Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
ZIP Magazine Volume 4 Issue 4
Ú-----------------------------------------------------------¿
| É------------------» |
| ±±±±±±±±± Editors: | Volume 4 Issue 4 | |
| ±± Ron Alcorn | July 1991 | |
| ±± W.H. Lambdin È------------------¼ |
| ±± |
| ±±± Here's A Peek At What's Inside! |
| ±± ------------------------------- |
| ±± |
| ±± INTERVIEW WITH FRANK LAROSSA 4 |
| ±±±±±±±±± |
| STEPPING UP TO DOS 5 11 |
| ±±±±±±±±±± |
| ±± BLUFF YOUR WAY IN COMPUTERS 15 |
| ±± |
| ±± ECHO MAIL WITH A DIFFERENCE 21 |
| ±± |
| ±± BATCH TUTORIAL #5 24 |
| ±± |
| ±± CARDINAL VGA 700 26 |
| ±±±±±±±±±± |
| GIFLITE 1.0 29 |
| ±±±±±±±±± |
| ±± ±± VIRUCIDE 2.24 31 |
| ±± ±± |
| ±± ±± |
| ±±±±±±±±± |
| ±± |
| ±± Ú¿ Ú-¿ Ú-¿ Ú-¿ Ú-¿ -Â- ¿  Ú-¿ |
| ±± | | Ã-´ | ¿ Ã-´ / | |À¿| Ã- |
| ±± Á Á Á Á À-Ù Á Á À-Ù -Á- Á ÀÁ À-Ù |
| ----------------------------------- |
| "For Home MS-DOS users" |
| |
| /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ |
| \ "Be sure to read every section in all issues!" / |
| / We hope you enjoy this issue a lot. Thank you! \ |
| \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ |
| ------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| É-------------------------------------------------------» |
| | ¯ ¯ ¯ ¯ ZIP MAGAZINE DIRECT SUPPORT BBS'S ® ® ® ® | |
| Ç-------------------------------------------------------¶ |
| | ZIP BBS "Home Of ZIP Magazine" - HST 14.4K/V.32 9600 | |
| | Call (606) 878-9500 from 7 P.M. to 7 A.M. [EST] | |
| | Intelec Network BBS - 2 V-Series 9600 and 1 HST 9600 | |
| | Call (516) 867-4446, 4447, 4448 - ZIP Magazine Conf | |
| È-------------------------------------------------------¼ |
À-----------------------------------------------------------Ù
É-----------------------------------------------------------»
| |
| TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| |
| VOLUME 4 ISSUE 4 |
| |
Ì-----------------------------------------------------------¹
| |
| EDITORS CORNER .................................. Page 3 |
| INTERVIEW WITH FRANK LAROSSA .................... Page 4 |
| TOM'S TIDBITS ................................... Page 8 |
| STEPPING UP TO DOS 5.0 .......................... Page 11 |
| IN BASKET ....................................... Page 14 |
| IB BLUFF YOUR WAY IN COMPUTERS PART #2 ......... Page 15 |
| IB ECHO MAIL WITH A DIFFERENCE ................. Page 21 |
| IB POETRY CORNER ............................... Page 23 |
| IB BATCH TUTORIAL #5 ........................... Page 24 |
| CARDINAL VGA 700 ................................ Page 26 |
| GIFLITE V1.0 .................................... Page 29 |
| PROGRAMMERS CHALLENGE DEPARTMENT ................ Page 31 |
| VIRUCIDE 2.24 ................................... Page 31 |
| BBS LIST ........................................ Page 35 |
| USERS GROUPS .................................... Page 38 |
| ZIP INFO ........................................ Page 39 |
| AD .............................................. Page 40 |
| |
È-----------------------------------------------------------¼
þþ EDITORS CORNER þþ
I have upgraded to DOS 5.0, and like it much more than all
previous versions. If you have extended or expanded memory,
DOS will load itself into high memory and allow you to have
over 600 K for peograms. Read Upgrading to DOS 5.0 below.
I had a bit of trouble with one of the subscribers to ZIP
Magazine. I mailed the -4-3 issue out to all subscribers.
The one addressed to William R. Fink returned "Address
unknown". Mr. Fink: If you see this. Please send me a
letter with your correct address.
ZS (the program by Ron Alcorn that breaks ZIP Magazine down
to individual articles has been updated.) Please upgrade to
the new version.
þþ INTERVIEW WITH FRANK LAROSA þþ
Creator of Searchlight Software
By: Inez Harrison
When I was first introduced to Frank LaRosa last year, I
smiled and said hello as one does upon meeting a stranger
but after learning that he was the brain behind Searchlight
Software ("SLBBS") I took more of an interest. So this was
the face behind the SLBBS software that I had been seeing
everywhere.
Frank LaRosa is 25 years old, single, born in Queens, and
living StonyBrook.
On with the interview!
Q: Tell us exactly what SLBBS is and how it all started?
A: Searchlight is a bulletin board program: the software
that enables you to turn turn your computer into a BBS
system. Searchlight started in 1985. I had just gotten a
modem for my TRS-80 (1200 baud was the top speed in those
days) and enjoyed it so much, I decided to open my own
board. Back then, there wasn't much BBS software you
could buy, and what there was, wasn't too impressive in
my opinion, so I decided I'd have a go at writing my own
program. The first version of Searchlight was written in
BASIC and ran on a 48K TRS-80 Model III with two 180K
floppy drives. It ran for about 2 years in more or less
the same configuration (more floppy drives were added
later) until I rewrote the program in Turbo Pascal and
switched to a PC in 1987. A few copies of Searchlight
were sold to local Sysops in 1987 but it didn't become
well known until the first shareware version it was
released in '88.
The basic concept behind SLBBS is to design a remote
bulletin board system that uses the kind of interface
you'd expect to find in any modern PC program. Other BBS
programs, no matter how sophisticated they are
internally, rely on simple line-oriented input and
output. Searchlight broke that mold by becoming one of
the first systems with built in full screen editing, and
the only system with screen oriented option field editing
and Lotus 1-2-3 style menu bars.
(Searchlight has a UTI driver now which supports PC
Relay, as well as FIDOnet.)
Q: What was developing SLBBS like and how much time was
devoted to it:
A: Developing SLBBS required a strong devotion to the
product because it took almost a year of programming time
before I began to see any income from the product.
Fortunately, I had the time and energy necessary to do
it.
Like most software projects, developing SLBBS is a cycle
between writing code and listening to user feedback,
comments and bug reports. The unique aspect of writing a
BBS program, though, is that the feedback comes in almost
instantaneously over my BBS, which allows me to test new
features and respond to problems very quickly.
Searchlight has consumed the majority of my programming
time since I started the IBM version in 1987, and that
includes countless midnight-oil sessions. I don't even
want to estimate the number of hours I put into
Searchlight because if I did, it would probably turn out
that I made 37 cents an hour for all that time! Many
people don't realize that Searchlight is my full time
occupation but it is, and has been for over 2 years.
Q: What does it give (in your opinion) that others do not?
A: A great user interface including full screen editors, and
a powerful conferencing system. Also good support: a
company that has a vision and a record for improving our
product year after year. You won't have to switch
products a year from now because we didn't keep up with
the latest developments.
Q: I've noticed many new BBS/Sysop's start out using SLBBS.
Any insite as to why?
A: I think it's a combination of things. For one,
Searchlight is very easy to use and install. It's also
smaller to download than many other programs, which may
attract people who download the shareware copy from a
BBS, and less expensive to register.
I think new users who take the time to compare
Searchlight to other products really get an opportunity
to see its superior features. Inevitably, anyone who gets
involved in bulletin boards tends to favor the first
program they encounter, and that may be why those who
have used a different BBS program are reluctant to give
Searchlight a try.
All kinds of Sysops use SLBBS. I think I attract a lot
of the younger sysops and hobbyist sysops, probably
because of Searchlight's low price. It's really too bad
that others get the wrong impression of SLBBS from its
price tag, because Searchlight equals or surpasses
products that cost, in some cases, 5 or 10 times its
price.
Q: How successful has SLBBS been?
A: I've been delighted at its success and at the positive
comments I receive from so many users. I started
Searchlight Software with basically no money and have
built the company up into a successful full time business
totally on the strength of Searchlight BBS sales, and in
a suprisingly short time. Now I've reached the point
where I can begin spending money on advertising and fancy
promotional flyers just like the "big boys" do.
Searchlight is probably the number 3 product in its
class, but it's risen to that level over a lot of
software that never made it very far. I'm committed to
having Searchlight reach the #1 position within 2 years.
Not counting unregistered shareware copies, there are
currently about 1100 registered Searchlight systems out
there. I've sold copies all over the world, including
quite a few in Australia and New Zealand. I really enjoy
talking with overseas Sysops, it's a great fringe
benefit to my job.
Q: How did you come up with the name "Searchlight"?
A: A lot of people ask me that question, which always
suprises me. Searchlight was the name of the school
newspaper that a friend and I worked on during our
junior and senior years in high school. When we
graduated, the paper folded, so we've always considered
it "our" paper. A few years later when I started my BBS,
it was the first thing that came to mind. Searchlight
was actually the name of my BBS itself before it became
the name of the BBS software product.
I'm really glad I ended up with the name Searchlight
because I hate thinking up names for things. In
retrospect, Searchlight is really an excellent name for
the product. If that name hadn't come to me I might well
have called it "Modem Electronic Services System (MESS)"
or something equally inane.
End of interview
I'd like to thank Frank LaRosa for taking the time to share
this information with us.
Additional information can be obtained directly from Frank
LaRosa as follows:
Searchlight Software
PO Box 640
Stony Brook, NY 11790
Voice 516/751-2966
BBS 516/689-2566
þþ TOMS TIDBITS þþ
by Tom Croley
-------------
Review of "PULLDOWN" menu system.
"Menu? Anyone?"
Now-a-days, when a computer is purchased, chances are, it
comes with a ready made user interface already installed on
the hard disk. A lot of computer come with a popular but
sluggish "window" program that requires you to point at an
unknown object and click a mouse button. Others have fancy
pull-down menus. Some still rely on a batch file menu system.
All are crutches to get you away from C> and into your
computer programs. If you are tired of what you see when you
turn on your computer. Maybe you should shop around.
Anyone who snoops around on the local BBS's will notice that
there are a lot of "MENU" programs available. Lately, I have
been downloading every one that I can find to see who is the
best. Well, I haven't decided yet, maybe in a future issue I
can give you the answer. I am overwhelmed at the number of
them that are available. In the mean time, I would like to
share one of my favorites with you. It is called "PULLDOWN"
and is produced by:
MicroDnynamics Development
1445 Mensch Lane
Gilbertsville, PA 19525
It is called "Pulldown" because that is exactly what it is, a
Pulldown Menu System. It is slick, easy to use, and very
pleasing to the eye. Here are the good points and the bad as
per release version 1.0
Good:
1. It looks and feels good
2. It is mouse-able
3. It is easy to set up and maintain
4. A plain ascii file controls all the settings
5. It does NOT linger in memory, when you start a program,
it completely dissappears.
6. It uses ordinary batch commands in the control file.
7. It allows up to 8 heading across the top of the screen.
8. It allows up to 20 sub-headings beneath each heading.
9. It allows the calling of other control files so that the
system is endless, unlimited.
10. It has never failed to return at the end of a program
when set up properly.
11. It has a built in screen save.
12. I have experienced no program lock ups, chokes, clogs or
other hazzards while using the system.
Bad:
1. Maybe I missed it but I did not see a way to cause the
menu system to ask further input that could be used as a
parameter while starting a program. Ex. edit
myfile.txt
2. I did not see a way to make sub-sub-headings.
3. I did not see a provision for passwords
4. The screen save gets in the way and I did not see a way
to avoid using it.
5. The program is a little slow to load compared to other
menu systems, but its beauty makes up for its
sluggishness. The very fastest menu that I have seen
return in the twinkle of an eye. This one require
several winks.
6. It has an annoying reminder message to motivate you to
register your copy. I don't mind the message but it
pops up too soon (after 100 load up). You can boot the
menu that many times just setting it up and testing it
if you are a serious computer user.
I DID NOT READ THE DIRECTIONS
Here is a sample of a control file.
DEF 'required for header definition
%Utilities 'Top line first column title
%Check Disk 'First sub heading
+cd\dos 'dos commands
+chkdsk /f 'dos commands
+pulldwn 'recalls the menu
%Optune 'Second sub heading
+cd\optune
+optune
+pulldwn
DEF 'required for second top header definition
%Word Processors 'Top line second column title
%Uedit 'Sub-heading
+cd\uedit 'dos commands
+ued 'start program
+pulldwn 'recall menu system
%Word Perfect
+cd\wp51
+wp
+pulldwn
DEF 'def for third top title
%Exit 'Third top line title
%Exit to Dos 'First sub-heading
+cd\ 'dos commands
+cls
%Reboot
+cd\dos
+reboot.com
This is really easy to set up. One file can control your
whole system if you like, or you can call other batch files.
Well, enough said. If you are tired of your present way of
doing things, give Pulldown, a try.
þþ STEPPING UP TO DOS 5.0 þþ
by W.H. Lambdin
Microsoft released DOS 5.0 on June 12, 1991. After beta
testing the software for almost a year in more than 5000
locations.
I had been hearing wonderful reports about DOS 5.0 and I
wanted to try it out. There were some people claiming to
get 638 K free.
Most places were selling DOS 5.0 for $60 and up. I couldn't
afford it at the time so I kept looking until I found it for
$39.99 from Egghead software.
This was for an upgrade kit instead of the normal kit. This
meaning that you can not install the upgrade kit to a drive
that doesn't already have a copy of DOS installed. I had DOS
4.01, so this was no drawback.
I received DOS 5.0 June 24, 1991. 12 days after the official
release date, and two hours later I had it installed. with
621 K free memory.
DOS 5.0 will install over top of your current DOS. So there
is no need to format your hard drive. DOS 5 even copies the
files in older versions of DOS to a directory OLD_DOS.1, and
will ask you to supply a disk labeled uninstall1. DOS 5.0
will copy the original system files and unmodified
autoexec.bat and config.sys files to the diskette. This disk
and back up directory will allow you to set up your original
copy of DOS if necessary.
Most everyone will agree the install system in DOS 4.x was a
bear. The setup program in 5.0 is a peice of cake. the setup
program will check your configuration and make a guess how
you wish to install 5.0.
After you choose the configuration, the setup program will
even give you the opportunity to back up the drive. After
this decision, you only need to feed it disks, and re boot
when the instalation is complete.
-------------------
FINE TUNING DOS 5.0
-------------------
I prefer to use 4DOS as my command intrepter instead of
COMMAND.COM. COMMAND.COM has some updated features, but I
still prefer 4DOS So I had to edit my AUTOEXEC.BAT and
CONFIG.SYS files to load 4DOS instead of COMMAND.COM.
I would recommend for people with 386s to use QEMM instead
of the High Memory managers in DOS 5. The High Memory
managers in DOS 5.0 work fine, but they have limitations that
QEMM doesn't.
HIMEM.SYS only snatches 64 K. This only allows you to load
one program into high memory Even if there is RAM to spare.
DEVICEHIGH uses more conventional RAM than LOADHI.SYS.
-------------------
MYTHS ABOUT DOS 5.0
-------------------
1. With DOS 5.0 I have 638K free.
This is a misconception they are counting 1000 bytes
as 1 K instead of the defined 1024 bytes. 638,000
bytes free = 623K
2. DOS 5.0 is incompatible with lots programs.
I run lots of programs including some that were
written in 1987. In my tests, I have found two
programs that refuse to work with 5.0.
QEMM's Manifest. (The DOS manual tells you to upgrade
to the new version.
America Online software. AOL runs under the GEOS
Ensemble kernel. I found a work around by typing this
on the command line. (SETVER GEOS.EXE 4.01) Now AOL
works without a hitch. The command above only needs to
be run once.
3. DOS 5.0 has trouble with large partitions after you have
more than 32 meg of files in a partition.
I have a 44 meg drive with 6 meg free. and no problems
whatsoever,
4. DOS 5.0 runs 40 % faster than earlier versions.
According to my tests, DOS 5.0 may run 5 to 10%
faster. But deffinately not 40% faster.
5. DOS 5.0 comes with Quick Basic.
It comes with Qbasic. A subset of Quick basic.
6. DOS 5.0 and 4DOS 3.03 are not compatible.
I have been running DOS 5 and 4DOS 3.03 without any
conflict.
----------
IN CLOSING
----------
DOS 5.0 is a winner, and a pleasure to use. The upgraded
shell has tons of new features. A task switcher being one of
them.
After tweaking the operating system, I have 626K free for
applications after I load DOS, 4DOS, and device drivers into
high memory. This is a vast improvement over 572K!
Rating *****
þþ IB IN BASKET DEPARTMENT þþ
In Basket material begins here. Additional material about the
Intelec (tm) network may be found inside the nested .ZIP
file; IN-9107.ZIP.
Ò
-Ò- Ò Ò Ò-- | Ò¿ Ò
| Ç--¶ Ç- | || |
Ð Ð Ð Ð-- | |À-¿|
Ð | ||
Ð ÀÐ
||-|-|-|-|-|Ú-Ù Ò-· Ö--· Ö--· Ò Ú Ò-- -Ò-
|-|-|-|-|-|-| Ç-з Ç--¶ Ó--· Ç-Á¿ Ç- |
Ó-----------Ù Ð--Ð Ð Ð Ó--½ Ð À Ð-- Ð
THE ELECTRONIC NEWSMAGAZINE OF THE INTELEC (tm) NETWORK
Now Published and Distributed as Part of ZIP Magazine
THE IN BASKET and INTELEC are Trademarks of
Intelec Business Network Inc. All Rights Reserved.
BLUFF YOUR WAY IN COMPUTERS #2 Page 15
ECHO MAIL WITH A DIFFERENCE Page 21
POETRY CORNER Page 23
BATCH TUTORIAL #5 Page 24
þþ IB BLUFF YOUR WAY IN COMPUTERS þþ
||-|-|-|-|-|Ú-Ù
|-|-|-|-|-|-|
Ó-----------Ù
THE IN BASKET
Intelec Network
(Buba Ozone's)
THE COMPLETE GUIDE ON HOW TO
BLUFF YOUR WAY IN COMPUTERS
---------------------------
Chapter 1 - PART TWO
COMPUTERS AND THE PUBLIC
Life is much easier if you are dealing with a member of the
public. The only facts known by the average person about
computers are:
(1) They're screwed up when your paycheck/gas bill/income
tax is not right.
(2) They allow you to shoot down an infinite number of
green nasties from outer space and save civilization
as we know it.
(3) They allow you to phone the Pentagon and read "top
secret" files listing all the important details of our
national defense before they're printed in the New
York Times.
The major misconception that the public seems to have is that
computers do interesting things. This is totally and utterly
wrong. Computers are really best at doing a lot of very
boring things very quickly. But don't admit this to anyone
who hasn't realized it.
The average person has absolutely no idea what you actually
do with a computer. The art of true computer bluffing is to
convince the layman that you're doing something really
significant with it, without ever letting slip what it is.
Since genuine computer experts spend a lot of time doing the
same thing, there's no chance you'll be labeled a fraud.
MICROCHIPS WITH EVERYTHING
It's true to say that microchips are taking over our lives.
Everyone who has turned on a washing machine, read the time
from a digital watch, or drunk coffee out of one of those
mugs that play "Happy Birthday to You" every time you pick up
the miserable thing has firsthand experience with microchips.
These mundane uses do not make microchips any more
understandable to the man-in-the-street. If anything, it just
confuses him further when he tries to figure out why
multinational companies would invest millions of dollars on
mainframe computers that play "Happy Birthday to You" very
loudly when you pick them up.
USE OF THE MANUAL
While computer and software manufacturers have made great
advances in making computers and programs more user-friendly
(they now have error messages like "Sorry! Fatal System
Error!"), the vast majority of people over the age of 30
still regard computers as mysterious, temperamental things
that need instinctive and sensitive handling. If they ever
found out that all you need is a logical mind and two typing
fingers to use virtually any piece of software, many
thousands of bluffers would be unceremoniously dumped on the
unemployment scrap heap. Or forced to get a real job.
Only one thing stands between us and this terrible
predicament - the software manual. Reading the average
software manual makes you realize that the computer industry
has been infiltrated at the highest levels by some of the top
bluffers in the country.
Everyone knows the First Law of Microprocessing: If all else
fails, read the manual, or, sometimes, RT*M. A true bluffer
would never make such an irresponsible statement because this
document is a vital element in a bluff that has kept the
general public out of computers for years.
If you're ever faced with the unthinkable - actually having
to get a piece of software to work - tackle it by playing
around with the program and finding out by trial and error
how it works. Once you've mastered the program, you can go to
the manual and figure out what it actually means. This might
take some time, so accept no dinner invitations for the next
two years.
If anyone else needs to use the software, insist that they
start by reading the manual from cover to cover. Say
something like "You'll find the appendix on BIOS calls
invaluable." It doesn't matter if there aren't any
appendices. They won't get that far. They'll still be plowing
their way through helpful pieces of information like "The
syntax for this command is EDIT [FROM] >filename> [[TO]
<filename>] [WITH <filename>] [VER <filename>][OPT <option>]"
or maybe "Designated drive: ambiguous filename: argument." If
they believe you've understood this and gone on to run the
program, your reputation will be assured forever.
HELPFUL ERROR MESSAGES
As well as being armed with a good thick manual, you should
have a plentiful supply of error messages - helpful little
phrases that appear on the screen to announce that something
has gone awry and you've just lost all your work for the last
month.
There's a game played by computer programmers to see who can
produce the longest and most obscure error message in the
world. One strong contender that appeared on a mainframe
computer was the message, "VME ERROR 3702 Hierarchic name
syntax invalid taking into account starting points defined by
initial context." That's a real one. Most programs are
remembered not for their power of user-friendliness but for
the originality and creativity of their error messages. One
manufacturer at least has the sense of humor to refer to them
as guru messages.
Once you realize it's all a game, you can face "Unexpected
diagnostic verification violation" flashing on your screen
with absolute calm. Where error messages come in really
useful is when you reach that point when someone asks you to
do something on the computer and you don't know how to do it.
A normal person would stupidly blurt out something like "I
don't know how to do that." But the bluffer just smiles
quietly, confidently presses a few significant-looking keys,
stares at the screen with a worried expression, and when
nothing happens, murmurs, "Oh boy. Looks like we've got
severe mantissa buffering overload in the high addresses."
Strictly speaking, that doesn't mean anything. But strangely
enough, no one has ever been known to ask what it does mean.
If you're a really enthusiastic bluffer, you might experiment
until you find a method of consistently producing a real
error message (it's remarkably easy). Then let the other
person decide whether you should go on once you have been
warned that there is an "Untrapped illegal stack deficiency
in 720."
Here are three useful error messages you can use, with a
short explanation of what they mean.
"Severe retrieval format corruption" (nothing)
"Nonrecoverable global drivespec mixing in 4070" (nothing)
"Terminal high byte consolidation violation" (nothing)
EDUCATING THE PUBLIC
Experienced bluffers soon realize that there's more to life
than keeping the public in a state of ignorance. Aside from
anything else, such a state can quickly become total paranoia
about everyone and everything connected with computers -
which could result in your being shunned by everyone except
politicians looking for your vote and evangelists looking for
your money.
So it's important that you try to explain to the average
person the seemingly contradictory facts that:
(1) Computers are extremely complex.
(2) Anyone can quickly learn how they work - assuming that
they are reasonably intelligent (their IQ measures 140
on a bad day).
Since no one will ever admit to being stupid, you'll be sure
of a rapt and grateful audience, particularly if you begin to
detail to what extent computers already govern our lives. You
will, in fact, become something of a hero in the public's
eyes. Remember, your mission is to explain. The fact that
people probably won't understand one word in ten doesn't
matter. That's their fault, not yours.
COMPUTERS AND NUMBERS
People mistakenly believe that computers have a lot to do
with numbers, which is totally inaccurate. In fact, a large
number of bluffers have gone into computers because there's
no area in which it's easier to hide a complete inability to
count, except perhaps mathematics.
You should realize that computer figures don't actually mean
anything because:
(1) Nearly all the numbers you use are actually names for
really obscure things.
(2) There are so many really obscure things with numbers
instead of names that whatever number you happen to
quote will probably be accurate.
Above all, remember that you will never be asked to add or
subtract them, or anything difficult like that.
If you really want to do any computations with numbers, buy
yourself a pocket calculator. They're far easier to use,
don't stop working unexpectedly as often, and are usually
more accurate than computers. One good way to annoy real
computer people is to secretly use your pocket calculator to
work out the square root of 43, accurate to 27 significant
points, and then talk in a loud voice about how you got your
computer to do it. But leave the room before they torture you
to find out how you did it. Note that they will never ask why
you want the square root of 43, accurate to 27 points. This
information comes under the heading of an "interesting"
(useless) thing you can get your computer to do.
The only really important numbers you have to remember are
the ones in your computer's name. All computers have a number
somewhere in their title, which may or may not mean
something. If you have invented a computer for yourself,
always add a number. The Doppleganger ZQ768, for instance,
would do just fine. To make it really authentic, always
choose a number that can be divided by 256, the computer's
mystical number.
BINARY
The main thing you need to remember about computers and
numbers is that computers can count only up to one (starting
at zero, of course). These numbers are called binary numbers
and are of no practical use to anyone using a computer -
which does not stop anyone who purports to know anything
about computers from explaining binary in detail at the drop
of a floppy disk. There are computer magazines that will
insist on filling a page on binary in an article telling you
how to plug your computer into the wall socket.
Your primary purpose in discussing binary is to confuse your
listeners so much that they won't see the gaping holes in
your reasoning in later discussions. You should therefore
start any conversation with the computer illiterate with a
lengthy discussion of binary.
HEX
If your listeners look as if they are perhaps beginning to
grasp the idea of binary, immediately slip into a lecture on
hex numbers without any explanation. Hexadecimal numbers (or
hex as it's known to its friends) refers to the system
whereby a computer, instead of counting up to one, counts up
to 16. (Please note that no matter how clever computers are
supposed to be, they never seem to have caught on to the fact
that everyone else counts up to 10.)
Since there aren't 16 single digits available, you have to
use letters as numbers in hex (0b, for example, in hex
represents 11, and 3f in hex is 63. So remember when you
quote a hex figure that it will always have two digits, one
or both of which could be a letter between A and F. The only
one worth memorizing is that 100 in hex is really 256 - the
computer's mystical number. But, of course, since hex numbers
have only two digits, you have to start at nothing again.
If at any time others question any figure you mention, just
shake your head sadly and point out that you were working in
hex. Then giggle quietly to yourself as they try to convert
all your numbers into decimal without counting on their
fingers.
The major advantage of counting in hex, however, is that on
your 40th birthday you can truthfully tell the world you are
28.
ASCII
Should a particularly bright listener show even the slightest
potential to grasp the idea of hex quickly, move on to the
fact that computers are convinced that letters are numbers.
The secret is hidden in the snappily titled AMERICAN STANDARD
CODE FOR INFORMATION INTERCHANGE - ASCII, pronounced Ass-Key.
As codes go, this one is childishly easy to break. It turns
out that even so-called word processors can't remember
letters, so they turn all letters into numbers which they can
remember, but only one and zero if they're working in binary.
But not if they're working in hex, when they turn letters
into numbers and letters, of course.
The idea is that if you have a file translated into this
ASCII code, it can be read by virtually any computer. What
they don't tell you is that if you have an ASCII file on an
8" disk, it's hard to shove it into a 3 1/2" disk drive.
-------------------------------------------------------------
This concludes Chapter One of HOW TO BLUFF YOUR WAY IN
COMPUTERS....See the next Intelec newsletter for Chapter Two.
-------------------------------------------------------------
þþ IB ECHO MAIL WITH A DIFFERENCE! þþ
by Dave Calmer
||-|-|-|-|-|Ú-Ù
|-|-|-|-|-|-|
Ó-----------Ù
THE IN BASKET
Intelec Network
É-----------------------------------------------------------»
| ----------------------------------» |
| -Ò- Ö-· Ò Ö-Ò-· Ò--· Ò--· É-¼Ö--· Ö-· Ò Ò--· | | |
| | | | | | Ç- Ç-Ò½ É-¼ | | | | | Ç- | | |
| -Ð- Ð Ó-½ Ð Ð--½ Ð Ð- É-¼ Ó--½ Ð Ó-½ Ð--½ o o |
| È------------------------- |
È-----------------------------------------------------------¼
Some of you may already be familiar with us, especially if
you read the Sci-Fi conference on Intelec during the past
couple of months <g>. We're the InterZone!! Network and
thanks to Cliff Watkins and his support we are available to
ALL Intelec systems. Our goal is simple. We take on the
"special interest" conferences that just don't have enough
enough support to make it with a network like Intelec.
Traffic does tend to be a little slow at times but it is
picking up steam slowly but surely.
As I mentioned, those of you that have used the Intelec
Sci-Fi conference are probably already familiar with our CATS
conference thanks to a cross echo problem that we had a
little trouble tracking down (sorry about that). That
conference is just a small sample of what we have to offer.
We have support conferences for AUTISM and FOSTER PARENTS, a
brand new AUDIO/VIDEO conference for help getting the REAL
sound out of your stereo equipment, a WRITERS conference and
a HOME and GARDEN conference just to name a few. We're not
afraid to try new things. If there's something you'd like to
see available drop by our administration conference and let
us know...we'll see what can be done about it.
As an Intelec member your sysop is welcome to pick up ANY or
all of our conferences. The only request we make is that if
any of our conferences are carried, our ADMINISTRATION
conference should also be available to ALL callers. Like
Intelec we act on caller input and it's important that the
users of the network have an easy way to give us that feed-
back. Below, you'll find the PCRelay numbers used to echo
through Intelec; unless you relay direct through Cliff you'll
have to check with your hub to make sure they are pulling
these conferences. If you use one of the QWK packet doors
available on the network, check with your hub for the proper
host numbers. If all else fails contact DAVE CALMER at either
number listed below to arrange direct pick-up. Give us a
try; I think you'll like what we have to offer!
For more information please contact...
É------------------------------------»
| The DangerZone!! BBS |
| (309) 788-2029 1200/2400 |
| (309) 788-1956 USR HST |
È------------------------------------¼
InterZone Conference Configurations
Rnet # Name PCRelay # Rnet # Name PCRelay #
--- --------- --- --- --------- ---
206 British_Humor 454 218 Teen_Debate 456
207 Comedy_F 459 219 Gen_Debate 457
208 IZN_Hosts 474 220 What_If 471
209 Cooking 475 221 Rock_Trivia 455
210 Cats 480 222 Animation 462
211 Rumors_Gossip 463 223 HomeComputing 466
212 Hot_Debates! 473 224 Office_Comput 467
213 Danger_Mktg 452 225 Short_Cuts 468
214 Help! 451 226 Collectibles 469
215 IZ_Admin 450 227 Writers 472
216 Foster_Parent 458 205 Audio/Video 482
217 Autism 470
All Rnet #'s are that of the Intelec 'host system' only.
Please check with your hub for his Rnet #'s.
þþ IB POETRY CORNER þþ
by Inez Harrison
||-|-|-|-|-|Ú-Ù
|-|-|-|-|-|-|
Ó-----------Ù
THE IN BASKET
Intelec Network
Swan and Shadow by Adrienne Rich (1969)
Dusk
above the
water hang the
loud
flies
Here
O so
gray
then
what A pale signal will appear
when Soon before its shadow fades
where Here in this pool of opened eye
in us No upon us As at the very edges
of where we take shape in the dark air
This object bares its image awakening
ripples of recognition that will
brush darkness up into light
even after this bird this hour both drift byatop the perfect
sad instant now already passing out of sight
toward yet-untroubled reflection
this image bares its object darkening
into memorial shades scattered bits of
light No of water Or something across
water Breaking up no being regathered
soon Yet by then a swan will have
gone yes out of mind into what
vast
pale
hush
of a
place
past
sudden dark as
if a swan
sang
þþ IB BATCH TUTORIAL #5 þþ
by Cody Gibson
||-|-|-|-|-|Ú-Ù
|-|-|-|-|-|-|
Ó-----------Ù
THE IN BASKET
Intelec Network
Hello guys and gals. It's time for our fifth installment in
the Batch Tutorial. As you should recall from the last
installment, we learned that the PAUSE command can be used to
suspend processing of the current batch file and display a
message along with the suspension. The GOTO command can be
used to jump around to different sections of a batch file,
even skipping or looping within a section of the batch file.
The IF EXIST command can be used to test for the existence of
a file and do one of two things based upon whether or not it
actually does exist.
The IF command can also check to see if two strings are
identical. The syntax for this is "IF string1==string2
command". You should note that the "==" is the "is equal to"
symbol. It is acceptable to put spaces before and/or after
the "==" symbol. But you may NOT write it as "= =". The extra
space in the middle confuses DOS. The nice thing about
string1 and string2, is that either one can be a substitution
variable (like %1 or %2, etc.) or an environment variable
(like %env1% or %env2% etc.) or a literal (like JANE or BILL
or ANDY, etc.). Let's take a look at an example:
-------------------------------------------------------------
ECHO OFF
IF %1==ROSES GOTO ROSES
IF %1==CANDY GOTO CANDY
IF %1==PERFUME GOTO PERFUME
ECHO You're in big trouble Fella! I'm calling my divorce
ECHO lawyer!!!
GOTO FINISH
:ROSES
ECHO You delivered Roses. How thoughtful.
GOTO FINISH
:CANDY
ECHO You delivered Candy. How sweet.
GOTO FINISH
:PERFUME
ECHO You delivered Perfume. How Romantic.
:FINISH
-------------------------------------------------------------
The first line turns off batch file command echo, leaving us
with an uncluttered screen. The next line compares the first
typed input variable to ROSES. If they are found to be
identical, batch file processing would continue at :ROSES.
The third line tests for CANDY, and if found equal, causing
processing to go to :CANDY. The fourth line tests for
PERFUME, causing processing to go to :PERFUME if found equal.
If the batch file doesn't find ROSES or CANDY or PERFUME, you
would see "You're in big trouble Fella! I'm calling my
divorce lawyer!!!" printed on your screen. Let's call our
batch file "DELIVER.BAT". Now if we were to type "DELIVER
ROSES", we would see "You delivered Roses. How thoughtful."
printed on your screen. It would actually look like this:
-------------------------------------------------------------
C>DELIVER ROSES
C>ECHO OFF
You delivered Roses. How thoughtful.
-------------------------------------------------------------
But if you were to type "DELIVER BILL", you would actually
see:
-------------------------------------------------------------
C>DELIVER BILL
C>ECHO OFF
You're in big trouble Fella! I'm calling my divorce lawyer!!!
-------------------------------------------------------------
One really neat trick to remember about the "==" operator is
how to test for the case when no input variable was entered.
This is done using a structure like "IF %1ABC == ABC
command". If %1 is nothing, then ABC does equal ABC and
"command" would be executed. If %1 actually does contain
something (like Jim for example), then JimABC does NOT equal
ABC and "command" would not be executed. This is very useful
in batch files to ensure that the proper number of parameters
was entered when the batch file was started.
The "IF ERRORLEVEL n command" is used to test the errorlevel
returned by the last command executed. "command" would be
executed if the number returned is equal to, or greater then
"n". For example, PKZIP returns an errorlevel based upon why
it terminated. Normally it would be 0 for successful
completion. Any non-zero value represents an abort due to
some kind of error. The exact number returned represents what
the error condition was the caused the abort. Therefore, an
"IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO HANDLEIT" would cause the batch file to
jump to :HANDLEIT if any error at all occured. Or you could
start checking the error levels immediatly by starting with
the highest number. It's important to start with the highest
number cuz any number GREATER than OR equal to the current
"n" would be true, causing "command" to be executed. Look for
my next post in about one week when we'll look into the "IF
NOT" command. If you would like a transcript of this
message, call The Real Batchin' Board at 206-391-2330 and d/l
BATUTOR5.ZIP.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Text is copyright 1990 by Cody Gibson. All rights reserved.
End of the IN Basket department
þþ CARDINAL VGA 700 þþ
by
Ron Alcorn
With this super VGA card, you definitely get more bang for
very few bucks. At a mere price of $139.95 from Lyco
Computers, you get an excellent bargain. If this review ends
your hunt for a super VGA card, and you decide to order one
from Lyco, ask for Bert, extension 434. Tell him that Ron or
Robert Alcorn of ZIP Magazine helped you make this purchasing
decision.
Basically, the reason I wanted this card is that it offered
everything I wanted. Of course that sounds logical, but
usually when a person makes a purchase, the product is a
little lacking. I do admit that I was a little leery about
how it would perform, due to it's bargain basement price.
Since I got the card though, I have not had any complaints
whatsoever.
General features:
1 MEG of video memory (1024 KB)
Supports 31 graphics modes (standard and enhanced)
Most of the popular commercial program display drivers
100% VGA hardware and BIOS level compatible
100% downward compatible with EGA/CGA/MDA/Hercules
Auto-sensing 8/16-bit bus interface
Supports INTERLACED and non-interlaced monitors
PC, XT, AT, and PS/2 Mod 30 compatible
Standard 15 pin VGA analog monitor connector
1 year warranty
Made in U.S.A.
Available video modes:
All standard CGA, EGA, MDA, Hercules, and VGA graphics modes.
Enhanced graphics modes:
640 x 480 x 16
800 x 600 x 16
1024 x 768 x 16
640 x 350 x 256
640 x 400 x 256
640 x 480 x 256
800 x 600 x 256
1024 x 768 x 256
Text modes:
40 x 25
80 x 25
80 x 30
80 x 43
80 x 50
80 x 60
100 x 40
128 x 48
132 x 25
132 x 28
132 x 44
With the above listing, you can easily notice that there are
a wide array of graphics and text modes to choose from.
Available video drivers:
VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association)
8514/A "software" interface
Windows 3.0
386 Windows 2.XX
Lotus 123 2.0/2.01
Lotus Symphony 1.0/1.1/2.0
AutoCAD 9.0/10.0
Ventura Publisher 1.1/2.0
GEM 2.2/3.0/3.1
Word Perfect 5.0
WordStar 4.0/5.0
Current and updated drivers are available from the Cardinal
Technologies BBS at (717) 293-3074.
A few utility programs are included to aid you a little. One
of these, VMODE, will allow you to select various video mode
emulations, screen size, and sync rates for your type of
monitor.
Setting up the card to operate with your particular monitor
is a simple task. By saying that, I don't mean that the card
will not work with your monitor at all, I just mean to get
the high resoultions of 800 X 600 and above to work properly.
By default, the card is ready to work with interlaced
monitors. If you have an interlaced monitor, then you
probably don't need to run VMODE's sync option. But if you
have a non-interlaced monitor, then you can can switch the
card to this mode. Just type in VMODE 65m and you are ready
to go. You may want to add this statement to your
AUTOEXEC.BAT file. VMODE is not a TSR of any kind, it only
modifies the card's toggles. Sort of like altering your
computers CMOS memory, yet VMODE must be executed each time
your turn your computer on if you are needing any toggles to
be changed. Anway, VMODE has four options dealing with
monitor setups. They are 45m, 65m, 35K, and 38K. With these
options, you should be able to fine tune the card to your
particular monitor. As of date, I have only seen the card
used with two monitors, the Panasonic C1381 (interlaced
monitor) and a Tatung interlaced monitor. Both monitors
performed just fine in all resolutions.
To help speed up the video card, a device driver is included
to copy the VGA's ROM to your computers RAM. If you have
shadowing memory, then you have no need for this utility.
Also, the utlity will only work with 286 machines or better.
For those of you for some reason or another that do not have
a ANSI driver, one is included. An ANSI driver will allow
you to interupt ANSI codes to position the cursor, change
video modes, define keys, and create color text. If you have
a program that looks like it is working, yet displays a lot
of garbage characters, try installing a ANSI device driver.
For those of you who have great patience, a workable font
editor is included. It is of very poor quality, but it does
work. A few example fonts are included to play around with.
The heart of this card, is the TSENG 4000 chip. Most every
program that I have used that allows you to select the VGA
chip set or card manufacturer, has an option for the TSENG
VGA controller. Of course if the program doesn't offer TSENG
support, but does off standard VGA, that will work also.
Older modes such as CGA and EGA work well also, but you may
need to use the VMODE utility in case you can'g get a certain
program to display properly.
NOTE: Cardinal now offers a 732 model card. It is identical,
except it offers a new mode, 640 x 480 x 32768. That's
what I said, more than thirty two thousand colors.
What you call this is 16-bit video. By the time you
are reading this, the 732 has probably been upgraded to
handle 800 x 600 x 32768. I will be contacting
Cardinal to confirm this, and see whether a ROM chip is
all that is necessary for the upgrade.
þþ GIFLITE V1.0 þþ
by W.H. Lambdin
Tsung Hu is at it again. Instead of an update to Telemate as
I was hoping for, I found GIFLITE. If you continue to use
GIFLITE after a period of 15 days, the author requests that
you send the registration fee of $18 U.S., or $20 CAN.
Mr. Tsung Hu
P.O.Box 938, Unit 105
St. Catharines, Ontario
L2R 6Z4 Canada
GIFLITE requires an IBM AT, or close compatible with a
minimum of 300 K of memory.
GIFLITE is a small 40 K program that loads in .GIF pictures,
compresses them with this program, then saves out a .GIF
picture that is up to 30 % smaller than the original with no
noticable loss of quality. This is a one way process. You can
not uncompress them to the original image. So use the -b
parameter to make a backup until after yiu check the new
.GIF.
This trick has several advantages over normal .GIF files.
1. It saves space on your system.
2. It loads faster than the original
3. Save $$$ when transfering the file.
4. The file is still a .GIF, and can be viewed with your
favorite .GIF viewer.
Here are the parameters used in GIFLITE
-b No backup.
-h Don't insert the GIFLITE header (Registered only)
-i Ignore GIFLITE header
-l Turn usage log off.
-m[1,2,3] Use method of compression
-o Overwrite output if it exists.
-s Statistics on usage log.
-t Text mode only, no graphic display.
-u Update file time/date to current time/date.
This program has two shortcoming.
1. It isn't capable of handeling .GIF images larger than 640
by 480 resolutions.
2. EGA images do not compress very well because of the
limited number of colors.
I compressed two .GIF images as a test. I used the default
mode #1.
---------------------------SATURN----------------------------
320 X 200 X 256
Size before compression 27,648 bytes
Size after compression 18,215 bytes
Saved 9,433 bytes
34.1 % reduction
--------------------------ARCADIA----------------------------
640 X 480 X 256
Size before compression 267,473 bytes
Size after compression 185,414 bytes
Saved 82,059 bytes
30.6 % reduction
-----
Modes
-----
There are three modes in this program, and the default mode
offers the best compression.
MODE #1 should give you about 30% compression
MODE #2 should give you about 10% compression
MODE #3 gives very little compression at all.
Mode 2 and 3 are to be used on delicate or hand drawn GIF's.
I have seen and used several .GIF compressors, and or
converters.
I was going to review GIF2JPG, but for .GIF compressors, I
like this one best. GIF2JPG converts .GIFs to JPEG images,
and these are about 50% the size of .GIFs. However I would
rather have a compression ratio of 30% instead of saving 50%
then having to move to another slower format.
Without a doubt *****
þþ PROGRAMMER'S CHALLENGE DEPARTMENT þþ
As an editor of this magazine, I will be challenging you,
programmer or user, to make or find a program that is better
than one(s) I will be discussing. Usually I will only be
discussing one or two programs per issue. Reason being is
that I'll only be picking what I consider to be top quality
programs that are the best in their category.
Also you, as a programmer, are welcome to send in a challenge
yourself. If you write a program that you think is better
than anyone else's, send it to us along with an article, not
a document, about your program showing off its features so
that we can place it here in this department for others to
know about. This may help you make some money if your
program is Shareware, news can travel around pretty fast on
BBS's. Along with reception of your program and article, you
will get a reply from me in this department, whether it be
compliments, comments, suggestions, or criticism. So don't
complain about what I might say, because you can clearly see
what all possible statements can be made toward your program.
Remember, if you send in a program and article, it would seem
that you are confident in what you do. Also all statements
are toward your program, not you. I would not want to offend
any person and start a argument. Don't let these statements
scare you off, I'm not a bad guy, I just try to give public a
general view. Everything I will be saying will be my
opinions only, unless I actually run tests to get true
statistics about your program.
Reader's please send in your responses to me. Let me know if
you think mychoices are good or bad. It doesn't matter to me
if you agree or dis-agree with me because everyone has their
own opinion.
þþ VIRUCIDE 2.24 þþ
by W.H.Lambdin
ViruCide is a program that is designed to discover and remove
computer viruses.
ViruCide may be purchased from Parson's Technology for $49.
If you are interested in ordering this program, I have
enclosed the address and telephone number
Parson's Technology
375 Collins Road NE
P.O. Box 3120
Cedar Rapids, Ia. 52406-3120
(800) 223-6925
ViruCide was written by Igor Grebert, Morgan Schweers, Yuval
Tal, and Uzi Apple. This program is worth every cent, and
then some just for the peace of mind.
ViruCide scans your files for 490 viruses, and can remove any
that it finds. See the text file VIRINFO.TXT. Here is how the
viruses are broken down.
Known Viruses: 490
Discrete Strains: 266
File Viruses: 415
Boot Viruses: 75
Stealth Viruses: 11
In a brief interview with Shelley Jilek at Parsons
Technology.
Q: How often are upgrades released?
A: Every two or three months. They have discovered 40 new
viruses since the last update.
Q: How much do ViruCide upgrades cost?
A; Usually $12.
Q: Will Parson's Technology produce a TSR version of the
Virucide 2.xx series?
A: The programmers are working on one, but there is no
scheduled release date.
Q: Will ViruCide allow the user to download virus
signatures, and update the software instead of waiting
several weeks for an upgrade?
A: This is impossible at the current time. You should call
and ask the programming department.
Q: Will future versions of Virucide have Mouse support?
A: Again. You will have to ask the programming department.
End of interview
After you enter the program, press F10 to activate the
Options Menu.
You will be prompted with 5 pull down menus.
OPTIONS
Automatic virus removal
Back up infected files
Search subdirectories
Check read-only files
Check overlay files
Network operations (scan files on a Network server)
REPORT
Report type (none, Detailed, or short)
Send reports to (Printer or file)
I wrote the 4DOS alias below to run Virucide.
VIRUS=CD\VIRII^VIRUCIDE.EXE^LIST VIRUCIDE.RPT^REN VIRUCIDE.RPT
VIRUCIDE.%&^PKZIP -M VIRUS VIRUCIDE.%&^END
I activate VirusCide by typing virus and the date. (June 11)
would be entered as VIRUS 611. this alias performs the
following tasks.
Runs ViruCide.
displays the ViruCide.RPT file with list.
Renames ViruCide.RPT to ViruCide.(date) 611 in example above.
Moves the report into a .ZIP file.
This allows me to save multiple report files in a compressed
format. If need be, I can track any suspicious files.
SAVE OPTIONS
This saves the options you choose to disk.
VIRUS INFO
This menu will display information on all 490 viruses. with
a chart of their traits.
EXIT
This allows you to exit to DOS.
COMMAND LINE PARAMETERS
The - or / may be used with these parameters below
/a Automatic virus removal.
/b Back up infected files.
/s Search subdirectories.
/r Search read-only files.
/o Search overlays
/n Network operations
/m Monochrome display
/D Direct operation. Automatically run and exit the program
without user input. This would be good for BBS sysops to
run in an event. At least on a weekly basis.
TESTS
I scanned my hard drive for viruses with McAfee's ScanV75,
and ViruCide 2.24
I have a 25 MHZ 386 with a 40 MEG IDE drive. Your tests will
probably differ. My file structure is listed below.
40 directories
109 .EXE files
84 .COM files
39 overlay files
McAfee's SCANV75 took 71:7 seconds
VIRUCIDE 2.24 took 49.8 seconds
This program is fast, simple to use, and effective. In brief.
I can't find anything that is a negative. 5 Stars!!
Rating ***** Perfect program!
þþ BBS LISTING þþ
201 471-6391 PASSAIC BBS. Baud 300 - 19,200 using Hayes
V-series. Storage unknown. Sysop James Roy.
207 374-2303 CELEBRATION SHOP. Baud 1200, soon to be 2400.
Storage unknown. Operates 24 hours a day, Sysop Paul
Stookey. #3 Neworld Square, Blue Hill Falls Maine, 04615.
Paul Stookey was Paul in the singing group {Peter, Paul,
and Mary.}
216 264-5116 <TRI>-<WAY> BBS. Baud 300 - 2400 24 hrs.
Running Wildcat 2.0 multinode. Storage 130 meg. Carrying
ZIP Magazine. Over 500 files. Located in Wooster, Oh.
Sysop Dann Way
314 774-2736 The Waynesville BBS. Baud 300 - 2400. Running
Wildcat 1.13. with 104 meg. Sysop Raynond Andrell.
Specializes in FUN!!!
318 352-8311 Genesis BBS. Baud 300 - 2400. operating 24
hours a day. 65 meg storage. Sysop James Pottorff.
Genesis BBS is located in Natchitoches, LA.
318 457-1538 Toepfer's Electronics BBS. Baud 300-2400 Running
M&M BBS on a C-64. 24 hours of operation. Free
Registration. Storage 2 meg. Files for C-64, and MS-DOS
computers. Member of KSAT QDP. Home BBS of Citizens
Aligned for Better Television. SYSOP Darrel Toepfer.
Located in Eunice, La.
409 362-2020 Almost Heaven BBS. running Remote Access on 386
with 65meg HD. A Zip Magazine dist. point & other news
files. Online Reading of Zip and others news ; Caller
can d/l these on first call with no u/l's . 24 hour a day
. SysOp Woody Angel in Chireno,Texas
416 751-6337 (Data on 20 Node RBBS Customized System) Operate
BBS under the name of THE TORUS SUPPORT NETWORK,
Division of PCanada Systems Inc. 3 Giabytes on-line
including 4 CD-ROM's and operate primary server under
Microsoft OS/2 base LAN Manager (330 megabyte Priam Main
Server on a 386 20 Mhz Acer platform). System Sysop is
Bob Eyer, and we are currently in our seventh year of
operation.
501 273-9257 THE CHICKEN COOP. Baud 300 - 2400.
501 273-0152 THE CHICKEN COOP. Baud 9600. FOR HST, and V.32
modems. Running TBBS 2.1m. 130 meg of storage. Has many
online features including ZIP Magazine, InfoMat, and USA
Today. A member of the Software Distribution Network
which supplies virus and trojan free software direct from
the author's. SysOp Don Chick.
501 422-8777 The Personal Resource System. Baud 300 - 2400
501 444-8080 USRobotics Dual Standard (HST/V.32). This BBS
has several online publications such as InfoMat, Business
Sence, ZIP Beep, NASA Press, Online Digital Music Review,
USA Today, Amy Info, C-News Letter, and ZIP Magazine.
24 hours of operataion with 260 MEG of storage.
606 432-0879 STRAWBERRY PATCH. Baud 300 - 9600. Running PC
Board on a 286 machine. storage 1000+ meg (with PC Sig
library on CD-ROM. Files for MS-DOS. No download ratio,
but uses a point system. 45 mins access on first call.
Sysop Terry West. Located in Pikeville, Ky.
606 789-3423 The AdventureComm BBS. Running ProLogon 1.0, and
ProDoor 3.2. Baud 300 - 9600 (HST). Storage 95 meg.
Sysop Charles Baldridge. Located in Paintsville, Ky.
606 878-9500 ZIP BBS. Baud 1200 - 9600 using USRobotics Dual
Standard (HST/V.32). Running Spit Fire 2.8 on 12 Mhz AT
machine. Storage 60 MEG. Files for MS-DOS. Download
ratio 25 to 1. Full access on first call, no
registration hassles. Operates from 7 P.M. to 7 A.M.
(EST) 7 days a week. Sysop's Ron Alcorn & W.H. Lambdin.
Located in London, Ky.
609 327-5553 UNION LAKE BBS. Baud 300 - 2400. Running PC
Board on an 8088 machine. Free Registration. Storage 94
meg. Sysop George Cuccia. Carries 29 mail conferences.
612 654-8372 G C B BBS. Baud 1200 - 9600 Using U.S. Robotics
HST. Storage 200 meg. Online 24 hours a day. SysOp
Christine Blount. 30 minutes access on first call. This
BBS is located in St. Cloud, Mn.
616 382-3555 BIOS. Baud 300 - 9600 HST. Running WWIV v4.10
on a 8 MHz 8088 Turbo XT Machine. Storage 100 Meg. WWIV
national network node 6650 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Large
MS-DOS file selection, interesting message base and many
on-line games. SysOp Scott Randall.
703 742-6279 CORVETTE DRIVERS. Baud 1200 - 19,200. Running PC
Board on a 386 machine. Storage unknown. Files for
MS-DOS Download ratio 25 to 1. 45 mins access on first
call. Sysop David Arline.
714 785-9176 THE SOLID ROCK (CACOL) BBS. Baud 1200 - 38400
HST Running Spitfire 3.0; 165 meg storage. Sysop Ron
Hossack. Christian oriented system and doors available.
Solid Rock is located in RIverside, CA.
818 961-7903 CALIFORNIA BUILDERS BOARD - (A MicroLink PCUG
SubBoard). Baud 300 - 2400. Running PCBoard 14.1/E3
919 383-8707 Bull City BBS. Baud 300 - 2400. Running Wildcat
1.13 on an 8088 machine. Storage unknown. 24 hrs
operation. Sysop Roy & Shirley Gurley. This BBS has over
55 doors.
If you would like to advertise your BBS in ZIP Magazine,
leave a message on either of the two home BBS's. If you have
access to the ZIP Magazine message conference (Part of the
Intelec network) you may leave you BBS ad's there. We would
allow you to leave a message on any support BBS, but they are
getting to numerous, and also the busy signal doesn't help us
any either.
þþ USERS GROUPS þþ
É-----------------------------------------------------------»
| |
| B.G.A.M.U.G. |
| The Bowling Green Area MS-Dos Users Group |
| |
| BGAMUG meets the 4th Tuesday of the month in the library |
| of Bowling Green High School at 7:00pm. Beginning Dos |
| classes are being planned and will be held in the |
| Computer Science classroom of Bowling Green High School |
| on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. |
| |
| For more information contact: |
| |
| BGAMUG |
| P.O.Box 20384 |
| Bowling Green, KY |
| 42102 |
| |
È-----------------------------------------------------------¼
P.A.C.E User's Group
(Prestonsburg Area Computer Enthusiasts). We meet at 7:00pm
each first and third Tuesday at the Prestonsburg Public
Library. All age groups are welcome. We provide guest
speakers, DOS instruction, and are preparing to start a Q&A
column in the Floyd County Times. The group also supports a
BBS, The PACE/Library BBS, 1200-2400 baud, 24hrs at (606)
886-8403.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Now in its second edition, THE MODEM REFERENCE is the
original guide to buying, setting up, and using modems and
communications software. Published by Brady Books/Simon &
Schuster, it includes complete guide to BBSs and all the
major online services. Get the original, definitive guide to
networking at your local bookstore (ISBN #0-13-589862-5), or
phone 800-624-0023 to order direct. (Retailers, call
800-223-4022.) THE MODEM REFERENCE: DON'T LOG ON WITHOUT IT!
þþ ZIP INFO þþ
by W.H. Lambdin & Ron Alcorn
This is ZIP Magazine, a paperless publication. All
submissions will be printed, unless you ask us not to. We
will not modify any text you submit except for spell checking
and delete foul language. So views expressed here do not
necessarily reflect views of editors.
If you want to send us a submission, upload it to one of
BBS's with a * beside it. You can also send them to ZIP BBS
at (606) 878-9500, or the Intelec BBS in New York. The phone
numbers are (516) 867-4446, 4447, and 4448. Upload material
to conference number 58, the ZIP Magazine conference. When
you upload a submission, use MAG as the extension. We would
appreciate it if all submissions were just ascii, and margins
set at 10 on left, and 10 on right. This isn't demanded, it
would just be easier on us. If you want to submit programs
you have written, send them along in an archive with your
text. We will check all programs and if they prove to be
unsuitable, we will reject them. (You know, trojans,
viruses, and other harmful programs).
If you submit a review, follow examples here. If you think
it is a very good program, rate it at 5 stars. If you think
it is of poor quality, then give it one star. If you think
it falls between grades, use a plus as this. ***+ This means
a rating of 3 1/2 stars, or a little better than average.
We will not make you run from place to place in order to read
one article. When we start an article, it will be printed in
it's entirety before another article will be started. All
advertisements will be found in back. I like to read articles
with as little trouble as necessary, and the same goes for
ad's. We will have advertisements, but the editors take no
responsibility in what you may see advertised, so buy at your
own risk.
With Volume 3 Issue 6 of ZIP Magazine, we are using Galaxy
Lite 1.6. It has all the features in Galaxy 2.43, but more
features have been added. Galaxy Lite is produced by Star
Lite Software. Omniverse has released version 3.0 of Galaxy.
I think they made a mistake!
In order for this magazine to survive, it will need help from
it's readers. If you wish to correct us on something, or
write an article or review for ZIP, please send us your
responses. Any help would be greatly appreciated. If you
wish to reprint an article or review from ZIP, feel free to
use it any way you wish, we only request that you give author
credit, and report that the article appeared in ZIP.
þþ AD þþ
É------------------------»
| 386SX/16MHz BASE system|
É-----------------¼ È----------------»
|Includes 1MB Ram, I/O, 101 Keyboard, 1.2 floppy, Small Case|
| 200 Watt PS. 1 year parts and labor. Shipping extra. |
È-----------------------------------------------------------¼
Bare Mono 14" color CTX HiRes M-Board speed
System VGA SVGA upgrade
É--------Ñ-------Ñ-------Ñ-------»Ú-------------¿
w/o HD or | | | | ||20MHz $204.44|
cntrllers | $776.69| 887.70|1158.66|1218.39|Ã-------------´
Ç--------Å-------Å-------Å-------¶|25MHz $230.00|
| | | | |Ã-------------´
40 MB IDE |$1030.97|1141.98|1412.93|1472.66||25MHz $325.80|
Ç--------Å-------Å-------Å-------¶| w/64K cache |
| | | | |Ã-------------´
80 MB IDE |$1201.35|1312.36|1583.32|1643.05||33MHz $475.33|
Ç--------Å-------Å-------Å-------¶|w/64K cache &|
| | | | || Tower Case |
120 MB IDE|$1332.42|1443.43|1714.38|1774.12|À-------------Ù
È--------Ï-------Ï-------Ï-------¼
É-------------------Ñ--- Upgrades ----Ñ---------------------»
| À-----------------Ù |
| 2400B Int Modem $69.95 |
| 1.44 Floppy $65.52 |
| 2nd Meg $52.42 |
È-----------------------------------------------------------¼
Ú-----------------¿
| ZIP Magazine |
| S P E C I A L ! |
À-----------------Ù
É-----------------------------------------»
| ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ |
| ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ |
| ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛ |
| ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ Û ÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛ Û ÛÛ |
| ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ Û ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ |
| ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ Û |
| ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛ |
È-----------------------------------------¼
386/40MHz system DELIVERED for only $1899.95
40MHz/64K cache AMD 386
40 MB IDE Hard drive
4 MB 60ns RAM on board
1.2 Floppy drive
FULL 256 COLOR SUPER VGA
SVGA Monitor and 16 bit card
AT I/O ports, 101 key keyboard
Free delivery to Continental US
Offer only good when you mention this ad in ZIP Magazine
Call Marty Greenlief at 801 566-4829 aft 6pm MST
