BTN: Birmingham Telecommunications News COPYRIGHT 1991 ISSN 1055-4548 October 1991 Volume 4, Issue 9 Table Of Contents ----------------- Article Title Author Policy Statement and Disclaimer................Staff Publisher's Corner.............................Mark Maisel Occult of Personality..........................Scott Hollifield Music Reviews..................................Joseph Ray The Adventures of R.G. Strangemind & Herbert...Jeremy Lewis Notes From The Trenches........................Dean Costello August & September Party Wrap-ups..............Colby Gibson ProFile: double dose this month...............Scott Hollifield Special Interest Groups (SIGs).................Barry Bowden Known BBS Numbers..............................Staff ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer and Statement of Policy for BTN We at BTN try our best to assure the accuracy of articles and information in our publication. We assume no responsibility for damage due to errors, omissions, etc. The liability, if any for BTN, its editors and writers, for damages relating to any errors or omissions, etc., shall be limited to the cost of a one year subscription to BTN, even if BTN, its editors or writers have been advised of the likelihood of such damages occurring. With the conclusion of that nasty business, we can get on with our policy for publication and reproduction of BTN articles. We publish monthly with a deadline of the fifteenth of the month prior to publication. If you wish to submit an article, you may do so at any time but bear in mind the deadline if you wish for your work to appear in a particular issue. It is not our purpose to slander or otherwise harm a person or reputation and we accept no responsibility for the content of the articles prepared by our writers. Our writers own their work and it is protected by copyright. We allow reprinting of articles from BTN with only a few restrictions. The author may object to a reprint, in which case he will specify in the content of his article. Otherwise, please feel free to reproduce any article from BTN as long as the source, BTN, is specified, and as long as the author's name and the article's original title are retained. If you use one of our articles, please forward a copy of your publication to: Mark Maisel Editor, BTN 221 Chestnut St. BHM, AL 35210-3219 (205)-956-0176 We thank you for taking the time to read our offering and we hope that you like it. We also reserve the right to have a good time while doing all of this and not get too serious about it. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- F R E E B I E : G E T I T W H I L E I T S H O T ! The following boards allow BTN to be downloaded freely, that is with no charge to any existing upload/download ratios. The Connection LZ Birmingham Alter-Ego Channel 8250 Little Kingdom Joker's Castle Crunchy Frog Myth Drannor Posys BBS The Matrix Abject Poverty The Bus The Outer Limits Bloom County The Round Table DC Info Exchange Radio Free Troad Programmers Shack Amiga Alliance ][ DataLynx Martyrdom Again?! Arkham Asylum If you are a sysop and you allow BTN to be downloaded freely, please let me know via EZNet so that I can post your board as a free BTN distributor. Thanks. MM ----------------------------------------------------------------------- N E W S F L A S H We are going to have another party!!! This past summer, for the good parties we got to have, it just wasn't enough! We are going to invade Rocky's again for another Halloween Masquarade Party!!! The party will take place October 26th, from 6 p.m. until it is over. The following is a map to his place from the main streets in downtown Birmingham near UAB. Rocky and I both will gladly offer more directions over the phone for any who need them. Please be advised of Rocky's house rules in the invitation/map before you arrive so you know what to expect. Rocky's Rules 1. Bring your own whatever so long as it is legal. 2. If you are a minor, then stick to soft drinks. <--- Downtown 20th Street Homewood ---> ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ ÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸ ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ ³ ³ ³ ³ MAP TO BTN HALLOWEEN PARTY ³ ³ ROCKY'S HOUSE UAB ³ ³11th HOME OF The MATRIX BBS CAMPUS ³ ³Ave. AREA ³ ³ Rocky Rawlins (205) 323-6608 ³ ³ Mark Maisel (205) 956-0176 ÚÄÄÄ¿ ³ ³ Business ³ ³ ³ ³ ³³ (Next to the ³ ³ & ³ ³ ³ ³ ³³ last house ³ ³ Engineering³ ³ ³ ³ ³³ on the right) ³ ³16th School ÀÄÄÄÙ ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ ³Ave (3 story brick) ³ ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄXÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ ³ ³ 11th ³³ 1426 ÛÛ ÛÛ³ ³ ³ ³ St S. ³³ 11th ³ ³ ³ ³ ³³ St. S ³ ³ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Publisher's Corner by Mark Maisel LAST MINUTE NEWS! Yes, this issue is late too. There is an excellent reason for it. I had to go to New Orleans to aid a friend in need, and I have been on the road most of Monday night, and Tuesday night. I spent my time in New Orleans not doing the wonderful things I usually get to do, but dealing instead with bureaucrats, and I got about one hour of fun in the French Quarter, eating dinner before hitting the road again. I apologize for the delay but it could not be avoided. MM It has been a real eye opener for me this past month, being deluged with messages, phone calls, and visits, asking me the status of what should have been the September '91 BTN. It wasn't limited to locals either. I'm glad to see that some folks at least collect BTN, and some even, gasp, read it. It is a long story as to how there came to be no BTN this past September, but I will summarize it. I usually reserve the last week of each month for tossing the ASCII salad that becomes BTN. I am active in many civic areas, of which PTA is one. This kept me more busy than I might otherwise normally be, as the last week of August is the same week that children in the city of Birmingham return to public schools. As if this were not enough, it also was the week that Kathy's, my wife, leukemia decided to run amuck. As a result, I spent all my time shuttling back and forth between the hospital, the board of education, and Sarah's, my daughter, elementary school, where I am PTA president, and sidekick of the principal. Kathy was in the hospital for over a week, and when she was allowed home, I got to play nurse as well. Understand that I am not complaining. I am merely explaining so that you can in turn reply along the lines of, "so what, you weren't THAT busy...". Of course, anyone who knows me, knows my typical, slow Southern pace of life and movement. I just don't rush, except when RayHugh is down from Noo Yawk, so that he will feel more at home. Anyway, that is what happened, and that is why the September issue didn't occur. I hope you like this one. Oh yes, the parties...they have been coming at a pretty good clip, haven't they? Well, we're not done yet. The biggie for the year is almost upon us. The Annual BTN/MATRIX Halloween Masquarade Party will take place October 26th, at Rocky Rawlin's home. The usual invitation and map may be found in this issue, and posted in EZNet. Please make an attempt at a costume. It is so much more fun when we all make fools of ourselves, rather than limiting it to a very few. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ** ----------------------- ** ** OCCULT OF PERSONALITY ** ** ----------------------- ** Mike Staggs is the latest BBS-scene phenomenon to come down the pike, and in some ways, the easiest to understand. by Scott Hollifield. The Birmingham BBS scene is such a vast amorphous lumpy sea of goop, it's rare when you can put your hand in, pull out something that smells like good solid clean Controversy, and say to yourself, "This is somethin' else." The story of Mike Staggs is somethin' else. Not since the glory days of Dean Costello has the local BBS community seen a pariah the likes of Mike. He has been accused alternately of being a perverted Satanist and a conniving girlfriend- stealer. He has made enough enemies that he has considered avoiding the next BTN party to avoid a physical confrontation. On one particular BBS, he has been the subject of virtually every message war over the past month. Yet the similarity to Dean begins and ends with the level of notoriety. While Dean deliberately provoked his adversaries - indeed, never before has an opposition group so fairly yelled "you started it" - Mike seems befuddled by all the publicity. Ironically enough, Mike's profile has decreased somewhat over the course of the past year. He was notorious for different reasons about a year ago when he first entered the local BBS scene, using both his real name and the handle "Lord Baron". It was on the Alter Ego's Politics conference, and Mike made his first mark by posting some rather hair-raising opinions, particularly how black people were biologically different from white people and how the Holocaust never happened. *** *** "I grew up around bigots and the Klan," Mike explains. "It carried over into my teenage years when I worked at McDonald's and had several problems with colored persons in my recent years." Numerous attacks by muggers and street gangs helped reinforce his racist upbringing, he says. Met with an intense backlash on the board, Mike shifted his sociopathic throttle to Christian-bashing - a decided change of heart for someone who had been called to preach in the Pentecostal church at the age of fourteen. Mike preached at his hometown church until he was seventeen, although he never did get an exhorter's license, which would have allowed him to float as a minister, as well as perform baptisms and marriages. But at the same time, Mike was undergoing the usual assortment of teenage identity crises, and in rebelling, chose to rebel against Christianity, a spark which he says is not completely gone. "I do carry over a little... because I see all the rejection and shunning coming my way because of the 'Christian' views people have grown up with." Mike began using a modem in May of last year, and his first wave of controversy hit the following summer, during his period extremist politics on the Alter Ego. It was a taste of things to come. Mike's own BBS went up in August 1990, during this period. It was called, appropriately, "The Hanging Tree". Immediately, he appealed to the local sysops-only network for access, and for the first time, the restricted network, which was essentially a social group until this point, hit its first major snag. Questions were asked about Mike's board. Members were concerned that The Hanging Tree might be a potential base of operations for local skinhead activity. One local co-sysop expressed disgruntlement that Mike was coincidentally a vocal anti-Christian. Another interpreted the name of Mike's BBS as a distorted reference to the crucifixion. The net result was that the Birmingham sysops-only network instituted a set of strict rules and guidelines for membership, including a waiting period for new sysops. Mike says that, after he had been using BBSs for a short time, he grew out of the prejudiced attitudes that formed the basis of his early messages, calling his white supremacy connection "a phase of my life I could do without". To reflect this, he changed the name of his own board to "The Round Table" at around the first of the year, and attempted to inject a new Arthurian flavor into it. For a short time, public attention went away. Mike's head may have been clear on race relations, but theolog- ically, he was still confused. After a brief flirtation with Wicca, or witchcraft, he retreated to Christianity through the help of a friend and fellow BBS user, Dawn Atchison. He and Dawn had become close friends, and to this day Mike claims that he was never seriously attracted to Dawn. Despite this, Mike made some enemies through this relationship. Dawn was dating another BBS user named Barry Fields, and friends of Barry frowned on Mike's relationship with her, blaming Mike when Dawn decided to call it quits with Barry. Mike believes that some of the recent controversy over him is due to leftover bad feelings from the Dawn cycle. In any case, Mike became disillusioned with religion once again, a disillusionment which severed his friendship with Dawn. She has since gotten married, although not to Barry. (Dawn Atchison could not be reached for comment.) Through this, some BBS users had been publicly accusing Mike of falsely "converting" to Christianity just to gain Dawn's affections, and when he seemed to simultaneously give up religion and part ways with Dawn, it looked as though they might have been right. "At this time, I didn't really know what to believe," Mike recalls. "I was really out on a limb." Spiritually confused and publicly condemned for it, Mike attempted to take his own life in March 1991. Mike regards this time as a "transition period". "I was reaching for some solution to my problems. Christianity did not hold the solution for me." After emerging safely on the other side of this trial by fire, he eventually began involving himself in a belief known as Thelema. Thelema is a ritualistic sect of the occult based in part on the work of Aliester Crowley, the early-20th century writer widely considered to be the father of contemporary occultism. Mike stresses the benevolence of Thelema, which has nothing to do with Satanism or other dark forms of the occult. In fact, it might be safe to say that Christianity and Satanism are closer kin than Thelema and Satanism, since Thelema is not prededicated on the existence of a deity. The law of Thelema, as recited by Mike, is "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the Law, love under Will." Mike explains that this does not mean that people have a right to do anything they want, but rather that personal freedom should not be restricted as long as it does not infringe upon the will of others. Indeed, in contrast with the red-and-black devil fire image of Satanism, parts of Thelema exhibit a positively Eastern air of peace and lightness. "I believe there is a force," explains Mike patiently, "A spirit if you will, that created all things and resides in all things. The Hindus call this force 'Akasha'." He compares this force to the Christian belief in a "holy spirit", but is quick to note the differences as well: the force that he believes in is genderless, and did not have a hand in writing the Bible. Mike is also careful to distinguish Thelema and the somewhat trendier flavor of occult known as Wicca. Wiccan beliefs constitute a vaguer and more generalized religion; it combines a group of diverse folk religions and encourages spontaneity. Thelema, on other hand, is highly ritualized, demanding specific rules and ceremony from its adherents. Mike is involved with a national Thelema organization called OTO, or Ordo Templi Orientis, which boasts lodges in most cities in the country. Mike's board recently began carrying echoes from the OTO's national Thelema network, 95Net. The Round Table's public association with the occult unnerved some, and angered others. Mike claims that his occult beliefs caused him to be temporarily locked out of The Word BBS, a primarily-Christian system run out of Roebuck Park Baptist Church by clergyman Rod Lewis. The co-sysop of The Word, Andy Jones, locked Mike's account out ostensibly on the basis of some rough language Mike had used in a message. Mike claims that the language was quoted from another user, a user who himself was not locked out for the original post until days after Mike was, thus causing Mike to suspect prejudice against his personal beliefs. Mike's access was restored within a week, but recently, he was locked out yet a second time, this time by the sysop himself, apparently for something he posted to a Christian user in the middle of a debate on religion. Mike called up the church to complain but was told that Rev. Lewis was not in; four hours later, Mike's access was restored. (Neither Andy Jones nor Rod Lewis could be reached for comment.) ** ** The occult aspect of Mike's BBS was not the only thing that got him in trouble. The following is a message posted on Willie's Dial-Your- Match dated August 7. FROM: LEIGH LEIGH TO: ALL SMRY: Lord Baron is there anyone else on here who lord baron has called? He called me about 2 weeks ago to verify me and he wanted to talk for along time, first i told him i was watching t.v. and the second time i called him i told him my boyfriend didn't want him to call me anymore. I have heard that i am not the only one he has done this to. Is there anything that can be done about him???? This message prompted a storm of response, mostly accusing Mike of overstepping his bounds as a sysop, particularly where female users of his board were concerned. Several alleged instances were brought up of Mike using the phone numbers of female users from The Round Table in an effort to call them up and get to know them better. Mike insists that his only crime in this matter is being an amiable sysop. He says that voice validation is a routine part of his duties, that he calls males as well as females, and that, rather than hanging up after immediately verifying a user's identity, he prefers to chat with them a little while, particularly if he and the user have a mutual interest or acquaintance, as he says was the case with Leigh. Besides, Mike claims that Leigh never exhibited any reluctance to talk and even told him to call back until the second phone call, after which he left her alone. Another user, who uses the handle "Zelda" on Willie's, had also posted her negative feelings against Mike, but later put up a retraction. "It was wrong of me to post that message...before asking him what happened," she says. "I think everyone is blowing this whole thing rather out of proportion." Mike says that the original post in this incident stemmed from a personal relationship between him and Zelda that had gone sour. Someone else told me that Mike "got obnoxious" when she told him to stop calling her. She didn't want her name used in connection with this story - not because she didn't want to be associated with him, but because she didn't want to be seen publicly criticizing him. "I don't want to hurt [his] feelings," she says. "You gotta at least feel a LITTLE sorry for him... he meant to be nice I think." Simultaneously, she admits, "He still sort of scares me for some reason." That reaction was not an isolated one where Mike's occultism was concerned; someone posted on Willie's that being on The Round Table gave her "the heebie-jeebies". Another user of Mike's board requested that his account be deleted because "funny things" had been happening to him since he signed on. Mike had his defenders at the time, though; among them was Lisa Patterson, whose handle is "Rhiannon". "I have to take up for Mike now," she posted publicly. "He called a few times, but not to flirt. It was always just to talk about stuff... he never once hit on me." Lisa would change sides after the BTN party of August 17. ** ** For the most part, the parties hosted by Mark Maisel and Rocky Rawlins for the BBS community have long been a primary focus of the PC-Board set, the BTN writers and readers and sysops who have known each other for years. However, in the last year, the users of more casual boards like Willie's have also made their presence known at the parties, and it was this presence that watched as Mike entered the spotlight of notoriety once again. In all its years of operation, Willie's Dial-Your-Match had discovered its first real live BBS user scandal. Her name was Kim Hurst, and she was one of the users who didn't mind talking to Mike. In fact, Kim and Mike became fast friends, and, weeks before the party, Mike began visiting her at work since it was in close proximity to his own job. Whenever Mike dropped by, Kim would take her break and the two would talk. At the time, Kim was dating Eric Wray, better known by the handle "Tanis". Kim claims that her relationship with Eric was deteriorating gradually, and cites numerous instances of tension. "We just weren't getting along," she says. "We argued all the time." "We never ONCE had an argument," Eric asserts. "I worshipped the ground she walked on." "Well, they weren't so much arguments as just disagreements," she explains. The disagreements, she said, were never allowed to evolve into real hostility. Nevertheless, she insists that she had planned on breaking up with Eric for some time, and was just waiting for an opportunity to do it. She found one the weekend of August 17; on the night of the party, Kim came with Eric and left with Mike. Eric claims he didn't even know until the next day, saying that Kim had arranged to leave the party with Denise Deerman, a BBS user who ultimately wasn't able to make it. Mike says that Eric must have seen that something was going on when Kim moved her personal things into Mike's car before Eric's eyes. Whichever was the case, Kim left Eric a message on the board the next morning saying that she wanted to break up. The same morning, Kim and Mike decided to strengthen their friendship into a relationship, although she insists that her attraction to Mike was coincidental, and didn't enter into her decision to end the relationship with Eric. The users of Willie's didn't quite see it that way. Most were outraged in the way that only people who witness a scandal can be; many jumped into the discussion just to be part of the fight. Mike believes that the resulting public backlash was a cynical political maneuver by Eric to get people rallying behind him no matter what the issue; Eric simply chalks it up to friends defending him when he'd been wronged. Mike says that this public rage over his behavior with Kim likely won't deter him from attending the next party, although he doesn't want to force Kim to attend. Kim, for her part, doesn't see herself shying away either. "I know about five or six [people] who want to hurt him physically. He is in a lot of trouble with my friends," remarks Eric darkly, "And I can't control what they do." Eric also expresses the hope that the next party will see him attend with a new girlfriend. "You might say that I am more than interested now," ponders Mike after hearing of the veiled threat. "More than curious. I think I have to go now." ** ** Mike and Kim are still steady as of this writing, despite ill-wishers who predicted that Kim would drop Mike just as she did Eric, or vice versa. Interestingly, their respective religions play litte part in the relationship. Kim says that she was "born and raised a Southern Baptist," although when pressed, admits that she's not particularly devout. Mike has shared his Thelemic beliefs with her, although she has shown no interest in adopting them. It is not his place to convert, Mike says, saying that his religion doesn't recruit members. "If you want to get into [Thelema]," he says, "You have to get in on your own merit. No one will try to 'witness' to you." As for Kim's own beliefs, Mike admits wryly that he did spend some time considering the implications of being associated with "a Christian girl", but decided to plunge ahead anyway. Mike Staggs has switched religions at least twice, maybe more, over the past year, yet he seems to have satisfactorily settled into one that agrees with him. Despite questions of his conviction from skeptics, he describes himself as happier than he's been in a long time, saying, "I feel much more comfortable with myself." He has a new girlfriend also. At someone else's expense? Well, that depends on to whose side one chooses to be sympathetic. ** ** As for the publicity and the controversy, Mike finds a kind of mild fascination in all of it, and likes to think of himself as "the new Dean Costello". As an afterthought, though, he quickly adds: "That doesn't mean I wanted to be, though." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Music Review by Joseph Ray Hello boys and girls! BTN is glad to resume publishing of a music review column. We don't know how long this one will last, but we'll try and continue the column as long as we are able. This month, I would like to share some of my opionions with you on three new albums that have been released into the music stores as of recently: Seal's self-titled debut "Seal;" Dire Straits newest "On Every Street;" and Guns-N-Roses "Use Your Illlsusion #2." First heard back in late July, Seal, a Britain, introduced himself into the States with a nifty tune "Crazy." But, I would have to say that this song is not related to the rest of the music on the album. "Crazy" has a little rock-n-roll mixed in with the techno-pop to create a sound that gives the song grit. There are one or two other songs on the album which also have some of this grit, but generrally, the album is dance music with a disco-esque beat and synth-pop melodies. I only listened to this album twice to get the feel of his art. Lets just say that I'm glad that this is an album that I borrowed to listen to and not something that I wasted my money on. Dire Straits - "On Every Street"...MArk Knopfler shows his southern origins with this album. On every street corner is a twist of twanging blues and slide guitar work, though not as much as someone like Bonnie Raitt. Again, the first release doesn't characterize the album in any way.."Calling Elvis" has more of a rockabilly sound which is left out in some of the other songs in which the blues influence is prominent. Don't look for any long guitar solos or eight minute continuations of a musical theme- the songs on this album tend to run about four minutes which is unlike their previous album "Brothers in Arms." This album has its own separate flair, but is a return to the days of the first album, though it doesn't coincide with the musical trends of the 90s. Its a regression album, a back to their roots escapade, and something to enjoy listening to when you feel the need to relax from this geared up world. Guns-n-Rose's "Use Your Illusion #2" is one of two albums just released recently. Axl Rose decided to have the album sold in separate boxes so that the kids can afford at least half the album since they might not have the money to buy the entire set at one time. It should be pointed out thta this also makes the band a little more money. The second of the two contains the infamous song "Civil War" which complains about the wars which take place within our society and how we are going to destroy our society with the "hate we're breeding." This tune rocks with a message of peace. This album also has a studio version of Bob Dylan's "Knockin on Heaven's Door" which sounds much better than the live version seen on MTV. There is an improvement on Bob Dylan's version too - you can understand the words (most of the time). There ae many interesting songs on this album such as "Get in the Ring" where GNR takes swings at Bob Guccione, Jr., and other music tabloids which make money by criticizing GNR. "Estranged" and "Locomotive" are another couple of nifty rocking tunes that each last over nine minutes. If I were you, I'd listen to the last song first, it is the strangest of them all complete with synthesizers and special effects (which none of the other songs use ). Its a damn good album and should be given a fair listen...like "The Last Temptation of Jesus Christ," there are many people that hate GNR that have never listened to them. This is your chance to decide for yourself. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The Adventures of R.G. Strangemind and Herbert by Jeremy Lewis Copyright 1991 by Jeremy Lewis no reprints without the permission of the author Chapter VII Back on the large gray spaceship. Herbert and Slob continued, unknowingly, in Ginger's direction. Ginger was angry, hungry and desperately wanted to kill the robot that had given him a flea bath instead of a haircut. R.G.'s mindless but strangely mobile body, was walking towards the now open metal door, when R.G.'s mental presence entered the hallway "screaming","Nooooooooo!" R.G. rushed towards his body when suddenly he struck a barrier and his body turned to him smiling. (Maybe I was being a bit hasty when I said mindless, eh?) Slob was excited. His plan was working, the big earthling was following him, and he had yet to be killed. There had been an old legend among his people that one there would come forth The Great Stupid One who would come forth and return them to the light. Perhaps this earthling was him, or atleast would pass for him. Herbert, who was currently following the strange blue alien (Slob), wasn't thinking of anything, but of course that wasn't unusual. Back on the planet Slag, however, Emperor Splort was thinking of something. he was thinking of different ways he could kill Slob, many of which involved strange any many times interesting uses for a size fifty one drill. "Oh yes," he thought,"This will indeed be fun." Soon the Imperial flag ships would be ready and he could head after Slob with all the firepower he would ever need. Ginger was still heading down the corridor when he saw a blue alien come around the corner. Ginger grinned and spoke (Well sort of) for the first time. As Slob looked at the large purple thing with a lot of teeth, he didn't worry...they don't exist right? Atleast that's they way he reacted until it grinned at him and began to howl. It took him almost a full half of a second to turn around and then he was running for his life. Herbert was following the strange blue alien and staring blankly, when suddenly the alien changed direction and collided with his chest. Had Herbert been more attentive, he may have heard the howling and began running in the other direction, instead of staring at the blue alien and trying to puzzle out what was going on. Fortunately, Ginger's appearance made everything clear. Meanwhile in the corridor outside the ship's powercore, R.G. was puzzled, which was beginning to happen far to often than the most intelligent person on Earth would've liked. "Who are you?" he stammered to his body, wondering how it could perceive on the astral plane and if it could even hear him. It could. "Now that I have your attention", came a loud rumbling voice, "I shall introduce myself. I am called Toastus. On many different worlds I have many different names. I am called Malted by the ice men of Creamia, Splagnat by the people of the planet Slag, but of all I prefer the name Toastus, for it is a true name of power! You, R.G. Strangemind shall be my emmisary in this cosmic mission. You shall be a crumb sent forth from my self to the..." "Excuse me, my dear Super powerful Entity, but what are you talking about?" Toastus was not amused. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes From the Trenches by Dean Costello "Will This Ever End?" Mark Maisel, our erstwhile editor, informed me a couple of days ago that the last 3 "Notes From the Trenches" are unacceptable as a result of 'emotional baggage', I believe that was the excuse that he used. As a result, when I thought that I had a 3-month backlog and didn't really need to write things for a while, I was suprised, shocked, and horrified to learn that I had to lash something together for today. The real problem is that I am fresh out of ideas. Most of the "NFTT" was a safety valve so I wouldn't cut the heads off of my parents and put them into a bowling ball bag, but since I haven't been in Maryland for over a month, and haven't seen Mother and Father for about an even 6 weeks, there is very little emotional turmoil that would lead to a good "NFTT". Which isn't to say that there isn't emotional turmoil. My brother, who is engaged to the "Blonde Moppet" as Chris Mohney refers to her, still refuses to tell me that he is engaged. Scott is using a tried and true method for handling conflicts: Ignore them and hope that they will either go away or solve themselves on their own accord. At one time I would have been hurt by his attitude, but now I am more entertained, and it also gives me a lot of lee time to figure out the 'perfect' wedding gift. Hiring some pregnant street urchin to crash the reception and demand to know what he is going to do about "our baby" seems an appropriate present. Yes, my brother is terribly kitty-whipped, and he just got engaged. I figure that after he loses a dozen or so friends, and maybe a job or two, the Blonde Moppet will be sent to 'Jealous and Possessive Girlfriend/Wife Hell', but in the meantime I have to suck it up and pretend to tolerate her. Which I don't. And I am pretty sure that he/she realizes it, also. I am in a curious position in that I think that she is jealous of the time that Scott and I spend together, and I am not used to being someone that someone else would be jealous of. Did this happen in Birmingham? When I spent a lot of time with Mark and Kathy Maisel, were there contingents of BTN-ers who were wandering around their parent's basement thinking to themselves, "Damn that Dean Costello. What's he got that I don't? What makes him so special that he gets to spend all that time over there? Why can't it be me that's eating Kathy's Yellow Noodles From a Box and Those Curious Chicken Things That She Cooks in the Wok That Came From the Freezer instead of that asshole? I'm funnier than he is, I know more computer stuff than he, I can run Windows, and he can't AND ADMITS IT IN PUBLIC! IT ISN'T FAIR, DAMMIT!"? I never dreamed that I would be someone that others would envy. Anyway, whenver The Moppet is around, I ain't. Hell, I'm even polite to her, in an icy way; similarly to the way that she treats me. Oh yes, holidays are fun...But I can live with this arrangement, though it does somewhat bother me how callous ol' Scott-o has been to the rest of the family since he got his first piece of ass. I refer you to a scene in "Ferris Bueler's Day Off", when Ferris is talking about how Camaron's first girlfriend will treat him. I see parallels... Oh well, I guess I can't change anything. But Lord knows I try. I discovered the ultimate uselessness in trying to "rescue princesses that own dragon farms" but I continue trying to help (albeit I feel like I am the family doctor to some rich family; I keep saying, "Stop smoking, take your medication", etc., etc. and they refuse to take my advice), I tried to convince a friend/acquaintence that they should take a more active step in planning their future (to no avail), and I am right now involved in a remediation effort that has the antipathy, if not the outright hatred, of the local community. There seems to be a common bond, in that many things I do seem to be ultimatly an exercise in futility. I can't help being empathetic, I guess that's why I went into Public Health in the first place. I guess that's also why people call me or contact me with their problems. I can't quite understand why they would, given my certifiably caustic personality, on-line if not in person. But they do. Don't get me wrong, though, I am pleasantly suprised that individuals think enough about me that they would come to me for advice, but what is very frustrating is that after they come to me, assumably because they believe I will give 'good' advice, they promptly ignore it, and go on their merry way. And there I am: sticky, broke, and confused (Listen to Sam Kinnison's first or second tape). I don't know. I was debating weaving in a little something about how I cannot REALLY open up to people. Open up? Indeed. Hell, most of the time, I generate a persona and ethos on the spot. I kind of feel like T.S. Garp, from "The World According To Garp", in that my past history is constantly being refined and re-invented depending on the audience. Did you really grow up Catholic? No, a little Methodist, but that's about it. Dad grew up Catholic, but I have never attended any Catholic religious ceremony. Are your parents wealthy? Wealth is a relative term: Mom believes we are only one step above migrant workers, but I see what Dad brings in from Grandma's Bar & Grill; on the whole I would say no. Have you ever been in a relationship? No. Ever? Not that I am aware of, and I believe it does take two to tango, as it were. Did you live with Monica? Yes I did, but she slept downstairs, and I slept upstairs. We did live together, but only in the loosest sense of the word. How many of your 'clever' anecdotes were true? Very few, but I cannot remember which ones you (plural) may have heard. Dammit, Dean, did you even live in Maryland? Yeah, people had seen my Maryland Drivers License and the plates on the Fiero. Hell, Mark's even been to our 'palacial manor home overlooking the Chesapeake' . Anyway, I had to get some of that off of my chest. As I said above, I alter and edit my past to better fit a current circumstance. The problems occur, obviously, when several people have heard different variants of the same story, and they are in the same locale when I tell it to someone else, and they therefore hear an entirely different version of the same clever anecdote. I feel badly when I am forced to generate a persona, but the general consensus is that my generated past is a lot more interesting than my actual past. I apoligize to you (plural) for the deception, but something tells me that you would rather hear about my break from the Roman Catholic Church than about the night my grandfather died, or about my uncle the coke head than my uncle the crappy businessman, or about the good times in college, and not the shitty freshman and sophmore years I spent there (a little lie: The sophmore year was better than the freshman, but not by much), or about Dad's favoritism towards my brother than when he and I would play catch. Don't shoot me, I'm only the story teller; Gabby Costello and his Down-Home Travelling Wagontrain of Tales. Unfortunately the Wagontrain is big, the stuff in it is funny, clever, and deceptively accessible, and its all too easy to start believing your own press releases... ----------------------------------------------------------------------- August Party As Seen By Colby Dude by Colby Gibson The BTN party went smoothly, other than the several "interesting" parts where there was someone drunk out of their mind. After arriving at the Maisel home with the Sullivans, I aspired to sit next to the Maisel's very expensive piano. I must say, that "plant" outside sure is marvelous. I hope that whatever film was on Scott's camera was revived after Chris was so fortunate to drop it. Pictures galore were taken by Tyros that evening, many of which will be used for blackmail in the future (If you had your picture taken, hide. Now!) Chris Mohney's camera suffered power problems, and he was unable to take pictures as long as I could see. Kevin Buchan added a wonderful scene to the evening. After beer after beer (He couldn't recall the number he imbibed, but we estimate that the number reaches over his last total) he entered into a very "interesting" stupor. After leading the poor soul onto the back porch, beer and a large portion of my Gatorade were spilled upon the Kev-man's head. Of course, he didn't mind. I think the only time he was even dazed was when his shoelaces were tied together and mine. I didn't move, however, and poor Kevin was vaulted to the floor. And, Kevin, next time try and be a bit faster with the 'ol Kiss, ok? Most of my evening was spent dazed in the Maisel's bowlish chair, and quite a few people involved themselves with playing away at the keyboard situated in the middle of the house. Many sounds could be heard erupting from the Peavey amp, and after a while, the poor fellows left the sound making device. Several cakes were brought to the party this time, and I must say, they were pretty good. Many people were inhaling the baked treats, and even the few that normally don't eat anything were found eating the stuff. Many chips and drinks went around, and I believe that I overheard Maisel saying that it was the first time in the history of BTN that they actually ran out of beer. I am quite sure that someone, somewhere had some beer hidding somewhere. The police action showed up about 11:30, and it wasn't to tell us to calm the hell down. Poor Lisa's car was swiped by someone that will go unnamed right now (No lawsuit for me, thank you) but If you know, smile to yourself. I don't know the outcome of the situation, but from what I saw of the police car, they stayed down the street a while. The second car problem occurred when poor Mike Stagg's tire was flattened by someone or something and he spent a good few minutes in the Maisel's driveway changing the tire out. Eric Hunt's car also experienced technical difficulties, and after getting about 200 short feet down Chestnut street the car needed a jump. Unfortunately, the jump didn't work out and the Sullivans took the poor fellow home. I am glad to hear that the car didn't become impounded. Kevin Buchan was put to bed, and, of course, he ended up in the floor, laughing to himself. After interrogation, he was moved back to the place where he was put to begin with. The other Lisa was pretty drunk and was put to bed as well. I didn't see her again until a few hours before the Denny's run and she didn't look altogether well. I hope you are feeling much better now. Can we say slight hangover? Mark Kieskowski stayed by his car for a while and listened to his music because Maisel removed the speakers from his living room area. The music could be heard by sitting on his hood and he didn't care how you sat on the car. The Whippets were let loose and ran through the living room. Everyone screamed, of course, and they were quickly dealt with. Outside and into the cage they were put. The scanning machine and keyboards were gone, of course, and access to the Frog and Maisel's machine were restricted. Local lurking was prevented because the Monitors were disabled. Any other discoveries in the Frog room were limited. The Denny's run happened at around 4 or a little after, and there were few people left in the Maisel home. Erica, myself, and a few other patrons sat in the living area and conversed when Maisel came into the room and brightened the evening. Patsy and a couple of friends WALKED to the store down the street and picked up some good exercise. I must note at this time that Bill Freeman gave me some very interesting advice that evening. I must say, though, that it seemed he sucked in a little too much of the drugs and was quite spaced. I hope you have returned to normal. Sysops were everywhere, Rocky and Janet leaving quite early into the evening to unpublished whereabouts. Tom Egan added spice to a dreary existance, and Bill Freeman's advice is still adding to my life. The Sysop of "The Edge of Oblivion" was outside, but I don't recall your name right now. Randy Hilliard was there, as was Omega Ohm. Kathy was around, taking in much liquid. Sumeet Paul was there along with Joe Hardwick, the wonderful inventor of Vortek. I don't recall if Rick Morgan was there, but I think I heard his name after I sucked in that 3 liter. Ricky Eanes failed to show, much to Mark Kieskowski's dissapointment.... Hmmm, I must say that this recap is nothing compared to what really went on, but through my eyes, shut and open, this is what I saw. Hopefully next time there will be more people (Man, were there PEOPLE!!) and more Beer! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- September Party As Seen by Colby Dude by Colby Gibson The BTN party was on the 21st. If you showed up at Maisel's house at 6 the next day, too bad. You should have listened better. Try the next one. A very "far away" guest was present at this last party. Raymond Hugh came from New York. You should all tell him "thank you" for gracing us with his presence. After begging and pleading and forking over a substantial amount of money to the Sullivans, I had a ride. When we got there, quite a few people were already around imbibing a small amount of alcohol. Chris and Dean were on the porch with the usual, and Scott Hollifield was there drinking something. Ray was drinking some foreign stuff and a newcomer, Tagyn had something that required some of the very volatile Gatorade that I had brought with me. Mark Maisel was in the Frog room with quite a few of the regulars engaged in "technical talk". The BTN slideshow was going as usual, and, as you would normally expect, the keyboards were GONE. As the evening progressed, many people decided to show their faces, including Kelly Rosato and Mark Kieskowski (And by the way, I REALLY liked your hair). Mike Tyner was around taking in some of that toxic cake that was brought. Episkopos R.J. Gumby stood in the den for quite a while and when Rocky showed up, Michael came with him. To entertain the mighty Bobo was a Mountain Dew bottle that was mysteriously banged upon my head for quite a while. Erik Peek was around, offering nice hugs to those that wanted them. We know what you did with Sarah, Erik. We know. This brings me to the part about the Vinegar. To those that were directly or even indirectly affected by this foul liquid, I did not know that one of Maisel's fine plastic glasses had a very large hole in the bottom of it. I must say that this is the first time that an amusement ride has been offered at the BTN extravaganza. Maisel's bowlish shaped chair was converted into a makeshift centrifuge for some nice spinning. A few fellows that were taking in 15% Orange Juice, and yes Garret and Shawn, it was fifteen, took a ride in the chair. Unfortunately, the goal of getting them to hurl was not achieved. Someone please tell me why Kevin Buchan didn't show up? Was it the beer and Gatorade from the last party? As the evening progressed, our very own Chris Mohney and Erica Sullivan detached themselves from each other long enough to exit the house. Sufficive to say, this aroused the attention of the BRU posse, especially Maisel, who ran with all speed to fetch his camera. After many moments waiting with bated breath, Maisel returned. I have not seen the pictures, but for those that did endeavour to go out to Chris' car, you know what is on the film. Early that morning, the first Denny's run left the Maisel home. I went on the second to engage in the throwing of sugar packets and the imbibing of some very noxious water. For those that were there, Doug Griffin and the throwers put up a nice fight. It was then time for the food. I related my depressed state to Garrett and Shawn, and Sarah was engrossed in rolling a wind up car across the table. Our very own Lurch-buddy was there, although doing what I cannot fully explain for the very safety of my head and other bodily appendages. Those of you that know, revel in your knowledge. Some very foul stuff was going around the Maisel home, including some fruit punch and warm orange juice. It seems that our buddy Mike Staggs took in some of Dean's 190 too early into the evening, for our friend seemed to be very knocked out for the longest that I can remember. Raymond was feeling quite nice. The Ranellis were there, I believe, if not I am sorry. All of these names get me quite mixed up. Deborah Bolen was there. Doug Griffin came without the help of MacTiffy with fries. Jason Ellis showed up to the Party, along with Tamara. They stayed there long enough for me to get in a "hello". Mark Kieskowski left with all speed because it was "boring". Granted, there were not that many people there as there usually are, but some very fine things happened that evening. Patricia Sullivan was around, so if you didn't get to meet her and get a hug then too bad. Try next time. Richard Foshee and a few others were able to get ahold of a keyboard early in the morning for some heavy duty error-correcting dialing. Richard's board froze, however, so we didn't get to stay there very long. Eric Hunt cared not for the keyboard. After all of this and the Denny's run it was pretty much sleep. I found the Maisel's easy chair to be very comfortable. I was able to sleep, for, um, 20 minutes before I was kicked awake by Erica. We paid our respects and left. For those of you that were dying to get recognition but didn't, I am sorry. Sue me. Those of you that did, good for you. At the Halloween party, I wanna see some COSTUMES! (And try not to hit me that hard next time, Erik) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ProFile by Scott Hollifield Yes, this is my first ProFile for BTN, since Chris has managed to escape the clutches of our editor by moving to Tuscaloosa. For right now, at least, the only change will be the byline; however, this doesn't mean that there won't be changes to come. I have to have some way of leaving my own personal mark, right? Watch this space. For now, here's the same old introductory paragraph that I swiped from Chris: The ProFile is a short, half-serious biographical sketch given to various computer telecommunications personalities around Birmingham. Victims are selected randomly from a group of names put into the notorious Hat. Anyone who thinks himself brave or witty enough may petition for admittance to the Hat by leaving E-Mail to me (Scott Hollifield, most boards around town) to that effect. Anyone who wishes to suggest more questions or sneakily nominate someone without their knowledge may take the same route.... For my freshman profile, we hear from yet another of our Frog-mates out Atlanta-way. --------- Pro File on VALERIA PALMER --------- Age: Old enough to know better Birthplace: Yes Occupation: writer/office manager/gifted amateur chef My hobbies include: cooking, eating, peeling wallpaper, combing the cat, needlepoint, tickling Sarah Maisel, scuba diving and reading. Years telecomputing: 3 1/2 or thereabouts Sysop, past/present/future of: do I look like I'm that crazy? My oddest habit is: I wear my glasses in the shower My greatest unfulfilled ambition is: dive the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and then go live in NYC. The single accomplishment of which I am most proud is: While I was a reporter, I succeeded in getting a corrupt hospital administrator, who had bankrupted a community hospital, fired and prosecuted and the board of directors replaced. The hospital is now fiscally sound again and serving the community as it was intended to. My favorite performers are: Sarah Maisel and Kathy's whippets The last good movie I saw was: Reds The last good book I read was: Travels in the Land of the Gods If they were making a movie of my life, I'd like to see my part played by: Whoopi Goldberg. She's got a much better tan and I don't like her hairdo at all - but Lord, that woman can cop an attitude. My pet peeves are: Ideologues and others who wanna run my life. When nobody's looking, I like to: lick the spoon. ----------- Since September 1991 passed without an issue of BTN, my first time at the ProFile desk provides me with an opportunity to give you two of the darn things to make up for missing it last month. And, as an even extra-special treat: it's the first ever MatriFile -- husband and wife delightfully contrasting each other on this, our beauteous public forum. For anyone curious as to why the WIFE'S answers come first, the simple explanation for that is: that's the way they came. --------- ProFile on DEBORAH and RALPH BOLEN --------- Age: (DB) mentally: 3 1/2, physically: old enough to know better (RB) a few nanoseconds past 27 and 13/16ths Birthplace: (DB) Chicago, but I've lived in B'ham since I was 4 weeks old. Ohmigod! Does this make me a transplanted Yankee??!! Is there a vaccine for this affliction? (RB) T-Town (Tuscaloosa) Occupation: (DB) computer consultant/programmer, slumlordette, Abuse Goddess (RB) Barrister, counselor, mediator, advisor, debugger, consultant, abuse-catcher & lightning bolt dodger My hobbies include: (DB) I'm a hopeless computer addict & BBS junkie. There! I've admitted it. I feel sooo much better now! Also, sailing, snow-skiiing, raising orchids & parrots (but not in the same place!), SF, Star Trek, creating high-calorie desserts (RB) Cross-examination, sailing, skiing (snow & water), photography, eating sushi, eating high-calorie desserts Years telecomputing: (DB) lurking: 5 or 6 years; active: about a year, but I'm quickly making up for lost time! (RB) 11+ Sysop, past/present/future of: (DB) not yet, but if Ralph has anything to say about it (he's been wanting to start a board for years) guess who will endup maintaining that BBS? If you guess correctly, you win a cookie! (RB) Past: co-sysop of the Professional's Board; Future: coming soon to a modem near you! My oddest habit is: (DB) Zapping defenseless mortals. I'm trying to control it, really I am! (RB) Ordering from out-dated computer catalogs when the prices were REALLY high My greatest unfulfilled ambition is: (DB) to be Supreme Abuse Goddess (only kidding Your Maggieness!) (RB) Flying without the aid of mechanical devices The single accomplishment of which I am most proud is: (DB) turning off the computer long enough to get some housework done (RB) Sneaking on to the computer while house-work is being done! My favorite performers are: (DB) music: Bonnie Raitt, k d lang, Dave Grusin, Andreas Vollenweider; acting: Bette Davis, Mel Gibson, Bogart (RB) Musicians: Asleep at the Wheel, k d lang, Talking Heads; Actors: Danny Glover, Robin Williams, Mel Gibson (but not for the same reason the wife likes him) The last good movie I saw was: (DB) Doublecrossed (RB) Terminator 2 The last good book I read was: (DB) the only books I've read lately were computer manuals, so don't ask (RB) "McElroy on Evidence" - 4th Edition (it was good, but I didn't say it was fun) If they were making a movie of my life, I'd like to see my part played by: (DB) Bette Davis (now THAT was an Abuse Goddess!) (RB) Kermit the Frog My pet peeves are: (DB) things that tear everywhere BUT the dotted line, line noise, computer malfunctions that I can't figure out, junk mail (but junk phone calls are worse). Seriously; injustice, the clearing of the Amazon rain forest, greed (RB) Shallow minds, assumptions, Richard Simmons, Farfignookie commercials When nobody's looking, I like to: (DB) I can't tell you! People are looking!! (RB) Take showers, change clothes, wipe. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SIG's (Special Interest Groups), Computer Related ------------------------------------------------- BEPCUG CCS Birmingham East PC Users Group Commodore Club South Jefferson Sate Jr. College Springville Road Library Ruby Carson Hall, Rm 114 2nd & 4th Tuesday (C64/C128) 3rd Friday, 7-9 PM 3rd Monday (Amiga) Paula Ballard 251-6058 (after 5PM) 7:30-10 PM BCCC BIPUG Birmingham Commodore Computer Club Birmingham IBM-PC Users Group POB 59564 UAB Nutrition Science Blg Birmingham, Al 35259 RM 535/541 UAB School of Education, Rm 153 1st Sunday (delayed one week 2nd and 4th Sundays, 2 PM if meeting is a holiday) Rusty Hargett 854-5172 Marty Schulman 967-5883 BACE FAOUG Birmingham Atari Computer First Alabama Osborne Users Enthusiast Group Vestavia Library, downstairs Homewood Library 2nd Monday, 7 PM 1st Saturday, 1PM Benny Brown 822-5059 Ed Purquez 669-5200 CADUB CAD Users of Birmingham Homewood Library 3rd Tuesday, 6:30PM-8:30PM Bobby Benson 791-0426 SIG's, Non-Computer Related --------------------------- BBC Birmingham Astronomy Club Blue Box Companions Subject: Astronomy Subject: Dr. Who Red Mountain Museum Annex Hoover Library 4th Tuesday, 7:30PM 1st Saturday, 2PM-5PM If you belong to or know of a user group that is not listed, please let us know by sending E-Mail to Barry Bowden on The Matrix BBS. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Known BBS Numbers For The Birmingham Area NAME NUMBER BAUD RATES MODEM BBS SOFTWARE SUPPORTED TYPE * Alter-Ego BBS 925-0707 300-2400 MNP4 ProLogon/ProDoor * American BBS 674-1851 300-2400 PCBoard 14.5 * Amiga Alliance ][ 631-0262 300-2400 PCBoard 14.5 ^ Arkham Asylum 853-7422 300-2400 WWIV 4.12 Baudville 640-4593 300-2400 Oracomm Plus &)* Bloom County 856-0587 300-9600 USR DS PCBoard 14.5 -* Bus System 595-1627 300-2400 PCBoard 14.2 *% Byte Me! 979-BYTE! 2400-9600 USR HST WWIV 4.12 CM(ee) BBS Node 1 655-4059 300-2400 Oracomm Plus CM(ee) BBS Node 2 655-4065 300-1200 Oracomm Plus Camelot BBS 856-0679 300-2400 Telegard 2.5 -*# Channel 8250 Node 1 744-8546 300-9600 USR DS PCBoard 14.5 -*# Channel 8250 Node 2 744-5166 300-9600 USR HST PCBoard 14.5 Connection Node 1 854-9074 1200-2400 PCBoard 14.5 Connection Node 2 854-2308 1200-2400 PCBoard 14.5 Connection Node 3 854-0698 1200-2400 PCBoard 14.5 * Crunchy Frog Node 1 956-1755 300-9600 USR DS PCBoard 14.5 * Crunchy Frog Node 2 956-0073 300-9600 USR DS PCBoard 14.5 DataLynx 322-3425 300-2400 Oracomm5.L.30 Disktop Publishing BBS 854-1660 300-2400 MNP4 Wildcat! 2.55s Downgrade Evolution 823-4858 1200-2400 Vortek 1.49 Flip Side 798-3961 300-2400 Telegard 2.5i Graphics Zone Node 1 870-5306 300-9600 MNP4 TBBS 2.1(16) Graphics Zone Node 2 870-5329 300-9600 MNP4 TBBS 2.1(16) Hacker's Corner 674-5449 1200-2400 PCBoard 14.5 Hardeman's BBS 640-6436 1200-2400 Wildcat! 2.55s I.S.A. BBS 995-6590 300-9600 HST Remote Access -* Joker's Castle 664-5589 300-2400 MNP4 PC Board 14.5 *& Little Kingdom Node 1 969-0007 300-9600 USR DS PCBoard 14.5 *& Little Kingdom Node 2 969-0008 300-2400 MNP4 PCBoard 14.5 Liverpool Connection 856-0267 300-1200 WWIV 4.12 * Magnolia BBS 854-6407 300-9600 USR HST PCBoard 14.2 @ Missing Link 853-1257 300-2400 Image1.2 ^ Myth Drannor 699-5811 1200-2400 MNP4 WWIV 4.11 Optical Illusion 853-8062 300-1200 C-Net Outside It's America 951-2473 1200-2400 MNP4 Vortek 1.48 Owlabama BBS 833-8345 300-2400 WWIV 4.12 Owl's Nest 680-0851 300-2400 PCBoard 14.5 Paradise City 853-1439 1200-2400 PCBoard 14.5 Safe Harbor 665-4355 300-9600 USR DS GTPower 15.00 Sperry BBS 853-6144 300-9600 Hayes PCBoard 14.5 * ST BBS 836-9311 300-2400 PCBoard 14.2 + The Bone Yard 631-6023 300-2400 PCBoard 14.5 The Commodore Zone 856-3783 300-2400 Image1.2 ^ The Dragon's Hoard 833-3790 300-2400 WWIV 4.12 ^ The Edge of Oblivion 520-0230 300-2400 WWIV 4.11 The Madhouse! 428-3061 300-9600 USR V.32 Telegard 2.5i -*$(The Matrix Nodes 1-4 323-2016 300-2400 PCBoard 14.5 -*$(The Matrix Node 5 251-2344 2400-9600 USR DS PCBoard 14.5 -*$(The Matrix Node 6 323-0799 2400-9600 USR DS PCBoard 14.5 The Monster 967-4839 300-2400 Telegard 2.5i + The Outer Limits 985-1725 1200-9600 USR HST Ultra BBS ?.?? The Quiet Zone 833-2066 300-2400 ExpressNET + The Round Table 938-2145 300-2400 Telegard 2.5i The Safety BBS 581-2866 300-2400 RBBS-PC The Word 833-2831 300-2400 WWIV 4.12 Willie's DYM Node 1 979-1629 300-2400 Oracomm Plus Willie's DYM Node 2 979-7739 300-2400 Oracomm Plus Willie's DYM Node 3 979-7743 300-1200 Oracomm Plus Willie's DYM Node 4 979-8156 300-1200 Oracomm Plus Ziggy Unaxess 991-5696 300-1200 Unaxess The many symbols you see prior to the names of many of the bbs' in the list signify that they are members of one or more networks that exchange or echo mail to each other in some organized fashion. * = EzNet, a local IBM compatible network @ = Image network, a national Commodore network + = FidoNet, an international IBM compatible network - = Metrolink, an international IBM compatible network ^ = WWIV-Net, an international IBM compatible network & = Intellec, an international IBM compatible network # = Uni'Net, an international IBM compatible network % = ThrobNet, an international IBM compatible network $ = ILink, an international IBM compatible network ( = TheoNet, a national IBM compatible network ) = USNetMail, a national IBM compatible network If you have any corrections, additions, deletions, etc., please let us know via EzNet.