The Knight Light ! USA In Association with : The Eagle's Nest and TKL ! Holland Proudly Announces K.I.F.T.O. (Knight Interplanetary File Traders Origanization) Why the "Interplanetary" ? Well I wanted it easily understood that members will be welcome from all over the Globe ! If someone starts a Martian BBS, they can join also ! Who owns K.I.F.T.O. ? Knight Light ! Inc. is the Parent Company and is solely owned by Robert J. Brown, author of this documentation. Knight Tape Services is a division of TKL ! Inc. with ownership as : Knight Light ! Inc. - 51 % (Full Voting Privileges) Unique Systems, Inc - 5 % " " " " Republic Enterprises- 5 % " " " " Willem Schotman - 5 % " " " " Reserved - 10 % to be awarded by Board of Directors with TKL ! Inc.'s approval with no individual presently an owner being allowed any further holdings,except the General Membership. General Membership - 24 % Voting power is = to % / # of members per member. i.e. 24/240 = .10 vote per member. ------ Total 100 % Sometime between the 18 th and 24 th month of commencement of actual full operations, and after election of Officers for the second year, Knight Light ! Inc. will sell/return 46% of its holdings in Knight Tape Services to the General Membership. From inception, except for Knight Light ! Inc., no individual or member may own more than 5% of Knight Tape Services or have larger than a % 5 voting power in K.I.F.T.O. What this basically means is that I retain enough control to get the Organization up and running. After a period of developement, the principle ownership will be help by the Membership. This is designed to prevent any outside controlling factor to be dictatorial in its power, after the 18 to 24 month period mentioned above. If warranted, and at its sole discretion, Knight Light ! Inc., may make the above move sooner than the 18 to 24 month period previously specified. Once ownership is passed from TKL ! Inc. to Knight Tape Services, it will be a totally seperate entity and TKL ! Inc. control will be only its 5% remaining stock. What does K.I.F.T.O.do ? The purpose is a Network of BBS's that will share their files with other member BBS's. How will this be done ? There will be a series of HUBs created where members will send Tapes that contain new files added to their BBS over a specified period of time. Usually once a week. The HUBS will compile these files into a consolidated tape and return the updates to each Member BBS. Also, the HUBS will forward a copy to the World (or other HUBS) which will consolidate those and return to the indidvidual HUBS. HUBS will then add these to its Memeber's Tapes on the next cycle and the process repeats. Where are ? Who are the HUBS ? The "World" HUB is TKL ! USA located in Memphis,Tn. 901-274-0797 BBS #. P.O. Box 22401, Memohis,Tn. 38122, Sysop - Rob Brown. The "European" HUB is The Knight Light ! Holland 31-35-838075 located in Amsterdam, Holland, Sysop - Willem Schotman. The "Mid-Western" HUB is The Eagles Nest BBS Systems in Wichita, KS, P.O. Box 17154 67217, 316-946-5696. Sysops - Richard Thompsom, Paul Smith, and John Wilson. The Knight Light ! USA will be granted the Privilege of being the "World" Hub for a period of 25 years Knight Light Inc. and that may not be changed by K.I.F.T.O. The Knight Light ! Holland and Eagle;s Nest (per Paul Smith) will be granted their status for 10 Years. Unique Systems, Inc. as principle author of the Software Commissioned by Knight ! Inc. Will retain the right to have a Member BBS (Not guaranteed a HUB) at any location he choses, if he is ever separated from his present location at the Eagle's Nest. This is to ensure ease of support by him and as a small reward for the countless hours spent developing the software. This guarantee WILL NOT be used in a manner to inhibit that territory already claimed by a Member or Members as outlined by the Territorial Limitations to be developed at a later time. Requests for HUB status will be taken from the general Membership and will be assigned on a NEED and Appropriateness Basis. It is thought that a HUB will normally support 12 to 16 other Members. Members will be assigned a HUB in a random fashion to ensure that Files are disbursed as evenly as possible over a large area. i.e. a HUB in Kansas might be assigned Members from Canada, Florida, NewYork, and so on. In other words, a member specifically will NOT be assigned a HUB geographically close to his own location. Members in other countries will be required to work with a Hub within a reasonable distance, BUT not necassarily in their home country. Do to the expense of over seas mailing, USA to Europe transfers will be made via TKL ! Holland to TKL ! USA or another Regional HUB as desided by TKL ! USA. When possible as allowed by growth, additional HUB to HUB Transfers across continents will be encouraged. i.e. TKL ! Holland may send their tapes one time to TKL ! USA, and the next time to a HUB in Maryland and so on. All HUB to HUB transfers will be routed by K.I.F.T.O. This all sounds so complex, how is it done ? Well, software is presently being Beta tested that will remove all the hard work, with the exception of putting in and removing the Tapes, from the whole process ! (the software works it is just being tweaked) Software will be provided by an Exclusive License Agreement with Unique Systems, Inc. to Knight Light Inc. that will automate the entire process as much as possible. For example, on a Wildcat 2.xx, a Member receives his Tape, copies it onto his Hard Drive, starts the software and the File Descriptions are added to his Database, File dates are Updated, and the files are moved into the appropriate sub-directories. Just THAT simple. To create a Tape, software is called up, COPIES all files from a given date into a Sub-dir and is then backed up on tape, The File Descriptions are added from the database and are copied onto the tape, If enough space is not available on a Hard Drive to do this in one step, the softwware will Automatically do it in as many repetitions as is needed ! The same examples hold true for PCB and ProDoor BBS's and more will be added as demand grows ! For HUBs the process is similiar, Hubs receive tapes from members, copies them to seperate directories, a database is made and a consolidation of all files is done, eliminating duplicates, and creating the needed File Descriptions. HUBs then merely make as many duplicates as is needed and forwards them back to the members and the World, Regional, or even other HUBs. The softwware is Share - LAN - DOS 3.3 - DOS 4.01 compatible. It can be operated by Menus or automated on a Command Line. I have personally tested these products across a LanTastic LAN,under DesqView, Wildcat, QEMM, Super- PC Kwik, V-Cache, ProDoor, and many other programs. Testing has also been performed under Novell, (3Com yet to be tested), and other SHARE and , LAN NetBios compatable packages, with PCBoard single and Multi-Line versions. SOFTWARE USE CATFM PROFESSIONAL - PCBFM PROFESSIONAL - SNATCH PROFESSIONAL The software has been well thought out and Members of K.I.F.T.O. will be licensed to use "Special" versions that WILL NOT be available from the author or anywhere else to Non-Members ! Notice the Licensed to USE ! Members DO NOT OWN the Software, nor does K.I.F.T.O. Ownership is retained by Unique Systems, Inc. and an Exclusive License is issued only to Knight Light ! Inc. Knight Light ! Inc, and eventually K.I.F.T.O. are the ONLY authorized Licensees with the power to sub-license Members of K.I.F.T.O. this means that a Member CANNNOT continue to use the software if for any reason their Membership is not in "Good Standing." Besides these three programs, members will be provided other Software, but the above indicated License Agreements will apply to all software distributed by K.I.F.T.O. Why or Who should join ?? Any Sysop that spends money on LD calls, desires to improve the File selection available to his callers, and wishes to gain USER support MUST consider this a COST saving and effective means to accomplish these and other goals. Additionally, Shareware Authors will be likely to call a Member BBS and upload New Versions , assured of the Quick dispersal that K.I.T.F.O. offers. Member Sysops will also suggested to target certain BBS's in their areas for files that are usually written by the Sysop of that BBS. A good example might be Verne Buerg's BBS. Remember, this is a WORLD WIDE Organization , with strong interest already being shown in the USA, Canada, Spain, England, and Holland. By controlling costs, ensuring File Selection, and other Pluses, it should be obvious that any power BBS should condsider joining K.I.F.T.O. Other benefits : Membership will be limited by Geographical and Populational relationships. How large a protected area a member has is determined by how many peolple live in a given area, The larger the population, the smaller the actual land area of protection. i.e. Memphis will likely only have one member BBS, TKL ! USA and it will protect a 50 to 100 Mile area (not necessarily circulor) around Memhis. New York City could have 3 members and no further territorial rights. A formula will be worked out that also takes number of nodes into consideration. along with the Geographical and Populational factors. The idea is to LIMIT the number of BBS's in an given area, as opposed to DROWNING any area with Members. What happens when a Member wants to move his BBS to another area ??? If that area has been determined to be "Open" by the K.I.F.T.O., then all a member does is packup and move. If on the other hand, that area is determined as closed, a Member may "Sell" his rights to K.I.F.T.O., to any BBS that is in any open territory. Final approval of such a SALE would be by K.I.F.T.O only ! Buyers must agree to follow ALL K.I.F.T.O. rules, License Agreements, and other stipulations in force at said particular time. NO SALE of Membership is allowed or recognized as final until approved by K.I.F.T.O. i.e. Member of a 3 Node BBS wants to sell out to a 100 Node BBS, but the 100 Nodes is in violation of the Territorial Rights granted other Members. Then said sale will NOT be approved and Seller will have to look for a more appropriate buyer. If a member moves, it will be more than likely that a new HUB will be assigned to said member. All Dissapproved Moves or Sales may be appealed to the General Membership, but at NO time will a License Agreement be allowed to be violated ! The License Agreements are PAT, and are only re-negotiable with the Original Authors or his Representatives through Knight Light ! Inc. Remember, K.I.T.F.O. does not actually own the software, but is itself a Liscensed Dealer. Actually, Bylaws will be written and voted on by the Membership shortly after the actual implimentation of the original, loosely defined herein plans. How Much will it Cost ? Who makes Money ?? Trying to actually set the fees for joining is not possible at this time. Once the number of Seriouly interested parties are determinded, a more detailed and better put togther outline will be printed up and forwarded to those who properly send in the enclosed registration. To pay for the software licenses and provide HUBs with start up funds, I believe that the initial fee will be in the area of $100 to $150 US Funds as a one time fee. Small yearly dues will be assessed as voted on by the Membership to provide necessary funds for the administration of K.I.F.T.O. The original fee to join will be used to pay for the software, start the orginization, and most of the remainder will be forwarded to the HUBS to help pay for equipmemnt, maintenance, and hopefully a small profit for their trouble. This organization is NOT designed to make anyone outside of the authors of software, and HUBS a DIME ! It will surely save many of us a lot money, and by promoting ones BBS, it is hoped to turn that into a profitable adventure. It should be obvious that a HUB will have to dedicate a good amount of drive space, CPU time, and personal effort to be effective. For this reason, HUBs hopefully will make a small profit. (I intend to see they do !) What additional Equipment will be needed ? Members will need a tape drive ! (Floppy support can be provided but it probably would add enough to the cost for a member to justify buying a tape drive). The "Official" tape Drive will be the Colorado "Mountain Jumbo" which will support 40 to 60 MEG tapes of precompressed data. Model Number is DJ-10 or Equivalent. This drive is a low cost, highly reliable performer that more than meets the requirements for a Member or HUB. Realizing that many already own a tape unit, K.I.F.T.O. will try its best to assign a HUB with compatible equipment. For those needing to purchase one of these units, special arrangements are being made through UniQue Software in Kansas and details will be in the forth coming updates to this documentation. NOTE : ALL HUBS will be required to have one of these UNITS in addition to ANY other TAPE Drives they might presntly have. DO NOT run out and buy this Tape Drive ! This is the suggested unit BUT after reviewing all applications and receiving the expected input, the actual Tape Drive that K.I.F.T.O. will require MIGHT change ! More Details : A member will create his tape and forward it to his HUB, sending the Money for the return to him of his updated listings, PLUS $1.00 US Funds or so. The $1.00 will be used by the HUB to send the consolidated tapes to the Regional, World, or other HUBS as determined in the preset plan of K.I.F.T.O. This is to help ensure that HUBS do not have to financially support their members needs. It is explicitly the other way around ! Is should be obvious that if you spend $50.00 US Funds or so a month on phone bills, and/or have big plans for your BBS, you are a Prime Candidate to benefit from K.I.F.T.O. membership. This is a First come First served opportunity, BUT, appropriateness of Membership will be reviewed by the present K.I.F.T.O Board of Directors and approval of membership is jointly by them and Knight Inc. If you fit the very liberal requirements, your application will be approved and you will be provided further documentation to assist you in finalizing your decission of whether to join or not. Present Board = Rob Brown Willem Schotman Paul Smith Richard Thompson John Wilson All HUBS granted Regional Status and ABOVE will be on the Board automatically! (Until first Election of Officers is carried out.) What files will be supported ? All Shareware, Freeware, Public Domain, and Demo Software that is allowed to be passed via a BBS. this includes the normally recognized files, as well as, .GIF, Adult, and others ! ALL Members retain the right to elect to use only the files they prefer. HUBS will have the ability to easily NOT include for instance .GIF files in your tape, if you prefer not to receive them. And of course at a later time you could elect to start receiving any previously rejected file types. COmmercial Software WILL NOT be PASSED by this NETWORK unless a License to do so is Granted K.I.F.T.O. Pirate Boards are specifically EXCLUDED and if a Member is determined to have a Pirate BBS, then his Membership will be REVOKED ! As the Membership grows, every effort will be made to ensure that HUBs have members that desire to support similiar files. Regional Hubs and above will HAVE to distribute all files that K.I.F.T.O. elects to support. All compression methods can be supported, but ZIP is the easiest. Converting from most compressions to others is not that difficult. ZIP, LHZ. ARC, PAK, and others can be handled, either by a Member converting or the HUBs. Members have the right to reject files, what about rights to include only certain files in the updates sent to the HUBs ? Members will be REQUIRED to share 100 % of the files that are present on their respective BBS's, that are LEGAL to distribute ! All member BBS's will be monitored to ensure that each is sending all files as desired by K.I.F.T.O. i.e. a Author uploads a couple of Great Shareware Games to your BBS, well on the next cycle, YOU WILL send them out with all the other files. the Territorial Protection is there to keep it exclusive to your BBS for a extended period anyway ! No hedging will be allowed. Are there any additional Benefits ? Quite a few in fact. Suppose your HD crashes and you have incomplete backups. The Regional HUBs will maintain backups and you can be sent these FED X, at your expense, and be back in business FAST at a low cost ! To UPS Overnight 10 tapes costs about $5.00 US Funds!!! This is considerably less expensive than a individual BBS maintaining a complete Backup of all files. I for one would recommned that a Member BACKup his Software that actualy runs the BBS and let K.I.F.T.O. handle the chore of maintaing the File Backups ! As stated B4, a Member BBS is quite likely to draw a larger share of their areas Users and combined with other features K.I.F.T.O. will provide, this should easily help a member to outpace his presently compareable competition. K.I.F.T.O. will allow a BBS to start supporting Files that were not easily sourced from scratch. A good example might be Amiga or MAC files. K.I.F.T.O. will constantly maintain a Relationship with The National Assoc- iation of Shareware Professionals and other groups dedicated to the advance- ment of the Shareware and/or Public Domain concepts. Possibly, a Registration process and other Mutual Benefits could be worked out using K.I.F.T.O. as the catalyst ! These are just a few examples ! Having proposed this idea to many Sysops in the US, Canada, and Europe, I found the interest was EXTREMELY HIGH ! We will work on a Format to begin Operations on or B4 the end of July, 1990! This requires that all interested apply NOW ! you can make your final decision later. DO NOT HESITATE if INTERSESTED ! If you do, you will find yourself left out and someone else in your place ! General Criteria for Membership : You must be a SYSOP that is Presently up and running 24 Hours a day. You should have 100 + Megs of Storage and the more the better. (HUBs will have to have considerably more permanently free space than a Member) You can join with less, but not as a HUB, if you intend to add more in the very near future ! Most of the BBS's I have discussed HUB statuss with have between 1/2 to 3 Gigs !!! We will initially send newer files with others being acquired as possible. It is suggested that you run or plan to run a Multi-Node setup. The more nodes you have, the larger protected proportion you have in your area ! Wildcat ! 2.xx, PCB Boards 12.00 and up, ProDoor BBS's, and any with compatible File Bases are immediately supported. If you run a NON-Supported format, join up ! Your fee will be due when your format is Supported and BBS types that have the most joiners will be supported FIRST ! Many of you already have software or can write software that will convert your Format to Wildcat or PCBoard Types. If so, you can join and start immediately. BTW, I honestly can say that the functions performed by the Software wriiten by Paul Smith (ByteBrother) will amaze most of you as it already has me ! I have been quietly promoting this idea for over a year,but only from the writing of Paul, has the idea blossomed into reality ! Fill out the REG. Form in DETAIL ! There is a $10.00 US Funds application fee to weed out the less serious. If you are rejected, your $10.00 will be returned, minus the cost to send it back to you ! (This is VERY important to European Apllicants !) If you are approved for membership, but later reject it, your money was alredy spent on Prnting and Shipping and NO REFUND will be made ! PLEASE, DO NOT CALL the above BBS's for INFO ! Send in the FORM and wait for the reply ! If very many call with questions now, it will just hold up the actual prepartation for more specific data to be sent to serious applicants. IN FACT, I will not respond to ANY question placed on my BBS about K.I.F.T.O. until the above mentioned data is passed out ! I will make every effort to spread more news on the RelayNet Echos, BUT remember, RelayNet, like most other Echo Systems, has restictions on these type of formats. Please realize that although this Documentation is very crude, many hours of planning, writing, testing, along with a few thousand dollars of mine and others money have been put into this project and it is well beyond the "Dream Stage." In fact, a recent HD crash on a older XT on which I was writng the original documentation caused a loss of over a 100 Hours of work that I had almost finished. As usual, I was in to big a hurry, and had too many other things to do, to back it up. All the above mentioned entities are being Incorporated, with Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks being applied for ! Duplication of the above ideas are ILLEGAL ! K.I.F.T.O. will ALWAYS prosecute any individual or company that infriges on its protected rights ! Remember ! All applications are to be FORWARDED to KNIGHT LIGHT ! INC, at P.O. BOX 22401 Memphis,Tn. 38122 ! NO ONE else can AUTHORIZE any application or status in K.I.F.T.O. ! I sincerely hope that many readers will see the depth of such a project and decide to support it from the onset ! The more (up to a point) the better ! Happy BBS'sing to ALL ! Rob Brown (Speed Merchant) Sysop TKL ! USA The Knight Light ! 901-274-0797 P.O.Box 22401 , Memphis, Tn. 38122