BTN: Birmingham Telecommunications News COPYRIGHT 1992 ISSN 1055-4548 December 1992 Volume 5, Issue 11 Table Of Contents ----------------- Article Title Author Policy Statement and Disclaimer................Staff From The Editor................................Scott Hollifield Letters to the Editor..........................BTN Readers The BBS: Business or Hobby - Response & Comment...Mark Maisel Life on the Lines II...........................Chris Phillips Changes........................................Lurch Henson Grocking the Gestalt II........................Scott Pletcher The Amiga Connection...........................Jeff Vaughn December Music Events..........................Judy Ranelli Poetry Curve...................................Chris Mohney The Desktop Publishing Association.............Chris Phillips 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. ADAnet One Alter-Ego Bus System Channel 8250 Crunchy Frog DC Info Exchange Darkhold BBS F/X BBS Joker's Castle Lemon Grove Martyrdom Again?! The MATRIX Milliways BBS Night Watch The Outer Limits Owlabama BBS Owl's Nest Playground Safe Harbor Teasers BBS Thy Master's Dungeon Weekends BBS (Please note that this list includes some systems which are not local to Birmingham and therefore not included on our BBS Numbers list.) If you are a sysop and you allow BTN to be downloaded freely, please let me know via The Matrix or Crunchy Frog so that I can post your board as a free BTN distributor. Thanks. SH ----------------------------------------------------------------------- N E W S F L A S H BTN's OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON DEC. 25 and indeed every other day of the month since BTN doesn't have any offices. Happy holidays! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From The Editor by Scott Hollifield Well, I've made it three whole months as editor of BTN, and come out not much worse for the wear. To paraphrase Mel Brooks, it's good to be editor. I'm running into perks even *I*, ambitious rascal that I am, didn't even foresee. Allow me to run the gamut as I see it: First of all, one of the drawbacks I originally thought came with the job was that I would be obliged to write something every month, rather than merely the occasional brilliant epiphany. This turned out not to be so bad, because whatever I write gets lumped under the title "From The Editor". See it up there? Adds a special sorta gleam to the column, doesn't it? Which saves me from having to worry about being "legitimate". As editor, I automatically qualify as legitmate! I've got it already! I'm sold out! And that helps me out even when I'm bankrupt of ideas, like this month, because I can write pretty much anything I see fit, such as this column, which the surgeon general has determined to be completely lacking in any kind of intellectual or social value. I guess I'm kind of like the tobacco lobby, then. Also, I get my own conference. This is not such a big deal anymore; even Gwendolyn Norton has her own conference, and I'm surprised they even let her out during the day. Just the same, there it is, on the Crunchy Frog - it's called BTNWA, and it's strictly for people whose writing appears here. Go ahead, try to access it. You can't. (If you can, it means that you're still in trouble, because you should be spending your time writing articles instead of fooling around.) Another thing is that I get an extra notch in my social status on BBS's. People are starting to recognize my name. Just yesterday, I was calling a new board and the sysop anxiously broke into chat with me, to ask "Are you the BTN guy?" I felt like I was delivering pizza, but the idea is there. Not only that, but I now have something to put down in all those awful mandatory feedback messages you have to type whenever you log onto a new BBS. I can pretty much say, "Hi, I'm calling on behalf of BTN. That means I don't HAVE to have a real reason to call! Hah!" And, of course, there are all the old routine standbys, like realized lust for power, authority to make people jump when I give the word, control over public media, etc. Speaking over control (mine) of the media (yours), let's run through this month's agenda, shall we? We have a surprisingly hefty issue, despite the lack of either a BTN ProFile or BBS Spotlight (so much for making people jump). Mark Maisel returns this month with a follow-up to his much-discussed article on the State of BBSing 1992. Chris Phillips (also known as Bernie Starchaser) and Lurch Henson turn in articles, both of which make reference to me, so they can't be all bad. (Lurch even publicly, unashamedly, calls on you, the public, for suggestions on what he should write about! Why didn't I ever think of that?) We also inject a bit of culture - right into the vein - with a new poetry feature by local expatriate Chris Mohney, and with an informative and not at all objective musical calendar by Judy Ranelli. Add to that the latest in Amiga news by Jeff Vaughn and two - count'em two - promotions for the Desktop Publishing Association, and yeah, we're talking big enough. Yes, I know - just what you wanted for Christmas, right? ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Letters to the Editor Yes! Can you believe it? We got a letter! And it only took three issues! This month's missive is from David Moss, sysop of Weekends BBS. ****** Scott, I just finished the November Issue of BTN and feel a comment is in order. First let me say that I am a relative newcomer to the BBS world. I read the issue every month, and have been for almost a year. Now for the comment. Mark Maisel's article, The BBS: Business or Hobby, was a brief history of how the "Old-Timers" learned this hobby. They had it easy! I mean, just think, no choices! They were limited to everything! Us new rookies who start in this are faced with an ocean of different decisions! Modems, hardware, software, off-line readers, thousands of different files for downloading or (in some cases uploading), yes, even dozens of different boards to choose from. Back then everyone knew evryone else, so there was no problem with to pay a fee or not to pay a fee. Also, I'm glad the article pointed out the possibility of paying a fee to a board and then have that board disappear! The newcomer should seek advice from as many people as possible before making that decision. I also like the new lay-out of the BBS list. A little longer perhaps, but also a little easier to read. David Moss ****** If YOU have something you want to say about BTN, or indeed, about anything at all, leave me a message on Crunchy Frog or The Matrix. Those are the best and fastest ways to contact me, and the greasiest path to having a letter published. - Scott Hollifield ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The BBS: Business or Hobby? Response and Comment by Mark Maisel with commentary from Rocky Rawlins and Michael Davidson This article is a follow-up to the one I wrote for BTN052. I got two responses in message form and thought I'd reply to them here. Rocky Rawlins, sysop of MATRIX, and Michael Davidson were kind enough to read what I had to say and then let me know it. The following are their comments mixed with my own in response. Perhaps more of you will express an interest and keep this dialogue going. RR=Rocky Rawlins MD=Michael Davidson MM=Mark Maisel ---------- RR "Mark, I read your article in BTN52. Pretty good. A couple of things though I wanted to comment on and to ask you about." MM Thank you. RR "First one of the things we have always done here to encourage the growth of other boards is routinely pass on the equipment we pull out of service to other folks for their boards. We recently gave both Jeff Vaughn and Roderick Horton complete systems to bring up boards. I think the spirit of cooperation around Birmingham is quite a bit different from a lot of other cities and board communities. The conscious effort of the Sysops around here to avoid "competition" give this are a different culture from many areas." MM I have always found that curious, from an outside point of view. I would argue that while not unique, your habit of sharing "the wealth" as we computer geeks would put it, is the exception and not the rule. It is fascinating to me, and it is always surprising as I recall when you offered Greg Roberts those XT's when we were in east Alabama. I am familiar with many other occasions where folks, including myself, have benefitted from your generosity. Of course, you now must realize that you are going to be deluged with requests for hardware, and yes, even you may be reduced to a state of no spare parts. RR "Second, I agree with you on the problem of volume and new users particularly being overwhelmed by the sheer size of some boards. Any ideas on how to solve that? We've been looking at it trying to figure out a way to make things easier for people especially novices. Maybe it's the structure of PCBoard or perhaps just overfamiliarity. If you have any ideas, concepts or have seen anything anyone else is doing that is a new approach let me know. One of the things we're doing is setting up a dedicated voice line for the board for people to call with problems or questions. (Yes, a Technical Support number )" MM I really haven't given much thought to methods for making things easier for users in regards to the complexity and size of bbs' these days. The Internet is a big monster. There are many efforts under way to try and make it easier but it is growing faster than the speed of progress on the part of those folks. I think that saturation will eventually be reached and that organization will come out of chaos. I think the same will hold true for bbs', especially whoppers like yours. The problem of complexity, at least on MATRIX, might be something well worth examining. I'm sure we'll get around to talking about it soon. PC Board's interface isn't a problem, as I see it. I do think that the future is in offline mail, for those who are interested in mail. It also makes things a bit easier for the user, who can read and explore at their leisure. The problem for the moment is that downloading huge amounts of mail is still a major time consumer. It will stay that way so long as the majority of users run at 2400 baud or less. With the advent of much lower prices for 9.6 and 14.4 kilobaud modems, I expect this is already changing, but it will be some time yet. The mail readers sport a variety of interfaces and I think those are going to become more sophisticated, versatile, and customizable in order to accommodate a rapidly growing and diversifying audience. The BBS interface is going to have to keep up, at least in so much as it can so long as ASCII and ANSI are the terminal standards. Beginners are probably going to continue to spend time logging on and doing things online till they decide what they want. I answered a question in my MATRIX mail packet today in regards to just what an offline mail reader is and what advantages they may have for the questioner. Innovation is going to be the key to the "BBS business", I think. You certainly have been making moves in the right direction, even though your primary alternative isn't necessarily to make a living from the bbs. I expect the MATRIX to be around for a long time and pretty much financially supported by users. It certainly makes it easier for you and your cohorts to service the bbs and its users. The voice line offering help is an interesting idea, and one that certainly takes a lot of courage. It will probably pay off in the end, but I know lots of sysops who guard their voice numbers and some even their true identities in order to keep users from bothering them with phone calls. RR "And on the 30 minutes issue, We've been set at 30 minutes for over 5 years. It's not so much to attempt to get those people to subscribe as to try and handle the largest number of people. About 80% of the folks find that enough time and when we call new users and they ask about subscribing, as a matter of policy we make it clear to them that there is no cost involved. We encourage them to work with the system for a while before even thinking about subscribing and point out that unless they plan on being a heavy user that 30 minutes should be plenty of time for normal use." MM This policy, I feel certain, has brought you quite a few subscribers. I've been on systems where logging on was the only activity you could indulge prior to subscribing. There are also those who will never subscribe, but they can only tie up 30 minutes per day, and probably wouldn't subscribe if you didn't offer the 30 free minutes. This is an interesting approach, quite comparable to the free time offered to potential users on CompuServe, America Online, and other commercial online services. RR "The PRIMARY goal of the system is to provide a communications gateway for Birmingham. So that people don't need to be PC gurus to get on the Internet and out into the online world. Compuserve is too expensive by far and we can provide something that otherwise wouldn't exist on this scale. If it makes a profit, great! We can expand or add new services. If it makes so much money that I can live on it fine. That means I'll have more time to devote to it and make it better. But what I've said all along is still true. I make money to run the board not the other way around. The day I look around and realize I'm putting profit ahead of the purpose of the board is the day I reach over and pull the plug." MM I would suggest that you are running a hybrid system, though I recall a time when it wasn't. I am certain that if it ever came to it, you'd simply shrink the board to fit your budget or shut it down. It certainly is an attitude that attracts users and subscribers. No one feels any pressure and that is a good thing. Marketing hammers at us from every medium and it is nice to find an escape. The MATRIX provides such an escape. I think this is an exception to the trend toward business for bbs' and I hope it stays that way. MD "About the pay bbs', just letting you know that both Baudville and Genesis Online give you 30 min. of free time, but many people subscribe because of the superior chatting functions available on the Major BBS system. I think that bbsing should remain a hobby for the most part, especially for those of us who are young and cannot waste income on computers, especially something so trivial as this. I like having free time and an option of subscription, but if the bbs community were to all of a sudden go subscription, I must admit I'd probably give up the hobby completely. Sure, there is lots of information and good files available, but the same goes for the public library downtown, and I have free access there." MM Is the time a one time gift or perpetual on a regular basis? I'm familiar with some of the advantages for chat fiends that are part of Major BBS. I know quite a few folks who love it. It has never done much for me, but to each his own. As for bbs' remaining the domain of hobbyists, I don't know that I can agree with you. There are sometimes substantial costs involved in running a bbs, especially if it becomes popular and the sysop decides to expand it. Should he bear the entire cost if so many derive benefit? I've always felt that if one couldn't afford to pay, then one shouldn't play. I think that true for both users and sysops. To me, if someone wants to run a bbs as a business, that is great. They should run it like a business and deal with me in a businesslike manner. Hobbyists ought to run their bbs' as hobbies and not solicit (read whine) for money. I understand your sentiment in regards to your lack of money, but it almost sounds insulting to hear you talk about what you get from a bbs being wasteful. I doubt that is what you mean, but I can only judge what I read. I've found bbs' anything but wasteful. Honing your skills in public debate, learning about people, their diverse specialties, quirks, etc., certainly are not to be found in a library. If you are inclined and able, you can learn a great deal from libraries as well as collect files, but it certainly isn't a replacement for bbs' or other online services. MD "About offline mail. Offline mail has been a saving grace for me. Before I was told about it one faithful day at lunch in seventh grade, I never had time to read mail. My studies occupy most of my free time, especially this year entering high school, and I have no way to sit down for hours on end reading and replying to mail. Now, it takes just half an hour to call the half-dozen or so boards that I grab mail from and pull it to read at my leisure. I can now, thanks to my new modem, download about three megs of compressed mail in 30 minutes. That's enough to keep me satisfied for weeks. Also, with the dawn of offline readers, I can skip a whole thread of messages with the push of a button, or read only the ones to or from a certain person if I wish, or weed all of those out to or from a certain person. It is much more enjoyable to find a reader suitable to my reads, configure it to my liking, then read only the mail I choose than to go into a pre-selected environment and have to wade through all of the messages to find the ones that interest me. I think that the increase in convenience is well worth any sacrifice made in quality of messages. Besides, after a few weeks, one usually gets bored with entering hundreds of messages and reverts to only entering ones that count. (Just look at the change in Ricky's behavior on the Frog.)" MM My experience with offline mail mirrors your own. It makes life much easier, at least in so much as I am able to remain active on bbs' much more easily. The high speed modem also makes bbs usage better. I know exactly what you mean. MM As for Ricky, I don't about that. I think that many factors have influenced his volume. I see that he is nearly as active on other boards in town as he was on the Frog. Look at Bob Crawford. Now there is a man who likes to leave messages, and he doesn't mind where he leaves them either. MD "I think your article was the highlight of the issue, I know that's not much considering that there were only a few articles, but it was really though-provoking and I enjoyed it immensely." MM Thank you very much. I appreciate your response and am glad to see you gave some thought to it. ---------- If any of you reading this would like to add or respond to Rocky, Michael, or myself, please feel free to do so on MATRIX in the main message base. Do it publicly or privately. Let whichever of us know if we may use your response as part of another article on this topic. Thanks. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- (Gentle readers, due to an INCREDIBLE administrative snafu, this article, which was intended for the November ish, never made it in [you noticed, huh?]. Thankfully, our editor is accurate, even if a little slow...so here it is again for the first time.) LIFE ON THE LINES - #2 by Chris Phillips Well! Ish #51 just hit the hard-drives, and BOY am I embarrassed! I cannot believe I wrote that! More importantly, I cannot believe Scott accepted it! Anyhow, I am now extremely motivated to improve my future offerings. For the next few columns or so, I want to take a look at the things about the BBS scene which have changed since Way Back When It All Began. I think the best place to start is offline. Offline? Did he just say OFFLINE??? No, actually I typed it. However, we won't quibble. Yes, offline. As in Offline Mail Readers (Oh, God. Not again!) Those of you who read ish #50 will remember a memorable (it must have been if you remember it!) piece of fiction (or prediction of the apocalyptic future, take your pick) written by our illustrious editor and BTN God, Scott Hollifield. The piece was called "The Scene", for those who may have skimped on their reading. In it, Scott brought up an interesting theme. As part of his story, he likened the Mail aspects of BBS'ing to drug use. Well, it has been said that "many a truthful word is spoken in jest", and this seems to be one of those times. I have never been a drug user, so my comparisons are merely conjecture, but I definitely feel a NEED to read and reply to mail EVERY DAY. I get cranky and irritable if I miss a day or if there's no new mail. I get a rush whenever there's personal mail (even flames). So far, I haven't gotten to the point where I reset pointers or leave messages to myself (although I've seen this done on The Matrix recently by another user), but there's enough evidence to support the comparison. We've even got the paraphernalia. The Offline Mail Reader, of course, is the primary tool. Naturally, there are many forms, and users tout the advantages of one or the other. I use Speed Read, because it allows me to archive old messages and go back and read them later (is that like re- using hypodermics?). Integrated with this are two other little gems. My John Hancock tagline manager is the absolute tops! I've got files full of stolen taglines (and a FEW originals) for most any purpose, plus a special file set up solely for Star Trek taglines. I'm always on the lookout for new tags to steal (they DO say that drug use can lead you into other crime!). Finally, there's my quoting utility, which is a little program that activates after any message I enter, emitting a satisfying little BEEP each time. Besides that, it also dresses up the parts of my message which are quoted from the message I'm replying to. Much nicer than all those colons and initials and ">"'s. That's not enough, though. In order that, with my busy schedule and lifestyle, I don't miss a SINGLE day's fix, I've got no less than TWO different automated telecom systems. These are terminal programs which have a menu-driven system allowing "scripting" BBS mail runs. For those of you new to the scene, this means the computer can get my mail all by itself, WHILE I SLEEP! When I get off work the next day, my fix is all set and waiting for me. Finished yet? Not hardly. My next acquisition is going to be a database system which will allow me to take ALLFILES listings and create databases through which I can browse the file sections offline, also, and select those files I want. After that, I need only to instruct my automated communications package to download the file when it calls the appropriate BBS for mail. Again, ultimate convenience (and a LOT easier than getting a Sysop to meet me at the corner with a disk! Cheaper too!). Just so I don't start getting the reputation of being a total leech, the same thing operates in reverse, so that I can upload files as well as download. What's the point to all of this? Well, if nothing else, I can probably make a fortune doing Markmail Rehab! (If any reader wishes assistance in locating or figuring out any of the software I've mentioned above, please do not hesitate to ask. I can be reached under my nom de plume (or is that nom de keyboard?) Bernie Starchaser on Crunchy Frog, Byte Me!, and Datalynx. On Alter Ego, 8250, and Matrix I'm Chris Phillips. For those out of state (I've heard BTN gets around!) I can be reached via Internet EMail. The address is chris.phillips@the-matrix.com.) And, as promised, here is my closing music quote: "And the people bowed and prayed, To the neon god they made, And the sign flashed it's warning In the words that it was forming, And the sign said, 'The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls, And tenement halls, And whispered in the sounds of silence.' Paul Simon/Art Garfunkel - "Sounds Of Silence" :^Q - Bernie D. Starchaser ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Changes or Why do these things happen to me? by Lurch Henson Politically hip? <> I haven't been "hip" since high school, when I was an honorary "head", even though I didn't do drugs, because I was "cool" and interesting to be around. At least now I'm still semi- interesting. <> (The preceeding was in reference to the Editor's disclaimer for my article in last month's BTN. If you read it, good for you. If you didn't, shame, shame, shame. Report to Monty for punishment detail.) Anyway, on to my ravings for this month..... So, what shall I rave about this time around? Pity this isn't interactive, then YOU could suggest something you'd like to see me rave about. Hmmmmmm...... wait a second....you CAN do that, can't you? Enough of you have been telling me lately how much you like reading this drivel I've been pouring out the last few issues, you could just as easily say something like "Hey, I think you should takl about...." and suggest something interesting.... I can't think of any subject that I won't hold an opinion on, though I CAN think of a few that the Editor WON'T allow to be printed here..... <> Go ahead, make a few suggestions to me on the BBSs that I frequent. I'm sure the Editor would love the added articles, I'd POSSIBLY get a kick out of writing them (that's the only reason I do this stuff, BTW), and who knows, you might ACTUALLY enjoy reading them. Think of it as the computerized version of Lewis Grizzard, but with a little reader input...... <> You can find me as Monster on Willie's, Teasers, and AlaNet, as Lurch Henson on the Crunchy Frog, The MATRIX, and the main board of FX/BBS, and very soon now, probably before this makes it to you, as Jim Henson on Alter Ego. Anyway, enough of that, let's see if I can entertain you a little this month..... Some of you may have heard of my recent loss....some of you haven't. I recently had to do something in the name of survival....something so terrible and unthinkable that no man should ever be forced to bare (good choice of word here) such a thing. I had to remove my beard. Now, some of you might chuckle and say "So what?" (I know you're doing it, I can hear you already). I'd be willing to bet that most of you holding that opinion are women or males not yet old enough to grow a full beard. Those males out there that DO have a beard have most likely cringed when they read of the loss, not unlike how most males tend to cross their legs when they see or hear of another guy being injured in a "sensitive area" (I think we all know which one, don't we?). A recent Star Trek episode even dealt briefly with this sensitive and painful subject. Needless to say, beards are very important to those males that possess them. Now.....why? Some women say they are masks, something for men to "hide behind". Even if you're Santa Claus, there STILL isn't enough fur on your face to hide behind, so that's not it. Another guess is that it is the male version of make-up. I guess this one is a little closer to true, since most guys with beards will tell you they look better with them than without them (and most people will agree with them if they are used to seeing them WITH the beard), but that's not all of it either. Why? Well, for me, simply because it's ME. I feel RIGHT in my beard. I feel MYSELF in my beard. Without it I am adrift to some extent. I feel like I'm pretending to be something I'm not. I also feel I would be able to do this job alot better WITH the beard, since I am now a security guard, and am much more intimidating with my beard..... Do beards REALLY make a difference? Yes, they do. Even if it's only to the extent that it gives the guy wearing it more confidence, which reflects in the way he relates to others, and how they relate to him. Guys, if you've never had one, why don't you give it a shot for awhile? They are easy enough to get rid of if you decide it's not for you, and who knows, you just might find out what it's all about..... Women, be patient with the guys, they'll only be scratchy for a few days, then you'll have something new to play with.... <> I've been told by more than one woman that it's fun to be tickled by a beard in some places.... <> Who knows, maybe if fur starts popping up all over, my bosses will change company policy and allow their officers to grow their sacrified beards back? What have you got to lose, guys? Think of it! Women burned their bras to demonstrate their freedom, you can throw out your razors for your repressed brothers that have no choice in the matter! Show your support for those of us that CAN'T go bearded any longer by doing it for us! Go out there and prove to the world that beards can and DO look good! Feel Good! ARE GOOD! (One thing you might want to think about, guys....it's winter, the wind is getting colder and colder. A beard keeps the bite of the wind and cold off of your face, and your Lady will like cuddling up to it once you get it long enough not to scratch anymore.....) 9211.24 (The author of this article is recovering nicely in a "rest facility" after suffering from the tramau of having to remove his beard against his will. The article you have just read was part of his therapy. Showing your support for him, and others like him can't hurt, and who knows, it might help. (Besides, my wife likes the way I look in my new beard. <> Dr. Warren Neufur.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Grocking the Gestalt II by Scott Pletcher (Author's note: Ack! This sudden burst of "on-time"-ness from the BTN crew has taken me by surprise! October and November elapsed as quickly as defecation from a prune-ladened bovine. Oh well, I guess I'll try for December...) [Editor's note: Seems like I recall October was the month I took over as editor of BTN! Some coincidence, eh...] : Fall has arrived. As the sun lurches lower on the horizon, the seemingly eternal days of summer have been replaced with the trademarks of autumn. : The lush green foliage of the Appalachian foothills is fading into the warm glow of gold, red, and yellow. : The cotton fields look as if they were just dusted with a mid-winter snow as the tufts of white floss bursts forth from their muddy brown casings. : The crisp dry breeze has its way with the parched leaves writhing on the fading Bermuda grass. : He methodically plods across campus hoisting over the right shoulder a backpack ladened with books, pens and various other tools of the trade. It has begun. * * * * Well, o.k. I admit that may be a little dramatic. But who doesn't like to fantasize about their life story being made into a feature-length movie? Just name one... Who? Jimmy Swaggart? Well, o.k...name another! That guy fat in speedos who always paints his face and belly green for the N.Y. Jets games? Hmm...I see your point. Oh...shut the hell up, smart ass! But anyway, lemme give you a quick update on my adventures at UAH. I moved in on Sept. 19. My roommates had already been their for four days. Here's a quick introduction. Tom - Tom is from Clearwater, Florida. He's a nice guy, but his jokes sound like they come from the book, "Bazooka Bubble Gum's Best Wrapper Jokes." Mark- Mark is a 20 year old Canadian from Windsor (in 'I have no idea what' province). He's getting a full scholarship to play on the UAH hockey team. (UAH has the southern-most team in collegate hockey.) Big. Not to bright, though. Wade- See Mark. Now, before you start jumping to conclusions about Canadians, let me put some things to rest. All Canadian DO say "Eay" (pronounced like HEY without the H) after EVERYTHING! They DO drink Moosehead. And, yes, Canadians feel that Bush screwed them too. Life's been pretty slow in the Rocket City. The bulletin boards here suck. Keep in mind that 99% of all the boards are run from 11pm to 7am by prepubesent teens on daddy's Tandy with some demo BBS software they got from Marvin's Mail-Order Shareware Emporium for $3.25 + S&H. The social life here DOES NOT EXIST! The most excitement we've had around here lately is when the Indian down the hall set his microwave popcorn on fire by nuking it for 20 minutes. They say Hell is what each person hates most. If Hell bears any resemblance to UAH social life, then I'd better start snapping off Rosaries an regularly swimming sprints with the Pope in a vat of holy water. ("Pay no nevermind to him Myrtle...he's just one of them damn Catholics. I bet'cha he's drunk right now!") Speaking of religion, that reminds me of something else very interesting I've noticed lately. (What a segue, huh?!) Um...well... I'm not sure if I can launch off in tangents. Lemme check my BTN contract. Let's see...."Be pulled at any time".... "Dental Plan"....."Herbicidal Products Discount." Ah, here it is: "The author shall be allowed to launch tangents as long as (s)he provides an adequate segue, AND administers a peanut butter rubdown to the editor." Article III, Section 7, Line 12 Well good. I guess that means I can. That's funny, I don't remember that last part being in there when I signed this thing. Hey...wait a second...it's in pencil too! Oh well, let me get to my point. Is it just me, or have you all noticed the sudden increase of religious propaganda files turning up BBS's lately? Now wait just a moment before you rebuke me in the name of "Jesus Chraaaaast." I know. Your having a fit with the word "propaganda", right? By propaganda, I mean anything with the purpose to sway an opinion--good or bad. Now go give yourselves a group enema. Most seem to be Christian oriented. Besides, how often do you see files like "The True Way to Salvation With Mohammed" or "The Seven Fallacies of Taoism." Are our BBSs becoming religious battle grounds? A few of my friends insist that "...we (the Christians) are constantly fighting a great war with the forces of evil..." Of course, these are the same people who adamantly oppose the death penalty, but wanted to nuke Iraq until even the roaches were fungus food. Are we really this bad? Well...ok...bad question. I've know people who thought the Second Coming was supposed to be a Tom Jones Comeback Tour. Maybe salvation through BBSs isn't such a bad idea after all. Why sure...delllldelllldelllldellll "DOOR 1: Be Saved On-Line DOOR 2: On-Line Reconciliation DOOR 3: Give a love gift (Visa, MasterCard Accepted) The Pastor is currently NOT AVAILABLE for chat. Be sure to join conference 69 for our Bible-Quoting Marathon now in its 5th month We are now echoing ChristNet with KosherNet coming soon. Check out BLT 12 for a current listing of the top ten deadliest sins (Updated weekly)" Now, far be it from me to start a religious skirmish, but I've learned that whenever anyone expresses his opinion publicly, no matter how innocent it may seem, it WILL offend someone somewhere. I'm sure that someone right now is praying for God's mercy on my soul, or worse yet, reciting an incantation to turn me into a Macintosh Classic. ----- Scott Pletcher is currently serving a life without parole sentence for blasphemy. He also is nursing a Messiah complex and a nasty case of Tourette's syndrome. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The Amiga Connection contributed by Jeff Vaughn Electronic Arts has announced the upcoming release of Deluxe Paint IV AGA, the latest addition to the DeluxePaint line of innovative paint and animation products. DeluxePaint now offers more colors and better screen resolution to Amiga owners using Commodore's new AGA (Advanced Graphics Architecture) chip set. For owners of the Amiga 4000 or Amiga 1200, DeluxePaint IV AGA now offers 256 color support and access to over 262,000 colors (HAM8) at any resolution, including hi-res. The program also reads and coverts 24-bit IFF files, supports all Amiga screen resolutions, and includes all the features of its predecessor, DeluxePaint 4.1. DeluxePaint's vast range of easy-to-use paint and animation features such as a LightTable, animation control panel, metamorphosis, animbrushes and animpainting, color cycling, and a Move requester makes the program accessible to the basic needs of amateur artists, while satisfying the rigorous requirements of graphics and video professionals. "Commodore's new technology is designed to meet the needs of today's creative professionals," noted Dallas Hodgson, designer of DeluxePaint IV AGA. "Electronic Arts is excited to take advantage of the machine's new capabilities, and offer our paint and animation program simultaneously with Commodore's launch." DeluxePaint IV AGA requires Workbench 2.04 or greater and at least 2MB of memory. Electronic Arts will continue to market DeluxePaint IV 4.1 to users who do not own the new chip set, or do not meet the memory and system requirements. Electronic Arts is offering a $30.00 upgrade to DeluxePaint IV owners. Details for ordering the DeluxePaint IV AGA upgrade can be obtained by calling Electronic Arts at 800/245-4525 Monday through Friday between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time. Category: Paint/Animation Suggested Retail Price: $199.00 Platform: Amiga Availablity: December, 1992 Blue Ribbon SoundWorks, designers of Music software and hardware projects, and Music For Life, a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization of musicians and computer artists, have joined forces to benefit abused, underprivileged, and seriously ill children. Using software donated by The Blue Ribbon SoundWorks, Music For Life volunteers its talents by offering educational computer workshops using the Commodore Amiga. Young "artists" can participate in a hi-tech music recording session, smear digital "paint," and even feature themselves in computer animation. Goals of the Music For Life program include: o Hastening the healing process through creative and socially rewarding activities; o Instilling a sense of personal accomplishment and heightened self-esteem; o Exposure to computers, stimulation of curiosity, and motivation to learn more; and o Increased aesthetic values through participation in the creation process. "Music For Life seeks to apply the spirit of those endeavors to a variety of worthy causes on an ongoing basis," comments Vinnie Tieto, founder and director of Music For Life. "We feel that building a firm foundation of self-esteem and hope for the future in underprivileged and abused children is a top priority." The Blue Ribbon SoundWorks, makers of leading music software and hardware products for the Commodore Amiga computer, has announced the upcoming upgrade release of its best-selling interactive composition software, SuperJAM! Version 1.1, which will replace version 1.0c, and includes the following new additions: o Stereo TurboSounds o Two octave chords o Split chords with Bass on bottom, other instruments on top o Visual volume and pan mixing o Multiple grooves per Style o Existing Styles enhanced to support multiple grooves o Additional Styles o Improved interface design, including Workbench 2.0 style front/back buttons o 2.0 feature support including ASL file requester, public screen and virtual screen size Version 1.1 will be released December 10, 1992. The price of SuperJAM! will remain at $149.00. Upgrade information will be sent to registered owners of SuperJAM! in late November. The PatchMeister V1.0c Blue Ribbon has released version 1.0c of The PatchMeister, its universal MIDI patch librarian. This version, which replaces all preceding versions, includes the following enhancements: o The Stand-alone version can default to interlace mode upon start up o The SysEx command lines in the Driver Creator window have been expanded to contain 75 characters o A Clock gadget has been added to the Driver Creator window o A Sort Bank option has been added to the Bank Menu o The Settings Menu now includes a Catalog option o The Save Patch List and Transfer Patch List menu items have been changed to insert a bank's patch names at a specific location in the list o This version can send individual Note Off commands for all 128 notes on each of the 16 MIDI channels In addition to these changes, The PatchMeister includes these new synthesizer drivers: Art DRI, Ensoniq Mirage, E-mu Procussion, Alesis QuadraVerb, Yamaha SY22, Yamaha SY55, Yamaha TG33, Yamaha TG77, Tascam 644 and Tascam 688. Registered owners of The PatchMeister can upgrade to version 1.0c directly through Blue Ribbon for $9.50. For more information, contact Blue Ribbon SoundWorks at Post Office Box 8689, North Highland Station, Atlanta, GA 30306, or call 404/377-1514. -*- Three-Sixty, Inc. has announced the immediate availability of Megafortress: Operation Sledgehammer for the Amiga. For use with the award-winning Megafortress game based on the nationally acclaimed best-selling novel "Flight of the Old Dog," this first mission disk exposes you to new territory, new threats, and new targets in the Middle East. Along with confronting numerous threats from enemy fighters and SAMs, the player must master the art of resource management, knowing when, for example, to rendezvous for flight refueling. Author and military aviator Dale Brown collaborated with Three-Sixty's developers to produce 25 new missions with over 1000 square miles of territory in Iran and Libya. The player will be flying a fully renovated "super" B-52 Bomber with all the latest in weapons and avionics high technology. New weapons features in this data disk are: ASM-119A Penguin anti-ship missile (ASM), the CBU-95 Fuel Air Explosive (FAE), the Iranian SA-12A and HAWK SAMs, the Libyan SA-10, MiG-25s, and Mirage F-1s. Operation Sledgehammer's missions are portrayed in stunning 256 color VGA three-dimensional graphics. Operation Sledgehammer is distributed exclusively in North America by Electronic Arts Distribution under its Affiliated Label program. Three-Sixty, Inc. is a privately held developer and publisher of personal computer entertainment software for the IBM PC and compatibles, the Commodore Amiga and the Macintosh. Three-Sixty Pacific, Inc. has announced the release of the Harpoon Challenger Pak Signature Edition and the Megafortress Mega Pak. Each offers a value added incentive for the end user. Harpoon Challenger Pak Signature Edition This new Challenger Pak is autographed by Larry Bond and Tom Clancey and includes the Harpoon Master game, BattleSets 2, 3, and 4, and the Harpoon Scenario Editor. Conceived by Larry Bond, naval analyst and author of "Red Phoenix" and "Vortex," the Harpoon Master game delivers the excitement and tension of naval battle in a fact based simulation. Harpoon's three additional BattleSets, North Atlantic Convoy, The Med Conflict, and Indian Ocean/Persian Gulf, provide over 250 additional platforms and 48 new scenarios. Finally, the Harpoon Scenario Editor, the same tool used by Harpoon programmers to create new scenarios, gives players the capability to modify existing scenarios or create new ones. This attractively priced collection of Harpoon products can provide unlimited hours of play and makes an excellent holiday gift. Suggested Retail Price: $79.95 Format/Compabitilies: IBM PC 286 or better & 100% Compatibles; Required DOS 3.3 or 5.0 Requires EGA or VGA 640 x 350 (16 color); 640K and Hard Drive required; High Density Drive Required, Mouse Recommended. Also available in Macintosh and Amiga formats Megafortress Mega Pak The Megafortress Mega Pak is a compilation product that includes the Megafortress Master game, Mission Disk One: Operation Sledgehammer, and the Megafortress Mission Editor. Based on the best seller "Flight of the Old Dog" written by Dale Brown, the Megafortress Master game is an adventure into the complex world of modern strategic air assault in the Persian Gulf and Soviet threatres. Operation Sledgehammer, the first mission disk, allows the player to take on a power hungry Libyan general in 25 new missions in the Libyan and Iranian theatres. To complete the Mega Pak, Three-Sixty has included the Megafortress Mission Editor which enables the player to modify existing missions or create new ones. The Mission Editor will not be sold separately. This quality Three-Sixty product is available now and will be included in Electronic Arts' Buy 2 Get 1 Free holiday promotion. Suggested Retail Price: $59.95 Format/Compatibilities: IBM PC 286 or better & 100% Compatibles; Requires DOS 3.3 or newer; Requires 256 color VGA; 640K, Hard Drive, and Mouse required, Ad Lib and Sound Blaster Sound Support. -*- Great Valley Products, Inc. has announced that it has developed a very affordable, high quality, verstile genlock that will rival even the most expensive genlocks on the market. Called G-Lock, this feature-packed unit is completely software controllable through its user friendly control panel software, or through ARexx or the CLI. It can accept two composite or one Y/C inputs, and provides composite, Y/C, RGB or YUV outputs at all times. Many adjustable parameters affecting the incoming video are available, including brightness, contrast, saturation, hue, sharpness, filtering, and gain. Full audio support is provided through two audio inputs which can be switched or mixed, and the output volume, bass and treble can also be adjusted. The G-Lock software also allows all of the Amiga's custom chip genlock control features (including EGS and AGA) parameters to be utilized, and can also load and display IFF images. "G-Lock is the best value in genlocks for the Amiga, providing a high quality audio/video solution and powerful control software," commented Paul Higginbottom, GVP's Senior Director of Technical Services. "I predict it will quickly become the most popular genlock for everyone from the video hobbyist to the full-time professional videographier." G-Lock is scheduled to ship at the end of September and will list for $449. It will be available in both PAL and NTSC versions. Great Valley Products was founded in 1988 and is today the world's largest third-party suppier of peripherals for the Amiga. For more information, contact GVP at 600 Clark Ave., King of Prussia, PA 19406 or call 215/337-8770. -*- Reprinted by Permission from the 5-MINUTE Weekend News Network, a *StarShip*(tm) Production on GEnie(R). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- December Music Events Worth Seeing. Trust Me. by Judy Ranelli Wed. 2 SPACE CAMP at Zydeco Don Tinsley of Primiton/Mortals fame has teamed up with Vova Nova's rhythm section to perform his very melodic and catchy tunes. Wed. 2 MATT KIMBRELL at Texas Taco and Chili Co. Apparently an acoustic act, which for Matt is a new situation I think. He is such a good songwriter that other Birmingham bands have covered his songs. He is also appearing in the Ho Ho Men show on the 23rd. Fri. 4 WEBB WILDER/THE URBAN SHAKEDANCERS at the Stardome I have no idea what the Urban Shakedancers are like, but Webb Wilder is cool and this show would be a good excuse to check out the new Stardome. Well, it's a better excuse than "Poco". Sat. 5 VOVA NOVA at Flamingo's I've seen them so many times I probably won't be there, but they are definitely worth seeing. It might be interesting to see if they are developing any new material post-album release/being dropped from their label. They may opt for a radical stylistic change from the funky/rappy/jazzy stuff they've been doing. Sun. 6 CRYPTOGENIC/SKELETAL EARTH at The Nick I will be there, if only for a second, to confirm that this is indeed a thrash metal show. Bring ear plugs. Thurs. 10 FIVE EIGHT at The Nick Great great great great band from Athens. Energetic and barefoot, Five Eight have a new album and were so good the first time I saw them, along with four other people in the bar, that I bought a tape from them for gas money back home. With A Met Z opening - friends of mine making cryptic, subconsciously disturbing music. Tues. 15 PINKY THE STABBER at The Nick THE BEST BAND IN BIRMINGHAM. Authentic, 1982 sorta hardcore sorta punk rock. Not for everybody, but to me it's heaven. Those who own My War, Zen Arcade, anything by The Dickies, flock to this. Wed. 16 MISSISSIPPI HIPPIES/SHALLOW at The Nick I'm listing this for Shallow, having not heard the Hippies. Shallow is the newest version of one of my favorite new bands, Volume. Unfortu- nately, Volume broke into pieces and this will be the first time I'll see Shallow. Features Ann Marie Griffin, a woman I would gladly be in a band with. Wed. 23. VOVA NOVA/THE HO HO MEN at The Nick The Ho Ho Men is one of Birmingham's great triumverate of bands from the mid-80s when we had several decent bands in Birmingham to choose from. They are funny and obnoxious and are reuniting for this show which will be packed with strange people like me. Sat. 26 SUGAR LA-LA's/THE TICKS at The Nick Yes, I'm playing this month. I chose to list this show because the Sugar La La's, who many people think are the Best Band in Birmingham and who seem to be the major source of debauchery in this area, will be the headliner act and this will be a big show full of costumed, mind-altered people. And the band will be weird too. And I will be weird, because crowds make me weird. Mon. 28 ITCHY WIGS at The Nick Mark Kimbrell, visiting home from New York, is an incredible guitarist and this is his band when he is in town. Think Belew and Fripp. ----- Judy Ranelli is a local musician and strange person. She and her band, The Ticks, will be playing at The Nick on December 26, like she already told you, as well as December 3 and 25, which she didn't tell you. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Poetry Curve with Chris Mohney This is a new feature which, I, in my finite wisdom, saw fit to implement into this, your reason for living, BTN. Normally I'm not wild about poetry, but the stuff that's been coming out of Tuscaloosa since our friend Chris Mohney fled Birmingham to go to UA there has been interestingly twisted, if you know what I mean. Longtime and detail-obsessed BTN readers will remember Mr. Mohney as the faithful if faceless minion who brought us our monthly user ProFile (currently being handled, or maybe not, by The Bishop). If the spirits are willing, hopefully I'll be able to squeeze something out of Chris for this space fairly regularly. I've seen some of his other stuff, and in my opinion, it fits fairly snugly into the bold, slightly askew new vision I have for BTN. (If you're wondering about the column title, it's this: Like Poetry "Corner", but instead.. - right, got it.) - Scott Mob Sestina Vittorio aimed the gun at his brother and said, "Give me the keys." "No!" screamed Angelo, but he gave them, and was naked when they found him in the woods tied dead to a tree, two shots in the skull, two in the heart. Vittorio was soldati. How could he not? Back to the grind and midnight walks on cement that was slippery with dirty ice and old, bad blood. Slippery like his Uncle Juilio's fat fingers on piano keys after cooking his famous primavera, when he'd grind up peppers and onions after peeling them naked for a sauce so good your heart might skip a beat. Vittorio's family tree has roots in the homeland, in Sicily, where a tree might hold as many nooses as its slippery branches could bear, for un-men who had filled the heart of the don with spite or envy, who had the keys to a power or thing he desired. Vittorio's son is naked now and screaming with birth, and because Vittorio feels the grind of guilt he names him Angelo. And soon the grind of family and Family makes him grim and hard as a tree stripped of its leaves and bark, naked but unflinching and unshirking despite the slippery slope of his newfound responsibilities, the keys to himself locked away in his armor-plated heart. Calendars are thrown away and soon Vittorio is the heart of the Family, his second son Remi adapting well to the grind and gristle of working for his older brother, selling keys or grams of coke through the Loggers' Labor Alliance, under trees and men who cut them. Skimming union dues is a slippery business at best, and Vittorio feels less naked to mishap with his sons there to be his naked eyes and careful ears. Then Remi comes quietly with a sad heart and worse news of his sibling's infidelity and slippery fingers, tales of theft and lies, and Vittorio grinds his teeth and pounds his desk carved of a tree shipped from Greece. He gives Remi the order and the keys to his own limousine. The grind must be personal and naked. Vittorio feels the slippery metal of the keys as he tells his son "two each in skull and heart, tied to a tree." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- An Introduction to the Desktop Publishing Association by Chris Phillips There is no doubt that the "information age" has brought us all closer than anything else in history. You, being of the select few who already know about BBS systems and networks and so forth, can see this. To log on and answer a message from a BBS user in Ontario or California, or even Australia, is common. There is no doubt in this writer's mind that in the world of the future the home computer will play a central role. That said, I'd like to introduce all of you to a gentleman I recently "met" by way of a BBS system here in Birmingham. That man is Mr. Ron Albright, who is the Sysop of the Disktop Publishing Association BBS and a founding member of the Disktop Publishing Association. Ron is a writer who has written in conventional media for about 11 years. His credits include articles in "Computer Shopper", "Computer Monthly", five books of his own, and editing work. Somewhere in all this, Ron began to notice something. What he noticed, early in 1991, was there were MANY good writings available ONLY in digital format. But these talented people worked in a vaccuum. Each had to learn the same things on his or her own without any contact or organized voice. Having by this time done several electronic works of his own, Ron decided to remedy that situation. From that effort, the Disktop Publishing Association, or DPA, was born. It's members hail from all over, including as far away as Canada and Denmark. And these people are beating the drums LOUDLY for their organization and for the electronic medium. According to them, before the year 2000 publishing on disk (or Disktop Publishing) will be MORE prevalent than conventional paper publishing. So just what is the DPA? The DPA is an organization for those with interest in Electronic Publishing. Authors, publishers, and consumers are welcome as members, and there are currently no fees involved. For those who wish to join, the DPA can be contacted through Ron Albright by 1. On Compuserve you may leave mail to 75166,2473. Also, mail can be sent via an InterNet server. Ignore the TO and FROM fields in your message and make the FIRST line of the message "TO: 75166.2473@compuserve.com" (The lowercase letters are neccessary if this is to work.) 2. If you are a GEnie user, you are in luck! GEnie is the national home for the DPA. You can leave Ron mail on GEnie by addressing it to RALBRIGHT (all caps here). 3. If you use MCI MAIL, Ron's address there is 370-7474. 4. Or simply call the Disktop Publishing Assn. BBS at 205- 854-166 The purpose of the DPA is to promote the benefits of Electronic Publishing. The organization is a forum for discussion about publishing and marketing. Also, it serves to bring those interested in PUBLISHING together with AUTHORS, with sharing of resources to get the end products to the masses. Are there really many consumers for such products? Well, by reading this article you have become a consumer of disktop publishing. Let me throw a few statistics at you. Did you know that 34% of U.S. households have either an MS-DOS computer or an Apple Macintosh? 64 million Americans regularly use a computer at home, work, and/or school. Of these, 4 out of 5 use MS-DOS machines only. Five percent use a Macintosh. About 13% use BOTH. Sounds like a market to me! (By the way, the statistics I have quoted were provided by the DPA and are from PC-Watch, which is produced by TechScan of Northbrook, IL.) Electronic publishing gives more room creativity than the paper environment. There are three formats within the medium. Which is best depends upon the information, it's intended audience, and the whim of the publisher. TEXT is the most basic. The words appear on the screen in much the same way as they would on paper. The format of BTN falls under this category. While not allowing much visual appeal, the Text format does have advantages. One is the simple fact that you can enjoy a text work without the need for special equipment. HYPERTEXT is a neat little invention. It is an ENVIRONMENT in which the text is presented. It allows linking the text in ways other than the linear methods applied by Text and by paper publishing. It mimics human thought-processes, but preserves the OPTION of normal reading if that is desired. The hypertext book runs like software. Only graphics capability is needed. Sometimes the entire work is encoded into a single .EXE file. Others will have a reader and several data files. Hypertext is paving the way for the eventual superiority of electronically-published material. MULTIMEDIA is a real buzzword lately. To disktop publishing, multimedia is a gold mine! It combines hypertext with graphics and sound. This takes the reader out of the page and into the story. At present, only those with high- speed machines and some special equipment can enjoy all the aspects of a multimedia work. Technology is slowly moving towards the point where this will no longer be true. Multimedia will propel disktop publishing into the 21st century at warp factor 9! Some of you may still be saying, "I still want to know WHY this 'disktop publishing' is better than paper books. Why should I even bother with it?" Well, that's easy. The first benefit of electronic publications is INSTANT ACCESS. They can be had through local BBS systems (how did you get this copy of BTN?), Information Networks such as CompuServe and GEnie, or simply traded or purchased on diskette. Production time is cut when publishing digitally. It can take a year to produce a finished book by conventional methods. Also, there's a roadblock. You can't GET published unless you've already BEEN published. These are no longer concerns with disktop publishing. You can do the work yourself, if all else fails. UPDATES are easier to obtain and cheaper. If you have a tech manual for a piece of software, and you buy an upgrade to that software, you've got to buy a whole new book! With electronic publishing, it is possible to obtain ONLY the parts that have changed, and at lower cost than the original work. It's far less expensive than with paper. Thus, the price of the work can be less for the consumer, and the publisher can still make a profit. Everybody wins! For those who are environmentally-minded, it takes a huge amount of trees to make paper. Electronic works can be published and sold without using ANYTHING but electricity. So disktop publishing is good for the planet! So what does all this mean? Simple, join the wave of the future! Experts say that disktop publishing will be as widespread as paper in FIVE years. Check out your local BBSs. If they don't have electronic publications, ask them about it. Ask your favorite bookstore if they carry books- on-disk. If they don't, put them in contact with the DPA. The DPA has declared November, 1992 "Disktop Publishing Awareness Month". All month, members of the DPA will be spreading the word to as many people as possible. Bookstores, libraries, networks, BBS's, and anyone else. Want to help? Join the DPA today. [Information quoted from DPA source materials by permission of Ron Albright] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 BGS/CIG CAD Users of Birmingham Birmingham Genealogical Society/ Homewood Library Computer Interest Group 3rd Tuesday, 6:30PM-8:30PM Birmingham Public Library Bobby Benson 791-0426 3rd Floor Auditorium 2nd Sunday, 2:30 PM Robert Matthews 631-9783 or Bone Yard BBS RAHSPCUG Ramsay Alternative High School PC Users Group Ramsay High School 1800 13th Avenue South last Wednesday of each month (September-April) from 3:02-3:35 Lee Nocella 581-5120 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 ADAnet One (Nodes 1-3) 854-9074 1200-2400 PCBoard 14.5 [ez, fi, ad] ADAnet One (Node 4) 854-5863 9600-14400 USR DS PCBoard 14.5 [ez, fi, ad] Alter-Ego BBS 925-5099 1200-9600 USR HST PCBoard 14.5 [ez, ml] Asgard 663-9171 300-9600 V.32 WWIV 4.21a [ez, al, te] Baudville (Node 1) 640-4593 300-2400 Major BBS 6.02 [none] Baudville (Node 2) 640-4639 300-2400 Major BBS 6.02 [none] Baudville (Node 3) 640-7243 300-2400 Major BBS 6.02 [none] Baudville (Node 4) 640-7286 300-2400 Major BBS 6.02 [none] Baudville (Node 5) 592-4684 300-2400 Major BBS 6.02 [none] Bert's BBS 424-2872 300-2400 WWIV 4.21 [none] Bone Yard, The 631-6023 300-9600 USR HST PCBoard 14.5 [fi, bh] Bus System 595-1627 300-2400 PCBoard 14.2 [none] Byte Me! 979-BYTE! 2400-14400 USR HST WWIV 4.12 [ez, th, al] Castle, The 841-7618 300-2400 C-Base 2.0 [none] Castle Rock 995-9900 1200-19200 VBBS 5.52 [vi, al] Channel 8250 (Node 1) 823-3957 300-14400 USR DS PCBoard 14.5 [ez, un] Channel 8250 (Node 2) 823-3958 300-14400 USR DS PCBoard 14.5 [ez, un] Christian Apologetic 808-0763 300-14400 V.32bis Wildcat! 3.55 [wi, bc] Crunchy Frog (Node 1) 956-1755 300-14400 USR DS PCBoard 14.5 [ez, ml, lu] Crunchy Frog (Node 2) 956-0073 300-14400 USR DS PCBoard 14.5 [ez, ml, lu] Darkhold 681-0002 300-2400 Telegard 2.7 [none] DataLynx 328-7688 300-2400 WWIV 4.21 [ez] Deep Space 9 980-1089 300-14400 Wildcat! 3.51 [di, fi] Den, The 933-8744 300-9600 USR HST ProLogon/ProDoor [ez, ml, il] Disktop Publishing 854-1660 300-9600 V.32 Wildcat! 3.01 [pl] Drawing Room 951-2391 300-2400 Wildcat! 3.02 [di] EcoBBS 933-2238 300-2400 WWIV 4.21 [al] Elysian Fields 620-0694 300-9600 V.32bis VBBS 5.52 [al] F/X BBS (Node 1) 823-5777 300-14400 USR DS PCBoard 14.5 [ri, cc] F/X BBS (Node 2) 822-4570 300-14400 V.32bis PCBoard 14.5 [ri, cc] F/X BBS (Node 3) 822-4526 300-14400 V.32bis PCBoard 14.5 [ri, cc] Family Smorgas-Board 744-0943 300-2400 PCBoard 14.5 [ez, fi, mj, bc, fa, ic, cf, cd, np, ag, hs, ve] Flip Side 798-3961 300-2400 Renegade 8.27 [none] Gateway BBS 425-8772 300-2400 Image 1.2 [none] Genesis Online (Nodes 1-4) 620-4144 300-14400 V.32bis Major BBS 5.3 [mr] Graphics Zone (Node 1) 870-5306 300-2400 MNP4 TBBS 2.1(16) [none] Graphics Zone (Node 2) 870-5329 300-2400 MNP4 TBBS 2.1(16) [none] Hacker's Corner 674-5449 1200-2400 MNP4 PCBoard 14.5 [none] Hardeman's BBS 640-6436 1200-14400 Wildcat! 3.51 [wi, di] HellBound BBS 444-9043 2400-14400 VBBS 5.52 [none] Hoots With Owls 520-9540 300-2400 TriBBS 3.0 [none] Illuminatus BBS 871-0489 1200-9600 VBBS 5.52 [vi, al] Infinite Probability 791-0421 2400-9600 V.32 VBBS 5.52 [vi, al] Intruder Enterprizes 969-0870 300-9600 V.32 VBBS 5.52 [vi, al] Island 870-4685 2400-9600 V.32 Hermes 2.0 [fi] Joker's Castle 664-5589 300-14400 USR DS PCBoard 14.5 [ez, ml, un] Lemon Grove 836-1184 300-12000 V.32/42bis Searchlight [fi, sl] Lion & The Unicorn 424-1599 1200-57600 VBBS 5.52 [none] Magnolia BBS 854-6407 300-14400 USR HST PCBoard 14.5 [ez, ml] MATRIX, The (Nodes 1-10) 323-2016 300-2400 PCBoard 14.5 [ez, ml, th, il, in, al, sh, sc, gl] MATRIX, The (Nodes 11-14) 323-6016 9600-14400 USR DS PCBoard 14.5 [ez, ml, th, il, in, al, sh, sc, gl] MATRIX, The (Node 15) 458-3449 9600-14400 V.32 PCBoard 14.5 [ez, ml, th, il, in, al, sh, sc, gl] MetaBoard 254-3344 300-14400 USR DS Opus [fi] Milliways BBS 956-3177 2400-14440 V.32 VBBS 5.52 [none] Missing Link 853-1257 300-14400 USR HST C-Net Amiga 2.31 [none] Night Watch 841-2790 1200-14400 USR DS TriBBS 3.3 [cc, tr, di] Nirvana 942-6702 300-2400 VBBS 5.52 [al] Outer Limits 425-5871 1200-9600 USR HST Wildcat! 3.01 [fi] Owlabama BBS 856-2521 300-14400 GTPower 17.00 [gt] Owl's Nest 680-0851 300-14400 USR DS PCBoard 14.5 [ez, ml, lu] Party Line 856-1336 300-14000 V.32bis TriBBS 2.11 [cc, tr, di] Penny Arcade 699-4625 300-2400 Running Force! 3.75 [none] Playground 836-4200 300-2400 TriBBS 2.11 [tr, di, cc, ez, al] Pooh's Korner 980-8710 300-14400 USR DS Wildcat! 3.5 [none] Posys BBS 854-5131 300-9600 V.32 [none] Pro-Electric 980-8836 300-9600 V.32 Proline 2.065 [none] Quiet Zone, The 833-2066 300-9600 V.32 ExpressNET [none] Raven's Manor 681-4096 300-9600 V.32bis VBBS [vi] Safe Harbor (Node 1) 665-4332 300-2400 GTPower 17.00 [gt] Safe Harbor (Node 2) 665-4355 300-14400 USR DS GTPower 17.00 [gt] Safety BBS 581-2866 300-2400 RBBS-PC [none] Sperry BBS 853-6144 300-2400 V.32 PCBoard 14.5 [none] ST BBS 836-9311 300-2400 PCBoard 14.2 [ez] Teasers 987-0122 300-2400 WWIV 4.20 [al] Thy Master's Dungeon 940-2116 300-9600 V.32 TriBBS 2.11 [none] Torch Song 328-1517 300-2400 Wildcat 3.01 [pr, se] Trauma Room 823-9127 300-9600 VBBS 5.52 [vi, al, ww] Viper's Pit 856-2464 300-9600 V.32 WWIV 4.21 [al] Wanderer, The 836-0603 300-14400 V.32/42bis Wildcat! 3.00 [th, lu] Waste Lands 991-5184 300-2400 WWIV 4.21 [ww, al] Weekends BBS 841-8583 300-14400 USR DS Wildcat! 3.50 [none] Willie's DYM (Node 1) 664-9902 300-2400 Oracomm Plus [or] Willie's DYM (Node 2) 664-9903 300-2400 Oracomm Plus [or] Willie's DYM (Node 3) 664-9895 300-1200 Oracomm Plus [or] Willie's DYM (Node 4) 664-9896 300-1200 Oracomm Plus [or] Word, The 833-2831 300-2400 WWIV 4.12 [al, ez] Ziggy Unaxess 991-5696 300-1200 Unaxess [none] 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. ad = ADAnet, an international network dedicated to the handicapped ag = AgapeNet, a national Christian network, multi-topic al = AlaNet, a local network, multi-topic bc = BCBNet, a local network, religion-oriented bh = BhamTalk, a local network, multi-topic cc = City2City, a national network, multi-topic cd = CDN, a national Christian network for file distribution cf = CFN, a national Christian network, multi-topic di = Dixie Net, a regional network, multi-topic geared toward the south eastern United States ez = EzNet, a local IBM compatible network fa = FamilyNet, an international network, multi-topic fi = FidoNet, an international network, multi-topic gl = GlobalLink, an international network, multi-topic gt = GTNet, an international network, multi-topic hs = Home-School-Net, a national network for home schooling ic = ICDM, an international Christian network, multi-topic il = ILink, an international network, multi-topic in = InterNet, an international network, linking businesses, universities, and bbs', multi-topic lu = LuciferNet, an international network, adult oriented ma = MAXnet, a local network, connecting WWIV and VBBS systems mj = MJCN, an international network for Messianic Jews ml = Metrolink, an international network which echoes RIME, multi-topic mr = MajorNet, an international network, multi-topic np = NPN, a national network for new parents or = OraNet, a national E-mail network pl = PlanoNet, a national network, multi-topic pr = PrideNet, a local homosexually oriented network ri = RIME, an international network, multi-topic sc = Science Factor Net, a national network, science and technology oriented se = SEC, a regional network, homosexually oriented geared toward the southeastern United States sh = Shades N Shadows Net, a national network for role-playing games sl = SearchlightNet, a national network, multi-topic te = TECHnet, a local network, hardware and utility oriented th = ThrobNet, an international network, adult oriented tr = TriBBS Net, a national network, multi-topic un = Uni'Net, an international network, multi-topic ve = VETLink, a national network for military veterans vi = VirtualNet, national network, multi-topic wi = WildNet, a national network, multi-topic ww = WWIV-Net, an international network, multi-topic If you have any corrections, additions, deletions, etc., please let me know via a message on the main board of The Matrix or Crunchy Frog. The following BBSs did not answer the last time I tried to verify their existence. If you have any information on their status, please drop me a line. Bus System The Castle Hoots With Owls Island BBS Lion & The Unicorn Owl's Nest Viper's Pit -----------------------------------------------------------------------