Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
Silicon Times Report Issue 0003
_______________________________________________________________________________
ST-REPORT ISSUE #3 JULY 18, 1987 FROM: ZMAGAZINE INFORMATION NETWORK
Publisher/Editor: Ron Kovacs
Assistant Publishers: Susan Perry/Rich Decowski
_______________________________________________________________________________
ST INDEX 3
<*> Atari Fest Cancelled
<*> BBS Messages
<*> New Product Annoucement:MaxPak
<*> Zmag Update:Copyright Violation
<*> How to Use ARC
<*> Telecommunications (Article written by a reader)
<*> Zmag Atari News Update
<*> Reader Commentary-Reply
<*> SysOp Rights
<*> Final CES Report (A little late, But better late than never!)
<*> Zmag Late breaking news for 8 bitters
_______________________________________________________________________________
Atari Fest Cancelled By:Gerry Feid
THIS IS A NOTICE THAT THE ATARIFEST, ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR CHICAGO ON THE
25TH AND 26TH OF JULY, 1987, HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY CANCELLED.
There were several reasons for doing this, but FIRST and FOREMOST, let me
dispell three major rumors that have been spread about the 'Fest in Chicago.
FIRST:
The 'Fest in Chicago did NOT at ANY time have any problems with the unions.
This is a rumor spread out of Michigan through a misunderstanding on their
part, and has not at any time been true.
SECOND:
Last Spring, a Wisconsin group started rumors that the Chicago 'Fest was
cancelled - at THAT time. WRONG! It may be now, but not previously.
THIRD AND FOREMOST:
ATARI DID NOT PULL THE PLUG ON THE CHICAGO FEST. The decision to pull the plug
was made by the two Chicago area groups that did all of their work - Lake
County Atari Computer Enthusiasts (LCACE), and the ChicagoLand Atari User's
Group (CLAUG). It is my understanding from Neil Harris, that at least one
downstate Illinois group has been spreading the 'Word' (read RUMOR) that Atari
Corp. pulled the plug. Not true. Atari DID advise us that if the fest looked
real shaky that it might be best to drop the show and reschedule, but it was
our decision. This we chose to do.
WHY THE 'FEST FAILED
There are several reasons why the 'fest failed. We had planned the show to be
held in a local Ramada Inn. Now, I don't know how much of a guarantee other
groups in hotels had to give, but the best deal we could come up with was a 100
room per night guarantee plus a substantial fee for the 12700 sq. ft. hall.
This IS high compared to other cities, but very reasonable around here. We went
with this for several reasons. There were NO unions to consider. The Hotel was
within a couple blocks of O'hare airport, and within a mile of several
Interstate highways. Food and rooms were available on the premesis.
To cover the expenses of the hall, booths, power, etc., we had to have a
minimum of 30 vendors to pass the break-even point. As of 15 June, only 5 had
bothered to commit with money - the rest gave a bunch of excuses about not
scheduling budgets more than 30 days in advance, and the like. What these
companies fail to realize is that we needed their downpayments in advance so we
could cover our own expenses. What it finally came down to was that we were
looking at a $6000.00 committment for the hotel alone, with only 5 vendors. Our
phone calls and letters to the lagging companies failed to do any good - they
wouldn't even send a downpayment. Last October when Sandi was in town, we were
told that if we had trouble getting vendors to commit, that Atari would give
them a push for us. In May, we went to Sandi, and were told then that she
couldn't do that, and we were on our own. We found out too late from Neil
Harris, that this was NOT the official Atari position.
Secondly, The groups involved were spread out over too wide an area. In all,
there were over 300 miles between the northernmost (Militari) and southernmost
(BASE) groups with CLAUG, LCACE, SCAT, and RACC in between. Those of you who
are thinking about organizing a fest, keep that in mind. It is impossible to
keep in good contact over a large distance without running up extraordinarily
large phone or gas bills. We also had a problem with meeting attendance. When
the meetings were held after the Suburban Chicago (SCAT) meetings, almost all
six groups attended (except Militari, who only attended two or three meetings
through the whole course of events). When the meetings were unanimously
scheduled after the CLAUG or LCACE meetings, SCAT, RACC, and Militari never
showed up - even when there was no conflict with their own meetings - and these
accounted for half of the committee meetings. You cannot communicate if you
don't show up for the meetings. Bear in mind that all attending groups agreed
on the next meeting dates and places before a time and place was definitely
set.
Lastly, if a group volunteers to perform a specific job, it is up to them to
make sure it is done. In our case, Militari volunteered to copy and compile the packet for our second mailings. After they volunteered, we never heard from
them again. The Suburban Chicago group volunteered to do the first and second
mailings to vendors, and the mailing to dealers - in short, to fill the hall
with exhibitors. They also volunteered to do all the printing and the ticket
design to help fulfil the obligations of the Rockford group. The second vendor
package mailings were eventually done by LCACE instead of Militari and SCAT,)
and the printing was done by CLAUG and LCACE. To top it off, we found out on 6
June that the tickets had not even been designed yet - much less had any
printed for pre-show sales (a VITAL part of our plan,) nor had they done any
dealer mailings - after telling us for well over a month that it had all been
taken care of.
In view of the short time before we could no longer cancel, the lack of support
from Sandi, absolutely NO advance ticket sales and the fact that we were
hitting a stone wall with vendors (other than the 5 we had) we decided to
cancel. We are currently thinking of completely re-organizing the committee
with a rescheduled date next year, but nothing has been decided yet. If we do
reschedule, you can bet there will be several MAJOR changes made from the first
attempt.
If you have any questions, comments, or (hopefully) suggestions, leave mail on
GENIE to G.FEID, on CompuServe to number 74146,162, or on the 'Once In A BLUE
MOON' BBS at 312-457-2219 - 24 hours a day, 300/1200 baud.
_______________________________________________________________________________
BBS NOTES MAY BE "CONFESSIONS"? (July 16) From CompuServe
Messages left on a computer bulletin board system may end up in court being
called electronic "confessions" by police. Authorities have told The
Associated Press that several Santa Clara County, Calif., teen-agers arrested
on charges of using stolen credit-card numbers to order thousands of dollars of
computer equipment left notes on a BBS after their apprehension.
Sheriff's Deputy Curt Gomes told the wire service, "We don't need the
confessions to prosecute, but they are icing on the cake. This shows an
attitude that just hours after they were arrested, they seemed to think the
crimes they committed are looked upon lightly by society. They are not
concerned with retribution or legal punishments." San Jose police found the
online messages earlier this week when a fourth teen-ager was arrested. A BBS
operated in the youth's home contained messages in which, says AP, "two of the
teen-agers arrested two weeks ago for theft gave their opinions of the officers
who pursued them. Other users joined in the dialogue in a text police read
after they seized two computers" on July 15th.
As reported earlier, two teen-agers were arrested last week after they were
allegedly caught picking up stolen computer equipment at a Cupertino, Calif.,
house. A third teen surrendered the following day. The fourth youth,
18-year-old BBS sysop Christopher Michael Gothard of San Jose, was booked
yesterday on suspicion of illegally using telephone access codes and defrauding
three long-distance telephone companies.
--Charles Bowen
_______________________________________________________________________________
ZMAG NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT MAXPAK
SoftWerx has introduced MaxPak, a utility package for the Atari ST that
includes powerful, innovative and comprehensive versions of major utility
programs.
Included in the package are a high-speed print spooler, a ramdisk with
auto-copy, a printer enhancer, a screen-saver, keyboard macros, a digital
screen clock, alarms, a file lister and expression calculator and more. Retail
price is $49.95.
For information, contact:
SoftWerx Publishing
PO Box 71118
Murray, UT 84107
801/272-5623.
_______________________________________________________________________________
ZMAG UPDATE
EasyPlex
Date: 11-Jul-87 10:50 EDT
From: Clayton Walnum (ANALOG)
Subj: D.F.Scott article
In your Z-Mag 59 you have an article authored by D.F.Scott. That article came
from a past issue of ST-Log and is copyrighted by ANALOG Publishing.
The BBS you got it from is also in violation of our copyrights. Please remove
the article from the databases and anywhere else you've made it available.
Though we allow our programs to be fairly freely distributed, we do not do the
same with the magazine's text. We are, after all, in the business of selling
magazines. Thanks for your attention to this matter.
Clayton Walnum
Technical Editor
EasyPlex
Date: 11-Jul-87 21:51 EDT
From: Clayton Walnum (ANALOG)
Reply to: D.F.Scott article
Okay, print something about it in the next issue, and along with it, I'd
appreciate it if you'd include a sort of "warning" to other BBS and newsletters
that, just because we put some of the articles in the databases on Delphi,
doesn't mean they should treat the material as if it were public domain. It's
most definitely not.
Keep up the good work.
---Clay
These articles can pretty much speak for themselves. I receive many articles
each week for consideration. I usually can locate the origin of most articles.
However, I am not a part of the Delphi group and didnt even know about the
origin of this article. I also havent received copies of ST-Log. I need your
help!!
If you upload any article to Zmag, Please let me know where it came from. If
the article is from a magazine, Please let me know. I can not use these
articles without their permission.
I have removed the article from ZMAG59. It is available on CompuServe, GEnie,
and is currently being distributed to our Zmag carriers. If your BBS contains
articles from the Delphi Database, Please remove them. You are also violating
the copyright of Analog.
If you want more information on Analogs policy, Please leave Clay a message
at his PPN.
_______________________________________________________________________________
HOW TO USE ARC COPYRIGHT 1987 ANTIC PUBLISHING INC
ARC (For the Atari ST)
ARC (short for archive) is a file library and compression utility. Compressing
files with ARC will allow easier telecommunications by combining files and
shortening their transfer time. Download ARC.TTP from the Utilities section of
the Atari 16-bit forum (type GO ATARI16).
HOW TO USE ARC:
- double-click-left on ARC.TTP icon
- observe OPEN APPLICATION menu for ARC.TTP parameters
- enter switch, archive name and file template (ex: lh arc.arc *.*)
- press [RETURN] or click-left on OK box to start.
- "press any key to continue" after completion
SWITCHES & OPTIONS:
Form:
arc [amdxelvth] <filename.ARC> [<filename> ...]
a = add files to archive
m = move files to archive
d = delete files in archive
x,e = extract files from archive
l = list files in archive
v = verbose listing of files in archive
t = test archive integrity
h = hold screen before returning to Desktop
EXPLANATION:
a - add files to archive. This switch will force update or addition the
indicated regardless of creation time and date.
m - move files to archive. Same as "a" switch except that the files are
deleted from the directory as they are moved to the archive.
d - delete files in archive. The files are lost forever and the archive
is recompacted to remove the data for these files.
x,e - extract files from archive.
A copy of the files in the archive are created in the current
directory in an uncompactedstate.
l - list files in archive. Limited information listing of files contained
in an archive. Displays only the filename.
v - verbose listing of files in archive. Complete information listing of
files contained in an archive. Displays the filename, original
length, storage method, storage factor (% savings), compacted size,
date, time, and CRC.
t - test archive integrity. Check the archive to make sure it does not
have any bad files contained.
h - hold screen before returning to Desktop. This switch should be used
whenever ARC is executed from the Desktop, except in conjunction with
file redirection.
EXAMPLES WHEN USED FROM THE GEM DESKTOP:
ah FILES.ARC *.PRG Creates a new archive file called FILES.ARC and puts
all files ending in PRG inside.
xh FILES.ARC *.* Extracts all files from FILES.ARC.
xh FILES.ARC " "
xh FILES " "
xh FILES.ARC *.DOC Extracts all files ending in .DOC. In each case, the
'h' holds the display instead of immediately returning to the GEM Desktop
so you can view filenames, messages, etc. These are just to help you get
started.
For complete documentation, see ARC.DOC in the 16-bit section of SIG*ATARI
(type GO ATARI16).
_______________________________________________________________________________
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
This article intended for reproduction in any user group newsletter. Please
credit the author listed at the end of the article.
*The following article was written by Tracy Milburn of Tulsa Oklahoma, a high
school junior at Edison High School. He wrote this article in an attempt to
expose the benefits of telecommunications, and to persuade people to purchase
hardware and software capable of telecommunicating.*
What is "telecommunications"? When someone purchases hardware and software
capable of telecommunicating, they often find tht it can be quite confusing to
them, or for that matter to any other user new to telecommunications. However,
once they learn to their way around, the discover that it can be exciting,
beneficial, and most of all enlightening.
The prefix "tele" is Greek, and can be translated into "far away or at a
distance". We can then throw this together with "communication" and get "the
art and science of communicating at a distance, especially be means of
electromagnetic impulses, as in radio, television, radar..." and yes, computers
hooked up to phone lines. Just as analog data(data along the phone line that
is translated and heard as human voice; your voice doesn't 'travel' along the
phone line physically!) interprets human voice, the peripheral called a
"modem" (MOdulator DEModulator) translates data along the phone line, and opens
the channel of data communicating.
Once a user has his computer hooked up to a modem, disk drive, (if required) or
to an interface GOING to a modem, he has complete and total access to a totally
different world: the world of telecommunications; a world of transmitting data
along telephone lines, and to a computer, to be interpreted by the human brain.
Of course, with this new and exciting world comes a certain terminology that on
virtually MUST be familiar with. A "bulletin board" is software being run on
someone's computer, allowing others to call in, leave messges, download and/or
upload files, and many, many other things as well(one does not have to run or
call bulletin boards; there are other ways of communicating.). The person
running the software is called a "SYSOP", or SYStem OPerator, logically the guy
who runs the system. Once a user has been connected to a bulletin board, he
has certain options that the system allows him. Apporximately ninety-five
percent of the time, two of these options are "download" and "upload" a file.
Downloading is defined as being the transfer of a file FROM the system TO the
user. Naturally, uploading is just the opposite.
For virtually every type of computer, clubs exist for its user. Groups such as
"TRACE" of Tulsa Oklahoma, and "Green Country Computer Association", and
"MACE", and "Tandy Users", and many others in many varieties, from nocive to
the advanced user. Most of the time these clubs not only help users with their
computers in general, but are involved in telecommunications, as well as are
most of the club members. When an Atari user begins to consider purchasing
telecommunications hardware and software, he should ge in touch with one of the
groups in his immediate area, and ask for information concerning bulletin
boards, the numbers to them, and any other information that could prove
beneficial. If all else fails, call the Help BBS in Wichita(316-683-7514) or
the ACE BBS in Oregon and they will assist an Atari user in any way possible.
In conclusion, I would like to say to those considering telecommunications as a
hobby, to PURSUE that hobby, because the positive assets, expanding of sotware,
and the sheer, hardcore thrill of never-ending knowledge makes the purchase of
hardware and software an exiguous amount to pay. If ANYTHING, it is an
EXCELLENT way to converse with others all over the world and express one's
thoughts and ideas.
Tracy Milburn (c)1987
(This article was directed to Atari users.)
_______________________________________________________________________________
ZMAG ATARI NEWS UPDATE
The Mega ST and the SX212 modem are at the last step before arriving. We have
received pre-production samples. These are the first units off the line with
all the same components, packaging, and production techniques as the real
thing. We get a small number of these to test and make sure there are no
last-minute glitches. When we give the go-ahead, the next step is real
production.
The Atari PC is looking likely for later this Summer. The XEP-80 (for the
8-bits) is waiting on one part which turned out to have an incredibly long lead
time on orders -- once we have the part we'll turn these around ASAP. The
SLM804 Laser Printer is waiting on one final component also, as well as the
final version of the software drivers that support it.
New software from Atari includes the first titles in the Arrakis Advantage
series of middle-school-level educational programs. There will be 17 in total,
of which 4 have hit the stores already and the rest are in various stages of
finalization.
Shortly after the SX212 modem hits, we will release an add-on package for 8-bit
owners which is to contain an SIO cable and the program SX EXPRESS by Keith
Ledbetter, as well as the new handler file. Of course, SX212 owners with the
8-bits can also use it through the 850 interface using existing terminal
programs set up for Hayes-compatible modems.
The blitter chip is working and is in the pre-production Mega ST's mentioned
above. The AMY chip is still in development, and may still see the light of
day -- some day. AMY is a stubborn beast.
Speaking of stubborn, Microsoft Write is also still in development. Nearly
finished now, too, although a few small bugs remain to be expunged.
SHOW NEWS: Atari made history by becoming the first computer manufacturer to
exhibit at NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants show in Chicago.
The ST was present throughout the show in virtually every booth where there
were MIDI instruments. Atari sales people at the show were beseiged by music
dealers eager to sign up as Atari dealers. By the time this 4-day event was
over, there were literally hundreds of dealer applications waiting to be
approved. Before NAMM, Atari had 50 music stores as dealers -- it looks like
there will be 250 when the new dealers are selected.
In other news from NAMM, Keyboard magazine announced the results of its latest
reader survey. The Atari ST computer has rocketed into the #1 slot in the
vital "Intent-to-buy" category ahead of perennial leader Macintosh!
The word in Atari HQ is "Today MIDI -- tomorrow, Desktop Publishing!"
(C) Copyright 1987 by Atari Corporation, all rights reserved. For the exclusive
use of GEnie members, no-charge bulletin boards, and Atari user groups. May be
reprinted only with this notice intact.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Xx ZMAG GUEST COMMENTARY
[Ed. The following article is a response from Calamity Jane, SysOp, of the
Prairie Chip BBS in Wyoming. The original article titled " A Few Minutes with
Randy Mooney " From ZMAGST1 written by Frank Walters.]
A FEW MINUTES WITH FRANK WALTERS
By Calamity Jane SysOp -- The Prairie Chip BBS -- Wyoming
...did 'ja ever notice--- those people who think they can do a better job of
running your BBS?? I can tell -- YOU are not a SysOp. Frank, you do score a
few points in your article, but a few of your comments ticked me off... thus
this rebuttal. I am a SysOp. A good one too.
...did 'ja know--- Just why you HIT RETURN upon logging on ?? No, probably not.
We all aren't at 300 baud anymore and this can toggle what baud rate you are
calling at (among other things). I have been 2400 Baud for almost 2 years -- I
wish everyone was, but its not the case. From the console, I can HIT RETURN
for you and it will throw you into 9600 baud -- no, it's not nice, that's why I
can't do it for you, you must. You have a problem if you find this a major
inconvenience.
...I would never--- put down a programmer who has the brains to write a BBS
program. The likes of Trent Dudley, Ralph Walden, Leo Newman or Matt Singer.
We are lucky to be in America and you can call them sloppy if you want --- its
a free country. I run FoReM on the 520 ST. I am proud to run Matt's program
and find absolutely NO sloppiness on his part or any of the others I mentioned.
I have used their 8-Bit BBS programs. I think you are talking about something
you have no inkling of. And what goes into a piece of software the likes of
FoReM, Tod.AMIS, Mind/Link or Oasis.
...'ya know--- You made a good point about messages with 33 carriage returns in
them that scroll off the screen. It irritates me too. That is why, as a
dedicated SysOp, I go in and edit them for your sanity and what peace of mind
you are left with. No, we don't need a law that states "a caller must read
his/her own messages." We have enough dumb laws.
...you bet--- I saw those silly twirling cursors. Thats one reason for the
ATARI being special. It drove the Commodore people nuts, cause they couldn't
do quite the same thing. And yes, they did fly into the capture buffer along
with everything else, but I save wear and tear on my printer by editing any and
everything before printing it!! I hardly think we need a law against twirling
cursors, either. My lawyer will laugh at this.
...did 'ja ever notice--- that some people have no imagination?? They are
satisfied with the same ol thing all the time. On my board, G is Good bye,
U is Upload, M is for Message, and D is for Download. Boring, huh ?? I went
as far as having the * for toggling line feeds. Boy, aren't I daring... Bet
you couldn't figure that one out. You can also log-OFF with the simple little
word 'OFF'. Very complicated stuff here... And by the way, I got tired of
getting YELLed at... sorry, I prefer to CHAT. I like CHAT, not answer some
yo-yo's scream. You ARE into laws, aren't you ?? Are you a lawyer, Mr.
Walters??
...did 'ja ever download--- a big long file from a long-distance board and the
file didn't run?? You bet, I have. Did you ever think to notify the SysOp of
the problem. No, not you... you just bitch about it. I have a Remote-SysOp
that helps me check out files. Occasionally one gets missed. So, I'm not
perfect... what are you gonna do, shoot me ?? <They Shoot SysOps, Don't They?>
We SysOps are not Gods as you imply we think we are !! I can see why you wish
you had more friends. Do you think a SysOp is crazy enough to allow you SysOp
access to get at the files?? You do have a problem.
...no, it doesn't bother me--- that SysOps may change a file name. Can't you
bother yourself enough to read the file description?? You sure wonder about a
lot !!
...you are a pain in the neck--- not the use of handles. Come on, life is
serious enough. So you don't have enough imagination to think of a good handle
for yourself ?? hmmmm... you DO have a problem. You end up leaving messages
under 'NONE'. Don't you realize yet, that a computer takes what information
YOU give it, and uses it. Not the SysOps fault you screw it up. I give my
callers a choice... Their REAL NAME or one they just want to have some FUN
with. Personally, I prefer handles. Adds a little spice to life when a David
Letterman, a Biggs Darklighter, The Sphinx!, or The Lord logs on. Rather
than... Frank Walters. What is a Frank Walters?? hmmmm... that is boring. If
you can't figure 'who's who' to leave E-Mail to, then you don't call the BBS
very much. I, for the most part know my callers REAL NAME and even where they
live. Besides how old they are, what computer they are using and their HANDLE!
I pay attention to my board.
...did 'ja ever think--- to call the phone company to have your line tested if
YOU lose carrier a lot?? A noisy line will do it to you every time. My line
ain't noisy... utilize your local "silent line number". Quit complaining. You
will only get logged off if you sit there without doing anything. My board is
busy and doesn't have time to wait on callers like you. My questionnaire isn't
long either <and you will have plenty of time when you are done> I am mainly
interested in: 1. Where you live 2. Your computer type 3. If you are at 40
or 80 columns 4. If you need line/feeds..... Ya' know... all that dumb stuff.
This SysOp doesn't leave nasty notes either. But this REALLY bugs me ::
Your quote: "HE did, HIS board, why is HE so mad at me?" L8tr on that... Oh,
I'll bet you hate that L8tr stuff too !!
...maybe you will run a board one day--- I wish you luck. It is a lot of work,
joy, frustration, dedication and not to mention the fact it costs a lot of
money and time to put up with a complaining caller like you. Running a board
is both easy and difficult. Ask most SysOps. You don't need any more drives..
one will run a BBS. Go for it --- I dare you!! Your quote , Frank... "Some of
these GUYS think they are some kind of God or something." Well, maybe so, but
let me tell you... and this brings me to my biggest complaint against YOU.
Your assumption that a SysOp is a HE, HIM, or GUY. My answer to that :: None
of the above. I am not a guy... never have been, never will be and damn proud
of it !! True, there aren't too many female SysOps around, but my board has
been on-line for almost 3 years now. True, I do take some flack for being of
the female-type persuasion and I must put up with those who think I have no
idea just what the hell I am doing. Somebody probably like you. I bought my
first ATARI back in 1979 and am proud of myself for learning all I know.
I am proud of my board and my contribution to the modeming pleasure of others.
I have an excellent callers-log, a VERY active message base system, many data
bases and an extremely active file-system. I don't change the filenames either
to make it look like I have more than I do. I use a 30-meg hard drive --- I
don't play games with the likes of you. I have fun with my BBS, something you
seem to have missed somewhere.
My suggestion to you is to sell your modem, you don't seem to enjoy it. It's
just a constant irritant. Get a CB. I relish most of my callers very much,
and have friends all over the United States and the world.
That's all the time I have for you... and I make time for all I want to!!
_______________________________________________________________________________
Xx DOES A SYSOP HAVE A RIGHT TO BLACK-LIST A MEMBER?
From TeleTalk Issue 13B By Wanderer
Recently I responded to a message on T/TalkNET BBS about a local SysOp who had
black-listed a BBSer because he did not agree with his viewpoints on religion.
This, to say the least created some controversy in the message base. Below are
a few messages that seem to sum up the various viewpoints best.
<*><*><*>
To: WANDERER
From: CLIFFORD ADAMS
Via: T/TalkNET INTERFACE
A Sysop has the right to mediate what goes on in his computer in his home. Good
ones don't, however.
Remind yourself that you are on the boards only because the Sysop had the
courtesy to invite you to use his equipment. Some system operators do not like
raging controversy on their boards. Some love it. If a Sysop requests more
"mellow" messages, it is his right to determine the mood and nature of the
board. However, to simply throw out a user is very bad manners. Unless there
is vulgarity or violation of a warning, the Sysop should not delete people
without warning. It is a good idea to check back, however, to make sure you
were not deleted by mistake. I have been deleted before, mistakes happen....
<*><*><*>
TO: SYSOP/GRAPHICS DUMP
FROM: DWIGHT AMATO
VIA: GRAPHICS DUMP
I know what war Bob is talking about. At least I think so. If he is talking
about what happened on Computer Alley (now Fisherman's Warf). The board was
doing pretty good, then the war started. The board picked up like crazy and
people were posting like crazy. I would call about every other day and there
were 40 new posts. But soon, people got sick of it and they left. It brought
the downfall of it. I think that the Sysops should have special boards for wars
if that at all.
<*><*><*>
TO: SYSOP/BOB LINDABURY
FROM: LARRY LONGO (#148)
VIA: GRAPHICS DUMP
Bob, Watch out... You remember what happened on my board... took me quite a
while to get it under control!! Some user's think it is their RIGHT to post
whatever they want regardless of the Sysop's wishes... that is the beginning of
the downfall... Now I issue 1 warning and if it is not adhered to I delete the
offending User... doesn't do much good for the board or the other user's but it
has to be handled this way.... I will never lose control again!!!
<*><*><*>
To: CLIFFORD ADAMS
From: DR. BOB
Via: T/TalkNET INTERFACE
Clifford, I have said this before but it bears repeating! SysOps do not have
any right to mediate anything on their boards! A BBS is a public accessible
system and as such, anything is fair game. This is not true of "private"
boards where a caller must know the system password to gain access or pay a
fee, but only to "open" boards. Just because a SysOp provides his equipment,
time, and money to run the BBS, it does NOT give him the right to prohibit the
free exercise of speech. After all, who did he put the board up for? Himself?
SysOps who dictate to callers should not be SysOps. They should take their
boards down as they do not understand what BBSing, let alone SysOping, is all
about! Having been a SysOp for over a year now, I fully understand the purpose
of doing what I am doing! This is done for enjoyment and to provide a service
to people from all walks of life and beliefs. I have no right to impose my
views on anyone else nor do I have the right to stop someone else from
expressing their views. As long as the caller is not vulgar or doing something
illegal, then he or she should be allowed to say whatever. That is why the BBS
is there!! If it isn't why, then it should become a closed system, not one
for public access.
SysOps are caretakers, not rulers. Their sole function in life is to keep the
BBS running, answer messages, and perform upgrades. They also monitor for
illegal activity and then, and only then, get involved to stop that activity
(or at least they should). The only rule on this board that I feel may not be
justified is the prohibition on the use of handles. Under the revised system,
that may change (handles will be permitted).
I wonder if the SysOp who ejected Pastor Stevens has ever deleted a pirated
program from his board. I would bet not as it seems that only TTC enforces
that policy/law. We are supposed to have freedom of speech in this country and
I firmly believe that if a BBS is public then everyone should be able to say
what is on their mind freely without fear of being kicked off the system! I
know one thing: everyone on this board can say whatever they feel like saying.
I will NOT interfere with that right!
Dr. Bob
<*><*><*>
So there you have it. I would be very interested in hearing other opinions on
this matter from both SysOps and BBSers. To submit your viewpoint, contact any
authorized T/TalkNET board and leave a message in the TeleTalk section or leave
a message on CompuServe.
_______________________________________________________________________________
FINAL CES NEWS
ANTIC PUBLISHING INC., COPYRIGHT 1987 REPRINTED BY PERMISSION.
By:NAT FRIEDLAND, ANTIC EDITOR
Broderbund is jumping into the ST marketplace with Art Director and Film
Director, a DEGAS-quality paint program that will be packaged together with an
animation module for $79.95. This software, originally designed by the
Hungarians who did ST Battlezone, is expected to ship in August. Features
include: rescale, stretch, distort, bend, bulge, spin, perspective, scroll and
spin.
Not quite as far along is the ST version of Broderbund's all-time bestseller,
Print Shop. It is due this fall at $49.95 and will be similar to the
sophisticated Macintosh version. Also coming from Broderbund this fall is the
ST Karateka at $34.95.
Timeworks Desktop Publisher this fall will join the company's ST word
processor, spreadsheet and database software.
Spitfire 1940 is an ST flight combat game coming from Avalon Hill this summer.
We also picked up an 8-bit review copy of their Guderian wargame.
And back at the bustling Atari booth, we got a look at Bentley Bear Goes To
School -- a new ST educational series programmed in Israel and featuring the
lovable bruin from the Crystal Castle arcade game. Four titles for grades K-6
are to be marketed within 30 days and there will eventually be some 20 in the
series. The animation in each title such as Magical Mathematics is of very
high quality and the packages will sell for $19.95 a piece.
OTHER NEWS
This year Atari vice president Leonard Tramiel revealed that a 16-bit graphics
workstation is in a fairly advanced stage of development. This would be
compatible with the ST but much more powerful. He said that any 32-bit
multitasking computer would need to run Unix, but it was a problem deciding
which competing version of Unix would be best.
Marketing communications director Neil Harris stated that ST Word Perfect, due
in July, runs five times faster than the bestselling IBM version.
Harris explained that Atari's top priority at this particular CES was to
revitalize the 8-bit line by packaging a redesigned 65XE as a high-end game
system, in direct competition with Nintendo and Sega. That's why the Mega ST
and the Atari Laser Printer were not displayed this time. According to Harris,
the XE Game System was receiving an enthusiastic early response from mass
-market purchasing agents.
_______________________________________________________________________________
ZMAG LATE BREAKING NEWS
The following text was submitted too late for publication in ZMAG62.
OSS MAC/65
Just got the notice on GEnie that OSS will stop ALL shipments of the MAC/65 ROM
on August 1, 1987. No explaination, but there it is. Also, OSS is offering a
deal for all Atari User Group members as follows:
Get:
MAC/65 cart
All needed DOCs
Tool Kit Disk
For $45 + $3<S&H>
To order, send check/money order/Visa #/MC # _AND_ PROOF OF USER GROUP
MEMBERSHIP to:
OSS, Inc.
1221-B Kentwood Ave.
San Jose, CA 95129
All orders must be received before July 31, 1987 to be honored. [Information
taken from a message by Marty Albert on "The Express" [choo choo] BBS in
Missouri]
_______________________________________________________________________________
ST-Report (c)1987 Ron Kovacs July 18, 1987 Issue #3
A publication of Zmagazine Information Network, (201) 968-8148 300/1200 24 hrs.
_______________________________________________________________________________
