The F I D O N E W S Volume 22, Number 07 14 Feb 2005 +--------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ | |The newsletter of the | | | | | FidoNet community. | | Crash netmail articles to: | | | | | Editor @ 2:2/2 (+46-31-944907) | | | ____________| | | | | / __ | Routed netmail articles to: | | | / / \ | Bjorn Felten @ 2:203/0 | | | WOOF! ( /|oo \ | | | \_______\(_| /_) | Email attach to: | | _ @/_ \ _ | bfelten @ telia dot com | | | | \ \\ | | | | (*) | \ ))| | | |__U__| / \// | Editor: Bj”rn Felten | | ______ _//|| _\ / | | | / Fido \ (_/(_|(____/ | Newspapers should have no friends. | | (________) (jm) | -- JOSEPH PULITZER | +--------------------------+-----------------------------------------+ Copyright 2004 by Fidonews Editor for Fidonews Globally. Table of Contents 1. FOOD FOR THOUGHT ......................................... 1 2. GENERAL ARTICLES ......................................... 2 Lost before we started ................................... 2 I'm still here ........................................... 4 3. FIDONET BY INTERNET ...................................... 6 Fidonet Related Websites ................................. 6 4. ROBERT COUTURE'S FIDONET SOFTWARE LISTING ................ 9 FIDONet Software References .............................. 9 5. SPECIAL INTEREST ......................................... 14 Nodelist Stats ........................................... 14 6. FIDONEWS INFORMATION ..................................... 16 How to Submit an Article ................................. 16 Credits, Legal Infomation, Availability .................. 18 FIDONEWS 22-07 Page 1 14 Feb 2005 ================================================================= FOOD FOR THOUGHT ================================================================= Nature teaches more than she preaches. There are no sermons in stones. It is easier to get a spark out of a stone than a moral. -- John Burroughs ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 22-07 Page 2 14 Feb 2005 ================================================================= GENERAL ARTICLES ================================================================= Lost before we started By Frank Vest 1:124/6308.1 I've been thinking about this for a while and have even brought it up in conversations. I guess I'll write about it and see what happens.... Maybe I already wrote about it and nothing happened... Oh well. :) I've said before that the Internet and Fidonet/BBSs have things in common with the Internet. I've referred to Fidonet Nodes that operate BBSs as "Fidonet Service Providers". I'm not sure who coined that phrase, but it is true. :) BBSs, Fidonet or not, do a lot of the same things that the Internet does. There are files for the users to download, message areas, games, information, some "lower than the Internet" graphics, but "eye candy" just the same. One thing that the Internet does that I don't find in Fidonet and BBSs is sharing. Oh sure, you can claim that files are shared since any user can log on and download them. You can say that message areas are shared since Fidonet provides the ability to write a message on one board and have it read on another board. In the latter, you would be right. One thing that BBSs don't seem to do, though, is share their services with each other. By that, I mean that a user can't log on to BBS#1 and download a file from BBS#2.... at least not in "real time". A "File Request" (FREQ) can be made from some boards that allow this, but the user has to call back later to get the file (if it ever arrives) and the ability for "browse" a file are on another board is not there. Some games have a "shared" scoring, but not a "head to head" "real time" play. There are other "service" doors that can offer the ability to sell items and other service and share the information between boards, but few, if any, take advantage of this. In some ways, I can see the reasoning. Legal issues; If an item is sold and not delivered, is it the responsibility of the BBS owner?? If a user goes from board 1 to board 2 and downloads illegal products, who is responsible? These are valid concerns.... but that doesn't seem to stop the ISPs. Now, one might argue that these services are not possible over a BBS... and they would be wrong. With today's Internet capabilities, few boards would not be able to handle this. On might argue that they are not needed since a user can simply log off the BBS and go to another BBS or site to get files or whatever. While this is true, how would the Internet survive if their users had to log on to ISP#1 to get one file and then log off and log on to ISP#2 to get another file? I'm not talking about simply clicking on a link and surfing to another site, I'm talking about logging off and then logging back on with user FIDONEWS 22-07 Page 3 14 Feb 2005 name and password... or creating a new account. IOW: Log on to AOL, get a file and the log off and log on to Netscape to get the next file? No links or surfing between them allowed. Ok. That was a long winded article just to ask if any software author would consider coding a door to provide such a service between Bulletin Boards. So.....: ARE THERE ANY SOFTWARE AUTHORS THAT WOULD BE WILLING TO CODE SUCH A DOOR?!?!? :-) If so, and you want to know more about my thoughts on this, please feel free to contact me via Netmail. Regards, Frank ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 22-07 Page 4 14 Feb 2005 I'm still here By Ward Dossche 2:292/854 Excerpt by LEONARD PELTIER from Harvey Arden's book "HAVE YOU THOUGHT of LEONARD PELTIER LATELY?" I'M STILL HERE. I am all at once saddened, exhilarated, angry, proud, defiant, and puzzled by that fact. Here in prison, after 28 years of unjust incarceration, I am a living example of the injustice, racism, fear, and inequity that still exists in some parts of the United States of America. This is particularly true when it comes to America's views and actions towards Indian people. Residing in the best hopes of all of us is the dream that America has moved away from the days of hostility towards the Indigenous people of this land. And yet, we are shown with daily regularity, a reality that defies this dream. A reality that American Indians are incarcerated at a disproportionately high rate. A reality that American Indians are denied decent health care, housing, and education. A reality so dire, that recently the United States Civil Rights Commission has had to address it, calling it "A Quiet Crisis". I'M STILL HERE. Events surrounding my case over the last few years have been so fascinating, as to have created an excellent mystery thriller novel. Replete with intrigue, suspicion, manipulation, falsehoods, secret meetings, intimidation, implications, sexual innuendo, and higher aspirations--all in the name of justice, I cannot help but think of what a great movie this would also have made. Maybe one day it still will, time will tell. Suffice to say, my case and all it constitutes will continue to impact the history of this country, and its relations with Native Americans, for generations to come. So far, my story continues to be one of an innocent man, railroaded in a rage of fear and vengeance disguised as justice. I'M STILL HERE. And for as long as I am, my friends and associates at the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee continue to raise awareness, fund-raise, and coordinate campaigns on my behalf, so that America and the world does not forget about me and my case. Where would I be without friends like Harvey Arden, Arthur Miller, Peter Mattheissen, Andrea Hornbein, David Hill, and so many others I do not have the time or room to name, but have been so crucial in continuing this crusade for Justice? I cannot say for sure, but I imagine I would be much closer to being another faceless person denied of justice, whose identity was forgotten as time went by. It has been a series of small miracles created by a synergy of outstanding individuals. I am so thankful, and you all should be so proud of what you have accomplished. IM STILL HERE. And yet, I like to dream or focus on what I would do if and when I win my release. It goes without saying that being with family and loved ones would be a central part of my life for some period of time. And having been away from the daily experiences of this country, perhaps traveling and seeing the developments 28 years can bring would be something I would enjoy. Once acclimated, I do have plans for the future, particularly concerning the ongoing role of the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee. Some might think that upon my FIDONEWS 22-07 Page 5 14 Feb 2005 release, the LPDC's job would be finished. This is not so. In fact, it will merely be a new starting point. There is no doubt a need for an organization that focuses on the incarceration of American Indians, especially those in jail for political reasons. Surely you didn't think I was the only American Indian political prisoner, did you? This country and the world needs to be made more aware of Indians defying the American government, in accordance with treaty and other laws, and being locked away for it. We need to raise awareness, and secure the release of these brothers and sisters. Further, we would become a bona fide Human Rights organization, linking with other like-minded organizations and individuals, networking and strategizing to create coordinated campaigns on a national and international level. Perhaps we could even help to create world-wide Indigenous initiatives to address colonization, globalization, and the terror they inflict on tribal people around the world. I'M STILL HERE. I would hope this would resonate in the minds and hearts of every peace-loving person with an abiding sense of justice in their consciousness, throughout the world. It has been said by greater men than me, that as long as any man or woman is in bondage, none of us are free. I have come to understand those words with a clarity I cannot describe. As long as Indian people are held captive to a colonizing and exploiting foreign power, none of us are free. As long as corporate entities have all the rights and privileges of a human being, without the responsibilities and accountability of a human being, none of us are free. As long as anyone is in prison for political reasons, none of us are free. As long as people cannot speak, assemble, or worship freely, none of us are free. As long as injustice and inequity exists, none of us are free. My name is Leonard Peltier, but I draw breath as the living embodiment of a greater cause than just one man's freedom. Every nation must include as a part of its very fiber and rationalization, a constant demand and vigilance for justice. More than anything, I desire this. I pray for peace and justice. One cannot truly exist without the other. I'M STILL HERE. Now what are we going to do about it? (signature) Leonard Peltier ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 22-07 Page 6 14 Feb 2005 ================================================================= FIDONET BY INTERNET ================================================================= Fidonet Related Websites Thom LaCosta 1:261/1352 One approach to tracking and viewing Fidonet related websites is to visit webrings that specialize in Fidonet. A webring is a method where sites having a common theme advertise other websites with simailar themes. The advantage to the webring concept is that in theory, the sites have an interest in maintaining an accuate listing and can modify their own listings on a site by site basis. It appears that there are two fidonet webrings....the long-running system at http://b.webring.com/hub?ring=fidonet and another at http://www.fidonet.us/fidoring/ The ring at webring.com is larger, but forces the viewer to look at google ads panels. The smaller ring at fidonet.us does not depend on adverstising revenue from ads. Sysops with Fidonet related websites should consider joining one or both rings. Ring News 01/15/2004 Welcome to Fidotel -- Free access to Fidonet via Telnet & the Web. Sysop: Shannon Talley 12/27/2004 Welcome to The Thunderbolt -- A Weather Wonder(Arkansas, US) Sysop: Daryl Stout 12/5/2004 It's a pleasure to welcome two new BBS systems to the fidonet.us webring: Pucela BBS (Valladolid, Spain) Sysop: Komunero The Realm of Darkness BBS Sysop: Ken Bowley The most current version of the list below can be viewed at http://www.fidonet.us/fidoring/sitelist.html WWW.FIDONET.US - WEBRING PARTICIPANTS BBBS Charlotte and N4RPS.net Home Page Web Page of N4RPS, Rob Sargeant, and Web portal for BBBS Charlotte, a Fidonet BBS located in Charlotte, North Carolina USA (1:379/2). http://www.n4rps.net - 6-November-2003 Fidonet - Net261 - Maryland Fidonet in Maryland - Net261 FIDONEWS 22-07 Page 7 14 Feb 2005 http://www.fidonet.us/net261/ - 2-March-2003 Rocasa BBS Rocasa BBS is a system accessible as both a traditional Bulletin Board System, via landline or telnet, as well as via the Web for message and file access. It is also the home of the BBBS FDN. http://bbs.rocasa.org - 16-June-2003 < E-Mail/News Gateway | | Program. Meltdown-BBS |UI |http://meltdown-bbs.sourceforge.net/ | | meltdown-bbs.project.petkan | | @spamgourmet.com | | Fido: 2:350/5 | | Meltdown-BBS is an FTN <-> | | Web/PHP/MySQL BBS forum system. MakeNL |U | http://hub2000.darktech.org/makenl | | fidonet.hub2000 [at] gmail [dot] com | | Fido: 1:229/2000 | | FidoNet Nodelist Processor FIDONEWS 22-07 Page 13 14 Feb 2005 +- - - - - - - - - - -+- - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -+ National BBS List |? | http://www.usbbs.org Hispanic FIDO/BBS's |? | http://www.conecta2.org/pucela_bbs/ (in Spanish only) | | (Extensive software & BBS Listings) +- - - - - - - - - - -+- - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -+ File Archives: http://archives.thebbs.org http://www.filegate.net http://sysopscorner.thebbs.org http://www.juge.com http://www.dmine.com/bbscorner/ http://garbo.uwasa.fi http://www.simtel.net http://wuarchive.wustl.edu http://maximus.midnightshour.org http://hobbes.nmsu.edu Note: most also provide FTP access (use ftp:// instead of http:// above) *=-=*=.=*=-=*=.=*=-=*=.=*=-=*=.=*=-=*=.=*=-=*=.=*=-=*=.=*=-=*=.=*=-=* Please send corrections & additions to: Robert Couture, 1:229/2000 E-Mail: rpa4email (at) rogers (dot) com Telnet: runekeep.darktech.org (Leave Feedback as Guest or create an account) Emeritus: Ben Ritchey, Todd Cochrane, Frank Vest, Peter Popovich ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 22-07 Page 14 14 Feb 2005 ================================================================= SPECIAL INTEREST ================================================================= Nodelist Stats Input nodelist nodelist.042 size 816.8kb date 2005-02-11 The nodelist has 6693 nodes in it and a total of 9358 non-comment entries including 6 zones 47 regions 379 hosts 478 hubs admin overhead 910 ( 13.60 %) and 1116 private nodes 321 nodes down 318 nodes on hold off line overhead 1755 ( 26.22 %) Speed summary: >9600 = 597 ( 8.92 %) 9600 = 5736 ( 85.70 %) (HST = 116 or 2.02 %) (CSP = 0 or 0.00 %) (PEP = 1 or 0.02 %) (MAX = 0 or 0.00 %) (HAY = 1 or 0.02 %) (V32 = 2979 or 51.94 %) (V32B = 246 or 4.29 %) (V34 = 3920 or 68.34 %) (V42 = 3289 or 57.34 %) (V42B = 246 or 4.29 %) 2400 = 55 ( 0.82 %) 1200 = 7 ( 0.10 %) 300 = 298 ( 4.45 %) ISDN = 538 ( 8.04 %) ---------------------------------------------------------- File Req Flag Applicable software Number of systems ---------------------------------------------------------- XA Frontdoor <1.99b 2198 Frontdoor 2.02+ Dutchie 2.90c Binkleyterm >2.1 D'Bridge <1.3 TIMS Xenia -------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 22-07 Page 15 14 Feb 2005 XB Binkleyterm 2.0 8 Dutchie 2.90b -------------------------------------- XC Opus 1.1 7 -------------------------------------- XP Seadog 6 -------------------------------------- XR Opus 1.03 39 -------------------------------------- XW Fido >12M 282 Tabby KittenMail -------------------------------------- XX D'Bridge 1.30 2977 Frontdoor 1.99b Intermail 2.01 T-Mail -------------------------------------- None QMM 1176 -------------------------------------- CrashMail capable = 2073 ( 30.97 %) MailOnly nodes = 3752 ( 56.06 %) Listed-only nodes = 523 ( 7.81 %) Other = 345 ( 5.15 %) [Report produced by NETSTATS - A PD pgm available from 1:106/100] [ Revised by B Felten, 2:203/208] ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 22-07 Page 16 14 Feb 2005 ================================================================= FIDONEWS INFORMATION ================================================================= How to Submit an Article If you wish to submit an article for inclusion in the Fidonews, here are some guidelines, if you send it as an attached file; the preferred method if you want reasonable control over how the published article will appear in the Fidonews: a) Plain ASCII text. If you could type it on your keyboard, it's probably quite OK. No line may be longer than 70 characters. b) Put a title to the article. Put the title in two times. The first time, on the first line, with an * before it. The second time, on the second line, without the * and centered. This will help in the format since the title with the * is removed and used in the index, the second line will become the headline. On the third line, put your name and FidoNet address, present or former. If former, you may want to add some other address where you can be reached for personal comments. c) Deadline for article submission is Sunday, 12:00 UTC. Help the Editor by following the above guides. Below are some subjects and the file extension for the article as set in the configuration file for the making of the Fidonews. Please help by putting the file extension of the correct subject on the file name if known.. Ideas for Subject areas: Subject File | Subject File ----------------------------------|---------------------------------- From the *C's *.css | Rebuttals to articles *.reb Fidonet Regional News *.reg | Fidonet Net News *.net Retractions *.rtx | General Fidonet Articles *.art Guest Editorial *.gue | Fidonet Current Events *.cur Fidonet Interviews *.inv | Fidonet Software Reviews *.rev Fidonet Web Page Reviews *.web | Fidonet Notices *.not Getting Fidonet Technical *.ftc | Question Of The Week *.que Humor in a Fido Vein *.hfv | Comix in ASCII *.cmx Fidonet's Int. Kitchen *.rec | Poet's Corner *.poe Clean Humor & Jokes *.jok | Other Stuff *.oth Fidonet Classified Ads *.ads | Corrections *.cor Best of Fidonet *.bof | Letters to the Editor *.let If you don't know or are not sure, send the article anyway. Put a .TXT on it and I'll try to figure out where it should be in the Fidonews. If you follow these simple guidelines, there should be little problem in getting your article published. If your submission is too far out of specs for the Fidonews, it will be returned to you and/or a message sent informing you of the problem. This DOES NOT mean that your article is not accepted. It means that there is something in it that I can not fix and I need your help on it. FIDONEWS 22-07 Page 17 14 Feb 2005 Send articles via e-mail or netmail, file attach or message to: Bj”rn Felten Fidonet 2:2/2 E-Mail bfelten @ telia dot com IMPORTANT! If you send the article via e-mail, make sure you put the word "fidonews" somewhere in the subject line! That way it will always pass the spam filter, ending up in the proper folder. Please include a message, telling me that you have sent an article. That way I will know to look for it. ----------------------------------------------------------------- FIDONEWS 22-07 Page 18 14 Feb 2005 Credits, Legal Infomation, Availability + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- FIDONEWS STAFF - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + | | | Editor: Bj”rn Felten, 2:2/2 | | Crash mail attached: Editor@2:2/2 | | E-Mail attached: bfelten @ telia dot com | | Webmaster: Jim Barchuk, jb@fidonews.org | | Columnist: Frank Vest - Frank's Column | | | + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - EDITORS EMERITI - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + | | | Tom Jennings, Thom Henderson, Dale Lovell, Vince | | Perriello, Tim Pozar, Sylvia Maxwell, Donald Tees, | | Christopher Baker, Zorch Frezberg, Henk Wolsink, | | Doug Meyers, Warren D. Bonner, Frank L. Vest | | | + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + Fidonews is published weekly by and for the members of Fidonet. Fidonews is Copyright (C) 2004 by Bj”rn Felten, though authors retain rights to their contributed articles. Opinions expressed by the authors is strictly their own. Noncommercial duplication and distribution within Fidonet is encouraged. Authors are encouraged to send their articles in ASCII text to the Editor at one of the addresses above. The weekly edition of Fidonews is distributed through the file area FIDONEWS, and is published as echomail in the echo FIDONEWS. These sources are normally available through your Network Coordinator. The current and past issues are also available from the following sources: + -- -- -- -- -- -- - FIDONEWS AVAILABILITY - -- -- -- -- -- -- + | | | File request from 2:2/2: | | current issue FIDONEWS | | back issue, volume v, issue ii FNEWSvii.ZIP | | | | On the web: | | http://felten.dyndns.org/fidonews | | http://www.fidonet.ca/fidonews | | | | The Snooze *and* the FIDONEWS echo in your newsreader: | | news://felten.dyndns.org/FIDONEWS | | | + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- + -----------------------------------------------------------------