothless grin. Jack downed half the glass, then set it down on its stained coaster. It tasted like rotten pears. Could it all just be coincidence? wondered Jack. Possibly, but a gut feeling told him it wasn't. And what about the storm in the gulf? That in itself wasn't the big deal. But one week before Thanksgiving, the same as he'd written it, was just too much. After finishing his second glass of muscatel while mulling things over, Jack was hungry. The old man down from him had just gotten a burger, and Jack was considering one, till he saw the geezer's false teeth come halfway out of his mouth as they struggled with the leathery meat. Forget it. Several people had entered the tavern since Jack took a seat at the bar, but they must have taken tables or booths. He turned on his stool to see if there were any familiar faces. There certainly were; Jack's mouth fell open in stunned surprise and his body stiffened. Two men sat talking animatedly in the booth where he and Wayne had been sitting. There was just one man that Jack knew who wore a beard on only half his face; the crazed psychiatrist from the first short story he'd ever had published, VISITS TO THE SHRINK. The immaculately dressed doctor sipped skunk-beer through a straw as he soberly listened to his companion, another of Jack's creations. The second man sat holding a finely-honed lawn mower blade across his knees, his free hand on his glass. As he lifted the beer to his mouth, his left pinky twitched spasmodically. He could only be the mass- murdering Toro mechanic from Jack's latest story, THE CUTTING EDGE. Jack got another glass of wine and polished it off in a few quick gulps. Someone came in the side door and sat down at the bar to Jack's left. Jack gave whoever it was a furtive glance. A tall man wearing a black tuxedo with top hat and tails gave him a rotten-toothed smile. Jack got up and walked out of the bar. Outside, he took a deep breath. He stood next to a black hearse and yes, the incriminating blood-stained front bumper was missing; removed by the tuxedo-attired man inside--the hit-and-run mortician from the personal favorite of Jack's stories, ONE FOR THE ROAD. Jack was breathing so hard he felt hyperventilation coming on. He had to do something...but what? Think! Think! His head spun from wine and shock. Call Gerry! Sure! She had taken the day off from work when her cat died. Jack walked across the street to the Pick-Qwik which furnished two outside pay-phone stalls. He fumbled in his pocket for change, then dropped a quarter in the slot. Gerry answered on the third ring. "Hello?" "Hi. It's me. You won't--" "Hello?" Hello!?" "Gerry! It's me!" "Is somebody there?" "Yes! I am! Can't you hear me?" Click! "Great," said Jack, hanging up the phone. "Figures I'd get a screwed-up phone." He was about to use the other phone but a grubby teenager, with a beard trying to force its way through his acne, beat him to it. The kid looked vaguely familiar but Jack didn't want to think about that fact. Go back to work, he thought, taking a deep breath. Get my mind off this. He walked to the office of TOUR DE FARCE, trying not to look at anyone or anything on the way. When he opened the door he saw Wayne standing near his (Jack's) desk with some papers in his hand. "How's it going?" asked Jack as he closed the door. Wayne didn't look at him or answer. "Okay," said Jack, "guess I deserve the silent treatment. Been driving everyone else as crazy as I am. That's what I figure; I'm Crazy." Wayne remained silent as the toilet flushed in the back room. Jack wondered who was visiting. The bathroom door, not visible from the front door, could be heard opening. Wayne glanced toward it and in a slightly raised voice said, "I gotta take a run over to the print shop. I finished typing up that autobiography you wrote. It's on your desk, next to the computer." He than grabbed his windbreaker off the back of the chair and left the office, not even acknowledging his assistant editor. Jack stood motionless as he heard the approaching footsteps from the back room, neoprene soles squeaking on the linoleum. + + + + + ***************************************************************************** ATTENTION to Details BBS Clint Bradford, KE6LCS - Sysop Mira Loma, California BBS (909) 681-6221 BBS Excellence...Across the Board!(sm) Voice Support (909) 681-6210 Supporting BBS Member: AOP - Association of Online Professionals ASP - Association of Shareware Professionals EFF - Electronic Frontier Foundation ESC - Educational Software Cooperative NCSA - National Computer Security Association Message Networks: MustangNet USNet CoveNet Internet MysticNet ILink HamRadioNet Official Bulletin Station of the ARRL - American Radio Relay League ATTENTION to Details BBS is managed in compliance with the AOP and NCSA Codes of Professional Standards ***************************************************************************** + + + + + DA BUCS Version 1.6 Released ---------------------------- The latest version of DA BUCS, the "History of Tampa Bay Football," was released on Wednesday January 29, 1997. Version 1.6 of this menu driven sports database has updated information on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including Tony Dungy's first year as head coach. The history of the Tampa Bay Storm has been updated to reflect the team's four Arena Bowl titles in six seasons. Along with the interesting histories of the NFL Bucs and AFL Storm, is the history of the old USFL Tampa Bay Bandits. This jammed packed program includes complete results of the Super Bowl, Arena Bowl, Outback Bowl, Florida Classic and enough statistics to satisfy even the most avid football fan. DA BUCS is released as copyrighted Freeware by the Board of Trade BBS and the latest version is always available as free download at (813) 862-4772. Look for the file DABUCS16.ZIP on better BBSs everywhere. Ziff Davis Publishing has been granted permission to distribute DA BUCS on CD-ROM, so look for that channel of distribution as well. + + + + + S H A R E W A R E R E V I E W ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Program ³ Chinese Solitaire ³ ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´ ³ Author/Vendor ³ Randy Rasa ³ ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´ ³ Special Requirements ³ Windows ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Chinese Solitaire Review ------------------------ Chinese Solitaire is the latest solitaire card game for Windows written by Randy Rasa. This original game, combining elements of Klondike and Scorpion, with an Oriental flavor, can be beaten about one-third of the time. As with the other solitaire games in Randy Rasa's Shareware collection, this game is well done. In Chinese Solitaire, forty-nine cards are dealt into seven stacks of seven cards. The object is to move the cards to the top of the screen, just like in the more familiar solitaire games. The program includes on-line help, but the game is fairly easy to learn. This full featured program includes complete statistics, an easy mode, autoplay, sound, and the ability to change the card backs and colors. As with the other Randy Rasa programs, Chinese Solitaire is a very nice effort and has an inexpensive registration fee of $10. + + + + + EFF Quote of the Month ---------------------- "Behind all the hype shaping the electronic highway are corporate interests. These huge companies are doing the most natural thing in the world to them; following their own corporate interest." - Herber Schiller, "Information Superhighway: Paving Over the Public," Z Magazine, March 1994 Editor's Note: The Electronic Frontier Foundation Quote of the Month is a collection of the wittiest and stupidest, most sublime and most inane comments ever said about cryptography, civil liberties, networking, government, privacy, and more. For more information on the Electronic Frontier Foundation, contact the EFF via the Internet, phone, fax, or US Mail. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, 1001 G Street NW, Suite 950 E, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 347-5400 (voice), (202) 393-5509 (fax), (202) 638-6119 (BBS), Internet: ask@eff.org. + + + + + ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ For a list of the highlights from back issues of the Pasco BBS Magazine ³ ³ see the BACK.INF file distributed within the PBM archive. ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ + + + + + ²²²²± ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²²²²²²± ²²± ²²± ²²²²± THE NEWS ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²²± ²²± ²²± ²± ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²± DIRECTORY ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²²²±²²± ²²±²± ²²± ²²± ²²²± ²²± ²²± ²²±²²²²± ²²²²± ²²±²±²²± ²²²± A brief look ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²²± ²²±²± ²²²²²²²± ²²²± at some of ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²± ²± ²²²±²²²± ²²± ²²± the news of ²²²²± ²²± ²± ²²± ²²± ²²²²²²²± ²²± ²²± ²²²²± the month The 904 area code, which covers most of north Florida, will be broke into three different area codes this year. After a heated debate as to which part of the state should retain the current 904 area code, the Public Service Commission voted 3-2 to recommend the Tallahassee area keep the 904 designation. The Jacksonville area will receive a new area code, as will the Daytona Beach area. One of the new area codes will be 850 and the other is to be determined. The new area codes will begin in June, with a one year grace period during which calls dialed using the old area code will still go through. One reason that Tallahassee is keeping the old area code was the estimated $2.5 million it would have cost taxpayers to change phones and reprint state publications. The splitting of area codes has been brought about due to the increased demand for telephone numbers for modems, beepers, fax machines and cellular phones. In January, Intel Corp. began shipping their Pentium MMX chips with the promise of improved graphics, video, sound and communications. The new computer processor chip, designed to increase the performance of multimedia applications, will run existing programs 10 to 20 percent faster. Some industry observers are predicting that the release of the new chip will generate an increase in computer sales and that older Pentium based systems will drop in price, perhaps, under $1,000. America On-Line (AOL), the largest on-line service, has been swamped with calls since changing to a flat rate pricing plan. On December 1, the service began offering unlimited Internet access for $19.95 a month, but subscribers are being met with busy signals during peak times. It has been estimated that AOL gained 500,000 subscribers in December alone and that the new flat rate has tripled the number of hours customers spend on-line. AOL, facing the threat of breach of contract lawsuits, initially announced plans to grant refunds on a case-by-case basis. Pressure from 36 state attorney generals caused the company to grant more liberal refunds. Customers will now have the option of receiving a cash refund, or one month's free access. AOL will also discontinue mailing out free sample disks, suspend advertising during February and add a disclaimer about log-on delays to future ads. AOL has 8 million subscribers, 200,000 modems and is accessed 10 million times a day. The company plans on spending $350 million over the next several months on new equipment and staff to handle the demand. The Dulles, Virginia based company began adding new modems in February. CompuServe Information Service, the second largest on-line service ran a commercial during Super Bowl XXXI, which started with a busy signal, and encouraged people to call 1-800-NOT-BUSY to join the service. CompuServe reported that new subscriptions had increased by 500 percent. Comedians have been calling AOL America Off-Line. The National Football League announced that their Super Bowl web site was hit 10.2 million times on Super Bowl Sunday. This was a 40 percent increase over Super Bowl XXX. The Internal Revenue Service estimates that 12.1 million taxpayers filed their taxes by electronic means in 1996. This represents an increase of 8.9 percent over 1995. The IRS is encouraging people to file by non-traditional means and is heavily promoting their TeleFile option, which allows people to file tax returns over a touch-tone phone. Compaq Computer Corp. was the number one personal computer manufacturer during 1996, followed by IBM, Apple, Packard Bell and Hewlett-Packard. The 1996 Internet World conference was held in December at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. Organizers estimated that 600,000 people attended the four day event. In an attempt to stem the tide of falling revenues, Apple Computer, Inc. has started to announced parts of their restructuring plan. The company will cut prices up to 27 percent and an undetermined number of employees, perhaps 3,000, will be laid off. On February 4, Apple announced that co-founder Steve Wozniak will return as an advisor. Steve Jobs, who along with Wozniak founded Apple, recently returned to the company as well. Apple, which is undergoing its second restructuring in less than a year, hopes to be profitable by September. Computer Telephony Expo 97 will be held March 4, 5 & 6, 1997 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The event will feature 74 seminars and an exhibit area. Registration for the show is $895 and additional information is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.ctexpo.com. Intel Corp. has reported $1.9 billion in earnings for the fourth quarter, compared to $867 million for the same quarter a year ago. The company's revenue rose to $6.4 billion, which was a 41 percent increase. Apple Computer Inc. reported a loss of $120 million for the company's first quarter. Revenue was reported at $2.1 billion, or a 32 percent drop. International Business Machines reported a smaller than expected increase in net income for the fourth quarter at $2.02 billion, compared to $1.71 billion for the previous year. IBM stock prices, which had been increasing at a steady pace, fell $10 a share the day of the announcement and could drop further over the next few months. IBM also announced a two-for-one stock split. The stock split, which will be the first for IBM in 17 years, is scheduled for May. Compaq Computer Corp. reported fourth quarter earnings of $462 million, compared to $82 million last year. Compaq's earnings were $1.3 billion on sales of $18.1 billion. Netscape Communications Corp. announced earnings of $8.8 million for the fourth quarter, compared to $511,000 a year ago. The company's revenues doubled over the same period to $115.1 million. + + + + + ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º º º ßÛß ÛßßÛ ÛßßÛ Ûßßß ÛßÛ Ûßßß ÛßßÛ ÛßßÛ ÛßßÛ ßßÛßß Û Û ÛßÛßÛ º º Û Û Û Û Û Ûß ÛßßÛ ßßßÛ ÛßßÛ Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û º º ßßß ß ß ß ß ßßßß ß ß ßßßß ß ß ß ß ßßßß ß ßßßß ß ß º º º º ÛßÛ ÛßÛ Ûßßß º º ÛßßÛ ÛßßÛ ßßßÛ º º ßßßß ßßßß ßßßß º º º º Since 1985 - Pasco County's Oldest BBS º º º º Sysops - Rob & Carolyn Marlowe º º º º Popular Chat Board, On-Line Games, CD-ROMS, Internet, FidoNet º º º º Ten Lines - (813) 848-6055 Voice - (813) 845-0893 º º º º telenet: sanctum.com º º º º READ THE PASCO BBS MAGAZINE AT: http://www.sanctum.com/pasco º º º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ + + + + + Computer Basics --------------- Written by Ed Garwood, Hudson, FL Filenames and Extensions A file name consists of two parts: the name of the file itself, not exceeding 8 characters in length, and an optional extension, not to exceed 3 characters. The filename and the extension are separated by a period, i.e.: COMMAND.COM There are a few restrictions on naming files: 1. Use only letters, numbers, hyphens or underscores. 2. Do NOT use any of the following characters: " / \ [ ] : ; , . * < > ? | + ? 3. Do not use reserved device names such as CON, COM, LPT, PRN, NUL, etc. Try to use meaningful names, so as to make identification a bit easier. You should NOT use extensions such as .COM, .EXE, or .BAT, unless you are creating an executable file, since these extensions are reserved for such files. The following are uses for various common extensions: .EXE - This indicates an executable file. The file contains a lot of information about itself, and DOS can make many feats of memory management with this type of file. .EXE files do not have to have all parts of the file loaded into memory. An .EXE file needs at least 512 extra bytes per file to keep track of everything. Thus, .EXE files usually exceed 64K in size. .COM - This type of file must be loaded into memory in its entirety, and only at a fixed location in memory. Of necessity it must be a relatively short file, less than 64K, with all components lumped together. .BAT - This indicates a Batch File. The .BAT extension may be used only with this type file. .OVL - This indicates an Overlay file. Normally, only .EXE or .COM files are loaded into RAM when the program is run. .EXE and .COM files reserve a certain amount of space in RAM (in the Overlay Area) for Overlay programs. When a feature not already in RAM is requested by the program, an Overlay file is loaded into the overlay area, replacing any other overlay program already there. There can be but one overlay program in that area at any one time. An example of such a program is a PRINTDOC.OVL program, which would print out the program manual. It is usually a single purpose file. .BAK - Indicates a backup file, generated by the 'Backup' command. .BAS - Indicates BASIC programs, usually produced by the GWBASIC program. .HLP - This indicates a HELP program, usually found in programs with pulldown instructions, such as one might find in a word processing program. They usually cannot be easily read with a reader program since they are specially formatted. .ZIP/.ARC - When either the .ZIP or .ARC extensions are found on a file, it usually indicates that the program has been compressed (ZIPPED, OR ARCHIVED) to about 1/2 its normal size. Such programs must be "Unzipped" before they can be used in a normal fashion. One uses a program such as "PKUNZIP" to do the job. .TXT - This, as its extension implies, is a TEXT or DOCUMENT (.DOC) file, of the type usually found in a word processor program. Such programs can usually be read by entering 'TYPE FILENAME.TXT' .DTA - Usually indicates a Data File, such as one might find in a Data Base Program. .CAL - Many spreadsheet programs use this extension for their data files. .RPT - This extension is often used to indicate it is a Report. .LTR - Often used in word processors to indicate a Letter. .ME - This is usually found in conjunction with READ.ME or README.1ST. .1ST - Such programs can usually be read with the 'TYPE' command, and give special information regarding the main program. As you may guess, they are to be read first. .SYS - This extension is usually only found in two categories of files, System and Drivers. The first type includes CONFIG.SYS, KEYBOARD.SYS AND COUNTRY.SYS. These are loaded automatically into memory on Boot-Up. The Second type, the Drivers, include ANSI.SYS, DISPLAY.SYS, PRINTER.SYS, SMARTDRV.SYS, etc. These are installable device drivers. To see what .SYS files you have, go to your DOS directory, and type DIR *.SYS. For further info on these, see your DOS manual. .001 - Something like this can be used with drafts of documents. For instance, in writing this paper, the first draft was given the filename "FILENAME.001". The next draft was "FILENAME.002", etc. Thus, I always knew which was the latest draft. The final draft was "FILENAME.TXT" Many Graphics programs use various Extensions such as PRG, CFG, etc. to differentiate between various graphics types. Editor's Note: Look for another installment of Computer Basics in next month's issue. Ed Garwood may be contacted by leaving a message on the Board of Trade BBS at (813) 862-4772. He is also active in the Pasco ComPats Computer Club. The club meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month at the New Port Richey City Council Chambers at the intersection of Main and Madison Streets in New Port Richey, Florida. For more information about the Pasco ComPats Computer Club, contact club President Robert Donbar at (813) 863-3963. + + + + + ÜÛÜ ÜÜÛß ÜÜÛÛßß ÜÜÛÛßß ÜÛÜ ÜÜÛÛßß ÜÜÛßß ÜÜÛÛßß ÜÜÛßß ÜÛÛß ÜÛßß ÛÛ þßßßÛÛÛÛÜ ÜÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜ ÞÛß ÜÛßß ÛÛÛÛ ÜÜ ßÛÛÛÛÜ ÛÛ ßÛÛÜ ÛÛ Ûß ÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÜÛß ßÛÛÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÛÛÛ ÜÛß ÛÛÝ ÛÛÛ ÜÛÛ ßÛÛÛ ÛÛ ÜÜÛÛß þßßßßßßßßßßßßß þßßßßß ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛ þß ÜÜÜÜ ÞÛÛÜÜ ÛÛÛßßßßßßÛÛÛ ßÛÛÛÜ ÛÛß ÛÛ þßßßßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÜÜ ÞÛÛÜÜ ßßßÛÛÜÜÜÜ ÛÛÛÜ ßÛÛÛÛÜ ÜÛß ÛÛ ßßÛÛÜÜ ßßßÛÛÜÜÜÜ ÜÛÛÛßÛÛÝ ÛÛÛÛþ ßÛÛÛÛÜÜÛß ÜÛÛÛ ßßÛÛÜ ßßÛÛÝ ÞÛ ÛÛÝ ÞÛ ÜÛßß Association of Online Professionals ÜÜÛÛß ÜÛßß ÛÜ 7578 B Telegraph Road ÜÛÛßß ÛÜ ßÛþ Suite 635 ÛÛ ßÛþ Alexandria, VA 22315 ßßÛÜþ (703) 924-9692 (Voice) Telenet: aop.org + + + + + Definition by Tom Gordon, New Port Richey, FL ---------------------------------------------- Cyclic Redundancy Check -- Another name for the promised but unreceived raise. + + + + + S H A R E W A R E R E V I E W ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ Program ³ Slam! ³ ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´ ³ Author/Vendor ³ Robert Epps ³ ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÅÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´ ³ Special Requirements ³ Windows ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ Slam! Review ------------ Slam! is a faithful version of the popular table game air hockey. While the Windows game is nothing fancy, it is fun to play. Air hockey was quite a craze in the 1970s, but there does not seem to be many versions of it available in the Shareware market. Robert Epps has written Slam! for Windows, which captures the speed of the table game. While the game does not have intense graphics, it does have realistic sound effects with a sound card. The game's options include adjusting the quickness and aggressiveness of your computer opponent, and various angles of view for the table. It is easy to load and play Slam! Despite being simple in design, it is enjoyable to play. The program may be registered for $10. + + + + + PBM Flashback - March 1994 -------------------------- Richard Paquette was interviewed in the March 1994 issue of the Pasco BBS Magazine. He was the publisher of BBS Caller's Digest, later named BBS Magazine, before the magazine ceased publication last year. He also is the author of a collection of Shareware door programs for bulletin boards and has operated the Livewire BBS since 1986. Here is what Richard Paquette said about the large collection of on-line magazines he has on his board. "We do have a magazine section, a download area. We have a lot of magazines, a lot of on-line titles. We hold copies back a year, or a year and a half. Titles that only come out once or twice and never show up again, we have them there. Some we actually go and download on a regular basis, because we want to read them ourselves. I have in the past called a few of the authors to get permission to use something that might have been in his on-line edition that we want to print in the magazine that we think our readers would like to know. We actually go through those on-line titles, and in many cases you can actually get in touch with the authors rather easily, and say 'hey I love this article and I'd like to print it.' Surprizing they have all been very pleasant about it. We don't mind having all those on-line titles there. We think it is important for callers to know that there are many ways to get information." Editor's Note: PBM Flashback will appear on a regular basis in future issues. Each issue will have this brief look back at some of the features which have appeared over the history of the Pasco BBS Magazine. + + + + + °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° ² ² ² Board of Trade BBS New Port Richey, Florida ² ² ² ² (813) 862-4772 12/24/48/96/144/28800 baud ² ² ² ² The Hobby BBS for the Entire Family! ² ² ² ² Pasco County's Information Source ² ² Home of the Pasco BBS Magazine, DA BUCS and BBS Basics ² ² ² ² Call here FIRST for the BEST in Shareware ² ² Official Distribution Site: ² ² Alive Software, Apogee Software, Epic MegaGames, Gamer's Edge, ² ² Id Software, Impulse Software, MVP Software, Safari Software, ² ² Software Creations, Soleau Software and Union Logic Software ² ² ² ² Supporting the Local Computer Community ² ² Local Author Support File Directory ² ² Official Support BBS for Pasco ComPats Computer Club ² ² ² °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° + + + + + Next Month ---------- Next month we will take a look at our local west Pasco County (Florida) BBS community. The plan is to write about some of the new boards in the area and to look at how the BBS scene has changed over the years. There will also be another list of humorous computer viruses, more Shareware reviews and all the latest news. Ed Garwood's Computer Basics will return, along with the rest of our regular features. We are also looking ahead to our May issue, which will be our third special gaming issue. That issue will feature The Complete Shareware Gaming Catalog, which will look at over 300 popular titles. Look for the April issue of the Pasco BBS Magazine, which will be available on, or before, March 22. Make sure you do not miss a single issue of Tampa Bay's oldest free on-line magazine! + + + + + Important Information --------------------- The Pasco BBS Magazine is distributed free of charge, as long as it is unaltered and complete. When uploading make sure the original archive is intact with all files included. The Pasco BBS Magazine is the sole property of the Board of Trade BBS and Richard Ziegler. It is legally copyrighted material and all rights are reserved. No part of this magazine may be used without permission. No compensation of any kind may be received for the viewing, distribution, or for any other use of the magazine files. By submitting something, you are agreeing to allow publication of the material in the magazine. Articles reprinted with permission remain the property of the cited source. Guest contributions may not necessarily reflect the views of the Pasco BBS Magazine. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions, however, this is normally only done to correct spelling or grammatical errors. The editor makes all determinations on what and when articles will run. Every effort is made to insure that all information contained within the Pasco BBS Magazine is accurate, but inadvertently mistakes can appear. The Pasco BBS Magazine, Board of Trade BBS or Richard Ziegler cannot be held liable for information contained within this document. It is intended that this magazine exists for the personal enjoyment of the readers. Rather than place a trademark symbol at every occurrence of a trademarked name, it is stated that trademarks are only being used in an editorial fashion with no intention of any infringement of the trademark itself. More information can be found in the other files distributed with the magazine's archive. Comments, questions, suggestions and submissions can be left on the Board of Trade BBS (813) 862-4772, or mailed to Board of Trade BBS, P.O. Box 1853, New Port Richey, FL 34656. + + + + + (C)Copyright 1997 Richard Ziegler - All Rights Reserved + + + + +