On-Line #18 07 января 1996

Scorpion Club - What is a BBS and Fido? Mail Fidonet.

              SCORPION CLUB



   Well, that's the New Year - 1996.


   Spectrum has matured for a year, but as we see is not going 
to die! 


   It turns out that not everyone knows that, in part GREETING 
(from INSULT MEGADEMO) after a flying scroll, if you wait about

2-3 minutes, then deme goes further! Well this is so, for those 
who do not knows about it!



   And something SCORPION CLUB nothing to tell about computer
networks? So today I want to talk about networking (although 
IBM). 

             INTRODUCTION.


   MODEM - one of the peripherals (additional) computer 
devices. Modem stands for modulation-demodulation, he intended 
for reception-transmission of information through a simple 
telephone channel. With a modem you can not just call up and 
talk, but also to correspond with various users of home and 
professional computers that have the latest information on 
events, expert advice on many issues (not just computer-related)

information from databases on various topics - from the cost of 
a kilogram of apples in the markets of the city until the last 
Presidential Decree USA. Most existing electronic networks - 
are paid. But There are some free network, which can become a 
member any owner of a computer and modem. One of these networks 
- FIDO. 

            WHAT IS THE BBS AND FIDO?


   First, a little about what a BBS. BBS stands for
as "a system of electronic bulletin boards." Station BBS really 
very similar to a bulletin board. Each user can call a BBS and 
read the information posted on this "Board", copy it to me or 
hang your ad. For Computer ZX-SPECTRUM in Moscow of BBS around 
15, they are all different in their themes, depending on the 
tastes and interests of its owner. 


   FidoNet was originally conceived as a system for mail 
exchange between people in different cities around the world. 
FidoNet network is NON-PROFIT organization of unpaid 
volunteers. She includes a certain number of nodes (a node in 
this case is a computer with a modem connected to it, waiting 
for a call), in which the sole owner of a sysop. 


   If a BBS is a group totally independent stations, the
FidoNet has a hierarchical structure and function in accordance 
with the policies generated by the coordinators and the 
international charter. 


   The lowest level of FidoNet - node. All sites are grouped by
follows: within one city (district, region) is formed by a 
network (NET), general direction of the Network Coordinator 
(NETWORK COORDINATOR). Within one country (the Republic, a 
large geographical area) is formed by the region (REGION), 
general direction of the Regional Coordinator (REGIONAL 
COORDINATOR). Within a single continent (or some large 
individual part) is formed Zone (ZONE), general direction of 
the Zonal Coordinator. Now there is a FidoNet 6 zones (North 
America, Europe, Australia, Latin America, Africa and Asia). In 
addition, there are specialized FidoNet. General manages the 
work of FidoNet International Coordinator (INTERNATIONAL 
COORDINATOR). 


   Exchange of mail, as a rule, is also the hierarchy: Network 
Provider -> Regional Coordinator -> Zonal Coordinator, and then 
on decreasing. Naturally, if is an exchange of mail between two 
nodes one network, the exchange is chain: NODE-1 -> NETWORK 
COORDINATOR -> NODE-2. This chain is pretty long and often 
unacceptable. Therefore, use the so-called gateways. For 
example, it makes no sense to send a letter from Russia to 
Ukraine (different regions) through the Zonal Coordinator. 
Simply send a particular node (Gateway), one region to another 
gateway in the region, where it will be sent.


         Caught in - follow the rules.


   With the modem connected to a standard telephone line
through a computer and special software (like
rule is: TELIX, TELEMATE, MTE, NOVELL NETWORK) you are calling 
on one of these stations, but only authorized for the 
particular station clock, which you need to know in the first 
place, and begins work as a member. By the time the work 
stations are divided into two types: 

- With limited time (night)
- Around the clock


   Night start to work normally with 23 hours to finish
8:00. Hours indicated in the screen saver.


   Trying to ring a chime at the closed station you are 
creating a nuisance sysop and nothing but the rantings of his 
address will not hear. In Anyway, do not call the station if 
you do not believe it work. And do not turn off the sound - 
suddenly you have not got there! After connecting to the BBS, 
you will be asked a series of questions to which you will have 
to reply, only then you will be allowed access to the BBS. May 
be used instead of the name and a nickname, but then you just 
the same ban work in the system Echo-mail (the most interesting 
part of the network!) 


   All users are divided into categories with different levels 
of access. The level of access - the amount of time allowed for

hangs on the BBS, access to a secret file in this case
also very useful.


   On most BBS has a section files (FILES) and Mail (MAIL
and MESSAGES). In turn, these sections highlights areas: for 
example: TEXT EDITORS, GRAPH EDITORS, MUSIC MODULES, TEXTS ... 
In order to write yourself some file, it must be marked and 
select DOWNLOAD (RECEIVE), to send the file - UPLOAD 
(TRANSMIT). 

               E-MAIL


   By mail to FIDONET means stored in a
format file that contains the text addressed to a particular 
person (personal mail), or all participants correspondence. 


   At the stations from 3:00 to 7:00 is set to "mail hour" in 
this BBS, all work in the mode of transmission of mail. And if 
you call at this time call the BBS, you will get the answer: 
"MAIL ONLY SYSTEM, PLEASE HANG-UP ".



   Do not use foul language in the networks,
for it is expelled from this BBS, but also for political and 
religious propaganda, except for designated smoking areas. 

         Free, but NENAZOYLIVO


   By the side are those pesky users who attempt to sermonize 
sysop. 


   You can simply call in and talk! Do not be afraid to make a 
mistake - Fear of systematic repetition of this error!



   Nobody you for random error to expel from BBS will not be! 
Operate, follow the rules, do not be afraid to ask questions, 
conduct themselves well - and you will not have problems!


                    MDM 248-7061; 17.00-23.00
                     Efim@compu-ms.zx.msk.ru