On January 1st 1994 ..  SDN does some changing. The better to
accomodate all the systems that want SDN files and all the ways SDN
distributes. The better to accomodate all the authors and shareware
they send me.

Here are the highlights.


ALL
~~~
       The SDN kit now contains info for authors/sysops/users in itself.



AUTHORS
~~~~~~~
       The SDA format has changed slightly. Also it is included inside
       the .SDN file when distributed.

       The SDN categories or AreaTags have all changed with new ones added.
       Be sure you get them right for processing.

       Authors need only read AUTHOR.DOC




SYSOPS
~~~~~~
       All SDN AreaTags (TIC tags) have changed. Start using the new ones
       on January 1st 1994 and delete the old ones on January 7th 1994.

       The SDN *M structure is no more. Thanks to all who helped! I will
       be creating a list of SDN Aid sites, one in each fido region.

       The SDA has changed. It will  be packed inside each .SDN and have
       a common name of '{SDA.ID}' so it can be extracted on inbound and
       converted by text-to-message utilities for message base posting.

       The is only one SDN echo area now.. SDN_CONF .. this is used for
       all SDN activity including registering as an SDN site. If everyone
       cooperates and automates a monthly 'registration' into that echo
       you will have no problems finding a feed or improving your feed.

       SDN distribution is no longer restricted.

       Sysops can break out SDN-USER.DOC for posting online.

       Sysops need only read SYSOP.DOC




WHERE TO GET SDN
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      January 1st - SDN will be available from these sources.

* Service: Fidonet nodes.
     Form: Fidonet TIC
  Contact: Nodelist USDN or SDN user flag or your net's Files_Coordinator
  Comment: Many SDNer's use the zone 1 USDN user flag.
           Most local nets are getting on the ball and appointing
           Files_Coordinator or Files_Distribution nodes. If your net
           does not yet have this - suggest it to your NC - it is the
           future. If you are importing SDN into your net let your net's
           Files_Coordinator know about it. Also let your net's sysops
           know they can get it from you - share.

* Service: Planet Connect Service
     Form: Fidonet TIC
  Contact: Boyd Goodin at 1:3612/50@fidonet
  Address: Planet Systems Inc. 1065 Cosby Highway, Newport, TN 37821
    Phone: 615-623-4694
     Type: Satellite
  Comment: You must have a fido node number. Planet Systems offers
           a subscription service which downlinks fidonet and other
           networks. The full Backbone and most of the Filebone
           are available.

* Service: Internet
     Form: Individual distribution files or TIC script. Both Tiers.
  Contact: Burt Juda 1:107/309@fidonet
  Address: E-mail msg to 'listproc@ftp.fidonet.org' with the first line
           of 'subscribe filebone YOUR NAME'. Be sure to subscribe from
           an Internet site and not from a fidonet system via gateway.
  Comment: SDN areas are available via anonymous-FTP from 'ftp.fidonet.org'.
           Each SDN area is in a subdirectory named the same as the AreaTag
           below the directory '/pub/fidonet/sdn'. Be sure to use BINARY
           mode when transferring files via 'ftp'. They are also
           mirrored to 'ftp.halcyon'.

* Service: BIX
     Form: Individual files only.
  Contact: ibm.utils 'listings'
  Address: BIX online
  Comment: These are presently mostly the IBM DOS files. The moderator
           sometimes does not post all the files, but most get posted.
           This is a commercial online service. This is not in Fido format.

* Service: Fidonet Filebone
     Form: First Tier Fidonet TIC
  Contact: Local FB sites or obtain FILEBONE.NA listing.
  Address: -
 Comments: To avoid file dupe's with other FDNs, the FB might only
           carries only the first tier. Check in FILEBONE.NA




Now quit being lazy and read all the doc's - the better you fit in the 
better it is for us all.

*ray