        ͻ
                                                    Ŀ
              K E E P I N G   I N   T O U C H        
                      
            SPITFIRE Monthly Support Newsletter      
              for registered SPITFIRE Sysops!        
                      February 1993                  
           Compliments of BUFFALO CREEK SOFTWARE     
             Buffalo Creek's BBS * 515-225-8496      
               38400/19200/9600/2400/1200 Baud       
                          2 Nodes                    
                                                     
        ͼ 
          
                    Edited by Jacque Shipley
       The Mother Board BBS - (515) 986-3464 - 19200 Baud
                Sysop Of The Month by Walt Crede
      Roam This Fertile Land -  (515) 288-8755 - 2400 Baud
         Newly Registered SPITFIRE BBS List by Ann Woltz
                  Other Contributions As Noted


ͻ
    Notes from the author of SPITFIRE!   Ŀ
ͼ 
  


SPITFIRE v3.3 Upgrade Notices Mailed
------------------------------------

   The SPITFIRE v3.3 upgrade notices and upgrade request forms have
been mailed.  I guess this means that the release of SPITFIRE v3.3
isn't too far away (smiling).  The SPITFIRE v3.3 upgrade policies have
been altered somewhat in an attempt to discourage the use of the
download upgrade option.  There are a number of reasons that we are
attempting to discourage the use of the download option:

     1) SPEED!  I honestly believe that the downloading of registered
        copies of SPITFIRE could go well into summer.  I only have so
        much disk space available (very little actually) which will
        cause the process to move very slowly.

     2) For whatever reason (and this isn't stretching it), I would
        guess that I have to recompile 65-80% of the copies downloaded.
        It seems that an excessive amount of the downloads are aborted
        thus causing me to recompile the copy and making it available a
        second time (there will be no seconds with SPITFIRE v3.3) or
        the Sysop has a crash and needs a new copy of SPITFIRE because
        he/she failed to make a backup copy after downloading it.

     3) We receive upgrade request forms indicating a desire to use
        the download option.  After compiling the copy for download,
        we discover that the person isn't a caller of Buffalo Creek's
        BBS.

     4) We receive upgrade request forms indicating a desire to use
        the download option.  We compile the copy for download and 
        then it isn't downloaded for months (hogging up disk space).

     5) This list goes on and on.  Hopefully the above example give
        you an idea of why we are discouraging the use of the download
        option.  Thank you.

     Additionally, we have asked you to do a couple of things on the
back of the 'upgrade request form'.  First, we want you to indicate if
or not you are interested in attending the SPITFIRE 1993 conference.
Second, it was decided (at the 1992 conference) to have workshops at
future conferences.  Therefore, we have asked you to indicate your
ideas for workshop topics as well as ideas for speakers at the
conference.  Thank you for your help with this matter.



LAKOTA (SPITFIRE QWK Mail Door)
-------------------------------

     SPITFIRE v3.3 will include its own QWK mail door named LAKOTA.  I
just want to take a couple of minutes to explain the concept of LAKOTA.
Its concept is to be an extremely small, extremely simple and a fast
QWK mail door (and it is FREE with SPITFIRE).  In other words, LAKOTA
is designed and written with the KISS system in mind.

     I am already receiving messages telling me it has to have this and
that feature etc etc etc.  If I start adding these things, then it will
just be another QWK door which people complain about because it too
complex.  It is my intention to keep LAKOTA simple.  In the event this
doesn't meet with your satisfaction, then I strongly suggest that you
set the security of the LAKOTA feature in a manner which will prevent
it from being used on your board.  There are other QWK doors written
for SPITFIRE which do contain all the whistles and bells which you
want.



1993 SPITFIRE Conference Being Planned!
---------------------------------------

     While no definite plans are made, I take this opportunity to
tell you that the 1993 SPITFIRE Conference is presently being planned
to be conducted in Des Moines, Iowa during the weekend of June
18-19-20, 1993.  We will get you definite information if and when it
becomes available.  We had a GREAT time last year and (quite honestly)
I am looking forward to it this year.

     Thank you for your continued support and promotion of SPITFIRE.  We
honestly appreciate it.  May the peace provided by God's grace be with all
of you.

                                        Until next time....
                                        Mike Woltz


͸
 SPITFIRE SYSOP'S REQUEST 
;

Ed. Note - What follows is a copy of a letter received by  Mike
Woltz from Henk van de Goor.  It has often been acknowledged that 
SPITFIRE Sysops are a unique group, almost like a family.  We hear
countless stories of SPITFIRE Sysops banning together to help another 
in need.  It is our hope that some of you might answer the simple 
request that comes from our fellow-SPITFIRE Sysop of Holland.

Henk van de Goor
p/a Leidsekade 84hs
1017 PM, Amsterdam
Holland/Europe

                                            Amsterdam, 20-01-1993


 Dear Mike,

     I've been a registered SPITFIRE SysOp since you brought
version 3.0 on the market. I've always been pleased with the way
you're BBS-program performed (even on a 12mHz AT).  There are some
things about it I don't like though.  But that's not my reason for
me to write to you.

     As you may (or may not) know it is *very* difficult to get
the latest SPITFIRE utilities to reach this side of the ocean.  I
use some utils that worked fine with version 2.8 - 3.1 but some
of them are bound to get out of date.

     So, I hope you can put my following request in some
echomail-area or maybe even in your SPITFIRE Newletter? I mean:
I don't recall I've ever read something about a Dutch SPITFIRE
Sysop before (hint, hint)....

     Anyway, this is what I want:

     I'm looking for some SPITFIRE Sysop(s) who would like to
exchange (on a regular basis) diskettes with me with the *latest*
SPITFIRE utils.  I'm sorry to say that I don't have any files to
exchange myself (at least no SPITFIRE utils) that I can think of.
Maybe they can think of something?  I send you some floppies and
you fill them for me..... Problem is: if anyone likes to do this
he/she has to write me about it (I'm sorry!). My adress is:

     Henk van de Goor
     p/a Leidsekade 84hs
     1017 PM, Amsterdam
     Holland/Europe

     It costs me about $1,50 for every minute that I call to
the USA.  Thanks to our PTT-phone company they ****censored*** ...
It was expensive enough just sending this message via phone to
Mike Woltz.

     Furthermore I like to know if there are any Sysops that can
help me with the exact configuration for FreeMail & Frontdoor 2.2
since I have tried to find that out, but the doc's are a bit to
sloppy about SPITFIRE.....

     Anyway, if anyone feels up to it, he/she can write me. I
will send a letter back together with some floppies.

     If you have any questions or any request I'm willing to help
if possible. Guided tours through Amsterdam? You got it!
Whatever, let me know....

                        Yours sincerely,
                        Henk van de Goor.

    
͸
 INNOVATIONS IN SPITFIRE 
;


    SPITFIRE v3.3 introduces some innovative approaches in how it 
handles some of its routine tasks.  Programming modules which once 
were contained in SPITFIRE for packing the message base and packing 
the user file have been removed.  Before you become alarmed, let me
assure you SPITFIRE is still capable of handling these tasks.  It 
simply shells to the appropriate file (SFPCKUSR.COM or SFPCKMSG.COM)
when required.

   There are definite advantages to this approach.  The first being,
that although SPITFIRE uses these programs, the Sysop can run them
independently from SPITFIRE as well.  SFPCKMSG.COM and SFPCKUSR.COM 
can be executed from the DOS prompt or used within batch files.  By
using the optional command line parameters for these programs, the 
Sysop can define the criteria desired for purging the records when
these utilities are used outside of SPITFIRE.
   
   Another advantage, which applies to SFSENDIT and LAKOTA as well,
is that it is possible for updated versions of these programs to
be available prior to the next release of SPITFIRE.  In fact, 
Buffalo Creek Software is recommending that Sysops periodically
call Buffalo Creek's BBS to check for new releases of these programs.
The cost of notification simply prohibits contacting all registered
Sysops each time a new release of these programs is made available.

   It is quite likely that Sysops will see more and more of these
independent modules with SPITFIRE.  Some will handle standard
processing such as the packing programs, capable of not only working
with SPITFIRE but as independent utilities.  Others programs will 
dramatically enhance SPITFIRE's features, such as LAKOTA's QWK mail 
system and SFSENDIT's file sends.  Yes, another truly innovative
means by which Buffalo Creek Software continues to consider the 
Sysop, constantly striving to provide the highest quality software 
in the most affordable manner possible.


͸
 SPITFIRE BOARD-OF-THE-MONTH 
;
 
                            Taurus BBS
                           302-934-1323

    When Mike asked me to take a few minutes to write something about
myself and my system, because I was going to be the BBS-Of-The Month, 
this is when I realized just how much things have changed for me, my 
family, and my BBS.

    I started Taurus BBS on June 25, 1991, on an IBM PS-1 with 30 megs 
of disk space.  It took a whole week for me to realize that 30 megs was 
just not gonna to cut it.  I bought a 100 meg SCSI and added it to my 
PS-1.  About five months later I bought a USRobitics Dual Standard. I 
was in the big time now.  Then arose the disk space problem again.  So 
I discussed the problem with a close personal friend John Kelley of 
Hackers BBS.  John informed me that I might as well go ahead and buy 
a real computer, and John was right.  So off I went on a new computer 
hunt.  John was and has been from day one a tremendous help to me 
through the many problems that come up, plus he assisted me in the 
computer hunt.  So what I ended up getting was a 386.33 DX, with 8 
Megs Ram, 1 Gig Seagate, Colorado DJ-10 Tape Back-up.  Shortly after, 
I purchased another USR-HST and DESQview, and set-up another node.
Then along came FidoNET, which I am acting as a Sub Hub for in my 
community.

    Where to next, Lord only knows, all I can say is my wife (Kathy), 
is a special woman.  She has been supportive of my hobby, even when I 
know that many nights I have spent far too much time with my computer. 
She has named my system, "Miss Computer", but Kathy rarely misses a day 
of logging on, and playing a few of her favorite games.

    We have two wonderful but 100% normal, kids. Boy (9 yrs), Girl 
(3 yrs).  I came home from work once and found that my little girl 
had shut the the computer off.  I can hear her now, "What does this 
button do?"  I have her trained now, to leave daddy's computer buttons 
alone.  I'm sure my users appreciate this.

    I really enjoy being a Sysop, and can say that out of all the things
I have tried, this by far is my most enjoyed, favorite hobby.


Article contributed by Michael Hudson
Sysop of Taurus BBS - (302) 934-1323

Ed. Note - A true journalist is not required to reveal there sources,
but it was passed  along to me that Michael Hudson is more than 
willing to help anyone trying to run SPITFIRE in DESQview.


͸
 SYSOP-OF-THE-MONTH 
;

                              Jeff  Kerry
                         Leprechaun Castle BBS     
                         Carriere, Mississippi 

    Jeff got his start with computers like most Sysops.  About five 
years ago, his brother bought a Tandy 1000A with 128K Ram, dual drive 
and a daisy wheel printer.  When he decided he no longer wanted it, 
Jeff got it from him, not knowing a thing about computers.  At first, 
he used it only to play games from floppies.  Then he wanted more out 
of the thing.  

    "I went to the library," Jeff recalls, "and got books and bought 
magazines about computers. I found they could do a lot more than just 
play games. I soon realized I needed to upgrade to 640K.  It was done 
and a 20-meg hard drive was added.  I was ready to fly.  

    "Like most beginners, I had many, many bad nights due to the loss 
of data I entered into programs and not knowing what to do.  After a 
great deal of of reading I started learning how to use my computer.  
Then I read about modems and how they access what they called Bulletin 
Boards.  I then bought a 2400-baud modem and got onto a few of the pay 
BBSs such as PCLink, Genie, etc.  This did cost a bit.  

    "I then found out about BBSs which didn't cost anything other than
a long distance phone call and had almost all the features the paid 
boards had.  I started by calling a couple of the local BBS's in my 
area.  I soon found out about the wide range of BBS software that was 
out there in phone's reach.  The urge began building in me to be able 
to run my own Bulletin Board System.  

    "I looked at a few different types of BBS software and then found 
SPITFIRE.  It was being run by a couple of local Sysops and I downloaded 
the shareware version.  At first I didn't really know how to go about 
getting set up to begin running my own board.  But after a lot of help 
from a local Sysop from the Enchanted Forest, I finally got the thing 
working.  

    "I then needed to come up with a name for my new toy, as my wife 
called it.  Well, with my family roots coming from Ireland, Kerry 
County to be exact, I decided to call it The Leprechaun Castle BBS.  
I first ran it on my home phone line only a few hours a day.  I couldn't
use the line full time due to being Assistant Fire Chief for the local 
volunteer fire department and Chairman for the Red Cross. 

    "I simply can't explain what it was like to get my first callers.  
But the problem was, even though up and running, I had only one file 
area and one on-line game with no messages or conferences for my users.  
Man, did I become a D/L addict!  I also managed to get files from other 
Sysops either by mail or going to their homes and copying their files.  
Then when I registered SPITFIRE version 3.1 (now running version 3.2), 
I wanted more. I purchased a new 386SX, 80-meg HD with 2 megs of Ram, 
but that still wasn't enough.  

    "I was really hooked on the BBS thing now.  A new BBS-only phone 
line was installed and more changes were made.  I purchased a SupraModem 
running at 14400 and a CD-Rom drive.  Today, The Leprechaun Castle has 
over 110 file areas, 65+ on-line games and running HubNet mail system.  
I did run CircuitNet and was a moderator for the Fire/EMS conference but 
had to let it drop for the time being.  I have learned a great deal about
computers while running the BBS.  I even got my wife and children involved.
At this time we have plans to add an additional phone line, upgrade the 
HD and shortly add another CD-Rom drive.  I even dream of adding an 
additional computer to the BBS.

    "I would like to express my thankfulness to Mike and his family for 
a very good and what I consider the BEST BBS software around. Whenever 
I had a problem with the BBS, they were there with all the help I needed.  
I am hoping to make the next gathering of SPITFIRE Sysops.  And am very 
proud to be picked to be the Sysop-of-the-Month, a dream I never thought 
would happen.  Keep up the good work.  I'm sitting on the edge of my chair 
waiting for SPITFIRE's new upgrade. 

    "In closing, like we say here, come on down to The Leprechaun Castle 
and see if you can find your 'POT o' GOLD.'"

    Fascinatin', listening to Jeff...fascinatin' mainly because he is
echoing the experiences and dreams of all of us who are Sysops.  -Ed.
            
    
͸
  NEWLY REGISTERED SPITFIRE SYSTEMS 
;

   A hearty welcome is extended to the following, who have
recently become public registered SPITFIRE Bulletin Board Systems:


PR PC Info Service...........................809-740-8135....2400 Baud
Carlos Quintana, Sysop............................Bayamon, Puerto Rico

The Cop Shoppe!..............................404-949-9162...14400 Baud
Fred Stemp, Sysop..................................Union City, Georgia

L.I.F.E. BBS.................................407-676-7788....2400 Baud
Wayne Helsby, Sysop.................................Melbourne, Florida

Lost Satellite BBS...........................614-922-6201....2400 Baud
Mike Biddlestone, Sysop.............................Uhrichsville, Ohio

Jim's Place BBS.............................Phone Unknown....2400 Baud
Jim Eslinger, Sysop...............................Linn Creek, Missouri

Flagship BBS.................................908-323-9552...14400 Baud
Marty Hoffman, Sysop.............................Lakehurst, New Jersey

The Badgers Byte.............................402-376-3120....9600 Baud
Richard Roosa, Sysop...............................Valentine, Nebraska

The Bat Cave.................................405-920-1162....9600 Baud
Larry Speaks, Sysop...................................Durant, Oklahoma

The Land of Fantasies........................515-284-0059....2400 Baud
Ben Garcia Jr., Sysop.................................Des Moines, Iowa

The Glory Road BBS...........................803-592-9317....2400 Baud
Ken Kirkley, Sysop...............................Inman, South Carolina

The LightHouse BBS...........................803-949-0199...14400 Baud
Jim Quick, Sysop.................................Lyman, South Carolina

Starlink BBS.................................206-252-8932...14400 Baud
Ed Boress, Sysop...................................Everett, Washington

The NightLife BBS............................503-296-9834...14400 Baud
Cliff and Susana Emberg, Sysop......................The Dalles, Oregon

Shane's BBS..................................402-334-0479....2400 Baud
Shane Haggstrom, Sysop.................................Omaha, Nebraska  

LSI Online...................................513-793-8042...14400 Baud
LSI Lighting Systems, Sysop...........................Cincinnati, Ohio

Devil's Island BBS............................708-690-8879...9600 Baud
Bob Batek, Sysop.....................................Wheaton, Illinois

Mission Control BBS...........................602-882-3914...2400 Baud
Bruce Wiley, Sysop.....................................Tucson, Arizona

Amizone BBS..................................814-838-9386...14400 Baud
Matt Wilcko, Sysop..................................Erie, Pennsylvania

Cop Shop....................................Phone Unknown...14400 Baud
Clarence Fung, Sysop................................Radcliff, Kentucky

OPA's Mini BBS...............................214-424-0153....2400 Baud
David Marshall, Sysop.....................................Plano, Texas

Iowa Dept. Revenue & Finance.............Phone Unknown....Unknown Baud
Iowa Dept. Revenue & Finance, Sysop...................Des Moines, Iowa

PC-Bull......................................209-277-8368....2400 Baud
Fresno PC Users Group, Sysop........................Fresno, California

Shadow Castle BBS............................616-965-3789...14400 Baud
Jeffrey Harvey, Sysop...........................Battle Creek, Michigan

THE MADHOUSE!................................319-355-8846...14400 Baud
Jerry Downs, Sysop....................................Bettendorf, Iowa

Wild Guys BBS..........................01-44-480-61723....Baud Unknown
Neil Powell, Sysop.........................................APO Address

The Main Street BBS..........................515-628-3101...14400 Baud
Steve Jansen, Sysop........................................Pella, Iowa

Hank's BBS................................Phone Unknown...Baud Unknown
David Soderdahl, Sysop.............................Ingleside, Illinois

Red Shift BBS................................908-224-0617...14400 Baud
Al Crowton Consulting, Sysop......................Red Bank, New Jersey

Southern Bytes...............................706-602-8153....9600 Baud
John Williams, Sysop..................................Calhoun, Georgia

Type Too! Basement BBS.......................513-451-8990....2400 Baud
Mike Nelson, Sysop....................................Cincinnati, Ohio

Christians Unite.............................671-632-1886....2400 Baud
Bruce Dinsman, Sysop......................................Dededo, Guam

All Forces BBS...............................214-467-8765....9600 Baud
Thomas Lacey, Sysop......................................Dallas, Texas

Deano's Hot Dog Stand!.......................313-292-2355....2400 Baud
Timothy Borbas, Sysop.................................Taylor, Michigan

Fantasy Gamer's Association..................515-255-1941...14400 Baud
Chris Winterscheid, Sysop.............................Des Moines, Iowa

The Unlimited BBS............................519-969-6580...14400 Baud
Mike Poirier, Sysop.........................Maidstone, Ontario, Canada

Emergency Response BBS.......................707-526-9875....2400 Baud
Sonoma County Fire Department, Sysop............Santa Rosa, California

Orthodox Bulletin Board......................404-577-0302...14400 Baud
Blessed John Eastern Orthodox Church, Sysop...........Atlanta, Georgia

Silver Fox...................................812-685-2623...38400 Baud
Robert Bowles, Sysop.................................Birdseye, Indiana

The Final Frontier...........................706-638-5918....2400 Baud
New Innovations, Inc., Sysop........................LaFayette, Georgia

The Lone Dog BBS.............................708-263-9848...14400 Baud
William Poteet, Sysop...............................Waukegan, Illinois


   In addition, there were 8 new private SPITFIRE BBS Systems
registered.  These private SPITFIRE BBS's included registrations
from: Marshalltown, Iowa; Indianapolis, Indiana; Chicago, Illinois;
Hamilton, Ohio; Richardson, Texas; Olympia, Washington; San Diego,
California; and Little Rock, Arkansas.

   There were 9 registrations for whom registration information was
incomplete.  These included BBS's in: Brantford, Ontario, Canada; 
Calgary, Albany, Canada; Odessa, Texas; Vandergrift, Pennsylvania;
Plainville, Connecticut; Marion, Indiana; Murray, Utah; Marystown,
Newfoundland, Canada; and St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada.
New Jersey; San Jose, California and Pineallas Park, Florida.

   The increase in registrations where information is incomplete is 
largely due to Buffalo Creek's Software's new policy of accepting 
on-line Mastercard and Visa credit card registrations.


   JUST A REMINDER...the newsletter is always looking for contributions!  
Please forward any articles in ASCII text to either Buffalo Creek's BBS 
or The Mother Board BBS.  
