     The  F I D O N E W S      Volume 20, Number 50             15 Dec 2003 
     +--------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
     | |The newsletter of the | | Fido, Fidonet and dog-with-diskette are |
     | |  FidoNet community.  | | US Registered Trademarks of Tom Jennings|
     | |                      | |     San Francisco, California, USA      |
     | |          ____________| |                                         |
     | |         /  __          | Crash netmail articles to:              |
     | |        /  /  \         |          Editor @ 2:2/2 (+46-31-944907) |
     | | WOOF! (  /|oo \        | Routed netmail articles to:             |
     |  \_______\(_|  /_)       |          Bjorn Felten @ 2:203/0         |
     |            _ @/_ \    _  | Email attach to:                        |
     |           |     | \   \\ |          bfelten@telia.com              |
     |           | (*) |  \   ))|                                         |
     |           |__U__| /  \// |         Editor: Bjrn Felten            |
     |   ______   _//|| _\   /  |                                         |
     |  / Fido \ (_/(_|(____/   |   Newspapers should have no friends.    |
     | (________)       (jm)    |                    -- JOSEPH PULITZER   |
     +--------------------------+-----------------------------------------+
            Copyright 2003 by Fidonews Editor for Fidonews Globally.


                        Table of Contents
     1. EDITORIAL  ................................................  1
        Policy changes, the Wright Bros. and Saddam  ..............  1
     2. GENERAL ARTICLES  .........................................  3
        FidoNet Policy Amendment process announcement  ............  3
     3. FIDONET SOFTWARE REVIEWS  .................................  9
        Synchronet Version 3.11a-Win32 Beta  ......................  9
     4. FRANK'S COLUMN - FRANK VEST  .............................. 10
        Raising My Hand  .......................................... 10
     5. FIDONET'S INTERNATIONAL KITCHEN  .......................... 11
        Swedish meatballs  ........................................ 11
     6. BEN RITCHEY'S FIDONET SOFTWARE LISTING  ................... 13
        FIDONet Software References  .............................. 13
     7. SPECIAL INTEREST  ......................................... 18
        Nodelist Stats  ........................................... 18
     8. FIDONEWS INFORMATION  ..................................... 20
        How to Submit an Article  ................................. 20
        Credits, Legal Infomation, Availability  .................. 22
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 1                   15 Dec 2003


     =================================================================
                                 EDITORIAL
     =================================================================

               Policy changes, the Wright Bros. and Saddam

     Phew, is that an odd mixture or what? :)

        The effort to change the FidoNet policy goes on. Once started as an
     effort to change the part, that says that the FidoNews Editor must
     have the node number 1:1/1 (rather awkward to this editor, that is
     located in zone 2), it now has grown into a much bigger change.
     Somewhat unfortunate, I think. It would have been much easier to just
     make the change from 4.07 to 4.08, with only the FidoNews paragraph
     changed.

        But now it seems like, after almost two years of hard work by some
     (and the most obstruction possible, made by a few), it's entering its
     final state. I took advantage of my position as an editor to make some
     suggestions to corrections; those are marked by our usual, FidoNet
     quoting marks.

        Please regard them as only suggestions from someone, that did not
     get the English language with his mother's milk. I must admit I often
     have a hard time deciding whether to use plural or singular endings in
     English, and from what I've seen, so do even the natives. :)

                                 *  *  *

        Come Wednesday, it's exactly 100 years since Orville Wright placed
     himself in the history books. I'm sure I don't need to tell you what
     he did. But us Europeans will of course not miss the opportunity to
     point out, that the Wright brothers never could have done what they
     did, had it not been for a certain German scientist.

        Did you know, by the way, where words like 'aviator', 'avionics'
     etc. all come from? I guess most of you think it's derived from some
     old Greek or Latin word, but actually it's a French acronym.

        On October 9, 1890, 13 years before the Wright brothers, frenchman
     Clment Adr took off in a steam engine propelled plane, managing to
     get 30cm above ground. Unfortunately he was not so lucky as to have a
     photographer around to document his feat, so there went fame for his
     part.

        Anyway, he called his planes (he made several) not plane but Flying
     Apparatus that Imitates the Birds in the Nature, which in my rusty
     school-French becomes something like Appareil Volant Imitant les
     Oiseaus Naturelles, AVION for short. So I guess you can say, that
     Clment got himself a place in the history books after all, even if
     only indirectly.

                                 *  *  *

        Breaking news today is that Saddam has been captured. The strange
     thing is, that he had a full beard, the size of which those of us that
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 2                   15 Dec 2003


     have had such a facial garment, know takes several years to grow. At
     first the news said that he had a false beard; betcha that someone was
     surprised when that soemone tried to rip it off.

        Anyway, this means either that the Saddam we've seen, in numerous
     shots on the news for the last couple of years, must all have been his
     doubles appearing. Or, it means that, at least on one of those
     pictures, it was the real, clean shaved with a short haircut, Saddam,
     meaning the now captured guy is one of the doubles, possibly trying to
     hide from his countrymen that he knew would string him up in the
     nearby lamppost without any trial.

        Well, at least we know this guy got himself a thorough medical
     examination. I just wonder why so much of it was performed in his
     mouth. Were there concerns he might have caught the mouth & foot
     disease, or even herpes, perhaps?

        Saddam, with all his millions and millions of dollars available,
     hiding in a spiderhole in the backyard of a farm? C'mon now, gimme a
     effin break! Well, some people believe in Santa, and the Tooth Fairy
     even, and everyone is entitled to his or her belief.


     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 3                   15 Dec 2003


     =================================================================
                             GENERAL ARTICLES
     =================================================================


           FidoNet Policy Amendment process announcement

     More than a year ago, several nodes gathered in the FIDOPOLS echo to
     discuss drafting a Policy amendment proposal. What started as a trial
     change to the FidoNews Editor address, ended up becoming what we
     believe is an answer to the "Policy can't be changed" theory. With a
     few relatively simple adjustments to specific sections, and some
     equitable additions, this proposed amendment will better enable our
     network to enact future changes as times and events require.

     As of this writing, some 32 RC's have connected to the IC echo to read
     and discuss this proposal, debate any possible changes to it, and then
     (after consulting with their respective regions) vote on whether they
     want to refer the ensuing draft to the network for ratification. We
     believe, given due consideration, this amendment can, and should,
     succeed.

     All Regional Coordinators not already linked to the IC echo are asked
     to request it, and join in the process. It is anticipated that the
     process will take 60 days to complete (30 to discuss the proposal, and
     30 to refer it to the regional nodes). As in all matters regarding
     operation of the network, your participation is an important
     responsibility, one that should be neither ignored nor taken lightly.

     With the help of other originators, I will be in the echo to answer
     any questions you might have, and offer as clear clarifications as
     possible. In addition, both Spanish and Russian translations of the
     proposal and the summary are available on request from 1:105/38 or
     fidobbs@juno.com.

     Regards,

     Bob Short, 1:105/38, fidobbs@juno.com
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Policy amendment proposal synopsis

     Following is a summary of proposed changes to Policy 4.07.


     - Removing specific contact info for the FidoNews editor, to allow for
       an editor outside of Zone one.

     - Removing specific dates and numbers from the opening historical
       preamble.

     - Several changes to, and a clearer formatting of, section 8,
       including:

     Enumeration of the 3 stages of policy change (Initiation, Referendum,
     and Ratification).
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 4                   15 Dec 2003


     Adding minimum votes required in each stage to validate each one. IE:
     5% for initiation, 10% for referendum, and 10% for ratification.

     Designating "abstain" as a validating vote only, yet not counted
     either as "yes" or "no".

     Allowing the IC to name a delegate(s) to oversee the process of policy
     change, and adding provisions for cases where the IC position is empty
     during policy change proceedings.

     Changing the requirements for referendum to a majority of responding
     RC's, instead of all RC's.

     Adding that initiations to policy be accompanied by a synopsis of the
     proposed changes, with reasons why they are desired, and suggesting it
     be preceded by informal debate and agreement among the drafters.

     Placing specific lengths to periods of debate and voting during the
     initiation and ratification stages, and minimum time periods for
     voting.

     Removing the "voting on multiple documents" reference, and calling for
     separate ballots for each proposal, yet allowing for sequential
     ballots within a voting period.

     Requiring that any proposal include amendments to all relevant
     sections, to avoid inconsistencies to a ratified document.

     Re-referencing pointers in 8.7 (Impeachment) to pertinent sections.
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------



                      Proposal to amend FidoNet Policy version 4.07
     -----------------------------------------------------------

     **Remove the following sentence:

     (There are no differences between this version and 4.06 except the
     statement above.)
     -----------------------------------------------------------


     1.1  Introduction

     FidoNet is an amateur electronic mail system. As such, all of its
     participants and operators are unpaid volunteers. From its early
     beginning as a few friends swapping messages back and forth (1984), it
     now (1989) includes over 5,000 systems on six continents.

     **Be amended as follows:

     1.1  Introduction

     FidoNet is an amateur electronic mail system. As such, all of its
     participants and operators are unpaid volunteers. From it's beginning
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 5                   15 Dec 2003


     in 1984 as a few friends exchanging messages, it has grown into a
     truly global network.
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------


     1.3.1  FidoNews

     FidoNews is a weekly newsletter distributed in electronic form
     throughout the network. It is an important medium by which FidoNet
     sysops communicate with each other. FidoNews provides a sense of being
     a community of people with common interests. Accordingly, sysops and
     users are encouraged to contribute to FidoNews. Contributions are
     submitted to node 1:1/1; a file describing the format to be used is
     available from 1:1/1 and many other systems.

     **Be amended as follows:

     1.3.1  FidoNews

     FidoNews is a weekly newsletter distributed in electronic form
     throughout the Network. It is a very important medium by which FidoNet
     participants, including sysops, points, and users alike, communicate
     with each other, and helps to provide a communal sense of people with
     common interests. Thusly, participants are encouraged to both read and
     contribute to FidoNews. All contributions are submitted to the
     FidoNews Editor via the contact method(s) listed at the beginning of
     each issue, or may be addressed to the node number listed under
     FidoNews_Editor in the latest FidoNet nodelist. A description of the
     required format for submissions is listed at the bottom of each issue,
     and available on file from the Editor, as well as many other FidoNet
     systems.
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------


     8  Referenda

     ** Be replaced entirely by:

     8  Policy Revision
      > 8  Policy Revisions
      >                   ^

     The procedures described in this section are used to ratify a new
     version of FidoNet Policy, which is the mechanism by which Policy is
     changed, and are divided into three stages: Initiation, Referendum,
     and Ratification. Each stage must attain a minimum number of votes for
     validation, before the next stage may occur. Only "Yes" and "No"
     responses are counted. Abstain is not considered a valid vote,
     although does count toward any quorum.

     Network and Regional Coordinators function as the representatives of
     the rank and file members of FidoNet, and as such are expected to
     solicit the opinions of their member nodes, and vote accordingly.

     These procedures are also used to impeach a Zone Coordinator. (see
      > These procedures are also used to impeach a Zone Coordinator. (See
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 6                   15 Dec 2003


      >                                                                ^
     section 8.7)

     8.1  Eligibility to vote

     8.1.1

     In the initiation and ratification stages, each FidoNet coordinator at
     and above Network Coordinator is entitled to one vote. In the
     referendum stage, only Regional Coordinators may vote. Echomail
     Coordinators can not vote.

     8.1.2

     A Coordinator holding the positions of both Network and Regional
     Coordinator may cast only one vote according to the combined will of
     both the Network and the Region served.

     8.1.3

     In the case of a coordinator position changing hands during any stage
     of the process, the outgoing coordinator votes. If the outgoing
     coordinator can not cast the vote for any reason, the new coordinator
     does so, according to the consensus arrived at by the previous
     coordinator.

     8.2 Initiation

     8.2.1

     A referendum on Policy modification is initiated when a 5% minimum, in
     any combination, of all eligible voters (as defined in section 8.1)
     give notice to the International Coordinator that they wish to
     consider an amendment to, or a new version of, Policy.

     8.2.2

     The International Coordinator, or his delegate(s), must attempt to
     notify all Regional Coordinators of the request via netmail within 21
     days, and publish a notification in the next edition of FidoNews.
     Regional Coordinators will then have 30 days to consult their
     constituents and respond to the referendum according to the consensus
     of their respective regions.

     8.2.3

     If the International Coordinator position is vacant during a Policy
     amendment initiation, referendum, ratification or enactment phase, the
     Zone Coordinator Council (or their delegate) shall fulfill the
     prescribed duties in lieu of an International Coordinator.

     Any request for referendum initiation must be accompanied by a
     description of the proposed changes, and include a synopsis of why the
     changes are desired.


     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 7                   15 Dec 2003


     8.3  Referendum

     A vote to ratify amendments to, or new versions of, Policy is mandated
     when a majority of Regional Coordinators responding to a referendum,
     indicate that they wish to consider a Policy change. Referendum
     validation requires that a 10% minimum of all Regional Coordinators
     respond.


     8.4  Ratification

     Upon successful initiation and referendum, the International
     Coordinator must announce and conduct a ballot to ratify a Policy
     amendment. The actual voting mechanism, including how the ballots are
     collected, verified, and counted, is left to the discretion of the
     International Coordinator.

     8.4.1

     In order to provide a discussion period, the announcement of any
     ballot must be made at least 30 days before the date of voting
     commencement. A balloting period must be at least 21 days.

     8.4.2

     A Policy amendment is considered in force if, at the end of the
     balloting period, it receives a majority of affirmative votes. A 10%
     minimum of all eligible voters (as defined in section 8.1) is required
     for validation. For example, if there are 600 coordinators, a minimum
     of 60 must vote to validate the stage. If 100 cast ballots, then at
     least 51 must vote yes to declare the amendment in force.


     8.5  Announcement and Results Notification
      > 8.5  Announcements and Results Notification
      >                  ^

     Proposed changes to Policy are distributed using the same structure
     used to distribute the weekly nodelist difference files and FidoNews.
     Announcements, proposals and results related to the referendum and
     balloting are distributed by the Coordinator structure as a part of
     the weekly nodelist difference file. The International Coordinator
     provides copies to the editor of FidoNews for inclusion therein,
     although the official announcement and voting dates are tied to
     nodelist distributions.

     If adopted, the International Coordinator sets the effective date for
     a new version of Policy through announcements in the weekly nodelist
     difference files and in the next issue of FidoNews. The effective date
     will be not more than one month after the close of balloting.


     8.6  Voting as individual ballots

     Amendment proposals are presented and voted on as individual ballots,
     although more than one ballot may be presented consecutively in a
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 8                   15 Dec 2003


     given voting period.


     ** The following changes are in references to sections 8.1 - 8.6 only.

     8.7  Impeachment of a Zone Coordinator

     8.7.1  Initiation

     In extreme cases, a Zone Coordinator may be impeached by referendum.
     Impeachment of a Zone Coordinator does not require a Policy violation.
     An impeachment proceeding is invoked when a majority of the Regional
     Coordinators in a zone request the International Coordinator to
      > Coordinators in a zone requests the International Coordinator to
      >                               ^
     institute it.

     8.7.2  Procedure as in Policy Referendum

     The provisions of sections 8.1 and 8.6 apply to impeachment referenda.

     The definition of "majority" in section 8.4.2 applies. Only
     coordinators in the affected zone vote (even if the zone coordinator
     is also the International Coordinator).

     8.7.3  Voting Mechanism

     The balloting procedures are set, the votes are collected, and the
     results are announced by a Regional Coordinator chosen by the Zone
     Coordinator who is being impeached. The removal of the Zone
      > The balloting procedures are set, the votes are collected, and a
      > Regional Coordinator, chosen by the Zone Coordinator who is being
      > impeached, announces the results. The removal of the Zone
     Coordinator is effective two weeks after the end of balloting if the
     impeachment carries.

     8.7.4  Limited to once per year

     The removal of a Zone Coordinator is primarily intended to be a
     mechanism by which the net as a whole expresses displeasure with the
     way Policy is being interpreted. At one time or another, everyone is
     unhappy with the way policy is interpreted. In order to keep the Zone
     Coordinators interpreting policy as opposed to defending themselves,
     at least one full calendar year must elapse between impeachment
     referenda (regardless of how many people hold the position of Zone
     Coordinator during that year.)

     Should a Zone Coordinator resign during an impeachment process, the
     process is considered null and void, and does not consume the "once
     per year quota".


     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 9                   15 Dec 2003


     =================================================================
                         FIDONET SOFTWARE REVIEWS
     =================================================================

                      Synchronet Version 3.11a-Win32 Beta
                             http://www.synchro.net


     Version 3.11a-Win32 Beta is now available as an upgrade (311aBeta.zip)
     from v3.1x (e.g. v3.10L beta or v3.11a alpha).

     For a (nearly) complete detailed list of what's changed since v3.10,
     see http://www.synchro.net/docs/v311_new.html

     Some highlights include:

      New JSexec program to execute Synchronet JavaScript modules
     externally (e.g. as CGI scripts, external services, background timed
     events, etc.)

      Support for External Mail Processors written entirely in JavaScript
     (e.g. SPAM filters, content managers, list servers, file requesters,
     auto-responders etc.)

      Much improved JavaScript reliability (using thread-safe js32.dll)

      Numerous improvements and additions to the Synchronet JavaScript
     Object Model

      Much improved Telnet/RLogin performance (better utilization of TCP
     packet sizes)

      Synchronet NT Services for running Synchronet on Windows NT-based
     OSes without logging on

      Numerous Control Panel (GUI) improvements (e.g. previewing and
     editing Baja source, configuration, text and menu files, improved
     sysop chat and spy features)

      Mail Server supports SMTP authentication, QWKnet mail routing,
     additional anti-SPAM measures, and much more

      Cyan's IRC Daemon Service (100% JavaScript)

     Version 3.11a Beta is also available for Linux and *BSD in source
     format.


     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 10                  15 Dec 2003


     =================================================================
                        FRANK'S COLUMN - FRANK VEST
     =================================================================

                                Raising My Hand
                                 By Frank Vest
                                  1:124/6308.1

      I guess I should raise my hand in response to Bjrn's Editorial of
     last week. Yes, I've been guilty of not writing articles. My only real
     excuse (if there is such a thing as a real excuse) is that I got busy
     and kind of tired of being the only reporter for the Fidonews.

      What prompted me to write again was the thought that the Fidonet
     Policy update might have a chance of moving forward. I suppose that's
     a good excuse to write. :)

      It is good to see our Fidonews Editor writing editorials again. I
     encourage him to continue in this. I also encourage all of you that
     read the Fidonews in file, echo or internet format to also write
     articles. It really isn't that hard to do and I know that some of you
     can write messages in abundance. Writing an article isn't much
     different. <wink>

      FWIW, Fidonews articles do not have to be long on words. Some things
     are best when kept brief. You don't have to be a professional writer
     either. Some of the best stories one can hear or read are from people
     that are not professionals. If you've ever sat around a campfire and
     listened to people tell stories, you'll know what I mean. :)

     There. That wasn't very long on words. Was it? :-)


     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 11                  15 Dec 2003


     =================================================================
                      FIDONET'S INTERNATIONAL KITCHEN
     =================================================================

                             Swedish meatballs

        This is a traditional Swedish recipe. It is served at the
     smrgsbord and also at Christmas in Swedish homes (as one of many
     dishes). It is however usually served with brown sauce, potatoes and
     lingonberry jam at lunch or dinner. Kids just love the meatballs with
     pasta and ketchup, but generally have meatballs of all variations on
     top of their list of favourite meals.

        Ingredients (4 Servings):

        200g ground beef
        200g ground pork
        1dl bread crumbs
        2dl milk
        1 small onion
        1 egg
        salt and pepper

        Brown sauce:

        4dl beef stock
        3cl wheat-flour
        3cl soy sauce

        Mince the onion and fry until soft. Whip egg and milk with salt and
     pepper. Mix with ground meat and onion. Don't mix too long, or the fat
     will separate. Let it soak for 10 minutes. Mix with breadcrumbs and
     let swell for another half to one hour.

        Mix the stock and the soy sauce and put to a boil.

        Form meat mixture into small balls with your hands. This is easiest
     to do with wet hands. The size of the balls can vary a little, but a
     small walnut is about the right size. It can be a little bit tricky to
     get the balls round, but after a while you get the hang of it. Oh, by
     the way, kids also love to help *making* meatballs (not just eating
     them)!

        A pro usually uses a tablespoon in one hand and forms the balls
     scraping the mixture a couple of times in the palm of their, slightly
     cupped, other hand. You could try and see if you're more comfortable
     with that method -- one often ends up with eggshaped balls that way.

        Heat one third of the butter in a heavy frying-pan (medium hot).
     Fry the balls, one third at a time, for about 5 minutes. Turn them
     around, quite often, to get them evenly fried. The balls should get
     dark brown. After each round, sprinkle the pan with one third of the
     flour and let it get some colour. Then whisk out the pan with one
     third of of the stock and strain it into a container for later use.
     Don't forget to put in more butter after each round.

     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 12                  15 Dec 2003


        When all the meatballs have been fried, put in the sauce from the
     container and let it simmer for a couple of minutes. Put in the
     meatballs and let them get hot for another couple of minutes.

        The meatballs are perfect to keep in the freezer, then you
     obviously don't make the sauce.

        Note 1:
        The breadcrumbs were originally used to make the meat go further.
     To avoid getting it all too dry, they first were soaked in milk, and
     this is actually what most recipes still say. But today the reason for
     the breadcrumbs are no longer economical, it's a matter of texture.

        So to get the most out of it, the eggmilk mixture should first be
     mixed with the meat, so that all the juices from the meat can be
     dissolved by the milk, and *then* the breadcrumbs are added. That way
     they take up all the flavours and don't just taste like breadcrumbs
     soaked in milk.

        Note 2:
        If you have an electric, thermostat controlled fryer, it is much
     more easy to get perfectly shaped balls, since the surface of the
     balls contracts evenly, thereby shaping them. Put the fryer on 190C
     and fry one third at a time for abt. five minutes. Put them on a piece
     of paper to dry out the excess oil. This is the preferred method if
     you don't want to make the brown sauce to go with the meatballs.


     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 13                  15 Dec 2003


     =================================================================
                  BEN RITCHEY'S FIDONET SOFTWARE LISTING
     =================================================================

                    -=:{ FIDONet Software Reference }:=-

         Type: M=Mailer  T=Tosser  B=BBS  D=Door  C=Comm/Terminal
               P=Points  E=Editor  I=Internet  U=Utility  ?=Info

     .- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -.
     |Software: Author     |Type |URL, Contact, Ver, Notes      Help Node|
     `- - - - - - - - - - -+- - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -'

      Argus                |M    |http://www.ritlabs.com/argus/  2:469/84
                           |     | argus@ritlabs.com  Tel: 373-2-246889
                           |     | v3.210 on Mar 20th 2001

      BeeMail:             |M    |http://beemail.gexonline.net   1:105/10
       Stephen Proffit     |     | beemail@gexonline.net

      BinkleyTerm XE       |M    |http://btxe.sourceforge.net     1:1/102
                           |     | v2.60XE/Gamma-6 on Nov 11th 1998

      BinkD                |MI   |http://2f.ru/binkd/
                           |     | maloff@corbina.net
                           |     | v0.94 on Jul 24th 2000

      FIDO-Deluxe IP       |MPUI |http://www.fido-deluxe.de.vu 2:2432/280
       Michael Haase       |     | m.haase@gmx.net
                           |     | v2.4 on Sep 26th 2003

      Fidonet to Internet: |MI   |http://www.terminate.com
       Bo Bendtsen         |     | sales@terminate.com
                           |     | v2.00 on Mar 23rd 1997

      FrontDoor, FD/APX:   |MTPC |http://www.defsol.se          2:201/330
       Definite Solutions  |     | sales@defsol.se                1:1/101
                           |     | v2.26SW & v2.33ml FD, v1.15 APX

      Husky Project        |MTPUI|http://sf.net/projects/husky/
                           |     | v1.4 RC2 on Sep 22nd 2003

      InterMail, InterEcho |MT   |http://www.ifido.com            1:1/133
                           |     | bob@nwstar.com
                           |     | v2.50 IM, v1.19 IE

      Radius (based on     |M    |http://radius.pp.ru           2:5012/38
               Argus)      |     | fido5012@zaural.net Tel: 7-3522-469463
                           |     | v4.009 on Jan 2nd 2003

      Terminate            |MBP  |http://www.terminate.com
                           |     | v5.00 on Aug 7th 1997

      Tmail                |MI   |http://www.tmail.spb.ru  v2608

      WildCat! Interactive |MTBEI|http://www.santronics.com
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 14                  15 Dec 2003


       Net Server, Platinum|     | sales@santronics.com
       Xpress: Santronics  |     | Tel: (305) 248-3204
       Software, Inc.      |     | AUP 450.2 on Jul 9th 2002
     +- - - - - - - - - - -+- - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -+

      Fidogate             |TUI  |http://www.fidogate.org
                           |     | Martin_Junius@m-j-s.net  v4.4.4

      FMail                |T    |http://fmail.nl.eu.org       2:280/1076
                           |     | wijnstra@fmail.nl.eu.org  v1.60

      JetMail: JetSys      |TU   |http://www.jetsys.de  js@jetsys.de
       (ATARI ST only)     |     | v1.01 on Jan 1st 2000

      Squish               |T    |http://www.lanius.com
                           |     | sales@lanius.com  v1.11
                           |     |http://www.vector11.com/maximus/

      Watergate            |TUI  |http://www2.sbbs.se/hp/ramon/
                           |     | ramon@sbbs.se
                           |     | v0.93p9 on Dec 14th 1998
     +- - - - - - - - - - -+- - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -+

      BBBS                 |BI   |http://www.bbbs.net  b@bbbs.net
                           |     | v4.00MP on Oct 25th 1999      2:22/222

      ELEBBS: The Elevator |B    |http://www.elebbs.com
       Software Production |     | elebbs@elebbs.com
                           |     | v0.10.RC1 on Jun 9th 2002

      EZYCom BBS           |BT   |http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~dcbbs/
                           |     | pjs@optushome.com.au         3:633/104
                           |     | v2.0 on 3 May 2003

      Falken BBS           |B    |http://falkenbbs.com
                           |     | v12.0 on Feb 2nd 2002

      Hermes II Project    |B    |http://www.hermesii.org
                           |     | info@HermesII.org  v3.5.9 Beta Final

      Maximus BBS          |B    |http://www.lanius.com
                           |     | sales@lanius.com  v3.01
                           |     |http://www.vector11.com/maximus/

      MBSE BBS:            |BI   |http://mbse.sourceforge.net  2:280/2802
       Michiel Broek       |     | mbroek@users.sourceforge.net
                           |     | v0.33.21 on Jun 4th 2002

      Mystic BBS           |B    |http://www.mysticbbs.com
                           |     | v1.07.3 on May 13th 2001

      Nexus BBS            |B    |http://www.nexusbbs.net
                           |     | groberts@nexusbbs.net
                           |     | v0.99.41.001 beta on Jun 10th 2001

      Proboard BBS         |B    |http://www.proboard.be
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 15                  15 Dec 2003


                           |     | v2.17 on Jun 9th 2002

      RemoteAccess BBS:    |B    |http://www.rapro.com            1:1/120
       Bruce Morse         |     | bfmorse@rapro.com
                           |     | v2.62.2SW

      Spitfire BBS: Buffalo|B    |http://www.angelfire.com/ia/buffalo/
       Creek Software      |     | MDWoltz@aol.com                1:1/150
                           |     | v3.6 on Aug 20th 1999

      Synchronet BBS       |BT   |http://www.synchro.net
                           |     | sysop(at)vert(dot)synchro(dot)net
                           |     | v3.10L Beta

      Telegard BBS         |B    |http://www.telegard.net
                           |     | support@telegard.net
                           |     | v3.09g2 SP4
     +- - - - - - - - - - -+- - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -+

      Atlantis Software    |D    |http://www.jimmyrose.com/atlantis/
                           |     | last update: Jun 2002

      BBS Central          |D    |http://www.rpcomputers.com

      Bentstone            |D    |http://www.srupc.com/mall
       Capabilities Group  |     | info@stonebenders.com

      Cheepware:           |D    |http://www.midnightshour.org/cheepware/
       Sean Dennis         |     | hausmaus@midnightshour.org    1:11/200

      DDS (Doorware        |D    |http://www.doorgames.org     1:2404/201
       Distribution System)|     | ruth@doorgames.org
       Ruth Argust         |     |

      DoorMUD              |D    |http://www.dmud.thebbs.org
                           |     | v0.98 Jun 1st 2002

      Elysium Software     |D    |http://www.elysoft.com
                           |     | mpreslar@mailcity.com

      Jibben Software      |D    |http://www.jibbensoftware.com
                           |     | scott@jibben.com
                           |     | 1995-99 Release dates

      JNS Software:        |D    |http://www.geocities.com/jnssoftware/
       Rusty Johnson       |     | rustyjohnson57@hotmail.com
                           |     | Tel: (304) 733-0113

      John Dailey Software |D    |http://www.johndaileysoftware.com
                           |     | support@johndaileysoftware.com

      LORD (Legend of the  |D    |http://www.lordlegacy.org
       Red Dragon) Reborn  |     | mike@lordlegacy.org
                           |     | v4.06 on Feb 5th 2001

      Lord-II IGMs         |D    |http://www.shelby.net/wizards/lord2igm/
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 16                  15 Dec 2003


      PC Pursuits          |D    |http://www.pcpursuits.com
                           |     | brucep@pop.kis.net
                           |     | Tel: (301) 240-6653

      Shining Star         |D    |http://www.shiningstar.net/bbsdoors/
                           |     | nannette@shiningstar.net

      Sunrise Doors:       |D    |http://www.sunrisedoors.com
       Al Lawrence         |     | al@sunrisedoors.com
                           |     | Tel: (404) 256-9518

      The Brainex System   |D    |http://www.brainex.com/brainex_system/
                           |     | stanley@brainex.com  1994-99 Releases

      Trade Wars           |D    |http://www.eisonline.com/tradewars/
                           |     | jpritch@eisonline.com
                           |     | v3.09 (DOS-32) in 2002

      Vagabond Software:   |D    |http://www.vbsoft.org        1:124/7013
       Bryan Turner        |     | vagabond@vbsoft.org
                           |     | last update: Jul 17th 2002

      (various)            |D    |http://www.webnexus.com/users/etow/
     +- - - - - - - - - - -+- - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -+

      APoint               |PI   |http://www.apoint-mail.de
                           |     | dirk.pokorny@apoint-mail.de
                           |     | v1.25                   2:2426/1210.13

      CrossPoint (XP)      |P    |http://www.crosspoint.de
                           |     | pm@crosspoint.de  v3.12d Dec 22nd 1999
      FreeXP               |P    |http://www.freexp.de         2:2433/460
                           |     | support@freexp.de
                           |     | v3.40 RC3 Aug 31st 2003 (Snapshot)
      OpenXP/32            |PI   |http://www.openxp.com        2:248/2004
                           |     | mk@openxp.de  v3.8.7 beta Aug 3rd 2002

      PPoint               |P    |http://www.alcuf.ca           1:249/114
                           |     | v3.04 on Jan 10th 2000
     +- - - - - - - - - - -+- - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -+

      GoldEd+              |E    |http://mik.nu/golded-plus/   2:203/6600
                           |     | v1.1.5 Snapshot on Feb 28th 2003

      SqEd32               |E    |http://www.sqed.de
                           |     | v1.15 on Dec 15th 1999

      TimEd                |E    |http://blizzard.dnsalias.org/fidonet
                           |     | mail@ozzmosis.com            /timed
                           |     | v1.11.a5 in March 2003       3:633/267
     +- - - - - - - - - - -+- - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -+

      Allfix               |U    |ftp://ftp.nwstar.com           1:140/12
                           |     | bob@nwstar.com
                           |     | v5.13 (v6?)

     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 17                  15 Dec 2003


      GiGo                 |UI   |http://www.gigo.com
                           |     | v0109 on Jan 9th 1997

      Internet Rex:        |UI   |http://members.shaw.ca/InternetRex/
       Charles Cruden      |     | telnet://xanadubbs.ca        1:342/806
       (Khan Software)     |     | v2.29 on Oct 21st 2001

      PeopleComm Terminal  |CUI  |http://www.peoplecomm.org     1:128/148
       (BBS & Telnet w/    |     | edward.williams@adelphia.net
        ZModem)            |     | v1.01a on Feb 11th 2003

      TransNet             |UI   |http://www.ressl.com.ar/transnet/
                           |     | transnet@ressl.com.ar
                           |     | v2.11 on Jul 18th 1998

      TransX: Multiboard   |UI   |http://www.multiboard.com/software/
       Communications, Inc.|     | support@multiboard.com      1:2401/305
                           |     | v3.5
     +- - - - - - - - - - -+- - -+- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -+

      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.org
       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://hobbes.nmsu.edu

      Note: most also provide FTP access (use ftp:// vice http:// above)

     *=-=*=.=*=-=*=.=*=-=*=.=*=-=*=.=*=-=*=.=*=-=*=.=*=-=*=.=*=-=*=.=*=-=*

      Note: Please send corrections & additions to: Ben Ritchey, 1:393/68
               ( or FReq Magic INFO direct for E-mail address )
             WildCat! BBS at +1-337-232-4155  24/7  33.6kBps,8,N,1
          Internet: http://bellsouthpwp.net/c/m/cmech617/fidosoft.txt

      Emeritus: Todd Cochrane, Frank Vest, Peter Popovich


     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 18                  15 Dec 2003


     =================================================================
                             SPECIAL INTEREST
     =================================================================

                         Nodelist Stats

      Input nodelist  nodelist.346
                size  934.1kb
                date  2003-12-12

      The nodelist has   7942 nodes in it
        and a total of  10751 non-comment entries

              including     6 zones
                           58 regions
                          437 hosts
                          565 hubs
         admin overhead  1066 ( 13.42 %)

                    and  1028 private nodes
                          334 nodes down
                          381 nodes on hold
      off line overhead  1743 ( 21.95 %)


      Speed summary:

               >9600 =    653 (  8.22 %)
                9600 =   6899 ( 86.87 %)
                              (HST  =  140 or   2.03 %)
                              (CSP  =    1 or   0.01 %)
                              (PEP  =   11 or   0.16 %)
                              (MAX  =    0 or   0.00 %)
                              (HAY  =    1 or   0.01 %)
                              (V32  = 3640 or  52.76 %)
                              (V32B =  361 or   5.23 %)
                              (V34  = 4618 or  66.94 %)
                              (V42  = 3899 or  56.52 %)
                              (V42B =  380 or   5.51 %)
                2400 =     73 (  0.92 %)
                1200 =      6 (  0.08 %)
                 300 =    311 (  3.92 %)

                ISDN =    666 (  8.39 %)

     ----------------------------------------------------------
      File Req Flag   Applicable software     Number of systems
     ----------------------------------------------------------
      XA              Frontdoor <1.99b             2621
                      Frontdoor  2.02+
                      Dutchie 2.90c
                      Binkleyterm >2.1
                      D'Bridge <1.3
                      TIMS
                      Xenia
     --------------------------------------
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 19                  15 Dec 2003


      XB              Binkleyterm 2.0                 8
                      Dutchie 2.90b
     --------------------------------------
      XC              Opus 1.1                       11
     --------------------------------------
      XP              Seadog                          6
     --------------------------------------
      XR              Opus 1.03                      41
     --------------------------------------
      XW              Fido >12M                     319
                      Tabby
                      KittenMail
     --------------------------------------
      XX              D'Bridge 1.30                3580
                      Frontdoor 1.99b
                      Intermail 2.01
                      T-Mail
     --------------------------------------
      None            QMM                          1356
     --------------------------------------

      CrashMail capable =   2448 ( 30.82 %)
      MailOnly nodes    =   4390 ( 55.28 %)
      Listed-only nodes =    611 (  7.69 %)
      Other             =    493 (  6.21 %)

      [Report produced by NETSTATS - A PD pgm available from 1:106/100]
      [                                 Revised by B Felten, 2:203/208]

     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 20                  15 Dec 2003


     =================================================================
                           FIDONEWS INFORMATION
     =================================================================

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     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 21                  15 Dec 2003


     Send Articles via E-mail or Netmail, file attach or message to:

              Bjrn Felten
     Fidonet  2:2/2
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     -----------------------------------------------------------------
     FIDONEWS 20-50               Page 22                  15 Dec 2003


                    Credits, Legal Infomation, Availability

     + -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --  FIDONEWS STAFF - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- +
     |                                                                |
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